Coincidentally, the celebration of the second alumni homecoming of the St. Camillus College Seminary on September 26, 2009 ran right smack into the onslaught of typhoon “Ondoy.”  But the more than 300 millimeters of rainfall that poured for about nine hours over the National Capital Region and nearby areas did not the dampen the spirit of the participating alumni from various provinces all over the country.  Though there was a good number stranded in airports, piers and flooded streets due to the deluge, those who made it definitely delighted in walking down the hallways of their beloved Alma Mater—again—and reliving memories of their shared history.

The event started with the Eucharistic celebration, with Fr. Jojo Eloja, MI, of the Australian Delegation presiding and fifteen other priests, mostly Camillians, concelebrating.  The general assembly followed shortly after.  In the afternoon, after a sumptuous lunch, the election of the members of the Board of Trustees of the association was held. The scheduled sports activity was cancelled and changed to bonding sessions, over buckets of beer, of course.

For this writer and perhaps for all collegians, the homecoming was a time of looking forward to what lies ahead—to becoming part of the association.  It was amusing for us to see how the alumni held the election.  They usually nominated only one candidate and closed the nomination right away.  Railroading? Yes. It was the kind you would only see in the seminary. They were very much like us collegians—only they were advanced in age.

At around 5:30 pm, power was cut off.  That somehow added flavor to the event.  This prompted a scramble for candles.  Candlelight dinner, anyone?   Good thing, there was a generator, which provided just enough power for emergency lights and a television that enabled everyone to keep abreast of the latest news especially about the typhoon. The evening wore on with candles as the only source of lighting. The alumni and seminarians spent their time in jamming sessions, news viewing and, of course, story telling.

The next day was a different story all together.  With what the typhoon left behind in the seminary grounds – an uprooted tree and scattered leaves, twigs and branches – the seminarians shifted into work mode and went into a cleaning spree.  And yes, the alumni got busy not only in preparing to go home but also in extending help to the typhoon victims in whatever way they could.  That was the true spirit of homecoming and brotherhood!