In Northern Samar
GAMAY, Northern Samar — Hundreds of alumni of Gamay Central Elementary School gathered in their hometown on Sept. 12 for a grand homecoming that brought former classmates together while supporting the municipality’s annual fiesta celebration.
The GCES Grand Alumni Homecoming 2026, themed “Returning Home to Inspire, Serve and Give Back,” featured activities throughout the day that culminated in an evening program at the municipal gymnasium in Barangay Central.
GCES Alumni Association president Adelwisa Lucero-Acebuche said the homecoming activities were also the alumni association’s contribution to the town’s celebration of the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, Gamay’s patron saint, on Sept. 14 and 15.
The homecoming opened at 5 a.m. with a novena and thanksgiving Mass at St. Michael Parish Church, with GCES Batch 1979 serving as the sponsoring batch.
The Mass was followed by breakfast at the school and a grand parade participated in by alumni batches, the GCES Drum and Bugle Corps, alumni officers and members, the town’s Musiko and the host Batch 1979.
A short program at the school’s social hall featured awards for the “Early Bird Batch,” the “Jolly or Jubilant Batch,” “Best in Attire” and the batch with the highest number of attendees. Alumni batches also held mini-reunions during the gathering.
The main homecoming program was held Saturday evening at the town gymnasium, where Mayor Tin Capoquian, Schools District Head Maria Lita Orio and school principal Jeger Miano delivered messages of support.
Guest speaker Zaida Alastoy-Calalay also delivered an inspirational message and received a certificate of appreciation and a token from the alumni association.
The program included performances by various alumni batches, followed by the coronation of Miss Gamay Central Elementary School Alumni 2026 and her court.
A raffle draw featuring consolation prizes and grand prizes was also held, with proceeds intended to support school projects and continuing improvements at GCES.
Acebuche, who is also the provincial budget officer of Northern Samar and a native of Gamay, said the alumni association had continued to support the school through donations and various improvements.
Among its contributions was a complete sound system, which was formally turned over to the school on Oct. 3, 2025. The association also donated P20,000 to the local church.
The homecoming brought together alumni now living in other parts of the country and overseas, giving them an opportunity to reconnect with former classmates while giving back to their school and hometown.
(PETER D. PAREDES)
