By Jose Guillermo
I arrived at High Grounds Café around 6 PM, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure how the evening would turn out. The venue, perched on the corner of Scout Rallos and Tomas Morato in Quezon City, was still half-empty. A few familiar faces wandered in, exchanging tentative smiles and cautious waves. Slowly but surely, though, the atmosphere started to build.
By 6:30 PM, the pace picked up as more batchmates came streaming in. I couldn’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia with every new arrival—familiar faces, now older but still recognizable, brought back memories of carefree days in high school. By 7 PM, the place was buzzing with energy.
The host decided it was time to get things rolling with an icebreaker. Each section was introduced in turn, and we were supposed to alternate shouting “Notre!” and “Dame!” between sections. But, as expected, chaos took over. Instead of orderly calls, the venue erupted into a cacophony of “Notre!” “Yeah!” and bursts of uncontrollable laughter. No one was listening to the host—it was pure excitement spilling over.
Were you there during this? Did you yell “Notre!” or just laugh along?
The café was the perfect choice for our reunion—not just because of its cozy vibe but also because it was owned by a fellow Damer from another batch. The lights and sounds, provided by yet another Notre Dame alumnus from a batch ahead of us, created the perfect ambiance. It felt like coming home.
The night officially began with a heartfelt prayer from Mary May Necesito-Lacaste, followed by opening remarks from Rey Ramos. These moments were a reminder of why we were there: to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate the bonds we’d formed 30 years ago.
Then came one of the most entertaining parts of the evening: the games.
The ever-charismatic Allan Aldea took the mic, cracking us up with his story of that unforgettable 2nd-year teacher who went berserk, sending 30 students fleeing the classroom. He transitioned smoothly into hosting the Who’s That Throwback of ‘94 game, where we had to identify old photos of our classmates.
It started with close-ups of eyes, then mouths, before finally revealing the entire face. The laughter was endless—some people hadn’t changed a bit, while others were almost unrecognizable. The winners walked away with KIXX cheese curls and bottles of isopropyl alcohol, courtesy of Milo Cablao.
Next up was the spin-the-wheel raffle. I crossed my fingers for a Notre Dame T-shirt, but alas, luck wasn’t on my side. I did manage to snag 2 bottles of hand lotion, though—not bad!
What about you? Did you win something?
With appetites primed by all the excitement, Noel Agustin blessed the food, and the much-awaited buffet was served.
The spread was incredible for Starters; Deep-fried pork gyoza, potato and mushroom soup Sides; Kani salad and garlic mashed potatoes and the Main courses: Crispy pork kare-kare, roasted pork belly with apple teriyaki sauce, and beef demi-glace.
While waiting for our turn at the buffet, we nibbled on the appetizers and enjoyed music from the 90s, performed live by Stanza 2. Hearing those familiar tunes transported me back to our high school days. I found myself belting on I Remember You by Skid Row and Fire and Ice by Poison during their 2nd set.
As dinner continued, a touching video presentation played on the big screen. It honored our departed batchmates and included messages from teachers and classmates who couldn’t be there in person. One part, in particular, had everyone laughing—a batchmate confessed to courting a female classmate for four straight years, only to be politely rejected until graduation. Classic high school drama! Another one asked for forgiveness as he was telling the he was only a child back then. Some offered well wishes to the batch.
No reunion would be complete without a trip to the photo booth. Groups huddled together—sections, barkadas, even spontaneous clusters of friends—capturing memories to take home.
After dinner, the games resumed with Name That Tune: 90s Edition. Two groups competed to name iconic songs from our era. If one team missed, the other could steal the point. The energy was infectious, and the Starbucks gift cards for the winners were just the cherry on top.
As the night wore on, gifts were presented to our beloved teachers, a token of gratitude for their guidance all those years ago. Then Michael Paul Batillano took the stage for the closing remarks. In his speech, he reminisced about the nicknames he had been called back in high school—“Bate” or “Bati”—and how those names are now a badge of honor, instantly identifying anyone who calls him that as a Batch ’94 alumnus.
This year’s reunion was also special because of the first-timers—batchmates who hadn’t attended a single reunion in the past three decades. Some flew in from as far as the US, Canada, and Singapore, while others came from Batangas, Cavite, and Bulacan. Their presence made the night even more memorable.
If you were one of the first-timers, what made you decide to come this year?
As the clock edged toward midnight, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness that the night was ending. Conversations lingered, laughter echoed, and promises to “keep in touch” were exchanged. For those who couldn’t make it, you missed an unforgettable evening—but don’t worry. The next reunion is just five years away. I was able to have my “Sharon” by the way.
November 23, 2024, wasn’t just another date on the calendar. It was a celebration of friendship, shared memories, and the unbreakable spirit of Notre Dame Batch 1994.
What was your favorite part of the night? Did you reconnect with an old friend, win a prize, or belt out a 90s song with the band? Let’s keep the conversation going!
Where will you be in the next 5 years! Cheers!
Trivia: Who is that batchmate who was wearing a hoody who had never knew that what he was wearing still has a price tag?