Nothing much had been heard of then from this bunch of teens after they left Don Bosco. As they went separately into college, while for some their early taste of real life in their respective jobs supporting their family, the memory of that institution that once molded them with moral values and technical skills became blurred. For some minor groups, their ties still remained closely-knit, only that, there were instances that due to their youth and restlessness, fisticuffs became part of their group get-togethers, minor events which drifted them further from those values that had once bonded them. Division slowly crept into the group and it seems nothing much could be done to hold them back together.

The group’s division grew more glaring when in early March 1996, some key members of the batch’s Victorias group failed to attend a very important organizational meeting set for hosting the 1997 General Alumni Homecoming, which was hosted by the batch’s Silay group led by Mike Velez. The meeting was set earlier during the 1996 General Alumni Homecoming, wherein it was agreed that such meeting shall be held in Silay. Because of this breakdown, no Alumni Homecoming was held for the first time in Don Bosco Victorias. This unfortunate milestone in the Alumni’s existence only strengthened one of our former teacher’s impressions that we are the worst batch of Bosconians ever!

Six (6) years have since passed. Then from the thresholds of the ever-busy and overcrowded Manila, a group of 15 members of this supposedly worst batch of Bosconians sprang to life once more, willing to prove the world wrong. To ensure that messages and information constantly come clear and on-time to all its members, Leo Alfred Villarico opened an e-mail account for the batch at Yahoogroups. This brought the enrollees to this e-mail account even closer and made each other understand better. Thus, ANK-87 was born!

One early evening in late August 2002, Rodjoe Mosqueda gathered some 14 of his former classmates at his home in Canetown Subd., Vicmico to present an idea never before thought of by any other member of the batch in this sugar mill city. Tasked to spearhead the campaign to gather once more majority of the members of Batch ’87 was Benny Regalado. The following month, an organizational meeting for Victorias group was held at JB’s Place and was supported by only two (2) representatives from Silay, proof of its hesitance about the sincerity of the campaign. The October meeting in Silay gathered together 11 brethrens from the place plus eight (8) more from Victorias. It was agreed at that meeting that Silay group shall cover the area Silay, Talisay, and E. B. Magalona. It was such a successful meeting that at that same instance, all of Silay people’s doubts about the sincerity of a grand get-together in December were instantly erased. Also at about that time, the campaign group was still in limbo about the status of the Bacolod group. And so, Benny once more initiated to meet with Bacolod’s Edwin Dofeliz and Jose Raymund Tan to arrange the organization of the Bacolod group as well as launch the official dissemination of information through an official invitation letter and registration form for ANK-87. Raymund volunteered as coordinator for Bacolod group. To convince the Sagay group, Benny and Raymund set out to personally meet with Pepito Tibor, who right there committed his attendance to ANK-87. The success of that meeting proved as a testimony that despite of the all the current technologies of bringing people closer and together, nothing can replace the art of personally touching people in enlisting their support to any undertaking.

All throughout this period, members were constantly kept updated through the Yahoogroup e-mails.

Then came preparation time for the big event. Benny had been a constant visitor to another batch brethren, Rev. Noel Judith, more popularly known as Rev. Fox and the current DBTI principal, to coordinate activities concerning the recollection and Holy Mass for ANK-87. Even towards the last days before ANK-87 and during Christmas Day, the campaign goes on as Rodjoe and Benny personally visited and called up batchmates within Victorias and the nearby towns and cities to solicit their commitment to attend. They wasted no time and effort in convincing each and every member to attend. They also ensured that all the things needed for this great event were all taken cared of. Each one of them came out of their way just to ensure that this first get-together will be a great success.

Then came December 28, 2002, the big day. As early as 7:00 AM, Rodjoe, Genesis Ferrer, Rudymar Tampos, Benny, and Jerry Panes came to converge at the DBTI Chapel to take care of the registration and make sure that everything goes well. As each and every brother came to register, memories started to come back once more. Warm greetings and felicitations were given, pictures taken, stories told, it’s so nice to be one of the boys once more and cherish all the memories. Now it’s time for us to revert back to our old identity – Bosconians. And so we ran, jump, played, been happy, but didn’t commit sins once again.

Just like prodigal sons who came back to receive once more our Father’s graces, we gathered inside the Chapel to hear our brother, Rev. Fox give us some words of reflection. After that, almost all of us had our confessions – a sacrament we had almost neglected for years that we were outside of our Alma Mater’s fold. Indeed, we’re now prepared to receive Jesus into our lives again. Thanks to our Salesian Fathers Noel Sebetero, SDB and Jerome Constantino, SDB who came also came out of their way just to hear our sins and wash our hearts clean once more.

As we offered the Holy Mass together with Rev. Fox and Fr. Emong Barreta, we sang as one voice, just like what we have always wanted these past 15-1/2 years. Nothing really can soothe the soul than a great blessing from God. Most especially if the institution’s Rector would commend us that our homecoming is a first of its kind in all that he had witnessed.

We then set off to the cafeteria for a little talk with our former teachers, more specifically from our ANAK-Bosco mentor Andrei Delgado, now DBTI Asst. Principal and Activities Moderator, who came to cement our place and identity into Don Bosco Victorias’ history. Former shop instructors also came to witness with us our rebirth and relive our Bosconian identity even for just a day.

We all feasted together on a sumptuous lunch of vegetable and fish, spiced by two (2) lechons, before we discussed our batch’s objectives and plans. Chapter groups were formed and chapter officials were named before the actual election of officers. As expected, Leo Alfred H. Villarico was elected President; Rodjoe and Mike Velez, vice-presidents; Benny, secretary; Edwin, Treasurer; and Peter Papista, Auditor. Then, our officers agreed that we are seriously bidding to co-host the 2004 General Alumni Homecoming together with Batch ’79 and that we are hosting and managing DBTI-Victorias website: www.donboscovictorias.org.

As we celebrated once again our fraternal fellowship, former classmates treated us to songs and dances. Again pictures were taken, stories told, memories cherished. As we went out to have a group picture, we stopped by the very football field where we had our last glance after graduation and had a group picture taken. We also had some group pictures taken at the quadrangle fronting Don Bosco’s bronze statue as well as the Administration Bldg.

We capped the homecoming with another round of fellowships at JB’s Place in Victorias. And as I went home that night, I can’t help but feel fulfilled. For despite the troubles, pains and sacrifices I’ve endured during the rundown to ANK-87, the mere thought of having my brethrens show their all-out support and unity to this undertaking makes me overcome all these.

ANK-87 was indeed a great success, for according to some parishioners who attended the 6:00 PM Mass at the Immaculate Concepcion Chapel the next day, Fr. Rector also commended our batch get-together as something to emulate during his Homily. And so, indeed, we have arrived! Ari Na Kami! At long Last!

Now, I ask. Are we the worst batch ever to come out of Don Bosco’s fold? I pose this challenge to all of you, my brothers, to keep that fire burning eternally in your hearts because we have just been named the best. Not the worst.