The
first reunion was initiated by Medy Yap in Tagbilaran, Bohol.
This was brought about by the passing away of her late father,
Tio'y Jose “Peping” Rodriquez when cousins and
some members of the clan were in Bohol to condole with the
bereaved family. A plan to have a reunion the following year
to coincide with the first anniversary of Tio’y Peping’s
death was proposed and unanimously agreed upon by the clan
members present. Thus the first reunion of the Rodriquez Clan
took place on April 7-9, 1989. It was attended by sixty-two
(62) family members from Manila, Mindanao and Cebu and the
USA; the Lopezes from San Carlos City with Tia’y Estela
as the only living matriarch in attendance.
The
second reunion was planned in Cebu City during the silver
wedding anniversary of Jess “Nonoy” and Dot Falcon
in January 1990. It was then held on April 20-22, 1990 sponsored
by the Falcon and Real Families. This time, aside from those
who were in attendance during the first reunion; Locsin, Dumancas,
and Rodriquez families from Bacolod City came to attend namely,
Vicenting R. Locsin, Domingo R. Dumancas Jr. and Teresita
R. Jalundoni. Absent were the Clan members residing in the
USA, Don and Nora Douglas, Bill and Gemma Lewis and Boraling
and Nena Cedro.
The
Third Reunion was held in Surigao City on July 11-13, 1997.
It coincided with my 75th birthday celebration. There were
102 members in attendance from the families of Reyeses, Cedros,
Falcons, Yaps. Bebong Rodriguez and Tessie Lao Sabong also
arrived from Manila. The reunion which was held at the Maharlika,
was filled with socials, sports and recreational activities
for both the young and senior members of the clan.
The
4th reunion was initiated by Congressman Nonoy Falcon during
a party held in his residence in Quezon City. In that gathering
Bebong Rodriguez was elected to become the clan’s chairman
being the only living member carrying the family name Rodriguez
from Bacolod, Assisted by Manila based members who served
as the secretariat/coordinators, namely: Tess Lao, Lorna Mosende,
Nening Carvajal and Kathy Reyes Gellidon, the 4th Reunion
was successfully held in the “City of Springs”
Los Baños, Laguna. The response from the family members
was overwhelming resulting at more than 100 members participating
the reunion. The 2-day gathering was lively, and made more
memorable by the presence of Eugene Villaluz who entertained
the family members with his songs. Adolf Ortiz also gave his
share of inspiring and “witty” remarks. First
timers to the reunion were Jun Villaluz and his family as
well as Felicia Reyes. While the senior members were busy
talking and playing their favorite “majong”, the
younger ones enjoyed singing, dancing and swimming until the
wee hours in the morning. They were saying “bitin ang
2 days”! Notable was the closeness and camaraderie developed
among these young members of the clan.
As
we prepare for the 5th reunion we envision and look forward
to the clan being together again, updating with each other’s
lives and happenings…….knowing with one another
more! Through our participation , we give meaning to our clan’s
reunion theme : “ God’s Gift to the Rodriguez
Clan” by acknowledging the blessings and the gifts of
God to each and everyone of us… and the joy of sharing
them with others.
*Joined her creator on March 3, 2005
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