With the theme “Restore, Recall and Explore at 44,” the grand alumni homecoming of Palawan Adventist Academy (PAA) was a huge success. Held on July 7-10 at the PAA campus in Tacras, Narra, Palawan, th homecoming brought home a significant number of alumni and friends of differen batches and eras. The weekend was not only spent as a special time of reunion and reconnection but also in celebration of the academy’s 44 years of unfailing service.

Headed by Eliezer Zulueta, the PAA Alumni officers diligently organized and carried out programs involving the alumni, the school and the community. On July 7, free medical services were made available to the community through a medical outreach. In the evening, bonding and lupakan time allowed joyful reminiscences of academy memories. On July 8, the alumni participated in planting trees in front of the campus. Fun games were also held and people in the community were visited in the afternoon.

Many alumni arrived early morning of July 9 to witness a Sabbath made special by alumni. The Sabbath worship was graced by the participation of Pastor Daniel Malabad, PAM president and Pastor Nepthali Manez, NPUC president. Pastor Manez ministered the Word during the hour of worship. The afternoon program featured inspiring stories of selected PAA graduates with recognizable achievements.

Saturday night was the grant social night at the academy’s auditorium. There were marching, games and special presentations all participated by former students, former teachers and friends. The evening was highlighted by rampahan or model-walks of selected former students in retro attire. Linupak was served as snacks.

On July 10, the alumni, joined by the faculty, staff and senior students of the academy, drove off in a colorful motorcade along the national highway passing through Tacras, Burirao, Abo-Abo and Aramaywan. This activity aimed to promote the academy to its surrounding communities in order to increase enrollees. After the motorcade, a banquet program with Pastor Claro Vicente as keynote speaker followed. Prizes were given to raffle winners during the banquet. Mr. Reuben Budayao delivered a challenge to the alumni. His suggestion of retaining the current alumni officers was heartily accepted by the body, thus retaining the officers for another term. The alumni association also presented their reports. The association expressed high hopes on the project of putting up a water system in the academy. At present, the association is on the process of acquiring funds for this project, soliciting the generous hearts of fellow alumni and friends

The grand homecoming renewed the love and dedication of PAAians to the academy as felt in the flow of posts and comments on the PAAians facebook page. It can be observed that PAA alumni were united in one vision. That is for PAA to go on ever, with its ever-burning torch raised to the sky.