Similar to what UP has cooked up for our Centennial Celebration, we could also develop a what they term as 'coffee table book' or CTB (reduced to coffee table magazine or CTM, or we can pursue on the CTB as the sisters already have approved it) to commemorate the presence of the Sisters of Mary in the Philippines. Officially (?), we can say that the Sisters of Mary set foot in the Philippines on August 15, 1985. Such reckoning will translate the 25th year (silver anniversary) of the congregation's presence in the Philippines to August 15, 2010. It's providential that this date also falls on a Sunday when all or most of the alumni will have the chance to attend. All batches, particularly the senior batches (from 1st to 6th batch), could be the concurrent hosts for the celebration/homecoming.

The development of this CTB (CTM) shall be spearheaded by the alumni since we are the prime beneficiaries of the Sisters of Mary. Adequate support shall be provided by the Sisters, the faculty, support staff, the suppliers, the contractors and most especially the friends & benefactors of the Sisters of Mary. This book/mag will be a legacy of all those involved with the Sisters of Mary for its twenty five (25) years here in the Philippines.

Culmination of the celebration and book/mag launching will be scheduled on August 15, 2010. The contents may include the following (your suggestions are welcome...):

1. Sisters of Mary then & now - highlights of history
2. The Pillars of the Sisters of Mary Phils.
3. Alumni Testimonials - Batch pictures, Alumni Event pictures, 25 featured alumni...Alumni Directory
2. Faculty Directory...
3. Support Staff, Consultants Directory
4. Suppliers & Contractors Directory
5. Sisters Directory
6. Site Pictures
7. Ads
etc...

This list is preliminary and rough. There's still a lot of room for improvement and suggestions in topic, format, and context are welcome. Today, this is just an idea but with our concerted efforts and given more months, we can make this a reality.

We can start immediately by spreading the idea and get a feel of the extent and how to better organize this CTB (CTM) and the enthusiasm that it could generate.

If there may be alumni who are in journalism, photography, print & media, and advertising or in similar/related trades, they could be of much help to this undertaking.

Initially, we can form a committee of contacts, tasked to contact as many as possible and may consist of the following:
1. Alumni - Office of the Alumni, past presidents, batch representatives including Cebu
2. Faculty - Ms. Estorco, Ms. Ligson, Cebu faculty
3. Support Personnel - Ms. Cynthia, Daisy, Shellane, Joy
4. Suppliers - Ms. Cynthia, Daisy, Shellane, Joy
5. Contractors - Arch. Cord, Engr. Ledesma, Resty, Roy
6. Sisters - Sr. Elena, Sr. Elnora
7. Pictures - all contributors, nominations are welcome
A Ads - everybody/Arch. Guanco, ASMSI

Meantime, could we solicit once again your reactions on this? Another thing is that - we might do the 2nd wave of a "Grand Concert - Sisters of Mary at 25" in August 2010 (at the SMS Soccer Field) with the talented SMS Students as performers plus some of the Celebrity Singers just like the last Concert for a Cause when we had Jed Madela, Nyoy Volante, Dingson Balahadia & the MYMP as guest singers.

Btw, we already have opened an ASMSI account for this project. We may start contributing as early as now. Please find below bank details:

Account Name: Alumni of the Sisters of Mary School, Inc (SM Dasmariñas Branch)
BDO Savings Account No.: 1900357788

Please e-mail deposit slips @ contact_us@asmsi.org.ph for acknowledgment.

Thank you very much...As we also target our suppliers & contractors (or your companies :) ) We're currently drafting the Sponsorship letter...

I hope it could reach as many Sisters of Mary Alumni around the world as possible. We'll be 25 on August 15, 2010!!! Please come home on that day... AUGUST 15, 2010.

The Grand Alumni Homecoming will be on March 14, 2010 Sunday - (SMS towards 25: Looking back...Paying tribute...Reviving Values...) Hope we could see many of you!!! God bless us!!!