June 24, 2004

     Having seen the program of the upcoming Grand Alumni Homecoming, the theme interests me. Please allow me to share a few thoughts.

     First of all, I would like to dispel the notion that all I do on this space is bash people, that everything I write is always meant to be critical of someone or of something. The fact that I pound computer keyboards 8 hours a day makes it easier for me to target people who don't. That simply couldn't be farther from the truth. If you believe that, you also believe the chronicles of Riddick and you worship Van Helsing.

"My hope is, for the next homecoming, we don't have to bridge ties once again. Why do we have to bridge ties only every homecoming when we can bridge them forever?"

     Last Monday, Dr. Mes Granada (on a U.S. vacation) happened to stop by my workplace where his relative also works. He probably didn't expect he'd meet me there. Of course he was joking, but Dr. Granada's first words were "I heard you're bashing me on your site." I just smiled at it because I haven't and the fact that he admitted later that he hasn't visited the site in years. You see, if I bash him now, he'll never know.

     My meeting with Dr. Granada Monday was brief (I did relay your regards, Rey O.). I was supposed to pick him up Wednesday (yesterday) and we'll have dinner at my place but it was his last night before taking the flight back home and he called to cancel. I understood especially so that I was last on his itinerary of acquaintances to visit. He was too tired because friends he'd known had to take him out too. He had been to Hooters too many times, he lost count. I just didn't know he was here early enough. Just imagine the amount of column material if we have talked for 3 hours. I have actually prepared a litany of questions but, as always, they will have to wait for the "next time".

     Now, I am beginning to think that "all I do is criticize" is the impression that a lot of people have of me, especially those who don't visit the site often (not Dr. Granada, of course, he's a friend and as I said he was joking). I have to be careful of what I say now. If I make comments about, say, the alumni homecoming, it is simply because I care, that's not being critical. Please take my comments for what they are. Let's have an open mind about constructive criticisms. They're not meant to destroy one's reputation just because it's "announced to the whole world".

     As I have stated at the beginning of this column, I'd like to share my thoughts on the alumni homecoming. I spent a few paragraphs above explaining myself but I'll say it again, if you still read this as criticizing, please consider it constructive. I may sound defensive but that's better than losing friends.

     This year's homecoming theme, "Bridging Ties Once Again", is appropriate. That's what homecoming is all about. It tells me ties have been severed because people wander and move to different places away from friends and classmates. Exactly how many alumni will bridge ties remains to be seen but that's beside the point. My hope is, for the next homecoming, we don't have to bridge ties once again. Why do we have to bridge ties only every homecoming when we can bridge them forever?

     I am talking about this very site and its mostly untapped potential. I have met co-alumni on this site who I've heard of but not met personally before. Alumni like Rey Pineda, Rey Octaviano and Arthur del Rosario. Alumni with genuine love and concern for the College and the desire to meet fellow alumni from everywhere.

     I am not saying this site should replace homecomings. I would have liked to attend this year's homecoming too. But when we were planning our vacation to the Philippines early this year, the homecoming wasn't scheduled so we set our own "homecoming" to December. I can't afford a vacation twice in one year. My frequent-flyer miles is, let's see, still zero.

     Homecomings happen only every 5 years and there's nothing wrong with that. That doesn't mean we cannot interact with our fellow alumni in-between those 5 years. Talk, share stories (silly or otherwise), plan reunions, plan projects, anything. That will make every homecoming really something to look forward to, don't you think?

     Recently, a friend and co-alum e-mailed me about her classmate who went on vacation to Iloilo from the U.S. I won't mention my friend's name as well as her classmate as I've not asked her permission to share her e-mail here. The classmate, my friend said, visited the Dean's office. He was informed that the College has a program for underprivileged but deserving medical students who find it hard to continue their schooling because of financial reasons. In my friend's word the classmate was "asked for a donation, apparently they have an ongoing program for students who have good grades but find it hard to continue medical school due to loss of an income earner (or the likes of it)". The classmate promised a $20 check every month but did not say for how long. The friend wondered if we can make this a project of the WVSUCMAA-IC.

     Certainly. Even if we are still in the early stages of development, we will consider it. And I think that's one good reason to raise funds. But what bothers me is why did it take for someone to really step on the floors of Roxas Hall so we'd know about this? With all due respect to the Dean's office, I think I have mentioned about realizing this site's potential earlier. It may take some real arm-twisting for people to part with their $20 (we can't even get membership for just $25 a year) every month but you never know.

     I have thought of this for a while. Am I driving co-alumni away by having so critical a tone here? Do I come across as too arrogant? Who knows, I am hurting people's feelings. On second thought, if they don't visit and read, who am I hurting? Please, my intentions are pure, and I don't mean to hurt anyone.

     I don't bid for recognition for my work. I know I was nominated (in the Forum, at least) as most outstanding alumnus but I am not dreaming. Giving the award to me is like giving the Oscar for Best Picture to "Dude, Where's My Car?". Don't get me wrong. I am deeply honored by the nomination and the people who posted their support. Besides, the person who nominated me is someone I respect so much, Dr. Noel Binayas. That's the ultimate honor. But I have no illusions. The people who will ultimately decide this have no idea what I have done and that's understandable. Yes, I did something but I don't deserve anything.

     Now it's my turn to honor all the people who have helped me transform this site to what it is now. I won't mention all of you because I may miss somebody but you know who you are, alumni and non-alumni alike. The writers, the Forum moderators, the posters, the e-mailers, and the regular visitors. And a special mention to Dr. Arthur del Rosario of class 1980, a pathologist in Las Vegas, who is sharing his slides and Powerpoint presentations for everyone to use and learn from. (I'm still waiting for my normal breast and kidney slides. Just kidding, Art.)

     Looking at the program, I don't expect this site to be ever mentioned in the homecoming festivities. I sure hope it would. It is tough to get people's interest. Even here in the U.S., we can barely get the majority of the alumni to participate.

     I am not asking you to visit everyday. For sure, your usual reaction will be the same as my wife's, "Maayo ka imo iya kay kuti ka lang da' computer mo. Busy na sila ila. Hindi pareho sa imo." Maybe, once a week or twice a month. I don't think that's too much to ask. Yes, we can bridge our ties forever.

     Unless you don't want to.

     Note on the "Diary": I am condensing the "Diary of an Intern" into a section separate from this column. If you read my column only for the "Diary" you don't have to cut and paste. I apologize for not updating the story so often. Contrary to popular belief, I don't really spend 24 hours a day on this site. I have a work too that helps me pay my bills. Thank you for your patience.

     Also, I have received comments that my columns are too long. Okay, I'll try to make it shorter.

Feedback: send your comments to the author (anonymously, if you wish)

     The author's e-mail address is at drgarcia(at)wvsumedaa.com

     Views expressed on this column and any other by-lined articles on this site are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organization or its members.