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Message to my Beloved Classmates
in Letran High School, Class 1956
From Jose Maria Sison
18 November 2006
Utrecht, The Netherlands
My dear classmates,
Warmest greetings of solidarity with you! I am elated to join you in celebrating the 50th
anniversary of our graduating class, vintage 1956, in the high school department of the
Colegio de San Juan de Letran, the school of San Vicente Liem de la Paz, Fr. Jose Burgos,
Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Emilio Jacinto, President Emilio Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini,
Isabelo de los Reyes, Supreme Bishop Gregorio Aglipay, President Manuel Quezon, President
Sergio Osmena, Pedro Abad Santos, Jose Laurel and other outstanding historical figures.
I hope that the overwhelming majority of us have survived the last half of a century.
Everyone deserves a medallion for sheer survival and of course the inevitable accomplishments
in the eyes of our families, friends, the people and our alma mater. I wish that all of us who
are still on our feet will stay in good health and live for another 50 years.
I took for granted all previous class reunions and failed to attend them for various reasons.
Most prominent of these is that I have been too preoccupied with my chosen line of work.
This has required me to be in the countryside for one period of time, under military detention
for another and going on exile for still another.
But I feel now that the process of aging has caught up with me and has moved me to renew
my relations with you before it is too late. It may be a morbid joke but it is true that after
the golden jubilee the mortality rate goes higher. It is high time to strengthen bonding
with all those whom we love but whom we take for granted because we are also sure of
their love.
Even as I have not attended all previous reunions and even now I can only join you in spirit,
I have always kept my faith and trust that our class has the high sense of duty, the education,
the talents and competence to contribute to the affirmation, defense and promotion of the
rights and interests of our people and country. I am always proud whenever I come to know
that a classmate is succeeding in whatever profession or field of social activity.
We are now at an age when we can benefit from a rich accumulation of experience, learned
lessons and wisdom and we can strive for greater achievements. In my case, I would like to
exert greater efforts for advancing the cause of national freedom, democracy, social justice,
all-round development and peace. I emulate the patriots and revolutionaries that our
beloved alma mater has produced.
If you are interested in monitoring my activities, please visit my website: www.josemariasison.org
You can communicate with me anytime by email: [email protected] I wish to get the
directory and the latest photo memorabilia of our class. In case anyone goes to Europe, please
give me notice in advance and I shall be your tour guide.
Mabuhay ang Class 1956! Arriba Letran! Mabuhay tayong lahat!
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