Woman, 62, to find own Resurrection — in old pals’ arms this Easter (2025)

MANILA, Philippines — Easter, which represents the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, often symbolizes renewal.

Such is the case of 62-year-old Crispina Lanugan, who never imagined she was set to reunite with her high school friends after 45 years.

Coming from Palawan to reunite with her friends in Bombon, Camarines Sur, in Bicol, Crispina said she and her friends were batchmates in San Jose Barangay High School in 1980.

READ: Holy Week 2025: An INQUIRER.net Special

“Pioneer kami. Unang-unang high school kami sa barangay, unang nagkaroon ng high school sa barangay at unang batch,” Crispina said in an interview with INQUIRER.net.

(We were pioneers. We were the very first high school students in the barangay, the first time a high school was established there, and we were the first batch.)

She narrates that they have never seen each other since graduating from high school at 17.

“Hindi talaga kami nagkita kita after graduation — kanya-kanya na kami, hiwa-hiwalay, ngayon lang kami magkikita,” she said.

(We really didn’t see each other after graduation — we went our separate ways, each on our own path, and it’s only now that we’re finally meeting again.)

Despite such a long time apart, Crispina said the plan was only organized after she and her friends managed to reconnect through the power of social media.

“Wala talaga kaming communication. Noong nagkaroon lang ng Facebook, doon lang kami ulit nagkausap,” she shared.

(We really had no communication at all. It was only when Facebook came around that we were able to reconnect.)

It first started with simple kumustahans between one or two friends, eventually spreading to others and having them even start their own group chat.

From there, it was almost necessary to set up a reunion.

“Kami-kami lang tapos biglang: ‘Huy mag-reunion naman tayo,’ ‘Sige tawagan natin si ganito contact-in natin,’ nag-add add lang,” shared Crispina.

(It was just us at first, then suddenly someone said, ‘Hey, let’s have a reunion,’ and we were like, ‘Sure, let’s call this person, let’s get in touch with that one,’ and we just started adding each other.)

According to Crispina, many of her batchmates have long passed, while some are already abroad. However, those who can commit to going home on Holy Week will finally see each other again.

Now, the former classmates — around 20 out of their original 40-plus — are set to meet on Easter Sunday.

“‘Yung iba, siguro next time ‘pag meron pa. Sabi ko, ip-plano namin (for the others, hopefully they’ll join next time. I told them that we would plan it),” said Crispina, expressing hope that their upcoming reunion will be the first of many.

Crispina said she and her friends reserved a venue back home on Easter Sunday to celebrate their reunion.

When asked how she felt about finally seeing her friends again, her voice lit up in excitement, all smiles, sounding like her 17-year-old self again.

“Masaya, excited kasi makikita mo sila. Hindi kami nagkita noon, ngayon ang purpose ko talagang umuwi para sa reunion kasabay na rin ng Holy Week,” said Crispina.

(It’s joyful and exciting, because I’ll finally get to see them. We didn’t see each other back then, and now my main reason for coming home is really for the reunion and, of course, to also celebrate Holy Week.)

“Biro mo, pagkita namin: ‘Hala may mga puti na ang buhok at may mga apo na!’ ‘Di ba?” she added.

(Can you believe it? When we saw each other, we were like, ‘Wow, some of us already have gray hair and even grandkids!’ Right?)

Crispina’s experience showcases how the annual Holy Week serves as a gateway for people to spend time with their loved ones, and in this cas,e between lifelong friends who have spent decades apart.

Her case also proves that much like faith, friendship survives the seasons of life, marking Easter as not only a celebration of new life, but also the deep human experience of rekindled friendships, of old stories retold, new memories made, and love finding its way back.