More than 150 ?children? of Conching Sunico gathered in her honor last Jan. 29
IT ALL STARTED WITH A CONVERSATION via Facebook between Frannie Jacinto (nèe Aguinaldo) and me one idle July day. The subject was the birthday of Conchita Sunico, whom we lovingly called Tita Conching (or TC).

She said, ?Why don?t we hold a reunion in TC?s honor?? And I said, ?Great idea!?

Frannie, with her typical determination and doggedness, gathered a small group of TC?s ?children??Carol Villar, only daughter of Tito Henry Caballero; former Miss Philippines Betchay Santos-Monserrat; Erlynn Bernardez-Campos; Maritess Alava-Yong; choreographer-director Veda Bañez; Mario Montenegro Locsin; and me. And so, the get-together aka Karilagan Grand Reunion was born.

It was held in the garden of a beautiful house in Forbes Park on Jan. 29.

It was both heartwarming and encouraging to feel the enthusiasm and support of the Karilagan exes?models, designers, dancers?here and those who have gone abroad, once the word spread about the event.

More than 150 ?children? of TC gathered in her honor, among them Toni Serrano, Emily Relucio, Conchitina Sevilla, Yogi Dominguez, Charito Aguilar, Bambi Harper, Elsa Payumo, Trina Yujuico, Melanie Marquez, Jean Margaret Lim, Aurora Pijuan, Margie Moran, Nelia Sancho, Jennifer Pena, Marian Dominguez, Carmina Gutierrez.

And those who live abroad but attended to be part of the occasion were Techie Ysmael, Dayang-Dayang, Eva Reyes, Baby Santiago, Cynthia Cruz, Marilyn Vinluan, Via Marquez, Nilda Fortaleza, Ana Tuason, Louanna Delfino, Noa Noa Labit and Yogi Dominguez, to name a few.

Aureo Alonso, Christian Espiritu, Ben Farrales and Pitoy Moreno, living legends and members of the first Philippine Couturiers Association, attended as well, along with those who followed such as Ed Ocampo, Tente Wilwayco, Oscar Peralta and Bobby Novenario.

Karilagan artists whom TC nurtured?Chinggoy Alonso, Leo Valdes and Cocoy Laurel?were also in attendance.

And let us not forget many of those who worked with her at the Manila Hilton and in theater. They were there, too.

One facet

So, to say this was a Karilagan reunion is not truly accurate. We were but one facet of the unforgettable diva that was Conchita Sunico.

This was a reunion of all those whose lives she touched, of individuals who wish to pay tribute to a woman who inspired them to dig deep into their souls and recognize their God-given talents, whatever those might be, and embrace, develop and share them with all.

This was a tribute to a woman who embodied grace and class, whose passion ?was to encourage artistic endeavors and to nurture, strengthen and promote the culture of the Filipino.

I can still hear her voice calling our attention during rehearsals. She screamed, she scolded, she berated us?but she also loved us.

We felt it. And we loved her right back.

We love her still. And we miss her so very much.

The author is member of Karilagan ?68-?72