By Karren Jay G. Asgar
Members of CPU DHS Batch 1988 gathered for a group photo during their 38th high school reunion in Traverse City, Michigan, USA, on October 16–18, 2026.
Thirty-eight years after graduating from Central Philippine University Development High School (CPU DHS), members of Batch 1988 reunited in Traverse City, Michigan, known as the Cherry Capital of the World, from October 16 to 18, 2026.
The three-day celebration brought together 32 batchmates and their families from the Philippines and different parts of the United States, including Michigan, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, North Carolina, Nevada, and California.
Held every two years in the United States, the reunion has become a special tradition for the batchmates to catch up with one another and celebrate the friendships they formed during their high school years. For some, the gathering was their first chance to see their former classmates since graduating in 1988.
“It was a time to reconnect, reminisce about our high school days, and see how faithful God has been in our lives. Despite the years and the distance, the bond we formed at CPU remains strong. We are grateful for the friendships, the memories, and the opportunity to give back to the institution that helped shape who we are today. We look forward to celebrating our 40th anniversary together in Iloilo in 2028,” Melvin Acanto said in an online interview.
The three-day gathering included group activities and visits to Wheels on Rails in Traverse City, Boyne Mountain Resort, where the batchmates enjoyed the ski lift and SkyBridge, and Mackinac Island. They also took the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, stopping for photos at scenic spots such as the Pierce Stocking Covered Bridge and the overlook at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. These activities gave everyone time to enjoy one another’s company, explore new places, and create fresh memories together.
A glimpse of the CPU DHS Batch 1988 yearbook, preserving memories of their high school days 38 years ago.
In a fitting coincidence, the house rented by the group for the weekend was located on Memory Lane. The street name made the reunion even more meaningful as the batchmates looked back on their younger years and shared stories about their teachers, friends, and experiences in high school. For a while, it felt as though they had turned back the clock and become students again, picking up conversations as if 38 years had not passed.
The gathering also gave the batchmates an opportunity to reflect on the blessings they had received and the faithfulness of God throughout their lives. As they shared stories of their journeys since graduation, they were reminded of how far they had come and how their shared experiences continued to bring them together. They also remembered their fellow Batch 1988 members who could not attend, keeping them part of the celebration despite their absence.
In the spirit of gratitude, the batchmates made a love gift contribution to Central Philippine University’s God’s Grace Program as a way of giving back to their alma mater, which played an important role in their lives.
The reunion was made possible through more than six months of preparation by the Michigan-based batchmates, led by Rolan Lusaya, together with Jo Anne Bello-Bedayo, Rose Bandada-Hijalda, Windy Suelan-Gaton, Nancy Frondozo-Fajardo, Dee Panes, Edgar Bilbao, Herbert Sadia, and Julyn Lapidante.
As the three-day celebration came to a close, the batchmates began looking forward to their next milestone: the 40th anniversary of their high school graduation in 2028, which they plan to celebrate in Iloilo City.
For the members of Batch 1988, the reunion was a reminder that friendships formed during their years at CPU can endure through time and distance. With food, fun, fellowship, and the Centralian spirit they continue to share, the batchmates look forward to creating more memories together in the years ahead.