Theresians — yes, those feisty, brilliant, and eloquent colegialas, as they have always been known — recently gathered for a convocation at the De Meester Residence Hall of Saint Theresa’s College Quezon City to launch Solitaires, Stories of Light, Life and Love, an anthology of personal essays written by Theresians themselves, to celebrate the 75th (diamond) year jubilee of Saint Theresa’s Quezon City.
All 82 stories, or vignettes, if you please, tell us, curious readers, about the various facets in the lives of these outstanding Theresians, some popular, others low-key, whom many of us have admired from afar. Representing various generations that saw political upheavals, triumphs of the Filipino, economic turmoil, and moments of national glory unfolding before their eyes, they write of their life experiences that reflect the various times they have lived in, eliciting in us laughter, tears, admiration or awe.
The more prominent names among the alumnae who contributed to this book “that sparkles like a diamond in cut, color, clarity, and carat,” four distinguishing characteristics of this most precious of gems, each used as a title for a set of related essays, include art educator Alice Alfariz-Panares; multi-awarded fictionist and essayist Maria Carmen Aquino-Sarmiento; educator Lydia Balatbat-Echauz; prolific creative non-fiction writer and editor Erlinda Enriquez-Panlilio; OPM singer Estela “Tillie” Moreno-Filsinger; STCQC directress emeritus Sr. Josefina Nebres; travel executive Eleanor Nelle-White; Secretary of Health Carmencita Noriega-Reodica; food editor Norma Ollizon-Chikiamco; public relations practitioner and fashion model Jennifer Peña; public service administrator Margie Penson-Juico; cookbook author and “adobo queen” Nancy Reyes-Lumen; journalist Chit Roces-Santos; music professor Janet Sabas-Aracama; Korina Sanchez-Roxas; and lifestyle editor Thelma Sioson-San Juan.
This is the first book to be published by the Saint Theresa’s Quezon City Alumnae Association, with Lilian Reventar, STAA chairperson 2012-2022 and Marissa Go, STAA chairperson 2022-present at the helm of this priceless undertaking. The editorial board is composed of Marily Ysip-Orosa, Lorna Kalaw-Tirol and Evelyn-Agullana Opilas.