BSN ’76: Sisterhood Revisited

What is sisterhood?

In simple words, it is the state of being a sister. In social terms, it is a congenial relationship or companionship among women, offering mutual concern and support. On a more personal level, sisterhood is an emotional bond that is built on love.

We, the Floracoelis Class of 1976 graduated decades ago. In an age when bonds formed in school could fade, it is only natural that friends could drift apart. No one is to blame. That’s life. But we, the Floracoelis hunkered down and stubbornly kept the bond from breaking. We had to. Most of us chose to settle in America, far away from home. We needed the stability of old familiar faces to survive life’s challenges. Together, we celebrated marriages and childbirth, raised children, supported each other through losses and divorces, and always a Flora sister was there, giving strength with her mere presence.

Ah, the celebrations! We love reunions. Any excuse will do. When the East Coast Floras came to Southern California, we migrated to Connie’s home in West Covina. We jokingly called it “ang ating dating tagpuan.” When the West Coast girls flew east, Babes did not hesitate to open her home – rather, her spacious basement –  in Jersey shores for us to crash in. The Big Apple? Susan will drive you in her van to Frank Sinatra’s warbling New York, New York. We drove in a white van to Mameng’s home in Oswego, where we stopped to smell the roses, so to speak, and promptly got lost. It was a bucket list experience. Go to Vienna, and Leebay will happily show you around. And Hong Kong? Haydee will take you to specialied stores to suit your exotic taste. And when we visited the Mother land, Bess and Mimi will excitedly text, “Let’s meet for lunch!” 

We are all sisters, the Floracoelis, and we treasure this bond — a lot. We share a deep love and respect for each other. Several of our sisters have passed on, and we miss them everyday, and we still mourn. But we like to think that they are “upstairs” looking down, making sure we behave ourselves.

We are all looking forward to our homecoming in January 2026 on this our 50th anniversary.

Welcome home, Floras!

by: Rose Cruz Robinson

Floracoelis, Class of 1976