Binmaley seminary alumni to meet at Lake Tahoe reunion on Sept. 27-28

It’s all system go for the Mary Help of Christians Seminary (MHCS) Kabalens International Reunion at Lake Tahoe on September 27-28 with close to 100 alumni attendees.

This was announced by Dr. Jose Sibal, MCHS Kabalens International president, who is optimistic that the three day biennial KIR event will be an opportunity to interact with former alumni of the high school seminary in Binmaley, endearingly called Kabalens, as it is now gearing up for the Binmaley seminary centennial year in 2028.

Among the highlights of this year’s three-day KIR include: Meet and Greet at Doc Sibal’s Cabin at 1421 South Vanderhoof Road, South Lake Tahoe on September 27; Gala Night at the Harvey’s Tallac Room at 18 Hwy, Stateline NV on September 28; and,  Concelebrated Mass to be officiated by Kabalens Bishop Anthony Celine at Our Lady of Tahoe at 1 Elks Point Rd., Zephyr Cove, NV on September 29.

Veteran author, publisher, and environmentalist Melandrew T. Velasco will serve as guest of honor and speaker in the gala event slated on September 28 at Harvey’s Hotel. Better known as the family biographer of former President Fidel V. Ramos.  Velasco  was instrumental in forming the MHCS Kabalens Foundation, Inc. in the Philippines and the birth of Kabalens International when he spearheaded the MHCS Grand Alumni Homecoming in 2000. During the grand event preparations, Velasco traveled to US to network with MHCS alumni that led to the appointment of then LA-based Allan Credo as official representative of the Kabalens International.

According to Kabalens Nic Ramos, it was in February 2001, eight kabalens from San Diego and Los Angeles counties convened in Mira Mesa, San Diego, California to discuss reunion with global reach in mind.

As expected, Credo was designated first president as other esteemed Kabalens like Nic Ramos, Vic Paragas, Henry Juguilon, Roel Fernandez and other San Diego kabalens worked together for the first ever Kabalens International Reunion in Las Vegas 2002 at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino.

Next KIRs would be held once every two years when children are not in school and clergy members are relatively free.

Past KIRs were held as follows: 2004 in Binmaley, Pangasinan for the 75th MHCS founding anniversary; 2005 in Seattle; 2007 in San Diego, CA; 2009 in San Jose;  2011 in Carson; 2011 in Queens; 2013 in Las Vegas; 2015 in San Diego;  2017 in Fairfield/Hayward CA 2017,; 2019 in Chicago; 2022 in New Jersey/New. York; and, 2024 in Lake Tahoe.

As an organization, it is a duly-registered entity in the United States made possible by Atty. Felix Vinluan during his term as KI president in 2011.