By Jun Asuncion
Dear Asuncion Family, young and old, near and far,
As we come closer to this beautiful day of our reunion, I invite you to pause and reflect with me—not just on what we will be celebrating, but on who we are, and where we came from,- and what we would possibly become.
The story of the Asuncion Clan begins not in modern cities or schools, but in the crossing of cultures and the quiet power of love and resilience. It began with the union of Mariano Kagalitan and Maria de La Paz, whose father,a wise apothecarist from ancient Middle Kingdom, sailed across oceans to the Philippines—perhaps not knowing then that he would also be involved in planting the roots of a family that would one day grow into the remarkable Asuncion clan. And in marrying Anastacia Michaela, a native Filipina, he did not just form a union—but became one of those who sparked a legacy.
That legacy carried through the Spanish colonial times in Manila, where our ancestors painted and sculpted, taught and healed, fought and led. In narrow alleys and open plazas, in homes filled with music and prayer, they planted the seeds of who we are today: a family of artists, of thinkers, of builders, of dreamers.
To our younger Asuncions: you are the next bearers of this rich legacy. Know this: you carry within you more than just a surname. You carry centuries of courage, creativity, sacrifice, and honor. You walk with the quiet strength of Mariano Asuncion, Sr.and those who came before him, the grace of Maria De La Paz and those who came before her. When you sing, paint, write, teach, lead, or love—you are echoing their spirit.
But with legacy comes responsibility.
This reunion is not just a celebration. It is a call to unity—a reminder that no Asuncion, from any corner of the Philippines or abroad, should ever feel forgotten or disconnected. We are one great tree with many branches, and it is our duty to reach out, to listen, to include, and to reconnect.
As we prepare for this reunion, let us carry with us the words of The Asuncion Hymn—which you can find on the Bulan Observer—a hymn where I tried to capture in words (and hopefully soon in music) the soul of our journey:
“Through the waves of time, you sail,
Connected souls, your bond won’t fail.
With fortune’s blessing and love’s embrace,
Asuncion clan, your legacy we embrace.”
Let us indeed embrace that legacy—with pride, with humility, and with love.
To our forebears, we say: thank you.
To the present generation, we say: stand proud.
And to the young, we say: carry the flame forward—together.
Mabuhay ang Pamilyang Asuncion!
Bulan Observer 