Minsan lang ko sila tinuruan, isang semester lang naman. First time instructor. Mahina boses, mahiyain.

Minsan lang din ko sila nakasama sa labas ng silid-aralan, (may ilan na ngimbita sa akin sa kanilang bahay at sa isang munting salo-salo).

Pero laking gulat ko na pagkatapos ng mahigit-kumulang tatlong taon, ako ay kanilang naalala.  May tumawag sa kin gabi bago ng araw na mahalaga sa kanilang buhay. Meron din nagtxt at nagsabi pang “aasahan po namin kayo.” Sabi ko nga dun sa isa nung kami ay ngbalik-alala, hindi ko maisip dati na pwede pala ako magturo, “I wasn’t sure before if I’m worthy enough.”

Pero siguro nga, siguro ang patunay na mali ako sa aking mga pagdududa, ay ang pamamahagi nila ng kanilang tagumpay. Noong araw na iyon, ipinakita nila sa akin ang kaligayahan ng pagtulong sa kapwa, sa pagkilala at pagsuporta sa mga pangarap ng mga tulad nilang kabataan na nagsusumikap na makaangat sa buhay at mabigyan ang kanilang sarili at kanilang mga pamilya ng magandang kinabukasan.

Para sa sumusunod na studyante ko na nagraduate ngayong taon, ako ay lubos na nagagalak:

Aquino, Ma. Sheilalyn P.

Avila, Erika P.

Barruga, Rolando C.

Bunda, Maran Elane M.

Cajigal, Jennalyn V.

De Guzman, Vallen N.

De Leon, Cheenee P.

Del Valla, Ma Juliet P.

Fremista, Lourdes G.

Mendoza, Ederick L.

Palarca, Jenny M.

Velasco, Theresa M.

God bless. Ipagdadasal ko na mabilis makasunod ang iba.

It would simply not do to have their company for one measly night.

My time with the Wonders, my college barkada, may be few and far between but we try to make up for it every time. Always, always they are cherished.

Ya, a chef cooked for us delicious vongole pasta. Carbo-conscious Paul took an entire plate for himself. We all had our stories to share: Ya regaled us with her tales of gold plates and her experience cooking for the King of Kuwait at Bayan Palace; Paul about his goal to become a trainer for the stars; Mumai about her fam and career plans; and Nissa on her sorta lovelife.

Too bad Paul could not come with us at our spur-of-the-moment Tagaytay food trip. We were lucky to have The Culinary Couple (Jj, Ya’s bf who is also a chef followed us) supervising our meals. Balinsasayaw turned out to be a disappointment when they didn’t have their barbecued chicken ready. So off we went to Mano’s Greek Taverna for shawarmas, lamb chops, and pasta. It was a better choice as carnivore that I am, miss having lamb. So they watched petite ol’ me, devour my meat. Had French-pressed coffee after at Sanctuario. Lovely. Everyone gleefully said yes to Tonton’s Thai massage. I almost fell asleep where it not for the incessant ringing of some plebian dumb@$$’ phone somewhere. Anyway, we soon went to Taj, an Indian restaurant, where we had samosas, pistachio lassi, and shawarma. Huggz and laughter all around as Jj gave me his absolution over two bottles of wine during our dinner at Bawai, where Vietnamese cuisine could not be more divine. Tucked somewhere in Tagaytay, Bawai offers the ultimate intimate (hihi) dining experience. Ya is friends with the son of the owner so we were able to make reservations. He was very attentive and totally funny with his hapless holdup tale. I can understand why he vowed not to go to Manila till the Fashion Week. We had a simple fare really - Gui Con (shrimp spring rolls), Pho Bo (beef rice noodles) and Banh da Lon (sorta like pandan & mongo beans sapin sapin). I like how the paper-thin wrapping of the roll shows off the shrimp.  With the peanut dip, it’s a very healthy and light dinner treat. The star of the night was the Pho, which was mouth-watering with its broth that must have been brewed for hours. We were quite full already when the Banh da Lon came out but we all managed to have a bite or two (or three and four…) It wasn’t very sweet and pandan flavor was a good complement to such a refreshing meal. Some more talks on potential projects later, we headed for our inn for the night, Eufel. We got a clean room with two beds for only Php 500 for three hours and additional 100 for the next hour. Pretty cheap for Tagaytay eh? The other decent inns usually charge 2500 to 4k a night.

Coming down from Tagaytay, we had to pass by Ya’s house and see her fam again. Cindy, Ya’s younger sister has grown into a lady. To think that I used to borrow Cindy’s shirts. Haha.  I remember the times when we use to stay several nights for our class projects and her mom would welcome us with her yummy pochero (yeah Tita I’ll forever be a fan of your pochero!). We were the class nerds then and I think we still are now. Being nerds has its advantage as we are now each a success in our chosen fields. And how awesome isn’t it to think that I have these wonderful, beautiful, loving nerds at my side still, after all these years?

To cap off everybody’s weekend, Ya baked us her chewy, fragrant chocolate chip cookies to take home to our families. How perfect.

^_^

I posted this on Friendster bulletin and shared it with friends a long time ago. I dunno exactly why I’m sharing it now. Maybe it was coz I talked to Faith the other day so I’m reminiscing. Anyway, here goes…

For the man I will always love

He was called a champion of freedom by US President Bush, a pioneer of interfaith dialogue by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the Great Communicator by Nancy Reagan.

Wonderful titles of course. And he deserved them all. For someone like me though, he was simply my Pope.

I was blessed to have the chance of being one of the seven delegates of UST in the World Youth Day (WYD) in Canada. After the awesome experience we had together, we even planned to be part of the next WYD scheduled in Germany. Little did we know that July 2002 Canada WYD will be his last WYD outside Rome’s grounds, That his celebratory time he had with the youth he loves so much is limited.

Looking back, I remember during the screening, I told Fr. Deng, then the Campus Ministry Director, that I want to go because I want to see the Roman pontiff again. The first time I saw the Pope was when he was passing by Roxas Boulevard, his face red from heat and excitement as he was waving to the crowd from his bullet-proof Popemobile. That was during the Philippines own WYD in 1995, the one that reportedly drew a crowd of five million.

Some days I smile whenever I remember that a guy from Michigan offered to carry me on his shoulders, that I may be able to get a glimpse of the Pope as he passed by our spot at the Exhibition Place, Toronto. I figured he was kind because he’d rather bear my weight than have my face crushed against his back due to the crowd’s movement.

For my article for the Varsitarian, I talked to all these other youth delegates from Trinidad & Tobago, Belgium, Puerto Rico, Korea, Japan, UK, USA, to Zimbabwe. Coming from very different cultures, we all shared one thing - we all love the man Karol Wojtyla.

We love him for his faith in us. He did not preach. He called. He called on us to serve as the salt of the earth and the light of the world (the theme for that WYD) despite the many things pulling us down in this troubled society. No matter how many times we falter along the way, Jesus loves us. His Holiness was God’s best proof of His Love.

The 2002 WYD delegates of UST have not seen each other for quite a while now. More so I guess with all the other youth scattered to the different continents.

But I know his message still holds true in my heart as well as theirs. We continue living despite our shares of setbacks. Most significantly, I also believe that the youth from all over the world will always be bound to each other no matter the distance, united by their eternal love for the late Pope John Paul II.

Recently, a one-time student of mine James De Guzman Eustaquio died of a heart attack, one Sunday morn. He was only 21 years old.

It’s quite shocking and very saddening when we found out. James was one of the conscientious ones in the class and his drive to excel would inspire you. He was also one of those students who kept in touch even when I’m not teaching anymore. His forwarded quotes or simple hellos made me feel as if I’ve actually done some thing good for the class, that I’m remembered.

James was a good son. Taking the role of provider one semester, he took a call center job in order to help his mom pay the bills. I told him to never give up on his studies, and of course he didn’t.

You meet people in your life and know that they’ll be successful someday because of their stellar characteristics, James was one of those. I was looking forward to see him graduate, fulfill his dreams and conquer the world.

Perhaps his being a perfectionist in his schoolwork and his other extra-curricular activities took a toll in his body. I dunno. I dunno really why God would take away such a good person; it’s like taking away one bright soul. But maybe, it was his time to rest from all the worries the world has given him. Farewell James, you will be missed dearly.

*******************************************

Yes I taught Print Media Practice and Principles for one semester in Pamantasan ng Lokal ng Marikina due to a request of a friend. I was very reluctant then to teach as I did not have formal training and I wasn’t sure if I could squeeze teaching into my hectic schedule then. However, I was glad I did and learned much from the students as I hope they did from me.

Their tenacious spirit to educate themselves despite misfortunes in life, touched me deeply. I see them as young heroes, the torchbearers of a bright future for themselves and their families.

I remember how I used to worry every Saturday coz there was only one projector for the entire building. The students were very patient with my soft voice and they made do with squinting at my laptop screen to see my PowerPoint Presentations. When a blackout happened one Saturday, there was no generator so I could not teach and just sent them home.

Despite being financial scholars, the students’ dedication towards their studies inspired me to be able to impart as much interest in writing as I could. I’ve always believed that writing opened a lot of worlds for me, as I hope it would too for them.

A couple of my former students still text me and are even my ym, multiply, friendster and yeah facebook friends. I’m grateful that they keep in touch. Mic2 told me they’ve already taken their graduation pix.

To the class of ABMC IV-1, congratulations, I’m so happy for you! Your graduation is the culmination of your dreams. It doesn’t stop there though. Galingan nyo ha pgkagraduate.

Don’t let James’ memory fade away. It’s coz of him and for your own sake and your fam’s future that you must go on and do well in life. Take care din always. I’ll always be proud that I was able to teach your class. God bless.

^_^

So my sister is in the Human Resource department of this call center company. Her work function falls mainly on recruitment that is, to be able to hire the right candidate for the job.

She always has the wackiest stories to tell about applicant interviews. Today’s highlight was quite special, I just had to share.

“I has two daughters. He is five years old,” said the applicant.

Her asking price, Pau told me, was a whopping Php 18,000. Wow. You think she deserves it huh?

“Buti na lang hindi ginamit yung It sa anak like the other applicants, mauumpog ko sa kanya yung resume niya e,” my sister was muttering on our way home.

Totally made my day. Hihi.

Relax lang Paupau. Sabi ni Jesus Christ, forgive them for they know not what they are doing…

Or you can take it also this way, “Power is having the sophistication or the knowledge that you can hurt someone, and yet you do nothing.”

Much better?

^_^

Yes, La Union was that for me. Khet andaming pasa after. Got a half-fist sized one above my left calf and the three penny-sized ones on each knee, never mind the usual marks on my arms. I’m treating them like war wounds, really.

But yeah, there was definitely the feeling of release and freedom there. For all those who care, I am happy. Happier even. So don’t worry. Agyamanak to all of you.

Aside of course, from the petrifying seconds when I thought that the waves will eat me alive and the horrible humiliating moments after, when I had what technically can not be called, a wipeout.

Thank you Brixie for being the patient guide and inspiring surfing enthusiast. I’ve learned my lesson now. Thou shall not sleep during the morning tutorial coz waves are fatal in the afternoon. A surfboard, however pretty and colorful, can hit one in the head and cause more than a “charming” bump.

Thank you also “sexy girl” Elka for well, “rescuing” me after the three big waves, one after the other, crashed into and dumped bucketfuls of sand on me.Like a scene from those soap operas, I can still recall how we caught everyone’s attention at the beachfront – you screaming “Reesey, are you alright?” and I dripping with sand. My inner child was grinning goofily then.Thanks also for helping me shower after. Still have fond memories of that. Drool. Haha.

Having survived Pareng Dante’s (Alighieri’s) version of hell, Pinoy-style in that godforsaken freezer of a bus beside you two was worth it. Keep inviting me to beaches dearie coz I really don’t do well in cold weather.

Let’s go back to La Union! Erm, Kai’s there.=p

“Come to La Union…Let’s surf and play…The waves taketh your worries away…” Har3!

My friend Lyn’s 8-year old poem.

Slowly, I witness myself
Losing ground, losing grip
On my only stronghold
Forming into a listless shape
Without sides and angles,
The element that orbits
The earth
To which it only turns to
When its surface
Has been lulled to sleep,
Seeing with its eyes closed.

The one with shallow pursuits
Finding pleasure
Out of circles eternal,
Looking at the grandeur
Of a mere empty space.

I wonder of shifted fates,
Anticipate their becoming
Should the earth be celestial,
Be the one that will mark
The path of a drowning shadow
On a still or running floor,
Giving the blaze that is due
And rightfully his on accounts
Of nothing, nothing…

But you are earth
And I
Will forever be
Illuminating, turning,
Willing.

Happy Birthday dear one.

Everyone reaches their breaking point.

I can’t say I didn’t try. The sad thing is, I did, but you walked out too soon on the fight.

I never complained when you drifted off in mid-sentence, losing yourself in your own thoughts. I never complained when you sat down in a corner, as if the wholeness of the space overwhelmed you. I never complained when you couldn’t look at my friends directly, like the mere completion of the greeting would consume you alive. I never thought that one day though, I’d be sad enough to find that I’m one of the things in your life you just can’t complete.

Take care always still. God bless.

It was a vile and stupid mistake.

A name carelessly tossed in the air one morn and I am left trembling.

Yet still…

“Many waters can not quench love, neither can floods drown it.” (Song of Solomon)

Just be patient please. Help me not to cave in to fear.

I too, hurt when you’re hurt.