HIGH SCHOOL MATES

I always wonder what happened to my good old High School classmates. For reasons I can't recall now, after graduation I did not have contact with any of them. That might something to do with what happened to Gerome, whose face I still remember vividly to this day, who was stabbed and died ONE week before he was to graduate with us. Gerome, who's a wholesome and fine lad, who I was sure was going to have a great future. Gerome who was buying bond paper at his neighborhood store for his last term paper when he was accosted by one of those who have no reason to live in this world. One of those who wasted his life doing nothing good and by his terrible action, we, as his classmates, lost a valued friend. I was particularly close to Jerome together with Eugene Mercado where we hang out at his Morning Breeze Street house.

That's why our graduation was very solemn and subdued and very emotional, especially when his mother received Gerome's diploma from Father McGrath. That's why our graduation party was lacking in fun, at least for me. Maybe that's why after that time and the following years in college, I wasn't able to go back, even just once, to the campus where I've spent many happy moments and experiences, that in great part, shaped of who I am today. His passing away was very painful for me and I'm sure for many of my classmates which was touched by Jerome's smile, and by simpleness and humble demeanor. And I'm sorry to Eugene that I didn't get to continue our friendship. And to Dennis, another of my best friends in high school, whom I lost contact also, when a year or two after graduation had moved to Los Angeles. In all these years I have thought and wish I could see them again.

Now the good news. Last week Lynn mentioned to me that their High School classmates have a yahoogroup and did have a mini reunion last September 8, being Notre Dame of Manila's foundation day. And that my batch '72 class has a North America alumni association (NDMAANA). And Lynn told me how happy their meeting was for he himself haven't seen his classmates for 35 years! He advised to visit NDMAANA website to reconnect with classmates. I did so after a day or two, being skeptical that I wouldn't find anybody or any name that I can still remember in the officers and board of members lists. I sent an email and what a surprised when the President replied and mentioned that he was also from batch '72! He even remembers my Jay Ilagan hair style and that they used to call me, "Siopao", which I didn't like then, but now is a bit okay. It's a lot better than being called, "sunog" by the others who didn't like me. But that is okay also, because I didn't like them also or doesn't meet my standard for them to be called my friends. I guess even then I was choosy and the reason also I didn't have a single girl friend. The only guys that were courting me were those guys in sutanas. I didn't have a single clue that would change in college. I guess that would be natural if one spends his days with boys only for ten years. Some say high school days are the happiest. For me, college days are the greatest, for during those years I found true friends for life and most importantly my TRUE LOVE for life--my wife of 25 years.

Now, even my nights are better, as the song goes, or even busier, livelier and entertaining as I am always at my Apple, combing my Inbox and replying to the many emails I continue to get from my fans, I mean, from my long lost classmates. Who I'm finding out are our closer here than I thought. I'm not alone after all. They're just out there and might even be one of those Pinoys we saw at the Mall today. It very exciting to find out if indeed they are.

Now, as I've said here before: I'm trying to get back to life- to my real life, to get back and deal with my past and finally connect and contact some of those I haven't done so before. As they also say in Pilipino:"Hindi ka makakarating sa iyong paroroonan kung di mo alam ang iyong pinanggalinan". At ang daan para ko magawa ito ay ang Internet Highway. And thanks to Al Gore, he, who said was the one who invented it. (The truth is probably in his lock box!!!). It will give a big chance to meet again people who I have shared memorable and unforgettable moments together. For that I would be very grateful.