LOSING ALMA

We've been in each other's arms for 6 great years. She was simple, beautiful then... unassuming. She exuded great energy even under the rain, and what a sight to behold in morning mist. She was then the star of the many momentous town activities. Some were historic...many were noble. She was always ready to extend her undying love and care for those who needed and more for those who didn't. She loved me then, and loved many others, too. She still do love us much now. And she loved us unselfishly. At times she was mistaken to be strict, yet forgiving. She was a great mentor, generous always of her time. She was sometimes abused by many of us, but she even loved and prayed for us more. She only and always wanted the best for us.

I left her, for a while. Many left her, and even more lost her in oblivion. She didn't complain. She never complained. She is only sad. It pains me.

Like others, as time passes, she is losing her beauty but not her heart for all of us and perhaps the generations to come. She is losing her aura but not her memory of all of us.

She is Alma,our beloved alma mater. The Bulusan Central School.

Do we really love her? Or still care, to say the least? I know many still. Many will always.

Remember the times when we had the loudest of laughters while having afternoon "uruyag" in her playground, after or during "harawan.". Who can forget when she readily accommodated the victims of fire that razed a number of houses in Madlawon in the 80s. Weren't you there with her when "basketball on wheels" was showcased for all of us. Were you not there when music of the popular "Remy Patanao Band" filled the airwaves during bisperas of the town fiestas? Wasn't it a sight to behold when agro-industrial products were being displayed all around her during agro-industrial fairs? The many civic actions she hosted are just countless. And many other great moments you and I shared with her. No doubt about it.

But nothing compares to the knowledge and values she imparted to us. We could lose many things in our life but not the knowledge and values that our dear alma mater unselfishly shared to us. Even when many have forgotten her.

She misses all of us. I know she needs us now. Some of her buildings silently cry for our assistance, even the littlest of it. And these are the old buildings that actively helped shaped our early years. For many of us, maybe it's the right payback time.


Yes, it's payback time. Now. Unless we lost her already...in our heart.

ABNER, Now A Name...

In my reckoning, we were the closest of batchmates and friends, literally and otherwise since high school but of course in different fields. Not surprising, our surnames are almost the same, and so our seats. We were among the top guns of the class. I mean, the top supporters and escorts most of the times of the top guns in our class. We just couldn't resist supporting these top guns as they always made us feel to be similar or just like them. Maybe similar, but not during exams. Perhaps the same, but not in caliber.

But that was a couple of decades back. I suspect he does not know this. My friend, Abner has made his way up to make a name for himself through patience, hardwork without losing his values, his patented smile... in our batch. He is the same Abner who seemed allergic to prolonged anger, though. He is still my friend who doesn't know taking center stage... always supportive and simple in his ways, in his words. A loving husband to his wife and a caring father to his kids. Feet always and still very much on the ground.

But I would like to emphasize why he is now a name. I'm sorry padi, but I just want them to know that you've been a silent but active leader of our batch now. Your endless and much-needed contributions, big and small in making our batch activities always a success could not be discounted. I salute you for that, padi. You are the face of many other batchmates who in one way or the other, contribute their selfless efforts for the good of batch and our beloved Bulusan as a whole. Madi Emily, Madi Gina G.,Madi Paula,Padi Itot, Padi Bong and Padi Bugoy,are just a few of them.

Salamat, padi! Here's a toss for you!

Happy Birthday, Padi!

Seems like yesterday when relatives and friends intently greeted us as we complete four long decades of our life. Few more days many will probably greet us once again, but not as intently as last year, I surmise. We will just be celebrating our forty-first birthday. Not much funfare needed, many think. Yes, I and my classmate, friend and padi Ralph will be capping again another year of great moments.

I would like to apologize to my friend for I failed to greet him as intently as others may have last year. He was not around. But I should have tried to reach him out. That was a great day to us, men. And so I will do it now. He is not just a friend after all. He influenced my life. He is a dear brother to me. More than a brother at times... many times. How could I not say that? We've been sharing experiences in life as early as our first grade. When our shortpants were really short then. When our haircut were really clean cut. Later our hair will be cut clean again, maybe by father time. I am experiencing it now. I hope to me only, not to my friend.

Yes, we shared a lot of happy and not so happy moments and experiences in life, during elementary, high school, college days. And more experiences even after that. But one thing I always notice and have accepted, he is always one shower ahead of me in many things aside from looks. Be it in studies, in sports endeavours, in winning the hearts of women when were still single, and many other things, he always went beyond. I believe I work hard, but my friend works harder and works hardest all the time. No wonder He is so generous also in giving my friend many good work opportunities here and abroad. And he is also the most if not among the most generous persons I know aside from my dearest mother. His heart is so big I could only wonder. I am so lucky to be able to live life having a good friend like him.

Accept my heartfelt thanks, padi for sharing and continue sharing great moments. Thank you for assisting me then to learn my curves, for bearing with me. "Kun nahulat kamo sa ako ni padi Ewin sadto kun awaton ako magluwas sin balay pag in hahapit niyo pag ma-eskwela na, nan kun may lakaw kirita."

May the Good Lord continue to shower you great blessings in life, especially good health.

Advance happy birthday, padi! I will always remain.