(Second part of Three) There is hope.There is light. I and Rojohn stayed in the venue during the motorcade in case some batchmates would have just arrive by this time. Soon after, the motorcade was back and the batchmates started to gather again at the Boys Trade Building. Manuel Guiriba was striding peculiarly back to the hall. It will be remembered that Manuel suffered from stroke years back and he hasnt fully recovered from then. The batchmates were excited. Its a different feeling to be back to the campus where we painted our adolescent years with so much fun and so much eagerness to learn. Minds were blown back to the time when petty things made us cry or rant about it; the time when simple things were made larger than us. Chats when get focused to the batchmates present state would set the air in tones of questions like how long have you got married, how many kids you have, oh, youre a grandparent now, how is your job, have you gone abroad, how much have you been earning, you have a nice car to Im still single issues. Consequently, there were more to say and there were stories after graduation in 1985 which everyone would likely happy to tell and let darker stories remain in the closets. This is probably the reason why reunions are held. To talk about what happened after 30 years. Until Rowena Veras entered into my eyes periphery. She was held by Judy Azur on one side and a bunch more batchmates around her. Rowena lost her sight. The scene moved me. Not only because I am also losing vision due to diabetes. I was moved because putting my self into her shoes would drown me, I might probably havent survive overnight knowing I would wake the next morning without the light and my numbered nights will double as the days become nights too. I could write a handful stories and poems about losing sight which brought me that moment to remember Helen Keller. And I can even more write a thousand poems and stories about silence. This time I was not moving my mind back to high school years. I was flying to where we all should head from today. It surprised me to realize that I was freezing literally by the front door of the building when Elsie asked me if I have acknowledge the arrival of the batch and guests. I didnt know how many times she had asked me. I shake my head off and looked for Jeannie Modilla--we were assigned to host the program. Dr. Domingo Diaz and his wife was there. Mr. Eutiquio Gavino, Mrs. Aida Aguila, Mrs. Arlene Jeresano-Lagonoy, Mrs. Gloria Baduya-San Gabriel were there when the program started with a prayer in Bikol done by Elsie Parde now proud as Mrs. Elsie Climacosa. It was followed by the usual singing of the National Anthem which I mused reminded me of singing the CNSAT Hymn every after Pambansang Awit. Nobody could remember the hymn arranged and composed by the late Francia F. Apelo. I myself can only remember a few lines in the chorus: CNSAT, thy banners we hold so high To thee we pledge our soars and heights Honors we reap, we offer to thine Grateful we are to God Divine Dr. Emily M. Madela, the concurrent Campus Administrator arrived and we honored her with the corsage personally designed to our guests and teachers. Rufo John Parde delivered his welcome remarks in two parts (why in two parts?you missed it.) The tension and excitement in the hall had even more grew into heights when Judy Azur-Estrada rendered her first three songs on stage and on her own rightful stage earned for quite long now and for so many turns which led her to her successes in life. We joined her singing the song and the batchmates were in one voice again singing side by side, shoulder to shoulder, breath by breath, sintonado con sintonado, what matter was the spirit that binds this batch 85 together. I could have said a lot of things for and about Judy for what she has done for this batch, but she will not like me spilling milk over. So I will keep my mouth shut and cross my finger over the keyboard. Her famous line from the time we were organizing this reunion 3 years back was tell me kun ano pa an problema, gigibohan ta nin paagi. An importante, magkatiripon kita. Dr. Madelas message and challenge were well-said and straightforward. A pavement from main gateway to the ICT building needs rejoinder. As tasked to represent the batch, I responded we were committed to the initial construction of Alumni Chapel and that Judy also proposed restrooms renovation but I said, should the night permits us to gather in plenum, we will consider the matter on the table. It was a bit technical and off, but it was necessary. I can carefully brush the topic aside ventilating how the manggahan Judy mentioned after her song had been famous to lovers by our time which could equally outwit and comparable to UP Los Baños fertility tree. Mentioning manggahan had brought batchmates who have memorable experiences there into laugh while the rest were wondering what miracles were there or how the saints have sinned. Part 2 of the program ended in that note while I saw Manuel holding his other arm stiffened by the stroke he sustained and Rowena was in a table with her mother and Maam San Gabriel. I couldnt fathom that darkness. I was ashamed I nearly succumb to my own misery. There is hope Manuel. There is light Rowena. Look at me, Im back on my feet. Im back on my feet. (To be continued )
Posted on: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 07:24:41 +0000
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