There is a need sometimes for old friends to congregate and exchange. Some stories can only be understood within the context of extended history - outsiders and newcomers may get a feel, but the nuance will be lost in inexperience and lack of context. Last Saturday, I reunited with the coolest guys I first met in my freshman year in UP - Nicky Espina Joey P. Reyes and Kats Serraon. These three figured grandly in my introduction to the unique experience of UP Diliman. In the same manner as when I was 16 when I met them where I was content to sit and observe and listen to their verbal jousting and exchanges, ribbing and teasing, I did the same last Saturday - sat there for a while and listened in. The last time we were all together if I am not mistaken was at my wedding day almost 31 years ago. And so it was a reunion long time coming. I shared a story which happened to Nick and me on one of our travels - this one well over 9 years ago. And as I relayed the story - without much articulation - the two in the audience - Joey and Kats understood the full import of the event - taking into consideration the personality involved. Nick. It took on a funnier turn - because they knew exactly where I was coming from - dealing with Nick and his directive statement: Claire! Everything is in the reverse now, the left is now a right and the right is a left - in that scene inside the rental car as we went over and around the river traversing the streets of Bath. It was funny when it happened. But it was funnier retelling it to Joey and Kats - with Nick in attendance. No one, outside the group of 4 - would understand its full import. Because no one outside us 4 would know Nick and me and our history together. Eclectic - they introduced me to the word. And eclectic could very well be a term applicable to all three of them. Masters in Bullshit, Philosophy, Irony and Satire. But kindest hearts there are without the hint of maudlin sentimentality. When I hear Nick call them "Pare ko", I get a sweet sense in my gut. I know he loves them. As I know they do love him. As I do, even though no one would be caught dead speaking those terms of endearment. They indulged me decades ago and permitted me to hang with them with no romantic pressure - which was such a merciful blessing. They indulged me last Saturday - when I sat down for a short while with them (I never wear out my welcome, I always make sure I never become a pest and leave when decent people should leave to permit their unfettered access to each other). They speak a different language - free from sentimentality - but I know it is endearment all the same. For the few minutes spent with these 3 men - to whom I owe much of my education - the travel to Manila was well worth the effort.
Posted on: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 08:02:33 +0000