time machine

I actually enjoyed rereading this one.

I was browsing my friends list at friendster (as usual... boredom kills) when I saw some of my old classmates' pictures with their new 'blockmates'. My stomach churned a bit. I started to search more of my schoolmates (not even just my batchmates) because I wanted to see some familiar faces again. It was quite hard for me to see them again (just their pictures) because I actually wanted to SEE them. I wanted to refresh the vague images of their faces in my head.

I do care.

True, I was quite an anti-social back then, but I did love my batchmates. I may not have been really friendly with everyone, and I may not have attended the batch parties, but I really did care. I guess just being at school and being around them (just hearing their noise, screams while wrestling, hearing the nonstop clicking sounds of the camera phones, and the constant "CR TAYO!!!", hearing the latest gossip being spread, and so many others) , [even around the people I disliked], gave me a twisted kind of satisfaction. Though I failed to know each of them personally, their mere presence uplifted me.

I enjoyed watching catfights (there are a lot, by the way), band competitions (yes, our batch is comprised of A LOT of talented musicians), battle of the brains and wits, the brainiacs' "pailalim na kompetisyon" since like fourth grade, the section-to-section competition (el fili, christmas parties, and other annoyingly shallow and stupid rumor-spreadings which caused serious BUZZ), BATCH COMPETITIONS (again with the annoying rumors), inter-school competitions, family day affairs (B-I-N-G-O! Isa na lang!), scream-for-the-win pep squad and cheering competitions (with the most repeated phrase every year "GINAYA NILA TAYO!!!"), endless singing competitions, classroom singing and partying when the teacher's absent, and so many other seemingly shallow but unforgettable events comprising high school and all its glory.

Those were the good old days, when all you cared about is what outfit to wear to the much awaited "non-uniform event" of Manresa, how to drop hints to your suitor/crush (it's either LEAVE ME ALONE, LOSER! or WE'RE FLIRTING, CAN'T YOU TELL?!), what to wear to the prom, and all those crap you thought you were going to die from if you didn't have your way. You see high school now from a distant bird's eye view, and think "LOOK HOW SIMPLE IT WAS BACK THEN!" It amazes me that after experiencing the horrors of college, I finally saw high school's real drama, its true beauty. Those were some four years, a zig-zag emotional pile of shit about the "first love" and quest for dull grades (a.k.a. A+ A+ A+ A = MUNDANE!). Those were the best! Now it's time for some REAL studying, REAL INSPIRATION, for that infamous DEAN'S LIST and the SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. You're actually aiming for the REAL thing, and the real pressure is finally here. Tip?! Roll around the pig pen that is high school! Have fun! Of course, if you are indeed a smart masochist, go for mundane! Enter the up/ admu and lose yourself! :)

No regrets for me. Why? Because though I failed to study in some prestigious college, I met some of the most beautiful people from this incredulous twist of fate. No regrets entering St. Paul. (Well, maybe some. ;) )

NEWSFLASH!!!

Manresa, though flooded by scandals/oppressions this 2005, keeps its head up! Hurray for the sisters! We love thee brave nuns!!!

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DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, START ROLLING! It's the only way to enjoy HIGH school. And as for the kolehiyalas/yolos out there, convince yourself : NO REGRETS! God bless the world this 2006!