All you'll find on this blog are some of my own diary entries and photos taken at various points in my life, as well as life pictures, a summary of my life, and information about my perspective and the environment. I learned skills and participated in exchanges that helped me become a more balanced person. I do not spell or grammar check.
Showing posts with label Fortification in Friendship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fortification in Friendship. Show all posts
One of the events that many alumni look forward to the most is the class reunion. The opportunity to finally catch up with old friends after so many years will be present during the most treasured occasions of their formative years.
Although the pandemic is still present, my high school classmates decided to get together for a small gathering, especially since one of my classmates had recently returned from Japan to celebrate her birthday while also inviting the rest of our section.
Since some of us are based presently abroad, the decision to have a virtual meeting while the rest are personally convening in the Philippines. With the aid of this technology, we were able to observe the celebration while also mingling.
The joy we felt that day was gigantic as we were in high school days. We're looking forward to having another gathering with the hope the whole part of our section would be able to come and indeed those overseas like me could go home and be at the get-together one day.
I was reconnecting with a former high school classmate (2nd-year high school or 7th grade) who is now a retired US Army officer.
I would have failed my Practical Arts (Automotive) subject if it hadn't been for him. Life was simple but unforgettable when I was in high school. My Practical Arts teacher told us in 2nd-year high school to group ourselves (by 3s or 4) & spend enough money on our Automotive project. Because money was tight and my parents couldn't manage to fund my project, I decided to accept the failing grade.
As a result, I couldn't join any groups and was left painfully alone while the others began contributing to the project. Sherwin Cruz, whom I dubbed a Good Samaritan, arrived late to class; our teacher immediately paired me with him, promptly Sherwin took out his money and handed it to our teacher without hesitation.
I told him I didn't have any money to share, and our teacher quickly informed me that I'd failed, to which I replied: My parents had accepted the fate that I'd fail. Sherwin Cruz, the Good Samaritan he was, quickly said, "I will pay for you." Prolly, Sherwin didn't realize the magnitude effect on how he saved me that day. That moment, and the act of kindness he performed, will live with me forever. His mother privately messages me after his relative (in the Philippines) saw my comment on my high school classmate's post mentioning Sherwin Cruz's name.
I had not expected my reactions to a high school friend's post about a poor 5th-grade boy's article (to) lead to our reconnecting and me expressing my gratitude.
A simple act of kindness can truly make a difference.
Found this a so true article that tells about the kind of friends that you will meet somehow in College. But some of it might not be applicable to others, yet, it's still true based on my experience so those friends are still my best buddies. The reason I posted it here because I basically could relate to the article.
If you found this true and got the experience of meeting 25 Friends you make in College then, welcome to the club.
1. The Overachiever
Defining Traits: This person is president, chair, captain, or founder of every club they’re in. And they’re in 16 clubs. You’re Friends Because: Being around them is like being around a human pep talk. They make you want to step up your game. Catchphrase: “Sorry, gotta run to a meeting.”
2. The Genuine Academic
Defining Traits: They have read more books than you’ve seen in your whole life… Not because it’s assigned, but because they’re interested in the world. You’re Friends Because: Let’s be real. Without them around to explain things to you, you’d be an idiot. Catchphrase: “Yeah, The Atlantic had a story about it last month.”
3. The Musical Theatre Kid
Defining Traits: The only thing more overwhelming than their incredible Broadway-caliber talent is their incessant Facebook invites. You’re Friends Because: Interacting with this person is like being hit by a ball of positive energy and sunshine and song. Catchphrase: “Get tickets now, they’re selling out fast!”
4. The Wall Streeter
Defining Traits: Usually spotted power-walking to or from somewhere, carrying a resume folder, wearing a suit. Can smooth-talk anyone into anything. You’re Friends Because: This person is a truly inspiring embodiment of the “work hard, play hard” life philosophy. Best companion for all-nighters. Catchphrase: “Let me check my calendar and get back to you.”
5. The Party
Defining Traits: This person isn’t the partygoer, or the party planner, or even the life of the party. They literally ARE the party. You’re Friends Because: They’re in an exclusive relationship with debauchery. You love fun. They are fun. Your wildest nights are with this person. Catchphrase: “Who cares if it’s illegal?”
6. The Start-Up Whiz.
Defining Traits: They have a different genius business idea every week. Swear they thought of Twitter before Twitter thought of Twitter. You’re Friends Because: It’s nice to see someone so genuinely excited about making life easier. And you never know when they’ll drop out. Catchphrase: “The next big thing.”
7. The A Cappella Star
Defining Traits: Favorite movie = Pitch Perfect. Favorite pastime = harmonizing. Favorite use of social media = inviting you to concerts. You’re Friends Because: You’ve always dreamt of having a soundtrack to your life. And it’s nice to be serenaded. Catchphrase: “Dooo-wop-di-doop-doooo.”
8. The English Major
Defining Traits: Uncontrollable instinct to correct your grammar, speaks half in literary quotations, has etched a couplet into their desk at some point. You’re Friends Because: You need someone to proofread your papers… And keep you literate. Catchphrase: “The book is so much better, you guys.”
9. The Film Kid
Defining Traits: Always inviting you to script readings, auditions, sets, and screenings. Broke because they spent all their money on a new lens. Saving up to move to L.A. You’re Friends Because: You get to be an extra in all sorts of crazy projects. Catchphrase: “Do you know any good boom ops?”
10. The Dealer
Defining Traits: Running a small business out of their dorm room, frenemies with the RA, best friends with the film kid. You’re Friends Because: I meeeean… Catchphrase: “How much you want?”
11. The Hot Mess Express
Defining Traits: Always hot off a breakup, always texting someone they shouldn’t be texting, always making questionable decisions. You’re Friends Because: You were there once. And they keep you young. Catchphrase: “Why does this shit keep happening to me?”
12. The Athlete
Defining Traits: They’re two different people depending on whether or not their sport is in season. Disciplined as all hell. Sweatpant chic. You’re Friends Because: Their perfect and able body motivates you to put down the Cheetos and pick up the dumbbells. Catchphrase: “Sorry, man, gotta run to practice.”
13. The RA
Defining Traits: Usually in sweats, asking you to come to a floor event, and begrudgingly, reluctantly, inadvertently getting people in trouble. You’re Friends Because: OK, despite all that other stuff, this person is super responsible and safe and comforting to have around. Catchphrase: “There’ll be free food, guys!”
14. The Social Justice Academic
Defining Traits:Great at identifying oppressive constructs, paradigms, and norms. Great at explaining what all of those words mean.
You’re Friends Because:Every moment you spend with them, you become a slightly better person.
Catchphrase:“That’s a little problematic…”
15. The Activist
Defining Traits: Friends with No. 14 even though they butt heads sometimes. Short-tempered but well-meaning. Expert at raising hell. You’re Friends Because: You like knowing where the coolest protests, counter-protests, and counter-counter-protests are going down. Catchphrase: “Fuck the police.”
16. The Slacker Genius
Defining Traits: They go out more than you and get better grades than you. You’ve never witnessed them doing homework, but the homework is always done. You’re Friends Because: We all need heroes. Catchphrase: “Wanna get high?”
17. The Alternative Friend
Defining Traits: Cooler clothes than you, cooler musical taste than you, cooler hobbies than you, cooler parties than you, cooler weekend plans than you. You’re Friends Because: Refer to “Defining Traits.” Catchphrase: “I’m not a hipster, man.”
18. The Cool International Kid
Defining Traits: Lots of scarves, probably a hint of a cool accent, jet-lagged for the first half of every semester. You’re Friends Because: Worldliness and culture rub off, right? Well, you can always live vicariously through their stories. Catchphrase: “Well, when I was in [insert exotic country here]…”
19. The Comedian
Defining Traits: Member of at least one improv group. Always doing stand-up at bars. MC of every major campus event. You’re Friends Because: You like laughter and you like happiness and those are things this person provides. Catchphrase: “So a guy walked into a bar…”
20. The Environment Nut
Defining Traits: Basically in a relationship with planet Earth, majoring in Sustainable Development, only wears green. You’re Friends Because: You loved Captain Planet as a kid and they’re basically Captain Planet for grown-ups. Catchphrase: “You’re gonna recycle that, right?”
21. The Francophile
Defining Traits: Totally inexplicable French accent (seeing as they’re from L.A.), incorrigible cigarette habit, watch strictly black & white movies. You’re Friends Because: Their coolness gives you something to aspire to. Catchphrase: “Oh, you haven’t heard of it? It’s big in France.”
22. The Internet Savvy
Defining Traits: Live-tweeting expert. Everything on their Facebook gets over 50 likes. Use hashtags and abbreviations IRL. Higher Klout score than you. You’re Friends Because: You need someone to text asking what “IRL” and “Klout” mean. Catchphrase: “Omg, one sec, I wanna Instagram this really quick.”
23. The Studio Art Major
Defining Traits: Out of commission for several hours at a time because they’re in the studio. Stare at your face with uncomfortable intensity. You’re Friends Because: It’s kinda cool knowing someone who can create things out of nothing. Catchphrase: “It isn’t done yet, but what do you think?”
24. The Couple
Defining Traits: Met during fall of freshman year, attached at the hip ever since. Everyone jokes about them getting married soon…but it’s not a joke. You’re Friends Because: As much as you envy and loathe them, it’s nice to be reminded that true love exists. Also they’re adorable. Catchphrase: “Yup, we should be able to make it!”
25. The Socialite
Defining Traits: Nobody knows why or how they know this person but literally everybody knows this person. BFFs with the bouncer at the campus bar. You’re Friends Because: I mean, who knows? But they’re super nice and you don’t mind it so… Catchphrase: “Oh my god, it is SO good to see you!”
I always put my classmates back in High School on the top list this time. Lucky, as we were and as we are right now, internet things have to help us connecting the time that we used to share our laughter and tears.
The constant communications I am having with them bring so much youthful joy to my face the moment I read their messages on our batch website (created by section - 1).
These are the only pictures I'd gather so far among my classmates in High School......I am still waiting for the next day before somebody from them would find their way to our batch website and share their pictures.
You can see how innocent our faces were, which back those times life was so simple and unspoiled. The happiness of those times was purely uncomplicated. Back when our Alma Mater - Olongapo City National High School was built for building a greater future for those who will dream and reach their ambitions in life.
Back then our lives weren't polluted by politics nor for personal gains but being shaped with pure and refined education. Back when our simple joys and happiness weren't dictated much by technology, but purely given by our teachers, peers, friends, and classmates.
These faces would always remain a gold-painted art in my life as we continue to count the years, months, weeks, and days of our memories back in High School before they will totally be buried or forgotten by times.
High school life would always be fun and memorable.
Yours truly now and then
Charielyn Estabaya, a classmate in 2nd year
Celia Gardon, my classmate back in 2nd year
Jhun trance my classmate in 4th year
Ronaldo Caser my classmate in 3rd year
Rodel Martinez -classmate back in 2nd year
Peter de Guzman-classmate, back in 3rd year
Marivi de Leon-classmate in 3rd year
Maritess Andrade my classmate back in 2nd year
Joel Barrera my 4th-year classmate
Ariel Mijares 4th year classmate
Clemens Perenia - my classmate back in 2nd year.
Eugene Ebreo - my classmate back in 3rd year.
Jojo Tualla - my classmate back in 3rd year.
Joseph Eric Calma - my classmate back in 3rd year.
I was unable to update my blog from its last entry, it's been a hectic days since we are now in the new set of challenges. It was honestly the longest gap I had in blogging, nonetheless, I'm back in the blog circulations now.
The title of my blog today sounds a first step of a journey, as if it just hasn't felt like I have never been this far. Updating myself to this high tech right now leads me to a far distance that I have never been to. I love recalling the good old days, especially (my) high school days. The sweet memories I had back then kept on playing repeatedly in particular that my constant communications with my classmates and batchmates are steadily progressing.
My gratitude finally reached for the script of what I was to say that a possible meetings would ultimately comes to reality. I really thanks the section-1 for creating a batch website which purposely created just for their section only. Nevertheless, it was decided to open to all the batch of '89-90. The site becomes our playground everyday, exchanging notes peppered with reminiscing the happy yesteryears.
Our class picture was posted as if we've only just begun. Viewing the picture with those innocently naive faces brought so much smiles on my face, feeling like we just started from the start. Believe me, of all the pictures I have with me, my class picture is the distinction of having had the most internal drama and a wistful nostalgia. The picture came with sparks.
The messages that I have been continually receiving from them has been greatly encouraging. Our batchsite is growingly more impressive, it's like a wildfire that spread rapidly. I am greatly thankful to the section-1 for giving us a way of hope that we could possibly reconnect the past.
Tales of friendship in high school days are also intrinsic part in my life. I always believe that these high school friends I have are the wool I keep in the December of my life. Somewhere along the way, the nook of friendship that was built when I was in Jackson is a proof enough that, indeed, I made a history in those beautiful late 80's days.
"Without friends the world is but a wilderness...with friends,it is an abundant life."-Silang Memoirs 1990
One of the most beautiful things that happened in my life is learning about this internet thing.Ever since I started to study internet of my own in 2001,it has become a good propeller for me to connect with friends and family and reconnect with my classmates back in high school and in college but lost in contact in the process. Not recently,I received a long distance call from the States which surprisingly unknown calls for me but formally recognized when we started to exchange of introductions thereafter. With the cyberspace as our playground,we engraved words abundantly peppered with recalling and greetings. Her name is Julieta Santos,she was my classmate in second year high school at Olongapo City National High School way way back in the 80's.We were seatmates and seated at the end part of the row.I can still freshly remember the usual kindness we did by "Kopyahan" our answers and sharing of snacks.She was lanky and the tallest among the girls the reason she was voted as muse of the class. We consistently exchanging emails proving that friendship is just contained in a click of a mouse. Our last meetings was 1998,we were both boarded on the same bus headed for Olongapo and the rest was forgotten.She's happily married now and blessed with beautiful kids.She's risiding in the States now.... No matter how vague it was,still the chord of friendship clears the dim memories remembering how simple life in High school then was.
Long lost friends aren't hard to find nowadays; you just need to look or search in the internet using the biggest search engine online Google and of course the largest community haven of the Filipinos-Friendster.com. Internet has been a good starting point for the search.Especially finding friends from childhood days even high school to College.I thank God that He allowed somebody to invent internet so as it'll be easier for us to find friends in the quickest time. Through the midst of my digging the net in trying to find friends,I stumbled into the blogsite of my batchmate in OCNHS.The blogsite is entirely for the Sci-Hi batch 90. Olongapo City National High School has two forms of academe-the Sci-Hi and the National School,but these two were in the same pillar and academy of OCNHS. I was taken aback knowing the author of the blogsite is my neighbor and a childhood playmate.For 18 long years,we haven't seen each other nor having any scuttlebutt of each others whereabouts.Long before I came back to Olongapo from such a lengthy disappearance he was no longer in the nearby house but migrated to US with the rest of his family. Honestly,my heart abounds with happiness seeing him online and successfully made his life in America.With all sincerity,we weren't that intimate as close since he was not fond of "Nangangapit Bahay" of sorts.During our high school days,he was in the Science High and I was in the National. We just nodded our heads ecstatically the moment we'd met in the school campus and sometimes sharing our snacks. Having someone you considerably a buddy promotes the rapid acquisition of friendship photos and messages display an emerged promising decoys through in a virtual world. It so nice to see that you both grew up in the same place,time and was separated by distance and long silence,yet,growing old again commemorating the happy bygone days. "As iron sharpens iron,a friend sharpens a friend."
This is Ariel Aquino my childhood playmate and a neighbor.
I've been out and disconnected online for a quite sometimes now.....which I hadn't posted anything nor unaware what's going on around the blogosphere world. As I open and checked my blog...a friendly message posted at my Message Box sent this Friendly Tag. These Friendly Tag has been sent around the blog net to those bloggers who wish to join and meet new bloggers...I would say I'm lucky enough to be tagged and chosen among the bloggers around the world. My gratitude is overflowing for JM. I really thank JM for tagging me in.
"No amount of text message can equal one treasured moment of conversation between friends whose voices have been muted with decades,long silence and separation-Jose F. Sarzosa,Jr."
Friends may come and go,but in the world of friendship you need to treasure and value them whether they remain to be True or Not.I believe in an adage,there's always a room for every friends as long as you don't close you door,exclusively.
When I began my college in the 90's,I was really expecting that another sets of friends would possibly be made which the entire years of staying in College wasn't the gauge of your friendship.
My College days in Cebu was among the years that I was enjoying the most.Of course,I have had built another circle of friends which I believed somehow would leave a lifetime trails.Looking back when life was so simple,unhurried,and unspoiled,happiness with the people whom I considered friends back in College (Cebu State College of Science & Technology)was unbridled,uncomplicated yet pure because of the willingness and trust that we had implanted each others,was so hard to bury in oblivion though it was covered with long 14 years of gap,separation, and distance yet it will always prevails into remembrance to see the significance of how important you are for them.
It was then that we were young,well-built of freshness,and admired by those who follow us.Our life then was gained speed but not too frenetic,it was when happiness wasn't dictated too much of technology because cell phone and internet wasn't born yet in our times,the reasons the ties that binds us wasn't prone to breakage.
When our times in College has to end and peaked too soon we need to separate our ways back to our respective provinces no matter how hard it was for us as we forcibly to choose our own destinations with priorities in life.
When days have becoming months,years and decades our pictures of remembrance back in College had slowly fading away till it was tossed and carried by a condition of forgetting our mementos.
Living in a small world that we have,crossing our path unintentionally wasn't the plan nor expectational to regard of holding back but reminiscing the good old days and fond memories we had back then.Thanks for the technology that continually updating us and connecting us,is the tool that we are using to link each other again.
Obstacles of finding them didn't deter me from seeking a way to make a contact with them,and true indeed we found each other.From the cold mountains of Alaska to the scorching desert of Sahara;from the towering building corporates of America to the mining fields of Africa;from the royal palaces of England to the fine hotels in Asia;from the land of the rising sun to the Island Down Under;from North to South,East to West.As what Mr.Jose Sarsoza says;"No amount of text message can equal one treasured moment of conversation between friends whose voices have been muted with decades,long silence and separation"....again we exchange text and views each other profile on friendster just to see how we changed physically for 14 long years of silence.Since we started exchanging text untimely,it marks a day to remember the seed of flashing back the friendship that was being planted as it is progressively growing.
Creating a good foundation of ties that binds us together won't loose into breakage though it was enveloped by long years of separation but the foundation is always there to hold us in point.
I thank God for helping me to bring back the yesteryears I have with these people whom I called friends back in Cebu CSCST-CFT batch '94.Herewith,are among the pics of my so called-friends which I have found in friendster.
This is Jasmin...a dear close pal in College.
Seth..a songbird in our times,who's now enjoying her newfound life in England.
Rachel Anne,enjoying her life as a successful mother.
Another pal Romeo Coronel, an aspiring Priest soon to be.
Unfading close pal way back then..Rosaleo..
A marine major who is now a Police...Andy.
One of the brightest students in my College days;Florencio Noynay
Hearing this song,brings me back in time always..the reason I chose it for remembering the happy bygone days I had in CSCST-CFT,Cebu.It's like trying to remember the kind of September.I love to dedicate this song to the following pictures above whom I have found online that considerably among the friends I had in College.For 14 years in existence,we finally emerged from the shadows of the past to chart a new beginning with a heart that seek to rediscover our lost friendship but solidifying it more.
