We Never Left High School
by Alan F. Siu - Class President
an excerpt from his blog post at
www.siu.i.ph
posted on September 5, 2006
There is something about our high school batch - which
up to this point has never left our hearts no matter what
part of the world we are presently in - and no matter how
long we have been out-of-reach from one another. At
some point somewhere, somebody remembers
someone. Batch ’89 - F.C.I.C’s proudest batch –has
undoubtedly proved to be the most resilient of them all. I’
m trying to figure out what that thing is. Camaraderie? We
always have that ever since – it has in fact evolved into an
almost enduring kinship over the years. While others have
grown tired of high school reunions, we however keep on
planning for our next. We even have that awesome
capacity to plan an instant reunion – whenever the
numbers have it and whoever’s in town. We do not plan
the most elaborate of parties. Basta naay lechon ug beer –
larga! It definitely is not the food. What is it then? You
couldn’t even stand the irreverent jokes and rehashed
taunts we have on each other year after year. The boys
enjoy it. The girls don't – but they miss it all the same.
Personalities? These are as diverse as the fishes are in the
ocean. No matter – we accept each other – and enjoy
each other’s company. Many of us have pursued different
endeavors, raised their own families, and followed different
lifestyles. Some of us have traversed even the seven seas
in order to follow our individual dreams. But when we
return to the familiar sights of our hometown in Baybay,
Leyte, and when we meet together and enjoy a reunion of
sorts – everything’s set aside, we take off our caps and
reveal the old familiar faces, names, and voices – strip
ourselves of titles, bank accounts, or whoever the hell we’
ve become, – and become our unadulterated selves. And
we’re back in high school again. The spirit of the past
lives on. We may be somewhere else in the world right
now. We might have left so many things behind.
Somehow - it seems, we never left high school after all.
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