We Never Left High School
by Alan F. Siu - Class President
an excerpt from his blog post at www.siu.i.ph
posted 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.
Seventeen years. Had it been that long? 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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