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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