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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