HIGH SCHOOL REUNION
LUNCHEON MEETING
At lunchtime today, is ‘The Day’—‘The Day’ I would finally meet a few old classmates who had eluded much of my memories. Just before I reached Garden Orchid Hotel, I was already picturing Thomas in my mind. He had that typical Chinese look and was few inches taller than me when we were still in high school. I guess there would be no drastic change in his feature, just like Leonardo when I first met him some ten years ago.
Excitement was building up that when I finally found Mimi, I couldn’t contain myself marveling at how Bio Ching maintained her voluptuous body—slim and still sexy. On our Girl’s counterpart, I met Wahida Tan, Zenaida, Carmencita Viray and Bio Ching. I was already on my second cup of coffee, when Tom finally appeared. Just as what I’ve expected, Tom gained a bit with rounder waistline, double-chin and the look of his father. Obviously, he didn’t recognize me and Mimi was really good in making everything in suspense. After the ‘hi-hello’ and other pleasantries, he just smiled at me was really clueless who he was looking at. When I finally broke the ice, he was grinning from cheek to cheek and confessed he couldn’t believe I am what I turned out to be after 33 years!
Then all of the sudden, our conversation became more erratic without particular subject—shifting from good old days, old classmates to friends and from work to families then back again. I could see in his eyes those missing picture of our friendship. Reminiscing those childhood crushes, despair, frustrations and hope of what we wanted to be, which obviously far from what we had ever dreamed of.
When I was in Junior High, I wanted to be a linguist or journalist so that I could explore the world and eventually would end up in the United Nations amidst the giants of world leaders. However after the fateful incident in Jolo in 1974, I was forced to stop from continuing my studies. It took me seven years to finish a four-year course in commerce. By right, I should have finished my BSC before my 19th birthday. Anyway in 1981, I finally got my diploma and graduated from Ateneo de Zamboanga with a degree of Bachelors of Science in Commerce, Major I Accountancy..
While I was still toiling in the classroom and occasionally in the library, Leonard was on his sophomore year at UST medical school, while Tom was already gainfully employed. I didn’t get much information about the others, but with Mimi around, I should be able to gather something to complete this blog.
I remember right after the civil war in Jolo, I was able to catch up with Luis Godinez, our darling-rose among the patches of ‘musingan’ and rouge boys. Never a dull day in our school when he was around, even when we were at detention hall, he had always ways to make us laugh, thus extending to few minutes our detention time. I wonder what had become of him.
Musing at what had transpired that night, only when I met old classmates and old friends did I realize I’ve metamorphosed into a handsome, debonair and zestful young man. At 50, I was after all full of excitement that night especially when I got few ladies to burn the dance floor with me in those sensual groovy moves of cha-cha-cha, swing and boogie. Too bad I didn’t have the right partner to do the Tango, Mambo, Salsa, Rumba & the Waltz.
I’ll wait for Mimi to provide me the corresponding photos.
EdLim signing off
Excitement was building up that when I finally found Mimi, I couldn’t contain myself marveling at how Bio Ching maintained her voluptuous body—slim and still sexy. On our Girl’s counterpart, I met Wahida Tan, Zenaida, Carmencita Viray and Bio Ching. I was already on my second cup of coffee, when Tom finally appeared. Just as what I’ve expected, Tom gained a bit with rounder waistline, double-chin and the look of his father. Obviously, he didn’t recognize me and Mimi was really good in making everything in suspense. After the ‘hi-hello’ and other pleasantries, he just smiled at me was really clueless who he was looking at. When I finally broke the ice, he was grinning from cheek to cheek and confessed he couldn’t believe I am what I turned out to be after 33 years!
Then all of the sudden, our conversation became more erratic without particular subject—shifting from good old days, old classmates to friends and from work to families then back again. I could see in his eyes those missing picture of our friendship. Reminiscing those childhood crushes, despair, frustrations and hope of what we wanted to be, which obviously far from what we had ever dreamed of.
When I was in Junior High, I wanted to be a linguist or journalist so that I could explore the world and eventually would end up in the United Nations amidst the giants of world leaders. However after the fateful incident in Jolo in 1974, I was forced to stop from continuing my studies. It took me seven years to finish a four-year course in commerce. By right, I should have finished my BSC before my 19th birthday. Anyway in 1981, I finally got my diploma and graduated from Ateneo de Zamboanga with a degree of Bachelors of Science in Commerce, Major I Accountancy..
While I was still toiling in the classroom and occasionally in the library, Leonard was on his sophomore year at UST medical school, while Tom was already gainfully employed. I didn’t get much information about the others, but with Mimi around, I should be able to gather something to complete this blog.
I remember right after the civil war in Jolo, I was able to catch up with Luis Godinez, our darling-rose among the patches of ‘musingan’ and rouge boys. Never a dull day in our school when he was around, even when we were at detention hall, he had always ways to make us laugh, thus extending to few minutes our detention time. I wonder what had become of him.
Musing at what had transpired that night, only when I met old classmates and old friends did I realize I’ve metamorphosed into a handsome, debonair and zestful young man. At 50, I was after all full of excitement that night especially when I got few ladies to burn the dance floor with me in those sensual groovy moves of cha-cha-cha, swing and boogie. Too bad I didn’t have the right partner to do the Tango, Mambo, Salsa, Rumba & the Waltz.
I’ll wait for Mimi to provide me the corresponding photos.
EdLim signing off
1 comment:
Hi Edmund, glad I found your blog and the story about our class reunion. I wish I could find our other classmates as I would like to get back in touch with them. It's been such a long time.
Noel DLP
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