BANANACUE
REPUBLIC
Vol I, No. 13
Dec 01, 2004
by Leoncio Olobia
Memory
Uninterrupted: High
School Memoirs (Part 2)
I got a call from Mark after many years of
absence since we graduated in UP Diliman. We talked for hours reminiscing
high school days which prompted me to write this sequel. So sit back,
relax and take a ride down memory lane, as Jessica calls it.
Josephine was the most successful businesswoman in our class, as Robelita
says so, because of her chocolate crunchies and "mamon". Mark
recalls that I happened to be her number one debtor-client. My meager
allowance was always drained each time I saw her because the goodies were
simply irresistible. Joel and I tried to destroy the "Schindler's
List" of debtors but she managed to hide it down her private
"ghetto". I cannot forget those chasing moments with Josephine
as some of them barricaded me so I couldn't escape to pay.
Joel was the most sexually aggressive person in our class. His massive
collection of dirty magazines was unequalled. I never really saw explicit
sexual acts on print until Joel showed them to our face. Agree? Sharon had
tears in her eyes when she saw gigantic figures, uncensored. Eighteen
years later, everyone wonders if those were tears of excitement or
something else. Well, Sharon has a lot of explaining during the
reunion.
On a serious note, there were obnoxious people underneath the main
building that fantasized women in skirts. I found this so inhuman but
nobody really surfaced out to face embarrassment. Yet, one might ask if
they were really performing taboo rituals. Whatever it was, this sanctuary
was an eyesore to everyone. I had some ideas as to who they were but who
cares? We are not gathering to share sad stories. Time has eroded all
things unpleasant.
Wanna hear more stories? Well, in one of our many interesting occasions in
the Music class, Mr. Calleja gave as an assignment to learn a playful song
which everyone had to learn in a single day. Does anybody remember this:
tzena, tzena, tzena, tzena abanot korina kayalim, vamushyava. Alna, alna,
alna, alna abanot korina mibingka, yarishyava, etc. Mary Joy proved she
was still the reigning musical genius when she got perfect score during
the exam. The difficulty of this piece was the intricate, unending chasing
of melodies from one verse to the next. I dare any group of four who can
still execute it flawlessly. A great idea for the reunion.
Mr. Calleja's vibrant personality was opposite to the sinister Ms. Abasolo.
She tried to teach us the immortal song called "Exodus" because
we were constantly journeying a life of fear and absolute silence in her
class. Luckily my suffering didn't last long when I tickled those ivory
keys, utilizing me in various times for her own comfort.
Silvio's legendary performance of Lionel Richie's "Knife" was
indeed, piercing right down to the bone. Everyone had mixed emotions about
his drama. While others believed he was showing off, I thought he was
playing the part of a serial killer. A second performance is requested to
make sure he has transcended himself, or if this small knife has become a
mighty sword, as Arnel worries.
Despite all these incidents, we were serious with academics. Dennis had
code words for some of them so if you happened to sit close to him during
exams, surely his infamous "abacabacabdaa" will haunt your
memory. If Leila could memorize scientific names at the drop of a hat,
Dennis could master the art of codenames at the flick of the finger. I
shared some of the glory in this devious endeavor.
Ms. Fajardo's monumental speech class was remarkable. Chicago, Chicago,
Chicago!!! This epitomized the unbeatable voices of our class. I remember
when were still neophytes, the sound of "Like the Molave"
echoing the walls of the Quadrangle was like music to me. During our
senior year, we conquered the stage with this stunning piece.
The boys were endowed with athletic abilities as evidenced in the various
Intramural events where they won awards. Dennis, Joel and Mark were a trio
of Lydia De Vega fans against the unfavored Romeo Mista who worshipped
Elma Muros. All of them displayed bitter fights in the field but in the
end joined forces as they fought against other year-levels.
While our macho character was unbeatable, the girls had their share of
triumph as well. Jo Alcober led a group of exotic beauties as Band
Majorette for the school band. Margarita was one of the lucky few to show
pride in brain and beauty. A whimsical thought: Mark reminds everyone what
those "bloomers" supposed to imply aside from increased view of
their vanity.
Wow legs, we used to cry out loud.
More in the social scene, Noel Gorre belittled everyone with his
breathtaking breakdance. Along with Charlie and the rest of the gang, they
showcased talents in the commercial scene not anyone dared to challenge.
Ahh..... Those were the days of fun. It was a time of curiosity when our
young minds were discovering things, exploring horizons and beyond. Once
again, Leyte National High School defined ourselves.
Posted 11/30/04. Send your comment to
bananacue_republic@yahoo.com
"Those were the days of fun. It was a time of curiosity when our
young minds were discovering things, exploring horizons and the
beyond."