THS 85 Reunion

So I did go to my HS reunion. I am happy I did. There was more to it than meeting again old classmates and friends. I have been attending nearly all meetings on the last quarter of the year, onward to the reunion. I thought I’ve seen almost everybody I should see, until I saw two former schoolmates.

Committee officers were anxious I ain’t still in the venue. I made a bit of a promise to be there early morning and leave at lunch time and be back at reunion proper. With two errands to go (pick up folks at the airport, bring my family to Pampanga), I’d be lucky to be there in the last few minutes of the event.

Also, I have been assigned as one of the peace officers, along with Ojay Gatpandan (Mr. Kagawad) and Manny Galendez (Mr. US Navy-Semper Fi!), just in case somebody gets rowdy. Why I was assigned as such, mostly based on my reputation that I’ll explain later.

I arrived at 7.30pm, nearly halfway through of what is supposedly a 3-hour event (we all left at around 10.30pm with the rest of the officers remaining for more than an hour still).  The usual sneaker, nobody noticed me slipping in and watching the festivities happening while I sat in one of the table (I think it was Sec 3’s).Finally, when my classmates are agitated already (specifically Henry Samson, who came from Saitama, Japan), I showed up, telling them that I have been there all along and watching them.

The usual catching up was had. Good thing nobody asked me what am I doing. I have ready-made replies to that. Didn’t got to use it.

But there’s one person, a hulking one, that keeps smiling at me. I really didn’t have any idea who he was. A third year classmate, Ronald Rodriguez introduced me to him. He told me he is Mario. I nodded in acknowledgment but truth be told, I really have no idea. At the onset, I thought Mario Evaristo, a gentle giant of a classmate back in first year who I haven’t seen since graduation. He’s so big in height and width but so baby-like in movement. I used to call him Bondying. If I am right, then all I can say is, “Man, you didn’t changed!”. Then Mario told me about something, about a girl classmate (not gonna say who-it’s a giveaway) which not too many people knows about. Then it sunk to me---it’s Mario Pineda! My goodness, you grew a bulk pal! He was bit healthy even back then but he was quadruple of that size now.  

We had a long chat. I told him I remember him best always sitting at the concrete bench reserved for Mythology Class and that he always solve puzzles. He’d probably die if he couldn’t solve one in a day. Found out he‘s now based in Dubai, been there for 10 years now. I told him I had the privilege of working there too, DXB and ADH in 2007. I’ll probably never forget what he said to me, “Si Glenn, alala ko to, bad boy pero bright!”. Hahaha, I guess old trademarks do last!

As I mentioned early on, I was seated silently at the Sec 3 table. And there is this lanky guy, probably 5’10” tall silently seated too. Know him very well and I bet my ass he knows me all too well just the same. It’s Eugene, he was a friend back then. It was quite unfortunate that one drizzly day, a few weeks short of graduation day; he was having a bad day. I asked him what’s bothering him, in a friendly way, of course. But what I got was growl and a challenge for punch match. Ever the obliger, I gave him the go-ahead. We boxed at the side of the school and unfortunately for him, he was down on my first punch and kick (my shoe sole firmly imprinted on his chest). As I was pinning him down, the conscience in me stop the bout and picked him up. I told him we’re not enemies so we shouldn't be fighting. He got the message and he apologized. I should be the one apologizing as I inflicted unnecessary pain to him. I never saw him again---until reunion day.

We would encounter each other during the reunion but never got to talk until Mario or I think Noel Arbis called him up and say “Eugene, kilala mo pa ba to?” pointing at me. He replied “Oo naman, si Glenn yan!” , and then the handshake. It was 25 years in the making. I am glad it happened. Got a closure on that, finally.

The next person who got my attention, probably the most that did, was Charlie Serrano. Back in 3^rd year, he had a spat with one of my friend, Benjun’s brother (forgot his name already) and told me about it. I went looking for him to talk about it but instead, word got out that I will confront him. So he was battle-ready when we met up at 3^rd floor chemistry area. Armed with a walis tambo, I called him out. But he came charging in and hit me with the walis tambo handle. I fended it off with my left arm and amazingly, the handle broke into two upon hitting my left forearm. With so much rage, next thing I know, my fist in his forehead and he was sliding on his butt on the shiny floor.

That afternoon, he went to my classroom, with a band of classmates and friends, fearing he’d want revenge, i made myself ready for any eventuality. Turns out he wants to make peace, the other boys are there to make sure he’d straighten out. Never saw him again after graduation. Though we shook hands, I know deep in his mind, he’d like to crack me up one day.

Then came the Charlie Serrano of today. Reed thin, frail looking, walking like a broken stick, head held up high like with a stiffed neck. He’s a shadow of the Charlie we all know before---the CO of the ROTC. He was built like a rock back then. That’s why it is a wonder how on earth I have beaten him on a fist fight. It was an anomaly. I was barely 85 lbs then. Nobody should beat him, hand to hand or otherwise.

It is so sad to see people, friends or foes, in such state like Charlie. I asked him what happened to him. He said he has problems with his kidneys, probably of neglect or abuse. Depleted financially, he can’t afford any medication. I fear he might be at his last thread, I hope I am very wrong. I asked him if he still remember me. He said he’ll never forget. Whether he meant that positively or not, I let it pass. I told him to let bygones be bygones. I hold no grudge and I hope neither does he. He said it was a long time ago. I am glad he sees it that way too. I was thinking of hugging the guy but at his frail state and my bulk now, I might accidentally crush him. I settled for a well-meaning handshake.

Those are probably the reasons why I am assigned as Peace Officer. I guess they think I still have the punch (hahaha!). It’s hard shedding that image but it has some benefits just the same so I am keeping the tag.

If anybody would care to know and wouldn’t have nightmares remembering, these are the people that probably gave Batch 85 a bit of infamy:

Carlos De Guzman - at the top of the heap, probably uncontested there 

Arnold Motos - close second, at any bad day for Caloy, he’d definitely be at the top 

Ramil Olayres - distant third and I’d probably tied with him, both silent but w/temper

Arambulo & Jing Ngo - the rest of the group, not necessarily low in the scale but notorious as well 

I really never thought I would be remembered as such. I was hoping I’d be known otherwise. I have no qualms about it. I know myself. I can’t change the way people think about me. But just a reminder, just as body mass changes, so is the character. Happy to see you all again!