HS Friends Get Together

Get-Together 2011

Mark's Mansion

December 30, 2011

Soon-to-be Bride and Groom! =) 



L-R: Den, Joana, Mark, April, Mitchelle, Edson, Lui, Leo, Gee

Random Thoughts: My Long Lost Friend =)

Through Facebook I was able to find a friend...an old friend I have met 12 years ago during the National Youth Congress for Young Leaders in Baguio City. The workshop gathered all the student leaders all throughout the Philippines which lasted for a week. We were HS then and I can't remember much about it. I only relied on the old photos I took during that time.

Aside from recalling how spooky Teacher's Camp was and the 4 other people from Region I delegates, I remember this person's name and birthday. I am also pretty much sure that we have spent some time to bond but unfortunately, I can't go into details anymore (sign of memory gap..argh!).

The funny thing is we've just started communicating last weekend but it feels like we've been friends all along, chatting so comfortably. We haven't seen each other ever since but we're hoping to meet again to celebrate our birthdays the week after next week. We've also learned that we're on the same path in terms of career...we're both in IT industry. Lucky me, I found my long lost friend! Life, indeed, never runs out of surprises! =)

What a small world!

Random Thoughts: The Golden Friendship

A friend is a golden treasure I will safe keep and cherish forever.

I went through my "baul" this morning since it's holiday and have nothing else to do. I missed my old friends and those precious moments we have shared. I also get to browse my sticker collections that I've carefully preserved in photo albums. It was a great feeling to see the proof of my fun-filled teenage years once again.As I re-read the Birthday, Valentine's, Christmas and Graduation cards, the retreat and thank you letters and the messages written in my bunch of slum books, I laughed and cried at the same time. Reading those messages on my idle time, takes my boredom away and it really makes me feel good, knowing that somehow I made my friends smile and enjoy the school life.
It made me realize that even a simple card with a simple note of appreciation on it can have a very big impact to its recipient. It can make you feel special in a way. I am not against e-cards, emails or text messaging but I prefer the traditional way of hand-writing your thoughts to another person. I find it more thoughtful and sweet. Aside from it being more personal, it also gives the letter some kind of authenticity.

I always wanted to be an inspiration to others. I don't know what my mission is in this world but one thing I really wanted to do is to make other people happy and inspire them to also inspire others. Doing little things is one of my ways in reaching out a friend, it may not be noticeable but it is always sincere. I have also brought this attitude with me in my workplace and now doing the same way to colleagues and even to customers.I wish and hope that there will be these people(a friend or even a stranger) whom I will truly inspire before I take on a new journey. That would be my greatest feat in this lifetime!

"If you leave something wonderful with those who come to your life, they will find it hard to erase you from their hearts...Little things matter most." -from a friend.

Mid-year Gathering

July 31-August 1, 2010
Trinoma-Eastwood

One of my closest friends, Den, came over from Dubai for a short vacation and one of her itineraries is to have a little gathering with some of our childhood friends. I have been waiting for this day since we have planned it last June but a day before the schedule I thought I couldn't come because I was so sick but gladly, I felt better the next day and was able to go.

Irene, the Business Analyst, fetched me at 7-11 in Pantranco-Roces. We arrived in our meeting place-ABE Restaurant at the 3rd level of Trinoma-30mins late the 7 o'clock meeting time. Joanna, the Fashion Designer, was already there, alone. After a while, each of the guys are coming in; Den, the Travel Agent; Edson, the Journalist; Hyacinth, the Lawyer-together with her younger sister Hanel-then came John, the IT Specialist; Rheena, the English Professor and lastly, Steven, also a Lawyer. We're looking forward to see Znarf, our mysterious elementary classmate, who we figured out, just recently that he turned into a fine looking man!. Sadly, he didn't showed up.The dinner was fantastic because aside from the food being so delicious-Pork Sisig, Pinakbet wen manong, Sinigang na Bangus, Calamares and my personal favorite-the Lamb Adobo topped with crunchy garlic flakes-it was also a treat by Den. Hehe...The mall and resto was closing so we decided to move to another location. We can't make up our minds because others wants to have coffee while others wanted to drink. Our first choice was UP Techno-hub but as soon as we get there, we changed our minds and just went to Eastwood.

We ended up mingling with party people, Eastwood was a bit crowded but we've found a vacant, not-that-much-noisy open area infront of Pasto Italian Restaurant. We got our teas and mozzarella sticks while others had their drinks. Thank God it didn't rain!
Reminscin' continues as Rheena recalls the most famous anecdotes in elementary and HS. We had such a good laugh! We also talked about those we haven't seen since then and those we have heard about recently. Everybody seems to have a great career and love life(hmmm...for those who have love life hehe). Steve and I also found a little time to talk about our dear friend, Mac. He also told me he's going to US on October for his sister's wedding. Steve and Mac plans to hang out together to celebrate their birthdays(they're going to watch an NBA game), how i wish i could also be there.
There were tons of good news but there were also some bad news; John's parents were caught in a car accident just a few weeks ago. They have sustained multiple wounds and bruises but thankfully, they are not in a critical condition(aside from his dad's hand needs surgery because of damaged knuckles) and was now getting better.

We even saw my brother, also hangin' out with his own set of childhood friends.

As we welcome Den's homecoming, we've learned that the night out also served as a despedida party for Edson. He already resigned in the Daily Inquirer and he's flying out for US on Saturday and will be back in three years time. We'll miss him for sure.

We called it a night by 2:30 am(10:30 pm at Den's time-Dubai Time). Irene fetched his boyfriend, Jon, in ABS-CBN and dropped me by at my apartment afterward.

It was great having a chitchat with these people, i hope we could do it more often but i guess we need to wait for another good time where most of us could come.

Thanks to Den for the treat and also for Irene for the ride. Hoping to see you all soon again! =D

Grown Ups

Hometown
December 26, 2010

We're planning a HS/Elementary Reunion next year and i am as excited as everybody else to see our classmates we barely see or have never seen at all since graduation. Social networking sites kept us connected with each other. Most of our batchmates were now cooperating and even tracking others to make this happen after so many years.

Below photos with some of my childhood friends were taken last Christmas Vacation:

Random Thoughts: Through the years...

Back-to-school is approaching fast! I remember the days...going to school, playing with friends, doing school activities, long summer vacations!...*sigh* i missed my school buddies. Although we still see each other once in a while...i still missed the old times. The unforgettable firsts (school politics, campings, school competitions and puppy love?! hmm) and the things i can't imagine i really did (singing, dancing and acting), is worth reminiscin' again and again. From my Nursery to College classmates, schoolmates and of course closest friends...thank you for the wonderful memories...SEE YAH!

St Patrick's angels with Teachers Tess and Rowena

TCES' Pupil Government Officers

TNHS' Einstein Class with the Principal and Class Adviser

With the Topak Family =)

Paulinians with Sister Rosella