chapter 1: 1st year (part 3)

At 14, I was the eldest member of the batch. I was a "12 year old kid trapped in a 14 year old's body". But I was unfazed. For the next 9 months, I adjusted to the high school system such as meeting new, unfamiliar teachers, usage of lockers and tables for two, and even a very crooked passageway in between tables. I adjusted well to the new environment. Our room occupied what was once the grade school music room, near the faculty room of the grade school. We were neighbors to 1B and 1F, while sections C, D and E occupy the Eisenhower side.

First year life wasn't as hectic as I later experienced. All year long, I was so loose, forgetting some of the stuff like assignments, which I later regretted. The only activities we got involved with were the Acquaintance Party, the Intramurals, and the Food Fair, held in early July, October, and December, respectively. The first Tuesday of the month was reserved for the monthly mass. Meanwhile, we received a rude reception during the annual Intramurals, then involving year levels against each other. Still, first year life was a step forward to the future.

I was in the spotlight during the Acquaintance Party. That was Friday, July 2, 2004, by the way. Many members of the 2004-05 graduating class were cheering for me as I made my way towards the ramp and introduced to the higher class. Reena was my partner for the brief introductory dance, and our costumes were Spanish-inspired. I opted to wear the "Jose Rizal in Spain" look on that day, and some of the fourth year were standing up to cheer for me. Man, that was a great start.

Indeed times like these were so instrumental for years to come. There was one moment in my life, however, that I will simply never forget, because it helped me a lot in the long run. I was introduced to the COCC cadet corps in mid-July, and later on I opted to join the COCC. I lasted till January, 2005, when I had to quit because of a back injury. Still, the experience rubbed off my shoulders. But I had to wait till third year 2007 to wear the customized cadet uniform again.

Most of my high school batchmates took the Sacrament of Confirmation as a rite of passage to adulthood. That happens every September, October of November of the year. But I opted not to take the Confirmation because I was already confirmed early in my life (1997).

chapter 1: 1st year (part 2)

My seatmates in first year were Jopet Gonzaga of UST, Lilly Anne Goto, fellow frosh at De La Salle University, Nicole Alfonso, now at UST, and Athena Lee, also at UST. Of the three seatmates I had fun with back in 1st year, it was Athena who was considered the most influential. Often when I go berserk, Athena calms me down, to a certain extent that I ended up falling asleep. One of the best moments I had with her was when I had a bad fever early in January. Athena was also late for her fetcher, but I was there to throw in the fun. She just gave me a pat on the back and talked to me about what I was feeling lately. When she left for home, I just waved her hand and said goodbye. It was that moment I can never forget. I also have to credit Jopet for kickstarting me up. She was sitting behind me back in first year, and she was also patting me in the back and smiling as if she was a little 9-year old kid.

Other than my seatmates and classmates, I also consider my long-time buddy Michael Kirck Bautista of UA&P. If I can remember, we always play and joke often near the St. Francis gate after dismissal back in 1st year. Even my old summer buddy Jan Patrick Ching can also be considered, as well as Arvin Santos. We used to be lunch brothers in high school, I remember that. It was Donna Bajao, however, whom I became impressed. She may not be chic, but she definitely has that humble demeanor.

It was a short list, though, as I didn't have enough friends back then. Remember that it was only an adjustment year, so time always has its perks.

First year had so little rules back then. Until July, cellphones were surrendered to the guard before classes; we get them back after classes. But with the growing number of cellphone losses incurring in class, the school decided to stop this rule; they banned cellphones in school, except for security reasons. Then there was the commuter pass rule, where you can get out of school, for free, provided that the parents signed a letter of permission for you to go. I didn't have those perks back then. Besides, I have to be content with going home so late.

I felt comfortable wearing my old high school uniform. In the early days of high school life, we have to remove our vests as if there was no airconditioning back in the day. It's like a lack of loyalty when we go without their vests. Then by July, we were forced to wear our vests whenever we don our regular uniform inside school property, since we now had airconditioned classrooms. Then the L.T. unform rules: we have to shine our buckles, wear black socks, white shirt with our high school seal, and black shoes. Unfortunately, we were the last freshmen to don the trademark gray vests, as the school changed the color of the vests to blue the very next year.

Wearing the uniform feels like I was going back to the 1980's. Remember famous new wave bands like Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet or even Johnny Hates Jazz, that feels like it. It so happened that I listened to 80's music before and after classes, to remember the good ol' days.

I was part of 1A, under Mrs. Soqueno. But usually I feel like I belonged to even B, C, D, E, and even F. Classes were usually grueling on my standards, with Physical Science the most demanding of them all. Nevertheless, I maintained a good grade in school. Among my classmates, Athena was my personal favorite in 1st year, followed by Reena, Rochelle and Jopet. Heck, there are usually students taking a nap on a one-hour lunch, so rest is what's worth a thing to do.

chapter 1: 1st year (part 1)

March 24, 2004. It was the day of our graduation in grade school. It also marked the beginning of a new life: high school life. Sadly, some of our batchmates would depart after grade school. I don't know if I was the next one going. I can remember walking through the aisle receiving the diploma, asking myself, where am I going? Daddy wanted me to study at a low-budget school, Philippine Science High School. The options continue on as I finally had that shiny red case over my hands. But in the end, I decided to stay loyal to OB Montessori.

OB was a great school to start off with. It is very similar to other elite schools like Assumption, St. Scholastica's, La Salle Greenhills and La Salle Zobel. But what distinguished the school from the rest was that it had the privilege to be situated near both a shopping mall and a subdivision. It is located in Greenhills, where it was the place for the elite and the famous, and this school had its perfect backdrop.

I can remember Christine, my old grade school buddy, telling me something about caring for each other. You see, the weeks heading into graduation was a crucial part. I wasn't even belonging in the group lately, until she showed up and gave me some words of encouragement to stay here. And I took those words to heart. When she left for good, I always reflect on what she has done for me back in the day.

After graduation, my family went to Batangas for a summer trip. But instead of soaking the sun, I decided to stay behind and reflect on my experience in grade school, with a little help from the 1980's. Somehow I was introspective, but I realized there's still a lot of work to do.

After the trip, I went back to business. During those lead-ups to high school, I prepared some of the things needed for the grind ahead. I was introduced to the gray checkered polo, gray pants and gray vest, symbols of the early part of high school. I was even introduced to a new PE uniform, color-coded depending on the year level. And I bought a lot of books to cover for high school, some of which were borrowed from an old relative of mine. That started the rite of initiation. To sum it all up, there's no need for a customized bag. Just buy you own.

High school life opened shop on June 14, 2004. And I was only a 14-year old kid. However most of my batchmates were still 12 or younger when we started high school. That shows you the immaturity of those kids back in the day, still hung over from the old grade school days. We had an assembly, with our bags on. Mine's much bigger than the others; I bought so many books in school on that first day. After the assembly, we had a mass, and then we head ourselves to the classrooms for a Dale Carnegie sessions. What made the difference was also the teachers we had in high school. And I had new batchmates from other schools. The first day was definitely hanging over my head.

My first high school friends were two upperclassmen. David Atienza and Alyssa Lapid, both 3rd year students, were willing to introduce me. We were busmates back then. So they started to give me some words of encouragement to ensure my stay in high school a successful one. They were not alone, however, to share the fun. Gradually, I gained a lot more friends from that section alone, which is C.

I can remember Sarah Galban as well as Monette Navarro, who followed in the footsteps of David and Alyssa, giving me more words of encouragement. I can also remember my old grade school buddies JP Capistrano, Kenny Espino, Rainiel Yap and Rishi Hemnani, playing typical jokes on me. Even Rachelle Villanueva, the elder sister of my then-classmate Rochelle, was giving me some sort of funny tips. The fun definitely continued, until a sudden turn happened. I was trying to tuck my shirt in public when Alyssa suddenly went wild. She walked away with a grin, and I was so humiliated by my actions. To this day, it was still the most forgettable act of disrespect I've ever done in my life. Despite that debacle, I still maintained my friendships with Sarah, Monette and the other members of 3C, and they continued my tutoring with them. It was an experience I can never forget.
First year happens to be a trying period to me. We had lockers near the classrooms, so if there's something to get prior to the next subject, this is the place to go. Our tables were reduced to only a two-seater, and there were no more nomenclature cards, grade school "toys" and the like. As mentioned earlier, we have new teachers. Plus, the entire batch is together, no more afternoon shifts. We had six sections, from A to F. But that happened to be the only time we'll have a six-section high school. In addition, classes last the entire day, starting at 8:30 AM. For instance, in my first year, Monday to Thursday classes end at 4:00 PM, while Friday classes last till 3:00 PM. By the way, the 3:00 PM class usually had me fetched home by my dad, except for some unknown reasons. Exams were usually grade school-like schedules, ending at around 1:00 PM. That was also when my dad was available. But for most of the week, I was fetched home by my school bus; I got home at as early as 7:30 PM, and as late as 9:00 PM. But that took its toll on me. As I languish inside the school waiting for my bus, I was all alone, looking as my other friends come and go. Fortunately, there are some people who can share in the fun.

introduction: high school and ever after

For four years, I was one of the most recognizable faces in high school. But as I make the jump to college, I somehow reinvented myself again. I am back to being unknown, in an institution where excellence is an even higher mountain. However I will make sure I end up being recognizable once I finish my degree in college. Before I finish my first year in college, I wanted to share memories of four years in high school.

This book takes us to my personal journey to the four glorious years I spent with you. Along the way, I had numerous successes and personal failures, but I persevered to bring out the best that life can ever have. I made numerous friends all throughout my four years in high school, whether they were my batchmates, upperclassmen or lowerclassmen, they brought tremendous memories in high school. I would also like to share some of the favorite things I had done while not studying in school, as well as the oddities that surround them.

First year was definitely an adjustment year, with new seats, lockers, new students, new uniforms, and a whole day schedule that will surely drive me nuts. It was a hard, but peaceful transition from grade school to high school. Second year was more of the same, but I was starting to get the groove on. However I experienced a crisis during my second year, as my class started to unravel and spin out of control. Then in 3rd year, I became the elder brother to the lowerclassmen. Perhaps I spent 3rd year both tragically and triumphantly, coupled with the loss of several friends whom I couldn't seem to patch things up and the forgettable season of my favorite team. And fourth year was also both a triumph and tragedy. I not only graduated, but I also saw my favorite team won a championship. It was also the best of times, and also the worst of times, as I witness one person close to me walk away for good, and I lost a member of the family. This was definitely the best part of my life. But now I have to adjust again.

Even though I started my college education, I still keep in touch with my lower class friends. Still regarded as their "kuya", I continued to dedicate myself in helping them reach their dreams. It was a worthy experience, but as a college student there is a long, long way to go.

Once I finish college, I hope these underclassmen will understand what I've experienced throughout my colleg life as well. So this book will definitely help you in reaching for the stars.