Up and down, and up again.

2003. College. Overwhelmed. Didn’t know what to do. I was only 16. It was a whole new world (stop singing). I was a good student. Didn’t cut class, did all my HW. I think majority of the kids that is in their first year will pass all their subjects. Well, that was me. I became a sophomore. Nothing changed. Until I met this girl, again.

My cousin was a frosh so he didn’t have friends to hang out with. I went to his classroom so we could chill. I saw this girl, and I said, “ G, Si *** ba yan?” Haha. I was right. Days passed and we (me and the girl) started talking. Exchanged digits. a lot of relationships are created in college. Simple, theres a ton of fish in the ocean and you can really pick who you want. 

We started dating. And I think, I feel inlove with this girl. For the first time in my life man, haha. Who knew. I started to cut classes to be with her cause we didn’t match scheds. And I got used to it. I failed all of my subjects that term. But im not saying that it was because of her, it was my decision too. 

It became a habit. Skip class to be with her. I was like a junkie that was so hooked into this drug, I didn’t care anymore. 2years of my college life was out the window.

08, we broke up. And I took it so bad. SO BAD. Its normal when you break up with the one you love. The one you thought that would never leave you and grow old with. I was young, and STUPID. Haha. I know, right? 

After that, I continued to ditch school for a couple of years. Got into the cliché stuff. Drugs and alcohol. I thought that it would help me recover from the pain. But it didn’t. it just made me feel free. Free from all the memories that I play in my mind when I close my eyes. 

I think it took me a whole year to move on. Hassle shit. Haha. At least right? I tried doing all the things I did before she came along.. 

Thanks to Sir Leo and Dean Jerry who granted me an extension to finish up. I owe you guys. Back to school. Haha. When I came back, it was different. We had a new building. SDA. It was so nice people thought that it wasn’t a school. Haha. By the way, i shifted twice. My first course was Technical Theather, the second one was Production Design. Now, im a AB-Photography major. Anyways, Sda gave me the drive to study again. not because it was pretty, but because it was like playing. I mean, we have fun while we learn stuff. Whats better than that huh? Haha. 

So I was a student again, problem was I didn’t have friends anymore, the only ones were the guards and the lobby guards because they know me from way beforeeeeeee. An oldschool student. Haha. All of my batch were gone. They graduated already. One day, I was smoking at Ministop. This guy was sitting alone too, and I was sure he was one of my classmates. so we started talking. Small talk, the usual talk in school. “may class ka?”. After that, we became best buds. Miguel Castor was his name. Haha. And he gave me a huge circle of new friends. Thanks to him, I met Rc O’Connor and Chino Taa, both AB-Photo majors. 

Rc, Chino and I were inseparable. When someone was missing, people would wonder why. Or they would ask us why we weren’t complete. That’s how tight we were. 

We did photoshoots together. I mean, not just in school, but every location possible. We have a bond that’s better than brothers. Haha. We did everything together. Even on weekends we’d meet up and just hang. 

But Rc had to leave for the states. Now people are used to seeing just me and chino. Haha. Its kinda sad, cause yeah, we miss him, but everything happens for a reason right? So its all good. Haha. 

When Rc left, me and chino had to find a replacement. Haha. A lot took his place, Ronan Capili, Bhu Albino, Rupert Tandoc, Aina Cuanan, Jay Bravo and Joy Cruz. 

These people I consider my real college friends. cause my batchmates are gone. Haha. We don’t talk to each other anymore. I think theres a couple of them that are still connected to me in a way. Denise Ang and Amanda Nava. Haha. Thanks guys. 

Now, as I say goodbye to my beloved school, College of Saint Benilde – School of Design and Arts, and close my college life after 8 long years, I can only say that if I didn’t take this long, I wont be who I am today. No Regrets. And I promise you that, we will see each other again. P.S. Stop singing. Haha.

Magkakaibigan.

Isang samahan na walang katulad. Na tipong di mawawala ng ganon ganon nalang. Alam mo yung pag nakita mo yung isang taong parang ikaw? Tipong matutuwa ka na masasabi mong “ puta, ang angas din nito ah, sarap maging tropa.” Dun mo malalaman na hindi ka nag sosolo sa mundo nato. Pero pano mo malalaman na tunay mong kaibigan ang isang tao? San mag sisimula yan? Di naman porket parehas kayo ng gusto, eh magiging mag tropa talaga kayo. Ano yung paraan para malaman mong walang gaguhan sa pagkakaibigan?

Ako, naranasan ko ng mag karon ng tropang solido. Yung simula bata palang kami mag kasama na kami, kaso nong lumaki na, nag iba na bigla siya. Yung ugali niya di ko nakayang sakyan. Yung hangin na sinasabi, sobra na. bagyo na ang dating. Kaya ngayon, mag kaibigan padin kami, pero din a ganon ka solido. Di na dikit na dikit.

Ang mahal na mahal kong Tattoo Artist ko. Juki Grafia at Heps Ercia. Ibang klaseng kasiyahan ang binibigay niyo sakin. Saludo ako sainyo.

Di naman lahat ng tropa ko masama. Haha. Anajn naman sila Chino Taa, Aina Cunanan, Joy Cruz, Jay Bravo, Bhu Albino, Cate So, Ronan Capili, Rupert Tandoc, Rc O’connor, Migs Castor, Keen Calapine at ang buong AB-Photo na kasama ko ngayon. Sila ung mga kaibigan ko talaga dito sa CSB. Kasi alam naman natin na di ko talaga sila kasabay sa pag pasok dito. Iba iba kami ng taon, pero isa lang masasabi ko. PANALO. Sila ung tipong di na mawawala yung pag kakaibigan hangang sa dulo ng mundo, kasi yung mga tunay kong kasabay, wala na. 2 nalang ata yung nakakausap ko talaga at masasabing kaibigang tunay. Mga propesor ko na hindi ako pinaplastic, (kung tinatamaan ka, OO, ikaw un!) Salamat sainyo. Lalong lalo na kay Leo Santos. Ikaw lang ang nag tiwala sakin nong lahat ng tao tingin sakin wala ng kinabukasan.

Jun Barramedsss and Jao Vitug.
Photo by Inez Moro

Mga luma kong kaibigan na kahit anong mangyare ay hindi ako iiwan sa ere, na kahit patayan na ang laban, nasa likod ko padin kayo. Sila Ruby Taday, Mark Patoc, Jorge Villon, Roman Torres, Jovic Salas, Tin Salas, Rocel Taday, Mond Reputana, Mac Romero, James Pollicar, Rainiel Cabunas, Bog Tuazon, David Wrench, Chups Carlos, Weng Manlangit, Ivan Villegas, Alo Calomot, Toy Leones, Aiz Labay, Bagz, Don Dela Rosa, Migs T.Leon at yun isa kong tunay na kaibigan na si Divine Ingente. Alam kong may mga naiwan akong pangalan, pero di ibig sabihin nun na di kayo kasama sa listahan ko ng mga tunay na kaibigan. Alam ko alam niyo sa puso niyo kung sino kayo.

Sainyong lahat, SALAMAT. Lahat kayo ay may kontribusyon sa buhay ko. Di ako magiging ganto ngayon kung di dahil sainyo. Isang malaking utang na loob to mga pards.