I will be attending on January 11, 2020 our 50th year St. Anthony High School reunion in Manila. Reminiscing my high school days is like walking into a time warp. The memories are so vivid that they seem to have happened only a few years ago until one looks at the mirror and you see the ravages of time – aging face, thinning hair, drooping eyes and posture. I like to detail as many high school memories that come to mind as I may not have that luxury to remember them later
Fresh off the boat
We migrated to Manila from Ilagan, Isabela in 1966 and entered St. Anthony School as a high school freshman. I could barely speak Tagalog then and when I did, ang tigas ng dila ko. Hindi lang puntong Ilocano kundi may halo pang puntong ibanag. Siyanong siyano – maitim na at pautal utal pa sa tagalog. The first few months were really difficult. I felt so ostracized so most of the time, I just remained quiet. Ang description nga sa akin noon – ang tahimik naman ni James. Little did they know that I just opted to be that way, kasi tatawa lang sila kapag nagsalita ako.
Bell Ringer
The opportunity to be famous or infamous was when I was chosen to be the bell ringer for the school. Both Mr. Cabanas and Mr. Veloso picked me most likely because I was Ilocano like them or siguro dahil hindi ako maangal at madaling mauto kasi siyano nga. But anyway, I was happy to do the task and in fact began to enjoy it as everyone when they go up the stairs, they were almost parading in front of me and I could see different kinds of expressions, May tumatawa, may malungkot, may parang maysakit, may naglolokohan kaya it became amusing to me. It instilled also time discipline for me. Ang aga aga kong pumasok noon. Ang problema kung minsan nagluluko iyong mumurahin kong relo kaya when I ring the bell earlier, I could see the frowns on the faces of my school mates pero kapag late naman, ngiting ngiti sila at marami akong thumbs up.
My greatest speech of all time
My most unforgettable experience was during the speech class of Mr. Lorenzana. We were assigned to pick a TV advertisement expounding on the features of a product and replicate in class. The classmates that went before me were excellent speakers, almost professional. When I was called in front, I already had an inkling that I made the wrong choice but just the same I stood courageously up there anticipating the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune”. When the cue was given - Instead of speaking (as this was a speech class), I actually sang and blurted “Gusto ko ng gatas na Darigold, Darigold, Darigold…” . I could see my teacher trying to keep a straight face but just could not hold himself, he burst into laughter almost to the point of crying. Pati mga kaklase ko, hagighikan. And while they were all laughing, I was on the verge of tears and I still finished the “Darigold speech”. And when I was done, pigil na pigil lahat sila sa pagtawa. But when Mr. Lorenzana said – James, that was really a nice song and the shrieks of laughter just rose to a crescendo. I probably shrunk and willed myself to disappear and I know I died of embarrassment at that moment. But life has to move on. I survived this Darigold episode and it was a teaching moment for me. Nothing worse could embarrass me and I knew then I could only get stronger after this. And in a twist of fate, my first job was with Carnation Philippines, manufacturer of Darigold. So every day I was reminded of it but the effect gradually became different. I learned to laugh at myself and It just evokes smiles whenever the episode comes to mind.
Asiong Salonga Jr. in Manila
The teasing did not stop. In fact it got worse. And when “puno na ang salop” and could not talk back with my “punto”, my fists did the speaking. I actually got into a fist fight twice – both to two much bigger boys than me. The fight scene was the street beside the Noceda house along Singalong. While I was smaller, I did not feel intimidated as I was “laking probinsiya” and even wore a white wrist band ala Asiong Salonga as a small boy and I participated in boxing matches during fiestas. I also took up Karate lessons at the YMCA so I think I did fairly well in the fights. Most likely the word spread around and the teasing subsided.- perhaps still continued behind my back but no longer to my face.
World Class teachers
We were really fortunate to have the best teachers. Three teachers come to mind although the others were outstanding as well. Miss Usher (English), Miss Ho (Math) and Mrs. Bengzon (History) were teachers par excellence. They were the quintessential mentors. I will always be grateful for everything I learned from them and of course to St. Anthony School for hiring and retaining great teachers. I believe that the high degree of standard in SAS was comparable to the more expensive exclusive private schools
Sofia Apartments – small space, big dreams
While studying in St. Anthony, we were living at the Sofia Apartments in Singalong, a walking distance from school. There were 14 of us cramped in a 2 bedroom apartment – 9 siblings, parents, a helper and 2 other relatives. I still could not imagine how we all fit. We were more than 8 in a small room and slept in double bunk beds. I was in the lower bunker with my brother Boy and sometimes parang si Dolphy sa pelikula, I will wake up in the morning with his feet in my nostrils and all over my face. Notwithstanding the small space, we all had big dreams and praise the Lord, we -all siblings became professionals – Justice, Playwright and bank president, company president, nurse, doctor, architect, dentist, computer engineer and animator. I remember that we used the driveway as our basketball court and fire escape ladder as our goal. Actually, I was playing then with a small kid neighbor and little did I know this kid will grow up to become a basketball legend. His name is Hector Calma. Hector who was known as “the Director”, became a great national and professional PBA player and several times named to the PBA Mythical 5 first team.
The Singalong neighborhood
I have fond memories of Singalong, The streets then were not so congested – not so many cars as well. On weekends, we will bike all the way to Ayala Avenue from Singalong Sometimes we will stop in Vito Cruz to buy the best barbeque in town. In some other days, sabit kami sa Mapalad Liner, baba sa echague, bili ng hopia sa Villalobos at nood sa Cinerama. Although Singalong was not a bad neighborhood, occasionally I witnessed rival gangs – Oxo and Sigue Sigue fighting it out with darts along San Andres Bukid. There were also times when school senior/tambay bullies will demand money from me “pang-yosi or pang-toma” on my way to school but when I brought the Puyat henchmen who were living in their headquarters fronting our apartment to talk to them, they never bothered me again.
Music in the 60s
The decade of the 60s was perhaps the best in music. I may not be familiar with the various music genres but I like what I heard then much better than the music now. I enjoy listening to most of them and when I do a road trip, I am practically glued to the Sirius music of the 60s. There were so many 60s songs I like and I can name a few like: “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers, Frankie Valli’s “Can’t take my eyes off you”, “What a wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, “Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel, “My Way” by Chairman of the Board, “Crazy” by Patsy Cline, “Blowin’ in the wind” by Bob Dylan, “At last” by Etta James”, “Ring of fire” by Johnny Cash, “My girl” by the Temptations, “Light my fire” by the Doors, “I heard through the grapevine” by Marvin Gaye, “I can’t get no satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones and of course all the songs of the Beatles. My siblings and I actually watched them perform live at the Rizal Memorial Stadium among probably 100,000 fans during their visit to Manila.
The Chess Hustler
I was a serious chess player in high school. I probably spent at least 4 hours daily playing and learning from chess books (more than studying school lessons) and also being mentored by some national players. I was the youngest 14 year old finalist in the 1969 National Juniors Tournament . 17 year old Eugene Torre then topped group A while I topped Group B. Eventually I landed fifth in the finals while he took the championship and went to become Asia’s first grandmaster.
I made “tambay sa barberya” where I earned a few bucks playing chess. I purposely lose some games initially but when bets are high, I will start to win. And some adults could not just accept losing to a kid so they will up the ante and I will even win more. Sometimes, I could not help wonder of the “what ifs”. I could have become a grandmaster as well if I pursued it seriously. But no regrets looking back. I may have lost my game of chess but I won in the game of life and though chess, I eventually met my queen in life (but that is another great story).
Youthful Indiscretions
I had a share of youthful indiscretions and probably not wise to detail them. I was young, naïve, fearless and felt invulnerable and so unmindful of the consequences. Perhaps I was just plain stupid at times that the cost of such indiscretions could have changed the course of my life. I thought it was fun and exciting but the outcome could have been serious and life changing.
Grateful for my schoolmates
It was not really a good start as a freshman. As the years went by though and got adjusted to the way of life in the city and to my school mates, I actually enjoyed my high school life and bonded with my classmates. I began to develop a lot of friends and one in particular, I considered my best friend was Celso Recto. We were like Batman and Robin and we were almost always together in and out of school activities. I saw also my schoolmates in a different better light. I became less defensive and in later years, there were others na “mas siyano pa sa akin and mas matindi ang punto” so the butt of jokes were shifted on them and the Darigold episode seemed to have been forgotten. What I have become, I owe it to St. Anthony School. While I learned a lot from our excellent teachers, I learned more outside the walls of the classroom, from the interaction with and diversity of my schoolmates. I understood what real life was and at the same time began to develop my instincts, forged my character and prepared myself for whatever the future brought.
High School graduation
I was not exactly the top student as there were other students better than me. I did fairly well however as I was in the first honors category, best in religion at one time (siguro dahil malakas ako kay Mr. Veloso) , Student Catholic Action president, Vice President, Student Council and Chess club president.
What was actually most rewarding was when I passed the UP Government scholarship examination entering UP Diliman with a full scholarship – free tuition and monthly stipend for accommodations, food and books. This was most likely the defining moment for me as getting into UP shaped me into what I am now.
Staring at our own mortality
We have reached the twilight of our years and more often, we begin to stare at our own mortality and think of what is beyond. As we realize that we can not turn back the hands of time, we start to be more accepting of what we have become. We realize though what really matters in life are not the degrees, titles or the riches we have accumulated, What matters really at this stage are good health, family, friends and personal relationship with the Lord. At my age, I have earned the right to do whatever I wish with the little time left. I always count my blessings – I have a beautiful and loving wife, three affectionate amazing children and an adorable apo. These are all that matters to me. I am at peace with myself and with my God.
50th year High School Reunion
And now, as we eagerly prepare ourselves with great anticipation to attend our 50th high school reunion on January 11, 2020, we can look forward to see how life has taken our classmates. At this stage of our lives, what is essential is we have all lived long enough to attend the reunion. We are beyond showing off, keeping up with the Joneses or proving anything. And unless one has a facelift, we will all be looking old - the drooping appearance, thinning hair, loss of muscle tone, the posture, the gait and the wrinkled skin plus a lot of senior moments.
And as we continue to journey into the sunset of our lives, Psalm 90:12 - “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom” is most likely appropriate to light our path. And as we do reflect on the brevity and shortness of life, notwithstanding our status we will come to understand what really matters in life.
And with this reflection in our minds, it is certain that the forthcoming 50th year High School Reunion will be a huge success as everyone will come either as their younger high school self or as their much older senior self now with no pretensions, no flaunting and will just be there to have fun and laughter, reminiscing the past, savor and enjoy the evening with literally old classmates. It will be a night of comparing notes – not on success and achievements but on mga apo, sakit sakit, gamot, remembering names and wondering together who will still be around in our next reunion.
And paraphrasing our “swan song” in the reunion:
“We are old, We are no longer children
We were young once but we are older now
Yet, there’s a voice that is saying
tomorrow will still be a brighter day
for you and me”
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