Nostalgia

When I left Quezon 9 years ago to pursue my studies in Manila, I left some portions of my heart in several places, and brought with me fond memories to take their place. Lopez has been and will always be my home, of course. But there are other towns where I had unforgettable experiences, good and bad, which had become part of my early teenage years. I was able to explore these places by reason of my active involvement in the Student Catholic Action - one of my most cherished groups - and the friendships (and some crush thing) I won for myself out of it. Of all those places, Gumaca holds the distinction of being the closest to my heart. (Calauag is also special, but since Gumaca is the center of our diocese, it ranks #1 as to the number and value of my memories. Sa ibang bagay pwedeng lamang kayo. =p)

Yesterday, I decided to hear the Sunday mass at the Cathedral. As I boarded the bus, I remembered how I struggled to find time after my classes on weekdays and my extra-curricular activities and other obligations on weekends just to be with my friends and stroll around (I refuse to disclose some of those places we went to, the people we rubbed elbows with, and some of our "other" reasons for getting together. Hihi!). It's just so different this time because I knew my friends wouldn't be there to meet me. But I went on.

Along the way I saw the house where a friend whom I had a crush on for 3-4 years (Yep, until my first year in college. Haha!) lived. Some memories I recalled, and in my mind, I was laughing. Very "high school" - cheesy! But hey! I was young and naive. Some 2 or 3 years ago, I heard he's already married. Buti na lang hindi naging kami. Hahaha!

I walked fast going to the Cathedral so as not to be late for the mass, and in some spot I heard someone call me. I was shocked that somebody knew me and actually recognized me behind the changed look and dark sunglasses. It was Athan, Joenabie's younger brother. I knew then that he wouldn't find it hard to identify the girl from another town who would always show up in front of their house, looking for his Ate, without prior notice. I would have wanted to chat with him for a couple of minutes but I was rushing to catch the mass.

The Cathedral only had some minor changes (I think). I could still imagine how it looked when our choir joined the Diocesan Choral Competition in 1998 (am I right with the year?). I suddenly missed our rehearsals almost every night - Fr. John's regular visit and sponsored merienda, hard laughs in between serious singing, and the dehumanizing remarks Sir Beng had to throw into our face just to squeeze out the best rendition of the contest piece "Mapag-iisang Bayan" and choice piece "Lutkin's Benediction" our vocal chords could possibly produce. Our efforts (and inherent talent *wink*) coupled with God's grace were paid off when we bagged the championship trophy, prestige and bragging rights. Oh yes! We wowed the audience and brought the house down with our breath-taking, hair-raising and bone-shaking performance. (Swear! Yan talaga comments nila. =p). The following year, a concert was organized and participated in by various parish choirs in our diocese. It was more fun and less stressful than the contest, but we still had our minds set to justify our title. The songs "Pagsibol" and "Pagkakaibigan" were assigned to us and became part of my hitlist of religious songs. Among the songs we sang with other choirs, "Song of Creation" is my favorite. I remembered our rehearsals and "lokohan" moments with the then seminarians Bro. Toni (now a priest) and Bro. Pio (now married). I miss those days!

Come to think of it. It seems that I wasn't paying attention to the mass. Haha! I was. Swear.

After the mass, I dared to eat alone. I sat by the glass wall and watched people pass by. Years ago, I was one of those "pagala-gala" children, and I honestly couldn't remember all the reasons why I loitered around the town with my friends. Would someone know? Maybe it's kind of an "in" thing for high school students. LOL.

Fr. Toni arrived from San Narciso and met me in that fastfood. We went to the parish office and I saw some (I was told they were just 1/8 of the whole population) "batang simbahan". They asked Fr. Toni who I was and he answered "Ate nyo". I really don't know whether I should feel sorry for myself because I'm already considered to be from another generation, or whether I should be proud of and happy for these children who are active in church like me, or even more, when I was their age. I chose to feel the latter. Walang kokontra. Hehe...

Many times did I laugh during our conversation. His sense of humor is his gift, though sometimes he could get corny. =D I enjoyed it. He told me Fr. John is with him at the Bishop's residence. I wanted to go there right then but it was already late. Huhu... Next time. There are more set of memories of that place to recollect.

I learned of one sad situation. (I'm gonna tell this only to those concerned 'coz it's not for everyone's consumption.) I really did not get the whole story, and I hope I got the wrong impression. I miss those times and I pray that things will get better.

And so it's 7:30 pm and I had to go home to attend Kuya Lala's birthday party. With me are refreshed memories of my high school days spent in my second home here in Quezon.