Scriptum 9thissue

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Scriptum Issue No. 9 1st Quarter 2006

Messages “I wish to extend my sincerest thanks to the organizers for making our reunion a big success and also to all our classmates who unselfishly took time in gracing the occasion. I am looking forward to another gathering like this.” -- Liklik Akiatan “On the day immediately preceding the first day of our reunion, when frenzy preparation was on its height, I told ArnCes, 'Pre paita ning magpaalig-alig 'ta.' On the eve of the second day, in my solitude, I told myself, 'It's worth all the sacrifice'. The reunion may seem to be another day of outpouring of old antics and moment of displaying the child in us. Yet I believe it was just the beginning, a new dawn of hope--realizing that as we journey through life, we have friends at our side, a flock where we belong to. Thank you classmates, sail on! “--Jun Tabel “The reunion was successful. In behalf of the organizing committee I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our classmates who financially and morally supported our reunion, and to all our classmates who answered the call of our invitation to attend. I know there are still more things to do to make it run smoothly and orderly. I hope that in our next reunion it will be a better one and attendance will be complete. Everyone is part of the success. See you in our next reunion!” -- Arnold Cespon “The past is the only remaining agony of my existence holds true when a heart is an empty can. And God is the only answer. The reunion brings back the memories of God's love. It was the best gathering I have attended where I was rejuvenated by the youthfulness of the class-physically and spiritually. Oloy's homily keeps ringing unto my being as I happened to assimilate crumbs and attained the status within the sweeping passage of time. Thanks to the committee. There can be no reverse osmosis had I missed the reunion. Thanks for the space.” -Mario Ingente “It was so great to see almost everyone during our class reunion. Kudos to the organizers and mabuhay po kayo!” -- Soc Mesiona “Nowhere can I place my enjoyment and happiness for the last 25 years. It was like facing ugly faces--talking, joking as well as laughing while reminiscing the unforgettable and funny deeds inside the cage we call seminary. It's nice to meet once in a while. It's funny and enjoyable!” Mario Jala “Aaa, I would like to dedicate this song … (laparo, laparo, pilpil…) way apil na … ooppss..

SCRIPTUM

Heard During the Reunion "Nalipay kaayo ko nga nagkatapok 'ta... See you sa golden jubilee nato." - Alex Teloren "Sauna gamay ko kaajo, daug-daugon laman ko ni Quiao. Nia pa to sija karon aho jung laparohon." -- Roy Amora "Mo share ko kung mo hilom si Juntabs." -- Ramir Cimafranca "Wa ko mobalik sa seminaryo kay nauwaw ko nga gi-ingnan sa ahong mama atubangan sa daghang mga tawo nga burong kuno ko." -- Loel Maglente "Mao ra gyud gihapong mga tawhana 'tong mga sabaan sauna." -- Manox Arcamo “Ning-tingog na ba si Ramir?” Soc Mesiona “Atoa ba 'ning Classmate?” Ramir Cimafranca “Sige kaon ug taman kay aron dili mapasmo. Kaliwat ra ba'g buang.” Loel Maglente

Front row from left to right: Leonardo Tabel, Jr., Prisco Limbago, Alex Teloren, Crisologo Saclao, Rolando Akiatan, Loel Maglente, Hector Cuyno, and Rolan Amora. Back row left to right: Manuel Arcamo, Nicanor Castro, Socrates Mesiona, Rene Relampagos, Jeffrey Malanog, Ramir Cimafranca, Alejandro Patenio, Arnold Cespon, and Eric Oclarit

Class Notes Visit After Business. On October 25, after an official business at the Manduluyong City Hall, Kriss formerly known as McAbs and Manox decided to visit Soc Mesiona at the MSP Central House in Cuenca, Makati City. Manox left early and left Kriss formerly known as McAbs who stayed until late in the evening. ooOoo Death in the Family. The mother of Manox, Engr Remedios S. Arcamo, 80, died of acute lymphatic leukemia on the evening of October 30, 2005. She is the mother of two IHMS alumniManox gamay nga mas taas pa [Rommel, HS 83] and Manox dako [Manuel, HS '80 and College '84]--and three daughters, Engr Aida Arcamo-Crusit, Dr Virginia Arcamo-Buac, and Estela ArcamoHorowitz (who died of the same illness back in August 2002). Mark Horowitz, Estela's husband, lives in Harrington, Maine, but comes home regularly for a visit. The first woman Civil Engineer of Bohol, Remedios or Nang Meding was fondly remembered by the priests who took turns saying mass in the evening as a very active member of the cluster. Her colleagues in the Poblacion III senior citizens group, where she served as Treasurer for several terms, remembered her as efficient, detailed, and tireless in her work. Fr Vic Bompat administered the extreme unction and said mass during the first night of the wake. Fr Alex Quioco, of Pacem, a neighbor celebrated mass on the second night. Fr Soc Mesiona and Fr Oloy Malanog, concelebrated on a Wednesday night. Thursday, it was the turn of Fr Bay Varquez, the parish priest of St Joseph Cathedral. Then on Friday, it was Fr. Gerry Saco. The funeral mass on Saturday morning was concelebrated by Fr Monton, Fr Varquez, Fr Bompay and Msgr Laolao.

NB. Video coverage of the reunion will soon be available in VHS and CD format. We will provide you a copy if you will ask for it. Photos taken during the event will also be burned on CD. Just contact ArnCes at 038-4112172 or 0917-841-6525 if you want to get a copy. We would appreciate it if you send him something to defray the cost of shipping and handling (especially for those based outside of Bohol). Those with Internet access may download the photos online at egroups.yahoo.com/group/i hms.

SCRIPTUM Newsletter SCRIPTUM is published quarterly by the IHMS HS batch 80 and College Batch 84 for the purpose of continuing the “storytelling” that we always loved to do. It is given free to all members of the two batches. It is also open to contributions from its members. If you want to sponsor an issue, please email us. It will not cost you much. EDITORIAL BOARD: Editor-in-Chief: Al Patenio Circulation Managers: Juntabs, MarJals and Arnold Cespon. Business Managers: Kriss (formerly known as McAbs) and Juntabs Contributors (nga hangtod karon wa pa gihapon maka-contribute): Members of HS Batch 80 and College Batch 84. In the previous issue, we thought that our class was a microcosm of our nation and that there would be people clamoring for the ouster of our Editor-in-Chief. We were hoping some of our classmates would file a complaint to impeach AlPatens. On what charge? Well, we can't think of any except breach of trust for failing to write a joke. We were mistaken. Fortunately or unfortunately for AlPatens, no one came forward to throw the first stone. We really are all Boholanos . . . and not Filipinos! Don't you think so? Well, that means AlPatens remains our Editor-in-Chief, for life! Congrats, AlPatens.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, Taloto, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines

The Unofficial and Unauthorized Newsletter of the IHMS Batch HS 80 and College 84 1st Quarter 2006

Issue No. 9

EDITORIAL

SCRIPTUM, I, nt. something written.

The Lonely Road Many a classmate and friend find the articles in Scriptum entertaining and insightful. According to them, the articles both make them laugh and cry at the same time. They are reminded of that period in their lives--of a time that holds so many memories, of a place, of a separate peace. Perhaps that is a common sway to all those who have trudged the hallowed grounds of our IHMS. The articles are no mere chronicle of secular and trivial events, but rather of a sublime life journey with God. We moved in the crowd. We made memories together. But alongside that road--the events chronicled in these pages--is a lonely path that only the individual can walk with God. Indeed our journey was a walk, not unlike the one on the road to Emmaus. It was a journey we young hearts took while discerning the will of God for each one of us. We laughed with each other; exchanged stories. We were always together, and sought each other. We set common activities together. But in the silence of our hearts we knew we were journeying alone with God. We had to make our own life choices. We had to set our own vision and future path. It was something that had to be taken. The stories we weaved were significant distractions in life. Behind each story is a story of awakening, of growing, of finding God in our life.

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Rows of mahogany line the road that dissects what used to be a rice field. Near this spot once stood a tiny payag where Manox and RamCims feasted on freshly-picked butong.

This is what makes our stories poignant. It speaks of the lonely path that we had to take. It tells of the truth. And it tells of the beauty of traveling down that path with our God. The journey continues several years after IHMS. The individual sharing during our class reunion confirms that. We only hope that we will discern His presence in our continuing journey and remain faithful to Him in the end. (MSA)

HS '80/College '84 Holds Grand Class Reunion A less serious suggestion led to another, until it eventually turned serious, and a grand reunion to commemorate the Silver Anniversary of the High School batch 1980 was hatched. But instead of being exclusive, the organizing committee decided to be inclusive. So classmates who stayed only for a year or two (and even for a few months) were invited, including those who joined in college. A series of meetings were held starting in July when Jun Tabel, Arnold Cespon, Eric Oclarit, Al Patenio, and Rene Relampagos met in Rene's place. After that meeting, ArnCes and JunTabs went on several trips, at their own expense, to visit and personally invite long-lost classmates. Those trips proved effective. In the succeeding meetings held in August and then in November, three batch mates namely Alex Teloren (whom we haven't seen since 1978), Cris S a c l a o (whom we haven't seen since 1980), and Batchoy C u y n o (whom we haven't seen since 1981) actively participated. The logistical constraints required for the reunion was something that only ArnCes and Juntabs with the help of Rene

and Eric could muster.

At the Seminary. On December 27, registration started at 9:00AM. That was exactly the time when the Oceanjet ferry left the Cebu port. On board were Soc Mesiona, Liklik Akiatan and Manox Arcamo who took the 5:00AM Cebu Pacific flight from Manila to Cebu. The 30 minutes delay caused them to miss the 6:20AM Oceanjet trip to Tagbilaran. They would have been on the same boat with Mario Ingente. At 11:00AM, they arrived in the Tagbilaran pier, then went directly to the seminary where the others were already waiting. There, Eric was manning the registration and taking video shots at the same time. Saclao was sitting in the lobby with Alex, waiting for the others. Both have aged tremendously. Manox didn't even recognize Alex, thinking Alex was somebody else perhaps from another batch who was given a complimentary t-shirt. T-shirts were given out. Oloy exchanged old funny jokes with Ingents. JunTabs as usual was laughing his heart out, reminding Loel of the countless names he wrote on the walls, chairs, and tables. Loel's two teenage sons were sitting under the mango tree, unmindful. Batchoy arrived carrying a shoulder bag. Greetings and handshakes were exchanged. Others arrived as well, like Rene. ArnCes came aboard his white

Nissan vehicle, bringing with him a rented videoke. Mario Jala was supposed to arrive, too, but nobody believed that he could make it. As always, as in the past, he was always late for any activity. Nobody expected him to come on time. All the while, and “as always”, AlPats remained pensive, observing all the things that happened around him. Soon, the group trooped to the old High School refectory for lunch. Oloy said the grace before meal and everyone partook of the food prepared by the organizing committee. Fr Mart Lupiba, the Rector, was kind enough to join us for lunch. Initially the small tables were scattered. It was only Rene, the politician, who thought of linking all our tables together for us to be able to interact as a group. It was one of the rare occasions when a politician was found to be useful, Manox said, acknowledging Rene's contribution. Rene insisted that although he was into politics, we was not a politician. Nick Castro and Prisco Limbago were apparently enjoying the jokes that were once again exchanged. It was during lunch that Raul Jabines arrived from Maribojoc. There were lots of jokes and singing during and after lunch. The singing was dominated by Ingents who liked to hold the microphone so much. Continued on page 2

If you belong to any of the batches, whether you lasted for one day or eight years, please contact us. Email: [email protected] [email protected] Visit: http://egroups.yahoo.com/group/ihms Postal: c/o Fr. Soc Mesiona, MCPO Box 1006 Makati City, Philippines You may get your copy of Scriptum at Libro Bohol Bookstore 75 J.A. Clarin St. , Tagbilaran City Tel: 411-2164

Sponsor Wow, after several quarters of drought, we have a deluge of pledges to finance the printing of Scriptum. Jecebu, for example, was said to have pledged $25. For the next issues, Alex and Rene and others also promised to pitch in. But until it is actually paid to the printer it remains but a pledge. And like moral support, you cannot spend a pledge. Nonetheless, let the pledges pour.

Writing Scriptum Printing cost of Scriptum has increased from P900 to P1200. “Taas na man presyo sa gasoline,” the printer reasoned out for increasing the cost. “Kay ngano man, mogamit ba diay ka'g gasoline?” Manox tried to reason out. (Actually, it's a line borrowed from RamCims who in the past complained against Bil Romo's decision to increase the cost of haircut.) Well, there's nothing we can do about the rise in cost. It's a fact we have to accept. We invite each one to join the IHMS Yahoo eGroup. It's free. Once you become a member, you can receive messages posted on the eGroup. You can view more than a hundred great photos of IHMS. Also photos of the reunion. On the eGroup website is a complete compilation of the Scriptum issues in PDF format that you can download, and also the IHMS hymn composed by the Pacudans. This site is open only to IHMS Alumni. Visit http://egroups.yahoo.com/group/ ihms or send an email to [email protected] with your (a) full name and (b) batch year if you want to join. Here's from all of us--Merry Christmas, classmates!

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Scriptum Issue No. 9 1st Quarter 2006

HS '80/College '84 ..... Continued from page 1

Right after lunch, Prisco went with ArnCes to buy guitar strings. Manox went with them since he needed to drop by the airport for this return trip to Manila. They returned in time for the 2:00PM mass. Mass was held in the small chapel (actually in the “ancient past” were the faculty room and rooms 101 and 102) the main entrance of which opened up to the College parlor or lobby. Soc and Oloy Malanog concelebrated mass with Ingents as sacristan and Manox accompanying on the guitar. Photocopied song sheets were prepared beforehand. Songs (like “He Aint Heavy”, “Let There Be Peace”, et al) selected by JunTabs were reminiscent of the high school days, which according to Alex made the hair on his nape stand. With a slight Canadian twang and a mix of Ludabi-like Binisaya, Oloy delivered the homily reminding us that success and big things start with little crumbs that fall from the master's table. Before the final blessing, JunTabs requested representatives from the various groups to speak in behalf of the others. First so speak was ArnCes for the organizing committee, then Alex for the Bohol-based group, then Manox for the Manila-based group. ArnCes thanked everyone for participating in the event and for supporting and contributing to the effort to make the event possible. Alex was almost speechless as his heart was swamped with happy memories. He enjoined everyone to look forward to “the Golden” and not just the silver. Manox, on the other hand, rejoiced at going back to the “place of origin”, expressed gratitude to those who worked hard to make it possible, enjoined everyone to reflect deeper into how each one has fared in life since IHMS days and to appreciate how each one nurtured or disregarded the “seed” (or in Oloy's homily the crumb) that was entrusted to each one. Oloy rejoiced quietly at having been quoted by Manox. Ramir Cimafranca arrived after the final blessing but before the picture taking. A happy birthday song was sung for RamCims. Alex observed and always repeated that RamCims was a CEO material--in Japan, at that. Alex must have observed the posture since this time RamCims' moves were noticeably calculated, shoulders were held higher, and his Garfieldic eyes drooped lower. He was less talkative; his speech more precise. Probably the zen influence.

After the picture taking, everyone went back to the refectory for the individual sharing. In the first round of sharing, each one was asked to tell what happened since the time he left the IHMS. Unfortunately, Raul couldn't join the group anymore since he was called home for an emergency. The sharing proceeded, with each one candid and bighearted enough to share their hardships, failures and triumphs in life. The event took a meaningful turn with this activity, for after all that was the whole point of gathering--to listen and share what life has dealt to each one. Towards 5:30, Msgr Yiets arrived and joined the group until the group dispersed at around 6:00PM. It was then decided that the sharing will have to resume at the Bohol Plaza where RamCims, the birthday celebrator, was to treat everyone to dinner. Bohol Plaza. The group converged in Bohol Plaza at around 7:00PM. This time Roy Amora was able to make

Scriptum Issue No. 9 1st Quarter 2006 it. Still there was no sign of MarJals. Ingents, on the other hand, had to leave for Cebu and couldn't join for d i n n e r. W h i l e waiting for the litson, there were serious huddles over glasses of beer, gin and brandy as classmates tried to fill in the gap between those years of no contact. Jokes and laughter punctuated the s e r i o u s conversations. And Nick found time to pose before the huge signage on the stage. Dinner was finally served when the litson was brought in by JunTabs and Liklik. After dinner, a short program with PowerPoint presentation was presided by Manox and Soc, as instructed by ArnCes. A slideshow of several photos of IHMS taken in November was shown. Then, the program commenced. Those who were not able to share that afternoon were asked to individually go on stage to deliver their piece. RamCims preferred to do it sitting down. Jecebu's account was read by Soc. When everyone said their piece--recounted their own story of what happened after IHMS--another round of sharing commenced. This time around, it was the classmates who were asked of their memories of the person whose old photo was flashed on the screen. With Soc operating the laptop, the group took turns recalling their memories of each one. The sharing was finished by 11:15PM and since reservation was only until 12 midnight, the group had to wind up. Another picture taking was done before they dispersed for the night. A group composed of Rene, Batchoy, Nick, JunTabs, Prisco and Liklik stayed up late, until 2AM at the Metro Plaza, drinking coffee. Dumaluan Beach. The next day, the group converged at 10:00AM at the Cathedral grounds. Finally, MarJals arrived--one day late, as usual, but he did arrive nonetheless. According to JunTabs, he didn't recognize MarJals at first and thought he was one of the candle vendors that roam the Cathedral. The family members joined in. Those with no ride were assigned to specific vehicles. Then the group proceeded to the Dumaluan beach. Five huge cottages were reserved for the group. Since it was Rene's birthday, he shouldered most of the expenses this time. A container of one-year-old bahalina sent by Biboy Laus (high school batch '86) from Tacloban was served, with MarJals as the main tig-tagay. Banana and camote from Alex's farm were served, too. Roast beef was grilled in a portable pit made of steel drum. Several families were there. Eric's family, including his 4 months old granddaughter, was present. Alex, too, with his wife, daughters and nieces. Nick came with his wife and two teenaged sons. ArnCes with his wife and children, just like JunTabs. AlPats attended with his two sons who were both college students. Liklik's younger brother came with him. Marjals was with his wife. Later, Ringkoy's wife, Margie, arrived with the kids. Rene, the birthday celebrator, arrived with his family. Then later, RamCims with his Japanese wife and children. Loel promised the night before to come with his entire family, but failed. Soc had to leave for Cebu, since he was slated to deliver the homily during an ordination the following day. He couldn't join the beach party anymore. For having been absent during the sharing, MarJals was asked to take the stand and tell the group what happened after he left IHMS. An impromptu sharing thus

commenced with MarJals. Several glasses of spirits and countless jokes later, Alex interrupted the group with an injunction to dance. But nobody dared, so he danced by himself. He must have been moved by the spirits. RamCims and AlPats were contented with a serious huddle at the corner, probably to make amends for that time, years before, when AlPats didn't recognize RamCims when they accidentally bumped into each other in BQ. AlPats was believed to have said, “Kinsa man ka?” JunTabs tried to preside an impromptu meeting. But the only matters taken up seriously were the offer of Alex to host a gathering on January 27 at his farm in Ubay and the proposal of Ringkoy for the class to sponsor a poor but deserving seminarian. By 2:00PM, Nick was anxious to leave for Duero, but was prevented by RamCims who said, “Unsa man diay

Jokes in Time

Thanks. The reunion was successful. It wouldn't have been so without the tireless effort and support of several people. First of all, it was ArnCes (notwithstanding the physical difficulties he endured) who diligently mailed invitations, drove to Ubay, Trinidad, Mabini and other towns with his sidekick, JunTabs, to personally invite his classmates. Of course, the formal and informal leader, JunTabs (nga “hari-hari-on” according to Rene), still commanded the same respect and was the moving force behind the group. The financial support of Rene proved invaluable, as nothing would have been possible without his generosity. Mao lang intawon ang tig-tapal sa kulang. Pirme ra ba kulang, mao nga pirme lang pud tawon tapal. The active participation of Alex and Batchoy (who would come all the way from the hinterlands of Ubay) and Saclao was the inspiration that galvanized them to work. The active, not just moral, support provided by Eric and Patenio also contributed to the success of the event. The contributions of RamCims, Jecebu, and Ringkoy (who reside outside the country) helped a lot. That also goes for the bahalina of Biboy. And, of course, to all those who came, it wouldn't have been successful without your participation. Attendees. Here's the complete list of those who came: Rolan Amora, Rolando Akiatan, Manuel Arcamo, Nicanor Castro, Arnold Cespon, Ramir Cimafranca, Hector Cuyno, Mario Ingente, Raul Jabines, Mario, Jala, Prisco Limbago, Loel Maglente, Socrates Mesiona, Jeffrey Malanog, Eric Oclarit, Alejandro Patenio, Rene Relampagos, Crisologo Saclao, Leonardo Tabel, Jr., and Alex Teloren.

Story Behind The Song By Soc Mesiona

May Sundo Buwan sa Mayo 1984, nag-uban ang daghang mga seminarista nga mosulod na sa seminaryo sa Tagaytay, UST, ug San Jose. Bag-ong salta si MarJals sa Manila uban sa taga SASMA, Tagaytay, lulan sa MV Roro. Kay wa lagi mag-seryoso sa klase ni Maam Labesora sa Pilipino, mora na'g gikuyapan si MarJals nga makadungog sa iyang kaugalingon nga magtinagalog. Unang tunob pa lang niya sa pier sa Manila, daghang aliwaros nga nag-hanyag ug, “Taxi, sir! Taxi.” Wa motingog si MarJals, nagpalingog-lingog, nag-alangan mag-tinagalog samtang nangita sa motagbo nila. Apan, makulit ang Taxi driver, “Taxi, sir! Saan kayo pupunta? Taxi, sir!” Tubag ni MarJals sa Tagalog, aron mohilum ang Taxi driver, “Hindi na dahil may 'sugat'.”

Jones

mas layo, Duero o Toyko? Nganong mo una man ka?” By 4:00 PM, people started to leave. Nick finally found a ride to Ta g b i l a r a n i n ArnCes's vehicle. By 4:30PM, Manox bid good-bye and drove home alone.

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Adtong panahuna, circa 1979, si Theophanes dili pa Jones ang ngalan. Mahilig siya mag-lettering. Usa ka adlaw, nakita siya ni Rulete. Rulete: “Maayo man diay ka mo-lettering, Theophanes.” Pioux Gamay (ang tigpalana): “Maayo bitaw. Ipa-lettering nang imong maong aron guwapo tan-awon.” Rulete: “Ha! Saba diha, matangtang ba 'na inig-laba?” Pioux Gamay: “Siyempre.” Theophanes: “Tangtang gud kun labhan ug maayo.” Pioux Gamay: “Sige na. Ipa-lettering mo na.” Theophanes: “A, dali ra 'na.” Rulete: “O sige.” (Gihatag ang bag-ong Levi's maong. Adtong panahuna, diutay ra ang naka-Levi's. Sikat ka kung may Levi's ka kay mahal man.) Gisugdan karon ni Theophanes gamit ang pentel pen. Mako jamong letra ang gi-lettering ni Theophane sa bag-ong Levi's ni Rulete. Nakasulat didto ang mga dagkong letra. J-O-N-E-S. Human ug sul-ob ni Rulete, ijang gipalabhan. Gi-palabhan ug utro. Gi-pa-utro pa gyud. Wala gyud matangtang ang letrang JO-N-E-S sa ijang maong. Suko kaayo si Rulete kang Theophanes mao nga ija ning gitawag “Jones”. Hangtod karon, Jones pa gihapon si Theophanes.

Snippets of Wisdom NB: These are original quotable quotes uttered by some of our classmates. “Karaang musikero kun magkatipok, tukar dayon.” - Oloy Malanog “The past is the only remaining agony of my existence.” - Mario Ingente “Dili ko magbaskog molakaw kay aron dili mahibaw-an nga wa koy pamiliti.” JunTabs “God calls us to be who we are. I truly hope that when I face God, I truly shall have lived (to be) who God intended me to be.” --Jecebu Ceballos "I am into politics but I am not a politician." -- Rene Relampagos

Top row from left to right: Alejandro Patenio, Manuel Arcamo, Ramir Cimafranca, Rolando Akiatan, Raul Jabines, Eric Oclarit, and Arnold Cespon. Middle row from left to right: Hector Cuyno, Nicanor Castro, Jeffrey Malanog, Socrates Mesiona, Crisologo Saclao. Front row from left to right: Alex Teloren, Mario Ingente, Rene Relampagos, Loel Maglente, Prisco Limbago, and Leonardo Tabel, Jr.

Music and memories were once weaved on this piano. Many of us even learned piano here. We only hope it will not go the way of the grandfather's clock.

Nostalgia accompanies some songs, especially those associated with an unforgettable memory. There was a song Manox and I composed, which still strikes a nostalgic chord every time I think about it. The title was Ngano Kaha. Manox wrote the lyrics and I provided the melody. We composed it when we were in fourth year college. A portion of it goes like this: “Ngano kaha/ Nganong mitugot ang panahon/ Nga kita magkita pa sa dayon/… (Chorus) Kasakit ko/ kalipay ko…” Actually, a story hides behind the song. This was how it goes. School year 1981-82 was about to end. We were in Second Year College. It was customary for us to bring friends to meet with our classmates. One day in La Roca beach, when we were having our class outing, Nick Castro invited a visitor, Iding--a student-friend from the University of Bohol. His friend tagged along another friend. Wanting to expand our circle of friends, we were eager to get to know them. Among our classmates eager to be introduced was Jun Tabel. Nick introduced his guests to us. And we tried to make them feel at home. The name of Nick's friend's friend was Faith. It was a casual encounter between two strangers in the beginning, although honestly I could not tell if underneath the surface was love at first sight. And that was the beginning of the end. A love affair ensued and a vocation rested on borrowed time, when Juntabs and Faith found a place in each other's heart. Their relationship blossomed and continued the following school year, in 1982-83. It was a story of romance that finds parallelism in Korean telenovelas. Even the rigid seminary discipline never hampered the chance for them to meet regularly. For, after all, love finds a way. It proved propitious on the part of JunTabs that during this time the Jounce Rocker, the dawn jogging club, was born. (That club will be the subject of another article in the future.) At 3:00AM, a group of 3rd Year and 4th Year College Students would wake up voluntarily

A solitary potted plant stands sentinel on the railing of a corridor in the ground floor of the college building. (Date: 11/03/05)

and start the dawn ritual that would bring them to the airport runway and then to the Cogon public market for a hot cup of chocolate. JunTabs was naturally an avid member of the club for obvious reasons. It afforded him the opportunity to rendezvous with Faith at the runway. Time passed so quickly. The school year ended and another school year (1983-84) opened. We were already in 4th Year College, our final year. Juntabs by then was more and more emotionally involved. He would skip community schedules so he could meet Faith elsewhere. He became very uneasy and restless inside the seminary. He became even more prayerful, we observed, than during the earlier college years when Baloy commented that he predicted that, “Ma-pari gyud ka Jun kay kusog ka mangadye.” I guess there was a tug-of-war inside his heart. He was torn between two loves. The call to priesthood was strong but the love of Faith was stronger and more tangible. It came to a point in which Juntabs had to make a difficult decision--to leave the seminary for good. That was first semester of our final year. (Manox, in one of his articles, described vividly that incident when Juntabs left the seminary.) Juntab's departure was painful. We were not only his classmates. We were also his bosom friends for so many years. We were thus pained by his decision to leave. But it was something we all had to respect and accept, even with a heavy heart. In a highly charged situation artists find ways to

Gnarled tendrils of a vine frame the old High School building in the background. (Date: 11/03/05)

express their feelings. I guess, that was how Manox found inspiration to write the lyrics, Ngano Kaha. It was a song that expressed our ambivalent feeling for that particular moment. Ngano kahang mitugot ang panahon, Manox was philosophical in asking why fate brought them this far. That one encounter in 1982 made a decisive difference that eventually changed the direction of Juntabs' life. Kasakit ko, on the part of Juntabs, for various reasons--for leaving us his friends, for giving up his vocation, and for failing to meet the expectations of the seminary formators and his family. Nonetheless, kasakit was not only felt by Juntabs but also by his classmates as well who were nursing the pain of separation. Almost eight solid years of growing up together were not meant for nothing. It was a friendship nourished and nurtured through time. Yet, for Juntabs, the kasakit was also mixed with kalipay, for at last he would fulfill his innermost desire and longing to be with Faith. The song became a hit for awhile in our class. In fact, Oloy sang it in one of the community programs. Since I left IHMS I never heard it sung by anyone anymore. Perhaps no one can remember it now after the passing of time. In fact, neither Manox nor I could even recall the entire lyrics or even the melody. But I am certain that there is a memory behind the story of that song that we, who were once part of, cannot totally forget.