BULALAKAW - Pandan Antique Newsletter
Official Publication of
Pandan Antique Foundation and Pagtatap Foundation, Inc.
HIGH SCHOOL FUN
By Thea Lorraine R. Tugon, Philippines
Continuation... from page 7

Photography by Raymund GumbocI'll never forget how I stayed late at night, studying till my head ached and my eyes watered. I'm also amused at how we secretly opened our notes or asked our seatmates for answers without twitching our mouth during our exams.

I'll never forget how we would sneak out of our classes to go to the Comfort Room clutching our powders and lipsticks, not because our bladders were about to explode but because our make-up was wearing off, unmindful of how the Comfort Room stank.

I'll never forget how our knees would wobble every time we had our Chemistry class, or when we passed the guardhouse during inspection. And oh, how we had to memorize the school's mission and vision statements just to earn our teachers' precious signatures in our student ledger.

The classrooms have a place in my heart, especially the leaking ceilings when rain comes. They have been the sole witness to all the dumb and sensible things I have done these past four years. I have made mistakes and learned from them. All the pains I've gone through have made me a better person. I fought my way out and stood on my feet every time people tried to pull me down.

All these memories are immortal. They are the greatest part of my past. Wherever I will be in the future, they will keep playing and playing like a movie scene in my mind, reminding me that at some time in my life, I was at PBI, met friends, worked hard, fell in love, enjoyed the infinite freedom of a teen-ager, got hurt and suffered, and learned how to dream. Oh, how I wish I were forever in high school, forever happy, forever having fun. If only I can hold time!

Our graduation is drawing near, and I'm sad. I'm sad because in a few weeks things will be different. I'm sad that I can't turn back the time to savor the happy moments again. I'm sad that, like my sisters, I will soon be going away also, leaving our house quiet in the years to come. Only through memories will I be able to relive such happy times.

Despite the heavy weight in my heart, I realize that our graduation is a beginning and an end. It is the time we say farewell to our Alma Mater and all the things in it, but I can't help but also feel thrilled knowing that my next world… college… will be a new chapter in my life, a new beginning to prove myself once again.

My heart aches because my high school days are ending. The girl in the blue-and-white uniform who talked excitedly about her first love will be gone. Just like her sisters, she will also mellow down, leaving high school's fun behind to make another step in her life. But the little girl has to go. I need to go.
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