I received a text message yesterday and was surprised that it was from a college friend. It’s been 9 years since we got out of college and I could barely recall the number of times I got together with my college friends after graduation. I guess we just lost touch. Honestly, I personally withdrew myself from them for reasons I cannot recall either.
Don’t get me wrong, college was fun. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have had some of my first experiences.
First time to cut classes – our tambayan was at this bakery cum dormitory along Legarda street. There were 3 floors. At the ground floor were the store, pugon and the tambayan itself. At the second floor were a few rooms that manang’s family rented. And the third floor was where manang’s family lived. It was my second home for four years. Everytime we would cut class, we would go there to hang out, play tong its, darts, shoot some hoops (yes there was a half court inside) and of course drink. There were a mixture of students but the ones who stayed were my barkada. We were all Psych students who at one point in time became classmates since some were a bit pasaway and had to repeat some of the courses.
Out of those students, I grew close to 4 of them. Badju, Jay-O and Dani and Anjo. From the core came extensions like Adet, Jay-O’s girlfriend who later became his wife and Bax who then was Anjo’s boyfriend who later became her husband. There were some other extended barkadas like Lars, Topher, Amy, Abby, Ritzel and other studens who were manang’s kids’ barkada.
First out of town trip takas – We went to Quezon without my parents’ knowledge and we stayed there for 3 days and 2 nights. I think I told my parents that we were just staying at a classmate’s house in Antipolo for a group study.
First boys as barkadas – Since I came from an exclusive school for girls in highschool, they were my first boy friends. They were uber protective especially when other people would seem threatening. They look notorious and their reputation in campus was not that good but when we’re together, they would show extra care for the girls. One time we had an all night drinking session at Dani’s house and I was soo drunk I threw up. Jay and Badju were the ones who were with me inside the bathroom. Jay’s finger was in my throat forcing me to vomit while Badju was hanging on to my shirt for fear of me going straight into the toilet bowl while I puke my guts out. My first time to get dead wasted. I distinctly remember Badju telling me that had it been someone else whom I was drinking with, I would’ve gotten raped since I was so drunk. Since then, I only felt comfortable drinking my heart out if it’s with them.
Badju was my driver friend. He would fetch me and bring me home even if I had to go out with my other friends. He would be my “date”. He was the heartthrob and I would always be proud going around campus with him beside me. He couldn’t stick to one girl at that time but Dani and I were his constant girls. Heck I think we even did some hanky panky whenever we would go out with my other set of friends. They even thought Badju was my boyfriend but that was really because both of us were flirty by nature. I also think I had a major crush on him but our friendship overruled that romantic feeling. I became his firstborn’s godmother.
Jay would be the most pang-asar but would be the most serious when I was in deep trouble. He would be the first to pick on me when he’s drunk or after a hit but then he would also be the most malambing. One time he threatened to gang up on my then boyfriend when we found out he was cheating on me. My parents knew him and entrusted me to him. They said Jay was responsible for me whenever we’re together and Jay didn’t do anything to lose that trust. When he and Adet got married, I felt like I lost a friend but in reality, I gained another mar (short for mare). We were witnesses to how unstable their first few years of marriage was but later on they managed to get through those tough times. It’s sad that Badju broke the bad news that they already separated after several years.
Dani (a girl) was my partner in crime. When she got her car, she would let me drive and we’d have joy rides together. One time we drove all the way to Batangas just to hang out at this beach, which is now the famous La Luz resort. She ran away from home and wanted to stay with me for a few days. Since my parents were so against it, we ended up bringing her back to her house after 1 day. We both lost our father after college and it’s sad too that it’s been a long time since we last saw each other.
Anjo was the serious type. She would never miss inviting the rest of the gang to their house in Marikina during fiestas and special occasions in their family. Bax, the equally serious and the most responsible among the boys would always be present since he was Anjo’s boyfriend. To date, they already have two adorable daughters.
I rarely talk about my college life but that’s them in a nutshell. A few years after graduation, we made it a point to spend our annual reunion at our old tambayan. Manang would be delighted to see us all grown up and yet be the same college students who used to frequent their house. We have another bond since we were made godfather and godmother to Junie’s son. Junie was manang’s baker. He he.It has been quite a while since I joined them in our annual reunion and looking back, I would love to spend time with them again and reminisce the most exciting chapter of our lives.
Here’s hoping to see my mars and pars *sigh*
