Photo by Sherwin Llames

[Ryan&Sheila Video]

At around 4 o’ clock in the afternoon of July 11, 2009, a church door opened wide in Tayuman. After which, a line of wonderful people started to pace the aisle. Some were smiling, a few were projecting, several were striding, and a number were trying to walk with caution. Yet all of them were filled with happiness and so was the audience witnessing the parade. Then at the entry door, finally a familiar face was seen. She was beaming and her joy was overflowing and evident. Her name was Sheila. She walked down the aisle steadily looking towards a young man at the altar. The lad she gazed upon was bursting with excitement. He smiled politely with his soiled sharp eyes from uncontrolled tears many hours before. Ryan was his name and with love he patiently waited for his beautiful bride. As they met, he took her by the hand and went to the altar. The ceremony started… Our Ryan and our Sheila…

Many of us witnessed how they matured as friends to lovers. They came from a long battle fighting for the things they hoped for, for the things and people they love and for the belief they hold on to. And they fought a good fight! And that afternoon at the altar was the day they fully grasped victory holding the promise they claimed years and years before.

As sent by Ryan after the wedding, in his thank you text message, “one chapter closes and a new one begins” …indeed, and for this new chapter, with the Love they have, they shall face it with the grace, God has given them. They shall face it in light of prayer and discipline. They shall face it with God on their side. And they shall continue to seek Him and know Him knowing that the future they face is safe, prosperous and full of hope. Many battles are up ahead but they will not fear for God will help them and we as their friends will also be there fighting with them side by side.

God bless Ryan and Sheila! Cheers!

TAKAW, TAKAM, TIKIM: Mga Pagkain Nung BALERKADA Grand Reunion

Sarap anu? Lahat yan ay naihain nung BALERKADA Grand Reunion. Ang Fried Chicken, Beef Broccoli, Spare Ribs, Cakes, and drinks ay courtesy ng caterer natin na Corrie's. Ang lechon baboy naman ay special order. Nuong hapon bago ang hapunan ay nag-pica-pica tayo ng hotdogs at marsh mallow sa chocolate fountain. Kalahati ng budget sa pagkain ay mula sa kinita ng Reggae Party. Samantalang ang kalahati ay hulog ng langit mula sa ilang batchmates natin. Sa susunod, attend ulit tayo ha? Mas maraming pagkain iyun panigurado.

Photos Courtesy: Sherwin Llames

Remembering Dale

Exactly a year today since Froilan Dale C. Lega left us. His unexpected death shocked most of us, his batchmates. But most importantly his untimely passing had an impact on us, in one way or another.

Pilitin ko man, pero di ko maiwasang maging personal at emosyonal kahit papaano sa pagsulat kong ito. Paumanhin, ngunit susubukan kong di maging makasarili o maging mapuso kahit mahirap. Malaki kasi ang epekto ng pagkawala ni Dale sa akin.

I was seeing a doctor a year ago when some of our batchmates and I planned of visiting Dale at his house in Marikina. The problem then was we had no contact number nor home address of him. Fortunately, we found a way to locate where he lived, so we were able to see him during his last days. Then February 8 came. I received a call informing me about the sad news that very early morning.

Habang di pa ako magaling sa karamdaman ko at habang nasa gitna ng pagpaplano ang batch para sa year-long events noong 2008, nangyari ang di inaasahan. Pumanaw si Dale.

Bakit ako apektado? Dahil mula umpisa, ang ultimate purpose naman ng pag-oorganize ko para sa batch ay dahil gusto kong i-celebrate ang buhay - ang magsaya at magbunyi. Dahil kumpleto ang batch natin. Isang bagay na di na ganap na totoo.

Malungkot. Nakapanghihinayang. Sa taon kung kailan ipagdidiwang natin ang isang dekada ng pagtatapos natin sa high school, di pa naabutan ni Dale.

Kung di man nabawasan, ay kinwestiyon ko ang tiwala ko sa sarili nung mawala si Dale. Para saan pa ang pag-oorganize ko ng batch events gayong di naman na kumpleto ang batch?

May mga pagsisisi man ako, ngunit marami akong realizations sa nangyari...

Di man magandang pakinggan pero maraming naidulot na maganda ang pagkawala niya. Sa aking pananaw, mayroong positibong pagmulat ang naibunga ng nangyaring iyon.

Maraming nakiramay at dumalaw kay Dale dito sa Manila at sa Baler noong burol niya. Nakita kong maraming nagmamahal ang nalungkot at nangulila sa batchmate natin. Napagbuklod ni Dale ang marami sa atin noong mga panahong iyon.

Payak man, kahit papaano ay gumawa ako ng paraan para nuong uwi ko nuong Novemeber 1 sa Baler ay madalaw ang puntod ni Dale. Bulaklak at panalangin ang inalay ng ilan sa ating batchmates ni Dale sa kanya.

Napatunayan nating kayang magkaisa ng batch, di lamang sa kasiyahan ngunit maging sa damayan. Nag-alab ang pagnanasa ng marami na magkaroon ng ugnayan at komunikasyon ang batch sa isa't isa. Isang bagay na naging malaking pagkukulang ko, at marahil ng ilan sa atin para kay Dale. Ika nga, mga "what if".

Sana kahit walang get-together, batch assembly o reunion tayo, magawa nating bigyan ng panahon - kahit sandali - ang mga batchmate natin, naging kaibigan man natin sila noon o ngayon. Simpleng bagay lang naman. Maliit na effort kumbaga.

Sa totoo lang, ang blogsite na ito ay isang malaking bagay na para magkaroon tayo ng paraan para makapag-kumustahan. Ang pag-iwan ng mensahe para sa batchmates natin at pangungumusta ay isang magandang ugnayan na. Kaya sana ay panatilihin nating buhay at positibo ang blogsite na ito.

Maraming taon pa ang pagsasamahan natin. Marami pang mga masasayang bagay ang ating pagsasaluhan. Di man tayo parating marami o di man tayo mabuo, isipin nating ang buhay ay may halaga at saysay. Maging kapaki-pakinabang sana tayo para sa iba, para sa ating kapwa.

Dale, bahagi ka ng ating batch. You are missed and you will forever be remembered...