LIFE is like high school. The current life issues we are facing now were the same things we struggled with when we were 15. Money, love, acceptance, recognition, what to wear…you get the picture.
Moreover, whether in the office or at a family gathering, there are cliques to navigate and deal with: the popular ones, the nerds, the gays, the bullies, the socially inept, the introverts, the sports-obsessed—the list goes on and on.
From these high-school cliques, many experiences are formed. Some breezed through high school and then easily glide through life. Some of those disenfranchised used their traumas as motivation for success. Success as the sweetest ever form of revenge kumbaga. Sadly, there are those who never got to “leave” high school and have grown up to be bitter—like some people I know.
Why am I talking about high school? Well, you see, tomorrow, February 7, is the grand alumni homecoming of my high school, La Salle Greenhills. Titled “Babalik Ka Green: The High School Homecoming” is an annual event treated with much care and attention to detail. Our high-shcool core group—led by the indefatigable Ramy Garcia, Bert Feliciano, Vince Mallari, Dong Magsajo, Butz de Castro, Miggy Fernandez, EJ Trapaga, et al.—had coming together regularly over the past weeks and months brainstorming, planning and strategizing on how to bring about sensational shebang.
So far, they have come up with this: at noon, the gates of the La Salle Greenhills campus will open to reveal a car show and various booths with exciting gimmicks. Then, there’s dinner and a main show featuring the hottest girls in the land (they told me not to reveal them as they are meant to be a surprise) who will add heat to the proceedings. By the way, the event is open to the public, so if you feel like letting loose, whether you’re from Ateneo or Assumption, whatever your batch, feel free to come.
Back to high school—many in our batch are now in the entertainment industry, such as acclaimed directors Mike Sandejas and Tot Perez, and of course there’s little ol’ me. Others, however, spend much of their time in front of the cameras, and you are familiar with many of them.
What you know about them is what their spin doctors tell you through the media. Allow me then to tell you what they were back in high school.
Raymart Santiago For me, there were a lot of batchmates more handsome than Raymart. That said, even then he already exuded so much confidence and sexiness, always landing on our list of most delicious classmates. On civilian Fridays when we were allowed to come in anything but our uniforms, Raymart would come in wearing a polo shirt and jeans—and the way he carried his clothes, you would think he were a model on GQ. But what made Raymart popular was his sense of humor. In fact, one teacher once dared us that she would postpone a pop quiz if anyone could tell a joke that would make her laugh. Raymart took the challenge and cracked this joke: “Anong bone ang mabango? Sabone!” It was corny, yes, but the way he delivered it, he might as well have been on Saturday Night Live! His timing, confidence and sexiness were what propelled him to make it in the industry, and it’s no surprise that he’s shown staying power to remain one of the top actors on GMA. He is currently seen on the popular soap Second Chances, opposite Jennylyn Mercado.
Lance Raymundo Lance’s idol back in high school was Prince. And like the enigmatic singer, he too changed his name. We knew him as Reggie, and we also knew him as shy, unassuming but friendly, an all-around nice guy. But what I remember was how deeply envious I became when he showed me a picture of his palatial house in Greenhills. I wasn’t envious that he had a huge home. It was because, as he pointed out, the clouds in the picture formed an image of the Virgin Mary. At the time, I thought my family must be so plain and the Raymundos so special that they had no less than Mama Mary protecting them! Hahaha! But it’s no secret that the Raymundos must indeed be blessed as Reggie, aka Lance, is currently enjoying a flourishing career in modeling and indie cinema.
Ira Cruz Ah…Ira! I remember him as one cool dude…who just happened to be drop-dead gorgeous! Those mestizo features, that catchy smile! Ira was so popular whenever we had our soirees or interactions that us gays would secretly perform voodoo on the girls who not surprisingly developed a crush on him. Back then, Ira was already into music, being the guitarist then of The Introvoys. Indeed, he was an “it” boy even before there were it boys. Also, Ira was a generous person who would open his house to the class for an inuman night or two. True to his music genius, Ira was a driving force in the influential jazz band Passage and the iconic rock band Bamboo.
Gary Berena I admit, we were never close during high school. Gary came during our freshman year (most of us in class had known each other since grade school) but, boy, did he make an impact. While he didn’t know me from the campus guidance counselor, I definitely knew of him because he was part of That’s Entertainment. What day? I had no idea. Did he win many of those Saturday production number prizes? I wish he did! All I know was that he looked hot. Now, Gary is in the corporate world but he has retained his youthful handsome looks. We would bump into each other in some random showbiz function, and I would always tell him that he must be a vampire because he hasn’t aged a bit.
They were some of my batchmates who are now in the entertainment industry. While many in our batch aren’t as popular as these guys, I’m proud to say they are as interesting. Many of us may not be as rich and successful as some of our batchmates (in fact, I am currently rehearsing my reply that I invented Post-Its when asked what I do for a living) but many of us are hardworking, decent human beings who in our own little way are trying to live the La Sallian life: trying to be a man of success while also trying to become a man of value.
1 comment
As much as I want to be there and experience the best homecoming ever of LSGH, I am stuck overseas. Great article… Thanks Jet for writing this wonderful words. It brings back memories… Hope you remember me, this is TABS as in Tabuena!!! Enjoy the party guys!!! Dont forget to send lots of pictures and videos!!!