Class Prophecy

My 29^th Birthday

By: Sarah Mae M. Nuñez

            It’s my special day, my 29^th birthday. It was eighteen years after our High School Graduation and now I’m celebrating it my friends. As I watch them enjoying the party, I’ve reminisce the things that happened before my birthday.

            It was June 23, 2023, one month before my birthday. I’m planning to have a party with my friends. I called Jussel Cañada to help me organize this. I know it will be successful. We’ve been partners in matters like this. Krrng…Krrng…Jus spoke, “Seraaaaah!” He missed me I know. “Hey Jus”, I answered. “Can you please help me organize my birthday party?” There was silence for few seconds, maybe he was thinking. He answered and said, “Sure! After this, I’ll call Vanch. I’ll ask her if we’ll be accomodated in her hotel.” “Vanch?! Vanneza Armero??? Hmm…I heard she’s very successful now. Who can make the designs?” I asked. Jussel answered me quickly, “You should call Christopher Romero, Jr. and Ma. Hazel Altavano”“Yeah right! I’ll call Denise Aringo to help me on the finance. It would be easier for me since we work on the same company.” I said. “Are you still in Faber Castle Company?” He asked. I answered, “Yeah! So I’ll see you next week?” “Okay, bye!” He ended the call. Oww…It’s June 23, it’s the birthday of Jacklord Martinez, the center player of the Ginebra Kings. I opened my facebook account and posted my greetings on his wall. There were also greetings from her best friends. Recent greetings came from Raymund Paje, Paulo Magayanes, Butz Reyes and Louis Manrique, the members of the very famous band, “MagPaManRe”. There were also greetings from Victoria Martinez, one of the hosts and performers in ASAP; Andriu Jett Añonuevo, the center player of our Phiippine Gilas and the boyfriend of the Supermodel of the World, Sheina Marie Luna; Val Anthony Gapayao, the point guard of Los Angeles Lakers; and Ren Rey Anthony Gaveria, Glbert Almayda & Richard Non, the hosts of the comedy talk show Talk with NAG (Non, Almayda and Gaveria). I was desructed when a message fromRebecca Echano, my co-engineer, appeared in my chat box. She was telling me that we have an emergency meeting. On my way to the office, I bumped into Architect Paul Collamar, one of my officemates. I rendered my salute and moved on. When I entered in the conference room, they were already waiting for me. I apologized for being late and sit down. My boss told us that we have a new project and I will be the one to supervise. My teammates were already given a big project and still unfinished.So my boss decided to give me new team members.

I went out of the office six in the evening and decided to take my dinner at the Collabo Restaurant. I texted my sisterette, April Rose Bandoquillo to come with me for dinner. She’s the owner of Tesra Shoe Store in which is just along the road to the resto. We met there and the waiter took our order. As I have tasted how delicious the food was, a bright idea came into my mind. I should talk to the manager if they could cater for my birthday. After we finished eating, we ask the waiter if we can talk to the manager. He accompanied us to the office of the manager. We were socked to know that the manager and owner of the restarant isJann Karlo Añonuevo. We talked and asked to meet the chefs. We went to the kitchen and we’re happy to know that the chefs were Romeo Astor, Jr. andJennifer Abion. When everything was settled, we went home.

I came to the office early the next day to meet with my boss but he has a meeting too. He just gave me the list of my team members, some details and the contact number of our client. As I was looking at the names of my teammates, I have a smile on my face because they are all my classmates in high school. When we met, like the way we talk before, it’s still a noisy and market-type meeting but still with sense. It was fun meeting up with the designers: Architect Cidfeihl Santillan, Karl Mancilla and Carl Raquion; Site Engineers: Regine Gumba andAlaiza Joyce Santillan; Duty Engineers: Gary Ibo, Lester Mallorca and Jerome Lita.

After the meeting, I tried to contact my client but there’s no signal. I called first in the company of my cell phone network. A call center agent answered me, the voice was familiar so I ask first if she’s Christine Alamo and fortunately she was. Though we really want to talk, we can’t because it is a recorded call. She told me how to resolve my problem. I called now to my client. I was excited to know my client since my boss didn’t gave me any idea about him. He picked up the phone and a familiar voice answered me. I introduced myself as the supervising engineer in building his restaurant. He laughed after I talk. I will not be mistaken. It’sChristian Erandio, a cruise chef. After giving me the details, I went home.

I turned on the TV and watch the latest news. Exactly the prestigious Biologist, Mark Dommel Estrada is being interviewed by the very industrious reporter, Christine Verga. I remembered to talk to Engr. John Rey Florano. He’s an electrical engineer and the one who can help me in the set-up of lights and sound system. I also talk to the magnificent composer/musician, Bernadette Beldad. I asked her to help me with the music to be used in the party. I askedKenneth Medalla and Gail Arciga, members of the famous group “Closely” to perform at the party.

It’s Sunday the next day so I attended the mass together with my friendsDebbie Abordo and Kate Cindy Rodriguez, the make-up artists of some hollywood stars like Lindsay Lohan and Beyonce. While making the sign of peace, we saw Sr. Maricris Oxales,A.R. We went to the mall after the mass. We saw a crowd of people shouting and howling for the name of Sharmaine. We joined the crowd to see our friend, Sharmaine Zamudio performing. After one song, we took our lunch at the restaurant of Jesica Basallote. We also bought MJB Halo-Halo for our dessert. It is owned by MJB herself, Mary Joy Banzuela. While shopping, we saw the tarpaulins of the candidates for the Search for MOA’s Singing Supertar. We’re proud to know that our batchmates, Shiela Miranda, Graziella Buendia, Aljean Martinez and Lovely Secretario, went out of their shells and joined the contest.

I met with Jussel at the Araneta Coliseum to watch the Final Game of Ginebra vs. Talk n’ Text for PBA. We cheered for BGK of course. It was intense fight, seeing the coach John Patrick Climaco so worried. Last one minute in the fourth quarter, the TNT have 3 pts. lead, but the BGK didn’t lose hope especially when Vince Santayana made a three-point shot and made the scores tied at the score of 95 points. It was for the opponent’s ball on the last 20 seconds. Josam Cañada catched the ball being passed by the opponent to his teammate. He run fastly and passed it to Ian Aguilar. Ian passed it again to him and on the last three seconds, he dunked the ball to the ring. We jumped for joy for the victory of BGK. After few minutes, the awarding ceremony happened. The players were called one by one. I and Jus were proud to hear the names of our batchmates being called: Jack Martinez, Vince Santayana, Josam Cañada, Ian Aguilar, Engilbert Cerezaand Arjay Roncevalles, the team captain. The MVP Award was also given to Arjay. His girlfriend, Shara Mae Balean, the Ms. Universe‘17 was very proud of hin. She’s with her good friends, Clarissa Belga, the Ms. International’18 and Ms. Earth ’16, Jodelyn Pavia.

I told my driver not to wait for me anymore for I will still go with Jus. We went to the bar of Almarth Salomon to meet some friends. As we’re dancing, we bumped into Vanesa Azul, who is with her friends Hariette Francisco, Geime Llaguno, Madeliene Rayala, Shenna Locañas, Trixia Esquivel and Rohanie Esquivel who were dancing too. Who might think that the silent girls are very good in dancing? Well, there’s no permanent in this world except change. On our way home, Jus’ car got bumped into a man in a motorcycle. We hurriedly went out of the car to check the man. The guy stood up and told us he’s okay. He removed his helmet to prove that he was not injured. We recognized that he’s Marc RJ Guianan, the famous motocross racer. We insisted to bring him to the hospital. We’ve talked to Charizee Capinpin, one of the duty nurses that night. We were accompanied by Nica Remot, a nurse too to the doctor. The results were really okay so we went home.

My party is getting nearer but I still don’t have invitations for my friends. I met with Reena Miah Ropeta, the graphics designer of ABS-CBN to be the one to make the invitations. After a week, the invitations were already printed. I requested to the batch governor Michael Aringo who is the Mr. Tourism ’17 to be the one to distribute the invitations, since he has contact informations of the batch. He accepted the favor I asked and I’m happy about it. I get my new gadget that was invented by Rani Mar Imperial.

I went to the port to welcome my dear friend, Angelica Lustria, the head chef of the star cruise ship, “Withe”. On my way, I passed by the duty traffic enforcer, PO3 Joshua Uy. I arrived at the bayside ahead of time. I saw LTC Carlo Basilan of the Philippine Army waiting for the captain of the ship, Jian Bañares.After a few minutes, they’re in front of me. It was another fun day for me, spending the day at the spa of Jessica Bulalacao.

I filed my tax return at the BIR and Eunice Omnes accomodated me. I also went home to Legazpi via Zest Air Philippines. Karla Bianca Teope, the flight attendant greeted me with her beautiful smile. When everyone have seated, the captain introduced himself. I smiled as I heard the name. It’s Karl Josef Daet, one of the silent boys in our batch yet a computer addict. As the plane landed, I hurriedly went out to be on time for the Saturday Devotion at SRA. I was invited by Bro.Franklin Llaguno to give a talk with the COLC Members. As I walked, I bumped into a pretty, black lady. She was Joahna May Sariba. I remembered that she is an accountant of the PAL in Legazpi. There was Aejay Carretero, the one I texted to fetch me at the port. He’s the owner of the TMS Bar in Puro. Before I entered the school, I went first at the parish to visit the parish priest Rev. Fr. Renzo Armario. I inquired at the office and have talked to the Parish Secretary, Lyca Millena. I and Fr. Renz have talked about our careers and the careers of our batchmates. He told me that Grace Banzuela and April Macandog, are now successful teachers at Legazpi Port Elementary School; Jacquelyn Buen, is the manager of ConCourse; and Jocel Bandola is a fabulous model of a famous clothing line. When I entered the school, I felt happiness and excitement for being back and sadness for having remember the days when I was still studying. I saw Rona Vargas, the new Secretary of the Principal with Debbie Nuguit, a teacher; Nikki Matabuena, the registrar and Elena Armario, the asst. school treasurer. I was shocked when I’ve seen cadets training at the quadrangle with their CAT Facilitator, Daryl Arienda. He rendered his salute to me and I responded. While standing at the ground floor lobby of the annex building, I look up at the 4^th floor wherein we enjoyed our 4^th year life. As I look at the guidance office, I saw someone waving at me. It’s Marison Bermas, the guidance counselor. I waved back and went inside the AVR. They welcomed warmly and we ended the day with a big smile.

On the next day, Sunday, I attended the mass together with my family. It was presided by Rev. Fr. Roland Grijalde. There I saw Christian Bembenuto, the ambassador of Tourism in Legazpi. We went to Bagong Abre to visit our relatives. I also went to the house of my cousin Michelle Viterbo, who’s a mechanical engineer. She’ve told me that Jasper Turiano is a stakeholder of ALECO; Janine Manzanillo, had been the Best Social worker for how many years; Robe Jenn Ayo, Jessica Jacob; Jayne Balean and Camille Ala are the country’s representative for the Olympic Game Basketball, Girls Division; and that Roman Eligoyo, John Paul Oñate, Kent Carl Calmante, Mark Azores and Dave Sarteare for the Volleyball, boys division.

We went home early to catch our favorite artists at LCC. One of those isErika Vasquez, the fabulous anime cosplay artist. I saw Katrina Belangel, a sccessful make-up artist; Vanessa Linsangan, a fashion designer and Julie Ann Pelotin, one of the candidates of Asia’s next top model.

I checked in at the airport earlier. As I was watching TV at the terminal, a teaser of my favorite teleseye starring Jeselle Navarro and Jomer Alondra was shown. We were already called to go to the plane. As I listen to the voice saying, “Calling all the passengers of Flight155”, I can imagine Deanne Miranda. I asked the guard if it was Deanne, and I’ve proved it right. I was welcomed by the flight attendant, Abegail Belista.  I’m on the plane with its pilot, Jhonel Picayo. I have my seamate, Russel Vasquez, a cartoonist of Phil. Daily Inquirer.

I went directly to the office to meet a new client named James Labanda, a veterinarian with his architect, Jason Buen. I took a rest, turned on the TV to watch my favorite show starring Annie Mae Costo and directed by Louierson Asia.Unfortunately, I haven’t seen the episode today. All I’ve seen were the credits. I smiled as I’ve read the names Ramil Madrideo, Christian Bon, Edgar Quintano, Mikko Montales, Val Magtarayo, Joseph Arteta, Vincent Bermas and Deomari Gomez as the graphic designers.

It’s July 22, 2023, the day before the special day. I asked Jus to meet with me but he has an appointment with his dentist Alejandro Buena, Jr. But he told me that everything is set. And so today, I am teary eyed watching the people around me enjoying.

Someone’s tapping me so I looked back. Oh! I found myself in my bed with my mother in front of me wkaing me up for I still have my class. It was just a dream, I told myself; A dream that everyone of us will achieve.

Fearless Seniors, let’s all start dreaming and never stop believing. Hand in hand, we will fulfill and achieve all the dreams we have. Have faith in God and never forget to look back and keep your feet on the ground. God bless us all.