By Melanie Cabarubias
I rose early, that I might behold the glory of morning among the mountains. The eastern sky was already overspread, as with a thin silvery veil, with at least trace amber, and gold among its threads; while one solitary star, like a great opal, hung suspended in the translucent atmosphere, its rich heart glowing with red and yellow flame. As dawn brightened in the east, and rose-tints deepened along the sky, and the atmosphere grow tremulous as the lance-like beams began to pierce it. I seemed to hear the voice which in the beginning said "Let there be light!" and at that instant memories begin to fill in my mind.
It was a relaxing Sunday afternoon in the year 2012. I just attended a victory party in Philippine Island Hotel owned by Jolaida Dumpit and managed by Narcisa Aguilar a day after the Philippine Basketball Team composed of Renato Leonardo, Nilo Batingana, Wilfredo Jallorina, Elmer Francia, Edmon Javier, Brenevic Espiritu as their team captain defeated the NBA veterans. Italian cuisine were catered by Venetian Restaurant owned by a famous talk-show host in Asia, Angely Canafranca and the music...terrific. In fact Jell Espinosa was invited to sing the victory song managed and composed by writer of most sought-after telenovelas of today. It was attended by Annaliza Bernardo recently crowned Ms. Asia Pacific and also their muse, Michael Sebastian the team's manager, Cerwin Bunoy the team's coach, other VIP's and of course their never-say die spirit fans! It was a wonderful party! At exactly 4 a.m. I left.
When I reached my place in an island in the Atlantic, I hurried to my room and turned on my automatic radio given to me by my bestfriend Alberto Cruz who is now the commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. I listened to the voice of Ruel Cruz, a famous pop singer, and was lulled to sleep. At 2:00 p.m. I read a book on human psychology written by Herdeliza Mirano. I turned on my Laser Disc Player and watched a movie that stars Ms. Cristina Arceo - a recently chosen Best Actress in Oscars, now the highest paid actress in the movie capital of the world - in Hollywood. Then, I turned on my cable TV and watched CNN and Josephine Fajardo just started reporting the latest news. She reported the latest issue on sexual relationship that struck the whole world, the said case handled by Private Prosecutor Gilbert de Guzman who strongly believes that truth shall prevail.
The Supreme Court in Washington D.C. headed by Chief Justice Maricel Mariano had expressed the same idea about the case and would handle the case carefully. Suddenly, the power supply was cut off, I called Madelin Galvez, President of Nuclear Energy Plant to inform her of the power failure. Then I turned to my bed and rested.
The next day, I went to my office riding in my teal-green Ferrari. I hurried in my office as my executive secretary Rosalee Reyes informed me of an invitation for a golf exhibition to be participated in by Ricardo Marasigan, Ryan Suarez, Rene Boy Cruz, taking away the championship crown from Conrad Aquino, world's youngest champion golfer. I left the tournament with an urgent call from the Ambassadress of the Philippines in England Ms. Marianne Mag-isa informing me of my meeting with Prince Burt Cruz, heir to the throne of England.
The afternoon a private jet plane took me to Buckingham Palace. As I ascended the rump, my attention was caught by the stewardess who is receiving the passengers. But after scrutinizing her face, I exclaimed, "Lea.. is that you?" Yes, and who could forget that tall pretty lady, Lea Cruz, now very beautiful and still blooming. Then, she requested Juliet Egonia to show me the first class seats and escorted me to my seat passing by other delegates for the said meeting with the heir. Aboard the plane were Dr. Jonar Javillonar, President of the World's Medical Society conversing with the other physicians Ramon Santiago, Joenel Adriano, Analee Salosagcol and Caroline dela Cruz. Then, I saw a gorgeous lady approaching. And yes, how could I be mistaken... its Evangeline Calderon, winner of the Elite Model of the Year aboard for a modeling stint in London, escorted by Three Star General Rolando Rivera II.
As soon as I descended from the plane, Ravenal Joson, England's Chief of Staff warmly welcomed us for the conference. We boarded the English Submarine and he showed us the beauty of English seas. Suddenly a pretty lady came up on stage, it was Marilyn Santos, escorted by Reynaldo Samson, President of the Water and Aquamarine Saftey Organization. Mary Grace Silvestre was the emcee of the show. The program begun and after some speeches from the people who are responsible for the construction of the English submarine, a song was rendered by a golden voice of Jeryll Agustin. This was followed by an undersea-computer dance presented by Aaron Cruz, Jay-ar Calderon, Santos Tayao. Later Gabriel Castillo, the mind behind the making of the submarine showed the audience the different rooms and hallways of the ship.
The next morning I heard the blooming voice of Ryan Ruiz, the control officer announcing the submarine's first stop at the famous Mediterranean Sea and we were welcomed in the Egyptian coast by the Republic's First Lady, Ida Aguilar. After that we cruised the River Nile and stopped for the long awaited meeting the Prince January Ocampo for his privileged speech in his luxury trip. After this conference we left the English Submarine and I returned to my room in England Diamond Hotel owned by Ma. Theresa Peralta. Being quite tired, I fell asleep.
The next day we were invited for another adventure aboard Super Titanic, the ship of all dreams, the most luxurious ship everyone would dream of riding in. We were welcomed by Andrea Guerrero, the ship's pubic relations officer and guided me to Erwin Calderon, the architect of the famous marine vessel. After a day of touring the whole ship, I rested in my private room.
Upon waking up, I was surprised to see Ronald Rennison, director of the famous pop artist jamming with Rowell Nicolas, Cherrylyn Arceo, Carlota Calderon otherwise known as Extra Terrific Trio. Then I went to the ship's gambling house. The moment I entered, a voice shouting with joy for winning in Lucky Zero. It seemed familiar, and as I expected it was Joseph de Castro, Head of the World Bank and seated beside her was Christine Santiago, her executive secretary.
After a short while, I bade them goodbye to my room. Then I received a billet doux from my Mom asking me to go home at once for she misses me already. So I requested Alvin Clemente to get me a private plane that will bring me to my island in the Atlantic. Irish Cruz newspaper where Ronald Santos was the editor-in-chief and was surprised to read that Rev. Fr. Cherwin Bernardo of Manila was now elected as the Most Outstanding Priest in the Philippines. That suddenly hit me and I remember my nun friends Sis. Elsie Luna, Mother Superior of the Dominican Sisters in the Philippines and Rochelle Santos, a pre-school directress of the contentment they had in their simple life with the simple people.
The light gave me hope as I get back in my sense on my way back to my memories. I can't help thinking how fast time flies-years-the graduates, the
class '98 where we belong have had only a handful dreams, we parted ways to blaze our individual trails in the vast world we live in. Now those dreams are realities. My thoughts then and now kept coming back to our beloved ALMA MATER, St. Dominic Academy for she cradled our dreams, our hope and our youth.
(4th row)cherwin 'boy' bernardo,joseph 'otep' de castro,reynaldo 'ondong' samson,ramon 'mong' santiago,ricardo 'untoy' marasigan jr.,ronald renisson,burt cruz,rochelle anne 'bating' santos,rowena roxas,maricel 'cel' mariano,carmina 'carmie' tayao,brenevic 'bunot' espiritu,edmond 'bakal' javier,elmer 'bolong' francia,roberto 'obet' aguinaldo,jonar javillionar,ravenal 'raven' joson,alvin 'vhino' cuevo
