It is 5:00 in the dawn; I was lying on my bed while looking at the ceiling. Usually, I start my morning rituals at 7, leave my house in Los Angeles by 8, and my mind starts to tickle as soon as I arrive in my office at 8:30. Everyday I face paper works, meetings, presentations, writing stories. My wide spread knowledge and imagination are my foundations with the career I chose. But now, for almost two hours, I am here just lying in bed, daydreaming while hearing the tic-tac of the clock. I looked at the calendar, it was February 17, 2021, so it means that I’ve been doing this for almost a couple of weeks and I still don’t have any inspiration for my new movie story. With those two hours of thinking, I always end up with the alarm of my clock without a single idea. This is fatal for someone who belongs in the Hollywood industry. I must do something.
One morning, as the sun rises, I looked by my window. I had a glimpse of the sun, showing out from the clouds. Hmm.. Clouds? Sky? Bird? Fly? Overseas? Ahah! Hurriedly, I get my phone, “Hello partner! Do you want a tour out of the continent?!” Ah, so sad, my partner in weird ideas, ENGR GINO PAUL M. MARASIGAN was so busy that he couldn’t join me. Gino is now one of the richest persons in America. He is having a new project.
I went to the office to file my leave of absence for two weeks. Then straight to the plane station to buy my ticket. My destination…Europe. My first stop, a country of countless inspirations, a place where the essence of romance is all around— Paris, France. After a week of preparation, I am now ready to begin my tour. Of course, I can’t go anywhere else without my journal and a box full of memories. I know they can help me in writing a new story. This is really what a writer is— whatever things that enter my mind are, I will do! Even freaky things.
When I arrive there, I check-in at a five-star hotel named “El Rancho Libre Hotel”. It sounds Spanish. I want to have my rest but the management insisted that I have a tour around the hotel. It’s so boring, but, I reacted in a familiar name— JOEMAR O. NANTES, the administrator of this international hotel. It is based in Spain. Immediately, I wrote on my journal— “Spanish boy, a business administrator”. I was so exhausted sp I slept early. After a long 12-hour sleep, the sun has risen up. I decided to have my breakfast at a buffet restaurant of the hotel. As breakfast, I take fresh fruits and juice. While I was reading the newspaper, I heard voices talking in Filipino. So, I look back. And what a surprise?! I know all of them. They were my high school classmates. Carrying my breakfast and the newspaper, I went to their table. We are all happy seeing each other again. “Why are you all here?” I asked. Oh, they attended a Medical Conference for hospitals all over Europe that was held yesterday. They were representatives from their respective countries and all of them stayed in that hotel. STACEY KIRA M. KOLIMLIM, also called “Kayra” is now a nurse at Paris Medical Center together with my twin MADELYN P. PONIENTE and a silent someone, who is now a head nurse at France Health Care Center TRIMALEE ANTONETTE M. REY. There is also this funny lady who always cheers me up during our high school days, no other than WILMA A. MONSERRAT, now a successful pharmacist and owns the biggest drugstore in the world. Some of them are now working as nurses in Italy, like my co-name, MARY JOYCE G. SAN GABRIEL in Milan Health Institute and as head nurse in Venice Hospital is NORIE JEAN P. LEOJA. Also residing there as a pediatrician is my co-AAS, I call “new buddy”, ELEANOR FAYE A. LALUZ. One of my friends since elementary, CHRISSY NICOLE L. DE RAMOS is working as head nurse in London Medical Center. Also working as nurse in England General Hospital is KAYCEE C. DEJAMCO, another high school classmate. What a surprise, I found my long lost best friend, another nurse in France Medical Institute, MARIENELLA M. BAUTISTA. Four hours of chatting was not enough for classmates who have not seen each other for 15 long years. Too bad, they need to go back to work by tomorrow. For me, I need to continue seeking my inspiration.
Well, I have to go back to my room to write again on my journal. “My classmates invaded Europe as Medical Staffs”. While working, as usual, I open the television. Actually, I just hear, not watch. And I heard something, oh yes! It is the State of the Union Address of the US President. I just glanced at it and I saw someone at the back of the president, I know him! The Presidential Spokesperson is CHRISTOPER ERIC B. VEGA. I know that always wanted not visible dreams even winning in a lottery. That’s why I’m glad that he made his dreams come true.
Then, I continue writing, without even realizing that I fell asleep. A phone call wakes me up. It’s from the office. There are many invitations given to me knowing that I am in Europe. My secretary said that she just accepted two. Only a concert and a fashion show in Italy. Actually, I am not interested, but she said that famous performers and fashion icons will be there and they will treat me as VIP. I spent my last two days at Paris shopping, of course, still with work. Now, it’s time to say, “Goodbye Paris and Hello Italy”. As soon as I landed to Italy, I saw a flight stewardess from Philippine Airlines. And she is one of my ‘tropa’, JADE CARLA J. CALO. Unfortunately, we can’t talk for a long time because of our work. At the hotel, I take a rest and set off early to bed because of my jetlag. The very next day, two concert tickets and a fashion show invitation are mailed to me. But I don’t have any companion in going there. After lunch, I decided to explore Italy.
I was walking along the streets of Italy, I saw a crowd with the media. From the limousine, a lady stepped out. “I think I know her.” From the crowd, someone told me that, “of course you know her! She was Ms. Universe 2016.” And I remember ILY VIENICE M. LALUZ winning the title. Ily is too busy that I can’t talk to her. While strolling around, there is a book launching, open for everyone. Hmm, though I don’t know who the author is, I entered the hall hoping to find inspiration. After reading her name from the displayed books, I immediately look for her to congratulate and there I found IVANA JANYN U. ELMEDA. She has written many books all translated in 36 languages! We were sharing our thoughts and feelings way back high school, now she is sharing it to everybody in the form of writing. And the good thing is she will be accompanying me in the concert. That night, this is written on my journal “I’ve sen success in Italy; fulfillment of the dreams of my friends”
The day of the concert came. Ivana and I are both in the front row seats, because we are VIPs. When the concert started, everybody was applauding and cheering. When we saw the rock star singing, we also shout because it’s JOHN PAUL S. GRAJERA, now a very popular rock star with albums that are always best-selling. We are not very surprised seeing JP as a big rock star now. He is always that JP with the qualities of being a rock star many years before. Next performers are pop singers. I know the two of the gorgeous ladies at the center stage. That was my fourth year seatmate, JENIFFER G. RAMILO. She deserves to be there because she has a beautiful voice just like MYKEE MECY R. ARTICONA, not only a singer but also a mathematician. I remember her adoring Celine Dion, now she is just like her. The singers gain a standing ovation. After the exposure of the international singing sensations, different dances are performed like ballroom, folk, interpretative, and modern. Our heart pumped hard and blood circulated during the modern dance that our body almost danced to the beat. During the dance, we saw a familiar move. The moves of my AAS “buddy”— SARAH J. PORCNICULA. I remember her winning at the Pila Modern Dance Competition. Now, she does not only perform internationally but she is also a choreographer. At the backstage, we are all jolly seeing each other’s faces again. But because that night is exhausting, we went home right away. But before I go to sleep, I write at my journal, “An ultimate performance was given by my former classmates”
After two days of working, I got an appointment again; a fashion show. That will be useful for the costumes of my actors. Actually, I am imagining that I am one of the models when someone catches my attention. Not because of the dress she is wearing but because she is my friend since elementary, JERMINE MIALA F. ESCUETA. She now belongs to the line of the world class models. At the end of the fashion show, the fashion designers were introduced. Wow! All the way from her hometown Japan is AYUMI T. ISEKI, one of the well-known fashion designers for her artistic works. After the show, I invited them to eat lunch the following day at the hotel. I’ll be the one to prepare, but take note; I need to buy non-fat and oil-free foods.
While I am in the kitchen, they are watching TV. They call me to take a look at the newscaster of CNN. She is KATHRYN VALEN R. UBALDO. When we were still in elementary and high school, she always wins in the Public Speaking Contest, that’s why she deserves to be a newscaster. The news is drastic; it is about counter terrorist attack. But it was foiled due to the action of the US secret agent, JEM D. SIBAYAN. She was very brave enough that she puts her life in danger. Before leaving the hotel, Miala invited me to watch an exhibition game the next day; though not interested, I said yes.
We meet outside the arena. I read at the posters; it is an exhibition game between the two best teams in volley ball and basketball. The entire arena is rocking noise. All are cheering and shouting. The first game is volleyball. When the players of team New Zealand entered the court, we noticed the libero, not because he has a different color of uniform, but because we know him, “the amazing libero”— DON LESTER M. MONTALES. He was also a member of the CMP volleyball team and now, a member of an international team. The next game is basketball. Actually, that is the reason why I was invited by Miala. This is one of the most awaited face-to-face between the greatest players of the East and West. The Filipino who raised the Philippine Flag in NBA is PRINCE JZILLIAN U. AMANSEC. Many want to take an autograph of him and have a picture taking. Because Jzillian won as MVP, he decided to treat us at a fine dining restaurant that is famous. “Leah’s Restaurant” is a simple but familiar name. Why familiar? It is owned by our high school classmate, LEAH ANNE M. BALATAZO, and the foods serve to us are really luscious. We chat altogether about our present lives. I also told them that I have seen our other classmates in different instances and occasions in Europe. While we are eating, Gino call up. Guess what? He is in Italy! There will be an awarding ceremony and dinner party regarding Prominent People in Technology and Gino is one of them. It will be held on Arugal Cruise Liner. JP’s band will also be performing there. Jzillian can go with me, but Miala still have her pictorials.
That night, as I enter the ship, surprisingly, I saw most of the Atorians. The captain of the luxury cruise liner is ROBERTO C. LAGURA JR., another funny man with deep understandings. The awarding ceremony starts. The first category is for computer programming. My Dawnbreakers Encoder has gone far, because of his computer knowledge, he invented the 8-dimentional image. He is DON GABRIEL S. POBRE. At present, he is the major stock-holder of the San Miguel Corporation. Next awardee is a very mysterious guy. He is like silent water that runs deep, ROBERT REGIN A. DIAZ. He programs advanced virus and anti-virus as well. Before the awarding for engineering, the agency who will promote the works is introduced. The owner of the advertising agency is GLADILYN S. SUAZO, another friend since elementary. They will be working with the most promising business entrepreneur, our Senior Class President and the Royal Grand Knight, a man who always share good advices, DARWIN A. PAMATMAT. Then the ceremony begins. An inventor of the newest computer model, JMG computer, an Atorian, is ENGR JHAKE M. GARCIA. Then, the one distinguished for DotA is AHTENZ R. OCA, a Marine Engineer from Australia. He is silent but thinks. Next is a Mechanical Engineer from Dubai, the one who invented the modern spy gadgets, KIM PAULO A. IGLESIA. Way back high school, another friend of mine, the one that makes me laugh even there are many problems; an Electrical Engineer, ADRIANE A. IDO. Next is my companion every afternoon in going home, another Mechanical Engineer who came from the largest city of Ireland— Dublin; ENGR DARELL KEVIN L. TURNO. Last but not the least was my crying shoulder, ENGR JESUIT SJ L. LABRO. He invented “The Transporter”; the greatest galaxy spaceship that can travel anywhere. After the awarding ceremony, JP’s band entertains us. I am so glad seeing my friends again all together in one place at the same time. In my journal, a note written was, “Once again, we were complete”. I had a phone call from Stephen Spielberg proposing a joint project for a new box office movie.
Now, my vacation is over. I bid goodbye to Europe. At the plane, the stewardess asked me, “Are you MARRIE JOYCE DC. CASTILLO, the most famous Hollywood Writer/Director? The one who garnered many Oscar’s Awards and Best Director for consecutive years?”. I just smiled at her. How did she recognize me? Hmm, oh yeah, I am not wearing any disguise such as a freak someone walking around.
At the plane, I am recalling all the things I’ve encountered. I was reviewing in my journal, at the end, written there was. “Fifteen years of striving made my story”. Aside from the journal, I get my box full of high school memories. Now I know what will be the concept of my new movie story— high school memories to reminisce. It was a time where I recall those memories of the past. I could remember the parties like Retro Night Fever, Western American Tavern Bash and the JS Prom. The friends that we could rely through ups and downs in our journey in our high school life were always there. They always remind us that there are people who are always at your back. We all have memories. Some from special evens of our high school lives; some are just from ordinary days but full of meanings. It was so blissful that fifteen years ago, we dreamt of becoming this. And now, here we are the reality of the fulfillment of all our hardships. We all strived together to make it this far.
As I went back to my home in Sacramento with my family, I knew that they have a new neighbor. I know that man, our so-called “PAPA”, Sir Paeng. I was calling him and he was also calling me, “Ms. Castillo, Ms. Castillo”. Suddenly, I saw everyone staring at me. My God! I fell asleep during my Trigonometry class. Then the discussion continued. I was wondering, will my dream be true? I hope so. But we must not be like stagnant water, dreaming and dreaming, we must work hard to fulfill our dreams because fifteen years is long enough to strive and reach out for our dreams. “NEVER LET HOPE SHATTER AS IT IS A TORCH THAT BEACONS ALL DREAMS”. Listen fourth year, for almost nine months, we always see the inspiring quotation in our classroom. And now, we only have one remaining month to reflect the powers of its true meaning. Let the light of this torch be our guiding light to reach our goals. Keep the light burning in our hearts. Always bear in mind all the things we learned here, all the memories, all the friends we met. “FRIENDSHIP ENDS WHEN YOU STOP SHARING AND LIFE ENDS WHEN YOU STOP DREAMING”. So to my dearest Seniors, NEVER STOP DREAMING.
