High School Buddies: The Existence of Forever

The existence of "forever" has been and is still being dubious to believe. For most, yes. From one of Jim Brickman's songs entitled destiny, this line; "But forever was just a word, something I'd only heard about. But now you're always there for me, when you say forever, I believe," is something that persuades the one who sing the song. Yeah, because most of the people nowadays are easy to relate with love. And that's the only thing that binds them to the word forever. Oh well, it's the way they valued the existence of the word. Who cares? That is why, they have a hard time to believe that 'forever' exists. By all means; I, on the other hand, has strongly had conviction that 'forever' is real.

The High School Years

I had a four-year in high school. (Naman. Duhhh...) K to 12 didn't exist that time yet. I'd known several people. Most of them were smart, easy to hang out with, competitive, nice and very vocal. That's when I was in first year. Apparently, as we went to higher level, those several grew. I was a student with academic honors that's why my atmosphere circled only with the students who were academically competent as well. Not to brag of course, I am kinda witty. Lol. When we were in third year, the barrier between us and those in the second section, slowly collapsed. We started to know each other well. We worked as one in every by-year level competition. We competed like "tomorrow" is out of lexicon. And yes, we consistently won. That's how comfortable we became as years passed. I actually had a group called "CLauGumAp." It's a combination of four surnames which are Clata, Laureta (mine), Gumba and Aplaya. But we never limited our scope of friendship only to us. It's far actually. We were seen always together though. Our friendship had gone far. We knew each other more than well. We learned from each other, cared for each other and loved each other. (Char) When we were in our final year to leaving our alma mater, the strong bond became more than the usual. We shared laughs, victories, defeats and even answers during the exams. (Lol) We had our teachers' nicknames like Sir D, Miss Bookworm, Ma'am Pangungusap, Ma'am Agriculture, (yeah there is worse than this) and a lot more than I could remember. We even had nicknames for the students who became popular in the campus because of what they did that etched our hilarious minds. We can't even forget the Nutrition month that most of my closest friends in high school were part of the nutrition jingle competition. Our one piece of expertise. The convocation that we became the directors and the actors and actresses of our own show. The "Buwan ng Wika" that we enticed our tagalog skills in different and various activities. The intramurals that we became sporty in any field. We were able to showcase our field of kinesthetic prowess. Oh well, I was always a member of the water field society (you know what that is) since I had a different field to attend to. The literary that is. The science and math week which boosted the intellectual capacity of the students to quiz bees and investigatory projects. The christmas party in which many parents would "talak" because of the contribution. Yes, that was once a norm. I just don't know today. The only party we had in the entire year. Food, exchange gifts and games. And then, here comes the vacation. A week or two of vacation for the christmas and new year. Then the come back of the class where most had the hang overs and some wouldn't even attend the first day of class. Then the field demonstration. It had had a big part in our annual celebration of Parent's day. The so-far only event that we invested a long preparation with. These are the only common things that bind us together. Not to mention the several activities that we did out of school campus and those things we separately did because of our at-task fields. Of course we have different intelligent scope to fulfill. Then came the graduation. The graduation was the only event that we will never forget in the whole high school experience. Right after graduation, we received few invitation for thanksgiving and celebrations. And yes, we have to accept that goodbyes are to bid.

The Annual Reunion :)

We separated ways but what connects us together as always is our annual reunion. It's every December. The date varies depending on what we would agree. The first reunion was a success. Many attended. So as to the second and third reunion. Our valedictorian, salutatorian and the honorable mentions were present that time. During the fourth annual reunion, I can even count the number of the attendance with my fingers. Oh nice! The fifth, the sixth, the seventh, eight and the last reunion which was held last December 17, 2016 was a disaster. Just kidding. During those times, there were only limited individuals who were always attending. To name a few, It's me, Brylle Gumba, (our president) Jaylard Aplaya (our cook), Jasmin San Juan, (our nurse) Kristy Montilla, (our kikay punk???) Leny Aurio, (our wang) Febee Ann Cahilog, (our laklakera noon at mommy na ngayon) Keyster Montilla, (our gadget queen) Richmond Garciano, (ang pa epal na pre. lol) and sometimes, we have different visitors every year. We can even consider the few as visitors because they will only attend this year and the next, they're absent again. So sad. We also have the alumni homecoming in which sad to say, our visitor last alumni was only Dhervin John Heramil (ang mister no-touch) and during the night, we had Angeline Quizan (ang pahaba-ng-pahaba ang lapad. lol. peace tayo ying.) The first alumni homecoming was also a good act to consider. We're few but not as few as the perfect attendance attendee. We had Razelle Lou Calago, (ang mataray pero smart) during the fourth alumni. We had Darex Pial, (ang mani noon pero artistahin nadaw ngayon) during the third homecoming. And the only present during those alumni homecoming and annual reunions are the first seven individuals I mentioned above. (I'm one of the seven, wag kang ano.) Consistently, even when there are no reunions and homecomings, we come to see each other like when they say, "May ganap ngayon."

Laag ta mga Damak: The consistency of forever.

Here comes the big seven. The chosen. The remaining of the blood. The always "di mapaghiwalay na bituka." The group branded with "DAMAK." Yes, I always value these individuals. They don't have the eagerness to say "NO" when we say, "Ila kuan ta ron...," "Disco unya sa kuan...," "Atak ta ilang kuan unya...," Ano na? Dayon unya...?," "Si kuan ba, nangivite, adto ta..." Indeed. They are the people of "Yes," "tara," "ta," "asa naman ka?," "dugaya nimo uie...," "sa kuan lang ko mag-hulat..." There are just certain considerations to "reasons." They are the perfect buddies for shots, foods, events and everything. Just name it.

That title was the name of our group chat in messenger. Just a short backgroud, it was "Laag ta..." at first. When me and one of our batchmates collides, it becomes "Laag ta mga damak..." There was one post from his (oh lalaki xa, cguro, basin. lol) fb that I commented. The name tagging was a crucial activity that time. Like you can't make tagging these people who are included in the GC because they are in your own assault. The crime of one is a crime of all. So I tagged them along with my comment. The conversation took off far than I expected. Well, when we're in the verge of conversation, whether personal, fb comments or group chat, our mouths are out of filter. Lol. Our conversation had become hazardous to the owner of the post and he reacted. He said that there should be a right place and a right time to talk about what we had talked in the comment section. Then after that he called us, "mga damak." He even unfriended me because we make it a source of amusement whenever we met on any comment sections of any of our posts on fb. Funny as it seems, we even make what he said as our "group brand," "Mga Damak." And that was the start of the "Damak Serye." The "walang hanggang panlilibak sa kapwa" story and the "walang hanggang panlalait sa mga dapat laitin noon at ngayon version."

Lemme introduce them to you. Lez start with:

Leny Aurio.

26 years old

November 7, 2991

"Wang, Len, Leny"

"Ang Mataray pero Gustuhin ng Caliclic."

Leny, being our ate, is the "hindi makabasag pinggan" type of person. (Akala mo lang yon!) She's a "pretty face with a maldita kilay" effect. It can be literal as well. Leny is beautiful and she's a virgin. Haha, that's according to our knowledge. Leny is a silent kind of mammal. Yes, that's what we believe. But due to the environmental effect, the Leny that we used to know has changed. Not a bit, but a lot. Honestly, I've known her as a kalog individual. We knew each other wayback Grade 2. Yes, because we were classmates that time. Leny graduated elementary at Kinawitnon Elementary School as a salutatorian. You see, she's smart indeed. The environment together with our consumption of her personality molded her into more mature and kindred individual. The "nooy hindi kumikibong leny" is a wild and a strong person today as she continue to fight life without a father. The bountiful blessings that Leny is receiving today is the pay-off of her perseverance and determination in life. We don't actually know how strong and how weak this lass is. What we only believe is that she's a kind of person who has a kind heart. But yo know what, Leny sometimes is our center of laugter. There is just something that make her different from us at some point. And because of that, we name a certain disease from her name itself. The "Leny Syndrome." When that syndrome strikes, It'll complete our day. Next is,

Kristy Montilla.

25 years old

May 19, 1992

"Boting, ting, kris, kristy"

"Ang Maganda na, Talentado pa ng San Miguel.

Kristy is known with her nickname "boting." I don't know where'd she get that nickname anyway. Boting is the queen of pampaganda. She never left the house without a bag and a jacket. (Ayaw umitim ng potcha. lol) And her bag, c'mon, name what ever you want when your getting haggard. It's all in the bag. Powder, perfume, comb, hankerchief, tissue, alcohol and everything. (pina exage lang.) She is the dora of the gang. But well, of course "boting" is our singing dora. Lol. Even before, she kept on joining singing contest. She can also dance at the groove. Whether what kind of genre of dances, it'a a no sweat for her. Aside from those talents, Kristy is also a true person. (Walang filter din yan kung magsalita.) She even does a word-fight to her elder sister, Keyster. (Dihens tabas tabas din eh.) She lives with her parents and sister in just a small but bountiful abode. The kind of person that her parents want her to be is what she is now. She is a "parent first" individual. (Wag na natin isali yung boyfriend. Di pa naman kasal. Lol) And one thing about her relationship, the never before told was revealed finally. The boting yesterday is not literally the boting today. She strongly willed challenges that bring her to what she wanted in life. Though she has not practiced her talents in singing and dancing, at any cost if chances are given, she is still the best in these domains. What extracts boting from us is her strong personality that even she didn't graduate in college, she has never hesitated to be who she is now. Well, by all means; she's still planning to go to college in God's time. Next is,

Jasmin San Juan.

24 years old

November 24, 1992

"Min, min-min, Jas, Jasmin"

"Ang Meow-meow Nurse na Matalino ng Mambago-B"

Min-min as we call her, is the nurse of the gang. Hmmmm... let's just skip this person. Haha. No, just kidding. Min-min is a kind-hearted and of course a non-filtered mouthed individual as well. (Yan ang common sa min eh.) Min-min is a consistent honor student during elementary and high school. She even graduated 3rd honorable mention during high school. (Oh diba, matalino nga naman ang nurse.) We called her "kulot" as one of her nicknames. That was because of her kulot hair before. She always excel in any aspect in academic. (Oh di sya nang brayt.) She even competed outside the campus academically. The "puro study" person before grew as a mature individual. As I can remember, when she was still studying in college, the shots were limited. She even rejected every shot and just chose to sleep during the reunions. But now, hooolaaaa... "Shat ta baii..." You will never ever hear her say "no" to every single glass of liquor you will give her. (Lasenggera na ang nurse.) But wait, Min-min, sad to say is a virgin as well. Lol. I don't know but we haven't heard her had a boyfriend. (NBSB and lola bakla.) She doesn't have plan to get a boyfriend and try sex. A serious type. But don't you dare, she can ride our conversation of sex all the time. I guess that's what the nurse prowess is about. She lives with her mother who used to be one of our teachers in high school. Her father passed a long time ago. Together with her and her mother is her brother, sir Froi and family. Her sister is in abroad. Oh well, she's planning to go abroad in God's perfect timing as well. Min-min, even a not-so-serious type of person, this lass will prove you wrong. Her goals are the ones that make her kicking and fighting. Salute to you nurse. Lol. (Ang arte-arte lang. Haha) Next is,

Febee Ann Cahilog.

25 years old

February 7, 1992

"Feb, febee, Be-an"

"Ang Malditang Mommy ng San Roque"

They call her mommy, febee, ann, cahilog. (Joke.) No, I have a lot of story to tell about this gal. Like I said, our common attitude is being a non-filtered mouthed kind of people. I usually have several issues with her. Like when she read my texts or chats, she always have a different interpretation. It's as if I'm raising my voice at her all the time. (Kaloka ka bakla.) But even like that, we argue but we still collide. Febee is the most "laklakera" wayback times. (Talo pa ko sa inuman nito mga bes.) She does smoke, too. Yes, we have the most bonding than the rest of them during those times. We're alike when it comes to shots. No retreat, no surrender. When there is an event near her, or even what kind of event that involve shots, we are always the chosen ones. One day, this gal vanished like a bubble. (Oh c'mon, bulabula jud.) She vanished like for 3 to 4 months I think. After that, she started to contact us again. (Yeah like walang paramdam nung nawala. Kalerki) But things are way different than before. She has changed actually. She is not who she was. She doesn't do shots now, she doesn't smoke and she barely even go out with us late. She always go home early than the usual. Then after a month or two, she texted us all that we will become "ninangs" (Bakla naman yung iba. Ibigay na samen, okay?) after four months. Whhhhuuuuuuuuwwwwwaaaaaattttttt??? That shocked us a lot. Like a lot. Oh well, okay. We have to accept it. We have to accept everything even she doesn't say a word about it. Even today, we are still waiting her to tell the whole story. I don't know if one of us knew something. We attended the christening of Letty Vhiel, her baby, last March 2017. Today, she happily lives with her child together with her grandmother and some of her relatives. Next is,

Brylle Gumba.

25 years old

May 20, 1992

"Bryl, gee, Brylle, dyosa"

"Ang Barbie na pinagpala ng mga sangre ng Mambago-A"

Brylle is the pa-sweet na baklang barbie. I call him (her) dai. But it changed to biss for I don't know the reason why. A very parent-submissive kind of person. I barely even know him during high school. We have different field of capacity during high school. During first year and second year, we were not really that close. Yes, more likely as how I describe it. He only existed to my attention when we were third year when we started the CLauGumAp group. What connects us most is our love to play the volleyball. Even I'm not a player, I still play. Not in an actual game of course. (Mahirap ng matamaan sa mukha bes.) Since we are all gays, we can easily catch up. Brylle when still studying in college, he always go home early because of his parents. Lol. (Kaluoy sa bayot.) But when he started to work for his own, no parent is a hurdle. That's the start of the growing progress of our bekiness friendship. He has a lot to tell about one night stands and sex but never cares about into having relationship. The total opposite of me. That's what we always talk about. Guys, sex, one night stands and related topics. And he is always the one who bring the conversation into laughter and foolishness. He is always the director of our film. His guy preference is general. It could be young or it could be a father-figure or of the same age. (Saksak-sinagol bayot) Undeniably, this gay is the perfect epitome of a family. Yes, he doesn't consider us just friends. We are his family. (Char. Di ko sure talaga.) But you know what, this barbie is our source of income. Our "ganaps" will never be mezmerizing as ever without his good heart. (Mayaman yung bakla kaya siya may gastos lahat.) And yes, he doesn't mind. He doesn't mind if that cost a thousand. Lol. That's why we love him so much. As our batch president and now the alumni association's big boss, he always acclaims the best for us. A+ for effort. Imagine the tallest mountain, it's the metaphor of his benign attitude. Through thick and thin, biss barbie is our strongest weapon. We'll support his endeavors in life as he goes forward. (Baka mawala yung investment eh. Haha. Sayang naman.) He maybe damak, but I tell you, he can never be me. The most damak. Lol. He will be forever that one of a kind entity.

Jaylard Aplaya.

26 years old

May 22, 1991

"Plang, plangs, jay, lard"

"Ang that's my tomboy ng Buhangin"

Don't be deceived. He's not who his facade tells you. As it goes, looks are deceiving. He may look "tomboy" to you, but the truth is, he's gay. Pretty obvious indeed. Lol. Jaylard, whom we used to call "plang," is the "tomboy akong nawong" person. I call him ma'am now. A kind-hearted and super thoughtful person. Jaylard, as the most experienced among us regarding lust,(lust jud ui, bawal nang demure.) is always at peak in every performance. This tomboy never told anybody that he's gay. He only came out during our college days. But even before, I always tease him gay when we had our casual conversation on text. That never before told personality has never become a hindrance to our relationship either. It's as if, he has told it before but no one dares to listen. Just like that. And along with the coming out are a lot of revelations. That he lost his virginity during third year, that he has a thing for Mr. no touch, and a lot more. Yes, a lot more. I can't put it all here because it occupies space. Lol. Way back fourth year, this lad became one of my closest friends. Yes, we had even been accounted as best-friends by some. But to be honest, I consider no one as best-friend because I have an extensive definition of besf-friend. And to be honest, he's more than that; he's a family. Going back, yes, I ate lunch at his place. We danced together at school. Yes, he was the one who boosted my ability to dance and pushed me beyond my limits in that field. He was one of the few who believed that I also begat the talent he possessed. But there was one time that the strong bond between us was cursed. I can't actually remember how it happened but we did able to fix it though. I always feel comfortable talking with him. The only thing I don't like about him is when he gets the Leny syndrome and his brains clogged. Lol. (Sumo-slow. Kelangan ng sex bago magwork ulit yung utak. Haha) His guy preference is a father-figure individual. No money involve. Just talk and after awhile, boom... Done. And yes, aplang will forever etch in our hearts. He is even sometimes worse than the ever, still he becomes the best in his own way.

(Just the three of us- Kabaklaan mode)

One day, I asked them about a guy whom I almost fell in love with and that guy whom I am confidentially in love with and their words amazed me. (Like super.) Haha. Yes, like they have a lot to tell. It's as if they've been into situations like that. (Nyeta, wa raba jud.) The power of friendship might be. Their words are worth to ponder indeed. We always have this gay thing out from the damak serye. We also have our own film of drama and lustfulness. Among the damaks, we have the most catching up done. Like I said, we have outside ganap. (Yung tipong kabaklaan lang, bawal babae. lol) They even sleep in the house if I call their attention. No saying no or else friendship over. They even visit me here in the office sometimes. (Pansin ko nga sila palagi nag aadjust. Haha.) They are part of my life. They consist the half of it. Luckily, Brylle has finally found someone whom he can be with. I don't know if it's forever but I and Jaylard support the love life. Meanwhile, the two of us are still searching. Brylle graduated with a degree in Business Administration major in Marketing Mgt. and Jaylard in Hotel and Restaurant Mgt.

Despite our differences, we are bind with common traits that connect us together. We're in our 9 years of friendship and counting. We all do hope that it is the existence of Forever. Forever is my connotation of Family. "Forever Friends." "Forever Damak." "Forever us." "Forever Fam."

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