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| Ateneo AB Communication Batch 1993 |
I’ll miss the Quad. As freshmen, my friends I would gather
at this bench under the big tree. There, Trixie and Penny would stand on the
bench and dance the Hawaii Five-O. Triccie would coax Yen and me to accompany
her to the noontime mass in the chapel so we could all see a “heavenly sight.”
Sometimes, Cynts would bring cards and tell our fortunes. ABelle would be on
the lookout while Tania would laugh at how silly we could all be.
Those were the days when we’d sit around and talk, when we’d
plan to come to school in dresses the following day.
I’ll miss how the summer leaves would fall from the big
trees in the Quad. How I enjoyed to step on the dry, crisp leaves. But I loved
to see the leaves fall from the trees; I called that spectacle “snowing leaves”
because the leaves were like dancing snowflakes descending to the ground.
I’ll miss the Colayco Hall lobby. The noise. The running.
The singing by the Glee Club members and the ACIL barkadas. Here at the Colayco
lobby, we planned Philosophy and Theology presentations, devised advertising
campaigns and gave birth to a new TV station. I’ll miss the sturdy wooden
benches where we napped during breaks. I’ll miss the endearing way Leslie
called the entire place the “Lagdameo Lobby.”
I’ll miss life in the orgs. Movie-watching with the young
ladies of New Beginnings, cuddling the babies at CRIBS. Hiding from my Research
Editors because my articles for The Guidon were late. Talking with Ateneo
Archives’ Ditas who was very helpful to me. General Assemblies with meriendas
and working for a big project like the National Video Contest. I’ll miss
diligent Aegis reps like Annette, Marivic, Paul, Kitten and Bambi.
I’ll miss the Ateneo Rizal Library, particularly the
Reference Section. I’ll miss leafing through the old Aegis yearbooks. I’ll miss
the comforting hum of the aircon, the whispering of the fellow students who
shared the same table with me, and the stern librarians who scolded us when we
were a bit noisy. I’ll probably even miss wearing my ID inside the lib.
I’ll miss the conversations that Sandy and I would often
have at the lib, of how she’d tell me “Mamaya ka na lang umuwi.” I’d stay and
we’d talk more about the things that were important to us.
I’ll miss my favorite teachers.
Like Mrs. Lolly Lacuesta. Through her English classes, I
developed an interest in research, a liking for The Beatles, and a passion for
self-improvement.
Like Tatay Nim Gonzalez who scared us at the Orientation
Seminar by telling us AB Communication freshmen to shift out. But many of us
stayed and we discovered that he’s no terror at all.
Like Father Gorospe, S.J. who taught me that real love is
paschal in nature: “You must be willing to die to your own selfishness.”
Like Mr. Bobby Guevarra whose passion for social justice is
infectious. I am amazed that he remembers the names of his students and I felt
guilty whenever he apologized for his “boring” lectures. I will always remember
his advice to us to go where we are most needed.
Like Father Nick Cruz, S.J., who taught me to see much more
just by watching movies. Like Mark Escaler who inspired me to write long papers
for Film Seminar.
And like Dr. Antonette Palma-Angeles who urged me and my
classmates in Philosophy to “stop and think.”
I’ll miss the homey atmosphere of the Comm Department. I’ll
especially miss MT (Mr. Tony Gallano) who is not only an excellent editor and
videographer, but also a great critic and a fine singer.
I’ll miss my friends very much. I won’t see them for a while
because we’ll be too busy pursuing our dreams. I’ll miss Kitten’s sweetness,
Badje’s knack for finding time to enjoy life (like play tennis) even if life
could be hectic. Candy’s patience and Mickey Mouse collection. Manny and Teta
and their debates. Tachie’s singing. Penny’s exceptional wit. Sandy’s green
apples and interesting stories. Hannah’s support and quiet understanding. Arnie’s
updates. Joy’s innocence. JG’s loud laughter. Dong’s good intentions. Leslie
and his sandwiches (wrapped in tissue paper and placed inside the plastic of
the tasty sandwich bread). Thesis bonding with Maitel, Ebet, Romer and Jam.
I’ll miss Nessa and our conversations at the Bellarmine Bus
Stop.
I’ll miss bothering the people at the Department of Student
Welfare Services (DSWS) like (Father) Nono, so I could use their typewriter to
type my reports and papers.
I’ll miss the masses at the chapel and at the Rizal
Mini-Theater.
I’ll miss walking along the path to Gate 3 at 7:00 in the
morning. I’ll miss looking up the sky and seeing the morning sun shining
through the tree branches.
I’ll miss the sunsets I encounter when I when I head for
home.
I’ll miss treading the field across Bellarmine Hall. I hope
that the Bellarmine Field will always be open. I hope that a structure will
never-ever be built there. I firmly believe that the Ateneo needs open spaces
and that the field across Bel deserves to be an open space.
I’ll miss the comfort and safety of familiar places and
things. I’ll yearn for the warmth and company of the people I met at the
Ateneo.
I’ll miss all of them. It’s comforting to know that even if
we have to move on, the memories will always stay.
