PROPHECY FOR GRADUATES 2022-2023

The gleaming rays of beautiful sunset, the chirping of a flock of birds as they fly to their
destination. The shadow of night that slowly hovers around, a sign that the day is about to be over and
the night is sneaking in.

Reading books online has become a hobby that I do after dinner. One evening, as I was reading a
story, on my phone, by one of my favorite author “KIB”, I became so captivated with the plot that I was
determined to finish the book. However, as I was about to finish it, I fell asleep… I took few steps, my
thoughts lingered. As I turn my gaze, I was stunned to see my surroundings. I was at a fabulous plaza
and around it were trees, colorful flowers and buildings. With the sight, I started to feel relaxed and
refreshed. Indeed, I am in DREAMLAND.

The sky is clear and the sun is brightly shinning across the skyline of Tokyo, Japan. It was time for
me to go to work. After preparing, I went down to the parking lot. I started my car and drove to the
university where I have been teaching for the past six (6) years. It is a ten kilometer drive to the school
where I passionately teach my students English Subject. I enjoy it but there are just times when I just
want to rest.

On the road, I smiled. I suddenly remembered amazing memories. Memories from college and
high school life.

Arriving at the University, I glanced at the school building in front of me. This is the building
where I have been instructing students to be the best. However, there was something different today.
All of a sudden, I started to miss home. It occurred to me that I want to go home to the Philippines in the
hopes of serving my fellow Pinoy. At that moment I am quite sure of myself that it is TIME to go home.

Upon arriving my house after work, I immediately packed my stuffs and went to the airport. I
bought first class tickets to my beloved Philippines. I settled to my assigned seat and soon the plane was
taking off. I peeped through the window and below I saw a mesmerizing view that calmed me. After a
few minutes, I decided to open the book I brought with me but suddenly I felt someone gently tapping
my shoulder. To my surprise, it was my dear classmate and friend, JOHN BENEDICT C. VILLAMOR. He was
a Cabin Crew for this flight. Since he was working we only had a quick chat and we decided that we
should have a batch reunion and that we should keep in touch.

At 5:05 in the afternoon, our plane arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Lucky for
me, my friends, LYRA MAE P. GARCE, a social worker, and SHIELA MAE R. GARRIDO, a P.E teacher of the
De La Salle University, Manila, came to pick me up. We were very happy to see each other after many
years. They already took the liberty to book a room at the NomadsMNL Hostel, located at Paranaque,
Manila. After leaving our things in our room, we decided to roam the area. As we were looking for a
restaurant, we bumped with LEONARD G. PIDO who was already a Chief Marine Engineer. With him was
his First Assistant Engineer, KYLE BENEDICT PUERTULLANO and Second Assistant Engineer, STEPHEN
ABARQUEZ. We were all glad to see each other that we all decided to have dinner at AMADO
RESTAURANT. To our surprise, the General Manager was VICTORIA AMADO and her Assistant Manager
was FRANK CHRIS GUILLERA. Dinner was delicious fun because and fun altogether. We all recounted the
fun things that happened to us during high school.

After dinner, we said our goodbyes but decided that we should have a batch reunion soon. The
three of us decided to call it a night since we have an early flight the following day. We went back to our
room to prepare.

We arrived at the airport at around 4:00 am. Our flight was at 6:35 AM. Another surprising thing
happened during our flight to Tacloban. We met with KARYLLE DACULA who was also a cabin crew. She
also informed us that ANGEL MAE RAQUEL is also a cabin crew for the same airline. We informed her
about the plan to have a batch reunion. We told her that it would really be a blast if she and Angel will
be able to attend. We decided to keep in touch. At around 8:00 AM we arrived at the Daniel Z
Romualdez Airport.

Inside the airport, I accidently bumped into someone since I was not paying attention where I
was going. I was busy checking my phone. Anyway to my surprise, the person was another familiar face.
It turned out that it was Architect NADINE TURFE and with her was PlA ESTOPIN who told us that she
was working as an Accounting Supervisor. They also just arrived and is planning to have lunch at
Robinsons Mall. Since it has already been years since we all met, we decided to have lunch together. We
arrived at Robinsons. We chatted like we used to do in high school while roaming around the mall. We
were giggling and laughing our hearts out as we remembered fun the times.

At a distance I saw someone looking our way and was smiling. He was walking towards us. As he
came nearer, we knew immediately recognized that it was Attorney SAM DARREN R. GO, who greeted
us professionally. We told him to join us for lunch to which he agreed. We decided to eat at Chowking
and as we were heading to the place, we stumbled,yet again, with another familiar faces, JOSHUA
BORJA, a Maritime Captain and Private First Class JOEY ACEBTO. They were on vacation and was just
killing time by checking the shops. We told them that we were about to have lunch and it would be nice
for them to join us, to which they conceded after much persuasion.

Again, lunch was very fun. Our laughter filled the restaurant. As a result, some of the customers
were staring at us. We shared stories of adventures and misadventures that colored our high school life.
Then it was time to go our separate ways. But before going, we decided that we should plan a batch
reunion and that all of us should keep in touch.

I arrived at my Grandmother’s place. Finally I was home. I was very happy to see all of my
relatives. I rested for a while and then I decided to walk around town to check what changed. Along the
way, I saw someone headed my way and it was my dear friend JUSTINE A. ROYO. He was already a P.E.
teacher. We strolled around Jaro together. At a checkpoint I recognized four (4) dignified men in
uniform. My classmates: Police Major JOHN BENEDICT FALLORINA, Police Lieutenant CHRISTIAN JAY M.
VASQUEZ, Police Lieutenant Colonel JOHN JERICHO TANOLA and Police General JERGZEN ARTHUR
REDOBLADO.

As me and Justine continued with the stroll, we decided to check out the biggest shopping
center in town, the Amarillo Apparel Skincare and Cosmetics. We learned that the Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) was LOUISE JOACHIM C. ABREMATEA. She accompanied us to the different sections. We
chatted about the good old days. While roaming around I met ARABELLE M. IDANO who is now a
Registered Radiologist. She joined with our lively conversation as we checked the different shops of the
shopping center.

Back home, I surprisingly received an invitation from the Municipal Mayor, Hon. JOURNEY
CALDERON. According to the invitation there will be a free check-up for the residents of Jaro. The
program will be conducted with the help of my classmates: Chief Nursing Officer, MARIELLE RUTH I.
SALANO, Registered Nurses, CRISTITA JOY ENALES and MARYLENA A. BATAN. It will be held tomorrow
from 8:00 am. After reading the invitation I went outside the house and then a Police Patrol Car that
stopped. To my surprise, riding were PO1 ROMNICK ROBEL and PO2 John Paul Villena.

When I arrived at the outreach program of Mayor Calderon the following day, they were already
a lot of people. My nurse classmates were already very busy attending to the people. I was happy and
emotional to see them reap the fruit of the hard work and being dedicated. At the venue there were
other former classmates. : Police Senior Officer 1 JONEL C. GABRANG, Police Senior Officer 2 KYLE
CHRISTIAN A. ROYO, Police Senior Officer 3 NEIL KHRYSLER BUSTILLO, Police Senior Officer 4 DOMINICK
PIANGCO and there are two females: Police Officer 1 NIKKA TROTA and Senior Fire Officer 1 KYLA
SHANDY A. TAMAYO. I also saw their congressman FRANCIS RIANNE KYLE HEMBRA having a
conversation to Mayor JOURNEY CALDERON. We all chatted and remembered the good old days and it
was decided that we will plan the 2073 Homecoming being the host batch. We finally said our goodbyes
with big smiles on our faces.
 Then the alarm went off. I woke up, with the phone, where I read the story by KIB, still in my
hands. I hurriedly got up in order to prepare for the Work Immersion at the university. When I was
about to close the door of the house, I smiled and tears of joy unexpectedly flowed. The dream was
simply beautiful. In the dream we all have achieved our life goals and was living life to the fullest no
matter how hard the process was. The fulfillment of our aspirations in life will be one of the most
precious and unforgettable moments of our individual stories. To end, I say to all of you, “I will see you
all on 2073 Homecoming. May God always guide and bless all of in our own journey in life.