Blast from the PAST

after 20 years..... SJA Elementary Batch '90
1-10-10 @ Talamban Leisure Center

We get to have our firsts of most things that matter in life during our elementary years. And the simplicity of our lives back then as well as the carefree moments in school and the uncomplicated life after dismissal would make you want to go back to those times these days. I spent and finished my elementary years in St. Joseph's Academy in Mandaue City. Previously it was run by the ICM Sisters which makes us the sister school of St. Theresa's College in Cebu City. Though run by nuns, the elementary school of SJA is coed and highschool is exclusive for girls only. And so we had boys who had to wear shorts up until our graduation while the girls wear dark blue skirt with long neckties which we use alternately as wipes and hankies. After graduation, boys are compelled to go to other schools for high school while most girls would carry on with SJA. In my case, I, along with four (4) other classmates went to Science High. Because high school is another chapter of ones life where new adventures unfold, one tends to be occupied with it leaving behind the friendship and memories that were made back in elementary.

making up for lost time...

I belong to Batch'90 in elementary where I had my share of 1st... 1st suitor - in Grade 2! haha, yeah, I had a boy from 2-B who would do Menudo song and dance antics and shower me with Serg's chocolates and iced candy, he ended up with a broken arm after a performance; 1st rival -- apparently the suitor had a so-called admirer or was also the object of that boy's interest, can't really recall; 1st loveteam -- yeah, we were after all coed so teasing boys with girls was fairly normal; 1st crush -- uuhmm, i'd rather not talk about it, hehe :); 1st star performances-- i was after all leading them in our field demonstrations; 1st speeches, trainings, leadership and organization skills -- we had those trainings back then; 1st set of bestfriends and barkadas -- after spending 6-8 years together you will definitely become friends; 1st taste of independence (the kiddy version) -- back then, it was a biggie to be riding a jeep with out a nanny or the freedom to stay in school or the church after class before heading home or walking home with friends from school..it made us feel like adults which we were so eager to be at that time :) Well there were so many other firsts then but because of our age, we never get to realize just how fond and fun it were until years after..like 20 years after!

still the same kiddos...

After 20 years, we decided to meet up (finally!) We tried to round up our batch and gather for the much awaited and long over due reunion! At first, I'm sure people were a bit apprehensive as to how far people have changed for the last 20 years and if it would be an awkward gathering of sorts but one thing was sure, everyone who knew about it were so eager to go and it was a goo sign.. And so on January 10, 2010, we met and all the doubts were gone. The 20 long years of not being able to see each other and catch up on each others lives didn't seem to matter that day.. In an instant, we became children all over again .. we were all in agreement that this was one of the happiest times ever and that it was just a beginning..

this photo is just an understatement of how happy we were and how fun that day was..

At the end of the day, we decided that after twenty long years, that gathering was just a start.. We need to catch up on those many years.. and we need to strengthen our bond of friendship.

just like the old times..

In our elementary days in SJA we experienced our firsts... our gathering that day will definitely not be our last... :)