the best i ever had

For the second time, I am doing a blog because I got inspired by the TV series One Tree Hill. This time, by the handsome basketball star-turned-coach/novelist Lucas Scott. He wrote a book about his town Tree Hill, and a big part of it was his and his high school friends' lives.

I have really been thinking of writing about my friends, my high school friends, for some time now. I was thinking like, "They are a big part of me, why not write about them?" So now that I have the time at my hands and the heart to do it and no any other thing to write about (",) , I am.

We call our barkada Ocean's Twelve, not because we adore the movie but simply because, we are twelve in the group. I bet some of us have not even watched it. Some of us have been together since freshmen years, some we became close with only at our last year in high school. I do not know how it happened or why it stopped at twelve. We do not know exactly when we started taking breaks altogether,walking home or going to the toilet all twelve of us. All I remember is that suddenly I just found myself sitting with, laughing with, shouting with, and goofing around with this crazy bunch of people. And this is what I miss most when I think about high school, being completely carefree and doing stupid things with my crazy friends. Just to be fair with the not-so-crazy ones, I would like to get each one of them introduced, my way! In alphabetical order, my high school barkada, my Ocean's 12:



Name: Fidel, Michelle
Nick: Chelle, Michy
Bday: Dec 22
We go to the same university. I could never have made my first year without her to cheer me up. Before senior year, I've only known her as the girl who went to the same prep school as I did and that her dad works in the municipal office where my mom does too. It's funny to think how she becomes one of my 3 best friends today. She is (was) my badminton buddy. We both love to eat, a loooot! And then we'll both complain that we can't stay on a diet. She lends me maaksyon pocketbooks, DVD series, we fantasize about chefs, TV stars and other gorgeous men and our conversations just make a lot of sex, i mean sense! I just loooove her!


Name: Gonzales, Marie Grace
Nick: Beybi, Apple
Bday: Sept 2
She is not exactly the youngest in our group but we treat her as if she is 6 months old and is no doubt, the group's favorite. She is figuratively and literally the APPLE of our eyes. Back then, we loved making the Beybi cry, dressing her up (imagine her squirming), feeding her, teasing her nonstop, and then we would sing our apology when her tears start pouring. Then we would make her cry again, and again. That's how we love her!


Name: Mojica, Ria Clarisse
Nick: Ria, RiaMilot, RiaDion
Bday: Jun 5
She was our Denial Queen, the WishKoLang girl, the girl who lives in the village, and the girl who loves the videoke. More than that, I will always remember her as the first friend I made in high school. She'd been into hiding from us for months, but I still felt close to her through her blogs. Back then, she would imitate our teacher while the teacher writes in the blackboard, do the kitty sound in the middle of a class discussion and deny it outrightly. Just by thinking of those things she did makes me smile alone. I know rah-ayt Ria??!


Name: Moskito, Joyce
Nick: Ganda
Bday: May 26 (today!)
The most maldita in our group. You would not like to mess up with this girl or you'll get a try of that sharp tongue of hers. On the other hand, she can be a real sweetheart too. She never runs out of stories to tell or of words of comfort to soothe you when you have problems. It's also good to know that in a world full of mean people, you have someone like her to fight by your side.


Name: Papa, Mailany
Nick: Nani
Bday: Oct 3
We used to talk long hours over the telephone before we had our line cut. Sweet, thoughtful, smart and she has an infectious smile. I never felt like I lost connection with her because there's always the SMS and online chatting between us. Business-minded and has a head for numbers. There was this one incident I'll never forget her kindness. My so-called friends put this picture of a dead grandmother lying in a coffin, in my pouch, because they know that it's going to scare the hell out of me and that would be fun for them. When I was crying in fear, she was the only one who had the heart to take it out of my pouch and asked if I was alright. Oh! Before that, she was laughing with them too :) I don't know how she does it but she has her special way of making me feel that she truly deeply cares!


Name: Penus, Allen
Nick: Allen, Panty
Bday: Dec 12
The most-behaved among us. She smiles a lot more than talk when everybody is telling his piece of story. Secretive and very cute with her chinita eyes. A real smartass too! She writes very well and I got news she is graduating earlier than the rest of us. The "panty" thing is another story :)


Name: Plantig, Liel Ma. Theresa
Nick: Yel, THERESA! (pasigaw), Princess, Doctora, D***tera
Bday: July 26
The clever one. It's amazing how she will always have her way out, from a difficult examination, to unallowed gala. She is one of the craziest people in the group. One of my thesis partners. She is a very strong person. Only once did I see her cry and she gets serious very seldom. She is very positive and confident with life. Happy-go-lucky but knows her responsibilities. She fills our meetings with stories of her escapades. In three years' time, she would make all our teeth dazzling white.


Name: Ricafort, Allan Cris
Nick: Ace, Asiong, Pogi
Bday: Dec 4
The only thorn among the gumamelas. Has a big mouth, literally (see picture) and figuratively. He had earned himself several haters but we completely love him! My other thesis partner. The craziest person in the group. Our batch valedictorian. The president. Mark Bautista-look-and-sound-alike. Also a prep classmate. The drunkard with excellent grades. We got into troubles mostly because of him but that just adds up to our list of adventures. Our kwentuhans would probably be empty without his share of stories and corny jokes. :) I know someday he is going to run this world, run it in chaos!


Name: Rodil, Sharry
Nick: Sha, Sexy, Gorgeous
Bday: April 19

Well, i am just the hot girl next door. Whose blog is this anyway?!


Name: Roderno, Carla Almira
Nick: Carlita, Carlong, CarlaRiznel, Gary
Bday: Sept 26
My jeepney buddy! Most responsible. Most industrious. Gifted with a very lengthy patience. Her love affair with Rizzy had always been our favorite topic of conversation. Really sexy. va-va-voom! A bit hysterical at times. The organizer. She is the person behind most of our outings, meetings and other galas. Gets drunk easily, but would never admit it. Very thoughtful. An obedient daughter, a good sister, a trusted friend and Rizzy's faithful lover. peace:)


Name: Rogacion, Khristine Paola
Nick: KP, Kepong, Kepyas, 'Pyas, Cinderella
Bday: Aug 5
The Cinderella. She always has to get home before the clock strikes six. Our beauty queen. Sweet and very innocent, as in VERY innocent. Difficult to reach via mobile or online. Hardworking and responsible. Gets fascinated with little things. Has a very cheerful disposition. Child-like but not childish. A real beauty inside and out.


Name: Ynion, Korina
Nick: Keng, Kengkeng, Pukengkeng
Bday: Nov 11
She provides us the hottest gossips in town. Beauty in braces. Talks very slow, laughs very loud, cries very often. Open-minded. Texts very seldom. A kaladkarin friend, ready to go anytime anywhere. Had been through so many things in life. A crybaby but is a lady of extraordinary courage. A real darling.



My Ocean's 12 are probably not the shoulders to cry on nor the people to run to when you are seeking for some serious sane advice. They would be the ones to tell you to sit it over and would invite you for a drinking session to make you forget about all your worries and problems. You would have to pay the bill of course.

One thing they had taught me is to see the funny and crazy side of everything in life. I miss these guys! The trips to the toilet, the cut-classes, the friday gala, the goto, isaw, turon treats, our picking on someone especially on our own teachers, our sigawan & murahan, our outings and my every day life with them back then; those mean so much to me! You guys are the best (and worst) bunch I ever had. Mahal ko kayong mga pakshet kayo!!!

one of my most-treasured pics.
April 2005