A Class Picture in Grade V.. and 42 years hence..

Mitzi sent this much-revered class picture to me by mail.. I had always wanted a copy as mine was lost/burnt sometime in the mid-1970s when we had to move (evacuate) so often, like the wandering Bedouins of Arabia, due to the trouble. Thank God that Mitzi was able to keep her own copy of the picture to its pristine original condition. I said, it is still crispy clear and had seemingly defied the wear and tear of time. According to Mitzi, she had it scanned in high resolution with the help of her son so I can have it like the original. That was very kind of her.

What's more significant was not the picture itself.. but the good old memories that was stuck with it.. attached with it.. and lingers with it, for as long as there are classmates left to tell the stories behind it and relate the happy, peaceful and joyful times we shared together and savored like no other.

Mitzi says.. more than 40 years of awesome memories is simply amazing.. I said, its wonderful and it gives some sense of relieving ecstasy to reminisce those rich memories of the past; when every experience was worth remembering and keeping because they are simply devoid of trouble, hatred, polarity and what bad sort of things you might say.. nothing else, but memories of peacful co-existence, harmonious relationships and sharing and caring. If I may say, that was the zenith of love and peaceful co-existence between and among Muslims and Christians in Pikit emulated to its best. I don't recall any happier times than that one.. our time, our past. The glory that once was and Pikit at its best when it truly asserted its rightful place as the pioneering town in the once empire province of Cotabato.

How I wish I have supernatural powers, so I would not only recall those happy times but bring them back to reality.. and forget about every unworthy experiences. I love to dream about it, I love to indulge in it, I wish it can happen again.. but when will that be?.. Only God knows.

From out of childish instincts and excitement, I tried to recall the faces and names of classmates one after another.. playing some kind of game of recall. There are 34 of us classmates in Grade V (18 boys and 16 girls) under the tutelage of our favorite teacher Mrs. Luz Aguilar. I was able to identify 20 (12 boys and 8 girls). Of course Bong and Mitzi supplied the rest and reminded me of some juggled first names and surnames. It was not easy recalling faces and names of 42 years ago!! Now, we are left with 10 (6 boys and 4 girls) whose faces we remember so well but whose names keep lingering at the back of our minds.

I told Mitzi and Bong that in due time we shall be able to name them all. It makes me wonder and ponder how others are so easy to recall while others are not. What could be the factors? .. something of psychology, sociology, economics? .. maybe yes, maybe no.. I just don't know.. being outstanding in class? yes.. I do recall at once all the bright ones.. must I forget myself?.. no, never.. hehehe..! But all of us are relatively bright; what are sections 1 for..?? Yes, during those days, it was not easy to belong to section 1, the creme of the crop, so-to-speak.

Back to the memories and the story behind the class picture.. Oh, i just can't tell them all in a day or two.. from Mitzi's daily routine of keeping the 'palmeras' green and healthy to my faithful and dedicated job of bringing them in and out of the classroom under Mitzi's strict supervision (a replica of Mrs. Aguilar?.. NO, but she's just as good, if not better).

If I can turn back the hands of time, I shall rewind it fast to mid-1960s (minus the gang of Datu Mantil, et al.. hahahahaha!) and keep it stuck just right in there.. never mind the future. I'd love to hear the the blazing sound of music emanating from the only moviehouse in town belting out songs of the Beatles, Gary Lewis and the Playboys and Simon and Garfunkel.

I shall reserve the rest of the story to Mitzi, Bong, Pangging and the others who might resurface in time to get in touch with the rest of the members of the family and tell their own stories.. of the class, of yesteryears escapades, or whatever good memories there may be. Yes, I love to imagine that.. that Grade V Class was and is my extended family. I love them all; I miss them all. Kudos dear classmates.. hasta la vista.. sayonara for now.. aregato gusaimas!

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Names of classmates we have identified:

Boys: Girls:

1. jose antonio yuson 1. rosenda bragais
2. dilambasen palaguyan 2. ruth tabada
3. maugan mosaid 3. ma. stella de sequera
4. mario lavarias 4. minda tecson
5. emiliano larubis 5. edith catherine santos
6. romeo manonsol 6. felma ong
7. ali sionga 7. sulaya pagadatan
8. edris modale 8. tessie dimaano
9. usop madaliday 9. evelyn ebisate
10. edward hernane 10. marlyn custodio
11. edgar sanz 11. wilma aninon
12. emmanuel ferenal 12. annie matalam