Class 1985 - fifteen years hence

The earth of today is in the age of New Dimensions. Almost all are computerized, except the people who have remained humane.

It is now year 2001. Resting in my airconditioned room, ABD 419, one of my ward robots enters with a tray of fresh juice and sandwiches, and hands me the invitation to the Bilan-Bongares nuptials.

My curiosity aroused, I looked at the bridal entourage. YES! I'm not mistaken! The bridal entourage is composed of prestigious men women who belonged to Class '85, fifteen years age, my classmates in TNHS.

Surprise and happiness fill me as I see the names Cardinal Narciso Buarao and Benevolent Bishops Redentor Cuebillas, Edwin Ilagan and Fredand Brusola - who will officiate at the wedding rites.

The nation's President Gemma Pelagio and Director Christian Alcala of the Philippine National Hospital, Minister of Agriculture and Mrs. Max Sedric Bron (nee Rosarito Burce) are the principal sponsors of the couple. The maid of honor and the best men are the romantic "love-and-hate" couple during our high school days. They are Bernardo Villar, now the hottest political figure as the head of Fight for Unity Party against the government of Pres. Pelagio, and psychiatrist Margarita Bocaoto whose own wedding is indefinitely postponed. The five brides-maids are Ma. Teresa Balistoy, Janet Bodoso, Filipinas Reyes, Adelaida Carido and Jurissa Silverio, who with the bride composed D'Marchalyn in TNHS years ago. Gary Gaytano, Francisco Rosagas, Peter Allan Canafe and two more compose the group of ushers.

From what I've read previously from papers, Filipinas Reyes, internationally known engineer, is Deputy to the Minister of Public Works and Highways, Luiety Bragais. Her partner is Peter Allan Canafe, the international grandmaster in chess who had defeated the defending champion without even moving his king. Janet Bodoso who is now a pharmacist, owns a laboratory and a chain of drug stores but who, to everybody's surprise, still suffers from asthma. Civil Engineer Gary Gaytano is her partner. Adelaida Carido, the most popular model here and abroad, is the partner of Marine Engineer Francisco Rosagas. Jurissa Silverio who has successfully made a giant corporation out of the various stall holders of the then A.A. Berces Supermarket that all other big businesses closed down against the corporation for selling goods fifteen percent lower than the fixed price, and partner are the next pair. Ma. Teresa Balistoy, fresh from receiving the international Best Actress Award, and partner compose the other pair.

Scanning the invitation further, I find out that the secondary sponsors are composed of the ever-sweet pairs of CLASS '85. For the candles, Mr. & Mrs. Romeo Madrid, Jr., she the former Lynda Sacayan are for the veil. For the cord, Engr. And Mrs. Darwin Caño, she the former Francia Borejon. Mr. & Mrs Nelson Oliveros, she, the former Emma Bornilla are for the ribbon. There are three pairs of young and cute flower girls and ring bearers who I learn are the children of Mr. And Mrs. Alfredo Banda, she, the former Erlinda Padua of the evening class and Mrs. Adora Bongalon of IV-Faith years ago.

"The reception will follow at the Tabaco international Hotel and Restaurant," the invitation says. I'm surprised to know that Emelina Macasinag is the owner and manager of the said hotel and restaurant. Yes, she was the former Miss TNHS who used to say food as her weakness. She is often quoted in periodicals in the hotel circuit as "still lovable…I mean "available." Recently, she won the title of Miss Galaxy and right after the contest, she married the chairman of the judges. Later, I learned that her husband had a fatal heart attack before they could leave for their honeymoon. She has then every right to declare herself "still available." I have met recently her charming PRO's Lourdes Malagueño, Rhoda Yabut, Fe Mirabueno, Melinda Carillo, Ma. Elena Riosa, Maribeth Oliva, Bernadette Bejerano, Mary Loy Loveres, Elisa Regalado, Gertrudes Ceriola, Mary Jane Clutario and Ma. Dinah Mirasol.

The ringing of the bell in my room reminds me of my appointment. Oh! Yes the wedding! I can't forget it. I'm invited to witness the wedding of the year not because of my being the country's Minister of Health but because it's a special gathering, a class reunion perhaps, with my former classmates and friends together once again.

I push a button on the wall and so the other ward robot, ILU 396, enters the room with the petalled pink gown designed by Asuncion Bongat, Mary Ann Bonaobra and Rechel Antonieta Bon, the international ready-to-wear designers.

At last, I'm ready. Coming out of my fifty billion-dollar mansion, designed and constructed by the world's best known architect-engineer David Bodota III, I hurry my steps where the best cheauffer in the world, Benito Barbacena is waiting for me. Beside him is an efficient Marchabenz, patented by famous inventor Marchall Pacheco. The Marchabenz is known for its super-speed that upon stepping on its accelerator the car zooms…and Presto! In a minute you reach your destination.

I come out of the car in front of the city's new Tabaco Cathedral, the latest monument to the creativity of the country's young, handsome and foremost engineers Reynaldo Bragais, Ruben Boncocan, Jr. and Edgardo Tabamo, through the help of Joseph Benosa who in our high school days was only expert in dribbles and lay ups. Now Joseph occupies the city architect's chair. The cathedral was constructed mainly out of the rocks from Mayon's eruption last 1984. The interior is further enhanced by the Michaelangelo of the Philippines - Enrico Garcia.

As I step on the churchyard, smiles are flashed in my direction. I search my memory bank as to where I have seen these smiles before. Then, I recall that thy are the Borlagdan sisters. I often read their names in international newspapers - Dr. Eva Borlagdan and Atty. Norlita Borlagdan. After exchanging hugs and pleasantries, the three of us head towards the group of elegantly dressed ladies. What a surprise to see more familiar faces of the last fifteen years. I'm heartily welcomed by the feminine smiles of Mary Jean Villegas, Charina May Talavera, Miriam Cabiles, Andrea Barbacena, Genie Codillo, Jimma Chavez, Ma. Lourdes Burac, Ma. Victoria Bañares, Alma Bella Celestial, Evelyn Bida Borres and Honorina Bonaobra who are now the beautiful and cheerful PRO's of another five-star hotel in the adjacent city of Malinao owned and managed by Miriam Regalado.

My close friend during our high school days. Amelita "Amz" Odoño, now the chief accountant of Tabaco Universal Bank managed by Romeo Cirujales, hugs and pinches me. Engineer Rhodora Barrameda and Social Worker Fructuosa Bornilla plant kisses on both my cheeks. After breathless "How are you's" and "Fine thank you's we enter the church.

The place is serenely but beautifully decorated. Colorful flowers everywhere, thick carpets on the floor and light blend to go with its red motiff. The place is really one for spiritual renewal. The flowers and ornamental plants are courtesy of Joselito Borbo and Dario Canapit who are partners in the thriving JODAR Orchids and Plants.

We are soon joined by the always remembered face of Evangelina Bermundo - RP's Ambassador to the New united Nations. What really amazes me is that the lenses of her eyeglasses are much thicker now than they were during out high school days. She sits beside Norlita and begins talking and laughing on top of her voice. She's still the girl with plenty of things to say.

We walk towards the row of seats where prominent people are seated. We see Chief Nurse Yvonne Reonal of the San Antonio medical Center with other nurses Annaliza Ortea, Nancy Barcena, Ma. Lourdes Budy, Ma. Lailane Caros, Jocelyn Boncolmo, Emilia Bas, Arlene Candaza, Elizabeth Dipay and Francia Flores - who are known for their Tender Loving Care (TLC) quality towards their patients. With smiles, we greet each other.

In the next row, well-dressed gentlemen are seated. If I remember right they are Civil Engineers Arnulfo Buban, Fidel Cao, Henry Bragais, Ramon Casaul and Claudio Bermundo, Jr., lawyers Thomas Edward Villamin and Jesse John Ma-alat, and the computer programmer Romeo Mores. I wonder why Arnold is not talkative anymore as he used to be. Perhaps he is also affected by the serene atmosphere of the place. I have also met the City officials like City Mayor Ariel Bonganay, Vice Mayor Leorio Barasona and City Secretary Elenita Rebancos. I crane my neck to look at the newly arrived AFP logistics Command Chief, Dante Bueno, Phil. Navy Captain Gregory Bongalbal, ARESCOM Brig. Gen. Precioso Reyes and the other military officials like Nelson Barrameda, Alex Loyola, Ruel Campit, Restituto Bualoy, Jose Elpidio Marpuri, Daniel Fabian Chavenia, Gerson Molo, Arnel Bola and Bernard Cardiño. I also see the familiar faces of Wel Come, Roberto Moran, Jr., Ricardo Boncodin, joseph Bobis, Armando Bonto and Rodello Borromeo who were elected Sangguniang Panglunsod members.

Standing near the choir is a familiar figure, looking fragile in her white dress. I ask Emelita "Emz" Sierra, the lady next to me, as to who the young lady is. I'm informed she is Grace Botalon who will lead the choir composed of Gene Maria Calingacion, Irene Blanquisco, Genara Taroy and Ma. Cecilia Bueno - the country's prima donnas. They have come especially for the occasion. Jukebox kings Angelo Bunao and Glenn Jaymalin and their band will render special songs to the bride and groom, too.

I look around with interest as other well-known faces arrive. Who could be that well-poised lady in a baby pink gown although of all gowns, it is the shortest being four inches above the knee? Oh yes, she is Rowena Berango and from what I hear she is now the Asst. Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces of the Phil. So women sit side by side with the men in the military. No wonder, the military has gained back its lost prestige in the 1980's. Next to her is AFP Chief-of-Staff Renato Dionela. And if rumors are right, Rowena will soon be behind the chief's table since Renato has been asked to resign by no less than the Commander-in-Chief of AFP for failing to suppress the Old People's Uprising in the South. Coming up behind them are military engineers Tirso Rodriguez, Alex Cañeba, Margie Bilo and Eva Grivialdo. I recognize, too, Fe Cope, Ma. Lourdes Moran, Francia Bordonada, Ma. Cristina Panganiban, Edlyn Puentebella, Ricardo Carullo, Damaceno Bonavente, Ricardo Camasis, Jonathan Brusola and Rene Brondial who were recently back from a world show showcasing the best of Philippine dances.

The invitation says the wedding will start at exactly nine o'clock. I look at my watch, it's already nine fifteen, a sigh escapes from me to realize it is still Filipino time but why bother? I talk instead to Rebecca Ceneta who is now one of the PBA star players because of her fantastic height. I have also known from her that she together with Godilla Bibaro, Shirley Cascabel, Editha Colipano, Susan Salvacion Desuyo, Mario Burcer, Joseph Buendia, Edsel Vosotros and the Gascon twins - the indefatigable and persevering senior players of our time - will represent the country in the forthcoming World Basketball Tournament. As we try to suppress our giggles, a light tap on my shoulder warns me that I'm becoming noisy. I turn my head and there I see Helen Bataller, who from what I have heard is perfecting the much awaited medicine for asthma - the primary substance of which was extracted from the volcanic ash. She has named the substance, Helenium.

Scanning over the pages of the periodical which Emz brought, I learn that novelist Imelda Bongon and poet Edsel Bilon of our bygone days have received the 2001 Nobel Prize in Literature. Also Edwin Borbe, Danilo Bon and Felipe Siapno - the Farmers of the Year of Class '85 - have recently received their awards as World Agriculturists for producing 300 cavans of rice per hectare.

As I look up, I see the arrival of Celerina Butial who I learned became the Bb. Pilipinas two years after our graduation in high school. It had been a long time but as I look at her flashing her dazzling smiles left and right, she deserves to head this year's boar of judges for the Miss Galaxy 2001 beauty pageant soon to be held in the Moon's Sea of Tranquility.

The stir of the crowd outside catches my attention…it's now 9:40. At last the bride has come looking lovely in her white satin dress. Joebeth Bongares is carrying a bunch of lollipops instead of the traditional bouquet. To the strains of the haunting melody which the one and only Teotimo Clemeña, Jr., international pianist, could produce, Joebeth slowly walks up the aisle with her entourage.

I crane my neck to catch a glimpse of bridesgroom Norberto Bilan, handsome and debonaire as ever. He seems to be so sure of himself now and no wonder Joebeth is at last convinced of his sincerity. Their indeed is the longest courtship and engagement in our time - 15 years. We watch as the groom take the bride's hand and guide her to the altar. The ceremony is interrupted when someone comes rushing towards the altar. Watching closely, we see Wendelino Buag hand something to the groom. The cardinal blesses it and the groom slips it on the bride's finger. We then realize that the ringbearer has forgotten the ring.

The ceremony ends, and the party proceeds to the reception. We see that the wedding is covered by the BRAVO TELEVISION NETWORK, INC. managed by Dominador Vergara, Domingo Bañez, Dionisio Cam and Darius Rebancos. D.J. Victor Camaya is the host of the live coverage. As the crowe flows out of the church, I met Regina Carillo, Thielda Bruces, Norel Onrubia and the Baringot twins - Jane and Joy, the nations's top landscape artists.

As I step out of the church, a hand touches my shoulder, I turn my head and see Regina Brofas standing behind me.

"Wake up! You look like a sleepwalker.

" I smile sleepishly realizing that I've been day dreaming during our baccalaureate mass.

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