A nostalgic night with friends

IT was 10 a.m. on a laidback Saturday morning when somebody rang my mobile phone. Normally, I start my weekends late morning and the ring was more than enough to get me off to bed – first, to let me know that a regular NBA game is now shown on BTV and CS9; second, to keep me reminded that I have several tasks at hand, be it articles on Manila Standard Today or GMANEWS.TV or a press release for Raya Sports; and third, to clear my head and determine who the hell is calling me up and waking me from sleep.

Who’s this? That’s the first two words I uttered just like a fly coming out of my mouth. Calling on the other end was a friend from way back – Benjo de Leon, whose young looks 17 years ago reminded me so much of ER Ejercito, son of the late great movie and television personality who made it big in the country by starring in different roles from action, comedy, drama and even adult flicks (he he he).

Ah yes, Benjo was a fine gentlemen. We only talked quite a number of times in more than a decade as our ambitions took most of the time of a well-valued friendship that remained strong come hell or high water.

He was, of course, a family man now, with two kids, a lovely wife and a colorful career in one of the biggest beverage company owned by one of the nation’s richest men. Benjo, the way things look like, is a successful man – a successful family man.

“Pare, si Benjo ito,” said the mild-mannered gentleman from Proj. 8 Quezon City. “Puwede ka ba mamya? Magkita-kita tayo nina Tinyente and Christopher Ramos.”

“Ok, cge pare. See you later,” I said.

“Magkita-kita na lang tayo sa Jollibee Munoz ng 4 p.m.,” added Benjo.

Jolibee Munoz? Ah, that place brought back fond memories of our adventures as a graduating student from Judge Juan Luna. I wasn’t a part of the cream of the crop just like Benjo and his classmates, which include Tinyente and Christopher. But I belonged to Section Two (Bonifacio) while they were from Rizal.

Tinyente, by the way, is Christopher Cruz, my closest friend from the barkada known as WBCJ. WBCJ was like the glamour boys of Class 91-92. It has a combination looks, smarts and abilities. They were chick magnate, outstanding classmen and role model rolled into one. Wilbur Serra was the W and he has definitely find peace living in Great Britain where popular football player David Beckham became one of his clients. Benjo was the B and his accomplishments speak for itself. There were actually two Cs – Cruz and Ramos.

Cruz is currently a Marine officer who wants to serve – and die for the country (You weep for Santiago while I cursed the marine, as mentioned by Jack Nicholson) . Ramos is a successful businessmen who turned every piece of iron to good measure and create a well-engine machine.

J is Junel, who is now missing in action and clearing his head now from personal miseries.

How do I stumbled on these bunch of guys was definitely a long story, but I’m really privileged to be part of the barkada. I’m a year older than them as I was a transferee and honest to say that I repeated a year when I went to JJLHS in 1989 from Far Eastern University.

Two years later, I managed to squeeze my way to the WBCJ group and became their friends even after high school.

Time flew so fast. We were on board a maroon Lite Ace Daihatsu driven by Benjo – me seated on the front seat and Tinyente took the back seat. The mood was certainly nostalgic – from a Metallica music played on CD, to every conversation that went back to the not-so-distant past to the days and nights of our daily lives as if everyone doesn’t want to miss every detail on what’s happening to each and every one of us.

Traffic caught up on us from Commonwealth going to Batasan, but it seems we’re all ready to endure everything on that day like a Titan who ruled the universe. Finally, we’re in front of a big warehouse in Marikina. This warehouse is owned by Christopher Ramos, who is fondly called by everyone as Bobot (even if Bobot is more synonymous to Edgar Mortiz and Christopher de Leon is called as Boyet he he).

Just few handshakes get ourselves accustomed to one another again as if we haven’t missed every little thing. We were welcomed as well by Bobot’s other half, Michelle Cadatman-Ramos and her mom.

Off to the dinning table, we were greeted by a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Spicy or original won’t matter that night. What matters most is that friends from way back, now gathered together and bonded for one rare evening – an evening of nostalgic moments that touched off every step of our way from high school from where we are now.

We took a small tour inside the warehouse where we saw multi-cabs, trucks and even Harabas Jeepney reminiscent of Jun Aristorenas back in the 70s. We turned Bobot’s office that has every accessory from scissors, piece of metal to checkpoint device used by security personnel, into an open bar from night to wee hours.
We talked about sports and sundry. We debated on so many things – from politics, sports (like the Arboleda-Katigbac case), the global warming, our careers and our loved ones from past to present.

The timeless conversation was done over bottles of beer. We could only hope time will last, but like the true men of the house that we are now, we knew our priorities. Gone were the days when we will spend countless days and nights together and even spend Christmas away from our families. Our lives have definitely changed now, a part of our life now has made us realized what will separate the men from the boys.

We may greet each other few times in a year, might receive few text messages, e-mails or even chat through Facebook or Yahoo Messenger. But wherever we are, and whatever we do, we all knew deep in our minds, the memories will always last.