TO MY BATCH MATANGLAWIN

I feel that it is fitting that I post this today, New Year's Eve. Dapat ipapabasa ito sa inyo sa dedication, pero baka di na nila payagang basahin.

---

It has been more than a year after I had left the confines of First Asia I have worked for. True enough, I would be hypocritical if I say that I don’t miss holding classes in the lab, doing meetings with my LH kids, talking over campus radio, and having casual talks with my teachers and friends. Although I was indeed depressed for a few months, the challenge that was set before me was also an opportunity for reflection and gauging of actual self-worth.

Marami akong natutunan sa pakikisalamuha sa mga estudyante ng FAITH. In the end, I realised that although not everyone could be trusted, a lot of you are truly dedicated to the craft and the vocation that we have chosen to take. As communicators, we must stay true to the reality that we have been chosen to become vanguards of truth and freedom.

Now that Batch Matanglawin is set to graduate, the batch I entered FAITH with, it feels nostalgic to go back and contemplate about everything that had happened. I initially intended to use this to clarify some stuff, kaya lang, para saan pa? Let bygones be bygones. Tapos na eh. This is not about me; this is about you, kids.

That first day of “class” that I had with you kids was diagnostic of sorts. As I remember, the Sulyap class was very pivotal in determining the track I knew most of you kids would take. As the pioneer batch was riddled in their freshman year with training for corporate communications, I knew from Day One that yours was a production batch.

Edz came to me a few months ago, asking if I could write something for you guys on your recognition day. Either way, I would have written something for you anyway. I think it is what’s due.

***

JAYVEE. Ikaw ang ekstensyon ng obsessive-compulsive na ako. I admire your organising skills and your dedication to the craft. Gamitin mo ang galing sa pagsusulat at sa pagsasayaw to inspire you to do better. With all my heart, I know you will find love somewhere along the way. Continue to being the leader that you are.

FAYE. You need to become a copywriter for an ad company, ‘nak. Your materials are divine, and your approach is bitchy and sweet at the same time. Try to lessen the sudden bursts of emotion; tagilid tayo jan. wag ma-in-love agad-agad. Weigh your options. And by the way, remember that time sa Cyberhub, nung “nagbalik-loob” ako sa inyo, you were there to hug me and shed tears of joy to welcome me back – kayo ni Jayvee. You don’t know how much that meant to me. So I am telling you now… Thank you for being there for me, ‘nak.

PAEL. Alam ng lahat na sa buong batch, ikaw ang hinulma ko para maging isa sa mga pinakaprangka, pinakamagaling sa production. I chose you because I knew that you had it in you. All I had to do was to let it all out. And although nagkamali ako later sa ibang batches when it came to choosing the people to train, I still firmly believe you got what it takes. A couple of things though. Remember to keep your pie trap shut when it is due. You have a tendency to become tactless. Remember that first time sa Cinemalaya? You were a freshman, barely introduced to Comm Theories, and you were already commenting on the entries. Nainis ako sa ‘yo that time, but you made me smile as well. Kasi alam ko, given the training, you would do great. And you proved me right.

YVETTE. Anlakas ng tawa ko nung tinawag mo akong “chever” during one of the classes. Natawa ako kasi nakalimutan mo ang pangalan ko, although deep inside natakot din ako; was I that forgettable? I love our small talks, yung bigla ka na lang tatawag ng chever; priceless yun for me. You are among those who never got comfortable calling me TATAY. But I knew you respected me. And that meant a lot. Oo na, sexy ka na. Pagbigyan na at baka maglupage pag hindi ko sinabi.

PATTY. Sophomore year you told me you were having second thoughts of continuing the course. Two years after, eto na; graduating ka na. Congratulatons, anak. Alam ko naman na press release lang na hindi ka na tutuloy. Kasi alam kong kaya mong tapusin. Kahit ilang beses ka pang magpabalik-balik sa Lipa dahil nakalimutan mo ang ID mo, hindi ka sumuko. That merits respect from me. Continue to push yourself and you will achieve what you dream. Regards kay Mayor Luis.

DEXTER. One time, during a fieldtrip, nagkita-kita kayo and my former students from Lyceum. The Lycean mob of kids hugged me like hell, and I saw your expression, sabay sabi “Sana kami din, ganun sa inyo pagdating ng araw.” Ngayon ko sinasabi sa iyo, Dex. Sana nga ganun din kayo pagdating ng araw. Your dedication to absorb music trivia, engross on entertainment and reading, amaze me. Kapit lang. dalawa ang tatay mo sa buhay.

MAE. Hindi ko makakalimutan ang mga mala-Tiboli mong tingin kay Celine LOL truly those moments are the best, lalo na pag nasa production tapos naglolokohan during the breaks. Pero alam mo nak, do not let anyone tell you that you cannot do anything, because you can, once you put your mind to it. I know you; I know what you can do. Mabilis kang kumilos, tumatakbo, nagsusulat, at higit sa lahat, masarap kunan ng photo dahil PAK ang mga pose mo, ineng.

JOSIE. Always remember what your father says: magdamit ka naman ng mini-skirt paminsan-minsan. You have grown into a sprightly young woman; be happy for the changes. Welcome them with open arms. Bear in mind that you have to speak your heart out. Wag mahiya.

MAJO. I am proud of the work you do in church; magandang simulain yan, nak. I would like to commend you for always taking the initiative – go paper coordination committee! I am happy that your lovelife is in full swing, and happier that you are starting to find your niche in the batch. Mas bagay sa iyo ang kulot.

KHIM. Dear Madame President, I would like to thank you for the professionalism that you have shown in dealing with me and the rest of the teachers. Very good ka dun nak. But more than that, salamat sa respeto na ipinakita mo sa akin, at dahil ipinaglaban mo din ako. Dama ko ang concern anak. Salamat po.

KHRIZZY. Although lagi ka nilang niloloko na mukhang pusa, advantage yun nak. Tandaan mo, maganda ka. Matalino. Just be careful with enunciation, consonants and syllables. Ang mundo ay hindi isang malaking oratorical competition anak. Your delivery is great as it is; no need to over-modulate. Peace tayo hehe

CELINE. I know it took some time for you to transition, from IT to BAC, but I am very proud to say that you already have. Salamat sa tiwala at pagtitiis, ‘nak. Kitang-kita ko ang pagod ninyong lahat for the productions that you did for my class and every other project we had. Salamat kasi hanggang sa huli, kinakausap mo ako. Yung iba kasi, lumayo na lang ng hindi nagpapaalam. Hindi mo ako iniwan anak. Thank you for that.

RALPH. I had doubts when you came into my office. You were this sly guy who was looking to transfer from Nursing, and frankly, I thought mas bagay ka sa Tourism. Pero you proved me wrong. Nung magsimula kang magrolyo ng kable at mag-konek ng mga speakers, I was impressed. Your knowledge of production skillsets has amazed me time and again. Bawasan ang vanity sa katawan ha? Pogi ka na, mabait ka pa. Tapos maabilidad ka. OK nay un. I wish you happiness in your life.

JANINE. At dahil ayaw umamin si Dexter na in-love sya sa iyo, ako na lang magsasabi dito. I love the way you express yourself, your sarcastic tact when we have our small talks at the canteen. Masaya ako kasi may personality ka na lutang na lutang from the rest. Just continue with it. I have a student working in Korea; tell me if you want to touch-base with them there. Malay mo, makapagtrabaho ka dun.

JEN. At dahil magaling kang mag-split in mid-air, isang bonggang CONGRATULATIONS sa iyo anak. You are a testament to the word “transition” after having managed to fully transcend from BSN to BAC. I am very happy that your Mom decided to shift you to the department. You have blossomed into a good-natured lady who knows what she wants. Magaling ka mag-coordinate, magaling mag-conceptualise, at magaling makisama. These are elements that will get you places in the industry. See you in New York.

DARLENE. Dark and twisted your thoughts may be, you are one of the sweetest people I have ever met. Salamat for choosing to stay and finish the course. Salamat dahil ilang beses kang lumuha para sa akin; pero shed no tears for me anak. I had my faults as well. Hindi po ako perpekto. Pero salamat kasi tinanggap mo pa din po ako ng buong-buo. Hindi lang bilang guro mo, kundi bilang isang tao.

JOAN. Pinahuli talaga kita. Kasi wala akong masabi. Keme lang, ‘nak. Ikaw na siguro ang pinaka-baklang babaeng nakilala ko sa FAITH. And I am privileged to have been your teacher. Maabilidad ka, anak. Marunong ka sa buhay, marunong ka magmahal, hindi ka natatakot masaktan. Tama yan. Alam ko, given the opportunity, malayo ang mararating mo, anak. Sobra.

***

To the batch that started editing movies as early as their freshman year;

To you who have helped me produce FRANTIC and my lolo’s internment video;

To the batch that almost killed me for MAMMA MIA, but called me up at home kahit na nasa gitna ako ng family crisis just to update me with the current situation;

To the batch that became sad when I went astray;

To the batch that was there when I recollected my soul and found the right path;

To Batch Matanglawin, malayo man ang Singapore, malapit naman ang puso ko. See you around, kids.

25 THINGS I MISS ABOUT MY PINOY CHRISTMAS

1. My mom's macaroni salad

2. My dad's humba

3. Gifts my folks used to put in socks under the tree

4. Christmas songs played on the radio starting Sept 1

5. Confessions on Christmas Eve

6. Strolling along the streets of Lipa after Simbang Gabi

7. Drinking till dawn with my cousins at my lola’s crib

8. Videoke madness

9. Sparklers lit when Christmas dawns

10. Running to my lola’s house for the annual reunion after the Christmas morning mass

11. Going around the barangay, knocking on aunts and uncles’ gates, asking for aguinaldo

12. Counting the aguinaldo by lunchtime

13. Playing Pinoy Henio after the clan’s luncheon feast

14. The noisy neighbours who party till dawn and drink like Vikings

15. My lolo’s tuna afritada

16. Sharing cigarettes and moking with my brother and cousins

17. Giving and receiving gifts to and from my lovely aunts

18. My Ninang Ten’s French musings and Ninong Nikko’s discussion of European economics

19. My lola’s smiling eyes whenever she sees all her grown-up grandchildren playing like little toddlers

20. Tita Sony’s lundres

21. Ninang Yna’s Cathedral Jelly

22. Tita Bhong’s prayers over the meals

23. Sleeping in my lola’s bed with Carla and Grace

24. Seeing all the other relatives, laughing at silly green jokes

25. Ninong Romy callng then Inay starts to cry while she laughs.

Iba ang Pasko sa ‘Pinas.