Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Under The Mango Tree
Under The Mango Tree or UTMT as we fondly call our tambayan in front of the canteen was where most of our free time during our high school days were spent. I'm telling you, if that tree can only talk, it would be able to tell the stories it has heard from the Kulasas with the blue jumper and white-ruffled blouse who sat beneath its branches. It would tell of the laughter, joy, sorrow and tears. The fights and arguments as well as the acts of forgiveness and understanding.
UTMT was where we ate our lunch, shared stories, crammed for the upcoming quiz or long exam, did last minute revisions on our computations for algebra, chemistry, geometry, trigo and physics. It was where we racked our brains for our speech for debate class, rebuttals, and points to raise. The UTMT was where we poured out our teenage angst, kilig moments with crushes, as well petty heartaches which seemed like such a big deal in high scool and how we swore that we may never be able to recover from it. It was also where we opened our individual letters from the different universities we applied to. How we cried from disappointment when we failed (pag manipis ang envelope, bagsak!) and how we cried from joy when we passed (pag makapal yan, pasado!).
Under the UTMT was where we talked about our dreams, goals and aspirations. What we wanted to be after graduating from college. Where we made our forecasts on who will be the first to have a serious boyfriend, the first to lose her virginity, the first to get pregnant, the first to get married and as morbid as it may sound, the first one to die.
The UTMT was where we swore to each other that we will still be friends even after a 100 years.
It has been 9 years since I have last seen the Mango Tree where so much memories were made. In those 9 years, a lot of us have definitely come a long way in some areas in my life. It is hard to imagine that we were once little girls with jumper straps falling from one shoulder and the only kikay stuff that we know of is a comb. 9 years ago, our problems were just finishing our reaction papers, studying for an upcoming exam, or looking for a gown for the prom.
After 9 years....
... Maita is now married with a 3-year-old son, Zachary, who is the inaanak of the whole barkada. She is the first to get pregnant and get hitched. She is currently working for J&J in the R&D Department and she is proud to say that she is able to apply what she has learned in college to her current job. She is studying on how to be a Medical Transcriptioner.
... Nicole is now working for a call center near Macapagal Rd. even though she really does not need to work since her loving boyfriend can provide her with everything she needs. She is the only sibling who's still single which is a shock because I always thought that she will be the first person in our barkada to get pregnant and then get married. But for the record, she was the first to have ever entered into a live-in arrangement.
... Jeanne Anne has shifted from Med School to Nursing School. She still manages their hardware business while studying nursing. So a big applause to you, Jeanne! It's not easy to study and work at the same time. She's also very happy with her present boyfriend. She is the first in our barkada to sleep with a boyfriend she just had for a week.
... I, on the other hand, just got promoted in a company I have never thought I could get into. I am also in a relationship which has lasted for more than 4 years and counting. I do plan to settle down but maybe in 3 more years. I am the first to buy a brand new car.
After 9 years, dozens of batchmates have settled down, got pregnant, had kids, or even separated with their husbands. 2 of our batchmates already passed away. Dozens more are happy with their careers and what happened with their lives.
After 9 years, the five of us are still close friends who meet up with one another as much as our busy schedule would allow. After 9 years, a lot has changed but the important things in life such as friendship remain the same.
After 9 years, I think it is time to re-visit the Mango Tree.
Maan @ 12:35 AM
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