Republic of the Philippines-2025 A.D.
As I came home from work, my maid handed me a bunch of mail received that day. But I had to postpone reading them for later. As I was about to seat at my couch and relax, I turned on the answering machine to check for some messages. Lo and behold! A strange yet familiar voice from way back was heard, “Hi, Valerie! This is Charmay Ong, remember? I just want to make sure you’re coming to our High School batch grand reunion. Have you got hold of the invitation already? Anyway, I hope you can come!” I readily grabbed the letters and notified the said invitation which says that our homecoming is to be held at Charmay’s white house in Corinthian Gardens, Ilagan City on March 22, 2025. That was a month away from now, got a lot of time for a preparation.
How time flies before I knew it was the big day already. I have to catch my private plane at the airport. With much anticipation, I prepared myself that afternoon and thought of my dear classmates almost 25 years ago. I can’t wait not to hug and greet them “Hi, how are you?” It’s so thrilling to know whatever happened to them after graduation. Feeling tired when I arrived here in Ilagan from Manila, I was indeed refreshed by the picturesque views that unfold in my eyes. Ilagan has indeed transformed enormously. It is one of the finest cities I’ve visited. Everything you look for is here, from super malls, towering skyscrapers, condominiums, luxury hotels, elegant restaurants to wildlife parks, beaches, resorts, and many others. Another thing which makes it different from other cities, is that Ilagan is not polluted, it is very clean. Ilagueños surely know how to practice discipline. And that’s one thing why I’m very proud of my birthplace.
After forwarding my luggage, I returned to my limousine and asked my chauffeur to take me to the venue. When we reached the mansion, the gate automatically opened, and a man signaled us to come in. The place was bustling with activity. The lawn, covered with Bermuda grass, was well lighted, on the left side is the swimming pool. On the other side is a large fountain and beside it is a driveway where many sports cars and limousines are already parked. A banquet of food was in time for my arrival and waiters were everywhere carrying loads of food. I was readily hugged by Charmay, who chose to stand by the doorway beside her husband, Albert, to meet their guests. God! She changed a lot, but still beautiful as ever! She is now a world renowned anchorwoman and also a Pulitzer Prize awardee as the first woman ever to interview Bin Laden in one of his hide outs at Afghanistan, as her investigatory report which was shown at every news channel worldwide. Also, Albert, our high school batch Valedictorian, is now the Chief Justice of the Republic of the Philippines. He was honored as “Modelong Pilipino of the Year” in his work as the presiding Judge during an impeachment trial. Joan, who’s now a TV host and a broadcast journalist spotted me, and we left Charmay who has duties to attend, being the host. Joan told me she is now married to Ton-Ton, the most in-demand private detective a.k.a. James Bond Agent 007, as they are both blessed with three bundles of joy, 2 boys and a girl.
As we entered the guest room, we saw our other former classmates. Like Tj, the multimillionaire CEO of Microsoft international, which he bought from Bill Gates; Jolly, who works for Tj as the chief software architect; Joel, a computer Programmer and also the mastermind for creating computer games which are played by many teens all over the world;
Lilac, currently a proprietress of Olive Inn and Restaurant; Rovichelle, is the editor-in-chief of ELLE magazine an owners of NEWTONIANS Theater and Talent Center which offer workshops for young and also owner of ROVY Publications; Janet and Glory-Ann, both International actresses and aspiring stage and screen performers; Cyrille, supervisor of Pfizer Incorporated; Liezl, who works for Cyrille as the chief chemist; Reinaliza, a real estate broker; and Rosherley, a veteran singer and recording artist. My batchmates are already dancing in the wide dance floor beside the guest room, Michelle, a renowned and well paid International model (for Versace clothes) with the likes of Claudia Schiffer and Cindy Crawford; Raisa, a successful pilot (the first Filipino woman pilot ever to fly the BOEING 747); Lani, who works for Raisa as a flight attendant and tourist guide; Mishell and Norie, owners of a printing press which prints pocketbooks sold around the world; Jean, a manager of charity foundations for abandoned elderly and street children; Lei, the country’s highest paid comedienne; Lyra May, owner of Ilagan City Super mall; Flawrence, a historian and owner of Ilagan City Museum; and Prince, an international artist whose paintings are visited by known celebrities all over the world.
Some of the guests have just arrived, so I joined Charmay to greet them. There was Mamu and Ela, both economists and two of the Philippines hottest politicians, a senator and governor respectively. Joanne (Ms. Universe 2005) and Jessa (a cover girl for posh magazines), are both CPA’s and corporate lawyers (that’s beauty and brains combined!); Ryan and Mark, who are both engineers and also Presidents of Marcelo Electric company, and Mercado Telecommunications; Charish, Kekang and Lavino, all successful accountants and proficient businessmen; Love Joy, a professor in an International Business School; Tope and Angelo, famous mathematicians and physicists (whose theorems are widely used). A large applause filled the venue when Leonida, a biologist and “Nobel Prize for Medicine” awardee for inventing a drug used to treat AIDS; Angelyn, a neuro surgeon and founder of Danao Medical Center; Kathryn, a cardiologist; Jewis, an orthodontist; Madonna, an ophthalmologist; Jennyfer, a gynecologist; and Gina, a pediatrician, just arrived. Also, Charmay honored them by saying, Ladies and Gentlemen, the world class specialists.”
I had a lot of time interacting with my former classmates about many things in life. How they became successful in reaching their dreams and living a steady, happy and contented life.
Charmay surely tingled my adrenaline when in the middle of the party she called everyone’s attention and announced, “Let us all witness one of the most successful persons of our batch, a successful business tycoon and owner of the multinational Food processing company and Rooftop Conglomerate Inc., Mrs. Valerie Valencia, to give her inspirational speech.
Gee, I was so surprised. Then, as I was going up the stage, suddenly something accidentally happened. My long dress caught my shoes and I fell flat on my knees and then my senses was shattered. I can’t see and hear. Blurred, was how to describe it… Then…
Valerie… Valerie… Time to wake up now and get dressed. I can hear mom saying from a distance. Huh? I remember today is our graduation. And in two hours now we will be marching and getting our diplomas. Maybe, I was too excited for my graduation that’s why I couldn’t wait but to dream. But I know it’s not a dream, because I know that someday, somehow, this dream would be a reality. Because I know that my batchmates will and would make it happen.