Sometimes I wish, I were a beauty, a beautiful girl, the popular one. I'd turn your head, and your friends will love me. And I could afford to play hard to get.
- Mexican Wrestler, by Emma Roberts
Remember the notorious slum book in high school? There was a question there asking what we expected to be 20 years hence. I can't remember now what my answer to that was -- only that it was rosy and hopeful and I'm quite sure very far from where I am now. Well, that 20 years hence is now my present. Ayayay, how time flies.
I'm quite sure i wished I was rich, happily married and still able to wear a bikini while basking under the sun in St. Tropez or Cairo or even just Bora, dammit.
Facing a reunion 20 years after high school is a scary, scary, scary proposition. It would mean having to measure yourself against wishes and dreams we so hopefully scribbled in that blasted slum book.
Its frightening to think that 20 years later our waistlines have grown to proportions we only wish for our bank accounts. Hairlines have receded, or disappeared all together. For most of us, the dream job remains a dream and sometimes the most exotic trips we take are to the neighborhood talipapa.
While planning for the 15th year reunion, I think it was Maya who had the bright idea of having monthly meetings building up to the big day. Those monthly meetings helped us to reconnect in a big way. We happily discovered how barkada lines have blurred and realized what interesting people our batchmates have become.
For our 20th reunion, we are also starting to do the same thing. Getting together periodically--not necessarily to plan, but to learn to enjoy each other's company again. To rediscover each other as accomplished adults. Minus the judgmental eyes of an insecure teenager, its amazing to get to know our batchmates again.
Maya has been the indefatigable force behind these get-togethers. She calls, picks up people and reminds you when the date draws near. Far from being the aloof goddess of high school, i have found her to be a generous soul, ready to share a smile, a laugh, tequila rose, and endless pictures on snapfish!
Nitz and I discovered each other in phases, a bit in college, during our pregnancies and in a big way before our 15th anniversary. We've sold stuff in a talipapa, waded through crowds in Quiapo, Divisoria and 168. There's never a dull moment with Nitz around, its like watching a one-woman play, seriously.
Then there's Normie, who I found to be such a mommy, ever dependable; and Elizel, who we had a moment with in the bathtub at the Linden Suites! OMG, I didn't realize I had so much in common with her; and Gracie, with her deep dimply smile and ready hug; and Baby with her impish ways and super sarap baked tilapia.
Then there are the boys--no longer unruly and with terrible B.O. Vener, Pat, Ronald, Noel, Allan, Erick, Tito, Marco, Ronan, Alvin, etc. etc. And Doc Rainier! Our un-official batchmate, who unflaggingly attends the get-togethers. Who'd have thought he'd be so funny and cool? And Leslie aka Celestino Miranda, Jr, who finally gave up his umbrella and turned in his attaché case for a cool laptop bag?
I still find the reunion a scary proposition. But i know that when we get there it will be a fun reunion of friends-- old and newly-discovered. In the meantime, i'm saving for a steel-belted girdle and a push-up bra for the big night.
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Musings 
