All Saturdays of January.....

What are you looking at? (VOGUE by Madonna)

Photos from Patty Balquiedra

These are my high school classmates from 25 years ago from St. Scholastica's College (SSC) in Manila.  We are the high school (HS) graduates of batch 1986, a triumphant year in the history of the Philippines.  This is the People Power year, the time when the nation released itself from a dictatorship rule of over 20 years through peaceful means.  Millions upon millions of Filipinos from all walks of life took on EDSA, the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, one of Metro Manila's major thoroughfares, amidst military forces waiting to attack.  Instead, flowers, rosaries, hand shakes, and all other pleasant exchanges took place that eventually toppled a dictator and restored democracy in our land.  From this concept comes the title of the St. Scholastica's College Almuni Homecoming 2011 - REVOLUTIONIZE.  This is the year SSC HS batch '86 takes center stage in the event.

Exhausted already but listening to instructions

To really watch out for in this event will be our dance performance to the music of the '80's.  Practices started in December and since then, I have been looking forward to every Saturday where we gather in the One Serendra Yoga Room in the Bonifacio Global City.  In our work-out gear, jogging pants and all, we are taught the steps by Ms Teody and Eric and we are reminded of the days from 25 years ago.  We are suddenly taken back within the walls of St. Scho where the teacher is challenged to get a bunch of young girls  focused and to follow instructions.  Somehow, though, we have completed the dance and just polishing things up and ready and raring to wow our audience this February 6, 2011.

Genny with Sabine, Patty's daughter

When the show ends, I will miss the practices.  It is so refreshing to be with old friends who still call me "Pamy" because the years have metamorphosed my name to just "Pam".  Speaking of metamorphosis, of course, we all have gone a long way through the 25 years.  Some are making it big and some are just living modestly but when the gatherings take place, not one is better than the other.  We are all in the same place, just wanting to be together, wanting to dance, wanting to have a great homecoming event!  Most of all, we are just really wanting to be with each other and feel young again...

I will also miss the home baked brownies of Bing, the Jalapeno Cheetos of Patty, the chocolate goodies of Genny.  Sorry for failing to miss out what the others are bringing in this list.  Cookie even expressed at one time at Facebook that we should be cutting  down on the chocolates to save our figures for the event!  Well, I really don't worry too much about that. There are 2 practices to go as of this writing and I think I should be bringing my share.  See, they are bringing the refreshments and it's not so much of a requirement.

At this point, this Saturday will be major because it is the practice before the general rehearsals.  Ms Teody prepared us, "No more coaching and no more mistakes.  One mistake along the way will have us start from the top over and over again".

In the meantime, I gotta get back to reality for now - work and family, while Ms Teody's words still ring in my head, "FROM THE TOP!!!"