March 1976. Our Grade 6 graduation at the College of the Holy Spirit (later renamed to Holy Spirit School) was held on a weekend. We marched to the music of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida, two abreast inching our way from the rotunda to the chapel where our parents were waiting.
I felt ambivalent during that time. On the one hand, I was happy and felt free--school was over and a long summer break had just started. I even recalled wanting to get away from school as soon classes were over. Yet, somewhat I was sad knowing that I won't be going back to the CHS ever again. It was this strange feeling which brought me back to the school two days later.
I realized that there were others who felt the same way. There was nothing to that day, nothing to go back to since the school grounds were empty. Yet there they were; I met Rene, Dindo, Jecebu, Ringkoy, and maybe two others that I cannot recall anymore. It was probably Marvin and Marclare since they also took the same entrance exam to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary a few days later.
The decision to take the exam was casually made that day. It just happened that in the course of our conversation, Ringkoy mentioned something about taking the IHMS entrance exam. He sounded as if it was the coolest thing to do. Acceptance to an elite school. No teenager could resist the allure. So we made plans to take the exam together.
Later, we left the school grounds and proceeded towards the pier of K of C. The tide was low. The breeze cool. I remember seeing a piece of styrofoam floating and just couldn't resist blowing it up. Balancing on the rocks, I was able to grab the styrofoam and stick a tiny labintador right in the middle. Then I lit the wick with a lighter I was carrying in my pocket. In a hurry to avoid the blast, I tripped and soaked my rubber shoes in saltwater. They laughed but I didn't mind it at all. The labintador blew the styrofoam in half. It was cathartic. We all cheered and laughed some more, and then we went on our way to the edge of the pier.
I was carrying a few labintador and a lighter because a few days earlier, we were throwing lighted labintador at each other. I remember being in the same group with Marclare as we battled some students from another class at the farthest end of the school's baseball field. The same field where we practiced for the Little League Baseball and never won a single game. We lighted labintadors and threw them at our opponents. We were fearless and reckless. But we survived.
On the day of the exam, we boarded a white Toyota sedan driven by Ringkoy's father. There were 5 or 6 of us who crammed our tiny bodies in the car. I didn't tell me parents I was taking the exam. I just went with the group.
The seminary was very quiet. I can't remember if it was siesta time, but it felt peaceful and distant. The registrar, Fred Hinacay, administered the IQ test. I was taking my sweet time not knowing that it was a timed exam. When Fred said that we had 5 minutes more to go, I panicked. I scrambled to fill up the rest of the answer sheet even without reading the questions. I was certain that I wouldn't pass the exam, while our papers were being checked. I was resigned to the fact that I won't be going to the same school as my friends. I wasn't bothered since anyway I hadn't asked permission from my parents. Besides, I really didn't want to become a priest at all.
When Fred finished checking the papers and announced that we all passed, I was surprised. You all have good grades, I recalled him saying. Well, that was great. The result however posed another problem for me. I hadn't told my parents about taking an exam. And I didn't think they would have the resources to pay for my schooling in IHMS.
But it was all right. I had an entire summer to think about it and make plans. Lots of fun days ahead to spend with my friends. The future can wait for while. (nox arcamo)
I felt ambivalent during that time. On the one hand, I was happy and felt free--school was over and a long summer break had just started. I even recalled wanting to get away from school as soon classes were over. Yet, somewhat I was sad knowing that I won't be going back to the CHS ever again. It was this strange feeling which brought me back to the school two days later.
I realized that there were others who felt the same way. There was nothing to that day, nothing to go back to since the school grounds were empty. Yet there they were; I met Rene, Dindo, Jecebu, Ringkoy, and maybe two others that I cannot recall anymore. It was probably Marvin and Marclare since they also took the same entrance exam to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary a few days later.
The decision to take the exam was casually made that day. It just happened that in the course of our conversation, Ringkoy mentioned something about taking the IHMS entrance exam. He sounded as if it was the coolest thing to do. Acceptance to an elite school. No teenager could resist the allure. So we made plans to take the exam together.
Later, we left the school grounds and proceeded towards the pier of K of C. The tide was low. The breeze cool. I remember seeing a piece of styrofoam floating and just couldn't resist blowing it up. Balancing on the rocks, I was able to grab the styrofoam and stick a tiny labintador right in the middle. Then I lit the wick with a lighter I was carrying in my pocket. In a hurry to avoid the blast, I tripped and soaked my rubber shoes in saltwater. They laughed but I didn't mind it at all. The labintador blew the styrofoam in half. It was cathartic. We all cheered and laughed some more, and then we went on our way to the edge of the pier.
I was carrying a few labintador and a lighter because a few days earlier, we were throwing lighted labintador at each other. I remember being in the same group with Marclare as we battled some students from another class at the farthest end of the school's baseball field. The same field where we practiced for the Little League Baseball and never won a single game. We lighted labintadors and threw them at our opponents. We were fearless and reckless. But we survived.
On the day of the exam, we boarded a white Toyota sedan driven by Ringkoy's father. There were 5 or 6 of us who crammed our tiny bodies in the car. I didn't tell me parents I was taking the exam. I just went with the group.
The seminary was very quiet. I can't remember if it was siesta time, but it felt peaceful and distant. The registrar, Fred Hinacay, administered the IQ test. I was taking my sweet time not knowing that it was a timed exam. When Fred said that we had 5 minutes more to go, I panicked. I scrambled to fill up the rest of the answer sheet even without reading the questions. I was certain that I wouldn't pass the exam, while our papers were being checked. I was resigned to the fact that I won't be going to the same school as my friends. I wasn't bothered since anyway I hadn't asked permission from my parents. Besides, I really didn't want to become a priest at all.
When Fred finished checking the papers and announced that we all passed, I was surprised. You all have good grades, I recalled him saying. Well, that was great. The result however posed another problem for me. I hadn't told my parents about taking an exam. And I didn't think they would have the resources to pay for my schooling in IHMS.
But it was all right. I had an entire summer to think about it and make plans. Lots of fun days ahead to spend with my friends. The future can wait for while. (nox arcamo)
