ST. CROMNZ PDF

Just recently, my cell phone got corrupted and I lost all my contacts. I could very well remember it happened the dawn of Wednesday. I was installing a game on my cell phone, when suddenly it popped up; “File Corrupted. Some entries lost.” I got tensed and agitated. I was worried I lost some of my contact numbers. I opened my phonebook and to my surprise, it was completely blank.

That day, I started emailing my friends asking for their contact numbers. I even announced it in Friendster to keep everyone posted of what happened. A few of them texted me with their names on it, while others emailed their contact numbers. By Sunday, I thought I had most of the numbers that got lost. However, I was still receiving some text messages from “unknown” numbers. Thanks to Globe Unlimited, it made it cheaper and easier for me to send blast text messages to everyone and asked them who they were. One of those “unknown” numbers was Ivan’s.

Ivan was a high school batchmate and a friend of mine. He is a BS HRM graduate and now teaching English as a second language to Koreans. I already have his number before, but we rarely text nor call each other. I was not even sure if he had the same number after all this time or if he has my number at all. When the thing about my cell phone happened, he texted this, “Naa nko uyab…” The number was unregistered and I didn’t have any clue from who it was. I was puzzled. I thought it was from my ex. I would have surely replied, “It’s about time…” But I had to make sure first. I texted and asked who it was, then I receive a text back and it reads, “Ivan. (smiley face).” He called me later in the evening and we got to talk over the phone.

We talked for over an hour, reminiscing our High School days and what have become of us after school. So many things have happened back then and I could still vividly remember everything; the jokes we’ve shared, the disappointments felt towards a low grade, the connivances every after school, the teachers who made us felt special and really involved, and the fights that usually lasted for just a day or hours even. Ivan mentioned that we would soon be having our High School Reunion next year. I can’t believe that it has been almost 10 years since High School. I told him I’m looking forward to it. Ivan on the other hand isn’t. He said that he is not yet successful enough to face everyone. I told him that it doesn’t really matter. Well, okay it does, but not much. For me, I’m just excited to see friends from way back. Besides, he is successful already. Having graduated college, single and earning as much as 15,000 – 20,000 a month, is in fact something to be proud of. I wasn’t sure if he was convinced.

We shifted our discussion to our circle of friends. I asked if he is still in contact with Damier, Jayson, Julius, Ray and etc. Like me, they just keep in touch through text or call, but never got a chance to go out anymore. While Ivan was saying something, I began to remember how it was before and how we used to call our group. It was a very smart effort of the whole group, particularly Misty (who used to be known as Brian), Celine (who we used to call Roland) and Damier. They got all the first letters in our family name and formed an acronym out of it – ST. CROMNZ PDF. Yes, it is unique. Back to the phone with Ivan, it was already 7:30pm. I was about to tell him that I had to go and prepare for work, when he invited me for a night out on Friday. Since Friday was my day-off, I immediately said yes. Then I suggested why not make it a reunion with the ST CROMNZ PDF. Ivan agreed with excitement. He then started to contact the others and got a favorable response. By the next day, it was already official – June 16, 2006, 8pm Friday at Mango Square.

As usual, I was the first one to arrived. Jayson, who was very masculine in black shirt, met up with me in Jollibee. Ivan, who looked very sophisticated in folded and hung polo, was already on the table with Chris, who is now, in a certain angle Eric Santos look-a-like. Ray, who looked so healthy with silver jewelries, came alone. Cerwin, who’s now bald was wearing a white sando and maong short, came with the sexy and gorgeous Celine, who was wearing a really micro-mini skirt. While Fresh looking and beautiful with curly-tip long hair Misty, came in late. We were almost complete, except for Ryan, Damier and Julius, who have their own valid reasons for not coming. For the first time, after almost 10 years, we were all gathered like one big happy family in the heart of Mango Square. The first few hours were spent in chatting; sharing experiences, asking of common friends, asking how’s who and where’s who now, and a lot more. Then we started drinking beer, dancing, singing, and boys watching. We even saw some high school classmates who were also doing there usual night out. We partied the whole night until 4am the next day. It was my first time there in Mango Square and I had so much fun, we all did. We almost forgot that Misty still had to go to work; Chris had a slight fever, even if he was feeling a little numb because of the beer; and I had to take my sister to a seminar as early as 6am.

I drove my way home with a light feeling and a bit tipsy. I got to bed and decided to take a short nap, but I couldn’t. I was still feeling high. I caught myself staring at the ceiling, thinking how nice it is to know that even if I don’t get to see them, I know that we are still good friends. I know that I can still count on them. It’s just like this text message that I received from a friend in Chicago, and I quote,


“ Good friends are like stars. You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.“


****To Good Fiends and Good Time.