I know I’m taking a big risk in posting a photo like this. This might actually find its way to one of Ade’s future controversial entries, but what the hell, I’ll take this risk to honor my friends.
Last Tuesday night, I went back to the Shell Refinery at Batangas City to hang out with Marius and Irving. They moved to Australia six years ago. As if by matter of coincidence, their departure caused a chain reaction of re-assignments, resignations and what not. Times were certainly changing and the boys who spent lazy weekends shooting hoops and hanging out by the pool were coming to an abrupt close. They were to return to Melbourne the next day so I surprised them by going a great distance to see them one last time. We ended up sharing an after dinner plate of french fries at the clubhouse.
They’ve been here since November but it still doesn’t feel like we (the rest of our Philippine-based barkada) have spent enough time with them. Sure, we played basketball a lot and I sprained my ankle real badly one time, but I never really got to talk to them on how they were doing in their new life. Well, not until that night.
I actually managed to record a part of our conversations that night so that I could share it to the rest of our friends who were busy slaving away in corporate Manila/Calamba. The two of them voiced their admiration for the great infrastructure and government services in Australia. They even hinted on the predominantly Atheist population. But through the blanket of praises for their new ‘home’, their undeniable longing for the Philippines kept peering through the seams. It’s actually quite poignant that I was wearing a Team Manila shirt that screamed Pilipinas. It occurred to be that I should’ve bought them TM shirts as going aways presents! Sayang!
They won’t be back for at least another two years and yet I’m sure all of us are looking forward for our next chance to hang out.
It was just too damn fast. I’m really tempted to post the conversations here, but I think it’s better if I share the files with our other friends first.
None of the friends that I gained after I turned 13 could even equal the friends I grew up with.
I used to be a little boy
so old in my shoes
- Billy Corgan
Trivia: Marius and Irving have the same birthday (same date, same year). Galing ‘no?
Through the years
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Comments ( 14 )
utakGAGOThey look like twins.
And yes, irreplaceable ang mga childhood friends, comparing it with the teenage friends I’ve had. Ewan, mas malalim ata ang pinagsamahan kapag bata pa.
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Feb 28 07 at
6:55 am
bulitasbasta iba kapag kababata mong kasabay mong lumaki. iba ang lakas ng shared level of experiences. ahaha.
ako nga pla si irvin. =)
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Feb 28 07 at
11:28 am
billycoyteka, are they twins? magkamukha kasi sila?
just like all else are saying, masaya talagang makasama mga childhood friends lalo kapag matagal ding hindi nagkita…
for my case, ang mga kababata ko neighbors ko rin. nagkakasawaan na rin kami sa mga mukha namin.
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Feb 28 07 at
2:30 pm
benjYes, they’re twins. The three of us are turning 22 this April.
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Feb 28 07 at
4:11 pm
mariuslol nice pic man.. i sent u the rest =) so this is ur blog.. that video “For Kids With NBA Dreams” was sickening man.. and i like it! hahaha appropriately named..
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Feb 28 07 at
7:18 pm
benjMarius: Thanks for dropping by, dude.
Oh look, it’s the Aussie flag right next to your name. hehe.
Kita kita nalang ulit sa susunod. Hihintayin namin kayo.
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Feb 28 07 at
7:54 pm
Tess TermuloI treasure my highschool friends. They’re the ones who’ve stayed with me through the good and bad times
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Feb 28 07 at
8:25 pm
purpleheaddawww…so nostalgic naman.
“time makes you bolder, even children get older…”
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Feb 28 07 at
10:23 pm
irvingwe should take more group photos huh? like that pic of the car leaving..looks cool. hows ur ankle btw? ^_^
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Mar 03 07 at
10:53 am
benjirving: Yeah, now that I realize it, we NEVER took pictures growing up. Then again we didn’t live in the an age that allowed us to digital cameras - unlike now.
Popo: I’m wondering why your IP Ad is being identified as US-based.
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Mar 11 07 at
3:41 am
Coach PopIts because I’m using a VPN from Cincinnati.. This shouldn’t be the case now
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Mar 14 07 at
1:21 am
Coach PopApparently, it still is.. I’m in the office kasi.. hehe
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Mar 14 07 at
1:21 am
