I’m not exactly friendly but…

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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February 28th, 2007 in friends

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