It's a pake!

Snopake was the correction fluid brand du jour back in my high school days.

Back then, correction fluid had to be part of your pencil case arsenal. Some kids had Liquid Paper, some had Magic Touch, but the fold standard was Snopake.

Nowardays, no one uses correction fluid anymore. So, it was a pleasant surprise to see this during my visit to National Bookstore.

Yes, Snopake is still very much around.

Didn't get to see what they were actually selling, though. Will save that for another visit.

Friends of Long Standing

I've read somewhere that you meet some of your best and most lasting friends in High School. 

Gary was one of those friends for me.

We met in freshman year. I was new to LSQC, having just transferred from Claret the year before. Was also part of the cream section, and most of the students in that section already knew each other since grade school. Initially, it felt like I'd be the odd man out.

But thanks to Gary, that feeling never happened. He welcomed me and we instantly became friends. 

We'd hang out in school, and we'd hang out after school. His house was near LSQC, and we would sometimes hang-out at their house. Eventually, Dimpy joined us and the 3 of us would be constants. Dimpy's house was the other place we'd hang out after class.

Aside from their homes, our adventures would take us far. Well, far considering that we were in high school and in our early teens. Among my fond memories with Gary and Dimpy was the time we went to Makati and geeked out at the big National Bookstore there. Gary and I would also go to Quiapo to have photos developed and to buy magazines.

When college came, we both ended up in UP, albeit in different colleges. Despite that, we'd find ways to see each other on campus. During our CMT, we we're both in the Sunday battalion, which meant hanging out more often.

Then, we graduated. While we didn't see each other as often, we'd find time to meet up.

Eventually, Gary moved to the US. Despite the difference in time and distance, we always kept in touch. (Thank you, technology!) Whenever he was in Manila, we had to meet up. When we did, he'd usually have a stash of pasalubong, or he would bring the stuff that I'd ask him to buy from the US.

In 2019, Gary asked me to organise his parents' Golden Wedding Anniversary. Since he and his 2 sisters were al in the U.S., and the celebration was here in MNL, he trusted me enough to put everything together. And that meant a lot.

Last time we saw each other was before Christmas. He was home for a visit, and we had our usual Christmas get together. He brought a stash of Trader Joe's mini totes. We talked the possibility of meeting up in the U.S., and maybe even get together with another H.S. friend, Arvin.

Unfortunately, those plans won't push through. 

Last Friday, Jing Jing messaged me asking if she could call. I already felt that what she'd be calling about wasn't good news. When she eventually called, she asked if I was sitting down. Yet another indicator.

That's when she broke the news. Gary was gone.

It was a shock. It still is a shock. There was no inkling that our December lunch would be the last. Part of me is sad that those get togethers won't happen again. But part of me is glad that we were able to see each other last year.

Thanks for being a friend, Gary. For being one of my first friends in LSQC HS, and in the decades after. You'll be missed.

Vaya con Dios.

High School Musical

No, this isn't a post about that movie.

It's about an impromptu high school reunion.

The venue they chose was Cafe 80s near ABS-CBN. It was a cozy cafe and bar that played 80s music non-stop. And since we were all kids of the 80s, the music was perfect for our vibe.

True enough, we were singing and hand-dancing for hours. It felt like we were in LSQC again.

That's what the right music - and company - can do.

He's the Guy

It's still one of my favourite stories from High School.

Our English teacher was talking about one of his favourite playwrights. He wrote the name on the board and confidently said that no one would be able to pronounce it. The name was:

Guy de Maupassant

Casually, I raised my hand and said:

Gee du Muppasan

Yup, I knew how to pronounce the name of this guy.

Because he didn't know that we had a small library in our Tomas Morato house. We had an encyclopedia. One of them had an article dedicated to this French author who was best known for his short stories. Became curious about him. Asked my Lola Dita about him. And she was the one who taught me how to pronounce his name.

And that's how a random interest made me sound more knowledgeable.

Feeling Joyful

Been binging on choir videos on YouTube recently. Being a choir boy in grade school and high school, seeing videos like this hit different.

I've featured many a choir video here, and let me add another one to the pile. This one is the finale song from "Sister Act 2: Back in the habit."

Seeing his reminded me of those times when our HS choir would perform with choirs from different Catholic schools. Though they weren't competitions, there was a feeling of pressure to perform better than the other choirs.

This "Joyful, Joyful" number is a good reflection of what we used to do. That's why it brings me so much joy watching it over and over again.

Senior moment

After waiting patiently for weeks, today is the day!

Rebel Wilson's new Neflix film has finally dropped!

I've been excited to watch "Senior Year" since they showed the trailer. It has all the elements of a feel-good high school comedy. There are elements of 80s, 90s and 00s films, made contemporary due to the changes in technology and the way high school kids act nowadays.

Without spoiling the film, there's one part that made me smirk - the dance number which felt like an homage to "Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion." And there's one part that put a big smile on my face. A cameo appearance from a rom-com legend!

Rebel Wilson was a hoot, of course. Watching her in this film made me forgive her for that major faux pas that was "Isn't it Romantic." Harhar!

This film will definitely be my go-to film from now on.

Transform-ative

My first Transformer toy was Sideswipe. He was a red Lamborghini Countach, and he was one of my favourite car characters along with Jazz and Wheeljack.

My Sideswipe was given to me as as a gift by my classmate, Cholo. And I still remember the ultimate thrill and joy I got when he handed that iconic, black Takara box which housed that toy.

That was more than 30 years ago, and a lot of things have changed since then. My Transformers collection was eventually given away to my cousins in the province. My interests shifted from robots to other things. My fandom for the franchise waned, especially after the movie series.

But last week, more than 30 years after I received my 1st Transformers toy, this was given to me:

It's the iconic, black Takara box - updated to the current times - and housing a Transformers car! Getting this brought me back to my HS days.

Transformers toys are really a transformative experience.

A Channel of Peace

Today is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.

Coming from a Franciscan and Capuchin School, we hold this feast day very close to our hearts. And the memories of feast days from Elementary to High School are still embedded in my mind and heart.

Just like the very meaningful and powerful prayer of St. Francis.

Happy Feast Day, St. Francis! I pray that you continue to make me - and more people - a Channel of your Peace.

Capuchin Celebration

Being from a Capuchin school, I've always looked up to Capuchin Saints. I've always admired their lives, their faith and the change they've created in the lives of the Faithful.

Of course, St. Francis of Assisi is one of the earliest and most known Capuchin saints. His life story is something I know well, having performed in the "Transitus" in LSQC for 4 years.  Then, there's the Prayer of St. Francis, something that's also very close to my heart and mind.

Today, we celebrate another Capuchin Saint. In particular, we celebrate the day of his birth.

Yup, it's the birthday of St. Padre Pio de Pietrelcina!

Happy Birthday St. Pio! We are so blessed to have you in our lives.

On a high!

High school, that is.

One of my classmates sent this 2nd year HS class photo of ours. And I reckon it'll be easy to spot where I am.

This is a great Throwback Thursday photo!

FMM: Way back when...

This week, D' Frendz and I were chatting and Mona mentioned the line: "Noong unang panahon."

Of course, like the usual D' Frendz conversations, this suddenly went a totally different direction, and we were suddenly talking about that old song from "Tales of the Manuvu." Particularly this song:



"Noong Unang Panahon" is a memorable song for me. We performed this in our High School Glee Club, and we "toured" around different campuses and venues performing this song. Our teacher, Mr. Ortega, prepared a full number of songs from that musical, and our number was introduced as: "Overture from 'The Tales of the Manuvu.'"

It started as a song, transitioned into a dance, then culminated in a battle. And it was a hit everywhere we went.

Gosh, that was so long ago. Now, looking back at it, this really felt like it was "Noong Unang Panahon."

FMM: Sensational!

I'm on a musical roll, so I decided on an old broadway musical song for Friday Magic Madness.



"One," from "A Chorus Line" is one of my favorite musical songs. The main reason being that it's the first broadway song that I sang when I was part of the LSQC high school choir.

Watching this brings back so many good sensations.

Alma mater hail to thee

The fact that we had to shoot on a Sunday was made easier by the fact that we were shooting just beside my old high school.

Of course, I had to take a few minutes off the shoot to visit LSQC.

It's changed a lot since I was last there. But surprisingly, there are some things that never changed. One example, my high school teacher was still there!

No matter how long ago I've graduated, I'll always be a Lourdesian at heart.

FMM: Dog-gone it!

When I was in the school choir back in High School, one of our assignments was to think of a song that we'd like to learn to sing. Our teacher - Mr. Ortega - said that we should have a "musical goal," that being to be able to master one song by the end of the school year.

The other choir members chose very typical songs. There was the usual Basil Valdez songs like "Let the Pain Remain" and "Say that you love me." Another popular choice was Leo Valdez's "Magsimula ka." Then, there was a smattering of Barry Manilow songs like "Weekend in New England."

Now, when Mr. Ortega asked me what was the song I wanted to master, the room fell silent.

There I was, a short, pudgy 11-year old boy, and my song choice was Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog."



Needless to say, I didn't learn the song. But hey, at least I tried.

Sons of Lourdes we'll ever be

That's one of my favorite lines from our school hymn.

"Though the years our paths may sever, sons of Lourdes we'll ever be. And with joy, our praises sing so loudly, cheering Alma Mater, hail to thee."

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, and it's one of those days when I miss being a Lourdesian.

Sons of Lourdes we'll ever be...

Today, February 11, we celebrate the Feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes. This is a celebration that's close to Catholics worldwide, and to me on a personal level.

I'm a Lourdesian. My formative years were spent at Lourdes School in Quezon City. While I was an elementary and high school student, my school's hallowed walls taught me about the life of Mama Mary and her integral role in our lives.

Because of my Lourdesian education, I even went as far as going to Lourdes, France to see the St. Bernadette of Soubirous. Unfortunately, the cathedral was closed when I went there.

It's been decades since I graduated from Lourdes School. But as our school song proudly declares, I'll always be a son of Lourdes.

Another Pitch

Oh look, it's another movie about a choir!

Just goes to show that there's no "choir-themed-anything" fatigue just yet. There's Glee and Smash. Long ago, there was "Sister Act," "Sister Act 2," and the more recent "Joyful Noise."

And now, there's "Pitch Perfect."



Seeing movies like this never fails to transport me to my choir days back in High School.

I wish they show this movie in Manila soon.

FMM: Interacting music

Way back then when proms weren't really sanctioned by our schools, we had "interactions."

What would happen was there'd be two schools chosen to interact with each other. We'd be sitting in a row of chairs across and positioned parallel to each other, and we'd basically just fill the room with awkward silence.

Then, they'd play music and you're encouraged to dance. Just make sure there's a distance of one feet in between you two when the dancing commences. How fun was that? Hahaha.

For some strange reason, Wang Chung's "Let's go" reminds me of those interactions we had in high school. And after hearing this song, it was like interacting all over again.

Pro(me)theus

Walking around SM Megamall, I saw a lot of posters, banners and standees promoting the upcoming film "Prometheus."

It's Ridley Scott's latest outing, and it's supposed to be a prequel to his iconic 1979 film "Alien." The title is based on the spaceship that takes the crew to another universe to discover the origins of man.

But that wasn't the first thing that struck me when I saw the title. The first thing that came to my mind was that "Prometheus" was the first role I played in high school. No, I did not play a spaceship. My role was that of the real Prometheus.

It was for our English class, and we were supposed to do a play about Greek Mythology. The tale assigned to us was "Pandora's Box," and Prometheus had a role in this story. Although I don't remember how the roles were chosen or assigned, but what I do remember is that I ended up tied to a rock in that play.

As a huge fan of Greek Mythology, I was actually hoping that the film "Prometheus" would really be about the Titan son of Iapetus and Clymene. It would be fun to see the role I played done on the big screen.