Unearthing Flashbacks with the Exclusive Courier

A decade, nine months and 20 days years old,

this photo captured my first private meetup with Edwin Maldo Manjares, who was the “exclusive courier” of a pasalubong from our common Mississippi-based high school classmate/friend on Februay 27, 2015. 

Receiving these Mardi Gras beads necklace, I recorded this under exceptional memory in my “microchip.”

On November 7, Edwin’s being a bearer had a repeat. Fresh from his one-month stay in the USA, he DMed me that he had a pasalubong from our Arizona-based classmate/friend.

Good that he contacted me early, and informed me that he'd alredy be going back to Bicol the next day. I was free so I left for Taguig City before the rush hour. But what turned out to be the day's biggest surprise and another much welcomed pasalubong was reuniting with a batchmate/friend whom I last saw in year 1992 or 1993. That's more than three decades! OMG! 

Francis Apollo “Pol” Enerio, one of Edwin's best friends, came home too. Pol’s family is his host every time he flies to Texas, USA. 

It was a reunion which inspired me to pen this write-up. 

Pol and I might have not been very close; however, having gone out together during a vacation in Bicol, we could comfortably consider each other as “friends.”

Once in Manila, we had a couple of instances to meet up. Then, years passed, we all learned that he migrated to the States with his family. Facebook was our only connection. Thus, seeing and talking with him again brought lots of laughter and even innocent reactions. Moreover, belonging to the same spectrum of political opinions had us openly sharing our views about the previous and current administration. Donald Trump included! Hahahaha. The four walls of Pol's unit at the Morgan Residences in McKinley Hill, which is by the way up for rent, were our sole witness for the unregulated Maritessan and bashing. Hahahahaha (again!).

Truly at 56, it seemed we have remained high schoolers at heart. Thanks to Edwin, whom I also addressed as Pading Dwin since we’re co-godparents to a classmate’s daughter in 2013, for making this significant meeting with Pol happen. 

Indeed the special bond between Edwin and me felt easy and natural from the start. We grew closer when we both ran in Dubai in 2017.

Edwin is a part of my other high school "triumvirate." The other member was our greatly missed Paeng (+). Our love for our batch made our link more solid. Edwin might not know it, but it was only he who was able to make the both of us go home to Albay for his birthday.  

Last Friday was precisely another gentle nudge about my friends whom I still share a deep connection despite inconstant communication and distance. As substantiated, the strength of friendship can be measured by its depth and quality, and not by the frequency of conversations or regularly hanging out. 

Ergo, I am profoundly grateful to my batchmates/friends who continuously consider me worthy of their remembrance, time and attention.  

Ray, the one who sent me the Mardi Gras costume jewelry through Edwin, squeezed in to see me twice during his sporadic visit to the Philippines. 

13 June 2016

23 July 2022

Emy, one of my US trip hosts/guides, startled but emotionally moved me when she messaged to ask if we could see each other before her return to New Jersey, USA.

23 February 2023

Jean, my Arizona-based dear friend, has been consistently thoughtful and generous. She even sweetly chided me that had I informed her early about my joining the New York City Marathon in November 2018, she was more than willing to send my two-way plane ticket from New Jersey to Arizona after the run.

30 May 2023

Ruthie, one of my high school best friends, has never stopped expressing her love in all its forms since high school days. She gave a video call on my birthday-cum-high school Manila reunion in 2023. Last year, she surprised me with a Matryoshka doll from her Germany trip through her youngest sister. 

21 April 2023

03 March 2024

France, my Australia-based elementary/high school batchmate and whom I only got along with during our batch's 33rd grand reunion preparation, unstingingly supported my passions from my kokeshi collection to my running.

26 July 2019

03 April 2024

Writing this piece, I couldn't help but be sentimental. To be treated in this heartwarming manner by these individuals was unforeseen, yet a precious gift to me. Candidly, I am picky when it comes to friends. Meaning, I have set standards for my social circle. Thus, if I have stuck with you, it shows that you have provided mutual support, respect and positive influence to my being. 

Next year is our high school batch ruby jubilee. Preparations by the incumbent officers are already underway. I am excited just seeing the word 'ruby.' It projects several positive symbolisms and meanings. I hope and pray that year 2026 will provide a tabula rasa (blank slate) for BUHS 86 so we can write a fresh chapter about our "tribemates" whom we have journeyed with for the past 40 years. 

With Pading Dwin at the helm, I am confident that our homecoming will be a blockbuster. And yes, he has to make sure that Pol attends our reunion for the first time. Yee-haw! 

Jean, this fit to a T!😘

Photo credits:

Franz Enerio
Edwin Manjares