Blasting Back To the Past with Winna as captured by Chelit Bataclan
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| Winsome Winna |
On April 4th, 2011, eleven students, after weeks of ingenious planning, positioned themselves to take an imaginary and jolly ride in a time capsule and go back to the past, a million minutes ago, to Louisiana and New Orleans Streets, the location of their school; where all the happy and gratifying memories started.
Gateway Mall in Cubao has been the strategic point to meet so the plan was to carpool on Lanie Reodica’s van. I imagined it to be the Delorean, the car from the movie “Back to the Future” trilogy. There, Cecille Cabuhat, Pinkee Serrano, Abe Espiritu, Rudy Balleras (from batch’ 69) and myself comfortably rode. Manny Palafox drove his car with Nestor Rico occupying the passenger side and we all hied off to Makati.
We arrived at our destination a little past 11 am to finally meet and pick up our mission, balikbayan and batchmate who came all the way from San Diego, California.
And there she was waiting for us at the threshold of her condo, Weng, as she was fondly called in high school or Winna, nowadays - the girl of the hour. She is still looking good as I’ve pictured her to be, donned in a casual outfit of white pants and blue pinstripes shirt, she is over all, a pretty sight to behold.
Her face all aglow with joy, she welcomed each one of us with open arms and gave us tender hugs and kisses. The luscious smell of euphoria was in the crispy air as everyone shrieked in excitement and happiness; we were all agog that it was really happening ! What a pleasure to meet someone I never dreamt of seeing again after forty- something years.
We met another batch mate Leo Valmorida on the way to the heart of Greenbelt Park, so Winna gave him the customary hugs and kisses. As planned, lunch was at an upscale all-you-can-eat Cabalen Restaurant at Glorietta. There was food galore, a wide array of sumptuous and gastronomical Filipino, Korean, Japanese cuisine, not to forget the all-you-can-eat- make- it-yourself special halo-halo.
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| Winna with Batchmates |
For one glorious fairy tale-like of a moment, it felt like being in high school again, we all laughed to our heart’s delight, chatted away, and impishly reminisced about high school crushes, secret/puppy love, our school and all those memorable times of the good old days gone by; the wonder years of our lives. While several cameras kept clicking away, a video was being taken by Cecille to capture the momentous time we were spending with Winna.
Who could forget a pretty face named Edwina Illusoria in high school? She was the girl with a winning smile, pleasant personality, and of a cheery disposition which definitely made her very popular. Some batch mates have collaborated and put their collective thoughts together to paint a picture of who she was and what she’s all about to get reacquaint ourselves with her once more.
Two of her neighbors on Bignay Street in the Project 2 area, Lanie and Manny had these to say about her. Lanie said that they were constant companions going to school and going back home. They shared secrets and laughed a lot together. She was a good neighbor, always thoughtful and kind.
For his part, Manny elaborated on his recollections of Winna . She was a homebody kind of a person, helped her mother in the household chores and liked to watch her cook. She loved listening to music and spent relaxing afternoons-off with him while eating indian mangoes and star apples. She was a loyal friend and was always ready to give advice when the need arose.
To quote Manny, he said “the brain of that woman works a couple of notches higher than mine”, what a fine compliment coming from someone whom Winna considered a big brother.
Abe likewise has only pleasant memories of Winna. They used to be penpals in 1967 before going on to the 2nd year. She was a very friendly person, always approachable and ready to lend a helping hand. He is so thrilled to have the amazing chance to meet her again and for sure, Winna feels the same way too, and is tickled pink.
Leo shared that Winna is unforgettable, “in every way”, just like the song goes. She was that sweet thing that colored his world in high school; she used to be the object of his affection. And she will remain to be the best thing that happened to him 40 something years ago.
Now the cat is out of the bag! And who didn’t have a crush on her in those days, she was a very likeable person. Oh, those happy days, the memories of Winna will forever be imprinted in the minds and hearts of those who rubbed elbows with her.
Our next stop was to relax and chat some more at the nearest coffee shop. Like bees, we swarmed close to her and ended at Seattle’s Best for smoothies, coffee and tea, a treat by Leo. We spent some time, taking more photos, playing around and making fun of each other.
When at last dusk was upon us; although we wanted to keep Winna a little while longer, we had to let go. She had another appointment and so off we went to take her back to her place. It was sad to say our goodbyes, more hugs and kisses; it was good while it last, and we will forever cherish this day in our hearts.
Another blast and we were back in the here and now, being matured adults again. Ah, the exuberance of youth! Where has it all gone? The memories that “light the corners of our minds”, the sounds of young laughter that echo along the walls of our hearts, remind us of the way we were then.
The joys and sorrows, failures and triumphs – all these experiences during our youth have made us what we are and who we are today. All this shared togetherness makes for a bond that will connect all of us, each to the other, for all time. To aptly quote Abraham Lincoln: “and in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life you put in your years”. How true it is!
Carpe Diem: (seize the day) and that was exactly what we did one day in April, and we thank Winna for giving us this day in our lives. It was a pleasure to take that magical ride with her back in time.
One of her favorite Beatles song, “In My Life” (all these places have their moments, with lovers and friends I still can recall), described exactly this sentiment. Godspeed, Winna, we wish you all the best. Time is like a dream, it’s not goodbye but see you soon at the Grand Reunion on February 4, 2012.
Thanks Abe Espiritu and Batchmates for the Photos!
