Tribute to Collegium Family

Collegium Family (Previous and Current)

Jaycris Dela Cruz
Desherie Mellomida
Karla Mendoza
Kristina Mijares
Sherlyn Delapos
Evenna Velila
Dennis Lagura
Charmaine Lagura
Praisah Marjorey Picot
Roy Banias
Quin Ursal
Lynjoy Roque
Frecel Roque
Zarrita Jel Pajes
Beth Daguplo
Carlo Quinlog
John Martin Delapos
Nikki Dalaygon
Rick Conde
Rossel Retolla
Renzo Jastillana
Ronell Peralta

Adviser: Prof. Mark Lester Navales, CPA
Maam "Pinaca" Morante
Prof. Farah De Guzman
Sir. Florante Astillo

Kuya Sam, Mackoii, Kuya Quinn, Enzo, Roy and JM

TEAM BUILDING

It's been three years since  Praisah, Roy and I joined the school publication of UMTC which was and is still the same COLLEGIUM ( not Collig-gium, Coleygeum, College-ium).

It seems like yesterday that I and the other three were talking about joining an organization at school. As far as I remembered, I was the one who pushed Praisah, Swetzel and Roy to apply because I was told about their journalistic background since high school. And, they were too awesome to let their skills fade. On the other hand, I was not all that goody good. Though, I was part of the school publication during my elementary days but that was not enough. However, I still tried my luck to submit an application for a photojournalist.

At first, I felt jittery just by knocking the door of Colleguim office. Suddenly, someone opened it and it was Mommy Karla, a happy crazy and fun loving lady as I would say. From there, she interviewed the four of us about what were our  journalistic experiences and what were our interests.

To be honest, I was distracted by that time because the office was not a typical room filled with paper works and machinery for publication. But, it was occupied with fully depreciated couch and masks (somehow like the masks in Maskara festival in Bacolod). And, people with different characteristics and personality boxed in that four corners of the room.

(FAST FORWARD) Luckily, The three of us (Praisah, Roy and I) made it to the organization. As you can see in the photo above with a caption "TEAM BUILDING" was the first night out of my new found family. It was a fun night because we had games and open forum about first impressions.

During the charade game, I can still remember Kuya Quinn making body gestures about starfish and Ate Evenna's "Battleship". Air and the food were the contents of my stomach.

Time is an inevitable enemy of a happy person. Time flies so fast when you're happy and so slow when you're sad. 

It pains me having seen them gone in that unusual office of ours. Some of them has already graduated and continued their life's journey. Some of them even migrated to other schools.

A defeaning silence I experienced when I was alone at the office. No more laughter. No more crazy green jokes from Mommy Karla. No more Godly verses from Ate Tina. No more "melon melon shake ecklavo" from Kuya Dennis. And lastly, no more self-proclaimed and bubbly Praisah.

Sadness. It lingers to the deepest part of my soul. Tears were falling...

Now, the time has come. Roy, Ate Lynjoy, Zarry, JM, Kuya Quinn and I are the remaining batchmates. We will end up the same fate. Leaving the young ones and will continue with our own lives. But, I am still happy being part of a great family of complex family tree. I am so grateful to God for giving me a vasts opportunity to enjoy each time having them.

I will always and forever love the one and only COLLEGUIM FAMILY.

BIRTHDAYS - Mommy Karla and Mackoii