CLASS PROPHECY

I wake up to the sound of my ever annoying alarm clock. I lazily reached for it and
pressed the snooze button. With a still disoriented brain, I stared at the wall for about 10
minutes like I always do until finally, I decided to grab my phone from the side table and looked
at the screen. My eyes were fixed on the date today- August 9, 2033. Today is the wedding of
my close friend from high school, Jeoffrey Na-ag. I opened my E-mail and I saw his message
asking if I will be going to their wedding in Cebu. I immediately replied and said I will. I am
happy for him. He reached his dreams of becoming the director of the Philippine Bureau of Fire
and now he's getting married!

It has been ten years since I graduated from high school. Undoubtedly, a lot has
changed since then. As for me, I am now a prominent criminal lawyer. I also managed to build
my own firm here in Makati. It was difficult to get here but I eventually made it.
Still lying on my bed, I heard my stomach growl. I finally stand up and head for the
kitchen. My house, talking about structure, was personally designed by Neil Allen Ringor, a
renowned architect known for his innovative yet homey designs. I arrive at the kitchen and
start to wonder what I will be making myself for breakfast. I look to my left and see my favorite
cookbook on the island counter. The book is written by a famous Chef named Chef Ryza
Wacangan. I was impressed the first time I heard about her book. She wrote it while sailing as a
chef on a ship! Amazing, right? Now, she owns five star restaurants all over the world. I can say,
she can beat Gordon Ramsay with her cooking. I flipped through the book and decided to make
myself some of my favorite banana French toast. After eating breakfast, I checked the time and
saw that I still have 6 hours before the wedding. I decided to watch TV and head to the firm first
before going to the airport.
I went to the living room, grabbed the remote, and turned on the television. On the
entertainment channel, I watched as Brix Fidchao, promote his upcoming action movie entitled
X-MEN United. I heard that all his films are blockbusters. They say that all cinema seats are
taken every time his show is premiering. I flip through the channels and stop as it arrived to my
favorite news channel. In the morning show, Head's Up, I watch as the Senator Art Law Atin
shares his insights about the partnership between the Philippines and Greece. Once again, I
looked at my phone and realized it is now 8:30 am. I turn the TV off and prepare to visit the
firm.
I hopped on my Porsche and drove around the Metro. Unfortunately, I was caught in a
heavy traffic. I looked outside and noticed a new tall building. I heard it was the extension of
the Philippine Trade Center. If I remember it correctly, five famous engineers collaborated for
this project, specifically: Engr. Abel Bagsao, Engr. Odessa Corcoro, Engr. Victoria Cherwaken,
and Engr. Feah Fanao.I roam my eyes again outside and saw the building of a famous food
company. I believe the company owner is Matakhan Diwayan. I saw another gigantic building
again. Because of the signage, I knew that the company is owned by Zepherine Miranda,
another business magnate.
 I turn my attention in front when I heard a beep. Finally! The traffic is now moving. I
managed to arrive at the office after 27 minutes. While walking in the lobby, I saw familiar
faces. Oh right! I know them. They are the team assigned in one of our cases. Their team leader
is Agent Debora Kiwingan, a notorious criminologist. Her team members are SPO 1Manuel
Antonio, SPO 2 Zendrick Diego, SPO1 Noelbert Fontanilla, SPO2 June Tor-an, SPO 1Sonny
Atolmom, and SPO 1Keeshan Brett. Did I forget to mention that they also happen to be my high
school batchmates?
I did not bother to talk to them because they seem busy. Maybe another time. I went
straight ahead to the elevator. I went inside and was waiting for it to close when two ladies
halted the closing doors .Oh. It's Atty. Josephine Taya-an and Atty. Rhina Viloria. We are also
high school batchmates but we became close in law school.
"Q! You're here? I thought you're on leave?" Asked Atty. Rhina. "Yeah! I just have to get
something in the office." I answered.
The elevator opened on their floor. We bid our goodbyes then I head up to the floor of
the Senior Associates. As I walk into my office, I saw General Sam Langcao, entering the office
of a senior partner. Hmmm, I wonder why he's there. Maybe it's a personal matter.
I went inside my office and grabbed the file I needed. I did not bother to check and went
down the lobby. I saw two of our employees Sobaida Charotag and Anthony Moga, assisting
visitors. Then, I went to a psychologist friend. Her name is Dra. Julienne Changat and she has
her own clinic now. We had a quick chat and I went home. I have to prepare my luggage for
Jeoffrey's wedding. I had to pack a week's worth of clothes because I planned to have my
vacation in Cebu.
I went straight to the airport after having a quick meal. As I enter the airport premises, I
noticed a big crowd of media. I took a peek and saw the President of the country being assisted
by his PSGs. Once again, I saw a familiar face. I saw Johnny Rey Padong beside President Alexa
Joy. My attention was averted to what he was wearing. Johnny is wearing a blue suit while the
other PSGs are wearing white uniforms. I remember my professor back in law school said that
the Chief of Security only wears the blue uniform so... Johnny Padong is the Chief Of Security
for the President ???!! I am beyond shocked!
I am still in my surprised state when I sat on my seat. A few minutes later, a woman sat
beside me. We both looked at each other with a strange familiarity "Imre, is that you?" I asked
her. What a coincidence! I cannot believe I bumped into Imre Fagsao, another high school
friend. I took this opportunity to catch up with her. My jaw dropped when I found out she is a
marine officer. It turns out she just came home from a mission and is headed to Leyte for
another one.
Still bombarding her with questions, "How's your best friend, Yumie Comafay" I asked.
"She's doing fine! Do you know that she is currently building her own clinic as a
veterinarian?" She answered.
 "Oh my gosh! Really? How about our other school friends? Have you heard of them?" I
asked.
I found out that Jeric Tao-ey is a successful agriculturist and that he is gaining millions
because of that. Thom Combisen is dominating the field of marine engineering. Jandy Rei
Padong is already the general manager of the Philippine branch of a famous US company. Irene
Chadya-as and Veronica Paloran are now head nurses in different St. Luke's branches. Lennon
Bawiyan is dominating the IT world with his products, together with Brosnan Alera. They are
now famous for their contact lenses that can zoom in and out! Working alongside them are
Edlyn Balanza, a genius computer technician, and Morris Macayba, a technical engineer.
Our chatting was stopped when we heard the speaker calling for my flight. I bid goodbye
to Imre and walked to my gate. I was already inside the plane when my attention now goes to
the aisle where the stewardess is showing us the where the emergency doors are. Afterwards, I
asked if I could have the newspaper. She gladly gave it to me and left to attend to others.
"FIRST FILIPINO ASTRONAUT TO LAND MARS, " the headlines say. I read it further and
found out that it was Jun Jericho Falancy! He is the first Filipino to ever join NASA' s Mars
exploration project. I look at the photo beside it wherein he strikes a pose which for some
reason looks awfully familiar to me. Ah! I remember now. That was the pose we often used
back in our high school days! I turn the pages to the business section and I see Rhein Boy-og
and Ringson Chegyem who are business tycoons. I read the article and it says that their two
companies are working together for a Casino project in China. Wow! Two billionaires
collaborating? I'm sure that project would be successful. Then, I see another familiar name. The
headline says " Filipino scientist invents cure to cancer!" I read through the article and found
out that it is Rexel Bagangan, another classmate from highschool! I am beyond impressed.
I put down the newspaper and brought out my favorite magazine: VOUGE. I flip through
the pages and noticed that the models of this issue are photographed by no other than THE
Jesslee Rafael. He is a famous photographer across the world. His shots are very beautiful, may
the photo be from a fashion shoot or a landscape. I continue to read the magazine and it wasn't
long until I fell asleep for the rest of the flight like I always have.
I arrive at Mactan International airport. Just when I was about to head to the baggage
check out counter, I see a group of people with familiar faces. I went near them and recognize
Mae Chomayom with my former high school classmates. I decided to say Hello and have a little
talk with them. I learn that Mae, together with Guiller Archog, Brixton Awingan, Jairo Dulay,
Maribel Tumapang, Xian Yangat, Yvonne Badol, Hasmin Calpet, Juliet Degay, Remy Gensadan,
Jambi Joseph, Daisy Joy Wa-ayan, Shainiah Bayawa, and Ryan Wara are teachers and professors
from Ateneo and De La Salle University. They told me that they were flying back to Manila after
their conference here in Cebu. Like with Imre, I asked them how their high school friends are
doing now.
I discovered that Rica Latlat, Carol Sayya-an, Jingjing Marcos, Allyson Palangchao, Jail
Bas-ilen, Jessamae Gallardo, and Trixie Joy Gumihid are nurses. Some of them are nurses in
APEX Hospital and some of them are giving their services abroad. Our conversation was cut
short when their their flight number was called. I proceed to the tourism office of the airport to
ask what are the best places to visit since I do not have an itinerary. Senior Tourist Officers
Sharen Allaga and Floryl Pudlao assisted me. Learning about the tourists spots is enjoyable
specially that Sharen and Floryl are my high school friends.
Then, I exited the airport and walked towards the van waiting for me. It is the service
sent by the hotel I'll be staying at. I rode the van and the driver started maneuvering it. We
went through the expressway and I see a large infrastructure which is the Cebu Sports Dome. I
cannot stop admiring it's unique shape. I know that this project was a collaboration between a
close friend of mine, Engr. Aicee Wacnagan and a high school friend Engr. Concepcion Ana-ao.
We arrived at the hotel after a few minutes. Hmmm elegant is the first word that came
up when I first glanced at the building. The Belladonna hotel is owned by another close friend of
mine, Allona Sayduen. She owns a chain of hotels across Asia. Now you know why I picked this
hotel. Since Allona is friend of mine, I can have discounts. Just kidding. I want to stay at
Belladonna because they have excellent customer service.
The hotel staff helped me carry my baggage inside. As I was waiting for my key card, I
spot a group of four familiar men coming out of the elevator. I know them! The four guys are
also high school friends of mine. Gosh! They're walking like alpha males. If I remember it
correctly, the guy wearing Ray-Bans is Kenshi Ayan, the guy with a white polo is Jim Indongsan,
the guy wearing a Hawaiian polo is Carl Micros Cope, and the one wearing aviator glasses is
John Lee Tangchor. I once read in our class gc, that is still alive up until to this day, that the four
of them are earning big time as seafarers. They didn't seem to notice me so I turn my attention
to the receptionist. She hands me my key card and I went up to my suite. I toured the room and
Gosh! The view is magnificent. I sat down on the couch, admiring the view. Then, I checked the
wall clock and it's already 2:30 in the afternoon and I have 2 hours left to prepare for the
wedding.
After taking a shower, I sat down in front of the vanity mirror and started curling my
hair. I also turned on the television. "BREAKING NEWS!" The anchor said. "Top 1 Most Wanted
Terrorist Osama Bin Laden died in an operation conducted by the Philippine authorities." That
piqued my interest so I turned off my curling iron and focused my attention on the news. It
turns out, Bin Laden’s hide out was raided by the elite team led by General Jerry Pok-ao. The
news also says that the team is a combination of the top performing police officers and ARMY
members of the country namely: Sergeant Devis Annaguey, Sergeant Psalms Conrado, Police
Major Russell Faclangen, SPO1 Renfroe Safawil, PO3 Jimmy Wanawan, Police Major Chrison
Yoga, Sergeant Dante Ayao-ao, SPO2 Dawn Bissok, SPO1 Jana Copas, Police Major Mary Rose
Fagsao, SPO1 Cumayen Pusot, Lieutenant Dincele Pang-etan, Corporal Francis Peckley, PO3
Kenny Rogers Velasco, 1st Scout Ranger Ervin Ayowan, Colonel Kurt Kitongan, Master Sergeant
Kharylle Indongsan, Lieutenant Mayo Fuchadcha, Colonel Albert Ekid, Sergeant Johnville Ines,
Lieutenant Jason Oyangwa, and Colonel Jerylle Mae Hill. They must be too brave, strong, and
intelligent to take down a terrorist like Bin Laden.
After the breaking news, a commercial showed up, so I finished curling my hair and
wore light make up. I hailed a cab to Villa Esperanza where the garden wedding will be
happening. Thank God I arrived just on time. 5 minutes after I sat down, the wedding started.
The entourage came in and we all stood up for the arrival of the bride. I noticed that Jeoffrey is
teary-eyed while watching his soon to be wife,walking down the aisle.
The ceremony went fast and we are now currently having the photo ops. Jeoffrey, and
his bride Karla Bumakas, are now posing together with Jeoffrey's workmates. One of them is
General Jobert Gumihid from BFP. Then, the friends of the groom were called by the
photographer. Together with our high school friends, we posed for the camera. At the
reception, I had the chance to catch up with them. We are seated in one of the tables and I
asked them how's life. Hannah Macario is now a prestigious doctor, as well as Dra. Vanessa
Gayyaman. They are both working in Harmony Grove Medical Center.
Edmar Jules Timario, an accountant, came with his fiance Annie Manolo who is a nurse
also situated in Makati. Christina Kannisi is a teacher in Brent International School. Sharlyn
Fantiyao reached her dream as a community organizer. Glenn Calabawan is now a Marine
Officer. He told us that he was on vacation so he was able attend Jeoffrey's wedding. Hannah
invited me to go outside to get some fresh air after eating. When we were about to walk
towards the lounge chairs, I did not notice a rock in front of me so I tripped and lost
consciousness.
I woke up at midnight. This time not by the sound of the alarm but by the sound of the
rain. "It was just a dream," I murmured. I sighed and quickly went back to sleep. 17 days to go, I
think to myself.