The song that brought me back to my high school life

What is it about a song that instantly transports you back to the time when you first heard it? There is that immediate connection that plays your heart’s strings.

Singer David Pomeranz guested in our morning show, Umagang Kay Ganda, to promote his new album, You’re My Inspiration. He sang the anthem of proms — King and Queen of Hearts, and Got to Believe in Magic, made famous by the ’80s movie, Zapped. 

The movie didn’t do well in the box-office, but the songs, stuck in our memory. It was kilig to hear the song.

I was more kilig to hear the song, more than kilig on what happened on our prom night. Our JS Prom was nothing like we see in the movies where you came with a date. I studied in Angelicum, a coed high school, and hence, I attended the prom with my girl friends. Our thrill was being all dolled up for high school’s special night.  

The JS Prom is just one of the many highlights of high school. Definitely, it tops the favorite topics during get-togethers. And I can’t believe we’re having our grand reunion in May. 

Sure, people tend to talk about the laughter and all the good memories of high school. For me, I get introspective. Looking back, it was a defining moment of who I was. In moments in our lives when we feel we need direction, it’s always good to revisit who we were back then when life was simpler. More than the academics, high school taught me so much about life. 

It was in high school when I had my first heartache, particularly when my parents separated. Back then, it was a choice between rebelling and desiring a better future for myself. Mama told me when I felt I didn’t want to study anymore, “It didn’t work out between your Papa and I, but why will you ruin your life?” This taught me independence. Despite my seemingly frail appearance, I have become steadfast because of this.

Being a newcomer in freshman year, I was bullied, and this prepared me in real life where there are worse bullies and adverse situations. Because of this, I turned to prayer. Early on, I learned to adapt to trials and more importantly, change.

High school is where I discovered my inclinations. I was part of the school paper, the Peer Counselors Circle, the Student Catholic Action Group, the Angelicumusic and the Model Platoon. Sometimes I feel that high school was too easy, and could have been more challenging, but on second thought, it seemed like I was cruisin’ because I enjoyed what I did. Early on, high school taught me about finding one’s passion, and life won’t be work. 

There are countless lessons from high school that have made an impact on my life. There are so many fond memories that continue to bring a smile, 20 years after our graduation. 

To my batchmates, we have a Facebook page, Angelicum Batch 1993-Quezon City High School, let’s keep in touch.