I’d like to say that I am a product of different cities, all fused to create one intermittently sane slash crazy human being. And Butuan City gets the most credit for that.
I moved here when I was 8, and though I wasn’t well-versed then with the dialect, it didn’t stop me from making friends and enjoying the suburban life.
This is the house of Mommy Two (my grandmother).
I call her that because as a child, it was explained to me early on that my real Mom is my Mommy One. But I figured that probably my grandparents just don’t really fancy being called Lolo and Lola. Haha :))
Here’s a photo of me with Mommy Two! My ever groovy posh pianist of a grandma.
Anyway, I went to the city to go to church where I had my first communion. It feels like home, but at the same time a little weird too; I mean going back here as an older woman..now.
After Church, I visited the place where I shared most days of my 6-year stay in Butuan. Because after all, this trip wouldn’t be complete without me visiting my old school – Father Saturnino Urios University.
Tadaa! This is Urios – the school where you’d always want to be.
I remember running as the year-level Governor (in student layman, it’s the year-level batch president), and actually winning it. Haha:)) It was a stressful year to put on to a 13-year old if I may say. Not to mention I upgraded and ran for Senator for the incoming academic year. It’s so charming how we have this student government that actually uses titles/positions of the real government.
The gate that literally welcomed me to teenage years. It feels like a gateway to Narnia! Urios also holds amazing parties and events almost every month! Highschool will never be boring here! There is always something to look forward to!
Zarah and Ate ER accompanied me to go to the new branch too. I was like a popcorn, keeping all those excitement inside. I could have sworn I would have bursted all in kernels!
We arrived at lunch time, and the guard didn’t let us in since it was lunch break. I was kind of hoping that I could all surprise my teachers while they’re eating. But to my dismay, I might have to keep that plan for the future instead.
I brought Pastel (one of the finest delicacies in Cagayan de Oro) from CDO to give as pasalubongs.
So to kill time, we just took selfies while waiting. Ang ganda ng lighting btw!
So when it was time, we got in and went to the Principal’s office. It was such a delight to see my then-class-adviser turned-principal Ms. Sanchez.
She’s still adorable as ever. I was feeling all VIP-ish because I had the most powerful woman in school give me some of her time to show and tour me, my friend and cousin around (not to mention to the cool features of the new school). Can you believe it, my school is going to have its own pool and will offer swimming classes to its students?! Golly! I wish we had this about a decade ago! Haha :))
I was feeling too kilig for life. I am baaack! Surprisingly, I was all matchy-matchy with the school’s facade as well.
Ms. Sanchez took us to the cafeteria. It reminded me of Mean Girls’ and A Walk to Remember’s though. The vibe was so similar! Very highschool!
We talked about many things, like how I was, how was work, my family, and about how nice it is to see each other again. It was nostalgic, yet very enriching.
It was a good hour of chitchat, though it was short, it sure was heartwarming! The conversation took me back to 14 years ago. OMG. I sound so old already! Haha
Apparently I wasn’t allowed to see some of my teachers because they were already in class. I hope the Pastel would make them remember me somehow. 🙂
And this made me think. Visiting Urios reminded me of change. It is constant, and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. But perhaps control our responses and perspectives on how we take on things. The school is old and new at the same time. Just like people – we can retain good things, let go of the bad, to make room for new ones. And we can just hope against hope that we can control and respond well to only take what makes us stronger.
I hope I get to be back by Fiesta! There are still so many things to do and places to visit! Oh wait, catch my cave pool experience after this! 🙂
Hope you had a great day today!
** Via
encyclopevia.wordpress.com 