Always in pursuit of something, that’s my state of mind.

An ode to those 3-grueling-yet-most-amazing-weeks of my entire college life. I think it was when I took my first baby steps towards adulthood. (or possibly towards being an adventurous and open-minded alcoholic)

BROAD ASS BATCH NinetyEight

Ayalin, Adrian Mangaoang

Carballo, Mark Anthony Adamos

Castillo, Marian de Guzman

Clerigo, Angelico Berses

Cordero, Forsyth Nunez

de la Torre, Raz Sobida

Dizon, Lea Wynetta Canlas

Estrada, Regina Hostalero

Gahol, Carlo Roman Lopez

Laurel-Guba, Melissa Jane Tarroja

Mosatalla, Joni Colinares

Rimando, Mary Grace Dalope

Talactac, Sherlyn Perez

When I entered the College of Mass Communication on the 2nd semester of my second year at the University of the Philippines, I was greeted by a hazing looking thing of sorts for a college organization’s application. Some people donned costumes in the college. I said right away that I’ll never find myself in that situation. I don’t need no organization to survive college, much less some sorority of sorts.

Until that semester rolled by and I was on my 3rd year… A group of bright-eyed college girls and boys with wide-toothed smiles plastered on their faces went inside my Journ101 class to invite us to an orientation with free food. It was really just the free food that enticed me, (heheh)

But then a classmate of mine, Sinta, told me that she’s interested in applying in Broad Ass (short for UP-CMC Broadcasting Association) and she sort of nudged me to join as well. And I’ve always been a supportive friend (Right, Diane? After you left me with the JMAers?) .

That’s when the ball started rolling. Needless to say, I finished these 3 grueling weeks with 12 other individuals. Costume donned I was for 1 week, trying to generate money on the 2nd week, by the 3rd week, I’ve lost 10 lbs and I’ve cried more than I have before then.

More than the days spent at the veranda being made to do everything humanely or inhumanely possible in the face of Plaridel Hall, there were those moments shared with 12 other significant people in my life.

Cramped in a 1-bedroom condo unit, 5 minutes away from UP (without traffic), all 13 of us would sleep on any available space.

Our batch is possibly the most well documented batch of our time. We would have 3 separate film cameras clicking at once, Sir Alvin or Sir Kidlat would be shooting us on video. And for me the best of it is when we’d shoot each other during those moments when we were just by ourselves. Other than that we had scheduled studio shoots.

I just finished watching “The Snail Diaries” an edited video of the collected footage and pictures of our batch, which Raz, our Batch Rep made. And I always get teary eyed and laughing so hard every time I watch it. I laugh at everyone’s booboos, that insane (MJ infested) reunion we had at Raz’s house in Lipa, the ride heading home, the finals, everything. And I think I shed a tear every time I laugh at those memories (of youth).

***To you my dear Mistahs,

All 13 of us are now threading different directions in our lives. Congregating has always been difficult for us, that is why we’ve only aimed to reach a quorum. It’s sad that I can’t be part of that quorum for this year’s anniversary. We never really had a yearly celebration but I wish you guys, who could see each other there in Manila, would meet up. And as I am infamous for saying “Happy 7th anniversary it only happens ONCE.”

I think we’ve said all the cheesy stuff, we could, to each other over the years. So I won’t say anymore but just always remember that you guys are missed and that the next time I’m back there, a NinetyEight thing should be set.

Love you, batchmates, Mistahs!!!

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