I decided that this should be in order, given that we’ve all gotten into our respective colleges and it’s been a while since the day I wrote the version of my yearbook dedication that is immortalized in print:
The last seven years I spent at ISM have been the craziest, busiest, most amazing years of my life. During this time I’ve met so many great people, made and lost friends, experienced many firsts, dreamed ambitiously, achieved what I could, and made sincere efforts towards accepting myself. These were seven years of phone calls, online conversations, social networks, homework, film editing, gossip, laughter, stress, frustration, tears, sleeplessness, music, parties, essays, Shakespeare, Greek symbols, three-ring binders and TI calculators. Seven years of seeing friends come and go, and sometimes, some of them come back. This was also a time of time wasted and mistakes made, but these flaws helped shape the kind of person I am today, and the kinds of people that we have all turned out to be.
I look at our class picture on my bedroom wall and no longer see the pubescent tweens I met when I arrived at ISM. In fact, there were so many new faces that weren’t even around when I came in sixth grade, and some faces who were missing, faces of those who have moved to other cities abroad. Instead, I saw 174 gorgeous young adults from different parts of the world, all with our own sets of achievements and setbacks, as we comprised this year’s graduating class. Together, we are just so incredibly epic. I mean, look at us! Look at where we’re going next. I can only see the best.
To my scholar sisters, I love to think of how far we’ve all come in the last five/seven years. Kimi - you were my first friend in ISM, and we’ve both seen and been through a lot together. You work with the yearbook these last few years has been AMAZING, and I can honestly thank you for being involved with the issues of Salinlahi and Kawayan that I will treasure forever. When you finally heard from NYUAD I was jubilant because I knew that no one else deserved better than you did. You’ll be far away, and I will miss you so much, but knowing how often we talk, either on the phone or online, we’ll find ways to stay connected.
Michi - Little (lol) Miss Harvard. Little Miss Harvard whose dreams come true like a little Disney princess. I’m glad that this last year, for the most part, has turned out really well for you. Your senior year is like a million different movies come to life, and for that I am so proud of you. You are seriously one of the nicest people I have ever met in my life, and I’d like to thank you for keeping me grounded and helping me stay rational when my thoughts get cloudy. I treasure our friendship like no other, and I’m expecting a lot of stories during our lunches in Cambridge and NYC.
Bernice - my hipster sister, keep making films okay? And make friends naman in APU, gaga.
Nicole - cousin, I’m sure you’ll have a blast in Ateneo! Build that Kagaoan legacy, Blue Eagle style.
And lastly, Isabel - it’s good to see you come into your own in the last seven years. I know we’ve had our differences but I can safely say that you are one of the most honest people I know and I admire that you stay true to yourself. Don’t go too crazy in Barnard, ha! And careful with the Columbia boys…
Jaime, my rockstar “godfather” - if you look at my 8th grade dedication I said something about the two of us being indie kids going to NYU, and neither of us even ended up applying. You know how I feel about you and our friendship, and I’m sure you know that I love you with all my heart and hope that we end up being friends forever. You know me better than anyone else, and I know that when we talk I can open up to you about pretty much everything. Aside from being one my closest friends you’re also one of the sweetest, smartest and most talented people I’ve ever known. Seriously, that CuDi mashup is pure class. You know I’ll always be there singing along when you perform, even if I have to do it over the phone.
Katie - I’m really glad that I got to know you better this year. Between IASAS MUN, Dystopia production and NESCAC win, we’ve shared a lot of inside jokes, conversations, and time spent together. You’re extremely strong-willed, and sometimes I wish I was more like you in that respect. Thank you for making me understand the important things in life, and helping me sort through all the proverbial rubbish that I’ve stupidly put myself through. My only regret is that we didn’t get closer sooner. Either way, our shared likes and dislikes give us the kind of friendship we have right now, and it’s one that I hope lasts through college. I’ll party on Fountain with you.
Joaquin - my Filipino partner, you have done well in being part of our council. You, Jaims, Marco and Katie have fun in Wesleyan, and we shall party it up when I visit Middletown.
Liana - a million phone conversations, inside jokes and awkward/dramatic moments later, I just want you to know that wherever you are right now, I hope you’re taking care of yourself and things turn out for the better. We’ve had enough talks that should show how much I care about you, and I can’t wait to see you again. You know that I’m always gonna be here for you.
Lindsey - it’s kinda funny how we came to be pretty close in the last 2 years. You’re one of the chillest people I know, which is cool, and I like the kind of friendship we have going for us. I’ll definitely hit you up in California, hopefully as soon as December, and you can get me that In-N-Out that you owe me, and we can shop at MAC, get our makeup done, and get free mascara. Course I won’t have my lash crap on by then so I can wear mascara again, yehesss! Also, read over what I said. You owe me In-N-Out. You actually owe me something. Who’s the squatter now? Hah!
Kento - we never really hung out before this year, even though we have that whole Palahniuk fan thing. I still haven’t read Tell-All, Choke or Rant, by the way, so I still really have to do that. Your comic book/graphic novel collection is legit awesome, but you know how I feel about the art for V for Vendetta. I think the movie did it better. Gimme Tell-All!
Dev - see above. I’m not a squatter, or at least not that much of a squatter. Don’t get fat from all that Floridian fried chicken. I mean it. You’ve come this far! Also, stop trolling my Facebook! You know I can’t come up with wise comebacks quickly enough. I think that you, of all people, will have loads of fun in college. Just, don’t have too much fun. Would be kinda ironic for a doctor to have to give himself checkups for all sorts of, um, diseases.
Jan-Willem - loser going to Europe for uni. Okay, you know how I feel about the whole thing with you not opening up to me as much as I want you to, but despite that, you’ve been more than a friend to me for the last seven years. You’ve been a close friend. Yes, you are, in spite of whatever drama I try to cause between us, because I do admit that it’s almost always my fault :P We’ve had a lot of memories, from having 4 classes together almost every year except these last two, and most of them pretty good ones, so I hope you don’t forget them just cos you’re n Utrecht and surrounded by European girls. And like I said in the yearbook, you love me. Admit it.
Leandro - you’ve probably changed the most out of everyone I know, and even though you might not admit it, we’re friends. We’ve been friends since the moment you decided to make me your Horatio, so if there’s anyone you have to blame for being associated with the sort of character I am, it’s yourself. Sorry if I don’t make sense most of the time, and sorry that you had to hold your breath when I was there in the car with your yaya. And in terms of that change that I was talking about, I can assure you that you’ve taken a turn for the better. I’m glad you didn’t wait till Yale to get socialized. Good on you.
Angie - I’m really glad about how things turned out for you. All those phone conversations about you not getting in anywhere and now look, you’re going to NYU! I’m so excited for you, and I always knew that someone as nice and determined as you was going to end up somewhere awesome. You’re one of the people that I can truly be myself around, and I’m gonna miss being able to hear your voice over the phone all the time. Take care of yourself, you Burmese babe, and don’t let anyone get in the way of your CNN dreams.
Vince - baaaaaaaaaaaaanceeeee chaaaaaaang, like I said before, you’re probably my first male friend EVER, which gives you some sort of special place in my heart. We’ve been good friends except for that one year we barely talked cos we had no classes together at all. Thanks for teaching me how to cook Shabu-Shabu. That was fun. Just don’t forget me when you turn into a pro baseball player.
Manni - HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII :) :D :P :) :) :) :) if there’s anything I’m gonna miss about you, it’s definitely not going to be your ultra-smartness that’s gonna blow those Stanford minds away. It’s gonna be your seemingly flawless friendliness, your signature “HIII” and “LOLOLOLOL”, and your excessive use of big words smileys in every single Skype or text message you send. I’m glad to have had the honor of working with you in two years of Psych; it seems to have been the one thing we had in common. LOLOLOLOL.
Angel - you have one of the most infectious laughs I know, especially when we’re in a class with either Sir or Marshy and there’s just so much to laugh about. Thanks for reminding me of the lighter things in life. You make everything feel a lot brighter and happier and I’ll be sure to hit you up in Boston. Have fun being a Husky, and make sure you infect everyone with your laugh bug.
Will and Tara - Rain Boys turned out pretty well, didn’t it? I think that despite whatever challenges we had during production, we really pulled through. I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish and if you still need to see the film, it’s on my Vimeo, so check it out there. Billy - finally, you will be in a place where you’re bound to be surrounded by people who are more pretentious than you. I can’t wait to hear all about it. Now go get housed in Kirkland and write a better version of The Social Network.
Belbus - I’m sorry that the betta fish you gave me at the end of sophomore year died during junior ICARE. It was my favorite pet while it lasted. I think that my first memory of you was in 6th grade when I closed my locker and you awkwardly asked me if I liked a certain person. You’ve certainly changed since then, and now you’re one of the most naturally gorgeous, best dressed people I know, and also one of the best artists. Pls don’t turn into a hemp-growing hippie in Brown/RISD/all ova Providence.
Chloe - I still remember that whole scenario about the two of us being somewhat cousins, even though I still don’t know how exactly that is. Thanks with bonding with me over The O.C., Seth Cohen, and quotes from Mean Girls. That stuff never gets old with us. I’m so proud of you getting into Tisch, NO ONE ELSE deserves it more than you!
Alex, Gabby, Prerna, Rachel, Mara, Isabel F, Cabigs, Julia, Chris, Richelle, Kristine, Maansi, Jose, Shrey, Diamond, Snoeck, Deionte, Kay, Karishma, Andrea, Justin, Rhea, Mars, Pats, Melvin, Jaime, Zina, Mic, Gino, Darren, Jimmy, Sung Ho, Magnus, Kwee, Smriti, Joe, Marco, Rocky, Karen L, Nick, Jusung, Akber, Sam, Thomas, Chia-Wei, Migs, Crespo, Yuan, Gea Seon, Manu, Jaemin, Jonathan, Ayesha, Phnie, Aless, Olivia, Allen, Kaya, Joel, Phillip, Abe, Nate, Denise, Bianca, Zoe, Amir, Katie, Sabrina - 3 MS plays, 6 CWW trips, tens of parties, hundreds of classes, and countless memories later, I just want to thank you all for being a part of this entire experience. It’s been fun.
To the underclassmen: Mahek, Alonzo, Moonie, Mariella, Zaina, Aurna, Nima, Nacho, JHobbs, Jake, Diego, Katie, Bianca, Nikki, Yihua, Nicole, Claudio, Toni, Sam, DVir, Matt, Shloka, Akshar, CK, Asuka - take care of yourselves for the remainder of high school. It’ll all be over before you know it. Don’t be the kind of person who waits till the very end to have fun. There won’t be enough time. The last thing I want for you guys is to graduate with any regrets.
To my teachers and counselors, you have, in some way, been incredibly influential to the kind of writer and thinker I am today. Mr. Nichols - the day you suggested Hamilton may have been the most important moment that we had in your office together. I cannot thank you enough for believing in me, for guiding me through the entire college process, and for making me your occasional spy because, as you very well know, I know (almost) everything. Thank you for opening me up to so many amazing opportunities I would not have found out about otherwise. I’m so lucky to have had you as my counselor this year.
Vicky - oh, the legendary Vicky! From the moment I first mustered up the courage to enter your office to the last few days of me telling you how ugly your empty room was, you have been such a huge part of my high school experience. I can’t even count how many hours I’ve spent in your room, talking about everything, such as college, my future after that, friends, drama, gossip, boobs, and pretty much everything under the sun. I feel honored to have co-written the guidance dedication plaque along with Kimi and Michi. I will miss you and love you forever, and I promise to visit you whenever I can.
Mr. Reilly - to me you’ve been more than a teacher; you’ve been a friend. Thanks for the advice, for letting me crash your classroom during study hall, and for clandestinely supplying me with a pretty solid variety of hip-hop, house music, and British TV shows (thanks to you too, Mrs. Reilly!) I’m so lucky that you were our GLA for the last two years. You’re the best.
Mr. Oomens - I don’t think I would have developed such a passion for film if not for you. I appreciate everything that you have taught me, which extends beyond mere film language and theory towards several skills that I’m gonna need in the future. See you when I try to get you to sign off the rights to “Cold Comfort 2”! I will always find myself quoting you forever.
Mr. Dingrando - the last two years of Physics have been awesome. Thank you for making me appreciate a form of science, no matter how much I struggled with wrapping my head around all the concepts and formulas. You’ve been a great teacher, and I would not have been able to survive that class without you.
Sir Candido - so many good times in your classroom. You’re gonna deny it at first but I know you’re gonna miss the “diva ng IB Fil”. Thanks for putting up with my endless amounts of kwela and kakulitan and for always giving me A’s in your class, except when we were in Phil Hist when for some reason I got an A- or something. Sino pa kaya nag sasabihan mo ng “WALANG HIYA” at “HAYOP” when we’re gone?!
Mr. Ayling - thanks for all the advice on my love life. When I sort everything out, hopefully in the near future, I’ll be sure to update you!
Ms. Gillman, Ms. Cross, Ms. Gerken, Mr. Feren and Mr. Butcher - of all the teachers I have ever had in ISM, my favorites always end up being my English teachers. I want to thank you all for believing in me, for encouraging me to be a better writer, and for making me learn big words. You are all such wonderful people and I’m sure that when I’m writing those college papers or preparing those oral presentations I’ll always end up thinking of Benjamin Zephanaiah’s turkey poem (Ms. Gillman), literature circles (Ms. Cross), Thoreau references in Dead Poets Society (Ms. Gerken), Einmal set Kanemal (Mr. Feren), and the many Butcher-isms and love advice that lined my English journal in senior year (Mr. Butcher). Thank you all for changing my life.
To my family: Mom, Dad, Elle, Gerald, MJ, Lolo Rico, Lola Mitta, Lolo Efren and all my relatives - I cannot thank you enough for everything that you have given me, everything that you have blessed me with. I love you with all my heart and I will miss you all very much. Lola Pining, I wish you could be here to see all of this. I miss you. I love you.
And lastly, I’d like to thank God for answering my prayers when I needed him the most, and for blessing me with over eighteen years of such an amazing life. Thank you for giving me seven years of ISM and four more years at Hamilton, for blessing me with having to pay close-to-nothing instead of millions for my education. I owe you. Hopefully you’ll bless me with a grad school scholarship as well. LOVE YOU!!!
