CLASS PROPHECY

Batch 2011-2012

It was quite a peaceful evening when I reached my suite room in Londons first class hotel. Our country has sent me to represent Philippines in a convention of World Health Organization attended by famous doctors all over the world. For years of hard work I became the nations highest paid neurosurgeon. They call me Dr. Brylle Nico Fernandez. I thought that it was quite too early to sleep so I pulled out my latest Mac Book and checked on my list of emails. I was sluggishly scrolling down my inbox when suddenly one mail caught my attention. It was from Shema! I straightened up and eagerly opened the mail. To my surprise, they are inviting me, along with all alumni, to the inauguration of SHEMA UNIVERSITY. I just couldnt believe it. I can still remember myself 25 years ago in that school. The memories are still fresh and I can still remember how my classmates and I were sitting and listening in our humble classrooms, but now its a university! I have to go there! Few days later, I found myself boarding a plane back to Philippines. I turned on my ipod and listened to a song by Alliah Fausto, a sensational Filipino artist who sold over a million albums in her first single. I remembered she used to sing when we were still in Shema. My thoughts carried me back to those times when I was still running along the hallways of my alma mater. I still cant believe Im going back after how many years. I was jolted back to reality when a woman seated beside me touched my shoulder and said Brylle, is that you? I quickly recognized that sweet smile of Nicole, our valedictorian in elementary. Actually, shes now called Prof. Nicole Ann Gomez of Harvard University. She is the headmistress in that prestigious school. Shes also coming back for the inauguration of Shema University. Sadly, we both became so occupied with our careers that we lost contact of most of our classmates. Our chat was interrupted by a voice saying Please fasten your seatbelts everyone. This is your captain, First Officer Patrick Querimit, thanking you for flying with us. Nicole and I looked at each other and laughed, Patrick is our pilot? After the flight, we requested to see Patrick and he was so surprised to see both of us. He invited us to a caf owned by his fiance in Makati Metro Manila. I looked at Nicole and we both had the same person in mind. When we arrived there, we knew that we were right all the time. It was Chef Beulah Abayon. They invited us to their soon wedding which will be ministered by Rev. Kerr Jaranilla, who pastors a big church in Manila. I called up my dear friend, Chemical Engineer John Nathan Novia to join our small group. Jan-Jan, as we used to call him, now owns the largest pharmaceutical company in the Philippines. Despite his busy schedule, he immediately went to the caf. John Nathan told us of his sister, Jemimah Novia who has become the Dean of Education in University of St. LaSalle Bacolod and has topped the licensure examination for teachers. As we were waiting for our slices of Beulahs delicious cakes, I picked up a newspaper that read Filipino Billionaire named as One of the Worlds Wealthiest People. I was so shocked to see the name Jan Bouven Agustino. Is this really Bouven, our classmate in elementary? I asked. Beulah and Patrick nodded. Yes, hes now a billionaire! I cant believe we used to tease him as tarsier back in the days, Patrick said. We all laughed. Nicole added, dont you know Trol Nepomuceno has gained a Nobel Peace Prize as one of the top scientists all over the world? She was there when Trol was awarded. Who would have thought that they will be that successful? I hope they can come to the inauguration, Beulah said. Just the time that I was about to eat my second cake, a sexy lady, wearing red dress and high stilettos stepped inside the caf. She let out a

gentle scream when she saw us. When she took off her sunglasses, we recognized her immediately. It was no other than Shalom Alunan who has become a famous international designer and has her own clothesline in Paris. She told us of Karmine Acot who has become a successful accountant in Italy and has married a rich businessman there. Their friend, Sarah Martinez, was married to a duke in Scotland and has now her own mall there too. Keane Recudo also resides there being the head nurse of Scotland Hospital. All these news seem so overwhelming. After our unexpected get together, we bid each other goodbye. My driver fetched me with my Ford Expedition. As we passed through the metro, there was still the same billboard of Century Tuna Superbod with its model Alden Recto hanging along EDSA. I was gone for more than a month but the ad was still there. Maybe Alden must really be that popular. I guess he has now lots of girls following him around. But wait, theres another billboard of ABS-CBNs TV Patrol with a familiar face. I took a closer look, rubbed my eyes a bit and realized that it was Harvy Dudas! Hes now a newscaster of ABS-CBN. Oh well, he deserves it. He had wits none of us had. Suddenly, my cellphone rang. The president wanted to see me the next day. When I got home, my wife greeted me with a kiss and was so thrilled to report that the dentist who helped fixed her teeth was my elementary classmate, Jennie Vabe Birondo. My wife praised her for her skill in dentistry and wants her to be our family dentist. It was a long day of surprises and I lay down on my bed with a smile on my face. When I arrived at Malacaang Palace, the next day, I was escorted by the Head Minister of National Defense, Xavier Denihay. We often see each other here in the Palace but Xavier is such a busy man that we seldom talk to each other. I guess he will be at the inauguration too, together with his wife, Paula. Along the hallways of the Palace, Senator Aira Sorallo congratulated me for being chosen as the nations representative in the convention. She revealed to me that she is planning to file her candidacy as Vice-President for the next election. I gave her my full support because I know she is wellcapable. Right there in the office was the president with his trusted lawyer, Atty. Paula Marie Parra. It seems that she is the next Miriam Defensor Santiago. Everytime she opens her mouth, everybody is silenced. She is nationally known as the unbeatable debater. She smiled at me and told me to call her soon. Maybe its because of Shema University. After my meeting with the president, I decided to buy new outfit to be used in the inauguration. I went to the new mall opened in Makati. To my surprise, I learned that this elegant structure was built by Architect Joshua Villaverde, the most sought after architect in the country because of his extraordinary designs. With him was Civil Engineer Kyle Alvarez who has supervised many building constructions nationwide. They even helped in designing Shema University. Our conversation was cut short because they had an important appointment waiting. When I got home, I turned on the television set to find some news. I stopped changing channels when I saw an episode of Oprah. Her guest was NASAs astronomer, Percian Dormitorio. I didnt recognize Percian at first because his looks have changed. He now has a much more mature countenance. Percian leads the Exploration in Mars and other space programs of NASA. When the show was finished, I changed channels only to find another familiar face on TV. I looked closely at the name flashed below Jasmine Alim. She won Pilipinas Got Talent years ago and is inviting everyone for her concert in Araneta Coliseum. She replaced Sarah Geronimo in the charts. Years ago, I didnt even think I would see my classmates on TV. Now, they are prominent figures.

The day arrived when I had to go back to my hometown and my beloved alma mater. Ive been gone for almost 20 years and Im filled with excitement to return to my roots. I was greeted by Philippine Airlines handsome steward Rhyss Dreyfus. We hugged each other and told me that he will be at the inauguration with his wife and children. I took a taxi to bring me to LFisher Hotel. When I passed by Talisay City, I saw a poster Waswas Bugsay Talisay Mayor Kolby Lacson. The silent Kolby has become the mayor of Talisay. I felt so proud. When I arrived at the hotel, I picked up a brochure of a beautiful island resort, famous in Cebu City. It was named Villa Riopay. I immediately called up the place and asked who the owner was. Indeed, it was Joseph Riopay. I plan to bring my family there. At lunchtime, I called up my friend Kyle Navarro, who is the head surgeon in Riverside Medical Hospital to meet me at Robinsons Place. I can still remember the different concerts we had in the Fountain Area. Now, we are grown-ups. Kyle had to leave me after lunch so I went to the National Bookstore. I picked up a best seller book and when I looked at the author, it was Kristine Treyes. She has become an author who sold over a million copies of her work. I continued to stroll along the mall, and to my surprise, I saw Spencer Recto and Illah Piao. They introduced me to their 2 beautiful daughters. Spencer owns the largest Computer Shop and Tarpaulin Printing Company in Bacolod. His wife, Illah Piao is also a professor in University of St. LaSalle Bacolod with a doctorate degree in Education. They have managed to become successful entrepreneurs at the same time. While we were talking, a handsome, strong-built man approached us with a big smile. We only recognized him when he told us he was Joseph Denora. He gained gold medals from the Olympics and has just returned from a world tour. He literally has travelled the world and has just come back to attend the inauguration. I checked my time. It was 7:00 in the evening. I was prepared to meet my classmates, friends and schoolmates in Shema University. When I arrived there, a tear fell from my eye when I saw my school. It was not the same. I remembered how Pastor desired for this 25 years ago but now its a reality. I entered the hallway and familiar faces approached me. And suddenly I heard a familiar voice. Brylle, wake up now or youll be late for your graduation party mama said. Sigh, it was but a dream.. but who knows? The dream may come true. It is not impossible to achieve. To the graduating class, may the prophecy come true and keep the dream alive!

BRYLLE NICO FERNANDEZ

SALUTATORIAN, BATCH 2012