Class Prophecy

"As we travel in time..."
by: Ma Carmela B. Valencia Class Salutatorian
It was a high noon of April 5, 2000 when a tranquil sound of a ringing telephone disturbed my miiday nap at my villa in the outskirts of France. Still irritated by the disturbance, I hesitatedly answered the UN's private phone.

Surely, it was a call from the UN headquarters in Netherlands, requiring me to report immediately. I was about to complain for I was still on vacation but the caller, Miss Nenita Trabadillo, the Public Relations Officer and Secretary of the UN Secretary General already put the receiver down. After all, as the UNICEF's chairman for Southeast Asia, I was still under the command of he UN Secrretary General, Rommel Pedrola, so I have to follow orders.

Packing my things, I was saddened by the fact that I'll miss the 2000 Olympic Games in Greece tomorrow because of an emergency mission. I'll be losing the chance to personally witness the kicks of football player Pete Yanson, the powerful serves of Lillibeth Gipanago, the herculean discus throwing strength of Junjun Amarante and the lightning sprints of Henry Villacojer.

My chaufeur drove me to the airport and I was given a seat by international stewardess Jenny May Poblete who was now engaged to Philippine Secretary of National Defense, General John Eden Torrecampo, Jr. She handed me a newspaper and my dozing appepite was gone when I read that painter Ma. Adelfa Samillano has just exchanged vows with Ryan Sanchez, the sole proprietor of Rysan perfumes.

Smiles got out of my lips when I read that an operation in Negros Occidental was in progress leaving many children homeless and were seeking refuge in La Carlota City, my hometown. My reading was disturbed when the plane encountered an air pocket causing the passengers with unfastened seatbelts to stumble. The pilot, airman Elrie Sario, informed us that everything is under control.

Within minutes, our plane landed on the grounds of Netherlands where an escorted Rolls Royce awaits me headed by the chief of the UN Security Council Christopher June Tampo and his wife, pilot nurse Jenn Mae de Paula.

tDuring the meeting, Secretary General Rommel Pedrola informed tha I will leave for La Carlota City to see the situation of children refugees renderred by the military operations in Negros Occidental. He told me thatI will be accompanied by the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Lloyd Sitchon and his wife, supermodel Michelle Tumonong. After a long discussionwe left for the Philippines the next day.

We arrived at NAIA where we were greeted by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, his excellencey, President Eduardo Arro, Jr. and his wife, human rights lawyer Mae Grace Nillos. After so much hugging and kissing, I board a plane bound to La Carlota City with AFP Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Joselito Nochepo and Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Hentjie Huilar.

In minutes, I was already inside the deluxe hotel of Guintubdan,known worldwide for its unique architectural design. The Guintubdan Hotel was owned by Engineer Ronnie Apolinario with lady pastor Jenena Cabrillos who also manages the retreat house. the hotel also offers excelled food cooked by internationally renowned chefs, Lovely Jane Limbo and Mary Cres Tenio. The hotel assures the customers not to worry of their fats because Miss Bodyshots Louela Acosta and Miss Universe Rosalie Uriarte run a health clinic with Dr. Pamela Grace Joseph as their head Physical Therapist. Besides, the hotel boasts that it is the hideaway place of NBI director Rayman Nillos and his wife, singer-model Eufemia Quitco.

Upon my arrival I tried to get my hands on the hotel's offers by having my early morning workout to start my day. It really perked up my day when I say April Joy Millarez with her husband, Judge Vincent Limsiaco on their yearly honeymoon. I also saw the president of the Central Bank Jerry Sia testing his muscles on the barbells with his wife, computer genius Cecile Artieda who was very heavy with their first child.

After breakfast, the three of us, Gen Nochepo and Secretary General Hentjie Huila headed to the City Hospital where the victims were brought. On our way in, I spotted ABS-CBN ace reporter Cyrille Bello who was among the scrambling reporters eager to get my attention. With all my efforts, I personally dragged her into the nurses' station for a statement. What a blessing when I saw Dr. Richard Ginete admitting his pregnant wife, nurse Jirah Amelo who was about to deliver their second born. From a distance, I recognized Prof Bernard PAblo accompanying his wife CI Janice Bello. From them I knew that Board Topnotcher nurse Leila Maquirang and business man Richardter Gumban will be married next month.

After our acquaintance I talked to the refugees and see the situation of children as I distribute their much needed supplies. It was a very tiring day taht I canot wait for my companies so I headed for the hotel alone. On my way, a big trunk of tree barricades the road and masked men encircled my vehicle. Someone got near me and let me smell something that I lost consciousness. Blindfolded, I was brought to a cave where a familiar voice dominates the place. He was Kumander Toteck, once Trex Gan, the champion lawyer of the deprived farmers. On his right was human rights activist Nilo Billones and on his left was Gen. John Erwin Talaver, the succesor of Lt. Gringo Honasan.

LAte in the evening I just heard the negotiations were arranged between the Philippine high ranking officials.

The next day, I was dragged blindfolded at the falls of Guintubdan. Later, I saw the President, Gov. Ferdinand Sia, Mayor Romeo Baga, Agrarian Reform Secretary Rimmon Armones, Budget Secretary Julie Mae Talaver and reporters of TV and radio stations Josephine Tales and Antonette Maghari and Newsweek correspondent Shiella Mae Quilloy.

After the negotiations, the government promised to reinforce the land reform program and is supported by businesswoman Hazel Yee and haciendero Rollen Almacen. Later, a mass officiated by no less than Monsignor Ritchie Guerra. Broadway singers Madilene Casas and Jenny Sortigosa with opera singers Antonio Antolin Aplaon, III and Sidney Villamor were on the choir.

From among the crowd, I saw the familiar faces of my classmates and friends ten years ago, and I have known that it is anothe significantevent in the Philippine history, a day of peace and unity.

Surely, Class 1990-1991 of DHSBNHS left a mark on history.

Let it be...