Tuesday, March 31, 2009

marching march

There are people who have special fondness to a certain month, or in some cases, months. December is well celebrated because at Christmas day, families gather all over the world to celebrate. In fact it is the busiest month of the year for many of us. June and May is proven to be the best months for a wedding. The time is caught between dry and wet season so it is perfect for the honeymooners to stop the world and let it melt in envy of their sweetness. And of course not to mention, the beautiful blossoms that summer brings. What would a wedding be without the hues and colours of flowers?



But luckily for me, the month I deem very significant is the month of March.



Except that it is the month exactly next after February, where most budding love and love relationships come into full bloom, and could be used to evaluate whether the previous month’s hullabaloo about St. Valentine lasted another month long, March for me has become my hint to a year-end ever since I was a school kiddo: no more exams after this month, no more late night studying, no more terror teachers and irritating bully classmates. March, instead, inculcated that mantra in my young mind that it is the month to prelude summer! March is synonymous to fun and frolic in the beach, partying, countless sleep-over at a friend’s house, outdoor outback adventure, camping and simply the only legal alibi to wake up slow in the morning and to couch-potato in a lazy afternoon.


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March is also the summary of a student’s quest for knowledge and education all throughout the school year. In fact, it is the month normally when graduations are commenced. Just a few days ago, I covered the graduation exercises of the only night high school in the Eastern Visayas. Most of the graduates were working in different blue-collared jobs by day and went to class by night. Most of them were even older than I am while some, based on a person’s age, should have already been in college.



I felt goose bumps while I was listening to the speech of the class valedictorian who returned sincere gratitude to his teachers and to his Alma Mater, who, according to him accepted the rejects of the society. I felt shame for myself as he went on delivering his proud oration because I do not exactly remember the last time I was so thankful to my university.



The outpour of emotions went on when all the graduates went up the stage to render their graduation song. From where I stood, I saw clearly the pregnant 16 year-old girl whose toga gown could not help hide the mishap she got from her step-father. The next row behind her is where the 47 year-old woman, in a burgundy bob-cut, held hands with her closest classmate in class; I took photo of earlier in the ceremony where she received Class Service Award.



Some students were already crying, some just held their tears. But all of them nonetheless, looked righteously radiant in their white toga gowns, faceless before us and holding nothing for their future but pocketfuls of hope and unabashed willpower.



“I never dreamed that I will be here today. But today is my now and thank you for believing”, echoed in the air.
Right then I stopped taking photos. I just listened to their singing and marvelled to a real life spectacle happening before my eyes.



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This month I also turned another year older! (confetti and fireworks, included!)Perhaps that will explain why I am biased with March.(rofl!) No, I do not really celebrate my birthday. I mean, yeah I recognize it as the day for what it is, and of course I self-proclaim it that I get an all-access pass with anything and everything that day, devil may care! But its just that I think I am not a kid anymore to embellish some fancy on my birthday.



However, I am still thankful to the people who surprised me with a birthday cake, in the bedroom, just a minute after midnight, eve of my birthday,that is! I was in boxers already when they barged in, Mama Mia! Good thing I was not watching porn (bluff!) online that night! Que horror!



And then when I woke up the same morning, they prepared a sumptuous potluck of lechon, shrimp, kinilaw, grilled fish, BBQ…another birthday cake, black forest this time and a set of delectable flavors of ice cream. So sweet of these people. But I thought I just did not deserve the warm attention.



Anyhow, the day finished with a bang! And I found myself busily replying to all the birthday SMS’ I received since last night. Thank you pips!



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Collectively, March has been pretty blissful for me. I have had so many realizations, chance encounters, inadequacies and failures and happy thoughts in my pockets in this month alone. And I guess, it will suffice for now to keep me grounded and going.