Story By France Broce Antonio, Grade 11 (SY 2019-2020)
Photos By Rheyxs Fernandez and Marionne Van Sasis
It’s been five years since I entered my dream school. I never thought I’d start studying in this school just in time for it’s Diamond Anniversary and exit just as it celebrates the Ruby Anniversary.
Laughter, sorrow, friendship, memories were made in our junior high and senior high school days. Our barkada started when we were on seventh grade and we never thought we’d be each other’s shoulders to cry on, hands to hold on to and buddies that we can lean on. I remembered when were on our first day of being a freshman, every time the bell would ring to signify the beginning and end of every subject, we’d rush out of our classroom not knowing what the bell actually meant. We used to think that it was for recess time or dismissal. Our first recess was both exciting and embarrassing. We even brought our bags with us to the canteen and tugged the same bags as we roamed the campus.
Never will I forget how my friends sighted their crushes (the seniors to be exact) at the Circle Ks and talked about how our day went and about how exhausted we were because of academics or “acads.” We would often laugh at the most trivial of things, then someone would exclaim, “Uy! Second bell na!” That would send us all back to our classrooms with the laughter and memories we just made.
I’ll never forget how some students call THE CIRCLE K as “Circle-Key.” I only realized that was because of the letter ‘K’ emblem on the table. Also memorable were all the homeworks that we made in school because we forgot to do them at home. We would all go to the library, cramming because only 10 minutes were left before the dreaded deadline.
We would swap jokes and laugh so hard while in the library only to get shouted at by Mrs. Glaraga: “KEEP QUIET YOU’RE AT THE LIBRARY!”
The legendary bleachers still stand witness to all the students passing by. Some were full of excitement, while some walk with nothing but their poker faces. The kiosks have seen us hangout during programs (but we were participating, at least). The hallways, too, have significance. There we planned to pass in order to sneek out but always Mr. Maribojoc would be there standing right in front of the faculty room. He’d shout, “Go back to your classroom.”
I can also remember that our teacher told me to take charge of the “Permit to Leave the Classroom” so I brought it everywhere I’d go. Unknowingly, I brought it home. How dedicated I was to really take charge of that permit even at home!
Our many “firsts” are also part of my lifetime treasures—the first program, examination and feast day. Days and weeks and months, even years went by and we all learned a lot of things during in CST-R. I know every Thomasian must have already asked a seatmate or friend: “First bell to? Dugay pa ang time?”
Lest I forget, I’ll remember the teachers that taught us not only lessons from the academic subjects but also lessons that we can apply in our lives.
Our batch will be graduating right on the 80th year or the Ruby Anniversary of Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos. I am proud to say that not even a single second spent here was wasted. I’ll never forget. I’ll never forget the memories I am cherishing in my Thomasian heart. Thank you, friends. Thank you, CST-R.
