Class Prophecy - Iceland

5/26/2018 Class Prophecy - Iceland

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I am about to go back to the Philippines after my speaking engagement. Yes, I was the keynote

speaker at a conference held in Harvard University. I shared on my experiences as a journalist, an

academic and an anthropologist.

I am Kassandra Kris Mae Bettina San Pedro EusebioMalicsi, a tenured professor of

Anthropology at University of the PhilippinesDiliman, a globally-recognized researcher in the field ofAnthropology and a reporter for Cable News Network. On a personal note, I am also a wife and a

mother of two.

When I got to the Boston Logan International Airport, I quickly boarded my plane, thanks to the

timely announcement over the PA system. It got me into thinking that the voice sounded familiar.

Maybe I was mistaken, so I decided to set the matter aside.

When we were already clear of US airspace, I checked my laptop and saw our class picture. It

made me think about my high school classmates. In fact, its been a while since I heard from them. How

are they now? Were they able to realize the dreams they had way back then?

Ah, my classmates during School Year 2013-2014. Section Iceland was a class of superlatives.

Yes, superlatives! Our teachers only have superlatives to describe our section. After all, they are all

hands up with regards to our attitude.

My thoughts were then disrupted by the friendly voice of a stewardess. Nanay, you want

some?

I asked the stewardess why she called me nanay. She replied, Nanay, its me Arianne, your

anak-anakan when we are in 3rd

year high school.

After looking at her closely, I remembered the person behind the stewardess uniform. Arianne

Velilla is my anak-anakan, the recipient of teases. We used to call her Liit and we used to laugh over

her reaction of making a little pout. My, my, look at her now. I look small compared to her 5 7 stature.

When she got the time, we talked about our classmates. She told me that all became successful

in their respective fields and consequently, were also busy.

A few hours later, I heard another stewardess announce, Ladies and Gentlemen, we are about

to land in Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Please fasten your seatbelts. As I prepared myself for the

landing, I couldnt help but wonder who was behind that familiar voice.

Arianne solved the mystery for me. She said that it is Steph, and that they are now doing

international flights for Philippine Airlines. It was a surprise for me, since the voice I hear now is

remarkably different from the voice of the shy girl back then. After a few minutes, Steph made another

announcement. Welcome to Manila, Ladies and Gentlemen. You may now unfasten your seatbelts.

Thank your for choosing Philippine Airlines.


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My personal assistant spotted me in the arrivals area and called my attention. As we were on

the way to my condominium unit in Bonifacio Global City, I saw two familiar faces on the billboards. My

personal assistant said that the lady in the sexy garment is Karlyn Alcazar while the other is Chelsa Grace

Zantua, the new model of Blanche Teruel Designs. The photos, I was told, were taken by Ms. AJ Arquiza,

the best photographer in town.

I was thrilled to know that the four ladies, all my classmates, are known in their fields. Karlyn is

one of the highest paid image models and is also a mainstay in the womens volleyball national team.

Chelsa is the biggest name in fashion modeling, now engaged to her long time boyfriend Cyrus Gregor

Cubcubin.

On the other hand, I couldnt believe that Blanche is now a designer, and a popular one at that. I

can recall the times when we make fun of her drawings and also of her middle name Bandong.

Blanche took up a business course in college but decided to pursue her love for drawing and fashion.

Aecel Joyce Arquiza is now the best fashion and portrait photographer in town. She started out

her profession after inheriting her parents photography business. I remember the moments when our

classmates call her The Conjuring due to her hair, actions and even her mood swings.

At last I got in my condo unit. It was lonely here, because my mom and my family are living in

Laguna. I look forward to seeing them this weekend.

As I look out my window, I saw this billboard of a recently constructed building. It made me

recall that one of my classmates dreamt of being the most famous architect. As I saw the names

mentioned at the billboard. I couldnt help but smile. The building was designed by Architect Emer Lloyd

Dellava. He made Drawing Land comparable to Disneyland in Hong Kong. The building was inspired by

the drawings of his old friend Kevin Alcala, who is now the expert web designer of Alcala-Dellava groupof Companies.

While I was busy with my thoughts, my personal assistant opened the door and received the

envelope handed by the building staff. The envelope contained two invitations card is inside of the card,

one is for a wedding and the other one for the opening a company.

The wedding invitation is for the wedding of Grace and Lance. After 15 years of being a couple,

they finally decided to tie the knot. It warms my heart to know that like a fairy tale, their story ended

happily.

By the way, their partnership didnt end up on the romantic side. They are also managing theirown company. Lance is the CEO while Grace is the Executive Vice-President of Salazar Incorporated, the

fast-rising company that specializes in toys for kids. Their company, although in its first few years of

operation, is already a partner of LEGO and Mattel.

Opening the second envelop, I found that it was an invitation to the opening of the latest

venture of Strawberry Factory. The company, which sells products made and inspired of Strawberries, is


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owned by Marydel Briones-Lautner. Yes, Marydel did end up married to her long time crush. I couldnt

believe it!

Marydels partners in the company are Elyssa Jane Sumaylo, Hazelyn Unira and Allyssa Ann Mae

Bobay. The four are all successful Industrial Engineers.

I looked at my watch and realized that it is time for my dinner date with my family. I texted my

husband, Sorry If I am late, kindly explain to our kids. Ill be there in 20 minutes. I love you babe.

On my way to the restaurant, I got caught in the traffic in EDSA. Good thing that there was

something to distract my disappointment. It is the posters and billboards congratulating the Mens

Basketball Team after getting our first ever gold in the Summer Olympics which is hosted by our country

for the first time.

Leading our national team are Kyle Herbosa, Justin Ramilo, Jeric Mailom, Prince Alcasid, RJ

Ofren, John Apolos Rey and Paulo Battallones. Who said that Apolos and Prince will not graduate? Look

at them now, aside from being professional basketball players, Apolos is now a certified IndustrialEngineer and Prince is a successful Ob-gyne. On the other hand, RJ is also a licensed Electronics and

Communication Engineer.

Finally, I reached the Kurischiin & Furanceesss Restaurant. As I entered, I saw my classmates

Frances Joyce Naquila and Christine Alcano performing live in their own restaurant. After their set,

Larice Mabalot took the stage. Larice is a professional dancer, Joyce is a Grammy-winning singer and

Christine is the manager of Joyce and CEO of the said restaurant. After the dinner date, my family went

to my condominium.

Sunday afternoon, is my kids schedule for their medical check-up and my mom told me that she

already changed my kids pediatrician. She said that their new pedia is my classmate in high school Dr.

Anne Denielle Villa-Galvan. Danna is my seatmate from 2nd

quarter to 4th

quarter she is the type of girl

that always laughing. While inside her hospital, Danna and I talked a lot of things about our lives.

After a while, I went to Pulmonary Center for my moms check-up. I saw my classmate who

dreamt to be expert in pulmonology and a cartoonist. She is Mary Kane Villarin, M.D., one of the rising

Pulmonologist in the country. She is also a known manga author, with several volumes under her belt.

After all the medical checkup, we decided to visit the highly popular Ariates Zoo. Lois is now a

famous zoologist and she already discovered a new specie of crocodile. Parts of the animal stock in the

zoo are animals that she captured herself. She also hosts her own show for National Geographicsomething on the line of the late Steve Irwin.

As we are strolling around, we saw a policewoman is doing her rounds. It is Chief Inspector

Pauline Mendoza, a station commander in QCPD. She followed the steps of her father.

The next day was the awaited wedding of Lance and Grace. Everyone of IV-Iceland showed up in

San Agustin Church. While waiting for the ceremony to begin, we decide d to catch up with each other.


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We reminisce our high school moments, all the teasing and all the activities we enjoyed as a class. We

also remembered that we made a stand to be true to ourselves and to openly express what is in our

minds and hearts.

Documents

Class Prophecy - Iceland