From 20 to 4
By: Kropek Muncher
Date: November 04, 2002

I didn't really understand how it all happened and up to now, I'm still wondering why we grew from 20 to 4. Back when we were all freshmen, our barkada stood at a 20 strong group of mixed individuals. We all knew each other on some close level and we all went to the malls as one big happy family.

But now, only four are left, at least in my barkada. We all somehow drifted apart with each passing year. Some shifted courses, others found other friends in other courses while others banded together to form separate groups. Maybe it was inevitable. After all, is there such a thing as a 20-person barkada? But then I can't help but miss the many things we all did. When we were all freshmen, we all went to Tagaytay as one group and we had a lot of fun just walking around the place. We went from this small zoo to a place called the Palace in the Sky. It was truly a memorable experience.

Group projects were made easy by the whole barkada. If someone needed something, someone in the barkada was bound to have it. If one needed a tutor in Math, English, and Chemistry or on any subject, then the barkada was the place to seek help. There was even a person who would always volunteer his dorm to any barkada mate who wanted overnight accommodations near the school.

But mind you, having a big barkada isnt easy. The biggest hitch that I discovered came every time lunch period would come along. Looking for a resto that had 20 free seats with food that will please 20 hungry mouths was a bit of a challenge. Oddly enough, despite the lunch time rush hour, we'd still find places to eat although like I said, it took us some 15 to 30 minutes of walking around in and out of the campus before we could settle down.

I miss my old barkada but then I'm currently happy with whom I'm with now. Having four close friends is fine. We get to share secrets and the relationship is much much closer. I just hope that when I see any of my old pals, say after 10 years after graduation, that they would spend time with me reminiscing on how fun and grand everything was, back when we were all freshmen.

To my old buddies: John, Harvey, Christine, Small Ryan, Big Ryan, Ish, Judith, Vanessa, Ellen, Stevey, Oscar, Wang, Mickey, Vincent, Arnold, Jerohm, Tanya, Marge, Jake and Dennis; May you guys attain your dreams after graduation.