Excerpt from Balikbayan Magazine December-January 2012 issue
| NOSTALGIA |
Written by Marionette Ocampo-Martinez
It is 1948. The war is over, and people are picking up the pieces of their lives. My family has moved back to the city after spending the war years in our hometown, Bacoor, in Cavite. Our parents, Florentino and Stella Ocampo, have looked for a school not too far from our house in Pasay, and have brought my sisters, Amelia, Florella, and me to St. Paul College of Manila. I am seven years old, but because I was accelerated twice in the province, I am now in Grade Five. Like edelweiss, I am small and white (read “pale”), clean (at least in the morning) and bright (though not discernible yet).
St. Paul College of Manila is just recovering from the ravages of the Liberation of Manila, which practically razed it to the ground. The Chapel of the Crucified Christ was almost completely destroyed, but the façade, with the life-like statue of the Savior on the cross remained intact, as if to proclaim that the goodness of God will triumph over the rampage of the infidels.
Our classrooms are on the Georgia (now L. Guerrero) side of the campus, those of the high school on the Florida (now M. Orosa) side. The chapel is right in the center of the campus as Christ is right in the center of the Paulinian’s life. Most students run up the stairs to the chapel before going to class (ah the joys of having strong bones!). We have regular confessions, first Friday holy hour and benediction, first Saturday Mass for the Blessed Virgin in the chapel, whose wooden floors are kept shining by Madre Victor and Mang Gregorio.
There are acacia trees all over the campus. They provide shade and the comfort of green, but they are also home to “higads” which periodically fall and cause a lot of itch and discomfort.
We have physical education classes in “the shelter” and we wear big ugly black bloomers as we walk on balance beams to the tune of “Glow little glow-worm, glimmer, glimmer.” Our favorite game is playing tag while jumping on the stone benches beside the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. She must be watching over us for no one has fallen from the slippery benches.
After class, we look curiously at the Sisters’ starched cornettes drying on iron sheets outside the laundry. We wait for our “sundo” at the Tennesse (now Malvar) gate, and Mang Romulo calls out our names.
It is 1952. The Administration and College building is blessed. Our waiting area has been moved to the Herran (now Pedro Gil) side. The school is beautiful. There are acacia trees sheltering the statue of Jesus and St. Margaret Mary Alacogue. In front of the statue is a fish pond, with pretty goldfish swimming between lotus fronds, and all around the circular driveway are flame trees adding a burst of color to the scene. We sit on the front steps of the new building and wait for our cars entering the driveway.
For full stories, get a copy of Balikbayan Magazine December-January 2012 issue
in bookstores nationwide.
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Balikbayan Magazine is published bi-monthly by Asian Journal Publications, Inc. Send subscription inquiries to subscription@asianjournalinc.com and advertising queries at advertising@asianjournalinc.com
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