I'M GONNA tell you a story.
Once, I had a dream. Yes, in my early fatherhood--I've been dreaming of one thing I know my kids will never regret and share a happy thought someday.
Dream, dream, dream.
Small or big, nevertheless it was actually a well-cherished dream that finally comes to fore yesterday, March 18: the 2010 Graduation Day of Corpus Christi High School at Barangay Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City.
The once Little House that eventually blossomed into what is popularly known now as Corpus Christi is truly every Kagay-anon's ideal environment for their children to learn.
At least, for sports-conscious parents who believe that balancing academics with sports, among other extra-curricular activities, could be the right mix of ingredients to mold a better person for tomorrow.
Covering Corpus Christi's sports activities for quite a long time already, specifically since the glorious days of coach Hermogenes Anciado, I could not help but relish at the thought of how lucky these student athletes are for having the chance to study in such a wonderful place.
Ramil Tagupa, Gilbert Magdugo, Jeffrey Bombeo, Mark Apepe, Jongjong Sajulga, Kate Hernandez, Catrina Pong, Rhea and older sis Rose Nacalaban, Heiza Jamis, Bulitt Chaves, Balong Lagbas, Boning Biongcog, Delores Labitad, James Jaro, Jean Mark Natividad, Christian Arroyo, Borris Diez and many more of Corpus Christi's former scholar athletes whom I already lost count in my fingers.
Matter of factly, CCS sports coordinator Eric Miguel revealed that this year alone the school produced a total of 32 athletes who hurdled the regional meet that qualified them outright to the 2010 Palarong Pambansa.
Corpus Christi, in my dream, is no doubt the right place for the four siblings with my wife, Louchet to start building their own dreams.
Yesterday, it was just a dream.
Now, I won't be denied anymore after finally witnessing our eldest son, the chess player Lennon Hart together with his 210 batchmates sharing the bitter-sweet memories of Wednesday afternoon's graduation rites.
Watching the event from the upper bench of Corpus Christi gym, me and his ma could be more than a happy couple.
And we're forever grateful to Dr. Alfonso C. Del Fierro Jr. for inviting us to his wondrous school of excellence.
My deep appreciation also to the valedictorian, Michael Louie D. Lim for his very kind and amusing "valedictory" remarks that delighted virtually all the graduates.
To the salutatorian, Princess Kimberly V. Ubay-ubay. And Lennon's fellow athletes and dear friends Emil Dwight R. Oclarit (taekwondo), Ranz Matthew M. Ostrea (basketball), Matthew Ryan L. Ilogon (swimming), Cherry Mae D. Ang (gymnastics), Jeme Nickhole G. Rafisura (swimming), among others, for a job well done.
Promising composer Kevin Mata for crafting "Goodbye, Hello" as the talent-rich Batch 2010's Graduation Song.
And of course, last but not least--a legend in the late great English teacher Raphael Anthony Cecilio who touched so many lives of the young Corpus Christi students.