UNBROKEN PROMISES

Joshua Sumalinog

September 9, 2020
Dedicated to HUMSS 1
It was cold and rainy midnight when Franz was sitting outside the corner with a shed of
his house, breathing the breeze of cold and peaceful air. He was just an elderly man with a
simple life back then. Besides, his life was perfect. He got a job as a licensed teacher, major
in physical education. He also has a part-time job as a freelance photographer in their local
studio. With a loving family to hold their love for each other and growing up their children
to become better. He was just waiting for his time to come.
One moment when he finally laid down his back on his chair as his last breath was heard
firmly, he was pulled by the bright and white light and found himself sitting in his favorite
armchair when he was in high school, it turns out that it’s the classroom that he went
himself in. There’s nobody beside me, except his childhood friend, Joshua. Franz and
Joshua were friends since childhood until Joshua meet his fatal accident during his College
years. Not knowing Franz about his childhood friend’s tragic fate. He simply vanished from
the record.
Franz became distracted and confused,
“Where am I? Why am I here? Where’s everybody? Why there’s only two of us?
Why does our face become young again?
Joshua simply answered,
“Okay, before that, I have something for you. (Proceed to hit Franz with an
eraser.)”
“Awwww! WHAT WAS THAT FOR, HUH? You cannot do that again. It hurts like
shit.”
Joshua replied loudly,
“How can I not? I’ve been waiting for your arrival and it took me like an eternity
before you showed up. What exactly did you eat when you’re still alive? I almost believed
that you’re an immortal. Good thing you’re here for now.”
 “Wait, so you’re saying that I’m dead?”
“Uhhh, yeah, you could say that.”
“But why in this place? Why there’s only two of us?”
Joshua calmly narrate his story,
“You see, the day when I first came into college, I had an accident while I was
riding a motorcycle heading for school. I was the first one to die in our class, but God gave
me a purpose and I promised that I will be the one to look for others in our batch when
their time will come. You are the last one to die in our batch. All of them were in Heaven
now, but each of them has one hour to do anything in this place before going to heaven.
We are in between in Heaven and Earth, and when I’m done with you, I’ll be the last one
to leave this place.”
“HAHAHAHAHAHA! How foolish! You deserved it, you wanker.
“Heeeey, shut your mouth, idiot. Do you want to get sloshed again?”
“HAHAHAHA, Just teasing with you. So, you’re saying that this is place is a
Purgatory. It sounds like a Purgatory for me.”
“Hmmm, I don’t know. Who knows? Maybe you can ask Him when you arrive in
Heaven.”
“Okay, then why high school?”
Joshua simply answered,
“Because that’s where we make ready for our own life. That’s the time we share our
struggles, our experiences, our memories and during our high school days, that’s the time
where we started to develop a bond so deeply that we are like family back then. We learned
so much from that.”
 “Wow, I… I’m flattered. I didn’t expect it had to be this way. You know, I was just
sitting outside the house, and then this thing happened. “
“Yeah, same for me. Anyway, I’m sorry, I hit your head, buddy. But you should
know that there’s no clock nor calendar in this place and it drives me crazy here. Good
thing you’re here. I miss you so much, bud.”
“Yeah, I miss you too.”
“So, you now have one hour. What exactly are you going to do?”
“Uhhh, I don’t know. I’ve done my part when I was still alive.”
“Oh, come on. There’s got to be something else you wanted to do. You’re not
gonna waste your one hour, are you?”
“Oh, yeah yeah, right. Let me think… Hmmm, how about you tell me their stories.”
“Their stories? Our classmate’s stories?”
“Yes, their stories! And since you’re the one who is being appointed to God to look
for them when they become a spirit and I’m sure they told you some of their tales before
they to Heaven.”
“There’s too many of them. Imagine, 46 lives, excluding me, that I’m gonna talk
about. I don’t think I can remember their stories.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you through it. Just start with the second who arrived in here
and the rest will follow, okay? So, who’s the second one who arrived here?”
Joshua calmly narrates their tales as the two walking around the campus, reminiscing their
memories,
“You remember Roila Marie, right? Well, I got to say. She became a professional
teacher in their town. Later, she got a Doctorate Degree and became a principal. She’s also
a good mother to her four children. Sadly, she died while her youngest is still at college.
She can’t handle the stress she’d dealt with. Paperworks and everything. She died without
giving her time for herself, but she didn’t blame her work. I know that she did her best for
her and her family.
While she was still here, she spent her time telling stories about her children on
how good they were, how they’ve changed her life. Knowing the struggles, she kept on
striving because she knew that one day, they will care for her and they did. Her children
are gifts from God. She may not have shared this with everyone while she was still alive,
but at least she gave all her time on me, telling her story before going to Heaven, watching
her children grow.”
“Wow, I didn’t expect that she became a Teacher because the last time I saw her,
she told me that she wanted to become a Nun and it turns out, it didn’t happen but that’s
okay. Teaching is seemed to fit on her.”
“Well, at least we have two friends who became a Nun.”
“Who are they?”
“It’s Jessa Lyn and Alliah. They were the only Nun in our schoolfellow class. I was
amazed because they were also a psychologist in their school for the orphans under the
name of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. With their fellow nuns, they are more like a family. Giving
hope to those who are hopeless. They loved what they wanted to be that they can’t wait to
leave their office during the break, just to see their students playing around and smiling at
them.
They both died of old age and their last wish was given to their fellow nuns to
continue their work. They later renovate the building with their names before the name of
the school. And to honor their legacy, they also built a bronze statue of Sister Jessa Lyn
and Sister Alliah, holding the hands of their students or orphaned children.”
Franz jokingly replied,
 “Danggg! If I were a Pope, I would canonize them as a Saint. Trust me, they
deserved it.”
“They will become a Saint, at the right time.”
“So, who’s next? To be honest, I barely remember those names. It’s been so long,
buddy.”
“Yeah but right now, we need to be fast. Do you remember that we have a group of
friends that are experts in the arts? I introduce you, Cynthia, Jennelyn, Danna, Khayla,
Joycelyn, Jeanette, Genevie, Emmalyn, and Erica.
Yes, they died together, but let’s not start with that one. Did you know know that
they ran a lot of businesses? Restaurant, Taylor Shop, Internet Café, you name it, but their
specialty in business is Beauty Salon. In their town, Beauty pageants were very common.
That’s why they are more enjoyable and always can come in handy. All their business were
put into one building of their own. A 3-story building with simple but elegant designs. A
business building and yet, also their home. I can see their true friendship. They’ve only met
in High School but turns out to be something more.
They died in a tragic accident when fire engulfs the building at midnight. Who
knows when the fire broke out in the middle of the night so, they were sleeping. None of
them feel the suffering from the fire. They don’t know why. It’s a miracle and yet tragic.
But they were not saddened by the accident. They kept on smiling because they had each
other. And since I’m the only boy around the campus, the girls decided and forced me to
put on make-up and wore a gown. Of course, I didn’t like it, but when their time is almost
out, I didn’t mind the make-up or the gown. I watched them looking at the setting sun and
bonding with each other as when they were still alive. We had a great time back then and
now, their time ran out. I send them to heaven and there, all alone again, but not for long.
And now, they’re gone for good, as I walked to the quadrangle, Nymph Deza
arrived wearing a black robe. At first, I thought it was a black toga that can be worn during
college graduation but then I realized, it was a robe of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
of the Philippines. I was surprised. Imagine, being a senior and a high-ranking member of
the court. That’s a big responsibility for the sake of the nation. She immediately went to
law school, together with Claire Anne, Harney, and Clifford at UP College of Law. By the
way, the four of them were top-notchers in the Bar exam. Nymph was the only one who
decided to become a judge. The three of them stayed as trial lawyers and professors. All of
them contributed so much to the school like establishing a legal fraternity and others. They
also have a Law Firm of their own with the acronym of their names on a bust of the wall,
naming ‘NCHC Law Firm’.
Nymph died at the age of 68. She was given a Quezon Service Cross (QSC), the
highest national recognition of the Republic of the Philippines, and only seven of them
have been awarded since its creation in 1946, followed by late Miriam Defensor Santiago.
Claire, Harney, and Clifford were given to do the honor of her funeral. They died in old
age eventually.”
“I can’t imagine if the four of them arguing each other. It would be a non-stop
debate.”
“Yeah, but their argument is nothing when these two pastors are in a serious
argument.”
“And who are these two pastors?”
“Ernesto and Lessette. They are probably the greatest preachers that I’ve ever met.
Although, Ernesto came here first. He told me that he and Lessette always came into a
debate, but in a good and friendly manner. Whenever Lessette visits his house, a debate
will always come up in their minds. Debate here, debate there. Sometimes, their argument
became out of topic instead of religious or political views.
“Lessette was the second to arrive here. She went outside the classroom, only to lay
down on the grass and spent her time watching the blue sky. She always wanted to feel
peace before going to Heaven. I was also laying down on the grass and watched the skies
and then I fell asleep. It was also the time when I felt inner peace. I had a great time
listening to the sound of the wind, birds singing like a Nightingale, and trees waving in the
Autumn until she disappeared. She went to Heaven and didn’t tell me that it’s now her
time. Maybe she didn’t want to distract me while napping. Well, at least she’s now in
Heaven.”
“Yeah, I remember in High School when they were full of beans when they’re
arguing about their faith. It’s funny to think that even a small thing, they fight like an old
married couple, defending something in their common beliefs.
So, what now? I have only a few minutes left. I don’t think we can finish telling
their tales.”
“Well most of them have similar stories and most of them died at old age. Some are
teachers, Police officers, professional athletes, politicians, musicians, and entrepreneurs.
Ishi, Cherelyn, Venrose, and Gelli Mae were a millionaire entrepreneurs and CEOs
of their company.
Alyssa, the hardworking student before, later became a successful entrepreneur.
She’s also a licensed teacher in their town.
Angelien, Rea, Shane, and Maricon, all became police officers. Rea was promoted to
commissioner. Shane, and Maricon joined the Special Action Force (SAF) and Angelien
Went to the United Kingdom to join the Secret Service of Military Intelligence Section 6
(MI6). Sounds like James Bond in a female version.
Hope, Crystal, and Pauline are professional athletes in the Philippines. Much like
Emmanuel Dapidran "Manny" Pacquiao. Hope and Pauline are chess experts. Crystal is an
expert in volleyball, later became a teacher in physical education and so was Hope. Pauline
is a psychologist. Combining the power as a psychologist and her strategic plan, her
opponent wouldn’t last a minute in the game.
 Jaykee and Wella are known for the best officials in their Barangay. They were later
recognized by the National Commissions of the Philippines. Jaykee became the National
President of Girl Scouts of the Philippines and Wella became a Secretary of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Renzie, April, Marjorie, and Rodmar were also professional teachers and since
they’re good at music, they later formed a contemporary worship band. Renzie was a
Guitarist, April was a vocalist, Marjorie was on drums, and Rodmar was bassist and
backing vocals. Their albums were sold in just one week for 270,000 copies. They were
later praised by critics and dubbed as the most influential band of the history of Original
Pinoy Music (OPM).
The rest became successful in their works. Mary Rose, Lucille Mae, Cyril, Glaiza,
Junaliza, Jhazmine, Eva Mae, Lj, Iris, and Mary Catherine. All of them dedicated their
lives to inspire the youths in the future for the next generation. All of them are good
teachers. Mary Rose and Junaliza applied to the school of the late sisters, Jessa Lyn and
Alliah. Lucille Mae became a Choreographer and was hired by many clients. Cyril,
Jhazmine, and Eva Mae are best friends. They later build a private School. Iris and Glaiza
went to Japan to teach English and the Filipino language. Lj was also a writer. She spent
her time writing during a break. She is the author of many books and novels. Last but not
the least, Mary Catherine. She is a woman of talent. Due to their works, many artists are
impressed by her paintings. She was awarded as a National Artist before she passed away.”
Now, that’s all of them. They’re waiting for you now unless you want to spend your
last five minutes.”
“I think I’ll have to stay here for five minutes and then we can go.”
“No, I have something to do before you leave. So what’s gonna be in your five
minutes?”
“I think I want to have some pancit canton. Just like old times. You comin’?”
 “Yeah, sure. Just like old times.”
As Franz's time ran out. Joshua sent him to heaven and saying that he will catch up later.
Joshua, went back to school, remembering their memories. He cried knowing that they’re
now in Heaven and his duty that was given from God is done. It wasn’t despair nor
loneliness he felt. It was peace and purpose. He quietly wrote on the blackboard saying,
‘’ALL HUMSS 1 STUDENTS ARE NOW OFFICIALLY GRADUATED FROM THIS
WORLD”. As he finished writing, he looked inside the classroom for the one last time
smiling while in tears and then he finally said,
“Goodbye…”

They may be not have fulfilled their dreams, but they promised that they will
become successful in life someday and they did because they believed that life is worth
giving compared to their needs.
Whatever struggles that we’re gonna be dealing with, we promised that we will not
be blinded by our own mistakes and failures. Hoping one day that we’ll see each other
again with our life that is merrier than we’ve imagined.

-The End-