This is a story about four young men, John, Frederic, Jose and Michel. These four, though not related by blood, are as close as if they were blood brothers.
They have been friends for the longest time. Some of them new each other since prep, nursery even in a little school in San Juan called Xavier. Through the years they drifted apart, though as if by chance...these four were again reunited one summer in 2002. All four of them enlisted in a summer teaching program called PKK (Para Kay Kiko). The school year after that, they became good friends yet again. Hanging out from time to time, visiting each other in their respective classrooms (mostly 4-E because it was right in-between 4-D and 4-F) and talking about God knows what, from guitars to the newest games. From the crappy long test they just had to how hot the new substitute English teacher was.
At one point, some if not all of them mentioned going into the life of the cloth, following an unexpected death of a priest and a visit to the Holy Spirit Novitiate in Nova Liches for the said priest's burial. But due to other plans and the rise of necessity, each of them had to choose other paths.
Come March 2003 these four friends would again find themselves disbanded. 1 of the four went on to take up Nursing in Trinity College, while the other 3 went to Ateneo De Manila University, however though going to the same school, each of them went to different schools as well. Frederic went into the School of Management, John went into the School of Social Sciences while Michel went into the School of Humanities.
During the start of College, 3 of the 4 still met on a regular basis due to a tradition in Xavier called Days with the Lord because the 3 of them were part of the choir, the "Music Crew". And 3 of them also saw each other from time to time since they went to the same University. However, they haven't met as a whole for the longest time.
Years past and the gap between friends became wider and wider. Some of them didn't see the others for the longest time, yet may get glimpses of them as they walk around school, or random visits to their High School. But, things would always be different among them. Different crowds, different courses, different lives basically.
Come March 2007 marks another chapter in each of their lives. College life for them is over and done with. Basically, school life shall be nothing but a woken dream for them. But, where are these four now? It's been more than a decade since these four friends met. Some of them knew each other more than half of their lives. But, due to the no communication, due to the drifting away farther and farther each year these four have little to no contact with each other.
The funny thing is...the reason why these four were initially reunited on that hot summer day in 2002 could be the main factor in their lives today. That reason is a sense of social involvement. Basically, doing whatever he can do to help out, no matter how little the help is.
Four friends, four brothers. All living totally different lives, going in totally different directions, still keeping some old values close to heart. Four friends, four brothers...Doing what they can, wherever they can.
John is now a Guidance Councilor for Grade 6 at Xavier School. He spends most of his time online, and still keeps in contact with Michel from time to time because of Yahoo Messenger.
Frederic is now a Jesuit Volunteer teaching in Palawan. His only means of communication is through text. He'll be stationed in Palawan for 10 months. Michel wonders from time to time how he's doing and finally got the urge to text him after how many weeks.
Jose is is a Nurse, just chillin waiting to make his next move.
Michel works in an advertising agency, though things seem fine at times, there are times he wants nothing more but to just hang out, chill and bond with the other 3.
Four Friends, Four Brothers, Four Directions, Four Lives.
*This entry is dedicated to Tung Yu, Lippy the Hippie, and Jolo.
