Chums Bora Story

The much awaited vacation of chums in bora is now over.

It started with a blast, very fun and lots of eating... everyday was a feast.

Just as the fun was about to reach its peak, there came a most dreaded phone call from dsj's cell phone. It was Joel's friend informing him that his house was burning - their Mansyon. Fortunately, no one died. But it was the most saddening phone call ever received because it was the eve of Joel's 30th birthday. The day he feared most. In fact, we were just waiting for the clock to strike 12 and make this dreaded day his happiest. But fate has something different in store for him and it was hell.

But not totally. Because his film "Mansyon" was chosen as one of the six short films to enter Cinemalaya. How ironic life can be sometimes? The mansyon that was almost burnt to the ground will forever be immortalized through his film.

We took the last flight to Manila the next day (earlier than scheduled). Going back home to Manila from Bora was not at all jolly. I don't know for other chums but I was at my most depressed moments during that time. I really felt for Joel and Joel's family - for the tragedy that had just beset them. Imagine, going home to practically nothing, nil. Add the fact that Christmas is coming.

While in bora, I could not forget what Joel's dad told him over the phone... "Two good things happened today: you were born (referring to Joel) and his film got in." And this is after their house got burned down. This never fails to make me teary-eyed. Even while I'm writing this story gives me creeps.

On a final note, in all these, I'm just overwhelmingly happy to have chums in my life. Always there, in good and bad times.