Lost Fools Who Dream of Stars

7

It's only the second week since classes started but the aircon that was proudly 'donated' by a Congressman from Bulacan seems to have stopped working. And because of the unbearable heat, more than half of their class seems more focused on fanning themselves rather than listening to the lecture.

Chubi has already undone the top button of his polo shirt while trying his best to listen and take notes of the lecture. His friend Samboy, on the other hand had given up and had already taken off his polo, leaving only his white sando, while his other friend RD doesn't seem to mind the heat, even catching a shut eye on his desk. The only one who doesn't seem bothered by the heat is his friend Kelvz who is busy typing away on his laptop, diligently taking notes at whatever their professor is saying at the moment. Good thing their little group is seated at the far back of the classroom, the perfect place for misfits like them.

Unable to bear the heat any longer, Chubi takes out a clear folder from his backpack and frantically fans himself. Samboy, annoyed at his sudden movement, snatches the folder and says, "If you're going to do that, at least share some of the air with us."

"I would have shared the 'air' with you if you asked," Chubi retorts while taking back the clear folder.

Samboy raises an eyebrow, "Hm? Why do you still have papers of BCMO?"

"Because I'm obviously still a member, duh," Chubi rolls his eyes before fanning himself again.

Samboy snorts, "Wow. Guess they still can't get rid of you." Chubi throws him a glare which causes Samboy to raise his hands to pacify him, "I'm just saying, why do you still stick with that org when they don't even appreciate what you do for them. Heck, you're always on the chopping block, man. Don't you get tired?"

Chubi stops for a moment. There are a lot of reasons he's still sticking with the org. First, it boosts his self-esteem immensely knowing that not everyone can be a member of BCMO. Second, it gives him something to look forward to going to class everyday. Third, he wants to graduate as an alumni of BCMO because he feels like it's the greatest honor ever. Plus, he wants to experience the BCMO tribute once a member graduates, including a personalized AVP.

However, what Chubi ends up saying is, "Eh. So I can get away from seeing your faces every single day. Especially your hairy pits."

Samboy snorts, "I might be hairy, but at least I smell good."

"Yeah, right," Chubi laughs. Even Kelvz and RD let out a chuckle.

After class, their little group makes a beeline to the cafeteria where the aircon is full blast. They order the same lunch set, which is a little pricier compared to the other eatery outside of the campus, but after enduring four hours of heat in the classroom, they all prefer the cool air rather than a full stomach. As he's taking another spoonful of menudo, Chubi notices BCMO's recruitment poster last year. He gets up from his seat and carefully takes it down, before returning to their table.

"What are you going to do with that?" Samboy asks as he watches Chubi place the poster neatly on his clear folder.

Chubi shrugs, "Return it to Hannah, I guess."

"Hannah from 4A? Are you like her assistant?" Samboy asks again.

"No," Chubi responds before taking a spoonful of rice.

Samboy's eyes grow wide, "Why not? Doesn't she always ask you to do something for her? Last time, didn't she asked you to—"

"Just drop it, dude," Chubi says, looking straight at Samboy. "And just so you know, she doesn't ask me to do things for her. I just want to be a bit of help to the org. That's all."

"Geez, fine. Then, they should have awarded you the helper of the year or something," Samboy mutters but Chubi chooses to ignore it.

How many years has it been since he joined the Bulacan Creative Media Org? Yet he still can't feel secure in his position. Just last year, for the second time, he was put on probation. It's humiliating for someone who's been in the org since freshman year, but what else can he do? He's not as skilled as the others at handling camera shots, nor is he especially good at writing or story conceptualizing. The only thing he has is a willingness to take on any task they give him—but even that never seems to be enough to get him acknowledged. Every semester ends with member assessments, and if you don't pass with flying colors in the first sem, you become a probationary member in the second. He's been on probation twice. He hopes that this year will be different.

Chubi loves films. Musical films, to be exact. He grew up adoring Disney movies with their fun, catchy songs, learning the entire Disney repertoire by heart. When he got older, he started voraciously consuming musical films like Chicago, Moulin Rouge, The Sound of Music, and even old Gene Kelly films like Singin' in the Rain and An American in Paris. He loves it when characters suddenly break into song to express their emotions, whether they're sad, happy, or hopelessly in love. Secretly, he wishes he could do that—burst into song whenever he wants. But as fate would have it, he doesn't have the singing or dancing skills to make it happen. So he settles for being a lover of musicals. By chance, he watches a documentary about the making of RENT, and it dawns on him: maybe he can be a part of a musical world he loves so much without having to sing or dance.

When it's time to choose a course, he picks Mass Communication, despite his mother's wishes for him to study nursing or computer science. And when he sees the call for members in the Bulacan Creative Media Org, he immediately signs up, even though he worries he might not fit in. It bites him in the end when he realizes that joining the organization isn't easy. The screening process is grueling, and, to be honest, he has nothing to offer except his love for musicals and his enthusiasm to contribute however he can. But somehow, it charms the interview panel, and he gets in.

In his first year, he does his best to fit in, to get to know more of the members. But reality quickly hits him: no one shares his passion for musicals. Most of the films they rave about are Japanese cult classics or mind-bending European films he's never heard of. As the days go by, he realizes just how much more talented everyone around him seems to be. Eventually, his enthusiasm starts to fade, and he settles into the shadows, taking on whatever odd jobs they throw his way.

Looking back, he feels lucky he's made it this far in the org. Not everyone has. As far as he can remember, only three people are left from his batch two years ago. Now, he's got just two more years left to survive the chopping block.

PING!

A notification pops from Chubi's phone. He picks it up and sees it's a message from Paco. Chubi lets out a small smile. Maybe this year, his experience in the org will be different because of Paco.