School Moments 101: Grade InfinEight Diaries ∞

Recollection Day

"Family isn't actually a destiny, they are chosen for you to grow, learn and to love."

Sorry kung ngayon lang ako nag-update. Ngayon lang ako ginanahan ee. I know that this day is one of the most special days of our lives.

Here it goes. .

--

Recollection daw ngayon. Hindi na bago para sa amin ang location ng gaganapan ng recollection, we were here last year. Isa lang ang nagabago, ang mga kasama namin. Last year kasi yung batch ng mga Juniors noon ang kasama namin, ngayon Grade 7 na.

Everyone was excited, probably.

Apat na jeep ang ginamit namin para makapunta doon. Isang bayan lang naman ang layo ng lugar. Benedicteen Sisters' Convent.

Sacred ang lugar maybe because it was located on top of the mountain. It was a peaceful place and that's what made it a great place to visit.

Masaya sa loob ng jeep. Nagpapatugtog si manong drayber ng kanta ni Lady Gaga, ang iba nakiki-wifi sa hotspot ng selpon at yung iba nakikipagkwentuhan na lang sa katabi.

Sa tapat lang naman ng isa pang campus ng school kami bumaba. But the adventure doesn't end yet, kailangan pang umakyat sa napakataas na daang paakyat. And it's a fight between us and gravity.

Wala pang kalahati sa daan papunta sa Convent, pagod na kami. Sabi nila mas madali daw umakyat if you walk backwards. And others find it effective so they start doing the same thing.

Sa taas, nagpahinga kami. Yung iba umupo na lang sa daan sa sobrang pagod.

Pinaglinya kami ng isang sister na taga roon at tinanong kung sino ang walang nadalang baon at sinabi ang ilang mga rules at regulations na dapat sundin. After nun ay sumunod na ring dumating ang mga grade 7 at pinaakyat na kami sa parang hall kung saan gaganapin ang nasabing recollection.

Stairs naman ang kalaban namin ngayon sa pag-akyat papunta sa venue.

Rows of chairs were properly arranged and a nun holding a microphone welcomed us with a sweet smile on her face. Naghanap siya ng 12 volunteers para may ipractice na simple steps to start the recollection. Nagvolunteer ang TTG at GG group (yea, may tropa tropa din).

After a while, dumating din ang Grade 7.

We started with a prayer.

Then after nun nag-discuss si Sister about sa Recollection and lecture about sa love since February is a month of love and I guess everyone was really interested on the topic.

She grouped us into 10 groups. The members of each group must share their contributions and expectations on the said occassion. Each group is composed of grade 8 and grade 7 students.l and must have group names.

Group 1: Emblazon

Group 2: Putik

Group 3: Anonymous

Group 4: Followers of Christ

Group 5: Young Servants of God

Group 6: Juan D

Group 7: Bonded

Group 8: One Angeleight's Way

Group 9: The Power of Nine

Group 10: 45

Unique names indeed.

After ng given time, they let us speak in front, explain the meaning behind the group's name, read aloud what we wrote and perform our cheer.

Nag-lunch na kami right after.

Yung iba kumain sa canteen, and most of us umakyat sa pinakatuktok para pagmasdan ang magandang scenery.

The sharp horizon was covered with clouds. Sunrays illuminated the wide sea. Trees where everywhere--truly a wonderful place to watch the sun rise and set.

Matagal-tagal din kami doon. Kung pwede na nga lang na doon na lang kami lagi, okay na. Nakaka-enjoy talaga. The feeling that you feel freedom and peace inside as you gaze through the scenery.

Hindi naman pwede na tumambay na lang kami doon at ipawalang bahala ang recollection. Of course we need to go back and fulfill the main purpose why we were sent there.

Afternoon started with a mass.

After it, we sat on the floor and watched few videos. Hindi LANG siya videos. It's not just videos, not only videos--these videos made a huge impact on our life.

The vid that made most of us cry with tears is this runner from I forgot which country he came from. He was injured on the middle of his race at nauna na ang mga kalaban niya but he still managed to finish it. With his father supporting him from his injured feet, together they finished the race.

The point of it is that he knew at that moment he lose the race, but despite of that he still wants to finish it. You should always finish what you started.

A lot of students were affected by it.

Sister asked us to close our eyes and think of our loved ones. Yung iba umiyak. I know, dahil sa mga family background nila. Yung iba namimiss na ang parents.

Nakakatawa lang kasi in times like this, it's when we realize our wrongdoings, our sins, and the sacrifices of the people who love us. Bakit hindi pa natin narealize noon? Yung akala nating hindi sila nahihirapan sa mga bagay na ginagawa bila ngayon, saka lang natin narealize na ayaw nilang ipakita na nahihirapan sila kahit deep inside, pagod na sila.

It was definitely a sad moment, realizing those things. Naiintindihan naman namin ang isa't-isa.

We were asked to write a letter to God. Anything. Inabutan kami ng "human-shaped" paper at dun namin isinulat yung letter namin.

Each group will go in front at saka ilalagay yung paper sa altar at bubunot ng paper sa paanan na may nakasulat na bible phrases sa loob.

Binigyan kami ng vhance ni Sister na lapitan ang mga taong gusto naming hingian ng kapatawaran. Another heart-warming moment for all of us, InfinEight. Hugging every one, asking for forgiveness with tears and relief. A group hug followed. 

Oo, lahat naman kayang mag-group hug. Pero iba pa rin pala kapag sila ang kagroup hug mo. Mafi-feel mo yung sincerity at unity. Uh, yes. Before we're strangers at ngayon isa na tayong pamilya. Ang layo na pala ng narating natin.

Siguro nga nag-aaway kami, may sakitan, sapakan, samaan ng loob, suntukan, bangayan...o kung ano pa man yan, iisa pa rin ang bagsak natin--ang magkapatawaran.

Hindi kami nagsisisi na nagkakila-kilala kami. We are different in terms of personality and ability, but we're the same when it comes to unity.

This day isn't going to be like those trashy days. We'll surely remember this day, February 05 2014, as one of those days that we must treasure until the last days of our lives.

At this moment, we swear, we are InfinEight.

--end