Not Into Her

XIII - The National Language Day

August came and all student talked about the incoming Buwan ng Wika or the National Language Day. Since the first Monday of the month came, all students and the Faculty teachers are speaking Filipino language. Even the guards on the gate, the Angelus in the noon, and the three-o'clock prayer are spoken in Filipino. But when all students are out from the school gate, they didn't respect the Philippine's national language and used Taglish when they're talking with each other.

Then there is the National Language Day. All students of all levels must compete to all contests pertaining to the said month. The date of the this event will be on the thirtieth and each classrooms has their own representatives with these contests. I and my friends are gathered at the huge cement block of about a foot high and sat on its top.

"So this month's end is Buwan ng Wika Culmination." I said to the boys. "So who are your contestants in all contests this thirty, guys?"

Von and the boys looked at me and noticed I was looking at Aprielle just pass by, with her friends that has been separated from her. They're heading to the canteen and it's the first day of the month of August. They head to the canteen for they have to be first in line.

"Are you in to Aprielle, Alex?" Karl asked. "Looks like it."

I threw a fake smile on Kris and mad back. "You, Karl." I said. "Are in for Mikaella again?"

All except Karl laughed and even louder. Then the laughing stopped and I started the boys to act like their old.

"Seriously, guys." I interrupted the boys. "Who are your contestants for this Buwan ng Wika Culmination Day?"

The boys looked at each other and looked at me back.

"We don't know, Alex." they all replied.

"Our adviser didn't appoint some representatives for the incoming Buwan ng Wika Day yet." Von said. "Maybe this week or the following days will do."

After chatting away the recess time without eating any snack, I and my friends dispersed and immediately head back to our classrooms. We listened to all our teachers but no news about the appointed. If one will announce, I'm sure I'll never get involved in such contests in this year's Buwan ng Wika Culmination Day.

Then here's the third day of the third week. Mr. Catalbas walked inside the room with the students on his front. He had his class record on his armpits and also a thin notebook  and and walked to the desk and sat down. He opened his notebook and took his pen from his left pocket of his polo.

"As the days gone by, we're already in Buwan ng Wika month." Mr. Catalbas said, looking all the students on his front. "And as what you can see with me is a notebook and a pen. And I'm here to appoint some special people who can join this year's Buwan ng Wika Culmination Day. And I'm here to ask all of you who are your representatives for this year's contests for the Culmination of the Buwan ng Wika. Anybody wants to join the contests?"

Francine raised her right hand and stood up.

"Sir, how about Alex here?" she suggested. "I mean you can trust him with his intelligence and his IQ is 200."

Mr. Catalbas looked at Francine and smiled. "Yeah." he agreed. "But I planned Mr. De Castro will be on Patimpalak sa Tagisan ng Talino. Perhaps, you should join in the Contemporary writing, Francine."

"Me? In Contemporary? Sure, sir." Francine said approvingly. "Sign me in."

Mr. Catalbas wrote Francine's name on his notebook and marked Contemporary contest. He even wrote my name on his notebook and marked Contestant for Tagisan ng Talino. Then he looked back at the students and chose some random names for the rest of the contests of the same event. Then he acknowledged all participants and told them that he just wrote their names on his notebook and the students agreed to the adviser's decision.