Class Prophecy

Tsin Joson

Ten years from now…

I looked around the seemingly familiar place. I’ve been here before but I just couldn’t remember when or
what place this is. Chandeliers filled the ceiling, sparkling like diamonds. There was soft music playing in
the background. Then suddenly, slowly, people started to fill the empty space. They were people I knew
from high school… but of course they were my classmates! So this place… er – I still don’t have any idea!

A hand tapped my shoulder, “Hi there, doc!” said a teasing voice from behind me. I snorted at the word
‘doc’. I’ve never really expected to see my dream as a Genetic Engineer fulfilled. I turned to see who the
person is and found out that it was Shinee (Shangrila Inting). She was wearing this really dazzling blue
ball gown and she looked pretty stunning herself. There were news about her back in Great Britain, where
I have been working at the Human Genomre for four years now – she is going to marry the Prince of
Wales, Prince William. Then an idea hit me… this place must be the Prince’s palace! How lucky!

“Half of our classmates are already here,” Shinee said in a lady-like manner, leading me to a room which I
reckon is the library. There I saw some of my classmates sipping expensive wine while reminiscing the old
times. Tricia, (Tricia Monique Pegano) now branded as the Filipina counterpart of Tyra Banks, beckoned
me to join them. I walked towards their group and joined in their tête-à-tête. For some moment, we
talked like kids showing off new toys. It was pretty cool seeing these people whom I’ve known so well
back then and now!

It took me some time to sop up what my classmates had been telling me: Love (Marylove Ragaza) at
present owns the well-known Diamonds, a fashion clothesline which main branch is situated in New York
and Hannah (Hannah Cabigon) is her frontline ramp model for the store’s products. Xine (Maria
Christine Virtucio), Faye (Faye Cassandra Castro), and Janelyn (Janelyn Babon) now has their own
hospitals in California, the Philippines, and Phoenix in Arizona. The newly built St John Bosco Hospital in
New York is owned by Christa (Christa Paula Getubig). Marie Fay (Marie Fay Repollo) who had
always dreamt of learning all the languages in the world instituted a multi-language school. Hazel (Mary
Hazel Bolanon) who is also very fond of kids founded the DB Montessori. Valerie (Anne Valerie
Salmero) had also made it to the ‘glare of publicity’ through her world renowned medical school – the
University of Medical Hackers or UMH as she would like us to call it.

Elsie (Elsienor Gingco), now one of the major stockholders of a business firm in Las Vegas, told me that
Chen (Chesna Lorraine Pimentel) had given up her work as a doctor to pursue her singing career! In
fact, the princess-to-be has requested her to sing on their wedding song and the pop celebrity did not
decline, she accepted the request with all her heart and much gratitude to the royal family. Elsie also
relayed to me that Niña (Niña Kristie Arpon) is now the president of the California Memorial Hospital
and also owns one of the most prestigious and expensive mansion in Beverly Hills.

“Oi Naj!” called Georgina (Georgina Elena Tahadlangit) from the library doors. Behind her is Sean
Biggerstaff, an English actor who is now her dearest husband and following on their heels with hands
clasped tightly to theirs are their twin daughters – Gabrielle Dominique and Francheska Blanche – who are
also my god children. I excused myself from the people I was presently chattering with and ran to meet
the foursome. George started filling me with updates on our classmates who traveled in their cruise ship,
La Fleur, which is prominent for its unbelievably high speed – it can travel from Hawaii to the Philippines in
just 10 hours! George told me that Corina (Corina Lukindo) had just arrived from her vacation to the
red planet Mars and that now she’s traveling with her mom around the world! “And have you heard the
latest about Jeremae (Jeremae Blanche Pupos)? You know, ‘the heartstrings’ girl? She asked her eyes
lighting up with glee.

Of course I know Jeremae! “Yeah! She’s the present title holder of the Miss Universe 2014, right?”

“Right! Um… how about our classmates in Europe? How Are they doing?”

“Doing good! Anthea (Anthea Lirio Carey) is now the Swiss Bank’s chief accountant, her dream job! And
she just married that most brilliant and most sought after criminal lawyer of the world, Manuel Chotas.
And do you still remember Crystal (Crystal Mejorada)? Well, she’s now the Princess of UK. Cool, eh? And
yeah, Chrizel (Chrizel Louella Villondo)… she’s really rich and successful now. She married this
handsome, rich, young and all doctor. Whew!”

We continued to exchange stories and laughter among ourselves while walking around the palace grounds.
There we met Rhanie (Rhanie Cañeda) who’s popular for her superb web designs and software.

“Really?! So how does it feel? Y’know being in the convent?” asked a woman whose voice sounded like a
megaphone, she was talking to a nun who is sitting on a porch near the window. I looked at her and found
out that it was unmistakably Elizabeth (Elizabeth Ann Quiambao), the newly appointed president of the
Philippines Dental Association and the nun is Malaya (Malaya Mahinay). There was Suzette (Suzette
Pardillo), too. She told us that she now lives on one of the highest hills in Bohol and was in time to drop
by from their vacation in Austria with her multi-billionaire husband.

After some time, George suggested to go back to the palace, but we were stopped short. We met
Charisma (Charisma Tola), owner of the world’s leading airline company: Simply_Chasz Airlines and
she’s been titled by Forbes as one of the top entrepreneurs in the world. She was talking to Gemma
(Mary Gemma Buhisan), her most trusted flight attendant and to a woman with a model-like figure
whom we couldn’t recognize. Curious, we walked to them and found out that it was Darlene (Darlene
Marie Sudario). She looked very different and appealing with here new look! Outside the palace stood
Elden (Elden Selloria), a certified public accountant and business partner of Jeremae for their trendy
Heaven Scent Flower Shop, and Kris (Kris Miguel Villadelgado), the controversial private nurse of Brad
Pitt. They were waving excitedly at us.

“Everyone please come inside now,” came Shinee’s soft voice and all of us gathered inside the golden
Great Hall to listen to her. “Let me present to you the most awaited guests for tonight… President of the
United States Christian Weatherby with first lady Donna Villarosa – Weatherby (Donna Bianca Villarosa)
and their private bookkeeper Miss Diva Mendoza (Diva Blanca Mendoza)!”

Applauses erupted inside the palace as the three of them entered the hall. Donna was dressed in a
lavender velvet gown designed by Marylove paired with sparkling gray and yellow Jimmy Choo shoes.

“In twenty minutes’ time we will be leaving for the Philippines,” said Prince William in his princy tone. “The
wedding will be held in Shinee’s beach resort in Cebu. You have nothing to worry, all expenses and
transportation are well taken care of. My Father King Charles together with the princess-to-be, the
Princess of the United Kingdom and the president and first lady of the United States, their bookkeeper and
I will be boarding La Fleur while the other guests will fly with Miss Chass on her private plane. We will all
be staying in Arlenie Heights, where about 50 houses are reserved for this occasion. So bon voyage and
cheers everyone!”

“Cheers!” we all agreed in chorus.

We all went back to Cebu where Sister Millette, the present mother provincial of the FMA, Miss Sasan and
some other sisters were waiting for us. The wedding was indeed the grandest ever! For days it was in the
front page of newspapers and online news all over the world!

-Tsin Joson