MARCH 1993 THE GLOW 27 Prepared by Plebesicito Alfaro, Joemel Pedrola Menchie Gonzales, Jane Romallosa It is past midnight but Zaldy (Clarito) is still half-finished in his work. He is doing his project in Math. He is battling the final quest in the last step of the secondary education. The project: Differences: A Mathematical Investigation. Yes, figures which he really hates most. He is stopped by an urge to empty his bladder so he shuffles toward the bath­room. He opens the door and before his eyes isamandressed in camouflage. Who's he? Wait, he is Alex, his classmate. But what is he doing in the bathroom? A bath­room, no it is a park. -,. Park, in the bath­room? The man ends Zaldy's questions. "Yes this is apark," Alex said, then shows something. It reads: Cabatuan City Na­tional Park landscaped jointly by land­scape architect and florist Neil Tolentino and Melita Mayormente. Then a force lifts them from the ground and ushers them to the different landmarks of Cabatuan City. Zaldy cannot resist the invisible force. There stands the imposing Roman Catho­lic Church of Cabatuan City, now the centerofreligious activities in Iloilo headed by Archbishop Alfone Marie Berbegal. A prestigious institution of learning that pro­vides quality basic education to Cabatua­nanons, the Cabatuan City Central El­ementary School is under the supervision ofhis formerclassmate Dr. Lorellee Leyso, Ph. D. A local hospital that originally oper­ated as an emergency hospital is elevated to Ramon Tabiana Provincial Hospital under the administration of Dr. Rosela Comago. A majestic, ultra-modem five star hotel is built through the efforts of business tycoon Jane Romallosa. No other province in the Philippines has built a factory of this kind. The sweet and refresh­ing smell of the super Eau de Toilette perfume factory is under the management of its owner Gertj ie Alcayaga. The palatial mansion of Ivy Clamucha, is the center of tourism because of the styles of architec­ture used by the internationally acclaimed architect, Glenn Ramos. Zaldy is awed at the super elegance of the sight. But the most eye-catching of all is the symbolic torch on the portals of Cabatuan University. This portal is a mute yet eloquent testimony to the struggles for academic excellence. Now, the university is headed by Dr. Menchie Gonzales, Ph.D. It is manned by her classmates-Aileen Angelo, Dean of the College of Manage­ment; Maribel Defante, Dean of the Col­lege of Engineering; Neza Danosos, sec­ondary school teacher; Emil Pedrola, the university's doctor; Mae Dy, Shiela Tormon and Joy Tormon, the University nurses; and Mario Troncoso and Yenny Guardamano, guidance counselors. Zaldy takes a pause, "Is this real? Alex says that this could all be real if ...... "Here's a newspaper, read it," Alex shifts the topic ofthe conversation. Something is really strange. There's something he is hiding. Zaldy grabs the newspaper. He scans the newspaper. Huh, the newspaper is edited by Ariel Moralba. He cannot believe it. But something is more incred­ible. It says that tomorrow will be the awarding of the Ten Outstanding Filipinos of the year... The date is tampered. Any­way, the incredible fact is that five out of ten awardees are his former classmates. Each award states the outstanding per­formances and achievements of the per­son. The awardees are: Johanna Miravite for her outstanding performance in nation 'building, profound nationalism and irre­proachable integrity; Gene Confesor for being the first scientist to discover the cure for AIDS; Mae, Cyrene Doregios for her excellence in. Chemistry Revolution; Joemel Pedrola for his research on the missing link that results to a new theory of evolution - aRevised Theory of Evolution; and Estrella Alag for her outstanding achievement in the field of music. The ceremony will be witnessed by the Presi­dent of the Philippine Republic, President Mary Christine Gil with her Presidential security guards headed by Maj. Gen. Ricky Defante. Other VIPs are the Nobel Prize awardee Plebiscite Alafro; multi-awarded actor Ronald Tuares and actress Cristina Antillon; Michael Hualde and Shamen Montanez, logging concessionaire; sports enthusiast Rogen Grijaldo; shipping mag­nates Reinovanni Larnos, Dominic Ferro andWilfredo Carcel; cockfight afficinados Anthony Cuarte and Reno Reteracion; Sec­retary of National Defense Kenneth Libiano; Senators Robert Vestoso, Juna Fuentes, Ramona Marcon, Marites Lasalita and Chito Celendro and representatives Lebie Curate and Felecidad Celda. Also the Mayor of Cabatuan City, Mayor Fortunate Lusaya together with his first lady Rachel Palmes and many others at­tend the very prestigious ceremony, which will be held at the Cabatuan City Cultural Center. The last part of the article states that the tenth awardee is a military man awarded with the highest military honor because of his devotion to duty and nation­alistic appeal to the people. He is... Zaldy finds out the name is tampered. "Who is the tenth awardee, Alex?" Suddenly, Alex begins to vanish in the air. "This is year 2018 and all things have changed. People now have reached their ambition in life. The outstanding performances and achieve­ments ofour classmates were earned due to their unflinching determination to suc­ceed. Zaldy, remember, don't be defeated by your impatience and lack of self confi­dence. A bright future awaits you. The ceremony you have read will not be com­plete without the tenth awardee. The awardee is you.. you.. you. The echoing sound is finally lost in the air. "Oh, my head. Hah" surprised Zaldy finds himself in his room, sitting on the chair and holding a paper which reads 3532-1512-2018. "Oh, I see, it's the solu­tion to my problem... and finished. Yes,.