Some people would say that they had the greatest time in college. I would always find myself telling them that the time I spent at UP High School in Cebu were the best years of my life. This isn't to say that I'm not having a ball right now (because I am), but high school was when life started for me. It was four years of reckoning one's self and one's capabilities, finding a circle of friends that would always be a part of your life (even when all of us cringe when we used to call ourselves the Perfect Seven- I prefer Information Society, but anyway�).

As I recall, I did great in high school. I studied hard and played hard. Had my share of adolescent crushes and embarassing moments, aqua net days --- the usual high and low points. With my friends Cielo, Daive, Carla, En-En and Urane, I discovered my love for sports - we kicked as playing soccer, softball and badminton. Aleta and I were in the UP Youth Chorus, which in a small part satiated my vocal instincts. However, it was through spending time with, observing some male batchmates (Flip, Kulot, the Bob Marley fans - Ibling and Boyet), I learned of bands, singers and songwriters that would be my musical influences. I also am one of those who have fond memories of going to the LOCAL GROUND concert series watching local bands and coming home in the wee hours of the morning, smelling of Brutus french fries(yeah right).

����������For my tertiary education (gawd!) , I went to Cebu Doctors' College of Rehabilitative Sciences majoring in physical therapy. There were only two of our batchmates in the same program I was in - Tricky and the person formerly known as Igot, now Barton (my favorite biyatch :). On the first day of orientation, I met Nenette, who would not only be one of my closest friends, but fate would later choose her to be Mrs. John Eric Jumao-as.

I met and kept a close knit of friends in college. Friends who kept me sane through countless hours studying for countless exams. However, I still kept in touch with Cielo, Daive, Carla, En-En and Urane. We would touch base every time Cielo and Daive would come home from UP Diliman, hang out at McTrad's place cooking pasta and watch films (where Dr. En-en had realized her interest in being and MD :). I also still had a great love for music, and at my typhoon-wrecked debut party, I met a group of guys whom I would later start a band with. Weekends would mean taking the jeepney to their homes and jam to covers of L7 and Hole. We would eventually mature to doing covers of 10,000 Maniacs, old school 80's new wave and Brit alternative women bands. If friends kept me sane, music was my adjunct therapy.

����������Four years of PT school done, we were sent off to another PT aspect - the Philippine Tour aka clinical internship. We had the usual hands-on PT experience, travelled a lot and met other PT students from other schools. It was during my last month of intership when 2 of my co-interns entered the gates of Camp Lapu-Lapu at Lahug. Some guy from SWU offered us a ride to the rehab clinic. I did not know him and my friends were telling me to sit on the front seat with him. Anyway, we got introduced right there - his name was Rhett Banzon. Long story short, we became a couple two days before my college graduation and are still together to this day.

���������Today, I am finishing up my Master's Degree in Adapted Physical Activity at Northern Illinois University. I've been here since August 1999. It has been a big adjustment for me since I've been re-united with my family, whom I've not live with for 14 years PLUS I was studying in a whole new foreign environment. To pay for my tuition, I work as a graduate assistant for the department I'm studying at (Kinesiology and Physical Education).I have been coordinating programs wherein we have preschool-age to high school-age individuals with and without disabilities learn sports skills in a gym and aquatics setting. This is where I have found my niche and my happiness�things can only get better from this.

���������I may be a late bloomer compared to other people who are now working in the real world, but it's never too late� and life's all a learning experience. Thanks to all the people who've influenced me most especially in high school , you may not know it but I have learned a lot from you!