I remember when I was in high school, my friends and I used to talk about life in other countries especially in America. We found that place very interesting. We actually dreamed of going there someday.

That was our high school dream. A dream that seemed impossible due to limited financial resources, but we were hoping that this dream would come true. After all, life is full of surprises. We never know what’s in store for us. Who knows, one of these days, one of us will be there?

After high school graduation, my friends and I were discussing our future plans as to colleges or universities where we would pursue our studies. Some of us stayed here in Laguna while others went to Manila. Caryll and I enrolled at Letran-Calamba. I was about to take Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, but then I decided to take Accountancy, the course which Caryll and Anne took before I did. After the first semester, Anne shifted to Psychology but Caryll and I decided to finish the course. We remained classmates in college.

It was 1997 when she told me that she’ll soon leave for Chicago. I tried to convince her not to go there because she may find it difficult to adjust to a new environment and find new friends; but since she’s fluent in English, I’m sure she can easily communicate with the people there. But the real reason why I was convincing her not to go is that I never want to loose my BESTFRIEND. I have been her best and Dark Artist, and she has been my Great Wall. I wanted to stay that way. She has provided me a shoulder to lean on and she doesn’t hesitate to help me when I need it.

It has almost been a year since she and her family left. We managed to keep in touch through phone calls, letters and e-mails; our friendship remains despite great distance.

Now, I’m hoping to graduate this coming April, with a degree of BS Accountancy, I owe it all to her. In the midst of confusion, she enlightened me, pushed me up, encouraged, and supported me. I made it because of her. I promised her that I would finish this course. A few months from now, I’ll be able to tell her that I finally did.

I still have several units in my curriculum this year because I’m a working student. I decided to take another degree course to fill up my time and focus more on my studies. My batch mates had graduated last April 2001. Busy with their chosen career, I rarely see them. I feel lonely and alone.

It was the Colegio’s Foundation Day celebration. I went to the library and spent some of my time there while my friends and classmates were busy with their graduation practice. In

About the Author: Jojit Larino is currently working at Toshiba Information Equipment (Phils.), Inc. as Compensation Analyst. He is the Editor in Chief of IN TOUCH, Toshiba Newsletter and has been an Editorial Staff of The Knight Publication in college. President of the Society of Letran Artists in 2001-2002, officer of Letran Alliance, Student Council and JPIA. He has received the awards for Poster Making Contests as Regional Champion at Calapan City (1999) and in Calamba City (2000), 2nd Placer at Lipa City (1998) and Intramuros, Manila (1999). He has taken the course of BS Accountancy and BSC Management Accounting in 2002 at Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Calamba.