ADAKRAB: Bringing Them Forever

Reminiscing my high school days reminds me of all the things that made me who I am today. From my organized study habits to my cramming project deadlines and last-minute review for exams, I really did bring it to college. The saying ‘kung anong nakasanayan ang siyang madadala’ is true then. But I really wished I had brought my friends with me to college as well.

I really miss those times when the teacher’s out and all we do is to hang-out and share funny stories with each other. The vandals on our desks and restrooms, the student teachers, the uniforms, the antagonists, the pocketbooks, the cute boys… and most importantly, the bonding between friends.

Let me tell you about a group of eleven members known as ADAKRAB, or by reversing it, BARKADA. It’s a tagalog word for friendship, or much deeper than that, I guess. The members are namely:

YSA – if it would be considered as a GANG, she might as well be addressed as the FIRST BOSS. You guessed it right, a bossy attitude, a leader, an adviser, a counselor, a joker, a genius, a great story-teller. She’s also a great singer from being a choir member, but none of the members ever heard her sing seriously in solo. When one’s sad, she cheers her up. When one is being bullied, she stands as your defender, your great warrior. She has the qualities and the attitude as well.

NIX – the SECOND BOSS. Although she’s always busy by all the ‘boys’ on her cell phone, she gives some good advices as well, regarding her experiences of course. She’s mostly at expert in love problems.

BHENDA – talk about food, this girl knows everything, from cooking to baking and SENSING. Either she comes in class with lots of food or without; one should ready their lunch boxes for battle. Aside that, she’s the one who introduces new things such as fan fictions, movies, etc. She’s also considered the group’s most beautiful being.

XELYN – the mother-like figure. She does lots of sermons, alright…but they’re actually the truth that lies within you that no one speaks of. Speaking of mother-like, she’s the best at household chores.

AE – the frank one. Whatever you may be, she’ll tell you what she likes and dislikes about you, but in the end, she’ll easily say that she’s happy being with you. A real Christian, a TRUTHFUL friend, the treasurer, and the person who can’t even lie. She’s also the last member to join the group at our third year.

LABLY – as her name implies, she’s the most lovable and caring person. She’s the one who named the group at our second year that makes her the founder. Small but terrible, she’s like a living phonebook directory that knows everyone’s information.

HAYME – the living dictionary. May it be exams or quizzes; she memorizes what’s written in the books in exact phrases. If we have problems in academics, she’s the one to approach.

XY – the moody one. It’s hard to tell whether she’s angry or happy because she can switch moods in a couple of seconds. But see, that’s the thrill. To everyone, she’s the most experienced in life.

MARZ – second to the most mysterious person. She’s in to witchcraft and other weird things, but mostly make-ups. Compared to us, she’s the most mature-like woman figure that everyone respects.

ALYN – the influenced one. She likes anime because her friends like it; she plays instruments because her friends play as well, she’s in a band because her friends are in a band as well. And yes, this is not her only group – she has a lot! She easily adapts to her surroundings and that makes her herself.

And lastly, GIA as myself – the mysterious one. The person who prefers to be alone, doesn’t know how to buy, easily gets nervous, addicted to anime and cosplay, in to shamanism and witchcraft, and all the weird things that one can posses. I USED to be that way, and still some of it until now.

ADAKRAB, in one word, is UNIQUENESS. Every member has rare traits that an ordinary person can have in a 10% possibility. It tells different stories from different point of views and different people in real life. I got used to have them beside me and that’s what makes me ready and brave for whatever comes to my life.