The Marky Mark: The Things I Remember About You

You would never know how much I am so proud of our deep kind of friendship. Nearly ten years of fun and laughter, sad and sorrow, intrigues and controversies (hahaha!), nothing beats the friendship that we do have. I am so excited to make a blog post exclusively for you, since it is your birthday! And every time we see each other, all that we do is always talk and talk about the past, the present and the future of our lives.

For this blog post of mine to your life, let us have a "time travel" for the wackiest, saddest and most amazing things happened in both of us and with our other friends as well. As I saw your Facebook page, most of our dear college friends remember your birthday as a "TV special," since you are the only PLMayer who once celebrated his birthday on the rooftop gym of the Avancena High School (I don't know but so far, that's what I know).

Your 19th birthday. July of 2007 (?)

Let's begin our time travel with this picture:

I remember the days that you were striving in studying. There were moments that you did not know where to get money for your stuff. You needed to have a part-time job just to suit your basic needs and of course, your education. And we, as your friends, come to the rescue. This was taken in one of our college days and from the looks of it you were happy even if problems were coming on your way during those times. I've seen you doing so many things from being a working student in a fast food chain, in a hamburger stand and a member of the panel of judges in a national lottery draw just for money. Now look at you, my friend! You've been to so many places and have so many things you wished you had before and now it's in your hands. Sometimes, I feel envy in you with your travels in and out of the metro but you told me that I should be inspired because all of those hardships that you've done were all paid off. Now, you have a very good job and a master's degree (here we go again) is waiting for us to happen!

This was taken in Gusaling Katipunan, near the library and I asked you to pause on a floor polisher. After I took that picture, all of us (Kenneth, Llewy and I) burst into laughs because of you. I still remember the time you were being poked fun by our classmates. One example would be our best buddy. The time that you had your hair cut off and turned into semi-bald hairstyle, he was so shocked seeing you like that and he tagged you as "Bibeth!" I didn't know if you were offended or not and we didn't see that you were hurt. And so, our other friends called you "Apo Bibeth" since we made a so-called clan. And another thing was, they were making fun of you because of your skin color. During our first days of college, I would be very honest that it  your skin color was the first to be noticed by many. And I was part of those people saying not-to-nasty-but-still-offending remarks about you (sorry!). But now, look at you! You are a dashing debonair! Even though you gained so much weight, still you look nice and presentable in front of your students or every time we meet! You're no longer "Bibeth!" but "bet na bet!"

These are your pictures with some of our friends and I remember you for being too close to each and everyone. Some say you were very touchy; others were saying you're too sweet. Whatever they say, those are true (except for the touchy issue!). You've touched our hearts and our lives because of your funny antics (Ma'am, where's the beach [but pronounced differently]) and your leadership skills when you became our Block President. You've managed us so much that our Christmas Party was probably one of our most memorable parties. And yes, the culminating activity which was your idea, too! No wonder most of your friends and students applauded you in whatever you are doing. Just ignore those people who wants to put you down, the most important thing is that you are doing the good thing!

Here you are, embracing someone in which we don't know. Anyways, I am so happy for what you are right now. You're already teaching in college and began making your name (although there are still rumors, controversies and intrigues hooked with your name, hehehehe!) at the academe. I am one of the people, especially your barkadas, who is so happy for what you've reached and achieved. From the time you were nobody, you are now considered somebody in your own league! I think that with those moments you've had before, lessons have learned and still you are learning from it.

You are no longer Marky, who was once called by our bully classmate "Epson" because of you putting yourself in the scene and by someone who has a very funny voice, screaming you out "umalis ka nga dito!" and the guy who was just only saying goodbye to his friend but unknowingly banged himself in one of the tubes in Round Table. You are now the Marky which I consider my best friend. Good luck to your dreams, aspirations and most of all, love life! Hahahaha!!!

Happy 24th Birthday, Mark Lester Alipio Pabilando. May God bless you with so much fun, joy, blessings and unlimited happiness in your life.

WOW!!!

Happy Birthday Marky!!! We love you!!!

Toodles!!!