I NEVER LIKED endings, though as the age old saying “all good things must come to an end,” and so in the bittersweet crossroads of reaching the end of our era in the Lion’s den; torn between feeling proud of what was accomplished or feeling lonely that it’s done, proves that “the depth of our love is equal to the pain,” as it never been that difficult to loosen grip, desperately grasping, to keep things together. 

However, part of the journey is the end, and this humble quest began as a story of building myself; lost, like many of us at this age, trying to find purpose, aiming for the best, and hopefully hitting the marks as we go along, and so we did. 

Thus, followed the celebration, “congratulations! We did it! We made it! Another chapter for the books,” it went; following our grueling conquest witnessed by both the moon and the sun going from book to book, cases to cases, reviewers to reviewers; it never like there was a finish line; and for some there’s the occasional breakdown, as well as a little gaslighting at the side “ginusto ko ‘to.” 

For the cast of this story, the plot extends beyond the academic responsibilities, as we deliberately immersed ourselves in the lives of the people roaming the red jungle; taking an oath together of fulfilling the role of enhancing our common experience, executing project from projects, programs from programs, initiatives from initiatives; always the best foot forward, finding euphoria and fulfillment in witnessing the impact, the joy, and the beauty of success. 

Having the best of days, working ourselves to realize dreams and promises, and trying our best to make a change never felt like a set-up, at least not until the end, not until I realized having everything meant risking losing everything, when inevitably, our era was reaching its end. 

Truly a testament that every action does have an equal opposite reaction, and so nostalgia reminds us, when it hits that the once warm euphoric memory of cozy hangouts, thrilling adventures, frantic reading in the halls, and unknowingly etching our names in history by trying to leave a better place; indubitably an exciting experience, becomes bittersweet. 

Change is dawning, and now mornings are different – well it had for months already, and while the cast will forever remain bonded with the invisible strings of our shared history, of our shared misery, shared successes, and shared laughter; the story will never be the same.  

However, the ghost of our past will forever remain, lingering inside the red walls and the antique halls are rooms, seats, and tables filled with new characters, they may never know or understand what they hold, but for me, these places will remain a haven of our memories, a keepsake of what was once ours, what was once us. 

So, I guess this truly is a happy ending, a euphoric moment shrouded in melancholic clouds of nostalgia and anxiety; for the appreciation I have over this era, extends to the depths of the sea, and how could it not? When the community that I embraced, embraced me; and the people around me gave a piece of them to form who I am today. 

Coming to senses, it’s now time to go with the current of time. Where would it lead? It’s uncertain, but it’s time to find out; and before I do, as I write this column, with heartbreaking joy and tearful smile, I express my humble gratitude to the community that embraced me, most especially the LM community, and the amazing individuals roaming the den, the proud and mighty lions. 

To The Bedan, most especially Anne Julia, Zia, Paul, and ate Nicole, for allowing me to be immersed and developed into the journalist that I am (minus the late articles), for chasing all the stories, and the profound friendships. 

To the Junior Bedan Law Circle, from ate Elyn and ate Diazmean, to our own Executive Board: Denise, Ela, Hans, and the rest, and those throughout the years, I am grateful for all the efforts exhausted and time spent together trying to build a better community, you have given me more than I could ever pay forward, I’ll miss you!; and to our cornerstones, Atty. Mike and Atty. Bok, thank you for allowing me to thrive under a legacy that echoes and will continue to resound inside and outside the red walls; JBLC you were the best. 

Lastly, to the stars of this story, my story: Patrick, Mauri, and Marc, Mr. Non-chalants; Dea, Ms. Competitive; Jury, Ms. Many enemies; Julia, Ms. Everything, everywhere, all at once; and Tricia, Ms. my president and so much more; this isn’t a farewell, just a memento of what was once; so, I never forget my promise to come back to you. And if someday, I wake up with an opportunity to restart everything, you’ll be the first person I’ll search for. 

This story is now part of a distant past, with scenes of regret and sorrow, of breakdowns, failures, and defeats, but a lot more to be grateful for; from the thrills, the excitement, the wishes come true, and most of all the company. Again, I never liked endings, but as we all know, “part of the journey is the end;” I am a puzzle of the people that surrounded me, and now that the pieces are moving away; only they can tell who I am, or at least who I was.