Seventeen Years and Seventeen Kilos Ago

This was how we looked like, circa 1993. We were all good friends enjoying our newfound post-college or near post-college freedom, hanging out at what used to be Bacolod's favorite hangout places -- sunset at the Pavilion .

Here we are, sitting at the sea wall enjoying the balmy breeze. Behind us are big boulders cascading down to playful waves crashing against them. Seventeen years later, these same waves were further pushed back into the sea as more land was reclaimed, and now the new BREDCO port stands. Just imagine, behind us where it used to be water now stands a condominium project, warehouses, office buildings and wide paved roads.

Also, seventeen kilos earlier, you wouldn't believe that the girl wearing bangs is now a professor at the University of St. La Salle -- Rowela Alayon-Chiu; the petite girl to her left is now a city counselor running for a congressional seat in the lone district of Bacolod City -- Jocelle Batapa-Sigue; the only thorn among the roses is now a university professor in China -- Zeigfried Dima-ala; and the forever slim girl on the far right is now a legal researcher at the Hall of Justice and an active officer of the Art Association of Bacolod -- me.