He insists on being called Jess, but when I actually do call him that infront of previous officemates, he mopes and says, “Bakit Jess ang tawag mo sakin? Hindi na ba tayo close?” So I guess this means only close friends of his are allowed to call him “Chu”?
Whatever the reason, I’m just flattered he considers me close enough.
Chu and I used to be almost inseparable, being both departmentmates and housemates at the same time.
He was the reason why I came to Manila. I was a miserable teller in our hometown when he texted me one night informing me that there were job openings in his office, KPMG.
I decided to grab the chance and a week later, he and Nald were picking me up at the airport along with Zenie and Gay.
A week after that, I was hired by KPMG as an IT auditor, just like him.
From then on we were so together all the time that some people started seeing us as one entity, expecting to see the other where one was. So they couldn’t believe me when I told them that Chu and I were not even really close friends in College.
Chu and I were blockmates in College but we revolved in different circles. He had his own circle of friends, his High School classmates, and he had his own world where he was the king, or rather, the president. The debating society.
Though I actually became part of it for a little while, I was never as good as him and the others so I decided to focus my energies where I was actually good at.
Yes, Chu was such an excellent debater that he was once selected to coach me and Nald by our debate teacher. Our “cockroach” coached me and my “team spirit” Nald so well that we went on to win the 8th Col. Salipsip Debate.
Of course, that’s nothing compared to his achievements, which are international in scope. If you don’t believe me why don’t you try googling for his name and see what turns up.
Of course, knowing Chu, he’ll probably kill me if he reads this. So humble is he that he hates it when I proudly point out this fact to others.
That and the fact that he graduated valedictorian in High School and also that he is one of the best writers I know (he is actually a favorite of mine and Tupe, my “Kuya” in College who is also a writer).
But Chu’s most endearing trait is his sense of humor. A comedian sans the effort, he is unanimously the funniest guy in our block.
Just before Zenie and I went to Manila, we found ourselves talking about Chu and soon we were doubled over with laughter as we recalled all his jokes and pranks that brought us to tears in College.
But there’s more to Chu than just jokes. He can be a thoughtful friend too, like the time he surprised me on my birthday by making a birthday webpage for me.
Happy 24th birthday, Chu!
shit, i feel like im under the microscope. what did u did, heids! but anyway, i appreciate it although I wont suggest anybody to read.