That's right. In every student's career as a ...student, we all have the same thought that goes through our minds: "What will we do if there is a major calamity?" Then you say, "this will never happen to us." Well, our worst nightmare came true...our school caught on fire. So it is my duty to give all the information that I may have to tell the public.
Joaquin and I woke up on Saturday morning to a beautiful day in Baguio City. The roosters were crowing as usual by our bedside. Life resumed as if it was a normal day. Joaquin was rushing around the room because he had to be at the school for a very important meeting. Today was "tuition increase day" and he had to become the voice of the students. The meeting was actually open to all, but I was feeling under the weather yet again. Quite frankly, I really did not want to go because I knew that the school did not really give two shits if we had a thing or two to say about the increase. The usual scenario would consist of me sitting in the crowd, pouty faced, saying my two cents, and then feeling degraded and unheard by the administration of the whole school. What was the point in stressing myself? Even Joaquin agreed with me, but as a "school leader" it was mandatory for him to attend. Lets just say this is Karma.
Joaquin left for the school and I started cooking. I was in the mood to make hummus. The process of softening up the chickpeas took forever to I surfed the internet and called my parents a few million times. But on the millionth time, they would get a disturbing phone call.
I received a text message close to noon from joaquin. I was sure it was him telling me to meet him at SM for a day at the supermarket because we are in dire need of coffee. Unfortunately it read "UB is on fire". My initial reaction was "yeah, im sure the students are running around freaking out about the tuition increase." Then I stared at my phone for a bit and pondered for a minute. Why would Joaquin text me something like that? He doesnt just make random metaphorical statements through texting. He can't stand texting for fear of improper communication.
I decided to call him to get the story straight, but the lines were down. For a split second I thought the worst and I began to freak out. But wok knows me very well, and he was the one who called me. "the B building is on fire, people are running around. Look outside, you might be able to see it." I just wanted him to come home so I told him to just come home as soon as he can. And no, you can not see the school from my house.
While I waited for him, I went downstairs to visit my Persian friends to tell them the grave news. The B building was mainly the dentistry building, and from what Joaquin was saying, it did not look too good. This quickly became horror day in Baguioland.
What do you do when you find out that your school is on fire? So many things crossed our minds.
- Was anyone hurt?
- Do we have class on monday?
- Do we have class at all?!!!
- Should we visit the site?
- Where do we go now that we don't have two buildings?
- is it arson?
I just know, my #1 concern was Joaquin. And he came home immediately. Im just happy that we are all safe.
Now here is something interesting. That morning, at about 10AM, I get a text saying "Ma'am so and so says we need to be in school today for class. Sorry that we told you that you did not have class." And I just said to myself "screw them. you can't just tell people that they have class and now they are 2 hours late" Then an hour later there is a fire that people will be talking about for years. It's Karma.
here is a great post on the whole scenerio from someone who can account it better at the Baguio Insider
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