Describe something you learned in high school.

You might think this is a review of the eponymous film. Starring Omar Epps and Jennifer Connelly, it took place in a college setting. On the surface, the picture is a coming-of-age narrative that tackles the difficulties of fitting in. However, the writers were uber-woke. The plot became a microcosm of Black America. Note: this post only shares the heading. I would’ve titled this Ora et Labora. However, I already utilised that for chapter nine of my latest published book.

For six years, I attended a Catholic school. This included my last two years of primary school and all of my secondary education. Our institution’s motto was Ora et Labora or Prayer and Work. This is rooted in Saint Benedict, ‘the man of peace’.

A balanced life

In sixth grade, our advisor drew a stick figure on the board. She maintained that having the right balance is paramount. In the first drawing, the illustration has an oversized noggin and a minuscule heart.

‘That’s no good’, she says.

She then draws a more balanced representation, with an equal gulliver and heart.

‘That’s more like it,’ she said. ‘People need integrity’.

The latter is central to Benedictine education. Prayer is big, but we should leave some rest time. Each year, during St Ben’s day, we had outreach programs. We visited the needy, the impoverished, and the disadvantaged. We went out of our comfort zone. We would bring food and organise activities. We would each distribute St Ben’s medals in the barrios. We even had Mass, conducted in the vernacular. We took the jeepney, the country’s main mode of public transport.

‘Pray n’ Play’

During senior year, we had a weekly thing called Community Involvement Program (CIP). In short, this was a longer version of the outreach. We headed to far-flung areas, interacting with the locals. We listened to their stories.

As the motto suggests, life wasn’t all philanthropy. We supported our school’s varsity. Our Religion teacher, Bro, even set aside whole periods so we could catch their games. See also: A Tourist’s Guide to losing family. We watched both men’s hoops and ladies volleyball matches. The latter featured some stunners. Even other schools were taking notice of our cuties. A badminton court was beside our faculty room. Some of my peers played. Once, I tried but it wasn’t really my thang.

Well-rounded

In class, we would often barge in on the audio visual room. We’d watch movies like Big Fish, One True Thing, The Emperor’s New Groove, Mano Po, Jose Rizal, Pay It Forward, and many others. Meanwhile, in home economics, we learned to sew and practiced our cooking skills. We made pasta and pastries. I cut the veggies.

During physical education, we’d often play five on five. I hit a few threes. However, once, our backup team couldn’t get on the board against the starters. A couple of times, I couldn’t finish the fast break.

The honour roll was posted each quarter. We knew ‘who’s hot and who’s not’. What didn’t get advertised as much was our comportment. Each term, the left side of our report cards had our grades. More importantly, the right side revealed our conduct. Little things like punctuality and attendance. Pays courteous attention in class. Comes in well-groomed. Uses stellar language. These are the hallmarks of our scholastic experience.

During Recognition Day, the annual Best in Conduct was announced. My older sister was included in each eligible year. To be so honoured, one has to score perfect As on right side.

Advanced

Our academy was ahead of its time. Way before #metoo and #timesup, women ran our school. This has been the case since 1912, when German sisters established an all-girls institute. Nuns retain the major positions. A hundred years later, the Order of Saint Benedict (OSB) is still going strong.

We were expected to share our responsibilities. Students raised the banner during flag ceremony. The student council basically ran our high school and organised key events. Among these were Teacher’s Day, Foundation Day, and the Intramurals. Each week, a different class handled morning praise. For agape, we were divided into groups. We each brought food as we discussed Bible passages.

During Teacher’s Day, students took on their roles. They matched their outfits to our pedagogue’s usual garb. In the afternoon, we serenaded them at the gym. A few of my schoolmates were discovered. One of my batch mates, Janelle, was so impressive that she ended up on Star Circle Quest. Once, this guy told me that the Quest inspired a very long queue. The judges were weary at the lack of talent. A queer dreamed of being the next big star. As soon as he stepped in, a judge told him that he was eliminated.

Young musicians

Speaking of tunes, we had music class in all of high school. In one instance, I played the role of a virtuoso pianist. I tapped on a few keys, before turning my head back. Suddenly, I mishandled some keys. I scored a few laughs. In senior year, we also had a battle of the bands. I was chosen as a vocalist for one of our section’s numbers. I balked at the role as I got jittery. I needed to go easy on the morning coffee.

As seniors, we gave lessons to public school kids. There was never a dull moment. Sometimes, we brought goodies. That really brightened up their day. On graduation day, we wore the barong Tagalog, the traditional Pinoy garment. My class’s motto was ‘sama-samang pamumuhay’ (collective livelihood).

Post-high school

We had yearbooks in grade six and year ten. I was very involved in the latter. Each of us had to pen our personal meaning of life. Thus, every graduate mattered. In the photos, one film quote applied to our group. ‘Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten’.

On the final page, my lengthy poem was featured, with the caption, ‘un-edited’. The verses were a tribute to my alma mater.

Altogether, it was a balanced life. There was food and fasting, prayer and sports. Long tests and music comps. Memorisation and IQ tests. Pianos and plays. Morning praise and First Friday Mass. Orations and musical showdowns. Essays and painting. The experience wasn’t just visual, but olfactory, kinetic, auditory, and gustatory.

Benedicite!