Backtrack...

The friendship started from way back in 1990 at our beloved Bacolod Tay Tung High School. I remember it began when we were trying to group ourselves into 7 for a field trip to Iloilo. We were to share a room together, I recall. And at that time, typical of kids growing up, we tried to give ourselves a group name. So it was "Beejane" -- each letter representing the first letters of our names {Binky, Ellen, Elsbeth, Jimma, Azela, Nancy and Emmy}.

Freshmen year, Jimma (Tamano-Ang) amicably left and so the rest of us evolved into a group called "Colours." I'm positive that it was from a popular name of a perfume at that time. [And I distinctly remember, Zelly was the one who thought of it!]

Anyway, during sophomore year, an "addition" (or should I say "replacement?") to the group was Trina. And so eventually we settled with a new (and final) name: FELLOWS. [Really funny how we came up with such names! Like, did we really have to have a name?!?! Like it's an obligation or a mandatory thing hahaha] Anyway (part 2), I cannot remember who ever coined the latest name and from where it was derived. But I'm pretty sure I broke it down and smothered it with so much cheekiness (read: corny). FELLOWS means Free Equal Loving Loyal Outstanding Willed Sisters-in-Christ. Sneers aside, the "Magic 7" had finally found their niche in a group -- which was, I think, quite significant during high school. It's no fun not having a clique or something... And being in a group kinda gives you a sense of belongingness, a comfort zone and just plain real friendship.

And as we graduated into college, inevitably we had to go our separate ways, so to speak, due to different goals and aspirations in life. Some opted to study in Manila and Cagayan de Oro, others remained in Bacolod and those that stayed home didn't necessarily choose the same school. So we were literally scattered. And along the way we had developed our own sets of friends outside FELLOWS. But the beauty of it all is that we still made the time to get together and maintain the close bond. What's more, each of us also gained each other's friends! And that's a good thing! Networking at its best! And I'm proud to say that for all the years we've shared the good times and bad, overall it has been truly wonderful! I couldn't ask for better friends than them!

It's been a great 14 years... so far... and still counting and looking forward to more years of great companionship!

>>	Zelly	(s)	::	Sagay, Phils.	::	businesswoman / physiotherapist
>>	Betty	(s)	::	Tokyo, Japan	::	student (Masters in Applied Economics)
>>	Trina	(m)	::	Bacolod, Phils.	::	mother / businesswoman
>>	Nashy	(m)	::	LA, USA	::	mother / physiotherapist
>>	Binky	(s)	::	NY, USA	::	registered nurse
>>	Ellen	(m)	::	Bacolod, Phils.	::	insurance exec.

The Marrying Kind

Mr. & Mrs. Lim, Mr. & Mrs. Garbanzos & Mr. & Mrs. Bautista