ms. bands, miss liz…

(originally appeared on august 20, 2004)

After three consecutive to-be-critically-acclaimed episodes, the producer decided to scale down the production for this episode. Although this is a downgrade in terms of production, rest assured that this will be rich in thoughts equaling or maybe outshining the previous power trio.

In any relationship—whether it be on a romantic-Romeo or on a friendly-Wendy level—as what I have always believed in, someone gives more than what the other can offer. In any relationship there will [almost] always the power-giver and ready-receiver. But this is not a “usury system,” where the latter takes advantage of the former. It’s just that, there are factors, which allow the other person to be more capable of giving and sacrificing things than the other camp. And more often than not, this seemingly-parasitical world makes those people in a relationship survive countless tsunamis along the shore. It is a must that everyone should understand that things being discussed are both that can be touched and can be felt.

Liz (or Ms. Bands, as what I have called her at times; from her middle name Bandoy) and I have been close friends right after she entered womanhood. And months after which, we proclaimed ourselves as best friends. In a more commoner’s point-of-view, one can only declare best friendship decree if their relationship [as friends] has blossomed through the years and has strengthened by countless tests. But in this not-so-isolated case, we did not need a century in order for us to accept each other as best buddies (and yes, with best bodies!). The almost infinite moments that we had together [in more than two years] helped us to understand, accept, and appreciate each other’s weaknesses and strengths. The tests of friendship that we had fearlessly taken through the years could be enough for us to say that we would be bonded beyond eternity. Needless to say, she had offered a lot to me; and she had dedicated so much (to the extreme level) in this friendship. Because of that, we are able to keep the flame of friendship blazing and shining so bright.  And we intend to keep it that way.

This journal entry aims to electronically-cement my eternal gratitude to my best friend for the gift that she bequeathed upon me: the royal gift of friendship, that is. This journal will likewise voice out my sincerest regret to the ill-deeds I have committed against her.

Liz is such a dedicated dame. Her devotion is very much evident in her part-time job; much more in her academics. No wonder why the reigning research royalty—Ms. Angeli Diaz—considers her as one of the best OrgCom students to have walked the halls of St. Miguel Building. If the commitment she keeps on showing on her more “non-personal” life, oh geeze!…you will never imagine how devoted she is as my best friend (and I think, as a friend to anyone else she holds dear in her heart).

She is an A-list LIZstener. For years, she paid attention to my endless storytelling. She didn’t complain—not even once (oh well that’s an exaggeration! There were times she did complain of my airtime monopoly…). If Oprah Winfrey has her girl best friend—Gale, who [Oprah claimed] never failed to watch her talk show in 17 years, I have my Liz who never ceased to listen to my tic-tac-talk. She has been—and she will always be—a consistent front row listener every time I activate my talking machine. Thanks to her, I am now a full-fledged story-slash-chismis-teller.

She is one heck of a gorgeous-and-generous best friend. From bookmark to bronzing powder; from siomai to shoes (with free socks); from yellow paper to photo paper; from a movie ticket to a concert ticket; from a dinner treat at Dencio’s to a derma treat at Dra. Javellana’s…from A-Z…you name it! She did not just share but she totally gave things to me. She let me experience life in the most kikay way one can imagine! More than those factory-produced goods and services, what sets her apart from other fairy godmothers, is the fact that she shared her whole life with me. She is not perfect [neither do I]; but her imperfect soul allows me to glorify in the fact that she is human. That in spite of her humanness, she still is able to allow me experience friendship in its splendid form.

Ms. Bands is Miss Time Machine. Even in the sleepy hours of the night, if I need her, I will just have to press her cellphone number. And after two to three rings, a drowsy yet ready-to-help Liz will answer the phone; eagerly waiting for me to tell her my problem. Even if she’s in the middle of the class where a professor’s word is more important than the breath she takes, she will go out of her room just to make sure I am doing ok. Exaggerated it may sound, but that’s how Liz manipulates her time just to attend to my needs. She will go great lengths to canceling previous engagements just to be with her brat best friend.

Now that I am writing this entry, it seems to me that I was REALLY (x10) unfair to my dear Liz. In spite of her being an A-list listener, there were only few occasions where I asked her to tell things, which were bothering her. And those were the times when she complained of an airtime monopoly. In spite of big time generosity, most of the times I was so selfish to her. In spite of her time mismanagement because of me, I had not time for her especially in circumstances where she badly needed me. And the worst of all, I have accused her of things, which I truly regret from doing afterwards.

Having mentioned those awful things, I would still like to think that I have been a good best friend to her. I did my best to at least equal her efforts because I know I cannot surpass those. I may be bitchy at most times but the love in me for my best friend is larger-than-life. That love may be overshadowed by evil things but I know it will [again] shine through.

Having met her is the best, if not one of those top 3 best things to happen in my life. She keeps on inspiring me to become the best best friend one can have in one’s life. I admit (and I am very vocal about it) that I credit her ultra-kindness towards me why I have trimmed down my bitchiness. Most of my friends have noticed how different I am now. It’s because of her. They say the ultimate Being sends one cherubim in to our life to cast some heavenly transformation in it. If that is true, in my life, Liz will be that cherubim. What happened to me is a modern-day version of a miracle. And I will eternally be grateful for that as much as I will forever be in gratitude to her.

***

Why am I writing an entry entirely dedicated to her? It’s because I missed her a lot. For two consecutive days since yesterday, we had the pleasure of being reunited. I guess that’s how we missed each other’s company.