Happy birthday, Maren!

I first met Maren in 2004 during the Oratorical and Debate Council (ORADEC) apps week. I couldn’t remember if I was the one who interviewed her but what I do know is that fact that she stood out from the crowd. Beautiful locks while everyone’s sporting a rebonded hair, fabulous tan, fashionable, impeccable grammar and amazing eloquence… I’m cutting myself right there for fear of being accused as a lesbo. hahaha. In short, she’s really cool. So there, she became part of the ORADEC.

She was a good member. She even became the org Prexy.

Spot the fashion designer, flight attendant, professional students abroad
 and Corporate magnate in SG

We had our share of debate tournaments in Manila and out of town. (I still consider Dumaguete as one of the best tournaments ;p)

Circa 2006 ba 'to? hahaha

We also had our in-house trainings. Remember our Tagaytay Highlands lockdown? Epic!

We stayed there for 3 days with nothing to do but debate, matter load,
debate, matterload and feel sorry for ourselves :D

And then, there came a lull in her debate career... (alam mo yan) ;p
Inspite of the lull, she still managed to hold on to her other passion-- FASHION!

hats, hats, hats

She can do wonders with your eyes.
Awesome smokey eyes, hun :D

 She even dabbled in the fashion industry as a make-up artist and a ramp model.
(Sorry friend, natatawa pa din ako pag iniisip ko na kinaya ng height mo ang ramp.
IKAW NA talaga. hahaha)

 ...once in a while, we would go out and catch up on each other's lives...

Remember Dr. F's birthday, ORADEC Christmas Parties and Mike's concert?
(hindi ko ma-resist i-post ang kaisa-isang picture na hindi ka wala kang tan! haha)

... but I think, one coffee session with Brian opened everything up. Then we had our sesh with Dawnie, Rix and Gee. Watched Kid in his gig. Met Guddz and Rach. And, as what they say, the rest is history.

Our love affair with Technowave and the occasional gig at Il Ponticello

And oh, how we love football! :)

Until you decided to pursue further studies in an unfamilir territory. Your despedida had an unwritten rule. NO CRYING. Guess who broke the rule first?

 

:(

 Oh well... we all need to spread our wings and see what life can offer at the other side of the fence. But I just want to remind you that before you became a...

...Poi enthusiast and...

... the girl with a complicated lovelife...

You were once a simple girl with a simple life.

Yes, you are a fashionista but you really are simple to the bones.

Oh, corny ka din pala! Remember this?

Making this as your profile pic and updating your status to appear like this:
MAREN ELIZABETH MARTINEZ IS A FAN.
i mean, what were you thinking?! ampotah! hahaha

What I wish on your birthday, is to see you laugh like this once again...

carefree. childlike.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Maren! You will always be one of my very few girl friends (knowing how testosterone-filled my friendship life is).

(photo creds: maren's albums and oradec files :))