As far as I know, Ali and I were considered as the more "scientific-minded type" in class. A notion justified by our deep interest in physics and sci-fi stuff. Einstein was one of our idols.

After graduating from high school, Ali and I still kept in touch with each other. One day, I suggested to Ali, "How about making an atom bomb?" Ali thought it was an interesting idea, but said that there was no way we could produce one in the country; obviously, for lack of materials, and perhaps, even the essential information.

I told him it wasn't necessary to produce the real or physical thing. The idea was to prove to ourselves that "It can be done" even if only on papers. Besides, I argued, we would be forced to study more than the usual load, exploit the resources of our universities (he was DLSU ECE), and learn a lot from the experience whatever the outcome of our endeavor.

And so, the project was a go. It was agreed that, for the initial phase, he would prepare the inventory of materials and make preliminary calculations, while I draft the containment shell. We were both taking up engineering at that time, so I had the necessary tools to work on the physical design of our so-called Bomb.

I remember it was one quiet Sunday afternoon. The TV was on while I was working on the polygon frame of the so-called Bomb at my drawing board. At one time, when my eyes wandered off the board and looked at the TV, the TV started showing scenes of the atom bomb-devasted Hiroshima (or was it Nagasaki?). !!! 

Needless to say, the project was quietly shelved afterwards.

Ahh! The fun and innocence in the dreams of youth.