filipino,

Literary: Sulyap sa Hinaharap

8/27/2015 09:00:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Aking binalikan ang ating nakaraan
Napagtanto kong ikaw at ako’y hanggang dulo.

Magmula pa noon, ikaw na ang pangarap,
Ang matagal ko nang hinahanap-hanap.

Sa aking pagsulyap, mga mata mong kumikislap
Ang nakita ko noon sa’king hinaharap.

Ikaw na nga ba ang magbibigay ng kulay sa’king buhay?
Ang magpapatunay na may pagmamahal habambuhay?

Makakasama mo ako sa hirap at ginhawa,
Gagawin ko ang lahat para ika’y mapasaya.

Hindi ko kilala ang salitang “pagsuko”
At handa akong ibigay ang buo kong puso.

Kahit na ang buhok nati’y pumuti,
Magkakasama pa rin tayong palagi.

Kahit mga ngipin mo’y hindi na kumpleto,
Sa puso ko, ikaw pa rin ay perpekto.

Kapiling mo ako hanggang sa huling paghinga.
Ito ang pakatatandaan, ikaw lang at wala nang iba.

Dumating man ang panahong masulyapang muli ang nakaraan,
Ikaw pa rin ang pilit na hahanapin upang makasama magpakailanman.

english,

Literary (Submission): Bill Out

8/27/2015 08:55:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

I. Starters

They nibbled quietly
On polite bluffs.
The tang of loneliness
Left a bitter stain
On their lips.

II. Entreé

They cried and swallowed
Deep sighs.
Heated words,
Never uttered,
Left their tongues blistered
And burnt.

III. Dessert

They dipped
Broken promises
Into molten apologies.
The waft
Of caramel yesterdays
Made not
Their mouths water,
But their eyes
Fill with tears.

IV. Apertif

They were both so full
And empty
Of things that weighed them down both
So they sat up,
And smiled,
And called for one
Last toast.

english,

Literary (Submission): A Master of his Craft

8/27/2015 08:51:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

He was a man of great ambition and untapped talent. Young and starry eyed, his heart was filled to the brim with sincere optimism.

Raphael was his name, and he was a writer. He was happy, and it showed. His work was filled with fantastic imagery and inherent happiness, each and every story ending with a smile. That is, until he met her.

Her name was Andrea. It was she, a woman small in stature but large of heart that had captured his attention. She was a sight to behold, so thought Raphael.

It was at precisely three forty-four in the afternoon when he first laid his eyes upon her. She had a smile on her face (as she so very often did) and as she smiled, her eyes would squint ever so slightly, partially obscuring her beautiful brown eyes. And she laughed, she flashed her opalescent white teeth, a stark and striking contrast against her dark tan and supple skin.

Raphael was captivated. He was compelled to move, his mind urging him to do something. And so, he did the only thing he knew how to do well; he wrote. He wrote of his emotions. He wrote of his descent into love.

And his adoration was not in the least bit shallow. From mere acquaintances, they, him and Andrea, became friends. They’d talk for hours on end, and he’d enjoy every minute of their conversations. He loved her dearly, though he never told her. And although they shared their secrets, he was never privy to the fact that she adored him as well.

And alas, Raphael, for all of his ability, for all of his ambition and talent, felt inadequate. So he worked.

He strived to improve, to be the best. In his mind he needed to be more worthy of Andrea’s love. And so he wrote. His work now held traces of insecurity, to which most of us can relate. His writing now noticeably darker, but still they bode well, for in spite of his morose disposition, Raphael had hope, and it showed in his work.

He mastered his craft. He gained recognition. He was awarded and gilded for his work, the majority of which instilled a carefully mixed brew of optimism and melancholy, and his writing was heartfelt and true. Truer than any romance or comedy there ever was. Finally, with his wreaths he had felt adequate. He felt like he could finally woo Andrea, so he came to her.

And as he approached, he looked upon her. Andrea seemed much happier. She appeared lithe and blooming as she greeted Raphael, and indeed she was, even as she introduced to Raphael her Fiancee.

‘Twas since then that all he had been able to write were tragedies as the residual hopefulness in his writing slowly faded away. He was still a master of his craft, garnering awards, and winning the hearts of many. Just not the heart of the one that mattered the most.

First published in the author's personal blog: http://lumulutang.tumblr.com/post/74161228224/a-master-of-his-craft

english,

Literary (Submission): Night Whisper

8/27/2015 08:47:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

altostratus,

Literary (Submission): Pangarap

8/27/2015 08:42:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

"Anak, libre lang mangarap. Sulit-sulitin mo na. Bibihira na lang ang libre ngayon."

'Yan ang sabi sa akin ng aking ama noong bata pa ako. At siyempre, dahil isa akong masunuring anak, sinunod ko ang kaniyang payo.

Nangarap ako, at alam mo ba kung sino ang nilalaman ng pangarap ko? Simple lang.

Ikaw.

Una kitang nakita sa ilalim ng puno ng Acacia. Nakaupo, at masayang humuhuni sa tono ng "Forevermore" ng Side A na para bang walang pinoproblema sa mundo. Bahagyang inililipad ng hanging banayad mula sa silangan ang iyong itim na itim buhok. At perpektong perpekto ang tama ng sinag ng araw sa iyong mala-diyosang mukha.

Agad akong nabighani.

Hindi ko namalayang mga sampung minuto na pala akong nakatitig lang sa’yong direksyon. Tatlong jeep na rin ang dumating, naghintay, at umalis bago ako bumalik sa aking ulirat.

"Ang ganda talaga, walanghiya. Out of this world!" sabi ko sa aking sarili sabay sakay sa kasunod na jeep.

Mula noon, araw-araw na akong bumabalik sa lokasyong iyon. Umaasa akong sana kahit isang beses ay muli mong maisipang tumambay roon. Umaasa ako na sana, sa aking muling pagsilip sa lugar na kinalalagyan mo noon ay muli kong makikita ang iyong mga mala-anghel na mukha. At nang muli akong mabighani.

At maging sa aking pag-uwi, ikaw pa rin ang tumatakbo sa aking isipan. Matutulog na lang ako, aabutin pa ako ng halos isang oras sa kaiisip kung kelan kaya kita muling makikita. Nakaupo, masaya, na para bang walang dinaramdam doon sa parehong upuan kung saan una kitang nasilayan.

Pero lumipas ang mga araw. Isa, dalawa, tatlong araw akong paulit ulit na bumalik doon. At wala ka. Wala ni isang palatandaan kahit man lang ng anino mo na naparoon ka sa lugar na iyon.

"Siguro nga 'di ka na babalik," sabi ko na lang sa sarili ko, sabay naglakad palayo.

At sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, kung kailan isinuko ko na ang lahat ng pag-asa kong muli kang makita sa eksaktong lugar na iyon, kung kailan handa na akong bumalik sa normal na daloy ng aking buhay, bigla kang lumitaw. Naroon ka, pareho ang suot mo sa noong una kitang makita, isang bestidang kulay puti na hanggang tuhod ang haba. At tulad ng una kitang nakita, hinahangin pa rin ang iyong buhok.

Pero may malaking ipinagbago. Hindi tulad dati, nawalan ng kislap ang iyong dating makikinang na mga mata. Mas madalas ka nang nakayuko, hindi tulad nung una kitang makita na halos sa kabuuang oras na minamasdan kita ay nakatingala ka sa langit. Humuhuni ka pa rin, pero ngayon, sa saliw na ng kantang "Fix You" ng Coldplay. Bakas na bakas ang lungkot sa iyong mukha, na para bang may pinapasan kang napakalaking problema.

Sa mga pagkakataong iyon, hindi ko alam ang mararamdaman ko. Matutuwa ba akong muli kitang nakita? O malulungkot dahil nakikita kong nalulungkot ka?

Lalapitan ba kita? Ayaw na ayaw ko kasing nakakakita ng mga babaeng malungkot. Pero nagdadalawang isip ako. Kasi baka hindi mo lang din ako pansinin lalo pa't hindi mo naman ako kilala. Baka i-report mo pa ako sa pulis. At isa pa, parating na rin yung jeep na kanina ko pa hinihintay.

Nag-isip ako, at nag-isip, at nag isip.

At nakarating ako sa isang desisyon. Lalapitan kita. At kakausapin.

At susubukan kong pawiin kahit papaano ang bakas ng kalungkutan na aking nakikita sa iyong pagmumukha.

Naglakad ako, ngunit parang sa bawat hakbang na aking ginagawa ay bumibigat ang aking mga paa. Lumalakas ang tibok ng aking puso habang umiikli ang distansiya natin sa isa't isa. Damang-dama ko ang mga butil ng pawis na tumatagaktak sa aking mukha.

Natigilan ako pagkatapos ng ilang hakbang. Isang lalaking hindi ko kilala ang bigla na lamang sumulpot mula sa kawalan. Tinitigan mo siya. Niyakap ka niya, hinagkan.

At bigla kayong tumayo at umalis. Patungo sa isang lugar. Sa isang lugar na hindi ko alam.

Sa isang lugar na alam kong hindi na kita muling masisilayan.

Nanlamig ako. Wala akong magawa. Hindi ako makagalaw. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko habang nakikita kong tinatangay ka niya patungo sa isang lugar na malamang ay kayong dalawa lang ang nakakaalam.

Kung sabagay, wala rin naman talaga akong magagawa. Ni hindi mo nga ako kilala. Ni hindi mo nga alam na nag-eexist ako. Ni hindi mo nga alam na halos araw-araw akong dumadaan doon simula ng makita kita kahit hindi naman talaga iyon ang daan ko pauwi.

At dahil hindi ako naglakas-loob na kausapin ka, wala akong karapatang magdamdam.

Siguro nga hanggang pangarap lang talaga kita.

At tulad ng sabi nila, hindi lahat ng pangarap, natutupad.

english,

Literary (Submission): One Last Time

8/27/2015 08:37:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

filipino,

Literary (Submission): Agam-agam

8/27/2015 08:34:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

english,

Literary (Submission): This Side, That Side

8/27/2015 08:29:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

This side says sad endings make life more interesting, but that side says nobody deserves such an awful ending.

“Hi,” you say.

I fold a small portion of the upper corner of a page of my book, and look up to the direction of the sound of your voice. “Hi.”

You smile (and it’s still beautiful).

I smile.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” I whisper while I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and stare at your feet. “I didn’t think you’d ever, but I was hoping you’d come around.”

You take a few more steps towards the table I am presently occupying, and stop only when you’re directly behind the empty chair across mine. “You knew it was me?” you ask, not even bothering to hide the teasing tone in your voice.

“This is embarrassing; especially since it’s been—what—almost a year since I last heard from or saw you?” I answer as I fiddle with the pages of the book I’m currently reading. “But, I still do remember the sound of your footsteps.”

“I haven’t changed much, I guess.”

“A little.”

“Did you—do you—mind that I made—make—you wait long?” you run a hand through your hair. I almost reach out to do the same because how I’ve missed the feeling, but I stop myself, and grab my cup of hot chocolate instead.

“To be honest, yes,” I answer, and I hear you sigh.

“Are you okay?”

“Honestly?” I ask back, and you nod. “No, not really.”

“Do you want to talk about us?”

I give you my reasons. “So, uhm, yes.”

You let a few moments pass— thinking and understanding, I guess. “Do you, uhm,” your voice is quiet – the kind you use when you’re afraid and unsure of what’s to come. “Uhm, want to try again?”

“No,” I breathe out—too quickly—but now is not the time for me to care. “No, no, no,” I repeat while shaking my head in hopes you’d clearly get my message.

“So, is this it? This is the end?” I can sense you’re nervous, and I don’t know whether it makes me want to cry or smile.

“Yes, yeah,” I open my book, and start reading because I can’t make myself look at you in the eyes. “To everything you and I—we—were before this moment.”

Your footsteps are never heavy, but I can hear them despite the endless buzz of our favorite coffee shop.

“Goodbye?” I hear you ask, with your hushed voice.

“Goodbye,” I call out with certainty, slightly raising my cup of hot chocolate.

(Read from bottom to top this time.)

daisy,

Literary (Submission): Hurt

8/27/2015 08:24:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

It’s like drowning,
Struggling to keep the water out of my lungs,
When I try catching up with you
Knowing you’ll never slow down for me like you used to.

It’s almost like falling freely
Into a bottomless and dark abyss
When it sinks in that you’ve left; there’s no one waiting,
No one around to keep me from collapsing.

It’s like failing miserably
In a test I expected and studied for
When I know that someone else makes you happy; I can’t do the same
Whatever move I make, I’ll always lose the game.

It’s like slowly self-destructing
Watching my entire world crumble into pieces
To see you the two of you stare at each other lovingly.
There are three pairs of eyes
And unfortunately, none are on me.

It feels like drowning
and falling,
failing,
and feeling crushed all at once

That it’s me you’ll never see.
But I know when to let go, the rope’s already burning me.
Your smile is, will always be beautiful that it makes me sad
Because it tells me you’re the best thing I never had.

eleanor,

Literary (Submission): 19911

8/27/2015 08:19:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

filipino,

Literary (Submission): Dula-dulaan

8/27/2015 08:12:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

PLAY
Unang beses kitang nakita sa isang entablado sa kwarto ng ating kolehiyo, nag-eensayo, umaarte. Ni hindi ko nga nagawang magkaroon ng “second look” nang makita ka. Pero nasabi ko ng mga oras na ‘yun, “ay infairness, cute siya.” Hanggang sa nakita kita sa mas malaking entablado, mas malaking produksyon, isang dula. Magaling kang umarte, ang ganda ng boses, ng tindig, ah basta! Bagay ka sa gitna ng entablado. Maging sa likod ng mga aninong pinagagalaw at binibigyan mo ng buhay. Ang sarap balik-balikan ng mga panahong sinisilayan kita. Hindi ko rin naman maiwasan na alalahanin ang unang beses na binalik mo ang iyong tingin sa akin, pinakaunang beses kang ipinakilala sa akin, unang beses na magkita tayo, nang tayong dalawa lang. At heto tayo ngayon, magkasama uli. Nasa harap kita, nagkukwento ng mga naranasan mo sa kamakailan mong biyahe. Nandito ka sa harap ko ngayon, kasama kita sa oras na ito pero hindi mo lang alam kung saang lupalop na ng kaligayahan mo ako nadala.

PAUSE
Nakangiti ka habang nakatingin sa akin. ‘Yang maliliit mong mata, para bang halos wala ka nang makita dahil hindi lang labi mo ang nakangiti sa akin, kundi maging ang iyong mga mata. Wala naman akong hawak na remote pero tumigil ang mundo ko. Tumigil ang lahat ng nasa paligid: si ate na nag-jo-jogging sa acad oval, ‘yung Katipunan jeep na dumaan, maging mga lamok, napatigil sa pagpipiyesta ng pagkagat sa mga binti at braso ko. Pati ata puso ko muntik nang makalimutang tumibok. Nang may biglang kumalabit ditto at sinabing, “psst, ingatan mo ang puso mo ha. ‘Wag mong kalimutan na gamitin pa rin ako.”

REWIND
Pamilyar ako sa karamihan sa mga daan dito. Siguro kasi matagal na rin naman ako rito at maka-ilang beses ko na ring tinahak ang daang tinutukoy ko. Pero nag-iba ang rutang ito nang ikaw na ang kasabay kong naglalakad sa kalsadang ito. Walang jeep, sasakyan, joggers. Hindi katulad ng madalas kong makita kapag dumadaan sa kalyeng ito. Sa gabing ito, ikaw lang at ako ang laman ng kalsada. Komportableng nakakapaglakad sa gitna ng kalye, tinatahak ang parehong daan, uuwi na sa kanya-kanyang tahanan. Pero hindi pa rin natatapos ang mga kwentuhan, tawanan at kulitan. Nang dapat na magpaalamanan, gusto ko na lang hatakin pabalik ang oras, bumalik sa lugar kung saan tayo nag-umpisang maglakad. Para mabalikan lahat ng tawanan at kuwentuhan. Pero naisip ko, dadaanan ko pa rin naman ang kalyeng ito kinabukasan. Hindi man kita kasama bukas, alam kong nagmarka sa daang ito ang mga alaala ng gabing ito.

RECORD
Masarap pakinggan nang paulit-ulit ang boses mo. Ilang beses ko na rin sinabi sa’yo yan. Maka-ilang beses ko na ring nakilala ang boses mo kahit hindi ako nakatingin. Kahit pa nga ata nakapikit, alam kong boses mo yun. Mapapalingon na lang ako kung saan nanggaling ang mababang tono ng boses na narinig ko at ayun, walang palya, laging ganoon, nandun ka nga. Sa labas ng lugar na humubog sa pagkatao at mga ambisyon mo, sa pasilyo ng paaralan, sa tambayan ninyo at sa tuwing sinasabi mo ang mga sponsor ng palabas ninyo. Pero sa mga oras na ‘yun, hindi lamang boses mo ang gusto kong ulit-ulitin. Gustong gusto kong maramdaman ulit ang mala-kuryenteng naramdaman nang saktong oras na ibinalik mo ang higpit ng hawak mo sa kamay ko. “Wag kang masyado sa gilid, baka mahulog ka, usog ka na lang dito” nang bigla mong ikinawing ang mga daliri mo sa kamay ko at sabihing “ayos lang, malayo pa naman.” Sana nga malayo pa, malayo pang mahulog ang loob ko sa’yo nang tuluyan.

STOP
Ang problema lang naman kasi talaga para kang palitaw na lulubog lilitaw. Para kang kabute na bigla-bigla na lang susulpot. Hindi na nga tayo madalas magkita ngayon dahil hindi naman nagtutugma ang mga libreng oras natin. Pero hindi ko rin naman kasi maintindihan, ano ba talagang meron sa atin? Mayroon ba talagang “tayo” o guni-guni ko lang ang lahat ng ito? Baka isang malaking entablado ang mundo mo at pareho tayong gumaganap lang sa mga karakter na hindi totoo. Baka naman din isang mahabang nobela lang pala ang sinusulat ko sa isip ko at tayong dalawa ang karakter na nilikha ko sa sarili kong mundo. Gusto ko na lang sabihin sa’yong “tigil.” Tama na, itigil mo na yang panlilito mo. Itigil mo na pabago-bagong pakikitungo mo sa akin. Tama na. Pwede bang bigyang buhay natin ang mga karakter?

FAST FORWARD
March 2014 nang unang beses kitang nakausap. Sa text. Pero ibang klaseng ligaya ang naramdaman ko noong mga panahong ‘yun. Abot hanggang langit. Tinanim ko sa mga kalamnan, buto, pati puso at utak ko ang lahat ng pag-uusap natin mula ng araw na ‘yun. Isang taon ang lumipas, ang dami na nating napag-usapan, makailang beses na rin tayong nagkita at nagkasama. Ang dami na rin nating napag-kwentuhan tungkol sa buhay, pagiging estudyante, mga ambisyon, pangarap. Maging mga prinsipyo sa buhay napag-usapan na natin. Pero sa tuwing magkausap tayo, lagi akong may panibong natutuklasan tungkol sa’yo, may kakaiba. Ayokong pangunahan ang mga pwedeng mangyari. Pabago-bago man ang pakikitungo mo sa akin, kung sakaling kathang-isip lang naman pala talaga ang lahat, ayokong pangunahan. Natatakot akong pangunahan. Mas mabuti sigurong pagtuunan na lang ng pansin ang ngayon. Tutal alam kong masaya naman ang kalagayan ng puso at isip ko. Kuntento naman ako sa kung anong meron ang “tayo.” Tingnan na lang natin ang mangyayari. Abangan na lang natin ang susunod na kabanata.

filipino,

Literary (Submission): Banat Pa More

8/27/2015 08:07:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Kung pwede lang kitang tawaging isang multo,
Hindi dahil sa patay na patay ka sa akin.
Kundi dahil sa pagpaparamdam mong wala sa oras;
Susulpot lang kapag natipuhan, magpapakita lang kapag natripan.
Ngunit kapag nagsawa’y maglalaho sa parang.

Kung pwede lang kitang ihalintulad sa bangin,
Hindi sa dahilang nahulog na kasi ako sa’yo.
Kundi dahil sa misteryong bumabalot sa’yong pagkatao,
Na malalaman ko lang kung hahayaan kong ako’y tuluyang magkagusto.
Hindi na, mas mahal ko naman ang sarili ko.

Kung pwede lang kitang pangalanang isang lindol,
Not because “you rock my world.”
Kundi dahil pakiramdam ko’y isa kang delubyo,
Na kung hindi ako mag-iingat, ako’y masasaktan sa dulo.
Marahil ang mas tamang sagot ay, “you ruin my world.”

Kung pwede ka lang maging isang bloke ng yelo
Hindi dahil sa crush kita ah!
Kundi dahil ramdam na ramdam ko ang panlalamig mo,
Na kung tatanungin ako kung gusto ko ba ng taong-nyebe,
Sagot ko ay “Ayoko! Hindi ako manhid katulad mo.”

Nais ko lang nama’y ikaw ang aking maging Martes,
Dahil ako ang Lunes at ikaw ang kinabukasan ko.
Nais ko lang nama’y ikaw ang maging corny kong biro,
Para masabi ko sa kanilang “Last ko na ‘to!”

Pero kung ika’y isang multo, bangin, lindol, o yelo,
Tigil-tigilan mo ako, ayaw ko sa tulad mo.

english,

Literary (Submission): The Sweet Kind of Pain

8/27/2015 08:02:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

The feeling kills.

When you miss someone who lives in a different country, someone whose phone has a foreign area code, whose town is on a different time zone, whose city’s weather you check every morning when you wake up, and someone who unexpectedly staggered into your life, the missing and all that jazz can be utterly detrimental. It forces itself under your skin, crawls through your veins and plays wicked games as it buries itself unto your heart.

You busy yourself to forget the longing. You try not to think about it – about him. You try not to ponder about how his heart beats as you rest your head on his chest, about how his face lights up when he talks about comics and superheroes, about how his voice gets all manly, low, and protective when you’re around other guys, about how he comfortably sings in the car even when he completely admits he’s not that good of a singer. You try not to think about the way he opens up to you his whole self, about how he reaches for your hand when he knows you feel uneasy in large crowds, about the first dinner you had with his family and you were all anxious but he assured you that everything will be okay, about the conversations, the hugs, the laughs, and the tears, and about the happiness he made you feel.

You try to forget all of it, but only for the mean time. You do all sorts of things. You pig out. You read. You argue with people whom you really don’t want to argue with. You tell jokes that are oftentimes way too hilarious and sarcastic for this world. You laugh even though you don’t feel like it. You busy yourself to avoid remembering. You busy yourself to avoid hurting.

You’re already going fine until one cold morning, as you were cleaning your desk, you found a Man of Steel movie ticket – your first movie together – tucked between one of your journal pages. And just like that, memories jumped you like muggers in the darkness. The missing invaded your mind faster than a jackrabbit in front of a prairie fire. You’re held captive. Your eyes started to warm as you closed your journal. Tears ran down your cheeks and you uttered profanities at the daybook for reminding you of the achingly poignant longing you were trying so terribly to forget. It made you wish he were there to argue about where the two of you should eat when all you can say is ‘anywhere is fine.’ It made you wish he were close enough to hold. But he wasn’t.

When you miss someone who lives in a different country, you fall asleep imagining lying down together as you hold your pillows close. You try your best to decrypt the pitch and pauses of his voice because you can’t always see his eyes when you talk. You learn how to be patient. You want him, more than anything.

Most of all, you remember he’s worth it. He’s worth the excruciating pain, the warmest tears, and the whole lot of waiting.

The feeling kills.

But it’s worth it.

filipino,

Literary (Submission): Kung Malalaman mo… Sana...

8/27/2015 07:57:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

filipino,

Literary (Submission): Pag-uwi

8/27/2015 07:52:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Ganiyan kasi tayo - kung kailan mawawala o kung kailan wala na, tsaka lang natin maaappreciate ang mga bagay. Kung kailan wala nang magagawa, tsaka tayo sisigaw ng "Teka lang, kailangan ko siya." Kung kailan huli na ang lahat...

Nakita ko siya - masayang naglalakad at may kasama ng iba. Kung paano niyang tignan sa mga mata iyong kasama niya, sa ganoong paraan din niya ako tinitignan sa tuwing magkasama kami noon. Kitang-kita mo kung gaano kapuro at katotoo ang nararamdaman niya. Pagmamahal. Iyon 'yung tipo na mararamdam mo na ikaw lang at gagawin niya ang lahat para sa iyo. Iyon 'yung pati mata niya, ngumingiti... Kaso ngayon, hindi na ako iyong dahilan ng tingin niyang iyon... Iba na.

Sa kung anong hindi ko mawaring dahilan, sinundan ko sila. Pumasok sila sa isang kainan... sa paborito kong kainan. Sumunod ako at umupo sa medyo may kalayuan. Sinabayan ko ang pagkain nila ng paminsang-minsang pagsulyap. Nakita ko kung gaano niya kagiliw na pinapakain ang kasama - sabay punas pa sa pisngi nito. Nagtatawanan at nagkukuwentuhan.

Sa mga oras na iyon, iniisip ko na sana ako pa rin ang kasama niya.

Sana ako pa rin ang rin ang iniintindi niya.

Sana bumalik na siya... Sana umuwi na ulit siya sa amin.

Sana bumalik na ulit ang nanay ko sa amin.

bertram matabang,

Literary (Submission): Araw, Gabi

8/27/2015 07:47:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

“Bakit hindi kailanman mahahabol ng buwan ang araw?”

Wow. Deep, Pilosopikal, Scientific. Paminsan hugot sa tweet ng kabataan ngayon.

Ngunit bakit nga ba? Hindi ko rin alam, at tinatamad akong halungkatin ang internet at lalo na ang libro namin sa agham. Lumabas ako, nagmuni-muni, tinitigan ang buwan. Aba, para akong nakaharap sa salamin: maputi at mabilog ang mukha, puro butas ang makikita. Nakalulungkot siyang tignan, napakatahimik at malamlam, parang puno ng lumbay ‘pagkat napalilibutan ng mga bituing kailan ma’y hindi siya malapitan. Masaya kaya ang buwan? Siguro, dahil lagi naman niyang kalaro ang araw.

Ang araw, ang araw… Naiisip ko na rin ang araw. Napakaliwanag, napakasaya… Hindi ko siya matitigan nang matagal, pero anong saya ang nararamdaman ko kapag nariyan na siya. Nakasisigla ang pagdating niya, at ang lahat ay buong galak siyang tinatanggap. Kaya siguro siya lagi ang hinahabol ng buwan. Kahit isang sulyap lang, kahit isang silip lang ng paglubog ng araw sa karagatan, kahit isang haplos lang sa mapulang himpapawid na iniiwanan ng kanyang kalarong si araw.

Ngunit, kahit kailan kaya’y napagod din ang buwan? Araw-gabi niyang sinusubukang mahabol ang araw. Hindi ba nasasayang ang oras niya para sa wala? Sa bagay, paano mo nga naman malalamang nagsasayang ka lang ng oras kung umaasa kang may makakamit ka pagkatapos ng lahat. Sana’y kahit minsan tinulungan siya ng araw. Sana’y hindi na niya ito pahirapan.

May naisip ako at napakalaking ngiti ang umukit sa aking mukha.

Nakita ako ng kapatid ko at sabay birong tumigil na raw ako sa paghithit ng droga.

Bumalik ako sa kwarto at sinagutan ang tanong ng aking guro.

“Bakit hindi kailanman mahahabol ng buwan ang araw?”

“Hindi maaaring sabihing ang buwan lamang ang humahabol sa araw, o ang araw lamang ang humahabol sa buwan. Marahil kapwa nila hinahabol ang isa’t isa. Ninanais na sa isang saglit ay magkita ang mga landas nila. Marahil may mga bagay na sadyang hindi para sa isa’t isa na magkita at magsama.Sapagkat sa kasamaang palad, pareho silang pinagkaitan na magkatagpo pa.

english,

Literary (Submission): The Definition of Love

8/27/2015 07:42:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

I thought I understood what love meant

Love was the long walks when you would take my hand
Love was romantic dinners with endless conversations
Love was the way you always looked at me

But love was also the day you decided
to make your own definition

It was no longer a phone call away
or go-to buddy for lunch

I forgot about love
thinking it would never creep back

But slowly, love started
to crawl back into my life

Love is realizing the beauty of walking alone
Love is space you give yourself to grow
Love is not needing your arms

because I know I have my own

I never really bother to read Merriam-Webster
but I think I finally understand
the meaning of love

english,

Literary (Submission): Save Me

8/27/2015 07:36:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

You bared your soul to me. Showed me that you were nowhere near perfect. I knew you were not but it's a different feeling to be confronted with the actual facts. It dug at me, it still digs at me...

What have I gotten myself into?

Sometimes I wish that I had never met you, or hope that we had never been close. It would have been better... better for me that you remained untainted and perfect. Your secrets weigh me down so much. I don't know what else to do. So I keep this facade of being unperturbed. I know you'd back away if you knew how hard it hits me.

But it's too late for me to stop... I can't back away.

I tell people that I liked you. That’s the lie I tell everyone, even myself. The truth is that I still like you and it burns me.

I like how your name rhymes with Oreo. I don't really like them but I know you do so I pretend that I do because I lie for you.

Sheesh. See. I'm in too deep. Someone, anyone…

Please, save me.

english,

Literary (Submission): Half-past Midnight

8/27/2015 07:32:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

english,

Literary (Submission): Beautiful (Mess)

8/27/2015 07:26:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

I am mostly valued for my aesthetic purposes. I am used in garish art projects, shimmering eye shadows, and even festive decorations. I can bring life and sparkle to anyone’s day. Just by looking at me, even the most passive person gets a little bit of twinkle in the eye. This may be because my glistening aura can easily attract stares.

My natural attention-grabbing abilities are a huge help in making me visible and known to the people I see and socialize with. But, as such, I am only known for the trivial things. People only notice my shimmer that it blinds them. It hinders them from seeing how imperfect I am. How I have flaws. How I mess up. How I feel like salt to flesh. And, how, when I get touched, I get too attached. I tend to stick to people too much because I find it difficult to let go.

But despite my imperfections and weaknesses, I still seem flawless. When I mess up, I manage to look strikingly beautiful. Throw me aimlessly on any canvas and it will look like art. Sprinkle me recklessly on a table topped with red cups, finger food, and alcohol, and the image would look picturesque. My imperfect beauty brings out the beauty in others.

So maybe my flaws are noticed after all. Maybe people have already seen through me. But I pull off everything coolly that they no longer see the fine line between my strong and weak points; that they find beauty in everything I do. And my beauty does not compete; it completes and complements.

Essentially, there is no mess. But it would be better if I get cleaned up and wiped off after a spill.

filipino,

Literary (Submission): Blanko

8/27/2015 07:21:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

english,

Literary (Submission): What Was

8/27/2015 07:15:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

buster,

Literary (Submission): Noise

8/27/2015 07:08:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

aninag,

Literary: Aninag

8/27/2015 07:03:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

MCAnniversary,

Celebrate with us!

8/26/2015 08:00:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

MCAnniversary,

Through the years...

8/21/2015 08:27:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

english,

UPIS students participate in Google Web Rangers Program

8/21/2015 08:20:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Five students of UPIS Batch 2018 have been chosen to be part of the first batch of Philippine Web Rangers.

The Web Rangers Program is an initiative of Google in cooperation with the National Youth Commission and DM9JaymeSyfu. The program aims to make the internet a safer environment for teenagers.

Grade 10 students Sam Agaran, Gian Garcia, Janella Francisco, Caitlin Norona, and Trisa de Ocampo were five of the 61 chosen participants from a pool of around 600 teenagers between the ages of 14 and 21 who registered for the program.

Five Grade 10 students represent UPIS in the Web Rangers Program workshop on July 18, 2015. (c) Janella Francisco

A workshop was held at Top Shelf in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig last July 18, 2015. There were several guest speakers who shared their knowledge on the internet, digital skills, and advertising. The growing issue of cyber bullying was tackled as well.

After the workshop, the participants were divided into 13 groups of four to five members. Each group was tasked to create an original and creative campaign against cyber bullying.

The awarding rites took place yesterday, August 20 at Kidzville, Podium Mall, Ortigas. / Trisa de Ocampo

buwan ng wika,

Buwan ng Wika at Kasaysayan, sinimulan na

8/21/2015 08:07:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Ginanap nong ika-18 ng Agosto, 2015 ang pagbubukas ng Buwan ng Wika sa UPIS na may temang Wikang Filipino: Danas at Paglikha sa Diwa ng Bansa.

Sa pambungad na pananalita ni Dr. Ronaldo M. San Jose muli niyang pinaalalahanan ang mga mag-aaral na gamitin at pahalagahan ang wikang Filipino bilang pambansang wika.

Bilang bahagi rin ng pambungad na programa, inilahad ng mga tagapayo ng Sangguniang Pangwika (Sanggu) at Kilusang Araling Pangwika (KAP) ang mga patimpalak at gawain na taunang inaabangan ng mga mag-aaral. Ilan sa mga patimpalak ay ang Rampa, Tagis Talino, Interpretatibong Sayaw, at Sayawit.

Natapos ang programa sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalay ng bulaklak sa tatlong haligi ng wikang Filipino na sina Manuel L. Quezon, Francisco Balagtas, at Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

Ang selebrasyong ito ay pinangungunahan ng Sannggu, KAP, at ng Future Homemakers Club (FHC) sa ilalim ng pamamatnubay ng Depto. ng Filipino, Araling Panlipunan, at Sining Praktika. Ito na ang ikaapat na taon ng pagsasama-sama ng tatlong departamento para sa taunang programang ito. / Hillary Fajutagana, Carlos Laderas

academic building,

7-12 canteen at permanenteng power supply, natapos na

8/21/2015 08:00:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Nitong buwan ng Agosto, magkasabay na natapos ang pagpapa-renovate ng Grade 7-12 canteen at ang paglalagay ng permanenteng power supply sa 7-12 Building ng UPIS.

Sa tulong ng Administration Office, pormal na binuksan sa mga mag-aaral ang Grade 7-12 canteen nitong Agosto 13. Inabot rin ng halos dalawang taon ang pagpapaayos ng nabanggit na pasilidad sapagkat kailangan din nitong dumaan sa proseso ng bidding na sinusunod sa buong UP system.

Ang 7-12 Canteen ay matatagpuan sa Narra Wing ng Academic Building. (c) Enzo Bautista

Sa kasalukayan, ang kooperatiba na binubuo ng mga guro at staff ang siyang namamahala sa canteen sa ilalim ng pamamatnubay ng Departamento ng Sining Praktika na pinangungunahan ni Prof. Nancy Flor.

Sa tulong naman ng Office of the Campus Architect (OCA), nalagyan na rin ng permanenteng power supply ang 7-12 building mula sa Meralco. Ngayong may maayos at permanenteng supply na ng kuryente ang gusali, hindi na magkakaroon ng “power tripping” bunsod ng kakulangan ng wattage. Hindi na rin kinakailangan pa ng rationing o pagsasalitan sa paggamit ng kuryente sa mga gusali.

Sa pagtatapos ng paggawa ng canteen at paglalagay ng power supply, hihintayin namang maisaayos ang Gym, Auditorium, at ilang silid sa ikaapat na palapag ng Academic Building. / Enzo Bautista, Chesca Santiago

crisostomo ibarra,

Literary (Submission): Nandito Para Sa'yo

8/12/2015 08:56:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

english,

Literary (Submission): First and Last

8/12/2015 08:50:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

You said it first
That you'll never leave

Even when we go through the worst
And I was dumb to believe

That you would stay
Even when I tell you
To walk away.

That you would know
I don't want you to go.

Because how could someone
Give up that easily?

Was the spark gone?
Is that why you decided to leave me?

Did I do something wrong?
Or was I not that strong...

But let me tell you

That you promised first
And it went so fast

Now I'll be the one
And I'll make this the last.

I promise I won't believe anyone
The way I believed you

And I won't make room in my heart
For someone who
I know,
Would just leave in the end.

literary,

Literary (Submission): Take Two

8/12/2015 08:44:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

I remember the first time you said ‘hi’
And how it hurt when you said ‘goodbye’
How I smiled whenever I heard your name
And how I wished our feelings would be the same


I thought there would be no hope for me
Because being the one you’d love, I thought I’d never be
But here we are now, remembering a memory
Could this still be reality?


I don’t know what to feel
It’s like everything happening is so surreal
Because it’s no longer a ‘once upon a time’
It became a dream come true of mine


I never thought I’d be in this reality
The moon has blessed me with sweet serendipity

english,

Literary (Submission): Love's Adventure

8/12/2015 08:38:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

carrot 2015,

Literary (Submission): Pansamantala

8/12/2015 08:34:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

filipino,

Literary (Submission): Manhid sa Pag-ibig

8/12/2015 08:30:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

english,

Literary (Submission): Weather I Wanted It Or Not

8/12/2015 08:24:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

english,

Literary (Submission): Caught in your Trap

8/12/2015 08:21:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

filipino,

Literary (Submission): Para Kay

8/12/2015 08:17:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

crow,

Literary (Submission): Line Postulate

8/12/2015 08:12:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

barsiti,

Literary (Submission): Sorry

8/12/2015 08:08:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

drama queen,

Literary (Submission): Paalam

8/12/2015 08:04:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

english,

Literary (Submission): Hanging

8/12/2015 07:59:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Our friendship started how friendships usually start these days—through the internet.

You messaged me with a simple question about school and, as a good student, I answered back as best as I can. After that, we said our goodbyes. I felt nothing about you at that time. To me, you were just another student in the sea of faces at school.

I thought we were never going to speak to each other again so I never gave you another glance. But then, you befriended me. You chatted with me constantly. We spoke about a lot of things other than school. I got to know you for the person you are deep inside. I used to think you were this egotistical, big-headed guy but through chatting frequently and texting until midnight, I learned you were more than that.

I used to lie to my parents that I was sleeping but actually I was talking to you. You made me laugh. You made me want to hit my head against the wall. You made me want to jump higher than the moon, higher than the furthest star in the furthest galaxy. You made me feel emotions that I never felt before. Perhaps I can call this infatuation and for a time, I was happy with this setup.

But, of course, when it comes to these sorts of things, someone was bound to get hurt. In our case, it was me.

We were fine one night and then you just stopped talking to me. You never sent me a message or chatted with me anymore. I felt like someone who was left on the side of the road. You acted like I don’t even exist. At school, you don’t look at me or even acknowledge my presence. I did not know what to do. I don’t know if I should text you first or give you the space I thought you needed.

I guess it’s safe to say that my infatuation was a little deeper than the first time I realized I liked you. But I understand. Maybe to you I was just a girl who longed for your attention; just a girl who thought that she was someone special. Maybe I was. Maybe I still am.

But the way you treated me, the way you conversed with me and especially the way you made me feel, I swear with all my heart, it was different. Clearly, however, it was only I who felt that way.

Now, after so many months, here I am.

I am still hung up on you.

I still wish things would go back to the way they used to be.

I still like you the way I did before.

Even though, I know you already like somebody else.