alex yangco,

Feature: Brains vs. Brawn? Bakit Di na Lang Pareho?

5/28/2018 08:47:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

DANGAL AT HUSAY. Kitang-kita ang saya ng mga itinanghal na “Pinakamahuhusay na Manlalaro” na sina Neri, Hilario, Esmero, Labao, at Laderas kasama ang kanilang mga magulang nang tanggapin nila ang kanilang mga sertipiko noong Parangal 2018. Photo Credit: Nona Catubig at Gian Palomeno

“Uy mabilis ka palang tumakbo! Sali ka sa Track and Field, sayang talento mo.”
“Hindi, okay lang, baka kasi bumaba grades ko, e.”

“Nakapag-aral ka ba kagabi para sa quiz?”
“Medyo nga lang, e. Late na kasi training namin.”

“Araw-araw, ganito ginagawa mo? Hindi ka ba napapagod? Nababalanse mo pa ba acads mo?”

          Ilan lang iyan sa mga madalas nating naririnig sa ating mga kaklase kapag kausap ang mga atleta na estudyante sa araw at manlalaro naman sa gabi. Sa panahon ngayon, isang laganap na pananaw ang umiiral sa mga paaralan na kadalasang napag-iiwanan ng mga atleta ang kanilang pag-aaral dahil mas humahatak sa kanilang oras ang mga training at paligsahan tulad ng UAAP. Ngunit sino ba naman ang hindi masasabik at matutuwa na makapag-uwi ng medalya hindi lang para sa sarili kundi para sa eskuwelahan? Napakabuti ng naidudulot ng isports sa mga manlalaro dahil masaya sila rito, gusto nila itong gawin, at napalalakas nito ang kanilang pangangatawan. Gayunpaman, giit ng karamihan, naisasakripisyo naman nila ang kanilang pag-aaral.

          Noong ika-4 ng Mayo, pinatunayan itong mali nang salubungin ng masigabong palakpakan ang mga atletang pinarangalan na sina Maria Consuelo G. Neri ng Grado 7, Zoe Marie S. Hilario ng Grado 9, Charize Juliana S. Esmero ng Grado 10, Ralph Luis B. Labao ng Grado 11, at Carlos Joseph O. Laderas ng Grado 12. Hinirang sila bilang “Pinakamahusay na Manlalaro” sa kani-kaniyang baitang na kinabibilangan. Nangangahulugan ito na sila ang may pinakamagaling na performance sa kanilang isport bunga ng mga nakamit na tagumpay sa mga kompetisyon, may mabuti silang personalidad batay sa ebalwasyon ng teammates at coach, at may general weighted average (GWA) sila na hindi bababa sa 75. Natamo naman ni Hilario ang gawad na “Manlalaro ng Taon (Grado 7-12)” bilang atleta na may pinakamaraming naiuwing karangalan para sa UPIS.

          Tuwang-tuwa silang pumanhik sa entablado kasama ang nagniningning na mga mata ng kanilang mga magulang, guro, at kaklase kaakibat ang mga di malilimutang papuri at palakpakang sumalubong sa kanila noong Parangal 2018. Bukod pa sa inaning sertipiko nang araw iyon, may iba pa silang karangalang nakamit tulad ng mga titulong Defensive Player of the Year, UAAP Top 2 in steals, 4-peat champion sa Titan Summer Jam, UAAP Athlete Scholar (Juniors Division) at mga record breaker sa Palarong Pambansa 2018 ni Hilario, at pagiging kinatawan sa parating na 42nd South East Asian Age Group (SEA AGE) Swimming Championships nina Neri at Hilario.

          Paano nga ba nila nagawa ang mga ito? Kinapanayam namin sila at narito ang kanilang mga sentimyento.


Motibasyon

          Pamilya. Sila ang pangunahing motibasyon ng mga huwaran nating atleta upang lumaban sa kabila ng mga araw na kapos sila sa tulog at pahinga. Lubos nilang pinasasalamatan ang lahat ng sakripisyo at pagtangkilik na inihandog ng kanilang mga magulang sa kanilang buhay-estudyante at manlalaro. Sa buong taon, hindi sila nagduda sa kakayanan ng mga anak. Walang pahingang suporta rin ang ibinuhos nila na nagpasiklab pa lalo sa damdamin ng ating mga atleta upang pag-igihan na lampasan ang lahat ng pagsubok.

          Teammates at coaches. Sila rin ang tumutulak sa ating mahuhusay na atleta na igpawan ang lahat ng paghihirap lalo na sa mga oras na sa palagay nila ay guguho na ang lahat. Nakaabang palagi ang kanilang mga balikat na maaaring sandalan sa kasagsagan ng kagipitan. Sila ang palaging nagpapaalab sa puso ng mga atleta sa mga pagsasanay na kung minsan ay nais pahinain o pawiin ang apoy sa kanilang mga dibdib bunsod ng hirap, stress, o pagod. Hindi sila pumapalpak na pahusayin pa ang mga kakayanan at palakasin ang loob ng ating mga manlalaro kaya naman gusto ng mga ito na gumanti sa pamamagitan ng pagpapamalas ng kanilang kahusayan mapa-loob o labas man ng court.

          Pangarap. Ito ang makapangyarihan na imaheng nabubuo sa kanilang isipan. Ito ang nagsisilbing gabay nila upang makamit ang lahat na siyang nagbibigay ng tunay na kaligayahan at pagkakuntento sa kanilang buhay. Kung hindi dahil sa pangarap na ito, walang ilaw sa kanilang mga mata na papatnubay upang mahanap ang daan patungo sa liwanag.

          Halimbawa, para kay Esmero, sa pagiging atleta, ginagamit niyang motibasyon ang kagustuhang mag-improve at makakuha ng mga panibagong best time sa kanyang mga rekord. Sa pagiging estudyante naman, ang kaniyang motibasyon ay ang makakuha ng matataas na marka upang masuklian ang malasakit ng kaniyang mga magulang at guro.

          At panghuli, ang mga doubters, naysayers, at haters. Sila ang mga tao na nagdidikta ng mga limitasyon, nagpapahina ng loob, at nagdududa sa kakayahan ng tao. Ngunit, imbes na magpabitag sa patibong nila, ginamit ito ng mga atleta na pampasiklab sa lahat ng bagay patungo sa gustong puntahan. Pinatunayan nila sa mga naysayers na mali ang mga ito, at may mas nakakahigit pa sa limitasyong itinakda ng mga ito. Pagkatapos nito, sila naman ang magsisilbing inspirasyon para sa iba.


Pag-aaral vs. Pag-eensayo

          Sadyang hindi madaling balansehin ang mabibigat na reqs at pagpapakitang-gilas sa mga kompetisyon. Halimbawa na lamang nito ay ang pagsasabay ng internship at pag-eensayo ni Laderas. Kinakailangan niyang pumunta sa kaniyang internship site upang matuto sa pagtatrabaho bilang parte ng Grade 12 curriculum at sa pagdating ng hapon ay mayroon pa siyang ensayo ng volleyball sa UP Gym.

          Ayon naman kina Labao at Hilario, kung nasisiyahan ka sa mga ginagawa mo, sigurado na ang lahat ay kakayanin. Makakaya pati ang pagsasabay ng isports sa pag-aaral.

          Kaya narito ang mga sandata ng mga manlalaro upang tulungan silang manalo sa laban ayon sa mga huwaran nating atleta:

          Pagtatakda ng prayoridad. Ito ang gumagabay sa kanila upang mapunta sa nararapat na landas. Nagagawa ito sa pamamagitan ng paghihimay sa mga bagay na kinakailangang pagtuunan ng pansin at pagsasagawa sa mga ito base sa lebel ng pangangailangan o importansya. Sa bawat matagumpay na pagsagawa sa mga ito, iiral ang diwa ng disiplina at katuparan sa iyong sarili.

          Dahil palaging dumidiretso sa ensayo at gabi na nakakauwi si Esmero, sinisiguro niya na sa kaniyang pag-uwi ay handa na ang kaniyang utak sa mga gagawing requirements. Sa ensayo pa lang daw ay pinaplano na niya kung ano ang kanyang gagawin para sa mga proyekto at mga takdang-aralin.

          Hardwork pays off. Walang bagay na masyadong mahirap at masyadong madali. Para sa kanila, ang panabla sa mga pagkakataong di maganda ang performance nila sa eskuwelahan at isports ay simpleng paghihirapmotibasyon, paggawa, repetisyon. Matapos ang mga ito, makikita ang mga resulta. Mahirap nga silang gawin ngunit ito ang naghihiwalay sa mga dakila at sa mga pangkaraniwan. Matapos kumawala ang lahat ng pawis sa katawan, darating ang panahon na ang lahat ng ito ay magbubunga sa wakas. Kaya sa bandang huli, lahat ng pagsisikap at pagdurusa ay sulit din.

          Masinop na paggugol sa oras. Ang bawat galaw ng kamay sa orasan ay importante. Isang buhay lang ang mayroon tayo at ang paggamit dito sa wais na paraan ay ang nararapat. ‘Ika nga, time is gold. Sa tamang paggamit ng oras, lahat ng mga bagay na kinakailangang tapusin ay mapagtatagumpayan nang walang pag-aatubili. Ito ang susi para makaiwas sa stress, na isang malubhang balakid na nakapagpapababa sa performance ng tao. Sa paglinang ng kasanayang ito, napapatakbo ang buhay natin sa mas produktibong paraan.

          Pagkakaroon ng laban attitude. Sa lahat ng pagkakataon, matutong gawin ang lahat ng makakaya upang lagpasan ang pader na humaharang sa harapan kahit na sa palagay mo ay wala ka nang mararating. Darating ang araw na babalik din ang mga pinaghirapan at ipinaglaban mo.

          At huli, tiwala sa Panginoon. Ang pag-aalay ng lahat sa Panginoon ay nakapagpapaluwag ng pakiramdam lalo na sa kasagsagan ng mga eksamen at laro. Ang pagkakaroon ng panata sa Panginoon ay nakapagbibigay ng kakaibang lakas na siyang tumutulong sa pagharap sa mga problema.


Mensahe sa mga Atleta

          Bilang pangwakas, ibig iparating ng mga natatanging manlalaro ng UPIS ang mga sumusunod na dapat matandaan ng mga kapwa nila atleta.

          Gawin ito lahat para sa paaralan. Huwag na huwag kalilimutan na irepresenta at paglingkuran ang eskuwelahan, mapaisports man o akademiko. Palaging gawin ang buong makakaya upang lumabas ang pinakamahusay na performance alang-alang sa pangalan at dangal ng UPIS at bilang pagsukli sa paghubog nito sa atin.

          Exceed expectations. Kung ano man ang inaasahan ng paaralan mula sa mga atleta, pag-igihang ito ay malampasan pa sapagkat mas mainam na ang sumobra kaysa magkulang sa pagkamit sa mga ekspektasyon.

          Never give up. Ang mga mag-aaral ng UPIS ay hindi sumusuko. Kung gugustuhin, kayang-kayang gawan ng paraan. Kahit pa gaano kahirap ang pag-eensayo, kung iyan talaga ay gusto ng puso ninyo, kakayanin at malalampasan ninyo iyan.//nina Julius Guevarra Jr., Nico Javier, Dianne Santos at Alex Yangco 

feature,

Feature: Now Presenting: PusaKalye!

5/28/2018 08:44:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Photo credit: Rogin Losa

          Maalinsangan ang hapon. Palubog na ang araw pero ramdam mo pa rin ang singaw ng mainit na panahon. Kagagaling mo lang sa eskuwelahan. Kapit na kapit na sa nanlalagkit mong balat ang minsan mong puting polo at pinapaypayan ang sarili gamit ang bandanang siya ring iyong panyo.

          Binaba ka na ng sinakyan mo sa may kanto at sa pagod na naramdaman mo sa biyahe, sinabi mo sa sarili mong gusto mong uminom ng malamig na soft drink. ‘Yung malamig na malamig.

          Kasama ang mabigat mong bag at pudpod na takong ng iyong itim na sapatos ay tumawid ka sa kanto at nagtungo sa tindahan ni Aling Nena at bumili ng isang bote ng soft drink. Tulad ng dati, sa maliit na espasyo sa pagitan ng kalsada at ng mismong tindahan ay nakatambay ang mga kuyang nagkakantahan nang gitara at hamak na beatbox lang ang dala. Nakinig ka sa kanila.

          Mga lumang kanta ang kanilang hirit, mula pa dekada nobenta tulad ng mga di matatawarang klasiks ng Eraserheads. Sobrang chill na tugtugan, kasama ang kulimlim ng palubog nang araw at ang pagdating ng hamog.

          Pag-uwi mo sa bahay, hinahanap mo pa rin ang musikang ito sapagkat tuwing naririnig mo, agaran kang napaparelaks. Pero saan ka ba makakarinig ng ganitong klaseng jamming kahit wala ka sa harap ng tindahan ni Aling Nena?

          Simple lang, hanapin mo ang PusaKalye!

          Isang bandang nabuo lang din sa pagja-jamming, ang PusaKalye ay ang hahanap-hanapin mong soundtrip kung ikaw ay mahilig sa musikang makapapawi sa iyong pagod at ibabalik ka sa chill feeling ng mga tugtugan sa kanto. Binubuo nina Chad Binoya (Vocals), Lester Binoya (Bass & Vocals), Angelo Cawili (Guitar & Vocals), Ian Mante (Guitar & Vocals), Dan Lopez (Percussions), at Almond Mendoza (Keyboards), ang PusaKalye ay nagmula rin sa paggawa ng musika sa mga hamak na lugar.

          Pero bakit nga ba PusaKalye? Ayon sa banda, noong napag-isipan na nilang magbuklod ay wala silang maisip na magandang pangalan. “Walang dating [ang] mga […] suggestion, haha, eh that time may mga nagkalat [na] pusa sa kalsada, and since isa [sa] mga influences ng banda ay ang tunog kalye ng ‘90s, naipasok du’n ‘yung pangalan na PUSAKALYE: mga tambay sa tabing kalsada na gumagawa ng magandang musika na katulad ng kinalakihan natin nu’n.”

          Nag-umpisa lang sa simpleng kayayaan, ang mga Binoya ay nakaisip na gumawa ng banda. Nagsilbing entablado nila ang tambayang malapit sa bahay nina Chad at doon sila pumuwesto upang gumawa ng mga kanta. Kasama ang gitara’t ukulele, na sinasabayan ng mga boses nila, gumawa sila ng musika. Nang kalauna’y niyaya na rin ni Chad ang kaniyang matalik na kaibigang si Dan na pumalo ng cajon at noon nabuo ang bandang ito. Bagama’t maliit lamang ang pinagsimulan ng banda, hindi pa rin sila tumigil sa paghabol sa kanilang mga pangarap.

          Bukod pa sa covers ng mga sikat na kanta na ginawan nila ng “PusaKalye” version, lumilikha rin sila ng sarili nilang mga awit. Simula pa lang ng pagkakabuo ng banda, kumukuha na sila ng inspirasyon mula sa mga karanasan at mga taong kilala nila. Dito sila humuhugot upang makalikha ng mga kantang punong-puno ng katotohanan sa buhay.

          Ang kauna-unahan nilang album na inilabas noong taong 2017, ang “Kwento ng Pag-ibig,” ay nagsasalaysay ng mga yugto sa relasyon ng dalawang tao—mula sa panliligaw hanggang sa hiwalayan, at sa wakas, ang pagmu-move on. Ang simula ng relasyon ay makikita sa “Tinig Mo” na sumasalamin sa pagkabighani ng lalaki sa boses ng babae, “Miss Please” na nagpapahiwatig ng kagustuhan ng lalaki upang makasama siya, “Maaari Ba” na nagsasabi sa babaeng tigilan ang pagpapahirap sa kaniya sa mga panahong hindi sila magkasama, at “Sana” na nagpapahayag ng pangako ng lalaki na hindi sasaktan ang babae. Sunod naman ang masayahing tunog ng “Teleserye” na ukol sa paghiling ng lalaki na maging bida sa buhay niya ang babae, hanggang sa pagkainggit niya sa pinakamatalik na lalaking kaibigan ng babae sa kantang “B/B.” Ang “Oo Na” ang nagsasalaysay sa sunod na kabanata sa kuwentong pag-ibig nila, ang pag-aaway at pag-aako na lang ng lalaki sa kasalanan upang wala nang pagtatalong maganap, at sumunod dito ang “Silent Treatment” na naglalarawan sa hindi pagpansin sa kaniya ng babae. Ang malungkot at mabagal na tunog ng “Kulimlim” ay pagtanggap na wala nang sila. Sa “Celeste” naman nagtatalo ang damdamin ng lalaki kung siya’y magmu-move on na ba o hindi, at ang huling kanta, ang “Tila” ang siyang pagbalik sa alaala nilang dalawa ngunit, handa na siya mag-move on mula rito.

          Bagama’t nag-umpisa nang simple, malaki ang pangarap ng banda para sa kanilang hinaharap. Nais nilang maglabas ng mas maraming album at magdaos ng isang nationwide tour. Hindi man mga full time artists at nagtatrabaho ang mga miyembro sa iba’t ibang industriya tulad ng insurance, business process outsourcing, engineering, at maintainance, patuloy lang ang PusaKalye sa pagpapasaya ng kanilang fans. Kamakailan lamang ay inilabas nila ang music video para sa kantang “Sana.”

          Isang hamak mang banda, mga miyembrong natuto lamang ng pagtugtog sa pamamagitan ng pag-eensayo, sila ay may potensyal na sumikat sa mundong ito kasama ang gitara’t beatbox bilang mga sandata sa pakikipagsapalaran sa larangan ng musika. Nagsisimula pa lamang sila kaya abangan pa natin ang ibubuga ng PusaKalye!//nina Wenona Catubig at Roan Ticman

feature,

Feature: Online Shopping 101

5/28/2018 08:38:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

With technology taking over people’s lives, even the simplest things such as shopping had become much easier. Efficiency and speed had become the trend in our generation today. However, the convenience of online shopping isn’t always worth the effort and trouble.

So let’s explore the pros and cons of the online shopping industry in order for you to make an informed decision before clicking the button.

First, let's look at how shopping online can benefit you.

1) APPmazing

Photo Credit: Nicole Desierto

One of the main advantages of online shopping is efficiency because, with the help of the internet, you can buy anything with just a click. But it gets better!

Most famous shopping websites such as Lazada, Zalora, and OLX also have their own applications (apps) which can save you time since you don’t have to keep searching and logging in. As long as you have your phone or portable device with you, you’re good to go!

2) Cash me outside, how ‘bout that

Photo Credit: Nicole Desierto

The usual payment method for online shopping websites is through credit cards. However, there is also a safer way to pay for your products, the cash-on-delivery (COD) system. This is to ensure that your product is the right one before you pay. Sometimes, putting credit card information puts you at risk for scamming since you don’t know who is at the receiving end. And since technology is improving nowadays, hacking became easier, so picking the COD option is definitely the safest way to pay.

3) Eazy peazy

Photo Credit: Nicole Desierto

With online shopping websites, you don’t have to go through hours of walking and selecting to find the product you’re looking for. All you have to do is search for a specific item and results will immediately show up. All items sold are divided into categories so if you aren’t looking for a specific product, you can still scroll through your options. You may also choose what price range fits your budget. Arrange the products from cheapest to most expensive, or from the most popular to the least if you wish to further expand your selection. Adding to the convenience of said websites, you can always arrange the products according to your preference.

4) Communication is key

Photo Credit: Nicole Desierto

For online shops that focus on the buy-and-sell system, asking questions about the product is a must. This ensures that what we are buying is worth our money. As buyers, we want extra assurance that the product we are about to purchase is at its best condition and as students with a limited budget, we can also haggle over the price with the seller. But let’s remember to always be polite when talking to people online. After all, what’s a better way to secure a great deal than being nice to the person selling you the product?

Despite these advantages, there are still several reasons why purchasing online is not always the best option:

1) Legit?

Photo Credit: Nicole Desierto

Now in online shopping, a lot of products are the real deal, meaning they are branded or they really come from the specific store you are buying from. Websites such as Zalora, Lazada, and Goods.PH are some of the examples of reliable online shops.

However, not everyone in the online shopping business is as trustworthy as you think. There are a lot of people who act as sellers to steal your money when you pay for the “products” you buy because they can hide or alter their identities. These people can also sell fake products for the real price. To avoid being scammed, remember to always be alert before you click that ‘purchase’ button. You can message the seller to confirm legitimacy and to ensure that you’re getting your money’s worth. You can also avoid being scammed if you opt to buy branded items in physical stores instead of in online shopping websites.

2) I ship them

Photo Credit: Nicole Desierto

Since things that you buy online don’t magically appear in front of your doorstep, after you place an order, the products will still be shipped to you via airplanes and trucks. This convenience doesn’t come without a price though.

The shipping fee added to your total makes the product more expensive. Most of the time, your products will be coming from a faraway place and will be delivered by different courier companies. That’s why shipping fees vary per product. The shipping also depends on the size and weight of the product meaning the bigger and heavier it is, the more costly the shipping is going to be. Furthermore, shipping fees effectively limit the kind of products you can buy since you’d always have to be conscious of the price.

3) Delivery is risky

Photo Credit: Nicole Desierto

One of the major risks in the online shopping industry is the condition of the products when they arrive. Sometimes, the delivery service doesn’t ensure their safety. Risks such as loss and damage exist in the online shopping world. This problem depends on how good the courier of the website is and sadly, it is completely out of your control.

4) Can’t get enough

Photo Credit: Nicole Desierto

As students, when you want to take a break from studying, one of the ways to destress is to look through these apps. While aimlessly scrolling however, a product is bound to catch your eye one way or another and eventually, your finger is going to start itching to press that buy button. Before you know it, you’re checking out, with a fulfilled heart and an empty wallet.

After stating the information you need for online shopping, in the end, it’s still up to you if you pick convenience over the real deal. Just remember though, as students, we should be more mindful of the things we spend on. And by using this guide, you are now well-equipped with the the knowledge you need to become better consumers.//by Nica Desierto and Roan Ticman

marlyn go,

Opinion: It's a Team Effort

5/28/2018 08:33:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Photo Credit: Gail Clemente

A lot of us dread the moment when teachers say that we are to be formed into groups, especially when they are the ones to pick out our groupmates. However, we can’t escape this fate of ours as students, because group projects and activities happen in all our subjects.

All of us have experienced the different kinds of groups: the group consisting the smart people, the group made up of our friends, and the group with the people whom we always prayed to avoid.

And in every problematic grouping there will always be the freeloader who just sits back and relaxes while letting the leaders and others work on their own. The distribution of responsibility is the main drawback of all group works that go wrong. There are some group members who perform the majority of the work while others get a free ride to success. This is called the “Free-rider effect” that is very common among us, especially when we have that group mate who is notorious for doing the work all by him/herself or responsible and nice enough to finish the task given to the group.

Being assigned to these types of groups is truly frustrating, especially for some members. It is either they get no jobs at all or they would have to work more than the task assigned to them.

For those who are like this, they may not notice the effect of their actions on the group. The mindset of taking one for the team to make the output better should not be tolerated. Working alone wouldn't prove the purpose of having a group work and would make things harder for the group to achieve the goal together.

But sitting back and letting others do the tasks given to another person shouldn’t be allowed as well. There is a reason why these kinds of requirements exist. Group projects help the students develop skills that will allow them to tackle more complex problems than they can on their own. It also helps the development of socialization between co-workers that would increase camaraderie among them.

There might be problems within ourselves that may be the reason why this happens. This would be because we don’t know what to do, or we are too intimidated by our classmates, or we have priorities other than the assigned tasks. These problems would do no good to you or to the group.

First of all, it would be such a waste when the ideas that you could have contributed to the group would be left unsaid. Don’t be afraid to voice out opinions and ideas. If you don’t know what to do, to simply stare and gape at your work should not be your next option. Ask for help, ask anyone to guide you through your work to see if it’s correct. There is no shame in asking. However, don't just observe what they are doing. Instead, follow along and eventually, you will find yourself doing the same task with little or no help required.

And once a task is given to the group, concentrate on it and don't slack off. You may be working with the best people but it is a team effort, meaning, every single member must contribute to achieve the goal.

It’s called ‘group work’ because it is a collective effort of individuals that could harmonize as one team. This has been conducted to benefit the different aspects in the students’ lives especially their future when they would face harder challenges to achieve their goals with a different team.

Yes, it may be easier to let someone else do your job but being a free rider won’t benefit you in the future. You're just giving your members more opportunities to learn, therefore leaving you with none. But hoarding the whole task and letting the others do nothing wouldn't give you honor as well. You may be getting all the knowledge and learning experiences, but you would be missing out the most important lesson taught by doing group work: teamwork. //by Marlyn Go

craig aquino,

Opinion: Limited space

5/28/2018 08:30:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Students who performed well during the school year were recognised last May 4, 2018 at the Parangal ceremony held at the newly-renovated University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Auditorium.

The Parangal is an annual event, meant to celebrate meritorious students and their achievements. For those without awards, it may serve as an inspiration to work harder and do better. It can benefit everyone, whether they get to climb the stage or not.

It would be sad then, if students were robbed of the opportunity to participate.

And robbed they were.

Only the Grade 12 students and one section from each grade level from Grades 7-11 were allowed to attend the Parangal for the high school level this year.

Although the recently renovated auditorium had great new features, such as air conditioning, a large UPIS logo emblazoned on the stage-left wall, and better seats, it was unable to accomodate the whole 7-12 student body, parents and guests of awardees, and faculty members.

This was due to the fact that the auditorium as renovated couldn’t be filled to its supposed maximum capacity, as it wasn’t structurally stable enough to hold the mass of occupants. The Office of the Campus Architect recommended that the auditorium’s capacity not be pushed to its limits, as doing so would risk collapse and harm to those in attendance.

That wasn’t the only issue with the auditorium though. The renovations were not made for simple aesthetics. They were, first of all, because of problems stemming from how the auditorium was built: old and improperly elevated seats and a badly built stage prevented people from being able to properly watch whatever event was occurring.

The auditorium was also originally made to hold only 453 people. The auditorium was a late addition to the plans, and therefore failed to account for the two additional batches to be added by the K-12 program. Only Grades 7-10 were considered during the creation of the auditorium.

One would then wonder: will every batch ever get a chance to watch an event in the auditorium together? Most likely not.

The next best option for a school-wide event venue, according to Assistant Principal for Administration Prof. Portia Dimabuyu, would be the Gymnasium.

It is sad, to say the least.

The auditorium should be a place where students can enjoy school events together. It would be terrible to be excluded from it for any reason, even more so because of poor planning.

However, what can be done? Perhaps there are some architectural esoterica that could be used to save the auditorium? Unlikely. Seeing as the problems lie in the structure of the auditorium itself and how it was built, the only solution would be a complete overhaul or rebuild of the place.

We can’t honestly expect the school to do that. It would not only be expensive and difficult, but also disruptive to classes and the normal functioning of the school.

Someone should be held accountable for these issues, though, at least. These problems came from somewhere along the line when the school was being built.

A student population including Grades 7-12 was accounted for when the number of classrooms was being decided. Why not for the auditorium as well?

Even then, giving consideration to the late addition of the auditorium as an excuse for the aforementioned problem, why were the issues needing renovations to be rectified present? Because of those, the already too-small capacity of the auditorium was even more reduced.

That’s inexcusable, given that those factors, seat and stage elevation, should be main considerations when designing an auditorium, as they allow one to fully experience from their seat whatever’s going on on stage.

The audi, as it is familiarly called by students, was lacking from the start. We can’t blame the school administration for that. They’re just making do with what we already have.

The school trusted certain people to create an auditorium to serve UPIS, and those certain people broke that trust. Now, it’s the students getting the short end of the stick, being prevented from going to supposed school-wide events, and the administration too, being blamed by students for the unfortunate situation.

Why must we suffer for the mistakes of another, and receive no recompense?//by Craig Aquino, Marlyn Go, Storm Gatchalian and Yssa Luna 

alex yangco,

Seniors perform in musical recital

5/28/2018 08:25:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

This year’s Vocal and Instrumental Music courses conducted their recitals at the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Auditorium last May 15 and 18 respectively.

The recitals showcased the students’ musical abilities wherein they applied what they learned throughout their respective courses.

The Vocal Music class performed in groups with their own choice of songs. Some of them used instruments in their performances while some sang a cappella.

Instrumental Music students performed either individually or in small groups and they were also allowed to present their own choice of songs. Most of the performances were purely instrumental, but some performers added vocals to their exhibitions.

Both recitals had class performances in the beginning and at the end of the program. Professor Leujim Martinez led the Vocal Music class while Professor Sheila Pineda handled the Instrumental Music class.

“To be able to sing songs one last time with my batchmates sa bagong audi was great,” said Trisa Ocampo, a Vocal Music student. “It was fun, if you really like music you will enjoy the experience,” exclaimed Hillary Fajutagana about her Instrumental Music class experience.//by Marlyn Go and Alex Yangco

english,

Literary (Submission): A Friendly Reminder

5/26/2018 09:55:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Sunsets are still as warm
Reflected on a broken mirror
Paint is still as striking
Spilled on the wooden floor

Rusted strings
Could still be played
And worn-out fiddles
Are still as joyful and gay

Poems are still as beautiful
With line breaks and no rhymes
Paintings are never not wondrous
With negative spaces and broken lines

Your beauty is not measured
Through norms and set ways
You are still an artwork
With your blanks, cracks and bad days

chocobutternut,

Literary (Submission): Hamak

5/26/2018 09:52:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Wala akong laban
Sa kanyang kagandahan
Na mukhang kinatha ni Bathala
Gamit ang pinakamapuputing ulap para sa kanyang kutis
Pinakamapupulang rosas para sa kanyang mga labi
Pinakamatatamis na huni ng mga ibon para sa kanyang boses
At pinakamaliliwanag na silahis ng araw para sa kanyang ngiti.

Wala akong laban
Sa pungay ng mga mata
Na singganda ng mga tala
Sa ngiti na sintamis
Ng halimuyak ng sampaguita
Sa kaniyang alon-along buhok
Na tinalo ang kalma ng dagat matapos ang bagyo

Wala akong laban
Sa kaniya
Siyang pinagmumulan ng mga tula
Siyang pinaghahabihan ng mga tugma
Siyang isinasawalang hanggan sa tela
Siyang sinesentro sa mga dula
Siyang ipinapalabas sa pelikula
Siyang isinasama sa mga akda
Siyang bumubuo sa mga letra ng bawat katha.

Wala akong laban
Sa kaniyang ganda
Dahil ako'y hamak lang na makata
Walang laban ang pag-antig ng aking mga taludtod
Sa sayang nadadala sa 'yo ng kaniyang magaang tawa
Walang laban ang pagduduldulan ko ng damdamin
Sa pagkatigagal mo sa kaniyang bawat salita
Walang laban ang mga talinghaga
Sa kung paano mo siya masdan
Tuwing siya'y nakatingin sa mga tala

Wala akong laban
Sa isang gawang sining
Dahil 'di naman ako isa

filipino,

Literary (Submission): Rich Black

5/26/2018 09:48:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

75: Cyan
Bughaw ang langit nang ako’y umoo
At dinala mo ako sa ipinangakong palasyo
Isang masayang pagsasama
Ang inakalang napipinto

68: Magenta
Sa konektadong singsing sa mga kaliwang kamay
Pininta ang gabi sa isang mainit na kulay
Mga plano’y simula nang nabubuo
Mula sa pagmamahalang tunay

67: Yellow
Hindi mapawi ang ngiti nang ating malaman
Na tayo’y madadagdagan na
Hindi na makapaghintay
Sa mumunting saya na sa ati’y biyaya

90: Black
At nang malaman, ang paligid
Ay tuluyan nang nagdilim
Ang biyayang hindi inaasahan
Ay siya rin palang babawiin

Ipininta ng tadhana ang aking itim
Sa pinakamalupit na paraan
Gumamit siya ng masasayang kulay
At saka sinabuyan ng kalungkutan

english,

Literary (Submission): Brush Stroke

5/26/2018 09:44:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

A brush between my fingers
A blank canvas on its stand
"Just paint what's on your mind,"
They said, "Paint with what's in your hands."

And so the brush strokes trail the surface
Painting pictures of the past
Outlining them in black and white
Because memories just don't last

Once again I looked back
At the chances I didn't take
The words I didn't say
The decisions I didn't make

Once again I looked back
Though it's hard to reminisce
Every mistake I made
Each opportunity I missed

I don't stop the brush strokes
'Til the thoughts are off my mind
Until there is no blank space left
Until the memories are painted here
And not in the past

Then I stand back and look
At the painting in front of me
A dense dark mass of regret
Is all that I could see

So I open a can of fresh new paint
The room is silent, no words are said
As I cover each and every memory
With a coat of deep red

artt,

Literary (Submission): Man of Ink

5/26/2018 09:34:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

A barcode on my left wrist
I am branded
Nothing more than an empty vessel
Of repetitions and clones
Of rules and barriers
I always feel like—

I am not me.

A “Mom <3" on my right arm 
A proclamation of my undying love
To the woman who endured
This world of pain
To shield me from it

Yet, she had to leave early.

A girl’s name across my chest
A constant reminder
Of my eternal sorrow
That even though I thought
‘We’re perfect for each other’
I still wasn’t enough for her

And she wasn’t the one for me.

A pair wings on the span of my back
But, despite the societal chains
Of norms and conformity
I refuse to obey and adjust
To what they tell me to be
For I believe with these—

I am free to be me.

An anchor on my left arm
Despite the waves of despair
And the surge of tears
To budge is not in my blood
Why then, after everything,
Would I be shaken now?

I am stronger than I think.

A semi-colon on my right wrist
And because of every failure, flaw and trial
I used to try to end everything
But, despite the grief and despair
To give up was never the answer
I will not let darkness win

This is not my end.

barbara,

Literary (Submission): Pulvis Et Umbra Sumus

5/26/2018 09:31:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Mga alikabok at anino
Tayong lahat sa mundo
Magsisimula rito
At dito rin maglalaho

Matapos ang lahat ng paghihinagpis
Ang paghihirap ng mga puso
Ang walang hanggang sigalot
Sa atin-ating mga tao

Kantahan nawa ng mga tala
Ang bangkay ng ating panahon
Dahil sa ating sariling kasakiman
Tayo'y tuluyang malulunod

Dahil ipagduldulan man sa atin
Ang ating napipintong katapusan
Taingang-kawali pa rin ang ihaharap
Ng mahal na kataas-taasan

Mga alikabok at anino
Ang ating maiiwan sa mundo
Nawa'y mag-iwan ng imahen
Ng pagsisisi't pagkahapo

Ipakita ang larawan ng ating mga luha
Ipinta ang mga sigaw ng pagmamakaawa
Umagos sana sa telon ng mundo
Ang mga kulay ng ating mga pagdurusa

filipino,

Literary (Submission): Pagkatha ng Isang Obra Maestra

5/26/2018 09:27:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Una, mahalin mo siya

at hayaang masugatan ang puso
hanggang sa ito’y madurog
at magdugo hanggang sa
mag-iwan ito
ng mga
marka

Tapos, pakinggan mo sila

at patuluyin ang pagdududa sa isipan
hanggang sa ang iyong tenga
ay mabingi sa mga
kasinungalingan
at mga maling
salita

Sunod ay balikan ang dati

at hayaang mapagod ang mga paa
hanggang sa ito’y kusang tumigil
dahil sa pagod sa patuloy
na pagtakas sa mapait
na nakaraang
puno ng luha

At harapin ang pinagsisisihan

at patuluyin ang takot sa iyong loob
hanggang ang lahat ay muling
panghinayangan at ang
tanging matitira ay
ang himig ng
katahimikan

Panghuli
Kunin ang iyong pinsel
Hayaang ang mga markang ito
Ay makabuo ng mga guhit

Umupo sa tapat ng makinilya
Hayaang ang mga salitang ito
Ay maging tugma ng iyong tula

Mag-ensayo ng mga linya
Hayaang ang mga luhang ito
Ay maramdaman sa dula

Hawakan ang gitara
Hayaang ang katahimikang ito
Ay tugtugin ang iyong kanta

Dahil ang tunay na kailangan
Sa pagggawa ng obra
Ay ang
Pagmamahal at ang katumbas nitong mga luha
Pagiging totoo at ang katumbas nitong panghuhusga
Paglaban at ang katumbas nitong kabiguan
Pagiging malaya at ang katumbas nitong pagkakamali

Dahil sa likod ng bawat magandang likha
Ay isang mas makabuluhang istorya

english,

Literary (Submission): Blank Slate

5/26/2018 09:24:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

I am a blank slate.
A canvas, a free medium.
All white with no borders,
Untainted and at peace.

I like how clean I am.
Original, neat, and unchanged.
But one day I was suddenly picked,
And placed on a wooden stand.

Blue entered the picture.
It was all over the top.
Along with white, airy, shapes
That formed the sky.

Then green came along.
It was all over the bottom,
With uneven triangular shapes,
That formed the grass.

Then came yellow and red and brown.
The space became messier.
Then maroon and purple and orange.
What was once untouched is now destroyed.

I am no longer a blank slate.
I am a painting with a story,
A platform where an artist was free,
To make nothing into something

It’s sometimes nice to destroy the peace,
And look at what you’ve become.
Now that the blank slate is already tainted,
Only the colors show its true potential.

english,

Literary (Submission): Stradivarius

5/26/2018 09:21:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

For a painter paints his imaginings
On canvas and paper
Let me paint my longing
Upon silence

Let me spill my sadness
Across music sheets
Let them tear their way
Across the staffs

Let my agony dance
In between sharps and flats
My tears reflected
On 16th notes and stops

And as I bring
My sadness into life
I hope you see
The cause of my strife

As I glide my bow
Upon these four strings
May you feel the melancholy
That you brought

As the melody steadies
May you hear how I felt
As I look at you
As you look in my eyes

As the hum goes to piano
May you feel that night
When I last held your hand
And it was quiet

Nothing but the hum
Of the shining stars themselves
And the soft beats
Now unsynchronized

As the tune goes andante
May you hear
The flow of my tears
While the night starts to fade

As pitch heightens
And my fingers skim across the fingerboard
May you hear the sound of broken glass
Akin to breaking hearts

Let my fortissimo
Upon the thickest string
Mask the flat—
As you fade along with the night

As the timbre goes somber
And the yearning goes to a resolve
I hope you hear me, my angel
From up there where you belong

filipino,

Literary (Submission): Tula #14

5/26/2018 09:19:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

english,

Literary (Submission): Philosophy Major

5/26/2018 09:16:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

The philosophy major stands
Before the cold, cruel world
Thinking, contemplating
Not uttering a single word

The degree he finished
He must now use
In this society
Of waste and refuse

What is good
And what is bad
What must be done
In the time he had

The philosophy major sits
On the cold, dark sidewalk
As his graduation cap collects alms
And no one wanted to talk

He showed the rich men
What was good and bad
And was cast aside
They thought he was mad

He showed the commoners
That they were going to die
And they all avoided him
They just don't have the time

The philosophy major sleeps
On the cold, hard ground
His beautiful mind at ease
In dreams, peace he found

For in his quiet thoughts
In his musings he was alone
Saved from the judgement
Of the cold cruel world he'd known

A world he thought he understood
For he knew the art of thinking
But the student felt for naught
Because no one was listening

But despite being shunned
The student persisted
Continued his teachings
His learnings will not be wasted

The philosophy major now lies still
As the May showers appear
May his daily rambles stay
To the nameless pedestrians all year

english,

Literary (Submission): Red

5/26/2018 09:11:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Red.
“This was the color of the world where only the two of us lived in.”

I was red the very first time we met, with my cheeks turning into that bright hue. I was flustered, to say the least, by your mere presence.

You were red. With that masculine and sturdy posture, you were the physical form of attraction and I couldn’t help myself from being drawn to you.

Red was the color of the lips you used to tell me all the things I wanted to hear. You had a way of always knowing what to say; to calm me down, to allure me, to keep me sane.

Red was the flower you gave me when we met for the third time. I realized then and there, that time doesn’t really forge strong relationships for two weeks was enough to make me want to stay with you, forever.

Red was the passion that held us together. We became inseparable after just a few months. A fast process, many say and people thought we weren’t going to last, saying that young flames burn out faster. But who were they to predict what we are going to be.

Red was the clock that told me you were slowly fading. What once was vivid crimson became dull. You were clearly tired of us yet you were somehow reluctant to say anything about it so I didn’t too.
Red was the attention I wanted you to give me. The attention you deprived me of which caused me to become someone I didn’t want to be. Someone who demanded so much of you.

Red was the color of our late night arguments. We argued because of petty reasons but they were enough for you to lash out at me. Your voice was eight times more deafening than what was possible and I absorbed every insult without complaint for I still wanted to hold on.

For you were still a masterpiece to me.

But as time passed, you were slowly stripped away of the kind of passion I originally saw in you. You became monochrome. And simply, you lacked—

Red.
Red was the color of the plate you threw my way. And the cracking of the glass woke me up.
I knew what to do. I became determined to bring you back to what you once were. To the man I fell in love with.

Red was the color I decided to decorate you with. I thought, maybe, that’d make all the fighting go away. Maybe, that would bring you back to me.

And after another round of yelling, red was the color on my hands.

I was glad, for I could hold you now in my arms without triggering conflict. I could stare at you without being shouted at. For you were just silent, serene, after I decided to paint you—

Red.

english,

Literary (Submission): The Art of Being Blind

5/26/2018 09:08:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

comics,

Comics: Pagbabago

5/26/2018 09:04:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

english,

Literary: The Art of Waiting

5/26/2018 09:02:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

How can a prosaic action
Be so poetic?
How can the simplest of acts
Mean more than what it seems to be?

It takes a second to pronounce the word
But sometimes it takes forever to actually do it.
To wait is not just what it means
But it is an art produced by reason.

It’s when the sun rises in the east
And slowly makes its way to the west
Does it for 12 hours a day
As it sees the same things every time.

It’s the anxiousness
That builds up inside of you
As the “seen” indicator appeared
And “… is typing” quickly came up

It’s the confession
That is so unsure
Not knowing
What is to be said

It’s the readiness
The promise
That you’d still be there
Until the end

It’s the unrequited love
But you still stayed
Clueless
But done out of feeling

It’s you
It has always been
It still is
And it will always be you.

It’s the detail
in everything you do,
all the complicated strokes
within the details of a simple action.

dawson,

Literary: The Greatest Form of Art

5/26/2018 08:59:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

You are the greatest art form
From your painted heavy locks
To the ground on which you walk
It is you

The way your eyes reflect the world
As if worthy to see itself
The way you move to nature's music
As if the world was dancing too

How you parted your lips
Like seas of pink flesh
To utter the shortest romances
To whisper "I love you"

In cold nights of thunder screams
When you breathe under blankets
Lifting them up, and falling back down
As if they were alive – as if they were life
And as if life was like you

The way our worlds collide
Whenever our fingertips touched
Destroying what was then known
Making it tangible and true – something new

Your presence graces me,
Like passages of scriptures past,
Bringing me back to nostalgic reverie
Away from this new world, it takes me back

You are the deconstruction and reformation
Of realities I've lived in once
You revive pleasant memories from desolation
And recolor bored, black and white reruns

You have redefined what it means to be alive
And how art transcends our being
You have elevated my appreciation and understanding of it all
My dear, you are the greatest art form

english,

Literary: Dried Brushes

5/26/2018 08:56:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

I lost my drive to paint.

And that's losing myself. I stopped using dozens of colors to make bright and spacious sceneries. I've lost the ability to imagine delightful things, to feel different textures, to find the balance and to create dynamic movements. The only picture in my mind is a neverending foggy field. I forgot to look at the universe, and now I am stuck in a black hole.

I failed to dream and wish. Dreaming involves closing my eyes and trying to imagine how life would be if I continued using my brushes. It means visualizing potential pieces I will create in the future. On the other hand, wishing involves forcing my mind to understand that I do want to bring colors to the plain and blank canvas. Because right now, my mind is physically and mentally addicted to being in the black hole. It's a trap, a very hard one to escape. The place keeps sucking all the energy left inside of me. Now, I need to hurry and find my own light to get out, as no one knows the intricate details on how I was pulled further down.

For me, the hardest part while struggling to escape from the black hole is that I lost sight of the world outside of it. I forgot what kind of artist I used to strive to be. I lost hope to find the connection to what was once my burning passion.

Sadly, all that’s left inside of me is a single brush stroke.

filipino,

Literary: Larawan

5/26/2018 08:51:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

       Minsan nang nagbuklod-buklod ang mga naninirahan sa kapuluang punong-puno ng kayamanan at hiwaga. Halimbawa na lamang noong natagpuan ng mga taga-Hilaga ang isang misteryosong papel na sinasabing nagbibigay ng kakaibang kapangyarihan.

       Sa kabila ng kanilang kaliitan at kahinaan, hindi naging hadlang sa lahat ng mga mamamayan ng kapuluan ang matatarik na bundok at malalawak na karagatan upang masilayan ang bantog na misteryo ng papel. Pagkakita rito, napagtanto nila na sa pamamagitan lamang ng pag-aalay makukuha ang kapangyarihang taglay ng papel.

       Kaya naman dali-dali itong pinatakan ng mga taga-Hilaga ng kanilang dugong kulay pula bunga ng katapangan. Sumunod dito ang mga taga-Kanluran na may dugong kulay puti dahil sa kanilang kalinisan, taga-Silangan na may dugong kulay dilaw dahil sa kanilang kaunlaran, at taga-Timog na may dugong bughaw dahil sa kanilang nag-uumapaw na pag-asa. Ipinatong nila ito sa isang parisukat na kahoy at tinapalan pa ng malinaw na salamin upang protektahan ang papel na ngayon ay nakabuo na ng larawan na siyang sumasagisag sa kanilang pagkakaisa. Simula noon, lumaki, lumakas, at nakaramdam sila ng mahiwagang koneksyon sa isa’t isa na nagbunga ng malawakang pag-unlad sa kanilang lipunan.

       Naghalal sila ng mga pinuno upang itaguyod at panatilihing ligtas mula sa kapahamakan ang larawan. Dinala ito sa isang lugar na may mahigpit na seguridad.

       Isang araw, tila nanlambot at bumalik ang mga tao sa orihinal nilang maliliit at mahihinang anyo. Higit sa lahat, biglang naglaho ang koneksyon nila sa isa’t isa. Nagkagulo ang lahat at nagtaka sa biglaang trahedya sa kanilang lipunan.

       Nagbabalatkayo lamang pala ang mga inakala nilang tagapagtanggol ng larawan.

       Nalaman na lamang ng mga tao na ninakaw ng kanilang mga pinuno ang hiwaga ng papel na matagal na palang pinaglalawayan ng mga ito. Biniyak ng mga ganid ang salamin hanggang sa maging pira-piraso na lamang ito at masibang hinigop ang hiwagang hatid nito upang gamitin sa kanilang mga pansariling interes.

       Sinubukan man ng mga tao na bawiin ang hiwaga ng larawan, ngunit wala silang magawa upang igpawan ang kapangyarihang ninakaw mula sa kanila ng kanilang mga pinuno.

       Maibabalik pa kaya muli ang larawan sa orihinal nitong anyo?

filipino,

Literary: Lunch Time

5/26/2018 08:47:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Rodel, kailan mo ba ako sasagutin?


Hindi mo pa sinasagot ‘yung tanong ko kanina… Ang sabi ko, ano’ng special sa iyo na hindi makikita sa iba? Huwag kang mag-alala, para lang ito sa poll ng MC.




Ano nga ba ang sagot sa tanong, Rodel. Bakit ka ba mahalaga, ha?


Hay… Ang KJ naman nito! Ako nga, walang special skills, eh. Kahit katiting na talento, wala. Tingnan mo ‘tong si Hazel.

‘Ayun, o! Tingin ka sa kanan mo... bandang kanan pa… ‘Yan! Buti pa siya, napakagaling magdrowing. Nakikita mo ba kung paano niyayakap nu’ng kaliwang kamay niya ‘yung lapis na ginagamit niya ngayon? Mahinahon, pero sakto pa rin ang pagkakadiin ng lead sa papel; napakaganda pa rin ng pagkakaguhit ng mga linya ‘tsaka hugis!


At isa pa ‘tong si Eric. ‘Ayun siya o, ‘yung nasa sulok ng balcony. Buti pa siya, sobrang galing pagdating sa pagkuha ng picture. Naturuan na niya ako dati ng mga elements at principles sa photography, pero ang naintindihan ko lang, e, ‘yung rule of thirds. Wala na nga akong talento, ang bagal ko pang pumick-up. Tingnan mo siya… Nakikita mo ba kung paano ngumingiwi ‘yung mukha niya habang nakasilip sa kamera? Ang cute!


Oo nga. Pero alam mo ba kung sino ang totoong special sa ‘ting magkakaklase? Si Mary Grace. Ang dami niyang talento—tunog-maya ang pagkanta niya at ang galing sumayaw. Minsan, matikas ang galaw niya, parang daloy ng kalmadong dagat. Pero kadalasan, mabilis at matulis ang mga galaw niya… Ang astig! Sa sobrang galing niya, puwede na siyang maging K-Pop idol!


‘Uy, sakto! Bagay na bagay ang kantang ‘to kay ¬¬Mary Grace. My favorite! Tara, sabayan mo naman ako sa pagkanta. Ngunit ang paaaaborito, ay ang pagsayaw mo ng El Bimbo! Nakakaindak… Nakakaaliw… Nakakatindig… balahibo, oooh!

Ano?


Ha?

Uhm… hindi pa, e.


*Nabigla sa sinabi at titig ng katabi.* Tara na nga. Male-late na tayo sa next class.

english,

Literary: Harmony in Difference

5/26/2018 08:45:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Five different musicians
With five different tastes

The pianist
Who mastered classical music

The guitarist
Who enjoyed flamenco

The drummer
Who cherished jazz

The bassist
Who loved rock n’ roll

And the singer
Who belted out high notes

Five different musicians
With five different tastes
But with the same burning passion for music.

They made art.

filipino,

Literary: Exhibit

5/26/2018 08:41:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

Pagkagising ko, sumalubong sa akin ang liwanag na hindi ko alam kung saan galing. Bumungad sa akin ang malaanghel na mukha na marahil ay galing sa langit. Taglay niya ang tsokolate na maalon-alon na buhok at bilugang mukha. Agad kong napansin ang makapal niyang kilay at mapungay na mga mata, tila kinakausap ako na tumayo na sa aking higaan. Napatingin ako sa matangos niyang ilong at mamula-mulang labi, tila nang-aakit na siya’y hagkan at yakapin.

“Good morning, Love! Magde-date tayo sa exhibit sa school ngayon!”

Agad akong natauhan at nawala ang pagiging makata ko. Oo nga pala, may date kami ni Ayesha ngayon.

“Sige, Love, si Mama ba ang nagpapasok sa ‘yo dito? Nakakahiya!” Agad ko siyang pinalabas sa kuwarto ko at pinaupo sa sala upang mag-almusal kasama ng kapatid kong si Chian.

Napatingin ako sa salamin sa aking banyo. Sabog na buhok dahil tamad akong magsuklay, puro pimples dahil sa stress kakasulat, malalaking eyebags kaaaral sa Math at tuyong mga labi marahil dahil nakakaligtaan ko ang pag-inom ng tubig. Napansin ko din ang panis na laway pababa sa labi ko. Nakakahiya naman kay Ayesha! Bakit ba ganito ang itsura ko?

Matapos ang tatlumpung minuto, nakapag-ayos na ako. Suot ko ang white T-shirt na bigay niya, itim na shorts, at ang paborito kong rubber shoes. Samantalang siya ay nakasuot ng floral na bestida at kulay rosas na doll shoes.

Agad kaming nagpunta sa school. Oo nga pala, itinatampok nga pala ang iba’t ibang klase ng art dito sa school na ginawa ng mga estudyate mula sa College of Fine Arts.

“Handa ka na ba, Love? Tumingin na tayo!” wika niya sabay hatak sa aking kamay.

Sa tuwing hinahawakan niya ang mga kamay ko, para akong nakukuryente. Tatlong buwan na kaming magkarelasyon pero mukhang hindi pa rin ako sanay sa presensiya ng babaeng ito. Tila naninibago ang katawan ko sa mga haplos at yakap niya, gayon din sa mga ngiti at titig niya sa aking mga mata.

Napakarami naming nakita roon. May mga malalaki at matitibay na sculptures, paintings na gawa sa acrylic paint, mayroon ding oil-based, drawings na gawa sa charcoal pencil, mga recyclable materials na ginawang damit, bag, at marami pang iba!

“Wow, grabe, ang ganda ng sculpture na ‘to!” sigaw niya habang kumukuha ng litrato gamit ang camera na dala niya. Totoo ang sinabi niya, napakaganda nga ng Machete sculpture, kitang-kita ang perpektong korte ng katawan ng isang lalaki, suot din ang damit ng isang sinaunang Pilipino. Sabi sa information sheet, ito ay gawa sa kahoy ng Narra kung kaya’t masasabi kong matibay at de kalidad ito.

“Thank you! Inabot kami ng apat na buwan sa pagbuo ng Machete,” sagot ni Rica, ang matalik niyang kaibigan sa Fine Arts.

Umikot pa kami. “Ang galing mo naman, kitang-kita na pinaghirapan mo ‘yan,” puri ni Ayesha kay Jerome, ang dati niyang kaklase noong high school na ngayo’y kasali rin sa exhibit.

“Salamat. Dalawang linggo ko rin ‘to pininta, ilang kape at tulog ang sinakripisyo ko para dito.” Napatingin ako at kitang-kita ang makukulay at magagandang pagkakahalo-halo ng mga kulay. Safari ang titulo ng painting na ito at oil-based daw ito. Grabe! Hindi lahat ng tao kasinggaling ni Jerome!

Naglakad-lakad pa kami at napuna namin ang stall na wala masyadong tao. Nakita ko ang natutulog na si Agatha habang hawak ang lapis niya. Sabi nila, siya raw ang pinakatamad sa klase ngunit pumapasa naman. Tiningnan ko ang stall niya, parang hindi pinaghandaan, walang kaayos-ayos.

“Excuse me? Hi! Ano ‘yung art exhibit na ipapakita mo?” bati ni Ayesha sabay ngiti.

“A-ah! May picture ka ba na gustong ipadrowing? Kayang-kaya ko ‘yung idrowing sa loob lang ng thirty minutes, detalyado,” sabi niya.

“Talaga?” bulalas ng mga tao sa likod namin, hindi sila makapaniwala na kaya itong gawin ni Agatha. Sa bagay, parang ang hirap naman kasing gawin ‘yun sa loob lang ng tatlumpung minuto.

“Sige. Ito ang picture, babalikan na lang namin, ha?” wika ni Agatha sabay abot ng instax film na hindi ko alam kung ano ang laman.
Kumain muna kami. Ganoon uli, ang paborito niya, kwek-kwek, fishball, kikiam, at gulaman. Ewan ko ba, iba talaga ang kasintahan ko sa lahat.

Pagbalik namin, pinagkakaguluhan na si Agatha.

“Ang galing! Teka, wala pang thirty minutes ‘yun! Grabe!”

“Napakadetalyado! Ang ganda!”

Napatingin ako sa iginuhit niya. Sabog na buhok, puro pimples, malalaking eyebags, at tuyong mga labi. Ako ‘yun! Katabi nu’n ay ang instax film na ibinigay ni Ayesha kanina! At doon ko napagtanto na ang liwanag kanina sa paggising ko ay liwanag mula sa flash ng kanyang camera!
“Ayesha naman! Ang pangit-pangit ko naman diyan, e!”

“Kung pangit, bakit hindi ‘yun ‘yung pinansin ng mga tao? Oo, sige, sabog nga buhok mo, puro pimples, malalaki ang eyebags, at tuyong-tuyo ang mga labi mo pero ‘yun ba ang pinansin nila? Hindi, ‘di ba? Ang pinansin nila e ‘yung de kalidad na gawa ni Agatha. Ganu’n din ako sa ’yo, Love, hindi ko pinapansin ‘yung itsurang meron ka, kasi ang puso at pagkatao ang tinitignan ko,” wika niya sabay hawak sa mga kamay ko.

Matapos ang exhibit, nakamit ni Agatha ang first prize sa drawing. Makikita sa exhibit niya ang mga guhit na puro mukha ng mga tao na nagpadrowing lamang sa kanya noong mismong araw na iyon.

Oo, hindi lahat ay may makinis na balat, magandang mata, at matangos na ilong. Ngunit hindi naman nasusukat ang pagiging tao sa ganoon, di ba? Nasa kalidad mo bilang tao ‘yun kung paano ka magmahal at umunawa.

At doon ko napagtanto na napakasuwerte ko dahil may kasintahan akong kagaya ni Ayesha.

azwraith,

Literary: This is My City

5/26/2018 08:38:00 PM Media Center 1 Comments

This is my city.
Opulent. Grandiose. Magnificent. The pinnacle of civilization.
From its towering spires to its sweeping arches, no other city was able to match its beauty and grace. Ruled by a just king, the people were at peace, with other cities enjoying the fruits of our labor, just as we enjoy theirs. However, it was not to last.

This is my city.
Evolving. Pioneering. Inventing. The herald of progress.
New ideas are born here. They revolutionized the way mankind thinks. And with this change, ambition became prevalent. Everyone wanted to progress, to be able to attain higher states of living. No matter the cost, they wanted more.

This is my city.
Distrustful. Suspicious. Afraid. Falling into chaos.
The king is dead. Killed in his sleep, rumored to be by his own brother. It was only a matter of time. The nobles, with their new-fangled ideas, were starting to get restless. It was time for the old regime to die, they said. It was time for a new and better generation to lead the country into prosperity. Who else is fit to lead, but them?

This is my city.
Crawling in the dark. Grasping at straws. Dying in our dreams. Forever damned.
We shouldn’t have listened. They said they would lead us to a new age of prosperity. They said that they would guide us towards a new, better, and stronger world. They lied.
They bargained with Beings from Beyond, gorging themselves with all the power they ever wanted. It wasn’t enough. They wanted more and more power until their wretched minds couldn’t handle it any more. The first taste was an exquisite meal. To have more is to feast until the end of time.
And they had more.

This is my city.
Rotting. Broken. Ruined. Trapped until the day the world ends.
It has been so long since I last saw the sun.
Stuck under the rubble of what once was our glorious home.
Forced to stay, while all the others have passed on.
Forced to remember everything that ever happened in this place.
Forced to watch as time passed, hiding the ruins of our city, covering it in the sands that would make the world forget it.

It doesn’t matter anymore.
If it falls to me to watch over the bones of my brothers and sisters, so be it.
May the dead peacefully rest.
This is my city, after all.

filipino,

Literary: Pinakamagandang Pangit

5/26/2018 08:34:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments

“’Uy, may photo contest, gusto mo sumali?” sabi ko sa ’yo nang makita ko ang post ng isang club sa bulletin board. Alam ko namang ‘di ka aayaw rito, mahilig ka kasing kumuha ng mga litrato at talaga namang magaganda ang mga kuha mo.

“Tungkol saan ba?” tanong mo.

“May poster sila, check mo. ‘Beauty is in everything’ ‘yung theme.”

“Ay, sayang, kung ‘epitome of ugliness’ ‘yung tema, picture mo na sana ipapasa ko.”

Hinampas kita nang napakalakas. “At talagang nakahanap ka pa ng paraan para asarin ako. Iba ka talaga.”

Parati mo akong tinatawag na pangit. ‘Di mo pa rin binibitawan ang tawag sa akin ng mga bata noon sa eskuwelahan natin dahil sa buhaghag at kulot kong buhok. Pero isa ka rin sa mga binu-bully noon dahil sakitin ka. Pareho tayong umiiyak sa gilid ng playground dahil walang gustong makipaglaro sa atin. Pero simula noong samahan mo akong magbasa ng libro sa loob ng classroom habang naglalaro ang iba sa labas ay naging magkaibigan tayo kalaunan. Kahit na lumipas na ang panahon ay tayo pa rin ang magkasama at ang mga pangalan na dating nagpapaiyak sa atin noon ang siyang naging pang-asar natin sa isa’t isa ngayon.

“Siyempre, ‘di ko pakakawalan ang opportunity kapag nakita ko, ‘di ba?”

“E, kelan ka kukuha ng mga picture? Next week na ‘yung pasahan.”

“E di, ngayon na, atat ka, e.” Inilabas mo ang kamera mo na lagi mo namang dala at isinabit ito sa leeg mo. “Tara, samahan mo ‘ko,” at hinatak mo ako papunta sa field.

Nalalagas na ang mga dahon at nakatambak ang mga ito sa tabi ng ugat ng mga puno. Nakatayo lang ako sa gilid at minamasdan ang mga nalalaglag na dahon nang biglang itinulak mo ako at bumagsak ako sa tambak ng mga tuyot na dahon. Tinawanan mo lang ako habang gulantang akong napaupo.

“Humanda ka sa ‘kin!” sigaw ko nang bumalik sa akin ang aking ulirat. Tumakbo ka at tila wala kang pakialam sa kamerang nakasabit sa leeg mo.

Nang maabutan kita ay itinulak kita nang malakas. Akala ko ay sa isa pang tambak ng mga tuyot na dahon ka babagsak, ngunit sa damuhan ka napaupo.

Tawang-tawa ako, ang benta kasi ng mukha mo nang bumagsak ka. ‘Di ko na napansin na nakatayo ka na pala at itinulak mo ako ulit bilang ganti.

Napaupo na lang ako sa mga dahon bilang pagtanggap ng aking pagkatalo. Pagod na rin kasi ako. Pero tawa pa rin ako nang tawa habang nakangiti ka lang sa harap ko.

Narinig ko na lamang ang pag-click ng kamera. Kinunan mo na pala ako ng litrato.

“Ano ba! ‘Wag mo nga akong kuhanan ng picture!” sabi ko habang tumatawa at hinagisan kita ng mga tuyot na dahon.

“Ang pangit mo dito,’’ panunukso mo habang tinitingnan ang litratong kinunan mo.

“Bastos ka.” Tumayo ako at sinubukang silipin ang tinitingnan mo. Pero iniwas mo ang kamera, ‘di ko tuloy nakita.

“’Wag kang mag-alala, ikaw naman ang pinakamagandang pangit.”

“Ikaw naman ang pinakamabait na demonyo,” at isang pekeng ngiti ang ibinigay ko sa iyo.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Kumuha ka na nga ng picture mo! Ano ba kasi ang concept mo para sa contest?”

Hinampas kita dahil sa pang-aasar mo, pero imbes na mainis ay tinawanan mo na lang ako nang malakas.

*****

“Excited ka na ba?” tanong ko sa ’yo nang dumating na ang araw ng paggantimpala sa mga nanalo. ‘Di ko pa nakikita ang litratong ibinigay mo sa paligsahan, sabi mo kasi bawal.

“Oo naman.” Pero kitang-kita ko ang kaba sa boses mo.

“Manalo man o matalo, alam nating pareho na maganda pa rin ‘yang kuha mo,” wika ko sa iyo.

Nginitian mo na lang ako. Ipinalabas na sa malaking screen sa harapan ang pangalan ng mga nanalo sa paligsahan at kasunod nito ay ang kanilang litrato. Nang itinanghal na nila ang unang gantimpala, nagtatatalon ako sa tuwa, pangalan mo kasi ang nakalagay sa screen. Katabi pa rin kita at ngiting-ngiti kong inabangan ang litrato mo.

Pero nawala ang abot-tainga kong ngiti at napako ang tingin ko sa litratong nanalo ng unang gantimpala.

Ako.

Ako ‘yung nasa litrato.

Nakatawa, punong-puno ng kahel na dahon at bulaklak ang buhaghag kong buhok.

“B-ba’t ako ‘yung…?”

“Ikaw kasi ang pinakamagandang pangit sa paningin ko…” patawa mong sagot. Sinimangutan kita at hahampasin na sana nang dugtungan mo ang nauna mong sinabi.

“…At ang pinakamagandang bagay na nangyari sa buhay ko.”