filipino,

Literary (Submission): Sa kabataang Filipino

9/25/2018 09:17:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Gusto kong maging agila
Gaya ng aking mga ninuno.
Sa halip ay ipinanganak akong kalapati.

Nais ko sanang manirahan sa alapaap
Makaalpas mula sa lahat ng limitasyon
Ngunit tila ako’y nakakandado sa lupa
Nakapiring ang mga mata
Nakatakip ang mga bibig
Pinutulan ng mga pakpak
Ipinanganak akong kalapati
Tila ganito na rin akong mamamatay

Ngunit bakit?
Kay tagal na nating nakakulong sa ating hawla
Gayong nasa mga kamay lang natin ang mga susi

Hindi maaari
Ipinanganak akong Pilipino
Matayog ang potensyal
Didinggin ko ang mga bulong ng dugong
Nananalaytay sa aking mga ugat
Aalpas mula sa hawlang kay tagal nang kumulong sa aking lahi

Kaya sa muling pagpagaspagas ng aking mga pakpak
Samahan ninyo ako
Isang migrasyon ng bagong henerasyon ng mga kabataan
Mula Pilipinas
Hanggang pagbabago

0 comments:

english,

Literary (Submission): My-gration

9/25/2018 09:14:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Flying away in the cold wintry air
Moving away, do I even dare?
Unable to stay in this wasteland of snow
Hoping for warmth in where I will go

Misty are crystals and dead trees around
Flying to where the sun shall be found
Blurry are blizzards and wind fast to date
Ice on my feathers as dead heavy weight

My nest is a glacier, my world is too chilled
Before, home was glee and my heart was fulfilled
But a heart cold with ice, one day, has to thaw
and what once was fulfilled is now lost and raw

But flying to land, foreign and unknown
will leave me to forage for seeds on my own
As I look for pastures, green and secure
I glance back at the wintry home I endured

0 comments:

dumpling,

Literary (Submission): Mx. Plane

9/25/2018 09:09:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Dear Mr. Aviation Man,

I want to start by saying, I've always wanted to be a pilot. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always wanted to fly and travel. Just imagining myself steering an 80,000 kg hunk of metal across the ever-changing hues of the sky almost takes my breath away every time I think about it. Mr. Aviation Man, I could tell you a hundred different reasons why I want this. From the sights I want to see, to the people I can meet, to the lessons I can learn, to the lives I can touch. But beyond the obvious reasons, the core, and main reason I want to be part of the aviation industry is a reason so dear and close to my heart. I’m not sure if you’ll even understand me, but here it goes:

You see, my dad is a seaman. He usually goes away for months at a time, leaving us, his family, here on land. Even at the moment of my birth, he wasn’t here. Throughout my life, it felt like I was fatherless, never experiencing the bond other children had with their dad. Sure, I’m lucky enough to actually have a dad, but he’s almost never around, even if I want to be closer to him. I can’t just ask him to stay. He can’t just leave his job, I know that. I know he’s trying his best, I know he’s trying to earn money for us, I know that even with the distance between us, he’s still my dad, no matter how much I miss him every day he’s gone. That’s something I’m forced to accept. That’s just the way life is.

I want to be a pilot, not just for the money, not just for the fun I’m sure to have, not just for the rewards I could get, but I want to be a part of it so I can at least fool myself into believing I’m closer to him- No, I’ll be way above him. It might sound stupid, but let me have the silly fantasy of believing I’m seeing the same sights as he does- only better. I’m meeting more amazing people than he ever could, I’m learning more things than he ever can. Let me indulge in the lie that I’m flying over him, as he looks up from his boat, proud of the height I’ve achieved.


Sincerely,
Mx. Plane

0 comments:

doomic,

Literary (Submission): Klase at Bayan

9/25/2018 09:06:00 PM Media Center 1 Comments




Pag-angat ng bayang Pilipinas.

Wow, oo! Tama ka, nakabibighani ang pagpasok ng tunog sa iyong dalawang tainga at ‘di hamak na mas maganda siguro ito sa pakiramdam.

Pero naisip mo na ba kung ano na ang ginawa mo para sa bayan mo?

Ay! Siguro ‘yung pagsagot niyo sa klase niyo sa Filipino 9 at 10 ng mga katagang makabayan! ‘Yung mga pag-iisip niyo ng paraan para umangat ang Pilipinas sa kahirapan, tama ba? Tama! Kasi tayo ang pag-asa ng bayan at babaguhin natin ang Pilipinas dahil ilang henerasyon na ng mga ninuno natin ang di nakagawa nito, hindi ba?

Mali.

Kung sa tingin mo, sasapat na ang mga ‘yan para sa bayan mo, masyado kang inosenteng mag-isip. Akala mo siguro dahil mataas ang grado mo sa Filipino, naging mas makabayan ka na. Masakit pakinggan pero totoo. Bakit? Sa pagsasabi mo ba ng mga ganyang mga makabayang salita na ipinapakita mo sa harap ng guro’t mga kaklase mo, isinasabuhay mo ba ang mga ito? ‘Yung nasyonalismo, naisapupuso mo ba? ‘Yung simpleng pagmamahal sa sariling kulay ng balat, wika, pelikula, mga atleta, at ang mismong pagiging Pilipino? ‘Yung simpleng pagpulot ng basura, pag-iingat ng mga gamit sa eskuwelahan para magamit pa ng mga susunod na henerasyon, at paggawa ng mga tungkulin mo bilang anak at estudyante? Kung ang mga ganitong bagay, di mo magawa-gawa — aba! — masakit sa damdamin, pero isa ka sa mga kanser ng lipunang ito, lalo na kung isa ka sa mga panay lang ang sisi sa gobyerno dahil sa hirap ng buhay pero sa sarili mo, alam mong hindi ka naman kumikilos para sa bayan.

‘Wag ang Pilipinas.

Kung gusto nating lahat na umangat ang bayan dapat sabay-sabay tayong aangat. Hindi ‘yung kapag nakaangat ka nang kaunti, kakalimutan mo na ‘yung iba. Hello?

‘Wag ang Pilipinas.

Ilagay natin ang perspektibo sa klase. Noong una, masaya at mahirap kasi lahat kayo balik sa simula pero noong bandang huli na nakaangat ka na sa iba, ano na ang ginawa mo? Kinutya mo na ‘yung mga walang kapabilidad na makaangat? Brad, intindihin mo na hindi talaga nila kaya. Kahit anong pilit mo sa kanila hindi nila kakayaning mag-isa. Kailangan ba, may pinakamagaling sa klase? Hindi ba mas maganda kung lahat kayo, magaling sa klase ninyo? Hindi ko ‘to sinasabi sa konteksto na buhatin ninyo ‘yung mga pabigat. ‘Yang mga ‘yan, pagsabihan, pero kung ayaw, hayaan na, kasi kanser din sila sa lipunan. Gabayan ninyo ‘yung mga sumusubok kahit na hindi kaya kasi kung iisipin ng bawat isa, itong mga simpleng bagay na ito ang sumasalamin sa pagkatao natin. Kung talagang may pakialam ka sa bayan mo, magkaroon ka ng pakialam sa kaklase mo.

Sabay-sabay kayong umangat! Sabay-sabay tayong umangat!

1 comments:

filipino,

Literary (Submission): Ayaw kong lumipad

9/25/2018 09:03:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Masaya sanang lumipad
Kung magkakatotoo ito’t kakayanin
Sapagkat malaki ang biyayang hinahain nito
Para sa mga taong mapangarapin

Ang paniniwalang lalaya tayo sa langit
Ay tiyak namang nakahuhumaling
At nakamumulat sa bagong pananaw
Para sa mga taong tulad natin

Ngunit parang hindi rin naman ganito talaga
Lalo na’t mahirap maganap ang hindi maaari
At kung tunay namang makalilipad tayo
Ang masasabi kong pagkaunawa ko rito ay naiiba

Masyado kang mapalalayo nito
Makalilimutan mo ang iyong mundo
Hanggang sa punto na ika’y kaiinisan
Ng mga taong iniwan mo

Akala mo’y mabuti ang lagay sa itaas
Pero hindi pangmatagalan ito
Saglit ka lamang makalilipad doon
At mahuhulog muli sa katotohanan mo

Masarap sa pakiramdam ang muling pagkaka-angat
Ngunit masakit din sa dibdib kung ito’y matatapos
Kaloob ang magkaroon ng ginhawa sa buhay
Subalit sumpa rin ito kung alam mo ang magiging kahihinatnan

Walang masama sa paniniguro
Lalo na kung hindi lahat ng tao'y handang masaktan
Nang dahil sa kakulangan ng pagsasaalang-alang
Sa mga bagay na madaling mabalewala

Mainam na sa akin ang hindi makalipad
Sapagkat masasayang lamang ang panahon kung dito gugugulin
Sa madaling salita ay ayaw kong lumipad
Ngunit nasa iyo kung maniniwala ka sa taong lutang lamang ang isip

0 comments:

english,

Literary (Submission): Up

9/25/2018 09:01:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




You make me feel like I'm flying
Like I'm soaring, diving, gliding
Away from this world, toward a new one
Where pain, suffering, and grief are gone
A world where it's just you and me,
Where we can be who we want to be

Together we'll fly among the clouds
Escape the madness, the chaos, the crowds
Past the mountains, the buildings, and cities
We are one with the wind and the cold breeze
We'll fly up, up, and get carried away
Up here we're untouchable, up here we won't fade

Then we're back on land again
And we have to forget, we have to pretend
Suddenly we're strangers, not even friends
For every flight has to come to an end

0 comments:

english,

Literary (Submission): Mister Augustus Bishop and His Flight of Love

9/25/2018 08:57:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




On Greece’s zenith
Resided beautiful goddesses and mighty gods
Living their lavish lives, fighting the monsters
While protecting the people from famines and floods

But when the Romans went up and so did the Persians
The Greek gods started to perish one by one
And by the time the New Testament came
Their reign was entirely gone

Save one

Eros lived, he somehow strived
For the reasons to fight in war from time to time alter
And the standards of beauty evolved
A human’s love is love and will hopefully remain forever

Eros thought it was all good, the world was in balance
But world wars came and so did Hitler
White men had to have everything
Somehow, history painted one disaster after another

Although bad things have happened before
And mankind has suffered but lived through and through
Somehow in the recent years, disasters piled up
More and more are happening, worse and worse too

By the time different sorts of love started appearing
Eros thought he would start to revive
But these sorts of love started being oppressed
He started to die

People stopped believing
In the goodness of others
Eros thought he could save them, tell them of love
But it was too late and he perished just like his father

He found himself on a field of azure
That’s all that was there
Save for a contract on the ground
And a pen to sign it if he dares

“Continue giving happiness and love to souls,”
The contract had clearly stated
“I’ll give you a store and some capital
All you have to do is promise no one leaves devastated.

You will give the people what they ask for
And you will live in fulfillment
But you can never step outside your emporium
Leaving your business will mean punishment.”

Eros looked around the bare field of blue
And signed the paper after much thought
Who wants to live alone
And have his existence for naught?

In a jiffy, he received a new name
Also a store and a new reason to live
He’s now Augustus Bishop with love and happiness
Which to perished souls he will clearly give

He thought love would flourish once more
Fill the people the happiness they need
In his new budding enterprise
He would give what their tiny hearts heed

His first customer came
A little girl in a pink dress
She didn’t talk much
But was clearly in distress

She asked for silence
But Eros couldn’t give her that
All he found in stock
Was a little bit of solitude in a bottle, way at the back

The little girl vanished in front of him
And he thought his job was done
Until someone came knocking at the door
A man who seemed so frantic, his sanity seemed gone

“Are you the proprietor?” he asked.
“Yes,” replied Eros, a bit startled by the questioning.

“Have you seen a little girl? One by the name of Schizein?
She was supposed to come in a while ago and I can’t have her missing!”

“Why? What’s with the girl? I just sold her solitude
To stop the voices in her head,” Eros said in his defense.

“What!? She was supposed to enter Heaven and then the voices will stop
Who told her to go to you and have fun in your little shop?”

“She was a tense little lady and I read in her mind
She was supposed to go to this other place
That sells knickknacks just like mine
Only that place was closed so she headed here as if in a chase.”

“She can’t head back to Earth!
She’ll be living on borrowed time!” said the man.
Soon enough we’ll run out of time to give her
And Heaven will be damned!”

Eros was confused
The man was frustrated
The peddler knew nothing
Of what the man had just stated

“Who are you anyway?” asked Eros.
“I am Saint Peter, I was supposed to meet Schizein.
If you see her, take her to Heaven’s gate
But now, I will just go out again.”

The businessman nodded
And the saint left, leaving Eros alone
His fault has just dawned on him
The thought of ruining Paradise chilled him to the bone

He knew he needed to help
So he stepped out the door
But just as he was about to
The floor swallowed him whole

The baby blue door disappeared from his sight
Down, down he went and flopped on a quagmire
He stood up quite fast after seeing a creature
Perched on a rock surrounded by fire

Satan’s three heads looked down upon him
“You idiot. You think I’d let you get away?” said the center head.
“Who are you?” Bishop asked. “Why am I here?”
He said as he stood up from the murky mossy bed.

“I am the one who gave you the store.
You really thought I’d let you give love back?
I just used you to get me in Schiezen’s head.”
Eros looked around, save for the fire, it was all pitch black.

“Wait, you’re the God of the Underworld?” asked Eros.
“No!” thundered all the heads.
“All your gods crumbled to dust years ago. You should have to.
But for some reason I don’t have any power to kill you.”

“Then get me out of here!” shouted Eros, his face burning up.
“I need to get back to the world and give them the love.
Humans might not know it but they need it to survive.
I don’t care if I die but love must be kept alive.”

And with that he vanished into thin air
Satan thought he crumbled, like his forefathers turned to dust
He let out a laugh that could be heard through the nine circles
And Eros found himself back up on Earth’s crust

He was rendered powerless
But thankfully still in one piece
With him back on Earth, will love be able to flourish again?
Or will it continue to cease?


For more on this series read:

The Curiosity Shop of Miss Adelaide Bell

Miss Adelaide Bell and the Nine Circles of Hell

The Ethereal Emporium of Mister Augustus Bishop

0 comments:

english,

Literary (Submission): Burning Feathers

9/25/2018 08:55:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Icarus flies with old wax and feathers
Wings that he crafted with his loving father
And both, locked away, up high in a tower
Flew out the window, without looking down

Across the great ocean, they flew to the sky
The openness greeted their mortal ambitions
But beneath all the greetings that seem so inviting
Are truths that have led most flyers astray

His dear old father, he knew way better
With experiences going down years and years deep
He flew way higher than where water pulls down
but lower that he doesn’t burn from the sun

But Icarus, young and naive as he was
He never did listen to his loving dad
A person who never did want him to fall
Whether from flying too high or too low

He flew way too high, and soared through the sky
Across the great ocean he feels he would pass
With hues, ever-changing, with golden white rays
And a fiery feeling, that burns deep within

Icarus, too deaf with his own ambition
The thrill of the top was his biggest downfall
He flew up too high, wings burnt up to ashes
And there, he did fall and his pride filled with gashes

He drowned in the deep dark seas of his making
Which made him not dream, without even waking
He lost his breath, from a sight way above him
And from the great heights, he burnt up with a splash

The warmness of sunlight, the softness of clouds
The feeling that you never have to go down
Flight was his siren, his hubris, sin
The problem, I, Icarus, have deep within.

Yes, I am he, who flew up above
Burned by the rays, engulfed by the sea
But I only regret one thing in my mind
My father, who had to go leave me behind

If he could read this, I wish him the best
Someone please tell him I’m taking my rest
To be carried by pride, mixed with wax and old feathers
I’m such a disgrace and,


“I’m sorry, my father.”

0 comments:

dama de noche,

Literary (Submission): Pakpak

9/25/2018 08:53:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Dinala ako ng iyong mga pakpak
Sa bughaw na langit, sa kumikislap na mga bituin, at sa matataas na alapaap
Dinala ako sa isang palasyo
Kung saan ikaw ang hari at ako ang reyna mo

Nilipad mo ako sa ibang kalawakan
At pinangakong hindi ako bibitawan
Pinagkatiwalaan ko ang pakpak mo
Kasabay nito’y pinagkatiwala ko ang puso ko

Kumilawa, kumanan, lumipad tayo sa ibang mundo
Sa mundo na ikaw lamang at ako
Tumira at nasanay, sa mundo nating dalawa
Nakampante sa mundong akala ko’y hindi guguho, hindi magigiba

Ngunit ang oras ay lumilipad
Na mas mabilis kaysa sa iyong mga pakpak
Pilit na ipinagaspas ang iyong panlipad na puro galos
Hirap na hirap ka’t tila ang pakpak mo’y nakagapos

Nakagapos, nakakadena sa aking puso
Nakagapos ka’t nakakadena, at alam kong nasasaktan ka na
Kinalaban natin ang oras at hindi tayo nanalo
Kaya’t ang ating mundo’t kalawaka’y nagiba

At hinayaan ko lang, pinanuod kong masira
Dahil alam kong wala nang halaga kung ang pagmamahal mo’y wala na
Sa pakpak mo’y tinanggal ko ang kadenang sa aki’y nakakabit
Bitawan mo ako nang mabawasan ang bigat at ang sakit

At hahayaan kita,
Lumipad sa langit, bituin, at alapaap
Hahayaan kitang bumuo ng bagong mundo, bagong kalawakan
Sapagkat ang paglipad mo'y papalayo na mula sa'kin

0 comments:

english,

Literary (Submission): Pixie Dust

9/25/2018 08:50:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Do you remember when mommy said to go
Three little pigs set out to a world they didn’t know,
She said, “Today's the day you ought to fly.
How do you know you'll hate it if you don’t try”?

That night you lay down on your bed
You wished upon the star in your head
Couldn’t you go to Neverland?
Endless trees, paradise, and sand

They say all it'll take is pixie dust
But what ever happened to faith and trust?
Is there a Peter Pan to guide my way
Because the North Star doesn’t shine today

What, I wonder, must I think?
Joyful things but tears on the brink
I don't want to leave, I wish to stay
To be with loving mother another day

But the pirates came, the war, begun
The children must leave by risen sun
Peter Pan, young fairy boy
Take me now to the land of joy

Where are you so that I can fly
Far away and the child may never die
Please Peter Pan, to the world that never grows
Don't leave me here, with age that forever shows

0 comments:

de bourbon,

Literary (Submission): Langaw

9/25/2018 08:49:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Ako ay isang munting langaw
Lumilipad kung saan-saan, gabi o araw
Dumadapo sa pagkain, masarsa man o may sabaw
Hindi mapatay ng tao sa bilis ng galaw

Nakatira sa basurahan, halaman, o sa puwet ng kalabaw
Pulang matang kay linaw
Kung saan-saan lumilitaw
At nabubuhay sa loob lang ng 28 na araw

Simple lang naman ang dapat sundan sa buhay
Upang makalipad, sa hangin sumabay
Kapag may tao, iwasan ang ingay
Upang ‘di makita, dumapo sa itim na bagay
Palaging iwasan ang palong dala ng mga kamay

Ito ang aking gawaing paulit-ulit
Lahat may takdang oras, walang pasaglit
Walang bagong ganap, walang gawaing papalit-palit
Ni emosyon walang nararamdaman— saya, lungkot, maski galit

Alam ko ganito ako isinilang
At ito ang aking buhay na itinakda
Sapagkat wala naman akong magagawa
Dahil isa akong langaw, ‘di maikakaila

Dahil dito, ako'y napaisip
Na gusto ko ng iba, gusto kong managinip
Biglang sumanib sa akin ang pakiramdam na kay sikip
Na habang buhay na lang ba ako sa basura maninipsip?

Pagkatapos, umalis ako
Sinimulan ko ang buhay kong epiko
Kung saan hindi susunod sa daan, ako'y liliko
Dahil ayoko na sa buhay na ganito

Kaya gamit ang aking pakpak…
Kung saan-saan ako napadpad...
Sa mundong napakalawak…

Dahil kinayanan kong lumipad…

0 comments:

english,

Literary (Submission): Man's Flight

9/25/2018 08:46:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Terra's vast, wide blue skies,
The unending heights we all recognize.
Long has man desired to soar these heights,
Wishing that from the sky he’d see the sights.

Limited by biology,
Man looked to technology.
He tried and failed, at first,
But failure only increased his thirst.

Man eventually had success,
Balloons carried him above the trees,
Jets allowed him to fly from place to place,
He even now looks to conquer the vastness of space.

However, if man took to the skies for curiosity,
Why did man use his jets to rain fire on fellow man with such ferocity?
Why did man use his supremacy of the skies to subjugate other nations?
Man's peaceful creations twisted and used for vile applications

0 comments:

english,

Literary: Flight of the Emperor

9/25/2018 08:44:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




The rebellion has taken the final leap into the fray.
The Imperial Guard, shattered and in disarray.
Armed mobs, laid siege to the barricaded government sector.
Nobles and officials fled into the night like a specter.

The rebellion has prevailed.
The defenses have failed.
The masses finally broke the chains,
However, justice from the tyrant was not among their gains,

To avoid the victor's justice, the Emperor took flight,
Fleeing into exile while the blindly loyal kept up the fight,
To be taken with him, the plundered treasury and whatever wealth remain.
The stolen gold used to secure asylum within foreign domains.

Justice is never avoided, just delayed.
His noose is how today he is portrayed,
His prosecutor, the youth's educator,
His jury, the masses who know him a dictator.

0 comments:

english,

Literary: One Gloomy Evening

9/25/2018 08:42:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




It happened one gloomy evening,
When suddenly, the spirit in me got lost
As if the glowing light bulb went dark
Losing the power of courage and confidence.
I knew I needed to step up
Strengthening the belief that I must rise up
Rise up from where then?
From below, you reach the sky.
As I ponder everything in my mind
I knew I needed to make a start
Begin from scratch
Explore yourself as you look up to your sky.
I need to fuel up.
Energize its mindset to start launching yourself.
Step up your own plane.
Think about it, ‘How far can I go?’

0 comments:

filipino,

Literary: Pagkakataon

9/25/2018 08:40:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Mula sa pagawaan hanggang sa plastik na lalagyan
Pakiramdam ko na sa buhay ko’y may kakulangan
Hindi maisip ang mga maaaring paraan
Kaya’t pinabayaan na lamang ito at aking kinalimutan

Hanggang sa dumating ang panahon
Na ang isang lobong tulad ko’y nabigyan ng pagkakataon
Nilabas mula sa dating plastik na lalagyan
At nilagyan ng hangin upang makatikim ng kalayaan

Una, pangalawa, pangatlong ihip ng hangin
At unti-unti itong nagbigay buhay sa akin
Para sa isang lobong hangin lamang ang kakailanganin
Upang ang lupa ay akin nang lisanin

Pagkaalis mula sa dating kinabibilangan
Ako’y umasa na ang mga tungkulin ko’y agad kong malalaman
Ngunit hahayaan na lamang na magpaligoy-ligoy sa kalawakan
Layunin sa buhay ay hinahanap pa lamang

Sumabay lamang sa ihip ng hangin
Kahit hindi alam kung saan ako nito maaaring dalhin
Hinihintay ang tungkuling inilaan ng buhay sa akin
Kahit na ano pa man ang maaari kong gawin

Magliliwaliw lamang sa hangin
Hanggang mahanap ko ang aking tungkulin
Sasabayan lamang ang daloy ng hangin
Hanggang sa makumpleto ko ang aking mga gawain

0 comments:

english,

Literary: Landlocked

9/25/2018 08:38:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




I’m a bird with a broken wing
I've lost my flock and cannot sing
The seasons, they've come around
Yet still, I’m here, oh where's northbound?

I’m the balloon without flame
Tied to the ground, it's all in vain
For I could not take you far
My basket's full of holes that mar

No propeller, just a plane
The fuel's out and I just complain
The co-pilot's run amok
I think I'm crashing, what bad luck

My compass broke in half
I'm lost alone, I can only laugh
Is there a map to somewhere new?
Far away, where I could go to

If there is, may I have a look?
Was there a turn somewhere that I mistook?
They say here is paradise
But I don’t think here's all that nice

All these months, the years have gone by
If I've felt sad, then why not fly?
Is it alright to stay in my landlocked state?
If everything I do, I hate?

Where in the world would I go to?
Could I be free somewhere new?
But right here is all I've known
Where I was raised, and where I've grown

If I climb on this launching pad
And go, will I miss everything I had?
I'll close my eyes, is that alright?
I won't look but I will take flight

I really don't want to see
Because these heights are scaring me
But will I finally breathe fresh air?
Can I really smile without a care?

If I leave everything here
Can I really move on without fear?
Will my broken wing finally heal?
And my balloon free from the seal?

I'm a dreamer in a landlocked state
Stuck to the ground doing things I hate
But someday I want to fly
Up, up and away in the boundless sky

0 comments:

english,

Literary: Oh No... I'm Falling

9/25/2018 08:35:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Time to take flight.
It feels so right!
Nothing in sight.
Just my instinctive might.

Oh, what a day!
To feel the sun's ray.
Atop the hills, I lay.
With so many to say.

Flowers near in a clump.
Berries I eat are plump.
My energy is now pumped.
Now... time to jump!

But wait...

Here above I stand.
There below is land.
Courage please be in my hand
For I am about to run…
Towards the sky’s far strand.

Whoosh...

And now I fall,
like a tiny little spall,
from a cliff standing tall.
Uttering, no squall.
With no regrets at all!

But, soon as I fell.
All was not well.
For I didn't foretell.
My ever-nearing farewell.

Uh oh...

My end was now close.
I felt the wind’s strong blows.
To think I could dose,
My end with grandiose.

Oh no...

My eyes are closed shut.
Ha!… Aren't I in a rut
What a sad plot.
To my life’s short cut.

Then…
I suddenly stopped.

I felt the wind no more.
'Cause I stopped right before,
I hit the ground floor.
And death, I've outscored!

As I looked around,
I saw myself, floating above ground
Time's hands, not turning 'round.
This feeling – dumbfound,
that I had magic abound?

I tried to move freely
In the space’s air so breezy.
And tried to satisfy my curiosity.
From my floating state of actuality.

Then... it hit me.

A bird right at my head.
“Ouch,” I said.
After, of course, it bled.
Darn, this bird is such an airhead.

After which the bird flew away.
Along the blue coral bay,
As if it were astray.

Wait?!?

Did the bird have something to say?

As my gears kept turning.
With my mind, thinking.
I couldn't help realizing.
Did the bird mean, “flying”?

So I tried moving.
Arms and legs constantly flapping.
Like the bird, who was soaring.
Into the sky never-ending.

I slowly rose higher and higher.
Into the sky which I admire.
And louder came the sound of the angelic choir.
Accompanied by the trumpet, drum, and lyre.

Wow!

Everything felt surreal.
With the cloud's whisp so genteel.
Being pulled up by a reel
Near the sun's strong feel.

At last, here I was...

But suddenly
I woke up.

And entered my eyes, the gleam.
What? T'was all just a dream.
So real it seemed.

I was sad yet I still smiled.
For I was still beguiled.
By the fact, all was not real.
However still,

I had the courage to jump.
And afterwards like the bird...

I got to fly.

0 comments:

astraea,

Literary: Anchor to your Flight

9/25/2018 08:33:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Are you certain my little bird?
Your reasons I'd rather leave unheard
Leaving me — is it your real intention?
Would you stay if I send my contention?

My beloved bird, look around this haven
Which served as repose from your anguish back then
Recall all the moments we spent here together
Won't you regret forsaking these altogether?

Halt! Stay! You should not yet depart
Oh what grief you bring my feeble heart!
It was I who relieved the perils you withstood
Is this truly the attitude you pay me as gratitude?

Though I know it’s selfish to anchor you here
To my pleas, I try not to let conscience interfere
Though ill, I wish you the worst of luck, like one
That will break your wings to a state good as gone

Now here comes the night and its speckled stars
Entrancing as the first time they lured you from afar
You'll soon careen to them with all fervor and fire
How selfish of you to consider only your desire!

Out there are dangers you can't even imagine
The blanket of darkness shall cover you in
From the biting breeze of the cold grim night
I can't save you for you're far out of my sight

Once again, I ask you, my precious bird
Have my warnings made your will deterred?
Aha! Now there's hesitation in your eyes
Good lord, please let that doubt arise!

Alas, your mind is set and my voice is hoarse
Oh dear, you’ll leave me forever in remorse
I feel the wind stir as your wings start to flutter
It is a pain to watch you flying far away... farther... farther and farther...

0 comments:

chord,

Literary: Departure

9/25/2018 08:30:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




When the stars align or fade from sight
I’ll be the day, you’ll be the night
These texts at night, you’ll get during the day
A thousand miles, in a faraway place

In this place, I’ll not be beside you,
When I am asleep, you’ll be up and about
While I stand here awake, you lay there asleep
As I wait for your texts and reply to missed calls

With a flight an hour away
I wish I could bring you, or maybe just stay
Not the place of my future, but the place I call home
When we’re pushed far by distance, I’m just a phone away

But maybe one day, I’ll come home and see the light
Where your days are my days, and your nights are my nights
A meeting in person, we’ll eventually find
Just not today or tomorrow or the week after that

With my time in the future and yours in the past
Just never forget I’m with you, and that’s that
And the time will come, it’s just mine’s running out
When I have to leave, as it’s time for my flight

0 comments:

filipino,

Literary: Trabaho

9/25/2018 08:27:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




“Ma! Bili mo ‘ko ‘non! Ang ganda!”
Pagmamakaawa ng bata sa kanyang ina
“Pasensya na anak, sa susunod na lang,”
Malungkot na sagot sa kanya

Matapos ang walong buwan, uulitin na naman
Ng bata ang pagpipilit sa isang laruan
Na kahit gaano maghirap ang kanyang ina sa trabaho
Hindi pa rin niya kayang anak ay pagbigyan

“Ma, ‘wag ka munang umalis!”

Sigaw ng batang maliit
Nagmamakaawang ang ina ay manatili pa nang saglit
Bago lumisan at magtrabaho muli
Kung saan ang ina’y babalik sa pagtatahi

“Sige, Ma, ingat ka ha! Mahal na mahal kita!”
Sigaw ng batang tanggap na
Ang bawat pag-alis ng kanyang ina
Umiiyak at naghahanda sa darating na pag-iisa

Matapos ang pitong buwan
Tuwang-tuwa ang bata sa paglapit ng kagustuhan
Na ang ina’y makasama sa hapagkainan,
Kasabay sa pagkain at sa kwentuhan

Ganito ako noon, noong bata pa ako
Pinuno ng aking ina ang utak ko ng mga pangako
Araw-araw akong nag-aalala sa kanyang pwesto
Inaabangan ang liham na nagsasabing “Uuwi na’ko,”

Ngunit hindi na iyon dumating

Ang eroplano, hindi na nakababa

0 comments:

edgewright,

Literary: Tres-Setenta

9/25/2018 08:23:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Dala-dala ang aking mga maleta
Pati ang mga pasalubong at mga ihinandang surpresa
Ako ay muling babalik sa aking bansa
Matapos ang matagal na panahon, makikita ko na muli ang aking pamilya

Ilang oras ng paghihintay ang lumipas
Nang sa wakas ay narinig ko ang anunsyo, hudyat ng aking pagluwas
Sa aking pagkasabik at tuwa ako’y agad na kumilos at kumaripas
Papunta sa eroplanong magdadala sa’kin tungo sa magandang bukas

Sa pag-senyas ng piloto
Ako’y naghandang lumipad kasama ang dalawang daan at dalawampu’t anim na pasahero
Di’ nagtagal, nasa ere na ang aking sinasakyang eroplano
Ako’y sumilip sa bintana upang makita lamang ang mga tala na natatakpan ng langit na maabo

Mahimbing ang aking tulog nang mabulabog ng mga sigawan
Mga taong nagkukumahog sa hindi malamang dahilan
Sinubukan kong magtanong ngunit di’ ko sila maintindihan
Pero bakas sa mata nila, na malapit na ang kanilang katapusan

Ako’y nagdasal at nanalangin
Makikita ko pa kaya ang pamilyang naghihintay sa akin?
Hindi ko alam ang aking gagawin at iisipin
Ito lang aking huling masasabi, bago kami tuluyang mawala at maglaho sa hangin

0 comments:

atticous,

Literary: Travel

9/25/2018 08:21:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Dear C,

Travel was the reason why we became the best of friends. Travel was also how we were able to find your mom who you haven’t seen in years. Also, travel made us turn a new chapter of our lives.

I remember those good'ol days when we were in ninth grade - we used to tease our classmates who dressed up like tourists from an unknown, exotic island, talk about the stuffed-with-clothes-and-toys duty free bags your mama gave nine years ago, and compare our vice principal to that pilot whom we see on a typical, no-delay American flight. You had big dreams of flying around the world with the intention of visiting different cities and countries, and of course, reuniting with your mom.

At first, I wasn't convinced - I thought it was a crazy idea that we travel since we were just minors way back then and I was so scared of traveling because I thought that we would end up becoming Icarus submerged in the pandemonium of the Pacific Ocean. I even expressed my skepticism of you seeing mama Vivencia again, to the point of hurting your feelings and almost ending our friendship. That was because I didn't see the purpose of travel - I didn't appreciate the importance of meeting people and sacrificing one's self just to work in a foreign land and meet the needs of his or her family.

It took you a while to persuade me - we had heart-to-heart talks and even fights; I even remember you accusing me of being a xenophobe, a demon angel, a gringo, or whatever... well of course, I'm not! Then you did whatever you could think of - you enthused me about those Lufthansa plane models - lil' Boeing, big Airbus, and other names I couldn't remember... meh, how boring. You told me about those must-go places of travelers - the Great Wall, the Petronas Towers, Empire State Building and other high places... no, I'm acrophobic! You were so desperate then, weren't you?

But you finally succeeded in this attempt. You asked me, how would you feel if your mother flies to another country and leaves you for good? You also told me similar stories - those Mexicans who risk their lives on flying like birds above the border to free themselves from the cage of poverty. And those trapped-in-Syria refugees who endanger themselves just to fly and immigrate to a place where they feel respected and valued as human beings. Sigh, I felt dejected - even up to now, when I remember what you said, I still snivel. I realized that my whimsical fears and doubts of heights, people, and travel in general, were nothing compared to the burdens of your mother and those people around the world who fly in order to seek refuge and be happy.

With that, I approved of your plans. I vowed that I would travel with you because I wanted to conquer those fears I have, because I wanted to step on the shoes of those who travel not for themselves but for others, and most of all, because you are my friend. Shortly after, I told my mama and papa about our plans to travel. They, like a god giving power to an angel to spread good tidings, gave their wholehearted assent - well, I was surprised, and voila, they gave us a good sum of money that would cover our flight fare and other places we could possibly venture in the destination we would choose. Then you called me and said you wanted to go to Los Ángeles, or rather, Angel City.

As we checked in at the airport and passed the daunting task of carrying suitcases and filling out several, hard-to-understand forms, we sat on seats A35 and A36 at the business class of our flight bound for Angel City. Throughout that 5-hour flight, we talked about the milkshakes offered by downtown's Hardrock café, the bird plushie souvenirs at Universal Studios, and most importantly, how your mama Vivencia was adjusting to her job as a flight attendant at United Airlines. Despite the sudden turbulences, ear "explosions", and stomachaches we had, we still enjoyed our first flight. And finally, the plane lurched on the runway - buuuu... Angel City, this is it!

As soon as we passed the immigration check and retrieved our luggage, we saw mama Vivencia’s sister. Whoa, we didn’t even expect her to be there. She looked crestfallen – she seemed as if she lost in the casino, but it was more than that. She told us that she did not get any text from her sibling for days, which was something that mama Vivencia would never do, right? Our hopes of going to downtown to taste those milkshakes and to Universal Studios to buy that pelican-like toy… were put to waste. But that doesn’t matter because we had a more urgent mission to do: to find your mama and reunite with her; we are not going to waste time in finding her, for every second counts.

So we went to the dormitory where she would usually rest for interstate flights, only to find out that the receptionist told she had not stayed there for weeks. Mama Vivencia’s sister then thought of going to the United Airlines office in Pasadena, so we dared to ask the staff there of any idea where she was. They also did not know where she was. We then resorted to going to her friends’ houses in Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and other distant neighborhoods around Angel City just to ask the same question. They also gave the same uncertain reaction. We frustratedly did those for three days straight; mama Vivencia’s sister now told us that she had to go back to Fresno, for she missed her work just to help us find her.

You wept as soon as mama Vivencia’s sister dropped us in front of your penthouse in Alhambra. Just like Daedalus when he heard that his pseudo-angel son fell. As I stayed on the balcony, I began to lose hope, think that our travel to Angel City was useless, and imagine flying back to New York. Throughout that night, we did not sleep We kept on thinking what might have happened to her. Did the plane where she was on crash to the sea? Did she trip over the cart containing those flight meals and collapse? Did she leave Angel City for good and forget about you, C? It was not until we heard a sound from the door, a sound so odd that whoever knocked might be a cop arresting someone for allegedly spreading mayhem around Angel City.

"Mama!" you cried, racing to the door as if you were an angel rushing to help after seeing that her wings were injured.

"Where have you been, C! Oh, I miss you so much, and who's that 12-year old, quiet niño over there?"

"Mama, that's Q. My best friend who travelled with me all the way to Alhambra just to help me find you," you replied, wanting to say more about me but too speechless upon mama Vivencia's unexpected arrival.

Then she hugged me, both impulsively and affectionately, as if she was my real mother, caressing and consoling me with my problems. "Mijo, I have to extend my gracias upon you and your familia, without you C wouldn't have seen me. I actually planned to travel to New York just to see him, pero I couldn't porque I had a lot of flights I had to attend... qué pena, I wasn't able to do so. From now own, I'll devote more time to C because I missed him mucho, in fact, I'm thinking of resigning from my job as a flight attendant,” she said. Her Mexican accent was so heavy that I wondered whether she really was your mom, or instead a Chicana who flew over the border and carried her language wherever she went.

"Mama, are you serious? What about our home, my schooling, Q..."

"No te preocupes, C, I'll start my new career as a teacher. I actually wanted to teach kids before, I was just obsessed with earning lots of money that I forgot what I really want. We'll leave a la mañana, travel back to New York together with Q, where we can start a new life... and for la casa, I shall be calling my sister and tell her to stay acá until we go back to Los Ángeles for a vacation." she said, with a determined smile on her face.

We were too speechless to say no to your mama. Well, she was right - we could start a new life when we go back and strengthen our bonds more. You asked me if I wanted to go back, well why not?

"We'll travel by car, not by plane, that means a road trip through a lot of states, millions of twists and turns on the expressway, and we'll be seeing..."

"So, we won't be flying anymore?"

"Yeah, but you may wanna say we're flying to a new life, are we not? Like angels flying on a new heaven, or paradise." She tried to speak in straight English and told herself that she was no longer working a job that required her to speak in Spanish for the sake some travelers... after all, we only know un poquito of Spanish, right, C?

The next day, we packed our suitcases, cancelled our flight bound for New York, and travelled back to that city by car. We might not have flown and gone to the other places where we wanted to at Angel City, but we came to think that this travel was actually a life-changing one, where we proved that we would be best friends no matter what, we would be seeing mama Vivencia again, and we would be flying to our next chapter in life.

Wish we could travel again soon.

Your bestie,
Q.

0 comments:

coruscate,

Literary: A Fleeting Feeling

9/25/2018 08:17:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




The moment we met
Everything went full circle for me
We were connected
And I saw the smile on your face

Wherever you went
I always followed
It was our bond together
That put the smile on my face

But for some reason
You let go of me
I didn't understand
And neither did you

You tried to chase me
But we were too far apart
It was when we were separated
That I saw the tears in your eyes

After what happened
I didn't know anymore
Why couldn't we go back
To the way we used to be

Slowly drifting away from each other
Nothing went full circle for me
I became lost instead
Unable to get a hold of myself

As the world took us to different horizons
Never did I find again our missing link
I tried to see if it was still possible
To the point where I couldn't take it anymore

Soon the colors left my life
Realizing we could never meet once more
So I looked up to the skies and gave in
I finally popped

A balloon’s life is never easy

0 comments:

filipino,

Literary: Mama

9/25/2018 08:14:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




“Ma, paano ‘yan?”

Palagi kong iniisip, paano kaya nagagawa ni mama lahat. Magluto sa umaga, alagaan kaming magkakapatid, maglinis, magtrabaho, lahat yata nagagawa niya. Hindi ko pa naririnig mula sa kanya ang mga salitang, “Anak, hindi ko kaya e.”

“Halika, tuturuan kita kung paano,” aya sa akin ni mama.

Isa, dalawa, tatlo. Bagsak!

Hindi ko kaya ang mga ginagawa niya, hanggang tatlo lang ako, hindi na ako umabante pero bago pa ako mahulog sa sahig nakaabang na agad ang mga kamay niya para saluhin ako. Sa bawat pagkadapa ko, umiiyak ako, ang hirap pero niyayakap niya lang ako at sinasabing, “Anak, ayos lang mahirapan basta ‘wag susuko.”

Bawat hakbang ay nakaalalay siya. Palagi niyang pinapaalala na lagyan ko lamang ng balanse ang bawat galaw ko. Hindi pwedeng magmadali at hindi rin pwedeng masyadong mabagal.

“Ma, nakakayanan ko nang mag-isa!”

Halos maiyak na siya sa tuwa nang makita niyang nakakatayo na ako sa aking sariling mga paa. Mula pre-school, elementarya, hayskul at ngayo’y malapit na magtapos, nandoon si mama. Sa bawat pagtatanghal na ginagawa namin, tuwing powerdance at buwan ng wika, nakahanda lagi siyang panoorin ako, pumapalakpak at proud na proud sa akin. Sobrang saya ko.

Hanggang isang araw may tumawag sa akin. Umuwi na raw agad ako at ‘wag nang dumalo sa ensayo. Nasa ospital daw si Mama at gusto niya akong makita. Dali-dali akong pumunta sa ospital at doon nakita ko siya. Hinang-hina na siya pero nang makita niya ako, sumilay ang napakaganda niyang ngiti. Alam naming dalawa na ito na ang mga huling sandali pero ayaw ko itong paniwalaan.

“Anak, nakakatayo ka na sa iyong mga paa, naaalala mo pa ba noong mga panahong kailangan mo ng saklay at wheelchair? Palagi kang nagpapaturo sa akin kung paano maglakad kasi sabi mo gusto mo tumakbo sa kalsada tulad ng ibang mga bata, ngayon gamitin mo ang iyong pakpak para lumipad at maabot ang mga pangarap mo. Mahal na mahal ka ni mama.”

Biglang nag-flat ang heart rate ni mama at nagkagulo ang lahat, sunod-sunod ang pasok ng mga doktor at nurse, pilit nilang binubuhay si mama pero hindi na nila nagawa.

Parang may sumabog sa loob ng dibdib ko.

Ma, salamat sa pagsilbing mga paa ko noong mga panahong hindi ko kayang maglakad, salamat sa tiyaga mong turuan ako kung paano ibuka ang aking mga pakpak para mabuhat ang sarili ko. Salamat, mahal na mahal din kita, ma.

0 comments:

english,

Literary: Lighter than Air

9/25/2018 08:12:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




The travel isn’t the most immediate option,
Could’ve bought train tickets or passports.
This hot air balloon goes slow and up,
Steadily rising into the skies.

The take-off is surreal, as we float up
Weightless and with no direction.
Everything is serene and calming.
The gentle wind guides us to wherever.

Thousands of feet in the air, I look over the edge
“The people look like ants, the cars look like toys.”
You call me childish again, and I remind you
We’re both in a basket, carried by a balloon.

Seeing far and wide, the world looks bigger,
The outlines of the cities and the tall trees.
Our hands connect as it’s now clear to see
Our problems now seem like the smallest things.

0 comments:

12345,

Literary: Neverland

9/25/2018 08:09:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Sprinkle the pixie dust!
Be my Peter Pan who soars through the sky.
If I say I believe, can I be your Wendy?
I swear, together we can fly and see many sights!

So hold my hand and let’s take flight.
We can walk the sky and find what we are and what we could be.
Together, you and me, way up there and free.
Know that we’re more than humans who stroll the ground,

For our purpose, fine if it can’t be found.
To the clouds, fly me.
Take me to Neverland,
With the Lost Boys, we will be.

Let us play our hearts out,
for here we never age.
We can fight Captain Hook!
You know how fast he will be in a cage!

Would you leap with me through all these possibilities?
Let’s leave all our troubles and take flight as Peter and Wendy.
Be in our happiest and fly past our realities.
Would you take flight and go on an adventure with me…

Even if it’s just imaginary?

0 comments:

english,

Literary: Free, at Last

9/25/2018 08:07:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Wind,
Moving faster and faster.

Ground,
Further and further away.

Your past,
All behind you.

Fading, fading, ever so slowly.

Free, at last, from the binds of the earth.
Me, at last.

With and of the skies.

0 comments:

english,

Literary: Cloud Nine

9/25/2018 08:05:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




In soft gentle clouds and angels' chorus
I dwell right beneath the stars in the sky
With sweet windy whispers and soft beaming light
I dance among the feathers without fear of heights
For the height scares not my innermost instincts
But the freedom and new sensations I feel
Instead of sweet butterflies flying inside me
I’m the one fluttering and gliding through air

With worlds painted honey and caramel too
I gaze at the moon and the sun intertwined
Lighter than air, I stroll with the wind
Calmly, I fly with caution and care

Wrapped in the soft embrace of clouds and sunlight
Lullabies sung by heralds and stars
Moon gazing into my ecstatic, curious eyes
Birds flying freely in heavenly light

Right between night time, and glittering sunshine
I wander throughout the strange skies of this world
Above stable grounds, a joy I never knew
Knowing I'm here on cloud nine with you

0 comments:

english,

Literary: Taking Flight

9/25/2018 08:00:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Come on, little one
Don’t be afraid, don’t be shy
Take a step towards the sun
You will lose nothing if you try

Get up, get out there
Spread those wings and fly
Go forth, go places, go somewhere
Never hold back, just abide

For if you try to cower and hide
You’ll lose more than you’ll ever know
So, just go with the flow of life
And you’ll bloom and grow

So, don’t be afraid, little one
Go out and give it your best shot
Go with the wind, be gone
Because you have your own story to write

0 comments:

sports,

Sports: UPIS Table Tennis Team, sumabak sa 31st Milo Little Olympics

9/25/2018 07:55:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments


PANGMALAKASAN. Nakamit ng UPIS Table Tennis Girls’ Team ang 1st runner-up place sa 31st Milo Little Olympics noong nakaraang Agosto 25-26. Photo Credit: UPIS Junior Paddlers

Lumaban ang University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Table Tennis Team sa 31st Milo Little Olympics na nilahukan ng mga estudyanteng edad 17 under ng National Capital Region noong nakaraang Agosto 25 at 26 sa Marist School of Marikina.

Matagumpay na napataob ng Girls’ Team sa round robin elimination ang mga koponan mula sa Clairemont Academy, La Naval Academy of Navotas, at St. Joseph College of Novaliches, Inc. Sa semi-finals, napabagsak nila ang mga manlalaro ng UST Angelicum College, Inc. Sa huli, nasungkit nila ang silver medal sa finals matapos kalabanin ang Niño Jesus House of Studies, Inc.

Sa kabilang banda, hindi pinalad ang Boys’ Team na makapag-uwi ng medalya matapos harapin sa eliminations ang koponan ng Sta. Elena High School at Marikina Science High School.

Natuwa si Ashley Turqueza, Girls’ Team captain, sa ipinakita ng kaniyang mga kasama. “Maganda ang [naging laro] ng aming team noong Milo competition. Makikitang nag-improve ang bawat isa sa amin.”

Wika naman ni Jazper Pacis ng Boys’ Team, “Satisfied kami sa naging resulta dahil kahit natalo man o nanalo ay pinakita namin na kami ang ‘Fighting Maroons’ sa lahat ng laban namin.”

Nais nilang pagbutihin pa ang tiwala sa bawat miyembro ng kanilang koponan, dahil para sa kanilang team events, napakalaking bagay na magkaroon ng kumpiyansa sa isa’t isa upang makamit ang ninanais na panalo.

Sunod na sumabak ang Junior Paddlers sa University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 na ginanap nitong Setyembre 22 at 23 sa University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics (UP CHK) Gym.//ni Yanna Reblando

0 comments:

craig aquino,

Opinion: School rules?

9/25/2018 07:52:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments


Photo Credit: Marco Sulla


As students of the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS), we are bound by its Rules and Regulations on Student Conduct and Discipline. We must obey them, lest punishment befall us.

The homeroom advisers orientation held at the start of this academic year brought to light several issues with these rules.

For one, the rules are outdated. The current version of the Rules and Regulations on Student Conduct and Discipline had its last major revision 14 years ago, in 2004.

Rule 3b is clear evidence of this. It prohibits the use of ‘instruments or equipment not needed during class hours like cassette recorders, walkman, radio, etc.’ When was the last time you saw a cassette or walkman in use in this generation?

While this outdatedness does not necessarily invalidate the rules and regulations, it begs the question: what other artefacts of time have been overlooked? The answer to this question is significant as rules are a reflection of society in which they are enforced. What was inappropriate then may not be inappropriate now.

Take, for example, the haircut regulations. Boys are required to keep their hair above the eyebrows at the front, neatly cropped at the sides, and neatly tapered towards the hairline at the back. The hair must also not reach the back of the collar.

Girls, meanwhile, have the freedom to keep their hair at any length as long as it is brushed away from their face.

Why are these regulations in place? Most proponents would argue that it is for discipline and neatness. These reasons, of course, are balderdash.

Rules can and have been placed to instill discipline in people. In fact, the example of prescribed haircuts have precedent in such societies as martial law Philippines, and current dictatorship North Korea. Less sinisterly, armed forces such as the military also impose haircut regulations.

What these cases have in common is that the rules were placed in order to strengthen an already existing hierarchy, and to promote subservience and obedience.

‘But it’s not just to discipline students! It’s also to make sure they look neat and presentable!’ some may argue. Why then the distinction between males and females?

There is a pervasive belief that boys with long hair are unkempt and unclean, regardless of how combed or fixed their hair is. Why is this so, other than the fact that some people in the past believed it to be true? If hair can only be neat short, why are girls allowed to have long hair? It is, at the very least, discriminatory for this distinction to exist, as it is arbitrary and not rooted in fact.

Another issue brought up was that some rules were unclear or vague. This includes the definitions of terms and implementation guidelines. If teachers themselves are confused about what rules to implement and how to implement them, how much more will the students be able to obey them?

Take the prohibition against deadly weapons; deadly weapons are defined as ‘any physical object that may be used to inflict harm or injury to others, including but not limited to firearms, explosive, knives, bladed objects, blunt instruments, and others.’

It is clear why deadly weapons should be prohibited: they are meant to cause harm, and to cause harm only, which means their presence threatens the safety of people in the school. However, the way the rulebook defines ‘deadly weapons’ leaves the term so open to interpretation that a water jug or fork could be considered a deadly weapon.

While it can be easily argued that it is common sense what a deadly weapon is, this could be used to punish students unfairly. Besides that, undefined terms, such as PDA or public display of affection, will lead to subjective and possibly inconsistent implementation.

This acts against the welfare of students which the rules are supposed to protect.

What then is the solution to these issues on school rules? Review and revision.

Whomever, or whatever committee, is assigned to perform this review must be critical in their decisions. They must take into account not only their views, but also the students’ as well. They must ensure that rules are worded precisely so that there is no doubt in the implementation of aforementioned.

Of course, the rules themselves are not the only problem. Implementation also is. Students, for example, are told on for violations that are not even in the rules and regulations. Students with dyed hair, girls with undercuts or polished nails have been called out for rule violations, when in fact they have done nothing against the rules.

Rules are also inconsistently enforced, with some people freely walking about the school without reprimand, while some are told on, to the point where they feel harassed.

However, before we deal with these implementation issues, we must first fix the rules themselves. Students will be encouraged to follow them, and as an effect be instilled with the values of honour and excellence.

Rules are a foundation upon which a society is built. In order to make sure the school stands strong and proud, the foundation must be well-built.//by Craig Aquino and Marlyn Go

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bea jacinto,

Komemorasyon ng Martial Law, isinagawa sa UPIS

9/25/2018 07:48:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments
MULAT. Tutok at masusing nanood ang ilang estudyante at guro ng UPIS sa isinagawang film showing ukol sa Batas Militar. Photo Credit: Marco Sulla 
Nagsagawa ang Social Sciences and Humanities Cluster ng film showing bilang komemorasyon sa mga naging biktima ng Martial Law noong Setyembre 21, 2018 sa ganap na 11:00 ng umaga sa University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) 7-12 Auditorium.

Isa itong pakikiisa sa proklamasyon ni Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (UP) Presidente Danilo Concepcion ng Setyembre 21 bilang UP Day of Remembrance na layong gunitain ang naging papel at sakripisyo ng pamantasan sa pakikibaka laban sa Batas Militar at itaguyod ang mga kalayaang akademiko’t sibil at karapatang pantao.

Nagpalabas sa programa ng serye ng mga dokumentaryo at video tungkol sa mga pangyayari at karanasan ng mga naging biktima ng human rights violations noong rehimeng Marcos. Ilan sa mga ipinakita ay “Horrors of Martial Law,” “Liliosa Hilao, First Detainee Killed During Martial Law,” at “Millenials for Martial Law.”

Nagsilbi itong paalala sa mga estudyante ng UPIS na huwag ibaon sa limot ang parteng ito ng ating kasaysayan.

Bukod dito, bilang partisipasyon ng buong UPIS, binihisan ang tanyag na estatwa na “The Teacher,” o mas kilala na Lorna, ng itim na tela na sumisimbolo sa madilim na nakaraan at pagtutol sa pagrebisa ng kasaysayan. //nina Bea Jacinto at Marco Sulla

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MC2020,

Reach the stars

9/24/2018 08:00:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




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martial law,

UP Day of Remembrance

9/21/2018 08:34:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




0 comments:

MC2020,

Get ready for takeoff

9/20/2018 08:00:00 PM Media Center 1 Comments





1 comments:

filipino,

Literary (Submission): Kung Ang Tinig ko ay Tinig Niyo Rin

9/11/2018 08:59:00 PM Media Center 0 Comments




Nabibingi na ako,
Sa katahimikan.
Kung saan tayo ay mistulang mga pipi
O bulag
Mga walang malay sa kapaligiran,
O walang balak itong aksyunan,
Tila pinagkaitan ng pakialam.

Nabibingi na ako,
Sa mga bulong
Ng aking mga bayani,
Ng aking mga ninuno.
“Ito ba? Ito ba ang bayan kong pinag-alayan ng aking buhay?
Ng aking mga pighati, lungkot, at pagdurusa?”
Di niyo ba naririnig?
Itong mga bulong na nag-uudyok ng pagsasawa?

Nabibingi na ako
Sa mga sigaw!
Sa hiyaw ng aking damdamin!
Sa silakbo ng takot, galit, hinanakit,
Hapis, paghihirap, at kawalang pag-asa!
Kung ang tinig ko ay tinig niyo rin,
Maaari sana tayong dinggin ng Panginoon
Na siguradong nakasalumbaba na tayong pinapanood.

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