MC2021,
Pumunta rito para makakuha ng sarili niyong kopya: https://tinyurl.com/2021Haraya
Kilalanin kami
Pumunta rito para makakuha ng sarili niyong kopya: https://tinyurl.com/2021Haraya
chocobutternut,
Literary (Submission): The Woman
Cleanse.
Exfoliate.
Tone.
Moisturize.
Prime.
Conceal.
Blend.
Brighten.
Highlight.
She bombards her face
With oils and creams and powders
She must be perfect
Under her make-up and over
The woman must be beautiful.
The woman must be perfect.
She paints on a new pair of eyebrows
And sculpts her face with a brush
Corrects her lips with a pencil
Topping it with gloss making it lush
The woman must be beautiful.
The woman must be perfect.
She squeezes herself in Spandex
Puts on high heels
Drinks nothing but water
And takes cotton balls for meals
The woman must be beautiful.
The woman must be perfect.
Long wavy hair down her back
Painted nails on her fingertips
Luscious lashes everytime she blinks
She just makes you smile with those red red lips
The woman must be beautiful.
The woman must be perfect.
The woman retails for $□□.□□
barbara,
Isa akong bente pesos. Ipinanganak ako noong 2010. May pirma ako ng presidente noong panahong iyon, pero hindi ko na mabasa ang pangalan niya ngayon. Lukot-lukot na kasi ako at may ilang sulat pa sa aking mukha.
Noong ako’y unang inilabas, kasama ko pa ang aking mga kapatid. Mula kina MC201974 hanggang sa akin, si MC201994.
Ang una kong alaala ay nang may narinig akong sumigaw ng, “Ninong Emman! Mano po!” at inilabas ako mula sa pitaka.
“Bentong! Ang laki mo na, ah. O, ito, pamasko ko sa ’yo.” Ibinigay ako ni Ninong Emman kay Bentong.
Tuwang-tuwa si Bentong nang matanggap niya ako. Isa kasi akong panibagong disenyo kaya napakaganda ng ngiti niya. Hindi ko na nga kamukha ang aking mga lolo’t lola, ibang-iba na ako sa kanila.
Maingat akong itinupi ni Bentong at itinago sa kaniyang bagong Spiderman wallet. Bagama’t mag-isa lang ako roon, masaya ako dahil napasaya ko si Bentong.
“O, binigyan ka ni Ninong Emman mo ng aginaldo. Baon mo na ‘yan sa pasukan, ha,” narinig ko mula sa loob ng wallet habang isinasara ito ni Bentong.
“Ha? Hindi mo na ‘ko bibigyan?” malungkot niyang sinabi. Tumawa lang si Ninong Bentong. At isinara na niya ang wallet.
Natatandaan ko pa noon nang ipagmalaki ako ni Bentong sa kaniyang mga kamag-aral. Napakalutong ko pa noon at bago ang mukha. Manghang-mangha ang mga bata sa akin at habang ako ay iwinawagayway ni Bentong, bigla akong napangiti. Ito pala ang ibig sabihin ng may napapasaya kang iba.
Nagkawalay kami ni Bentong noong bigla siyang magutom. “Ano ba ‘yan. Magagastos ko na ang bente ko,” sabi niya. Ipinambili niya ako ng isang pakete ng biskuwit, isang bote ng softdrinks, at ang sukli ay mamisong tsitsirya. Kahit na nagkawalay kami, naiwan ko namang masaya si Bentong.
Nakaalis lang ako uli sa tindahan ni Aling Vicky noong ipansukli niya ako sa isang babae. Ilang linggo rin kasi ako sa loob ng kaniyang kaha de plastik, binibilang niya araw-araw, kasama ng mga iba pang bente. “Hay nako, ‘Day. Nagpabarya ka lang ‘ata, e. Shampoo lang pala ang bibilhin mo, isandaan ang pera mo,” sabi niya sa bumibili.
“Pasensya na, Aling Vicky. Pamasahe ko rin kasi ‘to papasok,” sagot ng babae. At di kalaunan ay pinagpasa-pasahan ako sa loob ng dyip. Naiwan naman ako sa kahong lalagyan sa harap ng drayber.
Sa loob ng ilang taon, papalit-palit ako ng sisidlan, palipat-lipat ng may-ari. Naranasan kong masulatan ng cell phone number noong magpa-load si Kuya Junjun. Ginawa akong eroplano ni Markus. Ipinambili ako ng ulam ni Linda. Ipinangyosi ako ni Jhenna. Hindi na ako naalis sa mausok, maingay, at magulong bayan. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pangalan ng lugar pero alam ko, nakasulat iyon sa akin. Hindi ko naman binasa dati, iba kasi ang iniintindi ko. Ngayon, hindi ko na maaninag ang nakasulat.
Isang araw, may nakasama ako sa isang itim na pitaka. Si LH719199. Kulay asul siya. Malutong at walang bahid ng tupi.
“Magandang araw po,” sabi ko. Mukha kasi siyang galanteng pera.
“Magandang araw din,” tugon niya. Palakaibigan naman pala.
Ilang araw din ang inilagi namin sa pitakang iyon. Kinuwentuhan niya ako ng kaniyang naging buhay. Kalakhan pala nito ay nasa isa siyang metal na lalagyan. Hindi katulad ng kaha de yerong puro kalawang ni Aling Bebs sa karinderya. Malaki ang kaniya, kasama ang kaniyang mga kapwa asul. Isang libo pala ang tawag sa kanila. Itinanong ko kung kilala niya sina Junjun, Linda, o Jhenna. Sabi niya, hindi. Pero nakilala na niya si Mr. Harry, si Ms. Margaux, at si His Excellency. Hindi ko kilala ang mga ‘yun. Hindi na lang ako nagsalita kasi parang nakakahiya.
Pagkaraan ng ilang araw ay inilabas na siya. “Nurse, ito lang po ang kaya naming i-down payment para ay Anna, ‘yung may dengue sa ER,” sabi ng naglabas sa kaniya. Naaninag kong may hawak ding ibang pera si Ate Lita, ang may-ari ng pitaka, pero siya lang ang asul. Isinara na niya ang pitaka bago pa ako makarinig ng kahit ano.
Sa pagdaan ng panahon, parami nang parami ang aking nakakasama, lalo na kapag ako ay inaabot sa iba. Medyo masaya at marami akong kausap at nakakasalamuha. Pero nakalulungkot lang na hindi ko na ulit nakita si LH719199. Sana ay okey lang siya.
Ngayon, ako ay nasa dyip ulit. Nasa loob ng kahang kahoy. Iniabot na ako ni Manong Drayber sa nagbayad ng singkuwenta.
“Delia, kumusta na nga pala ang anak mo?” tanong ng nag-abot sa akin.
“Ah, si Bentong? Ayos naman. ‘Ayun, awa ng Diyos, huling taon na niya ng hayskul,” sagot ng pinag-abutan. Isinaksak niya ako sa kaniyang coin purse at saka ito isinara.
Si Bentong! Pakolehiyo na! Nako, ang bilis nga naman ng panahon.
Sabik na sabik ako na muling makatagpo si Bentong. Ang tagal na nu’ng huli kaming magkita. Sana naaalala pa niya ako kahit may ilan nang punit ang aking gilid.
Hindi ako mapakali sa loob ng pitaka. Nakakadismaya lang na wala akong marinig mula sa loob. Pero hindi nagtagal ay inilabas ako muli ni Aling Delia. Sinabi niya, “Ito na lang ang pera ako. Pasensya na, anak.” Inabot na niya ako kay Bentong! Sana matuwa siya ulit!
“Bente? Ma naman, ano’ng mabibili ko dito?” dismayadong sagot niya. “Alam n’yo namang nagtaas na ulit ‘yung pamasahe sa dyip, e. Baka nga hindi pa ako makauwi sa lagay na ‘to. At saka ubos na rin ang pera ko pangkain. Nagtaas na naman kasi sa canteen.”
“Pasensya na, anak. Kulang na rin kasi ang pambayad natin sa kuryente, e. Kaya tipid-tipid tayo.” Napabuntonghininga si Bentong. Hindi yata siya masayang makita ako. Hindi na yata ako sapat.
Tiningnan ni Bentong ang kaniyang nanay. Binusisi ni Aling Delia ang kaniyang pitaka, wari’y nagbabakasakaling may maidadagdag sa kaniyang ibinigay. “Anak, may katorse pa dito sa pitaka ko, kunin mo na,” sabi niya sabay abot ng barya.
Pinigilan ni Bentong ang kamay ng kaniyang nanay. “’Wag na, Ma. Gagawan ko na lang po ng paraan.”
Pumasok siya sa kaniyang kuwarto at naupo sa kama. Tinitigan niya ako. Hindi ko mailarawan ang kaniyang mukha. Para siyang maiiyak, parang sisigaw. Bagama’t hindi niya ako nilukot, para siyang galit. May hinugot siya mula sa ilalim ng kaniyang kama, isang lata. Itinupi niya ako nang tatlong beses at saka isinilid dito. Naramdaman kong itinulak niya ito pabalik. Dahil may awang pa rin ang ibabaw ng lata, narinig ko ang kaniyang sinabi: “Kahit wala munang kain.”
Nagtaka ako. Ayaw na niyang kumain? Di ba paborito niya ‘yung biskuwit? At saka softdrinks? At saka mamisong tsitsirya?
“Aba, iba ang sinabi niya ngayon, ah,” wika ng aking katabing kapwa bente. Nakatupi rin siya at malumanay ang kaniyang boses.
“Bakit, ano ba ang palagi niyang sinasabi?” tanong ko. Nais ko rin kasing malaman kung bakit tila dismayado siyang makita ako.
“‘Magka-college ako,’” sabay-sabay na sabi ng mga bente na nakasalansan sa loob ng lata.
Literary (Submission): MC201994
Isa akong bente pesos. Ipinanganak ako noong 2010. May pirma ako ng presidente noong panahong iyon, pero hindi ko na mabasa ang pangalan niya ngayon. Lukot-lukot na kasi ako at may ilang sulat pa sa aking mukha.
Noong ako’y unang inilabas, kasama ko pa ang aking mga kapatid. Mula kina MC201974 hanggang sa akin, si MC201994.
Ang una kong alaala ay nang may narinig akong sumigaw ng, “Ninong Emman! Mano po!” at inilabas ako mula sa pitaka.
“Bentong! Ang laki mo na, ah. O, ito, pamasko ko sa ’yo.” Ibinigay ako ni Ninong Emman kay Bentong.
Tuwang-tuwa si Bentong nang matanggap niya ako. Isa kasi akong panibagong disenyo kaya napakaganda ng ngiti niya. Hindi ko na nga kamukha ang aking mga lolo’t lola, ibang-iba na ako sa kanila.
Maingat akong itinupi ni Bentong at itinago sa kaniyang bagong Spiderman wallet. Bagama’t mag-isa lang ako roon, masaya ako dahil napasaya ko si Bentong.
“O, binigyan ka ni Ninong Emman mo ng aginaldo. Baon mo na ‘yan sa pasukan, ha,” narinig ko mula sa loob ng wallet habang isinasara ito ni Bentong.
“Ha? Hindi mo na ‘ko bibigyan?” malungkot niyang sinabi. Tumawa lang si Ninong Bentong. At isinara na niya ang wallet.
Natatandaan ko pa noon nang ipagmalaki ako ni Bentong sa kaniyang mga kamag-aral. Napakalutong ko pa noon at bago ang mukha. Manghang-mangha ang mga bata sa akin at habang ako ay iwinawagayway ni Bentong, bigla akong napangiti. Ito pala ang ibig sabihin ng may napapasaya kang iba.
Nagkawalay kami ni Bentong noong bigla siyang magutom. “Ano ba ‘yan. Magagastos ko na ang bente ko,” sabi niya. Ipinambili niya ako ng isang pakete ng biskuwit, isang bote ng softdrinks, at ang sukli ay mamisong tsitsirya. Kahit na nagkawalay kami, naiwan ko namang masaya si Bentong.
Nakaalis lang ako uli sa tindahan ni Aling Vicky noong ipansukli niya ako sa isang babae. Ilang linggo rin kasi ako sa loob ng kaniyang kaha de plastik, binibilang niya araw-araw, kasama ng mga iba pang bente. “Hay nako, ‘Day. Nagpabarya ka lang ‘ata, e. Shampoo lang pala ang bibilhin mo, isandaan ang pera mo,” sabi niya sa bumibili.
“Pasensya na, Aling Vicky. Pamasahe ko rin kasi ‘to papasok,” sagot ng babae. At di kalaunan ay pinagpasa-pasahan ako sa loob ng dyip. Naiwan naman ako sa kahong lalagyan sa harap ng drayber.
Sa loob ng ilang taon, papalit-palit ako ng sisidlan, palipat-lipat ng may-ari. Naranasan kong masulatan ng cell phone number noong magpa-load si Kuya Junjun. Ginawa akong eroplano ni Markus. Ipinambili ako ng ulam ni Linda. Ipinangyosi ako ni Jhenna. Hindi na ako naalis sa mausok, maingay, at magulong bayan. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pangalan ng lugar pero alam ko, nakasulat iyon sa akin. Hindi ko naman binasa dati, iba kasi ang iniintindi ko. Ngayon, hindi ko na maaninag ang nakasulat.
Isang araw, may nakasama ako sa isang itim na pitaka. Si LH719199. Kulay asul siya. Malutong at walang bahid ng tupi.
“Magandang araw po,” sabi ko. Mukha kasi siyang galanteng pera.
“Magandang araw din,” tugon niya. Palakaibigan naman pala.
Ilang araw din ang inilagi namin sa pitakang iyon. Kinuwentuhan niya ako ng kaniyang naging buhay. Kalakhan pala nito ay nasa isa siyang metal na lalagyan. Hindi katulad ng kaha de yerong puro kalawang ni Aling Bebs sa karinderya. Malaki ang kaniya, kasama ang kaniyang mga kapwa asul. Isang libo pala ang tawag sa kanila. Itinanong ko kung kilala niya sina Junjun, Linda, o Jhenna. Sabi niya, hindi. Pero nakilala na niya si Mr. Harry, si Ms. Margaux, at si His Excellency. Hindi ko kilala ang mga ‘yun. Hindi na lang ako nagsalita kasi parang nakakahiya.
Pagkaraan ng ilang araw ay inilabas na siya. “Nurse, ito lang po ang kaya naming i-down payment para ay Anna, ‘yung may dengue sa ER,” sabi ng naglabas sa kaniya. Naaninag kong may hawak ding ibang pera si Ate Lita, ang may-ari ng pitaka, pero siya lang ang asul. Isinara na niya ang pitaka bago pa ako makarinig ng kahit ano.
Sa pagdaan ng panahon, parami nang parami ang aking nakakasama, lalo na kapag ako ay inaabot sa iba. Medyo masaya at marami akong kausap at nakakasalamuha. Pero nakalulungkot lang na hindi ko na ulit nakita si LH719199. Sana ay okey lang siya.
Ngayon, ako ay nasa dyip ulit. Nasa loob ng kahang kahoy. Iniabot na ako ni Manong Drayber sa nagbayad ng singkuwenta.
“Delia, kumusta na nga pala ang anak mo?” tanong ng nag-abot sa akin.
“Ah, si Bentong? Ayos naman. ‘Ayun, awa ng Diyos, huling taon na niya ng hayskul,” sagot ng pinag-abutan. Isinaksak niya ako sa kaniyang coin purse at saka ito isinara.
Si Bentong! Pakolehiyo na! Nako, ang bilis nga naman ng panahon.
Sabik na sabik ako na muling makatagpo si Bentong. Ang tagal na nu’ng huli kaming magkita. Sana naaalala pa niya ako kahit may ilan nang punit ang aking gilid.
Hindi ako mapakali sa loob ng pitaka. Nakakadismaya lang na wala akong marinig mula sa loob. Pero hindi nagtagal ay inilabas ako muli ni Aling Delia. Sinabi niya, “Ito na lang ang pera ako. Pasensya na, anak.” Inabot na niya ako kay Bentong! Sana matuwa siya ulit!
“Bente? Ma naman, ano’ng mabibili ko dito?” dismayadong sagot niya. “Alam n’yo namang nagtaas na ulit ‘yung pamasahe sa dyip, e. Baka nga hindi pa ako makauwi sa lagay na ‘to. At saka ubos na rin ang pera ko pangkain. Nagtaas na naman kasi sa canteen.”
“Pasensya na, anak. Kulang na rin kasi ang pambayad natin sa kuryente, e. Kaya tipid-tipid tayo.” Napabuntonghininga si Bentong. Hindi yata siya masayang makita ako. Hindi na yata ako sapat.
Tiningnan ni Bentong ang kaniyang nanay. Binusisi ni Aling Delia ang kaniyang pitaka, wari’y nagbabakasakaling may maidadagdag sa kaniyang ibinigay. “Anak, may katorse pa dito sa pitaka ko, kunin mo na,” sabi niya sabay abot ng barya.
Pinigilan ni Bentong ang kamay ng kaniyang nanay. “’Wag na, Ma. Gagawan ko na lang po ng paraan.”
Pumasok siya sa kaniyang kuwarto at naupo sa kama. Tinitigan niya ako. Hindi ko mailarawan ang kaniyang mukha. Para siyang maiiyak, parang sisigaw. Bagama’t hindi niya ako nilukot, para siyang galit. May hinugot siya mula sa ilalim ng kaniyang kama, isang lata. Itinupi niya ako nang tatlong beses at saka isinilid dito. Naramdaman kong itinulak niya ito pabalik. Dahil may awang pa rin ang ibabaw ng lata, narinig ko ang kaniyang sinabi: “Kahit wala munang kain.”
Nagtaka ako. Ayaw na niyang kumain? Di ba paborito niya ‘yung biskuwit? At saka softdrinks? At saka mamisong tsitsirya?
“Aba, iba ang sinabi niya ngayon, ah,” wika ng aking katabing kapwa bente. Nakatupi rin siya at malumanay ang kaniyang boses.
“Bakit, ano ba ang palagi niyang sinasabi?” tanong ko. Nais ko rin kasing malaman kung bakit tila dismayado siyang makita ako.
“‘Magka-college ako,’” sabay-sabay na sabi ng mga bente na nakasalansan sa loob ng lata.
english,
Droplets hit the glass window.
The living room basked in the dim late afternoon light.
At the time,
The man then put down his Earl Grey
And read his life
He went from one line to another
Lines that will become his bread and butter
Then he stood up, paced back and forth and talked alone
Glanced at the paper, gestured in the air
The man must become another
To live another day.
The chilly air frosts the window panes.
The streetlights illuminate the living room.
The time has come,
The man now puts down his Jack
And reads his life
He went from one line to another
Lines that are his bread and butter
And bring love notes to his door
Drag him across the red carpet
Follow him at home
Stalk him in the shops
Scream at him on the street
Then he stands up, paces back and forth and stutters
Glances at the papers, the desperate notes on his desk
The photographs, the autographs
The man has become so many, got so many
He has forgotten his reasons
Sunlight will seep through the window awning.
Warm and cozy air will fill the living room.
The time will come
When the man will put down his Earl Grey
And will read his life
He will go from one line to another
To bring another man to life
He will stand up, pace back and forth, and speak
He will gesture in the air as if the other man was real
He will serve as a bridge
Between the other man and the rest who will watch him
He will tell of his story
Show the world what is real
In the face of imagination
Before the window turns mossy,
And the living room is covered in dust,
May the man find himself fulfilled
In the face of the other men he became
Or in the art that he has become.
Literary (Submission): twh.
Droplets hit the glass window.
The living room basked in the dim late afternoon light.
At the time,
The man then put down his Earl Grey
And read his life
He went from one line to another
Lines that will become his bread and butter
Then he stood up, paced back and forth and talked alone
Glanced at the paper, gestured in the air
The man must become another
To live another day.
The chilly air frosts the window panes.
The streetlights illuminate the living room.
The time has come,
The man now puts down his Jack
And reads his life
He went from one line to another
Lines that are his bread and butter
And bring love notes to his door
Drag him across the red carpet
Follow him at home
Stalk him in the shops
Scream at him on the street
Then he stands up, paces back and forth and stutters
Glances at the papers, the desperate notes on his desk
The photographs, the autographs
The man has become so many, got so many
He has forgotten his reasons
Sunlight will seep through the window awning.
Warm and cozy air will fill the living room.
The time will come
When the man will put down his Earl Grey
And will read his life
He will go from one line to another
To bring another man to life
He will stand up, pace back and forth, and speak
He will gesture in the air as if the other man was real
He will serve as a bridge
Between the other man and the rest who will watch him
He will tell of his story
Show the world what is real
In the face of imagination
Before the window turns mossy,
And the living room is covered in dust,
May the man find himself fulfilled
In the face of the other men he became
Or in the art that he has become.
filipino,
"’Uy! Kita tayo mamayang uwian, ha? May kuwento ako sa 'yo," sigaw mo habang tumatakbo na papunta sa klase, suot-suot ang ngiting abot-tainga.
Hay. May kuwento ka na naman. Hindi na ako magugulat kung tungkol na naman 'yan sa simpleng chat niya sa 'yo kagabi pero kilig na kilig ka pa rin. Palagi namang ganoon, wala nang pinagbago.
Magkukuwento ka ng tungkol sa kaniya habang nakikinig lang ako. Nakangiti mo pang inilalahad ang lahat ng pinag-usapan ninyo tapos magkukunwari naman akong masayang nakikinig. Tapos ikukuwento mo ulit na sobrang saya mo kasi matapos ang matagal na pagiging torpe mo, nakakausap mo na siya ngayon.
Hindi pa natatapos ang istorya mo roon. Inisa-isa mo pa kung paano mo siya liligawan. Samantalang ako naman, nagbibigay pa ako ng suggestions kung paano ka manliligaw. Papalakasin ko pa ang loob mo at susuportahan ka sa lahat ng mga gagawin mo. Kahit sa loob ko, durog na durog na ako sa mga ginagawa ko.
Pagkatapos mo, ako naman ang pipilitin mong magkuwento. Itatanong mo pa kung sino ang gusto ko. Wow. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako o ano. Pero, alam mo 'yon? Hindi ko rin alam kung insensitive ka ba o sadyang manhid ka lang talaga. O baka magaling lang talaga ako magtago ng nararamdaman. Ilang beses ko na yatang pinaparamdam sa 'yo na gusto kita pero tingin mo lang talaga sa lahat ng ginagawa ko para sa 'yo ay bilang kaibigan lang. Kapatid. Best friend. Gano’n lang. At hanggang doon na lang yata 'yon.
Okey lang. Masaya ako para sa 'yo.
Masaya ako para sa 'yo kasi masaya ka. Kahit na hindi ako ang dahilan.
Masaya pa rin naman ako kasi na-appreciate mo lahat ng effort ko bilang kaibigan mo at bilang tao. Hinding-hindi mo ako nakakalimutang pasalamatan.
Masaya pa rin naman ako kasi pinagkakatiwalaan mo ako—sa lahat ng bagay. Wala kang itinago na kahit ano sa akin. Kumbaga, lahat ay kinukuwento mo.
Masaya pa rin naman ako kasi palagi ka ring nandyan para sa akin.
Iyon naman ang layunin ng magkaibigan, di ba? Kaya kahit masakit, masaya pa rin ako kasi magkaibigan tayo.
Literary (Submission): Okay Lang
"’Uy! Kita tayo mamayang uwian, ha? May kuwento ako sa 'yo," sigaw mo habang tumatakbo na papunta sa klase, suot-suot ang ngiting abot-tainga.
Hay. May kuwento ka na naman. Hindi na ako magugulat kung tungkol na naman 'yan sa simpleng chat niya sa 'yo kagabi pero kilig na kilig ka pa rin. Palagi namang ganoon, wala nang pinagbago.
Magkukuwento ka ng tungkol sa kaniya habang nakikinig lang ako. Nakangiti mo pang inilalahad ang lahat ng pinag-usapan ninyo tapos magkukunwari naman akong masayang nakikinig. Tapos ikukuwento mo ulit na sobrang saya mo kasi matapos ang matagal na pagiging torpe mo, nakakausap mo na siya ngayon.
Hindi pa natatapos ang istorya mo roon. Inisa-isa mo pa kung paano mo siya liligawan. Samantalang ako naman, nagbibigay pa ako ng suggestions kung paano ka manliligaw. Papalakasin ko pa ang loob mo at susuportahan ka sa lahat ng mga gagawin mo. Kahit sa loob ko, durog na durog na ako sa mga ginagawa ko.
Pagkatapos mo, ako naman ang pipilitin mong magkuwento. Itatanong mo pa kung sino ang gusto ko. Wow. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako o ano. Pero, alam mo 'yon? Hindi ko rin alam kung insensitive ka ba o sadyang manhid ka lang talaga. O baka magaling lang talaga ako magtago ng nararamdaman. Ilang beses ko na yatang pinaparamdam sa 'yo na gusto kita pero tingin mo lang talaga sa lahat ng ginagawa ko para sa 'yo ay bilang kaibigan lang. Kapatid. Best friend. Gano’n lang. At hanggang doon na lang yata 'yon.
Okey lang. Masaya ako para sa 'yo.
Masaya ako para sa 'yo kasi masaya ka. Kahit na hindi ako ang dahilan.
Masaya pa rin naman ako kasi na-appreciate mo lahat ng effort ko bilang kaibigan mo at bilang tao. Hinding-hindi mo ako nakakalimutang pasalamatan.
Masaya pa rin naman ako kasi pinagkakatiwalaan mo ako—sa lahat ng bagay. Wala kang itinago na kahit ano sa akin. Kumbaga, lahat ay kinukuwento mo.
Masaya pa rin naman ako kasi palagi ka ring nandyan para sa akin.
Iyon naman ang layunin ng magkaibigan, di ba? Kaya kahit masakit, masaya pa rin ako kasi magkaibigan tayo.
english,
I made a dress woven from music
Embroidered with scales
Glittered with song
Every fold told history
Mythology in every crease
Epics in every stitch
I made a dress woven from music
And everyone came to hear it sing
Hear the story, listen to the voices
Played with every twirl, every strut
I made a dress woven from music
And so did all who heard it play
Soon all of the universe was singing in chorus
And remains inspired to this day
Literary (Submission): The Dress
I made a dress woven from music
Embroidered with scales
Glittered with song
Every fold told history
Mythology in every crease
Epics in every stitch
I made a dress woven from music
And everyone came to hear it sing
Hear the story, listen to the voices
Played with every twirl, every strut
I made a dress woven from music
And so did all who heard it play
Soon all of the universe was singing in chorus
And remains inspired to this day
english,
My dear,
Do you remember the time we managed to cross the roaring river with our hands intertwined? How we overcame the torrent of stray, violent drops of rain? Or how we trudged the terrain of rocks and avoided the boulders?
Those were difficult yet fulfilling times. We escaped with breaths barely audible and knees scraped to the maximum. But we never did surrender to the persisting call of distress or misery, for we had each other.
And for a moment, I thought with just the two of us, we can get through anything.
But then came even more horrible circumstances. Rain poured until your face wasn’t visible even though you were right there beside me. Your shadow was nothing more than a mere illusion. And our words, no matter how loud we tried, never reached the other.
An adversity led to another, then another and another, and filled both our lives to the brim with regret, doubt and sorrow.
And as every calamity ends, finally the sky became clear and the sun shone. However, when we did weather the storm, we came out defeated beyond repair. And most tragic of all, we came out with our hands and our spirits no longer in an embrace we thought was eternal.
Do not worry, I am not here to put the blame on any one of us. We were shattered, broken, mended, then made whole. We are lucky for we taught and prepared each other for something far better than what we had. So let’s not be disheartened by this seemingly cruel twist of fate.
And when the day comes that you’ll long for me as much as I did, don’t look far. On the other side, I will be smiling at you for we both made it to where we are supposed to be. We know better now…
That there is someone meant for you and the others are just the guides.
Literary (Submission): To the One who Showed the Way
My dear,
Do you remember the time we managed to cross the roaring river with our hands intertwined? How we overcame the torrent of stray, violent drops of rain? Or how we trudged the terrain of rocks and avoided the boulders?
Those were difficult yet fulfilling times. We escaped with breaths barely audible and knees scraped to the maximum. But we never did surrender to the persisting call of distress or misery, for we had each other.
And for a moment, I thought with just the two of us, we can get through anything.
But then came even more horrible circumstances. Rain poured until your face wasn’t visible even though you were right there beside me. Your shadow was nothing more than a mere illusion. And our words, no matter how loud we tried, never reached the other.
An adversity led to another, then another and another, and filled both our lives to the brim with regret, doubt and sorrow.
And as every calamity ends, finally the sky became clear and the sun shone. However, when we did weather the storm, we came out defeated beyond repair. And most tragic of all, we came out with our hands and our spirits no longer in an embrace we thought was eternal.
Do not worry, I am not here to put the blame on any one of us. We were shattered, broken, mended, then made whole. We are lucky for we taught and prepared each other for something far better than what we had. So let’s not be disheartened by this seemingly cruel twist of fate.
And when the day comes that you’ll long for me as much as I did, don’t look far. On the other side, I will be smiling at you for we both made it to where we are supposed to be. We know better now…
That there is someone meant for you and the others are just the guides.
english,
Literary: Miss Adelaide and Her Holy Grail
Part 1: The Curiosity Shop of Miss Adelaide Bell
Part 2: Miss Adelaide Bell and the Nine Circles of Hell
Part 3: The Ethereal Emporium of Mister Augustus Bishop
Part 4: Mister Augustus Bishop and the Flight of Love
Part 5
Adelaide sat on the sidewalk
She grumbled, groaned and sulked
A little girl just told her
She was insane, what an insult
She needed to go back
Because now she also knew of a shop
Looking a lot like hers
So she told herself she needed to get out of there
But she had to figure out how to first
But just as she was about to look
For a place where she could rest and be discreet
Someone else appeared as a vagrant
In the middle of the street
So Adelaide rushed to him
No one else seemed to see how he popped out of thin air
She helped him up and on the sidewalk
Maybe his magic will help her get out of there
“Who are you?” she asked.
“I am Augustus Bishop,” replied the stranger.
She was in shock, this was the new businessman!
The one who supposedly stole her reputation as a trader!
So Adelaide proclaimed to him of her problems
On how she lost everything
And how she needs to get back
Back before he came and she was reduced to nothing
“I hate all of humanity, the cause of my demise
Because of all their sins and transgressions
I’m stuck here in this planet!”
Adelaide said with much aggression.
But Bishop’s face lit up
He found his new meaning
He found a big ball of hate in the form of a woman
And he was going to help her with his every being
“To get back to whence you came
I could teach you how to be redeemed
If sin is what you’re here for,
You need to do good things,” he beamed.
Bishop found a purpose
On his new life on the old planet he lived on
And Adelaide must follow
If she wants to go back to her predestined echelon
To start with how to do good
He taught her the smallest thing:
To show how much she cares,
She needs to start loving her surroundings
Clean up the streets
Start picking up trash
She needs to keep the sidewalks spotless
Even if it wasn’t making cash
She picks up soda cans and crumpled receipts
And every single empty bottle
But for every piece of garbage
Was a silent complaint or a lousy mumble
Bishop lets out a sigh
As she sees her roll her eyes and sulk toward the bin
She wasn’t doing it out of kindness
But rather always expecting something
He asked her how she was feeling
But all she did was grumble and complain
She was clearly unfulfilled
And Bishop watched her claims in disdain
“I’m just a beggar!
I’m the one they should be helping!
How come I’m the one making an effort
When they don’t even appreciate it?
“All darn day I pick up trash
But they never seem to see it!
They still keep on littering
Why do I keep on doing it?”
“That’s not the point of kindness, Adelaide,”
Bishop calmly replied.
“It’s about doing good, even if no one’s watching.”
And all Adelaide did was sigh.
Despite the difficulty, she continued to try
Even when cleaning the streets,
She maintained a kind appearance
And gave a warm smile to everyone she meets
But all she kept thinking was
She needs to go back
She needs to go back
And soon Bishop saw the commitment she lacked
He then understood how nothing was changing
Despite his efforts of helping her be good
She kept looking for something in return
If only he could give kindness to her directly, he would
But he knew it was taught
And then it has to be done over and over
She didn’t see that and was complaining
Not knowing that her own demise was caused by her
One day, all he said was this:
“Don’t think about how many good things you’ve done
Just keep doing good
Because you want to be good to everyone.”
And Adelaide tried such
Doing good because she is
With smiling to pedestrians
And not screaming at little kids
And one fine day, she saw a sad blind beggar
Sitting quietly beside the fountain
She sat beside him and asked politely
If she could sit beside and join him
She looked at the man,
Knowing she’s seen him before
Alas! It was old man Chaos!
But where was the butterfly he adored?
“How are you?” asked Adelaide.
“I’ve gone blind, madam,” replied the old man
“From looking for something for the longest time,
But it seems as though I’m damned.”
It must be that Chaos doesn’t know
That he was talking to the woman
Who caused him his ruin
The one who turned their contract into one whole scam
Adelaide looked afar
And quietly contemplated inside
Until Chaos asked her,
“What made you sit beside me? What made you decide?”
Adelaide fell quiet and said,
“I want to apologize.”
The old man wrinkled his forehead.
“Chaos, I am very sorry. Truly, I am,”
Adelaide held his hand.
“I never knew that my action
Would cause you this state.
I was overcome by greed,
Eaten by my own sense of pride.
I don’t ask for forgiveness
But I hope you would find it in you
To accept my repentance.”
The old man blinked
Once, twice, thrice
His blank, blank eyes
Turned back to black and white
Adelaide’s face lit up
She took the old man in an embrace
“I’ll help you find the wretched butterfly,”
She said as tears rolled down her face.
“That would be wonderful,” replied Chaos.
“But I think there is something else at hand.”
He gestured at Augustus, smiling at them
And then helped the old man stand
Off went Chaos,
He told Adelaide he’ll wait
And she promised the help soon
When she gets back to her gates
Her face beamed at Augustus
“I finally understood what you meant!
Being good comes from within…”
And off in a monologue she went.
She paused in the middle when she saw Augustus
Smiling at her but the gleam was all gone
“Why did you stop?” he asked.
She answered: “I promise I’ll help you too when all of this is done.”
She got back one of her first powers:
She saw what he was thinking
He was happy with how she turned out
But was thinking about leaving
He knew he needed to help other people see the good
Before Earth or Heaven crumbles to dust
And if Adelaide could be good
Others also must
As they were sitting on the edge
Of the fountain in the park
A little girl running
Trips over a rock
Immediately, Adelaide came to the little girl’s aid
“Hey! Are you okay?” she asked
As she helped the little girl up.
“You seem like you were running a little too fast!”
“No, I’m fine! Thank you, lady!”
Said the little girl and adjusted her top
And said: “Hey! You’re the lady I saw days ago!”
And then looked at Bishop.
“And you’re the man who sold me solitude!
Did you sell her solitude too?
Did he stop the voices in your head?
Mine doesn’t seem to be working though,” she cooed.
Adelaide looked into her eyes
And somehow heard her brother’s cackle
“This girl is living in borrowed time, Adelaide,”
Satan echoed in her mind, as the girl went to her mother
Adelaide straightened up
Augustus looked at her with an ashen face
Before he could say anything
She knew of the conundrum she was now placed
Living in borrowed time
Causes much distress in Heaven
And to stop it, the soul
Must be returned to them
The entity responsible
Must be brought before the law and processed
He or she who brought back the life
Should make up for all the loses
And if Heaven doesn’t get back the soul soon
It will crumble and perish and wither
And all Hell will break loose
Now, the decision lies entirely with her:
She needed to be good
But now she doesn’t know for whom
Is she for herself
And will keep the little girl alive?
Is she for others
And will keep the promises she swore on her life?
Or will she serve
An ever loving glory
Sacrificing the girl, her words
And her own story?
contre jour,
Look with me at this blue plain,
This expanse to be traversed.
Beyond this vast cerulean field,
Is the place to which I strive.
Look with me to that horizon,
That border between the sky and sea.
That distance kissed by moon and sun,
Is the place to which I aspire.
But gone where has that blue plain?
The earth afore me is but ten-pace.
This grey-toned ground I tread on now,
Seems to lead to no place sought.
O gone where has that horizon?
The earth and sky, they do not meet.
Smoke occludes the air and heavens,
I cannot find my yearnèd goal.
Curse this fate which stole the sky and sea,
And left me naught but smoke and gris
Literary: Lost Horizon
Look with me at this blue plain,
This expanse to be traversed.
Beyond this vast cerulean field,
Is the place to which I strive.
Look with me to that horizon,
That border between the sky and sea.
That distance kissed by moon and sun,
Is the place to which I aspire.
But gone where has that blue plain?
The earth afore me is but ten-pace.
This grey-toned ground I tread on now,
Seems to lead to no place sought.
O gone where has that horizon?
The earth and sky, they do not meet.
Smoke occludes the air and heavens,
I cannot find my yearnèd goal.
Curse this fate which stole the sky and sea,
And left me naught but smoke and gris
filipino,
05/02/18
Masaya : Bigyang-halaga ang kagandahan ng mundo.
Nakita ko ang mga kulay ng mga bulaklak, naramdaman ang init ng araw, nakisayaw sa simoy ng hangin at parang nahahawakan ko na ang mga ulap na tila mga bulak ang anyo. Magaan ang aking pakiramdam. Parang lahat ng anyo ng kapahamakan ay kaya ko nang harapin. Sobra-sobra itong kasiyahan ko, sana maulit ito muli.
05/28/18
Nasasabik : Ipaalala na ako’y totoo.
Parang kidlat mula sa mga dumaraang bagyo, tila umiikot at pinararamdam ang bawat de-koryenteng tinig sa aking mga kamay at paa. Di mapigilang pagngiti ng mga labi na abot-tainga na.
Maramdaman ang pagtibok ng puso at pagtulin ng paghinga dahil hinahabol ang bagay na nagpapasaya sa akin.
06/05/18
Umiibig : Buhay ako.
Dumadagundong na pagtibok ng puso para sa mga tao sa paligid ko. Parang di nauubusang sisidlan ng pagmamahal para sa pamilya at kaibigan ang aking puso. Hindi ko maitimpla kung ano ba ang mas marami, pero ang alam ko’y umaapaw ang pag-ibig na ito para sa lahat ng tao. Ang dala nito’y kasiyahan, lubos at dalisay ang intensyon. Nais ko lamang pasayahin kayo at maging totoo dahil mahal na mahal ko kayo at marapat lang na makatanggap kayo ng katotohanan mula sa taong nagmamahal sa inyo.
07/27/18
Nabigo : ‘Wag kalimutang tao lang din ako.
Mahal ko ang mga magulang ko. Mahal ko sila. Alam kong mahal ko sila, alam kong hindi ako dapat
humihingi ng kapalit, pero labis ba kung ang pagtanggap ninyo ang aking tanging hilingin? Kahit kaunting pag-unawa lamang? Masyado bang mabigat kung hingin ko ‘yon muli? Sumosobra na ba ako kung nais ko lang namang tingnan nila ako sa aking mga mata at hingin ang kanilang mga pagtingin na hindi sila nandidiri? Anak pa rin naman ninyo ako, hindi ba? Hindi ko lang maunawaan kung bakit kailangan kong magmakaawa sa inyo na tanggapin kung sino talaga ako. Hindi ko maintindihan. Sinusubukan ko, itaga pa sa bato, na unawain kayo, na unawain kung bakit hindi ninyo ako matanggap. Mahal ko kayo, pero tao lang din naman ako, ngunit patawad kung hindi ko na kakayaning suotin ang maskarang nakangiti tuwing hinaharap kayo dahil sobrang sakit. Ang mga taong sinasabi na mamahalin nila ako kahit anong mangyari ay tinalikuran din ako sa huli.
07/30/18
Nalulungkot : Naging masaya ako, kaya siguro ganito.
Nawala na ang mga kulay ng bulaklak, ang init ng araw ay naglaho at ang pumalit dito ay ang lamig ng isang nakasusuklam na bagyo. Walang kibo ang hangin, at ang mga ulap ay lumayo na sa aking mga kamay. Ganito ba ang pakiramdam ng pighati? Narito pa rin kayo ngunit pakiramdam ko ay parang nawala na rin kayo sa aking tabi. Gusto ko lang naman na hindi na magsinungaling sa inyo kasi magulang ko kayo, ngunit mukhang mas nanaisin niyo pa na itago ko sa inyo ang totoo kong pagkatao. Importante ba ang hinaing ng iba? Natatakot ba kayo kung paano ako tatratuhin ng mga hindi ko kakilala? Kung ganoon, maaari niyo ba akong pakinggan? Gusto ko lang naman na malaman niyo na kakayanin ko, kasi ang kailangan ko lang naman ay matanggap ako ng mga taong gusto kong maging parte ng buhay ko. Patawarin niyo sana ako kung hindi ko kayo kinikibo, gusto ko lang po kasi talagang maunawaan kung ano ba talaga ang takot ninyo.
09/05/18
Nalilito : Tanungin ang sarili, sino na nga ba ako?
Pangalawang beses ko na 'tong sinabi sa mga magulang ko, ngunit tulad din ng dati, ilang taon nang nakararaan, hindi nila ako pinansin at sinabing nalilito lang ako. Ano na ang magagawa ko? Kahit anong pilit ko parang ayaw naman nila—ng panahon, ng kapalaran, ng mundo—na mangyari ito. Ilang paninigurado pa ba ang kailangan kong gawin? Ilang beses ko pa ba kailangang pilitin ang sarili ko? Hindi nila gusto kung saang daan ko gustong ihakbang ang mga paa ko, pero sinasabi nila sa harap ng ibang tao na kung ano ang gusto ko, maaari kong gawin. Pero pag sinara na ang mga bintana't pintuan, pag tinakpan na ang mga ito ng kurtina, ang maririnig ko'y ang kanilang pagkadismaya at pagtanggi. Tama bang ipagpatuloy ko pa rin ito, kahit na nadidismaya sila? Kung mahal naman talaga nila ako, mauunawaan naman nila ako, di ba? Kung hindi ngayon, siguro sa susunod na mga taon. Di ba?
????
Takot pero iibig (muli) : Alalahanin na magiging maayos ang lahat.
Alam ko na hindi kami mananatili sa ganito—nakatira sa isang bahay ngunit parang libong milya ang layo sa isa't isa. Masisira rin ang mga pekeng ngiti at pagtawa, balang araw di ko na katatakutan ang sarili kong pamilya, balang araw di na nila iisipin ang sasabihin ng ibang tao. Balang araw, maglalaho rin itong ubod ng laking pader na biglang lumitaw sa pagitan namin. Titibagin ito ng pagtitiyaga at pag-unawa. Ipaiintindi ko na ako pa rin naman itong anak nila, sadyang nagkaroon lang ng sariling mga pangarap at kagustuhan sa buhay na iba sa nais nila. Takot ako sa sarili kong pamilya, pero walang mangyayari kung di ko ito haharapin. Sana ako'y inyong maunawaan at mahalin muli dahil ang pagmamahal ko sa inyo'y di nagbago. Nabahiran man ang ating relasyon ng takot at pagtatampo, pero di ibig sabihin na di ko na kayo mahal. Ma, Pa, hiling ko lamang na sana ako’y inyong pakinggan.
Literary: Mood Tracker
05/02/18
Masaya : Bigyang-halaga ang kagandahan ng mundo.
Nakita ko ang mga kulay ng mga bulaklak, naramdaman ang init ng araw, nakisayaw sa simoy ng hangin at parang nahahawakan ko na ang mga ulap na tila mga bulak ang anyo. Magaan ang aking pakiramdam. Parang lahat ng anyo ng kapahamakan ay kaya ko nang harapin. Sobra-sobra itong kasiyahan ko, sana maulit ito muli.
05/28/18
Nasasabik : Ipaalala na ako’y totoo.
Parang kidlat mula sa mga dumaraang bagyo, tila umiikot at pinararamdam ang bawat de-koryenteng tinig sa aking mga kamay at paa. Di mapigilang pagngiti ng mga labi na abot-tainga na.
Maramdaman ang pagtibok ng puso at pagtulin ng paghinga dahil hinahabol ang bagay na nagpapasaya sa akin.
06/05/18
Umiibig : Buhay ako.
Dumadagundong na pagtibok ng puso para sa mga tao sa paligid ko. Parang di nauubusang sisidlan ng pagmamahal para sa pamilya at kaibigan ang aking puso. Hindi ko maitimpla kung ano ba ang mas marami, pero ang alam ko’y umaapaw ang pag-ibig na ito para sa lahat ng tao. Ang dala nito’y kasiyahan, lubos at dalisay ang intensyon. Nais ko lamang pasayahin kayo at maging totoo dahil mahal na mahal ko kayo at marapat lang na makatanggap kayo ng katotohanan mula sa taong nagmamahal sa inyo.
07/27/18
Nabigo : ‘Wag kalimutang tao lang din ako.
Mahal ko ang mga magulang ko. Mahal ko sila. Alam kong mahal ko sila, alam kong hindi ako dapat
humihingi ng kapalit, pero labis ba kung ang pagtanggap ninyo ang aking tanging hilingin? Kahit kaunting pag-unawa lamang? Masyado bang mabigat kung hingin ko ‘yon muli? Sumosobra na ba ako kung nais ko lang namang tingnan nila ako sa aking mga mata at hingin ang kanilang mga pagtingin na hindi sila nandidiri? Anak pa rin naman ninyo ako, hindi ba? Hindi ko lang maunawaan kung bakit kailangan kong magmakaawa sa inyo na tanggapin kung sino talaga ako. Hindi ko maintindihan. Sinusubukan ko, itaga pa sa bato, na unawain kayo, na unawain kung bakit hindi ninyo ako matanggap. Mahal ko kayo, pero tao lang din naman ako, ngunit patawad kung hindi ko na kakayaning suotin ang maskarang nakangiti tuwing hinaharap kayo dahil sobrang sakit. Ang mga taong sinasabi na mamahalin nila ako kahit anong mangyari ay tinalikuran din ako sa huli.
07/30/18
Nalulungkot : Naging masaya ako, kaya siguro ganito.
Nawala na ang mga kulay ng bulaklak, ang init ng araw ay naglaho at ang pumalit dito ay ang lamig ng isang nakasusuklam na bagyo. Walang kibo ang hangin, at ang mga ulap ay lumayo na sa aking mga kamay. Ganito ba ang pakiramdam ng pighati? Narito pa rin kayo ngunit pakiramdam ko ay parang nawala na rin kayo sa aking tabi. Gusto ko lang naman na hindi na magsinungaling sa inyo kasi magulang ko kayo, ngunit mukhang mas nanaisin niyo pa na itago ko sa inyo ang totoo kong pagkatao. Importante ba ang hinaing ng iba? Natatakot ba kayo kung paano ako tatratuhin ng mga hindi ko kakilala? Kung ganoon, maaari niyo ba akong pakinggan? Gusto ko lang naman na malaman niyo na kakayanin ko, kasi ang kailangan ko lang naman ay matanggap ako ng mga taong gusto kong maging parte ng buhay ko. Patawarin niyo sana ako kung hindi ko kayo kinikibo, gusto ko lang po kasi talagang maunawaan kung ano ba talaga ang takot ninyo.
09/05/18
Nalilito : Tanungin ang sarili, sino na nga ba ako?
Pangalawang beses ko na 'tong sinabi sa mga magulang ko, ngunit tulad din ng dati, ilang taon nang nakararaan, hindi nila ako pinansin at sinabing nalilito lang ako. Ano na ang magagawa ko? Kahit anong pilit ko parang ayaw naman nila—ng panahon, ng kapalaran, ng mundo—na mangyari ito. Ilang paninigurado pa ba ang kailangan kong gawin? Ilang beses ko pa ba kailangang pilitin ang sarili ko? Hindi nila gusto kung saang daan ko gustong ihakbang ang mga paa ko, pero sinasabi nila sa harap ng ibang tao na kung ano ang gusto ko, maaari kong gawin. Pero pag sinara na ang mga bintana't pintuan, pag tinakpan na ang mga ito ng kurtina, ang maririnig ko'y ang kanilang pagkadismaya at pagtanggi. Tama bang ipagpatuloy ko pa rin ito, kahit na nadidismaya sila? Kung mahal naman talaga nila ako, mauunawaan naman nila ako, di ba? Kung hindi ngayon, siguro sa susunod na mga taon. Di ba?
????
Takot pero iibig (muli) : Alalahanin na magiging maayos ang lahat.
Alam ko na hindi kami mananatili sa ganito—nakatira sa isang bahay ngunit parang libong milya ang layo sa isa't isa. Masisira rin ang mga pekeng ngiti at pagtawa, balang araw di ko na katatakutan ang sarili kong pamilya, balang araw di na nila iisipin ang sasabihin ng ibang tao. Balang araw, maglalaho rin itong ubod ng laking pader na biglang lumitaw sa pagitan namin. Titibagin ito ng pagtitiyaga at pag-unawa. Ipaiintindi ko na ako pa rin naman itong anak nila, sadyang nagkaroon lang ng sariling mga pangarap at kagustuhan sa buhay na iba sa nais nila. Takot ako sa sarili kong pamilya, pero walang mangyayari kung di ko ito haharapin. Sana ako'y inyong maunawaan at mahalin muli dahil ang pagmamahal ko sa inyo'y di nagbago. Nabahiran man ang ating relasyon ng takot at pagtatampo, pero di ibig sabihin na di ko na kayo mahal. Ma, Pa, hiling ko lamang na sana ako’y inyong pakinggan.
filipino,
Sabay palagi sa tuwing naglalakad
Madalas pa ngang naghahabula’t nag-uunahan
Hinding-hindi mapaghihiwalay
Magkasangga na sa panghabambuhay.
Sa tuwing tag-araw
Magkasama nating sinasalubong ang bawat umaga
Kasabay ng pagdama sa mahalimuyak na ihip ng hangin
Habang tayo’y nakahiga sa malambot na damuhan.
Sa tuwing tag-ulan
Tayo’y galak na galak tumalon sa mga sanaw
Aliw na aliw sa mga tilamsik ng tubig
At tayo’y uuwi nang basang-basa sa tuwa.
Palagi tayong magkatuwang
Patag man o bako-bako ang daan
Pilit nating lalagpasan
Hawak-kamay tayong naglalakbay.
Ngunit nabago ang lahat
Simula nang ika’y nawala
Pagmulat ko’y ako na lang mag-isa at wala ka na
Hindi ako mapalagay.
Hinanap ka ngunit di nakita
Sino na ang makakasama ko sa pang-araw-araw?
Hindi ako sapat kung walang kapareha
Hindi makukumpleto ang tayo kung walang ikaw.
Nakalimutan ko nang kalimutan ka
Dahil sa iniwan mong masasayang alaala
Di ba sabi mo, tayo’y tila tsinelas?
Ang bumubuo sa isa’t isa,
Ang iyong kanan sa bawat mong kaliwa.
Literary: Pares
Sabay palagi sa tuwing naglalakad
Madalas pa ngang naghahabula’t nag-uunahan
Hinding-hindi mapaghihiwalay
Magkasangga na sa panghabambuhay.
Sa tuwing tag-araw
Magkasama nating sinasalubong ang bawat umaga
Kasabay ng pagdama sa mahalimuyak na ihip ng hangin
Habang tayo’y nakahiga sa malambot na damuhan.
Sa tuwing tag-ulan
Tayo’y galak na galak tumalon sa mga sanaw
Aliw na aliw sa mga tilamsik ng tubig
At tayo’y uuwi nang basang-basa sa tuwa.
Palagi tayong magkatuwang
Patag man o bako-bako ang daan
Pilit nating lalagpasan
Hawak-kamay tayong naglalakbay.
Ngunit nabago ang lahat
Simula nang ika’y nawala
Pagmulat ko’y ako na lang mag-isa at wala ka na
Hindi ako mapalagay.
Hinanap ka ngunit di nakita
Sino na ang makakasama ko sa pang-araw-araw?
Hindi ako sapat kung walang kapareha
Hindi makukumpleto ang tayo kung walang ikaw.
Nakalimutan ko nang kalimutan ka
Dahil sa iniwan mong masasayang alaala
Di ba sabi mo, tayo’y tila tsinelas?
Ang bumubuo sa isa’t isa,
Ang iyong kanan sa bawat mong kaliwa.
filipino,
Literary: Langit
Tuwing ang araw ay puno ng pait
Ikaw ang unang lalapitan
Kukuwentuhan ng ukol sa kahit ano
Ibabahagi sa ‘yo ang sakit
Kung may bahid naman ng lungkot
Ikaw ang unang iiyakan
Lulunurin sa luha’t pighati
Ngunit lilisan sa oras na tumahan
Kung nag-aapoy na galit ang nadarama
Sisigaw ng masasakit na salita
Babatuhin ka ng mga sumpa at reklamo
Sisisihin sa kamalasang nararanasan ko
Ikaw ang aking tanging tagapagligtas
Sa aking pagtingala, pakiramda'y gumiginhawa
Ang iyong bughaw na yakap
Ang tangi kong hanap
Ngunit sa mga panahon ng tagumpay
Saya, tuwa’t galak
Di kita kilala
Sapagkat ang silbi mo’y tapos na
filipino,
Nobyembre 14, 2018
PAPA GONG
Poging Tagapagsalaysay
Diliman, Quezon City
Dear Papa Gong:
Tandang-tanda ko pa noong mga panahong madalas akong pinupuntirya ng aking mga kaklase dahil sa kapansanan ko.
Lagi akong pinipintasan, Papa Gong. Asar dito, tawa roon. Wala po akong magawa kundi maupo sa aking wheelchair at makinig sa matatalim nilang salita na humihiwa sa aking damdamin.
May isang pagkakataon pa nga noon na kinailangan kong humingi ng tulong mula sa bespren ko. Nagpatulong ako sa kaniya na itulak ‘yung wheelchair patungo sa pisara ‘pagkat oras ko na para magtanghal sa reporting. Dahan-dahan niya akong itinulak sa harap ngunit bigla akong itinumba noong hindi nakatingin si Ma’am Prudence dahil tumawag ‘yung loverboy niya. Nagulat na lang siya kung bakit ako biglang nakahilata sa sahig. Nagtawanan ang buong klase habang kitang-kita ko sa pagmumukha ng traydor kong kaibigan ang mala-Hudas niyang ngiti. Nagdagsaan na naman ang mga halakhak ng mga huwaran kong kaklase.
Minsan ko na ngang kinuwestyon ang Diyos kung bakit Niya pa ako binigyan ng polyo. Sana kinuha Niya na lang ang aking tainga imbis na mga paa.
“Magtataekwondo ako!” bungad ko sa kalagitnaan ng klase.
Lahat ay nagsitinginan at muling humalakhak.
“HAHAHAHA, nanay mo,” asar ni Jerome.
“Tagain ‘yang binti mo ng axe kick,” dagdag ni Susan.
Tinitigan ako na para bang isang baliw. Nagdagsaan pa ang kanilang pambabatikos hanggang sa tuluyang lumuha ang aking puso.
Umuwi akong naghihinagpis at binitiwan sa harap ni Ama ang mga salitang: “Magtataekwondo po ako!”
Napahinto siya sa pagluluto at bigla na naman akong kinilabutan.
“K,” sabi niya.
At simula noon, Papa Gong, muli akong nabuhay.
Nagsimula akong mag-ensayo kahit na sobrang hirap. Siyempre, hindi mawawala ang maiingay na bulong sa tuwing nasisilayan akong nakaupo sa wheelchair at nakadamit pantaekwondo. Masakit man sa pakiramdam, pero mas masakit sa paa. Ngunit sa lahat ng ito, Papa Gong, kinaya ko.
Dumating ang araw ng aming pakikipagtunggali. Medyo kabado, pero sinugod ko pa rin ang entablado nang nakangiti. Laking gulat ng lahat noong nakita nila akong papalapit sa harapan. Hindi pa rin mawala-wala ang kanilang mga nakakunot na noo, malalakas na bulong, at manghang-manghang mga mukha.
Matapos ang ilang sandali, nagkatitigan kami ng kalaban kong si Takiki. Tinitigan ko ang kaniyang mga mata ngunit hindi matumbok ang nararamdaman—kung natatawa ba siya o natatakot sa akin. Hindi ko namalayan na sinesenyasan na pala ako ni Coach Warlak na kumilos kung hindi malilintikan ako.
Sumugod si Takiki.
E, gumulong naman ako.
Hindi ako sigurado, Papa Gong, kung puwede ba ‘yung ginawa ko pero bumigay agad ang paa ko, e.
Umilag si Takiki sabay tinadyakan ang baywang ko. Muntikan na akong tumili pero pinilit ko pa ring tumayo. Lumundag muli ako nang parang balyena bago ilabas ang aking special move. Pumapalya nga sa paa ngunit malakas naman ang likod at mga braso. Itinaas ko ang aking dalawang paa habang nakapatong naman ang ulo sa sahig.
Tapos nag-headspin ako at kinonekta ang aking paa sa dibdib ng kalaban.
Kitang-kita ko ‘yung shock sa mukha niya, Papa Gong. Napahinto ang oras sa puntong ito at ninais kong kausapin ang isipan ng lahat ng nakatingin: “At huwag na huwag niyo na ako muling mamaliitin!”
Kaso nga lang, bigla niyang inangat ang kaniyang binti at binira ang ulo at paa ko.
“AHHHHHH!!” bulyaw ko.
Sobrang sakit kaya gumapang na lang ako papunta sa aking wheelchair. Hindi rin mapalagay si Takiki sa nagawa niya sa akin.
Pagkakataon ko na uli ito.
Iibahin ko naman ang aking approach. It’s now or never.
BANG!
Lumipas ang ilang segundo at idinilat ko ang aking mga mata. Laking gulat ko rin mismo nang nakita kong nakatayo na ang lahat ng mga tao, di makapaniwala, at gulat na gulat sa aking pagpapakitang-gilas! Nabaling ang aking tingin sa ibaba, Papa Gong, at napansing nakahandusay na ngayon si Takiki sa sahig.
Panalo ako! Napatumba ko siya! Sa wakas, napatunayan ko sa lahat na hindi ako lumpu-lumpuhan!
Pagkatapos ay bigla akong sinugod ng mga opisyal at diniskuwalipika ‘pagkat hinagisan ko ng wheelchair si Takiki.
‘Ayun, Papa Gong! Napatunayan kong hindi ako mahina at ako lamang ang may kapangyarihang magpasya sa layunin at mithiin ko sa buhay, at walang karapatan ang ibang tao para ipagkait ito sa akin.
Nagmamahal,
JEFFERSON TRICLOSAN
Batang May Cliche na Istorya
Literary: Ikuwento Mo kay Papa Gong
Nobyembre 14, 2018
PAPA GONG
Poging Tagapagsalaysay
Diliman, Quezon City
Dear Papa Gong:
Tandang-tanda ko pa noong mga panahong madalas akong pinupuntirya ng aking mga kaklase dahil sa kapansanan ko.
Lagi akong pinipintasan, Papa Gong. Asar dito, tawa roon. Wala po akong magawa kundi maupo sa aking wheelchair at makinig sa matatalim nilang salita na humihiwa sa aking damdamin.
May isang pagkakataon pa nga noon na kinailangan kong humingi ng tulong mula sa bespren ko. Nagpatulong ako sa kaniya na itulak ‘yung wheelchair patungo sa pisara ‘pagkat oras ko na para magtanghal sa reporting. Dahan-dahan niya akong itinulak sa harap ngunit bigla akong itinumba noong hindi nakatingin si Ma’am Prudence dahil tumawag ‘yung loverboy niya. Nagulat na lang siya kung bakit ako biglang nakahilata sa sahig. Nagtawanan ang buong klase habang kitang-kita ko sa pagmumukha ng traydor kong kaibigan ang mala-Hudas niyang ngiti. Nagdagsaan na naman ang mga halakhak ng mga huwaran kong kaklase.
Minsan ko na ngang kinuwestyon ang Diyos kung bakit Niya pa ako binigyan ng polyo. Sana kinuha Niya na lang ang aking tainga imbis na mga paa.
“Magtataekwondo ako!” bungad ko sa kalagitnaan ng klase.
Lahat ay nagsitinginan at muling humalakhak.
“HAHAHAHA, nanay mo,” asar ni Jerome.
“Tagain ‘yang binti mo ng axe kick,” dagdag ni Susan.
Tinitigan ako na para bang isang baliw. Nagdagsaan pa ang kanilang pambabatikos hanggang sa tuluyang lumuha ang aking puso.
Umuwi akong naghihinagpis at binitiwan sa harap ni Ama ang mga salitang: “Magtataekwondo po ako!”
Napahinto siya sa pagluluto at bigla na naman akong kinilabutan.
“K,” sabi niya.
At simula noon, Papa Gong, muli akong nabuhay.
Nagsimula akong mag-ensayo kahit na sobrang hirap. Siyempre, hindi mawawala ang maiingay na bulong sa tuwing nasisilayan akong nakaupo sa wheelchair at nakadamit pantaekwondo. Masakit man sa pakiramdam, pero mas masakit sa paa. Ngunit sa lahat ng ito, Papa Gong, kinaya ko.
Dumating ang araw ng aming pakikipagtunggali. Medyo kabado, pero sinugod ko pa rin ang entablado nang nakangiti. Laking gulat ng lahat noong nakita nila akong papalapit sa harapan. Hindi pa rin mawala-wala ang kanilang mga nakakunot na noo, malalakas na bulong, at manghang-manghang mga mukha.
Matapos ang ilang sandali, nagkatitigan kami ng kalaban kong si Takiki. Tinitigan ko ang kaniyang mga mata ngunit hindi matumbok ang nararamdaman—kung natatawa ba siya o natatakot sa akin. Hindi ko namalayan na sinesenyasan na pala ako ni Coach Warlak na kumilos kung hindi malilintikan ako.
Sumugod si Takiki.
E, gumulong naman ako.
Hindi ako sigurado, Papa Gong, kung puwede ba ‘yung ginawa ko pero bumigay agad ang paa ko, e.
Umilag si Takiki sabay tinadyakan ang baywang ko. Muntikan na akong tumili pero pinilit ko pa ring tumayo. Lumundag muli ako nang parang balyena bago ilabas ang aking special move. Pumapalya nga sa paa ngunit malakas naman ang likod at mga braso. Itinaas ko ang aking dalawang paa habang nakapatong naman ang ulo sa sahig.
Tapos nag-headspin ako at kinonekta ang aking paa sa dibdib ng kalaban.
Kitang-kita ko ‘yung shock sa mukha niya, Papa Gong. Napahinto ang oras sa puntong ito at ninais kong kausapin ang isipan ng lahat ng nakatingin: “At huwag na huwag niyo na ako muling mamaliitin!”
Kaso nga lang, bigla niyang inangat ang kaniyang binti at binira ang ulo at paa ko.
“AHHHHHH!!” bulyaw ko.
Sobrang sakit kaya gumapang na lang ako papunta sa aking wheelchair. Hindi rin mapalagay si Takiki sa nagawa niya sa akin.
Pagkakataon ko na uli ito.
Iibahin ko naman ang aking approach. It’s now or never.
BANG!
Lumipas ang ilang segundo at idinilat ko ang aking mga mata. Laking gulat ko rin mismo nang nakita kong nakatayo na ang lahat ng mga tao, di makapaniwala, at gulat na gulat sa aking pagpapakitang-gilas! Nabaling ang aking tingin sa ibaba, Papa Gong, at napansing nakahandusay na ngayon si Takiki sa sahig.
Panalo ako! Napatumba ko siya! Sa wakas, napatunayan ko sa lahat na hindi ako lumpu-lumpuhan!
Pagkatapos ay bigla akong sinugod ng mga opisyal at diniskuwalipika ‘pagkat hinagisan ko ng wheelchair si Takiki.
‘Ayun, Papa Gong! Napatunayan kong hindi ako mahina at ako lamang ang may kapangyarihang magpasya sa layunin at mithiin ko sa buhay, at walang karapatan ang ibang tao para ipagkait ito sa akin.
Nagmamahal,
JEFFERSON TRICLOSAN
Batang May Cliche na Istorya
azwraith,
I. Sacrifice
Gathered friends, we are here today to commemorate the lives of those who have fallen before us; soldiers, warriors, countrymen – family.
In life, they have served us endlessly, fighting for our country, our homes, and our people. They have fought with all of their might, with all of their courage, so that we, the defenseless many, need not do so. In the end, they gave up their own lives, ensuring that our fellow countrymen keep theirs.
In death, may they watch over and guide us, as fellow servants of the Maker of All. May their deeds be remembered, so that they may live in history as the greatest heroes our people had. When the end times come, may they have the peace that they deserve, bought with hardship and tribulation, as their just reward.
The house of the dead shall welcome them – their stories shall be told.
II. Honor
The brigands were known throughout the land. They were feared for their ruthless attacks – pillaging and burning, relying on their near legion-like numbers. When they set their sights on any settlement – whether it is a town, a hamlet, or a city – none of it shall remain standing. Neither the strength of its walls nor the courage of its people shall stop them from burning to ashes.
They leave only a handful of survivors, left alive to spread the word – to share their stories and tell tales of madmen and sadists, torturers and executioners, petty thieves and thugs, garnering themselves a reputation that in itself strikes fear and worry in the many hearts of civilization.
Fear did half of their work. The rest were easy pickings.
The smell of ashes and brimstone tickle the farmhand’s nose. He looks up, wondering if this means Ol’ Jerry is finally back from the fisheries down south – the guy looks like a chimney whenever he smokes. A pillar of smoke stands proud over the horizon, looking like a quill plume writing out ashy stories in the dirt. Far in front of it – just about near the fence, he realizes – runs a small, ragged figure, carrying what appears to be a torch as if its life depended on it.
Hold on, what?
He can only watch as the figure clambered over the fence, and continued to sprint forward, right before he heard it scream:
“They’re coming! They’re co . . . ming . . .” With these words, the figure collapses, and the farmhand rushes forwards, in the hopes of helping him up. Instead, as he grew nearer, he notices that the figure wasn’t some other thing carrying a torch.
It was a man, set on fire and forced to run. He looks up again, watching the pillar of smoke. It seems to be awfully closer now.
III. Duty
The mausoleum was the house of the dead.
Everyone who died would sooner or later have their bodies end up here – merchants, craftsmen, peasants, nobles, soldiers. It doesn’t matter who or what you were in life – Death welcomes all in his humble abode. But sometimes, there are things that even Death cannot hold back.
Inside, something woke up. More accurately, some things.
In front of the mausoleum, a small group of civilians were rounded up by the brigands. Around them, more and more were either being brought forth, or being beaten to death. Some begged for mercy, tearfully proclaiming that they have done nothing wrong. Some tried to fight back, only to be held down and slowly, painfully tortured until their consciousness left them. The rest were silent, with their eyes looking so empty as they gazed into nothingness, left shocked and in despair.
In the distance, the city burned, while the barbarians celebrated, gloating about another easy raid going down in history, and doing even more unspeakable acts to the cowed survivors.
For a while, this particular group was fine with mere gloating.
“What d’ye think, lads? Do we need more slaves for ourselves? Should we sell ‘em off? Do we offer ‘em as tribute to the boss?”
“What about feeding ‘em to the dogs? I’ve heard they’ve been getting hungrier and hungrier lately –“
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
The sounds of pounding came from behind the mausoleum doors.
“ . . . what was that?” asked one of the invaders.
“Prob’ly a trick,” replied another, right before the stone portal collapsed.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
The ancient doors flew forward, shattering as they fell, fragmenting into dust, blinding the nearby brigands. As they scrambled about with their lack of vision, figures strode forward from behind the shattered doorway.
They were skeletal, almost desiccated corpses, bits and pieces of rotten flesh hanging from their frames as the ancient burial armor they were entombed with gave a dull shine in the sunlight. Spectral flesh flickered in and out of the daylight, showing to the world what these corpses once looked like, and how time has slowly been unkind to them.
They took notice of the brigands mucking around their home. They noticed how the people are screaming as they were chased and cut down for sport. They noticed how their precious city – everything they lived and died for – was put to the torch.
They also noticed the group of bandits in front of them.
“Back to work, boys. Show ‘em what we’re made of.”
The little boy was terrified. Said terror was enough fuel to keep him running for his life. He ran and ran, behind districts and between alleys, hiding from the enemy when he needed to.
“Mom, where are you?”
They got separated when the bakery blew up. There was panic everywhere, even more so when the bad people arrived. He doesn’t know why, or how – all that matters to him now is to get help, and fast.
Or he would be, if he wasn’t busy bumping into people.
“OW!”
“My apologies. Let me help you up.”
The child can only stare upwards in fear, then in awe.
The flickering specter stared back.
“Well? Is this how you greet your father?”
The boy held his gaze for a few more seconds. And then, he gave the figure’s leg a tight hug.
“Heh, I miss you too, kid. Now, run along – your mother’s at the temple, just a few blocks behind me.”
At this, the boy ran again. He found help.
As dusk fell, a brigand ran for his life. He ran and ran while the city around him burned. At the edge of his vision, he can see the city’s people standing up and fight. In the distance, he can hear cries of anger and vengeance as his allies were slowly but surely pushed out of the city walls. Some didn’t even make it before the angry mob got them.
But none of that now. First, he needs to hide, and quick, before those things get him too.
Soon enough, the sounds of screaming faded in the distance, reduced to a muted droning in the back of his mind. Good enough for now. Maybe he could actually rest.
Panting, he took stock of his surroundings. Then again, stopping by an alley filled with his fellow bandits’ corpses was not such a good idea. Not that he had a choice, however – any place to hide was good as any, as long as he can rest for a bit before regrouping with the other parties near the hole in the Trade District. First, get his bearings, then try to avoid any attention – easier said than done, but he’ll have to work with that for now.
Or at least he would have, except the air around him suddenly grew colder.
“Going somewhere?”
Oh no.
Behind him, he heard a loud *snap* before a sharp thud. With growing trepidation, he slowly turned around.
There it stood, flickering in the pale light. It stood tall and proud, ectoplasmic flesh taut against a skeletal frame of what was once a living man’s. A dim light came from the bowels of where its eyes would have been, staring deep into the brigand’s own. In its hand was the head of one of his comrades – blank eyes wide yet unseeing, face contorted into a scream that no one can hear.
At its feet were what remained of the poor man.
Rooted in fear, the bandit can do nothing as the undead being slowly stalked towards him.
“I guess not.”
The revenant stood atop what was left of the city’s gates, watching the backs of the retreating figures. At his side stood others like him – remnants of times gone by, old soldiers who never got the hang of moving on.
His brethren’s work isn’t done yet, he figured. It wouldn’t be, at least until their beloved city is truly, finally safe. But for now, they still have a job to do.
Their home will be beset by danger of all sorts – from mortal men to otherworldly demons to the rage of spiteful gods.
That’s for the future. For now, it is time for them to go back to rest.
It doesn’t matter, he decided, crumbling in the wind. No matter what happens, we’ll be back. Not until the Father calls us home, we’ll be back.
As far as purposes go, this doesn’t seem so bad.
Literary: Back to Work
I. Sacrifice
Gathered friends, we are here today to commemorate the lives of those who have fallen before us; soldiers, warriors, countrymen – family.
In life, they have served us endlessly, fighting for our country, our homes, and our people. They have fought with all of their might, with all of their courage, so that we, the defenseless many, need not do so. In the end, they gave up their own lives, ensuring that our fellow countrymen keep theirs.
In death, may they watch over and guide us, as fellow servants of the Maker of All. May their deeds be remembered, so that they may live in history as the greatest heroes our people had. When the end times come, may they have the peace that they deserve, bought with hardship and tribulation, as their just reward.
The house of the dead shall welcome them – their stories shall be told.
II. Honor
The brigands were known throughout the land. They were feared for their ruthless attacks – pillaging and burning, relying on their near legion-like numbers. When they set their sights on any settlement – whether it is a town, a hamlet, or a city – none of it shall remain standing. Neither the strength of its walls nor the courage of its people shall stop them from burning to ashes.
They leave only a handful of survivors, left alive to spread the word – to share their stories and tell tales of madmen and sadists, torturers and executioners, petty thieves and thugs, garnering themselves a reputation that in itself strikes fear and worry in the many hearts of civilization.
Fear did half of their work. The rest were easy pickings.
The smell of ashes and brimstone tickle the farmhand’s nose. He looks up, wondering if this means Ol’ Jerry is finally back from the fisheries down south – the guy looks like a chimney whenever he smokes. A pillar of smoke stands proud over the horizon, looking like a quill plume writing out ashy stories in the dirt. Far in front of it – just about near the fence, he realizes – runs a small, ragged figure, carrying what appears to be a torch as if its life depended on it.
Hold on, what?
He can only watch as the figure clambered over the fence, and continued to sprint forward, right before he heard it scream:
“They’re coming! They’re co . . . ming . . .” With these words, the figure collapses, and the farmhand rushes forwards, in the hopes of helping him up. Instead, as he grew nearer, he notices that the figure wasn’t some other thing carrying a torch.
It was a man, set on fire and forced to run. He looks up again, watching the pillar of smoke. It seems to be awfully closer now.
III. Duty
The mausoleum was the house of the dead.
Everyone who died would sooner or later have their bodies end up here – merchants, craftsmen, peasants, nobles, soldiers. It doesn’t matter who or what you were in life – Death welcomes all in his humble abode. But sometimes, there are things that even Death cannot hold back.
Inside, something woke up. More accurately, some things.
In front of the mausoleum, a small group of civilians were rounded up by the brigands. Around them, more and more were either being brought forth, or being beaten to death. Some begged for mercy, tearfully proclaiming that they have done nothing wrong. Some tried to fight back, only to be held down and slowly, painfully tortured until their consciousness left them. The rest were silent, with their eyes looking so empty as they gazed into nothingness, left shocked and in despair.
In the distance, the city burned, while the barbarians celebrated, gloating about another easy raid going down in history, and doing even more unspeakable acts to the cowed survivors.
For a while, this particular group was fine with mere gloating.
“What d’ye think, lads? Do we need more slaves for ourselves? Should we sell ‘em off? Do we offer ‘em as tribute to the boss?”
“What about feeding ‘em to the dogs? I’ve heard they’ve been getting hungrier and hungrier lately –“
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
The sounds of pounding came from behind the mausoleum doors.
“ . . . what was that?” asked one of the invaders.
“Prob’ly a trick,” replied another, right before the stone portal collapsed.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
The ancient doors flew forward, shattering as they fell, fragmenting into dust, blinding the nearby brigands. As they scrambled about with their lack of vision, figures strode forward from behind the shattered doorway.
They were skeletal, almost desiccated corpses, bits and pieces of rotten flesh hanging from their frames as the ancient burial armor they were entombed with gave a dull shine in the sunlight. Spectral flesh flickered in and out of the daylight, showing to the world what these corpses once looked like, and how time has slowly been unkind to them.
They took notice of the brigands mucking around their home. They noticed how the people are screaming as they were chased and cut down for sport. They noticed how their precious city – everything they lived and died for – was put to the torch.
They also noticed the group of bandits in front of them.
“Back to work, boys. Show ‘em what we’re made of.”
The little boy was terrified. Said terror was enough fuel to keep him running for his life. He ran and ran, behind districts and between alleys, hiding from the enemy when he needed to.
“Mom, where are you?”
They got separated when the bakery blew up. There was panic everywhere, even more so when the bad people arrived. He doesn’t know why, or how – all that matters to him now is to get help, and fast.
Or he would be, if he wasn’t busy bumping into people.
“OW!”
“My apologies. Let me help you up.”
The child can only stare upwards in fear, then in awe.
The flickering specter stared back.
“Well? Is this how you greet your father?”
The boy held his gaze for a few more seconds. And then, he gave the figure’s leg a tight hug.
“Heh, I miss you too, kid. Now, run along – your mother’s at the temple, just a few blocks behind me.”
At this, the boy ran again. He found help.
As dusk fell, a brigand ran for his life. He ran and ran while the city around him burned. At the edge of his vision, he can see the city’s people standing up and fight. In the distance, he can hear cries of anger and vengeance as his allies were slowly but surely pushed out of the city walls. Some didn’t even make it before the angry mob got them.
But none of that now. First, he needs to hide, and quick, before those things get him too.
Soon enough, the sounds of screaming faded in the distance, reduced to a muted droning in the back of his mind. Good enough for now. Maybe he could actually rest.
Panting, he took stock of his surroundings. Then again, stopping by an alley filled with his fellow bandits’ corpses was not such a good idea. Not that he had a choice, however – any place to hide was good as any, as long as he can rest for a bit before regrouping with the other parties near the hole in the Trade District. First, get his bearings, then try to avoid any attention – easier said than done, but he’ll have to work with that for now.
Or at least he would have, except the air around him suddenly grew colder.
“Going somewhere?”
Oh no.
Behind him, he heard a loud *snap* before a sharp thud. With growing trepidation, he slowly turned around.
There it stood, flickering in the pale light. It stood tall and proud, ectoplasmic flesh taut against a skeletal frame of what was once a living man’s. A dim light came from the bowels of where its eyes would have been, staring deep into the brigand’s own. In its hand was the head of one of his comrades – blank eyes wide yet unseeing, face contorted into a scream that no one can hear.
At its feet were what remained of the poor man.
Rooted in fear, the bandit can do nothing as the undead being slowly stalked towards him.
“I guess not.”
The revenant stood atop what was left of the city’s gates, watching the backs of the retreating figures. At his side stood others like him – remnants of times gone by, old soldiers who never got the hang of moving on.
His brethren’s work isn’t done yet, he figured. It wouldn’t be, at least until their beloved city is truly, finally safe. But for now, they still have a job to do.
Their home will be beset by danger of all sorts – from mortal men to otherworldly demons to the rage of spiteful gods.
That’s for the future. For now, it is time for them to go back to rest.
It doesn’t matter, he decided, crumbling in the wind. No matter what happens, we’ll be back. Not until the Father calls us home, we’ll be back.
As far as purposes go, this doesn’t seem so bad.
filipino,
Sa tuwing ang buhay ay tila isang dapithapon
Na walang katapusa’t wala nang pinatutunguhan;
Sa bawat paghakbang ng iyong dalawang talampaka’y
Mapapaisip ka na lamang:
Itutuloy ko pa ba?
Para sa mga taong mas maaga pang gumigising
Sa mayuming pagsulyap ng araw;
Gagawin ang lahat upang matamo ang bawat hangarin
Ng mga anak na nagbibigay-ningning sa kanilang mga mata;
Para sa mga magulang na labis kung magmahal
Kumakayod kahit pinagkakaitan ng suweldong inaasam:
Sana’y magpatuloy kayo para sa aming nangangailangan—
Nangangailangan ng makalingang init ng suporta
Sa panahong nakagigipit na ang lamig ng aming pagkabahala.
Para sa mga hindi na halos nakauuwi ng bahay
Para lamang unahin ang kaluguran ng mamamayan;
Napapagod, nasisiil, nakukulong sa makitid na pananaw
Ng nakatataas na uri’t mapanghusgang mga diwa.
Para sa mga empleyado’t manggagawa
Na mas masikap pa sa takbo ng umaga:
Ipagpatuloy ninyo sana ang paglilingkod:
Ang pagpili ng wasto, ng mabuti, sa kabila ng kasakiman
Magpatuloy sana kayo para sa ikauunlad ng ekonomiya’t lipunan.
Para sa mga mahahaba ang pasensya,
Walang maliw na umaaruga sa aming musmos pa sa kaalaman at karunungan;
At patuloy na lumalaban kahit kapiranggot na lamang ang kinikita.
Sa mga guro na pinipiling manatili sa lupang hinirang:
Salamat, at sana’y magpatuloy kayo
Dahil ang kailangan ng mga pag-asa ng bayan ay ang matatapang tulad ninyo;
Kailangan namin ng magtutuwid sa aming landasing walang katiyakan.
Para sa mga estudyante ng UPIS—ang mga iskolar
Na mapalad sa mataas at makatotohanang edukasyon
Sa pribilehiyong gamitin ito upang iligtas ang bayang nanganganib
Ngunit napapagod na sa yagit na ibinabato ng pamahalaan;
Ikaw na nagbabasa nito,
Na nag-iisip kung ang pagkilos para sa karapatan at katarungan
Ang pinakaangkop na solusyon:
Sana’y ituloy mo habang may oras ka pang natitira.
Magpatuloy ka sana—
Para sa aming patapos na.
Literary: Para Saan?
Sa tuwing ang buhay ay tila isang dapithapon
Na walang katapusa’t wala nang pinatutunguhan;
Sa bawat paghakbang ng iyong dalawang talampaka’y
Mapapaisip ka na lamang:
Itutuloy ko pa ba?
Para sa mga taong mas maaga pang gumigising
Sa mayuming pagsulyap ng araw;
Gagawin ang lahat upang matamo ang bawat hangarin
Ng mga anak na nagbibigay-ningning sa kanilang mga mata;
Para sa mga magulang na labis kung magmahal
Kumakayod kahit pinagkakaitan ng suweldong inaasam:
Sana’y magpatuloy kayo para sa aming nangangailangan—
Nangangailangan ng makalingang init ng suporta
Sa panahong nakagigipit na ang lamig ng aming pagkabahala.
Para sa mga hindi na halos nakauuwi ng bahay
Para lamang unahin ang kaluguran ng mamamayan;
Napapagod, nasisiil, nakukulong sa makitid na pananaw
Ng nakatataas na uri’t mapanghusgang mga diwa.
Para sa mga empleyado’t manggagawa
Na mas masikap pa sa takbo ng umaga:
Ipagpatuloy ninyo sana ang paglilingkod:
Ang pagpili ng wasto, ng mabuti, sa kabila ng kasakiman
Magpatuloy sana kayo para sa ikauunlad ng ekonomiya’t lipunan.
Para sa mga mahahaba ang pasensya,
Walang maliw na umaaruga sa aming musmos pa sa kaalaman at karunungan;
At patuloy na lumalaban kahit kapiranggot na lamang ang kinikita.
Sa mga guro na pinipiling manatili sa lupang hinirang:
Salamat, at sana’y magpatuloy kayo
Dahil ang kailangan ng mga pag-asa ng bayan ay ang matatapang tulad ninyo;
Kailangan namin ng magtutuwid sa aming landasing walang katiyakan.
Para sa mga estudyante ng UPIS—ang mga iskolar
Na mapalad sa mataas at makatotohanang edukasyon
Sa pribilehiyong gamitin ito upang iligtas ang bayang nanganganib
Ngunit napapagod na sa yagit na ibinabato ng pamahalaan;
Ikaw na nagbabasa nito,
Na nag-iisip kung ang pagkilos para sa karapatan at katarungan
Ang pinakaangkop na solusyon:
Sana’y ituloy mo habang may oras ka pang natitira.
Magpatuloy ka sana—
Para sa aming patapos na.
filipino,
“Hay! Aym Sheena pram BA Saykology. Nays to mit yo,” tamad kong pagbigkas ng itinurong pagpapakilala sa akin bukas sa iskul.
“Ayusin mo naman, Sheena. Baka pagtawanan ka niyan bukas sa klase. Dapat ‘Hi! I’m Sheena from BA Psychology! Nice to meet you.’ Mali naman bigkas mo, e!”
“Ate naman! Psychology ang course ko! Bakit kailangang magaling mag-English?! Puwede namang makipagkilala kahit sa Filipino, ha?!” Napabuntonghininga ako.
Aba! Psychology ang course ko, bakit kailangang English lahat!? Marunong naman akong mag-English, nakakaintindi, pero hindi ako magaling magsalita. Dahil sa inis ko, inayos ko na ang mga gamit ko. Bahala na bukas. Puwede naman akong magpakilala sa komportableng wika.
Kinabukasan, maaga akong pumasok sa iskul suot-suot ang napakaayos kong uniporme. Plantsado ito at sinigurado kong disente akong tingnan dahil ito ang unang araw ko sa unang taon ko sa kolehiyo. Dumiretso na agad ako sa aming klasrum. Umupo ako sa tabi ng bintana at inantay ang aming propesor sa una naming klase.
“Good morning! I am Ms. Calderon, I will be your teacher for Communication 131. I believe my students are good at speaking and writing, am I right?”
“Yes, Ma’am!” ang sagot ng buong klase.
“Good. So let’s start by introducing yourselves in front of the class.” Kinabahan ako. Ito na naman, parang hindi na nawala ‘to sa kahit anong klase ko, a!
“Let’s start. You go first.” Sabay turo sa babaeng maganda sa bandang harapan ko. Sa itsura niya, halatang may dugo siyang banyaga. Kulay tsokolate ang buhok, asul ang mga mata, may matangos na ilong, at maliit na labi. Grabe, may foreigner akong kaklase!
“Mahgahndang omaga! Aym Amber Brent galing sa Canada! Aym, ugh... di magaling mag-Tuhgahlog. But I’m doing my best! I really want to learn!” Sa itsura ng mga tao sa room, halatang lahat ay nakikinig sa kaniya. Lalo na ‘yung mga lalaki na halos madikit na ang mata sa kaniya. Manghang-mangha rin sila sa pagsubok nitong magsalita ng wikang Filipino. Banyaga kasi, e.
“Very good, Miss Amber,” wika ng guro ko sabay ngiti kay Amber.
Matapos magsalita ay pinalakpakan siya. Ako naman ‘yung sumunod sa harap at nagsalita. ‘Wag kabahan! Prinaktis ko ito kahapon.
Sumunod naman ‘yung kaklase ko sa likod ni Amber. Moreno, matangkad, at may kalakihan ang katawan. Noong una ay di siya makasalita. Tiningnan lamang namin siya hanggang sa pagpawisan na siya sa mukha.
“Ma’am… ay kent… ay kent Ingles. Hehe,” sabi niya na halatang nahihiya.
“It’s fine. Go ahead. Ipakilala mo lang ang sarili mo,” ngiti ni Maam.
“Aym Dyino. Aym prom Batangas. Ay want study. Tenk yu.”
“Magaling!” wika ni Ma’am sabay palakpak.
Nalito ang mga kaklase ko. “Hindi ba this is Communication 131? We should communicate well in English, di ba?”
“How come they accepted someone who doesn’t even know how to introduce himself?”
Nagbulungan ang buong klase. Habang si Gino ay nasa harap, halatang nahihiya.
“’Yan. Diyan tayo magagaling, e, ‘no?” inis na sabi ni Ma’am sabay lakad papunta sa harap ng klase.
“This is Communication 131, not English 131. Hindi niyo kailangang mag-English para masabi o maihayag nang epektibo ang nais n’yo. Nandito kayo para matuto. Paano kayo matututo kung ‘yung mga kapatid n’yo ay lalait-laitin n’yo? Tandaan n’yo na ang bawat isa sa atin ay may ginagampanang tungkulin. Ako, tungkulin kong turuan kayo at kayo bilang mga estudyante, tungkulin n’yong matuto at tulungan ang bawat isa.”
Patuloy pa niya, “Hindi lang Ingles ang batayan ng talino. Bakit ang banyaga di n’yo nilalait dahil sa kakulangan ng kaalaman sa wikang Filipino? Bakit n’yo pipiliting mag-Ingles ang tao kung isa siyang Pilipino? At hindi dahil mas marunong kang mag-Ingles sa iba ay mas matalino ka na sa kaniya.”
Natahimik ang klase.
“Sige, Gino ulitin mo. Puwede kang magsalita sa kahit anong gusto mong wika.”
“Ako po si Gino. Isa akong mag-aaral mula sa Batangas. Nag-aral ako dito dahil naniniwala akong dapat sumubok ng bago para matuto. Sa katunayan, iskolar lang ako dahil mataas ang mga grado ko dati. Di kasi namin kayang bayaran ang matrikula rito. Hindi man ako ganu’n kagaling mag-Ingles, makakaasa kayong gagawin ko ang lahat para matuto dahil iyon ang nais ko para makatulong ako sa pamilya ko at sa bayan,” sabi niya sabay ngiti.
Pumalakpak ako kasabay ng iba kong mga kaklase. Totoo nga ang sabi ni Ma’am, magkakapatid tayo, tayong mga Pilipino at Pilipinas ang tahanan natin. Bakit mo nga ba pagtatawanan ang kapatid mo sa mismong tahanan ninyo? Bakit hindi tulungan nang sa gayon umunlad kayo pareho? Simula noon, inidolo ko na ang aking guro.
Literary: Tungkulin
“Hay! Aym Sheena pram BA Saykology. Nays to mit yo,” tamad kong pagbigkas ng itinurong pagpapakilala sa akin bukas sa iskul.
“Ayusin mo naman, Sheena. Baka pagtawanan ka niyan bukas sa klase. Dapat ‘Hi! I’m Sheena from BA Psychology! Nice to meet you.’ Mali naman bigkas mo, e!”
“Ate naman! Psychology ang course ko! Bakit kailangang magaling mag-English?! Puwede namang makipagkilala kahit sa Filipino, ha?!” Napabuntonghininga ako.
Aba! Psychology ang course ko, bakit kailangang English lahat!? Marunong naman akong mag-English, nakakaintindi, pero hindi ako magaling magsalita. Dahil sa inis ko, inayos ko na ang mga gamit ko. Bahala na bukas. Puwede naman akong magpakilala sa komportableng wika.
Kinabukasan, maaga akong pumasok sa iskul suot-suot ang napakaayos kong uniporme. Plantsado ito at sinigurado kong disente akong tingnan dahil ito ang unang araw ko sa unang taon ko sa kolehiyo. Dumiretso na agad ako sa aming klasrum. Umupo ako sa tabi ng bintana at inantay ang aming propesor sa una naming klase.
“Good morning! I am Ms. Calderon, I will be your teacher for Communication 131. I believe my students are good at speaking and writing, am I right?”
“Yes, Ma’am!” ang sagot ng buong klase.
“Good. So let’s start by introducing yourselves in front of the class.” Kinabahan ako. Ito na naman, parang hindi na nawala ‘to sa kahit anong klase ko, a!
“Let’s start. You go first.” Sabay turo sa babaeng maganda sa bandang harapan ko. Sa itsura niya, halatang may dugo siyang banyaga. Kulay tsokolate ang buhok, asul ang mga mata, may matangos na ilong, at maliit na labi. Grabe, may foreigner akong kaklase!
“Mahgahndang omaga! Aym Amber Brent galing sa Canada! Aym, ugh... di magaling mag-Tuhgahlog. But I’m doing my best! I really want to learn!” Sa itsura ng mga tao sa room, halatang lahat ay nakikinig sa kaniya. Lalo na ‘yung mga lalaki na halos madikit na ang mata sa kaniya. Manghang-mangha rin sila sa pagsubok nitong magsalita ng wikang Filipino. Banyaga kasi, e.
“Very good, Miss Amber,” wika ng guro ko sabay ngiti kay Amber.
Matapos magsalita ay pinalakpakan siya. Ako naman ‘yung sumunod sa harap at nagsalita. ‘Wag kabahan! Prinaktis ko ito kahapon.
Sumunod naman ‘yung kaklase ko sa likod ni Amber. Moreno, matangkad, at may kalakihan ang katawan. Noong una ay di siya makasalita. Tiningnan lamang namin siya hanggang sa pagpawisan na siya sa mukha.
“Ma’am… ay kent… ay kent Ingles. Hehe,” sabi niya na halatang nahihiya.
“It’s fine. Go ahead. Ipakilala mo lang ang sarili mo,” ngiti ni Maam.
“Aym Dyino. Aym prom Batangas. Ay want study. Tenk yu.”
“Magaling!” wika ni Ma’am sabay palakpak.
Nalito ang mga kaklase ko. “Hindi ba this is Communication 131? We should communicate well in English, di ba?”
“How come they accepted someone who doesn’t even know how to introduce himself?”
Nagbulungan ang buong klase. Habang si Gino ay nasa harap, halatang nahihiya.
“’Yan. Diyan tayo magagaling, e, ‘no?” inis na sabi ni Ma’am sabay lakad papunta sa harap ng klase.
“This is Communication 131, not English 131. Hindi niyo kailangang mag-English para masabi o maihayag nang epektibo ang nais n’yo. Nandito kayo para matuto. Paano kayo matututo kung ‘yung mga kapatid n’yo ay lalait-laitin n’yo? Tandaan n’yo na ang bawat isa sa atin ay may ginagampanang tungkulin. Ako, tungkulin kong turuan kayo at kayo bilang mga estudyante, tungkulin n’yong matuto at tulungan ang bawat isa.”
Patuloy pa niya, “Hindi lang Ingles ang batayan ng talino. Bakit ang banyaga di n’yo nilalait dahil sa kakulangan ng kaalaman sa wikang Filipino? Bakit n’yo pipiliting mag-Ingles ang tao kung isa siyang Pilipino? At hindi dahil mas marunong kang mag-Ingles sa iba ay mas matalino ka na sa kaniya.”
Natahimik ang klase.
“Sige, Gino ulitin mo. Puwede kang magsalita sa kahit anong gusto mong wika.”
“Ako po si Gino. Isa akong mag-aaral mula sa Batangas. Nag-aral ako dito dahil naniniwala akong dapat sumubok ng bago para matuto. Sa katunayan, iskolar lang ako dahil mataas ang mga grado ko dati. Di kasi namin kayang bayaran ang matrikula rito. Hindi man ako ganu’n kagaling mag-Ingles, makakaasa kayong gagawin ko ang lahat para matuto dahil iyon ang nais ko para makatulong ako sa pamilya ko at sa bayan,” sabi niya sabay ngiti.
Pumalakpak ako kasabay ng iba kong mga kaklase. Totoo nga ang sabi ni Ma’am, magkakapatid tayo, tayong mga Pilipino at Pilipinas ang tahanan natin. Bakit mo nga ba pagtatawanan ang kapatid mo sa mismong tahanan ninyo? Bakit hindi tulungan nang sa gayon umunlad kayo pareho? Simula noon, inidolo ko na ang aking guro.
bridge,
Today I have gone through a dozen slumbers
Only waking to still be this somber
Tried to focus on various distractions
While impatiently seeking for anyone’s attention.
Been staring at nothing for almost an hour,
With nothing to do, I can’t help but wonder,
Why is my life filled with so much gray?
And what could possibly be my own purpose?
Why do I keep chasing the things I can’t even see,
Eating the tasteless treats that I’ll never really need,
And trying anything until someone notices me?
The time was even more filled with questions and inactivity,
Suddenly, the door opened and I was struck with familiarity
My heart raced knowing she finally came back for me!
I eagerly greeted her through the wagging of my tail
But she had no response and just looked a bit stale.
So, I jumped and hugged her, making her stumble
She laid on the floor then laughed because of the fall
Then sat straight and patted my head with a smile
Maybe making her happy has been my purpose all the while.
Literary: Dog Days
Today I have gone through a dozen slumbers
Only waking to still be this somber
Tried to focus on various distractions
While impatiently seeking for anyone’s attention.
Been staring at nothing for almost an hour,
With nothing to do, I can’t help but wonder,
Why is my life filled with so much gray?
And what could possibly be my own purpose?
Why do I keep chasing the things I can’t even see,
Eating the tasteless treats that I’ll never really need,
And trying anything until someone notices me?
The time was even more filled with questions and inactivity,
Suddenly, the door opened and I was struck with familiarity
My heart raced knowing she finally came back for me!
I eagerly greeted her through the wagging of my tail
But she had no response and just looked a bit stale.
So, I jumped and hugged her, making her stumble
She laid on the floor then laughed because of the fall
Then sat straight and patted my head with a smile
Maybe making her happy has been my purpose all the while.
AMY,
Patty was a ponderous Porpoise, swimming in the Pacific Ocean thinking carefully about whether or not he has a purpose in this pointless planet. Perplexed about his existence, he decided to leave the paradise he calls home and bring his plump body to dry land. Patty learned plenty of things during his time on the surface, but he wanted to learn more, so he went to the Panama Public University and studied medicine to become a pediatric surgeon.
Patty worked so hard and graduated top of his class with high honors, and immediately got a job at the General Hospital in Barisal.
He worked so hard that he became the best surgeon there is in Bangladesh. So famous that many visited his Pediatric office, including his future wife.
Patty met this wonderful woman named Mary and got married immediately, but no one would marry a porpoise to a human being, except for a man in Mindanao named Mang Mandoto who was crazy enough to marry them both.
And after a while they had a girl named Cherry, who was born in China while Patty and his wife were on a vacation he won from a Chane Lottery contest in a convenience store.
But Patty was lucky to last that long in land, his life is slowly fading away. As he lies there alone on a bed with nothing but a linen bed sheet under him. All alone with no one by his side for his wife left him for a giant lobster named Larry.
And here lies Patty the Porpoise who died, went away without a purpose.
Literary: Patty the Purposeless Porpoise
Patty was a ponderous Porpoise, swimming in the Pacific Ocean thinking carefully about whether or not he has a purpose in this pointless planet. Perplexed about his existence, he decided to leave the paradise he calls home and bring his plump body to dry land. Patty learned plenty of things during his time on the surface, but he wanted to learn more, so he went to the Panama Public University and studied medicine to become a pediatric surgeon.
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| Photo Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/students-wearing-academic-dress-1184580/ |
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He worked so hard that he became the best surgeon there is in Bangladesh. So famous that many visited his Pediatric office, including his future wife.
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| Photo Source: https://burst.shopify.com/photos/father-holding-child-looking-up |
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| Photo Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/ShJUYkshceY |
But Patty was lucky to last that long in land, his life is slowly fading away. As he lies there alone on a bed with nothing but a linen bed sheet under him. All alone with no one by his side for his wife left him for a giant lobster named Larry.
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| Photo Source: https://tembisan.co.za/61095/importance-funeral-cover/ |
And here lies Patty the Porpoise who died, went away without a purpose.
diamond,
Let your passion be your purpose.
Allow the beautiful, sudden moments thrown at you
germinate from the bottom,
Like a sprouting seedling
Creeping out of nowhere,
From a pansy flowerbed
To a magnificent tree.
Let your passion be your purpose.
The way you walk on the street,
Sashaying along like no one’s watching,
Allow those moments make you
and never break you.
To gradually shape their minds,
Supporting, admiring and applauding you.
Let your passion be your purpose.
The way you move your body
as you produce a myriad of motions.
Let the sequence of movements
become a performance
to everyone around you,
obliviously gazing and being moved.
Let your passion be your purpose.
For you were born with this aptitude.
Enter your infinite realm of creative space,
Let it fill you up internally
slowly and certainly,
like a paintbrush caressing on a canvas,
leaving you and everyone with gratification.
Literary: Ikigai
Let your passion be your purpose.
Allow the beautiful, sudden moments thrown at you
germinate from the bottom,
Like a sprouting seedling
Creeping out of nowhere,
From a pansy flowerbed
To a magnificent tree.
Let your passion be your purpose.
The way you walk on the street,
Sashaying along like no one’s watching,
Allow those moments make you
and never break you.
To gradually shape their minds,
Supporting, admiring and applauding you.
Let your passion be your purpose.
The way you move your body
as you produce a myriad of motions.
Let the sequence of movements
become a performance
to everyone around you,
obliviously gazing and being moved.
Let your passion be your purpose.
For you were born with this aptitude.
Enter your infinite realm of creative space,
Let it fill you up internally
slowly and certainly,
like a paintbrush caressing on a canvas,
leaving you and everyone with gratification.
feature,
“I am a seagull… No, that’s not right
I am an actress”
Perhaps, these are the most prominent lines in Chekhov’s play, The Seagull. We came to know them during the second offering of Dulaang UP’s 43rd season, The Dressing Room: That Which Flows Away Ultimately Becomes Nostalgia when a character uttered these words while she was rehearsing for her own play.
The Dressing Room, written by Japanese playwright Shimizu Kunio with an original adaptation by Chiori Miyagawa, is a play within a play that retells four different stories of four different actress while they are preparing before their cue to go onstage. An ‘eternal rehearsal’ is what we can call their scenes during the whole play and we prefer not to expound on the nickname to save you from any unwanted spoilers.
If you are a first timer just like us, you would initially think that what you are about to watch is something heavy and dark. And you’d definitely be surprised.
As the show begins, the audience is immediately engulfed in a feeling of melancholy due to the music and the opening routine of the ensemble. Even the first few lines make it seem like a somber play focusing about memories. And then the ghosts start to talk…
Yes, ghosts. Before the play even starts, literally half the cast is dead, sticking around to heckle the living like Statler and Waldorf from the Muppets. Suddenly, the mood of the entire play would relentlessly bounce between somber and hilarious, able to bring along the audience in quite the emotional rollercoaster.
Topnotch direction from UP’s very own, Dr. Alexander C. Cortez paved this play’s way to artistic genius. His vision of creating a cross between Filipino and Japanese culture came to life through his characters, ensemble, choreography, costumes and set design. Truly, this play is inspired greatly by the Japanese culture however the audience can still get a glimpse of our very own identity through the lines delivered and the importance given to the emotions portrayed on stage.
‘Play within a play’
Literary references are made throughout which make classic theater hearts beat wildly, with the main reference in point being The Seagull by Anton Chekhov, a play that partially sets off the flow of the play. Works by Shakespeare (Macbeth) and Miyoshi Juro (Slashed Senta) also get thrown in when the characters reminisce of bygone days, reenacting them at points when need be. This shows how much effort was put into the script and how much the production is willing to give for the sake of art and theatre.
‘Five-star acting’
Actress A (played by Frances Makil-Ignacio) and Actress B (played by Ces Quesada) are the characters that make this play balanced and light. With their snide yet hilarious remarks, you’ll leave the theatre with your hands on your stomachs and a smile on your lips. Not to mention their facial expressions that just made the comic relief even more amusing and their acting even more convincing. This tag-team of Ignacio and Quesada showcased happiness and fun despite being tortured with an ‘eternal rehearsal’.
The other actors portrayed each character’s persona greatly as well. Actress C (Missy Maramara) poured out her heart and soul for her passion for theatre and her role while Actress D (Maxine Ignacio) accurately depicted someone who just had something stolen from them. Hard and raw emotions were staged, leaving the audience utterly speechless by the end of the production.
‘Serious yet playful’
What made this production even more compelling was its way of masking its heavy yet central message behind a comical façade. On the darker side, an important but rarely talked about issue regarding the hardships of being a performer reveals itself throughout the whole production without the audience even noticing, including but not limited to the various tolls it has on a person’s physical and mental health, as well as being extremely devoted to perfecting the art, no matter the cost.
Additionally, this production leaves its audience with a perpetual message, that there is no obstacle too great (even death) to get out of stagnation, especially with the help of a few friends and loved ones.
‘Music to die for’
Another noteworthy aspect of the whole production was the fact that no silence was left dull. There was no dead air (yes, pun intended) for each scene was filled with either amazing numbers by the ensemble or haunting Japanese-inspired melodies. The great blending of both visual and audio cues was unique as well, further highlighting the various moods and emotions strewn throughout the play. The music really sets the mood and guides the audience on what kind of scene they are currently watching.
We can go on and on about how this production deserves the praise it’s getting but we have to stop here for we don’t want to reveal the whole story. We’ll just let you discover its wonders for yourself.
The Dressing Room is currently running until November 25 only so don’t let this opportunity pass by unnoticed. This Saturday and Sunday will serve as their closing shows at 10 am and 3 pm Tickets are 500 pesos each however for UPIS students, we are offered a discounted price of 200 pesos (what a small price for a play of this quality). Tickets are available online at https://ticket2me.net/e/832. For ticket inquiries, contact Joshua Chan (09176775141) or Gio Dexter Santos (09165552782). You may also contact the Dulaang UP Office (Tel: 926-1349 / 981-8500 local 2449 / dulaangupmarketing@gmail.com).//by Gabriel Aparato, Philip Jocano and Roan Ticman
Feature: Blurring the Lines between the Living and the Dead
“I am a seagull… No, that’s not right
I am an actress”
Perhaps, these are the most prominent lines in Chekhov’s play, The Seagull. We came to know them during the second offering of Dulaang UP’s 43rd season, The Dressing Room: That Which Flows Away Ultimately Becomes Nostalgia when a character uttered these words while she was rehearsing for her own play.
The Dressing Room, written by Japanese playwright Shimizu Kunio with an original adaptation by Chiori Miyagawa, is a play within a play that retells four different stories of four different actress while they are preparing before their cue to go onstage. An ‘eternal rehearsal’ is what we can call their scenes during the whole play and we prefer not to expound on the nickname to save you from any unwanted spoilers.
If you are a first timer just like us, you would initially think that what you are about to watch is something heavy and dark. And you’d definitely be surprised.
As the show begins, the audience is immediately engulfed in a feeling of melancholy due to the music and the opening routine of the ensemble. Even the first few lines make it seem like a somber play focusing about memories. And then the ghosts start to talk…
Yes, ghosts. Before the play even starts, literally half the cast is dead, sticking around to heckle the living like Statler and Waldorf from the Muppets. Suddenly, the mood of the entire play would relentlessly bounce between somber and hilarious, able to bring along the audience in quite the emotional rollercoaster.
Topnotch direction from UP’s very own, Dr. Alexander C. Cortez paved this play’s way to artistic genius. His vision of creating a cross between Filipino and Japanese culture came to life through his characters, ensemble, choreography, costumes and set design. Truly, this play is inspired greatly by the Japanese culture however the audience can still get a glimpse of our very own identity through the lines delivered and the importance given to the emotions portrayed on stage.
‘Play within a play’
Literary references are made throughout which make classic theater hearts beat wildly, with the main reference in point being The Seagull by Anton Chekhov, a play that partially sets off the flow of the play. Works by Shakespeare (Macbeth) and Miyoshi Juro (Slashed Senta) also get thrown in when the characters reminisce of bygone days, reenacting them at points when need be. This shows how much effort was put into the script and how much the production is willing to give for the sake of art and theatre.
‘Five-star acting’
Actress A (played by Frances Makil-Ignacio) and Actress B (played by Ces Quesada) are the characters that make this play balanced and light. With their snide yet hilarious remarks, you’ll leave the theatre with your hands on your stomachs and a smile on your lips. Not to mention their facial expressions that just made the comic relief even more amusing and their acting even more convincing. This tag-team of Ignacio and Quesada showcased happiness and fun despite being tortured with an ‘eternal rehearsal’.
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| SPOTLIGHT. Ces Quesada and Frances Makil-Ignacio shine bright as they perform on stage. Photo credit: Roan Ticman |
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| ADEPT. With rapture, Missy Maramara beautifully plays the life of her character. Photo credit: Roan Ticman |
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| PRECIOUS. Maxine Ignacio delightfully hugs her pillow. Photo credit: Roan Ticman |
‘Serious yet playful’
What made this production even more compelling was its way of masking its heavy yet central message behind a comical façade. On the darker side, an important but rarely talked about issue regarding the hardships of being a performer reveals itself throughout the whole production without the audience even noticing, including but not limited to the various tolls it has on a person’s physical and mental health, as well as being extremely devoted to perfecting the art, no matter the cost.
Additionally, this production leaves its audience with a perpetual message, that there is no obstacle too great (even death) to get out of stagnation, especially with the help of a few friends and loved ones.
‘Music to die for’
Another noteworthy aspect of the whole production was the fact that no silence was left dull. There was no dead air (yes, pun intended) for each scene was filled with either amazing numbers by the ensemble or haunting Japanese-inspired melodies. The great blending of both visual and audio cues was unique as well, further highlighting the various moods and emotions strewn throughout the play. The music really sets the mood and guides the audience on what kind of scene they are currently watching.
We can go on and on about how this production deserves the praise it’s getting but we have to stop here for we don’t want to reveal the whole story. We’ll just let you discover its wonders for yourself.
The Dressing Room is currently running until November 25 only so don’t let this opportunity pass by unnoticed. This Saturday and Sunday will serve as their closing shows at 10 am and 3 pm Tickets are 500 pesos each however for UPIS students, we are offered a discounted price of 200 pesos (what a small price for a play of this quality). Tickets are available online at https://ticket2me.net/e/832. For ticket inquiries, contact Joshua Chan (09176775141) or Gio Dexter Santos (09165552782). You may also contact the Dulaang UP Office (Tel: 926-1349 / 981-8500 local 2449 / dulaangupmarketing@gmail.com).//by Gabriel Aparato, Philip Jocano and Roan Ticman
julius guevarra jr,
The University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Boys Volleyball Team (BVT) and Girls Volleyball Team (GVT) fought toe-to-toe with powerful rivals during the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 held at Far East University (FEU) Diliman Gym last November 10 and 11.
Powerhouse University of the East (UE) BVT towed UPIS BVT within three consecutive sets, forcing UPIS BVT to withdraw with heads facing down as 9-25,22-25,17-25 flashed on the scoreboard last Sunday, November 11.
The UPIS BVT still gave UE BVT a hard time claiming the throne as UPIS BVT solidified their defense in the first set. However, they were slowly torn apart as UE revved up their offense as errors continued to accumulate for the UPIS BVT.
Eyeing for a comeback, the UPIS BVT recovered from a 14-14 draw from a 6-12 mark before breaking loose, 18-15, but was then hunted by their competitor to end the second set with a 22-25, in favor of UE BVT.
Derick Urgena, Ron Castro, and Samuel Silvestre’s spectacular debut showered spontaneous attacks and spikes in the third set leaving UE BVT stunned for a short period of time but was able to swiftly overrun UPIS BVT with their coordinated offenses and defenses, 17-25.
“’Yung feeling na kaya naming tapatan nang gitgitan yung powerhouse na UE ay ‘yun talagang nagpapagaan sa loob ko kasi kahit na maraming nagsasabi na pangit ‘yung record namin, nagawa pa rin namin silang lusutan at i-block ‘yung mabibigat nilang serve, kaya nakakatuwa kasi ngayon na lang ulit ako nakaramdam ng talo pero alam mong nahirapan ‘yung kalaban para manalo,” said Silvestre of UPIS BVT.
On the other hand, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) GVT pushed through the defenses of the UPIS GVT, scoring their win in three straight sets, ending it with a pounding 23-25,11-25,10-25 last Sunday, November 11.
Renee Lou Penafiel and Imee Hernandez of UST GVT took the lead by contributing 9 points each.
The UPIS GVT fought valiantly against UST GVT, with their show of a very promising first set. With powerful plays lead by Giesha Capistrano and Trixie Badong, UPIS GVT narrowed the gap to a close score of 23-25, in favor of UST GVT.
UST GVT showed no signs of slowing down as they adapted and changed their defensive strategies, towering over the UPIS GVT in the next two sets, ending it at 11-25,10-25
“Kitang-kita naman sa mga teammates ko na gusto talaga nilang manalo. Ginagawa nila lahat ng kanilang makakaya at dapat nilang gawin, pati mga tinuro ng coach namin ina-adapt nila sa loob ng court kaya naman nakakahabol sila sa puntos ng kalaban pero ‘yun nga, kulang lang talaga sila sa lakas ng loob at tiwala sa sarili,” said Kriztin Jugo of UPIS GVT.
Yet another grim match was experienced by the UPIS BVT last November 10, Saturday, as De La Salle Zobel (DLSZ) BVT set the stage on fire and left the stadium with a deafening 15-25, 19-25, 23-25 mark.
Urgena cruised a total of 11 spikes while Silveste contributed eight. Ron Castro was able to deny two attacks with the aid of Urgena while Daguman and Miguel Castro clinched in two successful service aces.
On the other side of the net, Simon Encarnacion garnered 16 points while Enrique Miguel Aranton blasted 7 to progress DLSZ BVT forward in the UAAP competition.
The UPIS GVT shared the same fate as DLSZ GVT plowed right through them on the same day at the Blue Eagle Gym, 15-25,16-25,19-25.//by Julius Guevarra Jr. and Keio Guzman
Sports: UPIS Girls and Boys Volleyball Teams trudge through UAAP Season 81
The University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Boys Volleyball Team (BVT) and Girls Volleyball Team (GVT) fought toe-to-toe with powerful rivals during the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 held at Far East University (FEU) Diliman Gym last November 10 and 11.
Powerhouse University of the East (UE) BVT towed UPIS BVT within three consecutive sets, forcing UPIS BVT to withdraw with heads facing down as 9-25,22-25,17-25 flashed on the scoreboard last Sunday, November 11.
The UPIS BVT still gave UE BVT a hard time claiming the throne as UPIS BVT solidified their defense in the first set. However, they were slowly torn apart as UE revved up their offense as errors continued to accumulate for the UPIS BVT.
Eyeing for a comeback, the UPIS BVT recovered from a 14-14 draw from a 6-12 mark before breaking loose, 18-15, but was then hunted by their competitor to end the second set with a 22-25, in favor of UE BVT.
Derick Urgena, Ron Castro, and Samuel Silvestre’s spectacular debut showered spontaneous attacks and spikes in the third set leaving UE BVT stunned for a short period of time but was able to swiftly overrun UPIS BVT with their coordinated offenses and defenses, 17-25.
“’Yung feeling na kaya naming tapatan nang gitgitan yung powerhouse na UE ay ‘yun talagang nagpapagaan sa loob ko kasi kahit na maraming nagsasabi na pangit ‘yung record namin, nagawa pa rin namin silang lusutan at i-block ‘yung mabibigat nilang serve, kaya nakakatuwa kasi ngayon na lang ulit ako nakaramdam ng talo pero alam mong nahirapan ‘yung kalaban para manalo,” said Silvestre of UPIS BVT.
On the other hand, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) GVT pushed through the defenses of the UPIS GVT, scoring their win in three straight sets, ending it with a pounding 23-25,11-25,10-25 last Sunday, November 11.
Renee Lou Penafiel and Imee Hernandez of UST GVT took the lead by contributing 9 points each.
The UPIS GVT fought valiantly against UST GVT, with their show of a very promising first set. With powerful plays lead by Giesha Capistrano and Trixie Badong, UPIS GVT narrowed the gap to a close score of 23-25, in favor of UST GVT.
UST GVT showed no signs of slowing down as they adapted and changed their defensive strategies, towering over the UPIS GVT in the next two sets, ending it at 11-25,10-25
“Kitang-kita naman sa mga teammates ko na gusto talaga nilang manalo. Ginagawa nila lahat ng kanilang makakaya at dapat nilang gawin, pati mga tinuro ng coach namin ina-adapt nila sa loob ng court kaya naman nakakahabol sila sa puntos ng kalaban pero ‘yun nga, kulang lang talaga sila sa lakas ng loob at tiwala sa sarili,” said Kriztin Jugo of UPIS GVT.
Yet another grim match was experienced by the UPIS BVT last November 10, Saturday, as De La Salle Zobel (DLSZ) BVT set the stage on fire and left the stadium with a deafening 15-25, 19-25, 23-25 mark.
Urgena cruised a total of 11 spikes while Silveste contributed eight. Ron Castro was able to deny two attacks with the aid of Urgena while Daguman and Miguel Castro clinched in two successful service aces.
On the other side of the net, Simon Encarnacion garnered 16 points while Enrique Miguel Aranton blasted 7 to progress DLSZ BVT forward in the UAAP competition.
The UPIS GVT shared the same fate as DLSZ GVT plowed right through them on the same day at the Blue Eagle Gym, 15-25,16-25,19-25.//by Julius Guevarra Jr. and Keio Guzman
jasmine esguerra,
Hindi pinalad ang University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) Junior Fighting Maroons kontra Adamson University (AdU) Baby Falcons sa kanilang unang laro sa University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 noong Nobyembre 11 sa Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym, Katipunan Avenue.
Matapang na hinarap ng Junior Maroons ang unang kuwarter ng laban ngunit napag-iwanan ng mga tira ng Baby Falcons. Sinubukang isalba ng mga tres nina Jordi Gomez de Liaño at Ray Allen Torres ang UPIS pero kapos na kapos sa wakas na 23-10, pabor sa AdU.
Pinangunahan pa rin ng Baby Falcons ang ikalawang kuwarter sa kanilang matibay na depensa na hirap lusutan ng Junior Maroons. Hindi sumuko ang UPIS sa pagpipilit na makapuntos, ngunit kung hindi bitin ang mga tira, nasapawan naman ito ng kalaban. Pinagsikapang sagipin ng trio nina Abel Lopez, Gomez de Liaño, at Torres ang Maroons gamit ang kanilang three-point shots pero natapos ang first half sa 45-26, lamang pa rin ang Falcons.
Nag-init na ang UPIS sa ikatlong kuwarter at mas pinatindi ang kanilang opensa. Mahusay ang duo nina Polo Labao at King Vergeire na naging daan upang makaahon ang team mula sa pagkatambak. Nagwakas ang kuwarter na pitong puntos na lang ang angat ng kalaban, 59-52.
Pilit na nag-ungusan ang dalawang koponan sa huling yugto. Bakas ang pagpupursigi, napaliit ng Junior Maroons sa apat na puntos ang lamang ng katunggali. Subalit binawian naman sila nito sa sunod-sunod na pag-shoot na nauwi sa pinal na iskor na 78-66.
“We didn’t start well and nahabol namin sila sa 3rd quarter. Du’n namin na-realize na kaya naming [makipag-compete] sa malalakas na team,” ani Torres, ang highest pointer ng Junior Maroons na lumikom ng 21 puntos.
“Naging challenge sa ’min ‘yung getting back to the game kahit na tambak kami no’ng una. We need to be more aggressive on rebounding and defending the paint kasi maliit kami, e,” dugtong pa niya.//nina Pauline Demeterio at Jasmine Esguerra
Sports: UPIS Basketball Team, sumabak na sa UAAP Season 81
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| DISKARTE. Nagpaplano ang UPIS Junior Fighting Maroons sa kanilang timeout. Photo credit: Fatima Wadi |
Matapang na hinarap ng Junior Maroons ang unang kuwarter ng laban ngunit napag-iwanan ng mga tira ng Baby Falcons. Sinubukang isalba ng mga tres nina Jordi Gomez de Liaño at Ray Allen Torres ang UPIS pero kapos na kapos sa wakas na 23-10, pabor sa AdU.
 |
| TIBAY. Matinding dinedepensahan ni Labao ng UPIS ang bola laban kay Prodigo ng Adamson. Photo credit: Fatima Wadi |
Nag-init na ang UPIS sa ikatlong kuwarter at mas pinatindi ang kanilang opensa. Mahusay ang duo nina Polo Labao at King Vergeire na naging daan upang makaahon ang team mula sa pagkatambak. Nagwakas ang kuwarter na pitong puntos na lang ang angat ng kalaban, 59-52.
Pilit na nag-ungusan ang dalawang koponan sa huling yugto. Bakas ang pagpupursigi, napaliit ng Junior Maroons sa apat na puntos ang lamang ng katunggali. Subalit binawian naman sila nito sa sunod-sunod na pag-shoot na nauwi sa pinal na iskor na 78-66.
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| SIGLA. Kumakaripas ng takbo si Torres ng UPIS laban kay Padilla ng Adamson. Photo credit: Fatima Wadi |
“Naging challenge sa ’min ‘yung getting back to the game kahit na tambak kami no’ng una. We need to be more aggressive on rebounding and defending the paint kasi maliit kami, e,” dugtong pa niya.//nina Pauline Demeterio at Jasmine Esguerra
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