aldric de ocampo,
OPINION: Don’t Judge a Drug by Its Cover
With the talks about legislative measures on medical marijuana resurfacing since the Miss Universe pageant last December, we as a nation are yet again faced with the dilemma of whether the drug should be made legal here in the Philippines.
Miss Philippines Catriona Gray, during the pageant’s question and answer portion, expressed her support for its “medical use but not so for recreational use” in her answer, challenging the current status of the drug.
Malacañang responded on December 18 that President Rodrigo Duterte, despite his infamous war on drugs, is open to the legalization of medical marijuana. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that it is consistent with the President’s stand in his previous statements, so logically he would support and sign a bill for it.
This statement, though, was released a few weeks after the president made a controversial joke about how he used marijuana to keep himself awake. This is a point of discussion where his credibility on the issue can be challenged.
More recently though, on January 16, the Department of Health (DOH) represented by Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo, said that an enabling law is needed to put clinical research on the substance into motion. In relation to this, House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also said that she is an author for the bill which aims to legalize the drug and that she uses a marijuana-based pain patch to address the pain in her cervical spine in countries that allow it the day before.
All these aside, it is still reasonable that medical marijuana can and should be legalized in the country. Why?
For one, there is research that proves its medicinal properties. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in the US, the whole, unprocessed plant or the basic extracts of cannabis, or marijuana, can treat conditions such as appetite problems, inflammations, multiple sclerosis, epileptic seizures, HIV/AIDS, and even cancer.
Cannabis was also first used as a medical treatment in China in 1737. This was found by Dr. Donnabel Cunanan, a dentist and an advocate for medical marijuana, after she did her own research on the drug as a result of her daughter experiencing a partial seizure disorder at two years-old.
Dr. Cunanan is also part of a non-profit organization, the Philippines Moms for Marijuana, later called the Philippine Cannabis Compassion Society (PCCS), a group that advocates legalizing medical cannabis so that parents from all walks of life can have the option of using it to cure their children’s debilitating diseases.
Surprisingly, as shared in a Rappler post, many of the parents in this community, including Cunanan, are conservatives when it comes to drug use. But since all the medical treatments they used for their children did not prove effective for curing spasms and seizures, they have decided to look for medical cannabis as a last resort.
Fortunately, House Bill (HB) 6517 or the Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, which has strict provisions regarding regulation and use concerns of the drug, is already being considered for second reading approval at the House of Representatives. This shows that there is a fighting chance for the advocacy to push through in law.
Isabela Representative Rodolfo Albano III, the main author of the bill, has already tried to push for it in 2014. Until now, he encourages public discussions on the topic so that the situation can be brought to light.
It is understandable that there is still widespread fear of drug abuse and addiction. It is after all, a commonly used drug for recreational purposes that can do more harm than good to human health. It is thought that if the substance attains a legitimate status, people, especially children, will gain more access to the drug and use it for recreation. We should not be alarmed though, for the bill has recognized this and its author has consistently emphasized its stringent regulation as a priority to avoid potential abuse.
Once the bill is ratified into law, the public must actively participate and comply with the provisions and regulations set in order to ensure that the law is effectively implemented. Along with this, education is key to clarifying misconceptions and unwarranted fears of the drug among the public. Moreover, garnering more support for the research and development of the drug will also prove to be useful to the medical community, the government, and ultimately, society.
The uphill fight for the controversial legalization of medical marijuana is still a challenge that must be faced by our community. Though the doubt still runs rampant among our fellow citizens, us advocates and supporters of the drug must remain patient and continue to fight for this cause as it is our responsibility to educate and assure the public that the changes we are asking for are changes that can be controlled and are able to help a vulnerable sector of society. //by Aldric de Ocampo
english,
However, many may be unable to vote due to fear that violence will disrupt the plebiscites. As families were celebrating the arrival of 2019, an improvised explosive device, more commonly known as IED, detonated in a Cotabato City mall’s baggage area, killing two people and injuring 34 others including young children. Authorities believe the bombing was politically motivated.
The MILF condoned the bombings and blamed a splinter group of their organization, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). The BIFF seeks an independent Moro nation rather than Moro autonomy under the Republic of the Philippines. To ensure that such bombings do not happen on the day of the plebiscite, the AFP and PNP deployed additional forces to ensure peace and order.
Many still fear that violence might disrupt the second phase of the plebiscite though. On the day of the first plebiscite, 66 teachers who were to conduct the voting received threatening text messages which forced them not to show up at their assigned voting centers. 60 PNP personnel who were trained as backup electoral officers took the place of the no-show teachers.
Also, a fragmentation grenade set up as a booby trap was found by citizens on the road leading to a voting center. Thankfully, it was deactivated by PNP bomb disposal before anyone could have been injured or killed.
Voters should not let fear stop them from voting for it is of great importance that enough voters vote to ratify the BOL. As stated, many lives were lost for this chance. Voters should not squander this opportunity to end the conflict.
People nationwide are awaiting the outcome of the plebiscites for the BOL since its ratification in this plebiscite will end the decades-long hostilities between the government and their Moro brethren. All the BOL seeks to accomplish is to give Moros the right to self-determination, a freedom all have rights to. //by Gabe Ulanday
OPINION: The Long-Awaited Finale
There are 2,839,659 registered voters from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Cotabato City and Isabela City. On January 21, they partook in the first phase of the regional plebiscites to ratify the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to replace the ARMM.
If BOL passes the first plebiscite, a second plebiscite will be held on February 6 in several cities and towns of Lanao del Norte and North Cotabato to determine their inclusion into the new BARMM.
The ARMM was first established in 1989 through Republic Act No. 6734 which was also known as the Organic Act. Once ratified by a plebiscite, ARMM was inaugurated in 1990. The ARMM’s main purpose is to give freedom of self-determination to Moros.
However, some Moro groups were not satisfied with the ARMM and sought greater autonomy or outright independence from the Philippine government. This led to an increase in armed violence within the region.
Despite the violence, the government and Moro nationalists negotiated to end the violence and bloodshed. The result of these decades-long negotiations is the BOL. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the leading Moro insurrection group, has agreed to government terms. They promised to cease all armed hostilities and surrender one-third of its weapon stockpile to government forces if the government consents to giving the ARMM more autonomy. The BOL is the enabling law for this agreement.
It is then assumed that if BOL is ratified, there should be a decrease in armed violence in the region.
However, there are those who disagree that the BOL will reduce violence. Among these is Cynthia Guiani Sayadi, the mayor of Cotabato City. She has urged her constituents to vote for non-inclusion and stated multiple times in her speeches that the BARMM will not resolve the violence in the region since the ARMM had a similar premise as the BARMM and yet it failed to deliver, so the BARMM will also fail to make good on its promises. This is a negative mindset for it labels the BOL a failure even before it has the chance to enact changes.
While some could say the ARMM has ‘failed’, this is now in the past and the government has learned from the experience and their mistakes. Also, there are many differences between the ARMM and the proposed BARMM.
The largest difference is that in the ARMM, residents vote for their regional governor and the vice governor, as well as three members for the Regional Legislative Assembly which is tasked with passing laws for the region. In the BARMM, residents will instead vote for their representatives in the Bangsamoro Parliament. The elected representatives will then elect a prime minister from their ranks.
This is a tremendous improvement from that of the current ARMM structure as the BARMM has provisions that ensure that residents have more representation.
BOL opposition also claims that under a BARMM that implements Sharia Law, Christians and other non-Muslims will be victims of hate crime and discrimination. This is false as Christians and non-Muslims will be exempt from Sharia Law, and they will still be protected by national law.
Many decades worth of peace talks and negotiations cumulates on the day of the plebiscite. Blood of Moro freedom fighters and government troops has been spilled and taken in needless violence. Their sacrifice should not have been in vain. In the implementation of the BOL, everybody wins and the conflict will end.
If the results ratify BOL, the people will have the chance to end the decades-long violence in the region due to Moro freedom fighters finally achieving their goal of increased autonomy and increased recognition within the Philippines.
That being said, it is essential that people vote for the ratification of the BOL in this historic plebiscite, and that these forms of democratic expressions be conducted freely and fairly while being protected from possible acts of wanton violence perpetrated by those who would seek to disrupt the regional plebiscites.
The MILF condoned the bombings and blamed a splinter group of their organization, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). The BIFF seeks an independent Moro nation rather than Moro autonomy under the Republic of the Philippines. To ensure that such bombings do not happen on the day of the plebiscite, the AFP and PNP deployed additional forces to ensure peace and order.
Many still fear that violence might disrupt the second phase of the plebiscite though. On the day of the first plebiscite, 66 teachers who were to conduct the voting received threatening text messages which forced them not to show up at their assigned voting centers. 60 PNP personnel who were trained as backup electoral officers took the place of the no-show teachers.
Also, a fragmentation grenade set up as a booby trap was found by citizens on the road leading to a voting center. Thankfully, it was deactivated by PNP bomb disposal before anyone could have been injured or killed.
Voters should not let fear stop them from voting for it is of great importance that enough voters vote to ratify the BOL. As stated, many lives were lost for this chance. Voters should not squander this opportunity to end the conflict.
People nationwide are awaiting the outcome of the plebiscites for the BOL since its ratification in this plebiscite will end the decades-long hostilities between the government and their Moro brethren. All the BOL seeks to accomplish is to give Moros the right to self-determination, a freedom all have rights to. //by Gabe Ulanday
cedric creer,
OPINION: Panibagong Polisiya, Panibagong Problema
Noong nakaraang Enero 7, 2019 ipinatupad ng Land Transportation Office (LTO) NCR at Davao Region (Region 11) ang polisiya sa bagong sistema ng aplikasyon para sa pagkuha ng lisensya sa pagmamaneho. Kasunod ito ng inilabas na Memorandum Circular No. 2018-2157.
Nakasaad dito na tatanggap lamang sila ng mga pinasang medical certificates online mula sa mga accredited na clinics at mga physicians para masigurong tunay ang mga medical certificates at kwalipikado ang aplikante para magmaneho. Layunin din nitong mas mapabuti ang pag-streamline sa mga drivers’ license applications.
Ang issuance ng mga online-only medical certificates ay nagkakahalagang 300 piso hanggang 600 piso. Saklaw nito ang aplikasyon para sa mga student permits, drivers’/conductors’ licenses, at license renewals.
Pero epektibo nga ba ang patakarang ito?
Kung titingnan ang mga unang araw ng implementasyon, masasabing naging palpak ang pagpapatupad ng polisiyang ito.
Samu’t saring problema kaagad ang kinaharap ng mga apektado ng patakaran. Marami ang nagreklamo sa kakulangan ng mga accredited clinics at physicians sa iba’t ibang lugar na nagresulta sa mahahabang pila at sa mas mabagal na proseso ng license application.
“Kanina pa kaming 8 dito sa medical, until now di pa natatawag. Sayang ang araw babalik pa bukas, a-absent na naman,” sabi ni Aian Austria Raso, isang aplikante, sa UNTV News and Rescue.
Ang mga accredited clinics ng LTO ay umabot lang sa bilang na 77 sa Metro Manila. Makikita dito ang kawalan ng kahandaan ng LTO dahil kulang na kulang ito kung pagbabasehan ang lawak ng Metro Manila at ang dami ng bilang ng mga taong nangangailangan ng lisensya sa pagmamaneho.
Bukod pa rito, hindi rin maikakaila ang mabagal na internet sa Pilipinas, na isa pang dahilan kaya mas lalong bumagal ang kanilang sistema.
Sa ngayon, ang maaring gawin ng LTO ay dagdagan pa ang bilang ng mga accredited clinics at physicians. Dapat ay masiguro nila na makararating ang listahan ng mga ito sa lahat ng mga aplikante upang hindi masayang ang pagpunta sa mga klinika na hindi naman accredited ng LTO.
Sa kabilang banda, puwede rin namang tingnan na bago pa lang talaga ang sistema kaya hindi pa ito perpekto. Maaari ring bigyan ng pagkakataon ang LTO. Huwag sana nating ipagkait sa kanila ang pagkakataong mapabuti ang serbisyo sa mga mamamayan dahil lahat naman ng pagbabago ay may adjustment talaga sa simula.
Patunay nito ang binagong sistema ng number coding scheme na ang pangunahing layunin ay masolusyonan ang masikip na daloy ng trapiko sa Metro Manila. Tinanggal ang dating window hours kung kailan maaaring bumyahe ang mga plaka na coding sa partikular na araw. Maraming ang nagreklamo dahil napilitan silang iwan ang kanilang mga sasakyan sa bahay at mamasahe.
Noong una, nahirapan ang mga motorista na mag-adjust sa polisiyang ito. Pero sa paglipas ng mga buwan, natutunan nila itong tanggapin dahil nakita nila na ito ay mas makabubuti para sa nakararami.
Oo, mahirap magtiwala, lalo na sa panahon ngayon kung saan kahit ang mga sinasabi ng ating presidente ay hindi na mapagkakatiwalaan. Halimbawa ay ang kanyang pangakong susugpuin ang korupsyon, droga at kriminalidad sa loob ng 3 hanggang 6 na buwan na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nangyayari. Pero paano tayo nakasisiguro na matutulad lang ito sa pangako ng ating presidente at hindi ito makatutulong sa atin kung hindi pa naman natin nakikita ang kabuuang resulta nito?
Ang maaari nating gawin ay maging mapagmasid. Bantayan natin ang pagpapatupad ng mga polisiya. Magsalita at ipahayag ang ating mga saloobin nang may sapat na pagsusuri at batayan. Huwag nating hayaang magpatuloy ang mga bagay na sa tingin natin ay hindi tama. Kung nakikita natin na palpak pa rin ito at hindi karapat-dapat sa pagkakataong ipinagkaloob dito, ipahayag natin ito nang sa gayon ay makagawa ng aksyon sa ating mga problema. Dapat din natin tulungan ang ating mga kababayan at ipaalam natin sa kanila ang mga bagay na dapat nilang malaman tungkol sa polisiyang ito.
Walang mangyayari sa ating problema bagkus, maaari pa itong lumala sa hinaharap kung wala tayong gagawin. //ni Cedric Creer
filipino,
Matingkad ang mundong angkin ay milyon-milyong kulay,
Kay sigla ng lahat at punong-puno ng buhay!
Pinaliliwanag pa lalo ng iyong mga mata,
Ng iyong ngiti, tawa at matatamis na salita!
Dumaan ang mga araw na kay sagana ng ating hardin,
Bawat bulaklak at bunga'y maaliwalas sa paningin.
Ngunit lumipas ang panahon at ang mga ani'y nalanta
Hanggang ang saysay at kagandahan ay kumupas na.
Tuluyang nawala ang hiwagang kinasanayan,
Tuluyang naglaho ang dating nararamdaman.
Napalayo nang napalayo ang ating mga dibdib,
Lumihis ang liwanag at sinalubong ng pusikit.
Bagong taon, bagong simula,
Ikaw sana'y malilimutan na.
Ikalabimpito ng Enero, ika'y muling nakita
Napagtantong 'di pa rin ako makawala.
Narinig ko na naman ang tawa mong makulay
Kay tingkad na kahel, punong-puno ng buhay.
Sa kabila ng aking tahimik na pagkahimlay,
Nanaig ang iyong kantang hindi naman sa akin iniaalay.
Ang ating pag-ibig ay dapat nang pakawalan,
Huwag nang manatili sa lumipas na nakaraan.
Paunti-unti, susubukang tanggapin ang katotohanan
Na ang puso mo ay may iba na ngang tahanan.
At baka... baka lang naman,
Makabalik pa ako sa aking pinagmulan,
Sa mundong may mga kulay, mga hugis at kabuluhan
Ngunit mundong kupas, ordinaryo at pangkaraniwan.
Literary (Submission): Noong Nakaraang Taon
Matingkad ang mundong angkin ay milyon-milyong kulay,
Kay sigla ng lahat at punong-puno ng buhay!
Pinaliliwanag pa lalo ng iyong mga mata,
Ng iyong ngiti, tawa at matatamis na salita!
Dumaan ang mga araw na kay sagana ng ating hardin,
Bawat bulaklak at bunga'y maaliwalas sa paningin.
Ngunit lumipas ang panahon at ang mga ani'y nalanta
Hanggang ang saysay at kagandahan ay kumupas na.
Tuluyang nawala ang hiwagang kinasanayan,
Tuluyang naglaho ang dating nararamdaman.
Napalayo nang napalayo ang ating mga dibdib,
Lumihis ang liwanag at sinalubong ng pusikit.
Bagong taon, bagong simula,
Ikaw sana'y malilimutan na.
Ikalabimpito ng Enero, ika'y muling nakita
Napagtantong 'di pa rin ako makawala.
Narinig ko na naman ang tawa mong makulay
Kay tingkad na kahel, punong-puno ng buhay.
Sa kabila ng aking tahimik na pagkahimlay,
Nanaig ang iyong kantang hindi naman sa akin iniaalay.
Ang ating pag-ibig ay dapat nang pakawalan,
Huwag nang manatili sa lumipas na nakaraan.
Paunti-unti, susubukang tanggapin ang katotohanan
Na ang puso mo ay may iba na ngang tahanan.
At baka... baka lang naman,
Makabalik pa ako sa aking pinagmulan,
Sa mundong may mga kulay, mga hugis at kabuluhan
Ngunit mundong kupas, ordinaryo at pangkaraniwan.
english,
Things are different now.
More life-giving since you came in.
Vibrancy surrounds us both.
The color of your eyes,
And the way you hold your gaze
And look deep into the insides of my heart.
The tint of your lips,
And the way you smile at the things
I always do but only you notice.
The light that shines
and makes you look more angelic
more surreal than you already do.
The grass that seems greener,
The twilights that look truer,
It’s you, and all the colors that become brighter with you.
Now I sink
into the spectra of falling in love.
Literary (Submission): Vividness.
Things are different now.
More life-giving since you came in.
Vibrancy surrounds us both.
The color of your eyes,
And the way you hold your gaze
And look deep into the insides of my heart.
The tint of your lips,
And the way you smile at the things
I always do but only you notice.
The light that shines
and makes you look more angelic
more surreal than you already do.
The grass that seems greener,
The twilights that look truer,
It’s you, and all the colors that become brighter with you.
Now I sink
into the spectra of falling in love.
égotistique,
Literary (Submission): Anti-Discrimination
To my friend,
Let me just remind you of something that may seem so obvious but needs to be blatantly pointed out.
In this nation, we are expected to celebrate each other’s differences, stop the prejudice spreading around, and promote the love for diversity. But what I see is the complete opposite of what things are supposed to be. Genocides, massacres, holocausts, segregations, caste systems, and all other hideous forms of bigotry, without a doubt, have become more prevalent in every state, in every county, in every city, in every household.
Well, what I mentioned was too extreme. But I’ll give you examples of how you, somehow, have added fuel to the fire of racism. When there was this shy, new classmate of yours in school, I heard he was being mocked and forced to shout he’s ugly. And the reason was so petty – just because of his “unusual” facial features: afro-styled hair thick lips, stubby nose, wide face, dark complexion. While he was being embarrassed in front of the school canteen, you just sat on the bench complacently. You even pretended to be unaware of the ongoing public humiliation. You did not have the courage to speak up for your poor classmate.
There was another time when this tan-looking, round-eyed, and bushy-eyebrowed lad was asking for your help in translating the descriptions shown in the menu. With a labored struggle to speak English, he pleaded that you order for him. But instead you became impatient – you thought he was dumb and grabbed the menu, as if you were retrieving something that was snatched from you. You cursed in front of everyone else, shamed him for not being able to speak the so-called "dominant language" fluently, and stomped off the diner with a huff.
You might have felt indifferent about what you did. Showing ignorance towards your classmate who was being bullied. Not helping a young kid who only knew a smattering of English. Yes, I understand that you would respond defensively and say you did not like their presence. I understand that you are a conservative, a conservative who wants people to be the same and not be included in a wider, more diverse spectrum. That you rather seek for uniformity in belief, in race, and other matters. But in this case, your traditionalism seems not to offer any help in solving the problem of racism.
You see, racism is like refusing to be friends with someone who eagerly wants to be so. Let’s say I do not know you. I approach you, wave at you pleasantly, and try to make small talk. But you, with an air of intolerance, judge me for my differences, think that I am a threat to you, and then go away. Of course, I would be very hurt! And not just that – you wouldn't realize the fact that you did not only close the doors of the mind, but also the doors that could lead to more possibilities! Had you not done that, we could have shared each other’s views and made a lasting relationship.
That shutting-of-doors scenario happens every day and everywhere. Someone will rigidly think that he is everyone’s master, and the people around him are his slaves. Someone will deny the fact that there exists a motley of people around the world and thus presume that only his race exists. On the other hand, someone will feel that he is not accepted by society. Someone will feel that he does not deserve humane treatment for being true to himself. Racism affects everyone negatively, harbors resentment, and takes advantage of others. It makes me feel indignant whenever I hear people being teased, snubbed, and massacred just because they are different!
Before I end this letter, I would like you to make a pledge. A pledge that you will spread awareness of the dangers of racism. A pledge that you will not hesitate to speak up for those who cannot stand by themselves. A pledge that you will help in extinguishing the fire of racism, which now seems to have worsened to a conflagration.
I am not telling that you should stray away from your conservative ways. Doing so would narrow down the wide spectrum of beliefs present in humanity. But I urge you to use your adherence to values to inspire others. You could perhaps construct new traditions promoting love for all kinds. You could even help your Church in its campaign against discrimination!
I hope that from now on you will be a member of the Anti-Discrimination clique spectrum.
Hoping for your reply soon,
Your friend and co-member of the Anti-Discrimination spectrum
english,
Literary: Democratic Tyranny
Equal representation and equal opportunities,
This is what defines democratic communities.
The masses vote and decide as one.
That is how it is ideally done.
In reality, however, it is impossible for all to have a say.
If the majority decides, does the minority have no choice but to obey?
After all, democracy's goal is to maximize happiness.
With powerless minorities, is this really fairness?
Should the hundreds just accept what the thousands demand?
Tyrannic oppressors are not just singular rulers of the land.
Unlike dictators, masses cannot be deposed.
Tyranny of the masses, oppression unopposed.
Having no choice but ritualism and conformity to the herd,
Many are forced to radicalism to have their voices heard.
Radicalism leads to minorities further alienated,
And thus a cycle of oppression and hatred.
filipino,
Pula ang kulay ng galit, kakayahan, at pagmamahal na nararamdaman ko
Mula sa’yo ang sabay-sabay na paglabas at pagdaloy ng emosyong walang tigil
Kahel ang harap ng walang katapusan
Ang dulo at katapusan ng araw
Wakas ng emosyong mula sa kulay ng pula
Simula ng pagbabago at pagsikat ng kinabukasan
Dilaw ang sikat ng araw, ang init ng umaga
Ang emosyon ng kasiyahan matapos ang panimula
Ang iyong ngiti na kasinliwanag ng araw
Na nagbibigay ilaw sa mundong nakasimangot
Berde ang kulay ng buhay at ang simbolo ng pagbago
At ikaw ang nagbibigay-kulay sa mga araw na pare-pareho
Dala mo aking buhay, mula sa’yo inaasahan ang pagbababago
Tinang Asul ang kulay ng katotohanan at larawan ng katapatan
Katapatan na palaging hinahandog sa’yo
At ang masakit na katotohanang hanggang paghahandog lamang ang magagawa ko
Asul ang kulay na kasinlalim ng dagat
Dala ang kalungkutan ng nawaglit na pangako at ‘di nasabing salita, katulad ng ulan
Ang ulan na walang tigil, at ang ulan na inaasahan lamang na sana tumigil
Lila ang kulay ng katapusan at ang kulay ng katahimikan
Sa katapusan ng mga kulay ang siyang katapusan ng pinaghalo-halong emosyon
Halo ng kalakasan ng pula, at ang kalungkutan ng asul
Katahimikan matapos ang ulan
Literary: Kulay ng Buhay
Pula ang kulay ng galit, kakayahan, at pagmamahal na nararamdaman ko
Mula sa’yo ang sabay-sabay na paglabas at pagdaloy ng emosyong walang tigil
Kahel ang harap ng walang katapusan
Ang dulo at katapusan ng araw
Wakas ng emosyong mula sa kulay ng pula
Simula ng pagbabago at pagsikat ng kinabukasan
Dilaw ang sikat ng araw, ang init ng umaga
Ang emosyon ng kasiyahan matapos ang panimula
Ang iyong ngiti na kasinliwanag ng araw
Na nagbibigay ilaw sa mundong nakasimangot
Berde ang kulay ng buhay at ang simbolo ng pagbago
At ikaw ang nagbibigay-kulay sa mga araw na pare-pareho
Dala mo aking buhay, mula sa’yo inaasahan ang pagbababago
Tinang Asul ang kulay ng katotohanan at larawan ng katapatan
Katapatan na palaging hinahandog sa’yo
At ang masakit na katotohanang hanggang paghahandog lamang ang magagawa ko
Asul ang kulay na kasinlalim ng dagat
Dala ang kalungkutan ng nawaglit na pangako at ‘di nasabing salita, katulad ng ulan
Ang ulan na walang tigil, at ang ulan na inaasahan lamang na sana tumigil
Lila ang kulay ng katapusan at ang kulay ng katahimikan
Sa katapusan ng mga kulay ang siyang katapusan ng pinaghalo-halong emosyon
Halo ng kalakasan ng pula, at ang kalungkutan ng asul
Katahimikan matapos ang ulan
astraea,
She has the bloodshot eyes sheathed by lids
That weigh even more than she has ever been
She's a pain to touch with all her bones jutted out
Orange are the flames of energy now lost
They danced with winds of any strength
This passion once translated out to her movements
Dead yellow toenails dressed her to the tips
In close resemblance to her career's end
Painted toes and painted smiles mask the struggles inside
Green and blue are the bruises she endured
But all these pains would never match feels now
Pent up frustration now makes her numb
To a lavender's scent she was often compared
Her motions soothing with a feminine grace
But her petals now shrivel and fall to the ground
She is a full spectrum, but a washed out one
Literary: Washed Out Spectrum
She has the bloodshot eyes sheathed by lids
That weigh even more than she has ever been
She's a pain to touch with all her bones jutted out
Orange are the flames of energy now lost
They danced with winds of any strength
This passion once translated out to her movements
Dead yellow toenails dressed her to the tips
In close resemblance to her career's end
Painted toes and painted smiles mask the struggles inside
Green and blue are the bruises she endured
But all these pains would never match feels now
Pent up frustration now makes her numb
To a lavender's scent she was often compared
Her motions soothing with a feminine grace
But her petals now shrivel and fall to the ground
She is a full spectrum, but a washed out one
english,
She’s soft to the touch,
made of silk and warmth.
She’s the embodiment
Of calm serenity
And bright conflict.
Harmony of colors
of pain and sadness,
of sun and rain.
Wishing both red and blue would stay.
She’s both peace and war.
She's the combination of opposites
of hot and cold
of ice and fire
of passion and logic.
She’s the color violet,
that’s deep in her veins.
Literary: Violet.
She’s soft to the touch,
made of silk and warmth.
She’s the embodiment
Of calm serenity
And bright conflict.
Harmony of colors
of pain and sadness,
of sun and rain.
Wishing both red and blue would stay.
She’s both peace and war.
She's the combination of opposites
of hot and cold
of ice and fire
of passion and logic.
She’s the color violet,
that’s deep in her veins.
bluemoon,
Ang dami kong gustong sabihin sa’yo
Bawat kulay sa bahaghari ay mapagkukumparahan ko
Ikaw ang nagbibigay ng kulay sa aking buhay
Kaya naman sa’yo ako’y patay na patay
Isa kang kulay pula dahil ikaw ang aking iniibig
Ikaw ay ang lagi kong bukambibig
Kapag nakikita ka, ako’y namumula sa kilig
Kaya di ko mapigilang sa ‘yo ay mapatitig
Kahel naman dahil determinado akong piliin ka
Kahit maging sino o ano ka pa
Hindi magbabago ang pagtingin ko sa’yo
Dahil ikaw rin ay kaibigang minamahal ko
Dilaw, ikaw ang nagbibigay ng saya at liwanag sa aking buhay
Binibigyan mong galak ang kahit anong bagay
Ayaw mong nakikita akong malungkot
Kaya naman ang aking puso’y lumalambot
Berde dahil pakiramdam ko ‘pag kasama kita, ligtas ako
Hindi ko kailangan baguhin ang sarili ko para sa’yo
Kilalang-kilala mo ako mula ulo hanggang paa
Kaya hindi kita ipagpapalit kahit kanino pa
Asul ang lungkot tuwing kulang ang panahon sa isa’t isa
Hindi na tayo makahanap ng oras dahil sa dami ng ginagawa
Ngunit naiintindihan kong kailangan nating unahin ang pag-aaral
Ayos lang dahil ikaw naman para sa akin ay espesyal
Indigo, handa akong suportahan ka sa lahat ng bagay
Dahil dito, tayo’y mas magiging matibay
Makikilala pa natin nang mas mabuti ang ating mga sarili
Para hindi mapunta ang ating direksyon sa mali
At huli, lila, marami ang nagtataka kung bakit ikaw
Para sa aking puso ikaw ang sinisigaw
Hindi mo pinaramdam na hanggang magkaibigan lang tayo
Dahil pinapasok mo ako sa iyong puso
Literary: Bahaghari
Ang dami kong gustong sabihin sa’yo
Bawat kulay sa bahaghari ay mapagkukumparahan ko
Ikaw ang nagbibigay ng kulay sa aking buhay
Kaya naman sa’yo ako’y patay na patay
Isa kang kulay pula dahil ikaw ang aking iniibig
Ikaw ay ang lagi kong bukambibig
Kapag nakikita ka, ako’y namumula sa kilig
Kaya di ko mapigilang sa ‘yo ay mapatitig
Kahel naman dahil determinado akong piliin ka
Kahit maging sino o ano ka pa
Hindi magbabago ang pagtingin ko sa’yo
Dahil ikaw rin ay kaibigang minamahal ko
Dilaw, ikaw ang nagbibigay ng saya at liwanag sa aking buhay
Binibigyan mong galak ang kahit anong bagay
Ayaw mong nakikita akong malungkot
Kaya naman ang aking puso’y lumalambot
Berde dahil pakiramdam ko ‘pag kasama kita, ligtas ako
Hindi ko kailangan baguhin ang sarili ko para sa’yo
Kilalang-kilala mo ako mula ulo hanggang paa
Kaya hindi kita ipagpapalit kahit kanino pa
Asul ang lungkot tuwing kulang ang panahon sa isa’t isa
Hindi na tayo makahanap ng oras dahil sa dami ng ginagawa
Ngunit naiintindihan kong kailangan nating unahin ang pag-aaral
Ayos lang dahil ikaw naman para sa akin ay espesyal
Indigo, handa akong suportahan ka sa lahat ng bagay
Dahil dito, tayo’y mas magiging matibay
Makikilala pa natin nang mas mabuti ang ating mga sarili
Para hindi mapunta ang ating direksyon sa mali
At huli, lila, marami ang nagtataka kung bakit ikaw
Para sa aking puso ikaw ang sinisigaw
Hindi mo pinaramdam na hanggang magkaibigan lang tayo
Dahil pinapasok mo ako sa iyong puso
english,
Literary: Blind
Red
I see red as it touches my being. Feeling the warmth slowly brushing until the very tips of my hair. The touch of it, eternal, as I feel it delicately placing itself on my cheek. Burning, but never hurting as it echoes through every fiber of my being. With every line, every fold, and every print, it embeds itself and sets my heart ablaze. No wonder you say it’s your favorite color.
Orange
I see orange as it fills up the air. With every whiff, I catch its aroma. Its sweet citrus flavors seemingly flow with the cool, crisp breeze. This orange, unknowingly, dances around me. Tempting me with its pure fragrant richness. It beckons me to come closer with the smell of fresh leaves and honeydew. I cling to you in the comfort of honeyed emanations. Closer, I inch to your fruity cologne.
Yellow
I see yellow in your grandiose symphonies. A quip released and you burst out the song. It enters my ears and rings in my brain. Melodious and messy and loud and cheery. Yellow has no tune but I smile with each verse. Yellow’s cute giggles eventually meet mine, as they intertwine and curve at the ends and pass through my skull. Making me smile at our comical talks.
Green
I see green within your soul. Your sweet-sour taste continues to improve over time. Green passes through the buds that see who you are. It knows you’re good and healthy with your rich pleasant flavors. An explosion of sweet, sour, spicy, piquant. Like wine and cheese, green ages and endures to be fine. I hope I can be here and see green in me too.
12345,
Pula ang kulay ng iyong mga labi habang binibigkas mo ang mga salita mula sa aking panaginip.
Bughaw ang iyong suot ngayon, ngunit ang pagkakaalala ko ito’y lilang blusa na may mantsa sa ibaba.
Ang aking mga pisngi ay kulay rosas, malamang nahawa sa kulay ng iyo nang ang tanong na iyon ay sabihin mo.
Tumaas ang iyong kilay—arkong kilay, sabik sa mga gustong malaman.
Nagbabaga ang aking damdamin,
Alam ko ang sagot sa iyong katanungan.
Kulay berde ang cutics sa iyong mga kukong na kanina mo pang kinakagat dahil sa kaba at
Itim naman ang iyong mapupungay na mata na hindi mapantayan ang pagningning nang sagutin kita-
“Siyempre, mahal din kita…”
Ngumiti ka at nasilayan ko ang mga perlas mong ngipin. Ang sarap mong pagmasdan habang nakatayo diyan. Parang sinadya ang buhos ng puting sinag ng araw na bumabalot sa iyo.
Ako’y napapikit. Ngunit ‘di katulad ng aking panaginip na natatapos ang mga pangyayari at ako’y magigising na lang tanaw ang bughaw na dingding ng aking kwarto.
Ngayon ‘di ka nawala sa aking harapan.
Mukhang sa pagkakataong ito hindi magwawakas ang aking panaginip. Mukhang patuloy mo pang pipintahan ang buhay ko ng mga kulay na dala mo.
Literary: Pulang Labi
Pula ang kulay ng iyong mga labi habang binibigkas mo ang mga salita mula sa aking panaginip.
Bughaw ang iyong suot ngayon, ngunit ang pagkakaalala ko ito’y lilang blusa na may mantsa sa ibaba.
Ang aking mga pisngi ay kulay rosas, malamang nahawa sa kulay ng iyo nang ang tanong na iyon ay sabihin mo.
Tumaas ang iyong kilay—arkong kilay, sabik sa mga gustong malaman.
Nagbabaga ang aking damdamin,
Alam ko ang sagot sa iyong katanungan.
Kulay berde ang cutics sa iyong mga kukong na kanina mo pang kinakagat dahil sa kaba at
Itim naman ang iyong mapupungay na mata na hindi mapantayan ang pagningning nang sagutin kita-
“Siyempre, mahal din kita…”
Ngumiti ka at nasilayan ko ang mga perlas mong ngipin. Ang sarap mong pagmasdan habang nakatayo diyan. Parang sinadya ang buhos ng puting sinag ng araw na bumabalot sa iyo.
Ako’y napapikit. Ngunit ‘di katulad ng aking panaginip na natatapos ang mga pangyayari at ako’y magigising na lang tanaw ang bughaw na dingding ng aking kwarto.
Ngayon ‘di ka nawala sa aking harapan.
Mukhang sa pagkakataong ito hindi magwawakas ang aking panaginip. Mukhang patuloy mo pang pipintahan ang buhay ko ng mga kulay na dala mo.
english,
Literary: This is a Love Confession (Part 1)
Okay so here's the thing, I was never able to see colors. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm not color blind, it's just that they've always seemed so dull and boring compared to how others say they see it. They always talked about how unique maroon is whenever all the state university colors clashed during UAAP, or how beautiful everything looked like during the rainbow-filled Pride March at the Oval, or how, every year, the intricate paint on the wall of UP Fine Arts changes; but to me, it was simply the fact that this thing, whenever I looked at it, had color and that had a different one. There was never really anything special whenever I saw colors. Nothing struck me the way others’ were, with their eyes glistening whenever they see color. Before I knew it, I got used to living my life like this. Every day, being a monochromatic scene, nothing new, nothing extraordinary. That is until I met you, of course.
The first time we met was at the Sunken Garden, you were sitting alone by one of the pharaonic roots of the acacia trees. You were wearing a sweater, in the midst of the blazing outdoor heat of tropical Philippines. I wondered how on earth you weren't sweating at all. Soon I sat on one of the benches nearby to wait for my classmates. After a while, I saw you stand up and stretch your arms to the sky, your hands were moving as if you were grabbing on to something. I looked up to see what it could be – there was nothing there. My classmates arrived so I left. The next day after school, I went to Vinzons Hall to print articles for our thesis. While walking down the slope I saw you yet again at the waiting shed. This time you were wearing a shirt and leggings, I was two persons behind you in the line which waited for the Ikot jeep to arrive. The jeepney came, and half of the line got to sit down, including me. Inside, we ended up sitting three people away from each other. Midway the trip, at the now burnt Shopping Center, I took out my wallet to take out my fare. As I stretched out my right hand and said “bayad po,” you suddenly took out your hand to pass on my payment. Our hands touched…
This was the first time I ever saw true color. All the colors suddenly flooded my sight. The blue posters stuck to the back of the driver's seat which asked for female borders, the silver railing my left hand was holding on to, and all of the remaining passengers’ clothes from orange, purple, and mostly maroon. After this, I turned my head away since I couldn't look at you; I got flustered from what I was experiencing that moment. Luckily, no one was sitting at the edge of the jeepney, so I scooched over to the end. But when we arrived at the Post Office, more people came to ride, and out of the blue you scooched over to my side as well.
We were beside each other, the jeep was full, and the people were packed like sardines in a can. I could feel the frame of the jeep on my left, while your body on my right. And the colors my eyes saw from outside the jeep didn't make it any easier. Soon my stop came closer and as I said “para,” the jeepney halted, and I went down. I walked to the sidewalk and looked behind to see the jeep drive away with its gray smoke puffing up into the air. In the midst of walking, I halted and stood there for a moment. Afterwards, I smiled. I mean, come on, to feel this sudden surge of both excitement and nervousness all because of a mere touch of your hand. This somewhat serendipitous instance, this rather remarkable everyday scene, this moment with you, perplexed my young seventeen- year old heart.
That instant moment is forever embedded into my memory. The feeling of just seeing the colors in the way that wasn’t how I used to see, suddenly popping out here and there was marvelous splendor.
But soon the colors started to fade away into the colors which I normally saw. The nervousness and excitement I felt in the jeep just vanished, and soon my life went back to the way it was. The next few weeks came and they were much more dull. School work went on and on and the weekend turned shorter. My life suddenly turned from what was 'normal’ into this repetitive clockworks full of gears which rotated on and on in an endless, and not to mention, boring cycle.
It was Wednesday of the fourth week of the month, and the periodic tests started the following day. Math was the the first subject. Tired and hung up, I decided to walk home from school that day since I lived in the campus. As I walked through the pavements of the Oval, I saw the University Avenue. Cars were whirring from all directions, beeps clamoring from all sides, and adjacent to it was Mr. Oble. I was never a spontaneous person. I don’t know what got into me that day when I decided to go to the Ampitheatre. Spontaneity never really suited me, but because of that, I would've regretted not seeing what changed my life that moment…
cerise peony,
A masterpiece is the only way I could call them
They are on a pedestal, untouchable
In the same way a high-class sculpture is preserved in a glass case
Their hues are infectious, painting everything they touch
Vivid explosions of their colors; puffy swirls of magenta, drops of cyan
Heavy strokes of burgundy and light splashes of ivory
Along with other shades I couldn’t even name
Come to greet my eyes
Every time I catch a glimpse of them
With huge flocks of people trailing their paint-splattered footprints
How could I ever follow, let alone compete?
I tiptoe after them, quietly but surely,
Just enough to blend in their shadows, unnoticed
An unbecoming attitude
But I could only make the best of it
I manage to get closer
Enough to reach out with a shaking hand
As streams of colors
Of every shade imaginable
Trickle through my fingers
A blazing citrine sunset sky
A deep midnight blue of twilight
The bright emerald greens of ferns
A stark amethyst streak in the galaxy
And the poignant tinges of scarlet on roses in full bloom
Can I be covered in their colors too?
Would it make me, a blank, uninspired canvas
Be as much of a masterpiece as them?
But I could only stare
As the wide spectrum of colors pooled around my feet
Hoping, waiting to be stained for even just a bit
A tiny drop of paint, an almost nonexistent smudge of ink
If it is possible at all
Then please
Just please
Literary: Blank Canvas
A masterpiece is the only way I could call them
They are on a pedestal, untouchable
In the same way a high-class sculpture is preserved in a glass case
Their hues are infectious, painting everything they touch
Vivid explosions of their colors; puffy swirls of magenta, drops of cyan
Heavy strokes of burgundy and light splashes of ivory
Along with other shades I couldn’t even name
Come to greet my eyes
Every time I catch a glimpse of them
With huge flocks of people trailing their paint-splattered footprints
How could I ever follow, let alone compete?
I tiptoe after them, quietly but surely,
Just enough to blend in their shadows, unnoticed
An unbecoming attitude
But I could only make the best of it
I manage to get closer
Enough to reach out with a shaking hand
As streams of colors
Of every shade imaginable
Trickle through my fingers
A blazing citrine sunset sky
A deep midnight blue of twilight
The bright emerald greens of ferns
A stark amethyst streak in the galaxy
And the poignant tinges of scarlet on roses in full bloom
Can I be covered in their colors too?
Would it make me, a blank, uninspired canvas
Be as much of a masterpiece as them?
But I could only stare
As the wide spectrum of colors pooled around my feet
Hoping, waiting to be stained for even just a bit
A tiny drop of paint, an almost nonexistent smudge of ink
If it is possible at all
Then please
Just please
atticous,
Literary: The Future Polyglot
When I was a child, I marveled at people who could speak different languages. I once saw this thick book majestically displayed at the shop window of our local bookstore. I looked at it carefully and quietly read the words shown on the cover - The Future Polyglot. Ciao, ola, bonjour, namaste, hallo. Those words stuck to me as if they wanted to say something, even if I did not know what they really meant.
The next day, I urged my father to buy the book. I nagged on him, "Oh tata, I love that book, go the bookstore, and buy it pretty please... you see, I wanna see what's inside, there might be a new friend who I could talk to!" But with an air of adultlike cynicism, he scowled at me and even said that I was so foolish to yearn for something like that. He even barked, "It's gonna be useless for you, mijo, you won't be able to use that when you get old. I think you should stop dreaming of getting a stupid book that doesn't even make sense... ¡caray! Do something useful! Be a lawyer for the higher courts of our county! Grow up!"
I was crushed by his hurtful words. Just like a child whose dreams were shattered because of a single-minded parent who forced him to rot in this mundane, parochial reality. I stopped wishing for that book for the next years and pretended that it was just a whim.
When I was in fourth grade, I wasted my chance to be part of a special Interlingua course, which was given only to a few gifted students. When I was at middle and high school, I feigned distaste after my teacher suggested I take foreign language classes. The day before my college graduation from legal management, I declined an invitation from my professor. He invited me to come with him in a trip around Latin America so that we could refine my Spanish and learn unknown languages such as Quechua, Taino, Guaraní, and more. Instead, I put on a timorous face and said no, as if I was really scared of exploring new places and learning those languages.
But as I was walking home from law school yesterday, I came across the same local bookstore where I would go every weekend. And at an instant, flashbacks played through my head all at once. Hey, that was where I used to go as a child! Hey, that was where my favorite book was! I instantly forgot my responsibilities – the written-in-English-only tone about various constitutions, affidavits I need to review, tomorrow's mock trial about an immigrant Chicano versus a native New Yorker, and I stepped inside.
I was surprised that everything seemed different – It was not a bookstore anymore! Once again, I was a child, curious of everything he saw. I approached the owner and asked what happened to the bookstore. She said she decided to convert it to a library so that everyone, despite of social class, of nationality, of race, can read. She hopes everyone can realize that open-mindedness, not money, is the key to relishing books. After hearing her story, I was determined to look for the book.
I saw the book in an antique rack on top of a bookshelf, perhaps for the books on linguistics. This is your chance, come, and get the book! So I followed my inner voice and hugged it as if it was the mestizo-like doll I played with when I was young. I blew on the cover (literally) to remove the dust. Still the same title – The Future Polyglot. Ciao, ola, bonjour, namaste, hallo – still, looking as if they wanted to talk to me.
I started reading its introductory parts – its table of contents, preface, and other important stuff I should know. I found out that this book actually presented a spectrum of languages, from the widely-used ones in the world today to those almost extinct. This was exactly what I have yearned since childhood, and I felt like achieving a lifetime wish! I wanted to learn different languages because I wanted to gain awareness of the people around me, as well as their varying cultures. I wanted to learn different languages because I wanted to appreciate the world outside me and to tell my dad to stop thinking so rigidly in life – that everyone should not be of the same scope, that diversity does not lead to chaos but further understanding. And this book is going to turn my dreams into reality! Without a moment to lose, I began scanning the first part – the most popular languages.
Bienvenue. Oui, it's French. The language of romance, chic life, arts, the food I would usually eat at fine-dining restaurants, the immigrant Canadian classmate I met in seventh grade ... it makes me feel entitled!
Willkommen. Ja, it's German. The language of assertiveness, social gatherings, music, of those buoyant, hole-like symbols put in vowels, my athlete-friend from Munich since second grade... it makes me feel energized!
Huanying. Shi, it's Chinese. The language of commerce, divine horoscopes, Eastern philosophy, my businessman-professor from torts law class... it makes me feel astonished!
There are even languages for which one does not need to use his or her mouth to speak. With just simply playing with one's fingers, can use sign language and hear the voice of the disabled in no time.
On the next chapter were cognates – words which are common in various languages. Common, sí, but their rare meanings made me rue my mistakes in the past.
Hand. This word is used in Dutch, German, and Norwegian to refer to the organ one uses to do tasks which may seem commonplace but have a special purpose. Conveying gestures so that everyone, including the disabled, would understand one's efforts in expressing his or her beliefs. Writing sentences in different tongues so that one could be united in understanding ideas despite of language barriers. All those I could have done had I stayed true to my dreams and seized the opportunities gratuitously handed to me before.
Kanan. One can say he or she is taking the right path in life in the tongues of Indonesian, Malay, and Filipino. I felt I had lost my sense of direction when my father told me not to follow what my heart said. When I shied away from those opportunities that could have built my potential, I felt my course of action was wrong. My caprices of being the barrister of my barrio misguided me from what I really wanted.
Triste. In French, Italian, and Portuguese, it conveys the unhappiness as a result of one's failures and setbacks. My sorrow when my father dissuaded me from studying linguistics and becoming an international diplomat. The melancholy I had felt for years when I was ordered by my dad to pursue a legal-related career, just because it was a lot more practical than language.
I felt worst when I turned to the next page. It talked about unknown languages. Learning about them felt like the death of a friend who could have achieved a lot more in life.
"Eyak is a language native to Alaska that just became extinct. Mary Smith Jones was its last speaker. She decided to print a book that discussed the language; too bad, no one read it, and she did not succeed in preserving it."
"Andalusi Arabic was a language unique to Spain and Portugal. It was spoken by the Moors who were expelled from Granada in the late fifteenth-century. Too bad the Spaniards, after recovering their land, branded it as 'taboo', thus leading to its extinction."
"Livonian was a language spoken in Latvia. It is somehow related to Estonian. It was used as early as the post-medieval era. Too bad that its last native speaker met his demise a few years ago, and with him, his language."
My tears were probably enough to refill the lost waters of a river. I was devastated to find out that these languages had so much potential, yet they were taken for granted. Like a cadaver given an unceremonious burial, it became dead without being passed on to the next generations, without being publicly recognized by humanity. Maybe they could have been one of the most popular languages if people did not reject and treat them as gibberish.
But maybe, I thought, feeling my childlike imagination playing in my head once again, maybe we can revive them and prove the whole world that they deserve another chance. Maybe we can tell each person to cherish not just his or her language but also those spoken by the people around him or her. Maybe we can encourage everyone to develop a sense of love for all languages, whether Eyak, Mandarin, German, or even ASL!
All of a sudden, I received a text from my father. Where on earth have you been again? ¡Apúrate! Go home this instant! You have a mock trial a la mañana, remember?
Okay, tata, okay, I replied, trying to imitate his curt talking style. But I could not keep this book in the library – I need to borrow it and continue my research! Our current languages are at stake if I do not take action! So without hesitation, I asked the owner if I could take it home for a day or two. Then I marched off the building and thought of a plan.
When I get home, I shall show the book to my father. I shall announce that tomorrow l shall leave law school and become a polyglot. The polyglot who will find a way to revive those dead languages and bring them back to the lingual spectrum. The polyglot who will convince the people around the world to take care of their languages today. The polyglot who will tell his rigid father that one ought to break the walls surrounding him or her and embrace the beliefs of others.
daylight,
Rosas na pula
Napupuno ako ng ligaya
Gusto kong kasama
Ang Pula ng aking puso
Kumukulong pula
Masakit sa mata
Sumasabog na pula
Ang Pula ng aking utak
Matingkad na pula
Nagbibigay buhay
Buhay, pinapanday
Ang Pula ng aking dugo
Nantitigil
Naninira
Pulang hindi
Ang Pula ng Apoy
Ang Pula ng aking puso ay apoy sa utak ko
Ang Pula ng utak ko ay apoy sa dugo ko
Ang Pula ng aking dugo ay apoy sa puso ko
Nanggugulo
Nangwawasak
Buhay
Ang Apoy
Ang Apoy sa Pula ko
Literary: Ang Aking mga Pula
Rosas na pula
Napupuno ako ng ligaya
Gusto kong kasama
Ang Pula ng aking puso
Kumukulong pula
Masakit sa mata
Sumasabog na pula
Ang Pula ng aking utak
Matingkad na pula
Nagbibigay buhay
Buhay, pinapanday
Ang Pula ng aking dugo
Nantitigil
Naninira
Pulang hindi
Ang Pula ng Apoy
Ang Pula ng aking puso ay apoy sa utak ko
Ang Pula ng utak ko ay apoy sa dugo ko
Ang Pula ng aking dugo ay apoy sa puso ko
Nanggugulo
Nangwawasak
Buhay
Ang Apoy
Ang Apoy sa Pula ko
english,
When I opened my eyes
The world ceased its gray facade
In my hands the fragile glass
Shone a light of every hue
Imparted onto me by someone true
Never to deny the light I held
One such beauty to behold
Its gentle warmth, passion plenty
It utterly disgusted me
The world I needed, wanted, craved
Take me back to my gray
I asked for not this sunlight spot
Its teasing light revealed my rot
Threatened me with gentle touch
Patched me up and shone too bright
To steer me away from the blithe path
But this road, old rhyme and wrath
Is the heat, the only warmth I've ever known
Spectrum light from given glass
Don’t take who I was and mold me new
Every color, the red, the blue
Engulf me and set me straight
Beholden glass, dear merciful
Don’t take me now forever more
My stormy grays, my before
My monochromatic wonderland
Don’t look at me, don’t come to me
Your fragile heart, my glass prism
Literary: The Glass Prism
When I opened my eyes
The world ceased its gray facade
In my hands the fragile glass
Shone a light of every hue
Imparted onto me by someone true
Never to deny the light I held
One such beauty to behold
Its gentle warmth, passion plenty
It utterly disgusted me
The world I needed, wanted, craved
Take me back to my gray
I asked for not this sunlight spot
Its teasing light revealed my rot
Threatened me with gentle touch
Patched me up and shone too bright
To steer me away from the blithe path
But this road, old rhyme and wrath
Is the heat, the only warmth I've ever known
Spectrum light from given glass
Don’t take who I was and mold me new
Every color, the red, the blue
Engulf me and set me straight
Beholden glass, dear merciful
Don’t take me now forever more
My stormy grays, my before
My monochromatic wonderland
Don’t look at me, don’t come to me
Your fragile heart, my glass prism
english,
Inside the garden, I sat alone.
Alone that I could see the vibrating orange sun.
The gray clouds illuminated in the sky.
Everything was a beauty until I saw a rock.
A rock that may never be soft but hard and rough.
If you get hit, you’ll get hurt.
It can beat scissors, can’t against paper.
And day by day, the hardness abrades.
I got paper to protect me from the rock,
Where lies a spectrum of adventures.
Picking up the fruit with shades of marmalade,
Its citrus dripping to somewhere we won’t be able to see.
The sweetness of it would just fall in haste,
Which will end in a bitter taste.
A Garfield-like Persian cat arrived in the garden,
Lingering underneath a bench I sat on.
But then, an oranged-fur Chow Chow came to sight.
It begins to fight with Garfield.
I take my eyes away. Fights end things.
My heart shattered into a million pieces.
I felt like a rock was thrown to my heart,
The feeling of love left in haste like how the citrus dropped,
Leaving its sweetness.
Oh, love can be like glowing embers.
Embers which are engulfed in flames.
Sparks at first,
Yet leaves the scene all of a sudden.
It was a shocking sensation,
Telling intense and hurtful words in this nature.
When he broke up with me,
The color of his shirt was orange.
The sun gets redder the more I ponder,
Thinking that maybe this is the end of today.
For tomorrow is a new set of orange nature,
I decide it’s time to say goodbye to sad thoughts.
Literary: Orange
Inside the garden, I sat alone.
Alone that I could see the vibrating orange sun.
The gray clouds illuminated in the sky.
Everything was a beauty until I saw a rock.
A rock that may never be soft but hard and rough.
If you get hit, you’ll get hurt.
It can beat scissors, can’t against paper.
And day by day, the hardness abrades.
I got paper to protect me from the rock,
Where lies a spectrum of adventures.
Picking up the fruit with shades of marmalade,
Its citrus dripping to somewhere we won’t be able to see.
The sweetness of it would just fall in haste,
Which will end in a bitter taste.
A Garfield-like Persian cat arrived in the garden,
Lingering underneath a bench I sat on.
But then, an oranged-fur Chow Chow came to sight.
It begins to fight with Garfield.
I take my eyes away. Fights end things.
My heart shattered into a million pieces.
I felt like a rock was thrown to my heart,
The feeling of love left in haste like how the citrus dropped,
Leaving its sweetness.
Oh, love can be like glowing embers.
Embers which are engulfed in flames.
Sparks at first,
Yet leaves the scene all of a sudden.
It was a shocking sensation,
Telling intense and hurtful words in this nature.
When he broke up with me,
The color of his shirt was orange.
The sun gets redder the more I ponder,
Thinking that maybe this is the end of today.
For tomorrow is a new set of orange nature,
I decide it’s time to say goodbye to sad thoughts.
filipino,
Literary: Si Dan
Bughaw
Bughaw na bughaw ang langit noon, kapag tumatakbo kami sa isang kalye sa amin. Pataas-baba ang kalye at saktong-sakto talaga upang maehersisyo ang aming mga binti kaya kami’y pumapayat.
Hindi karaniwang kalye sa Pilipinas ang katulad ng sa amin. Dito ay tahimik, walang mga batang maingay na nagtatakbuhan, walang mga tumatambay at nagkukwentuhan, wala ring sari-sari store na karaniwan mong makikita kung saan-saan. Kung sakaling gugustuhin mong bumili ng biskwit, kakailanganin mo pang maglakad ng halos kalahating kilometro.
Kung tutuusin, para sa iba, kami ni Dan ay mayaman. Nasa amin ang madalas tawagin na "rich kid vibe". Kung minsan pa nga'y naiinis ang mga tao sa amin dahil pinagti-tripan namin sila sa pagsasalita namin ng conyo. Inis na inis sila sa "like parang" namin na halos sinasabi namin sa isang pangungusap.
Noong una'y di ko inakalang makakakilala ako ng katulad ni Dan. Paano ba naman, napakaarte niya. Maarawan lang nang halos isang minuto ay naiirita na siya. Pareho kaming pinalaking hindi lumalabas ng bahay ngunit ang pinagkaiba namin ay hindi ko ginusto ang magmistulang preso sa loob ng aming tahanan. Kaya't lagi akong pinapagalitan noon. Lagi akong tumatakas para lang makipaglaro sa mga kaedad kong kapitbahay habang si Dan ay nasa bahay lang. Siya pa ang pinupuntahan ko noon sa kanila nang kami'y nasa ikalimang grado noon at simula noon ay nagustuhan ko na siya.
Luntian
Luntian ang kulay ng damo na hinigaan namin ni Dan nang kami'y nasa ikawalong grado na. Hindi niya pa alam na may gusto ako sa kaniya. Ngunit, naisip kong malabo na rin naman na maging kami. Naniniwala kasi akong mayroong mga taong pangkaibigan at pangkasintahan. Isa ako sa mga taong pangkaibigan lamang para kay Dan.
Nag-aasaran pa nga kami sa mga gusto naming tao noon. Ang dami niyang sinabing pangalan sa akin at madalas ay puro mga basketball player. Minsan pa nga'y
nagkunwari akong kinilig sa isang basketball player kasi inakbayan niya ako at sinabi niyang "Kuya! Single 'tong si Jessica!" Hindi ko napigilan ang kilig ko't namula ang mukha ko. Inakala talaga ni Dan na gusto ko yung basketball player na si Eric. Pero sa totoo lang, ‘yung akbay niya ang nagpakilig sa 'kin. Sa sobrang kilig ko'y nahampas ko siya noon sa balikat at namula din ito. Hanggang ngayon ay di ko makalimutan ang araw na iyon.
Dilaw
Dilaw ang kulay ng skirt na suot ni Ashley na aking kinaiinisan. Simula nang magkakilala sila ni Dan, tila nawala na siya sa 'kin. Hindi na niya ako pinupuntahan sa lamesang bato sa damuhan tuwing tanghalian. Hindi niya na rin ako sinasamahan sa silid-aklatan upang mag-aral kami nang magkasama sapagkat sa tingin ko'y mas gugustuhin niyang aralin ang buhay ng babaeng iyon.
Minsan, nakita ko pang kinantahan ni Dan si Ashley. Sa sobrang selos ko'y umiyak ako ng halos dalawang oras noong gabing iyon. Naloka naman yung babaeng iyon. Pero sa totoo lang, ako nagturo kay Dan kung paano kumanta at tumugtog ng gitara. Ngunit nagpasalamat ba siya? Hindi. Hindi siya marunong magpasalamat sa mga ginagawa ko para sa kaniya.
Hindi lang 'yon. Hindi niya pa alam kung anong mga ginagawa ko para sa kaniya. Madalas ay tatambay ako sa kantina at hihintayin ko siya para lamang akbayan niya ako at sabihan ng: "Libre 'mo 'ko!" Oo, napapagastos ako ng sobra dahil sa kaniya. Tila ba ang pagkain na binibili ko ang bayad para sa pang-aakbay niya sa 'kin. Paano ba naman, mahal na mahal ko siya e. Pero nawalan na ako ng pag-asa sa kaniya dahil kay Ashley.
Pula
Pulang-pula ang mukha ko nang isugod ako sa ospital. Nagambala ko pa ang pahinga ng aking magulang noong ikasais ng hapon. Sobrang nag-alala sila, tila ba’y mawawala na ako sa kanila. Nang makarating sa ospital, tinawagan ng aking mga magulang si Dan at ang balita’y kanyang ikinabigla.
Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman ko noon sa sobrang sakit.
Makalipas ang ilang oras, nasa ospital na rin siya. Galing daw siya sa opisina at dumiretso agad siya dito. Laking tuwa ko nang nalaman kong nagpunta siya sa ospital at kinaya niyang makapaglaan ng oras para sa akin. Pumasok si Dan sa silid kung saan ako nakahiga at nang marinig niya ang batang umiiyak, agad siyang sumigaw ng: "I can't believe it! Tatay na ako!"
4ever,
Dilaw
Pagsapit ng umaga,
Ang boses ko’y nakahanda na.
Pakinggan ang sigaw ko,
At kayo’y gumising na.
Berde
Malawak na damuhan,
Ang aking palaruan
Ang aking pahingahan
Ang aking tahanan.
Asul
Abot langit ang aking saya,
Tuwing ako’y tumatakbo,
Kasabay sa paggalaw ng mga ulap,
Walang tigil ang aking laro.
Kahel
Ang araw ay palubog na,
Oras na para ako’y tumigil.
Kailangan ko nang magpahinga,
At bumalik sa aking hawla.
Itim
Sa gabing madilim,
Tahimik ang lahat.
Hinihintay ang pagdating,
Ng bagong umaga.
Literary: Tiktilaok
Dilaw
Pagsapit ng umaga,
Ang boses ko’y nakahanda na.
Pakinggan ang sigaw ko,
At kayo’y gumising na.
Berde
Malawak na damuhan,
Ang aking palaruan
Ang aking pahingahan
Ang aking tahanan.
Asul
Abot langit ang aking saya,
Tuwing ako’y tumatakbo,
Kasabay sa paggalaw ng mga ulap,
Walang tigil ang aking laro.
Kahel
Ang araw ay palubog na,
Oras na para ako’y tumigil.
Kailangan ko nang magpahinga,
At bumalik sa aking hawla.
Itim
Sa gabing madilim,
Tahimik ang lahat.
Hinihintay ang pagdating,
Ng bagong umaga.
english,
Red as the petals of a flower,
I bloom and blossom as the sun rises,
Brilliant as I stand out among others,
Elegance and grace will radiate from me.
Orange like the flames of fire,
I keep my path alight in the darkness;
Ignite my mind, heart, and soul,
A fiery kid with passion.
Yellow like the rays of the bright sun,
I shine and gleam at the world,
Beaming as I stride confidently and with pride,
And I reach out to spread light to everyone.
Green as the leaves and nature,
Alive but peaceful as can be,
They describe me as vibrant and enchanting,
A little quaint but sure is pure.
Blue as the sky and ocean,
I keep my cool and stay up high;
Calm and still at peace,
But rages and storms in distress.
Violet like the horizon as the sun sets and rises,
I start my day the same way I want to end it;
For when I sleep at night, I know,
The next day, I get another chance.
Literary: An Arc of Colors
Red as the petals of a flower,
I bloom and blossom as the sun rises,
Brilliant as I stand out among others,
Elegance and grace will radiate from me.
Orange like the flames of fire,
I keep my path alight in the darkness;
Ignite my mind, heart, and soul,
A fiery kid with passion.
Yellow like the rays of the bright sun,
I shine and gleam at the world,
Beaming as I stride confidently and with pride,
And I reach out to spread light to everyone.
Green as the leaves and nature,
Alive but peaceful as can be,
They describe me as vibrant and enchanting,
A little quaint but sure is pure.
Blue as the sky and ocean,
I keep my cool and stay up high;
Calm and still at peace,
But rages and storms in distress.
Violet like the horizon as the sun sets and rises,
I start my day the same way I want to end it;
For when I sleep at night, I know,
The next day, I get another chance.
kiel dionisio,
UPIS, lumahok sa U.P. Lantern Parade
Lumahok sa taunang UP Lantern Parade ang mga mag-aaral ng University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) K-12 noong Disyembre 14, 2018, na nagsimula at nagtapos sa Quezon Hall Amphitheater.
Bagama’t umuulan, natuloy pa rin ang nasabing programa na may temang “Paglaot, Pagdaong.” Ang temang ito ay pagpupugay sa mga iskolar, alumni, at tauhan ng unibersidad na gumagawa ng mga adbokasiya sa bansa
Ang taunang parada ay pasiklaban ng parol ng iba’t ibang kolehiyo at organisasyon sa UP. Naging bahagi ang UPIS ng parada sa parol ng Kolehiyo ng Edukasyon. Bitbit ang mga watawat na may disenyo ng vinta at flashlight, pumarada ang mga mag-aaral kasabay ng kanilang cheer.
Dahil sa patuloy na pag-ulan, hindi na umikot sa buong campus ang mga mag-aaral at pinauna na lamang sa parada upang makabalik kaagad sa UPIS.
Ayon kay Aldric de Ocampo, isang mag-aaral mula sa Grado 11 na lumahok sa parada, “Masaya naman yung experience, kasi nakakatuwang makita yung mga ilaw habang naglalakad sa oval.” Dagdag niya, maganda na kasama ang UPIS sa taunang programa dahil nabibigyan ng pagkilala ang paaralan.
Ang nagwaging parol, ay mula sa kolehiyo ng School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP) na nagpapakita ng environmentalism sa isang urbanidad. Ipinakita ng parol ang masaganang kalikasan sa isang lugar na puno ng gusali. Nagtapos ang programa sa isang fireworks display. // ni Kiel Dionisio
aldric de ocampo,
Paglulunsad-aklat ng Haraya ng MC2021, idinaos
GALAK. Tuwang-tuwang nag-pose ang MC2021 kasama ang kanilang guro matapos ganapin ang kanilang book launch. Photo Credit: Claire Tamayo
Nagsagawa ng paglulunsad-aklat para sa Haraya 2018 ang Media Center (MC) 2021 noong Disyembre 13, 2018 sa ganap na ika-2 hanggang ika-4 n.h. sa Room 111 ng UPIS 7-12 building.
Ang Haraya ay isang antolohiya ng mga malilikhaing akdang likha ng mga mag-aaral ng UPIS at naunang kabilang sa mga opisyal na publikasyon ng MC at iba pang mag-aaral ng UPIS noong mga dekada 1990 o 2000. Layunin nitong maipamalas nila ang kanilang kakayahan ng mga mag-aaral sa pagsulat ng panitikan. Sa mga pagbabagong naranasan ng MC, ang malilikhaing akda ay ginawang bahagi ng pampanitikang seksyon ng Ang Aninag, na sa pagtagal ay naging Ang Aninag Online.
Sa taong ito, inilimbag ang Haraya bilang proyekto sa kursong Malikhaing Pagsulat (MP) ng Grado 10, ang MC 2021. Ang inilimbag na antolohiya ay may limang genre: tula, maikling kwento, kuwentong pambata, dula, at personal na sanaysay.
Kasabay ng pagbenta at pamamahagi ng mga kopya nito, nagkaroon ng pagtatanghal ang mga piling mag-aaral para sa programa. Nagbasa ng mga tula sina Addie Sajise, Arys Manalansan, Lester Amurao, Danzar Dellomas, Reneil Grimaldo, Kathleen Cortez, Pam Marquez, Yel Brusola, at Therese Aragon.Nagsalaysay naman ng kuwentong pambata ang grupo ng mag-aaral sa pamumuno ng sumulat ng akda na si Rain Tiangco. Sa pagitan ng mga pagtatanghal, tumugtog din ang mga bandang Titos at The Wednesdays.
Ayon sa kanilang tagapayo na si Prop. AC Nadora, "Super proud ako sa [mga estudyante ko sa] MP kasi kahit first time namin 'to ginawa, naging matagumpay ang book launch na 'to. [Sa loob ng isang semestre,] sobra akong natuto at nag-enjoy sa aking mga estudyante." // nina Aldric de Ocampo at James Tolosa
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