Showing posts with label MCDahilan. Show all posts

Literary (Submission): Dear You





Dear you,

I am writing to apologize for not answering your question that night.

I thought you'd be the one who'd have a loss for words when I asked you for your reply but you startled me when you asked me how I began to feel this way towards you.

Also, I am sorry I couldn't keep those words from escaping my lips,
But didn't they say that the greatest adventure you can have comes after baring your heart open?

So to answer your question:

Haven't you noticed the effervescent blush that paints my cheeks every time you weave your hands through your hair and leave it tousled in that entirely deliberate manner?

Didn't you know that I find it endearing when you try too hard to show your 'youthful carelessness' to others so they don’t ask you too many questions?

It’s quite funny how your careful portrayal of insouciance ends up getting more people to flock around you instead.

Do you remember when we whispered about everything in quiet spaces?

Each time a disapproving glance was sent our way, we would look at each other and dissolve into giggles.

I even remember how your eyes lit up when you spoke about how much you loved your music and how it saved you. We even shared songs and watched recordings of our favorite concerts together.

It may be nothing to you, but I felt like you were sharing your deepest secrets to me, as if I was peering in and listening to your very soul.

I also appreciate when your gaze slants over to me and you give me an encouraging nod,
when you unconsciously lend me your only umbrella whenever I have to step into the rain,
and the times when the sense of comfort you bring embraces my whole being.

I've also memorized deep in my heart every word we exchanged when I was anxious about the future; when I was spouting on and on about the uncertainties and what-ifs, and you sat down beside me and talked me down.

In that moment, I felt like I was more than lucky to be given the chance to know you.

I can search all my fondest memories with you to try and describe what I see in you.

I can liken you to happy songs or to the way the sunlight streams into my bedroom window, tinting the walls with hopeful streaks of the brightest colors, or even to the wafting of the smell of cinnamon from my favorite café.

I can go on and on about how my heart feels pleasantly light when I think of you.

Yet I can't fully comprehend what really drew me to you.
Somehow, it feels as if all of these are too small to be considered reasons as to why I feel this way.
But at the same time, these small things are more than enough to justify my admiration for you.

Then again, I can't fit the whole essence of your being into mere words.
So instead, I'll say that I like you for being you
For personifying the stars, everything beyond
and everything that remains,
and for just being much, much more.


I hope I answered your question so if you could, please respond to mine.

Thank you.


P.S.

When I caught you averting your eyes and burying your flustered hands into your pockets,
and the slightest crinkle formed by your eyes after I muttered the words:

I quite like you.

I knew I fell a little harder for you.

Literary (Submission): Bata





“Kuya, pengeng barya,”
Sabi ng isang batang lansangan
Habang siya’y pumapanhik sa jeep
Na naipit sa kasagsagan ng trapik

Inilabas ang bimpo na nasa kanyang tagiliran
Naupo sa gitna sabay pahid sa bawat sapatos ng pasahero
Kitang-kita ang pawis niyang tumutulo
Hirap na hirap sa pag-abot hanggang dulo

Matapos niyang maglinis,
Bumalik siya sa dulo’t sumabit
Ibinalik ang bimpong hawak at inilabas ang sobreng dala
Iniharap na rin niya ang kanyang tambol na nakasabit sa balikat

Ang bata ay biglang umawit
Siya’y bigay na bigay at bumibirit
Pumipiyok man, tuloy pa rin sa pagkanta habang nakasabit
At isa-isang iniabot ang mga sobreng kanyang bitbit

Maraming mata ang umirap lang sa kanya
At ang iba naman ay nagbuntonghininga
Binuksan ko ang kanyang sobre
At ako’y nag-iwan ng bente

Patapos na siya sa kanyang pagkanta
Ngunit ako’y may napansing kakaiba
Ang kanyang luha’y biglang dumaloy sa kanyang pisngi
Pagod na kaya siya?

Ako’y naglabas ng biskuwit
Iniabot sa munting batang naluluha
Nang kanyang matanggap, isang ngiti ang sumalubong sa akin
“Salamat, ‘te!”

Bumaba na ang bata
At biglang may bumabagabag sa ’king isip
Maraming bata ang ‘di nakakakain,
Paano kaya mababago ang lipunan natin?

Literary (Submission): Why We're Afraid





Aren’t all humans afraid of something?
The deep and shark-infested waters
Thunder claps and lightning strikes
Building rooftops, cliffs and ledges
Spiders, snakes, darkness
Aren’t all humans scared of something?

Now, while you’re in the dark,
Imagine a face.
A pale white face.
PALE WHITE.
Bloodied, rotten, decaying.
Hollow eyes.
Eyes void of anything.
Eyes staring at you.
Razor sharp teeth, too many to count.
It could be laughing.
Or just smiling.
It’s the face you see when you can’t move at 3 am.
It’s the face you see behind you in the mirror.
It’s the face you see at the end of dark hallways.
It’s the face you see in every horror film, haunting the lead, killing the cast.
Who is this face?

Aren’t all humans scared of something?
Our fears rooted from farthest ancestors?
Afraid of deep waters for not all could swim
Afraid of lightning for its strike could burn homes
Afraid of the dark for in it lurks predators
Afraid of snakes and spiders for their deadly bites
Afraid of high places for poor footing becomes lethal
They were all so scared of these things
They passed them down to us.

What happened to them?
That now makes us so afraid
Of the pale white face?

Literary (Submission): Hope





It would be easy
To give up and let go,
To drop everything and leave,
To stop trying so hard
But if that's so,
Then why are we still here,
alive, awake, and moving?

The reasons are everywhere
The reasons could be small things,
A compliment here and there,
How the sky looked this morning,
A smile, a wave or a "hi"
Or the flowers you pass by

The reason is friends and family
The reason is hope and positivity
And being thankful for being here
Though things aren't always clear

"What keeps you going?"
The answer's different for everyone
"What keeps you up?"
The reasons are never gone
Some reasons are hard to see
But no matter how challenging things may seem to be,
There's always a reason somewhere there
To lift you from despair
Whether the reasons are big or small
We hang on to the hope that saves us all

Literary (Submission): Tanging Dahilan





Sa gabing nagpaalam ka
Kasabay mong ipinangakong mananatili ang pagkakaibigan
Nakakatawang isipin na kung kailan ka nagpaalam
Doon ka lang din mangangailangan

Tanda ko pang ipinangako mo na kahit lalayo ka na
Ako pa rin ang iyong bituin
Ilaw sa madilim na daan
Gabay sa tuwing naliligaw sa karagatan
Tanging kasama ng buwan

Ipinangako mong kahit na mawawala na ako
Ako pa rin ang paborito mong panaginip
Ang babalik-balikang kathang-isip
Alaalang matagal mawala sa iyong isip
Katabi mo sa iyong pag-idlip

Ipinangako mong kahit kailangan mo nang burahin
Ako pa rin ang iyong mga tula
Pinakamatatamis na parirala
Pinakamatatalinghagang salita
Ang mga kinabisado mong tugma

Ngunit sa parehong gabing ipinangako mo ang mga ito
Nawala na ang aking ningning
Nagbago na ang aking halaga
Naubos na ang aking mga salita

Dahil matagal mo na akong tala
Hinahanap lamang kapag mag-isa

Dahil matagal mo na akong panaginip
Aalalahanin lang upang patigilin ang pagluha

Dahil matagal mo na akong tula
Babasahin lamang kapag wala nang makitang iba

Sa parehong gabing tinapos mo ang lahat
Alam ko ring masakit kung mananatili pa
Ngunit
Alam kong mas masakit kung ako'y bibitaw na

Dahil sa natatanging dahilan:
Na ikaw rin ang aking bituin sa gabi
Na ikaw rin ang patuloy na nasa likod ng aking mga pikit na mata
Na ikaw rin ang pinakapaborito kong mga salita
Na mahal pa rin kita

Literary (Submission): Ngiti





Ngumiti ka.
‘Yan ang magtatago ng lungkot sa ‘yong mga mata at mga hirap na nadarama. Ngumiti ka at baka sakaling mabawasan ang bigat na nararamdaman sa panahon na parang wala nang nangyayaring tama, sa panahon na parang wala ka nang maintindihan.

Ngumiti ka.
Ngumiti ka sapagkat ito ang magpapahiwatig na ayos na ang lahat. Ang magpapahiwatig na wala na ang mga problema. Kung di man nawala, kahit papaano’y nabawasan na sila. Kaya’t ngumiti ka dahil ang ‘yong mga dinadala ay gumaan na.

Ngumiti ka.
Ngumiti ka dahil hindi mo alam kung ilang tao ang nais makita ang iyong maganda at nakakahawang ngiti. Tandaan mo, ito ang isa sa mga pinakamagandang bahagi ng isang tao, ang kanilang mga ngiti. Hindi mo alam na may taong makita ka lamang nang nakangiti ay kumpleto na ang araw nila.

Ngumiti ka.
Ngumiti ka sapagkat maganda ang sikat ng umaga na nagbabadyang magiging maganda ang buong araw. Isang dahilan upang magpasalamat sa Kanya dahil binigyan ka pa ng isang araw upang gawin ang mga nais mo at makasama pa ang mga mahal mo sa buhay.

Ngumiti ka.
Ngumiti ka dahil kaya mo pa. Kakayanin mo pa, kahit gaano man ‘yan kahirap. Kung nalagpasan ng iba ang mga pagsubok, kung napagtagumpayan ito ng mga nauna sa atin, pasasaan ba’t makakaraos ka rin. Tulad nga ng lagi nilang sinasabi, may bahaghari makaraan ang ulan, at may umaga matapos ang bawat gabi.

Literary: Fallacy





fal·la·cy
/ˈfaləsē/
a failure in reasoning that renders an argument invalid.

In an argument, Reasons (R) are used to make Conclusions (C).

R1 I grew up in our province
R2 I couldn’t afford to study
R3 I can’t speak fluent English
________________________________________
C I must be stupid

R1 I lack attention
R2 My behavior is uncommon
R3 I am depressed
________________________________________
C I must be weird

R1 I love what I do
R2 My income is low
R3 Everyone is a critic
________________________________________
C I must be an artist

R1 I love to fight
R2 I swear a lot
R3 Tattoos can be seen all over my skin
________________________________________
C I must be evil

R1 A girl should love a boy
R2 liking the same gender is booed
R3 I am gay
________________________________________
C I must be ridiculed

R1 I lack the muscles
R2 Help is what I seek
R3 I am a girl
________________________________________
C I must be weak

R1 My house is small
R2 I wear simple clothes
R3 I am brown and thin
________________________________________
C I must be poor

R1 I am poor
R2 I am stupid
R3 I am small
________________________________________
C I must be from the Philippines

Literary: Handkerchief





It was always the same color. The same size. And the same pattern.

You were just one of my classmates.

But I did know you well from observation. You were friendly but reserved. Unbelievably smart but rarely took notes. Has a fear of authority but stubborn. And you always had a bandanna with you and I associated you with it. You never failed to bring one as far as I could remember.

But aside from that, we weren’t close. I could probably count in one hand the times we interacted or even said a word to each other.

And to be honest, I never took a second look at you, or even thought of doing so.

 It was still the same color. And still of the same pattern. But it was larger than before.

You dropped it one day and coincidentally, I was the one in front of you when you did so.

Cliché it may seem but when we both reached for it at the same time, our hands created sparks no fire ever could.

We looked at each other and instead of slow, romantic music accompanying the moment; your laughter filled that almost-empty hallway. Fate had its way and that small piece of cloth brought us together.

Soon, philosophy readings and trigonometry problems became our pastime. When we both couldn’t comprehend a single thing, we would give up together. But in those rare moments when we could understand, even just one lesson, we would rejoice. We would give each other high-fives, jump around a little and at times, I even allow myself a giggle or two because of your crazy antics.

Sometimes, I even create puns for us to be able to remember the lectures better. I would laugh before I could even deliver the punchline and you would too but you never let me see your face when you do. Hiding behind it, you would choose to further suppress your sniggers and I would be left utterly mystified as to why you do that.

It was now embroidered. A little larger. But still of the same color.

Readings became ice cream cones and equations became shared earphones.

We never did have the same taste in music but when it comes to The Beatles we would instantly agree. Lazy afternoons turned into mini concerts of imaginary drums and air guitars. The quality of our vocals wouldn’t matter for we were both off-key, and that made it okay.

When it became too warm, we would buy ice cream.

Not those fancy, in-a-cup ones that cost more than half of my weekly allowance but the ones that come in cones, bought in side streets and can surely help us beat the heat.

The only problem is, I was clumsy. I would always end up dripping some on the ground even before it actually melts, or if I’m lucky, it would just mess my face up.

You would hand me that piece of cloth without a word and I would shamefully take it. I would silently apologize for my childishness but I would secretly smile into it while wiping my face clean.

And during those times, I was glad you were there.

It was embroidered, large and now, of different colors.

Without noticing it, time flew by and I felt different.

Every time you would approach me, time would freeze, in a way no sci-fi movie or any law of physics could ever explain.

Every time you would look at me, I couldn’t bring myself to look back, for your eyes, I realized, held more stars than the galaxy ever could.

Every time you would laugh, I couldn’t help but to laugh along for even the greatest composer in the world couldn’t create an arrangement that could compete with your sounds of amusement.

And every time you would smile, no alarm, no coffee and no loud shrieks could ever give me as much energy in the morning as much as that does.

It was still embroidered, large but now, just really, really blue.

After a long time, I couldn’t quite hold it in anymore.

I had to get my feelings out somehow, and I planned to do it in the most subtle way possible, by simply asking you what I was to you.

I didn’t want to hope but I did. I didn’t want to expect anything, but I did.

I didn’t want to be disappointed, but I was.

Shouldn’t I be happy? Or at least contented? That you consider me your friend?

I should be, but without knowing it, tears flowed and I couldn’t stop. You panicked; it was evident in the way your lips tightened so you quickly grabbed the fabric from your pocket and helped me dry my tears.

I put too much meaning in the times we spent together, I put too much feelings into something uncertain and I risked too big of a part of my heart.

You left, after I decided to swallow the remaining sobs I had. I probably drove you away due to expectations and illusions only I knew of.

But, with that piece of cloth now in my hands, crumpled and wet, I decided to stop whatever we were. And I guess, you also chose to do the same.

What once looked brand new,
Was now soiled, torn and wrinkled

I should be throwing it away, or at least giving it back to you. But I couldn’t bring myself to.

Yes it did contain my tears, your mixed signals and the pretense I allowed myself to believe in.

But it also holds our muffled laughter, our hidden smiles, our ice cream stains, our jokes, our requirement-filled afternoons and our fictitious band sessions.

And it’s proof that you were once here, with me.

So I couldn’t just throw or give it away,

For it contains too much of the things I thought were ours.

Literary: Ahon





Walang katapusang asul
Ang tanging namamataan.
Palutang-lutang lamang
Sa gitna ng kawalan.
Dama ang hapdi ng araw
Na mula sa mga alapaap
At malayelong lamig ng dagat
Sa katawan ko’y umaakap.

Samu’t saring pangangamba,
Sa isip ko’y bumabalot.
Hindi malaman ang gagawi’t
Nilalamon na ng takot.
Na baka langit ay lumuha,
At sa aki’y may biglang kumuha.
O mula sa mga misteryo sa ilalim,
Na bigla na lamang hihila sa akin.
Katawan ko’y bumibigat
Paghinga ko’y bumibilis
Mga mata ay umiiyak
Paghihirap ay ‘di na matiis.

Nang malapit nang bumigay
Ang dagat ay pinagmasdan
Kumalma ang sarili
At saka naliwanagan
Mga iniisip ay inayos
At sitwasyo’y pinag-isipan
Utak ay pinauna’t ginamit
Takot ay pilit pinangibabawan.

Katawan ay inilubog
Mga pangamba’y di ininda,
Ang kagustuhang mabuhay
Ang tangi kong inuna.
Patuloy na lumalangoy
Sa kabila ng alon
Patuloy lamang lalangoy
Dahil kailangang umahon.

Literary: My Favorite Things





Dear You,
              At first you were my favorite pillow. The only thing that could give me comfort, the only shoulder I could cry on. The one I could turn to at night when I felt scared or alone. A pillow that I’ve always kept close to me.
              Then a few months went by and you became my favorite outfit. Protecting and giving me warmth. Making me feel confident and beautiful. Letting me express who I truly am. An amazing outfit that I sadly had to leave behind.
              Like most things in life, I outgrew my favorite things. But you suddenly came back and became my favorite movie. Making me laugh, cry and feel different emotions at once. Teaching me what I need to learn to be able to live my life. You were both my entertainment and companion.
              But as I grew up to become what I am today, I realized that my favorite movie became my favorite place. Where I can be myself and feel the safest. My own personal space where I could come to find peace and release my inner demons. A place that has seen the best moments of my life.
              These things are only some of the reasons why you are the most important thing to me. We stick together; we change and adapt to fit each other’s needs and lives. You are my friend, my family. You’re my favorite person in this world.

Literary: Bakit ba Magkaibigan Tayo?






Parati mong tinatanong sa akin: “Bakit ba magkaibigan tayo?” Kahit na madalas ay pabiro ang tanong na ito, di ko pa rin maiwasang isipin, bakit nga ba? Sa totoo lang, di ko rin alam.

Noon kasi ay ayaw natin sa isa’t isa. Ikaw, naaartehan sa akin, ako, natatarayan sa iyo. Noon, hindi natin nais mag-usap. Magkaiba kasi ang mga kaibigan natin noon. Di nababagay na magsama-sama dahil sa pagkakaiba.

Ang laki ng diperensya natin sa isa’t isa. Mas marami pa yata tayong malilistang pagkakaiba kaysa sa pagkakapareho sa pagitan nating dalawa.

Ikaw ang kaibigang malaanghel kung kumanta, ako naman ‘yung kaibigang panira na parang basag na plaka ang tunog. Pang-beauty queen ang ganda mo, ako exotic beauty lang. Kikay ka, tomboyin ako. Ikaw sa ating dalawa ang kaibigan na magaling sa larangan ng sining, ako sa akademiko. Magaling kang makipag-socialize, pero ako takot sa tao. Di ako marunong lumaban, pero ikaw napakaprangka mo.

O, di ba, magkataliwas na magkataliwas tayo?

Tunay na nakapagtataka ang balak ng tadhana.

Dalawang persona, nagkasama at nagkasundo sa kabila ng kanilang pagkakaiba. Tunay nga ang kasabihang “Opposites attract.”

Pero kahit bilangin natin ang napakahabang listahan ng ating pagkakaiba, hindi ito nagiging hadlang upang tayo’y maging magkaibigan. Di natin maikakaila na halos hindi tayo mapaghiwalay. Noon, kahit di tayo magkita nang dalawang buwan, okey lang. Pero ngayon, kapag hindi tayo nakapag-usap nang buong araw, miss na miss na natin ang isa’t isa. Alam natin ang lahat tungkol sa isa’t isa, walang sikretong di natin alam tungkol sa buhay natin sa loob at labas ng paaralan. Tayo ang sandalan ng isa’t isa sa oras ng madidilim na sandali at tayo ang magkasama sa maliligayang kabanata ng nobela ng ating buhay.

Ikaw ang pinakamatalik kong kaibigan, ang kapatid ko mula sa ibang ina, ang soulmate ko, ang bumubuo sa mga patlang ng kulang-kulang kong pagkatao. Kung hindi dahil sa ’yo, hindi ko magagawang maging sino man ako ngayon. Ikaw ang nagturo sa akin na kahit ang imposible ay puwedeng mangyari, na kung gusto’y parating may paraan, na kung maniniwala lang tayo sa sarili natin ay magkakatotoo ang ating pangarap. Naging mas mabuting tao ako nang dahil sa ’yo.

Hindi man natin alam ang dahilan ng pagsisimula ng pagkakaibigang ito, ipinapangako kong di ako bibitaw, sapagkat mas mahalaga ang dahilan para manatili. Walang tamang rason kung bakit kita naging kaibigan. At lalong walang sapat na dahilan upang ika’y aking iwanan.

Literary: Lima





Sa panghuling beses, paalam
At kung gugustuhin mo mang malaman ang dahilan
Ipapaliwanag ko sa lima...

Limang segundo ng katahimikan
Mga luha sa mata ay tuluyang nagbabagsakan
Sinasadya bang magkasakitan

Limang araw ng tuloy-tuloy na di pagkakaintindihan
Puno ng patawad, mga pangakong nabasag
Oras na siguro para tigilan ang pagbabangayan

Apat...

Apat na libo't lagpas pang mga mensaheng binura
Simula sa ating pagkakakilala pa
Hanggang sa tuloy-tuloy na text na di na binabasa ng isa

Apat na taon sana na puno ng alaala
Binudburan ng mga tampuhan at away
Na dati nama'y di natin iniinda at pinagtatawanan pa

Tatlo...

Tatlong importanteng kanta na di ko na mapapakinggan
Hinihila ako pabalik sa nakaraan
At panigurado sa gabing tumugtog 'yon ay di na naman ako tatahan

Tatlong pambahay mo na naiwan sa aking damitan
Ganoon pa rin ang amoy nila
Tila ba di ka man lang umalis sa tuwing ito'y aking tatabihan

Dalawa...

Dalawang matang kaya kong araw-araw titigan
Kahit di ako malinaw pag ako'y iyong tinitingnan
Mga mata mong nawawala sa tuwing tayo'y nagtatawanan

Dalawang daan na di pa rin nababayaran
Ang utang na nagsimula ng lahat
Kasama mo, ito'y kailangan ko nang kalimutan

Isa

Isang pangalan
Isang pagtahan
Isang paalam
Isang pagbitaw

Ang huling pagbitaw
Ng ating mga kamay
Bibilang ako pababa
Lima, apat, tatlo, dalawa, isa
At sana'y pagmulat ng aking mga mata
Ay nakaalis ka na
Sa panghuling beses

Literary: Going Home





There was a man who lived a long and fruitful life. It was a life without rest, one that, at first glance, lacked peace. It was a life full of hardships and strife, fighting one bloody war after another. Day after day, from sunrise to sundown, until he grew old, it was all he ever knew. And it’s only now that his world was able to find peace.

A decade after peace was found, the old man could be seen wandering around the countryside. Once, in the time between high noon and sunset, he came upon a cliff, overlooking a deep gorge that hosted one of too many battles. He figured he was tired so he decided to rest. He sat by the edge, staring into the distance. While resting, he remembered – the friends he lost, the stories they shared, the battles they fought. Oh, the battles they all won! When he was younger, he thought that they would all be together until the end.

At first, he may have been correct.

Victory after victory, glory upon glory, they had it all. From the mountains in the north to the deserts in the south, they rode as one unit, never splitting, never separating, and never, never alone.
 
But the years haven’t been kind to them.

While they grew more and more victorious, they also grew older and wearier. They lost their old strength, their old fire and vigor when facing the enemy. They grew tired of all the fighting – for every tale about glory, there were dozens about loss. For every enemy they took down, so, too, did their allies fall. And for every victory, there was a price.

Grief first struck during fall, 36 years ago.

His wife died giving birth to their son, their only child, and so he was left alone to raise him until he became an adult. And while his wife may have died, he was given a new purpose: to give his son a future.

Fate, it seemed, was merely getting started.

At the Battle of the Red Gates, it felt like one of their earlier battles: quick, easy, and very, very bloody. He and his comrades chased the enemy off of the city’s Gates, with the purpose of hopefully ensuring the city’s safety. And yet, the moment they stepped foot 500 yards away from the Gates, the enemy struck back, leading an army five times larger than theirs. And while the enemy was miraculously defeated, few of their forces returned to tell the tale.

On the Summer of the Iron Raven, monstrous forms rose from the western jungles, spreading various plagues and diseases that, left unchecked, would ravage the entire continent. While he himself contracted diseases and was restricted from fighting, his friends vowed to bring back a cure, not just for him, but for their fellow countrymen as well. And while they did bring back a cure, not all of them were able to return. The disease – and thankfully, the cure – came from an old hag’s experiments, which turned all nearby life into twisted corpses controlled by sentient fungi. It was a nightmare to put their allies down.

By the Winter of the Frost Wyrm, the dead grew restless. Spirits from beyond came back for those they left behind; many of the living, in their mounting grief, decided to join them. And so the forces of the Dead God grew. His son had been one of them, in desperation to see the mother he never met. 

 And so the living, outnumbered by the dead that walked, struck at the Dead God in secret. It fell after a lengthy battle, freeing those formerly bound to its will. Death Himself, it seemed, conspired against the Old One. 
While many more events happened since then, they were small compared to what he has witnessed. Again and again, he cried out to the gods for reasons why he had to endure these. Again and again, he got no answer.

As the sunset began to blind his vision, he looked downwards, into the abyss that rested there since the day his son died.

Naturally, it stared back.

It saw a man who lost everything, yet was willing to give up even more. It saw a man who had to watch his loved ones die, one by one. A man who fell off the edge a long, long time ago, yet painstakingly climbed back up, inch by bloody inch. It was a man who already had died, yet somehow found reason to live again.

Embarrassed, the abyss looked away.

The soft clip-clop of approaching hooves was ignored.

Hello, friend, said a voice like leaden doors.

“Ah. Fancy seeing you here today,” he said.

The same could be said of you, said the man on the pale horse, I was expecting to see you in town, in all honesty.

“Sorry to disappoint. Anyways, what brings you here?”

I was only passing by, when I decided to go and visit some old friends. How about you?

“Remembering, mostly. About our friends. When they were around, at least.”

Mmm, true, true.

For a moment, the two friends sat there, having a silent conversation with the being below them.

“How are they, by the way?”

How are who?

“Oh, stop beating around the bush. You were there. You were always there. So, how are they now?”

How can I say? I was only there to see them off. I cannot see what happens afterwards.

“When can I see them again, then?”

I’d say, the being checked a pocket watch, about, a few moments, actually.

“I see then.”

. . .

“Did I live a good life?”

That depends. But if I were to judge? Yes. A very full and good life. Why do you ask?

“Oh, no reason, really. Now, shall we go?”

Why, of course. No reason to keep them waiting.

And with that, the old man went Home.

The End.

Literary: Bakit Meal






Ano kaya ang magandang bilhin?
‘Yung nakakabusog sigurong kainin
O ‘yung matagal ko nang inaasam?
Di ko malaman, kay raming pagpipilian

Mahaba pa ang pila
Bakit parating mayayaman ang nauuna
Kay tagal ko ring nakatunganga
Pero pagkalipas ng ilang minuto ay ako na

Kunin ko kaya ang fried chicken?
‘Yung may kasamang kanin
Tiyak na hindi mabibitin
Pero hindi ko kayang ubusin

Kukunin ko na sana
Biglang sabi ng kahera
Na ang bigas nila'y naubos na
Kaya pipili na lang ng iba

Puwede rin namang burger
May gulay na mabuti para sa katawan
Kasama ang malaman na karneng baka
Ngunit di naman masarap ang lasa

Bibilhin ko na
Kaso pagkakita ko sa paghanda
Ang tinapay ay inaamag na
Di na lang ito baka ako'y masuka

French fries kaya?
Para hindi mabigat sa bulsa
Mainit-init at alat ay nanunuot
Kaso ang dami’y kakarampot

Papatusin ko na sana ito
Pero nakita ko
Ang kanilang pinagkukuhanan
Ang tira ng mga taong nagdaan

Bakit hindi na lang ice cream?
Para mawala ang init na nararamdaman
Gusto ko rin ng matamis na malalasahan
Kaso kulang para sa aking tiyan

Ito na nga ang kukunin
Kanina pa ako nakatayo’t nag-iisip
Pero di pa rin nakakabili
Bakit maruming tubig ang ginamit?

Bakit ba kumakain ang mga tao rito
Maruming kapaligiran
At pagkain minamaltrato
Pero wala na talagang mapuntahan

Kaunti lang ang pera ng mga tao
Karamihan, walang trabaho
Kaya napipilitang bumili ng mura
Kahit nakakasira ng bituka

Sa lalim ng pinag-iisipan
Di ko napansin ang mga tao sa likod na nagsisigawan
A, alam ko na! Bakit di na lang lahat kunin para walang sisihan
“Isa nga pong bucket meal!”

Sa wakas makakakain na rin ako
Kanina pa kumukulo ang aking sikmura
Pagbukas ko sa aking pitaka
Ang tanging lumabas ay isang gamugamo

Literary: The Only Reason Why





April 18th
I told you “I love you,”
As you read your novel
And I drank my coffee

April 15th
I told you “I love you,”
As you held my hand
And we sang "Our Father"

April 13th
I texted you “I love you,”
As I walked home
From my monthly check-up

April 4th
I called to tell you “I love you,”
As I lay in bed
Trying to breathe in and out

March 23rd
I sent a DM – “I love you,”
Before I went to sleep

March 22nd
I sent a text – “I love you,”
As I took my ride home

March 21st
I told you “I love you,”
After laughing at one of my jokes

March 20th
I told you “I love you,”
Just because I do

March 7th
I called to tell you “I love you,”
For the first time
As I lay on a hospital bed
Connected to an IV

Today
You told me you love me
And the way I said “I love you,”
Whenever I felt like doing so
Maybe tomorrow I'll tell you
It's because I don't know when I'll go

Literary: The Man Who Lived





“Irene, bedtime! I have a story to tell tonight!” I said while running around and catching my 5-year-old daughter. Once she was tucked in, she said “Oh-kay Papa. Tell me the stowy.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at this child who struggled to pronounce the letter ‘R’.
“Okay the story goes like this. There was once a scientist who lived on the outskirts of town. He was famed for his numerous failures and society considered him useless. Through the years, his surroundings were filled with gossips and stares. However, his spirit was never daunted, only driven by the will to succeed; he ignored all the noise and started to build his own world. Day and night, he did experiments, wrote many theories but none were ever successful.
           
              One day, while doing his grocery and on the brink of giving up, he stumbled upon a box of mystery. To his surprise, he found a black dog with a white spot in his eye. The scientist had found another reason to live. With a new found inspiration, he started to work even harder than before. A mad man, his neighbors would say, laughing, shouting mingled with a barks.
(A puppy! Just like Nyxie?)
(Yes, just like Nyxie)

              Every day by the grassy riverside you will see the pair taking a walk. They were an odd couple, a scientist with eyes who haven’t slept for years and a happy dog enjoying his walk. But you could see on the scientist’s face, a great big smile and eyes like that of a father’s. The man struggled daily while working on his experiments, scattered papers and dead plants could be found. His house was filled with cursing and crashing but amidst the chaos, barking could be heard and the scientist would be calm and quiet once again.

             On a cloudy Sunday afternoon, during their daily walk, he found another reason to stay in this world. A beautiful woman, with papers that filled her arms with eyeglasses sliding down her nose was hurrying down the path and did not notice the couple. She stumbled into the leash of the dog and the papers flew everywhere. The woman apologized and quickly picked up the papers and went on her way. The scientist for the first time in many years had fallen in love. The man scheduled their walks every afternoon for he hoped to see the woman again and he did not fail. While blushing madly, he invited the woman for a cup of coffee.

             The woman soon joined them in their walks, often throwing sticks for the dog to chase. Discussions and theories could be heard from the two. They sat side by side, watching the sunrise transitioning into a beautiful night sky.

             On another rainy Sunday morning, the man woke up as a realization hit. The dog and the woman have become reasons for the man to live despite his numerous failures.”

             “How do I know this? I am that man, Irene. I never gave up. I hope you too, find a reason to live in this cruel world,” I sigh and kiss the sleeping child’s forehead goodnight.

Literary: I'm Give Up na






The words do not flow as they used to do,
The wellspring of verse and rhyme has dried,
No abstract thought nor internal musings
Now make their way onto the page

Why?

The emptiness has grown just sitting there
A dull existence resting at my nape;
What I thought has gone and I've left behind
Apparent now shall be my constant friend

Each moment has become a tiring drudge,
As if the very air is of quicksand made;
Even just the act of being's turned
Into an exhausting exercise of will

What joys I had are now precursed by dread
No happiness it seems my deeds do grant;
What used to be enjoyed and relished
Are now but work and toil and drudgery

Why must I suffer through existence's woe?
Why must I endure its seeping in?
What reason's there to keep at being?
Bluh

Comics: Will You Get By in the Future

























Literary: Everything Happens for a Reason





Noong ako’y bata, madalas akong pumupunta sa bahay ng aking pinsan. Doon, nakikipaglaro kami kay Tito. Mapa-pogs, kotse-kotsehan, at iba pang maisipan naming gawin sa loob ng kanilang bahay ay game na game si Tito at ang pinsan ko. Di nila ako iniiwang mag-isa roon sa bahay nila.

Nasa kabilang kalye lang namin ang bahay nila pero kailangan pa munang dumaan sa isang eskinitang pagkakitid-kitid bago makapunta doon.

At doon sa mismong eskinita na ‘yun ay may isang asong askal ang nakatali, palaging nakalabas ang pangil nito at bumubula ang laway sa bibig, lahat na yata ng mga dumadaan ay tinatahulan, mapa-tanod, magtataho, mayor na nangangampanya, wala itong sinasanto.

Tuwing nasa labas ang aso, di ako makatuloy sa bahay ng aking pinsan dahil natatakot ako sa posibilidad na mapatid ang kadena nito at masakmal ako.

Lingguhan kung ipasok ang aso sa bahay ng kanyang amo. Ilalabas ito nang Lunes at ipapasok lamang pagdating ng Linggo kung kailan nandoon lamang ang kanyang amo.

Isang Linggo nang umaga, inaasahan kong wala ang aso. Pero nandoon iyon, malayo pa lang, tinatahulan na ako. Mukhang di pa dumadating ang amo, masyado pang maaga siguro.

Di na lang ako tumuloy kina Tito at nagpalipas na lamang ng oras sa panonood ng TV sa bahay namin.

Kinahapunan ng araw na ‘yun mismo, may kumalat na balita, usap-usapan sa bawat sulok ng aming barangay. Nagkaroon daw ng gulo malapit sa bahay ng aking pinsan. May nag-amok na lasing at nasaksak ang umaawat sa kanya. Ito ay ang tito na di kalaunan ay namatay bago pa man maisugod sa ospital.

Sinabi ng aking mga magulang na masuwerte ako noon dahil di ako tumuloy at di na nadamay pa. Ang laki ng pasasalamat nila sa aso at sa amo nito.

Pero ngayong ako ay matanda na, naisip ko, paano kung wala ang aso sa daanan noong araw na iyon?

Siguro ay buhay pa si Tito, ano?

Dahil malamang, kung ako ay nandoon lamang sa bahay nila, nasa loob si Tito at abalang nakikipaglaro sa amin ni ‘insan. Hindi na sana siya lumabas pa para mang-awat ng lasing. Di na sana pa nasaksak si Tito.

“Everything happens for a reason” pa rin nga ba?

Literary: Pintuan





Tok, tok, tok.

Araw-araw ko binabalikan ang bahay na ito. Maganda ang bahay. Simple lang, komportableng tingnan. Hindi gaanong magarbo. Nakakapagtaka lang talaga.

Pang-ilang beses ko nang kumakatok dito pero wala namang sumasagot. Gusto ko lang namang malaman kung bakit walang pintuan ang bahay nila. Mayroon namang bubong, may malalapad na dingding, makakapal na pader, at bintanang maliliit pero walang pintuan.

Sumilip ako sa bintana. Mayroon naman palang tao sa loob, nakaupo lang sa sulok, mag-isa. Paano nakapasok ang tao rito kung wala namang pinto? At hindi niya ba naririnig ang mga pagkatok ko?

Gusto ko lang namang magtanong. Nakakaintriga ang bahay niya pati siya mismo.

Gusto ko lang malaman kung ayos lang ba ang kalagayan niya dahil mag-isa lang siya sa loob.

Gusto ko lang malaman kung bakit siya mag-isa o baka naman may kasama siya sa loob.

Gusto ko lang malaman kung gaano katagal na siyang nag-iisa.

Gusto ko lang naman talaga siyang kilalanin.

-----

Pasensya na kung hindi kita hinahayaang pumasok. Masyado nang maraming tao ang nanatili sa bahay na ito. Masaya. Maraming kuwentuhan, iyakan, at mga asaran.

Ngunit, isa-isa rin silang lumisan. Sa dami nila, naiwan na lamang akong mag-isa.

Kaya naman pagkatapos lumisan ng kaisa-isang taong pinakamatagal na nanatili dito, tinanggal ko na ang pintuan. Kung ikakandado ko lang, matutukso lang akong patuluyin sila. Naisip ko rin, “Parang ayaw ko nang magpapasok, aalis din naman silang lahat.”

Sinubukan kong panindigan iyon. Pag may mga taong nagdadaan, sa bintana ko lang sila kakausapin at kikilalanin. Hanggang doon lang, pagkatapos noon, wala na parang hindi na ulit kami magkakilala. Paulit-ulit na lamang ang eksenang iyon. Hanggang sa wala nang sumusubok na dumaan at makipag-usap.

Habang tumatagal parang lalong kumakapal ang pader sa pagitan ng tinitirhan ko pati na ang mga nasa labas. Malungkot pala. Tahimik. Malamig. Madilim.

Kaya naman nang dumating ka, parang gusto ko nang magpapasok ulit. Baka sakaling ang katulad mo’y hindi na aalis. Baka sakaling ikaw na ang mananatili.

Sinubukan kong maghanap ng paraan para patuluyin ka. Pero wala na nga palang pintuan. Masyadong maliit ang mga bintana para ika’y magkasya. Masyadong makapal ang mga pader para ito’y buwagin.

Oo, naririnig ko ang iyong pagkatok. Pero pasensya na, kahit ako, hindi ko na rin alam kung paano ako makakawala sa bahay na walang pintuan.

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