Banaag Diwa 2007. by Atenews

COVER with separate layout

Banaag Diwa Karapatan ng Paglalathala, 2007 ATENEWS Opisyal na Pahayagan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Ateneo de Davao Covered Court Bldg. Ateneo de Davao University, E. Jacinto St., Davao City Telephone no: 221-2411 (loc. 8332) E-mail Address: atenews@gmail.com Member: College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) Nilimbag ng Midtown Printing Company, Inc. A. Bonifacio St., Davao City

Banaag Diwa 2007 Katipunan ng mga akdang pampanitikan ng Atenews Yugto ng Pagbabago (transition) n. Eng 1.change; 2. evolution Pang. Fil. 1.transisyon; 2.yugto ng pagbabago

The Banaag Diwa Team (2007-2008)

Editorial Board Nisa S. Opalla Hyangeto Hao Santigo Paulo L. Pascual Lay-out by: Shem Bajenting Photos by: JB Thomas H. Busque IV Artworks by: Carl Garey Mara単on Ghamar Kanda Abdul Staff: Hannah Lesley Taotjo Jell Vie Gualberto Jobelle Obguia Moderators: Dr. Macario D. Tiu Dr. Victoria Tatad-Pre

Nilalaman Pambungad

The Fall (pagkalugmok)

[Allowance • Ang ulan ug ang imong pagbiya • Banig • Buhay Walang Buhay • Drifting • Erythrocyte • I’m Floating • Kung mahimo lang • Laban ng ala-ala • Nakausap ko si Hesus • Pisong Paraiso • Ricochet • Salin sa ulan • Sleep, Drown and Bleed • STP • Tahimik • The Orange Lightpost • The Passing • Weyter] The Struggle (pakikibaka) 27 [Ang Sining ni Nadja • Formosa Repugnata • Hatud sa Ngabil • Huwag Pumikit • Kasarian Ko Ba’y Kontradiksyon • Katawhan • Menopos • Pagbabago • Pakiki-isa • Reflections • Sambit ng Kalabaw • Steep Incline • Tula ni Komander Chummy • Wasted • Lugaw • Wala] The Liberation (pagbangon)

[Ang Tunglo sa Alom • Back to Basics • Baliw • Friends • Beng • Dominate • Of mountains and why the city streets go no further • Sa pagmata • Sa Dalampasigan • Musika • Ginoo pag ampo • Grace is dead • Hammock • Kahayag • Kaliwa • Let Go • Limbo • Pag-asa] Life Goes On (magpapatuloy ang buhay) 61 [A Box Full of Monday Mornings • Alarm Clock • Book • Kining Alaot Kong Gugma • Holy Ipis • Aspheus • Nagtanga • Hayaan mo, Mahal • Isang Gabi nang Maisip kong Mag-meditate • Piskot Giahak Gugmang Inatay • Travelogue • Demeter • Di na ta magsaba • Dialect 101 • Dili Takos ang mga Rosas • Do you need me • Eleven • House Party • I catch my wife • ID • Isang Daang Papel na Tagak • Kamla Beach • La Tica • Life Goes On • Masa • Book • O Pa-ilog • Reklamador • Sea Wall • Torpe • Transport Estrayk • Tulad ng silid ko • Turn Tables] Gallery

100

Pasasalamat

126

Pambungad Hindi madaling bumangon. At lalong hindi madaling mamuhay. Sa ating panahon, ay nararanasan natin ang sari’t saring mga kaguluhan sa ating bansa. Nariyan ang unti-unting pagkabagsak ng moral, dignidad at buhay. Nariyan ang tuloy tuloy at talamak na pagnanakaw at pang-gagahasa sa ating inang bayan. Nariyan ang kahirapang unti-unting pumupugsa sa mga ating naghihikahos na dukha. At nariyan din ang tuloy tuloy na pagpatay sa ating mga aktibista, manunulat at mga elementong tumutuligsa sa mga may kapangyarihang tumapos sa kanila. Marahil dala na rin ng pagod at hinagpis, ay nagmimistulang mga bangkay na buhay ang ating mga mamamayan. Kahit talamak ang mga anomalyang nangyayari sa gobyerno tulad ng pagnanakaw, dayaan at ang pagbagsak na parang mga langaw ng ating mga kababayang maka-kaliwa, ay kapansin pansin ang kakulangang makielam at maki-alam ng ating mamayan. Oo, hindi madali ang makibaka sa taong kapit na tayong lahat sa ating mga leeg. Hindi madali ang maki-alam dahil marami na ang gumagawa ng mali at marahil ay nagiisa ka na lang na gustong gawin ang tama. Hindi madali ang tumayo sa gitna, at isigaw “Tama Na! Sobra Na! Palitan Na!”, dahil malamang ay wala nang makakapansin sa mga nangyayari. Malamang, wala na silang paki-alam. Pero, kaibigan, may magagawa ka. Nagsisimula ang pagkabangon sa isang maliit na tapang para harapin ang lahat. Nagsisimula ang isang rebolusyon sa isang munting ideya… ideya na magbibigay buhay sa isang masigabong pagbabago. Nagsisimula ang lahat sa isang munting inspirasyon. Kaya, sana ay maging saksi ka sa pagkalugmok, pakikibaka, pagkalaya at ang ultimong pag ikot-ikot ng buhay sa pamamagitan ng munting foliong ito. Sinubukan naming hulihin ang kahulugan ng mga hakbang patungo sa pagbangon sa pamamagitan ng mga tula, munting kwento at iba’t ibang gawang malikhain ng ating mga kapwa mag-aaral. Muli, narito ang Banaag Diwa, para bigyang puwang ang mga elementong kailangan para sa ganap na pagbangon. Sana, sa bawat pahinang iyong bubuklatin ay magbigay inspirasyon sa iyo.

The Fall (pagkalugmok) “…Like stars, we bask in our own glory only to fall down and crash down to oblivion…” “… Nagmataas… tulad ng mga tala… para lamang… malaglag sa lupa…”

Allowance Ma. Alona P. Loma

Hala! Hurot na akong kwarta Wala pa nakapadala si mama Unsaon na ni nako pagkaon? Ah, kabalo nako Si kuya akong pangutan-on. Ya naa pa kay kwarta? Akong pangutana

Nah, wala na pod baya Tubag niya. Ug ako nabalaka Kon asa ko mangita og kwarta Pang hiram na lang Suhestiyon ni kuya.

Unya akong nahunahuna Sige mangutang na lang ko Pero kang kinsa? Kini na pod ang bag-ong problema Maulaw nako sa akong barkada Pati sa akong tito ug tita Kada taga wala koy kwarta Sa ila ko magpabaga. Ah, bahala na Manghiram jod ko og kwarta Bahala ingnon ko og baga Ang importante naay pangkaon Kay lisod mageskwela Nga walay gikaon. Hala tama, daghan nakog naistorya Pasensya na mo ha Ani jod ko Sige ra og kabalaka Labi na pag dili makapadala Ang akong mama og kwarta.

Ang ulan ug ang imong pagbiya Mark Darryl Caniban

Nakahinumdom ka ba sa panganod? Itom ug nagataliabot, gawara-wara sa nasukong langit; Morag imong pagbiya nga managsugod, Dili matugkad sa akong pagsabot, Dili mahangyo sa pulong ug sa hagit. Nakahinumdum ka ba sa kilat? Hugpong ang iyang mga kamot Sa pag-igo sa kakahoyan ug kayutaan, Halangdon sa iyang pagbusikad ug pagpakurat Morag imong mga kalagot ug kasukong hurot Sa usa ka kalit ug dili gitaganang kataposan. Nakahinumdum ka ba sa dalugdog? Gibuntog niini ang mga tanan natong kasaba, Murag kiniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;g atong mga panagbingkil ug away, Samtang tanang mga pagpasaylo giabog Samtang tanang pagsalig giguba Samtang tanang mga pagtambag gisuway. Nakahinumdum ka ba sa ulan? Sa dihang mihawa ka na sa akong kiliran. Nawala na ba imong gugma, ug tanan niining utlanan? Nahanaw ang adlaw sa kabuntagon, sa gabii ang bulan, Ug miagas kini sa mga kabukiran Ug gihugasang limpyo ang hugawâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ng tanan, Tanan, apil ang mga sugilanon Sa mga matam-is ug mapait nga kaagi Nimo ug kanako. Lakaw na samtang hinay pa ang ulan.

BANIG nonoy narciso

(May 21, ‘06 - Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte) inspired by the work of Corazon Almerino’s “Lawak”

Gabii na sab, ilatag ko napod ang banig, Labi na sa bugnawng gabii, ang likod way laing ikasalig Nangatastas na kining banig… Mikupas ug miyatyat na pud kini Hapnigan og baga nga habol aron di sakit higdaan Isangit ang higot nining moskitero, Sa milabay nga panahon morag dili ko na madalidalig syumoy ning tali sa lansang (mokatawa) Gakurog ang akong mga tudlo.. Ipiton og unlan kining parte sa moskitero nga nabangag, aron dili makasulod ang lamok.. Usahay magsindi og katol…nya payak-on kini sa bote.. mora kinig panganod sa ibabaw sa moskitero..apan morag Dili na madutlan ang lamok niini.. Sa dihang andam na ako mohigda… ang mabilin nga suga mao lamang ang lamparilya.. ang kayo niini morag Gapirok-pirok, gakipat-kipat… mora bag mapawong, nahadlok… giyaga-yagaan og gitik sa hangin nga molili Ning payag. Ug sa dihang malansang na ang akong mata sa kisame…. Maglisod na ako’g katug.. Inig piyong nako daghan kog makit-an…..kaguol ug kahangawa para ugma.. 10

Ako gayong pugson, kay gikapoy ko.. Apan sa dihang madungog ko na ang imong mga tunob, gikan sa hagdanan padulong dinhi sa atong banig.. Magbukot sa akong daang malong, ilokot kog guot sa akong lawas, morag suman, morag ibus.. mag-pahagok-hagok aron ingnong natug..usahay magnganga nganga ako, aron kaluy-an sa akong kakapoy.. Kanunay na lang, nanganad man pod ka.. sige ra kag pamirag habol..pugson tag pahayang..Dili na lang man pod Ka mananghid o manghangyo.. Gimingaw gyod ko niadtong panahon nga nagahisgutanay pa kita sa atong mga kaguol, pangudoy, kahangawa, ug kalipay Kato bang magdagandagan kita sa pilapil ug magkinanchaway kong mahulog sa basakan..ug manungkit kita og bayabas unya isuso sa suka. Malipay dyod ko kaniadto kon mokuha kana sa imong plawta nya manawag tag Hangin ug kahilum…ug motokar sa imong sista.. samtang imo akong kantahan nya magduyog tang duha..nya Mohigda ako sa paa nimo..gimingaw na dyod ko ato… Apan karon…paminaw ko nga mora ra pud kog banig nga higdaanan, pahulayan ug pagawsan og gibati.. inig Human sa lawom nga gabii, lukoton nya ipadaplin.. nya ilatag pag-usab ug kapuyon na pod ka. Kon madungog ko na ang imong dagkung tunob, kulbaan na usab ako, kabalo ko nga usa ra gyod ang imong tuyo, Ang mokiyod… O, banig tabangi ako, gaksa ako aron sa hingpit masusama na lang ako kanimo… Hangtod wa nay kusog ang akong mata nga molurat.. magpasalamat ako nga unta inig tulog nako, dili na ako Mahimata…ug magdamgo na lang kanunay sa kalipay uban ning banig sa kinabuhi ug kamatayon..banig sa pag-inusara.

Buhay Walang Buhay Loi

Magpipinta ako. Gamit ang isang malinis na puting papel at itim na pentel pen, guguhit ako ng isang bilog na may limang bilog sa lahat ng gilid nito. Dinagdagan ko ng isang linya at hugis parabilog upang magmukhang dahon. Dalawang kulay lang ang meron ako. kahel at kayumanggi. Kahel ang gagamitin kong pangkulay sa bawat bulaklak. Nagdadalawang isip naman ako kung gagamitin ko ang natirang kulay sa dahon. Magmumukha lamang itong lanta at tuyo. Di ko na lang kukulayan at hahayaang magkulay puti ang dahon.

Datirati, mas makukulay ang mga larawang naipipinta ko. Nung, maliban sa itim, puti, at gray, Pula at dilaw ang mga krayolang tanging tangan ko.

DRIFTING Rhaye Mendoza

i am sailing on rough seas tossed by angry waves

high tide leaves me bruised and the tranquil sea sends me floating sometimes to nowhere sometimes to the shore

waves reclaim me at the end of the day

a driftwood

thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what i am. 13

Erythrocyte Muffled Chatterbox

She ate strawberries for breakfast. And she ate them fresh. Red, gnarled to a pulp, dripping. Like her heart beaten and mashed. She drank water to cool her flesh, And her lips that are already bleeding.

i'm floating kidlat pamukaw

sa madaling araw kung saan humihilik ang mga pusang nagbabangayan kanina sa isang pirasong buto ng isdang may sabaw. heto ka't lumulutang sa mga ulap ng pag-aalinlangan, pagod na pakpak sa kalawakan, kaya 'di mo naisip na kay taas na ng buwan. kung pa'no nilipad ng isipang lagalag ang mga kuwento ng bawat musmos sa lansangang tinatambayan ng mga pagnanasa sa mga librong 'di mo pa nabasa ay hindi ko rin alam. parang isang alamat lamang itong bersong naibulalas, misteryosong paglalahad ng mga imaheng madalas may bitbit na hiwaga. kaya marahil minsan sa paglutang mahiwaga ang bumaba.

Gunitan ko sa hugot ang imong mga kamot Ipadayag ko kanimo ang bug-os ug putli nga pagbati nga nigitik ug niduslak ning kabos kong kasingkasing Isulti ko kanimo ang mga pulong nga kanunay ug sa walay puas nga gasinggit sulod sa akong kasingkasing ug hunahuna Magdungan kitang manglakaw, maggunitay sa atong mga kamot didto sa baybayon samtang gakilumkilom ug nagbugno ang kahayag ug kangitngit, samtang ang mabugnaw ang huyuhoy sa hangin mohapuhap sa atong mga bukubuko Malinawon kaayo ang palibot Atong madungog lamang ang mga alingasa sa balod nga walay undang sa pagtugaw sa kalinaw sa baybayon Nahibulong ka, daw di mo masabtan ang lakaw sa hunahuna ko Ang mga mata mo nakighinabi sa kalag ko ug nangamuyo nga gusto kang maminaw sa yangungo sa samarang kasingkasing ko Motan-aw kita sa layo, sa panganod ug sa way kahumanang dupa sa kadagatan Human, tan-awon ko ang imong mga mata, ug sulayan ko sa pakigsandurot ang imong kasingkasing ug kalag ug ako dayong isulti kanimo ang mga pulong nga sa kadugay sa panahon nagpadugta sa angulon kong dughan mihuyohoy ang hangin Dala niini ang kabugnaw nga mituhop sa atong mga salabotan Tunga-tunga sa kaanindot sa huni sa kinaiyahan akong gisulti kanimo nga gimahal tika sa tibuok kong kasingkasing, hunahuna ug kalag mitulo ang mga luha ko, tungod sa di masabtang paghilab sa kahangawa uban ang dakong kalipay kay ako na gyong nasulti kanimo ang giluom kong paghandom sa gugma mo Gitrapohan mo ang mga luha ko sa imong mahumok nga kamot Og dayon migakos ka kanako sa hugot Naghilak kang misulti nga Kung mahimo langâ&#x20AC;Ś 16

Laban ng ala-ala Florante Olaybar

Hanap kita sa aking ala-ala Kailan kaya makikita Ang pusong nabaon Sa limot ng kahapon Bakit pa hinayaang maglaho Ang lahat ng pag-ibig Na itinakip ko sa butas kung puso Sayang ang lahat ng pagkakataon Nasayang lang sa mga nagdaang panahon at ngayun nagsisisi nais ibalik ang kahapon nais sulitin ang nasayang na panahon ngunit wala na wala na ang lahat ng iyon naglaho na kasabay ng alon ng panahon nasaan ka na nasaan na ang pag-ibig nasaan na ang pangako nawala na, wala na

Nakausap ko si Hesus Alfred Compra

Kakaiba ang gabi tanging ang kulisap lamang ang nasisiyahan sa liwanag na nagmumula sa lampara. Habang ang bawat galaw ng guhit ng relo ay malakas na naririnig, ang dilim naman ay nagbabanta ng matinding kalungkutan. Saglit kinuha ang isang kahon, nangangapa man sa dilim ay huling-huli pa rin. Buti rin, tahimik na ang lampara, wala na rin ang kanina’y naglalarong insekto. Binudbod ang puting bagay mula sa supot at sinimulan ang nakagawiang orasyon. Lalong tumahimik ang silid, iginala ang mga tirik na mata tumigil na ang galaw ng orasan namatay na rin ang liwanag lumulutang ang katawan pataas ng pataas... Saglit pa’y may napansing mukhang nakaguhit sa may dingding, nakakahilakbot ang hitsurang tumambad na misan sa paniginip ay hindi mawari, ang bawat patak ng dugong umaagos mula sa sugat ng kanyang mukha ay nakakatakot. Natagpuan ko ang aking sariling umiiyak sa awa, sa takot, sa galit ”Ikaw nga Hesus!” ang simula, ang hangganan, ang katapusan ilan pang tulad ko and magiging ganito? Ngayon, ibabalik ko ang tanong mo noon? ”Diyos ko, bakit mo ako pinabayaan?” 18

Pisong Paraiso koykix

pisong barya na nahulog sa lata nanggaling sa kamay ng taong nagsimba di ko akalaing akoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y buhay pa ang Diyos kong pag-asa ay panaginip lang pala ako'y mamimili ng damit na magara matutulog ng mahimbing sa malambot na kama almusal koy lechon, hindi lang isda gagawin kong lahat sa kabilang buhay na sapagkat ako'y pulubi na hindi nakita ni mayor na dumaan sa akin kanina

Ricochet Joan Mae Soco

Ako usa ka bola Nga ang nag-inusarang tahas Mangguba og dingding Nga dili akoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y tag-iya. Makahatag ako og kalipay Kon mabungkag ko na ang dingding Ug makuha ko ang daghang singsing. Sa pikas bahin, Aduna koy hinigugma, Nga sa tanan kong tahas, Gasigeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;g bantay nako sa kaguol. Hilabihan niya kaduol Apan igo ra siya makakita, Dili siya makahikap kay tungod Dili ko niya reyalidad. Sa takna sa akong kamatayon, Magsubo siya, maglagot pa, Tungod sa puntos Nga diâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; na mamahimong makuha. Apan maulian ra siya dayon Kay mahimo pa man ko niyang buhion Pinduton lang niya ang start button Pwede na sad ko niyang dulaon.

Salin sa ulan Nonoy Narciso Mayo 2007

Salin sa ulan Tinuhog nga perlas sa hayhayan Nag-inusara Naghikut ug hayhayan Salin sa ulan Mga aryos nga naglaylay sa kabulakan Gilansang mata Sa aping sa buwak Salin sa ulan Mga bata nga nagkumbitay Inig human sa ulan Nagyaka, nag-inusara Nagtapok sa aping sa dahon Giduyan sa palad

Sleep, Drown and Bleed Do we have to bleed? Just to feel Alive And poison ourselves Just to get up high Do we have to fly? If only to take the fall To weep dry our eyes Is this what they call life? Do we have to scream? Only to be unheard And be fools ourselves Just to seem wise Do we have to smile? If only to suffer inside To dish out our lies Will the sun ever rise? And we become part of the sickness Knowing we're running on empty Is there no stopping this? We're keeping our spent bliss Tomorrow might not be bright It's been a while since we saw the light So we all close our eyes Pretend that we can't see And we drown ourselves in our sleep Run away and dig deep We're drowning in our sleep ...drowning in our sleep

Hyangelo Hao

Curl up like a ball Careful, we might die... Or maybe it's not worth the try We've been screaming far too long That our mouths have run dry Or maybe it's that we can't fly We have been trying far too long That the tears we shed dry Or we just can't take it all And we're bleeding far too long That our blood has gone dry Or maybe for just one last time We try to make sense of it all And try to ask ourselves why Live a life of lies When we all have eyes To see the truth And realize That we all have a chance To be the glimmer of hope In the despair of life...

STP asnes

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve loomed Too many red spiral threads That we are entangled When we begin to weave And weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve chosen Red comforters To keep us warm Instead of loose shirts That enable us To truly feel the cold But allows us To sweat with ease. When we begin To feel comfortable. How do we serve the people?

Tahimik

Jose Miguel Pascual

Tahimik Ang mga silid aralan Nakakubli ang mga yeso Walang naisulat Sa pisara Nakatunganga Ang mga mag-aaral Tulo laway Nakakadena Mga paa Sa malamig Na semento Nakikinig sa guro Na may talikala Ang mga bibig Mga libroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y Walang ibang mga titik Kundi bilang Ng mga bayarin, utang Sa labas Nagpuputukan Mga baril At bomba Dugo ang lumalabas Sa drinking fountain

THE ORANGE LIGHTPOST Fredo Agreda

It was the usual night for everyone The sky was still bluish black The streets were filled with rushing vehicles Every thing was the usual, except for the man and the orange light post It was a hard day for him he got fired from his job his girl broke up with him and dirty laundry was waiting at home And the orange light post? In the morning, it got peed by some dogs At noon, someone nailed some ads on it And just before the man stood near it a woman was stabbed, and a crazy fellow got shot in the head by some policeman An ordinary night, indeed But at that moment, on that night Someone with a broken soul stood by an orange light post to plan for tomorrow It was a night with bluish black sky With vehicles rushing and people passing by without a care for him.

I fear the passing of days The days will end The nights will linger The cold air embrace The only light from the moon I fear the passing of days The flowers wilt The trees lost foliage The sun strays The darkness inside creeping I fear the passing of days The mother of six abandons The children crying asleep The friend who used to smile The laughter now just a dream I fear the passing of days The memory turns to dust The heart turns to stone The eyes weep the last timeâ&#x20AC;Ś For in the end we are alone.

Weyter

MIchelle Anthea Malana

Nalingaw ko sa mi-agi sa akong atubangan Samtang ako nagkaon sa suok nianing kan-anan Tulo ka tawo nagsunod morag hagdan Iya-iyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;g pas-an sa trey nga may basong de kolor ug pinggan Sa ilang paglabay igo ko nahunahunaan Nakakaon na kaha sila nganhi sa mahalong restawran? 26

The Struggle (pakikibaka) “…Like ants, we struggle to go on despite seemingly insurmountable odds…” “…Tulad ng mga hantik, nakibaka tayo laban sa mga naglalakihang balakid…”

Ang Sining ni Nadja Iod at Asnes

ang pagbundak sa ulan sama sa iyang tiil nga ming-apil sa martsa sa kadalanan ang matag ajit nga isinggit sa iyang baba sama sa musika nga nindot paminawon sa gamay nga dunggan ang matag hagbong sa mga layang dahon sa yuta sama sa mga luha na mingtulo sa iyang mga mapungay nga mga mata tungod sa bangi sa burgis ug proletaryadong baroganan

ang sining ni nadja---sining sa pakigbisog sining sa malungtarong gubat sa katawhan sining natong gipahimuslan sining sa pagtagbo sa martsa sa kadalanan ug kabukiran ang sining ni nadja----sining sa rebolusyon

ang paghampas sa hangin sama sa paglabyog sa iyang lawas sa matag sayaw ng iyang gigasa para pasabton ang halapad nga masa ang pagsindi sa mga bituon sa ngitngit nga kalangitan sama sa iyang mga pulong nga makabag-o sa katilingbang gilamon sa kadagatan.

Lugaw Asin

Sadyang nagtatapon ng mga simbolo ang baliw sa tuwing natutunaw ang yelo, nagiging makinang ang dugo sa halimuyak na hatid ng gumamelang wala namang bango, naiisip siguro ang duyang himlayan ng kaisipan, sa gitna ng dilubyong hatid ng langaw sa ibabaw ng lugaw, kakainin ko na lang ito, nagugutom na kasi ako.

It bothers me. The way she dresses, Like wash day is just another Saturday. She doesn’t seem to care About her faded sneakers and unkempt hair. Her loose jeans and plain shirts are already becoming A part of her. But she doesn’t seem to see That she is more beautiful Than the greatest poem could ever be. It bothers me. The way she talks, Like she doesn’t care if someone is actually listening To her. She doesn’t seem to mind How absurd her opinions may be. She speaks her soul the way nightingales sing their Songs. But she doesn’t seem to see That every word she utters is a spell that bewitches Me. It bothers me. The way she walks, Like a drunk schoolgirl trying to break away from a Sober world. She doesn’t seem to feel The earth tremble when it touches her heel. She walks like springs are attached on her feet, and Her footsteps carried away by the wind. But she doesn’t seem to see That she has left imprints on my soul permanently. It bothers me. The way she thinks, Like the sudden shower on a warm and sunny Afternoon. She doesn’t seem to observe How she fascinates me with her contradiction. She ensnares me with her wit and captivates me with Her personality. But she doesn’t seem to see How thoughts of her plague my mind That it becomes so difficult to break free. It bothers me. The way she is. A puzzle with missing pieces. She doesn’t seem to see How her flaws mold her to perfection, And simply, magically, Engulf me in a mystery That is SHE.

Hatod Sa Ngabil Jake

Mingdausdos ang lapok sa daâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;n Ang inahan mingisi sa iyang anak Samtang nagpahimulos sa duwaan Matang naulit sa panghitabo. Sa dihang mangatagak na unta Ang gasidlak gikan sa mga panganod Nagpasiaw sa makadaghan pag-usab Ang tanom haduol sa kasing-kasing. Sa makadaghan pang mga higayon Ang managhigala nagkauban Apan diâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; gayod mahikalimtan Ang nawad-ag bili nga butang. Apan sa dihang nahawan ang maong lugar Ug mingkapot na ang tanom sa koral Wa nay nahimo ang tayhop sa hangin Ug panagpuli sa adlaw ug dag-om. Naghinay-hinay og kamang ang tanom Hangtod sa matabonan ang koral Mao nga ang hanging nalingaw pag-ayo Nangitaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;g mahatdan sa iyang ngabil.

Huwag Pumikit Kami-Bay

Huwag mong ipikit ang iyong mata Sa kabila ng liwanag. Kumislap ang mga bituin Nakikipagsiksik ang araw, Babanaw ang tubig na malamig, Iinit ang baradong kanal Bibilis ang tibok ng puso â&#x20AC;&#x2122;pag narinig mo ang balitang ito. Sa pagbabasa iyong nalalaman Na hindi lahat sa larawan ay Ang katotohanan. Gayon man sa ulan Ay tatapik sa pisngi Ay huli na ang lahat nang maging biktima ng Kanyang galit. Maging masigasig, Gamitin ang natitira at kabuohang lakas Makipagtagisan Makipaglaro, sa larong lahat tayo; nakakaalam.

Kasarian Ko Ba’y Kontradiksyon? Marvin T. Gumpay

Sa aking kamulatan Ako’y mulat sa isang mundong nakatali sa tanikalang nakagapos sa kahirapan. Ngunit ng aking sinuri ang mundong aking ginagalawan Ako’y ‘di makagalaw dahil sa kontradiksyon na tila bang kadenang nakatali sa mga uri maging lalake man o babae Aking iniligay ang mga kontradiksyon sa aking talambuhay ’di batid sa akin ang piniling kasarian na ’di lamang pala kontradiksyon ng kasarian ang nais kong ipaglaban, Kundi mga kontradiksyon ng mga uri at sa uri na aking pinagmulan na pinagsasamantalahan. Ako’y babae na nakatago sa anyong lalake, gawi ko noo’y sabi ng nakararami na wala daw sa ere! Eh! Kasi naman rampa dito, rampa doon ang gusto ko palagi at ninais ang buhay na puno sa luho’t makasariling eksenang dala ang gulo at pagkalito. Ngunit ngayo’y aking nabatid at napag alaman, kabahagi pala ako ng lipunan na pinagsasamantalahan na may dalawang uri ng kontradiksyong pangkasarian at sa uring pinagmulan. Ngayo’y aking pinaninindigan kahit ako’y tinatawag na ikatlong mukha ng kasarian Aking pinipakita na ako’y may malaking papel sa pagpapalaya sa isang bansang puno sa pasakit at dama ang kahirapan ng masang gusto makawala sa mga tanikala ng kontradiksyon ng uring mapagsamantala. Noo’y rampa dito! rampa doon! ngayo’y aking binabaybay ang buhay ng kalsada, na dala ang boses ng masang gusto kung makasama upang kasabay ko sila sa pagtatag ng isang lipunang puno sa paglaya. 33

Katawhan Leigh

May isang taong nahihirapan Sa isang malumong kalagayan Sinusubukang pumiglas Sa mga sumisikip na rehas Lumiliit, nagsusumikap Malalampasan din ang hirap Patungo sa liwanag ng pag-asa Para sa buong diwa ng masa

Menopos Vicky Tatad Pre

Daw nagyuhot-yuhot ako sa kabugangan, Katol, sakit, hapdos ang kawras sa mga sampinit; Unsa ba gayoy akong padulngan Niining naglagiting nga gibating kainit. Lisod sabton kining kagil-as Pukawon ka sa kalandrakas sa hunahuna Ug di matugkad nga kahaw-ang. Unya kalit ka lang motidlom Sa huyong-huyong sa kabalisa, Daw na-“bull’s-eye” sa dakong pana! Tan-awa ra, alas dos pa gain sa kaadlawon, Ania, gibati na sad akog kalad-ang, Gikuhit ko akong tapad kay murag naay kulang Miingon siya, “Ikaligo ra god na!” Dayong talikod ug migahi sama sa tingga. Kinsa bay akong sugiran niining pagkabutanga, Nga karon ug unya lagi mag alingasa! Ay! Ikaw daw ang magmenopos, lalim ba!

Pagbabago Leoncio Bagani

Iniihip ang hangin, at nilalagas ang mga dahon ng noon upang likhain ang mga ngayon. Umiihip ang hangin lalagasin, lalagasin ang mga dahon ng ngayon upang likhain ang bukas. Tayo ang hanging umiihip, tayo ang lalagas sa mga dahon ng noon, tayo ang lalagas sa mga dahon ng ngayon, tayo ang lilikha ng bukas. 36

Pakiki-isa asnes

Hihimlay ako Sa daluyong Ng masang api… Nang sa gayon, Maramdaman ko At sa diwa ko’y manatili. Ang paghihimagsik At pag-aaklas Ng puso’t diwa nila. Kasama ako, Kahit sa pagtulog Kami’y nakikidigma

Reflections Jasmin Acuña

I say goodbye to my children, “Are you leaving again, Nanay?” My teary eyed boy would asks, “Won’t you stay to play? to sing? to be with me awhile?” “Anak, I have work to do, So many people to meet, So many places to go. But I will be home as soon as I can” But the evening draws so fast And when I return the children are already asleep. The next day, I say goodbye to my children, “Can you not come home a little earlier, Nanay?” Again, I say goodbye to my children, “Are you leaving again, Nanay?” My teary eyed boy asks, “Won’t you stay to play? to sing? to be with me awhile?” And I am tempted to stay. But what if like their father, I don’t come home at all? Though I have been a poor mother to my children, Who shall be mother to them when I am gone?

Sambit Ng Kalabaw

Loi

namamahinga sa lilim ng pinagsaklubang kalinga ng bukas piniringan (muli) ang sariling mata upang mamulat sa sariling pantasya nag aalab man ang puso, isip sa pag nanasang pandayin ang pulang bukangliwayway upang di na kailanman gigising sa isang madilim na gabi pagod at hirap ang anino ng anyong humaharap na sa likod ng bawat salitang binibitiwan halakhak na naririnig at mapag-arugang bisig na kumakandong sa umuusbong na liwanag ay tumatangis din at sumisigaw ng palihim ang nag-aararong kamulatan

STEEP INCLINE Rhaye Mendoza

halfway is not as far as the road traversed by me to meet the you.

Tula ni Komander Chummy ASNES

Umaga. Lapag. Ulan. Ubo. Hamog. Gutom. Uhaw. Bagyo. Sakit. Langgam. Dahon. Puno. Ibon. Usok. Apoy. Ulap. Lakaran. Pagod. Saya. Pakikibaka. 40

Wala Kidlat Pamukaw

walang mata walang ilong walang tenga walang bibig walang pakiramdam dahil hindi malaya ang media, ang napapanood sa tv madalas ay walang kwenta, ang nababasa sa pahayagan ay madalas walang laman, ang napapakinggan sa radyo ay madalas sintunado. walang buhay sa pagiging marangal ganitong walang trabaho at mababa ang sweldo kaya madalas mas nanaising maging kriminal may pambili lang ng bigas. si nena nagpuputa si totoy snatcher si kanor drug pusher si marivic ay illegal recruiter. walang alam sa bayan ang mga mag-aaral dahil madalas walang itinuturo ang eskwela kundi quality education is expensive, matulungin ang mga kano , tamad ang pinoy, yayaman ka kapag mag-aabroad ka. walang karapatan ang walang pera pero kung marami kang pera marami ka ring karapatan. wala kang karapatang kumain kung mahirap ka, maliban na lang kung may pambili ka ng instant noodles at sardinas o masikmura mong kumain ng basura.

kung mahirap ka wala kang karapatang magsuot ng damit na hindi malinis at hindi punit-punit, lalong lalo na ang magtayo ng bahay sa kung saan mo gusto. pero ok lang may konting karapatan ka naman sa ilalim ng tulay sa marupok na kariton, may konting karapatan ka rin namang maglapag ng karton sa kalye o plasa just name your choice basta wag lang sa kung saan. walang dapat ipagtaka kung bakit walang mahanap na trabaho walang increase sa sweldo walang lupa na pwedeng sakahin mahal ang mga bilihin, madalas ang pagtaas ng matrikula at iba pang bayarin sa eskwela, walang pagkain sa mesa, walang load ang cellphone, walang pamasahe, walang pambili ng yosi, walang bagong t-shirt, pantalon, sapatos, walang panregalo sa syota, walang pang-date, walang pang-internet, walang pang-videoke, walang pambayad sa kuryente, tubig, at renta sa bahay, lalong-lalo na kung wala kang pang-gimik sa sabado. dahil wala, wala, wala walang hustisya sa mga mahihirap walang kapayapaan sa mga mamamayan walang pag-unlad ang bayan si Gloria ay walang paki-alam.

Wasted Joan Mae Soco

The bottle spins Round and round And its mouth points at me. Not truth, I’ll take a “shot”. And the sweet poison Flows into my mouth Burns my throat, Scorches my gut. But wait… I now feel the surge of Ocean waves in my inside Rushing out into The spaces in my mouth. And I need to run To seek the comfort of a room Where restless souls Can vomit it all. Everything still spins Please send me home So I can be one With my longed–for slumber.

The Liberation (pagbangon) “…Like a tree, we will reach the zenith of the sky to liberate ourselves from our chained reality” “tulad ng puno, aabutin natin ang kawalan ng alapaap at sa pamama gitan ng ating pakikibaka, pakakawalan natin ang ating mga katawan mula sa pagkakagapos… babangon… susulong… para sa panibagong bukas” 43

Ang Tunglo sa Alom Don Pagusara

Ibabawg dyutay sa imong ngabil naay alom--Ayay! Gisungil ka diay sa lubot sa himungaan? Kun mokibot imong baba mga bakak manglugwa? Pagka dakong dimalas sa Pari nga kanimo nagbunyag! Si Arsobispo Papaya ba o si Kardinal Ohalis ang nagpasimhot nimog insensong kulangot pinupho sa mga suok-suok sa White House? Nganong di man gyud ka motagum? Kay wa pa ka makatilaw og karma sa masa? Patuyang ka man gyug pisik sa imong laway ug pakitiw sa imong dila sa panglingla? Hala! kanta, sayaw! Sayaw sa musikang gitrumpeta sa simoid ni Birmita ug sa mga dila ni Bokrales ug de Volencia nagpakang-pakang murag mga cymbals, sipa pa kay sa mga bombing gipatugtog sa teroristang Bushlot sa Iraq! Ugma, mokatay ang itom nga alom sa imong aping, modilom sa mga suok sa imong kasingkasing! Modagsang murag mga libgos ang balhiboong alom, molukop sa tanang suok ug gihang msa gilakangang palasyo!

Hala ka, Lakambining Salamangkera! Naay tunglo mobira sa imong dila, molugit sa imong mata, mobalit-ad sa imong ilong, mokulitog-kulitog sa imong dalunggan, moliso-liso sa imong liog, hangtod manglugwa mga bitok sa imong utok! Ug manguyam ang mga ulod sa imong kalag! Ihulog ka sa impyernong kasaysayang! Hala kaâ&#x20AC;Ś!

Back to Basics Mark Darryl A. Caniban

When I was young, I thought the world was round. That it had no end And had no beginning. That the world was equal From it core to its different surface points. That the world was better round Than that of primitive belief That a deep abyss lied near of reach When sought and discovered. When I was young I thought man was invincible. That he had a supreme ability To wrestle the grounds of nature And worked them for his benefit. That he could move mountains, Dive rivers and circumnavigate the world Through his mind. That he could create justice, Freedom and love. When I was young, I thought love was all encompassing. That it held bearings to The crinkled human emotions. That it conquered hearts and actions. That it made the world go round. That it made lives special and complete. That it enthralled nymphs, Gods and mortals alike. That it was the greatest feeling Ever discovered. Little did I know That love is partial, Narrow and restricted.

That it undoes knots of happiness And crumbles conglomerates of stability. That it frees hearts into singularity And actions into disheveled peculiarity. That it delays worlds from going into throttles. That it destroys lives and fractures souls. That it is the sole reason why Gods can’t be with mortals. And that is sucks everytime everything’s over. Little did I know that man is weak. That he has an ambitious soul, Yet nature can’t always be Bountiful and good to him. That he is vulnerable to sickness, Pain and death. That he can create violence, Combat and oppression. And that he is nothing but An imitator of that Supreme being. Little did I know that the world is oblate. That it has imperfections. That it has corners, and points of ceasing Where mortals cannot pass through. That it has poles of bias that impose directions Where is north and where is south. That it is better imperfectly oblate than That of primitive belief that everything it is Perfect, Magnificent And lovable. 45

Baliw koykix

Dilaw na liwanag sa kanya’y sumalubong. Mga mata ng baliw – pinukaw, ginising ng bulong ng sinag ni Amang Araw. Mainit na liwanag, nag-aapoy, nagliliyab -sinusunog ang mga bangkay at rosas sa hukay ng kanyang utak. Asul na langit na kanyang nilipad. Malaya ang baliw – nagpupumilit, nagpupumiglas ang mga pakpak ng kanyang isip na parang paru-parong inabot ang ulap mahaplos lang ang kamay ni Bathala. Pulang

dugo at pulsong maselan – nag-aabang, nananabik sa alindog at halik ng matalas na patalim. Hinihintay ang dalaw ng Dakilang Katapusan at ang pangako ng isang bulaklak. Itim na paligid, at ilaw ng buwan -Matang nagmamasid sa daang nilakad, at musika’y ungol ng aso at pagaspas ng dahon sa gabing malamig. Humayo ang baliw nang akoy hanapin, at nakita ko sya sa aking salamin.

Friends

Jondoe

I. I am the wind The world is my domain I am everywhere yet nowhere Happy am I to see the light A light so bright yet shadows cast Not in the light but in shadows My darkness seen, conceals the truest light Â II. You, a cherry blossom tree Who grew from the light of the truest light Exposed by shadows yet burned by light I crush you with my strength Yet firmly rooted you are, sways in my every blow You see and feel what has been unseen Facing the darkness, finding the light making me seen.

Beng Leigh

imang taon. Limang taon nang siyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y pinatay. Walang awang pinatay. Nagulantang ang lahat sa pangyayari. Hindi makapaniwala na patay na ang isang kaibigan, kaklase, at kasama.

Una ko siyang nakita sa pahayagan ng aming eskwelahan nakangiti na tila ba walang problema. Nabasa ko ang kanyang mga isinulat. Dahil sa kanyang mga nasulat ay unit-unting napukaw ang aking kamalayan sa pag-iisip sa tawag ng panahon. Naisip ko, balang araw ay magsusulat ako tulad niya, hindi lamang sa sarili kung hindi para sa iba. Lumipas ang ilang buwan nang nalaman ko na pinaslang siya. Pinatay siya ng mga militar dahil sa pagtatanggol sa karapatang pantao.

Ang pahayagan na puno ng kanyang alaala ay biglang nag-iba. Itoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y naging sementeryo ng pighati at kalungkutan. Ngunit nagdaan ang panahon na ang kanilang pagluluksa ay nag-ibang anyo. Itoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y naging pag-asa at pagpapatuloy sa mga gawaing pamamahayag at pagpapahalaga sa karapatang pantao. Itoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y lumaganap sa kung saang parte ng eskwelahan, ng komunidad, ng siyudad, pati na rin sa buong bansa.

Nakakahawa. Nakakapanibago. Nakakamangha.

Patunay lamang na hindi hadlang ang kamatayan upang ang tao’y magpapatuloy sa pagsilbi sa masa. Dito ako tuluyang namulat, tuluyang nakawala sa dikta ng mga demonyo sa isipan at lipunan. Dito ako nagdesisyon na sumapi sa pahayagan na kanyang naiwan. Dito ako nagsimulang makibaka. Simula noon ay higit pa sa mga estudyante sa paaralan ang natatanaw ng aking isipan kundi pati na rin ang mga manggagawa, mga kababaihan, mga katutubo, mga kabataan, mga masang api. Limang taon na din ang nakalipas simula nang mangyari ang lahat ng ito. Dahil sa pagkamatay ng isang tao ay marami ang nabuhay. Nakatutok ako sa kanyang imahe sa dingding ng opisina ng pahayagan, inaalala ang mga sandaling binuhos alang-alang sa higit na nakararami. Kinuha ko ang isang folio na naglalaman ng kanyang mga naisulat at muli ko itong binasa. Muling nanumbalik ang kanyang pagkatao. Napatigil ako sa pagbabasa at kinuha ang lapis at papel at doon ay nag-umpisa akong sumulat. Mga kwento, tula at awit para sa masang kanyang pinagsilbihan. Siya’y isang simpleng estudyante, kaibigan, kaklase, at kasama. Siya’y nakipaglaban at nakibaka sa katarungan. Nang lumaon ay naging isang makata at mandirigma. Kaya’t habang sinusulat ko ito ngayon ay naiisip ko siya at ang iba pang mga kasama na nagbuwis ng kanilang buhay upang makamit ang tunay na kalayaan. Sa bawat gawain, pagsusulat at obra na magagawa ko ay iniaalay ko sa kanya at sa bawat indibidwal na nakikibaka para sa karapatang pantao. Ang mga tulad niya ay parang rosas sa gitna ng mga tinik. May naramdaman akong kamay na dumampi sa aking likuran, tara na kasama. Tumayo ako sa aking kinauupuan upang ipagpatuloy ang pakikidigma para sa diwa ng masa. Para sa patuloy na pagsulong ng malayang kaisipan. Para sa malayang bukas.

Dominate! Hyangelo Hao

The things we leave undone give us heartaches at the setting of the sun The words we leave unspoken haunt us, never to be forgotten Finish what you can today for we will all die someday Besides, we are the new hope generation In our shoulders, we carry the nation We'll never get past our limits If we don't snuff off our "inhibits" The life that we all can live Is but an inch from our grips So raise your fists into the air Quit whining "Life Ain't Fair!" The strength of youth flows in us We don't have time to dwell on the past We will dominate, purge all the hate You know they can't stop us, mate! If we throw them more than they can take! Then we will dominate and purge all the hate!

Of mountains and

Why the city streets go Rhaye Mendoza

No further when those fine and loose particles sifted to recreate what used to be dark brown earth bricks cannot compensate nor alter the footprints left by shoe soles nor inscribe the distance people cover from mountain to byways and asphalt roads to get solid footing as I Lose Myself In the maze Of City Sidewalks.

Sa pagmata Mayumi Habagat

Haaayâ&#x20AC;Ś Morag nagahigda gihapon ko sa duyanâ&#x20AC;Ś Samtang ang akong tiil lapok Walay pagduha-duha Bisag suyopon sa linta Madungog gihapon nako Ang huni sa mga mananap Ang walay mutigbabaw nga katugnaw Ugma, pagmata nako Ang sidlak sa adlaw didto Akoang makit-an diri

Sa Dalampasigan Aldo

Tayo'y binubuyo ng nakangising buwan na bumitaw sa akbay ng dalampasigan. Hinahawi ng mga bituin ang belo ng dilim upang ating maaninag ang pagsuyo ng langit sa dagat. Pinipigta

ng mga alon ang mga pusong nakaukit sa buhangin habang ibinubulong ng hangin ang pangakong aakbay sa paglayag natin. Umaagos ang ating damdamin sa malambing na haplos ng tubig at hangin. 53

Musika Andres Miguel Pascual

Minghalok sa dunggan Nga kanunay ginatagoan Sa mga yangungo Luha, ngisi ug katawa Sa matag pitik Sa kwerdas Ang kaugatan motugtog Subay ang nagsayaw-sayaw Nga dugong mingsuong Sa ugat Sa matag bunal Sa combo ug simbals Modalugdog ang kasingkasing Gugma ang ginakanta Musika Kaanyag sa imong panagway Ang iyang kalag Ang imong kayo Ang kadasig sa iyang lawas Ang imong pakigbisog Ang iyang liriko Ang iyang unod

Ginoo pag-ampo Dead Fish

Nganong ania ka pa? diba gipahawa na taka? dili na taka gusto makita... kay ako imong gipasakitan Pangita na lang og maatik Kay ako dili na jod nimo magitik Wala na kay pag-asa sa akong gugma Kay ikaw ra ang tighurot sa unod sa akong bulsa Nag sige nalang tulo ning akong luha Maypag wala taka nakaila... May na lang akong nabal-an Ang imong tinuod nga batasan Kay kung wala pa nasulti sa imong uyab ang tinuod Basig mituo nako sa gugmang giulod

Grace Is Dead Asin

in an epoch where all you see is your own reflection, the mind would rather choose to capitulate than whimper over the stale memories of struggling dances, those were the days of mystical intoxication, crave for passion, infallibility, yet a leaf withers somewhere in time, where grace is dead and my brother's blood becomes a utility.

Hammock

Mayumi Habagat

As you lay yourself In the hammock Of our struggleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sanctuary I long to whisper the words of sympathy I long to put in your dreams The harshness of human emotion We now submit Into a man-ruled epoch Where life becomes a sacrifice Where your vanity becomes the mud And your joy becomes them.

Kahayag Leigh

Ang kahayag sa haring adlaw mihalok sa akong aping. Duyog sa huyuhoy sa hangin sa kabuntagon. Mikaylap sa akong kasingkasing ang hiyas sa akong pagkatawo. Ako usa ka babaye sa lawas nga lalaki, nakigbisog sa matag lakang sa matunok nga dalan Apan magpadayon nga magsiga ang akong kahayag, sama sa adlaw taliwala sa kangitngit.

Kaliwa Leigh

Ang paghihirap Ay masusuklian lamang Ng kaginhawaan Kung lahat tayo Ay marunong Ng lumaban At manindigan.

Let Go Nitta

Let go of guilt; It’s okay to make the same mistakes again. Let go of obsessions; They seldom turn out the way you planned. Let go of hate; It’s a waste of love. Let go blaming others; You are responsible for your own destiny. Let go of fantasies; So reality can come true. Let go of self-pity; Someone else may need you. Let go of wanting; Cherish what you have. Let go of fear; It’s a waste of faith. Let go of despair; Change comes from acceptance and forgiveness. Let go of the past; The future is here – right now.

Limbo Vicky Tatad Pre

Asa diay ang limbo? Ingon sila lugar kini taliwala sa langit ug impiyerno. Kinsa man ang makaadto? Kadto kunong wala mabunyagi unya patay diretso. Nangutana sila, aduna pa ba karo’y limbo? Kay kon wala na, di na pamisag patay ma Dominggo. Aw bitaw tua na sila sa purgatoryo. Di ba mao ra na? Limbo ug purgatoryo? Ingon si Pader, di man siya katubag. Kay di man siya pari sa Pre-Vatican 11 Tambag niya “Pangitaa ang Ginoo Diha kanimo ug sa imong isigkatawo.” Ako? Way seguro sa langit ba moadto, Pero di sad ko gusto moadto sa impyerno Bahala na, magpuyo na lang ko sa limbo. Kay bisag mabunyagan ko. Daghan kog atraso sa Ginoo Ug nagtipun-og akong reklamo Sa…sa…sa gobyerno?

Pag-Asa Leigh

Hindi dapat ikatakot Pagkatako’t pagkamali Di ba’t walang dagat Ang natatawid Kung hindi maglalayag? Di ba’t tagumpay Ay nakakamit Sa pakikitunggali? Magtiwala sa buhay At kamatayan ng pagharap Sa hagupit ng mga pagsubok Padayon! Kasama mo ang masang api!

Life Goes On (magpapatuloy ang buhay) “... As we unchain ourselves from the dungeons… as we unmask ourselves from our pretensions… as we rise from desolation… we bring life to our weakened soul…” “…Sa pagkakalas ng mga piitang kadena … sa pagtanggal ng maskara sa ating mapagpanggap na mukha… sa ating pagbangon sa wasak na lupa… mabibigyang buhay ang ating nanghihinang kaluluwa…”

W W

A Box Full of Monday Mornings Hannah Lesley Taotjo

aking up, I believe, is never really easy for anyone. The dreams are too real, perhaps, or maybe the weariness of years can be felt every morning. For some, the almost total absence of sense is blissful, addictive, and the pain-ridden world just doesn’t seem worth waking up for. But still, we all have to be thankful that we wake up everyday. I don’t think I need to tell you why. Today, I really have to battle the urge to sink my face in my pillow for an extra five minutes. I’m still crusty-eyed as I consider this proposal…Hmmm… There’s a shop to visit for Lolo’s present, and of course, there’s my 9:30AM Literature class, and then a paper due on Monday (at least five pages about the Enron scandal, with photos, double spaced, 0.8inch margin on all sides). The bridge collapsed last week, so traffic will be crawling today which means I have to move double time. Oooohh-kaaaay…I’ll get up. The world waits to torment and be tormented. With any luck, I could even run over some chickens and still get to school before roll call… The professor walks to and fro like an intelligent zombie. She raises her hand to the sky, and recites in her scandalized voice the myth of Tantalus: “…the only mortal allowed to dine with the immortal gods. But do you know what he did when the gods came down to feast with him? He tore his own son, Pelops, chopped him up and threw him into a cauldron of stew. This he served to the mighty gods, just to see them perform an act of cannibalism, and was something they abhorred greatly. They punished him for it. In Tartarus, the murderous king hangs from a tree that bears many delicious fruits, and below him is a pool of cool water. But the water shrinks away when he reaches out for a drink, and the fruits do the same when he tries to pluck them. So there hangs Tantalus, great butcher and chef and king, doomed to eternal hunger and thirst. He has to endure the torment of hav—” “Hello?” I whisper into my cell phone. “I’m in class.

Call later.” The whining voice on the other line won’t let up, and the professor is already turning her head in my direction. “I’ll meet you later.” The professor has already started to point to the door. I sigh and go outside to call Tommy... “There’s this new kid in our office who screws everything up. The guy is a retard, but he comes from some hotshot school up north. I should feed him to the sharks. Maybe I will when I get the chance, or a disposable client. Is it disposable or dispensable? Which is it?” Only the two of us are in the café, but he talks like he wants the bartender and the waitresses to hear. “I was in class, couldn’t you wait?” “Aww…you skipped it for me, anyway. Where’ve you been hiding? My phone isn’t ringing as often as it used to.” “What do you want?” He stops smiling and looks down on his food. I do the same and as I stare into my soup, I remember the Tantalus’s stew. I imagine Tommy serving me a casserole made of Marcus’s guts. That sweet little boy would probably taste— “Well, you’ve been avoiding me. I’m no idiot.” He says quietly and flatly. Tommy twirls the oily pasta around and starts fiddling with the round mushrooms. He does not look at me, and his sudden silence makes me uncomfortable but relieved because I was waiting for the right time to start. I take a deep breath and blurt out the speech I’ve been rehearsing for the past several hours— “Well gosh, Tommy. Who do you want me to avoid? Your wife? I’m quite good at that. You’d be very proud of me, Tommy, you ought to give me a medal.” “Don’t talk to me like that, Mae—” How bossy. “—I never forced you into this—” How cliché. “—and you know that.” How true. “Aren’t you even going to ask me why I’ve been avoiding you? It’s just one word.” “Nah, I don’t really have to ask you. Why should I, if I already know the answer? Like I said, Mae, I’m no idiot. My question would be, what would it take to make you stay? I mean, come on, you know I don’t even like her. But you…” His voice fades and he smiles at me again. Does he really think one smile could make me brush the consequences aside? I ought to shove this coffee cup down his throat. 63

“Well I don’t want to stay anymore, Tommy.” A heartbeat. “If I left her, would you?” “No.” “If I divorced her, would you?” “No. Aren’t you going to ask me why I don’t want to stay?” How do you know that you’ve won a basketball game or a chess match? There would probably be a clock that says the game is over, that time is up. Or there would be no more pieces or moves left for your opponent to win with. In both cases, there’s nothing he could do to win. I cannot say that I am the victor, either, because there is no prize left for me to claim except a peaceful night’s sleep and a peaceful awakening. “I think I know why,” he says. And not to my surprise, he winks, like he always does when he’s reminding me of a secret. He has known me since I was twelve or eleven, and although I was about to end this affair (there, I said it), I know that I can never truly end everything between Tommy and me. This city is too small, and friends are too common. “Well,” he says as he calls for the bill, “I have to say that this is one of the worst lunch meetings I’ve ever had.” I laugh. “It’s not even noon yet, Tommy.” “Noon, evening, midnight, dawn. Let me take you back to your campus.” “Forget it; I’m going to the mall. Have to buy something.” “I’ll drop you off. Don’t look at me like that, Mae. My car doesn’t smell that bad. Let me drop you off. That way, you won’t have to worry about exhaust fumes.” What could I do? I say thank you, give him a little kiss and hail a cab. I get in and I tell the driver to head to the mall. My stomach starts to lurch as his figure becomes smaller and smaller, and finally disappears from my sight. I walk briskly towards the little shop in the corner, and my phone rings. It is Tommy. “I almost forgot. Can you tell my old professor I said happy birthday?” I say yes, and I hang up. For some reason, hanging up isn’t as painful as I thought it would be… “Happy birthday, Lolo!” I kiss my grandfather’s warm cheek as I place 64

the almost-Tiffany-like box on his blanket-covered lap. He smiles his weak smile that always tugs my heartstrings. If you’ve never really lost anyone, but you’re on your way to losing someone, you’d know how solidly a single smile can hit your heart. He feebly unties the white silk ribbon, and slowly rips the turquoise wrapper to reveal the ornate music box I bought earlier. It is made of dark, polished wood with intricate silver vines on the corners and edges. It has a mirror behind its dark lid, and inside is a hollow space to store odds and ends. However, I did not buy it for purposes of storage. “It winds up like this, Lolo.” I turn the leaf-shaped knob several times, let go, and listen to the sharp, delicate notes of an old native song called Dandansoy. I believe it originates from Iloilo. On the box’s mirror, I watch his eyes glimmer for a while, and then grow blank. I let him think, I let him go back to the years of industry, when his voice had power over men and machines, and left deep impressions on the minds of his students. He doesn’t bother to clear his throat before he hoarsely says “Thank you, hija.” “Lolo,” I start with a tone that always gives him the impression that I am about to ask him for a favor…and in most cases, he would be right. “Lolo, have you talked to Mom?” Cold stare. Not good. “She’s been looking at your pictures, you know?” Sighs. Good sign. A little more storytelling. “She’s been taking your old car for a spin around the village. I half expect it to just fall apart, but she’s taking real good care of it.” Still quiet; just a little more. “And—and she took Lola’s orchids to her new house, so she could look after them like Lola used to, you know?” His lips start to tremble and his eyes look upwards, as if he is asking heaven if he deserves a granddaughter like this one. “To that man’s house?” He then looks at me and shakes his head. “I don’t—” he coughs, I give him a little water and I pat his back, “I don’t care about every sentimental thing your mother does—or does not do.” He takes another deep breath. “She certainly didn’t care when she wrecked that poor woman’s life and family, or when she left you. You,” he points at me with a trembling finger. “you of all people should know how much shame and pain her little scandal caused.” I turn pale and I start to stammer. Has Lolo found out about Tommy? How? Lolo is a recluse, an old man in an older house located in one of the oldest subdivisions of the city. Gossip travels fast, but not this far. He probably saw me withdraw my face an inch; he draws his breath again, this time like he is about to dive for pearls or for understanding, and both would be equally precious to him. “But that does not change our friendship, hija. Not one bit. You’re not like her at all, you see?” And he holds up the music box mirror, lifting it to face me. “You see?” And I nod. I smile because he is right. I’m not like her at all. 65

Alarm Clock Ma. Alona P. Loma

I woke up to the loud alarm It is already 6:30 My class is at 7:40 I still have time So I turn the alarm off And go back to sleep.

Literature Life is like the pages of a book trying to tell us things through poems and fiction Our imagination Sees truth and lies We laugh and cry.

Book Nitta

As I flip through the pages, And reach different stages. I experience joy and excitement in every waking moment. I laugh, I cry And go on to read once more, The book that I adore. 66

Kining Alaot Kong Gugma Kaizer Roz

Tunga-tunga sa hut-ong sa daw dulon kabagang katawhan Ang kaanyag niya misidlak labaw pa sa kahayag sa adlaw ug bulawan Way laing matahom nga bulak ang akong nakit-an, bisan gisalipdan kini sa daghang katawhan Kon dili ang Rosas nga mitisok sa akong dughan. Bisan asa nako ipunting akong mga mata, siya gihapon akong makit-an Sa akong pag-inusara ang iyang dagway motumaw gayod sa akong salabotan. Bisan unsaon kog tambog ang Rosas sa kalayo sa kalimtanan Mosamot man hinuon og sidlak ang iyang kaanyag ngadto sa kinauyokan sa akong dughan. Nahibalo ako nga ang akong bug-os nga gugma alang kaniya walay padulngan Kay siya malipayon man didto sa iyang hinigugmang ambongan Sakit palandungon, nga ako maski sa gapudyot walay paglaom Mao nga maski pait, pilion ko na lang ning gugma ko iluom sa hilom Tingali ingon niini gayod ning gugma, kahibulongan Sayod ko nga kini way kasigurohan, apan padayon ako sa paglaom nga gugma ko iyang buligan Matay ning gugma dili gayod masabtan Maski alaot kini, hala padayon sa gibati hangtod moabot sa kaparotan. 67

Holy Ipis! Stat

Maraming mga gabing hindi ako makatulog dahil sa takot na makagat ng ipis. Sa sobrang inis ko sa di maudyat na ritwal na paglipad sa loob ng aking kwarto, na-inspire tuloy akong gumawa ng tula na may pamagat na “An Ode to the Ipis”. Sinabi ko sa tulang ito na gagawin kong tropeyo ang mga spines nila. Kaya nga lang, wala yata silang spines. At kung meron man, hindi ko alam kung kaya kong sikmurain ang alinmang bahagi ng katawan ng ipis. Habang sinusulat ang tula, namalayan kong marami pa akong di nalalaman tungkol sa mga ipis. Sabi pa ng ate ko, bago ko daw husgahan ang isang bagay, alamin ko muna ang kwento sa likod nito. Ika nga, don’t judge the book…ahmm…Ano nga ba yon? Don’t judge the book because my brother is not a pig! Basta! Yon na yon! Kaya’t para mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga ipis, nagsaliksik ako tungkol sa kanila. Matagal na raw nabubuhay ang mga ipis, mula pa sa panahon ng mga dinosaurs. Kabarkada pa nga raw ng mga ito ang lola ng ina ng tiyahin ng pinsan ni Barney. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit ako takot kay Barney. Ngunit hanggang dito pa lang ang lawak ng aking kaalaman tungkol sa mga ipis. Para mas lumawak pa ito, hinanap ko sa Encyclopedia of Knowledge ang pangit nilang mukha. Nagmula pa daw sila sa pamilyang Blattidae, order Orthoptera. Pero di ko na sinaliksik kung sinu-sino pa ang mga kamag-anak ng mga ipis dahil baka matuklasan ko pang may lahi silang Dora the Explorer. Nakasaad din sa aklat na iyon na madalas nilang bahayan ang mga kahoy, bato, at ang bahay ng mga langgam. Pwede pala silang mang-agaw ng mga bahay ng mga langgam. Nagtataka tuloy ako kung bakit sa kuwarto ko pa nila naisipang mag-reunion. Mabilis daw kumalat sa mundo ang mga ipis dahil sa paglaganap ng komersyo. Madalas silang nakikisakay sa mga barko (sana nalunod ang lahat ng ipis na nakasakay sa Titanic),

sasakyan, at maging sa eroplano. Mahigit tatlong daang milyong taon nang nabubuhay ang lahing ipis nang di man lang nagbago ng anyo. Astig talaga! Survivor pala sila! Kung magkakaroon ng isang reality TV show kung saan pagsasamahin ang ipis, aso, pusa, daga, at pagong sa isang deserted island, tiyak na mananalo ang ipis. Maliban sa dahilang kakainin ng pusa ang daga, i-vo-vote out ng aso ang pusa, at mamamatay ang aso dahil sa pagkain ng MSG (vetsin), mahihirapan rin ang pagong sa paghabol at pagpatay sa ipis kahit ilang tsinelas pa ang baon nito. Tunay na survivor nga ang mga ipis! Sa katunayan, kahit pinugutan na ng ulo, kaya pa rin nilang mabuhay ng mahigit sa sampung araw. At ang magiging dahilan ng kamatayan nila ay gutom. Bakit nga ba nabubuhay ang mga ipis sa mundo? Ayon sa textmate ko, maaaring hindi lang daw dito sa mundo natin nabubuhay ang mga ipis. Marahil ay meron din daw sa Mars. Natakot tuloy ako. Isipin mo na lang, paano kaya kung darating ang araw na lulusubin tayo ng mga higanteng ipis na Marsians? Kung sakali mang mangyayari ito, maiintindihan kaya nila ang ating lengguwahe? Kulay berde din ba sila? Sabi naman ng textmate ko, di daw sila kulay berde at meron daw silang translator. Umikot na naman ang isip ko. Ano kaya ang gagawin ng mga tao sakaling sasakupin tayo ng mga ipis? Ano kaya ang magiging armas natin laban sa kanilang maruruming lahi? Ewan ko sa inyo, pero ako, magpapagawa ako ng maraming Moth Ball Cannons. Bibili rin ako ng isang higanteng Insect Spray. Kung kaklase ko naman ang tatanungin, masasabing hanep din siya sa imahinasyon. Mag-iimbento na lang daw siya ng isang matinding pamatay-ipis-aliens na di na nangangailangan ng isang batalyong sundalo. Ito daw iyong tipong di nangangailangan ng “supervision”. Ito ang tinatawag na MBV o Moth Ball Virus. Hindi ko na tinanong kung ano yon. Pero ito siguro iyong papadalhan niya ang mga ipis ng isang picture message na may dalang MBV. Sisirain ng virus na ito ang mga cellphones nila nang sa gayon ay di na nila matatawagan ang kanilang naiwang kamag-anak sa Mars at din a nila mate-text ang kanilang mga textmates sa ibang planeta. At mamamatay sila sa bagot o kaya’y mapipilitan silang umuwi sa kanilang mundo. Hmmm…epektibo nga! Pero kahit gaano pa ka-advanced ang mga nabanggit, iisa pa rin ang pinakamabisang armas laban sa mga alien ipis invaders – ang Higanteng Tsinelas! Whapak!!

P.S. Hindi ako obsessed sa ipis. Oo…talaga! Maniwala ka! 69

Orpheus Muffled Chatterbox

And you strike your lyre With all gentleness And clarity. Music flows From your soul your love flooding my veins. Your eyes speak of Unsung words Of the mute Muses In the far Stretch of the Bristlecone-swept brook. Your voice enthralls Even the believers Of the Lady Huntsman Who Roams the barren meadows Underneath the wounded moon. Hecate bleeds Tears Of Agony For your being. The Wind Breathes for you. Stars Wish for you. Hearts Beat for you. The Earth Lives for you. Life. Music. Love. YOUâ&#x20AC;Ś 70

Nagtanga Michelle Anthea Malana

Sa usa ka kilid Siya nanampiling Mga mata nga Morag nagtan-aw Sa panganod Apan bisan nindot Ang mga langgam Wala siya kamatngon Nga morag naghulat Sa iyang timbaya Ang lapis sa iyang kamot Nagtuya-tuya Nga morag nay Kaugalingong hunahuna Ug sa wala tuyoa Gikan sa kasingkasing Nasambit niya Usa ka awit Gikan sa kasingkasing Naghinaot na dal-on Sa langgam namiagi Ang awit ngadto tugpa Sa iyang minahal.

Pag-ibig kong puno ng paglaya Marvin T.

Nang ika’y makita, batid sa akin ang tuwa, dahil nariyan ang ngiti mong dala ang paglaya ng madla. Minsan kita’y nasilayan, Ikaw pala ay may kakaibang mukha, Mukha na puno sa pangarap upang ang masa ay dalhin sa pag laya. Minsan ng kita’y kausapin iyong tinig parang sa akin ay iba ang pahiwatig. Boses mo’y gaya ng boses ng bansa na matagal ng sumisigaw ng laya. ’di ko maitago ang aking nadarama, parang tila ika’y sinadya, na sa akin ay magdala ng isang gabay ng pag-ibig na gaya ng iyong ipinakita sa masang iyong pinalaya. Sana lahat ng aking nakikita at nadarama, Ay maging gabay na ako’y maging malaya na Ipahayag ang pag-ibig para sa ’yo at sa bansang gusto Nating sabay na lumaya.

Hayaan mo, Mahal Kaizer Roz

Kung marunong lang sana akong gumuhit Ginuhit ko na ang napaganda mong mukha Kung marunong lang sana akong umawit Inawit ko na ang mga katagang di mabigkas ng aking bibig Kung marunong lang sana akong lumilok Linilok ko na ang hiwaga ng iyong kagandahan Kung marunong lang sana akong sumayaw Sinayaw ko na ang musikang likha ng pintig ng aking damdamin Kung marunong lang sana akong tumula Patula akong luluhod at magsusumamo sa iyong pag-ibig Kung marunong lang sana akong sumulat Sinulat ko na ang aking panaginip kung saan ikaw at akoy nag-iibigan ng walang hanggan Kung marunong lang sana akong mag-alay ng mga Rosas Binigay ko na sana sa iyo mahal ko ang pinakamarikit na rosas upang maipadama sa iyo ang pag-ibig kong walang kapantay Ngunit ako’y isang pangkaraniwang tao lamang Walang nalalaman kun’di ang ibigin ka ng lubusan Di ko kayang abutin ang mga tala upang ningningan ang iyong daanan Di ko kayang abutin ang mga bundok upang doon sa tuktok ipagsisigawan ko ang iyong pangalan Di ko kayang sisirin ang malalim na karagatan upang doon hanapin ang hiyas na magbibigkis sa ating pagmamahalan Ngunit hayaan mo, mahal ko, ‘di ko man kaya ang lahat ng ito’y ibigay sa iyo Kaya ko’t walang alinlangan buhay ko’ sa iyo’y ialay makita ko lamang mga ngiti mong nagbibigay saysay’t halaga sa aking buhay. 72

Isang Gabi nang Maisip kong Mag-meditate Kidlat pamukaw

Kagabi, Hinimas ako ng hangin sa magkabila kong pisngi At pilit kong dinama ang lamig nito Upang madama ko man lang kahit konti Ang klima ng lugar kung nas'an ka. Pumikit ako at pilit kong inilabas ang mystic energy ng aking inner self Habang magkalapat ang dalawa kong kamay sa isa't isa, At habang lumalalim ang aking konsentrasyon Di ko maiwasang magtawag ng mga elementals Upang tulungan akong makapaglakbay Sa kabilang dimensyon kung saan ang mga lugar Ay walang pagitan, Walang malayo At wala ring malapit Dahil doon ay walang konsepto ng distance. Sapagkat marahil dun Ay 'di mo na maidadahilan Ang pagiging malayo natin sa isa't isa Para gapusin ang aking pananabik Sa walang katiyakang pandama.

piskot.giahak. gugmang inatay. Loi

piskot. giahak. gugmang inatay. wa magdahom sa kinabuhi molabay. wa kapangandam, wa jod maski jutay. nah! nabuang na. gahinuktok na lang kanunay. Sa una puro duwa ang naa sa huna-huna. apan karon, pisting lalaki maski sa pagtulog di mohawa. wa kabalo. wa kapangandam. ang dughang giukit pirminti gatanga. intiro buntag hangtod adlaw mosaop ginapangalandongan iyang pag abut. ug di makit-an batasan di masabtan. apan kong moagi o masimhotan man lang, ang baba maglaway laway ang dughan maglagubo kanunay. apan si kras wa man gayod katagad. sa kanunay'ng pagsunod-sunod akong baho wa jod siya nasayod. wa ba xa nahibalo ang akong kasingkasing kaniya gaalagad. himuon ang tanan pati sa amigo mangilad aron di lang jod makauban ug iyang nawong akong masayran. daghan og nabag-o sukad kaniadto. ang daang lakinhon pulbos na man ang paliton. apilan pa jod og sudlay ug gamay'ng pahumot, baon ginatigom aron makapamanikyur. hain na ang tarak-tarak? hain na ang baril-baril? di na nagatigso di na kanunay hugaw ang tiil. kon tung una sige og pantalon karon magsayal na. ang di musuot ug sleeveless ispageti na nga sanina ang ginapangita. hala mga higala ang lakinhon tung una, karon dalaga na. daghan gayod nabag-o sukad kaniadto. Tan-awon nato unsa pay motukar sa atong dalagita na kanunay makahisgot og piskot. giahak. gugmang inatay. 74

Travelogue dyavie

I entered the library as fast as a click,

then suddenly I was with Harry in his broomstick. As I smoothly landed, I thanked J.K. Rowling for my wish was granted. I closed my eyes and thought of Greece, and as I opened I’m with Paris. Fortunately Helen was not there, thanks Homer for sponsoring my fare. A damsel sent by Sir Thomas Malory held my hand, and led me to King Arthur’s land. I saw Merlin with Excalibur, Who directed me to an open door. The door led me to Verona, where Shakespeare’s set his drama. There I met Juliet Capulet and Romeo Montague, who taught me that real love needs only to be true. Then to my surprise, I saw Rizal wearing a smile. Though I had not met with them, but I was able to recognize Elias and Salome. Oh my gosh! Hundreds of Orcs were running Then suddenly I found myself screaming. I thought they were after me, Thanks Tolkien for grabbing me. I opened my eyes and saw Ms. Librarian grinning I thought it was another scene All of a sudden I was with Harry and the others Gosh! It was just a dream.

DEMETER: IN HYBRID EXPERIMENTATION I will always remind you That as long as the skies sway I will forever stay. This and all I can do for you. Tahimik kitang babantayan; Di kita iiwan kailanman, At sa panaginip mo lang Mauunawaan aking nararamdaman. I'd make a fool out of me, For you to have that smile; Make you forget your worries, Even for a while. Sapat na sa akin na makita, Na ikaw ay masaya May ngiti sa labi At ningning sa mata. I will sing you a song Serenade you to sleep I will not wink or blink While i guard you to dream. Sa katahimikan doon lamang, Magiging akin ang panahon Itigil ang oras; At alaala mo'y hagkan.

In the morning, I will wear a smile And a prayer that One day you'll be mine. Isasayaw ka sa umaga, Ililipad ng aking gunita Habang akoy nanampalataya Na maging aking ka nga. All this i can do And more Only for you... And you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to say you love me too. Lahat para sa iyo, At higit pa. Iaalay ko at sa iyo lamang. Kahit na alam kong di tayo babagay. darkmau MALAYA!

Di na ta magsaba impassaimase

Maghilom na lang ta Lingaw na ang tanan Wa na tay problema Di na ta magsaba Magpuyo na lang ta Amigo na ta Unsa pa bay laing mapangita Di na nato hisgotan pa Katupad na ta Mangatawa.. Mag-istorya.. Mao, di na nato gub-on pa Kabalo ko, kabalo na ka Sa akong ginapang-estorya Iingon pa nako? Ayaw na ta..

Dialect 101 Hannah Lesley Taotjo

Dili man ko kamao mag-Bisaya kay gikan man ko sa Texas. Paunsa nako iingon sa taxi drayber Na paadto ko og Roxas? Basig mamali ang akong nilitokan (Kanang--Bisayan grammar ba) Matay! Wala'y "Bisaya" subject diri! English ug Tagalog naa pa. (Kung kabalo lang ko, sa Manila unta ko nag-eskwela) Paunsa nako pagtuon? Maulaw man ko moingon Sa propesor nakong mangtas, Sa kaklaseng namugas, Ug sa gwardya diha sa gawas Na di pasudlon akong tsinelas. Tabangi tawon ko.

Dili Takos ang mga Rosas Kaizer Roz

Gilantaw tika Naglakaw kang nag-inusara Moduol unta ko Apan ang kahadlok maoy mipatigbabaw sa hunahuna ko Di ko kasabot sa akong buhaton Kay ang kaanyag mo miulipon kanako sa dugay nang panahon Way matahom nga bulak nga takos ihalad kanimo Maski ang mga Rosas nga timailhan sa gugmang putli ug bug-os Dili angayang idayandayan diha kanimo Tungod ikaw ang Rosas nga nagpagun-ob sa kahayahay sa pag-inusara ko.

(Si Kaizer Roz ay isang baguhang manunulat na nahuhumaling sa kagandahan at kahiwagaan ng isang Rosas na sa COMELEC lamang tumutubo)

Eleven Past Five p.windang

was again lost, not in the woods but rather in the streets. Not that I wasn’t good at directions. I was just caught up in my own world. I walked the whole stretch of the boulevard past all the buildings and landmarks, yet still I didn’t know where I was heading. But I kept on walking until my feet were sore. I had just been laid off from my job. Yeah, “laid off”. It’s not quite a destabilizing word, until it’s told right up to your face. I felt like falling upon my knees, weeping and cursing everyone. I really needed that job. How was I going to push through with my schooling? I worked my butt off for hours after class, juggling everything. And school, when you think of it, wasn’t getting any brighter. My class cards were not to be proud of either. My grades needed much of a repair. I just wondered if there were any repair shops around (that was cheap, of course) which could restore my self. I wanted to be home. My body ached from work, but more so because I bled from inside. I searched through my pockets and found a hundred peso bill aside from my exam permit, a doctor’s prescription, and my last paycheck. Well, at least I had the money to take a ride back home. But I put in the money and back in my pocket started walking again. I felt the need for some space. Before I knew it, I was going through the door, just like the way I used to. It had been quite a while since I had visited the place. I was glad some sheer luck brought me there. My favorite hangout was still in one piece and I needed it all the more now that I was broke. It was here that I met him. He was the reason I stayed behind, longer than everybody else. He worked the late night shifts while I needed some place where I could get on writing my thesis. When there were not so many customers, we talked. He was an aspiring engineer in a state university while I was a struggling journalist in some famed institution. It seemed like I was a prying DA but actually I was just being friendly. We became good friends then, nothing more. I knew he was still fresh from a broken relationship of two years. I was also beginning fresh with my love of the moment, my thesis. I would have graduated if not for that overdue paper. I would have by now been big if not for that episode in my life I had long tried to forget. I would have been everything I dreamed of if 80

not for that fated day. Some things were best forgotten. As I sought out my spot in the corner, I was taken aback because the coffee table wasn’t there anymore. It had been replaced with a rack that held the newly acquired coffee machines. It turned out that the management had been changed but the owner was still there, opening and closing the café. Although it was packed with people, still I managed to find a seat. I looked through the crowd to check if there were familiar faces. I saw my former classmates in stilettos sipping coffee and smoking all at the same time. I looked the other way hoping that when I turned my back, they’d be gone. I forced myself into thinking they didn’t exist and that they were all just the result of a very rich yet provoking imagination. Besides, monsters didn’t go out the night just to socialize. I wouldn’t have survived the torment if they saw me broke, literally and figuratively. I wanted to leave as soon as the waiter handed me my cup to go. But it didn’t end there. I felt someone tap me on the back. “Lea, it’s really you! How have you been?” I knew the voice, and when I turned around, it was her alright. “Oh…Trista, it’s you. I’m quite…uhm…okay. Still good, I think.” I managed to fake a smile. “Why are you here? Didn’t you see them? Come on, let’s join the girls outside! Have a sweet talk, maybe?” “I’d rather be here, Tris. Besides, my money’s good only for a hot brew.” I wanted to add something like “Yeah, I see them alright. Fine and dandy. Not to mention filthy rich. They even grow sticks in their mouths and look like worn-out chimneys. But I just zipped my mouth. “That won’t be any problem.” She signaled the waiter. “Actually, I’ve already ordered. Thank you anyway. You still haven’t changed, Trista.” “You’ve not changed, either. You’re still the same old you, Lei. So,…” I came here to kill time before heading home. And of course a cup of coffee won’t hurt especially if you get axed tonight at your job.” “Really? I’m sorry to hear that. Do you want to… Okay, I’ll leave you now but we’ve got a lot of catching’ up to do. Keep in touch, hear?” “Hear. I will. Next time, Tris. Next time would be good,” I said. Back in the old days, Trista was the only one I could talk to and not talk to, and she wouldn’t take it against me because for her, talk or no talk was just the same. She had always understood me, my troubled mind, my passion, and my disposition. Except for that day when I ran off and was not seen for more than three months. No one knew where I was, not even Trista. I knew they would have to look for me through her. I had sent her a letter. It read: I’m sorry for taking you into my troubles. I’m very thankful that you have to put up with someone like me. Remember the book I gave you on your birthday? It’s about us. We need not talk to understand each other. I will have to see you 81

soon. Take care and God bless. -LeaI wouldn’t call her my best friend and I didn’t expect her to treat me as one. But we cared for each other more than sisters. She opened up to me and I confided in her, but I didn’t disclose everything. Even if I was older, it seemed like I was the one who needed the constant reminding. I was the worrywart, Trista was free-spirited. “Excuse me, Ma’am, here’s your order.” The waiter cut me off in my thinking. “What? Huh? Oh…Thank you. I almost forgot about that.” I went out of the café. I saw Trista in the sidewalk table and I managed to smile. She smiled back at me. I continued my stroll and headed to the bus station a few blocks away. I sipped my coffee through the small lip hole in my cup. Yeah. Just like what I wanted; a bitter taste for a bitter end. I still hadn’t taken the thought off my mind. Deep within me, I was desperate. People back at the job told me I was still lucky, I was laid off, not fired. Well, for me, it didn’t really matter. It was quite the same actually. They had just prolonged my agony by not firing me. I was sure they were very happy. Why didn’t the government make laws about contractual work? Why weren’t they protecting people like me from losing their job? I was about to graduate with only a term to go. How would I be able to do it now? Something crossed my mind which I quickly discarded. “Forget it.” I said to myself. I would never ask for help. I didn’t want to go home. Well, not yet. It was too early. My watch told me it was eleven past five. Still early for my shift – my house shift, that is. I called it a shift because we barely saw each other. The people living there were strangers to me. It was like the only thing connecting us was the house rather than the blood that made us a family. I had already forgotten how tired I was. I also sensed that the god of sleep had forgotten to pay me a visit. I knew it was the coffee. But I kept claiming that it was just supernatural. So I kept running in circles and I was walking in straight lines. I knew I should have turned right after passing the first block, or should it have been left. I didn’t know where I was. I just knew that I was in some place where I could see the sky without structures blocking it. I looked again at my watch, eleven past five. I had a funny feeling about the time. I dumped the cup in the garbage bin. All of a sudden, I felt my world spin. No, I thought I was the one spinning, because at least, that was what I thought and felt. Everything was a whirlpool. I clearly remembered everything as if it happened today. I remembered everything there was to forget. “It’s all your fault!” My brother Carlo shouted at me. “My fault? Who ran away with some girl in the country?” I answered him in my shrieking voice. I wanted to cry but I didn’t want to give him the impression I was losing. “Keep her out of this! She doesn’t have to do anything with our problem… YOUR problem!” 82

“Where’s mommy? I’m hungry.” Matthew, who was barely five, had woken up to our fighting. “Shut up! Go to your bed now and stay there,” I said. “Waah! I’ll tell mommy. I’ll tell her!” He wailed and ran back upstairs. “Do what you want! Mommy’s not going to be here! She’s not going to take care of you, she’s not going to take care of us anymore because… because she’s…she’s dead! You hear me? She’s dead. Mommy and daddy are dead!” I shouldn’t have talked to him like that. He was just a kid! But he too had gotten on my nerves, “What are you doing? Carlo asked, and in a small vice he added, “He doesn’t know.” “I don’t care. It’s time he knew.” “That’s the reason why mom and dad left us, because of your behavior!” “Ha! You’re talking about behavior? Between the two of us, who’s the delinquent?” I looked at him in the eyes. When he was younger, he had hooked up with some bad people and for a time he tried using weeds. “But why were mom and dad on a plane? In case you forget, it was because of you. Had you not gone away to some quack doctor in a remote island, they would have been alive,” he said. “Blame me! Curse me for being sick!” “Yeah, you’re sick in the head too!” It was Carlo who teased my being sick and all, being the weakling. He told me even if he was the problem child; at least he was healthy, that I was the real problem child in the family. I was the reason. I was to blame for everything. “What’s the matter here? Are you two fighting? “Nicky! He started it!” I rushed to him thinking he would take my side. “Now, now…Lea, be still.” “But…but…” “All of you listen to me. It has been a month since that happened and I know that it’s hard for all of us but we got to stay together,” he said. “Together?” I confronted him. “But why do I see you packing your things? You think I don’t know? You’re not leaving, right? Tell me!” “It’s the only way I know.” His voice was soft but stern. “See? Is this because of me? You’re working abroad just so that you can afford my medications, aren’t you? Nicky, I’d rather be dead than see you leave. 83

I don’t want to see our family shattered again because of me.” I ran towards my room and packed my bag. I knew this was going to happen. I dreaded this but I couldn’t take it any longer. “Lea! Listen. Come back here. We’re still not finished.” “I’m finished. I’m finished with you all. I know you’re better off without me.” I shouted back at them. “It’s not your fault! It’s nobody’s fault.” Those were the voices that had never left me, especially my heart. Even if my memory was clouded with so many things, my heart continued to remain a keeper of my feelings. When I opened my eyes, I saw pitch black darkness. I had never experienced this kind of emptiness. I tried screaming, but all that came out of my mouth was a meek whisper. Then I saw from afar a wavering spark which I followed. All of a sudden, I was distracted by a bright light. I couldn’t see anything except for a door. I entered through it. There, I saw my family complete – Nick, Carlo and Matthew, even mom and dad were there. Everyone was there but me. It was as if they had a party and forgot to invite me. It was weird. Instead of happy faces, everyone was wearing bleak expressions. And the food was, oh well, weird too! There were no catering services the way mom threw a party. Instead, they were passing around sandwiches and biscuits. The good thing was that it was flowing coffee everywhere! Funny, it looked more like attending a wake. I spotted Trista and asked her what happened. But she looked away as though she didn’t recognize me. I guessed she was angry at me like everybody else was. “But why is Ate Lea sleeping in a box? Wouldn’t she catch cold, kuya? And why are there big candles?” “She’s resting Matt. Let her get some sleep, okay? Everything would be okay soon.” “Won’t she come back like mom and dad?” “When you’re older you’ll understand. Right now, just go to sleep.” Then I realized. That was why there were bright lights; I had seen my own end. I didn’t understand, but somehow it kept me thinking, or better yet, breathing. And then I felt something on my face. It was as though something soft pricked it. I heard a gentle shower after. Without warning, my whole body experienced being under rain’s spell but I lay still on the empty street. I to slowly opened my eyes and thought I was still dreaming. But it wasn’t because in an impulse, I jolted up and ran to take cover. I was drenched in the heavy downpour. As I hastily took out my hanky in one pocket, my wristwatch snapped. I picked it up and it startled me, it read eleven past five. Time told me I had to go home. For the first time, I didn’t listen to myself. I started running. 84

i catch my wife playing rain in the bathroom Don Pagusara / /

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / spat / ter / /

ring/ syl / la / /bles / of /

moans/ / / and gig / gles / / in/ / / splash / sing / / / rap / / / tures.

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nasapnan kong akong asawa nagduwaduwag ulan sa banyo Don Pagusara

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/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / na / mis /sik

pi/

sik/

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ang/

/ mga/ si/ la/ bol/ / / / / sa / / agu/ /mod / ug / / / / agik ikâ&#x20AC;Ś / / / nag tim / / / / / pa / / saw / hi / / ma / / yaâ&#x20AC;Ś / 85

ID ayachan

love is torpid but a breakup is rapid we're a broken bicuspid my ego against your id i'm just a kid sorry for being so torrid doing something incredibly stupid you've gone frigid you've gone rigid the feelings you hid plot them on the grid i have to be candid without you, i'm lighter by a quid on a day so humid gotta go look for cupid

Isang Daang Papel na Tagak Kokoi Nanini

Â Isinulat ko ang pangarap ko sa mga pakpak ng papel na tagak upang ilipad nila ito sa mundo ng katotohanan Â Isinulat ko ang pangalan mo sa mga pakpak ng papel na tagak upang hindi ka malimot ng panahon sa oras na nalimot na kita Â Isang daang papel na tagak ang aking pinakawalan sa kalangitang walang hanggan nangangarap balang araw na ika'y mahagkan

Kamla Beach Phuket Joan Soco

Yellow orange skies Touch the blue shades of clouds Caress the blue green sea. Gentle waves sing They kiss the shore Of white sand with soft footprints And trees dancing to their hymn. People chat merrily, Their laughter echoes The celebration On a perfect afternoon. But when can I be there To this picture Of eternal joy At Kamla Beach Phuket?

LA TICA DE COSTA Aldo

Cigarette smoke dances a restless calypso as i essay the distance of our worlds in words remembering how our seaful eyes fished for metaphors on the night my lips harbored in the warmth of your native shores. In the courtship of wind and waves, stars and seas, our continents embraced from dusk until dawn as the pacific serenaded the latino horizon with the sweetest love song teasing you to sleep in my home. 89

O! Pa-Ilog! Pa-Ilog! Loi

mintras gahulat sa kanto tennis court aron makasakay og habal-habal nga maghatod sa ako sa bonifacio st, diin ko gatrabaho: bata 1: o pailog! pailog! bata 2: sige na! sige na! excited kaayo ang bata sa ipailog sa isa pa ka bata. walay purong ang isa ka bata ug ang iyang dako nga t-shirt ang mitago sa iyang timoy. ang isa naay shorts ug sando, pero morag kabungkagon na sa kagamay niini. di ko kasabot kong gamay ra kaayo ang sanina para niya, o tambok ra siya para sa iyang ginasuot. sabaan ang duha. nalingaw sa ilang pag pailog. wa ko nasayod unsa to ug ngano perti man nilang lingawa. naay mingduol nga usa pa ka bata. upaw ug gisipon. wa pod nagkadimao iyang tsinelas nga ginasul-ob kay puro tu-o. pula ug green.morag gusto moapil sa ilang pagdula dula. bata 1: o pailog! pailog! bata 2: sigeh na! iitsa na! bata 1: kadyot lang. kadali lang ha.

mipalayo ang usa ka bata. katong walay purong ug dako iyang t shirt. naglakaw-lakaw ug nagduko-duko. morag naay ginapangita. kadugayan naay gipunit ug midagan padulong sa iyang grupo. bata 1:o sigeh! o sigeh! pailog! pailog! bata 2: sigeh na! sigeh na bai! bata 1: o pailog! duha kabuok! duha kabuok! giitsa sa bata ug usa-usa ang mga bato sa hangin. ang usa, duol sa tambok nga bata, ang usa pa ka bato duol atong wa nagkadimao ang tsinelas. perting lipaya sa 3 ka bata.pati ang ikatulo, masking wa nagsaba saba, kabalo ko perti pod niyang lipaya sa iyang napunit.dako kaayo ang ngisi sa iyang nawong. giuli nila pag usab ang mga bato sa bata nga way purong ug dako ang t shirt. bata 1:pailog! pailog! bata 2: o sigeh! o sigeh! ug nagpadayon silang 3 sa pagpailog. taod-taod, niabot ang habal habal na akong gihulat. ako: nong, bonifacio. (ang mga bata diri bana-bana nako naa sa 4-6 and pangedaron) 91

Reklamador 101 Hamabar

Techie made for the classroom for her first class of the day. It was the Monday of the second week of the first semester of her last year in college. Everything was as it should be: she was on time, (she had promptly paid her minimum downpayment. Daddy had wanted to make it a full payment, but they might need the money for something else—never know), she wore her ID, and her crisp white blouse was tucked in properly. Were it not for the two subjects she had to add, her first week would have been perfect. Never mind that, she was sure that her adding/dropping forms, along with her new printout, would be ready by the time her class was finished. Her priority card assured this, being meant for that morning. Techie entered the classroom and found her friends huddled together as usual, in the middle of the room, as usual. “Not another No-Show. Do we have a teacher yet?” she asked the girl closest to her, who replied with a shrug and a mocking smile. “Well, there should be!” said a girl who always woke up at 5:40AM. She lived in another town, far from the University. Imagine the cold morning bath, breakfast cooked and hurriedly eaten at dawn, the long jeepney ride to school, only to find the class dispersed after 15 minutes of waiting. “We haven’t started and this is our third meeting!” the girl from Far Away continued. “Relax, Kring. Linn’s at the office now, clearing things up.” Techie said. “No, you relax. You get driven around, and I don’t…” “Sorry.” “…I cook, you get spoon-fed…” The other girls started to complain about the time—the mall won’t be open till 10AM, where would they go if no teacher showed up? A girl with a wide smile briskly entered the room. She headed for her bag, which she had left earlier. “Tara. They haven’t even given us a teacher yet,” she said in a high, disappointed voice. Moans of disappointment. “Sure ka, Linn? I mean, the prof could be in another room. Like Jaime’s Bio prof, he was waiting for them in 203, but they were in 305,” Techie said. A couple of giggles escaped from the group. “What happened?” Linn asked, instantly forgetting that her competence was questioned. “What happened what? To them or like, why it happened?” “I mean why did it happen?” “You mean how did that happen?” “Just answer the question! Samoka Techie uy.” Techie laughed, and then shrugged. “Different rooms on the teacher’s sched, on the students’, and…” “Unbelievable.” “Well, when they finally met, she had four meetings’ worth of research for them.” “Unbelievable.” They stayed in the classroom, where it was cool, air-conditioned and quite 92

comfortable. The security guard was on his rounds again, doing his usual tasks. He was lenient and let them stay. They paid for the classroom anyway. They paid to have a teacher, too, and they didn’t have that today. They could at least have their classroom. He shook his head and walked off, his keys jingling, jangling at every step. “Now there’s a guard.” Linn said longingly. “What?” asked Jan, who was been feigning sleep. Linn laughed nervously. “He’s nicer than most.” She left her seat and sat next to Techie. “That’s what I thought.” Jan said. He shook his hair with his hands and let dandruff fall onto the dark wood of the armchair. “One of them turned off the lights while I was reading.” “It was nine in the morning, anyway,” Linn reasoned. “It was a dark, cloudy nine in the morning, it was. Couldn’t read a word without ‘em lights. One minute my nose is bleeding from all ‘em dead guys’ ideas and caves…” “That’s Plato, darling”, Linn interrupted. And the next minute, I’m in a cave myself,” He continued brushing off the flakes with his palm. The girls were disgusted. Kring muttered an obscenity. “Ever heard of energy conservation?” asked Techie. “Ever heard of blindness?” said Jan. “Ever heard of the library?” “Ever heard of hypothermia? It’s an ice box in there!” Techie shrugged off the comeback and mockingly said, “Ah, of course, you’re not a nerd. You don’t go in. Understandable.” “Shut up. I’m not smart, hell no. But we’re in the same section, so don’t be a hypocrim!” “That’s hypocrite, darling”, said Linn. “Deficiencies! They based it on deficiencies. Moron.” Everyone was hooting picking a side, but Linn was silent and very thoughtful. She took out her prospectus and swiftly scanned it with her dark eyes. Her eyebrows met, and a crease formed between her eyes. “I’m not supposed to be in this section.” Linn shouted to be heard. “Look! I have no deficiencies! None! I should be in section C!” Jan snorted, like it was absurd for her to want to be somewhere else. Linn ignored it and said “I’m going to the office.” “I’m going with you.” Techie said lifting her bag to hang it over her shoulder. She wished she did not bring so big a bag. “We can’t find it anywhere.” “Pardon?” Techie asked the young woman behind the counter. She could have misheard her. “We can’t find your printout. Do you have your card?”

Techie handed her the green piece of paper. It was meant for a morning claim. The woman looked through all the printouts on her table, then some more in her drawer. Techie started getting anxious. She wouldn’t get worried until much later, when things would go worse. She could see Linn at the corner of her eye. Her friend was rising to go, and the white-haired man she was talking to said goodbye. “How did it go?” Techie asked. The woman was still busy, anyway. “Confusing. That guy said that I could change sections, that they made a mistake. But that guy,” she pointed to the white-haired man, “said that I can’t. So I left.” “You should have said something.” “I did!” “And what did they say?” “’You’re welcome.’” Techie remained quiet, then said, “Hey, I’ll just catch up.” Linn walked away, back to the teacherless room. After a few more minutes, Techie asked the woman if there was any progress. “We can’t find your printout.” “Huh? So what should I do?” “Hmmm…try coming back this afternoon.” “But I have straight classes this afternoon.” “Then come back tomorrow.” Two weeks later, in a cheap little café, Techie was telling Kring about her predicament. Techie had grown tired of telling and re-telling this experience. She wished that she could just let the world know, all at once, so she won’t have to feel like a storyteller. Besides, she hated remembering. This particular memory always makes her angry and cheated. “But how about your OJT? You know that’s from eight to twelve. Twentyseven units in a one to nine time frame?” “I have to.” “What if some subjects won’t have afternoon schedules?” Kring raised an eyebrow. Techie was quiet as she sipped her rich avocado shake. “They have to.” “And if they won’t?” “Hala…” Jan and Linn said together. Techie looked at them as Jan said, “Last sem na yun.” Kring was full of concern now. She had hardly touched her food. She said harshly and factually, “It wasn’t your fault. You got closed out because they—” Jan wiped his mouth with his handkerchief and jokingly said “Shut up. You can sue the school.” Roars of laughter suddenly filled the café. The cashier looked in their direction, and so did other patrons. Amidst the laughter, a small voice was barely audible. “Can you really do that?”

Torpe Mel Santi

“Uhmmm…ahhh…kasi… ganito…ummm…ano eh…” Hanggang dun’ na lang ba? Patuloy ang pagtagaktak Ng mga butil na pawis Sa iyong mukha… Ang iyong mukhang Kay ganda sanang pagmasdan Kung iyo sanang iiwasan Ang pagkibot ng mga labing Halatang kinakabahan. Wala ka pa ring Mabuo-buong salita, Aba’t, mag-iisang oras na. Akala ko tulo’y ibibigkas mo Ang ‘A-E-I-O-U’. “tik, tik tik’, tunog ng orasan, kasabay ng kumpas ng malalim mong paghinga. Sa kainip-inip na katahimikan… “I LOVE YOU! Mahal kita…” Sa bigla mong hirit, Ako lang ay natawa! Nag-alinlangan ka pa, Isasagot ko rin nama’y “Mahal din kita.”

TRANSPORT ESTRAYK ASIN

kasalukuyan akong nakaupo, mula sa kawalan ay tanaw ko ang ilang kabataan, sumisigaw at pinagpapawisan, anong ginagawa nila? Ba't andon sila? Ba't ako wala? Sa 'di maipaliwanag na kadahilanan, sila'y aking nilapitan, "Bai, pwede ko mangutana? Kanang unsa man diay kalingawan? Nganong naga singgit-singgit man mo?" "Nakigbisog mi laban sa pagtaas sa presyo sa lana! Taas na man god kaayo mga palitonon! Dili na makaya!" Akala ko bagong gimik 'yon ng mga kabataan, hindi pala! Sila pala'y nakikipaglaban! nakikipaglaban para sa kapwa mamamayan upang supilin ang nakasanayang kahirapan! Bumalik ako sa aking kinauupuan, limang piso na lang pala ang sa bulsa ko'y naiwan! paano ako makakauwi? pitong piso na nga pala ang pamasahe! Dinala ako ng aking mga paa, patungo sa mga kabataang walang humpay na nakikipaglaban sumali ako sa pagsigaw, nabawasan ang bigat na aking nararamdaman. Gusto kong supilin at baguhin ang maruming pagpapalakad sa aking pinakamamahal na tinubuan gusto kong itama ang mali, gusto kong matuklasan ang katotohanan, Sana sa isang sigaw ko'y maglaho nga ang kahirapan dahil kung hindi. . .Â ang lahat ng ito'y itatago ko na lang... Pero hindi eh, Patuloy dapat and laban!

Tulad Ng Silid Ko bj

Saksi ang silid ko, sa pag-ibig ko saâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;yo. Mga sigaw nitong aking damdamin, silid ko lang ang nakakaalam nitong munting lihim.

Ganito nga ba ang pag-ibig? Di mo inaasahan kung kalian ka iibig. At kung wala kang mapagsabihan, munting silid koâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y handa kang pakinggan.

Sa mga masasayang araw na kasama ka, sa mga kwentuhan at tawanan nating dalawa, sa mga problema na ating nakaharap, tanging silid ko lang ang nakakaalam.

Ngunit hanggang kailan ba ito mananatili? Silid ko lang ba ang dapat na makarinig? Paano kung ipagtapat ko saâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;yo? Maniniwala ka kaya tulad ng silid ko?

sining ka ng mga sining (alay para kay mayumi habagat na minsang inibig ni kidlat pamukaw)

isang musika ang iyong ganda, pinong hibla ng ritmo sa isang magarang piano at tipa ng gitarang romantiko. isang tula ang iyong indak, at sa bawat bagsak ng mga padyak ng paa sa makatang lupa ay nabubuo ang mga hiwaga. isayaw mo ako sa alapaap kung saan hitik sa mahika, ilipad mo ako sa masining mong alindog. dahil ikaw ang awit ng puso, komposisyon ng mga melodya at ritmo nitong umusbong na pithaya. ikaw ang sining ng mga sining, ipininta at inukit ng pag-ibig, daluyan ng aking mga kulay nitong brotsa sa canvas.

turn tables Loi

he invited me a seat on his turn table full of holiday treats a bowl of hugs a plateful of kisses and for the nth time said no donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wanna have those delightful things they might look as enticing as they could get, (.. uhhmm id really like to have some...) nah.. looks could be deceiving, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d hate to have an upset stomach how bout you? wanna share your own turn table with someone?

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Pierced by: JB Busque

Gallery

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PROJECT OF THE GOVERNMENT Alab Kamut

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HYDRATION CREWS (Agco Natives) Pidor

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SCARY TACTICS Pidor

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DROWNING Saiko

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GUERILLA RADIO Pidor

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PINK MAKES THE MAN JB Busque 110

THE FUTURE? Parh

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KUHA Leigh 112

DUTY TO THE NATION JB Busque 113

SAIKO 114

ERMITANYO Ken Corrales

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FOOD NOT BOMBS… LITERALLY Pidor

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HELD BACK Alab Kamut

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namalandong Juan Bughaw

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LOST

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INFORMATION SABOTAGE

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waitingâ&#x20AC;Ś Shem

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;only thru the struggle can the fighting forces can be constantly replenished by the ceaseless inflow of new blood.â&#x20AC;?

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sehizo

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Pasasalamat

ubos na nagpapasalamat ang Banaag Diwa Team kay God, Yahweh, Allah, ang aming moderators na Sina Sir Mac at Mam Pre (sila ang responsable kung masali ang gawa mo o hindi… filter for the win!) sa mga contributors (salamat to the nth power), sa ArtCo para sa mga kaakit-akit na larawan (wholesome!), kay Sir Pagusara (lalim ng bisaya nyo sir! =) sa computers ng Atenews, kay Bill Gates dahil sa MS Office 2007, Adobe, ang antique EPSON printer (tiiit.. tiiitt… tiiiit…), ang makabagong HP printer (fax, scanner, xerox in one! ),sa admin ng Ateneo de Davao University at ang mabait na Finance department, Sir Ratilla ($$$), kay Sir Riki ( lumalakas ata boses nyo ngayon ano sir? ), para sa mga ginawa naming modelo at modela sa mga pics, sa CEGP, sa CEGP seminar sa Iligan (muntik na kaming mamatay sa gutom pero oks na din), sa sikmurang bato para sa CEGP, sa Atenews Editorial Exam (pitong oras ng paghihinagpis at kalagim lagim na sulat), sa McDo (tatarat tat tat love ko toh!), sa ballpen ng Uni, Pilot at Lotus, sa Swatch, Midtown para sa kanilang printing powers, kay Be.Me. para sa pagbibigay inspirasyon kay Be.You (ahem!), Davao Light, sa AVG, Norton at McAfee (kahit sandamakmak ang aming virus cleaner, eh infected padin ang aming computers), DoTA [para sa mga adik], Canon Digital Camera, sa mga magulang na nagluwal at nagaruga sa amin, NOKIA, Smart (simply amazing dahil delayed ng 10 years ang message mo), Globe, TM, Talk&Text, Sun, Red Horse, San Mig Light, Nescafe coffee (for the sleepless nights…), Philippine Daily Inquirer (Fearless News, Fearless Views?), The Philippine Star (The Truth will set you free?), Mindanews, Mindanao Daily Mirror, SunStar, sa mga puno para sa aming mga papel (magtipid sana dahil malapit na silang maubos), sa sosyal, mataray pero mabait naming ex-EIC (don’t be takot! Let’s make baka!), kay Manang Luchi para sa dyaryo, ung gumawa ng F313 drawings (kung sino ka man salamat sa gawa mo! Sayang kasi kaya namin kinuha =), sa salitang chaka, chenez, puresa, crayola at sa iba pang gay lingo na kahit kelan ay nagsisi kami na naiintindihan namin (ahr yah prehtteee?), sa ABS-CBN, GMA (ung hindi bansot), sa mga nagbibigay ng titig sa Atenews Office pag dumadaan dito, sa WinAMP at ang mga kanta niya (Piracy is a CRIME), sa Apple para sa iPOD (kahit wala kami nun at gusto naming magkaroon para ayos). Nagpapasalamat si Aya sa pagmamahal ni Shebe. Taas-kamao sa mga taga-kaliwa, kay Kim at Che, salamat na rin sa pressure! Dashboard Confessional para sa pag eensayo ng boses ni asin, sa bodega ng Atenews (lungaan ng mga ligaw na kaluluwa…), sa aming mga mambabasa, kay Tinyo at Tinya, at Kay Beng para sa pagbisita… para sa inyo uli ito.

BACK COVER with separate layout