BAGWIS THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY - GENERAL SANTOS CITY VOLUME XXXVII AY 2015-2016 FEBRUARY - JULY
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R. TANO • EDWIN B. SALAZAR, JR. Cartoonists: FELIX ESIC, JR. • JUPHETER FRANCO • JOSE JERRY TAYACTAC • ROIEN CARL ROJO Trainees: LORRAINE COSTELO • ROHANNIE IBRAHIM • MAMERTO HERRERA III • CHRISTIAN ELY POOT • JOHN CHRISTIAN BURGOS • JENNY ROSS RABIA Advisers: PROF. RUFA CAGOCO-GUIAM • PROF. JESSE ANGELO L. ALTEZ BAGWIS EDITORIAL BOARD S.Y. 2015-2016 contents ABOUT THE COVER The cover features an untitled hardbound copy of a study situated beside a trash can. This is the photogra pher’s artistic representation of the metaphorical trashing of the effort of the Fisheries students featured in our cov er story, whose studies, albeit well-received outside the university, them being peer-reviewed, still almost never got published. msulogy Martial law, Asin and ‘never again’
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10what’s “in” the new library 13834679121415cover story msu puts up streetlights
The Iskolar ng Bayan is at an impasse. Clogging their way to progress is their inability and unwillingness to know and seek for the truth. However, this isn’t beyond our power to change. As Iskolar ng Bayan we have the responsibility to be stalwart defenders of what is right and in the spirit of this, we must be willing to know, to learn, and to act well beyond what is expected of an ordinary student. Cliché as it may sound, we must be the catalysts for change!Read through the pages of this semester’s magazine and be empowered! You can also find an electronic copy of this from our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/msu.bagwis!https://DavidJaysonOquendoEditor-In-Chief DAVID JAYSON B. OQUENDO JADE MARK B. CAPIÑANES SHARLENE MAY H. LAPIZ KEVIN L. AUTOR JADE MARK B. CAPIÑANES REMWIL G. MAXILOM RONALD II E. SURILLA JAY MAGNO HANNAH MAE ORELLA DIXTER GLENN C. MAY S. MHARIZE
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Leaders must have the initiative to offer information themselves. Major ones, like financial statements or minutes of important meetings, should not only be available for requisition. Instead, they must be let out in public without request. In this way, the public is encouraged to take part in the eternal discussion of nation-building as they are motivated to initiate dialogue for problems that they think need to be addressed.The Iskolar ng Bayan must not be afraid to ask questions especially if it’s a matter of public development and security. We must no longer be silenced by our fear of having our demands and inquiries fall on deaf ears or be responded with wrongful retaliation. It is high time that we begin to be active in the holistic development of the school. Is this not one of the many facets of being an Iskolar ng Bayan, especially ones who are coming from an institution that claims to be globally competitive?
In the previous years, many BAGWIS articles went to the tune of asking how funds of the university are used. Crippled by the inability to demand information with the strength of having something as compelling as this EO backing them up, campus journalists failed to have these questions answered to their full extent. With this EO, we, the students, are more empowered to ask for information regarding the affairs and operations of our school.The FOI EO is also an encouragement to the leaders of the university, student leaders and government alike. Information cannot remain only in the hands of those who make, use, and ask for them.
EDITORIAL Questions
Less than a month in the presidency, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte made a pronouncement that can be considered as one of the most important milestones done by the executive branch, that is, the signing of the Executive Order No.2, s. 2016, affording Filipinos to Freedom of Information (FOI). This EO opens many doors to progress with the implication of a more transparent and accessible government. However, this is only as good as how it is used. Much like all tools, a lot of dependence (and responsibility) falls to the shoulders of the enduser. Subsequently, the EO is more than a call for transparency and accountability coming from the government, but also activism from the people in the form of understanding how the government works and scrutinizing the same. The FOI EO covers the executive branch of the government which includes “all its offices, departments, bureaus, offices, and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, and state universities and colleges.”
Some of us have already taken the first step. Through confession pages on social media, students have expressed their concerns. What’s a few more steps along that Thedirection?pastand the status quo have long called for transparency and accountability. To this day, issues like the malversation of BAGWIS funds are still unresolved, resembling dirty smelly carpets let out in the sun to rid it of its odour. The smell goes away, but the stain remains. Clearly, something must be done.But this isn’t to say that a war must be waged against the government. It isn’t to say that corruption has worked its way to the core of the administration that there must be a purge. This is to say that there must be a collective sense of awareness present in the campus, coming from all stakeholders of the university. This is to say that finally, with confidence, we can take an active part in nation-building by exercising more the principle of checks and balances; that if the students have mouths to speak, they must have eyes and ears to know what to say—and these are here now. There are so many questions to be asked. Let us ask them.
Editorial | Bagwis 3
The FOI EO reads, “Every Filipino shall have access to information, official records, public records and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy development.”Information is defined as “any records, documents, papers, reports, letters, contracts, minutes and transcripts of official meetings, maps, books, photographs, data, research materials, films, sound and video recording, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data, computer stored data, any other like or similar data or materials recorded, stored or archived in whatever format, whether offline or online, which are made, received, or kept in or under the control and custody of any government office pursuant to law, executive order, and rules and regulations or in connection with the performance or transaction of official business by any government office.”The EO further reads, “There shall be a legal presumption in favor of access to information, public records and official records. No request for information shall be denied unless it clearly falls under any of the exceptions listed in the inventory or updated inventory of exceptions circularized by the Office of the President provided in the preceding section.”This is a welcome development, especially to the stakeholders of this university, in ensuring that public funds are handled properly and in exposing corruption in government agencies under the said branch.
The FOI EO is a game changer. In every sense, we are more empowered now, more than ever. But what is power without someone with the right motivation to use it? What is this opportunity against apathy and fear?
The studies were terminated with the approval of the adviser but the Dean shared that they did this without the notice of other members of the panel. However, Mandas said that she and her advisees can and have shown proof that they in formed the panel including the dean prior to the termination of the experiments.
On a 10-page document submitted to the Of fice of the President, the Fact-Finding Commit tee discussed a case filed by the student-com plainants, Ara Metchell Matildo, Raycen Visto, and Consuelo de Pedro against Prof. Ronald Sombero, College of Fisheries Dean, Dr. Mary Lynn Abiera, Vice-Chancellor for Academ ic Affairs, and Atty. Abdurrahman Canacan, MSU-GenSan Chancellor; and after three years of seeking authoritative remedies, they were fi nally able to graduate last June. Since 2014, the three students, along with other three, were denied of their chance to de fend their theses and consequently graduate because of unintentionally defying a 60-day experimentation policy. These six students were forced to terminate the experiment on the 50th day since they believed, along with their adviser, Prof. Arlyn Mandas, that the objectives of their study were already met.
Dabrowski has published over 400 peer-re viewedProfessorarticles.Mandas also shared about her study being published even when the experiment last ed for only 39 days.
Significant Difference of the Study Sombero shared that there can be no “signifi cant difference” if you cut the experiment shorter than 60 days. Given that the students were not able to conduct the experiment for 60 days, their studies were already considered incapable of yielding significant difference, but even so, the existence of a significant difference of the study did not mean that the study was not acceptable, or so the students and their adviser say.
Dr. Konrad Dabrowski and Ohio State Univer sityThe students and the adviser collaborated with researchers from outside the country in the completion of their experiments. In a letter pub lished in Mindanews on July 11, 2014, Dr. Kon rad Dabrowski of Ohio State University shared his experience working with seven students in the College of Fisheries as a part of a plan for “mutually beneficial relationship, not only professors but most importantly, American and Filipino students working on the same subject, fisheries and aquaculture.”
One of the students told BAGWIS about her study of formulating shrimp feeds using the protein found in chicken feathers. Her specimen, after various treatments, did not have any dif ference with growth compared to the specimen fed with a more expensive fish meal. This result means that there is no significant difference. However, this implies that you can grow shrimp using the chicken feather meal as a cheaper and stable substitute to fish meal. Mandas said this is a breakthrough. “Fish nutritionists are crazy about finding substitutes because fish meal is becoming a scarce and ex pensive resource. The no significant difference results is actually a good thing for the study.”
The students and their adviser took various steps in order to get the chance to defend their theses. They sent a letter to the Dean pleading for a chance. They tried multiple times to strike a conversation with the Dean but he wouldn’t face them. Finally, after days of visiting the Dean’s office, the students were called for a closed-door meeting. However, the Dean was adamant about his decision about the 60-days rule. The students also sought the help of the VCAA but in their attempt, they were branded “ambi tious” for wanting to get their research pub lished and very arrogant for questioning the col lege policy. One of the students narrated in an interview with BAGWIS that they asked for help to convince the Dean to reconsider his decision. She said that they were reprimanded leading to them being called ambitious and arrogant. They were asked to write an apology letter and the VCAA promised that if they will perform another Analysis of Variance of their data and it would reveal that there is at least one significant dif
Behind closed doorsCOVERSTORY
The result in the statistical analysis (ANOVA) indicates that substituting fish meal with feather meal as high as 50% inclusion level, growth is just the same as feeding with 100% fishmeal as dietary protein source. The students were on the verge of getting their research published. Their studies were reviewed by undergraduates and graduate students from Ohio State University, including Dabrowski.
Dabrowski, after finding out that some stu dents were not allowed to defend their theses for not being able to execute their experiment in 60 days, shared his disappointment of the the “60day” policy. He wrote, “In my understanding of scientific work in this field, there is absolutely no justification for such a criterion.” He also mentioned that he sent a letter to Chancellor Canacan explaining that there is no such criteri on in any of the 100 journals he has worked with as a reviewer and he has never experienced such an arbitrary and unscientific requirement during his 40-year career as a scientist.
Mandas shared that rejections of studies for a lack of significant difference has been hap pening ever since. She told BAGWIS that some alumni confided to her that they edited their data to yield a significant difference and even went as far as intentionally killing their fish.
The other three students not mentioned here were allowed to graduate the next graduation (2015) after following the suggestion of the fac ulty to conduct another experiment. The “60-day Policy” One of the grounds the college faculty had in deciding to prohibit the three students from de fending their theses was the so-called “60-day policy,” where students can complete their study only after 60 days of experimentation for stud ies on growth and survival. Dean Sombero in an interview with Bagwis insisted that only within this period can there be a significant difference gained from the study of this nature. The students have failed to abide by this be cause they had to terminate their study before 60Indays.another interview with one of the students and their thesis adviser, Professor Mandas, they shared that the faculty could not give any basis, scientific or technical, to the policy. Furthermore, they shared that this policy has been a practice in the college but such a policy does not exist in the college thesis manual. This is confirmed by the Dean himself, even saying that it shouldn’t be called a policy. The Dean explained, however, that the proposal of the students was for 60 days and that it should be followed. Professor Mandas shared that they did not intend to terminate the experiment before 60 days. “As a researcher dealing with live organ isms you need to adjust and look at the condi tion of your experimental animal. The researcher should adjust to the conditions of the animal not that the animal should adjust to you. That’s how we do things in the lab, even in actual practice,” she said. They further shared that they had to terminate the study because if they continued for the remaining days, the organisms will die and they won’t be able to get any data from the experiment.Theyalso shared that the contention of some of the faculty and the Dean is that they termi nated this study to catch up with the schedule of the graduation. This is also confirmed by the Dean, saying that they indeed think that the stu dents found the need to rush the experiment to be able to graduate on time. Mandas denied this, saying, “There was really no intention not to fol low, contrary to their claim that they are running out of time and they cannot catch up with the graduation because the 60 days will fall few days before graduation.”
Legal Actions and Remedies
However, Sombero strongly believed that the decision of the Fact-Finding Committee was “unfair,” for it had only considered the side of the complainants. The Dean shared that they had sent documents as response to the complaint, but, according to him, the committee made a decision without the said documents. But in the decision of the FFC, the respondents (Sombero, Abiera, and Canacan) failed to file their coun ter-affidavits within the time set and so the case hearing was conducted ex parte.
SoWhytheyforestudentspossibleministration?ifstudiestoslowwhyanstudyfactperiod.fightingencyagonyMorethanthreeyearsandfinallythestudents’isover.Theimplicationsofthisvictoryarecountless,openingmoredoorsfortransparandaccountabilityinthesystem.Thestudentswerebraveandhadstrongconvictioninfortheirstudies.Needlesstosay,theirhavingbeenallowedtograduatemeantthattheirstudieswereeligiblefordefenseallalong.MuchhashappenedbehindcloseddoorswithinthatOnecouldonlyimaginethestressthatourfellowstudentswereunder,havingtofacepeoplewhoareconsidered“giants”–inbelittlingthestudents’achievements,orthemereofthedisparitybetweentheminrank.Manyquestionsneedtobeaskedstill:Ifthewasconsideredabreakthrough,receivingpeercommendationsevenfromscientistsfrominstitutionoverseas,whyweretheynotallowedtodefendtheirthesis?TheFact-FindingCommitteememberswerefastintheirinvestigation,evenfasterinreachingaverdict,sowastheresolutionofthestudents’casesoinsideourcampus?Lastly,what’sinstoreforMSU-GSC,ifeveninthepioneeringattemptestablishlinkages,acriterionusedbymanyinquantifyingglobalcompetitiveness,studieslikethesearen’tsupportedbytheadWhyarestudentsscoldedforbeing“ambitious”insubmittingtheirresultsforinternationalpublication?Whydidthehavetowaitforthreelongyearsbetheywereallowedtograduate?Whyweremadetowaitforthislongagonizingperiodbeforeadecisioncanbemadeontheirstatus?weretheofficialsofourcampusnotabletomakeadecisionontheircaseallthistime?manyquestionsthatdemandanswers–notbehindcloseddoors,butintheopen.Afterall,wehaveanewPhilippinepresidentwhojustsignedanExecutiveOrderontheFreedomofInformation(FOI)…Asstudents,wehavearighttodemandanswerstothesequestionssowewillbeassuredsomethinglikethiswillnothappenagain…
Another academic year has passed and the students still have not graduated. Finally, they filed an appeal to the Commis sion on Higher Education (CHED) which in turn referred the case to then MSU System President Muslim who immediately created the Fact-Find ing Committee by virtue of the Special Order No. 490, series of Fact-Finding2015.Committee and Special Order After thorough investigation, the committee concluded that the respondents have committed an unjustified act against the student-complain ants and recommended that the decision of the campus officials be overruled and a neutral the sis panel be created. In view of the results of the committee’s in vestigation, President Muslim issued Special Order No. 27 on January 12 allowing the stu dent-complainants to defend their thesis before a newly-created panel team composed of Prof. Arlyn Mandas, their Thesis Adviser (MSU-Gen San), Prof. Emiliana Caday (MSU-Marawi), Prof. Lenie Lopez (MSU-Marawi), and Dean Marissa Salarda (MSU-Naawan). Also, the campus officials and MSU-GenSan Registrar were directed to accept the Thesis Grade of the said student-complainants for pos sible inclusion to the candidates for graduation. As of writing, the student-complainants have already defended their thesis before the new ly-created panel and were given passing grades. They finally participated in the graduation rites on June 2, 2016. The results of the investigation conducted by the Fact-Finding Committee was considered partial as it only addressed the first two of the four issues raised in the case filed by Matildo, Visto, and de Pedro, which are: (1) whether to allow the complainants to defend their thesis outputs; and (2) whether a new neutral thesis panel can be created to replace the existing one where the thesis output can be defended. The other issues were (3) the respondents be suspended or dismissed and (4) the stu dent-complainants be compensated for emo tional, moral, financial, and health distresses. Accordingly, the other two issues were deferred because “the committee believed that if the alle gations are proven to be true, these have serious implications on the respondents’ employment status, as well as administrative and civil liabil ities. In fact, this could even rise to criminal lia bility under the Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.”
Three out of the original six thesis advisees of Prof. Mandas wrote a letter of apology and copy furnished it to the OSA, OVCAA and the Office of the Chancellor. They also posted it on facebook. The three other advisees however did not suc cumb to the requirement of the dean to write an apology letter for they have a strong conviction that there was nothing to apologize for. Further, they sought the help of the Chancel lor, but were turned down on the basis of “rule of majority”. In an interview, Chancellor Cana can shared that out of respect of the authority of the Dean and the members of the Faculty, he backed their decision. He further shared that the decision was made by the members of the panel and was decided based on the “rule of majority.” He said that this method of decision-making is stipulated in the thesis manual. The students and the adviser also went to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for help but. But the Regional Director said “his hands are tied” since MSU-GSC is not within the within his jurisdiction. Instead, they were advised to file a mandamus—a written order from the court to stop graduation. “Straight from CHED, we went to PAO in Gensan,” Mandas narrated. “We arrived around 4 PM. They were sympathetic but they also gave us an idea how long it takes. Filing for mandamus is okay, but granting it within limited number of days is ma hirapThena.”next option for them was to conduct an other study and be able to graduate during the summer. They presented this idea but were told that it wasn’t going to be that easy because they must be subjected to disciplinary action. This move did not materialize. The students were not able to graduate in 2014. Later after that, around the month of May, the College offered the option of changing the thesis topics and reconduct their experiment, an option that was originally raised by the students and the adviser themselves. This was present ed to them and their parents but there was no mention of a disciplinary action anymore. Three of the six decided to take the option, the other three wanted to push for their defense, believing in the validity of their studies and the potential that they hold. The students and the adviser, realizing that pushing for resolution within the campus would take a very long time, longer than they already spent for it, explored the option of transferring to the Marawi Campus. They visited the said campus to prepare for the transfer and had al ready made arrangements with the Marawi Col lege of Fisheries. However, when they went back to MSU-GSC, they were not able to gather all requirements required for the transfer. The one thing lacking was the signature for clearance by the Dean. The Dean shared in an interview that he could not sign the clearance of the re maining students because they were not eligible for transfer. Without any subjects to enrol aside their subject for their thesis, they would not be allowed to transfer. The students were not able to transfer to MSU-Marawi.Therewere no further discussions made re garding this case within the campus. They at tempted to reopen this by collecting signatures from the council members in order to have a special council meeting. This did not happen even after having presented a request letter signed by 20 campus council members.
ference, the VCAA will fight for them. The letter of apology was for allegedly humiliating the col lege and the faculty in their letter to the Dean.
The editorial board of this publication acknowledges that as a medium of information, the way BAGWIS projects the truth has a greater impact to its readers more than the projected truth itself. Thus, we wish to maximize this position and serve as a constructive looking glass for our readers to be more involved in making our beloved institution better. To say that one is excellent is easy, but to look into ourselves and point out our dearth is more difficult for it requires humility. It demands that we strip away our most precious badges and armaments to see for ourselves that we can still make ourselves better, and that there are still many things lying at our side that need patching up. The same goes for our university. And BAGWIS wishes to take part in this daunting challenge to make our institution live up to its vision and core values. The last few editions of BAGWIS marked the resurgence of the paper. After being marred by a series of setbacks which led to some reforms within its management, it is now soaring high again, reclaiming its rightful name: the strong gust that emanates from the wings of a powerful bird, capable of wreaking havoc if it so wishes. The force that once made this publication unrelenting has been recovered. And the editorial board has never been invigorated by that renewed sense of purpose. Being one of the advisers of this publication has been an honor. Working with passionate students driven by an astounding dedication for the quest of truth provided me with that sense of vitality to help them out. In an era where the value of truth has been constantly questioned (or in some instances: silenced), never has it been a gratifying duty to guide young minds to search for it and have it printed on paper.While we continue to work hard in BAGWIS and make sure that we stay true to the mandate given to us by the students, I am inviting our readers to take the challenge for themselves and help us in making sure that the truth remains true. Take up the pens for yourselves! It is only through joining the discourse that we prepare ourselves to be the change our society needs.
Marshall McLuhan, a respected media theorist, claims that the medium is the message. According to him, “it is so because the medium shapes and controls the scale and form of human association and action.” In other words, the mechanism through which the information is relayed is more vital than the relayed information itself. As a medium of information, BAGWIS has consistently strived hard to be a responsible and sensible sounding board for all the stakeholders in the university especially the students, noting that it is a mechanism devised by the students to be the vanguard of truth on their behalf.
Bagwis | Opinion6
With that in mind, every article that comes out of this publication are musings of vigilance, aimed at stirring the imaginations of its readers to take part in making sure that the truth remains true despite the trappings of successes which seem to have become an assembly of blinkers that cloud our visions to the structural ineptitude that marks our age.
Now, maybe some of my friends were told differently by the people around them who lived through martial law. Maybe they had times when food or finances were scarce, and they’d rather have food and security over something as abstract as freedom.
I don’tWhatknow.Iknow is that whatever you tell me about martial law or about Marcos—whether it’s about how great he supposedly made Ilocos, or how much progress the Philippines supposedly achieved under his rule—I will not listen. Or I cannot listen because your voice will be drowned out by the whispers and cries of thousands of others who suffered, disappeared or were killed during those dark years in our history.
I will remember Asin, hailing from the same province in which I grew up, singing songs about that terrible time. I will remember the melancholy in its melodies and the poetry in its songs. I will remember how people in the tens of thousands once marched on Edsa in the hope that God’s hand will brush the hearts of the oppressors. And I will remember that God did, and if it wasn’t him, then someone or something else. Whatever you say, all I will hear are the songs of the dead and missing, telling me, “Never again!
Martial law, Asin and ‘never again’
David Jayson B. Oquendo
We were all into campus journalism, my siblings and me, and I think it is safe to say that we hated the idea of censorship. In school, almost every year there were discussions on how the Philippines bounced back from the Marcos dictatorship through People Power. It was through a bloodless revolution in 1986 that the people liberated themselves from martial rule. Edsa
I UNDERSTAND that the way history is taught is through narratives, apart from figures, names and dates. The narratives may be slanted at times, but the events remain to have happened, even if seen in a select perspective. I still cringe when my parents tell me their own narrative, of the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. I remember them telling me that the effect of martial law here in Mindanao wasn’t as bad as it was in other places, but it wasn’t something to be glad about either. What I was told is that freedom was rarer than food in those days. Speaking up against the government was almost a taboo. People disappeared without explanation, and one could only imagine what happened to them. Tortured? Mutilated? My father would say it was a terrifying thought that to go out of the house during curfew could mean jail time. When I was a kid, my father used to play tracks of Joey Ayala and Asin on our audio component on Saturdays. While singing along, he would insert a comment or two about how these artists, along with many others, were courageous people unfazed by the threat of the martial law government, writing and singing songs about injustice happening in the country at the time. By then I was already wondering why the government became a threat to its people when it was the same government that should take care of their welfare. I understood then that sometimes, the system must be challenged in order for justice to prevail. My parents told me and my siblings that protest songs were banned, and radio and TV stations and newspaper offices were forced to close, all because they were airing opinions that were against the government.
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1 was a glorious event commemorated every year to remind the people of how bad things were back then, and how badly people wanted to get away from the dictatorship.Movingup the educational ladder, I got to meet people with different perspectives. I met people who told me that it wasn’t really Marcos who was at fault but his wife Imelda. Some told me that it wasn’t just his wife but also his cronies. Others also told me that the time of Marcos was a golden era: Food was cheap, and the incidence of crime was minimal. They even went so far as to say that they would love to have martial law back. All this talk shocked me. Why would anyone want to go back to a time when people were almost like cattle imprisoned in a barn? Yes, people may have had food, clothing and security, but the one thing they did not have that made them human was freedom. If an animal were to go wild and attack his owner or his friends, he would be tied up, mauled or even killed. That was how I saw it then, and up to this day. What they told me irked me, but I could not hold it against them. It was their opinion, and I was all for having an opinion and the freedom to voice it. If only they’d realize that if it were still martial law and we voiced our respective opinions out loud, I’d probably disappear the next day and they’d still be in their homes, comfortable and safe, just like cattle. If only they’d realize how lucky we are now to be able to express our opinions without fear in public. But what is freedom? Why do democracy and freedom appeal so much to me? Was I an existentialist even before I knew I was, which leads me to be very defensive in such matters? No. Yes. Maybe. It doesn’t matter. People need to understand that we are nothing without our minds. We are nothing without our ability to express ourselves and fight for our beliefs.
Certificate Level II (NC II) provided he/she passes the competency-based assessment of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. Lastly, the Sports and Arts track focuses on SHS students who are interested in the particular fields of journalism, media, arts, and sports and health.
Meanwhile, MSU-GSC SHS does not have textbooks for the students, only teaching guides for the teachers.
The SHS students are currently occupying the GEMMA East and West Buildings which leaves a big question: Where will the Social Sciences and Humanities students have their classes?
Studentsonly.from public schools are automatic grantee of the Voucher Program while Non-ESC grantees are required to pay the equivalent tuition and miscellaneous fees.
There are over 2,000 applicants coming from different junior high schools but only 486 qualified. In order to get in into MSU-GSC SHS program, applicants must pass the entrance exam and give the following requirements: School Report Card, Movingup Certificate, Photocopy of NCAE Result, Photocopy of NSO Birth Certificate, Certificate of Good Moral Character, and Certificate of Qualified Voucher Receipt (QVR) for students who are Education Service Contracting (ESC) grantee or coming from private schools
All JHS completers from public junior high schools are qualified to receive the full voucher values while private junior high school completers who are on Education Service Contracting (ESC) grants will receive 80% of the full voucher value. JHS completers from private schools and non-DepEd schools can also apply for vouchers worth 80% of the full voucher value.Theactual amount of the vouchers will depend on the location of the SHS where the student will enroll. JHS completers who will enroll in a SHS located in NonNCR Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) will receive a full voucher value of PhP 20,000. These cities include Angeles, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu City, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Lapulapu, Lucena, Mandaue, Olongapo, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban, and Zamboanga. However, if a student will enroll in State Universities and Colleges, he/ she will receive 50% of the actual voucher value and as per approval by the MSU Board of Regents, MSU System SHS students will pay P8000.00 excluding the miscellaneous fees. That is P100 multiplied by 80, the number of hours per semester of a subject.
MSU-GSC SHS has its own calendar of activities which means they will have their separate celebration of the intramurals which is tentatively scheduled on October to be conducted at the CETD campus. Also, they will be establishing different organizations including Mathematics Club, English Club, Science Club, Debate Club, Supreme Student Government and Student Publication. The MSU-GSC SHS has already elected their Homeroom PTA Officers during the SHS Orientation held at the University Gymnasium on August 1, 2016. The Senior High School program is still under the Department of Education, but under the supervision of the Commission on Higher Education for the whole duration of the transitional period which is five years.
The Philippines is the last country in Asia and one of the three countries worldwide with a 10-year pre-university basic education. From 1945 to 2011, basic education takes ten years to complete—six years of elementary education and four years of high school education. However, after the implementation of the K–12 Program of the Department of Education and the subsequent ratification of the Kindergarten Education Act of 2012 and the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, the basic education today takes thirteen years to complete. The K to 12 Program covers 13 years of basic education with the following key stages: Kindergarten to Grade 3, Grades 4-6, Grades 7 to 10 (Junior High School), and Grades 11 to 12 (Senior High School). It aims to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, to develop lifelong learners, and to prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship. Moreover, it is found to be the best period for learning under basic education and is also the recognized standard for students and professionals Seniorglobally.High School (SHS) is two years of specialized upper secondary education; students may choose a specialization based on aptitude, interests, and school capacity. The choice of career track will define the content of the subjects a student will take in Grades 11 and 12. Each student in Senior High School can choose from among three tracks:
As of now, there are 24 hired teachers and 12 of them have advisories, and before the first semester ends the SHS will be hiring additional teachers for the ABM strand since ABM students will have their major subjects on the second semester and what are being taught in the first semester are the core subjects only.
The teaching force of the SHS is a composition of fresh graduates, lecturers, alumni of the university strictly selected by the screening committee. The screening committee, on the other hand, comprises the Chancellor himself, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Human Resource, Senior Faculty Members, Head of the Program, SHS Director and Assistant Director, and the CETD Principal. However, questions arise upon the hiring of teachers who have not taken the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) instead of the lecturers of the university. To answer these questions, Dr. Pelones justifies the decision made by the screening committee by saying that these teachers are capable of teaching SHS students even without passing the LET because they are cum laudes from the university and they have excellent grades, too.
MSU-GSC Senior High School has the Academic track that offers the three strands and is a separate unit of the College of Education Training Department (CETD) which means it has its own structure. The organizational structure of the MSU-GSC SHS is headed by the SHS Director in the person of Dr. Maria Theresa Pelones who has Prof. Michael B. Cahapay as her assistant. Also, MSU-GSC SHS has the Operations and Support Group, but the persons who would be in-charge are still subject for approval.
Upon asking this question to the SHS Director, she gives her smile and quips ‘’next question please’’ implying that this is one of the problems that must be resolved as soon as possible. Prior to the opening of classes however, she says that they have informed the department heads about this matter. Accordingly, students who take their classes in GEMMA East and West will be occupying the vacant rooms in CAS, Fisheries, and Engineering. Meanwhile, there are already proposed buildings for the SHS, but the SHS Director says she is not the right person to be asked for specific details and at the moment the SHS students will be sharing the same resources with the university.
Technical-Vocational-LivelihoodHumanities,BusinessandTechnical-Vocational-Livelihood;Academic,SportsandArts.TheAcademictrackincludesthreestrands:Accountancy,&Management(ABM);Education&SocialSciences(HESS);andScience,Technology,Engineering&Mathematics(STEM).ThetrackspecializesforvocationaltrainingwhereinastudentcanobtainaNational
The Voucher Program enables Grade 10 completers from public and private Junior High Schools (JHS) to enroll in a private high school, private university or college, state or local university or college, or technical-vocational school, which offers the Senior High School program. Through the Voucher Program, students and their families are able to exercise greater choice in deciding the Senior High School program that is most relevant to their needs and career goals by subsidizing a certain amount.
As of writing, the implementation of Grade 11 has started and as a matter of fact, Mindanao State University-General Santos City is one of the academic institutions nationwide offering Senior High School.
JUSTIN BIEBER Sabi nga nila, you can’t love another without loving yourself. Well, totoo naman but sometimes napapasobra na yung line na ‘love yourself’ which is followed by ‘kay bright man ko kay MSUan bya ko’ or ‘I love myself ‘cause I’m beauty/ and brains kay MSUan gud’ *insert the blowing of the trumpet here*. Fess up, most of us are guilty of this (LOL). And if you’re annoyed at someone who’s just like that tell them that they can go and love themselves.
XXX
This is the question whenever the professor’s teaching sounds Japanese to you or when he catches you cheating and asks what you are doing or when; you don’t understand the questions on the test paper you’re staring at for what felt like forever (but was actually just an hour) or perhaps when your classmates ask about your assignment. Alright, what do you mean?
by Rohannie Ibrahim
XXX Okay. Exams are over. Requirements are done. And next? Party party! BUT then again, ang kasiyahan (or consolation party for those who failed) ay madalas na nangyayari sa bahay ni kaibigan (this one friend) na bahay na rin ng lahat. It’s not just a house, but a witness to many tragedies, kabaliwan and whatnot. Mi casa es su casa baby!
XXX BACK TO SLEEP CHRIS BROWN Kamusta na ba ang library? Eh ang promise nyong mag-ipon ng pera or magdiet? What about your resolve to finally study well for your future? Have any of these have been fulfilled yet? Kung di pa, well, back to sleep muna and try to think things over in your dreams, baka sakaling paggising mo, may himala nang nangyari.
XXX
(Woulditberighttosayit’sa‘PopEdition?)
PILLOWTALK
XXX SORRY Justin bieber
Just as how The Gods Must be Crazy or Attack on Titan has a part two, the MSUan playlist, too, has one! This time, let’s listen to the more ‘upbeat’ songs that will surely remind you of your happiness and struggles as MSUans. So if you feel like making new music videos featuring all these kadramahan again, here you go!
ZAYN MALIK Sa mga kapwa millennials naming single, okay lang ‘yan, you can always have pillow talk. This term means “an intimate conversation between lovers in bed” and everyone does it, yun nga lang most of the time, it’s a one-sided convo between a student and his pillow (occurs mostly when one tries to memorize everything in one night for the exam the next day). Sad? Nah. After all, your course is your wife, while your pillow is your mistress.
XXX MY HOUSE FLO RIDA
LOVE YOURSELF
“Wish we could turn back time, to the good ol’ days, when our momma sang us to sleep but now we’re stressed out” We know guys, we know. We understand this feeling. Throwback ilang taon ang nakalipas, tayo’y mga musmos na walang paki sa mundo, but flash forward to the present kung san ang mapayapang mundo natin ay sinakop ng isang phenomenon na itago na lang natin sa term na: studies- sinong di mase-stress out?
XXX ONE CALL AWAY CHARLIE PUTH Intercom: MSUan, bunga ng iyong masugid na pagtangkilik sa sikat ng araw, napagpasyahan nitong magsponsor ng isang nakamamatay na promo ngayong El Nino season. “One call away” na lamang at matatanggap nyo na agad ang nakakatustang init na nanunuot sa inyong balat. Napag-alamang may branch ang araw sa field ng MSUGSC na hitik sa “abog powder” at abo na dulot ng grass fire. Ayon sa mga eksperto, and mga ito ay sangkap ng sand storm na isa sa mga freebies ng nasabing promo. So what are you waiting for? Call na!
XXX
WHAT DO YOU MEAN JUSTIN BIEBER
STRESSED OUT TWENTY ONE PILOTS
This is the daily jingle of the habal-habal drivers (seriously, who won’t get tired of it) each time you reach out for your hand to get your change where you look like asking for alms. “Sorry jud Ma’am/Sir, pero kulang man gud ug…” Yung totoo kuya, pang-ilan ap o ba ako sa mga nasabihan mo ng ganyan ngayong araw?
XXX WORK RIHANNA Work, work, work, work, work (daw). So much stuff to do! And here you are, nakahiga, nakatingin sa kawalan, at nag-iisip kung anong movie/TV series/anime ang dapat mong panuorin. Choosing among these takes a lot of work to do, too! Pwedeng work sa school muna?
Right Wing (facing the main entrance library)
After years of waiting—coupled with a series of unfulfilled pronouncements—Mindanao State University-
Ground Floor Let’s start this tour at the façade of this newest structure in the university. The overall sight of the new library is really picturesque. With its landscape adorned with flowers and green grasses, this could surely serve well as your background while taking selfies.
1. The first door on your right is the University Accreditation Center (Working Station) and next to it is the Accreditation Center Office. Equipped with tables and chairs, computers with printers, and one photocopying machine, people in-charge in every department for the accreditation can now be at ease while working. Plus, the room has two air conditioners and a water dispenser which could surely add to the workers’ comfort.
Dixter Glenn C. Tandog
What’s
the New Library
General Santos City finally opens the doors of the new university library, making it available for use this academic year 2016-2017. The two-storey building with a rooftop and an underground space houses thousands of books (most of them old) and new facilities as well. Want to know what these facilities are? Read on.
2. Just across the University Accreditation Center is the Electronic Library (E-Lib). However, as of writing, E-Lib is still inaccessible.
Upon entrance, wooden tables and chairs will welcome you where students can stay and kill their time either chit-chatting with friends or studying.
Left Wing 1. The left wing of the ground floor would certainly excite students. Located on this particular wing is the Audio-Visual Room (AVR). Albeit smaller than the old one, this new AVR could provide more comfort due to its two air conditioners. Sadly, with its area, this can only accommodate up to a hundred students so big assemblies cannot be held here unless you like an overly-crowded space.
2. Across the AVR is the Senior High School Faculty Office. This is where our new constituents, the Grade 11 students, can go to look for their Senior High School teachers.
3. And finally, at the rightmost part is where the Filipiniana, Reserved, and Circulation sections are placed where 80-120 persons can be accommodated.
4. For introverts and loners, worry no more! In this new library, there are about 13 cubicle-type tables made just for you.
2nd Floor Now, for the main attraction, welcome to the newlyfurnished University Library. Before going in, same rules apply: leave your stuff (except those personal and valuable ones like wallets and gadgets) in the wider and more presentable Baggage Counter. On opposite ends of this baggage counter are the Restrooms. Left Wing, (perspective, facing outside) 1. Not much has changed with regards to the arrangement of sections of the library. With a 40-60 capacity, this part contains the Serials and Theses & Dissertations sections, the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) and New Books Arrivals cabinet. The Office of the University Library, Technical Room, and Staff Lounge are also located here.
2. Moving rightwards, you will find a lounge set-up at the center of this library. Couches and tables are put to provide occupants a place to relax and chit-chat. But of course, noise is still an enemy in this place so you better keep your voice down.
Macaayong new MSU system pres
Bagwis | News12
Also, the new president has a track record of being a peace advocate—renowned for his active engagements in vari ous peace-building activities in Mindanao. In fact, he has served as a member of the Technical Working Group of the Moro-Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) peace panel.
General Santos City is now on its full implementa tion of its Anti-Smoking Ordinance after Mayor Ron nel Rivera issued a deputation order to the city police personnel, January 27. City Police Director, Senior Superintendent Maximo Layugan and his men began apprehending smokers who continue to defy the smoking ban in the city through the said order. For school campuses in the city, Section 4.h of the ordinance states that selling and smoking of cig arettes and other tobacco products inside or within 10 meters from the perimeter of the school campus are absolutely pro hibited.Section 5.h of the said ordinance also requires jeep ney owners and operators to display a “NO SMOK ING” sign of at least 5 sq. inch in size at the promi nent and visible space in the vehicle. Further, Section 10 mandates the schools, colleges, and universities in the city to organize their own An ti-Smoking Task Force for the strict implementation of the Accordingly,ordinance.this smoking ban shall be integrated in the schools’ existing manuals or handbooks.
■ Dixter Glenn Tandog
To ensure the safety of the students at night, streetlights were erected at the areas of selected colleges including the MSU Sports quadrangle. In an interview, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, Engr. Virgilio Ramos said that the Chancellor finally decided to start the construction of the streetlights after the incidents of robbery and other unwanted events happening inside the campus. The project began its operation on February and is funded through the currently generated income for the current academic year. However, as of this writing, due to some technical reasons such as the lack of supply of required bulbs in any hardware in the city and the una vailability of other equipment needed to assemble the en gineer’s designed structure of the streetlights, the target completion date was extended.
As stated on the appointment signed by the Chief Execu tive, the new System President will serve for a six-year term.
■ Hannah Mae Orella & Reylan Jay Magno
“Para talaga ito sa safety nating lahat lalo na kung gabi… Isa pa, matagal na itong request ng karamihan… (This is really for everyone’s safety especially at night… On top of that, this is a request of many for a long time now),” Ramos points out. After months of discussions on leadership issues in the MSU System, President Benigno Sim eon Aquino III finally appoints Dr. Habib W. Macaayong as new System President, March 8.
The new System President will succeed outgoing President Macapado Muslim who is serving on a holdover capacity at the behest of a directive issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The lat ter’s term was supposed to end last January 4, 2014.
On March 10, Macaayong took his oath of office before Department of Justice Assistant Secretary Zebedin Azis.
City gov’t full blasts implementation of No-Smoking Ordinance
■ Dixter Glenn Tandog Individuals who will be caught shall be fined a hefty amount of P1000-P3000 depending on the nth time of offense, while business establishments which fail to comply to the ordinance will face a P1000-P5000 fine.Ordinance No. 6, series of 2015 or simply, An ti-Smoking Ordinance was passed in May 2015 and amended on August 2015. However, the implemen tation was put in abeyance until the finalization of its implementing rules and regulations signed by the Mayor on an earlier date in January 2016.
Macaayong holds a Doctorate degree in Man agement and Public Administration and has been in service for 35 years holding various academ ic positions at the main campus, MSU-Marawi.
MSU puts up streetlights
Mindanao State University-General Santos City (MSU-GSC) Sociology Department and History Department conducted a multi-sectoral forum on Recreating Sexual Politics, Women Laws, Policies and Human Right in partnership with Luna Legal Resource Center for Women and Children and Family Planning Organization of the Philippines-SOCCKSARGEN at Brokenshire College Soccsksargen, Inc., GSC, March 16, 2016.
Atty. Romeo Cabarde, resource speaker, focused his discussion on Gender and Development and Laws that protect women. He also emphasized the Republic Act 9262, otherwise nown as Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Act.
The three reactors, Mrs. Erline Grafilo, Head Secretariat, GAD Foal Point System, Prof. Lolymar J. Reyes, MSU Sociology Department, and Arabecque Batilong, Division Chief of CSWDO-CommunityBased and Forensic Social Protection Division, also shared their insights about the discussion. The said forum aimed to increase the level awareness of the participants on the situation of women, their rights and laws to empower them. It was participated by students from MSU-GSC and Brokenshire College Soccsksargen, Inc. and involved organizations.
“So this year nga, we plan to make it a two-day event considering that we will be having participants from all over the region. The first day will be for the arrival and the second day will be the forum proper,” BelonioWhenemphasized.askedabout the theme and dates of this event, Belonio said that the organizing team are still on the process of planning so specific details about the event will be released the soon they get to work on it.
News | Bagwis 13
Poets gather for #HugotGensan
Young Leaders Convergence to go region-wide
Campus News Bits
In an open mic in the later part of the program, some audience members also performed their own poetry“#HugotGensan,”pieces. being the first poetry event in the city, attracted an estimated number of 200 participants.“Itisoverwhelming,” Saquina Karla Guiam, one of the organizers of the event, said. “We expected for just friends and friends of friends to come.”
■ Jade Mark B. Capiñanes
■ Eden May Somodio
MSU conducts multi-sectoral forum
Pangandungan
SSC execs raise campus concerns, attend FEMSUSSCO exec summit ■ Eden May Somodio Mindanao State University-General Santos City (MSU-GSC) Supreme Student Council (SSC) Executive Officers, President Sharene Joy Chatto, Vice-President Reynaldo Doroja Jr., and SecretaryGeneral Ian Kith Parcon, attended the Federation of MSU Supreme Student Council (FEMSUSSCO) Executive Summit at MSU Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (TCTO), February 27 – March 1, 2016. This executive summit was called for by Rafi Dimakuta, FEMSUSSCO President, to discuss the concerns of the students from the campuses which the attendees were representing and for possible resolutions. Issues raised during this meeting will then be raised to the Board of Regents. During the meeting, SSC executives raised concerns on the Athletic Fee hike and the Senior High School Program of MSU-GSC. According to Doroja, they asked for consensus in considering the Athletic Fee hike proposed by the Sports Development Group and the part of the SSC in Senior High School. In response, the SSC Regent promised to issue a resolution for additional chairs and will send a letter of recommendation to the Office of MSU-GSC Chancellor containing therein a reminder on the additional facilities and buildings of theTheuniversity.saidannual gathering of the SSC executives was attended by eight out of eleven MSU Campuses: MSU-Marawi, MSU-IIT, MSU-TCTO, MSU-Naawan, MSU-Maguindanao, MSU-GSC, MSU-Sulu and MSU-LNAC.
■ Dixter Glenn C. Tandog
To enliven the literary scene in the city, Pangandungan, is a newly-formed writers group in General Santos City, organized a poetry reading event, dubbed “#HugotGenSan: Ang Unang Tikim,” at DG’s Resto Bar, General Santos City, July 29, 2016.
The said event highlighted poetry reading and spoken word performances from aspiring and established writers from the city and from contiguous areas in Region XII.
“We didn’t know there was some writing talent, if a little raw, in the city, as well as people who appreciate literature,” she added. “#HugotMarbel,” which will be held at Brewery 99, Korondal City, on September 2, 2016, is the second official event of the said group and other partner groups in the region.
From last year’s 693 participants in the General Santos–Sarangani (GenSar) Young Leaders Convergence 2015, this year’s convergence widens its scope as it will invite leaders from all over the region to the SOCCSKSARGEN Young Leaders Convergence 2016. This year’s host is the Villamor College Inc., and the initial planning had already been conducted. In an interview with Ghian Karlo Belonio, MSU-GSC SSC Councilor and one of the organizers in the last convergence, he hinted some information regarding the upcoming event. According to him, the idea is to expand the length of time, say making it a two-day event, in consideration of participants who would be coming from as far as Sultan Kudarat.
13 HUGOT|POETRY Weamassotherpeople’sfaults, Pastethemtheninsideaglassyjar, Andcountthemwithourfingers— Asifwecoulddosoinaskyofstars— Andthensheltertheknottedwords, Intoourclose-mouthedneighbors. Thenneighborswouldgiveanod, Andsay,Wesawit,too,incertainty— Theirwordsbreathy,gushingsluggishly Outoftheiralreadyleakingthroat— Andswearanoaththatwordshidden Withinwouldneverroamacrosstheair. Butthewindbefriendswithtrees; Andtreesyieldonitsmuscledhand. Sotheneighbors’breath—sobreathy, Oftenbreathy—minglewiththewind; Andthewind,withitsfrostybreath, Minglewiththemanyswayingtrees leakingthroat
kaylayoaykaylapit; kaylapitaykaylayo •winadelaramagonzales••
•
ThispoemwaspublishedinDagmaylastApril3, 2016.DagmayistheliterarypageofSunStarDavao.
creed
••michaeljohnotanes•• Yourbody istheterrainofstoriestold, ofvalleysandcreeksandrivers onwhichthesweetestwatersflow. Yourmouth isthetemple,wherethepulpit dwells;thegospeliswritten onyourtongueandguiltyprayers sneakbetweenyourteeth. Youarereligion Youarefaith Theunknownisyourchildand Youreyes seemtoholdthemapofauniverse thatonlyexistedinthewildest ofmydreams. tellSo, ismeHowitthatI canlosemyselflookingatyou onlytobefound,again,faithless?
••davidjaysonoquendo•• KaylayoayKaylapit,KaylapitayKaylayo Kaylayoaykaylapit, Kaylapitaykaylayo. Mayalabsadistansya, Tawirinangdistansya’t Alabaynasaanna? Kaylayoaykaylapit. Tumanawka’tsasalubongtitigniya. Ngumitisiya’tnagdilang-anghelna. Ipihitangtingin,ibabalikdinkara-karaka. Sapusokayaaymayunawaanna? Kaylapitaykaylayo. Tumabikanangsiya’ymapag-isa, Ikaw’yngumiti’tnagwika:“Hi!Kamusta?” Dipinansin,siya’yumaliskapagdaka. AkalakoM.U.na,hindipapala? Humabolka;humarangsiya. Siyanakahawak-kamayniya. Natigilanka’tnatantobigla-bigla. Maysingsing—pag-aaringnauna. Kaylapitaykaylayo;Malingakala! Kaylayoaykaylapit, Kaylapitaykaylayo. Mayalabsadistansya, Tawirinangdistansya’t Alabaynasaanna?
12HUGOT|POETRY
Allthisisagiantleapoffaith. IbelieveinthescripturesthatItastefromyourholy believelips.Iinthegospelswrittenbyyourdivine tongue. IbelieveinthepulpitwhichIfind, Andalwaysfind,atthechurchinsideyourmouth. IbelievethatyourwholebodyistheEucharist turnedintoflesh. Ibelievethateverybreathyoutakeisaglimpse Ofmysalvationandredemption. AndevenifIdieeverytimeyouinhale, Andyouburymeinthecryptbetweenyourlips, Iknow,andI’msureofthis,afteryouexhale Ishallriseagain. Now,evenifyouseenoholesinmypalms, Nowoundinmyside, Reachoutyourhandandhavefaithinme. •jademarkcapiñanes•• Coldchillymidnight IlayonmyhammockwiththegirlIadmirethemost shesleepssopeacefullyaftergettingdrunk Ineverlikedgirlswhodrinkbutsheis anexception,Itoldmyself. Iloveher,yesIreallydo. Seeingherredrosylipsmademesmile thosesweettemptations Ihavekissed;gently perhapstorridinmydreams weexchangedwordsthatmadethewholeworldswoon andAphroditecry togetherweclaimedourfuture shemustbethegirlontheotherside ofmyredstringoffate theycallitdestiny Thecoldwindcaressedthehammock andsheshiftedwithunease myarmswrappedherexistenceintomylittlefantasy kisses.“hey.”Stolen
rainclouds ••davidjaysonoquendo••
longestnight ••
YouoftenaskmewhatIbelievein. BoththeBibleandPabloNerudatalk Aboutbitingintoanapple: AndIchoosetobelieveinNeruda. SoforgivemeifsometimesIbiteyourapple-likelips. Because,toquotethepoet,Iwanttofillmymouth withyourname. SohereweareinthethroesofPassion. Asourfingersintertwine,Iheartheclankofnails. Mylove,youtwisttogetheracrownofthornsandset Itonmyheadwhile,clothbycloth,Iundressmyself. UsingtheveilofVeronica,youtracethestars Andthescarsonmyface,andyourhugcovers MybodywiththeShroudofTurin. Likehammeragainstnail,yourlipstouch Mylips.Yourtongueisarattlesnake Whosetailshakesanddancesinsidemymouth, AndallthetimeIdancewithit,following Itssteps,movement,andrhythm,setting Asidethatitcarrieswithitsomepoison. Isitjustme,oryoucanturnyoursalivaintowine? Orbetteryet,yourkisstasteslikeawholevineyard. Evenyourbreastssmelloffreshly-bakedbread, Anditiswheremytonguealwaysendupto. IremembercarryingthecrosstoCalvary AsIcrawlandfindmywayaround Andacrossyourneck,towardsthosehills, Ontopofwhichyounailandcrucifyme. Forgivemeifsometimesyouthink IdonotknowwhatIdo.ButperhapsIdo. Truly,Isaytoyou,todayyouwill BewithmeinParadise. Buteventhen,there,Ishallthirst, Anditshallneverbefinished. Mylove,itisintoyourlipsthatIcommendmyspirit.
Asquicklyastherainfellmyheartplummeted, landingonapalmleaf,onyoursweetandsoftcaress. Butwateristhinandfleetingandonlytimeandthesun cantellwhenIshalldisappearoryouwillletgo. Ihave nohands nordoI carry love likecloudscarry rain.
deodor••
Passion •
“Iloveyouevenwhenyou’redrunk.” Iwillcherishthismomentfeelingluckyhavinghertonight mine”decided.“please.”I“be Iwhisperedwithouthopingforaresponse “Iloveyou…” Sheutteredadifferentnameinhersleep “a-always” Iburiedmyfaceonherhair andpretendeditwasraintricklingdownfrommyface. jayson
11 HUGOT|ESSAY Para sa’yo,Isinulatkoanglihamnaitoparasaiyo,hindiparamagbigayngmensahekunggaanoparinkitakamahal,kundiparaipaalaalaas iyoangatingkwento.Nakunggaanokatagalkitanghinintay,aysiyarinnamangbilisngiyongpaglisan.Nakunggaanoakokahigpit humawaksaatingmgapangakoaysiyarinnamangbilisngiyongmgakamaysapagbitawrito. Naalalakopa,sailalimngpunounakitangnakita.Himbingnahimbingkasapagkakatuloghabangyakapyakapangisanglibro naparabangayawmongpakawalan,nagustomomagingbahagingnilalamannito,naiyonangmundomo.Sapagkakataongiyon, nakakitanaakonganghel. Araw-arawakongnagpabalik-balikkungsaanunakitangnasilayan,umaasangmulikangmakitaatsapagkakataongmangyari maniyon,lalakasankonaangloobkoataalaminko’ngpangalanmo.Matagalakongnaghintay—araw,linggo,buwananglumipas— walaparin.Paranghangin,iihip-ihipsapaligid,magpapadamasa’yokauntinglamigoinithanggangsamagustuhanmona,saka mawawala.Umihipmanitongmulialammonghindinaiyonangdati,hindinanitotaglayanghaliknaunamongnatikman. Sapaglipasngpanahon,angpunonglagikongbinabalikbalikanaysiyakonangtambayan,angmgadahonnitoangnagsilbing ulapupangitagoakosainitngkatotohanannalahatngbagayaylumilipasatnawawala.Angmgatangkaynitoangmgakamayna yumayakapsaakinsatuwingnakakaramdamakonghapis.Anggahigantenamannitongkatawanangsiyangsandiganngkatawan kongnapapagodnasapagharapsarealidad.Angpunongiyonaysiyakonangtakbuhansatuwingnaiskonglumayosamundong akingisangginagalawan.Ngunitsapitiknagbagoanglahat.Nagbagoangikotngmundo,bumaliksaarawnakita’yunangmakita.Bumabakaulitmula sakungsaanhawakhawakparinanglibro,umuposatabikonaparanghindimoakonakita,binuklatangaklatatmulingnagbasa Habangpatuloysapagtakboangorasmo,tumitigilnamanangsaakin,lumalakasangkabogngakingdibdib,nanlalamigangmga kamay,atangmgamatako’ydimaalissapagkakatitigsaiyo.Nilakasankoangakingloob,bumahagmanangakingbuntot,garalgal manakosapagsasalita,pinilitkongkuninangatensyonmoatnakipagkilala.Hindimaalissaakinangpagkamangha,narinigkoas unangpagkakataonangbosesnganghelnasiyarinnamangikaw.Simulanoon,hindinatumigilangmahabangusapan. Hindinaglaonangpunongakingtambayanaynagingatinnangtagpuan,satuwinglumalayotayosakani-kaniyangmundongating kinabibilangan.Hindibuoangarawkohangganghindikitanasisilayanatnakakausap.Hindirinnagtagalaynagkapalagayannang loob,nagkamabutihan,nagpakiramdamanngnararamdaman,nag-aminanatsahuli’ynagligawan. “Oo...”salitangsinambitngmgalabimonanagdulotsaakinnglabisnatuwa. Sabaytayongnagpalitanngpangako—pangakongwalangiwanan,saanmantayoabutinngmahabangusapan,saanmantayo dalhinngatingmgapaa. Akalakowalanghanggananangkaligayahangakingnadarama,natilabalahatngbagayaysumasang-ayonsa‘tingdal’wa.Sa maiklingpanahonnasanayagadakonalagikangkasama.Ngunit,panandalianlamangpalaanglahat.Nangminsangmagkasamatayo hindisaatingtagpuanngunitsalugarnanapakaramingtao—maingay,maguloatlahatnagmamadali.Parangmaliitnakalawakanat angmgataoaymaykani-kaniyangmgamundo.Magkasamatayosapagmamasidsakanila,maysarilitayongmgaopinionsabawat kilosatsalitanila.Atdoon,nataposangmasayakongalaala. Liwanag…dalawangilaw…lumalakingilaw…hindi,papalapit…dilim. Iminulatkoangakingmgamata,nakahigana’kosaakingkinatatayuan,hindimanagadakobumangonngunitalamkonaangmga taongatingpinagmamasdankaninaaynahimlayrinsakinatatayuannila.Inilibotkoangakingpaninginatnakitakita.Maybotnag-asa iyongkamay,hindikomasilayanangkaniyangmukha,balotngkapotengmaitim,atmayhawaknakawitsakabilangkamay,inaakayka sapagtayo,agadkanamangbumalingsaakinngtinginatngumiti.Hindikomanmakitaangmukhanglalakinaiyongkasama,itngun sapatnasaakinangiyongmgangitiparamalamankongnakangitirinanglalakingkasamamo.Kasabayngpagbalingngiyonginting sakaniya,aysiyarinnamangpaglahoninyongdalawa. Buongakalakodinakitamasisilayanpamulanangsumamakasaiba.Ngunitkaygandanganamanngkapalaranatnakitakitang muli,himbingsapagkakatulogsaloobngisangkabaong.Atsapagkakataongito,akonaangmayhawaknglibronalagimongdala kasamangmgaalaalasapanandalianmongpagtahansabarong-barongkongpuso.
Ngunitsalamatparin.Salamatsaalaala.Salamatsaaralnainiwanmo.Nagsisinungalingrinpalaangmgaanghel. Badtripka! Pikon,Ako parasaiyo brylleyabes
Sinungalingka!Hindikatotoosamgasinabimo.Sumamakasaiba,iniwanmokongmag-isataglayangpangakongwalang iwanan.Siniramoangmgapangarapnaatingbinuopatinarinangmgapangakongbinitawansaisa’t-isa.
liham
jasper
Iwantedeverythingtostaythesameway,butfeelingsfadeandpeoplechange.
10HUGOT|ESSAY
WhenIlookbackatthedayswhenIcouldstilltotallyindulgeinthecertaintyfoundinlove,everysingledaywaslike beingdrunkinecstasyandsatisfaction.Everysecondinaminute,everyminuteinanhourandeveryhourinadaywas atouchofheaven’sbliss.Everyflashthatencompassesseemstobeascar-ascarthatleavesachemicalretrospection. Butwherearetheynow?Where’stheheaven’sbliss?Wherearetheecstasyandsatisfaction–thescarsofretrospection? Wheredidtheygo?WhysuddenlytheyvanishedthemomentIstartedtoexperiencethemwhenIwasstillallabouthim? Bathingmeinadazzlingandfascinatinginfusionofcaressesinthatrelationshipwhich,onasecondthought,Icouldn’t evenPerhaps,define.itwastoobeautifultolast.Maybethataffectionwehadwasn’treallytheuprightaffectionthatwemust keep.Maybeitsrelevancewasreallyoneofthosetruly“it’scomplicated”relationshipssofatedidn’textenditfurther.Or perhaps,itwasjustamistaketoengageourselvesinthatsortofrelationship. Afterall,IknowImustconvincemyselftoletgoandtotallyfreehim,buthowwillIdothat?HowwillIdothatwhen Icouldn’tevenmanagetofreemysoulfromtheimprisonmentofthisdelusion?HowcanIsaythatIfinallymovedon whenuntilnowevenjustpronouncinghisnameisadilemmaforme?WhenwillIfullyflushhimoutofmysystem?Until now,ourmemoriesstillhauntsmeandrobsmeofmysleepbecauseIstillthinkofhimeachnight–everymomentsand memoriesthatmademe(us)believethatweareforeachother.Itishelpless. Buteventhoughwhathappenedtousispartofthepastalready,apartofyesterday,ahistoryofmytragiclovetoa personwhotaughtmetoopenmyeyesagain—regardingthatthedayIstoplovinghimisthedayIclosemyeyesforever. Ihavetoadmit,hefilledmyemptinesslikeahousefulloflove.Hetaughtmetoappreciateeverybitsandpiecesofevents thatishappeninginmylife.He’ssomeonewhomademeunderstandthathappinessbetweentwopeople,sharingthesame world,couldreallybepossible. Thedifferencehecarvedinmeistrulyirrevocable.Howheoncereflectedtobetheappleofmyeye.HowIoncesaw himtobemyoneandonly.HowIoncethoughtofhimtobemyownandcalledhim...mine.
yesterday'slove norieangelaulanday
LOVE.
It’sjustthat,nomatterhowmuchIwilltrytoopenthishearttosomeonenewtoday,Ijustcouldn’tdenythefactthat I’mmissinghim...reallymissinghim.Yet,IknowImustlearntolivewithwhatIhave,notwithwhatIhaven’tandnot apparentlywithwhatIhavelost. HowIwishhecoulddecipherwhatmyheartlongedfor.HowIwishIcouldgobackintimeandstopmyselffromdoing whatIhavedonetochangethepresent,buttherealityis,yesterdaywasover.Ithinkit’stimeformetomoveon.
Itwasapainfulthingtosee:somebodyyouconsideredyou’reclosedwith...justwalkaway.Butwhatmakesitmore tragiciswhenyouhavenoideawhyheleftinthefirstplace. Love:itismerelyapowerfulemotionfeltforanotherpersonmanifestingitselfindeepaffection,devotionordesire. Sweetasheavenyetbitterashell.Indulgence,butsometimesdistressing.Abattlefield,butoftentimesacradle.Couldbe deathless,yetcouldbemortal.Fallinginloveisindeednotyoufindinglove,butratherlovefindingyou.It’scalledfalling inlovebecauseyou’renotforcingyourselftofall—youjust,well,fall.Andinthatcase,you’realreadyencasedandbound bythechainsofloving. Loveisaheartbeatingfastwhenhe’snear.Andfeelingemptywhenheisnotaround.Loveislovingthesoundofhis voicemorethanthesoundofyourownlaughterasifhearingtheloveliestmusicthatbatheyouinintensepleasure.It oftensustainschainsofsleeplessnightsjusttoleratingthatmindwhoseeverythoughtwasofhim.Can’thelpbutcastone glanceathisdirectioneverytimethoseeyesmethisarrivaluntilitsaysgoodbyetoyoursighteagertoupholdeverydetail ofhiminyourmemoryandmisseshimabruptlyafterafewseconds.Thisisreallylove.Madly...deeply...perfectly...
ForawhileEvalookedathim,thensheslowly turnedaway. Therainfellon.Thefallingoftherainwaslouder thanever,andyetthesilencebetweenEvaandPaul alsobecamelouder. “Whenwillthisend?”Evaasked,breakingthe “Come,”silence.Paulsaid,steppingoutsidetheshed.He reachedouthishand.“Let’swalk.”
9 HUGOT|FICTION tragediesandcomedies,buttherewassomething aboutthespectaclethatpulledhimback.Hewas uncertainheknewwhatthatsomethingis,buthewas certainitwasnotcatharsis.
Withoutsayingaword,Evaheldhishand. Together,theywalkedundertherain. *** “Iwantedtogiveyousomething,”Paulsaidafter theyhadwalkedafewblocks.“ButIleftitinmy boardinghouse.” “Wecouldgothere,”Evasaid. “Yousure?” “It’stotallyfine.Imean,Icanwaitforyououtside.” “Butit’sstillraining.” “It’sfine.Really.I’malreadywet,anyway.” *** TheyarrivedatPaul’sboardinghouse.Forawhile theystoodinfrontofthegate. “Yousureyouwanttostayhere?”Paulsaid.“It’s coldoutside.”“Paul,”Evasaid,hesitating,“peoplemightseeus.” “We’renotdoinganythingwrong,right?Besides, Ithinknoonewillsee.It’sraining.Peopleareinside theircourse,houses.”“Ofwewon’tdoanythingwrong.It’sjust thatIthinkit’snotright.Andwejustcamefromour “What’schurch.”thechurchgottodowithit?” “Youalreadyknowtheanswer,Paul.” Paulsaidnothing.Hejustturnedaway.WhenPaul openedthegate,therainfellharder. “I’mnotlettingyoufreezehere,”Paulsaid, grabbingEva’s Rainwater-drenched,arm.theyquicklywentinside Paul’sroom.Evacouldn’tlookatPaul.Paulcouldn’t utterasingleword.Hejustgaveheratowel.She driedherlong,blackhair. Theraincontinuedto***fall. Itwasalready1AM,andtherainseemedendless. Evahadalreadychangedclothes;Paulhadlenther hisshirtandshorts.Evaworenounderwear,forthey weresoaked.EvalayinPaul’sbed,coveringherbody withhisblanket.Paul,ontheotherhand,justsat thereinthecorner,drinkingcoffee. “Ithoughtyouwantedtogivemesomething,”Eva Paulsaid.stoodandwenttothecabinet,justnear hisbed.HeopeneditandgothiscopyofFearand .TremblingHehandedthebooktoEva. “AllmylifeIhavewantedtogetaholdofthis,” Evaallsaid.“It’syours,”Paulsaid,lookingdirectlyintoEva’s Aseyes.Evagotoutofbedtogetthebook,theblanket embracingherbodyslowlysliddown.Likeabutterfly, Evaemergedfromhercocoon.Asshegracefully revealedherwholeself,Paulwrappedherwithhis warmembrace.Fromthenoneverythingbecamea matterofwrappingandunwrapping,openingand closing,givingandreceiving,enteringandlettingin. EverythingflowedthewayMiltonandMillerhad written. *** Itwasthenighttheysharedandsavoredthetasteof theirbodies,oftheflesh,oftheearth,forthefirsttime. Itwasalsothelasttime. *** Paulwentnearthebedandlookedatherclosely. Shewasnowalreadyasleep,herbreathingheavyasif shehadjustspentonewholedayonsomeexhausting activity.Ashefoundhimselfaspaceinbedandlay besideher,herecalledalltheeventsthatnight,and atdawnhecameupwiththeideathatwhathad happenedwasperhapsamanifestationofthevery thinlinebetweenthesacredandtheprofane.The thoughtthatadivinerevelationmighthaveappeared tohimashenearlyapproachedsexualclimaxwas quiteridiculous:whenNoah’sdescendantsbuiltthe TowerofBabel,theyhadinmindthegoalofreaching heaven.ButGodconfusedtheirlanguage,sothey failed.WhenPaultriedtoreachorgasm,Godentered thescene,too.Atragicomedy,Paulthought,butit wasallenoughforhimtocontemplatethenatureof thebodyandthespirit,ofthefleshandthesoul. ThefollowingmorningasEvaawoke,shesmiledat Paul,herfaceglowingwithajoyfulenthusiasm,asif nothingstrangehadhappenedthenightbefore. “How’slastnight?”Paulaskedinalowvoice. Shejustblushed,actedcoyly,suddenlywrapped herarmsaroundhimandkissedhischeek. *** Ithadbeenmonthssincethatfatefulnight.Paul haddecidedtoseverallformsofcommunicationwith Eva:notextmessages,noFacebookchat,noemails, nothing.Sometimeswhenhesawheratschool,he wouldhiderightaway.Heavoidedeverythingthat wouldbindthemtogether. OnedayMichaelcalledhim:“Areyoufreethis Paulafternoon?”“No,”immediatelyreplied. “ThenI’llgoinyourboardinghouse.Ihave somethingtogiveyou.”
AndjustwhenPaulthoughthehadseeneverything theservicecouldoffer,hestartedtohearpeople speakingandshoutinginanunknownlanguage: stringsofsyllables,volleysofvowels,cordsof consonants.ItcouldhavebeenGreekorHebrew, analienlanguage,ornolanguageatall.Pauldidn’t understandeverything,strugglingtofloatonthe floodofwords. *** Theservicewasover.Itrainedheavily.Almost everybodywenthome,whilesomechosetoremainin thechurchandwaitfortheraintostop.EvaandPaul stayedinthewaitingshedoutside. Therainshowednosignsofceasingtofall. “It’sgettinglate,”Evasaid. “Whenistherainmostbeautiful?”Paulsaid. “Youmean,dayornight?Ithinkduringtheday.At night,youdon’tgettoseethedropletsfalling.” “Butyouhearthemlouderatnight.” “So,foryou,it’snight?” “Not necessarily.”“Thenwhen?”“Therainismostbeautifulwhenyouspenditwith someonespecial.” Thefallingoftheraingrewlouder. “Tellme,Paul,doyoubelieveinGod?” “I’mtryinghardto.Trustme.Unliketherain, though,Idon’tgettoseeandhearHim.” “Butyoudon’thaveto,Ithink.Youjustsaidit isallamatterofspendingitwithsomeonespecial. Wheneverthatis,dayornight,oryourwholelife,I can’tthinkofanythingbetterthanspendingitwith TheGod.”rainfellmoreheavily. “Thankyou,Eva,”Paulsaid. “Forwhat?”Evasaid. “Nothing.Ijustwanttosaythankyou.”
*** ThatafternoonMichaelwenttoPaul’sandgave hima book.“It’sfromEva,”Michaelsaid. ThebookwasNabokov’sAda,orArdor:AFamily Chronicle“Bytheway,howisshe?”Paulasked. “She’sfine.Shejustgotelectedasthepresidentof theorganizationofalltheministriesintheuniversity.” *** Aloneinhisroom,Paulopenedthebook.He noticedabookmark,withEva’snameonit,inserted betweenthepages.Hewenttothepageandreadthe underlinedpassage: Thefireyourubbedleftitsbrandonthe mostvulnerable,mostviciousandtender pointofmybody.NowIhavetopayfor yourraspingtheredrashtoostrongly, toosoon,ascharredwoodhastopay forburning.WhenIremainwithoutyour caresses,Iloseallcontrolofmynerves, nothingexistsanymorethantheecstasyof friction,theabidingeffectofyoursting,of yourdeliciouspoison.
ofBabel b.capiñanes
“Soit’sJohnCalvin,”hesaid,lookingatthebook inEva’shand.“Ifthisisanattempttobringmeback, thankyou,butIgotbetterthingstodo.” “Michaelwasrightaboutyou.” “Rightaboutwhat?AnddidMichaelsetthisup?” “Don’tworry,Paul.Nopressure.Ijustneed someonetotalkto.AndIthinkyoudo,too.” Aftersomemomentsofsilence,Paulsaid:“Where dowe decide.”start?”“You *** PaulhadoftenthoughtaboutEvasincetheirfirst meeting.True,hehadnotagreedwitheverything Evahadsaidthatafternoon,buttherewassomething aboutEvathatfascinatedhim.Perhapsitwasbecause shehadquotedtheBibleandMarxatthesametime. OritwasbecauseofEva’sconviction,asshowninher defendingthepracticeofspeakingintongues. “It’sagiftfromGod,”Evahadsaid.“Thewordsthat comeoutofyourmouthwhenyouspeakintongues aretheverywordsofGod,quitedifferentfromthe languageAdaminventedintheGardenofEden.Or, forsome,theyaretheverywordshumanbeingshad usedbeforeGodconfusedtheirlanguageduringthe constructionoftheTowerofBabel.Thepointis,itis adivinelanguage.”
“We’renotbuildingaliteralandphysicaltower, Paul.It’sanintangibleandspiritualone.Linguists mightdismissitsspiritualcomponent.Theymight callitwithaclinicalterm‘glossolalia.’Butstudies showthatalthoughspeakingintongueshasnoclear linguisticpurposes,itcommunicatesacommitment. Itgluespeopletogether.Itisbothpersonalandsocial. Ibelieveitisstrongerthananytowerthereis.”
Oritwasbecauseofthewayshehadlookedat himwithsuchpiercingeyes,whichhadmadePaul turnaway.Hewonderedaboutit,buthehadanidea hecouldn’tdeny:Evawasbeautiful—hereyes,her eyeglasses,hernose,herlips,hervoice,herhands, herall. ***
Paultriedtodistancehimselffromallofit,like anarchonfromtheperformanceofAncientGreek TheBed jademark
“WhydidtheybuildtheTowerofBabelagain?To reachheaven?”Paulhadsaidwithasmirk.“Ithink youhavetolearnsomethingfromthatstory.When youwanttobuildorreachsomething,communicate throughalanguageyouallunderstand.”
8HUGOT|FICTION
HewasonthevergeoforgasmwhenEvaspokein tongues.Immediately,hepulledhimselfback,leapt outofbed,andforsometimestoodfrozenandnaked indarkestcorneroftheroom.Hewasspeechless; hecouldn’tdoanythingbuttolistentoandtryto comprehendtheunintelligiblewordscomingout ofEva’smouthasherbodywriggledinbed,her pear-shapedbreastsbounced,andherlegsspread directlybeforehisveryeyes.Thesightrenderedhim completelyimmobile,andhewasonlyabletomove afterbeingrelievedthatEva’sfranticmotionand utteranceshadfinallystopped. Andallthishappenedthenighttheysharedand savoredthetasteoftheirbodies,oftheflesh,ofthe earth,forthefirsttime. ***
“Ihaven’tdecidedyet.” “It’spredestined,myfriend.Youdon’tgetto wasdecide.”Heabouttosaysomethingwhenhisfriend hungup.“Hewonthistime,”hesaidtohimself. *** Thatafternoonhewenttotheirusualmeeting place.Tohissurprise,Michaelwasnotthere.Instead, awoman,thesameageashim,waswaitingforhim, abookofBiblicalcommentariesinhand.Henoticed hereyeglassesslidingdownheraquilinenoseand thewayshepusheditbackusingherrightmiddle finger.Shelookedathim,smiled,andcalledhim. “Paul,”shesaid,invitinghimtosit. Hegotuneasy;hedidn’tknowher. “I’mEva,”shesaid,extendingherhand.
Evacametohislifewhenhewasinhisdeepest spiritualcrisis,aroundamonthago.Thattimehe wasstrugglingwithhisrelationshipwithhisparents, withhissiblings,withhisclassmates,withpeoplein general—withGod.Hestoppedpraying,foritwas forhimafutileact.“Nobodyhearsthem,anyway,”he wouldsay.Hestartedskippingclassesandspenthis daysaloneinhisroom,gettingthroughalltheunread booksthathadaccumulatedinhisroomforyears.He readandre-readtheclassics;onthelastpageofhis batteredcopyofThe,Strangerhewrote:“Meursault ismyspiritanimal.”Rummagingthroughthestack ofhisbooksoneday,hebumpedintoThePurpose Driven,Lifeagiftfromoneofhisfriends.Hetriedto readthebook,givingitachance,butafterthreepages hewentoutsideandsetitonfire.Afterreadingallhis books—andthrowingawaythosehedidn’tlike—he feltlikehedidn’thaveanythinglefttodo.“Nothingto bedone,”hesaid,havingWaitingforGodotinmind.
OnedayMichael,thefriendwhogavehimThe PurposeDriven,Lifecalledhim.Rarelydidsomeone callhim,andsincehehadnothingtodo,heanswered theyoucall.“Arefreethisafternoon?”Michaelaskedover thedophone.“Whatyoumean?”freehereplied.“Ithought youbelievedinapre-ordainedorder.” “Youandyourlanguagegames.Seeyou!”
AweeklaterEvainvitedPaulforaworshipservice herministrywouldbehavingonthesecondFriday nightofthemonth.Paulwashesitantatfirst;he wantedtosavehimselffromlisteningtotheendless singing.Aservice,forhim,wasnotunlikeamoshpit atarockconcert.ButEva’sconstantreminderevery morningandnightviatextsoftenedhisdefenses,and heendedupsayinghewouldgo. “Justdon’tleavemealone,”hetexted. “Youwon’tbealone,Paul!Seeyou!”Evareplied. ***
ItwasthesecondFridayofthemonth.Paulwokeup earlyinthemorning,around4AM,andfeltasudden urgetofixhisbed.Healsochangedhispillowcases anddecidedtowashhisonlyblanket.Afterthathe hadhisbreakfast,drankhiscoffee,andreadsome pagesofMiller’sTropicof.CancerHecameacross thefollowinglinefromthebook,whichheunderlined: “Iloveeverythingthatflows,”saidthegreat blindMiltonofourtimes.Iwasthinkingof himthismorningwhenIawokewithagreat bloodyshoutofjoy:Iwasthinkingofhis riversandtreesandallthatworldofnight whichheisexploring.Yes,Isaidtomyself, Itooloveeverythingthatflows:rivers, sewers,lava,semen,blood,bile,words, sentences.Ilovetheamnioticfluidwhenit spillsoutofthebag.Ilovethekidneywith itspainfulgallstones,itsgravelandwhatnot;Ilovetheurinethatpoursoutscalding andtheclapthatrunsendlessly;Ilovethe wordsofhystericsandthesentencesthat flowonlikedysenteryandmirrorallthe sickimagesofthesoul…*** “Thereyouare!”Evashouted,asPaularrivedsome minuteslateattheworshipservice.“Ithoughtyou changedyourmind.” “Iwasaboutto,butIthoughtaboutwhatyou’d probablyfeelifIdid,”Paulsaid,notlookingather. Evasmiled.“Youwon’tbealone,”shesaid,holding Paul’shand.Together,theyenteredthechurch. *** EvadeliveredtheopeningremarksoftheirBible service.PauldiscoveredthatEvawastheyouthleader oftheirchurchandtheircampusministry.Paullooked aroundandthoughtabouthowthechurchwasfilled withyoungpeople.Theirfacesglowedwithjoyand innocence,withthereadinesstoreceivethesalvation theylongedfor. ThemomentEvafinishedheraddress,theband startedplaying.ThesoundandsightsweptoverPaul’s senses,andeverythingremindedhimofancient Athens,wheretheGreekscelebratedtheDionysia. Nobullssacrificed,andyetthechurch,theybelieved, waspurified.Noalcoholicdrinks,andyeteverybody wasdrunkwithreligiousecstasy.NoDionysus,and yeteverybodyreveledand,inchorus,sang: Oneway,Jesus, You’retheonlyOnethatIcouldlifefor. Oneway,Jesus, You’retheonlyOnethatIcouldlifefor.
sapunongmangga
7 HUGOT|FICTION
davidjaysonb.oquendo “Naaalalamopaba?”nagsimulasiya.Highschoolreunion.Nakaupokamisalabasnggym,hindimasyadongmalayosaprogram naisinasagawasaloob,atdirinmasyadongmalapitnahindinakamimagkarinigan. “Angalin?”tanongko,tinatagoangkahitanongbahidngkaasiwaan. “Yungkulitannatin.Yungpanahongpinilinatingmanatilisaibabawngpunongmanggasatapatngeskwelahankesapumasok?” tuwang-tuwaniyangtanong. Tinitigankosiya—isangmalungkotnatitig—habangsiyaaynakatulala.Bulagbasiyaomanhid,hindikoalam.Siyemprenaaalala ko.FreshmenYear.Naaalalakongnatakotakongumakyatsapunongmangga,ngunitnagawakoparindahilsakanya.Pinilikong tingnanangmahabaatitimniyangbuhoknaiwinawasiwasngmalamignahanginatumakyatakonaiyonlamangangnasaisipan. NaaalalakoNagsindilahat.akongyosi. “Hindi.Maynangyaribangganoon?”sabaytawa.“Pasensyakana.Matagalnarinsigurosimulananghulitayongnagkita,” nagsinungalingako,napakamotsaakingulo. Naburaangtuwasakanyangmukha.Ayan.Sawakasnagingtotookana. “Naninigarilyokanapala?” “Ah,oo.Minsanlangnaman,”napakamotmuliakosaulo. “Alammo,kinakamotmoulomo‘pagnagsisinungalingka.Dikapatalaganagbago,”banggitniyanamayhalonglungkot.Inayos niyaangkanyangbuhok,singhabaparinnungdati–hindi,masmahabapa.Hinawiniyaitopapuntasalikodngkanyangtenga,dtula ngginagawakodatisabuhokniya. Nanaigangkatahimikanngilangsandali.Nagingmusikaangihipnghanginnapumalibotsaaminsagitnangdamuhang nagmistulangmgagalamaynapilitkamingtinutulakpalapitsaisa’tisa;angmgadahonaypilitkamingitinatali.Hindikonamarinig angsinasabingmgataosaloob. “Pinutolnanilayungpunongmangga,”nagsimulaulitsiyangmagsalita.Tumingalasiyasalangitnaparangmayhinahanap, ngunitalamkongpinipigilanlamangniyangtumuloangkanyangluha. Umiyakka.Umiyakkanakasi.Masaktan!Magsisi!Sumisigawakosaakingisipan. “Angnatiranalangayyungtuod,”dagdagniya,malayoparinangtingin. Buntonghininga. “Alammo,sabinila,kapagbibilanginmorawyungbilognanamuosatuod,malalamanmoangbilangngtaonnanamalagisiya bilangbuhaynapuno,”sabiko. Biglangtumigilangpag-ihipnghanginatparabangnilamonkamingkalawakankungsaanhindimakapaglalakbayangkahit anumangtunog.Saunangpagkakataonsaloobngnapakaramingtaon,nagtagpomuliangamingmgamata. “Ganoonnalangba‘yon?‘Pagpataynaangisangbagay,angmaaarimonalanggawinaybilanginangtagalngpagkabuhaynito.” Alamkoangibigniyangsabihin.Walangumimiksanapakatagalnapanahon.Kamingdalawaaynakiramdam.Angmgapusonamin aynaghabulan,nagsumikapnasumabaysapagtibokngbawatisa.Hindisilamatagumpay. “Naaalalako,”kakosabaytaponsauposngsigarilyo.Nauboskonapala. “Naaalala“Ano?”kolahat.”Tumitigakosalalimngkanyangmataathinanapkosiya.Inibigkongkausapinangbabaengminsankong minahal.“AngmukhamonungpinagalitankangMamangmodahilnag-cutclasstayo.Yungpaglabanmonungdikanapinayagang sumamasaakin.Naaalalakong‘ditayonadalaatnagingmasmadalaspaangatingpagkikita.Naaalalakoangunanatinghaliksalikod ngteatrongeskwelahan.Angunanatingsinenapinanoodsamall.Lahatnaaalalako.”Hindikonakinayangipatuloy.Nanggalaitiako. Napangitisiya.Ayokosiyangngumiti. “Ngunit?”tanongniya.Alamniyangmaysusunodpa. “Naaalalakorinangsakit.Naaalalakoangpagtataksil.Naaalalakoangmasayamongmukhasakamayngiba.Angmgagabing uminomakongalaknapinaalatngluha.Angmgalihamkongdinabigyanngkahitanongsagot.Lahat.Lahat,Ching.Naaalalako Nagsindilahat.”paakongisa.Inabotniyaangakingkamay,atkinuhaangyosi.Nagyoyosinapalasiya. Ano“Mark—““Ching?bangnangyarisaatin?” “Highschool.Mangmangpaako.Ignorante.”Putanginangdahilanyan. “Ching.Minahalmobaako?” “Mark.Anobanamangklasengtanongyan?” “Sagutinmo.” Tumigilsiyasapagyosi.Humarapsiyasaakin. “Sobra.Sobrangsobraataraw-arawaynagsisisiakokungbakitkoginawaangakingnagawa.” Naroonparinangpunongmanggasatapatngeskwelahan.Tuodnalamangito,oo.Isangpaalalangnaglipasnasakitatng mabubutingalaala.HindinakaminagkitaniChingpagkataposngHighSchoolReunion.Hulingbalitako,mayasawanarawsiyaat dalawanganak.Ako?Eto,nagyoyosiparin.
lantadnakaluluwa
MissK.:Hindinganakikitaangmukhamoohindinilaalamangpangalanmoperoinilalahadmonamanangpinakapribadongsulok ngbuhaymopatiangkaranasanmosapakikipagtalik.Satinginmoba,maymaiinspiresakwentomo?Anokayaangmasmarami,ang makikisimpatyasakwentomooangmgataongmalilibuganhabangbinabasaito?Hindinganilaalamangiyongmukhangunitsamga isinisulatmoayiyongipinapakitaangbawathiblangiyonglamansamgamambabasamo.Patikaluluwamo.Bakitmobatoginagawa Paramakakuhangmaraminglikes?Paramagingtrendingnatopicangs*xperiencemo?Paramakahakotngsamutsaringcomments?Para makalimosngawaatsimpatya?Paramalibangangibangtao?Oparamapansinka? Inday:Kayangaspgdiba,isapamaychoicenamansila.Pwedenamanghindibasahinkasingalabelednamanatmaramingfollowerstong pagenato.Kungmapopostto,maramingmagbibigayngpayosaakin.2016napotayo,taposnahoangkapanahunanniMariaClara. MissK.:Oonga’tsabihinnanatingmaramingnagpopostngganyangkwento.Peronagagawabanitongrationalatmabutiangmgakilos mo?Akalamosadaminglikesatcommentsnanakukuhamosafacebookosadamingfollowersmosatwittermasusukatanghalagamosa iba?Hindieh.Paniwalaanmolangyungsarilimo,dimokailanganangmgayun.Sanatuladngmganalalabingmatitinongtaoehmagpostka ngmgaartikulongmaysensetuladngmganapapanahongissueatmgabagaykungsaanmalayangmakapagbibigayngkuro-kuroangiyong mgamambabasanamakakatulongsabansaokahitlangnamansapaaralanmo.Estudyantepokayosakolehiyohindipokayotagapromote ngisangpipisyugingnightclubopornsite.Eplanomoatanggawingpornpagetoeh.Isapahinditalagamaiiwasangmahusgahankang iba.Masasaktankalanglalo. Inday:Pornsitenaagad?Dipapwedengnaghahanaplangngpayo?Magingbukasnamanyangisipmokahitminsan.Atyung panghuhusga?Matapangako.Kayakongharapinangmgayan…Masyadonangbasagangpusokoparamasaktanulit(hugotsiInday).
jennyrossrabia
MissK.:Teka,tekamuna…siguradokabangipopostmoyanha? Inday:Anuba?Ehanonamansayo?Sinokabaha? MissK.:Sinongabaako,hiya?Hindiakoyun.Walakanuneh…Diyos,maslalonghindiehdikokalevelyun.Maslalonghindiakosi Satanaskasikungakoyundikitapipigilan.Maaaringakoangkonsensyamo…Sigurokahitclichékasikahitpapanomeronkanun.
6HUGOT|FICTION ItoangbuhayniInday.Nakatalisasocialmediaatsainternet.Parasakanya’ypribadoangmgaaccountsniyangunitditonaman nailalahadangbuongbuhayniyasapubliko.KungiyonghihimayinangtimelineniIndayaymakikitamongnapapaawaydahilsa mgapostsniya.Parangpublicchatboxangmgaito.Nagsisimulasamgasimplengpagpaparinignanauuwisamadugongpalitanng comments.PalagiringbumibisitasiIndaysaisangpagekungsaannakakasalamuhaniyaangmganetizensmaymgakataingianna kagayangsakanya.Sakasalukuya’ynagtatypenanamansiIndayngisangartikulongisusubmitniyadito. mga#WalangForever#s*xperience#spg#pag-ibigHellowsaavidreaders’ngpagenaito.Gustokoposanangi-shareangakingkakaibangkaranasansapag-ibig(kungpag-ibig ngabatalagaangtawagdito).Nagmahallangpoako.Binigayanglahatatngayo’ynagtitiis.Nasasaktan.(charoot) NagsimulapoanglahatsaisangsimplengmessagesaFacebook.Sasimpleng“Hi”hanggangsananauwisaisangpagkakaibigan. Akalakoponungunaehhanggangdoonnalangpo.Kasihindikosiyakalevel.Sy*tkagwapolangniya,lamionpajud.Perodumating yungarawnanagconfessssyanahe’sinlovewithme.Akorinnapademure<kuno:)>,Ireplied“Jammingnapudkonimouie!Love pudbayatikaayawkolandiaakwmubigayjudbayako.”Perohesaid“TinuodtoDayuy,kitanalanggud.”AndbecauseIlovehim, Ididntthinktwice.Isimplysay“Yes.” Sonagingkamina,Imsoinlovewithhim.Onetime,Iwenttohisbhauzthenkamilang.Atfirstnaguusaplangkami.Then, tiningnannyakosamata,dahandahanniyaakonghinagkanhabangmalayangnaglalakbayangkanyangmgakamaysaakingmga braso,likodpatungosaakingmga… Peromataposngiilangmgabuwannaramdamankonghindinakamituladngdati.Walanayungsparknatuladngdati.Hindiniya nakotinitext,palagisiyangmayalibikunginaayakosiyangkumainsalabas.Paranghindinyanaakomahal.Tapos...
Inday:Epalkarinehno?Ehanunamankungi-postkoto.Hindinamanakomakikilalakasihindinamanlantadyungpangalanko.
MissK.:Andyannamanangmgamagulangmo.Sakanilakahumingingpayo.Kungtotoongmatapangka,dapatkayamongharapinang kanilanggalitatpagwawasto.Hindiyungisusuksokmoyungulosapagenayunparamaitagoangiyongkatauhanhabanginilalantadang hubo’thubadmongkatawansapamamagitanngkwentomoukolsaiyongkaranasansapakikipagtalik.Sana’ymagpostkabilangisang matatagnatao,yungtipongnayurakanmanangpuriehbuoparin.Hindiyungtaongbasagatnagpapadalasakanyangmganararamdaman kundiyungnag-iisip,hindiyungkulangsapansinatmasyadongpathetic.Gamitinmoangiyongkalayaansapakikipagtalstasansawastong Bungaparaan.ngsobrangpagkalito’ysinubsobnalamangniIndayangkanyangulosakeyboard.Muliniyanghinawakanangmouse. Walangnakakaalamngkanyanginiisip.Peromaramingtaoangnagingsaksingbuoniyangbuhay.ItosiInday.Tutularanmobasi Inday?
Suddenly,darknessandsilenceinvadedus.“Well,thismeanstheend,”Isaidandclosedmyeyes.
“Tobewonderfulorawfulintheeyesofothers,”heemphasized.“Notallofuslikethecolorblue,red,oryellow.
theauthor edenmaysomodio Whatisitnow?
IaskedmyselfwhenIfoundoutwhereIam:standingonabigrock,feelingtheoverwhelmingemotionoftheair, hearingthestrongcurrentoftheriver,andfacingthesunhavingashowwiththeclouds. “Itseemsshereallywantsustobeinhere,attheAllahRiver,”anoldmansaid.Helookedadorable.Icouldsee hisbrowneyesthroughhisthickeyeglasses–eyesfullofcuriosityandknowledge.Hehadwhitehairsandwrinklesdrawn inhisforeheadandbothsidesofhiseyes. “Youmustbemygrandfather.” “I’mafraidso.” Inoddedasasignofsatisfactionanditreflectedinmyeyes. “Whatisitnow?” “Idon’tknow.Onlysheknowswhat’shappeningandshoulddecidewhattobedone,” Isighed,deeply,asifIwantedtoownandinhalealltheairintheworld.AsIwatchedthesunblindly,asparkle frombelowdisturbedme.Ilookeddownandsawanemptybottleembeddedbeneaththeriver,supportedbythestonesso astonotletitbedraggedbytheflowoftheriver. Iwenttofetchthebottle.ThemomentIgotit,mygrandfathersaid,“Wearelikethatemptybottle–abottlewithout substance.Wemustbefilleduntilwearefull.Whenwewereborn,weknewnothing,wesawnothing.Ourparentsstarted tofillusknowledgeaboutourworld.Theyputsomethingsignificantinouremptycognitivedungeonsandhelpedus discoverwhowereallyare.Theydothisuntilweseeourselvesasanobject,wesawimageswhenoureyesareclosed,we understoodwhatsmileis,whatcryis,andwhattheymeant.Then,theyshowedusanotherenvironment:onewithdifferent colorsofsubstancetobeaddedinourdungeonandwillhelpusunderstandwhat‘Theself’means.” “Youmean,‘Theself’ofGeorgeHerbertMead?” “U-huh.Wecometobewhowearebasedbothonhowweseeourselvesandhowothersseeus,hesaid.”
Thecolorwewear,otherslikeit,othersdon’t.Thesamewayotherslikethewaywebehavewhileothersaren’tespecially pleasedwhenwedeviatefromwhatisusualintheireyes.Intheend,itisstillourdecisionifwearegoingtoblendwith primarycolorsofthesocietyorwe’regoingtopursuewhatcolorwethinkisbestforus.Westillaretheartistsofour livesanditdependsonushowwearrangethesubstancewithinthebottletomakeitunique.Wearetheculpritofwhatwe become,”headdedwhilelookingnowhere. “Indeed.Bytheway,whydidshewantustotalkallaboutthese?Whydidn’tshewanttotalkaboutotherstufflike herlovelifeforinstance?She’satagelikemostofthereadersanyway.”
Thewindremindeduswherewewereandasiftotellusthatitwasnotyettheendofourconversation. “Iremember,IhavereadwhatEmileDurkheimwrote,childrenarenotbornknowingthenormsandvaluesofthesociety intowhichtheyareknown,theyhavetolearnthemfromothersinordertosurvive.Astheverydropofknowledgethatfills us,wecometohaveourcolorsandit’suptoushowwemakeitappearwonderfulintheeyesofothers,”Isuddenlysaid asifsomeoneinsidemehadthrowninmeeverywordIhadspoken.
Mygrandfathersmiledandgavemeaconfusedface.“Maybethisiswhatinterestsher.Andshehasnothingto shareaboutherlovelife.She’stheauthorafterall.”
5 HUGOT|FICTION
“Wow,sodeepandinteresting.”Ismiledinamazement. Itseemedwewerebothdrowninginourimaginationsthatnoonedaredtotalkandbreakthesilence.Werewe reallydrowninginourownimaginationsordidshejuststopourtimeandweweredrowninginherimaginationinstead?
Naroonsiyasasulok,nakangitihabangako’ytinatanawmulasakanyangkinauupuan.Aksidentengnapatinginakosa kanyaatnangmagkasalubongangamingpaninginayibinalingkoagaditosaibangdireksyonsubalitbatidko,sasulok ngakingmata’ynakatatitigparinsiya,gayangaraw-arawniyangginagawanoonghulingtaonkosakolehiyo.Ngayonang arawngamingpagtatapossubalitalamkonghindiritonatataposanglahat. Angkanyangmgamata’ykasingbagsikngmgamatanguwak.Satuwingmagkakasalubongangakingpaninginay madalaskosiyangmakitangnagkakagat-labi.Hindikonalangiyonpinansin.Araw-arawkosiyangnakikitasakampus, tilaba’ysinasadyangpagtagpuinangamingmgalandas.Tumagalngisangsemestreangsenaryongiyon. Noongpangalawaathulingsemestrekosakolehiyoaynagkasamakamisadalawangmajorsubjectskongunittilaba’y sumidhiangkanyangmgaginagawa.Halosnakatitiglamangsiyasaakinhabangabalaanglahatsapag-aaral.Hindiko nakayangipagsawalang-bahalaangkanyangmgatitignatilaba’ymalagkitatmalamignakamaynahumahaplossaaking batokatmgabraso.Pinilitkongmakisamaathuwagsiyangpansinin,walaakongmagagawa.
tres
Sana’yhindinalangakonakinigsakanya.Sana’yhindinalangakonasilaw.Tiningnankosiyamulasamalayoat umalingawngawangmarurumingsalitangkanyangibinulongnoongarawnaiyon “Pwedeng-pwedekitangbigyanngtressadalawangmajorsubjectsmo.Mamilika,kwartoosingko?”
sharlenemaylapiz
4HUGOT|FICTION
Walanggabinahindidumadaposaakingisipangkanyanghitsuraatangkanyangmgamalalagkitnatitig.Mas pinasidhinitoangkabangdinadalakodulotngakingmgapabagsaknagrado. Valentine’sday.Nasorpresaakongisangpulangrosasnaipinatongsaakinglibrohabangako’ynasalabasng classroom.Nagtanongakosamgakaklasesubalitwalangmakapagsabikungkaninogalingangrosasnaiyon.Sabipa nila’ybakagalingsaakingcrush.Hindi,batidkonggalingiyonsakanya.Mahigittatlonglinggonalangatgraduation nasubalitkunggaanokabilisngpanahonaysiyaringkaybilisngpagbagsakngakingmgaiskorsaquizzesatoverall standingsalahatngakingsubjects.Hulinglinggonangklaseatanglinggongpaghuhusga.Pinilitkongmag-aralnang maigiupangmaisalbaangsarilimulasakumunoy.Kailangankongmakapasa.Kahittreslang. Nangmataposangfinalexamsaytumambadsaakinangdalawangbagsaknaiskor.Itonaanghulingsignos.Habang ako’ynagluluksasaisangsulokaylumapitsiya,nakangisi.Umuposatabikoathinimasangakinglikodparaako’y tumahan,atbumulong.Angkanyangmgasalitaaytilaillegalnadrogangpumawisaakinghinagpisatpag-aalala.Natapos angsemestreathindikoakalaingsiyaangmagpapatunaynamayroongsolusyonanglahatngproblema...atmayibang solusyonnanagbubungangproblema. Ngayonangarawngpagtatapossubalithindiritonatataposanglahat.Bawatarawaymassumisidhiangpagkamuhi kosasarili.Batidkosaakingsarilinahabambuhaykongbabauninangproblemangnag-ugatsaisangsolusyon,tilaba’y nagingkanseritonasumisirasaakingpagkatao.Angtogaatdiplomangitoaypaulit-ulitnamagpapaalalasaakinnglahat. Habangbumababaakosaentabladoaypaunti-untisiyanglumapittaglayparinangnakakakilabotatnakakadiringtitigat ngiti,atnagwika“congratulations”. Noongmgasandalingiyonaygustokonghumagulgol,ibalikangorasatitamaangisangmalakingpagkakamaling yumuraksaakingpagkatao,bahalanangdimakapagtapossatamangpanahonbastamalinisangakingkonsensya.Hindi konanapigilanpaangpagdaloyngakingmgaluhakasabayngpagtugtognggraduationsong.Nasahuliangpagsisisi.
dorenjohnbernasol
Isangmalalimnabuntonghiningapa.Marahanatunti-unti.Dahan-dahanlang.Nilasapkoangpakiramdamnaiyon.Nag simulanangmamuoangmalalamignabutilngakingpawis.Nakilitiakonangtuluyankongidiin.Lalongnamilipitakosasarap nangsinubukankongiikot.Ilangbeseskoringnakagatangakinglabi.
3 HUGOT|FLASHFICTION sabik
Nananabikako.Lalongpananabiknangbinubuksankona.Dinukotkoangkahabaanmulasaloob.Angtigasperomaylambot namananguluhangbahaginito.Lambotnayayakapinngkaloob-loobanko.Bagopamantugunanangpananabikngsarili,ay napalunok-lawaymunaako.Sandaliakongtumitigditoupangtiyakingmalinis.Handanaakongipasok.
Hinagodmunanitoangbahagingpanlabas.Unti-untihanggangmalakbaynitoangkabuuan.Sinagadangbawatsulokat haplos.Hindikonanapigilnaitutoksatalagangpagpapasukangbutasko.Sabikmanayayawkongbiglain.Marahaskung biglaan.Masakitkungmailisan.
TilaunangulangsatagtuyotngMayonahumaliksatigangnalupakungtangayinakosapaglasapngpagkakataongito. Paghahalongtamisatanghang,ngasukalsakape.Pakiramdamngpagpawisamatagalnauhaw–isangmalutongnalagoksa biglalalamunan.…atkonangbinunot.Andamingtutuli.Yuck!
kafir dorenjohnbernasol Sinongmag-aakalanasalumulukobnalilimpalangtandongmongsuotaytalangnagbahagingliwanagsamundoko.Oo. Ikawyun.Perobakitkanaparam?Natilamaysalimuotanggabikomagpahanggangngayon. Heto,nangungulilaakosaiyo. Katataposkolangmag-ikotnaparangasongulolnanaghahanapngkalinga.Nagtanong-tanongakosamgakaibiganmo, kaklase,magingsakolehiyoninyoperokabiguanlamangangnatamoko. Hindikama-kontakmulanangbakasyonkahitnaipinangakomongwalakangkaliligtaangsandalinahindiikwentosaakin pagbalikmo. Heto,naghihintayako: Namarinigangbosesmo Namabatidangmgakwentongbaonmo Namatitigankangmuli Naipangakomoulitangwagasatdalisaymongpagsintaparasaakin. Peronasaankana?naghihintayako.Naghihintaynasambitinmongmulinamahalmoako.Nangungulilaakosamgaiyon. Heto,nagtataka bakitako.“Ipinagkasundo”…ba?Gaanobakabigatsainyoangsalitang“pagkakasundo”? AtHetoako.Bulagta. KafirisasequeltoastorypublishedinBagwislastacademicyearcalledTandong.
contents 1 Cover 2 Editor'sNote 7 SaPunongMangga OquendoJaysonDavid[Fiction] 3 Kafir&Sabik BernasolJohnDoren[FlashFiction] 11 LihamParaSa’yo YabesBrylleJasper[Essay] 5 TheAuthor SomodioMayEden[Fiction] 10 Yesterday’sLove UlandayAngelaNorie[Essay] 4 LapizMaeTresSharlene[Fiction] 9 BedofBabel CapiñanesMarkJade[Fiction] 6 LantadnaKaluluwa RabiaRoseJenny[Fiction] 13 Creed kaylapit;OquendoJaysonDavidLeakingThroatMichaelJohnOtanesKaylayoayKaylapitaykaylayoWinaDelaRamaGonzales 12 Passion OquendoCapiñanesMarkJadeLongestNightJaysonDeodorRainCloudsDavidJayson
Hugot,byitsverydefinition,istheactofpullingoutsomethingfromdeepwithin. ToFilipinosofthenewmillennium,itisopeninguponeselfbybringingintothelightemotionsand thoughtsburiedinthedeepestrecessesofourminds,hearts,andsouls. Thisyear'sBagwisLiteraryFolio,aptlythemed"Hugot",shallexplorethethoughtsonlyourselvesknow of.Itshallshowdreamswewisheduponstars.Itshalltellofhopesweweretooafraidtospeakoutloud lesttheyvaporizeinthinairandoffearsthatkeptusupatnight.Thisfolioisaboutthestoriesofthemil lennialstheycallmembersoftheworstgeneration,kasidinadaannatinlahatsahugot. Flipthroughthepagesofthisfolioandindulgeinthefiction,prose,andpoetryoftheMSUanmillenni al.ThestoriesandpoemsarefrombothBagwisStaffandStudent JaysonOquendo,Editor-In-Chief byEricksonCauyao
editor'snote CoverArt
Contributors. David
andMamertoHerreraIII
