Tadâ-Tadâ (SCIENTIA Literary Folio Volume 15, Issue 1) by Bicol University Scientia

tadâ-tadâ

scientia

about the cover Basahon mo ining samuyang mga istorya asin tula. Nini, Nunoy, dae mo paglipungan kun pano ka tigsala. Sa kada tataramon binuhos an dugo asin luha. Ibukas an saimong mga mata sa mga natada.

the official school publication of bicol unviersirty college of science

volume 15 issue 1

Literary Heads on Poems and Stories: Lorenzo John Flestado, John Lester Opeña | Literary Head on Graphics: Lory Rose Cagampang |Literary Head on Design: Erwin Jim Seludo

foreword tadâ-tadâ P. \ ta-dâ-ta-dâ\

What’s left for the Filipinos after Duterte Administration?

Tadâ-tadâ is a collection of poems, short stories, and artworks that exposes the leftovers of President Rodrigo Duterte’s divisive administration as his term comes to a close. It serves as a reminder that President Duterte’s government was centered on his personal needs, political agenda, personal operations, and the perpetuation of his brand. Civil society is left to fend for itself in the pangs of Duterte’s broken promise to improve the Filipino people’s quality of life by eradicating corruption, illegal drugs, social injustice, political dynasties, and judicial reforms. The adversarial administration has failed. Corruption is at an all-time high, surpassing that of previous decades. Instead of being restorative, the war on drugs proved to be destructive and detrimental. Systemic inequality and social injustice are at worst. Political dynasties are now more entrenched than they have ever been. The majority of spending was utilized to further patronage politics. Government’s concerns neglected social development and social welfare. Prioritizing militarization than health solutions, covid response has put the country far from flattening the curve. Duterte has made the Philippines plummet to an all time low. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to recoup from whatever that is left. Now, sip the tea and stay on the edge of your seat as Scientia serves you the reason for the outcry of the underserved Filipino people — the Tada Tada of Duterte Administration as a lost cause.

Cannot Be Disabled

5 I have seen the unknown And feared the strange Awakened for the future Journalism being attacked Truth cuts your eyelids What do you see? Six feet ground hole That’s deep I can go Would you go or fight? Behind parallel fenced-off space Lips are stitched Suppression screams Poster showed bail No warrant arrest What’s assigned to me? Prepare for worst I look at the ceiling The sky is darkening Turned to my sides Oppressive wall builds A bird is keen Stalks and observes But less is now seen Caged behind bars I am infuriated My wings are clipped And feet are chained But I have mouth to sing Philippines proved it Democracy rapidly crumbled They slit my throat But the truth is already on paper I looked at others No longer blind My hands can make The reality-based on facts Others sing it, too No fear in heart For all uncertainty I am the warning Our tune be heard From near to distant We are the birds And all birds sing freedom I shall never rest For my inheritance Winning the battle Freedom of press falsedot moon sketch

6 Ako ay may kwento tungkol sa dalawang kawani ng gobyerno – ang isa’y nasa senado at ang isa’y nasa munisipyo. Parehong mautak, maalam, at nakapag-aral sa magandang pamantasan. Yung isa nga’y nanguna pa sa bar exam at yung isa’y nagmula sa pamilyang mayaman. Ang alam ng lahat, tungkulin nila’y kanilang ginagampanan. Nang biglang, nagkaro’n ng malaking kaganapan Kaya ang tunay nilang kulay ay naisiwalat. Ganito nga ang nangyari – Yung senador ay nagpasuri Kung positibo siya sa covid, Dahil siya’y nakitaan ng sintomas ng sakit. Sa panahong dapat siya’y nakaquarantine, Aba’y lumabas pa’t nagpunta sa isang ospital sa Makati, Sinamahan ang asawang manganganak na, Parehong araw nalaman na positibo ang resulta. Eto namang alkalde, Pinahintulutan ang pag-operate Ng mga traysikel sa Pasig Para sa mga health workers at kung may emergency. Ganun nga ang ginawa ng dalawa – magkaibang magkaiba, Yung isa’y ginawa lamang ang tama Habang yung isa’y inisip lang ang sarili niya. Gayunpaman, yung tama ang kinondena At yung mali ang isinawalang-bahala. #kokompassion daw sa senador, warning naman galing NBI para kay mayor. Naturingan pa man ding mambabatas Ngunit nakalabag ng dalawang Republic Act– RA 1132 at 11469, hindi man lang pinaimbestigahan. Ngayon, may tanong ako– Paano nilabag ang batas na hindi pa batas? Masasabi ba nating ang sistema natin ay patas? Kung ang hustisya’y mailap sa politiko? Ang kwentong ito Ay naglahad lamang ng pangyayaring totoo. Dapat alam ng bawat Pilipino kung sino ang tama, at karapat-dapat maging idolo. inkvincible Prima Facie

Simpatya at hustisya

ako si

Pilipa

Ako si Pilipa, isang babaeng maharlika, ubod ng ganda at mala-porselana ang balat. Ako ay namumukod-tangi sa lahat ng kababaihan sa amin. Ngunit lingid sa iyong kaalaman, ako ay minaltrato, pinagmalupitan, at inabuso. Akala ko no’ng una, kapag ang babae ay may respeto sa sarili, maayos magdamit, kinagigiliwan ng karamihan ay hindi na kailangan pang hingiin ang respetong nararapat para sa kanya. Kung tutuusin nga wala akong kailangan gawin kasi ako ay isang tao, ako ay isang babaeng nararapat na irespeto. Ngunit bakit parang buong buhay ko hindi ko naranasang gano’n itrato? Apat kami sa aming pamilya: si tatay, dalawa kong kuya, at ako na nag-iisang babae. Ang aking tatay ay si Digong, ang aking nakatatandang kapatid naman ay sina Bong at Harry. Mahal na mahal sila ng aming mga ka-barangay dahil sa kanilang katapangan. Wala silang kinatatakutan, ultimo ang Santo Papa at ang Diyos ay kinakalaban. Sila ang sumumpang mangangalaga at poprotekta sa akin dahil daw ako ay perlas ng aming tahanan. At bilang ako pa noon ay isang walang muwang na bata, inasahan ko at pinanghawakan ang kanilang mga sumpa. Ngunit habang tumatagal ang lahat ng kanilang sinumpa ay nawala na lang na parang bula. Si tatay at ang aking kuya ay galit na galit sa aming kapitbahay na si Tiyo Jesse dahil kilala raw siya sa aming lugar na gumagamit ng ipinagbabawal na gamot. “Nako, kapag iyan talaga ay nakita ko rito sa bahay, papatayin ko iyan!” ani ni tatay. “Tama iyan ‘tay! Dapat lang na mawala ang mga taong ganyan sa mundo”, dagdag ni Kuya Bong. “Isumbong mo na kaya ‘tay sa mga pulis? Tutal kapag ikaw na ang nagsalita ay siguradong susundin nila kahit walang

ebidensya na makuha”, pagmumungkahi ni Kuya Harry. Kinabukasan, nakita na lang namin ang bangkay ni Tiyo Jesse na nakahilata sa kaniyang paboritong duyan na may hawak na isang pakete ng shabu. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nangyari ‘yon sa kanya dahil sa pagkakaalam ko at ng pamilya niya ay hindi talaga siya gumagamit ng droga. Sa katunayan, siya ay maituturing na huwarang ama sa kanyang pamilya. Pero pulis na ang nagsabi eh, lagi naman silang tama…siguro. Nagpatuloy ang patayan sa mga taong inaakalang gumagamit ng droga sa aming lugar. Palaging sinasabi ng mga pulis na ang mga pinatay ay nanlaban at talagang gumagamit ng droga. Ngunit taliwas ito sa mga isinasabi ng bawat pamilyang nakakita ng pangyayari na hindi umano diretsehang pinaslang ang mga mahal nila sa buhay. Sa mga pangyayaring iyon, nabalot ng takot ang lahat ng tao sa aming lugar dahil baka sila ay mapag-initan ng mga matang sabik sa patayan. Makalipas ng ilang taon at ako ay nagdadalaga na, maraming kalalakihang Pilipino ang umaakyat ng ligaw sa akin sapagkat ako raw ay maganda at may perpektong hugis ng katawan. Bilang babae, tinanggap ko ang aking mga manliligaw. Ngunit ayaw sa kanila ng aking tatay at mga kuya dahil papaano raw ang aking buhay sa kanila? Wala silang kapera-pera. Isang araw ay may dumalaw na isang binatang maputi at tia lumaki sa ibang bansa. Siya ay si Xi Jinping, isang mayamang Tsino na nagbabakasyon sa aming lugar. Nakita niya raw ako habang siya ay nasa bakasyon at siya ay nabighani nang husto sa aking kagandahan. Si tatay at sina kuya ay wala nang pag-aalinlangang pang hinatak ako at pinayakap sa Tsinong hindi ko naman mahal at inaangkin lamang ako. Lumipas ang ilang araw habang ako ay nasa piling ni Xi Jinping, ang aking mala-porselanang balat ay nabitak at nagkaroon ng maraming pasang kasingkulay ng usok na

ibinubuga ng pabrika sa Tsina. Siya ay isang mapang-abusong at mapag-angking kasintahan. Nagpatuloy ang pang-aabuso sa’kin hanggang sa ako ay magkaroon ng dalawang anak na si Pilipino at si Pilipina. Ayoko sa kanya simula’t sa simula pa lang, pero ang aking tatay at mga kuya ay nakakakuha ng pera mula sa kanya kaya’t kahit anong gawin niya sa’kin ay wala lang sila. Wala silang ginawa, hindi man lang nila ako pinaglaban at prinotektahan. Sa kagustuhan kong makawala sa kanyang hawla, mas lalo niyang hinihigpitan ito at isinasara. At magpasa hanggang ngayon ay tinitiis ko pa rin ang kalupitan ng aking Tsinong kasintahan kasama ang aking mga anak. Kailangan ko silang protektahan laban sa kanilang mapang-abusong ama bilang kanilang ina. Kung hindi lang sana ako ipinamigay ng sarili kong ama at kung ipinaglaban niya lamang ako laban sa mapangabuso at mapang-angking Tsino, hindi sana ako naghihirap ng ganito at hindi sana napupuno ng takot si Pilipina at Pilipino. Hanggang kailan kaya ako maghihirap sa kamay nila? Hanggang kailan kaya ang aking mga anak na si Pilipino at Pilipina ay mawawalan ng takot? At hanggang kalian kaya muling kikinang ang nagmumukod-tanging perlas ng tahanan? semicologne Prima Facie

farewell

comrade

It’s been years since he first entered the camp to train. Before that, he was merely dreaming to serve his country through the only thing he can. His parents were overjoyed by his decision then. “I’m so proud of you anak, matutulungan mo ang ating bansa.” This only gave him nothing but pride and confidence. Now, he is a man turned soldier. The camp changed him and made him stronger and smarter. It is now his turn to protect those we hold most dear. It was a shock to everyone when their commanding officer announced that they will be deployed in the far reaches of the country to combat a deadly force set up by atrocious rebels. They thought this conflict ended long ago, but unbeknownst to them, the rebels were only getting ready for a bigger battle. These rebels will stop at nothing to prove that they deserve their government that they do not need to cling to what was established years ago by the now dead and so-called leaders of the land. For months they were filled with nothing but fear and anxiety. These rebels can attack anytime. But no matter what, they need to stand their ground. They thought this war was never going to end – that there was where they will draw their last breath. Fortunately, all they can hear now is the loud noise coming from the chopper’s blade, bringing them away from the aftermath of what is now a concluded battle. But no, the battle is still alive within them. All the deaths and horrors they witnessed marked their souls with a curse – one that is not easily broken. Months have passed already since then, but he is still not the same man his parents knew before he went camping. “Ano ba nangyari sayo totoy at nagkaganito ka?” – These were the words of his mother as she was staring at the blank face of his only son. The war changed him; this she did not know. One day, his mother was woken up by the screams from outside. “Wag mo saktan yan, baliw lang yan!” “Wala ako pakialam!” She went out of her room to check on her son but he is not in the house. She started worrying and screaming his name. “Totoy!! Totoy nasan ka?!” She decided to ask her neighbors if they saw her son but even before she can, she was stopped in her tracks. There was a gunshot. The next she knew was her neighbors calling her. “Jenna yung anak mo binaril ng mga pulis!” Everyone was powerless then. All they can do is watch a wailing mother holding her son in his arms. The horrors he faced, the trauma he endured, the friends he lost, and the life that was broken – after everything he went through to protect his country, no one would have thought that he will be put down by his comrade, the people he protected. SoyTiSoy Prima Facie

duality of man tenth, I wonder how you wished it wasn’t me, You said I can do better ninth, And my name wasn’t called, You think I’ll end up higher eight, Remember how it really was, I’m afraid to remain at dust seventh, I knew I did best, I’m just hanging on to the process sixth, My name rings no sound, As the claps and screams go loud The latter and the rest, Are winners with no doubt And my name rings no sound fifth The rank goes lower, As the goal becomes higher fourth I began to become hopeless And hopeful, and helpless third Inside of you is a selfish, Little envy devil, celebrating for My loss and demise second But I won, I triumphed once more And how you wished it wasn’t me First rubio Whybe

powerful but not superhero “Excuse me sir, how much is this?”, my mother asked the street vendor. She’s always doing that because she believes that through her small act, she can help the vendor. “Ma’am, you can have this, I bought extra goods and I think these are more than enough for me and my son. So, you can have this.”. My mom gave some of the extra goods to the street peddler she bought from the street vendor. And as soon as we arrive home, she became my mother. “Son! It’s time to eat. I’ve cooked your favorite food” That’s my mother. Maybe she’s an ordinary woman for others but she’s an extraordinary mother for me. She doesn’t have power but she can be a superhero on her own. “Mom! I want to have a power, I also want to be a superhero, I want to protect the weak ones”, I told my mom. “Son, always remember not all heroes need power and not all who have power are heroes”, she answered. My innocent mind doesn’t understand what she means. “Who do you think you are?” I heard a man’s voice while waiting for my mom. Out of curiosity, I stepped out of the house then to my surprise I saw a man arguing with my mother. I’ve turned on my phone and recorded the scene. “You’re just literally no one”, the man said. The man grabbed my mother’s hair, “Do you know who I am? I have the power and I can erase you in just one shot”. “Sir, please don’t!”, my mother said. All I can hear is the mercy from her voice. “Baaang!” I heard a gunshot. Afterward, I saw my mother lying down on the ground, soaked in her own blood. Now, I understand what she said before. Indeed, not all who possessed powers are superheroes some are horrendous beings. I wonder, I wonder how many children lost their parents or how many parents lost their children because of those who are in power. The one who has power must be the one who protects the weak ones, that’s what I thought, however, it is different from reality. Writear Whybe

West Philippine Sea Chronicles Tinigsik ko an satuyang mga asul na dagat, Mga magayunon, dakul nagpapadangat. Pinag-aaragawan nin mga haraning nasyon, Dakul kayang yaman asin dikit pa ang polusyon. Tinigsik ko ang ilegal na pagtugdok nin isla asin istraktura, Patagong ginibo kan mga dakulang barko asin traktora. Naperwisyo ang mga sira asin ang dakol na yaman nin kadagatan Ang satuyang mga lider, turog-turog pa sa pansitan. Tinigsik ko an mga parabanwit asin parasisira, Daing dakop ta naenotan nin mga barkong darakula Sinda pigtatakot, pigdadaog-daog sana, Wara kalaban-laban nagkataralsot na baga. Tinigsik ko ining satuyang gobyerno, Sa laban sa korte internasyunal nanggana man kuno. Pero dae man piglaban su karapatan nin mga Pilipino, Biyu na lamang nagkulog an sakuyang sintido. Tinigsik ko ang mga opisyales na mga bungug asin buta, Baga pipabayaan ang mga nangyayari, lintian sana baga. Dae nag aaksyon ta sinda daw satuyang kabarkada, Tamiling pinautang nin dakulun na kwarta. Tinigsik ko ang an satuyang mga dagat, Magagayunon dakul nagpapadangat. Pero mantang untukon kita sa pagkaturog pagkabanggi, Igwang diit diit, nagkakamkam, minaharani. Tinigsik ko ining istorya, Dai mo ini paghaliun sa saimong memorya. Ini pirmi mong tandaan, Dagat mo, dagat ko, dagat ta iyan. artickle moon sketch

Junjun “’Nay, saan tayo kukuha ng makakain mamaya?” iyan ang tanong na araw-araw maririnig sa loob ng bahay nina Jun-Jun. Itong si Jun-Jun ang tinatawag na breadwinner ng pamilya. Sa sampung magkakapatid siya lang ang pinalad makapagaral sa isang kilalang pamantasan. Ito ay dala na rin ng paghihirap at sakripisyo ng kanyang mga magulang at ng kanyang siyam na ate at kuya. Si “bunso”, ayon sa kaniyang mga kapatid, ang nakikita nilang pag-asa ng kanilang pamilya upang maranasan ang sarap ng buhay na nakikita nila palagi sa bayan kapag sama-sama silang pupunta isang beses sa isang buwan. Ngunit ngayon, hindi sila magkakasama sama. Habang si JunJun, si nanay, at ang walo niyang kapatid ay naghihintay sa kanilang tahanan, si tatay ay nakikipagsapalaran sa bayan upang makakuha ng pansamantalang trabaho. Minsan kargador, minsan basurero, at minsan naman tsuper ng dyip. Swerte nalang kung mabigyan siya ng trabaho lalo na sa panahon ngayon. Itong sakripisyong ito ay ginagawa lamang ng kanyang tatay dahil kailangan nitong makabili ng gamot para sa kapatid ni Jun-Jun na mayroong cerebral palsy. Ang kapatid niyang ito ay hirap kumilos at magsalita kaya kailangan na kailangan nitong makainom ng gamot kung hindi mapipilitan silang lumuwas ng maynila upang mapaospital ito sakaling makadarama na naman ito ng pananakip ng dibdib. Habang nasa labas si Jun-Jun at ang kanyang kapatid na namamarati lamang sa isang munting silya, napasigaw ito nang makita ang tatay na naglalakad sa pilapil nang malawak na palayan na pagmamay-ari ng supladang hasyendera na tinatawag nilang Madam Dragon. Mula sa ngiti at sayang

makikita sa mukha ni Jun-Jun, napalitan ito ng kalituhan at lungkot nang makitang walang dala dala ang kanyang tatay. “Ayos lang ho yan ‘Tay. Subukan nalang ulit natin bukas” ayon kay Jun-Jun. “’Nay, saan tayo kukuha ng makakain mamaya?” mga salitang narinig mula sa bibig ni ate na tila naluluha na. Si ate ang unang breadwinner ng pamilya bago pa nagkolehiyo si JunJun. Nakapagtapos siya ng isang taon sa kolehiyo pero sa kasamaang palad, nabuntis ito. Hanggang ngayon, ang alam ni nanay at tatay ay iniwan si ate ng kanyang kasintahan sa istasyon ng bus nang pauwi sila sa bahay dito sa palayan. Pero lingid sa kanilang kaalaman, produkto ng karahasan ang munting anghel ni ate. Ngayong gabi, inaasahang matutulog sila na walang laman ang tiyan. Ilang araw na rin ang lumipas bago ang huling ayuda galing sa gobyerno. Ngunit ang lungkot sa mukha ni Jun-Jun ay nabura nang makita niya ang kaniyang kaibigan. Itong kaibigan ni Jun-Jun ay volunteer ng kanilang komunidad na namamahagi ng ayuda galing sa gobyerno. Swerte! May makakain sila ngayong gabi. Pero, hindi lang ito ang dahilan kung bakit lubos ang tuwa ni Jun-Jun nang makita ang kanyang kaibigan. Magkakaroon na din siya ng pagkakataon na makakuha ng balita tungkol kanyang eskwela. Dala na rin ng sobrang kahirapan, ni isa sa kanilang pamilya ay walang telepono, o “smartphone” ayon kay JunJun. Kinakailangan pang pumunta ng bayan o makihiram sa mga mas nakaaangat upang makagamit nito. Nag-online sa facebook at messenger si Jun-Jun upang makibalita sa

kanyang mga kaklase. Laking gulat niya nang mabalitaan na tuloy ang kanilang klase pero online na. Ilang linggo na rin nang huling makapagonline si Jun-Jun kaya naipon na ang kanyang mga gawain. Hindi na rin siya nakapagreply dahil nagmamadali na din ang kanyang kaibigan. Kinabukasan, kinailangan sumama ni JunJun sa kanyang tatay na pumuslit ng bayan dahil sa takot na ibagsak ng kanyang mga propesor sa pamantasan kung hindi ito makapasa ng requiements. Magagawa niya lamang ito kung maswerteng makakuha ng trabaho ang kanyang tatay. Mangangalahati na ang araw nang biglang bigyan si JunJun ng kanyang tatay ng isang daang piso para makapagkompyuter at makapag-online. “’Tay, paano ang gamot ni kuya?” pagaalala ni JunJun. Huwag na daw isipin sabi ni tatay. Mahaba pa naman ang araw. Matapos ang ilang oras, natapos na din ni JunJun ang kanyang requirements. Salamat sa isang daang piso na bigay ni tatay, hindi na ibabagsak si Jun-Jun ng kanyang mga propesor. Ang saya na ito ni Jun-Jun ay napalitan ng lungkot nang makita ang tatay na namamalimos sa tabi ng daan. “’Tay anong ginagawa niyo? Ba’t kayo namamalimos?” malungkot na tanong ni JunJun. Lingid sa kanilang kaalaman, iyong isang isangdaang piso lang pala ang kaisa-isang swerte sa araw na ito. Lubos na nakaramdam ng galit at pagkakasala si JunJun. Aniya, mas gugustuhin niya pang mabagsak sa walang pusong online class na yan kesa magpatuloy pa ang paghihirap ng kanyang kapatid. Nung sumunod na araw, isang malakas na sigaw ang narinig mula sa kanilang bahay. Nagising si JunJun sa lamig ng katawan ng kanyang kapatid. Isang kubang bangkay na kulay ubas ang bumungad sa kaniyang mga magulang na dali-daling pumasok sa kwarto. Dali-dali nila itong nilabas upang dalhin sa ospital sa Maynila. Alam ni Jun-Jun na wala na itong saysay, wala na ang kanyang kapatid. Sakto bago lumabas ng bahay si Jun-Jun, tinawag siya ng kanyang kaibigan. “Jun-Jun, hindi ka naka-logout sa cellphone ko. May bago raw kayong requirements sabi nung ma’am mo.” Tinignan nalang niya yung cellphone ng kanyang kaibigan sabay alis kasama ng kanyang mga magulang. “Kung walang online class, sana buhay pa kapatid ko ngayon.” SoyTiSoy illustrious Makinami

mirror Child, you are remembered by date of birth. But like Herod, with blood, he stained his crown. His holy grail’s unholy at all wounded many souls. Now a marker commemorates eternal slumber.

Innocents cried, compelled, and polished a stone. A mirror memory unveiled a cracked down plan, Serves not only the gunned down 17-aged lamb, But Friday, August 18 uncovers the nation’s hole. One. Two. Three. Four days noted he’s one of the 81. Extra! Extra! Extra! Special issue of the news: Outbreak of war in Metro Manila exists. Thousands, the figure counts, the lion made the kill. Preyed to provide for its overinflated pride. Mauled the family’s heart, left them paralyzed. Left behind calls for justice, but suffocated, With jaws clamped around their throat. Grief to who calls addicts ‘non-humans’. Shame to who says the sick deserves death. Dishonor to who broods over life’s injustice. Guilt to who obeys unlawful orders blindly. Distress to who plants evidence to justify murder. Humiliation to who claims to wage war but kills the victim. Regret to who pledges to save the lost but ends them. Conscience haunts and strangles people on the bed. What claim is worthier than care for the future? If morrow reflects ending up dead on the street alley, Then I shall not grab this inheritance, For I am not like a one-strike matchstick. falsedot illustrious Makinami

a promising young man

“You are headed to a bright future, son,” my grandfather said as he firmly places his hand on my shoulder and nods, seemingly expecting me to affirm what those words hold. I watch him walk back to his desk and pour another glass of whiskey, potentially the third one by noon; then goes about his usual day of answering business calls. It is not the first time I’ve heard that phrase uttered. Quite frankly, it’s a recurring conversation with my mother’s acquaintances the minute she presents me at social gatherings, even during my personal scholarly meetings with the university chancellor, and my trainer wouldn’t be caught excluded from imparting such drive in one of his motivational speeches. My father once told me that men of my stature are required to be nothing short of excellence. We must transcend great heights, all the while maintaining our debonair. Albeit the normalcy of these situations, there are still instances that would leave me nonplussed; when I least expect to encounter the hackneyed words. One of those moments was just yesterday. I watched them flow ever so calculated from our family lawyer’s mouth, somehow, I understand that it bears a different weight. “No worries. The incident has been dealt with in a clandestine manner. We don’t want such contentious accusations spreading around town.” “And the girl?”, I asked. “Well, let’s just say that her concerns had been pacified. I made it clear that her words have no merit. As such, pushing charges would be futile. A witness support can hardly help, however that option is also nonviable in her case. I mean, who would ever condone a collegian, a supposed lady at that, indulging in alcohol late at night? She failed to hold herself accountable of ostentatious behavior, enough to be an incentive to destroy your name.” So here I am, standing bewildered in my grandfather’s office, after having a kindred discussion. Something tells me it is no introductory to our lawyer handling enormities of the like. He is adept at protecting bright futures akin to mine. Even my own friends remained unencumbered with my disclosure. Naturally, we are all promising young men. humanwrites illustrious Makinami

Limang bulan ang nakaagi Kang nagpuon an bayrus sa Wuhan. Ini daa hale sa paniki, Nata pano ginibong sinabawan? Magpuon kaito, naaraman na sa bareta Kadakol nang Intsik ang nagherelang Maski bako singkit naolakitan na, Dae nariparo, madalion makagadan. “Mag-travel ban na kita!” kurahaw kan iba, Ang sabi man ni Panelo, “Wara kitang iba-ban ta dae man sinda madigdi” Pero nagrekomenda si DOH Sec. Duque na pwede na Kaya kinaagahan, nag-travel ban na baga sa mga Intsik. Katapusan kang Enero, nagkaigwa na nin kaso digdi sato Nagpoon sa sarong positibo, hanggang sa nadagdagan pa. Kang enot, kampante pa su gobyerno asin mga tawo, Dae kaipuhan maghadit ta diit pa man sana daa. Su numero kan kaso, mabibilang pa sa muro, Dae nguna mahandal, “everything’s under control” Paglihis ki sarong bulan, nagi nang gatos dangan ribo, Bakong sigeng dakol, dae man sanang nakapugol. Marso a-kinse, nagpuon na ang lockdown, Maigot na pinagibo ang community quarantine, “All forms of transit via air, land, and sea will be banned; Stay home, wear a mask, and observe social distancing.” Mientras tanto, nagadagdag man gilayon ang kaso, lagpas sais sientos na an mga nagadan Ngoniang Mayo, marikas nang uminabot sa sampulong ribo ang positibo, Halos dos mil man sa satong health workers an naapektaran. Grabe na ang danyos kaining pandemya, Dakol nang nagadan, dakol pang nawaran nin trabaho Nagsarado an mga negosyo, nagluya an ekonomiya, Mag-mayaman mag-pobre, gabos man apektado. “Mass testing! Mass testing!” an kurahaw kan masa Pero garu dae man baga nadadangog kan nasa gobyerno, Su makusog na kurahaw, ing-ing sana sa sainda? Kaya man gayud warang mailatag na konkretong plano. Makaheherak na ining nangyayari sa kinaban, Dae mang nagmawot, pero pwedeng mabago Kun maggibo nin matanos ang mga nasa katongdan, Magiging marhay na liwat an buhay kan mga tawo. inkvincible teaahgou

himatea an kurahaw kan banwa

hear us out

Days for her have always been the same. Like a cycle. Like the earth revolving around the sun, constant. Like the changing of the seasons, repetitive. She woke up early in the morning. She did the household chores and ate breakfast. She opened her laptop, joined the Google meet, and tried to focus on the lesson as she hushed her baby brother to sleep. She was called for graded recitation and in the middle of giving her answer, the electric fan turned off. While eating lunch and helping her sister with her module, she received a message from her classmate saying she got no points in the recitation. Her hands sweat and her eyes lost focus. She washed the dishes after. She received a notification in Google classroom. “Prepare for our exam later. Make sure you have a stable internet connection because there will be no special exam.” How? While taking the exam, as she clicked the next button, the image she does not want to see showed up, the dinosaur. She messaged her professor, explaining what happened, begging for consideration. As she waits for her reply, her heart beats faster. She started tapping her feet and she bites her nails. After she ate dinner, she stood up and her sight went blurry. Her mother who just went home from work asked her if she’s okay and helped her balance herself. Before she slept, she opened her social media accounts. She read the screams of students that also speak what she has in her mind. She read news of students who decided to end their suffering in the way she does not want to end up to. And she thought to herself, are the students’ cries not loud enough for them to hear us? Or are they just acting deaf because it does not concern them? She turned off her phone and the rain in her clouds fell. She tried to sleep as tomorrow; she’ll fight the same battle again. Again, and again, until the semester ends. coldsprite moon sketch

Years passed by, I am now called Not gratuity, but a duty to serve the world My lovely young daughter, crying all over as I waved my hand Don’t know if I would come back home as I save the land

DEAR LEILA

As I drove in the silence of ghost-town street I felt that the enemy was around, shaking my feet Knelt on hospital church and prayed Concentrated strength may dwell on me I was like seven, not skilled like I used to Every experience I had suddenly vanished through Couldn’t take off my eyes as we went without a screen From the first step, I already knew I won’t win My colleagues slowly lost their battles in front of my eyes Paralyzed morale as the hope started to die My patients were breathing through smoke I couldn’t pay any single look I was exiled from my rental room And it painted my mind with extreme gloom People treated us like untouchables Where the truth, we are the real capable And the next day, how ironic it was I survived the sleepless nights, no-pays months; I survived the deadliest academic tests Yet only a tiny hostile put me on rest My lovely Leila Please be kind to your Yaya Carla I won’t be seeing you growing anymore You’ll not be hearing my doorsteps on the floor Your Papa’s not a hero, he’s a prey Sent in a circus of fires, and swayed Bullet of red-eyed man when he has no words left Screaming amid cruelty but he played deaf Don’t believe on the news front page Telling we had given a good wage Telling we are taken care of From start, we had been prepared as loafs Tell your compatriot to always dig the verity That we were armors of ruler’s incompetency Tell your compatriot to always remember this day Don’t be blind to what they will say le chatelier Straytalk

ML Bang! Bang!

‘NANLABAN’ At a street in Bagsakan, Divisoria, a boy called out to his mom, “Nay! Nay! Tingnan mo akong maglaro.” “Welcome to Mobile Legends! Five seconds till the enemy reaches the battlefield, smash them! All troops deployed!” The phone sounded as the game initiated. His mother approached as he continued playing. “First Blood!” “Launch Attack!” “You have slain an enemy!” “Savage!” “Victory!” She looked at her son and told him, “‘wag mong laruin ‘yan, masyadong bayolente, anak.” “Gusto kong maging si Clint paglaki ko, Ma.” He replied. “Sinong Clint ‘yang pinagsasasabi mo?” “Basta po basahin mo na lang yung kwento niya, Ma.” After years, the schoolboy reached the fourth stage of man. He would sometimes joke on his mother, “Nay! Nay! Harap sa pader, itaas ang kamay.” “Ganyan ba ang tinuro sainyo?” His mom asked sarcastically. “Tangina! Basta uubusin ko yang adik at pusher.” He answered with vulgarity. The phone suddenly rang, chiefly called, “a raid operation in Asuncion Street, all troops are requested for backup, I repeat, request backup.” So, he responded to the command as he’s living near the target. All suspected addicts and pushers were arrested. “Wala naman po kaming ginagawang masama.” They pleaded. Unexpectedly, one got loosened, a punch was thrown. “Shoot him! Shoot him!” Out of initial response, the cops shouted. “Bang bang! Bang bang!” An unintentional discharge occurred. After settling the crime scene, he went home. The next morning, the news shocked Tondo as the street was flooded with gossips about a child raised by a single-parent mom. While the talk of the district was at home watching, a news announcer on TV reported, “Umano’y pusher, patay nang manlaban.” “Ma, ako nakabaril sa kanya.” The young police said. The mother burst into tears and uttered, “siya ang tatay mo, anak. Si Clint ka na ba?” falsedot teaahgou

from the people to thyself I remember how you used to tell me things about the promises that you swore to save. It runs day & night, it flashes ‘til my very grave. Neither of us knew how it would turn, and so we trusted you. Only to learn that you’re saving yourself from hell; to ascend from the grounds of ashes and see us no less than like dirty trashes. Once you said that you’ll court us forever to give us the promised heaven. But you never even averted your gaze when we were chilling to the breeze of cold nights and sweltering to the rays, not of hopes but of the sun that ropes our demise. You said to serve us ‘til your very last breathe, profane to the brethren of your past lest to outlast and be powerless, you serve yourself and forget the rest. rubio We nadrose

papa’s power Growing in the fangs of poverty, I was always told to follow orders and never ask anything about what the authority is telling us to do. For our family, it’s my father – the authority. Mama said that papa once told her all the promises that people could have ever imagine. Bright and safe places and everything that enables a person to wouldn’t say ‘no’. They were happy… until our family got bigger and bigger each year. “Angelo, how much did you retail today? Hurry up and give me the money.” Papa asked me as I enter our shanty house made of woods and old tarpaulins most of it was the election campaign materials of the politicians that we saw on the junkyard just days after the elections. I gave him the money instantly without having a little bit of rest. He threw an empty look and then suddenly his face darken as his angry expression generated fear in my system. “67 pesos?” he said with his deep and manly voice. I don’t know how much the amount really was, I wasn’t able to get an education and my mother is busy enough on the streets selling rags made of pieces of thrown garments to the jeepney drivers. He beat me black and blue until he got tired yelling all the curse words he knew for the last years of his existence and then left me lying on the floor to get himself a cold beer at Aling Nita’s store. I thought I was dead just until Mama embraced me. I felt her tears as it falls on my face. “I’m sorry Angelo, Mama’s late,” Mama said while crying. Whenever I went home earlier than Mama, Papa oftentimes does the same beating until he got tired. This usually happens when I sold fewer sticks

of cigarettes and pieces of candies than he expected. I counted the wounds and bruises Mama treated today, 11, or at least that’s the highest number I could count. I wonder what happened to the promises that Papa gave. Once, in our supper, he told us to work and follow his orders for our family and as we do what he wishes, he’ll try not to hurt us at least. I guess, we’ll work for him and live our lives in the slums ‘til the end. No one ever opposes Papa. I remember when Kuya Nick tried to answer Papa’s question politely, he was automatically sent to the ground as a strong punch landed on his face. Since then, no one has ever tried to utter a single word in front of him – of course except for Mama, she’s gotten used to the beatings that she became numb of the slaps, punches, and curses. *** Pondering on the busy streets of Manila, I wonder what’s wrong with our family. Was it the dozen and two children? Our status quo? Or the power that Papa forcefully claimed? While selling the usual cigarettes and candies, I asked myself, what if I was also born with a golden spoon. No, even just silver. Or maybe, what if I was also born with privileges? Even only fewer than my fingers. Two or three will do. I wonder what must have been my life if I wasn’t born in the slums. Would the abusive and hurtful powers of Papa still exist? Or will we live happily like a normal family? Things are getting stuffed and getting out of hand as I join the streets of impostors, deceivers, and devils. On my way to the usual place, I noticed the number of people passing by is twice or thrice than yesterday – Sunday. Today’s a really busy day, I supposed. If I’m lucky enough to sell extra, I wouldn’t get the usual beatings from Papa. I smiled as I cross the streets while it was full of loud vehicles eager to move. As my destination gets nearer and nearer, I felt a sudden pain in my body as a car sent me flying away from the pedestrian lane, and then I heard a loud buzzer… and felt unbearable pain while my blood is dripping from me wet. The cigarettes and candies are scattered on the road. Papa will surely get mad at me… and then I felt my tears as they began to fall from my half-opened eyes. I wonder if I shed tears because of the pain or because of Papa. No one‘s coming for me. People are really busy. I wonder where Mama and my siblings are, I need them right now. rubio Wenadrose

SiSi Troll Troll atat ang ang internet internet Bobo, bobo, bobo! Comment ko sa post ng kung sino-sino. Sa mga salitang binibitawan ako’y walang preno. Lahat pinapatulan mapabata man, lola’t lolo. Nakakatuwa ang inis at galit ng mga tao Sa mundo online ako’y nakikipag-rambulan, nakikipag-basag ulo. Pangit! Pangit! Pangit! Linalapag kong komento sa litrato ng kung sino-sino. Malulutong na salita, pinapaulan ko rito Pagkasuklam at pighati nilalabas ng mga daliri ko. Armas ko ang keyboard at galit sa puso Walang habas na mamimintas at mang-aabuso. Mura! Mura! Mura! Mga pinapadala kong chat kung kani-kanino. Magbabanta sa buhay at magbibigay ng pangamba, Mga taong sumasalungat, sa takot pinatutumba. Buong araw nakaupo at nambubulabog, Sa mundo ng social media ako’y nag-aapoy para bang sasabog. Ay tapos na ang oras ko... Ako’y lumabas sa kwartong yun at tinanggap ang aking sweldo, Dumiretso sa tindahan bumili ng bigas na isang kilo. Umuwi sa tagpi-tagping bahay sinalubong ng mga anak ko, Niyakap ang asawang nakahilatay, may sakit, para bang naghihingalo. Haaaay buhay! Isa kang napakalaking troll.

atickle Straytalk

“Tsaa, tuhod, balikat, ulo” “Oh mga suki, tsaa kayo diyan!” “ Mainit na mainit pa!s Ang matinis na boses ni Marites ang bubungad saiyo kung paparoon ka sa isang napakaingay at napakagulong palengke. Tila walang kapaguran si Marites sa pag-alok ng tsaa at sabay chika na rin sa mga napapadaan sa kanyang puwesto. Samot-saring tsaa ang iniaalok ni Marites. May berdeng tsaa para sa mga palanta na, may itim ding tsaa para sa mga hakbang ang bituka este panglinis ng bituka at mayroon ding tsaa na nilahokan ng asukal at kaunting pampalasa. Hindi ganun karami ang tumatangkilik sa tsaa ni Marites ngunit may pailan-ilan din siyang mga suki. Kaya naman ay nagkaroon siya ng promo. Katulad ng mga karaniwang marketing strategy ay handog na “free taste” ang lola mo, buy one take one din ang siste. Biglang dagsa ang mga tao, may mga makikiusyoso lang, ang iba free taste lang ang habol at mayroon ding sinamantala ang buy one take one. Libreng higop sa kahit anong klaseng tsaa, ngunit nasasayo pa rin kung bibili ka. Sa bawat pagbili ay hindi dapat makalimot na humingi ng resibo ‘pagkat nagkalat ang mga snatcher, opurtonista at mga mandurugas sa masalimuot na palengkeng ito. Nalintikan na! Ito palang si Marites ay kilala bilang mga pilit na tumatakas at nagtatago sa mga pananagutang kaakibat ng kanyang mga iniaalok. Matapos pumatok ang kanyang mga tsaa ay tila mga kabute namang nagsulputan ang mga resibo lab sa kanya. Ang walang prenong pagpilanntik ng kanyang nga ngala-ngala ay napalitan ng nakabibinging katahimikan. Hindi na rin dinig ang kanyang jingle na “tsaa, tuhod, balikat, ulo”” sa saliw ng kantang pambata na “Paa, tuhod, balikat, ulo” Mistulang mainit na tubig na ibinanli kay Marites ang kanyang mga hindi documentadong tsaa. Nangangatog ang mga tuhod, mabigat ang mga balikat at nakaykong ulo. Dama niya ang init at hapdi ng mga tingin ng mga matang tila mga hukom. Pasan niya na rin ang bigat ng mga pananagutan na pilit niyang tinatakasan. Sa magulo at maingay na palengke, may mga matang nakamatiyag at matahimik na nakamasid, may mga ilan ding kunware’y nakikihigop pa ng tsaa. Nariyan ang mga resibo na minsa’y kakampi at minsan nama’y babaliktad. Mga resibo na piping saksi sa realidad na pilit na kinukubli. Mayari Straytalk

tsaa, tuhod, balikat, ulo

buntong hininga Buntong hininga. Isang malalim na hinga bago isuot muli ang maskara. Mag-iisang taon na rin pala mula nung nagsimula ang quarantine restrictions sa buong bansa. Ganoon pa rin. Walang pagbabago. Nabago na ang laha’t-lahat mula sa kakarampot na kita ni Mang Kanor sa pagpasada niya sa jeep--- na mas naging kakarampot pa, sa limitadong oras ng paglalako ni Aling Arlene ng balut, penoy at chicharon tuwing gabi dahil sa curfew at ang pagtigil sa pagpadyak ni Kuya Cesar bunsod ng lockdowns… ngunit nanatili pa rin ang pandemya at ang maskarang proteksyon laban sa COVID-19. Maskarang nagmistulang kasangga hindi lamang laban sa sakit kundi ebidensya ng isang palpak na pamamalakad ng isang gobyernong walang maayos na hakbang sa pagtugon sa problemang kinakaharap ng masa. Buntong hininga. Naamoy mo ba ang iyong hininga sa ilalim ng maskara? Nararamdaman mo ba na tumatagtak na pawis sa iyong mukha? Tingnan mo sila. Ang nakatagong istorya ng kahirapan sa paggamit nito, naaninag mo ba? Sa mga mata nila, tingnan mo. Sa mga mata mo, alam mo. Ang hirap ng buhay sa likod ng maskarang ito. Buntong hininga. Kailan kaya makakapasada ng jeep si Mang Kanor na hindi na lang walo ang laman ng isang byahe? Kailan kaya makakapagtinda ng balut, penoy at chicharon si Aling Arlene hanggang hatinggabi? Kailan kaya makakapagpadyak muli si Kuya Cesar sa kanilang kanto hanggang sa tabi? Kailan kaya muling maaaninag ang mga mukhang hindi na lang ang mga mata ang nangungusap kundi pati na rin ang buong ngiting pag-asang bumalik sa dati ang lahat? Maria Sphenyu; prima facie

Tadâ-tadâ Sabi ni tatay tama na an makakaon ta. Tadâ-tadâ Indi magreklamo, uyan na lang an kaya san satuyang bulsa. Tadâ-tadâ Indi pag kwestyunon an saiyang mga ratsada. Tadâ-tadâ Diit na dignidad, respeto, luha, dugo asin barya na sana.

Bicol University Scientia

editorial board and staff Publication Year 2020-2021

Board of Editors | Jose Joseph Ongonion, Erwin Jim Seludo, John Lorenzo Flestado, Lory Rose Cagampang, Nomer Marco Writers| Angela Marie Salvidar, John Lester Opeña, Christian Clarenz Peralta, Angela Heinz Mae Ayana, Ron Carlo Malate, Jhuna Marie Buenaflor, Allisa Camille Ricera, Johnel Geneblazo Artists| Maria Paulene Samantha Aguilar, James Orcales ,Juena Rose Cleofe, Luna Michaela Reodique Online Content Creators| Ysa Biance De La Rama, Raiven Moran, Ainah Mari Saba Photo and Video Journalists | Spencer Bien Yu,Earl Gerald Nipas Technical Adviser|Prof. Joan-Nace Mallorca

tadâ-tadâ bicol university scientia the official school publication of bicol university college of science volume 15 issue 1 literary folio