Roots
Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief: Susanne Audrey G. Rexrodt Associate Editor: Elline Faith L. Ponce Managing Editor: Patricia Leigh Nones Gonzales News Editor: Catherine Remolleno Feature Editor: Leonard Odvina Sports Editor: Karen Kate Beltran Moderator: Ms. Fe Borneo
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S Poems Forgotten Things, Miguel Tan If Everyone Was Like Me, Ronald Borla Best friends forever, Kimberly Anne Luntao Real world, reel friends, Patricia Leigh Nones Gonzales My Princess, Melanie Palmero Battle, Krizelle Limbaga When the love is real, Karen Kate Beltran Behind the facade of fantasies, Catherine Remolleno Divine, Leonard Odvina Innocent Eyes, Ivy Grace Piamonte Gutom, John Marco Pitlo Kalsada, Elline Faith L. Ponce Candles, Krizzia Mair Diaz Nganong niinter?, John Marco Pitlo Destiny, Philine Andrea Marino Wasted love, Krizzia Mair Diaz Over yet waiting, Melanie Palmero De Javu, Catherine Remolleno Paalam, Christine Lacorda In memory of Julius, Elline Faith L. Ponce Above honor, below disgrace, Leonard Odvina Walk of life, Elline Faith L. Ponce Short Stories The Agony of waiting, Elline Faith L. Ponce Cured from dwelling in Oblivion, Miguel Tan My stranger in the dark, Catherine Remolleno EssayS Being forgotten, Montazer A. Marajan Confusion upon ourselves, Leonard Odvina A Second Look, Karen Kate Beltran Rescue me O Lord!, Kimverly Marie Uy All’s well that ends well, Honelito Gilos Gallery
Views regarding this issue will only be entertained by the TCI Editorial Board Within fifteen days upon the date of release. This copy is not for sale nor can it be reproduced without the permission of the editors and contributors.
Life maybe an enigma…
Oblivion starts the mystery…
Our reasons trigger the answer…
We make our own existence.
FOREWORD Just as we poke ourselves away from a certain crowd, we generally think of our potentials and absorb everything that is definite. We feel lonesome. We even feel anxious on how we could actually bring something astonishing behind our limited entity. There comes doubt and even shame in presenting ourselves substantially. We set failures rather than successes‌ and eventually fall into OBLIVION.. The subdued notion from oblivion brings a feeling of nothingness. In real life application, we have hidden talents which we disregard... that are yet to be discovered. We limit ourselves, to the extent of not realizing what we could actually offer. The sentiment of being unconscious strikes hard because we allow ourselves to believe in it; more, we choose to be unaware because we forego all the options, even our own potentials. To overcome these uncertainties, we have to strive a little different to change our views and constructively develop that something in us to generate our fullness and escape the negativity that covers us. Oblivion just signifies our doubts and challenges us to bring something concrete about ourselves. We are our own oblivion, thus, we are our own fullness too. We present to you this literary folio in order to set a refined approach on life’s demands. The poems, short stories, essays and artworks created by inspired minds lay down bridge that squeezes a definite transparency between obscurity and
concreteness. It regulates a better understanding behind the paradox concerning success from failures, life from limp, and fullness from nothingness. Leonard O. Odvina Literary Editor
Forgotten Things By Miguel Tan
Many things we forget day by day, For they mean nothing at all, And if memory itself cannot intake, Then so the soul even more. The shadows do not return, In the days of our youth, Yet at adulthood- cardiac burns, Returning memories without truth. Things to be angry about, According to Indian Philosophy, Determine all aloud, What is a person’s morality. Behind these such things, There lies silently, The shadows that burning, Makes us wish we sleep frequently. A returning mirage of events from today, Yesterday and glimpses of tomorrow, In our minds connect even as we pray, In a crystalline pattern within your core. They cause us to sin and come into tears, Yet they have no truth just a fictional fear, Causing us to hurt others and see only our hurt, Shall we not forget them easily as the exalted children do on earth?
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ike me l s a w one If eveldryBorla a
By Ron
ke me rld was li o w e th r serenity e in If everyon o longer struggle fo ce, nor war n ean Then we’d o hatred, nor veng vion n bli o e b to ’d ll in There lf shall fa se it e c a e And p ke me rld was li o w e wisdom th e in ue gift of nfusion tr e th If everyon ss e shall poss arks of co eternity Then all ithout m r w g in n so a banish fo We’ll be re tween minds shall be And gaps like me ing noise orld was w e th an deafen eir voices in th e n rs o e y p r e is If ev ore wh k with th re’d be m who spea their hearts se o th Then the r fo meant out with Cheers are is for those who sh ce And silen s like me world wa shall cease existing s e th in e pollution If everyon , dust, and wastes d all these history ke il o u b sm to n e Th ith ngth ve the stre pers won’t dwell w I don’t ha ra sc y s and sk And road e as like m e world w was like me th in e n If everyo the world piness eryone in ant search for hap erent v e if d n A nst eone diff re’ll be co g for som in h Then the rc a se e’ll be Forever w be losers ill entirely lity w s u f o e rea h one Then eac the courage to fac pride e ing go of issing v a tt h le d n a e I don’t m op t’s in us is r losing h And I fea e who knows wha eon And som
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Best friends forever BY Kimberly Anne Luntao
As the years pass, and we grow apart, I want you to know, that you’re in my heart. You helped me through problems, through things good and bad. You helped me keep smiling, when I was sad. You helped me with guys. You made me stay strong. How will I live, when you are gone? And where the years take us, No place is too far, We will think of each other, wherever we are. You’re a wonderful person, with a good heart to lend, And I want you to know, You’re a really good friend.
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Real World, Reel Friends by Patricia Leigh Nones Gonzales
No more… Barbie dolls to dress up with, Disney Princesses stickers to collect, Barney and friends to sing along, ribbons and clips for hair that’s long. Bigger… world surrounding me responsibilities in my hands expectations from families and friends amount of effort to exert. More… challenges to face alone opportunities that await friends to mingle with experiences worth learning from. Yes… real world I now face, real people and events but in this real world I am in I also found my reel friends.
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My Princess by melanie palmero
Your eyes are the brightest of all the colors A face that’s so lovely like a flower Every inch of you, I have wandered through Just can’t get enough of you. In my dreams, I can see The whole picture of me Getting in love with thee. So precious, so sweet. Oh, please come back Be mine, and I won’t whine If you’re love was all I have in this life, It’ll be more than enough until the end of time. Wherever you go, whatever you want With whom and for what Take care my bestest, For I don’t want to lose my princess. 10
Battle
By Krizelle Limbaga Armored with pain, I faced my battle Trying my best, I suit myself In these trials, I fear to handle Losing was never my belief The arrows of the struggle from above I saw it coming towards me When I raised my shield My wounds were never healed And the fight for peace was over But the arrow is still on my chest Will it be here forever? Until I lay down to rest? From the start I know I’ll win But a winner in a losing game A battle no one could ever imagine That I was not fed in the flame And, thus, I surrendered The battle inside me was a test I just hope someday I’ll be remembered That in the beginning, I did my best And now, I face the reality That in every sorrow, there’s happiness Rising myself from insanity I will dream and soar endlessly… My heart was broken in two By a known stranger from the past… But had made a difference in me; A thought that the battle isn’t over…
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When the Love is REAL By karen Kate Beltran When the love is real You can’t hide what you feel Every time you see the person Fast beating of hearts goes on and on Though sometimes things could go tough Efforts shown can’t be enough You tend to let go But your heart tells you not to Then some people around you try to tear you apart They try to break your heart Because you knew that what you felt was real Even though you think you’d end up crying You’ll realize, it was worth fighting
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Behind the Facade of Fantasies By Catherine Remolleno
Deception donned in robes of childish fantasy A princess lost by her dream weaver Yearning for a strong sedative To ease the pain of superficial bliss Bound in chains within her own fortress With inevitable pain of beguile treachery A dimming light enveloped by shadows A diamond losing its splendor in toil A believer of a pretentious Aries Falling to the pit of a Gemini Blowing the candles in a newly-baked Misery-filled cheese cake Save her before morphine destroys her sanity Before she kills herself with a dagger Before nicotine suffocates her lungs And alcohol burns her liver‌
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Divine
By Leonard Odvina The hour of judgment signifies your call A call which delivers righteous death; It savors darkness after lighted life A structure to keep glory from faith Your body and blood compose salvation, An honor hereafter any misgiving; I bow down to You in beforehand A living proof of an undeniable divinity By your grace, I come with laid hands By your deeds, I stand with bare feet You alone save with no grave concern, You alone fight back the war within me The cross, nothing more symbolic; You carried us while we buried You. 14
Innoce nt Eyes By Ivy Grace Piamonte
I rush to the sea to look for a simple joy he could offer But I found out that it was naked I ventured to the East of the forest to love its own wonder But I found callous and gargantuan fear I search for the mysteries of light in the West But I found darkness I go down deep in the core of the earth to understand its gravity But I found lies and fantasy I try to stare at the box of love in a human heart I found joy and contentment I run to see if it’s forever I found out that it was empty and I’m ignored
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o m Gujothon marco pitl By
ing, akarat n y ’ o yon ak At nga upo, um ngga Ako’y ang-bo , g i g l i n o m Pu gb order n At um o do t adob anin a oy at mecha , k g n a b Is ai a h b g a shan ng n Siniga g lumpiang an Dalaw shomai g n Tatlo sda, sit at i nara pa u p , n ipo rbo May h f steak at ca oftdrinks s e e b a uice t May w na j a p a a Um g at tubi pa Wine he flan c e l t a oat ango fl alaga, May m to the max t am s amtak Desert tas na katak -asam. m ru Mga p kaing inaasa g a Mga p kman matiti g g n o y i so ahat abubu Dito l ka’y m ag gutom, i g n a Talag talaga kap og. pagtul n g a y n o n a y i G g bing n Sa him
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Kalsada
By Elline Fa
ith L. Ponc
e
Ang taong pin agkatiwalaan, Ay siya pa ang nagluklok sa ak in sa kahirapa n. Hanap ko ay pr esensya, Hanap ko ay hu stis Hanap ko ay ka ya, payapaan Sa aking puso at isipan. Salamat na lan g at nandyan ang lansangan g kay bait kahit na sa ka totohana’y map ait. Nang ako ay n ag-iisa, Ako ay dinam ayan niya Nang ako ay in aantok, Ako ay pinatul og niya Nang ako ay n agugutom, Ako ay pinakai n niya Nang ako ay w alang-wala, Ako ay ikinup kop niya Mabuti pa an g kalsada’t Ako’y nakikita.
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Candles
By krizzia mair diaz
A night full of laughs I know it won’t last I know I’m not complete So I went to the church and follow the street Looking around the crowded city I saw children selling candies Then there he is a child holding bundles of candles Taking my way where people usually lit them Some are leaving the place with their partners holding them I can’t help myself to smile And wish I was one of them I started to utter my prayer Holding the three little white candles I told God to whom are those One for my love ones, for me and for my special one I have finished it and started to walk again Following my feet where it was going Then I found I was in a familiar place where my heart is in Seeing him in a distance With his face wearing that familiar smile I just realized I was like those candles My heart is in confusion Imbrued with the words when he put an end to our relation.
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Nganong Niinter ? By Jo hn marco pitlo
Ang utok ko galutaw sa panganod Kay sa dughan ko ik aw pirmi ang sulod Ako galibog pag maa u Kung makigstorya ba ko o maulaw kanim o. Torpe man ang itaw ag ninyo sa ako Sa akong gibuhat ug sa inyong nakita, wa na koy mahimo Gusto jud tika makai storya Kanang walay laing tao, kita ra duha. Ako nabuang ug plan o unsaon pagdiskarte Naghulat-hulat nga muagi ka sa lobby. Kutob lang ko tan-aw , Sa imong kahayag ak o hinuon ang natuna w. Busa karon ako nang andam Sa sunod nga ikaw m uagi Ako magparamdam, Ako mangusog ug w ala nay torpe-torpe Ang ako lang, makuh a ang imong pangalan Kay ako mangayog pa saylo Kay sa imong kinabu hi ako gasamok-sam ok Kay nganong niinter ko nga walay panukt ok.
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Destiny
ea Marino
By Philine Andr
u’ll go, I’m not afraid if yo ver fade, ne ll wi e lov For your , I know, ck For you’ll come ba me everyday. for t jus And will stay
ve Wasted Lo az r Di
By Krizzia Mai k of waiting, I would take the ris . Even if it takes years uring rain e one I’m wanting, Every time I saw the po th be s ay You will alw ed destined to be. It made me feel drain ‘Cause I know we’re Once a good lover ffer of mine made me su . ne you’ve go This unfaithfulness I don’t care how far . you’ll again be mine I don’t mind when frustrate him e far away, I never intended to ‘Cause even if you’r en I betrayed him wh g y. on ll always sta Yes, I was wr ose days My love for you wi in pity regretting th . And found myself to ationship go waste I made a happy rel ng star! at idi Th gu r, be em rem Just nt, to the place you wa I want to lead you s alone ny sti de ur lies yo And every time I wa But in a place where to a placid place ing nd myself head ce with me. fou pla I a it’s e ve lie be I And st to dream for a fac Reminiscing the pa to get ve ha I at th y lit s a rea But it was not, it wa back to the race come back waiting for him to Here, I’m now still back eagerness to have him And I can’t stop the does And I promise if he even if integrity of my love e th him I’m assuring s until eternity come
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Over Yet Waitin g by melanie palmer
o
You stayed with me all throughout Gave all the love yo u could offer Did everything with out a doubt Knew nothing. Looked at no one. When I speak, you turn down the world’s volume. When I’m weak, beside me is the on ly location. For the nth time, I’v e fooled you Yet you’re still there, saying ‘I love you.’ How could it be? A love that’s so deep One that is true. So awesome, ain’t bl ue. You loved me dearly But I resisted. Doubled your hund red percent, But I rejected. I’m sure you’ll unde rstand ‘Coz if not, we’re re ally over and done.
De Javu
By Catherine Re
molleno
The midday sun ju st started to set After flaming with fury that noon I grabbed your hand and walked steadily Until you broke fro m it and paced ahea d It was a few years ba ck When we used to sa y I love you’s Then we have to sa y our goodbyes And turn each othe r’s backs The midday sun ju st started to set After flaming with fury that noon I looked back when you called my nam e I stopped to wait on you, coming It’s the same but so mehow different When we say hi’s in stead of I love you’s And now that we’re the best of friends It’s a bit different, a bit the same A de javu
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Paalam
By Christine Lacorda Isang salitang mahirap tanggapin Ngunit ito’y kailangang gawin Hindi man isipin Ito ay darating din Ang ganitong pangyayari Di dapat damdamin Pagkat sa katagala’y Magsasama man din Ito’y pansamantala lamang At huwag dibdibin Pagkat di ito panghabambuhay Na magkakahiwalay Kung ang nadarama ngayon Pait at pighati Di magtatagal ang puso Sa huli’y liligaya rin.
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In memory of Julius By Elline Faith L. Ponce He used to smile He used to laugh He used to be happy And he was not used to cry. He used to climb mountains, He used to reach the sky, He used to conquer the earth And he never said goodbye. He was there to help us He was there to save us He used to be with us But he hanged his self and escaped the reality of love That he left us.
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Above Honor, Below Disgrace By Leonard Odvina
The deception behind enormous faith Scatters through deep illness; From painful salvation, I honor You To whom my life has subdued. You conceived me with massive smiles Oh dear God, my life, I bestowed on You; Allied scarecrows may cover me, I fear no more since I breathe through You. Imperfection may humiliate me I kneel down with my dagger away; For all my inferiorities, You conquered me In a still and willful possession. ..my belief... ..Your resurrection‌ ..carry me through.
Walk of Life
By Elline Faith L. Ponce When everything seems to be amiss Call on Him And He would give you rest. When everything seems to be alright, Thank Him For it is going right. Life is too short to be conceited, So stop pretending to be appreciated. Live your life to the fullest And rejoice for it is the best! Life and death would meet And we would come to Him with our wounded feet.
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The Agony of Waiting Part II of Bumped (Roots 2007) By Elline Faith L. Ponce
Here I am, walking in the wet grass. After ten years of waiting, I finally found her.
It was a night of December 23, 1997 when my girlfriend bid goodbye. She was on her way to New York to pursue her college. I’m happy for her but it breaks my heart.
“Ei Rhett! Don’t cry now, I’m only leaving for school. I’d be back.” said Rebecca.
“Yeah, right. You would be back but when would that be? Ten years from now? Fifteen? Com’n, tell me Bec.”
“Uhm, I don’t know. Mom told me after I graduate and when everything’s fine.”
“Okay, okay. I won’t make it so hard for you. Don’t forget to send me your pictures and letters, alright? I’ll call you everyday. I will not forgive you if I miss a thing!” My eyes were already teary. “Stop it, Rhett! You’re making me cry. I don’t want to leave like this. Be happy for me, Rhett. I promise you, you’d be my only man! Now, smile and give me a big hug!” as she cheered me. And that was it; she flew to New York with her parents. After a year of communicating with each other, everything changed. Rebecca stopped sending me letters; she did not even call me. The last mail that I got from her was her thank you letter telling me that finally she’ll be back home. But it’s been three months since she wrote me that letter. I tried to call her for several times but I never heard any from her. Every time I call her, her parents would tell me that Rebecca was not around. I kept on asking about how she’s doing but they would tell me that she’s okay and hung up the phone right after. It really bugged me, until I accepted the idea that maybe Rebecca was just busy and that she does not have time for me after all. That maybe, she just wants to concentrate on her studies and that she found new peers or boyfriend perhaps. It was hard to accept, but I had to. I did not stop from sending her emails and pictures though I did not get any reply from her till her email address expired. And that has changed me. I lived my own life, opened myself to other friends and studied even harder. I was thinking of following her in New York after I finish college. “Hello, Mom? I’m sorry if it took me long to answer the phone. I just came from Ethan’s wake.” I answered my phone.
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“Your Uncle Sam and Auntie Charina are here. Would you like to see them?” mom informed me. “Really, Mom? How about Rebecca? Is she with them? Com’n Mom! Don’t surprise me, I want to see her.”
“Uhm, but darling, Rebecca is not with them.” Mom told me wryly.
“Ah, alright. I’m coming.” And I hung up the phone.
It was eight years after Rebecca and her family left. I miss my girlfriend so much. I could still remember those days that we spent with each other. We grew up together. Even if I haven’t seen her for ages, it didn’t change my feelings towards her. I loved her since we were young and I love her now even more.
“I’m home!” as I opened the door.
“Oh, hijo! You’re here.” Mom welcomed me.
“Hi Mom! Hi Uncle Sam and Auntie Charina! I’m happy to see you! But where is Rebecca? Did she go home with you? I miss her terribly.” I asked them. Auntie Charina stray her eyes away from me. I noticed that her eyes saddened. “She is not with us. So how are you Rhett? How is your study?” Aunt Charina asked and hugged me. “Uhm, I’m doing well. I’m a consistent honor and I’m very excited to finish school Auntie Charina, since I want to go to America and see Rebecca.” I told her with a smile. Uncle Sam put his left arm in Aunt Charina’s shoulder. I felt something is not going right. Their eyes were saddened again. Have I said something wrong? I asked myself.
“That is good for you Rhett. We’re happy to know that.” Uncle Sam told me.
“How about Rebecca Uncle? How is she? How’s her study? I miss her. She never replied to any of my emails after a year since you left. What happened to her Uncle?” I asked them with questioning eyes. Auntie Charina answered me, “She’s fine Rhett. And I guess she’d be happy hearing you that you are doing great and that you are all right.”
“Huh? Hearing me? You mean she’s here?” that made me smile.
“Rhett, hijo. Let’s now prepare the dinner. Your Uncle and Auntie must be hungry now.” Mom bothered me.
“Alright. I’ll help you.” I told Mom.
“Let’s continue our chit-chat during dinner Uncle Sam and Aunt Charina. I’ll just help
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Mom in the kitchen.” It was odd during dinner because they did not talk to me about Rebecca. I noticed that they kept on diverting the topic every time I attempted to open about her. Until they bid their goodbyes to us, they told me nothing of Rebecca except that they gave me a box. It looks like a gift. Uncle told me that Rebecca wants me to have it. And that was it, they left me in the living room and said goodbye to me and Mother. I decided not to open the box and thought of opening it when I’m with Rebecca. I don’t know when but I know it would happen. After ten years of studying medicine and specializing in Neuro Oncology, I finally graduated. I decided to see Rebecca and fly to New York. I was on my way to the airport; there was a heavy traffic again in Manila. It was three in the afternoon and my flight would be at nine in the evening. I was really excited. As I looked at the traffic lights, I remembered my friend Ethan who died of accident when we were in our last year in college. He was bumped by a car. Ethan used to be my classmate since elementary and we used to be together after Rebecca left. I could still remember those days when he wanted to talk to Samantha, his long time crush, but it never happened. Samantha died for the same reason after a year when Ethan died. It was strange because they both died on the same spot. I decided to go to the cemetery before heading to the airport. I had a very odd feeling why Ethan and Samantha came to my mind so I decided to visit them and bring them flowers. The box that Rebecca gave was also with me. Samantha and Ethan’s grave were beside each other. I noticed the old guy beside their grave, and his built was really familiar.
“Uncle Sam? Is that you?” I asked him when his face got visible to me.
“Oh Rhett!” startled in seeing me.
“What are you doing here Uncle Sam? Who are you visiting?” and I looked at the gravestone.
“Rebecca Ordoñez, died December 24, 1998.” I murmured.
I looked at Uncle Sam with questioning eyes. I wanted to talk but there was no voice coming out of my mouth. Tears flooded my eyes. Rebecca was here all along. She’s with me all through the years that I waited for her. I was a fool to think that she was alive.
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“Rhett, hijo. I am sorry for what happened.” Auntie Charina came. “We were supposed to tell you about her death but we did not have the courage to tell you. Rebecca pleaded with us not to tell you about her illness and death until you open the box that we gave you.” She continued. Uncle Sam explained to me why they went to New York. “The truth Rhett is that we left for New York because of her brain cancer. We wanted to save her and looked for the best Neuro Oncologist but there was no cure of her illness. It was too late to save her. She’s been diagnosed a year before we left. Rebecca never wanted to tell you about her condition.”
“But why did she keep it from me?” I asked them.
“Hijo, our daughter loved you so much that she did not want to hurt you badly. That is why she kept it from you. Remember those days why she was always absent in your class during your 4th year in high school? It was because she was already in the hospital. She asked us not to tell you because she didn’t want you to worry. And she wanted us to give you the gift when you finish school.” added.
“We’re very sorry if we did not inform you. I hope you understand.” She
I couldn’t help myself from falling down into her grave. I waited for her, longed for her. And this is all I got? Aunt Charina and Uncle Sam bid goodbye and left me. “Why Bec? Why did you keep it from me? Why?” Tears falling from my eyes.
The Gift. Slowly unwrapping it.
There was a photo album inside with her pictures taken from the hospital before she died. I am hurt. How I wish I was already a doctor when you were diagnosed Rebecca. How I wish I was there with you when you were suffering. How I wish that I have helped you. Now you are gone, totally gone. How am I going to continue my life now that I know you are no longer here? I have so many questions but I know I’ll never find the answers. The sun and the moon were already meeting when I left the cemetery. A cold wind embraced me. I know Rebecca is somewhere that I could never find. I do not know how to continue life now that I am alone but I know someday we will meet again.
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Cured from Dwelling in Oblivion By miguel tan
In the old days, a many things happened. Some desolate, yet some abundant in grace. Within a village of China that relied upon its fields of rice was a beautiful farmer girl by the name of Seng. From youth to flourished youth, she dwelt within her village, to aid her family and friends for their daily meals and needs. Her cheeks were full and her eyes were happy to see. Her hair was as waterfalls that fall in the darkness of night. Around her, the people were good, and if there were some who were not, they were easily corrected with good, and not with evil; thus, every evil became good. When their village flourished even more because of the love among them, it caught the attention of the emperor and the emperor made it a place for merchants to get rice from. During these times, a rich merchant passed by their village to buy rice to bring to the nearby towns. Beside the merchant were guardians to protect him and his trade from raiders. Aside from these men, the merchant also hired ninjas to see him only from afar, in order that they see who approaches. They hide behind the long grass and the foliage above the trees. Among them was a pair of ninjas, a young one and an older one. The merchant and his guardians now rested their cart beside a teahouse, and went therein to rest and enjoy. Now, the ninjas were simply to stay outside, and see what possible threats may be coming. As the older ninja needed something to drink, he requested the young one to get a cup of tea from the teahouse itself and bring to him. When the young one entered the teahouse, he saw the merchant drinking silently, among his guardians who surrounded him. He was entertained to see that they were quiet, unlike most pompous businessmen. Since he knew not where to get tea, he inquired from the girl who passed him. The young ninja asked, “What is your name?” And she said, “My name is Seng. Would you like some tea?” She smiled so sweetly that it was imprinted in the young one’s heart. “Yes, yes,” said the young ninja. “Come with me to the barrel of tea,” said Seng, the maiden at the teahouse. She then filled a cup of tea and gave it to the young ninja. The young ninja bowed as he received the tea, and he could not bear to look at her eyes, because he felt unusually by her look. When he returned to the older ninja outside, to give him his tea, he said: “The people here are good.” “That is why this place is blessed, and not only by the emperor.” “Shall goodness exalt a village or a town? Or shall goodness cause it to be fragile?” The older ninja turned away and gazed into the far mountains. He said, “there are raiders.” A terrible heartbeat the young ninja felt. “What shall we do?” asked the young ninja. “They are a horde of raiders. We are in great trouble.” “What shall we do?” asked the young ninja once again. The older ninja answered, “Go into the teahouse and ask if they have a signal bell; if they do not, tell the officials that raiders are coming. Do not resist them if they arrest you, understand?” “Yes!” The older ninja added, “I will tell the other ninjas, and ask them if they have other ideas.” The younger ninja ran to the teahouse and entered its door.
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They were all busy, but Seng the maiden at the teahouse was still, because she was praying. Interrupting the prayer, he went to her and told her in a demanding tone, “Do you have a signaling bell in this village?” Seng replied promptly, “Yes, we sound the bell when we need to work.” The young ninja also responded promptly, “Do you sound the bell in times of danger?” “We do not,” she replied. Since starting a discussion was not good to do, the young ninja then asked demandingly, “Where are your officials who guard this town?” She responded, “Our officials are only a group of old men.” Because the young ninja was irritated, he shouted aloud, “A large group of raiders are coming! Who shall deal with them?!” “Where are they?” asked a middle-aged man. He replied, “From the mountains! They will be here within minutes!” A murmur arose within the teahouse and men started to become agitated, seeing that the young ninja looked sincere. Everything was trouble, and even Seng was hurt by the sudden locomotion in the crowd. When he saw that Seng fell down when the crowd passed by her, he was cut to the heart and immediately carried her away from the multitude of hurried steps. She was sobbing and he felt great pity for the woman child. Because she was overwhelmed by these things, she hugged the young ninja who was rather stunned by what she did. And his heart felt another feeling now, one of love, a cutting of the heart greater than all others when introduced for the first time. And he was told by his own spirit, “I must protect her.” He dwelled on no other thought but the protection of the woman child Seng, and thus set plans to hide her from the incoming raiders. When they came, all the villagers had hidden in their houses in fear, for they had not been visited by a large group of evil men before. As for Seng and the young ninja they hid above the tree, where they stayed. After that, he listened to no other word in his thoughts, so that in time he was cured from mind oblivion. Regarding the raiders, they simply got five sacks of rice in exchange for five horses and went their way; after communicating with the village official who had always negotiated with strange visitors. And the young ninja and Seng became good friends until the Taoist monk married them, for they were husband and wife by then. And the young ninja dwelled on no other thought but love for others. So that his mind was remedied from the obligatory swimming through shadows. Indeed he has seen that good shall exalt a village; and interrogation is better than battle. What a life!
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My Stranger in the Dark By Catherine Remolleno The rain was pouring heavily on my umbrella. I promised to be there by five in the afternoon. Whether I’ll get soaked or I’ll manage to keep dry, I just have to be there. You might be waiting for endless hours already. Our project is due tomorrow and we’ve got lots to finish before evening invades the light—or otherwise. I’ll let momma nag me for coming home late again. You opened the door for me, and teased me for coming five minutes late. You handed me a rag for my wet feet, I wondered what’s going on in your mind behind those snickers and stares that seem to creep down into my soul. Before I could even take my seat on the edge of your bed, lights went out, and I had no choice but to wait until electricity comes back and we can do what I came for. My day then was so tiring, and I thought a thirty-minute nap won’t hurt. I tried to close my eyes, and doze off, even though I know you are stealing glances at me. You grabbed my phone, read all my stored SMS. And teased me for keeping silly quotes. Before I knew it, you were asking me silly questions. Are you afraid of the dark that you were trying to keep me awake? Or are there things you want to know straight from me that you can only ask when there’s no one else around but me and you? It’s so irresistible to find someone as carefree as you, asking me things so seriously. You became another person I didn’t know. The happy-go-lucky carefree best friend I have just turned out to be a stranger who I’ve never known. Laughter stopped. And your voice seemed so near that I can almost hear both of our hearts beating fast. “Who’s your love and since when?” I turned my back, closed my eyes, and tried to catch my breath when you asked me. I answered in the most convincing voice I have. “You’ll know sometime. Not now.” “Don’t I deserve to know? I’m you’re best friend. I’ll help you whoever he is.” You persisted as you turned against me. “It’s next to impossible. You? Haven’t you found what you were looking for?”I asked him as we both stared into the blackness trying to avoid looking into each other’s eyes. “I found her but we lost it.” As he answered, memories flooded down to my mind when we were once lovers a couple of years ago, not just best friends. I wonder who you’re talking about. Was it the girl who left you or the one you left? Would it even matter now? I asked myself silently. Dead silence must have been there if not for the pounding rain on the roof. I tried to close my eyes again, as if it would make a difference to a room filled with darkness in that moment. And you started to talk about anything you can think of. It amused me when you started making plans for us. You even made me promise to look for you whatever may happen. You talked about our friendship, our companionship as if there’s no end to us. It was weird listening to you saying all those things. The usual jokes turned into dreams, as both of our sighs drowned in thunder. You were not the funny friend I usually spend my time with in the daylight, earlier that day. You became somebody else that night. Three hours passed. There was still no light. And the rain was still pouring hard. I wouldn’t mind getting soaked again. I just have to go before I can’t contain it any longer. And before any from the two of us could ruin everything we have now. I guess the darkness made it easy for us to hide our secrets between the lines we’re saying. Thanks to the darkness. It was much easy to deny even though best friends are supposed to tell truths. I wonder who I’ll see tomorrow morning. Will it be the best friend in the daylight or the stranger in the dark? Which mask are you wearing now, my love? I’ll be wearing mine again tomorrow.
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Being Forgotten By Montazer A. Marajan
Many people have knocked into our lives and uttered their names in our door.
Before we get to know them better we welcome them first, they get in, yet, the drama in life of seeing them grow until they learn to say goodbye in the end is so constant.
Memories have always precipitated our minds after someone exited the doors
of our lives. But, like many other pictures, its colors dissolved through the test of time, leaving only a thin white sheet, which our mind could hardly retrieve and enliven it, for gradually it will be forgotten. Oblivion is when we are forgotten; when no one cares that we no longer exist in the corners of their mind. That despite, our penetration of their past life, we will still be considered a non-entity of their own.
This state of being will happen to us someday, maybe if the right time has come
that there are already sufficient factors to support a certain person in forgetting us. Change is one considerable factor. Since it’s constant in this world, then oblivion is common. You will realize that in other cases, there are dying customs despite how we treasure much our culture; it is because of change, change that shifts our view in life. It weakens our passion to pursue something that has already existed, and we tend to end up being diverted from creating new, with this we let the previous die out into forgetfulness, because we are disturbed to do something we never had seen and did before. Oblivion is when someone is not aware of our existence, forgotten, to be exact. Memories might no longer be enough to enliven our presence in their life. And change have find its way to disturbed and change the course of their minds.
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Confusion Upon Ourselves By Leonard Odvina
I hate myself! I am no one, I am a mistake, I have no purpose, and I am nothing! I am like a sword that is not capable of protecting his master! I hate everything that is in me! Do you think anyone would be desperate enough to intently deliver these words? Do you think a person sometimes tends to dishonor even his own self? Perhaps, the only person who is hopeless enough to speak these disenchantments is the one who devalues his being imperfect, unappreciative of the little things he can offer, and insensitive of bringing out something within the nothingness inside him. The above-mentioned enigma and circumstances define the other side of an individual. It recognizes a deep view concerning mistakes, life and selfreliance. The last lines of the first paragraph initiate negativity as an approach to uncertainty. These coordinate everything that is in oblivion; its impact to one’s self and the fullness within it. Let me define these views a little broader and uncover the paradox behind it. DEVALUING OUR BEING IMPERFECT. Human as we are, we are prone of making mistakes. We might as well be very conscious not to commit one because we all think that a mistake would mean a discouragement, an immature effect or an unacceptable consequence. We oftentimes arrange our actions in order to be accurate in any outcome. As an upshot, we end up depressed; then, there follows the thought of being a loser, being insignificant. A mistake doesn’t always mean a negative product of a certain action. We are created uniquely in order to pour on each other’s limitation. In connection with this, mistakes provide a path to learning – learning that everyday we discover something new about ourselves. Mistakes stay flowing but the process lives to be consistent, if we consider it to be. UNAPPRECIATIVE OF THE LITTLE THINGS WE CAN OFFER. The thought of being usual, ordinary and limited generally make us stay in one point - narrow and helpless. It eventually constructs a so-called enigma of our purpose, of our identity on what actually we are here for. Sometimes, in order to see the big things we can share, we should see first the little things as our attribute to something. Our own selves make us who we really are. Little things would mean big especially when we work at it. Who will appreciate our significance if we ourselves don’t value it? We oftentimes thought as being an option, no, nobody is. We are all definite and capable of bringing something extraordinary behind our being usual and limited. Everything starts within our selves. DIGGING SOMETHING WITHIN THE EMPTINESS INSIDE US. When we experience failure because of our mistakes or feel so usual and ordinary because of our limitations, we undergo the substance of nothingness. This defines the feeling of non-existence, insignificance and worse, the feeling of being nobody. I agree, yet, I believe that something is within that emptiness and it’s a great source of openness. It is through nothingness that we would be capable of being filled – filled with great things and lessons, which could make us someone who carry an identity in order for us to see things in a different point of view. We should learn to embrace nothingness in order to fully understand fullness. The confusion starts within ourselves the moment we become slaves of disregarding who we are, what we can do and who we will be. We encounter oblivion and therefore pass a process of filling something new in the pursuit of our purpose. There is a big something inside us, even when we feel like nothing is left on us. Learn to love life, in success and in failures, in happiness and sadness, and in fullness and nothingness.
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A Second Look By Karen Kate Beltran
I don’t believe in love at first sight; but I believe in love when you take a second look.
There are circumstances that people get attracted to the opposite sex on the first look. But, attraction is not the same as loving. I wonder why some people fall in love at first sight. Isn’t that just an attraction? “There is more than meets the eye”- commonly used by most people. They often observe on the discoverable part of that person. They expect more than what they see. Later on, when things went wrong, they get discouraged. Too much expectation could lead to frustration. Rather, we should realize this, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye.” When we seek for love, we don’t use our eyes because whether we like it or not, when we find it we just feel it. When we love, we cannot see the unpleasant part of that person by what others say because we know that what we feel is more important. They say, “Love is blind” but isn’t it more preferable if we say,” Love is not blind, it sees but it doesn’t mind”. Attraction is present, but Love’s chemistry just drives the person in not minding the extrinsic look of who he/she has fallen in love with. In this world, we cannot avoid gossips and unkind words from judgmental people. They hate us for who we ended up with or even just the way we are. “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. Unless you open the book and read it, you’ll never know its story. As to people, you’ll never know what’s good about them unless you get to know them better. We learn to love the person by what he/she is and by what he/she is not through accepting them, getting to know them for real—and this all roots to giving them a SECOND LOOK.
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Rescue me O Lord! By Kimverly Marie Uy In Christian’s aspects of faith, overcoming oblivion welcomes us towards being a strong temple of God. These might bring us to frustration, discouragement, quitting, denial or even blaming the one whom we thought ruin everything in us. One usual example that people used to experience is their unanswered prayer to God. For them, they think that their effort in praying seems worthy to be granted before the Lord without their intention to surrender first the iniquities and resentments they have kept in their heart. Hence, they tend to blame others or even God for they feel like being forgotten by the Lord as they thought that they are stuck in their own limbo in life. In Psalm 13:1, David asks God “How long O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide your face from me?” Like us, we also tend to experience being forgotten by God that seems He is no longer with us and doesn’t hear the prayers we utter unto Him. It seems that God doesn’t want to show His face to us. Human as we are, these will soon happen if we do let our resentments anticipate our faith resulting from the pain and struggles that we have often feel too heavy as we continue journeying towards tomorrow. The key to overcome oblivion is to indubitably trust the grace and the unfailing love of God for us without putting any doubt with the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ to us of how He will rescue us in the oblivion of our life. In said Psalm, David ended his song with a genuine trust to God rejoicing to the salvation and righteousness of the Lord that God has done for Him. Jesus loves us. He always cares for us. Whenever we feel empty or hurt, Jesus also feels the same way. If times, we do feel alone, regretted or disregarded, just take a deep breath, reflect and think that Jesus is our Lord, our Personal Lord and Savior who will answer us and ready to rescue us in every oblivion of our life.
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All’s Well That Ends Well by HONELITO Gilos
As I wander through an overshadowed site of my purpose, I suddenly paused a little while and reminisced the things I’ve done wrong in the past. And yes, they were negatively real. I continued walking until I reached no dead end, everything’s so infinite; no barriers, no limitations, no predicaments; All were certain. Out of my curiosity, I closed my eyes and tried to walk ambitiously straight a little longer. It was great, I never got bumped or even stumbled. To my excitement, I opened my eyes and realized that I was already on the other side of the road and unaware of the direction I set myself to. Over some periods of my life then, I feel so doubtful about the path - not only with the path - but also to the emotion that coursed through it. Life similarly is an infinite road, a journey of no expectation. Our means of walking through it also creates its own way of redirecting our lives far better or near worst than what we purposely take. We see no dead ends, only unreachable horizon of all our undertakings. Life indeed is amazingly great. However, we set our own predicaments, we shoulder our own limitations and we transform our own barriers. We oftentimes close our eyes and begin soaring to other dimensions that trigger the declination of our goals. We may experience happiness to such approaches and may never feel pain, yet, does this really generate our aims in a way of distinct reasons and justified causes?
We should set ourselves to the infinite horizon of life. We are provided with smooth roads
covered with God’s plans for us to arrive in a certain place where we are really destined to be happy and content. We generate our own means and it should be proposed and implemented under God’s words and teachings. To experience a well ending, we should also have a good start - a start with God and a selfless console to humanity.
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Moonfang,
mixed media Jilian Elyssa C. Gonzales
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Disgrace, pencil
John bernard rama
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Aftermath, pencil
kraster lou h. paganpan
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Attachment,
pastel Jilian Elyssa C. Gonzales
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Gone in the wind,
charcoal april ramona s. lumantas
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Primitive,
pen Jilian Elyssa C. Gonzales
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Oblivion,
pencil montaser marajan
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Fortitude
Susanne audrey g. rexdrodt
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Sweep the area for food Elline Faith L. Ponce
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Stranded
Elline Faith L. Ponce
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Lost in the city Elline Faith L. Ponce
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“Appreciation can make a day, even change a life.
Your willingness to put into words is all that is necessary.”
-Margaret Cousins
To all who have contributed
and made this folio possible…THANK YOU.
Correspondence may be addressed to: The College Immaculate- Roots University of the Immaculate Conception Bonifacio Street, 8000 Davao City Philippines Roots is the official literary publication of the University of the Immaculate Conception Printed in Davao City, Philippines By Midtown Printing Co., Inc.