illustration | Joseph Bryant J. de los Santos
EDITOR’S
NOTE
The past coexists with the present, and we’re living in between. The universe gathered the greatest writers, poets, and playwrights around its table and began curating their handmade tales. From there, came stories of ambitions and arrogance, love and martyrdom, tragedy and death. Tales strung within and without—mimicking the modern and the ancient. What happens when a person loves too much or too little, when unbridled ambitions play god, or when death is gambled were never written in fineprint; yet are often avoided as if they were. Maybe, it’s man’s sheer stubbornness. The unrestrained inclination toward do-overs, toward making things different than before. Or maybe it’s the universe’s lack of creativity; its knack for reusing the same plot puppeted by different characters. While we’re busy pointing fingers—in another round of the blame game—classical literature has reincarnated to string our world together. They coexist with us and may even be portrayed by us. Some characters in these stories had their happy endings, but most suffered the opposite fate. In their crestfallen tales, we—owners of possible second-hand plots—find redemption. Fictional fools that made rash decisions just so we could make refined ones. Conjured villains that killed just so we could save the damned. Made-up innocents that took the fall so we wouldn’t have to. Even though the last words take their bow, the story never ends; it lingers. I’ve heard tales of man conquering their monsters in friends who wrestle with their fears. I’ve seen stories of love in the eyes of partners who promised they’d stay together, but went their separate ways. I’ve witnessed the desolate aftermath of tragedies befall on bad people who silently cursed their peers. I’ve unveiled dead ends in my story’s chapters, and hope nestled in the first words of the next. So while the world is graced by the presence of characters and their stories, and as it awaits the homecoming of the next, just remember that classical tales are closer to your own than you think. All you have to do is read between the lines.
Aleia Nichole M. Tayo Magazine Editor
ABOUT THE
COVER Enthralling it is how opening a book equates to slipping into the shoes of someone else. Maybe before you indulge in a new story or undress an old one for the eighth time, you bring your nose toward the musky smell of the pages. As your eyes glue themselves between the sentences and your soul tethers itself between the lines, the story slowly blooms to life. You know you’re reading a good book when emotions slither toward your heart, and you know you’re drowning in the story when you completely forget you’re actually reading. The character sitting across locks eyes with you. They stand up and stretch out their arms, hoping to grip unto the reality before them. When your fingers intertwine, you get lost in their world, while they wander off in yours. But as you snap back into place, you both realize that nothing might have made much of a difference. Entangled in both of your stories might be a too-good-to-be-true love triangle, an idle moment between decisions or a deadly misunderstanding. You and the character might be the benevolent protagonist who undergoes belittlement; the cunning antagonist who attempts to quell the good; the chivalrous hero who saves the day; or simply an arcadian extra who comes and goes. As the story nears its end, everything falls back into place. Conflicts are resolved, loose ends are tied, and everyone gets the finale they deserve. But come to think of it, the book will never reach a full close. While the character perches itself at the top, the pages are still visible; for our story and theirs are not worlds apart, but a mere few inches.
out of the shelves, into the world.
photo | Hannah Nicole R. Esblaca illustration | Chelsea Anne A. Rallos
KAPA
THE OFFICIAL ENGLISH ST THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SA
Justin Andrei D. Tanilon associate editor Jewel Irish S. Belascuain assistant associate editor
Kim T. editor-in Lou Marcial assistant edit
William Khalid Vibar sports editor Giollan Henry P. Demaulo assistant sports editor
Aleia Nichole M. Tayo magazine editor Francis Exequiel P. Ampil assistant magazine editor
Nicole Kaye E. Lipa news editor Angeli M. Geroso assistant news editor
Ben Joseph L. Maido Yamana D. Montero sports writers
Anastasia R. Alcantara Krisla Gail J. Batac Rieden Denielle N. Cuadra Grace Kay L. Milan Miles U. Guancia feature writers
Lance Rafael M. Lazaro Anna Sophia C. Galzote Sam Hervey T. Sabordo news writers Zerjemae C. Zaragoza science and technology writer
Ms. Rhiznan Faith mode
TABLE OF
CONTENTS modern-day maestro
01
man
02
love
08
five million stars and other trival things i steal pray at night getting away with murder what must only stay in book maxima pugnato (the greatest fighter)
12 14 16 17 19 hanging by a thread
love’s crossroads nothing will ever ruin this he who drowned in hope drawing the line
22 24 25 27
03
tragedy
04
divine jusice
AWA
a matter of choice the romanticized trauma ensign of the times vendetta
42 44 46 47 49
comics reviews
50 52
Jed Emmanuel M. Reysoma managing editor Nicole Frances H. Sazon assistant managing editor
Sabrina Ysabelle C. Ledesma literary editor Ryan A. Rodriguez assistant literary editor
Hannah Nicole R. Esblaca newspaper layout editor Joseph Bryant J. de los Santos assistant newspaper layout editor
Chelsea Anne A. Rallos creative layout editor Ana Dominique G. Manabat assistant creative layout editor
Josie Ann H. Apdol Khryztyl Grace J. Bulao Maria Enrica Clarisse M. Dio Kyle Bryan T. Palparan Tavin Kale V. Villanueva literary writers
Mary Andrea S. Geolingo Eli T. Gozon Stephanie Louise L. Gregas Rizle M. Patopatin Cassel Dave G. Tiva illustrators
Lucille Marie L. Magcumot Charlize Reyannette T. Nicasio Stephanie Anne O. Alolon photojournalists
D. Fernandez, LPT erator
34 35 37 38
when hell melts a sin’s worth the anatomy of redemptive hope an astronomical destination an ending’s grace
TUDENT PUBLICATION OF ALLE - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
. Diaz n-chief l M. Cuesta tor-in-chief
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08
Art is a reflection of the soul— music as the ears, visuals as the eyes, and literature as the mind. Nowadays, the ability to release art to a wide and diverse demographic is simply at our fingertips. Platforms like Pinterest, Wattpad, and Soundcloud offer free services for smaller, less established artists to display their works for those waiting for a fresh and independent taste of uninhibited artistry. One example of a local individual taking advantage of this is Jico Vinco, who goes by the alias of Jixplosion. Not only does he have a solid fanbase for his light novel—called I Want to Die, Let’s Isekai, clocking in at about 27.8 thousand reads at the time text | Tavin Kale V. Villanueva of writing—he edit | Charlize Reyannette T. Nicasio also composes and produces his own music and accepts for animé-style caricatures.
MODERN
DAY
MAESTRO
“Ever since I was a child, I was fond of creating stories, composing songs, and drawing art,” Vinco said regarding his humble beginnings as an artist. While originally writing to a small audience of close friends and associates, he slowly spread his reader circle to a group of like-minded individuals who pushed him to
continue with his ambitions of making entertaining content. On his motivation and aspirations with the development of his work, Vinco said, “My goal for all of my outputs is for them to be noticed by as many people as possible, and hopefully inspire them to start their own creative journey as well. However, the child in me is still ambitious enough to dream that my work would one day hit big and be adapted into something bigger.” Both an outlet for creative expression and subtle satire, art gives color and culture to an otherwise gray world. However, the path to a successful career in art of any shape or form is no easy feat, especially in a country like the Philippines—where only “real” jobs are truly supported by the masses. To most, the prospect of being a full time writer, musician, or artist all become synonymous with the word starvation. But Vinco stands undeterred. “I tend to tell my audience that I’m just a normal teen doing what he likes, aiming to make them realize someone as small as I am is able to crank out content that can impress.”
09
man
Life is like art, they say.
But as black compliments white on a blank c on reality. Born with a different shade mak in the world; from the way you should a could do. Donte Drumm is one of many w fate. An African-American man who was after being accused of rape and murder. Th color of his skin.
“Death row is a nightmare to serial killer For an innocent man, it’s a life of mental to spirit is not equipped to survive.”
canvas, irony sets foot kes all the difference act, to the things you who suffered the same s sentenced to death he sole evidence? The
rs and ax murderers. orture that the human text | Ben Joseph L. Maido illustration | Martha Julian Samantha P. Jamero
Quoted text taken from The Confession by John Grisham
If by chance you were to meet a strange, little boy in the middle of a sweltering desert who claimed he was from another planet, would you believe him? Most grown-ups wouldn’t. His name is the Little Prince, and he wants to bring you along with him on an adventure through space. After what feels like hours traversing through the unforgiving cosmos, you and the prince stumble upon adults on their respective asteroids. The first of the bunch is a lonely king, a tight-lipped, stern individual. As you both prepare to leave, he desperately persuades the two of you to stay, as he has never had anyone to reign over but himself. The second planet houses a show-off with a painted face. The hat adorned on himself he claims to use each time he bowed to admirers—though no admirer has ever set foot on his asteroid before. Peeved by his behavior, you both leave the planet as soon as you have arrived. As you near the orbit of the third planet, the air starts to reek of alcohol. The initial disgust you felt soon turns into concern. The drunkard is an adult ashamed of the only thing keeping him going: drinking. Fortunately, your trip there with the Little Prince is the shortest of all.
Besides the countless stars in the galaxy, a lamp post lights up and goes out every other minute at the hands of a lamplighter. His asteroid is the smallest, but he cares for it more than all the other grown-ups do for their own planets. The geographer’s planet is the largest. You and the prince marvel at its beauty; however, the geographer doesn’t share the same sentiments. He believes he is too important to discover the beauty of his own planet—there are explorers for that. The worst of them all is the man who claims to own over five million stars, and counts them constantly. He doesn’t even spare a moment to properly greet you both as he is too focused on the sums before him. It must’ve been a trend with these adults—they act as if their word is the law and everything they can see is their own. The Little Prince believes that adults are bland people reduced to a single
function. They never cared for boa constrictors, domesticated foxes, or muzzled lambs. He brought you on this perilous adventure to warn you not to become like them. However, the way you perceive yourself and those around you all depends on whether you use the heart or the mind. If you look at the stars at night and hear the laughter of a loved one, you have the heart of the Little Prince. But if instead, you think of the stars as nothing but commodities to own, then your mind works in the way an adult’s would. Being able to balance the heart and the mind—learning from both the innocent drawings of a child and the calculating numbers of an adult—is the secret to living a life that would make the Little Prince proud. text | Anastasia R. Alcantara illustration | Chelsea Anne A. Rallos 13
I Steal Pray at Night Human as we all are, survival is our instinct. Yet while we are running away from the bigger waves, we are destined to drown on the way back. Nothing better can be said about the diverse set of pilgrims who flocked to Tabard’s Inn that day— there were a knight, a yeoman, and a nun, among others. Sticking his nose in other people’s businesses, the inn’s host persuaded the pilgrims to engage in a storytelling competition, with each one trying to satirize the previous estate to strengthen their own stories. The friar threw the first stone against the summoner, demoralizing him through a portrayal of someone who extorts money for his bread and butter, even to the extent of befriending a demon. Upon reaching the house of an innocent and penniless widowed woman, the summoner demanded her to pay for an alleged criminal charge. In a heated argument, the lady wished for the devil to bring the summoner to hell—a request that the fiend gladly fulfilled. After the friar scathed the summoner’s pride with his tale, the latter turned the tables around as he talked about all the friars in hell who lived in Satan’s ass. Emphasizing how these holy figures are like machines that need tokens to sing prayers, he narrated a tale where a friar used the Church’s name to wring some money from a dying man—who gave him an explosive fart instead. As one looks past the satirical nature of the tales and the subjects’ diamond clear obsession with money, the stories also showed how finger-pointing seemed like a muscle memory for the friar and the summoner—an automatic response when the cat jumps out of the bag.
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text | Nicole Kaye E. Lipa illustration | Cassel Dave G. Tiva
People, in general, always have a conscious or unconscious desire to be superior. So, when sin-counting begins, there is a need for them to find the greater evil: the deeper and the bluer sea. After all, washing your hands is easier than to have them cut. However, this is not everything on the canvas. A clean hand cannot remove the fingerprints on the crime scene. The friar and the summoner may have succeeded to convince the pilgrims on who is the greater evil, but that does not absolve them of their delinquencies. They both insist to be on the opposite sides of the moral spectrum, yet they look like nothing but two self-proclaimed noblemen on a chariot pulled by a Trojan horse. Looking at the bigger picture, the story becomes a harsh depiction of reality, not only of the middle ages but even of the present time. The friar and the summoner demonstrated the relationship of the Filipino people to its leaders. The vicious cycle of finger-pointing reeks when the result of the latter’s incompetence is blamed on the disobedience of the former. The absence of accountability widens the gap between estates that are supposed to be united—just like how the friar and the summoner are still in conflict despite both of them being under the religious wing. Human as we all are, survival is our instinct; more than that, there is a hell-bent need for perfection. Both the friar and the summoner were too caught up in smearing dirt on each other in an attempt to be flawless. But in the end, no amount of mudslinging made them look cleaner.
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text | Aleia Nichole M. Tayo illustration | Mary Andrea S. Geolingo
GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER There’s no such thing as a perfect crime, and Edgar Allan Poe’s Tell-Tale Heart knows this best. The story follows an unnamed narrator circling the drain into a diabolical murder of an old man. The motive? To snatch his victim’s pair of vulture-like eyes. Eight nights of spying on his victim ultimately leads to the climactic enactment of his hatred—the long-awaited kill. The murder seems perfectly orchestrated: The dismembered body is hidden beneath the floorboards with no trace of blood anywhere. But it hits a snag when the dead man’s heart suddenly starts beating loudly. Scared of getting caught due to the noise, the persona bites the dust and confesses to the officers—even though it wasn’t the old man’s heartbeat, but his very own. This whole time, the persona is held at a chokehold by his own guilt. After all, he even claims that the old man has done no harm against him. Exactly like the persona’s situation, guilt does not come unannounced, only cradled when a fault has occurred. Whether a white lie, a stolen cookie, or a case of infidelity, the truth usually comes back in the form of a parasite festering in the heart. But what if the mind is the masked culprit? From his eye pet-peeve to his aggressive thoughts, the murderer’s mental state is crippled throughout the tale. How he despises a pair of eyes—to the extent of death— and hears a dead man’s heart only prove his distorted reality, which most readers believe to be symptoms of schizophrenia. Although one thing’s for sure: The kill was the work of the mind, and the surrender was the deed of the heart. Either way, the greatest enemy of man is himself, and the persona is second to none in encapsulating this truth; dismantled and wrecked, his perfect plan, all thanks to guilt. May it be coming up with a series of lies to support one act of disobedience or conjuring a full-proof plan to perform a traceless kill, a quick mind can never outwit a tattletale heart. Murder is one thing, but with a heart that knows every move, getting away with it is another. 16
What Must Only Stay in the Books text | Jed Emmanuel M. Reysoma illustration | Eli T. Gozon photo | Lucille Marie L. Magcumot With great power comes great responsibility and secrets to keep away. The Bard of Avon’s King Lear tells a compelling story of a once-great ruler of Britain, who undoubtedly handed over all he had to two of his daughters that professed him their love—while banishing his youngest for not expressing any gratitude toward him. But this story is not just your ordinary royal-family drama. Each of its characters have something to throw in the pot of their conflict; qualities that destroy everything they touch—ones leaders of greatness shouldn’t possess. 1. Inhumanity (Regan) After receiving power, Regan started to wear away from the king—leaving him in the middle of a hefty tempest. She also accused the person trying to help her father of treason, plucking out his old eyeballs. Regan resembles someone who is merciless toward others. Today, countless leaders like her walk the world, torturing others until they, too, are stripped of their humanity. 2. Jealousy (Goneril) Having the same love interest as Regan, jealousy started to invade Goneril. Losing herself, she poisoned her sister and ended up taking her own life. Envy is a terrible posture for a ruler. Just like with Goneril, it destroys both trust and loyalty to people—breaking strong relationships.
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3. Credulity (Earl of Gloucester) The character dealt with his children’s issues. Hearing gossip about his legitimate son from his bastard, Earl of Gloucester chose to believe the rumors more than his own blood, leading to one of his sons fleeing from him. The Earl reflects leaders who tend to only assume at face value; ones who impulsively decide without thinking things out thoroughly. 4. Deceptiveness (Edmund) The illegitimate son of Earl of Gloucester who made up a bunch of bad rumors, Edmund became the root of many problems and misunderstandings within their family. This trait is evident in leaders who make up stories for their own benefit or others’ misfortune. They often refuse to tell the truth just to attain their needs. 5. Foolishness (King Lear) Last but not least is our titular character himself. Going back to how the story began, many lives would have been saved if only King Lear made a good sense of judgment. If only he wasn’t foolish enough to be deceived by the captivating praises and looked more into actions than words, he might have made a right and leader-like decision. These are just some of the countless secrets hidden inside the Shakespearean texts. We may have identified the unfavorable, but there are still Cordelias, Edgars, and Kings of France that could serve as epitomes of good leaders. In this case, may these five traits remain only in the books and never destroy a story of a great leader again.
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MAXIMA PUGNATO (The Greatest Fighter)
text | Justin Andrei D. Tanilon illustration | Martha Julian Samantha P. Jamero
Dolorem, dolor, et damnum—the tragedies that befall man. Written between the lines of pain, sorrow, and loss, “Invictus” is a work of literature crafted by William Ernest Henley; telling of mankind’s darkest times and his fortitude during tumultuous hours. In his case, Henley stroke the pen on the paper for this poem in his life’s rock bottom. Laying on his hospital bed, suffering from an amputated leg, blossomed forth a beacon of hope that continues to resonate through the unfaltering souls of today. The central metaphor of the poem was linked to the darkest moment of the day— night, which manifests itself in many predicaments. Be it in the form of a high school heartbreak, the loss of a dream job, or the walk on a tightrope with death, difficulties are at the very core of our existence. Whether we like it or not, we will always have to face the greatest crossroads of life, and along the way, several bumps in the road inevitably challenge our will to live. This leaves us tethered to the pitch-black uncertainty of everything, and in the fall of the night— sometimes—life becomes a nightmare and death a daydream.
The poem encapsulates the night as a long and dark tunnel. Staring directly at this void’s face, man can bleed; man can cry; and man can fall. He may fall victim to the consequences of earthly menaces, and he may be defeated by uncontainable things. But isn’t that the whole point of existence? To stand firm in the battlefield of life, where wrath and tears loom and the horror of the shade awaits. At the end of the night—of the tunnel— nothing compares to a man who has travelled through hell and has chosen to beat it at its dirty, infernal game. Only he can be his own light—one that can lead through the suffocating darkness of uncertainty. You see, the thing about the future is that it is uncertain. Not one soul can tell what paths lie ahead. We are responsible with how we weave our own existence; how we intricately loom each thread—the good, the bad, and everything in between— into something even the cosmos could not fathom. In these threads, we can always add in strength, resilience, and hope—man’s greatest driving forces. After all, we are the masters of our fate and the captains of our soul.
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love
In the midst of looming darkness, lies a streaking light; radiating from a mother’s love for her child—branded as a killer by the world. Never once did Mrs. Drumm make her son feel alone. A mother’s love endures, and has endured all, even the deception that had everybody else fooled. “Mama’s always here, always.” text | Ben Joseph L. Maido illustration | Martha Julian Samantha P. Jamero
Quoted text taken from The Confession by John Grisham
Y
outhful passions, quarrelsome parents, untamed decisions—sounds like the perfect recipe for a relationship in chaos. Love. Clichéd or dramatic in our own language, it is such a delicate word—a flexible thought that lingers in the center of each person’s being, often towering beyond decisions we make and turn us over. Such happens in A Midsummer Night’s Dream where Hermia’s father, Egeus, agrees to let Demetrius marry his daughter in an arranged marriage. However, she declines because of her true love for Lysander as with the fairies in the forest, namely Oberon and Titania. Problems erupt from both sides as Robin, Oberon’s assistant fairy, places a spell on both Lysander and Titania—falling in love with the first person they saw. No sooner did the disagreements end when Oberon calls Robin to stop the madness. In the end, all have made their decisions and learned from their mistakes. In an ever-changing populace where society can be as subjective as they seek, love has also shifted in the eyes of the public. A thing to be revelled in movie screens, discoursed in group conversations, questioned in the courtrooms—the word has adjusted to the way people want it to be, or just exercised to their own advantage. As observed in Shakespeare’s story, gender roles, too, play god in love—seeping its way into the decisions and choices a person often makes. In the story, Egeus is a patriarchal father to Hermia, constantly reminding the young girl that she is property that can be easily disposed of by Demetrius.
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The same can be said about how Oberon treats his wife as if she were his servant. Nothing can be further from the truth as marriage to the Greeks was merely intended for reproduction and social responsibility. Fast forward thousands of years later, some rich businessmen have made it a custom to marry their daughters over to other wealthy associates to form partnerships. More than that, misogyny managed to survive and fester in the relationships of today. But if the past whispered of feminism, the present world screams it on the rooftops. Women assert much of dominance as men do; they also chase after glory and happiness for themselves. Seeing that he only wanted her for her beauty and social status, Hermia decides to fully reject her father’s wishes of marrying Demetrius, and in the name of true love, runs away with Lysander. Likewise, women today are capable of making their own decisions for themselves and not society. Women have made their mark in the world and continue to press on towards a different change, claiming a lost legacy—what should’ve been theirs since the very beginning. Love is baseless and fleeting; a shifting everyday belief—like phases of the moon. It is cruel to the imaginations of those who flirt with its notions, but also comforting to those who truly search for it. This intricate and mysterious feeling is not to be bothered only by a sense of fulfillment in longing for something; looking past the horizon of the emotion is what contributes to the experience. For without realizing these beliefs, love becomes perilous.
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Nothing Will Ever Ruin This text | Rieden Denielle N. Cuadra illustration | Stephanie Louise L. Gregas
Walking down the aisle of a convenience store, a hand clasped to another, was you and your significant other. This person, whom you are so deeply in love with, is yours and no one else’s. Nothing could ever ruin this, not even the grandest gifts nor the sweetest wishes. Until time passed. Perhaps you had fancied someone new, someone who stole a stare the moment your favorite song came on. Then, you wondered how it’s stupid that you had not met them five, seven, 10 years ago. You start talking a whole lot more and an oddly familiar comfort subtly creeps in—a “click”. All this while your current relationship continues to pale in comparison to the slick crusted scales of illicitness, and the passion and guilt you have with this new person. This exact conundrum was ever-present in the drunkenly narrated “Miller’s Tale”; where a young woman—married to a carpenter— lets two students (one scholarly, the other priestly) use everything within their power to bed her. The young woman ultimately fell for the scholar, bringing the tale to its final clandestine meeting. Where, in the dark,
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the two unraveled their mutual longings—all under the carpenter’s nose. However, this fantasy would soon come to its burning conclusion, as the priest would eventually pierce a blazing rod through the scholar’s bum. There’s an old saying that when love starts out in the darkness, it usually doesn’t do well in the light. So really, how many people are you willing to fool before you eventually fool yourself? While elevating new relationships up a notch is greatly commendable—make sure you could be honest about it to those who love you. For sure, there’s a lot of excitement within the secrecy, but it’s up to you if you want that; or the liberating, comfortable life where you don’t need to hide anything. So, what would happen if you had met them sooner? Nothing probably, is the answer. Your favorite song would have come on in the classroom, and you would have decided their hair was too coarse or their laugh too loud. After all, you were perfectly happy with your significant other at the time, content even, and nothing will ever ruin that. Next time you want your “clicks” to blossom into budding romances, no more hiding—be honest.
He Who Drowned in Hope text | Yamana D. Montero illustration | Joseph Bryant J. de los Santos photo | Kayla Angelique D. Castillo
Chasing a love that is not destined by the stars is a war against fate, and mind you, she has never lost one. Growing up, books are one of the things that have introduced us to the powers of love: Its capability to traverse the aggressive tides, calm the raging heavens, and move the tallest mountains. Ultimately, we were taught that it was the strongest force in the universe— encompassing all boundaries and limitations. But as reality strips off the blanket of utopianism, we eventually get to witness how love alone is immensely incapable. That there is more to happily-ever-afters other than just the presence of love in between; a truth best told by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Narrated by Nick Carraway, it revolved around Jay Gatsby’s relentless pursuit of the American dream and his own—taking back the flower that had gotten away. Although Daisy promised to wait for him, she grew weary and married another man. While on the other side of the island, stood Gatsby from a penniless past to a now unimaginable opulence and privilege, all of which were deeply rooted in his desperate desire to be with Daisy. But even with his unfaltering determination, fate begged to differ. With his adamance in surrendering to what was unlikely, fate 25
viciously responded with a revelation of past lies and a miserable turn of events that led to Gatsby’s last breath. At some point, one would think, how come someone like Jay Gatsby—the epitome of the American dream— lost the only girl he had ever desired? People gorge on the misconceived belief that love conquers all; when in fact, it can’t—as it never did. It may have the ability to overcome rough patches and could even last a lifetime, but we can never disregard the actuality that “all” is just too many. Living in a world where its moral backbone is potentially fragile, relationships’ inclination to collapse are sometimes intensified by third parties who get tangled in the nets. But oftentimes, other people’s intervention is not the biggest reason for two lovers to break apart; discontentment, diverging priorities, and unparallel intensities of commitment have ushered the turning points for many lovers. As Gatsby fell in love with a woman who obviously did not have him at the top of her priority list, their story lined up with other unfortunate tales
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from our own human reality. Even though love may be a significant puzzle piece, it is surely not the only one. In relationships, several elements must be taken into account. Meeting halfway requires both to be on the same page; shouldered by communication, understanding, and compromise. Failure in an aspect or two would render every bit of affection, effort, and time, useless. As blind as we are—with not a single glimpse of what is in store for our hearts tomorrow—it would all be a matter of knowing two things: When to pursue a love that is rightfully meant for us, and when to let go of one that can never be ours. Sadly, this is how the heartbreaking story of Gatsby came to be. A tale of an obsessed man seeking someone more infatuated with comfort and security; drowning in the deep depths of his despair and destruction—anchored by his own hopeful possibilities. The Great Gatsby almost had everything. Almost. But that was just before vicious fate ended the war with him losing it all.
text | Miles U. Guancia illustration | Eli T. Gozon
A truth universally acknowledged is that guardians settle couples below or above a pedestal, but may possess positively occult talents—especially in expectations such as stability in fortune and flushed matchmaking. features give rise to perspectives blind and bigoted. Such frisky knacks can be observed in the poor, impatient nerves of Missus Bennet, grand dame of the novel Pride and Prejudice. Set within pastel-washed Victorian England, author Jane Austen piques on the life of provincial family Bennet—whose matriarch urges her husband to scout, for any of their five daughters, a man to wed. However, despite unspoken protests, Missus Bennet insistently hunts for a young man of great yield in aims to uplift Longbourn estate from the middle-class. In humorous accuracy, Austen points her cold finger upon the fact that social class and filial standards sway one’s outlook on love. Then again, with many people suffering under its mighty, often unshakable influence; the dreaded tradition of predetermined marriage romps on.
While there ought to be no division apart from distinction, all experiences felt, sights seen, and feelings absorbed accumulate to one’s entire identity. Humanity, ever so flawed and fragile, must not be content but rather curious. Sometimes we fail to understand that boundaries need to be pushed once everything is comfortable. Perhaps it is in seeing someone differently that we discover something new— love. Indeed, it is a dread to hear other people’s remarks about inferiority of birth and bad behavior. But perhaps it is by humble indifference, unseen values, and unmitigated desires that you burn slowly towards true love.
Now, fire does not find its breath easily; you ought to find it. In that same way, walk the fields of life, Wantonly efforts for wealth continue to be and by hope, find the one who loves you most ardently. imparted on children for a greater inheritance, although it assures them indefinite happiness. But whether or not it’s out of fear of rendering a child penniless, love must not be equated to fortune, family, or disposition. Truth be told, prolonged practice of depriving decisions and enforcing affection causes more stir within families—and lovers. Quite often, an unchosen birth accounts a person to countless dispensations and unwanted responsibilities. A social rank can either
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text | Zerjemae C. Zaragoza edit | Stephanie Anne A. Alolon
L
ike thin strings, our lives snap much easier than we think. Once that vital connection has been cut loose, the fall to the abyss is nothing but inescapable. However, some of us were born with unyielding spirits, tightly grasping the broken thread and refusing to plummet to the end. One such soul is John Paul Occeño from the University of St. La SalleIntegrated School. At a young age, he suffered from bacterial meningitis, which is an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. “[...] was feeling very exhausted even though I was not doing any activities before I felt this disturbing headache.” He recalls that when he was six years old, a pain surged through his mind from out of nowhere. According to Occeño, the details of his excruciating experience were hazy. “I couldn’t exactly remember how I recovered, but I could recall some specifics like how I went through medical treatments such as an MRI [Magnetic Resonance Imaging], a CT [Computerized Tomography] scan, and lastly, a lumbar tap.” While under heavy medication, the experience he went through must have been frightening, even more so because he was but a child
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then and had no awareness of the world around him. “It still disturbs me whenever I have a fever with a headache because that was how I felt when I experienced it,” he says, as his body has not quite forgotten the feeling of teetering between life and death. In those troubling times, he relied solely on the help of his family to get through such a shocking disaster. In fact, that was the one thing he could clearly remember. To him, their support was like a guiding light breaking apart the looming fog of darkness, similar to how the moon illuminates the bleak night. It was this bright beacon at the end of the tunnel that convinced his young spirit to keep fighting, to hold tightly at the string that was about to snap. Often, we overlook the power of hope. But if there’s one thing Occeño has made clear, it’s that we must not lose faith. Perhaps in a deity—or in our own selves. Moving forward and refusing to be held back, this experience has done nothing but teach him to enjoy life to the fullest. As a matter of fact, he’s currently a part of the Integrated School’s Aspirant Basketball team, proving that the flames of life are not so easily extinguished. Death is frightening, but it is people like John Paul Occeño who remind us that we are not so weak as to be pushed over the edge just like that.
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tragedy Truth doesn’t always prevail, nor is all-powerful. It has failed to uproot the racism that has been embedded into the fabric of the society. As the last chapter takes its bow, Donte Drumm takes his final breath. It may not be a bright light, but it certainly reflects the reality of our dull world. “You ask yourself on your last morning if you are really ready. You search for courage, but the bravery is fading. When it’s over, no one really wants to die.” text | Ben Joseph L. Maido illustration | Ana Dominique G. Manabat
Quoted text taken from The Confession by John Grisham
text | Lance Rafael M. Lazaro illustration | Rizle M. Patopatin
Corrupted power, ruthless tyranny, and terrible bloodshed. Sounds like your typical kingdom-gone-bad narrative. Specifically, an old Shakespearean play tells of the perils of Macbeth—a Scottish general who, by his spurring ambition and wife, murdered King Duncan and acceded the throne. But even the gods and goddesses—and those who think themselves high and mighty, like Macbeth himself—are not spared from the grasp of divine retribution. As was the calling of the stars, three witches had promised inevitable kingship in Macbeth’s future. Instead, extreme ambition coerced him to take the pen himself and write his own fate—ultimately leading to his untimely demise. Some ambitions lead to people completing their life’s dreams. However, others would be quick to say that ambition is poison, especially when it forces people to abandon their morals in the pursuit of pleasure to which greed, power, and intolerance come to play. Minus the witches, curses, and ghosts, of course, the tragedy of Macbeth does not stray from reality as it explores the consequences awaiting all in a moral 34
universe—one that recoils sin and punishes it. What most don’t realize, however, is that ambition is like the first sip of water after the drought; in which the more you drink, the more you thirst. When left unchecked, ambition can reach far lengths and go berserk, destroying both the person and those around. Its most powerful expression manifested in Macbeth, who went against his better judgment; afterward stews in guilt and paranoia. Eventually, his madness led to the slaying of innocent civilians. Many of us lack the understanding that whenever we choose an action, its consequences are part of the package. Whether it be good or bad, we are always bound to face the repercussions. In Macbeth’s case, this happened to be most drastic as his immoral acts caused him to suffer the pangs of his conscience. You see, all of us have some evil in ourselves, but it is the fine line between ambition and discontent that keeps it at bay, and gives us power—the choice to be human. Our future hangs in the balance of our everyday decisions, and in our hands now lie the keys to the kingdom—the option between ambitions and morals. All we have to do now is choose.
The Romanticized Trauma text | Khryztyl Grace J. Bulao photo | Charlize Reyannette T. Nicasio illustration | Ana Dominique G. Manabat
The glace timbre of young Juliet’s infamous cry reached the far ends of the ocean and settled into the hearts of many. Tragedy must have tasted too sweet for the people to develop an omnipresent sweet tooth, when all was known that the endgame is rotten work. Although, massive kudos to William Shakespeare who had outdone himself once again. His wit and genius supplied an effective formula to con the crowd that he, himself, believed in love at first sight. Several criticism surfaced the idea that this was the author’s way of mockery apropos to young love—the plethora of far-fetched foolishness is way beyond Shakespearean work. 1. I Love the Idea of You, Not You. Enter Romeo. A love-lorn youth of the Montague clan whose mere intention only lies in crashing the Capulet’s party to catch a glimpse of a girl; who, at that time, held him in an unrequited affection. He, instead, stumbled upon young Juliet with her reciprocated attraction—his previous “love” suddenly vanished into thin air and long forgotten. All this time, this boy was not pining for these two girls, he
was mooning over love itself. He founded just that within Juliet’s to give him what he wanted. His declaration of love to Juliet was perceived as summer lightning, for it bloomed briefly and struck a fleeting blindness for the one in witness. However, keep in mind that there is a difference between being in love with a particular person and being in love with the idea of love. Do not chase the spark of the flame—but be drawn to its capacity to burn. 2. Codependency is not Romance Enter Juliet. Daughter to Capulet, who took the renowned quote “Everyone is a fool” too seriously. Being treated like a piece of property by her father took its toll on her sense of freedom— making her unfamiliar to choice. After jumping into Romeo’s arms, it made her feel like she’s capable of many things—a kind of bliss she is eager to sacrifice for. At a young age, everyone expects you to be gullible, but not to the point of thickness to end your own life just to make a drivel 35
statement. She might have proven herself right that she was her own person, but what the world sees is a lesson learned often committed by young and ignorant teens. 3. Stick to Standards Enter Rosaline. Before disappearing for the rest of the play, her presence remained the only one with a looming sense. Underneath her persona as a local girl who comes close to a nobody, she was wise and sensible. Firm with her countenance, she knew that Romeo was not infatuated with her but the idea of who she was in his head. No relationship comes out good if it feels forced. Rosaline knew that she was under no obligation to force herself to return Romeo’s feelings back. No matter the goading and teasing they received from Mercutio (Romeo’s best friend), she was balanced on her feet and was not easily swayed; unlike these two pubescent lovers whose mere impulses were tragedies itself—delved headfirst into a
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shallow-puddled infatuation, never knowing it actually requires depth. If only they were not too driven by the rapid strike of love and the sweet taste of rebellion by defying their stars, things would not have quaked into a fault. If only the two star-crossed lovers thought things through in the light of their circumstances, it would have been less of a tragedy but more of a glorious love story. Perhaps the dagger was laced with a poison more deadly than its pierce—“naivete”. But even then, it was not the knife nor the poison that killed them. The second they took the risk of falling without the dire knowledge of what lies beneath— mid-air they were already dead. Likewise, nowadays, relationships meant leaping into a pit of reckless choices; a shattered heart hurts more than a broken leg. ‘Till then, the aftermath of heedless commitment could unfold similarly to the woeful story of Juliet and her Romeo. Exit.
Ensign of the Times text | Francis Exequiel P. Ampil illustration | Hannah Nicole R. Esblaca award, Iago seals her fate at her husband’s feet. Men in rage strike those who wish them best. The quote comes from William Shakespeare’s Othello, the play’s culture of spite condensed in these few words. The credit for such viciousness is courtesy of Iago—the play’s antagonist. But not only is he the villain, he may as well be the villain of Shakespearean work. For the uninitiated, Othello spins the tale of the titular general as he unravels from hero typical to tragic due to the scheming Iago. He loses everything, even his wife Desdemona, all because the ensign was wronged. Motifs recur in the play, ever-present as they string in and out. To name a few, jealousy, racism, manipulation—all three of which Iago boasts in jet-black spades. To the cast, Iago is but the Moorish general’s trusted ensign— Honest Iago, they call him—but the audience sees him in all his Machiavellian glory. Iago’s actually the first character to appear in Othello, alongside Roderigo, whose envy unravels the events leading to Desdemona’s death. While Roderigo covets her, that only paves the way for the ensign to enact his jealousy towards his non-promotion by Othello. Conjuring adultery out of thin air between Desdemona and Othello’s beloved captain, who stole his
The unseen hand driving that wedge, Iago plays chess while everyone else plays checkers. Just like a chessboard, Othello greatly emphasizes the black and white of things. Productions of Othello are usually liberal with the characters’ race—except for the obvious two because everything revolves around Iago and Othello. The latter is usually played by a Black man and the former must have the caucasity to match the audacity. But a sickening familiarity comes in witnessing Iago take out his venom on the Moorish Othello, what good his life had poisoned. The white man villainizes the Black hero, a tale as old as time; even Shakespeare was woke. Some say Iago loses in the end, but does he? He’s convicted for his crimes, but the damage is dealt. Under a thick veneer of trust and honesty did Iago finally betray the Moor, and along with it came the inconsolable, irreversible destruction in Venice. What Othello said seems to ring true: Men should be what they seem. Not his last words, but they might as well be.
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text | William Khalid Vibar photo | Charlize Reyannette T. Nicasio illustration | Hannah Nicole R. Esblaca
“An eye for an eye makes the world go blind.” This tale of a million twists and turns begins as a cut-and-dry royal family drama, and ends up with the death of literally the entire main cast. Hamlet, named after a young Danish prince seeking to take revenge on his father’s death, is a cautionary tale for those aching to take a pot shot at their enemies. This saga sets off with Hamlet being visited by the ghost of his father, the former king, who narrates his murder at the hands of Claudius—his brother and heir. So, planning to kill his uncle and avenge his father, the ever-scheming Hamlet decides to make his actor friends perform a play, mimicking the exact manner of the late king’s death to see how his uncle would react. As anyone in Hamlet’s shoes would think, revenge may somehow just seem to fill that void left behind by the death of a loved one; exacerbated by the thought that they were murdered in cold blood. So, just as he did, many people would either mess with the murderer or take his life altogether. During a fencing match where Claudius is in attendance, Hamlet finally goes berserk and forces Claudius to drink poisoned wine—symbolically completing the cycle beginning in the poisoning of his father. Unfortunately 38
for
everyone
involved,
the whole ordeal kills the entire royal family. To add insult to injury, Fortinbras—a Norwegian prince—comes strolling in with his army, and upon seeing that the entire royal family has died, claims the throne for himself. As a plot for a play, this is incredibly satisfying, but in practice, this is simply going too far. Instead of just seeing a psychiatrist to deal with whatever problems lurking in that dark mind of his, our leading man here decided to commit murder thus creating more losses than wins. That is what all this is about, really; loss and a loss-driven rampage to virtually obliterate, not only your enemy, but also all that you know and love. Hamlet knows better than anyone that grief and sorrow translated into poison and violence kills more than what— or who—it could save. This titillating spiel by our beloved William Shakespeare shows just how messy a vendetta can be—even if it can be rationalized to some extent. So pro tip: In the end, if you seek revenge, be sure to dig two graves, not one. For the sake of this Danish prince, though, he should’ve planned a whole cemetery by this tale’s end.
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divine justice
“Justice will always be served” applies to no one but the privileged. Travis Boyette, the actual culprit, gets away with defending his innocent façade. Forget your spice and you get a white man—an instant ticket above the law. Bars of steel are not made for justice, but for the ones who oppose those in power. There are no moral gray areas. It suits our indifferent world as those who wield power are unethical—those who don’t are noble but mistreated. “Prisons are hate factories, Pastor, and society wants more and more of them.” text | Ben Joseph L. Maido illustration | Ana Dominique G. Manabat
Quoted text taken from The Confession by John Grisham
WHEN HEL
text | Kim illustration | Rizl and Jewel Irish
In what probably caused an uptick in 14th century churchgoers, Dante Alighieri took a trip to Hell. “Inferno”—part I of III of the Divine Comedy—drew a definitive picture of the Christian underworld. None have explicated the workings and consequences of sin as this epic poem had and, as the first of its kind, made waves in the proverbial ocean of the world. So, what better way to experience this game-changer than to tread where Dante trod? Abandon all hope, you who enter here, declared the gates of Hell. On the banks of the river Acheron, the screams of the Uncommitted welcomes you to the earth’s bowels. Neither in nor out of the inferno, these souls—who only cared about themselves—are cursed to chase after their own futile, wavering desires. The First Circle is revealed, upon crossing the black waters, as a lackluster Heaven. Here in Limbo resided the guiltless souls; their only fault was the misfortune of not having met Christ. Virgil, done with escorting Dante through the Circles, might be seen lounging around. After fielding the serpentine Minos— who judges all dead souls—you arrive at the Second Circle: Lust. Beset by a violent storm, the unceasing winds whip and lash at the shades who committed this shared gratuitous sin. In the distance, you might see an embraced
Paris and Helen as they sway in the zephyr, yet this punishment was the mildest. You could smell the Third Circle before you saw it, an endless sleet of waste that fell and thawed into a marsh of filth in which the gluttonous lay. Ciacco, for his all-consuming hunger in life, wallowed in dirty mud—like the swine he was named for. The Fourth Circle is confusing, as shades rally behind great weights and push them at each other. The miserly and the prodigal are cursed to bear the weight of their greed in a comical and pointless imitation of joust, but just like their sin, that’s the idea— pointlessness. Now, in the Fifth Circle, the frenzied wrathful fight on the surface of the Styx. Deep below, shades drown in the muddy waters, suffocating in their own sullen rage.
LL MELTS
m T. Diaz le M. Patopatin h S. Belascuain
with bows and arrows. Across the river is a quiet copse of twisted trees, each populated by the souls of those who took their own life—considered an insult to the body—and are now eternally denied of even the human form. The woods open into a vast desert of burning sand, where those who commit unnatural acts are tormented by a similarly unnatural force— flaming rain. In this circle, irony’s the theme as the punishments subvert their original sin. The circle of Wrath is more marsh than river, representative of the hatred that they let strangle them in life, which now chokes them for all eternity. Towering walls interrupt the riverbank; enter the City of Dis, where Lower Hell is encapsulated. Within this barricade is the Sixth circle, housing heretics—anyone with a contrasting belief to Christianity. Epicurus and his disciples, along with all other denizens of the Sixth, are entombed in flaming graves. If you take the steep descent into the Seventh Circle, the three rings of Violence present themselves. The first is a river, where those who wallowed in the blood of fellow men as mortals now drown in blood and fire as shades. These sinners, such as Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles, bob on the surface and are kept from escape by centaurs armed
After yet another cliff, you arrive now at the malebolge, the 10 ditches that compose the Eighth Circle: Fraud. This circle is the most nuanced, as in each bolgia is a different type of sinner: From corrupt politicians in boiling tar, to thieves plagued by serpents, to deceivers who burn alive. You might catch sight of a grinning Odysseus held within his tower of flame. Now, Hell’s an inferno, but in its center is a frozen lake—the circle of Treachery. In the ice, four nested rings suspend traitors: to family, to country, to guests, and to lords. Having committed the worst sin, they have become unmoving tortured shells. At the heart of it all is the Devil, the greatest sinner, eternally imprisoned in his icy Kingdom—futile and powerless.
A SIN’S text | Angeli M. Geroso
Cardinal vices have been fostering since time immemorial; so to ascend in a holy path and atone for these sins, a payment must be made. However, the price exceeds any dime. Molded in the horror of Lucifer’s fall, Mount Purgatory looms above the sapphire sea of the southern hemisphere. After emerging on its shores, Dante and Virgil begin their quest for earthly paradise—passing through the whips of each terrace that lash away at different transgressions. 1st Terrace: Pride Intricate sculptures illustrating humility are embedded on this mountain terrace. Prideful penitents, engrossed in fame and dominion, pay the price by bearing the weight of heavy boulders
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behind their backs; all the while looking down on the pavement that conveys the evils of pride— the root of all sins. 2nd Terrace: Envy This area is dedicated to those who spent their lives craving other people’s happiness, and even harming others just to quench their spiteful thirsts. Fully clad in grey cloaks, the envious mend themselves by having their eyes sewn shut with threads of iron; while tales of generosity and envy resonate in the whole terrace. 3rd Terrace: Wrath Prayers, amplified by the voices of wrathful souls, fill the last terrace of corrupted passion. Such sinners are purged by wandering through a blinding smoke as a representation of the anger that clouded their judgments in the past.
WORTH photos | Lucille Marie L. Magcumot illustration | Cassel Dave G. Tiva
4th Terrace: Sloth Excusable crimes of slothful penitents lead to transgressions that are beyond the moral compass of man. Those who manifested deficient love by dwelling in the comfort of ease and discarding the means for salvation are punished perpetually—to run ceaselessly while crying aloud examples of sloth and zeal. 5th Terrace: Avarice With greed, ambition, and extravagance, sinners who were blinded by excessive love for earthly things are pressed down onto the earth, until they have purged and rectified their sins. Here, Dante and Virgil feel a sudden tremor which indicates that a soul is free to ascend to heaven. 6th Terrace: Gluttony Compensating for the cost of indulgence in life are the souls of the gluttonous, who must resist
their excruciating hunger as the virtue of temperance echoes in the sixth terrace. Fruit-bearing trees, that are far out of reach, intensify their starvation. 7th Terrace: Lust In this region, two groups of penitents burn their sins into ashes while chanting the virtues of husbands and wives, as well as examples of lust. Incinerating the excessive passion, that contravened with chastity and marital fidelity, is a vast wall of flame where Dante and Virgil must pass to ascend into the Garden of Eden. As the climb toward purification draws near, the cost of human vices diminishes. Nonetheless, the price tag that is plastered on each offense is still expensive, for the worth of sin can’t be paid with just any amount. Can you afford to pay the price?
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The Anatomy of Redemptive Hope Sin, regret, and confession—three words that man often neglects thinking it could be averted. Pleading innocent, he would attempt to erase any memory of his sin and simply move on with life, but “The Parson’s Tale” begs to disagree. Straight out of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, this story is a solemn and formal sermon on the renunciation of the world. The Parson speaks of all life as a pilgrimage where all grief ends. He also spent a good portion of his sermon dealing with the forgiveness of sins, most especially with the sinful pilgrims who took turns in telling their tales. Leaders fumbled into smutty political corruption, religious gurus descended to the abysmal beauty of temptation, and intellectuals embroiled
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into sugarcoated appearance of pride do not just pass by as characters in this fiction piece, but walk by you every day, people as modern as the world they—and we— live in. What makes sin detestable is in its being common; the easiness to descend into its pitfall of viciousness. After all, missing mark after mark will drive you to do things unimaginable just to have a win under your belt. On the bright side, change is a reality nobody can alter. Given this material world— including ourselves in all our flesh and bone—we are all mutable. Hence, we believe there is a chance to jackboot our failuredrenched situation. As an example, stop making excuses. Instead of pointing fingers on why you failed, own up to your mistakes and learn from them. Also learn to let
text | Anna Sophia C. Galzote illustration | Chelsea Anne A. Rallos
go of anger, even though it’s easier said than done. Letting it fester will result in making unwise decisions. To aid you, write feelings down or meditate to manage your thoughts. Lastly, practice forgiveness and let go of resentment. Unlike wishes, hope is proverbially resilient that things will surely change for the better, if not the optimal goodness. Redemption is our finality where failure turns to victory—a scar transformed to a badge of splendor.
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ASTRONOMICAL
DECISION text | Nicole Frances H. Sazon illustration | Stephanie Louise L. Gregas and Jewel Irish S. Belascuain
At some point in our lives, we wondered what Heaven would look like—and Dante Alighieri’s “Paradiso” is the closest we can get to seeing it. This poet lets his readers catch a glimpse of the promised land on how he conceived it to be; segregating the people within nine levels, each distinct with celestial characteristics, depending on the inhabitants’ advocacy before surrendering their mortality. In the Divine Comedy’s third section, Dante and his lover, Beatrice, experience the sought after paradise—traversing across its nine spheres. 1. Moon Luna’s waxing and waning is being manifested by the souls that failed to keep their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Residing in this sphere are mostly exiled nuns with tampered promises and, though not their own fault, even the victims of rape. 2. Mercury The ambitious secure a spot in heaven as long as justice and religion are part of the package. Emperor Justinian of the Byzantine era explains that he, and the others in that sphere, fell short of meeting the qualifications of the higher levels for they were ultimately blinded by fame and personal gain rather than God’s love. 3. Venus Hosannas sung akin to a siren’s leave people yearning for more in Venus, a home to the spirits who exhibited genuine love for God and humanity, and to the lovers whose connection was tainted by wanton.
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4. Sun Like a glorious star shedding light to the vast darkness of outer space, the spirits residing in the fourth sphere are those who shone their intellectual light unto others—a special place for the compassionate teachers and professors. 5. Mars From white to topaz, the radiance of the spirits here changes as they glow brighter when one of them is spoken to. The fifth sphere is home to the holy warriors mostly from crusades; the ones who had decided to be martyrs for God’s name, their fortitude souls forming a cross. 6. Jupiter Cherish justice, you who judge the earth. With this motto and the representation of an eagle, one can tell that the souls in this sphere are those of the just; together with righteous princes and former Pagans. 7. Saturn Climbing up and down a golden ladder that soars to the Empyrean were those who dedicated their past lives to praying and practicing temperance. Lucent spirits shining their message of pure, refined love as they enhance the light of one another. 8. The Fixed Stars The Virgin Mary, Biblical saints, and Adam are present in this sphere for they are Christ’s vicars who lived in accordance to His will. A curtain of light hides Christ himself, yet one must turn away for our eyes cannot withstand its intensity. 9. Primum Mobile Also known as the Crystalline, this sphere gets its name for its transparency and infinite speed, slowing down the lower Heavens. An intense bright light wraps around the nine circles—representing the orders of angels—with God in the center. Now, our travel down the nine spheres of paradise has come to an end. At last we can enter the afterlife, Heaven, should we live in high regard with the Gospel.
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An Ending’s Graces text | Ma. Enrica Clarisse M. Dio graphics | Kayla Angelique D. Castillo
The Wielder of infinity. The Alpha and Omega. The Cradle of Divinity. Where must this great force reside? What throne mighty enough to hold Him? Whose eyes are worthy of ever seeing Him? “Paradiso” is Dante’s way of filling up the part of people’s minds that question what heaven is like, and the “Empyrean” is for those who seek the answers.
The Empyrean is not a sphere but the splendor of God’s mind, proof that an intangible Divinity reflects His greatness on what, too, is not physical in this corporeal world; this eminence is manifested in covenants, morals, and virtues. As temporary dwellers of this world, we are tasked to move on to the next, but not without the clues the Lord leaves so as to not lose ourselves in the labyrinth of this physical realm. Valuing these covenants, morals, and virtues instead of what are physical, temporary, and worldly is what gives us the guiding light towards the tunnel of our death.
Dante’s chapter on the “Empyrean” begins with Saint Bernard of Clairvaux imploring to the Blessed Mary, who prays for the sake of Dante—a mere mortal in a divine and godly realm. The Holy Mother grants his prayer, but upon seeing God, Dante couldn’t fathom His mighty being. That was until he got his wish and finally understood; at the expense of his memory. Now, he is conscious of nothing but his free will, which is finally in complete harmony with God’s.
We are judged not on what we physically put out in the world but on why we do. We are spiritual beings in bodies of flesh and blood, our physicality left behind to enter a realm no material façade is great enough to house. Our good deeds are only as good as they get; it is with whom we have sinned against who can grant us forgiveness, as Dante still needed Mary’s virtue. But it is with our repentance that we are granted a chance to see the light at the end of the tunnel and enter Zion’s gates.
Dante’s centuries-old piece talks about an immortal realm to be pondered by a mortal being—with its lines becoming an abstract decree of the Lord’s court.
There’s so much in store for us in the life beyond this one, but it only depends on us if it’s something we’d look forward to.
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COMICS
text | Francis Exequiel P. Ampil and Miles Guancia illustration | Mary Andrea Geolingo
on the tram
haunted house
the romance of certain old clothes
Forrest Gump
by Sabrina Ysabelle C. Ledesma
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by Krisla Gail J. Batac
if you read it, watching the movie won’t leave you disappointed. The movie offers a magical world, fueling children’s imaginations, fantasies, and wonders. Even against the themes of war and violence throughout, the film shows how the four siblings’ bond strengthens— tackling bravery, selflessness, and sacrifice in the name of saving Narnia.
For several people, intelligence plays a big role in their future, but for Forrest Gump, life was never about that.
In the dullest moments of reality, our minds can drift to the brightest fantasy it can find.
The famous 1994 film follows the life of a kind-hearted southern boy named Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks), who finds himself weaved into some of the most important events in American history during the late 20th century. From being a college football star, to an army veteran, and then a shrimp business owner, one thing was always on Forrest’s mind: his lifelong best friend, Jenny Curran (Robin Wright). Despite falling short on intelligence, his giant heart takes him into great lengths with love, destiny, and happiness.
Some dream of having a portal leading to a magical universe, and for the Pevensie children, this came in the form of a closet. In 2005, director Andrew Adamson brought C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to life, and us to the world beyond that same dusty wardrobe.
This award-winning classic won the hearts of many through its unique depiction of the meaning of life. As the audience runs alongside Gump through the hurdles, they weren’t only enlightened by his story, but also by his outstanding portrayal of humanity. Though a little too good to be true, his narrative brings the viewers to a tear-jerking set of emotions. Consequently, Hanks’ perfect mix of comedy and compassion effortlessly draws the crowd to his sweet character in an instant and clings to their attention all throughout. With his breathtaking performance and Gump’s touching autobiography, it’s no shocker how this film is a famous fan favorite. Following his outlook on life, this movie itself was full of pleasant surprises you might never see coming—just like a box of chocolates.
The Godfather II
by Giollan Henry P. Demaulo
“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” This quote by the infamous Michael Corleone sums up the entirety of 2009’s The Godfather II, a video game based on the film and book of the same name. Developed by Electronic Arts Redwood
In order to escape the chaos of World War II, the Pevensie children evacuate to Professor Kirke’s mansion; where they stumble upon the land of Narnia under the White Witch’s cold and wicked curse. However, an ancient prophecy foretells her downfall at what look to be the hands of Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy—who now hold the power to save Narnia with the help of their newfound magical friends. The casts’ performance made up for the lackluster cinematography of the movie, as they could entice you into following their adventures very closely— which would leave you with a comfort character or two by the end of it. The film adaptation closely followed the novel; so Shores, the game revolves around the operation of an underground mafia family, the Corleones, and their plans in dominating the mob chains in New York and Cuba. For the pros, the plot was suave, with every mission unique from the last. On top of that, the soundtrack was on a different level since it was completely engineered to maximize the feel and tension of the game. However, the rendering of characters completely went down the drain. When speaking with other non-playable characters, the player often suddenly vanishes. Adding to this, the mechanics were great because it was up to date during its time, but it needed a lot of polishing with the example of the aiming levels being messy. The plot was amazing, only a few things were told in addition to the storyline of the 70’s classic. But the design was noticeably recycled, hovering over polygonal faces rather than more realistic graphics. Despite its pros and cons, The Godfather II will still continue to be one of the classics of this video game era.
The film offers many people Narnia: somewhere to escape Earth when they need it most. So if you’re looking for a place to explore in your daydreams and fantasies, look no further than beyond the coats you have right in your closet.
hopeless fountain kingdom by Lou Marcial M. Cuesta
Notes of opposition and romance harmonize to play Halsey’s 2017 sophomore album. hopeless fountain kingdom is her feral pop-alt collective inspired by and hot off the trail of her debut album, Badlands— with new hip-hop and radio tunes in her arsenal. It welcomes us to a personal heartbreak chapter in Halsey’s life, one of a kingdom seething with conflict and lust. Opening with “The Prologue,” Halsey reads William Shakespeare’s literal prologue for Romeo and Juliet; illustrating similarities to the classic literature, alongside visuals from Baz Lurhmann’s film adaptation. Lead single “Now or Never” continues the album as the radio song that Halsey wishes to explore sonically, but falls short due to its vapid melodies. However, escorted by a ravishing music video, it broadens the dystopian scifi world the album tries to build. Strung together by Halsey’s subtle raspy tones is the album standout, “Heaven in Hiding”, which screams with tension as the album’s protagonists hide their love story. Playing out a somber piano tune this time, “Sorry” depicts Halsey’s insecurities destroying a potential relationship. Yet, astonishing visuals and themes couldn’t quite hide the album’s weakness, which lies in the supposed striking hip-hop and RnB songs, slipping on lackluster strains such as “Lie” feat. Quavo. All in all, hopeless fountain kingdom does exactly what the fictional place intends to do, providing refuge for songs too bad for heaven yet too good for hell.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
by Josie Ann H. Apdol
“You see, but you do not observe.” With his natural skills of observation and deductive reasoning, Sherlock Holmes is described as the first and only consulting
Bungou Stray Dogs by Grace Kay L. Milan
With characters named after literary giants, whoever wrote Bungou Stray Dogs must be quite the literature lover. Featuring hidden pasts and mysterious beginnings, the show is shrouded with obscurity for the majority of its first season. The show follows an expelled orphan named Atsushi, who has a fateful meeting with a man named Dazai—a member of the Armed Forces Organization. Unknown to his infamous power that has made him a wanted figure, Atsushi finds himself recruited to the Armed Forces and, shortly after, in a bizarre clash with supernaturally powered individuals from rival organizations. A wonderful prelude to the complex route to come, season one did a spectacular job in reeling viewers in. The lighthearted beginning was successful in setting the premise and in landing minor character attachments, leaving audiences with more questions than answers. The show then took an eventful turn in its second and third seasons by taking a darker—more appropriate— route. Unveiling the mystery with tragic flashbacks and an insightful point of view to even the supporting and opposing characters, the series handed an emotional burden to its viewers by humanizing them. The lines between good and bad were continuously broken as the plot played out, not even sparing the antagonist role. Well-taken for all the right reasons, Bungou Stray Dogs is indeed a worthy watch.
detective, pursuing criminals across the European continent with his uncanny ability of gathering evidence. From his first case to his very last, the four novels and 56 short stories of the Holmes pantheon lend readers countless insights into the method to his detective madness. Under the pen of Sir Conan Doyle, a British writer and social activist, the work is written from John Watson’s point of view, which gave it the power to play with the readers’ mind. The stories are framed within another story—each case the duo goes through and solves retold from within the comfort of his home. Even though the series is anything but formulaic, there’s a certain charm and wit to Holmes’s investigations that endear the readers. It is remarkable to see how Holmes made a habit of profiling each person that he meets based on the scantest of clues. Like small blood stains in the sleeves of a killer— every intricate detail in the story coincides with one another. However, the arrogant detective’s greatest asset is his greatest flaw—his personality, which sometimes gets in the way of solving crimes. The century-old detective stories are considered as a cult-classic that continues to inspire the minds of the modern age. A brilliant series for those who enjoy reading about criminal masterminds, bizarre characters, and thrilling plot lines, it will surely keep you on your toes.
Anne with an E by Ryan A. Rodriguez
What started as an innocent mistake unraveled an adventure of love, growth, and humanity. Based on the classic children literature, Anne of Green Gables, it follows the titular character (Amy McNulty) as she is accidentally adopted instead of a farmhand boy by two elderly siblings, Matthew (Robert Holmes Thomson) and Marilla Cuthbert (Geraldine James). Anne embarks through the journey of life in late 18th century Canada, sparking brightness inside those she meets as did her newfound parents discovered in her. Producer Moira Walley-Beckett anchored the series in realism: A tennis game of joy and harshness. Consequently, this dark approach became detestable to purists. Mostly noted are Anne’s wholesome imagination as a possible coping mechanism for her abusive upbringing, and the indifference shown to her as a former orphan. An affront as well is the interweaving narratives of societal issues, namely; misogyny, homophobia, and racism—among others—that are embellished in the storytelling.
Just like Sherlock Holmes, one must remember that nothing in this world is too little—that the tiniest details can become enormous as long as you have a magnifying glass.
However, the show and most viewers beg to differ, as these struggles are important to be given substance. How else are we to ground a story drawing upon history if we do not authenticate the entirety of our past?
Carrie
Commonly, period pieces are solely romanticized for the aesthetics rather than delving into brushed-off human perspectives and experiences. This coming-of-age story isn’t like that for it shows that sometimes children see the world in honesty—
by Sam Hervey T. Sabordo
even when those before them close their eyes.
Revenge has never tasted sweeter than seeing your oppressor in hellish pain. Carrie, the debut horror book by bestselling novelist Stephen King in 1974, revolves around the dull and unattractive title character and her hell of a school life, bullied for her naiveness with having her period. Add that with the fact that her mother is a hysterically religious woman willing to pound the devil out of her makes her home life a living torment as well. The book, however, is still filled with action and gore, ending with a satisfying body count due to one of its apexes and most iconic elements: Carrie’s telekinetic powers.
Despite being a rather slow-paced story, King made Carrie a character that demanded so much sympathy that when the book is at its climax, we are filled with expectations for that sweet revenge plot. The prom scene is truly the highlight of the book as it quenches the thirst for carnage building up inside of us as we read the novel. Overall, Carrie will remain iconic in giving us goose-bumps throughout the course of time. Karma exists through various incarnations. Remember that you can only push someone so far before they break or else someday, you’ll ache as low as they do.
out of the shelves, into the world.