Hearth: In the Cracks of Light (Part I)

Hearth: In the Cracks of Light

Second Literary Folio S Y 2022-2023

Pendulum Chronicle is the Official English Publication of Antipolo City National Science and Technology High School

The copyright for each piece in this folio is owned by the author/artist No content may be reprinted or used in any way without the express permission of the author/artist.

Cover art | Aisley Pheona Lumontad

Layout | Evita Lorreine Haban, John Gabriel Guion, Paolo Miguel Cabugoy

Editor's Note

Literature and writing have been significant in my pursuit of intellectuality. I will never forget the teachings of our 7th-grade Filipino adviser: you will never have an output if you do not get some input. How can we get input? It is definitely through reading, listening, and watching. We often forget that literature has always been an integral part of our lives. Wherever we go both physically and virtually, literature always greets us astoundingly and subtly. It is with a keen eye that one can unlock the gifts of literature.

Many people know me in writing mostly because of my tenure as a sportswriter in the field of journalism. However, that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Along the way, I have grown my love of writing whether it be academic, creative, technical, or journalistic. It’s been a fire that’s continuously burning from within just to follow suit in my journey

My excitement for learning was also rekindled when the face-to-face classes officially returned My longing to meet my classmates was granted and our friendship grew stronger than before. But tragic thoughts struck my mind, I almost fell into the unnerving abyss of despair. I questioned my capabilities but thankfully, I was still on the path I charted.

With the warmth that our passion, our people, and our peculiarity radiate just to keep us from being devoured by the greyness emitted, Pendulum Chronicle offers to you Hearth: In the Cracks of Light 2023 with the theme of Warmth and Greyness– where the warmth from friendly memories meets the decolorizing greyness thus mixing the emotions and ultimately manifesting the humanity of individuals. May this literary folio augment your strength and your passion in your hopes of striving towards that good success you long for no matter the situations give

Andrew Dumangas Editor-in-Chief

Illuminate Illuminate

by Aisley Pheona A Lumontad

Even from small things such as matches, a flame of hope can be seen and found amid the grayness of life. This hope can be the hearth of a person, providing warmth and light to their journey in this gray world. Its small blaze casts a shadow that projects the person's capability and the greatness they can share in this world. It can also illuminate a light, just like a glint of hope can bring someone to try and strive for the best. This work shows that if there's light, there's hope. A b o u t T h e C o v e r A b o u t T h e C o v e r

Part I: Literary Contest 2023 Winners

The Universe

Short story by Jonas Emmanuel L. Quiñones First Place, Literary Contest 2023 Short Story Category

It was claimed that the so-called creation of the Universe came from the Big Bang Theory, but somehow a scenario has been formulated along with the other assumptions in the world of science. In an alternate period of time, a speck of dot was lying in a void of nothingness. Every time the dot moves, it will always seem to just stay in that position The area was dark, so dark it was full of radiating aura of black energy that swivels alongside that dot It blinds its vision every time it goes, and it will remain that way for an infinite amount of time. Although some flashes can be illuminating in any random point of the void, it was very subtle but shows a glimmer of hope that the situation of the dot can be better. The chance of witnessing something other than darkness is improbable. Still, the speck won’t stop moving.

Until one time, a blast of energy that came from a source light years away struck the dot and brought it at an unprecedented speed that was even faster than the speed of light. It delivered something magical, something that is too good to be true. For the very first time, the light illuminated the dot such that it blended completely alike alongside the other vibrant particles of light. Alas! It was a wide array of universes that was infinitely larger than the speck itself. It stretches through anything that the dot can look off.

The dot wanted to explore even just one universe, but the bodies inside it just seemingly went nearer the dot as if they wanted to initiate a wonderful adventure. On the north of the horizon, there were white spots everywhere, but bigger areas covered in the night sky. They were a kite of stars that even formed imaginary objects with varying colors Some were light and some were dark, and it suited pretty well alongside the comets dressed like white dresses that came from nightingale parties. On the east and west, there were planets, and others even have beautiful rings made of rocks.

It shows that everything we see is unique in their own ways. Supernovas are felt almost all the time, forming a very delicate layer of heat to provide assurance and empathy that no heavenly bodies are allowed to get cold and should be full of heat everlastingly.

Making a Mark

Free-verse

by Claire Francesca Therese S. Bergonio First Place, Literary Contest 2023 Poems Category

poem

Wake. Eat. Sleep. Wake. Eat. Sleep. A monotone repetition done by you and me. Followed again and again ‘til it all goes in a blur, Memories getting fuzzy, words starting to slur

As a child, you yearned to be someone great, To be someone admirable in whom people will amaze. Yes, you decided that by making a mark, You’d give yourself and others lovely feelings of warmth.

And yet as you grew, you saw with uncertainty, That you’ve yet to do anything extraordinary. As that thought sinks in, you’ll have strayed away, Due to the numb grayness that’s festered and can’t be kept at bay.

But I ask you, my friend, is that what life’s all about?

To have your achievements be written in chants and shouts?

Don’t get me wrong, that’s lovely, but just so to say, Your perception of all of this might have gone the wrong way.

Instead of amazing feats, try to look at the opposite; The precious moments that seem to only last for a minute. Yes, they are small, but their worth’s akin to gold, For it is in them where your heart shines so bold.

Those few seconds show people who you truly are, Your kindness and beauty so great, it’s completely bizarre, Leaving witnesses smiling, skipping merrily with a rhyme, Keeping with them those memories that’ll last for all time.

So don’t fret! You’re already doing great, In giving people laughter on an otherwise boring day. And when the time comes again where you’ll consider the accomplishment you made, Just think of the warmth you placed in our hearts that will never fade.

Piercing Through the Fog

Short story by Lan Zedrick M Catimbang

Second Place, Literary Contest 2023 Short Story Category

Photo by Charilene Quimson Ugali

To some, the grey fog incites mysteries and excitement as they expect the warm rays of sunlight to beam through the fog to reveal what is ahead. For some, it never did. The latter was the case for Sam. They look at the fog with such disdain, their eyes staring at the fog as if looking at the jaws of a monster. The cold, arid, grey fog lurched towards Sam, like how a beast’s jaws slowly close down on its prey

Sam clenched their rifles, fixing their aim toward the fog. They stared a thousand miles in front of them. So focused to the point that they can only hear their heartbeat and their heavy breath. At the far end of their sight, there was a slight glint.

“Sam!” a person called out Sam’s name, snapping them out of their trance by yanking them back to the trenches.

“What in the hell are you thinking, Sam?” the person berated at Sam, “What if there were snipers there?”

“I’m… I’m sorry, Ren…”

“That’s Sergeant! Ren for yen private.”

He held Sam’s shaking hands, warming them with his own. He stayed with them until they finally steadied their breathing.

Sam sat down on one of the makeshift benches.

“I’m sorry, Sergeant,” Sam apologized, “I didn’t know what came over me.”

“Ren is fine,” he said comfortingly, “and don’t get all worried up,

I know you are having it rough.” He nodded understandingly.

George, one of the other soldiers came over.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Sam!”

Peter, the other soldier, followed after them

“Cut the slack on the poor lad, they’ve seen a lot of stuff!”

Like I care,” George sneered, “they signed up to be a soldier because they wanted to play ‘hero’.”

Ren glared at George, who stepped back with his arms up, “Fine! I’ll cut the wuss some slack.”

All four of them huddled together in a circle, as Ron gave them a general overview of what they needed to do.

“The men at the top asked all of us to pull back,” Ron smiled, excited to bring the news, “We’re going home, mates!”

Instead of the news being greeted by cheers, all of the men just sighed.

“Easier said than done,” George commented, “we’re surrounded from all bloody sides!”

George raised his voice, “That just means the line’s pulling back and we’d be left for dead!”

“Calm your horses,” Ren raised his hand, “I have a plan ”

They waited until night came, when the fog was as thick as ever. A perfect cover for all of them.

Ren led the three from cover to cover, and some beams of flashlight pierced through the fog, accompanied by people speaking German They weaved and bobbed, often narrowly courting death. Without any way of keeping check of time, they don’t know whether it’s day of night anymore as the thick grey fog practically made them blind farther than a meter.

“Ren…” George called out silently, “I think I see the light.”

In front of them, warm yellow light pierced through the fog. It was the first color other than grey they’d seen in presumably days.

Ren walked towards the light, assuming that it was safe. He too, after all, has grown tired of walking in the fog. He let his guard down.

“I’m-I’m going home, Mathilde, my sweet daughter,” Ren babbled, crazed from being tired of it all.

“Ron!” Sam grabbed him, “we aren’t sure if it’s safe!” They pleaded.

He simply shoved them and rushed forward. It was the headlight of a German truck. The soldiers that accompanied it shot Ren the moment he was seen

The remaining three ran away for dear life, behind them, they hear the Germans slowly fading as the men dashed away.

“Well, that was terrible,” George stated as a matter of fact, “I’m leading this group now.”

What gives you that right?” Peter questioned him

“Because I contributed the most,” George huffed.

Distant German speaking approached the area of the three. They batted away immediately.

Again, they came across another beam of light. This time, they knew what it was. A skylight beamed through the fog and illuminated the area. It bears the flag of the country they’re fighting for.

“We’re nearly there,” Peter said, “We should head South.”

“No.” George barked, “We must go West.”

Sam stared at him, “But that’s where the Germans are.”

“Exactly,” George pulled out a gun and shot Peter, “I finally found the skylight.”

Sam froze, “what are you doing?”

“My mission. This skylight guides the troops through the fog, and the Kaiser doesn’t like that ” He exclaimed

“It’s an artificial hope for people in despair,” he continued.

Peter, apparently still alive, mustered the strength to shoot him back

. George escaped into the fog and didn’t manage to carry out his task Sam ran and grabbed Peter, trying to make him stand up, but to no avail. Both of them collapsed, and Peter just grabbed Sam and said, “Go on.”

Sam obliged, just nodding, and standing up.

“Thank you.”

“No problem,” Peter closed his eyes, “live with hope.”

Sam trudged along, as the fog became thinner, and now, they could see a warm bright ray peering through the grey fog. It was the light from the dusk. Sam looked forward to seeing another road in front of them.

The Impostor

Rhymed poem by Naeumi C. Gonzales Second Place, Literary Contest 2023 Poems Category

Drowning in the worries of the sea, The pedestal was removed from me.

The cages were tight, I couldn’t break free. I must try, perfection is the key

I was the prodigy wannabe, Until someone blew the candle in me. The fire was gone, the warmth flee, Felt useless in my image that I see.

Validation has gravity, Feels good, but it takes your sanity.

It is grey, it is dull, it is empty. One mistake, you’ll have to pay the penalty.

I grew tired of the praises, The pressure and the gazes, Standing tall, yet about to break, But no one should see my heartache.

I reached the summit, yet I slipped. Heard a laugh, behind my back, From the ground, I turned around.

I was surprised to see, the grinning image of me.

The Last Sunshine in the Grey

Essay by Reyca Mae D Eduarte First Place, Literary Contest 2023 Essay Category

People change. In life, a single decision can change your whole personality. A single event can change your whole point of view. A person’s life undergoes changes the same way their fashion and style change. Nothing stays the same forever.

As people get older, they tend to lose interest in the things they once loved, but that’s alright, because change is normal. As a kid, we know that the time will come when we grow out of things. Change is not something to be sorry for because it is part of life.

From the moment a baby’s cry is heard, warmth fills its life, like the beaming sun of summer. The happy tears of the people are heard, and soon, that baby will grow old. Children are given love and attention as they deserve. They become a ray of sunshine to the people around them. Spreading warmth and happiness to everyone. Playing around and going with the flow without worrying about other things. That’s where all the people started. A ray of sunshine to those around.

People continue in life with them going down different paths and making choices. As they say, every decision comes with a price. Either a heavy or a light one. With every decision, a change will be made. A change in life that cannot be undone. As people get older, more decisions are made, and more changes happen

People make decisions that are glued to obligations. Obligations that can change a person from warm to cold, and from bright to dull. Life is not always bright with colors. There is a time when one will lose interest in the things they were once into. They become busy with school or work. In this generation, people are too busy in order to achieve something, and as we become more successful, the more we forget to have fun. The older the people get, the more they know, and the more they know, the faster they change.

The Grey Flames

Short

story

by Irish Reem T. Linaota

Third Place, Literary Contest 2023 Short Story Category

One winter night in the forest so deep as a mind, a grey smoke was reaching the sky. It was the old woman, again, burning wooden sticks to keep herself warm. Her ashen hair and weary eyes were her distinct features, as she continued to stare at the burning wood.

“Still cold Not enough,” she thought, and started to walk towards her cabin, and when she came back, she was holding a bag that seemed to be heavy enough to make her fall, yet, she held onto it until she was near a fire. The old woman opened the bag and revealed a set of books and papers whose titles were stained with ink to prevent someone from reading them

“Maybe, just maybe, if I use these, it will be warm enough, right?” She mumbled to herself. She started to throw the contents of the bag into the flames and there was a crackling heard. The woman twitched and in her indifferent look started to melt. “Why? Why is it not enough? Still cold, I need more warmth.” Her words became indecipherable, and her sight blurred as she walked towards the burning books. She was holding out her hands, like someone waiting for a warm embrace, but she was too desperate, and the flames covered her hands like wildfire spreading in a forest. She took her hands back and extinguished the fire, revealing her second-degree burns.

She ran towards the cabin to treat her wounds, cursing herself. After that, she came back again to extinguish the fire, but why then was it so cold? She was kneeling and crying, wrinkling her already wrinkled face. How stupid of her to think the fire could do anything, right? She already tried but it was still there, the never-ending cold and the lifeless sight around her The woman was losing hope as the unknown number of days went by She

wanted to do “it”, but something was telling her not to. Not when she had not yet remembered what she was looking for in this place.

She searched her head for answers but was met with a dead end. It may not be a dead end, just a vague clue, “south ” But why would she risk it when the end is not clear? Yet she stood again and ran to it. She would not die unless she chose to and right now, she is choosing to make a journey to get something back.

Arriving at her destination, she almost puked at the sight. It was a garden whose soil is made of ashes she seemed familiar to, and a group of clay “men” whose bodies were forcefully disfigured. She does not want to see it again, not when she had grown out of it, or did she?

The woman knew already that she cannot escape, no matter how much time will pass. They will always be there. She treaded carefully inside, her head throbbing with the sound of laughter that polluted the air. “Hah, so dead,” was all she could speak of as she entered the house that the garden surrounded. The grey atmosphere, the cobwebs, and the dust filling the corner remind her of the place she once called “home.”

She explored the house for some time and got drawn by the sound of music she was also familiar with. She took a peek and saw a man stretching some clay to form a girl, but when he was not satisfied, she started to stretch and use more force to make her look perfect. Yet he failed and threw the lifeless grey body outside along with others.

“Father,” she thought. She remembered, it was the man who tried to train her so that she would be perfect, but like the clay girl, she broke down trying to find another one like her, broken and needed to be completed. She had always hated this place, but also wanted to go back to find that “warmth of home” she had gotten used to

After regaining her memories, she left unsatisfied knowing that there are still some more puzzles that “she” wanted to solve. She walked and walked without a destination until the sun broke through the clouds. “A sun that was not warm, just hot and scorching.” It was the same heat that turned her silent tears and unspoken words into dust. Another clue, was it?

The desert was bombarded by storms, yet its heat never ceased. The desert that she always visited to reminisce with her empty memories. She did not like nor hate this place, but an unknown entity always draws her to it. She looked at the sun, hurting her eyes when she desperately tried to see its color. Yellow, her favorite color when she was young, so innocent and warm, to be only tainted by the darkness of her life.

It was here in the desert she found the final clues, a picture, and a mirror. A familiar sight was captured in the photo, it was her and her mother in a sunflower field picnic. She smiled, but was suddenly shocked when the picture crumbled into sand. Angry, she started to slam the ground and screamed before a voice was heard. “You really haven’t learned yet? Why do you keep coming back to me? Move on now, won’t you? Stop destroying yourself further,” it said.

But she can’t. She does not want to, and the woman will not care to hurt herself just to experience it again. The warmth of love she had always been craving and the past full of happiness that kept her stuck in time. “You’re dying, you know? Yet you waste your seconds reliving the same memories in your head. Maybe that’s why you’re weak,” the voice said again but the old woman was not listening, busy trying to draw the photo in the sand, that continued to be blown by the wind. All of her journey for nothing. Her search for warmth made her love herself, damning her body and mind to miserable greyness engulfing what’s left of her.

Photo by Angela Nicole Cordova

Defeating Greyness

Essay by Olivia Sathielle P. Agullana Second Place, Literary Contest 2023 Essay Category

The unique cycle of one’s life can be determined through a spectrum of colors. Various shades, and you are bursting visibly with every glance we take once in a while. Just like that, the hotness and coldness of everything are as important as colors. The absence of color and warmth tells me that it is game over for us. Maybe the reason colors exist is to help our eyes to see things, to understand people, and overall, to live easily, because without them, what would someone do if their eyes only see greyness? Likewise, what would someone do if there is no warmth, leaving us to survive in this cold, dark, and bitter world? When greyness comes and conquers our life, warmth is our cheat to triumph.

When someone wakes up after a duration of sleep, colors are already there. From the dusty, dirty white ceiling to wrinkly, tan fingers whenever you're trying to reach a non-existent thing above, there are so many colors around already. Greyness represents gloomy, dull, boring vibes. One can adhere that greyness symbolizes sadness, emptiness, in solitude. A grey life is what most people fear to have, but ironically, many have it.

Meanwhile, warmth is the feeling of hotness. It is when the sun rays touch your skin, when you go near a campfire, and hold your coffee. Warmth also means that tenderness you feel when someone loves and appreciates you. Warmth is the feeling when someone hugs you. Warmth is what someone needs if they unfortunately struggle to get out from their grey world.

Honestly, I like dark vibes more than bright ones I feel that my life is a dim room, nothing to see, nothing to feel, just grey I was taught to be contented at what I have, and so I did. However, how long should I continue to play along inside this grayscale wheel of life? Miserable and lonely, I've forgotten what this warmth felt like. Should I go near the sun just to fill this empty void inside of me? Warmth is, needless to say, what I would want to have right now. A warmth felt when someone who understands you completely and accepts you truly, hugs you. A warmth where I can breathe out a sigh of relief even after society has seen me naked.

Stopping to find this warmth means that I have truly accepted defeat. In this game of my life where I have blindfolds on my eyes– only seeing greyness and darkness, I will touch everything until I find something that isn't cold. As I walk carefully and stumble clumsily on the ground because of the greyness that is blinding me, I will rise and continue to find my target. The warmth that I've been longing for is my target, as feeling it will let me know what real contentment means. In this game of my life, the warmth is my trophy and greyness will be long gone forever.

Mixed Feelings

Free verse poem by Marco Alessandro Demetillo Third Place,

Literary Contest 2023 Poem Category

Feelings intensifies like day, Expressions stand out today, Lively emotions shine like stars, Beautiful, engaging, and pleasuring like the dawning star.

Life feels like spring, Joyful, admirable, and warm. For a regular day I feel no pain, Absence of cacophony makes me cheerful.

If disturbance comes once, Spring becomes cold winter, Clouds turn empty like grey, My head screams in blue murder.

Nothingness spreads like plague, Once it infects, it wrecks, Feelings get decomposed, Under the cold grey winter war.

We feel emptiness and greyness, But like seasons, its regular change, Feelings may mix like soup, Warmth and greyness are linked terms.

Color of Life

Essay by Shaira Mae C. Repil Third

Place, Literary Contest 2023 Essay Category

Living as a normal person means having to face different phases of your life. It isn’t limited to only living life to the fullest. We also have downs every once in a while. We feel warmth in a particular moment, and greyness in others. For instance, in an image, when we see it's in black and white, we view it as a sad moment, while viewing monochromatic art makes us feel emotionless On the other hand, a colorful picture radiates positive energy In art, this element is important as it helps us to portray the message to the audience clearer

In movies or films, when it is in black and white, we assume that the plot of it is melodramatic, and the chromatic ones are full of life. We may underestimate monochrome films because, even though they lack color, they still provide learning for us that can be applied in life. Speaking of life, when we look back to an old moment, it comes back to us in black and white, while those fun ones and serotonin boosters are in color.

People we surround ourselves with every day also represent these two spectra of colors. Our circle of friends can also be monochrome and chromatic because of their personalities. Not everyone is the same- we have different points of view and experiences. Just like color-blind people, we may not understand why they view things in a different way, literally, but we still learn from them. People who come and go in our life also bring shade in it. These people are the ones who put colors in our life, and sometimes, they are the ones who take it away, which also goes both ways. We will never know what our effect on theirs is.

Our life is a movie with ourselves being the main characters. We also have rising action and falling action moments. Just like what I have experienced during pandemic, there's a lot of overwhelming emotions during that period which tested my strength and breakdowns. This period, though, was also taken advantage by me to bond with my family, and to make up our lost bond because of being busy Mundane moments gave me time to reflect on many things, such as my actions and lively moments, and this made me realize that we only live once

Although we see the other color annoying, it is part of our life. It is inevitable. All we can do is face them, the challenges, our fears, and even the people we ran away from. Not everything is in our favor, and we should accept that. The world doesn't revolve around us, so we do not have special treatment to be exempted from unpleasant experiences. Take them as a lesson so we do not repeat those again. Having a grey moment doesn't mean we're weak. It shows how strong we are to surpass them.

Photo by Charilen

Quimson Ugali

Acknowledgement

2020-2022. Years of seclusion. Years of uncertainty. Years of transformation The pandemic has changed the way we view ourselves, people, and life in general This compendium of art, the second edition of Pendulum Chronicle’s literary folio, reflects every possible memory and lesson we gained during those times This could be any disastrous moment or potentially a gratifying feeling or experience

When I found out that HEARTH is the title of this year’s folio, I cannot help but think of Hestia, one of the Greek Olympians –goddess of hearth and home. Literally speaking, a hearth is a place in a home where fire is traditionally kept. It provides warmth, light, and protection to every family member. But beyond these, it also symbolizes life, family, and comfort. And just like Hestia’s simple tale in the myth, when all else fails, the only things left are home and hearth. Pandemic years showed us that everything can collapse in a snap and our hopes can be shattered and turn grey. But the light and warmth that our home and our faith show will remain intact.

My sincerest appreciation and gratitude are extended to all writers, illustrators, contributors, editors, and everyone who made this work of art possible May your innate talents, skills, and expertise inspire more “Anscians” to spread their imagination and share their inspiring stories not just with the school community but with the rest of the world

James S. Letolio Jr. School Paper Adviser

Literary Contest 2023 Winners

Short Stories

Jonas Emmanuel L. Quiñones - 1st Place

Lan Zedrick M Catimbang - 2nd Place

Irish Reem T Linaota - 3rd Place

Shaira Mae C. Repil - 3rd Place

Essays

Naeumi C Gonzales - 2nd Place

Olivia Sathielle P Agullana - 2nd Place

Poems

Claire Francesca Therese S. Bergonio - 1st Place

Naeumi C. Gonzales - 2nd Place

Marco Alessandro Demetillo - 3rd Place

General Submissions

Pictures

Charilene Quimson Ugali

Angela Nicole Cordova

Contributors

Editorial Board

S.Y. 2022-2023

Andrew G. Dumangas Editor-in-Chief

Evita Lorreine I. Haban Associate Editor

Franchezka Suijen D. Mapa Managing Editor

Section Editors

Karyl Alexandra C. Ipac News Editor Erin B. Matro Opinion Editor

John Marc A. Gulangayan Science Editor Franchezka Suijen D. Mapa Feature Editor

Andrew G, Dumangas

Julius Luis P. Ventura Sports Editors

Creative Heads

Juan Miguel C. Jaminal Head Cartoonist

Ashley Venice P. De Guzman Head Photojournalist

Evita Lorreine I. Haban

Aisley Pheona A. Lumontad Head Layout Artists

James S. Letolio Jr. School Paper Adviser

Layout Team

Aisley Pheona A. Lumontad Cover Artist

Evita Lorreine I. Haban

John Gabriel V. Guion

Paolo Miguel M. Cabugoy

Yzah Kathrine G. Baltazar

Layout Artists

To be continued.