After Dark | Pendulum Chronicle Literary Folio 2024

Third Literary Folio

S.Y. 2023-2024

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.

Folio Collaborators:

Cover Art | Juan Miguel C. Jaminal

Layout | Julian Cedrick D. Restauro, Yzah Kathrine G. Baltazar, & Michael Ernest T. Jabido

Photographs | Jami Shiloh G. Casauay

Proofreading | Valery Ken G. Cañega

Editor-in-Chief

Editors

There is this famous saying that goes "there is light at the end of every tunnel." Somehow, I've always harbored doubts about the credibility of this phrase, or rather, the very essence of it all. What does the entire saying even suggest? What reason is there that the light is sought out for? Why does the dark instill so much fear onto the hearts of many? To me, the dark, mysterious, and mystical, gives an opportunity for one to simply stand still and bask in their thoughts.

It creates an environment which allows one to be lost in endless possibilities, in crossroads that branch out into different futures. It allows the discovery of foreign territories, unexplored and unfamiliar, and just as how the dark opens up new possibilities, the Pendulum Chronicle's third literary folio, entitled "After Dark," shows that the dark can bring about so much beauty shining through the numerous pictures, art, and literary works showcased in this folio. Made with love and care by the involved editing personnel, headed by Julian Cedrick Restauro, this literary folio serves as proof that literature is, and will forever be a treasured art, allowing the writer to deliver their perspective through the power of the words they put on paper.

With that, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for everyone who made this possible. Thank you for fostering a love for literature as a whole, and for treasuring it as well. I hope that this folio will help not only in preserving the present, but also in carving the path for a future filled with love and appreciation for the art of literature. Once again, thank you, and please enjoy this year's literary folio!

Franchezka Suijen D. Mapa

s’ Note

I used to hate dark colors for I thought they were so sad, scary, and just negative, or at least that is what society portrays them to be. While it is true, it is not everything that they are. I believe in the beauty of darkness. It represents the unknown and all that is known. Its different intensities teach you things that you will not usually think about, such as searching for the bright things in the dark or how to make or be your own light.

Pendulum Chronicle presents “After Dark,” the third literary folio with the theme: “After Dark: What makes the dark so…?”

Inspired by the curious minds that live in a world where people only see black and white, that question seeks what goes in between and beyond those tints and shades and invokes all the unsaid feelings that the dark gives us – be it good or bad. We made this literary folio to highlight the various answers from different perspectives, and may they inspire you to be curious and hopeful as you brave through the dark and search for what comes after it.

Evita Lorreine P. Haban

About the Cover

The Emptiness of Tranquility

Artwork by Juan Miguel C. Jaminal

This cover is inspired by the painting called “The Great Wave Off Kanagawa” by Hokusai. It represents the bittersweetness of both the modest and chaotic empty feeling that we feel inside ourselves. The flower on the left is named Morning Glory, also known as a “Moon Flower,” representing beauty and appreciation. The artwork symbolizes the value we have for the peacefulness obtained from darkness. It provides an opportunity for reflection since our sense of sight is deprived, leaving us with nothing but our thoughts. The flower on the right is a lily, often representing sadness. We cannot help but feel the anguish that the heart experiences when we desire something more interesting than our current situation. We get overwhelmed by these conflicting feelings, much like the flow of waves crashing and flowing toward one another. “

4

5

9

23

Table of

Editors’ Note from Editors-In-Chief

Franchezka Suijen D. Mapa

Editors’ Note from Editors-In-Chief

Evita Lorreine I. Haban

About the Cover: “The Emptiness of Tranquility”

Juan Miguel C. Jaminal

Artwork: from “Unknown/nth”

Juan Miguel C. Jaminal

Short Story: “Unknown/nth”

Hannah Zoey A. Narca

Photograph: “Eclipse of the Past”

Jami Shiloh G. Casauay

Photograph: from “Knowing the Unknown”

Jami Shiloh G. Casauay

Poem: “Knowing the Unknown”

John Ashley S. Magdaleno

Artwork: “The Starlit Feast”

Ervyn Ryle G. Mediano

Artwork: from “At last, she can’t see me.”

Juan Miguel C. Jaminal

Flash Fiction: “At last, she can’t see me.”

Zayne Christian S. Mayuga

Short Story: “My Conversation at the End with Death”

Roshann Aimielle S. Uba

Poem: “A Lightless Place”

Marion Iuris D. Mapa 24

Flash Fiction: “Dark room. Gray soul. White noise.”

Isiah Austin L. Angco

Artwork by Juan Miguel C. Jaminal

Unknown/nth

By Hannah Zoey A. Narca

First Place, Literary Contest 2024: Short Story Category

"Hey there, dummy!" Bea smiles as she pats my back softly. I looked at her and grinned, then moved over to the side so she could sit beside me – I enjoy our days like this, sitting on my bed talking about every single topic the world can come up with.

"Bea, I wonder if you would ever be calm," I teased. "I wonder if you even step foot outside of your room, Maya," she rebutted. The bucketing went on for a good 10 minutes when I finally gave up. "Whatever, I just want to know what you're doing." Her cunning demeanor died down and her eyes started to glow.

"Remember the musical production I've been wanting to play looking for actors? Well, guess what!" she beams. She got in. "I got in!" "I knew you could do it!" I told her. "Well, I couldn't have gotten the role if not for you, Maya." I can feel the waterworks threatening to pour in. "Miss Bea, it was all you. I didn't do anything.” She laughed as I talked.

"Do you want me to sing for you?" she asks. Yes. "You're just gonna show off," I told her. "I'm gonna do it anyway." She jumped up and started prancing around my room, flaunting her angelic voice.

The truth is, I'm in love with her. Bea had my heart wrapped around her fingers since the day I met her. I was stuck inside a dark maze, always bumping into walls embedded with thorns. In the dark, I was always hurting. She swooped in my void of life and shone so brightly as she led me out the limbo devouring me. I love her. But I can't tell – I'm scared that she might not like me back or that she'd hate me forever. I'd go to the ends of the Earth for Bea. Peel the white strings off her oranges and be like sisyphus; pushing boulders up the hill if I can, until I break because one must imagine sisyphus happy, and she does.

"Did you like it?!" I flinched and went out of my head. "What? Yeah," I replied. "You seemed like you were just flying somewhere else!" she pouted. What if I… "No, I really liked it." I try hard to convince her. What if I confess? "Really?! Then look into my eyes and tell me," she commands. I panic. 'Oh god, what if I accidentally blurted out that I love her.' My thoughts were at war. So, I did the stupidest thing one does, turn my head away and close my eyes. It stayed like that for a bit, but I didn't hear anything from Bea, just silence. I opened my eyes only to see that she was no longer there. No. I messed up. I need to find her.

I ran around the halls screaming her name. "Bea? Where are you!" I called. I ran for what felt like hours until I spotted her talking with other people. I rushed in to hold her hand. "Bea, why did you run away? I really liked your song. It was good!" I spoke. Bea gently caressed my back as she pulled me in for a hug. I feel her taking something out of her pockets and say, "This is Nurse Beatrice, I need assistance. Patient 23, Maya Adams is currently outside her room at the dementia ward."

What is she saying?

"Bea? No! I don't have dementia," I told her, and two men came and held my arms. "No! Bea, please don't take me away! Bea, who are they, please don't!" I feel tears streaming down my face as the men pull me away. "Bea, I love you. I'm sorry I didn't tell you immediately!" my voice breaks, I was once again guided to my room. I cry and hurt as I yearn for Bea, screaming her name from the room I'm confined in.

Nurse Beatrice always encountered issues like this, but Maya Adams piqued her curiosity. She pulled out her file and saw the name Bea Ortiz, in hopes of finding something, she googled her name and came to find that Bea Ortiz is a successful opera and musical singer married to Raoul Ortiz, the nurse scrolled further and saw that Bea died the year Maya Adams was confined in the hospital. Judging from the words of her patient from earlier, "Something definitely happened here," she deduces.

What makes the dark so painful?

I got out when Bea became my light and guided me through the day. I fell back again when I became ill and she passed away – I wish I should've told her. I wish that I could've said that I love her, no matter the outcome. Now, I'm stuck in the days I was with her and it torments me.

That's what makes the darkness painful. Words unsaid and memories where regret lingers. If you find love, I hope you pray tell, because I didn't and I'll be back in the unknown until I can feel her right again.

Eclipse from

Photo by Jami Sh

m the Past

hiloh G. Casauay

Photo by Jami Shiloh G. Casauay

Knowing the Unknown

By John Ashley S. Magdaleno

First Place, Literary Contest 2024: Poem Category

Looming in front of us is a pitch black void, Something we cannot just escape nor avoid, It is something you need to experience, To learn lessons from that occurrence

The unknown right in front of you, You can't see any color nor hue, Fear and anxiety fills you up to the brim, With the rope behind you being trimmed

Facing it is not an easy task, Sometimes you just have to look at it and bask, Finding an exit is never an option, You need to walk through it, jog or run

In the dark, light comes through, Showing what you couldn't see or look into, The colors pop up to fill in the space, The darkness is then replaced

The outcome that you see may vary, Whether it be good or scary, The void will always turn bright, Because to know the unknown is part of life.

The

Starlit Feast

By Ervyn Ryle G. Mediano

First Place, Literary Contest 2024: Artwork Category

“

This painting represents the radiance as the negligent, the careless, and the vulnerable unknowingly enveloped by the dark, depicted as a crowd of unseen malice and thirst for those who are innocent, blessed, and happy. It aims to convey that a person's prosperity renders them to be a prey for the spiteful, patiently waiting to feast once they become defenseless.

Artwork by Juan Miguel C. Jam

My Conversation at

By Roshann Aimielle S. Uba

Second Place, Literary Contest 2024: Short Story Category

We have achieved it, the eternal dream of humanity since ages ago. To conquer the greatest adversary of humanity, Death. I, along with other brilliant minds of my generation successfully created a drug supplement that stops disease and progression of age. To the success of our product, the world became a utopia for all, a heaven on Earth. EX-9012 or "Eden". We call the drug, a testament of our triumph and victory over Death, all Death in the world, or so we thought.

We were naive, stupider than all. After 300 years of living, we realized the mistake we have done against our fellow humanity. At first we believed we had created a utopia, but an eternal life brings about a different death we never even imagined. As I am right now, I have long forgotten the faces of my family, memories and even my own name. Humanity was not destined to live this long not as a curse from God, but rather as a form of protection against a worst fate, the loss of oneself. The loss of humanity was overcoming Death. Now that our society has stagnated, no new progress in life was made after our creation of Eden. The streets were littered with strong and fit bodies laying all around as if they were dead, wishing they were dead. I did my best to persevere in this wasteland of life that I have created, seeing the damage I have created in the whole world with my own eyes. Self-torment you say? Maybe, but really I'm just looking for a way to die.

the End with Death

After having traveled the world an uncountable number of times, I saw him, Clad in black robe, scissors in his right hand and sitting over a pile of bodies. Dead bodies. I sprinted to him faster than I have ever run in my life 300 years. "Who are you?" I asked the mysterious finger. He looked solemn as if reminiscing of a joyous past long forgotten. "People have called me by my names over my long life. Azrael. Anubis. El muerto, but to you, I am the one you have defeated." I now know what we were, the one I sought to triumph over and the one that I know seeks to finish my life, Death himself.

"Where did we go wrong? Why?" I asked the Ender of life. "What went wrong was you failed to see the beauty of life, you failed to see how bright the darkness is." He said in a low voice. "Humans always try to achieve the best possible things in life, reaching for the brightest light. But without the darkness, all the light in the world just becomes blinding." I sat beside Death, feeling an odd sense of comfort in the words of my past enemy.

"You failed to see the beauty of life, its humble beauty, the crispness of the skin of an apple, the smell of rain in the soil, the warmth of a fire kiln in the winter. You failed to see the brightness in life and decided to destroy darkness as a whole," Death proclaimed.

I sighed at the heaviness and truth in the words of my enemy. "Will it hurt?" I asked him. "No, it would be like being carried back to bed by your father, Benjamin." I smiled as he reminded me of my forgotten name as he swung his scissors at me. It truly was like being back home, oh, how I have forgotten how warm life can be.

A Lightless Place

By Marion Iuris D. Mapa Second Place, Literary Contest 2024: Poem Category

We were born with light in sight

And the light disappears in the night

The dark rules when the light is gone while we watch as the place changes its tone

Darkness is said to be a void

An area you want to avoid

It is a place where nothing can be seen Something happened but you don't know what it could've been

The night is an occurrence where it is mostly dark

And where dangers leave their marks

A plane with no light in sight

"The darkness consumes you"... it just might

One may say, “The dark is beautiful”

The things you can do are plentiful

But there you risk a loss of senses

In the dark the eyes are useless

The dark is eerie for no one knows what's within

The thoughts of danger may begin

Its atmosphere may feel unpleasant and lifeless

In the dark where nothing and everything may happen makes your mind restless

Dark room. Gray soul. White noise.

By Isiah Austin L. Angco

Second Place, Literary Contest 2024: Flash Fiction Category

Ephemeral Darkness

By Alpha Althea J. Briones

Second Place, Literary Contest 2024: Artwork Category

“

This piece of art represents the lonely, dark agony that engulfs people in the depths of their minds. It conveys the weight of countless hardships and obstacles as people opt to bear their suffering in solitude and let their thoughts consume them like a raging sea. For the artist, what makes the darkness so black is that it is a reflection of the profound loneliness and internal struggles that many people experience; these struggles are often felt deeply, but remain concealed from the outside world.

Night Changes

By Alannah Luzayne E. Ordoña Third Place, Literary Contest 2024: Short Story Category

I despise the dark. I remember the dark meant uncertainties of my life and safety. Violence roared the streets whenever the sun set. Gunshots heard. Blood spilled. My community murdered in the curtains of the night. It was an awful, awful time. I've grown to resent it.

“Do you want to close the lights, Aby?” Lily, my foster mother, asked. I shook my head immediately. My hands are slightly trembling in fear. “Please no,” I muttered, my tone agitated. I apologized beneath my breath with my foster mother giving me a reassuring smile. She then left the room, closing the door behind her. Leaving me and all the bedroom bulbs lit.

Scuffled footsteps were going my way. Quick, find the crowd or a place to hide. Keep your movements husked or confuse them. Surviving is what's important. Please survive, please survive, please–

"Aby," A voice snaps me back to reality. My mind's still shaken, as the voice compares to a loud bang on the door. I turned around, seeing the teacher in front of me. "Are you all right?" I nodded before scurrying away. Even so, I can't let my guard down. I can still feel their eyes. Predators eyeing their target.

It's been days since the last time I slept. I'm scared to close my eyes. It makes me vulnerable and that's one way to die. I'll keep the lights on for longer. I can't let them get me. I won't let them.

I found myself rushing back home. It's past 19:00. The sun has set. It won't be long until I'm next if I stay a while longer outside. As I hurried back home, the long commute hours made it impossible to get home even by 21:00. My body dragged itself to safety. Back home. However, with every little step, fatigue consumes me more and more. This is it, the end. I can't do anything but let out a desperate cry.

"Hey, I'm here." A man in front of me called out. He is wearing a polo and slacks. A clipboard and pen on hand. "Is there anything else that happened?"

Ah, I remember. I remember being rushed to the hospital and knowing my days long insomnia. The coma after that seems to make up for it though. Apparently, my memories don't match with my life, they say. That my community's been safe, that no blood was spilled.

It wasn't long until I left the office. It's night again, 19:10. My mind is left at static. Yes, I admit, it's been a while since I heard gunshots. I walk again on the streets of the city, the city lights and the dim lights of the sky. I look back, has the night always been this pretty?

The dark now means comfort. A time of rest in the hopes of a new day. A time when I get to talk to my mom after work. It means safety. That I am alive in this world. Maybe it's not too bad after all.

I like the dark.

The Horizon's Promise

Photo by Jami Shiloh G. Casauay

Beauty of the Dark

By Rafael Mon D. Salcedo

Third Place, Literary Contest

2024: Poem Category

There is always a dark side in everything But only the bright side are the ones we’ve seen Dark side may seem scary and terrifying That's because only the top of it is keen

There's beauty in everything Living and even dying The art of beauty in light, In darkness too, don't fright

We close our eyes and see dark It made us feel at peace and blank When lights turn off, it's dark We rest and didn't feel the spark

In a day, there's always morning and night We always start the day with a bright smile At night, we rest and turn off the light It continues like a broken file

In the Height of the Moon

By Hanna Venice B. Galgo Fourth Place, Literary Contest 2024: Short Story Category

As the sun sets us down behind the mountains of Stanton, Mia and her three friends wander the streets of Stanton City. The streetlights on the sidewalk flicker and the moon is high in the sky, shining brightly as if it's saving the teenagers from complete darkness. Mia and her friends just came from a night out and decided they won't go home just yet. They wanted to have fun – or is it the fun that they are expecting?

Mia almost stumbles on the sidewalk, not realizing that she wasn't looking on her way. "Oh my gosh, I almost tripped!" she laughs while shouting her words. Denise, who is one of her friends, laughed along with her. She pointed at her while walking backwards. "Be careful unless you want something bad happening to you, I won't interfere."

They both laughed and Marcus seemed to be wary of their unusual conversation. "Is this what you two are always up to? Dark jokes?"

Mia and Denise looked at each other as they went silent. They both shrugged, and then they continued laughing as if what Marcus said was nothing. Marcus laughed along anyway, but he still doesn't find any of their shenanigans hilarious. It was a bit creepy to him – the atmosphere of the streets and the flickering lights happen to match the eerie conversation. He doesn't find comfort in those kinds of jokes, most especially due to the reason that it's his first time hanging out with people like them.

Denise spoke in a sarcastic, but creepy manner. "But imagine if something actually happens right now, that would be absolutely hilarious, like, imagine just suddenly dying?"

As Mia laughs, she accidentally bumped onto a streetlight. She let out a groan due to pain, as she didn't notice the pole while she was walking. "Why in the world is this pole built here? Can't they move it somewhere else? It's annoying!" Marcus sighs on the sight as he rolls his eyes in annoyance. "Maybe if you were looking where you walk, you wouldn't be hurt. "Okay, Mr. So-Careful." Mia chuckles as she holds her hurt arm. The space of the streets starts to narrow as they go deeper. Mia and Denise seem to be up for fun, while Marcus is seemingly uncomfortable. He takes a deep breath as he follows his friends through the narrowing paths.

"Guys, this is getting creepier," Marcus mutters under his breath as he feels his anxiety rise by the second.

"Oh, don't be such a baby." Denise giggles. "It's gonna be fun, Marcus. I swear."

"I don't believe you, but whatever." Marcus rolls his eyes. He then feels Mia tap his shoulder, showing him assurance that he will be safe and nothing wrong will totally happen.

They all went silent as they continued to go deeper and deeper. The street lights started flickering since they had already stopped working, the moon is now covered by the buildings slowly taking over the pavements, and they all tried to take steps silently. In every step they take, a grin slowly forms in Denise's face and Mia tightens her grip on her friend's arm. Marcus' fear takes over his mind overtime.

The three friends went in a dark alleyway to take a rest from walking non-stop. Denise stands up in front of a wall, indicating a dead end with her grin never leaving her face.

"We should go home. I'm tired." Marcus shakes his head while taking deep breaths.

"Not yet." Denise faces her friends. She slowly takes out a knife in her pocket – a revelation that shocked her friends and made their heart beat faster.

"What is this?" Mia seems to be scared. She takes a step backward while shielding Marcus behind her. "I thought you'd forgiven us. What are you doing?"

Denise takes a step closer, wielding the knife in her hands. "Shut up, Mia!" she shouts in anger as she glares at them.

"You betrayed me! You thought I'd forgiven you because of your senseless apology? I endured the pain of you stealing things from me! You stole my boyfriend and now my money?!" Denise cries in anger. She continues to walk towards them.

As Mia and Marcus ran away, Denise slowly caught up. She tasted the blood of her foes in her knife – in the dark alleyway and in the height of the moon. A sinister smile covers her sweet and innocent face.

Mia and Marcus should've not trusted her.

Photo by Jami Shiloh G. Casauay

It’s Still

Dark

By Genneth Kasumi B. Parlan

“

This piece embodies and conveys that the passing darkness does not guarantee the immediate arrival of light. Instead, the darkness may linger and the world may remain in its dark state even after the darkness dissipates.

Third Place, Literary Contest 2024: Artwork Category

Cara, My Best Friend

By Elizabeth P. Mancira Fifth Place, Literary Contest 2024: Short Story Category

"Calm?" Ashwyn asked Cara who was trying to solve her Rubik's cube.

"Yeah. Got a problem?"

"The dark is not calm, maybe spooky fits better." Cara looked at Ashwyn dumbfounded. She laughed shortly after and placed her Rubik's cube on the coffee table. "Ash, dark is not spooky or whatsoever. The dark is calm, rather peaceful," Cara explained more, it's almost as if it was her favorite thing to talk about. Ashwyn listened to her and smiled and laughed with her.

A week after that, Ashwyn realized that he had not seen Cara ever since their conversation (or fight) about the dark. He went to visit her and brought her their favorite snack. When he arrived at her apartment, she looked sick. "Are you all right?" Ashwyn looked at her with worried eyes.

"Yeah, come in," she briefly answered, which made me question a little more. "You sure?" She looked at me in the eyes and whispered, "Look at me in the eye. Tell me what you see?"

"Your eyes are red. What's wrong Cara?" Ash took a step forward and Cara stepped back. "I'm so done, Ash. I can't do it anymore."

"What? You're fine though. Right? Now, where's the strong Cara we all love?" Ash laughed and pulled Cara in for a hug. "I have a problem," Ash whispered.

Ashwyn told Cara about his problem and Cara, as always, listened to him and gave advice.

After Ash left, Cara was in her room once again. Alone. Every night was like this. Never once was Cara listened to. Her parents, friends, no one had time for her. "I'm done," she whispered to the dark. The calm and peaceful dark. She wondered, "Is the light as peaceful as this?"

She held the rope with one hand. And her neck with the other. She thought about every moment where her problems were written on her face. She tightened the rope and moved the chair out of the way, her body held up by the rope.

A week passed once again and Ashwyn had a problem. He went to see Cara but found her body instead, lifelessly hanging in her room. Ash called every friend who "loved and treasured" her.

They paid for her funeral and they all cried. Cara was a loving friend. Some might say she was my favorite. And they wouldn't be lying. Cara was a favorite because she was there for me. For us. She listened to every problem, every gossip we had and would hang out with us at every free moment. Cara was never a judge of problems. She told us that she was our safe place. But we were always unavailable for her. Busy and busier. We could have helped. We would've listened. But we didn't. We only approached her whenever we needed help.

"We're sorry Cara. We're sorry we couldn't save you. We're sorry that we were always unavailable for you." A sob escaped my lips as I stopped talking.

"I'll do better, Cara. For you and for them." I placed a hand on her coffin. "Goodbye, Cara. You can rest now.”

Photo by Jami Shiloh G. Casauay

Dhel Joanna Y. Castro School Paper Adviser

As we gather amidst the shadows and whispers of night, we are humbled by the luminous contributions that have shaped the tapestry of "After Dark." To our esteemed contributors, whose creative brilliance breathes life into these pages, we offer our deepest appreciation. Your words have woven a delicate web of intrigue and emotion, guiding readers through the enigmatic landscapes of darkness with unparalleled artistry. We extend heartfelt thanks to each writer, poet, and artist who has shared their visions and narratives, enriching this folio with diverse perspectives and voices.

Behind the scenes, there are those whose dedication and support have been the guiding stars of this project. We express our gratitude to the editors, whose unwavering commitment and editorial insight have shaped the anthology into its current form. To the tireless efforts of our design and production team, who have crafted a visually stunning embodiment of our collective imagination, we owe a debt of gratitude.

Finally, we extend our deepest appreciation to our readers, whose curiosity and engagement breathe life into the stories we tell. It is your unwavering support that fuels our passion for storytelling and inspires us to delve deeper into the mysteries of the human experience. "After Dark" is not merely a collection of words and images but a testament to the transformative power of literature to connect, provoke, and illuminate the darkest corners of our souls.

Acknowl

edgment

Humanity has this extreme fascination with the unknown. From the depths of mythological accounts to extraterrestrial explorations, these dark and enigmatic concepts tickle our imaginative minds. This year’s literary folio dips into the complex world of darkness with its theme “After Dark: What Makes the Dark so _______________ . ” This compendium of art will unravel the different facets of darkness – its intricacies, its beauty, its power.

As kids, we’re frightened of the dark, but as we age, we discover that darkness is not merely an absence of light, but a facade of different mysteries waiting to be unraveled. Once we fully embrace and prepare ourselves for this journey to life’s dark valleys and slopes, we will find the brilliance hidden within the darkness.

To all talented and creative writers, artists, contributors, editors, and everyone else who helped to make this piece of art possible, thank you for sharing your unique view of darkness. Your perspectives have certainly brought us to see darkness in a new light.

James S. Letolio Jr. School Paper Adviser

Contributors

Literary Contest 2024 Winners

Hannah Zoey A. Narca - 1st Place

Roshann Aimielle S. Uba - 2nd Place

Alannah Luzayne E. Ordoña - 3rd Place

Hanna Venice B. Galgo - 4th Place

Elizabeth P. Mancira - 5th Place

Short Stories Poems

John Ashley S. Magdaleno - 1st Place

Marion Iuris D. Mapa - 2nd Place

Rafael Mon D. Salcedo - 3rd Place

Artworks

Ervyn Ryle G. Mediano - 1st Place

Alpha Althea J. Briones - 2nd Place

Genneth Kasumi B. Parlan - 3rd Place

Flash Fiction

Zayne Christian S. Mayuga - 1st Place

Isiah Austin L. Angco - 2nd Place

Ashley Venice P. De Guzman - 3rd Place

JuanMiguelC.Jaminal CoverArtist

Julian Cedrick D. Restauro

Yzah Kathrine G. Baltazar

Michael Ernest T. Jabido Layout Artists JamiShilohG.Casauay Photographs ValeryKenG.Cañega Proofreading