KATUTUBO - The Knight Literary Folio by Ralph Filio

The Knight Vol u m e I I I , I ssu e No. 1 C o pyrigh t 201 8 © Th e K n i gh t Literar y F olio © The P I L L ARS Publication T he Kn igh t is a c o ll e c t i ve e f for t of w r i t e r s , ar t i s t s , and creators f rom Aten eo de N a ga Uni ve r s i t y . T hi s i s s ue i s no t for s ale. Copy righ t is p res er ve d to e ac h aut hor i n t hi s p or t foli o. N o part of t hi s portfo lio s h a ll b e re p ro d uc e d i n p r i nt o r d i g i t al w i t hout t he permi s s i on of t h e c o p y righ t h ol d e r . D i re c t yo u r in qu irie s to : The PIL L AR S P u b lic at i on, 2 nd f l o o r , X av i e r H al l Aten eo de N a ga Uni ve r s i t y Aten eo A ve. , Ba gu m b ay an S ur , Nag a C i t y , 4 4 0 0 t hep illa rs 19 61@ gma i l . c om G race Ja u c ia n a n d M ar t i n B ue nafe fo r t he ove ral l manag ement Ralp h F ilio fo r th e l ayo ut and c o nt e nt al l o c at i on T he edito rs o f Th e K ni g ht and The PI LLA R S wo ul d li ke to t hank all staff a n d c o n trib u tor s w ho s e e f fo r t s l e d to t he re a li z at i on of t hi s li t eraty fo lio . Types et in Williwaw

A B OU T T H E C OV E R

The main subject is shot by Renz Marion Benosa from Lakbayan 2016. While the background is composed of a collaboration of artworks and photograph by Ralph Filio and Miguel Imperial respectively. Such cover is inspired by the beauty of Philippines’ indigenous people and combined through a mixture of street and ethnic designs. Lakbayan is an annual protest caravan initiated by the country’s national minorities which serves as an avenue for them to air grievances and other major problems such as land grabbing, militarization, Martial Law, and other forms of oppressions.

editor’s note “ I t r y to t a ke s e r i o u s l y a c t s o f l a n g u a g e . Wo rd s s e t t h i n g s i n m o t i o n . I ’ ve s e e n t h e m d o i n g i t . Wo rd s s e t u p a t m o s p h e re s , e l e c t r i c a l f i e l d s , c h a rg e s . I ’ ve fe l t t h e m d o i n g i t . Wo rd s c o n j u re . I t r y n o t to b e c a re l e s s a b o u t w h a t I u t t e r , w r i t e , s i n g . I ’ m c a re f u l a b o u t w h a t I g i ve vo i c e to . ” - To n i C a d e B a m b a ra T h i s y e a r ’ s T h e K n i g h t l i t e ra r y fo l i o c o n t a i n s w h a t “ k a t u t u b o ” m e a n s to d i f fe re n t p e o p l e . We a re c u r re n t l y i n a wo r l d w h e re we c a n e a s i l y f i n d o u r s e l ve s a s t ray f ro m h o m e . We f i n d o u r s e l ve s h av i n g a d i f f i c u l t t i m e to e ve n c o n j u re a c l e a r i m a g e o f i t o r w h a t i t fe e l s l i ke b e c a u s e we g e t l o s t a l o n g t h e l i n e o f w h a t i s n e w . “ I s t h e re a t h e m e ? ” T h e n a m e o f t h e l i t e ra r y fo l i o , “ K a t u t u b o , ” ’ i s t h e t h e m e i t s e l f . T h o u g h i t i s n ’ t n e c e s s a r i l y s t r i c t , i t u rg e s t h e w r i t e r s a n d a r t i s t s to a l i g n o r l i n k t h e i r m u s i n g s to t h e c o n c e p t o f o r i g i n s , n a t i v i t y , a n d ro o t s . A c a n v a s a t t h e re a d y , a l e n s h e l d u p , a n d a p e n i n h a n d , e a c h p e r s o n p l ay e d w i t h h i s o r h e r ow n i d e a o f k a t u t u b o , d e c o n s t r u c t i n g i t e ve n . A f t e r a l l , t h e t e m p o ra l c o n t e x t i s n o t l i m i t e d to t h e p re s e n t ; o n e m ay e x p e r i m e n t w i t h t h e f u t u re a n d re m i n i s c e t h e p a s t . A l l o f t h e s e a re j u s t s o m e o f t h e m a n i fe s t a t i o n s o f l i t e ra t u re ’ s b e a u t y . B u t t h i s wa s a b e a u t y b o r n w i t h i t s ow n c h a l l e n g e s . T h e e d i to r i a l b o a rd m a d e s e ve ra l d e c i s i o n s i n p l a n n i n g t h i s b o o k . S h o u l d we h ave a t h e m e o r n o t ? S h o u l d we e x t e n d t h e d e a d l i n e o r n o t ? S h o u l d we a c c e p t t h i s ? S h o u l d we re j e c t t h a t ? We wa n t e d t h e T h e K n i g h t ’ s c o m e b a c k to e n c a p s u l a t e w h a t h a r b o r s t h e c o l l e c t i ve t h i n k i n g o f t h e p e o p l e , a n d we wa n t e d to h ave w r i t e r s , a r t i s t s , a n d p h o to g ra p h e r s o u t s i d e o u r p u b l i c a t i o n g i v i n g vo i c e s to w h o o r w h a t t h e y w i s h . T h a n k s to o u r c o n t r i b u to r s , e d i to r s , a n d a l l w h o h e l p e d m a n a g e d t h i s l i t e ra r y fo l i o , T h e K n i g h t p u l l e d t h ro u g h .

GRACE MARGARET JAUCIAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF THE KNIGHT

contents WRITTEN WORKS ATHENA JOIE PILI A Taste of Antiquity 9 JOVI CADORES Naalimpungatan Ako sa Katahawan kan Banggi

PATRICK GUTIERREZ Death of a Deity 11 MARTIN BUENAFE Filipina 12 RAMON NOBLEZA Kahoy na may Saysay 13 ELMER RAMOS MONO A GO-GO 14 Ortigas Interlude 15 San Mateo 95 16 War 17 MIGUEL IMPERIAL The Trade-off of Story Hunting

DANIEL SEBASTIANNE DAIZ 21 Days 21 RENZ MARION BENOSA Karit 23 JOHN LEIR CASTRO Blank Slate 25 FLORIANE TARUC Tambol na Lata 26

JAMES CAGUICLA Panandaliang Ama 28

JAIRA KIM LINATOC Krus 30 ALEXANDER DY Why We Want to Be Western

DONNA ROSE FRAGINAL Donna the Explorer 35

ARTWORKS KHIM BALETE Introspection 39 Oblivion 40 Solipsism 41 MICHAELA BITABARA Security Blanket 42 Strangled Self-Love 43 Cool-eyed 44 Lapse 45 JERAHMIEL NAVO Med 46 Send Nudes 47 Sources 48 RALPH FILIO HalluciNation I 49 HalluciNation II 50

PHOTOS KAISSER SERENO Ice Cream 53 Window 54 MARIA MICHAELA LORENZO Still-paced Dawn 55 Full-swinging Dusk 56 RENZ PERIABRAS Mobil 57 Frontline 58 RON YVES BERISO Waiting For The Big Catch 59 Baybay 60 KIMBERLY LUCIANO Trail For A Living 61 Sway of Love 62 MEL NORMAN CORTEZ Magtingraw Atenean 63 Schlep Sacks of Sable Sands 64 Lacking richness, I’m rare 65 Richness, I’m the King 66 RENZ MARION BENOSA Behind Bars 67 The Dark Knight Rises 68 FLORIANE TARUC Antabay 69 KIM EDWARD DANABAR Beyond Words 70 MIGUEL IMPERIAL A Partial Overview of Gainza, Camarines Sur

VAN JOSE MARTINEZ Harmonic Bond 76 Dead Center 77 Pulutong Hinto 78 Quail and Nuts 79 Frontline 80

AT H E N A J O I E P I L I

A Taste

Antiquity

Th e a ro ma o f b rewe d c o f fe e wake s m e i n t he m o rni ng , Co u p led with th e w hi s k of b re ad j us t b ake d t he n. Th e b reeze o f fres h e ar t h ad o r ne d w i t h m or ni ng dew s , Me lo dies o f c h itte r i ng c hi c k s , I e nj oy e d i t too. My s en tien t s o u l g i ve s m e w hi f f s o f s c e nt , W h ic h remin ds me o f e ve r y m om e nt s p e nt . Savo rin g th e da in t y c up i n a s hac k we c al l a ho m e, No t in th is en o rm ous d om e , y e t I am al o ne . A p ic tu res qu e o f t w i l i g ht on a haz e l g round , I feel its wa rmth e ve n w he n i t ’ s d ow n. It s p res en c e b ids m e good b y e fo r now , B ut my h o p efu l h e ar t re f us e d to t ake a b ow . Now p layin g fra gm e nt s of m e m o r i e s i n m y m i nd, Vi vid s ilh o u ettes m y haz y he ar t c oul d f i nd – In a c erta in p la c e b e fore , w he re I got s t uc k , I wis h a t th is mo m e nt , t i m e wo ul d t ake m e b ac k . Yes , I’ m n u rs in g a ro m anc e w i t h t he p as t , Yet I a m n o t c ertai n i f t hi s wo ul d l as t . Will th e du s k s till b e b re at ht ak i ng and t he b re e ze b e warm? Or th e c o ffee b e inf us e d w i t h t he s c e nt o f a w i ne? E mo tio n s s p ro u t, I ’ m i n s ud d e n m e l anc hol y . My h ea rt h a s b een a he r m i t ho us e o f m e m or y . Th o u gh it may c h ang e m y c ur re nt re al i t y , No s ta lgia , ta ke me away f ro m t hi s i nt r i c ac y .

JOVI CADORES

N aa l i m p u n g ata n A k o s a K ata h awa n k a n B a n g g i N a a l i m p u n g a t a n a ko s a k a t a h awa n k a n b a n g g i Ta i g wa n a n a m a n a ko n g n a p a n g i t u r u g a n Ya o n d a a k i t a s a s a ro s a m g a g i b o n i D a l i P i g t a t a n aw t a k a s a h a rayo , n a k a m u r u n g k u a n N a s u l a a ko k a n n a g m a m a r i s - m a r i s m o n g k u b l i t A n l i wa n a g m ay d a ra n g l a n i t S a d a g a n a h a l oy n a n g g a t a k , h a l oy n a n g a l a n g S a s a i m o n g p a gd a n g a d a n g , i k a n a k a p a s u k a m a n g An saimong mga bitis asin kamot nagkaugbos S a p a g ra m b o n g k a i n i i k a p i n a to s L u way - l u way n a n a g i n b a l a go n N a m ay p i g s u s u s o g , m ay t i n u t u n to n Kan narisa mo daang pigmamasidan taka K a p a g - k a p a g k a n g n a g k a m a n g p a d u m a n s a ko M a r i k a s k a n g n a g k a m a n g s a s a ko n g p ayo N a g l u s o t a a s a ko n g t a l i n g a , d u n go , n g u s o N a h a n a p m o m a n a n s a ko n g p u s o A n h a p o t ko , t a n o An simbag mo, gumlo P a d a go s a ko s a p a g p a l a g A n s a ko n g h awa k n a g - a ra g i ra n g , n a ra g p a H a s t a m a u t s a n h i n a n go s S a s a ko n g p a g m a t a i n i n a g p a d a go s P a d a n g a t , m ayo n g p a g t a l u b o k u n m ayo n g p a g h i ro .

PAT R I C K G U T I E R R E Z

D e at h

Deity

of a

A fa iry b lu eb ird fl e w grac efu lly to th e r i g ht , and s a t c o mfo rta b l y on h is s ta in ed c o ff i n. Th e c a rc a s s lay fla t and sto lid, yet p owerfu l s till li ke a c o c o n u t tru nk He re, in th e c o s mos where h e o n c e c rowe d abo u t h is mo s t ma g ni f i c e nt c re at i ons on o rb itin g s to n es . And y et merely, h e i s l i t e rat ure and b la s p h emy to th e c h ildren o f t he b am b o o i n th e p ea rl o f th e s e a. L i feles s , and even mo re s o , as th ey a s k to th re e ex c ep t to h im. A deity o n c e revere d , now a m y t h, the s k y wep t fo r h i m , d e voi d of ligh tn in g o r of th u n derb o lts .

MARTIN BUENAFE

Filipina On c e, we were th e s am e and e qual , Toted b y th e s a me hand s , B o rn th e s a me wit h an e nd l e s s c r y W h en th eir vo ic es he l d a s i m i l ar l ul l ab y F o r eith er b oy o r g i r l . We b o re th e s a me b ul l y b row n s hi ne , Greeted th e s a me s un, Prayed to th e s a m e s t ar s and he l d t he s am e hop es ; Th ey were a s yo u r s as t he y we re m i ne . And u n io n n ever he l d m e l e s s , No t a s k in g th e fo r fe i t of m y nam e , No ma n ia fo r th e we b t hat f ro nt s t he we l l of a woman F o r s h a me! F o r s h am e ! Th e ma iden s mu s t now c r y . Th en s h ip s c a me, Ca rryin g a c ro s s to b ur y m e i n i t s s had ow Ali en a tin g u s fro m e ac h o t he r . We were c o mp a n io ns B ut c en tu ries p a s t af t e r m us ke t s and s p e ar s , Cen tu ries mo re a f t e r 3 0 0 y e ar s , I 've s trip p ed myse l f to t he s t and ard s of m an, I s ee my s elf D ec ay In g .

RAMON NOBLEZA

Kahoy

na may

Saysay

Ang mga p u n o s a M ag s ay s ay D a i ko n a n gu n y a n nam am ans ay Inab u ta n ko n g a n g p uon as i n s ang a s ur uway -s uway Ti g p u ru to l n in b a kong l uway -l uway s ag kod na g aro mag i ng b ang kay B i n a la n dra s a ta h aw Asin n irib o n g la n g aw Sa ib a b aw min a s ay aw Huli ta ma b a ta n a an al i s ng aw An mga tawo n g s a m as i ram na k ap i han nak at am b ay Int iro n g n a k ik idis k us yo n t a s ai nd ang i ni i no m malab s ay D a i la ma n g din a n go g an ag rang ay Ka n mga k a h oy s a at ub ang na nawaran ni n b uhay Mayo n g k a h oy n a m aram b ong Na s a ib a n g h ayo p m i nat ao ng i m b o ng , Sa mga s a dit n a gam g am m i na p and o ng Asin min a s a n ga b kan atot na m al ai n ang p aro ng

ELMER RAMOS

MONO A GO- GO Patien c e mea n s wa itin g fo r a n o rt hb ound D e l a Ro s a b us In fro n t o f M ega m al l at 9 :3 0 a . m. : sle ep les s a n d c rav i ng for a few b ites o f hot p and e s al or a p la tter o f in s t ant p anc i t c anton c hili- ma n s i p erh a p s . Rea lity h o n k s burs tin g yo u r ga st ro no m i c fant as y b ub b l e . Th e wa it is p a in fu l l y l o ng yet h o p e h a n gs li ke a dea d weigh t at th e en d o f a fray e d ro p e . Patien c e rewa rds yo u wi th a c o ld b edb u g -i nfe s t e d s e at , a Steven Sea ga l fl i c k , and a few mo men t s to s c rib b le u s eles s c rap l i ke t hi s . Patien c e is the b lin d will to e nd ure tedio u s rep etitive b us r i d e s day a fter day a fter d ay af t e r d ay af t e r d ay af t e r day af t er day ...

Ortigas Interlude Me tro M a n ila ma in ar t e r y c l o g g e d . L u min o u s fa s t fo o d s i g ns a-w i nk i ng i n th e h u mid h ea t o f D e c e m b e r e ar l y e ve ni ng . Ra ga mu ffin p ea n u t p us he r s shove s ma ll b rown p ap e r b ag s i n yo ur fac e . Man s ittin g n ex t to you look s lo s t in rever i e or mayb e jus t eyein g th a t d i s t ant s t al l wi th a tired dis p lay of fake s n ea kers a n d b as e b al l c ap s . D o n Ma ria n o b u s c or y b ant i c s t ac c ato st a rt- s to p mo tio n makes o n e wa n t to p uke lat e a ftern o o n b ru nc h al l o ut . Pro u d p o ly c h ro ma t i c M e g am al l gay a n d a ll sco rn s yo u r c a n n ab i s -f ue l e d c ont e m p l at i on. Th is two - h o u r trip to C unt v i l l e b e t t e r b e wo r t h it .

S a n M at e o 9 5 â&#x20AC;&#x153;M a itim n a p u tik Kon tin g h a la ma n g b uhay Hi le- h ilera n g b a h ay F uc k yo u s o rry go od b y e ! â&#x20AC;? - Urb an B and i t s Suga t n a n a gn a n a k nak ang L o o b a n . Uma a lin ga s aw araw- a raw ang n a k a k a s u la s o k na l ans a ng k awa la n g p a g- as a. Mak a p a l, nanggigita ta ang la n gib n g p a g t i t i i s sa keto n gin g k u tis ng k in a limu ta n g kom uni d ad . Ka la t n a a n g imp e k s yon. Hi n di b a n d- a id a ng s ol us yo n. D i nidiliryo sa k a h ayu k a n g nanin ib a s ib a n g m g a uo d sa n a la la b in g la ma n sa ila lim n g mga n ana at k ug ang . Magigin g p ek la t na ng a l ang b a sa a k in g k a ma laya n and da tin g ta h a n a n ng k a mu s mu s a n ?

War You o n ly lo s t it o nc e — ah, th a t o c c a s io n rare a s Ken t’s rec o rd c ol l e c t i o n. Pe rp etu a lly c a lm li ke a n u n fo u n d b o m b buried s o mewh ere i n N am . Slo u c h ed, s to c k y H o C hi M i nh. D o yo u s till drin k g i n or s mo ke s o me o f t he m bi g fa t green ? Jus t diggin ’ th e s ce ne . You k n ow wh a t I m e an. “M ga p a di, ma gdum an na k am o d i gd i ! ” I gu es s wh a t yo u ’re j us t s ay i ng was uni t y and s u c h gra n d wo rd s l i ke e qual i t y , jus tic e a n d freedom Maa a n , we ’ re mu c h o lder t he n l i ke D y l an. B ut we did try , rig ht ? On ly th is time, we h ave differen t b at t l e s to f i g ht .

MIGUEL IMPERIAL

T h e T r ad e - o f f o f Story Hunting To c h a n g e t h e wo r l d t h ro u g h c o n t e n t c re a t i o n n e e d s o n e to a c t u a l l y c a re , to p u t a l l e f fo r t i n to m a k i n g a c o n n e c t i o n . T h e f i n a l o u t p u t w i l l a u to m a t i c a l l y b e a n a r t i f i c i a l t h i n g ( a p h o to g ra p h i s n o t t h e moment, neither is the video, nor the article) but it is not necessarily useless; thus, it must be as genuine as possible. M o s t o f t h e t i m e we a re t h i s : a l l t h e go o d v i r t u e s i n wo r k w i t h o u r ow n go a l s i n m i n d . B u t , e s p e c i a l l y i n m y c a s e , we a b a n d o n t h i s w h e n we a re w i t h t h e p e o p l e c l o s e s t to u s — fa m i l y . T h e t i m e I go t i n to j o u r n a l i s m wa s t h e s t a r t o f m y p e r s o n a l e n l i g h t e n m e n t . E ve r y t h i n g i s a p o t e n t i a l s to r y a n d e ve r yo n e h a s o n e . T h e s e n s e o f a d ve n t u re wa s a c c o m p a n i e d w i t h s e r v i c e . S e l f - d e s c r i b e d , m y j o b i s to m i n e s to r i e s , p re s e n t t h e m , a n d h o p e t h a t i n s p i ra t i o n a n d action come next. All those, I am outside my house; inside, I tend to b e d i s t a n t . D e s p i t e b e i n g c ra m m e d i n a s m a l l ro o m w i t h m y t wo b ro t h e r s , we ra re l y t a l k d e e p l y . T h i s i s n o t e x c l u s i ve a t a l l . W h e n j o u r n a l i s t s go s to r y h u n t i n g , p e o p l e g e t o b j e c t i v i z e d i n to a s to r y , a p o t e n t i a l awa rd . T h e re m ay b e a we l l - m e a n t e n d , b u t t h e m e a n s — e s p e c i a l l y i f l e f t u n c h e c ke d , l e a d i n g to a s c h o o l o f j o u r n a l i s t i c t h o u g h t t h a t i s u n c o n s c i o u s l y f i n e w i t h this—ends what journalism actually means. W h a t re s u l t s i s a g ro u p o f w r i t e r s a n d a r t i s t s w i t h a p u r i s t i n t e re s t o n l y to t h i n g s t h a t a re s t ra n g e ; t h e fa m i l i a r g e t s l e f t o u t , a n d e ve n t u a l l y , t h e p e r s o n . C l o s e r p e o p l e t e n d to b e b r u s h e d o f f d u e to p l a i n d i s i n t e re s t : “ T h e re i s n o t h i n g m o re I n e e d to k n ow a b o u t yo u . ” B u t I d i d n o t c o n s c i o u s l y m a ke m y s e l f d i s t a n t f ro m m y fa m i l y . A n a t t e n t i o n o c c u r re d l a t e r i n m y c o l l e g e l i fe ( a l m o s t fo u r y e a r s a s a s t u d e n t j o u r n a l i s t ) t h a t I a m i n t e re s t e d i n t h e s to r i e s o f l o n e p e o p l e w h o h ave t h e wo r s t o f i t , a s p e c k i n t h e u n i ve r s e w h o s e re a l i t y m a ke t h e m a s p e c i a l s p e c k i n t h e u n i ve r s e . M y favo r i t e e x a m p l e i s

G Q ’ s 2 0 - m i n u t e re a d T h e A c c i d e n t a l G e t A way D r i ve r ( 2 0 1 7 ) b y P a u l K i x . I t i s a b o u t L o n g M a , a Vi e t n a m e s e c a b d r i ve r wa s h e d u p i n s u n n y C a l i fo r n i a a f t e r i m m i g ra t i n g f ro m Vi e t n a m , a p l a c e w h e re h e s p e n t h i s l a s t y e a r s i n a l a b o r c a m p . A ro u t i n e n i g h t b e c a m e t ra g i c a f t e r u n k n ow i n g l y p i c k i n g u p t h re e m e n i n t h e i r e s c a p e a f t e r ro b b i n g a Wa l m a r t s to re . T h e s to r y d e s c r i b e s t h e d r i ve r ’ s c a p t i v i t y u n d e r t h e c r i m i n a l s i n a s m a l l m o t e l ro o m d e a l i n g w i t h i n t e r n a l c o n f l i c t a n d c o n f u s i n g p o s t c r i m e d e c i s i o n s . I n t h e e n d , t h e d r i ve r b e c a m e s y m p a t h e t i c to o n e o f t h e ro b b e r s , B a c D u o n g , a n d o f t e n v i s i t e d h i m i n j a i l , e ve n t u a l l y c a l l i n g h i m h i s s o n . “ [ A ] s l o n g a s you are still here, I will rescue you like you rescued me.” This was from a kidnapped to a kidnapper. What am I doing wrong? Certainly, it is my forgetting of the humanity in journalism, forgetting my main mantra: everything is a potential story and everyone has one. My main goal was to write, not to listen. I wanted intimacy, but to my own blood, I was aloof. I read a lot of stories, daydreaming when I will face one and write about it. But the story was there all along: in a slide bed beside mine, unshaved and untidy, my kuya. It was also glued to a swivel chair facing a myriad of characters fighting in a fictional map, my younger brother. They were also scattered around the house—my sister, mother, and father. Yes, my family may not be unfortunately included in a foiled crime, but they are also lone people, lost… in my life. And I made them be. I never bothered to be bothered by their situation. I saw it as normal, and my depen dence on the image of a good family able to resolve its problems kept me from inquiring or even being there. Now my older brother is in the metro, currently job-hopping. His updates to us are always met with doubt. The boy who cried wolf turned to the boy who cried “I have a job but it is not paying well; could you send me some money?” He has a lot of cries and a family back home could only take just much. I cared for him but almost barely minimal; he was just the brother outside the house whom I did not mind. I saw where he was living, an ugly room where the sunlight coming from the single window made everything more vividly unpleasant. Yet I remained abnormally unaffected.

I remained so until the following moment: he finally revealed his depression. Things caught up. Guilt came rushing into my head, marking its perma nent stay. Pity, anger, and sadness came too. I now learned my lesson. My personal and journalistic attitude had to be reassessed. I was a cold person whose interest in stories lay out of curiosity and fame. I do not know yet if I was doing this to help. Content creators, those who still recognize the noble purpose of creating, should not necessarily be a firm advocate of service, but instead, know the peril of faking connection, deliberate or not. It is a basic lesson for every conscious human. New journalists will inevitably be hungry. The thrill to write in detail, getting information nobody had access to before, will not satisfy the appetite, but amplify it. Rewards also are a driving force of journalistic excellence, the recognition of your doing justice to the story. However, being sidetracked, or what I had said earlier, forgetting the humanity in journalism is a common side-effect. Humanity in journalism may sound like buzzwords for the beautification of the craft. To put it simply, it is constant reminder that the subject and the author are humans capable of happiness and misery. Objectivity in its purist formâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;despite being hard to nail down a concrete meaning and purposeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;mandates a journalist to be fair to the viewer-only role. There on builds an artificial distance between the subject and the author to suppress emotion during the event and when putting it into words. Note: objectivity is not the evil of journalism, it is what stabilizes it, making it essential in a democratic society. In real life (and in my case), the viewer-only role takes place in silent family dinners o r a c a re l e s s s h r u g to a qu e s t i o n . T h e d i n n e r c o u n t s f i ve fa m i l y m e m b e r s a n d a n u n fa m i l i a r j o u r n a l i s t , s a d l y . Re s e r v i n g t h i s , o n c e o n e i s s e l f - awa re , d o e s n o t re qu i re e x t re m e s t e p s l i ke c o n s t a n t b a r ra g e o f a f fe c t i o n . J u s t b e t h e re , g e n u i n e l y . T h e s e p a ra t i o n o f b e i n g a j o u r n a l i s t , a f r i e n d , o r a b ro t h e r i s h a rd a n d h o n e s t l y i m p o s s i b l e . B u t t h i n g s d o n o t h ave a l way s to b e s e e n i n a s c a l e o f d u l l a n d i n t e re s t i n g . To u s w r i t e r s , t h e wo r l d i s l i t e ra l l y f u l l o f s to r i e s , v i r t u a l l y i n f i n i t e . D o n o t l e t i t ove r w h e l m yo u to fo rg e t t h e o n e s c l o s e s t to yo u , w h o s e s to r i e s i n c l u d e yo u .

DANIEL SEBASTIANNE DAIZ

21 D a y s T h re e we e k s i n to t h i s n e w wo r l d a n d i t s e e m s l i ke I h ave n ’ t go t t e n e n o u g h o f i t y e t . T h re e we e k s i n to t h i s n e w e n v i ro n m e n t a n d i t s t i l l b r i n g s p u re awe a n d n o s t a l g i a . T h re e we e k s i n to s e n i o r h i g h s c h o o l ( S H S ) a n d I ’ m s t i l l i n c u l t u re s h o c k , i n a go o d , y e t we i rd way . E ve n b e fo re I e n t e re d S H S a n d m y n e w p l a c e , I h a d s e e n s o m a n y m e m e s , p o s t s , a n d j o ke s o n s o c i a l m e d i a s c a r i n g i n c o m i n g g ra d e 1 1 students about deadlines, hectic schedules, and difficult subjects. Bei n g s c a re d h a d n e ve r t a ke n p l a c e i n m y m i n d — u n t i l t h a t m o m e n t . I fe l t a l i t t l e fe a r b e c a u s e a l l t h o s e p o s t s s e e m e d to h ave a c o n s e n s u s : being a senior high school student is difficult. I k n ow t h a t t h i n g s w i l l b e to u g h b e c a u s e i t ’ s s e n i o r h i g h s c h o o l , n o t j u n i o r h i g h s c h o o l ( J H S ) . T h e t e r m i t s e l f i s s u g g e s t i ve , a n d I k n ow t h a t m y c h o s e n a c a d e m i c s t ra n d i s a l s o d i f f i c u l t : S T E M ( S c i e n c e , Te c h n o l o g y , E n g i n e e r i n g a n d M a t h e m a t i c s ) . W h y i s i t s c a r y ? We h ave s i x s p e c i a l i z e d s c i e n c e s u b j e c t s , t wo s p e c i a l i z e d c a l c u l u s s u b j e c t s , a n d t wo re s e a rc h s u b j e c t s . A s i d e f ro m t h a t , we a l s o h ave to t a ke o t h e r c o re s u b j e c t s f ro m d i f fe re n t f i e l d s . F o r m e , t h a t wa s n o t t h e only difficulty. A s I l i ve i n a h u m b l e tow n , I h a d to m ove i n to a n o t h e r c i t y to f i n d t h e r i g h t S H S s c h o o l fo r m e to c a t e r m y n e e d s a s a g row i n g s t u d e n t . F o r t h a t , m e a n d m y p a re n t s d e c i d e d t h a t I h ave to e n ro l l i n a s c h o o l t h a t ’ s a l m o s t t wo h o u r s f ro m t h e h o u s e . C o n c l u s i o n : I h ave to l i ve a l o n e a n d away f ro m t h e c o m fo r t s o f o u r h o u s e . I re a l i z e d t h a t i f I re a l l y d e m a n d a qu a l i t y e d u c a t i o n i n S H S , s a c r i f i c e s m u s t b e d o n e n o t j u s t b y m y p a re n t s a n d s i b l i n g , b u t b y m e . I wa s n e ve r a n i n d e p e n d e n t p e r s o n ; I a l way s re l i e d o n m y p a re n t s fo r b a s i c a l l y e ve r y t h i n g f ro m c o o k i n g , i ro n i n g m y u n i fo r m , a n d s h i n i n g my shoes. L u c k i l y , I d o n ’ t h ave to b u rd e n m y p a re n t s fo r m y s c h o o l i n g ; I ’ m a f u l l s c h o l a r a n d I d o n ’ t p ay t h o u s a n d s fo r m y t u i t i o n . A l s o , t h a n k s to t h e gove r n m e n t ’ s vo u c h e r p ro g ra m , I wa s a b l e to g e t l e s s f ro m t h e ove ra l l a s s e s s m e n t o f m y fe e s . T h e o n l y t h i n g I n e e d to d o i s to t a ke c a re o f m y s e l f h e re a n d s t u d y h a rd . N o t h i n g m o re , n o t h i n g l e s s .

I m ove d i n to m y n e w h o m e t h re e d ay s b e fo re J u n e 5 , t h e f i r s t d ay o f c l a s s e s . I t wa s n o i s y , s m o k y a n d c row d e d : C a r s , j e e p n e y s , a n d t r i m o b i l e s we re e ve r y w h e re . Ye t p ro g re s s wa s e v i d e n t : m a l l s a n d s h o p s a re e ve r y w h e re . I wa s s i m p l y we l c o m e d b y t h i s b e a u t i f u l l y c h a o t i c c i t y w h i c h wo u l d b e m y h o m e fo r t h e n e x t t wo y e a r s . O n t h e fo l l ow i n g M o n d ay , I f i n a l l y e n t e re d m y n e w l e a r n i n g p l a c e , we a r i n g m y u n i fo r m . I t wa s s i m p l y a b i z a r re e x p e r i e n c e . I d i d n ’ t k n ow i f I wo u l d c r y , r u n , o r l a u g h w h i l e l o o k i n g a t t h e d i f fe re n t b u i l d i n g s t h a t w i l l s o o n b e m y n e w c l a s s ro o m s . N e w fa c e s we re e ve r y w h e re ; I b a re l y k n e w a n yo n e . L u c k i l y , I h ave m y l o n g t i m e b e s t f r i e n d w i t h m e , b u t I k n ow t h a t e ve n s h e i s i n a s t a t e o f wo n d e r i n s i d e t h e wa l l s o f o u r school. A s I ’ ve s a i d e a r l i e r , i t wa s a to t a l c u l t u re s h o c k . I ’ ve b e e n o n p u b l i c s c h o o l i n g s i n c e e l e m e n t a r y a n d s u d d e n l y t ra n s fe r r i n g to a p r i v a t e a n d C a t h o l i c s c h o o l wa s a g a i n a go o d y e t we i rd e x p e r i e n c e . R i d i n g t h e p u b l i c t ra n s p o r t i s d i f fe re n t h e re . P r i c e s a re o b v i o u s l y h i g h e r a n d t h e c o s t o f l i v i n g i s a l s o h i g h e r . B u t I k n e w i n m y s e l f t h a t I h ave to a d j u s t . I wa s m o re s h o c ke d w h e n t h e t e a c h e r s a re s o a p p ro a c h a b l e , e n t h u s i a s t i c , a n d j o l l y ! S o , I h a d t h i s h y p o t h e s i s t h a t m ay b e t h e s c h o o l a d m i n i s t ra t i o n i s t r y i n g to b u i l d a c o m m u n i t y w h e re s t u d e n t s a n d t e a c h e r s a re e qu a l , y e t t h e re i s s t i l l a wo r k i n g a u t h o r i t y to avo i d a n a rc h i s m i n s i d e i t . A n d fo r n e w f r i e n d s ? I a l re a d y go t f r i e n d s f ro m m y n e w s c h o o l — a l l o f t h e m a s e qu a l l y i m p o r t a n t a s m y e l e m e n t a r y a n d JHS friends. M y f i r s t t h re e we e k s a t s e n i o r h i g h s c h o o l we re g re a t . I t wa s a s i f t h e s c h o o l wa s o p e n i n g i t s a r m s to we l c o m e t h e i r n e w s t u d e n t s , s t u d e n t s w h o c a m e f ro m d i f fe re n t p l a c e s , s c h o o l s a n d b a c k g ro u n d s . I t ’ s a d i ve r s e c o m m u n i t y w h e re e ve r yo n e i s t re a t e d e qu a l l y . B u t t h e n a g a i n , I h ave to ove rc o m e a n o t h e r p ro b l e m : h o m e s i c k n e s s . T h re e we e k s i n to t h i s n e w wo r l d m a d e m e m i s s m y h o m e a n d fa m i l y . I t ’ s a fe e l i n g t h a t p ro b a b l y h a u n t s e ve r yo n e i n a n e w e n v i ro n m e n t a n d h a s to l i ve away f ro m t h e c o m fo r t s o f t h e i r h o m e s a n d fa m i l i e s . B u t a t t h e b a c k o f m y m i n d , I a l way s re m e m b e r t h a t I c h o s e t h i s a n d I w i l l s t i c k w i t h m y d e c i s i o n u n t i l I g ra d u a t e s e n i o r h i g h s c h o o l . F o r t u n a t e l y , I a l way s g e t t h e c h a n c e to go h o m e e ve r y F r i d ay .

RENZ MARION BENOSA

Karit M a g t a n i m n g a t a l a g a ’ y d i b i ro , L a l o n a s a p a n a h o n n g t a g t u yo . K ay a n a m a n u b o d n a n a k a k a g a l i t Ang kanilang mga sinasapit. Pitumpo’t lima; P o r s y e n to n a b i n u b u o n g m a g s a s a k a . Bilang rin ba ang mga api sa bansa, Bilang na bumubuo sa malaking tatsulok, K u n g s a a n m g a m a p a n g - a p i a n d n a s a t u k to k ? D i n i l a i n a s a m a n g m a l u p i t n a b u h ay , G u s to l a m a n g n i l a ’ y u m a s e n s o n g m a t i wa s ay . M g a p a l a s yo ’ y d i p i n a n g a ra p , Dahil lupang-sakahan ang hiling nila sa alapaap. K a s a b ay n g t a g t u yo a n g k a n i l a n g p a g s a m o . N a d a gd a g a n p a n g k awa l a n n g s a k l o l o Wa l a n a n g m a k a i n a n g k a n i l a n g s u m b o n g , Ngunit mga bala ang sa kanila’y sumalubong. I s a n g m a l a k i n g b i ro k u n g a t i n g i i s i p i n , Magsasaka’y humingi ng bigas na maihahain. Kung sino pa sana ang dapat na masagana, S i l a p a a n g n a m a m a t ay s a g u to m a t n a gd u d u s a . M g a b a l a n g d a p a t p a ra s a n a s a m a s a s a m a , I k i n a m a m a t ay n g m g a m a g s a s a k a . Asan na ang tuwid na daan? Tu l u y a n n a b a n g n a g b u l a g - b u l a g a n ? !

P a a n o k ay a t ayo k u n g s i l a ay h u m i n to , M a g s awa n a s a k a k a - a ra ro , Isipin ang kanilang sarili, A t t ayo ’ y d i p a g b i g y a n s a p a g k a i n g h i n i h i n g i ? D a ra t i n g k ay a a n g a raw n a a n g k a n i l a n g k a r i t , N a p a ra s a p a g - a n i ay s a d a h a s n a m a g a g a m i t ? M a g i n g s i m b o l o k ay a i to n g g a l i t , Galit na dulot ng kanilang sinasapit? Wa g s a n a n g m a gd u l o t n g m a s m a p a i t . Tayo ’ y m a g k a - i s a U p a n g p a g b a b a go ’ y m a k a m i t n a . S a h u wa d n a d a a n ay wa g n a n g u m a s a p a . D a h i l h e to n a a n g m a s a , A n g t u n ay n a m a g wawa g ay n g wa t awa t n g b a n s a .

( A t r i b u t e to v i c t i m s o f t h e K i d a p awa n M a s s a c re )

JOHN LEIR CASTRO

B l a n k S l at e A wo m a n s m o ke s o n t h e u n l i t b a l c o n y . H e r l i p s l e t l o o s e s w i r l i n g , f l e e t i n g g h o s t s . I b re a t h e i n t h e s e w i s p s a n d b a s k i n h e r m e l a n c h o l i a . H e r fo r m l e s s u n s a i d p o s s e s s e s m e . I s i t n o t t r u e t h a t fo rg e t t i n g i s o u r f i r s t h u m a n a c t i o n ? W h e n we a re b o r n , we re l i n qu i s h o u r b o n d s w i t h t h e wo m b . F ro m t h e n o n , we c o n s t a n t l y fo rg e t . T h i s i s w h y we e re c t m o n u m e n t s a n d c h r i s t e n b r i d g e s , s o t h e s e m e m e n to s c o u l d re m e m b e r fo r u s w h i l e we c o n ve n i e n t a m n e s i a c s s t a re w i s t f u l l y i n to a f u t u re w h e re o u r ow n n a m e s a re e t c h e d i n p l a qu e s a n d o u r fa c e s c a r ve d i n s to n e . T h i s i s w h y we s c r i b b l e p o e t r y i n j o u r n a l s a n d m a ke l i s t s b e fo re we s l e e p : we wa n t to s e i z e w h a t e l s e s l i p s w i t h o u r t e a r s a n d o u t t h e p o re s o f o u r s k i n s , to c a p t u re fa l l i n g b ra n c h e s i n a fo re s t a n d t h e wa r c r i e s o f t h e wave s o n t h e s h o re , t h e c r i s p b u r n t s c e n t o f a m o t h d e s c e n d i n g b y a c a n d l e flame, and the vanishing early morning moon. We s c ra m b l e to re c o l l e c t wa t e r a n d s a n d a n d w i n d t h a t s l i d e o u t f ro m u n d e r o u r n a i l s a n d t h e s p a c e s o f o u r t e e t h . H ow f u t i l e i t a l l s e e m s , w h e n d ay b y d ay o u r m e m o r i e s â&#x20AC;&#x201D; o f m a r ke d d a t e s o n re t i re d calendars, of corridors on old maps, of peeling paint and palms, of s u r re a l e n c o u n t e r s w i t h g i a n t b l a c k b i rd s , o f t h e p e o p l e i n p h o to g ra p h s we b a re l y re c o g n i z e to b e g i n w i t h â&#x20AC;&#x201D; g ra d u a l l y p e r i s h , u n t i l we f i n a l l y l i e i n o u r c a s ke t s , e m p t y a n d i n fa n t s o n c e a g a i n . P e r h a p s t h i s , to o , i s w h y we s t i l l a t t e n d f u n e ra l s . I t i s a fa m i l i a r e x p e r i e n c e after all. A wo m a n o u t l i ve s t h e c i g a re t t e s t i c k . T h e a s h s e t t l e s ove r t h e e ve n i n g p a n o ra m a . Wi t h a s i g h , s h e re t re a t s i n to h e r ro o m . To n i g h t , a g a i n , s h e fo rg e t s , w h i l e m y l u n g s s t ra i n to ke e p h e r d e a t h .

F LO R I A N E TA R U C

Tambol

L ata

M a g p a p a s ko n o o n . H a b a n g b i n a b a g t a s ko a n g k a h a b a a n n g k a l s a d a p a t u n go n g p a l e n g ke , h i n d i ko m a i wa s a n g m a p a n s i n a n g s a r i - s a r i n g i l aw n a k u m u k u t i t a p s a b awa t t a h a n a n n a n a d a d a a n a n ko . P a gd a t i n g s a a k i n g d e s t i n a s yo n ay s i k s i k a n a n g m g a t a o n g k a t u l a d ko ay m a m i m i l i n g p a h a b o l n a s a n g k a p p a ra s a N o c h e B u e n a . M a l a p i t s a b a go n g b u k a s n a t i n d a h a n n g p ro d u k to n g “ M a d e i n C h i n a ” ay m ay p i n a g k a k a g u l u h a n a t a ko n a m a n b i l a n g d a k i l a n g u s u s e ra ay n a k i t i n g i n . M a g k a p a t i d n a b a t a l a m a n g p a l a . A n g i s a ay s a p a l a g ay ko ’ y n a s a l a b i n g a n i m n a t a o n g g u l a n g a t a n g i s a n a m a n ay s i y a m . P a re h o s i l a n g n a k a s u o t n g k a k a t wa ’ t k a k a i b a n g d a m i t a t u m i i n d a k s a s a l i w n g m u s i k a m u l a s a kanilang tambol na lata. P a g k a t a p o s n g k a n i l a n g m i n i p e r fo r m a n c e ay n a g p a l a k p a k a n a n g i l a n a t n a g h u l o g n g b a r y a a n g k a ra m i h a n . Ta u n - t a o n n a l a m a n g ay n a g k a k a l a t a n g g a n i to n g e k s e n a t u w i n g m a g p a p a s ko . H i n d i n a b a go . S a i s i p ko ay m a l a m a n g k a b i l a n g s i l a s a g r u p o n g m g a o p o r t u n i s t a n a s i n a s a m a n t a l a a n g “ s e a s o n o f g i v i n g ” p a ra k u m i t a . H a b a n g a ko ay n a g l a l a k a d p a p u n t a s a p a ra d a h a n n g t ray s i ke l p a u w i ay b i g l a n g m ay k u m a l a b i t s a a k i n g t a g i l i ra n . A g a d a ko n g l u m i n go n . S a m g a s a n d a l i n g i yo n ay n a k a h a ra p ko a n g i s a n g b a b a e n a m ay k a rg a n g s a n g go l a t a n g p o r m a ’ y k a p a re h o s a d a l awa n g b a t a . Inilahad niya ang kanyang palad: “Pahingi ng barya.” Muntik n a n g l u m i p a d a n g k a n y a n g k i l ay ko h a b a n g u n t i - u n t i n g t u m a t a l i ko d s a k a n i y a a t u m i i l i n g . S a b i ko n a n g a b a ’ t o p o r t u n i s t a a n g m g a i yo n . L u l a n n g t ray s i ke l ay p i n a g m a s d a n ko a n g b a b a e n g n a n g u l i t k a n i n a . D a h i l n g a s a ra m i n g t a o ay h a l o s h i n d i n a u m u u s a d a n g t ra p i ko a t p a t u l oy ko n g t i n i n g n a n a n g b a b a e n g n g ayo n ay n a n g a n galabit nanaman ng iba.

S a b i s a a k i n n g n a n ay ko , h u wa g ko raw p a n s i n i n a n g b a b a e . K a b i l a n g d aw i to s a g r u p o n g m g a n a g b a b a n g - b u n d o k â&#x20AC;&#x201D; B a d j a o , k u n g t awa g i n . S a p a g k a k a a l a m ko , a n g m g a B a d j a o ay p a n g k a t e t n i ko n g m u l a s a M i n d a n a o . P a a n o s i l a m a k a k a ra t i n g s a l u g a r n a m i n n a k u n g t u t u u s i n ay n a p a k a l ayo n a ? Ta n d a n g t a n d a ko p a n a n g ay a i n a ko n g n a n ay ko n a p u m u n t a s a i s a n g s i k a t n a m a l l u p a n g b u m i l i n g m g a p a n re g a l o . L u l a n n g p a m p a s a h e ro n g d y i p , p a m i l y a r a n g r i t m o n a n a d i n i g ko . S a k a l a k h a n n g P i l i p i n a s ay n a k i t a ko n g m u l i a n g d a l awa n g b a t a n a u m i i n d a k i s a n g taon na ang nakalipas. H i n d i ko n a i n t i n d i h a n a n g l i r i ko n a s i n a s a m b i t n g n a k a t a t a n d a h a b a n g a n g k a p a t i d n a m a n n i y a ay n a g - a a b o t n g a m p a o o i yo n g m g a s o b re n g p a p e l n a n i l a l a m a n a n n g p e ra . P a g k a t a p o s n g k a n t a ay b i n aw i n i l a a n g m g a s o b re a t l u m i p a t n g d y i p p a p a l ayo s a a k i n . S a p a g k a k a t a o n g i yo n ay n a k a ra m d a m a ko n g m a t i n d i n g awa . S a l u n g a t s a a k i n g u n a n g h i n u h a , m g a k a t u t u b o n g a s i l a n g t awa g i n , n g u n i t a n g t i n g i n s a k a n i l a n g m g a t a o ay n a n g l i l i m a h i d a t k a a wa - awa . Ta o n t a o n n a l a m a n g ay n a m a m a l i m o s a t n a k i k i p a g s a p a l a ra n ang mga Badjao sa mga lungsod na hindi naman talaga nila tahanan. Tayo n g l a h a t ay k a b i l a n g s a i i s a n g l a h i , n g u n i t b a k i t a n g i l a n ay i t i n u turing na mas nakakababa? M a g p a p a s ko n a n a m a n . B a k a s a k a l i n g s a i b a n g d a a n o l u g a r ko n a n a m a n m a k a s a l u b o n g a n g d a l awa n g b a t a n g n a g t a t a m b o l . Wa l a n g k a t i y a k a n , k a t u l a d n g k a p a l a ra n n g m g a B a d j a o s a l u p a i n g s a l a t s a p a n g - u n awa a t p a g t a n g g a p s a k u l t u ra a t p a m u m u h ay n i l a .

JAMES CAGUICLA

P a n a n da l i a n g A m a I to n a . H i n d i ko n a m a i b u k a s a n g a k i n g m g a m a t a n g n a g h i h i k a h o s n a . Wa l a n g i b a n g n a g p a p a a l a l a n a a ko ’ y b u h ay p a , n a gd u r u s a p a , k u n d i a n g k a k a ra m p o t n a s i n a g n g a raw n a d u m a ra m p i s a ’ k i n g b a l a t . I n i wa n n a a ko n g p a n a h o n . Wa l a n g i b a n g d u m a ra go k s a ’ k i n g i s i p a n k u n d i a n g m g a n a k aw n a s a n d a l i n g t u m a t a go s a n g m g a y a k a p n g a k i n g m g a a n a k . N a n g u n g u l i l a a ko s a p a g m a m a l a k i n g m i n s a n n i l a n g i p i n a d a m a s a a k i n . N a d a ra m a ko a n g p a m u m u o n g m g a l u h a n g m a t a gal ng pinipigilan sa dalampasigan ng aking mga mata. A ko ay d a t i n g m a g s a s a k a n g l u p a i n g h i n d i a k i n . I s a n g d u k h a n g b i n i b i l a d s a k a s a d l a k a n n g a raw . N g u n i t s a k a b i l a n i to ’ y n a i t a g u y o d ko a n g a p a t ko n g m g a a n a k a t s i l a ’ y n a k a p a g t a p o s n g ko l e h i yo . M a g a a n s a p a k i ra m d a m a n g s u m a n d a l s a m g a b i s i g n a d a t i ’ y n a s a i yo n g k a n l u n g a n . A ko n a a t a a n g p i n a k a s u we r t e n g a m a s a m g a k a p a n a h u n a n g i yo n . N g u n i t l a h a t n g b a g ay ay n a g t a t a p o s . A n g a k i n g m g a m a s a s ay a n g a raw ay m a t u l i n g l u m i s a n s a p a g d a a n n g s i g wa . P a k i wa r i ko n o o ’ y b awa t n g i t i a t k a s i y a h a n g n a t a m o ay p a n g h i m a g a s l a m a n g s a p a i t n g b u h ay . P u m a n aw a n g a k i n g a s awa . S i n i s i ko a n g a k i n g s a r i l i n a k u n g s a n a ’ y i t i n i g i l ko a n g p a g s a s a k a ’ t n a n a t i l i s a a m i n g m u n t i n g b a h ay ay b a k a k ay a k a p ko p a s i y a n g ay o n . K u n g s u m a h o d s a n a a ko s a n a k a t a k d a n g o ra s o d i k ay a ’ y n a k a p a g - u t a n g ay b a k a n a i p a t i n g i n ko s i y a s a d o k to r . N a g p a d a l a a ko n g s u l a t s a a k i n g m g a a n a k k a h i t n a n a n g i n g i n i g a n g a k i n g k a m ay . Wa l a a ko n g i b a n g p a ra a n u p a n g m a i p a a l a m s a k a n i l a n a n g a g a ra n . N a g s i d a t i n g a n a n g a k i n g m g a a n a k a t k a n i l a n g m g a a s awa ’ t a n a k b a n d a n g a l a s t re s n g u m a g a . Ra m d a m ko n g p i n a n d i d i r i h a n n i l a a n g m g a a g i w s a d i n gd i n g n a n a s i s i n a g a n n g k a n d i l a . K i n a m u m u h i a n n i l a a n g m a r u p o k n a s a h i g n a t i l a s a b awa t y a p a k n i l a ’ y m a h u h u l o g s i l a s a k awa l a n . K a m i ’ y p a ra n g s a rd i n a s s a b a ro n g n a ' d i m a h u l u g a n n g k a rayo m . H i n d i m a n l a n g n a g awa n g m a g m a n o n g a k i n g m g a a p o n a s a p a k i wa r i ko ’ y d a l a n g m a s a n g s a n g n a a m oy n g m a t a n d a n g s a k i tin. N a g - a m o k a n g a k i n g p a n g a n ay n a p a ra n g h i b a n g n a a s o a t a ko ’ y s i n u m b a t a n n g m g a m a s a s a k i t n a s a l i t a . P a ra b a n g i n u k i t ko a n g t a d h a n a a t g i n u s to ko a n g p a g p a n aw n g k a n i l a n g i n a , a n g a k i n g a s awa .

L u m i s a n s i l a n g wa l a n g h u l i n g p a s a b i . A ko ’ y n a i wa n g h u m i h i k b i a t n a s a r u ro k n g p i g h a t i . P a ra a ko n g b a s u ra n g i t i n a p o n m a t a p o s p a k inabangan. A n g p i n a n d i d i r i h a n n i l a n g m g a d i n gd i n g ay m i n s a ’ y p i n a g p aw i s a n ko n g p a k u i n g a m i t a n g m g a k a h oy n a t a t l o n g b u wa n ko n g p i n a g - i p u n a n . A n g m g a s a h i g n a i to a n g l a p a g n a k u n g s a a ’ y t i n a h a k n i l a a n g k a n i l a n g m g a u n a n g y a p a k . A n g m u n t i n g k u b o n g i to a n g l u g a r k u n g s a a n k a m i d a t i ’ y n a g t a t a g u - t a g u a n n a p a ra b a n g h i n d i n a n a m i n k a i l a n g a n p a n g i b a n g t a o . N a n g u n g u l i l a a ko s a m g a y a k a p n i l a g a l i n g s a e s k u we l a n a n a k a p a p aw i s a m a g h a p o n g p a g b a n a t ko n g b u to . N a a a l a l a ko a n g m g a s a n d a l i n g n a g m a m a n o s i l a s a a k i n a t s a b ay s a b ay k a m i n g t i t i n g a l a s a l a n g i t a t p a g m a m a s d a n a n g k i s l a p n g m g a a l i t a p t a p . A n g s a n g s a n g ko n g ayo ’ y a m oy n i l a n o o n s a m a g h a p o n g p a g l a l a ro n g u n i t h i n d i m a n l a n g a ko n a gd a d a l awa n g i s i p n a s i l a ’ y b u h a t i n p a t u n go s a b a h ay . A ko y u n g k i n a d i d i r i h a n g m a t a n d a n a m i n s a ’ y naging ama sa kanila.

JA I R A K I M L I N ATO C

K ru s H i ndi ko na m a t a n d a a n k u n g i k a -i l a n g s i m b ah an n a an g n ad aan an n a mi n ng k ai b i g an ko n g s i Jo s e . Sa t a ga l n g a m i n g pi n ag s am ah an , pan g a n i m na daan at anim n a p u ’ t a n i m n a s i gu ro n g p a n guro s an g n ag awa n i y a. “Bak i t b a k ai l a n ga n l a gi k a n g n a gs a s i gn o f t h e cro s s s a l ah at n g s i mb a han na ati ng nad a d a a n a n ? Wa l a n a m a n n a k a k i t a a h . An g l ab o ah . ” H i n d i ko mapi g i lang i tano n g s a k a n ya . A b al a pa r i n s i ya s a p a gl i l i n go n l i n go n s a d a a n . M arah i l ay n ag aab an g n a naman si y a ng m a d a d a a n a n n a m i n g s i m b a h a n . “D ahi l i yon an g t u ro s a a k i n n g a k i n g Lo l a . Ta n d a d aw i yo n n g pag i g in g mak a-D i yos at p a gk a -k a to l i ko , ” p u n o n g p u n o n g pan an al i g n a s am b i t n i J ose. H i ndi ko alam k u n g b i b i l i b a ko s a k a n ya o m a s l al o n g m ag tatak a. S a ed ad ni y ang di se sai s , s i gu ro i yo n d i n a n g b i l a n g n g t ao n n a s i y an g n ab u b uh ay sa g anoong pan i n i wa l a . “A h k ung g an u n , D i yo s d i n b a a n g l o l a m o d ah i l s i y a an g n ag tu ro s a ’ yo noon o may na gt u ro l a n g s a Lo l a m o ? Uko l b a ito s a b i b l i y a? ” “Mali k a! Yun g d aw n a k a p a ko s a k ru s a n g D i yo s n ati n . At o o ata, s a b ibli y a ni y a nak uha a n g m ga i to . D i b a i yo n d aw a n g pi n ak as ag rad o s a l ah a t? Yun ata ang r i n i g ko s a c a t e c h e s i s c l a s s n a t i n n o o n g n ak araan g l i n g go . M arahi l doon ng a ni l o l a n a k u h a yu n , ” n a ga a l a n ga n g s ago t s ak i n n i J o s e . K i ta ko sa mat a n i ya a n g p a gk a p i ko n d a l a m a rah i l n g pag k u we s tyo n ko sa k any a. “Si g urado k a b a t a l a ga ? Ha l a t a n g Hi n d i m o a l a m an g m g a i n i i m i k m o ! M uk hang sab i -sab i l a n g a n g m ga i ya n ! Hu wa g m o n g s ay an g i n an g o ras m o s a mg a b ag ay na di k a s i gu ra d o !” “A h b asta! Bas t a , m ay D i yo s . B a k i t b a m a ra m i k an g tan o n g ? S ab i n i Lo la, masama daw a n g k u we s t yo n i n a n g m ga b a gay t u n g ko l d i to . K as al an an d aw i yon. Marami ng t a o n a ri n a n g n a n i n i wa l a a t gi n ag awa i to , k ay a s u m un od k a nalang ; wala n a m a n g m awawa l a .” Mas l al o akon g n a gu l u h a n s a m ga s i n a b i n i ya . K as ab ay n g pag b ab a n a mi ng sa jeep ay a n g p a gt a a s n g k yu ryo s i d a d ko tu n g ko l s a pan i n i wal a n iya.

A l as-dose na n g t a n gh a l i m a ra t i n g n a m i n g a n g e s k i n i ta patu n go s a a mi ng paaralan. Mu l a ri to ay ri n i g ko a n g k a l e m b a n g m u l a s a s i m b ah an s a a mi ng paaral an dah i l s a A n ge l u s . “H i ndi b a’t da p a t t i t i gi l t ayo p a ra m a gd a s a l ? B at m as l al o tayo n g b umili s mag l ak ad? H in d i b a t ayo m a gp a p a n gu ro s ? ” s ar k as ti ko n g tan o n g ko k ay J ose. “A ng k ul i t k ul i t m o n a m a n e h ! Wa l a p a n a m a n t ayo s a l o o b n g paaral an k aya ok ay l ang i yon . Wa l a ri n t ayo n g n a d a a n a n g s i m bah an . B i l i s an m o n a at mahuhuli na tayo an g d a m i m o n g t a n o n g! K u n g ayaw m o m an i wal a, h u wag mo! ” K ulang na l an g ay m ay l u m a b a s a n g u s o k s a t ai n g a n i J o s e d al a n g p a gk api kon sa ak i n. Mas l al ong l um a l i m a n g k u n o t n g s a n o o ko d a h i l s a m g a s ago t n i y a. H indi ko i naasahan n a ga n i to a n g m a gi gi n g a s a l n i J o s e d ah i l d i to . M arah i l maaar i pa i tong magi n g m i t s a n g p a gk a k a i b i ga n n a m i n . Pero hi ndi ma a a ri n g m a t a p o s a n g a raw n a to n a h i n d i n as as ago t an g mg a b umab ag ab ag s a k i n . N a p a g p a s ya h a n ko n g d a p at pu n tah an an g pu n o ’ t d u lo ng pani ni wal a n i ya n g i to , a n g k a n ya n g Lo l a . Matapos ang il a n g o ra s n a p a m i m i l i t , n a p a p aya g ko s i J o s e n a b i s i tah i n a n g l ola ni y a. H i ndi n a ko n a gp a t u m p i k t u m p i k p a n g m ag tan o n g tu n g ko l s a k r u s na si nasamb a n i l a . “L ol a, Totoo p o p a yu n g s i n a s a b i n i Jo s e t u n gko l s a pag papan g u ro s ? N ab asa mo po b a i yo n s a B i b l i ya ? To to o p o b a n a m ay D i yo s ? N ag u g u l u h an n a po talag a ako eh, ”s u n o d s u n o d ko n g t a n o n g. “Iho anong b i b l i ya s i n a s a b i m o ? Hi n d i a ko n a k apag aral d ah i l s a pag t it inda ng k andi la s a s i m b a h a n . Hi n d i a ko m a ru n o n g m ag b as a k ay a wal a a kong alam sa b i b l i ya . La h a t n g i yo n ay m ga h a b i li n l an g r i n n g l o l a ko n oon. ” “K ung g anoon k a n i n o h o t a l a ga ga l i n g a n g p a n i n i wal a n i yo n g i yo n ? ” “H i ndi na i mp o rt a n t e i yo n . I yo n a n g s a b i s a b i n g n ak ak atan d a. P e ro manal i g k a lang , i ho . Ti n gn a n m o s a a k i n , i l a n g t a o n n a ako n g d e b o to at an g p a gti nda ng k andi l a n g i l a n g d e k a d a a n g n a gi n g p a n ata ko . Wal a n am an g n awal a. ” D oon ko napa gt a n to n a h i n d i t a o o b a gay a n g pi n ak am ak apan g y ar ih a n sa l ahat. Kung h i n d i a n g s a b i -s a b i . I l a n g d e k a d a m an an g l u m i pas , i to ’ y manananti l i at di m a t i t i n a g.

ALEXANDER DY

Why We Want Be Western

B a c k i n m y c h i l d h o o d , I d i s c ove re d m y d a d ’ s c o m p a c t d i s c s c o n t a i n i n g a n i n t e ra c t i ve e n c y c l o p e d i a . I t i n t ro d u c e d m e to a l l t h e g re a t n a m e s o f h i s to r y : P l a to , A r i s to t l e , N a p o l e o n , A l e x a n d e r o f M a c e d o n , L e o n a rd o d a Vi n c i , M o z a r t , B e e t h ove n , a n d t h e b e s t o f t h e i r a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s a n d c o n t r i b u t i o n s . I t s h owe d m e t h e v a l u e o f l e a r n i n g a n d t h e we i g h t o f l e g a c y . T h i s c re a t i ve p re s e n t a t i o n o f k n ow l e d g e i n c i t e d m y i n t e l l e c t u a l i n t e re s t s a n d i n s t i l l e d i n m e a d e e p a n d a b i d i n g i n t e r e s t fo r We s t e r n c i v i l i z a t i o n . T h e We s t — t h e c ra d l e o f a d v a n c e d a n c i e n t c i v i l i z a t i o n s , b i r t h p l a c e o f t h e wo r l d ’ s f i r s t t h i n ke r s a n d s c h o o l s o f t h o u g h t , s t a g e to h i s to r y ’ s h e ro e s , c e n t e r o f t h e h i g h e s t k n ow l e d g e a n d o f t h e f i n e s t a r t . T h e y s e e m e d l i ke t h e p i o n e e r s o f p ro g re s s . O n e c o u l d c o n s i d e r t h e We s t t h e c a p i t a l o f t h e E a r t h , t h e c o n c e n t ra t i o n o f t h e b e s t h u m a n i t y h a s to o f fe r . A n yo n e o r a n y t h i n g o f wo r t h m u s t b e a c k n ow l e d g e d a n d a f f i r m e d b y t h e We s t i f i t h a d re a l v a l u e . E v i d e n t l y , t h e o l d A m e r i c a n p ro p a g a n d a to j u s t i fy t h e i r o c c u p a t i o n o f t h e P h i l i p p i n e s — t h a t i s , t h a t we we re u n f i t to gove r n o u r s e l ve s — l i n g e re d i n t h e i d e a l i z a t i o n o f We s t e r n l i fe . I n h i s s e m i n a l b o o k e n t i t l e d O r i e n t a l i s m , E d wa rd S a i d m a ke s a c o m p re h e n s i ve a c c o u n t o f h ow t h e We s t g e n e ra t e s a n d p e r p e t u a t e s a n i n s t i t u t i o n a l i z e d , s t e re o t y p i c a l i m a g e o f t h e O r i e n t . T h i s p a t ro n i z i n g a t t i t u d e o f t h e We s t towa rd t h e E a s t i s p re v a l e n t i n a r t , l i t e ra t u re , h i s to r y , a n d s c i e n c e , t h e m o t i ve s b e i n g s o c i a l , p o l i t i c a l , a n d u l t i m a t e l y e c o n o m i c a l . A m e r i c a n p ro p a g a n d a i n o u r h i s to r y i s o n e o f t h e m a n i fe s t a t i o n s o f o r i e n t a l i s m , s o we re t h e m a n y l aw s a n d p o l i c i e s t h a t t h e y implemented, such as the Brigandage Act of 1902 and the censorship o f ra d i c a l P h i l i p p i n e l i t e ra t u re . I t i s fo r t h i s re a s o n t h a t S a i d d e f i n e s o r i e n t a l i s m a s a We s t e r n s t y l e o f d o m i n a t i n g , re s t r u c t u r i n g , a n d h av i n g a u t h o r i t y ove r t h e O r i e n t . G row i n g u p i n t h e p rov i n c e , m o s t o f u s , we re l e s s s av v y a b o u t We s t e r n l i fe s t y l e . O u r e x p e r i e n c e o f t h e We s t c a m e m o s t l y i n t h e fo r m

o f m e d i a a n d a r t i fa c t s : f ro m b o o k s to f i l m s , t h e b u d d i n g i n t e r n e t , a n d s i m p l e toy s . A c rav i n g fo r a c t u a l l y l i v i n g t h e l i fe s t y l e wa s t h e c u m u l a t i ve e f fe c t o f t h e s e i n f l u e n c e s . T h i s wa s re i n fo rc e d i n fo r m a l e d u c a t i o n a n d t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f E n g l i s h w h i c h we a re t ra i n e d to b e re s p e c t f u l a n d m o re p ro f i c i e n t a t , m o re t h a n o u r n a t i ve to n g u e . O n e wa s c o n s i d e re d s m a r t w h e n f l u e n t i n E n g l i s h ; w h i t e s k i n wa s m o re c ove t e d ; We s t e r n b ra n d s we re t re n d y ; s u c c e s s wa s m e a s u re d w h e n yo u c o u l d s e t t l e i n A m e r i c a o r E u ro p e . “It is not the consciousness of men that determines their b e i n g , b u t , o n t h e c o n t ra r y , t h e i r s o c i a l b e i n g t h a t d e t e r m i n e s t h e i r c o n s c i o u s n e s s . ” T h i s wa s t h e a s s e r t i o n o f K a r l M a r x re g a rd i n g t h e o r i g i n a n d fo r m a t i o n o f s o c i e t y ’ s v i e w s a n d way o f l i v i n g . P e o p l e a re s h a p e d b y c i rc u m s t a n c e s a n d u p b r i n g i n g . We a re n o t f re e to c h o o s e o u r b e l i e f s a n d o p i n i o n s , ra t h e r , e x t e r n a l , m a t e r i a l fo rc e s b e yo n d o u r c o n t ro l d e t e r m i n e t h e m . O n l y t h ro u g h re c o g n i z i n g t h i s a n d s u b j e c t i n g t h e m to qu e s t i o n i n g c a n we ove rc o m e o u r i n i t i a l c o n c e p t i o n s o f t h e wo r l d . T h e we a l t h a n d i n f l a t e d i m a g e o f t h e We s t i s b u i l t u p o n t h e s u b j u g a t i o n o f e ve r y t h i n g e l s e . C e n t u r i e s o f c o l o n i a l i s m a n d s l ave r y e s t a b l i s h e d a s t ro n g fo u n d a t i o n fo r i t s h e g e m o n y ove r s o c i e t y ’ s i n stitutions, a hegemony which is an institution in itself. The dynamic b e t we e n We s t e r n h e g e m o n y o n e c o n o m y , a n d o r i e n t a l i s m o n c u l t u re , m a i n t a i n s a n d p e r p e t u a t e s t h e d o m i n a n c e o f t h e We s t n o t o n l y i n global political economy but also on our consciousness, which the l a t t e r e f fe c t s w i t h s u b t l e t y . We s t e r n h e g e m o n y o n e c o n o m y , o r i m p e r i a l i s m , t a ke s p l a c e t h ro u g h t h e s t i f l i n g o f c o m p e t i t i o n b y m o n o p o l y , a n d t h e d i v i s i o n o f t h e wo r l d ’ s s p h e re s o f i n f l u e n c e a m o n g t h e s e m o n o p o l i e s , o f w h i c h A m e r i c a i s t h e g re a t e s t . O u r d e b t s to t h e Wo r l d B a n k a n d I M F a n d t h e i r re qu i s i t e p o l i c i e s p u t u s u n d e r A m e r i c a ’ s s p h e re o f i n f l u e n c e . B u t o u r t i e s w i t h t h e E u ro p e a n U n i o n e n s u re t h a t t h e P h i l i p p i n e s w i l l a l way s fa l l u n d e r t h e We s t ’ s e c o n o m i c u m b re l l a . A s s u c h , t h e s e e c o n o m i c c h a i n s a re re f l e c t e d b y o u r d i s p o s i t i o n towa rd s t h e We s t . M a t e r i a l c o n d i t i o n s p re c e d e c u l t u re . I s n o t We s t e r n re c o g n i t i o n m o re p re s t i g i o u s t h a n d o m e s t i c fa m e ? I s n o t s o m e o n e c o n s i d e re d m o re c u l t u re d w h e n s h e k n ow s s u f f i c i e n t We s t e r n re fe re n c e s ? I s n o t We s t e r n c u l t u re re g a rd e d a s h i g h e r a n d m o re re f i n e d ? A re n o t We s t e r n m o d e l s i n e c o n o m y a n d e d u c a t i o n c o n s i d e re d m o re v i a b l e w i t h o u t m u c h c o n s i d e ra t i o n o f t h e i r a p p l i c a t i o n to o u r p a r t i c u l a r m a t e r i a l c o n d i t i o n s ? O r i e n t a l i s m h a s d i c t a t e d o u r s t a n d a rd s a n d a e s t h e t i c t a s t e s a n d i s m a i n t a i n e d b y i m p e r i a l i s m t h ro u g h p o l i t i c a l i n f l u e n c e a n d t h e i r d u m p i n g o f s u r p l u s p ro d u c t s

to o u r c o u n t r y ; t h e t wo wo r k h a n d i n h a n d to ke e p u s b a c k wa rd s , i n debt, and on a leash. T h e fe t t e r s o f We s t e r n i n f l u e n c e e x t e n d d ow n to s o c i e t y ’ s m e m b e r s w h e n t h e y a re fo rc e d to s e r ve i t s h e g e m o n y . T h e s e fe t t e r s c o m p e l u s to m i m i c t h e We s t b y a c qu i r i n g we a l t h a n d b re e d i n g a c u l t u re o f c o m p e t i t i o n w i t h l i t t l e re g a rd fo r t h o s e w h o a re l e f t b e h i n d , a s i s e v i d e n t i n o u r a p a t h y towa rd s t h e p o o r ’ s p l i g h t i n c i t i e s a n d i n t h e c o u n t r y s i d e . L e t t h e gove r n m e n t p r i v a t i z e t ra n s p o r t a t i o n , l e t c o r p o ra t i o n s b u y o u r a n c e s t ra l l a n d s , l e t o u r s t u d e n t s b e c a n n o n fo d d e r to We s t e r n i n d u s t r y , a l l i n t h e n a m e o f “ p ro g re s s ” a n d “ i n n ov a t i o n ” . T h e s e fe t t e r s , we g l a d l y we a r b e c a u s e we h ave b e e n c o n d i t i o n e d to t r u s t i n t h e w i s d o m o f We s t w i t h o u t re a l l y a s k i n g “ I s t h i s w h a t we need?” M a h a t m a G a n d h i s a i d t h a t a n a t i o n ’ s c u l t u re re s i d e s i n t h e h e a r t a n d s o u l o f i t s p e o p l e , b u t a t ra g e d y i t i s i f t h e h e a r t s a n d s o u l s o f t h e p e o p l e h ave b e e n p o i s o n e d b y fa l s e i d o l s t h a t h ave p u t t h e m s e l ve s o n p e d e s t a l s o f we a l t h a n d c i v i l i z a t i o n , i n t i m i d a t i n g t h ro u g h d i s p l ay s o f s t re n g t h , i n v i t i n g wo r s h i p a n d m i m i c r y w i t h t h e p ro m i s e o f g a i n i n g t h e s a m e e m i n e n c e , b u t re wa rd e d w i t h e x p l o i t a t i o n . O r i e n t a l i s m d i m i n i s h e s t h e p e o p l e ’ s c u l t u re , i m p e r i a l i s m i m p ove r i s h e s t h e m . W h a t wo u l d i t t a ke fo r t h e P h i l i p p i n e s to re c o g n i z e t h e s e fe t t e r s a n d o n c e a g a i n d e c l a re : “ S a m a n l u l u p i g d i k a p a s i s i i l ! ”

DONNA ROSE FRAGINAL

Donna

the

Explorer

M i n s a n h a l u wa g , m i n s a n s u r u s u a n . M a p re s ko k a p a g m ay b a k a n t e p a , m a a ra s a h a s k a p a g p a n u n a . P a n g s a ro n g t awo n a e s p a s yo , l i m a p a d a a a n g k a s y a . S i k a t a i d m o n g m a h a m o t , s i s a ro a b a n g p a n o s . M ay d ray b e r n a a l i s to , i g wa m a n g g a ro b u n go g . I n i to n g m g a d i k i t n a s e n a r yo p a g m a ko m y u t a ko . P a g n a s a k ay a ko n i n g d y i p , p i r m i a ko n g n a k a e a r p h o n e s . P a g m a t i ko n a s a m u s i c v i d e o a ko . N a s a b ay a ko s a k u m p a s k a n g t u g to g k a n g m u s i k a . M i n s a n n a p a p a b ay l i s a d y i p , m i n s a n d a e ko n a p a p a n s i n , n a p a p a k u s o g n a l a n g a n g b o s e s ko s a p a g s a b ay s a k a n t a . N a k a k a s u p o g b a g a , p e ro d a e ko l a n g m a p u g u l a n . A n g p i n a k a s u n o ko , i to b a g a n g n a k a - m a x a n g vo l u m e , t a p o s m a p a p a i s i p a ko k a n m g a b a g ay b a g ay . S a ro n g b e s e s k a n g p a u l i a ko s a S a n F e r n a n d o , a b a n g t i n d i k a n g p a g s a k ay . S i ko n d u k to r a b a n g l i s to m a g h a ko t p a ra s a k ay , n a g k u k u r a h aw d u wa p a d a a k a s y a . P a g h i l i n g ko , h a l o s m ayo n a m a n e s p a s yo . S a i n m a t u k aw s i d u wa ? A b a n a b a n m a h i l i n g ko , i g wa p a l a n n i n g t a b l a n i n k a h oy n a i p u - p we s to s a m ay p we r t a h a n k a n d y i p ; d u m a n p a p a t u k awo n s i d u wa . H i n a p o t ko s i k a t a i d ko n g p a s a h e ro , m e d yo m ay e d a d n a m a n p e ro m a g ayo n - g ayo n p a , s a b i ko t a n o a ro g k a i n i a n g s i s t e m a k a n d y i p i gd i . S a b i n i m a n ay , s i n u s u l i t d a a k ay a a n b y a h e t a m e d yo h a rayo a n S a n F e r n a n d o t a p o s h a l oy a n b y a h e . A n g a s o l i n a d a a m a h a l a n p re s yo . N a p a i s i p a ko , a n b y a h e p a d u m a n h a l o s 1 0 h a n g g a n g 1 5 m i n u to s l a n g . S y e m p re p a l a n m ay p u r u - p u n d o p a t a m ay b a b a . P e ro k a n n a g b a b y a h e n a k a m i , n a a ra m a n ko k u n t a n o h a l oy . T ra p i k t a m ay ro a d c o n s t r u c t i o n s a m ay p a t u l ay . I n a b o t k a m i n i n h a l o s t re i n t a m i n u to s b a go n a k a u s a d . D a e , b a ko n g a n i to t re i n t a m i n u to s . L a g p a s p a t a n a k a p i ra n g k a n t a n a n g n a t a p o s s a c e l l p h o n e ko . K ay a p a l a n p i n a p a n o n i n p a ra ko m y u t p a ra s u l i t t a l a g a a n b y a h e ; s ay a n g a n g a s o l i n a h a b a n g n a k a p u n d o a n g d y i p t a n a k a p i l a s a t ra p i k . M ay n a g h i h i r i b i n g m g a a k i t a m a i n i t s a l a o g . M a a l p o g t a n a s a s a n g a b m i n g m g a p a s a h e ro s u m g a a s o h a l i s a t a m b o c h o k a n i b a n g s a k ay a n . H a l oy s u t ra p i k , p e ro m a t i ko m a s h a l oy n a i n i n g p roy e k to n g g i n i g i b o i gd i . D a e m a n k ay a ko p i r m i n g n a u l i s a m o s a S a n F e r n a n d o , m i n s a n a n l a n g . K ay a s u h u r i ko n g p a g u l i , h a l oy n a . P i ra n g b u l a n n a s u n a k a a g i . P e ro t a n d a ko , y a o n n a i n i n g ro a d c o n s t r u c t i o n , g i n i g i b o n a i n i . I s i p i s i p ko k a i to , n u a r i n d aw i n i m a t a t a p o s t a g ra b e n a a n d i s t ro s o a s i n a b a l a n a d i n a d a ra k a n p roy e k to n g i n i .

M ay s a ro p a n g b e s e s k a n n a g ko m y u t a ko p a u l i m a n d u m a n s a s a ro m i n g h a ro n g s a S a n F e l i p e . B a k a s a b i h o n n i n d o d a ko l m a n a ko n g t i g - u u l i a n . S y e m p re , t h e m o re t h e b e t t e r b a g a . N a g s a k ay a ko s a m ay p l a z a , m g a b a n d a n g a l a s s i e t e n a n i n b a n g g u i . Ru s h h o u r n a k ay a k a n o ra s n a i to k ay a m e d yo n a h a l oy a ko m a k a s a k ay . K a n p a g l a o g ko n g d y i p , h a l o s k a b a n g a n a l a n g b a g a k a n l o b o t ko a n n a k a k a t u k aw . D i i t n a t i o s t i o s l a n g p a ra m a k a u l i n a t a a ra n g go t n a s a m o , m a t a n g a n a d a a k ay a . A l a s s i e t e p a l a n g , m a t a n g a n a s a i n d a . B y a h e n a , s u l o t ko u t ro s u e a r p h o n e s ko . T ra p i k n a n a m a n p a g a b o t s a m ay F ra n c i a . A yo s m a n l a n g k u t a , k a s o i b a h o n s u p a g m a t i ko . M ay n a p a p a ro n g l a n g k ay a ko n a d a e k a ay a ay a . S y e m p re , b a n g g u i n a m a n k ay a a s i n l u o m p a s a l a o g k a n d y i p , u d i s u m g a p a ro n g m i n a g k a h a ra l o - h a l o n a . M a k u l o g s a p ayo , i to b a g a n g p a ro n g n a g a ro a n s o d n a h i n a l o s a g a n o t . M a b a t a , n a k a k a r i b o n g p ayo . P e ro m ayo n g re re k l a m u h a n t a s a ra ro k a m i i gd i a s i n m a s u p o g m a n b a g a n a m a n t u y aw n a d a e m o m a n k a b i s to . D u r u - d i re t s o n a k u d t a s u b y a h e m i , k a s o k a n d u m a n n a b a go m a g a b o t s a m ay e s k we l a h a n , n a g p u n d o n a n a m a n . T ra p i k u t ro . Ta n o ? I yo t a m ay ro a d w i d e n i n g n a p re s e n t e n g g i n i g i b o . A b a n g h a l oy s u p u n d o . G a ro n a s to p ove r n i n b y a h e n g p a M a n i l a . K a n n a k a p u n d o , t i g h i r i l i n g ko s i m g a t ra b a h a d o r n a a b a n g h i h i go s m a g t ra ra b a h o . B a n g g u i n a , s i g e p a s u h i ro . A s i n s u p a l i b o t t i g p a ra m a s i d ko . N a h i l i n g ko s u m g a k a h oy n a p i n u r u to l a s i n s u m g a p a r t e k a n l u p a n a n a d i s t ro s o k a n p roy e k to n g i n i . I n i s i p ko , p a ra s a i n s u ro a d w i d e n i n g ? I yo p a ra m a h i wa s a n s u d a l a n n a i n a a g i h a n k a n m g a aw to . A n k a s o , p a n o m a n a n s a t u y a n g p a l i b o t a s i n s u m g a k a h oy n a d a i n g h a b a s n a t i g p a ra p u r u to l ? K a h i ra k m a n k a n s a to n g e n v i ro n m e n t . A n s a ko m a n l a n g , k u t a n a g h a n a p n i n a l t e r n a t i b o n g p we d e n g g i b u h o n p a n r i b ay d u m a n s a m g a n a g k a ra ra o t n a k a h oy t a n g a n i n g b a l a n s e m a n g i ra ray a n s a t u y a n g s a n l i b u t a n . Ta s y e m p re m ay e p e k to y a n s a t u y a . I n i n g e p e k to n g s i n a s a b i ko n a m a t i a n m i k a n n a k a a g i l a n g . K a n n a g p a u ra n n i n m a k u s o g , g ra b e s u b a h a n a n a e k s p e r y e n s i y a s a m a g k a p i ra n g p a r t e k a n N a g a . S a ro n g l u g a r y a n n g a n i s a S a n F e l i p e . Su baha nag abot balakang. Sabi daa kan mga tao duman, dae man daa b i n a b a h a d a t i n i n a ro g k a i to s a l u g a r n a i y a n , p e ro t a n o d a a n g u n i a n , i yo n a ? B i g l a ko n a i s i p s u p a g ko m y u t ko p a u l i s a m o ; s u m g a n a g k a h i r i l i n g ko n g k a h oy n a p i n u r u to l . A l a g a d s a b i ko s a s a d i r i ko , m a ray a p a k i t a . I n i n a g a ro s u k a r m a k a n p a g p u r u to l k a n s u m g a k a h oy . M a p a g a l a s i n n a k a k a g a n o t p a g n a ko m y u t . P e ro m i n s a n m a g ay a g ay a m a n a n p a g s a k ay . L a l o n a k u n s o l o l a n g , g a ro ko n a m a n y a n â&#x20AC;&#x153; m e t i m e , â&#x20AC;? n a k a k a i s i p a ko n i n m g a b a g ay n a d a e ko n a t a t awa n o ra s t a b u s y s a i b a n g m g a g i b u h o n . S u n o ko p a t i to n g h a b a n g n a s a b y a h e , n a g t a t a g a - h i l i n g a ko s a p a l i b o t , t a p o s m a k a k a re y a l i s a a ko n i n m g a s a ra d i t n a b a g ay .

KHIM BALETE

I n t ro s p e c t i o n GRAPHICS DESIGN

Oblivion GRAPHICS DESIGN

Solipsism GRAPHICS DESIGN

M I C H A E L A B I TA B A R A

Security Blanket INK AND PENCIL ON PAPER

S t r a n g l e d S e l f - L ov e INK ON PAPER

Cool-eyed INK AND COLORED PENCIL ON PAPER

Lapse I N K A N D C R AYO N S O N PA P E R

J E R A H M I E L N AVO

Med INK AND PENCIL ON PAPER

Send Nudes PENCIL ON PAPER

S ou rc e s INK AND COLORED PENS ON PAPER

RALPH FILIO

H a l l u c i N at i o n I D I G I TA L C O L L AG E

H a l l u c i N at i o n II D I G I TA L C O L L AG E

KAISSER SERENO

Ice Cream D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

I wish I were a child again and only thought about how rainbows are formed, how a creepy crawler can suddenly turn into a beautiful butterfly, and how Christmas gifts are delivered from the North Pole. I yearn for the raw innocence. I yearn for simplicity. I yearn for ice cream. (Kawa Kawa, 2015)

W i n d ow D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

There are emotions hidden within the eyes. Only by looking through them will you see what a person doesn’t say. They’re the windows to the soul. (Punta Tarawal, 2016)

MARIA MICHAELA LORENZO

S t i l l - p a c e d D aw n D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

Full-swinging Dusk D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

RENZ PERIABRAS

Mobil D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

F ro n t l i n e D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

RON YVES BERISO

W a i t i n g F o r T h e B i g C at c h D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

Under the heat of the sun, two fisherfolks in Pasacao patiently pull the net, hoping to claim a price that would feed their families.

B a y ba y D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

K I M B E R LY L U C I A N O

Trail For A Living D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

An improvised wooden cart, also known as skates trails, run on the railroad tracks to take people to the city of Libmanan at a cheaper price.

S wa y

L ov e

D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

A courtship dance of indigenous people in Iloilo called “Tumandok” which portrays the flight of bird through graceful sways of hands and legs. The male should be observant of the female’s movements in order to pursue her.

MEL NORMAN CORTEZ

M a g t i n g r aw A t e n e a n D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

Various student organizations show teamwork in playing Dodge ball last Pintakasi, an intramurals-like event held for student organizations.

Schlep Sacks

S ab l e S a n d s

D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

A man repetitively carries heavy loads of sand without fear of severe exhaustion just to feed his family at the end of the day.

Lacking

richness,

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m

rare

D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

The Purple Swamphen ( P. porphyria ) is a rare and docile chicken-sized waterbird photographed at Lake Bato. The said species is categorized as decreasing by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) . They are reportedly threatened due to severe habitat loss as result of human activites and environmental hazard.

Richness, I’m

the

King

D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

The White-throated Kingfisher (H. smyrnensis) locally known as “Tig-mamanuk”, is a residential bright blue-black waterbird at Lake Baao. It is categorized as increasing according to IUCN, for the species portray the realm of their territory.

RENZ MARION BENOSA

Behind Bars D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

Laborersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hardwork unequally being paid off as contractualization continues.

The Dark Knight Rises D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

People coming from different schools gather in the Christ the King Church at Ateneo de Naga University to attend a mass advocating against the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in Libingan ng mga Bayani.

F LO R I A N E TA R U C

A n taba y D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

KIM EDUARD DANABAR

Beyond Words D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

Appreciation of how beautiful life is even for hearing impaired community in Gualandi, a formation center for the deaf.

MIGUEL IMPERIAL

A Partial Overview of Gainza, Camarines Sur D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

A woman crosses from one land to another via Brgy. Loobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous hanging bridge. Beside it is a concrete bridge being constructed, which may soon replace the steel-and-rope bridge. It is Gainzaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of two hanging bridges, the other in Brgy. Sampaloc.

In his morning rotation, a farmer puts his till machine at rest. Brgy. Loobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rice fields are being prepared for another planting season.

Teresa Dela Cruzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cuts through his husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still portrait while their grandson steps out of his crib to get another serving of their lunch: a simple fish stew. Dela Cruz is a pioneer of buri weaving in Gainza; she currently resides in Brgy. Poblacion I.

An elderly man installs their nipa hut during the afternoon heat in Brgy. Sampaloc

A crowd of kids do backflips from a small bridge onto a river in Brgy. Loob.

VA N J O S E M A R T I N E Z

Harmonic Bond D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

D e ad C e n t e r D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

Pulutong Hinto D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

Q ua i l

and

Nuts

D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

F ro n t l i n e D I G I TA L P H OTO G R A P H Y

about the contributors A L E X A N D E R DY : H e i s a t h i rd y e a r I n fo r m a t i o n Te c h n o l o g y m a j o r w h o wo u l d l i ke to l i ve i n t h e f u t u re w h e re t h e p ro l e t a r i a t h a s f i n a l l y d e fe a t e d t h e b o u rg e o i s e . A T H E N A J O I E P I L I : S h e i s “ B ay m a x , ” yo u r h e a l t h c a re c o m p a n i o n . D A N I E L S E B A ST I A N N E D A I Z : A g e d 1 6 , f ro m D a e t , C a m a r i n e s N o r t e , h e i s a g ra d e 1 1 s t u d e n t S T E M a t A t e n e o d e N a g a U n i ve r s i t y . H e i s a c a m p u s j o u r n a l i s t b y h e a r t b u t a s c i e n t i s t b y “ p ro fe s s i o n ” . D O N N A R O S E F R A G I N A L : S h e i s t h e A s s o c i a t e E d i to r o f T h e P i l l a r s P u b l i c a t i o n . B e a r i n g n o h e s i t a t i o n to f i g h t fo r h e r i d e a l s , s h e d o e s n ’ t re t re a t f ro m c o n f ro n t a t i o n s . E L M E R R A M O S : H e t r i e d to b e a f u n c t i o n a l a s s o c i a t e e d i to r fo r T h e P i l l a r s P u b l i c a t i o n b a c k i n t h e d ay . H e u s e d to m a ke a d i s c o m b o b u l a t i n g ra c ke t w i t h L a g u n a n o wave a c t u n c l e m u l l e t . H e n ow ( m i s ) m a n a g e s a p u n k z i n e c a l l e d Betzine. F LO R I A N E T A R U C : S i y a ay k a s a l u k u y a n g n a s a i k a - l a b i n g i s a n g b a i t a n g s a A t e n e o d e N a g a U n i ve r s i t y . S i y a ay i s a n g p a n g k a m p u s n a m a m a m a h ay a g a t k a ra n i wa n ay n a g s u s u l a t s a k a t e go r y a n g I n g l e s s u b a l i t u n t i - u n t i n g n a p a pamahal sa wikang Filipino. G R A C E J A U C I A N : S h e i s a n a s p i r i n g 1 9 - y e a r - o l d w h o l i ke s l i t e ra t u re a n d l a n g u a g e p u n s . S h e i s a n A t e n e o L i t e ra r y A s s o c i a t i o n - T h e P I L L A R S P u b l i c a tion hybrid. J A I R A K I M L I N A TO C : S i y a ay l a b i n g s i y a m n a t a o n g g u l a n g n a b a b a e n g n a k a p u l o t n g b o l p e n a t n a i s i p a n g k u m a t h a . G a m i t a n g t i n t a n i to , a n g m g a l e t ra ay p i l i t n i y a n g p i n a g s a m a s a m a u p a n g m a k a h u b o g n g m g a s a l i t a n a bumuo sa kanyang akda. J A M E S A N D R E I C A G U I C L A : N a i s n i y a n g m a g i n g p a k s a ’ t r u ro k n g kanyang sariling katha.

J O H N L E I R C A ST R O : A z i n e s t e r . H e m a n a g e s a l i b ra r y w i t h h i s t h re e cats, R., Ellery, and Finnegan. J OV I C A D O R E S : S i y a ay to l o n g t a o n s a B S E n t re p re n e u r s h i p b a go n a g l i p a t s a A B L i t e ra t u re ; n a g g i g i b o s y a n g p l ay l i s t b a go m a g s u ra t ; s u n o n y a n g m a g - d a n go g n i n m g a k a n t a m a n t a n g n a g s u s u ra t . M a k i i ko s m a n s y a . K A I SS E R S E R E N O : C o f fe e , t h u n d e r s to r m s , a n d B o n I ve r m a ke m y wo r l d b e t t e r . I h a t e p h o to g ra p h y a n d I t e l l l o t s o f j o ke s . K H I M F R A N C I S B A L E T E : H e i s a M o t i o n d e s i g n e r fo r a n a d ve r t i s i n g a g e n c y , d o e s s i d e h u s t l e a r t fo r l o c a l a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l c l i e n t s , a n d l i ke s re a d i n g l o n g n ove l s w h i l e l i s t e n i n g to h i p - i n d i e ro c k m u s i c . K I M B E R LY LU C I A N O : S h e n e ve r wa i t s fo r t h e p i c t u re s qu e o p p o r t u n i t y — s h e re c o g n i z e s t h e m , c a p t u re s t h e f ra m e s a n d b u i l d s h e r wo r l d t h ro u g h p h o to s . KIM EDUARD DANABAR: an Engineering student with a lot of hobb i e s l i ke t a k i n g p i c t u re s , b i k i n g , s i n g i n g a n d m o re o f i n s p i r i n g p e o p l e . M A R T I N C R I S B U E N A F E : H e l i ke s wo r k i n g t h ro u g h t h e n i g h t a n d c o n t e m p l a t i n g o n p ro b l e m s , re d u c e d to a c a l m o n l y w i t h t h e h e l p o f h i s b o o k s . H e l i ke s to f u r row h i s b row s a t a l l t h i n g s . M E L C O R T E Z : F u e l e d b y h i s p a s s i o n fo r f i l m m a k i n g , d o c u m e n t i n g o t h e r o rg a n i s m s , a n d h i s l ove fo r p h o to g ra p h y , M e l i s t h e i n g e n i o u s fo r m e r v i d e o j o u r n a l i s t o f T h e P I L L A R S P u b l i c a t i o n a n d t h e fo r m e r c re a t i ve d i re c to r o f A t e n e o F i l m S o c i e t y . H e ’ s fo n d o f m u s i c a n d wa n t s to m a ke a f i l m m u s i c a l a s h i s n e x t p i e c e o f a r t s o m e d ay . MICHAELA BITABARA: She is a missing puzzle piece of art. M I G U E L E N R I C O I M P E R I A L : a B S E n v i ro n m e n t a l M a n a g e m e n t s t u d e n t w h o fe l l i n l ove w i t h j o u r n a l i s m . H e l i ke s p o p c u l t u re a s i t i s a n d a s a s u b j e c t fo r a n a l y s i s . S o m e t i m e s p re t e n t i o u s , b u t 2 4 / 7 f r i e n d l y , h e l ove s l e a r n i n g n e w t h i n g s a n d t h i n k s yo u s h o u l d to o ! H e i s t h e E d i to r - i n - C h i e f o f T h e P I L L A R S P u b l i c a t i o n fo r t h e s c h o o l y e a r 2 0 1 7 to 2 0 1 8 . PATRICK GUTIERREZ: He is...he just is.

R A L P H F I L I O : T h e u n m o t i v a t e d s e l f - p ro c l a i m e d a r t i s t w h o to o k u p fo u r y e a r s o f c o m p u t e r p ro g ra m m i n g to d o g ra p h i c s d e s i g n . RAMON DOMINIC NOBLEZA: Dom, Docile Optimistic Man, is a strivi n g M A G I S i a n w h o s e m i s s i o n i s to u n c o n d i t i o n a l l y l ove a l l , l i ke t h e c r u c i f i e d m a r t y r ; h e e n v i s i o n s a c o m m u n i t y t h a t o u t p o u r s l ove to e ve r yo n e , a l way s . L a s t l y , h e wa n t s to b e re m e m b e re d a s t h e m a n w h o a l way s s m i l e d a n d p ray e d . R E N Z D R E XSY L P E R I A B R A S : H e i s a n a m a t e u r p h o to g ra p h e r , h e s t a r t e d h i s i n t e re s t i n p h o to g ra p h y t h i s l a t e J u l y o n l y a n d h i s p a s s i o n a t e a b o u t i t i s s t i l l g row i n g . H e s t i l l h a s l o t s to l e a r n a n d i n t i m e h e b e l i e ve s t h a t h e w i l l b e c o m e a g re a t p h o to j o u r n a l i s t . R E N Z M A R I O N B E N O S A : H e h a s b e e n p ra c t i c i n g p h o to j o u r n a l i s m fo r 6 y e a r s s i n c e h e wa s i n h i g h s c h o o l . H e h a s e x p e r i e n c e s i n c ove r i n g m a j o r e ve n t s s u c h a s p re s i d e n t i a l c a m p a i g n s , P e Ăą a f ra n c i a fe s t i v i t i e s , ra l l i e s , we d dings, etc. R O N YV E S B E R I S O : H e i s a B a n k i n g a n d F i n a n c e g ra d u a t e o f A t e n e o d e N a g a U n i ve r s i t y . A n av i d a d ve n t u re r w h o l ove s to l o n g b o a rd , b i ke , a n d s w i m , h e wo r k s a s a f re e l a n c e p h o to g ra p h e r a n d a d ro n e p i l o t .

Co n grat u l ati o n s to t h e fo l l owi n g public atio n sta f f w ho gra d u a t e d t h i s M a rc h . Ser ve th e pe o p l e ! Alth e a A b e rgo s , B S A CC OU NT A N C Y M ig u e l E n r i c o Imper i a l , B S EN V I RO NM ENT AL MAN AGE ME N T Don n a Ro s e F ragi n a l , BSBA BUSINESS MANAGAMENT HONORS PROGRAM Ra l p h Raye F i li o , B S I N FO R M AT I O N T ECH N O LO GY Ra m o n E mma n u el S a l va d ora , A B CO M M U N IC AT IO N Va n J o s e M a r t in ez , A B C O M M U N I CAT I O N Pa t r i c k G u t i e r rez , A B CO M M U N I CAT I O N N ic o J e f f re y Aben d a n i o , B S B I O LO G Y Va n e s s a T r i xi e L ea h F i l i o , B S B I O LO G Y J a n e C ar l a E b al o , B S B I O LO G Y K r i s t e l N i c o l e B el tra n o , B S B I O LO G Y M el N o r ma n C ort ez , B S B I O LO G Y N ore e n S al v a c i on Eva l l a , B S B A LEG A L M A N AGE ME N T J e a n M i k ko P a ra ga s , B S B A M A R K ET I N G M A N AGE ME N T Des s a M ae B ro n c a te , A B B S E ENG LI S H Che r i l yn S t a . An a , A B EN G LI S H

the knight staff E D I TO R - I N - C H I E F

GRACE MARGARET JAUCIAN

A SS O C I A T E E D I TO R

MARTIN BUENAFE

M A N A G I N G E D I TO R

JHOAN VILLANUEVA

A RTS & D E S I G N D I R E C TO R

RALPH RAYE FILIO

P H OTO E D I TO R S

MIGUEL IMPERIAL K I M B E R LY LU C I A N O

thePILLARS editorial board

(A/Y 2017-2018)

EXECUTIVE BOARD - EDITOR IN CHIEF: MIGUEL ENRICO IMPERIAL, ASSOCIATE EDITOR: DONNA ROSE FRAGINAL, MANAGING EDITOR: JHOAN VILLANUEVA, ARTS AND DESIGN DIRECTOR: RALPH RAYE FILIO, DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR: ANGELICA REBETA. SECTION EDITORS NEWS EDITOR: JAIRA KIM LINATOC, FEATURES EDITOR: RAMON EMMANUEL S A LV A D O R A , O P I N I O N E D I T O R : M A R Y J OY G A S I S , L I T E R A R Y EDITOR: GRACE MARGARET JAUCIAN, RESEARCH DIRECTOR: ALEXANDER MATTHEW DY, HEAD PHOTOJOURNALIST: KIMB E R LY L U C I A N O . EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS - ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITORS: JAIRA KIM LINATOC & ANGELICA REBETA, ASSOCIATE ARTS AND DESIGN DIRECTOR: JERAHMIEL NAVO, CIRCULATION MANAGER: ALMAN LARCENA. STAFF WRITERS: JERRY PASOBILLO, MERIELLE JARDINEL, ATHENA JOIE PILI & MARTIN CRIS BUENAFE, PHOTOJOURNALISTS: VAN JOSE MARTINEZ & NICO JEFFREY ABENDANIO, CARTOONIST: MICHAELA BITABARA. APPRENTICES - WRITER: ARCHIE FIGURA, COPYREADER: PATRICK GUTIERR E Z . S E N I O R E D I TO R S : A LT H E A A B E R G O S & V I N C E S A G A L A MODERATOR: DENNIS B. GONZAGA, MA

THE PILLARS

THE KNIGHT LITERARY FOLIO

VOL III, ISSUE

NO. I