SPECTRUM Literary Folio

spec trum

Editor’s Note I’ve seen a lot of theories of what could possibly be at the end of a rainbow. But most of the time, they say it’s a pot of gold that was abandoned and buried again so no man could ever find it. When I was a child, I used to follow where the rainbow ends so I can finally prove this speculation. So, every time I see this seven-colored band of happiness, I trace it like connecting those stars in the night sky, hoping to find clarity to what I am looking for.

As I grew older, I thought the pot of gold is not true. That it was just a fruit of someone’s imaginative mind and just passed through generations. But really, the pot of gold is you. It’s her, it’s him, it’s them—us.

There’s no other way to let others relate to you than making them read your story. SPECTRUM is written the way people wanted to be heard, seen, and accepted. To narrate what the community would want to express and voice out. To deliver the messages that everyone should hear. And to convey the stories of people that many didn’t even think exist.

This folio is not just for us, but for everyone. This is for each and every person who felt invalidated for not knowing things beyond their understanding, for having second thoughts on matters they didn’t know are real, and for finally accepting reality.

We all have different stories to tell, and this is our way to give you a bigger picture of it.

1

PHASE 1: CONFUSION Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who’s the fittest of them all?

To survive in this pitfall, Choose wisely or you might fall.

Dreams

Different views, Relevant times, Eagerly tries.

Abundant lies, Malicious lines, Synonymous lives.

4

Dreamy

As I sit by thinking thoroughly, Where in how many years will I be?

If I will be where I want like it’s meant to be, Or somewhere far away, From what I thought I couldn’t be.

I guess I will trust where life takes me.

I’ll keep dreaming until it’s in front of me.

And say to myself let things be, From a child who daydreamed, I’m finally where I’m needed to be.

5

Scenarios

Making scenarios in my head, While situated in my bed.

Wishing life is that easy, Wondering how not to be lousy.

Stars in the skies.

Gleaming of eyes.

Souls are soften.

Ears ready to listen.

Is this really reality?

I think I realized it soon enough.

At least I know how to be tough.

When times and things are rough.

8

Struck

Broken parts, shattered pieces Feels like a thunder hit me inside There could possibly be no chances Of letting this pain hide A glass half empty, I guess it isn’t really Things I convey, are never to be realized If you could, for a day, be me You will never suffice

9

When We Sleep

What happens when we sleep?

Do we ride candy clouds on a space trip?

Paint acrylic stars across the skies, And taste the orange of the eastern sunrise.

Bittersweet, may our sleep sometimes be.

Bitter oceans and cloudy cotton candies.

Sweet dreams bided and wake upon coffee, We wake up when we sleep, dearie.

12

Enclosed

Bawat hakbang ay mabigat Kahit wala namang buhat Itaktak man at bali-baligtarin Siya pa ring bigat ng dalahin Napapaisip ako’t nagtataka Kung paano nga ba nalikha Ang bakanteng parte ng pagkatao Na kung iisipi’y ‘di naman totoo Subukan mang punan Dagdagan man o bawasan Ibuhos man hanggang huling patak Ang gaa’y ‘di katumbas ng bulak Pilit kong sinusuri Binabasa ang bawat sipi Mas lalong magulong isip Ay hangin kung siya’y umihip Pilit ko pa ring itatanggi Pakiramdam na nagkukunwari Hihigpitan nang paulit-ulit Kahit minsa’y lasa na ang pait

13

Path

I’m afraid of the path I’ll take.

Somethings telling me it’s not for me.

But knowing you’re at the end of it, Makes me want to pursue it.

I’m afraid of this unknown road, For I’ve never walked here before.

Knowing you’re rooting for me, I’ll stand firm and walk through it.

16

I’m Fine

Having you beside me, Energetic as I could be.

Lovable like the night sky, Pleasing in my eyes.

Majestic waves, Empowered ways.

No really, I’m fine.

17

The Pursuit of Home

I have traveled through valleys, Walked through taunting alleys, I rest my body in the arms of the sun, And repeatedly, it only burned me.

I have felt the fingertips, Of those who scared me, For the longest time, I am fooled, With the thought that it was intimacy.

But here I stand, Beneath the painted sky, In the warmest time of the day, The sunrays in your skin they lay.

You reached for me, And for the longest time, I am once more embraced, By the warmth of the sunset.

20

The Routine

You’re always tired lately, aren’t you?

Sleep on the same exhausting bed.

Wake up to the same old routine.

Breathe in, breathe out, exist.

You weren’t this tired before, were you?

Enjoying strawberry yogurt before bedtime.

Picking flowers, smiling at strangers nearby,, Breathe in joy, breathe out life.

Now, what was that routine again?

Sleep exhausted, wake up tired?

Ruminating won’t help make your bed.

Inhale, exhale, find a new routine.

21

PHASE 2: IN DENIAL The path of stars is upon you, finally.

This is not a race, walk slowly, dream patiently.

Rest and learn from scars along the journey.

The voyage to supernova is not easy, honey.

24

Hanggang Kailan?

Hangang pula pa ang simula Ng bahagharing namumukadkad ang kulay Sa langit na tanaw rito sa kalupaan Ng mga punong nagsasayawan Marahil tapos na ang ulan Hanggang kailan?

Hanggang dalisay pa ang puso Ng mga taong kami ang tinatawag Para sa kanila nga kami Kahit wala namang para sa min talaga Hanggang kailan?

Hanggang nakakatuwa pang pakingan Ang mga salita naming binibigkas Pati mga kwento naming baon Mula sa buhay naming marahas Hanggang kailan?

Hanggang sariwa pa ang pakinabang Ninyo sa aming kabaklaan Bigay rito, intindi d’yan Pipilitang intindihing ayos lang Hanggang kailan?

Hanggang kailan kami kailangan Ng ikaw sa ‘kin ay isang taingang handang makinig Sa bawat kong kwntong bigkas ng bibig Mula rin sa aming isipan at dibdib Hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan Ngunit kakailanganin mo pa ako Tulad ng pangangailangan mo sa mga tulad ko Na bitbit and kapa ng bahaghari sa aming likod At handang ibalandra papunta sa inyong harapan At ipagisigawang “eto ako, at hindi eto lang!”

Handa ka na ba kung kailan?

Basta ang alam ko lang ay kailangan mo kami Sa hanggan-hanggan

25

If You Fall

When you were little If you fall All will ask And you stand tall You point where it hurts They’ll make it okay And you go on Have fun with your day But as you grow It’s not the same They’ll let you flow And fall to shame After all This world is cruel But it depends on you To burn your own fuel

28

What If?

My mind’s overflowing with thoughts Trying to occupy what’s left Making it harder To even think of what to do next Closing my eyes won’t save me Blood runs down my face The same scenario’s what I see Old memories chase Of all my wishes and dreams Even my prayers, wants, and needs Just a what if… what if--Only my what-ifs will come true?

29

Of Stars and Flower Crowns

Somewhere, there used to be stars, And flower crowns around your head.

Not coffee stains and jaded scars, Nor the sleepless haze on your bed, There used to be you in the mirror.

With dreams of diamond stars and oceans.

Where have you sailed off to, I wonder?

Your reflection is tired of paper crowns.

32

Fantasy

Soft touches of the white carpet, Afraid to spill coffee, even a droplet.

Furnace breathes fire of solace, There is peace of mind – calmness.

Walls of emerald, I roamed to see further.

Hidden art... what lies on every corner?

Interiors of elegance and sophistication.

I see no flaw, this is the life of paragon.

I came to my senses with a blink, Broken windows with cracked mirrors.

Leaking roof, rusty bed, and an old comforter.

Aridity hits, my dreams started to shrink.

Take me again there, my escape pill.

I could run away, chase not reality.

That desires and if dreams could kill, Then poison me with the thought of fantasy.

33

Artwork

I started off with a blank canvass You need grids? I think I do Lines covered a great vast Should I draw an abstract and make it blue?

Used paper scattered on the floor Paint messed up the whole room Red, blue and other different color What shade do I need to make it bloom?

I made another stroke of red It was just the same as the others About to make another try But my hands just felt tired and bored How many more chances do I need to lose Just for me to clearly see The tool I should use To build the inner artwork in me?

36

Between Two Roads

Why do I have to choose, Between these two roads.

One leads to where I want, The other leads to yours.

Why can’t I choose two?

For I know it’s best for us two.

I remember we can’t have two, For it is selfish and woe.

37

Children of Summer

Innocence is like a flower in a field, Where the children spend most of their days.

Petals wither with time, whispering they yield, They fall hard and dry, famished of sunrays.

Oh my summer child, where did your flower go?

Only the shriveled remain upon your feet.

Innocence is like a familiar scent, no?

Smell of summer once more, a waft, in a beat.

Children of summer no longer I suppose.

A parched field could make any a bit morose.

But the petal stays albeit dry and faded, Like the faint cries of innocence in your head.

40

Life

Everybody come, And everyone go.

That is life, For all we know.

People mistake salt from sugar, And sugar from salt.

Life is always bigger.

Don’t be imprisoned by fault.

41

PHASE 3: ACCEPTANCE The future starts now.

A future ahead of us, And never ending.

44

Sun Girl

The sun has set upon your palms, And with it, the warmth in my hands.

Sun girl, go on back to the east, Where your smile can never burn me again.

Let my sail drift away from your warmth, And I’ll dream of sunrays on salted seas.

Until the tide burns cold against my chest, I’ll never touch you with cold skin – ever again.

45

One

One of toughest thing to do Is to ignore the call of nature But one this is certain We will rise again Go back to the places we miss Explore places we’ve never been to Making friends from strangers Challenging all dangers And when the time comes We’ll all be free Let’s roam around the city And live the life of a party

48

Happy

Time lifts heavier here, doesn’t it?

Like sand and clouds raining on your parade.

Dry and heavy on jaded granite, Anyone would grow tired of this charade.

Time may have buried you in the ground, Feet on the ground, head in the clouds, dear.

I’m afraid not the other way around.

Happy will visit us all eventually, I hear.

49

It Made Sense

Lingering in the memory of the past Thinking if I would ever surpass This excruciating fondness From the comfort of darkness Deafening silence embraced me Comfort of pain I couldn’t see Shattered world during three I couldn’t find a guarantee Not until the light shone Surprisingly not from a thing I own Someone knocked off the wall Witnessed it all fall It was then I knew I finally went through A needle’s hole a less so And ain’t really that narrow Woke, finally realized Was once surprised Accepted it at last Neither pain or struggle will ever last.

52

You Know Who

No words to use Literally, there’s none Blank, but ain’t empty Near to a ghost city Memories are traitors Reminding me of feelings Of rainbows and laughter While drenching in the storm I was too stunned to speak To say what I feel As my emotions’ at peak I just want to stay still There may be words to use Constructing them by line It ain’t really empty Neither faded nor foggy If I say these--Sentences I want you to hear I will be at ease To let it all go completely

53

Mirror

Mirror, mirror on the wall Who’s the fairest of ‘em all?

The one who cries herself to sleep But smiles all day, unlikely to weep Mirror, mirror on the wall Who’s the fairest of ‘em all?

He who acts so soft inside But hard as rock on the outside Mirror, mirror on the wall Who’s the fairest of ‘em all?

A fighter of invisible enemies But seen with multiple identities Mirror, mirror on the wall Everyone’s the fairest to recall Even with mistakes and flaws It is just because with no pause

56

You Be You

Be Be Be Be

you! you-tiful! you-thful! you-phoric!

If the oceans go dry The mountains go flat Even the sun sets on the west Always love “you” Start loving yourself!

Go and live life Do not be sorry Life is better with laughs **re-read from bottom

57

Colors

I never dreamed to have these colors in me But I like them - I really do Because they are the colors of diversity They are the colors of my life Now, more than ever Red more than love Orange is more than joy And yellow is more than hope Green is more than sanity While blue is more than peace Indigo is more than devotion As violet is more than ambition I am louder & prouder with these colors Because they are the colors of my pride If life isn’t extended for hours At least, I’d die with nothing to hide But if you’re still in the closet That’s totally fine Pride must still be celebrated Because pride is our life The colors in us are the colors with us Believe that our rainbows will never fade Bring that pride forever as you prosper Be you, beautifully you

60

Imagine

Imagine we could begin All over again I’ll face life with a grin And live it now and then Will you still be the same person?

What will you do?

Now you’ve intuited the new path Unscrambling beneath you

61

POEMS AND HAIKU CEDRIC JOSHUA JARCIA pg.2, pg. 4, pg. 16, pg. 17, pg. 23, pg. 37, pg. 43 CHANTAL MAE MANALILI pg. 12, pg. 21, pg. 32, pg. 40, pg. 45, pg. 49, JOSHUA RAFAEL PINEDA pg. 25, pg 62 JASHMIN TORRES pg. 9, pg. 13, pg. 29, pg. 36, pg. 52, pg. 53, pg. 56, pg. 58 LIANA ESGUERRA pg. 5 CALLAXANDRA SUPAN pg. 8, pg. 28, pg. 41, pg. 48, pg. 59, pg. 63 JOANA RICA PINPIN pg. 33 ALEXANDRA NICOLE PONGCO pg. 20

ARTWORKS CHANTAL MAE MANALILI pg. 3, pg, 6, pg. 7, pg. 10, pg. 11, pg. 14, pg. 15, pg.

18,pg. 19, pg. 22, pg. 26, pg. 27, pg. 30, pg. 31, pg. 34, pg. 35, pg. 38, pg. 39, pg. 42, pg. 46, pg. 47, pg. 50, pg. 51, pg. 54, pg. 55, pg. 58, pg. 59, pg. 62 JUSTINE CARLO TAPEC pg. 26, pg. 27, pg. 39, pg. 47, pg. 55

EDITORIAL BOARD, SECTION EDITORS, AND STAFF CEDRIC JOSHUA JARCIA Editor-in-Chief JASHMIN TORRES Associate Editor - Publication

CHANTAL MAE MANALILI Associate Editor - Visual Arts

JAN KENNEDY MAGLALANG Managing Editor - Finance

JUSTINE CARLO TAPEC Managing Editor - Digital

JAKE MANDAP Managing Editor - Research CALLAXANDRA SUPAN Features Editor

KATHERINE CARONAN Filipino Editor

KHEIL GABRIEL BOLOS Sport Editor

DANICA ROSE SUMAT Literary Editor

ALAINA LOUISE PAYAWAL Head Photojournalist

ERWIN JAY MANABAT Head Artist

CARL JOSHUA PACIA Circulations Manager ANGELICA VIRAY CRISANTO ORTIGUERO KARELLE BALINGIT KYLAH LAQUINDANUM APRAEL ALONZO AUBREY RICO FRANCHESKA REYES ROZEL ENZO HERNANDEZ Junior Staff

ANGELICA CRUZ IVY RAZELREN POLBORIDO LIANA ESGUERRA JA’NIEL CHARVEY LARA AARON NEIL GARCIA TRISHA GUINTO Senior Staff

MR. ABEL PINEDA, DBA Publication Adviser

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