About the Cover Engines “Tsug…Tsug..tsug…” cried the train. A symbol of a cycle, a never ending coming and going, sometimes stuck but mostly running. Running from or towards something, fight or flight: a decision we are always making. A choice between living and dying. Living in this world full of slippery slopes – a concept in cosmology which means a process or series of events that is hard to stop or control once it has begun and that usually leads to worse or more difficult things – or those so called “destiny” and “challenges”. It is the opposite of dying, is the finality of all. But as the Hindus’ karma was suggesting death will only lead to re-birth, of everything evil and good, of all things that occupies mass and space and maybe not in the same person or same thing that it used to be, but definitely alive and what it is supposed to be. Train represents the ultimate cycle that is life. But what if it stops, not just stuck, it really stops due to a permanent road-block and we can never return from where we came from nor reach our destination? No other transport is available, at least not one in sight. Death and living is not an option, just ultimate chaos or the lack thereof. What will be happening to you, to me, to all of us? We will be left in a purgatory-like state and repentance is all but an elaborate illusion of hope. Just like in Dante Alighieri’s “The Divine Comedy” after what
seemed like an eternity of waiting we are left with two refuge it’s either Hell or Heaven. Everyone wants to ascend to heaven no one dreamed of descending to hell, how come? Tell me, what’s in it for us in these two places? An infinite lifetime with demons concocted in our minds or a never ending rave with angels we also concocted in our minds? I ones read in a book that heaven is different, it could be that place written in the Bible; it could be a place where people find solace and comfort like their room, a playground, the mountain, the forest and even the deepest of the ocean; it could be a representation of how people lived their lives, it could be mostly spent on church, on work, on clubs, on any place we wanted really. Likewise, hell is different, it could be that same place in the Bible; it could be a fortress or lair full of pits of fire and sinners, demons and those who do not know God in the first place; it could be the place where we are living in today, full of uncertainties, challenges, conflicts, politics, poverty and crimes. This permanent roadblock we are talking about, is it desirable or an adversary? As me for me, I do not know for my train is still moving just like yours, whose reading this today. All we could do is keep on fueling our engines, may it be coal, petrol, dreams, hopes and even aspirations.
Krisstal P. Ocampo Editor-in-Chief Emerita
PROLOGUE The following statements can be construed as egotistical, narcissistic, enlightening, empowering, or have no direct affect at all (people can be predictable at how some tend to be so indifferent): Humans are capable of igniting a small flame that would burn like wildfire; a tiny spark can grow into a size much, much, bigger than it started with. Miles of ashes and destruction can root from a small flame, started by a pair of unknowing hands. The Great Fire of London, in 1600s, was a catastrophe forever remembered. History, is after all, made by mankind.
have made them keep their colonies under control; it wasn’t until the end of WWII that wide scale decolonization occurred. Now, these countries, in Europe especially, are focused on peaceful diplomacy instead of aggressive power politics like they were used to in the earlier centuries. I’m not saying that everything happens
for a reason. But reason can be reaped from everything that happens.
This literary folio will explore the twists of this concept; how it applies to life and love, truths and lies. It offers a portrayal into the depths of the human mind, the justification It is somewhat scary to think that even for every action, and the consequences of an ordinary person can become significant in human behavior. the lives of many others. Did you ever think What fuels desire and motivation? Is for a second that the world will never be the same if you never existed? Everything you cruelty imposed on yourself enough reason to did, every person you know, will never be the inflict the same kind of cruelty on others? Is same if you weren’t there? If Archduke Franz it socially acceptable to sympathize with the Ferdinand was never assassinated, there cruel because of their miserable past? Is social would be no First World War. Perhaps, if acceptability a solid basis for the actions we Adolf Hitler was accepted in an art college take? Why do we hurt the ones we love? Why like he originally wanted, there would be no is ignorance bliss, yet destructive? When is a World War II. Millions of peoples’ lives would lie justified? It is up to you to find out. This folio will not hold your hand as you have been saved from the torture. But the two major wars at the start of journey through the pages. You are on your the twentieth century had transformed the own, left to your own assumptions and world completely. We might not be enjoying interpretations. It is up to your collective the technological advancement available moral, emotional, and intellectual reserves to today. I could go as far as saying that if the help you read between the lines. But before I set you to wander on your aforementioned wars never happened in human history, the Philippines may still be a own, I hope to you ask you one more question colony. The world’s major powers’ pre-war that I wish you would answer for yourself: aggressive and superior foreign policy would What can you do now, for tomorrow’s sake?
Taryn Antonella D. Gonzaga Associate Editor
GRAVITY Birds fly without worrying, About the reality they are facing. Like a small boat in the ocean, Floating in the see without sinking. Every person wants to fly, To see the essence of the sky. A magical experience that will make you cry, Unexplainable one that you can’t deny.
Floating Kenneth
You can fly like zero gravity, And you didn’t feel the reality. Because nothing is impossible, When you believe, all things are possible. If you want to fly, Just lift up your hands. Don’t be afraid nor be shy, Just trust Him and don’t be afraid, Just go with the flow Then dream so high.
Artwork by: Danniel DigiArt by: Krisstal
The Pull Down
By: Renz When I was younger, my mother once told me a story. It is about a small girl who went to a wet market to buy fish. There she passed-by a stall of an old man selling crabs. She noticed that the man has three big buckets filled with crabs. The first two buckets were covered by a metal plate while the last one was left open. The small girl was very curious so she asked the vendor “ hello mister I’m just curious why are you covering the first two bucket of crabs while the third one is simply open? Well in fact they are crabs.’ The man laughed so hard and explained with gusto. He said the first two buckets were filled by Japanese and Korean crabs. I covered them for they help each other to escape the bucket. Then the third one I didn’t cover it cause they are the Filipino crabs. They don’t help each other but rather they drag down the one who manage to get on top.” This is the reality of life. There are people that are not happy of your achievements and possessions. They feel insecure of you so they will drag you down. They will say bad things against you even though its not true. They don’t like to be overcome by others so they do this act, they will throw mud on your face just to destroy your image with others. They act like shackles that pull others down. Instead of pulling down others and making bad relations, why don’t you accept things and do your best to be more like them. Use them as an inspiration to find success as well. Do remember that bringing others down will lead to your own ruin.
By: Simon
They said that after your down side, there comes the positive and happy moments in life. But why is it like that? Even after I fell, its like gravity continues to pull me down and makes me feel like a loser. Is it unfair? Or is it just me thinking that there’s a rainbow after the rain? I can try to survive, I can try to stand and shout that "I am strong" but is it realistic? If you think you can rise up then feel free to try, but don’t you just need to go with the flow to live without those problems? I believe that you must take a stand but there are times we need to ask for help and times we need to be steadfast among those who try to pull us down. Every time I feel that there’s darkness all around, I get curious and ask, ‘what happened’? Sometimes, it feels that we are stuck in quicksand, unable to rise and continuously pulled by it. We need to know that for every step back we end up taking, there is one God that will help us up and say “I am not counting how many times you fall, but how many times you stood.” As train called time goes by and leaves all this behind, we end up looking back and ask, ‘how did I make it here? Unbelievable!’ Life is not unfair. Be firm, do not be afraid to stand tall and say “Problem, you are like dirt at the soles of my feet and I have a God far greater than you.” Yes, God will not give a problem that cannot be solved. He gives us a sense of hope and future. He lets us feel that we have one we can embrace for warmth and that we have a platform to stand on. Just don’t lose faith.
PAMAHALAAN By: Danniel
Sa panahon ngayon, maraming napapabalita na may mga napapariwara sa landas, at imbes sa tuwid na daan, sa daang baluktot pa ang gusto nila puntahan. Sa kagustuhan nila mapaginhawa ang buhay at mapabilis ang pagkakaroon ng pera, kumakapit na sila sa masamang paraan. Isa sa halimbawa nito ay pagbebenta ng pinagbabawal na gamot at pagbebenta ng sariling laman o prostitusyon. Hindi na rin natin masisisi ang mga taong ganoon dahil pati na rin ang mga tao nasa taas walang pakialam sa mga mamamayan na nasasakupan nila. Ang ilan sa kanila ay kumukuha sa sariling kaban ng bayan para lamang sa pang sariling pangangailangan o kagustuhan. Mismo pera mula sa kaban ng bayan ang ginagamit para lamang gamitin sa susunod na halalan. Ngayong malapit na ang eleksyon marami sa nangangandidato ay sobra-sobra ang nilalabas na pera para lamang iboto sila at para magpalakas sa mga tao. At minsan, para iboto sila, binibigyan nila ng pera ang botante para makakuha ng boto. Imbes “tuwid na daan” ang ipakita o ipamalas, baluktot na daan pa mismo ang ipinamamalas nila sa sambayanan. Saan na tutungo ang bansa?
Lumilipad sa Ilalim ng Lupa By: Simon “Masdan mo aking mata, hindi mo ba nakikita. Ako ngayo’y lumilipad at nasa langit na, gusto mo bang sumama?” Isa ito sa mga paboritong kanta ng aking kaibigan. Nagtataka ako kung bakit, hindi naman daw dahil ang magaling na bandang Eraserheads ang kumanta nito. Hindi rin dahil lagi niyang naririnig sa mga rakrakang pinupuntahan niya, yun pala dahil lagi siyang high. Minsan nakasama ko siya sa laro naming basketball dahil niyaya siya ng aking mga kaibigan. Hindi ko siya kilala nung una pero nakaramdam ako ng kakaibang anyo sa kanyang pisikal na katawan. Akala mong laging nakainom ng energy drink at para bang di matatawaran ang kalokohan. Nakausap ko siya at biglang sinabi “Woooh! Kamusta tol? Sarap lumipad nang lumipad at hindi na bumaba.” Nagtaka ako kung bakit ganun ang kanyang naging ugali nuong unang usap namin. Sa sobrang misteryo nito, hindi na ako nahiyang magtanong sa mga kaibigan niya tungkol sa kung ano bang nangyayari sa kanya. Sagot nila, “Pare, alam mo bang nagamit yan ng iligal na droga?” “Ha? Totoo ba yan? Kaya pala siya ganyan,” sagot ko. Nakakagulat yung mga ganung pangyayari at naghanda ako sakali mang makausap ko siya dahil ang aking naiisip ay para bang lumilipad siya sa kanyang isipan ngunit ang kanyang kaluluwa ay hinihila pababa sa impyerno. Dumating ang oras na nagkausap kaming dalawa at bigla niya akong niyaya na gumamit din ng mga bagay na iyon. Sabi ko “Pre, anong nagtulak sa iyo upang gawin yan?” “PROBLEMA!” sagot niya. “Alam mo bang habang nararamdaman mo na ikaw ay nasa langit na at lumilipad, ang tunay mong pagkatao ay dahan dahang nasusunog at bumababa sa apoy ng kasalanan.” ani ko. Para ba daw nabuhusan siya ng nagyeyelong tubig at maramdaman na para bang buhay pa siya pero parang patay na. Oo dahan dahang nagbago ngunit hindi niya mapigilan kahit na bawal kasi kinasanayan niya na ang ganung buhay. Huwag mong subukan ang mga bagay na sa dulo ay malaki mong pagsisisihan.
The Heart at Rest
Ricochet of life
Renz
Ian
Steady in one position. Not moving and creating any motion. I am just silently waiting for you to come on. So you can give me even just a brief clarification. I don’t want to hear any reasons from you. All I need to know is a direct answer in the question “will you love me too?”
Yes, they hurt you, with truth and lies And they left you gasping, needing air Died inside, looking at the skies Habitually, life wont be fair
I’m expecting that you can say even a little thing. Anything that will clarify, if I should keep on waiting. Just even a single word my precious. Even it will hurt me, for me, it will be gracious. Standing alone without motion. Keeping something inside that makes me hold on. Thinking of you like a force that burdens my heart by leaving it with confusion. But I also guess, that if you say “Yes” my heart will bounce full of happy emotion.
Anything can be a mess Sorrows and hardships, can aggress Acceptance. Sometimes you won,t be blessed But life will be good, nonetheless You,re not alone, don,t be ashamed Not anyone else can do the same Keep your spirit aflame There,s sunshine after the rain Crying and hurting, in time you,ll be strong Just stay true to yourself, you won,t be wrong Be stable, aim for the top Remember, what goes down, must come up
Past memories
Sarah
Walking alone under the sun Feeling the heat that penetrates my skin Likewise when you left me again I would die in suffering the pain. Midnight comes and I can’t sleep I went outside to see the moon and stars But they were hiding in the sad dark clouds And my pores feeling the icy whip of the wind It was a very silent night When I smell something different Suddenly my heart beats like a drum Then the rough smooth leaves of sampaguita touches my skin Thunders roaring in my ears Droplets of rain started to fall down Then I heard a stamp of a feet And I found myself embracing his warm shoulders.
Bella Bianca
It’s winter once again. I caught myself standing on the edge of a 600-foot cliff. The cold breeze touches every strand of my hair. It freezes my whole body passing through my spine down to my feet. From where I am, I can see the cabins covered in snow. The trees are all white. I exhaled and saw my breath in the air. The whole place looks like a Christmas Village. Kids, together with their family are gliding through the snow. Some are making snowmen and some are throwing snowballs at each other. How I wish I could join them. But I couldn’t. One. Two. Three. I took three steps closer to the edge of the cliff. I tried to look down. All I can manage to see is a bunch of trees below. I gulp. Few weeks before. Life can be mysterious. It’s very unpredictable. Today you’re happy, tomorrow you might be lonely. No one could ever say how things would be like in the future. My name is Bella. I am living in the suburbs of North Carolina, almost a hundred of miles away from the city. There are trees everywhere. The fields are all covered with crops farmers grow. Sometimes, it is creepy to walk alone in the woods. When I was a child, my mom used to say that I should always stay at home because a wolf with red eyes and sharp claws is roaming around and catching kids. Yeah, I know that wasn’t true. I am now a college student enrolled in University of North Carolina . My routine goes the same all throughout the day. Go to school, study and go home. Very simple, right? But one night changed my whole life. My co-researchers and I are finishing the report for the next day. I usually don’t go home late. It’s just that we really have to finish it or else we’ll be terrified by our research professor. I would be unfair to them if I leave early, so I decided to stay up late just to finish it on time. Six in the evening, I texted my mother that I’ll be late but I promised that by 8 PM, I will leave. It’s already past 9 when I realized that I haven’t texted my mother again. I checked my phone and it’s weird because I haven’t got a reply from my mom. So I thought it was fine not to text her. As time passes by, we finished our report for the next day. We are all glad because after the several sleepless nights, we’re done. I checked again my phone. Whoa. It’s already 2 AM. It’s very unusual for me to stay up late but what’s more unusual is my mom. I don’t know if it’s my phone which is damaged or there is just no signal. My mom never texted me. I remember when she used to text me a lot when it is just 5 PM. She always tells me “Go home. It’s late.” My heart beats so fast. I know something is wrong. I grabbed my bag and rushed through my friend’s door. It was dark. I was waiting outside when a cab came. I hurriedly enter and I arrived at 3 AM. Our house seems so odd. My heart still beats so fast. I feel like all the blood in my body rushed to my head. I grabbed the doorknob and opened it. Everything was scattered. Tears flow from my eyes. I saw my mom and dad fighting. They are cursing each other. My dad saw me and he entered the room. I hugged my mom, my dad went out of their room with a bag on his left hand while saying “You stay with your mom. I’m leaving.” I heard his footsteps towards the door. Every second, his loud footsteps began to fade. I know he is really gone. I looked up to my mom, she stayed still. I can’t see any tears from her eyes. I was still hugging her to comfort her when she pushed me so hard. My head was bumped into the corner of the table. I touched my head and I saw some blood from it. I was scared. I was sitting on the ground when I looked up to my mom. She seemed like she is not my mother anymore. She is just staring at me. She finally said “It’s all your fault. If you didn’t come into our life, we will not be fighting like this.” My mom is blaming me. But why? It’s all in my head. I never said a thing but it seemed like she can read my mind. Then she answered “You are not our daughter. We never had a real daughter. I can’t give him one, maybe that is why we are always fighting.” I gasped. I can’t form any words to say. All this time I believed all the lies. I lived in the world of lies. I can’t believe that the woman I thought was my mother is just using me to reconcile with her husband. I thought of all the things that woman said, I believed that they were true but they’re not. I was badly hurt. Without a word, I run away from our house. I left everything behind. I looked up to the sky, the sun is soon to shine. I was running when a cold thing fell into my face. It’s a snowflake! It’s winter once again. I caught myself standing on the edge of a 600-feet cliff. The cold breeze touches every strand of my hair. It freezes my whole body passing through my spine down to my feet. From where I am, I can see the cabins covered in snow. The trees are all white. I exhaled saw my own breath in the air. The whole place looks like a Christmas Village. Kids, together with their family are gliding through the snow. Some are making snowmen and some are throwing snowballs at each other. How I wish I could join them. But I couldn’t. I never had a place in this world. I thought of my mom. She never treated me as her real daughter. She blamed me for everything that had happened to her. It wasn’t my fault. My love for her is real. But she is not true to me. I breathe. I took three steps closer to the edge of the cliff. I tried to look down. All I can manage to see is a bunch of trees below. I gulp.
INERTIA An object in motion will stay n motion, and an object at rest will stay at rest, unless acted upon an unbalanced force.
How does it feel to be trapped in such a form? Where your purpose is only to serve the will of others. Beautiful, enchanting, loved. With a porcelain face and fragile heart. A body with a heart, but a heart without mind. She does what had been said And does it with lips sealed.
She puts on a dress, She puts on a face. Her brown eyes appear glassy, Dead, yet tantalizing. She moves with such grace. She speaks with politeness. Her smile does not waver Nor does her façade, Nor does her beauty.
Artwork by: Kenneth DigiArt by: Taryn
Wipe away the thick powder from her face, And the red tint that make her lips look lively Peel away every layer of mask on her skin And begin to see the truth. What lies beneath is not so lively, Not so beautiful, Not so easy to swallow. Behind that porcelain face, Is a ruined soul. They wind up her gears, They watch her go. They’re blind to the truth, They enjoy the lies. They enjoy the show. They enjoy the beauty that serves their purpose.
She let’s them. She has no choice.
“Happy“ Together
By: Taryn
Parachute Kenneth
I wish that I have parachute, So I can easily land to the earth. You break my heart, soul, and mind Then I am now falling into the ground Our memory will be kept forever, Whether it’s good, bad, or whatever! Because I gave you a lot, Just to show my love with all my heart At this point, I’m still hoping That you will catch me from the top For all my flaws that you saw Acceptance! Was I only begging for?
NATURE Danniel
You are the sunshine in my life You, as a result of inherent quality
You are the spark that flames You make all things seem perfect Nature is our realm It’s the world that we came to know You’re the phenomena that’s unexplainable Yet you make me feel like king Every second of our life You are always by my side Who can give me a source to live Nature is always a nature
The Champion’s Zeal
Dear Yassi,
Love, Greg
By: DV
Dear Greg,
Hi Greg. It’s been five years already since the last time I heard from you. Kumusta na ako? Well, here I am. A devoted mother to my children and a loving wife to my husband. Tiring yet fulfilling. Every time I see their smiles, napapawi na lahat ng pagod ko. Ikaw, kumusta na? Natupad mo na ba yung pangarap mo? Hindi ko man nasubaybayan yung journey mo, I do believe you already achieved your dream. Sigurado din akong proud na proud sila tito at tita sa’yo. Ako din. Proud na proud ako sa narrating mo.
understand you. I should understand you. Alam ko namang napakahalaga sa’yo ng pag-aaral. Kaya nung narinig ko na nakapasa ka sa scholarship sa ibang bansa, nalungkot ako. Ang selfish ko di ba? I tried to be happy for you ‘cause finally, you’re few steps away from your dream.
Hinintay kong sabihin mo sa ‘kin yung tungkol dun but you kept silent. Few days later, nabalitaan kong umalis ka na daw. Nagalit ako sa’yo nun. I almost despise you. Feeling ko, hindi ako importante sa’yo. But still, dominant pa din yung pagkalungkot ko sa pag-alis mo. Bigla na lang akong napapaiyak sa tuwing naaalala kita. Those memories we’ve shared. Those Greggy, thank you. Thank you for all those times you’ve comforts you made. I badly miss all of those. spent with me. Kahit na alam kong naaasar ka na kasi sya lagi yung topic natin. I really appreciate your presence. But you From that time you left, madaming nagbago. Nagbago know what, asumero ka talaga. Sana nung mga panahong yung pakikitungo nya sa ‘kin. Lagi na nya akong sinasamahan sa umiiyak ako dahil sa kanya, hindi puro biro yung ginagawa mo lahat ng lakad ko. Mas naging loving and caring boyfriend sya para i-comfort ako. Though it helps, gusto ko pa rin yung sa’kin. Hindi na din siya bumabarkada. But you know what, he already lost my heart. Na sa’yo na kasi. Dinala mo nung umalis sincere na comfort mula sa’yo. ka. Hindi mo man lang binalik. Hinintay kita. Hinintay ko ang I guess this is also the right time to tell you all these iyong pagbabalik pero napagod ako. Napagod akong maghintay. things. Ikaw lang naman ang hinintay ko. Alam mo ba kung bakit nagawa ko siyang tiisin? It’s all because of you. Remember Napakapatient niya. Despite those heartbreaks na what you’ve told me before. Sabi mo sa ‘kin kapag nagmamahal dinulot ko sa kanya, nagawa niyang magtiis. Alam niya din na ka, kailangan mong magtiis. Kapag nakikita mo yung mahal ikaw yung mahal ko. Pero hindi siya sumuko. He told me that mong masaya, let it be. he’s going to win my heart back. Unti-unting bumalik yung nararamdaman ko para sa kanya. Nalaman ko din na I’ve been admiring your effort when it comes to your natututunan pala ang pagmamahal. Love is not a feeling but a studies. Grabe ka. Ang intense mong mag-aral. Naiinggit nga ko choice. Hindi naging madali para sa kanya ang sa’yo kung minsan e. Ang talino mo. I’m very lucky to have a makipagkumpentansya sa’yo kahit na malayo ka. Pero factor na bestfriend like you. May libreng tutor ako. Haha. Kidding aside, I din siguro yun kaya nagawa niyang pag-ibigin ako ulit. know you’re working very hard for your dream. Not because for yourself but for your family. I salute you. You know what, nung Then that day came, he asked me to marry him. nakita kitang masaya sa ginagawa mo, dun sa passion mo sa pag Mahirap palang timbangin ang past and present love lalo na -aaral, I decided to be silent. It is also you who pushed me to kung walang closure na naganap. The only thing I knew that enter in a relationship with him. Remember those times he’s still time is that I learned to love him again and he loves me more courting me? Tinanong kita kung sasagutin ko ba siya o hindi. than I could ever imagine. I can see that unspeakable joy from And you said, I should. Nag-effort yung tao e. Tsaka mukha his eyes when I said yes to him. I hope I will not be unfair to namang mamahalin nya ako. him. Because no matter how hidden this feeling is, I know I’m still in love with you. You know what? Inis na inis ako sa’yo nun. Gusto kitang sampalin. Gusto kitang bugbugin. Nakakaasar ka to the We’ve both decided to invite you to our wedding. Kahit nth power. Akala ko tututol ka. Akala ko sasabihin mo na ‘He’s na alam kong natatakot siya kasi baka bigla akong umalis sa not the right guy for you’. Pero hindi. Ikaw pa ‘tong nagtulak simbahan dahil sa’yo. But I really admire his love for me. These sa’kin na sagutin siya. Ang manhid mo. Sobrang manhid mo. are the words I heard from him a day before our wedding. “If Ikaw ang gusto ko, hindi siya. Pero siguro nga talaga, wala kang you happen to see him again and suddenly your feeling for him nararamdaman para sa’kin nung mga panahong ‘yun. came back, you can leave me. I can take the shame because I love you. I really love you. I hope those years we’ve been Sa tuwing nasasaktan ako dahil sa kanya, ikaw ang together, I made you feel the love I can give to you. If loving you palaging nandyan. I’ve been waiting for that time na sabihin mo means letting you go, then I’ll do it even if it will turn me into sa ’kin na iwanan ko na siya. Na nandyan ka naman para pieces.” protektahan ako. Na nandyan ka para pasayahin ako. How I wish to hear those words from you. Pero wala. Wala akong As I walk down the aisle, I’m still thinking of those narinig na kahit isang salita mula sa’yo. words I heard from him. I looked at him. I know deep inside, kinakabahan siya. As I walk close to him, I saw you. All of a As time passes by, mas naging busy ka na. Nawalan ka sudden, bumalik ang lahat ng alaala ko sa’yo. But unlike before, na ng oras para sa ‘kin. Nakakatampo tuloy. But I have to it has no impact at all. Before I hold his arm, I looked at you and smiled. Greg, thank you for letting me love you. Thank you for breaking my heart. But from that day forward, I promised to let you go. I don’t want to be unfair to him. I have to start my life loving him for the rest of my life. I found my lifetime. I hope you will yours also.
Love, Yassi
Shades of Life By: Bianca
Ours He burns like a fiery heart, Passionate and slow, Fierce and ginger. I am but paper thin, Consumed by his radiation, Taken over by his heat. His fingers are as cold as winter breeze, Yet his lips as warm as summer. I am but the lock that keeps him held, The firewood he can eat on. He feeds on my happiness, He rejoices over my touch. He loves every flaw of it, And insists it is perfection. I lie, I tell the truth, I keep silent. There are eyes that see, And ears that hear, And tongues that judge. But they will never know, Never in the crooked mind, That my warden is my lover, And he is mine to cage. Until this lock comes to rust, Until my body burns to ashes, He will be mine to poison, And I am his to burn. My fingers are his to hold, His words are mine to hear. It will end, one day, not today, not tomorrow. And then we will be both free, From this toxicity, From this happiness, From this greed, From this love. Free of judgment at last, Yet not completely whole. And the spot he leaves, Will never be mended. For this is exclusively ours.
never stuck There was one time when I was alone, nowhere to go and no place to call home. And my only friend was the moon, and even sometimes she would go away too. Then one night, as I closed my eyes, I saw a shadow flying high towards me with a smile. He told me he wanted to talk for a while. “Peter Pan. That’s what they call me. I promise you’ll never be alone”
in my self. “Together we’ll fly away, to your beautiful destiny.” He said, as we flew above the town that never loved me, and then I realized, I finally had a family.
By: Ian
Soon enough we’ve reached Neverland as we returned from what never was home, and as my feet touched the ground, and as I feel the heat of the land, I embraced
being a lost boy.
And we went to go to a place he calls Neverland…
And like every story, there has to be an ending…
Ever since that day, I am a lost boy. Habitually playing, “Until we meet again” I said as I flew back to reality. Peter always running around in the woods together with the other lost Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy and last but definitely not the least, boys and Peter Pan. Annoying Captain Hook. Captain Hook, you’re my perfect story book. “I enjoyed your company. It was fun until it lasted.” “Run, run, lost boy” they say to me as we get away from reality. He took a hold of Tinker Bell—his pixie friend, sprinkled Neverland is home to lost boys like me, lost boys who want me with pixie dust and told me to think happy thoughts and believe to escape reality.
Ang Kapalaran By: Sarah
Okay lang kung hindi mo ako mahal Ayos lang kung di mo minahal Kasi kahit sabihin kong, "hi mahal" Walang patutunguhan itong aking katangahan Sa mga motibong iyong binigay Sa mga oras na iyong inalay Dalawang salita lamang sa akin ang katapat Yun ang sabihin kong mahal kita
Oo masakit, sobrang hirap Kasi bukas iba na ang set-up Yung mga ringtone na iniintay Mawawala sa isang iglap Minsan mapapatanong ako Sino nga ba ako sa mundong ito? Pinagkitaan ng lahat ng tao Na parang binaon na lang sa limot Alam mo kung ano yung masakit Hindi yung di mo pagpansin Hindi rin yung hindi mo agad pag-amin Kundi yung mga salitang may iba ng nagmamay-ari Akala ko ikaw ay akin Na sa habang panaho'y makakapiling Ngunit hindi pala iyon ang 'yong nais Kasi may iba ka ng hilig Para ako ngayong tanga Na naghihintay sa wala At para bang sira na ang utak Kasi pinabayaan ng ganun na lang Para akong isang laruan Na gustong gusto sa simula Ngunit kapag may bago na at pinagsawaan Ipagpapalit na lang ng bigla-bigla Ayaw kong manumbat sa iyo Kasi wala nga namang tayo Umasa lang naman talaga ako Na balang araw ako’y magiging iyo Sana dyan sa bago mo Ingatan ka at irespeto Na parang ginawa ko sayo Nung nagbibiruan pa lang tayo
Ang buhay nga naman Hindi laging patas Nagkaproblema ka na nga Dinadagdagan at dinadagdagan pa
BIRUAN
Sa mga mensahe mong may laman Ako ay kumagat at sa'yo umasa Sa akin ay totoo na Ngunit sayo biruan lang pala
Simon
Ilang kataga ang aking bibitawan Mga katagang walang patama Pero kung may masasaktan Pasensya na, tao lang
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Raindrops Sarah
I can feel the icy blast Penetrates into my skin very fast Then suddenly fall on the ground Like a beautiful song with relaxing sound. I saw them dancing gracefully, Swinging in air during a stormy day, Showering the dying sprouts Falling down, these raindrops.
Artwork by: Danniel DigiArt by: Taryn
Reaction
Beauty
Sleeping Once upon a time, there was a girl named Diana. Diana—Queen Diana, as she wants us to address her, was atop the wooden pedestal, where her Grandfather's vintage vase once stood in display. It is broken now, thanks to Diana and her mischief. I remember the way her face grimed with horror at the sound of the expensive glass shattering. She tried to blame it on me at the time, pointing her ill-groomed finger at me upon confrontation, but Grandfather did not believe a single word she said. She was always scared of Grandfather. "You've been a naughty girl!" Grandfather hated naughtiness above all. He expects all of the children to follow the rules he imposed upon the orphanage. No one dared break them, and if inevitably someone did, the outcome was never pleasant. I could not say, I have never been a victim. For those who have, they would not speak of it. Whatever punishment Grandfather gave them, it must be effective. None of their tongues dared echo his songs. Curiosity feeds on my fear. I am terrified of that man. His voice, raspy and leathery, was a sound I hate to hear. No one likes him, but out of forced respect— no, out of fear—we address him as much his authority could allow. And Diana seems to be his favorite. Everything Diana does, he is keen to observe. One tiny mistake from the girl, he would likely notice. And once he does, they follow the same routine. Grandfather would scold her in front of the other children and grab her by her long shiny dark hair, and half drag her into the nearest room. Behind closed doors he would deal with her. The other children would tremble in fear, not because they are concerned of her well-being, but because they are scared that they might end up the way she would. Judging from Diana's cries, I understand that they have every reason to be so. Children would only be allowed to come out when Grandfather says so. And once they are permitted to leave, he would pet their head, sniff their hair, and tell them to be good. And Diana enforces her dominance over the rest of the children. The children like to play pretend. Diana wears a paper crown, gripping both sides of her red skirt and curtsying on the pedestal she stands on. On her face was smug little smirk, and her brown eyes glittered darkly. She stares at me with an evil look, as if she wants me dead. "Heidi," she calls my name, urging me to step forward. "Yes, my lady?" Her smirk grows wider, almost a smug grin. "Will you read me a story, Heidi?" The children are in a line behind her, all eyes on me. "W-What story would you like to hear, my lady?" "Hmm..." Diana twirled around, her skirt flowing along with her movement. "How about Sleeping Beauty?" She laughed then, and it was unpleasant to hear. Her laughter echoes with implied evil, as if a harmless story would be so amusing to her. "I'll be the princess, I'll be sleeping beauty.” She brings me a notebook with her childish handwriting filling the pages. "Read it," Diana commands.
By: Taryn My fingers turn the pages. "Once upon a time, a princess was born..." Diana flicks her lashes and curtsies once more. "She was blessed with beauty and a beautiful singing voice by wonderful fairies. However, the king did not invite the evil witch, who attended the party without invitation and cursed the little princess. She said, at her sixteenth birthday, she would prick her finger on a needle and die. The third fairy, when she gave her blessing, told that the princess will not die, but instead fall into a deep, dreamless sleep." The next lines are... disturbing. I hesitate. "Heidi? Don't stop now. Where's the happily ever after?" Diana... she's only fifteen, oldest of the children, apart from me. She is blessed with a pretty face and slender figure, though more childish than womanly. "Well?" She demands me to continue. "Sleeping beauty can only be awakened by a true love's kiss... One day, a prince came to find her asleep on her bed. He found her very beautiful and..." Diana curtsied, pulling her skirt upward as she does, one foot behind the other. She continues to dip forward, pulling the skirt a bit higher—she does not stop. We can see the tattered garter around her upper thigh, flawed with dried stains of blood. "And...?" I could not say it. It was too perverse, too profane, too inappropriate for children. Diana's eyes twinkle with so much anticipation, She seems so lulled by the story that it angers her that I will not continue. "Well?" She demands of me, pulling at my collar. None of my words and excuses are acceptable in her terms. "Fool," she spits, slapping me across the face. "You want to keep quiet? Her story is in your hands. The truth needs to be said!" She shakes my shoulders, and finally pushes me over, so I lose balance and fall on the floor. She is right. There is truth in the next words, maybe that is why I am so afraid to speak them. She drew this "Sleeping Beauty" of hers with a smile stretched across her face, and her eyes, big and brown, twinkle with so much love. As I turn the next few pages, Sleeping Beauty had her eyes closed, her smile faded, and her hair up in tangles. The very last shows her crying with her hands across her chest, her gown in tatters. The detail that disturbs me the most is the inartistically layered smear of red crayon all over her in random directions. Diana was not pleased. She wants me to continue, as if this was her only refuge. "She was abandoned by her parents, to come live with a 'fairy' they trusted, afraid that the witch's curse may affect them in worst ways. Sleeping Beauty was beautiful indeed, and she stood out among the rest of the fairies living in her new home. She's always complimented on her beauty, always, and gets demanded, always, to show more and more, and more... They wish her beauty was eternal..." I turn the next page. "When the prince found her, asleep and vulnerable, he was captivated by her charms. And he... he took care of her from then on... T-They live happily ever after." "Heidi, that's not what it says. Read what
it says," Diana mutters with a threatening tone. I hesitate. Again. I cannot say more. There are children far younger than we are in the room. None of this needs to be heard. It is only a pointless story, or so, I like to believe it is. "Tell the truth!" She begins to tangle her fingers in my hair and pull at the roots. There is desperation in Diana's actions, as if this "truth" she speaks of lies in my hands, and only in my hands. She cannot dare say it herself, as if she was gagged, restricted, or maybe even threatened to oblige. It matters not. Grandfather brings the room into silence, into a temporary state of tranquility as he walks in the room, being accompanied by Miss Teller—she's the nurse. She used to smile a lot, but that was before Grandfather punished her for spoiling the children. The nurse acts now as if a loyal puppy, and Grandfather is the leash holder. Miss Teller grabs Diana by the arm, pulling her away from me. She looks at the door, gestures for Diana run to it. But before she could even attempt, Grandfather already put his hand on Diana's shoulder. "Children shouldn't fight," he says, with a tone much lower, his voice suggesting a threat or maybe it was sort of sick endearment, I cannot tell. Diana is afraid, trembling under that touch. Grandfather turns to the nurse, flicking his wrist and gesturing her to fetch something. Miss Teller obeys quietly, and she exits the room. "I'm sorry, Grandfather," I hear Diana say. "Now, now, Diana," he replies, soothingly, petting her head as he tell her his words. "I am not mad. But you should refrain from fighting other children, yes?" "Yes, Grandfather." "Very good." I could tell Grandfather was pleased with how much the feisty little girl shows so much obedience. He could not have been more proud of her, so to say. His crooked smile grows as the nurse returns, holding a tray of white cake. There were sixteen lit candles on that cake, I count. When she sets it on the table before them, Grandfather gestures for everyone to come closer and form a small circle around them. He starts clapping his hands, and the rest of the children mimic his actions. Next, he uses that raspy voice of his, singing a familiar song. The rest of the children mingle their voices with him, adding to the melody. Diana pretends to smile, but her eyes showed only fear, sadness, nothing jolly like the song suggested. She is sixteen now. "Happy birthday, dear." Diana positions herself to blow the candles. For a moment, she closes her eyes and think. A single drop of tear streaked down her cheek. And then I know what she would wish for. Diana blows the candles, sits perfectly still on her chair as she gets a new crown—silver and plastic, with fake pink encrusted stones. The prophecy says that Sleeping Beauty will prick her finger on a needle and fall into a deep, deep sleep. I wonder, what kind of prince that is cruel enough to wake her from her sweet, dreamless slumber? Diana wishes to be left alone. She will not be, at least, I know not tonight.
For you Do you recall a long ago When we walk in the sidewalk? Do you remember, all of each other When the night was dark and we were together?
Look, these are memories that we have All of this was gone because of you Look this photograph was gone All of this sin because of you
My body lean on to suicide I don’t know what I want to do My mind lean on to kill myself This is the reason I wrote for you
Like a flower blooming in the center of the earth, In the face of a mother who just gave birth. Each of you, open your eyes and see life’s beauty Now come and take peacefulness, love and serenity. Beauty is not just found in a maiden’s face and perfect figure. Not only in the eyes of the man you are willing to linger. Don’t be blind to see the beauty in a ruined face who has a kind heart. We shall not ignore these, they can never be torn apart. It can be sensed by the blinds, it doesn’t always have to be seen. It can be smelled, heard or felt by senses, to know grasses are green Beauty is everywhere, and it belongs to everyone. Beauty is here to reflect everything that He had done. From the rising of the bright sun, giving daylight, By the moon and the twinkling stars that shine at night, By the peacefulness of the society that does not know how to fight, Beauty is a reflection of art, a gift of passionate sight.
Beauty Taryn
Dictatorship of the Majority By: Taryn
Collectivity and social unity is usually perceived as a favorable situation. The masses, all saying the same message with the same booming voice, will transform their ideal into reality. In some situations, this is good. Yet in some, it can be destructive. When a united society composed of individuals having a common perception and tendency to react and think, with that commonality being ignorance and ill mentality—that society comes closer and closer to achieving dystopia. Of course, no society is perfect and it is the imperfection that makes it a better place to live it. Utopias do not exist, and those who tried to build it end up grooming a miserable one.
In a political setting, there is something called dictatorship of the majority. In a social setting, the same can be applied. Unpopular opinion is suppressed, shamed, ridiculed. Smart-shaming has become a norm in a society we live in now. And the majority, despite access to formal education, has supported the ignorant against the enlightened, simply because the ignorant person’s point-of-view is the outdated tradition, because it is familiar. The opinion expressed by the other party contradicts that familiarity—labeling their efforts to enlighten the ignorant society as unnecessary or as a show of intimidation. Perhaps because they are intimidated. And the result is the suppression of new ideas. Racist ideologies integrate into the social norms, whether we are aware of it or not. Sexism is still evident by the show of victim-blaming, slut-shaming, and body-policing. This society merely tolerates and not accepts the existence of homosexuality, bisexuality, or the like. This society has been taught to feel compassion, but judges, victimizes, and humiliates the affected. Those who try to speak up otherwise are judged. This kind of thinking must end.
It's Payback Time By: Sarah
For every action we make there's always a consequence. How do you appreciate the beauty of nature? Look back and think about the unique appearance of the God's creation n\and how wonderful the world is. Do you consider yourself as a successor of natural resources of his creation? And as part of as God's brainchild, are you aware about your responsibilities? No one can survive
without the natural resources like water, air, heat and soil. Thus the physiological ingredients of a human’s life. Take a look and observe your surroundings and compare the real situation of the past with the present. We humans are suffering from extraordinary and extreme calamities such as typhoons, floods, and earthquakes, plus the spreading of different diseases. We are the children of God, right? So why would He let us experience these situations? There's no need to think a hundred times why all these things continuously happen. Ask yourself, have you done your part? Have you fulfilled the responsibilities needed by the environment in exchange for the benefits you have taken? Definitely it's the fault of every irresponsible individual who did not care about his surroundings. Sometimes this person cannot even dispose his garbage properly. Yes, he knows to understand even simple instructions, but he refuses to do it out of ignorance and apathy. Self-discipline is wanting, and it's the huge problem. The reckless consumption and abuse of resources and environment contributes a lot to the destruction of Mother Nature. The natural phenomena we face today are the just desserts of the actions we chose to make.
Narcissistic Disorder Kenneth
In every move that you will do, There’s a critic that you will get. From perfectionist that’s always right, Or from the other people that always judge They don’t want your opinion, Your reaction is useless too. In the time that you will evaluate them All their eyes will look at you. When you blow your opinion, They’ll kill you with their eyes. Cause it’s just a domino that will react, When you disagree, all of them will respond. Then, you end up as the one that was wrong.
Sadness
Sarah
I was walking along the shore While heavy raindrops are falling Waiting for the waves to come To take my sadness away As I laid down on the white sand I could feel the coldness That slowly wipes my tears away When I turn my eyes around A lovely rainbow catches my attention I thought it was smiling at me Later the rain has stopped Suddenly I think to myself again It’s not time to give up. I still believe that life is full of surprises While watching for the beautiful sunset I’ve been looking for tomorrow Thinking how my life would be If you’re not there to lighten my way I thought life is a misery But God has plenty of mysterious ways To help us overcome the strong waves of struggles And to pass through the frenzy breeze of loneliness
.
COLORs By: Danniel
I do not Deserve You By: Kent
I want to float away into nothing, Just to forget the ached that you brought. A sadness that etched into my heart, That changed my light into dark. Your love to me is like gravity! I can feel it gnawing at me, Cause you gave it without quality. Now I already know! Because you’re only forced to love me!!!
Epilogue After this journey, I want to ask a question. Do you guys love Physics or any science-related subjects? Well, it doesn’t matter if you answered yes or no. So why am I writing this? It’s simple. I want to show you that some things are not only supposed to be interpreted as what they are. Look closer. Think deeper. In your heart, you’ll find the answer. I have listed four of the famous laws in Physics and also the main topic of this folio namely: motion, acceleration, gravity, and inertia. Don’t worry because it has nothing to do with hard concepts. As I’ve said, never interpret things as how they look and what they contain. MOTION. To make things simpler and easy to comprehend, think of a calm, clear surface of water and try to imagine your every action as a drop of water. The surface of the water represents everything around you. Family, friends, loved ones, and relations with others. A single drop can send ripples throughout the water’s surface. In life, every action, every decision you make will affect those around you, be it for good or for bad. These ripples you make, be it from a single drop, or a surge of water, can touch people, can change hearts, can save lives. Or it can bring darkness, bring pain, bring sadness, even death. So we want you to think hard and think again, what kind of ripples on the water do you wish to see? ACCELERATION. Where do we commonly hear the word acceleration? Yes, in Physics and other nerve-wracking science subjects. It is also associated with vehicles. So what does it mean? Acceleration means to continuously change in speed. In life, we don’t have to be contented in where we are and what we have. Sometimes, for us to survive, it entails a lot of perseverance and determination to change. We should not be contented as is. We should pursue the things we want and make the better of things. Our goals empower our minds to chase our dreams. We should not let our dreams to stay as dreams. Let’s all get out of our shells and live our dreams! GRAVITY. Force that pulls at objects is gravity. Without gravity, we might be floating in the air and lose our control. It is gravity that keeps our feet on Earth. Well, if you wish to see it in another view, it is what shackles us to the ground. The reason our ancestors wish to fly is to be freed form the shackles of this so-called gravity. But why does it exist? As said earlier, it is so we do not lose control. If we keep moving towards the sky, we might end up going too far. We might end up leaving it all behind. Sacrificing everything for your goal leads to emptiness. While looking up to your dreams, do remember to look back upon the ground. INERTIA. “An object at rest will remain at rest, unless acted upon by an external force.” Among the laws stated, it is the easiest to understand. It’s simple. Your plan will always stay as a plan without executing it, which means nothing will happen if you won’t do anything. So never expect that good things will come whereas you never did anything. Lately, I’ve been wondering how things can make a difference with someone’s life. I mean, how the decisions of one can affect the life of the other. Sounds interesting, right? Every day, we have been encountering various situations in which we have to make a move. Have you ever experienced making decisions not for yourself but for others? I, myself had experienced the such a thing. In making such things, we should not just think of ourselves. Remember, there are other people who would be affected in whatever we do. I hope that I made some things clearer or even more confusing to you. (Insert evil laugh here) This piece of paper might be nothing to you but to anyone else out there, it could means a lot to him/her. Just one more thing. Always remember this. Look closer. Think deeper. In your heart, you’ll find the answer.
Bianca Marie V. Baylon Editor-in-Chief