Alimantak Tomo IV: The Millennial's Bible

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ali man thetak millennial’s bible Ang Opisyal na Kalipunan ng mga Akdang Pampanitikan ng University of Nueva Caceres Tomo IV

Reserbado ang karapatang-ari sa mga indibidwal na awtor ng mga akda sa isyung ito. Hindi maaaring ilathala, ipakopya o ipamudmod sa anumang anyo ang mga akda nang walang pahintulot ng awtor. Hindi maaaring ibenta sa kahit anong paraan at pagjkakataon ang kopyang ito.

Karapatang-ari Š 2017 The DEMOCRAT The Independent Student-Publication of University of Nueva Caceres TANGGAPAN Right-wing, UNC Sports Palace, University of Nueva Caceres, J. Hernandez Avenue, Naga City KASAPI

College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) Bicol Association of Campus Journalists (BASCAJ)

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Na gma uli. nila, t ma ala a na g m lad ho a m u tan w, t lala ng to s Ika mag L T gu ay KOALA mo o G B an Pa UN A

T AP S

PAN IM ULA Bukal ng buhay ikaw, ngayon ay isang bukal na puno ng buhay ng kwento at ng karanasan samakatuwid napakarami.

Dugong dumadaloy ikaw, ngayon ay isang dugo na dumadaloy para magbigay buhay at pag-asa sa isang katawan malapit nang mamatay.

Ilog na umaagos ikaw, ngayon ay isang rumaragasang ilog na tila walang hanggan sa isang gubat na konting oras na lang ay magsisilang ng desyertong walang bakas ng buhay

Ngunit Anong ginagawa mo? nagpapakasasa nagbubulag-bulagan nakatikom ang bibig nagkikibit balikat sarili ang iniisip walang pakialam sa bayan Pinalaya ka ngunit bakit nanatili kang nakagapos?

Tinanggalan ka ng piring subalit bakit? nanatili kang nakapikit inalisan ng busal ngunit bakit kung umasta ka parang walang bibig?

Napakarami mong kayang gawin Napakarami mong pangarap napakarami mong kayamanan napakaraming umaasa sayo

Millennial, naghahari ka ngayon.

Anong nais mong baguhin habang may kapangyarihan ka? habang tama ka pa? habang malakas at nabubuhay pa?

NEW TESTAMENT 34 35

Matthew The Toilsome Odyssey of the New Age dreamer

OLD TESTAMENT 02 03 05

Baha Ang Huling Liham ni Elena Tomorrow land Ningas Kugon HIdden Truth

06 08 09 10 12

Taong Dalawanlibo-labimpito C-D-D-A-C-B-D-A Neoteric Epoch Dulo’t Simula Through This Verse Wala Kahit Isa

13 14 15

Job Sutil Crowning Glory Peculiar Beauty Panacea

16 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27

Finding Next Queen Wrong Number Proverbs A Relief Solomon’s Beloved’s OST The One Kadhba And to Phones, ‘Oh, My God’ Lamentations The Reunion

MGA NILA LA MAN

36 38 39 40 41 44 45 46

One With The Wind John Acts Romans We, The Temperamental Brats Gapos Philippians Ang Unang Sulat ni Pablo Kay Timoteo

48 49 52 53

Nothing Lasts Forever Si Aida, Si Lorna at Si Fe LDR. With Eyes to Hear and Ears to See

54 55 58 60 61

Jude Manuskrito ni Locha Notice to Public Siyang Tunay Revelations

BAHA Kacy

“Sa ikaanim na raang taon ng buhay ni Noah, nang ikalawang buwan, sa ikalabing pitong araw ng buwan, nang araw ding yaon, ay nangasira ang lahat ng bukal ng lubhang kalaliman, at ang mga durungawan ng langit ay nabuksan.”

GENESIS 7:11

Naaalala ko pa nang sinabi mo sa akin, na wala akong dapat ikabahala, na ika’y mananatili’t, hahawakan ang aking mga kamay, palad sa palad, hanggang sa pangamba ay nawala.

Dalangin ko na sana’y hindi ka naaabot ng lamig, Ngunit kasabay rin na ika’y tuyo at kontento, nang alaalang ito ay diyan sa iyong bangka, ang matinding paalala, dahil kahit na ako’y na ako’y iniwan mo’t pinabayaan iyong nilimot na, sa rumaragasang baha, mga salita ko sa’yo noon, na hanggang ngayo’y ay katotohanang pilit kong binabaybay ng mag-isa. sa akin ay sariwa pa.

‘Di baleng hindi ako masaya, ang mahalaga’y napasaya kita.

02 // ALMNTK

Hindi ko rin malilimutan noon kung paanong hinubaran ninyo ako sa kalsada’t pinagtawanan dahil sa paniniwalang ang dangal sa Ika-13 ng Mayo, 2016 mga kagaya namin ay ilusyon lamang. Higit pa kung paanong Para sa mga rason ng aking pagbitaw, itinanim ninyo sa aking mata at alaala noong kinitil ninyo ang buhay ng Matagal-tagal din akong nabuhay sa mga akala, sa mga bakaaking kapatid dahil sa paratang na sakali at sa paniniwalang ang bukas ay simbolo ng pag-asa, na ang siya ang sanhi ng inyong kamalasan pagiging positibo ay kasabay dapat ng bawat mong paghinga. Lumaki na kayo lang naman ang nagdala. ako sa isang kumunidad na mayroong kanya-kanyang sukatan ng Sa aking mga guro, sa pagtanggap at tila ang kung sino ako ay hindi kailanman sasapat nagtiwala at nawalan ng tiwala, sa sukat. Hindi ako ipinanganak na kayo na perpekto kagaya nang kung paanong inasahan Akala ko’y sapat na ang paghingi nabuhay akong malayo sa katangiang kong magiito. Salat sa karangyaan, salat sa ging instrumenng awa, na baka-sakaling kapayapaan ngunit puno sa paniniwalang ilipad iligtas ako ng aking akoto ngupang may Diyos na maaari mong laging sandalan. aking mga pananampaAkala ko’y sapat na ang paghingi ng pangarap sa tugatog ng awa, na baka sakaling iligtas ako ng aking tagumpay na matagal ko ng lataya pananampalataya ngunit tila hindi sapat ang lakas gustong maabot. Ngunit lahat ng aking pagsigaw upang makarating sa dapat nitong kayo ay bumitaw sa akin, nawalan hantungan. Kaya ginawa ko ang liham na ito sa pagbabakasaling ng pag-asang may mararating pa sa huling pagkakataon ay maririnig naman nila ang mga salitang ako sa kabila ng aking sitwasyon. matagal ko nang nais sambitin.

Hinayaan ninyo akong mapahiya ng Sa mga kapitbahay, mula pagkabata’y naging tampulan niyo makailang ulit sa halip na tulungan na ng tukso ang aming pamilya. Sino nga naman ang tatanggap sa akong mas matuto. At kung paanong mga estrangherong puno ng kontrobersya? Nakulong ang ama, nakipinatay ninyo ang aking mga mithiin apid ang Ina sa may asawa at ang panganay na kapatid ay napilitang nung hindi man lang ninyo ako magputa dahil sa kahirapan at kasalatan sa karunungan. Laging hamon pinaglaban nang mapalayas ako sa akin ang araw-araw na pagharap sa inyo at paanong dapat akong sa paaralan dahil sa napakataas magsumikap upang makawala sa mga mapanghusgang tingin at mapangna matrikula’t iba pang bayarin na alipustang trato ninyo sa amin. hindi ko kayang tustusan.

ANG HULING LIHAM NI ELENA Minerva ang itawag ninyo saakin

“At nakita ng Panginoon na mabigat ang kasamaan ng tao sa lupa, at ang buong haka ng mga pagiisip ng kaniyang puso ay pawang masama lamang na parati.”

GENESIS 6:5

03 // ALMNTK

Sa mga kaibigan, mga paborito kong impluwensya, akala ko’y sapat na ang samahan natin upang kayo’y maging kasangga sa bawat alanganing sitwasyon ngunit nang malaman ninyo ang madilim na reyalidad ng aking pagkatao’y tila nawala lahat ng mga pangako, ng mga pinagsamahan at ipinakita ninyong maging ang pagkakaibigan ay may sariling batayan.

Sa aking huling hantungan, sa’yo na ni hindi ko kilala, ikaw na lumapastangan sa aking kabataan, minsan na akong binalaan ni Ina sa mga taong tulad mo ngunit tila masyadong maliit ang mundo upang di magtagpo ang mga halang na tulad mo at mga walang labang tulad ko. Hindi mo man pinatay ang aking katawan, iniwan mo namang malamig na bangkay ang aking dignidad at katauhan.

Sa aking Ina, salamat sa lahat ng sakripisyo at pagiging positibo sa kabila ng lahat ng unos na sumalanta sa atin. Ngunit hindi ko mawari kung bakit, ikaw na nagmulat sa akin sa katotohanang malupit ang mundo ang siyang di nakapuna na ako mismo’y naging biktima nito. Sinubukan kong itago sa’yo ang lahat upang mabawasan ang iyong mga pighati ngunit inasahan ko pa ring mapupuna mo na sa aki’y may mali.

Kayong lahat na dahilan nang tuluyan kong pagbitaw, maraming salamat sa pagpapalaya saakin mula sa malupit na lipunang aking kinasadlakan. Salamat sa pagbibigay ng hudyat ng aking katapusan.

At higit sa lahat, Sa’yo Panginoon, nais ko mang magalit sapagkat paulit-ulit kitang tinawag ngunit hindi ka sumagot, makailang ulit mang sinubok ang aking pananampalataya ngunit alam kong hindi

0 4 / / AL M N T K

mo parin isinawalang bahala ang aking mga hinaing. Sana hindi. Patawad kung kikitilin ko ang buhay na ipinagkaloob ninyo, at alam ko pong paglabag sa’yong kautusan ang aking gagawin ngunit ito lang po ang aking paraan ng paglaya’t pamamayapa.

Hindi man naging makabuluhan ang aking buhay sana’y magsilbing aral naman ang aking pagkawala.

Ama, patawarin mo po ako sapagkat hindi ko alam ang aking ginagawa At ganoon din po sila.

Hanggang sa muli, Elena

D TOMORROWLAN s usa Cab B. l nel Joh

NINGAS KUGON Johnell B. Cabusas

HIDDEN TRUTH Johnell B. Cabusas AL MNT K / / 0 5

TAONG DALAWANLIBOLABIMPITO Noli G. Ama

“Kaya’t sabihin mo sa mga anak ni Israel, Ako’y si Jehova at aking ilalabas kayo sa ilalim ng mga atang sa mga Egipcio, at aking hahanguin kayo sa pagkaalipin sa kanila, at aking tutubusin kayo na may unat na kamay at may mga dakilang kahatulan.”

EXODUS 6:6

Noli Ama shared Millennial’s Post May 25 at 8:pm Liham para kay Moises Mahabahabang panahon din ang halos dalawang buwan naming bakasyon sa eskwela.

Ang kaliwa’t kanang requirement at exam, sa wakas ay natapos din. Medyo naging maluwag na rin ngayon ang aking paghinga, kahit hindi gaanong kataasan ang aking mga grado, I’m so proud to say that I passed! At iyon ang importante.

Bigla lang nasira ang aking bakasyon nang mabalitaan kong may assignments na naman kami para sa aming publikasyon, wala akong maisip. Tinatamad ako.

Kaysa mag-isip ng topic para sa aking artikulo, pinili kong mag-facebook na lamang upang makapaglibang hanggang sa nabasa ko ang isang post mula sa isa sa aking mga kaibigan.

06 // ALMNTK

#376, San Roque, Poblacion Bula, Cam. Sur May 2, 2017 Moises, Kumusta na? Nabalitaan ko nga pala ang kabayanihang ginawa mo para sa mga taong inaapi sa panahon mo. Kung pa’no mo pinasuko ang paraon sa kabila ng iyong katauhang taglay ay talagang nakakamangha. Nawa’y mailigtas mo rin ako at ang aking mga kasama sa pang-aalipin ng aming mga sari-sariling ugali.

Hindi ko maipaliwanag nang maayos ang aming problema at kung bakit sa kabila ng estado ng aming pamumuhay ay nagmimistulang mga alipin sa aming panahon, basta ang alam ko lamang, naghihirap na kami, ramdam ko ito.

Ang takbo ng aming utak ay mas magulo pa kaysa sa kasalukuyang sistema ng mundo.

Ang kapusukang taglay ng mga tulad ko’y tila mas malakas pa sa bawat hagupit ng mga mapangaliping pinuno ng iyong panahon – na sa paulit-ulit na proseso ay maaring tumapos ng buhay sa isang iglap.

Karumal-dumal na ang trahedyang nangyayari sa aming panahon, mas nakakatakot pa ito sa parusang kamatayan.

Pakiramdam ko’y lahat kami ay nag-aastang tila mga anak ng paraon. Walang ibang ginawa kundi hanapin ang aming kasiyahan sa buhay habang nag-aantay na sumapit ang aming mga wastong edad upang koronahan bilang mga bagong hari. Ni ayaw naming dumanas ng paghihirap, mas malimit pa nga kaming magbabad sa pagpapasarap kaysa pag gawa ng mga mas makabuluhang bagay.

Ngunit sa totoo lang, hindi talaga kami mga hari, bagkus gaya nga ng nasabi ko kanina, mga alipin lamang kami. Mga aliping nagaastang hari. Masakit mang aminin subalit ito ang katotohanan.

May kanya-kanya na rin kaming kinikilalang panginoon sa mga panahong ito. Ang aming panginoong sinasamba at hinahanap sa tuwina ay lubhang mailap para sa ilan. Habang ang iba ay halos magbuwis ng kanikanilang mga buhay para lamang mapasaloob niya, marami na rin ang nagpapakasasa.

Ang katuparan sa pag-abot ng aming panginoon ay walang katumbas na tagumpay. Marami na nga sa’min ang malimit makalimot sa kung sino-sino na nga ba talaga kami bilang kami oras na siya mapasaamin.

Walang tiyak na pagkakakilanlan ang panginoong ito. Subalit para sa akin at sa iba pang mga naniniwala sa iyong Diyos, alam naming lubha siyang nakahihigit.

Malamang sa oras na umabot sa iyo ang liham na ito’y marami na sa amin ang nangamatay. Ngunit hindi na iyon mahalaga, ang importante ay matulungan mo silang mga nangabubuhay pa’t nagsisipagdusa sa huwad nilang langit sa mundo.

Nawa’y sa oras na mabasa

mo ito, agad kang tumugon sa iyong Diyos at sa pamamagitan ng iyong makapangyarihang Diyos ay maisalba mo sila, kami. Kung kinakailangan mong muling ipakita ang kanyang kapangyarihan, nawa’y hindi ka magdalawang-isip.

Gawin mong bibliya ang mga cellphone kung kinakailangan, o rosaryo ang mga earphone, o ahas ang mga selfie stick, muli kang humati ng katubigan o magpalaganap ng mga sigalot upang isalba ang mga nagnanais na maisalba at lunurin ang mga hindi, muli mong iparamdam ang iyong Diyos sa aming lahat.

Ipakita mong huwad ang aming sinasambang diyos.

Salamat Moises Sumasaiyo, Milenyo Matapos kong mabasa ang liham sa aking homepage, pinatay ko na ang aking data connection.

Nakapagdesisyon na ako ng aking gagawin, matutulog na lang ako.

Tinatamad akong magsulat.

AL MNT K / / 0 7

LEVITICUS 11:47

C-D-D-A-C-B-D-A Gabby

“You must be careful to distinguish between what is ritually clean and unclean, between animals that may be eaten and those that may not. .”

08 / / AL M N T K

I am officially denouncing all the times I fell asleep in class. All those times that I made myself believe I will close my eyes two minutes tops and ended up sleeping for the whole one and a half hour is totally not worth this anxiety I am feeling right now.

The tension in the room is so tangible you can see it coming out of everybody’s ears. Vaguely, I wonder how my classmates are doing. They seem to be thinking so hard. Maybe some of them already got number thirteen.

I look at my right to see Lisa eagerly typing away on her calculator. Hmm. I do not even know what to look for. I look at my watch and saw that I only have 15 minutes to finish my exam. I don’t know which or if any of my answers are right.

Can they give extra 5 points for effort?

Maybe there’ll be a bonus or two.

I looked to my right again and from the looks on her face, I can say that Lisa got the answer on whatever number she’s working on. I looked around and everyone seemed to be finished with their papers if their shuffling around is any indication.

Sweat is falling down on my face.

I must think this through.

I must think this through.

With a deep breath, I slightly moved my finger on my desk just enough or my pen to fall on the right. Lisa looked down and, without hesitation, she stooped to get it for me.

I looked up and without hesitation, I memorized her answers.

“Thank you,” I said as she gave me back my pen. She smiled and I smiled back at her.

09 // ALMNTK

NUMBERS 15:16

NEOTERIC EPOCH Nichole Rae A. Dizon

“The same laws and regulations will apply both to you and to the foreigner residing among you.”

One thing is certain: they all long for fame.

Voraciously consumed by their desires.

“I swear to God you’ll remember my name.

I’m day and night, the fall of an empire.”

“Condemned are ye, who are proper and chaste.”

The law of the hip and formidable.

So go and transform, be sure to make haste.

Your obedience shall save you from trouble.

They are pretty, lawless, cunning, carefree.

As respect to their clan, “They can’t stand us.”

We are undesirable but witty.

As respect to our kind, “They’re Earth’s menace.”

The rest shall crumble, the righteous shall live.

Never hold out more than you’re prepared to give.

JOSHUA 1:3

“Bawa’t dakong tuntungan ng talampakan ng inyong paa, ay naibigay ko na sa inyo, gaya ng sinalita ko kay Moises.”

DULO’T SIMULA Noli G. Ama 10 / / AL M N T K

Tayo ay nasa panahon na ng kasukdulan.

Ilang sandali na lamang at ang lahat ng tinatamasa nating kariwasaan sa buhay ay mapapalitan na ng yurak sa ating pagkakakilanlan. Masyado kasi tayong nagpapakalibang, nagpapakasasa at nagpapakalulong sa inaakala nating walang katapusang kasiyahan kung kaya’t hindi natin napansin ang untiunti nating pagkatalo sa digmaan na katulad noo’y pinilit ring maipanalo.

Lingid sa ating kaalaman, ang mundo bilang tahanan ng tao ay lugar na din ng kasamaan. Paulitulit man itong tubusin, ito’y patuloy pa ring nagsisilbing lugar kalaunan ng pagdurusa. Subalit paano kung humantong tayo sa punto kung saan wala nang dumating pang manunubos o taga-pamuno? Pa’no na?

Saglit tayong magbalik-tanaw.

Kilala natin si Moses, siguro nama’y

alam natin ang kanyang mga ginawa para lamang mapalaya ang mga Israelita mula sa pagkakaalipin. Siguro’y alam rin natin na sa pamamagitan ng kanyang Panginoon, nagawa niya ang mga pambihirang bagay na higit pa sa abot ng akala ng tao. Pero kilala ba natin si Joshua? Malamang sa ilang pindot lang sa ating mga computer, kaagad natin syang makikilala.

Aminin nating kesa maghalungkat ng bulto-bultong pahina ng bibliya para lamang mabasa ang kanyang aklat ay mas mainam para sa ating henerasyon ang i-surf nalang ito sa Internet.

Dahil para sa ating mga millennial, tapos na ang panahon

ng mababagal na paraan ng paggawa, mas uso na ang instant. Anyway, tulad ni Moses, si Joshua ay nagsilbi ring tagapamagitan ng mga tao at ng Diyos, sa panahon niya, nagawa niyang mapagtagumpayan ang humigit-kumulang sa sampung digmaan upang madala ang mga Israelita sa lupang ipinangako ng Diyos para sa kanila. Gamit lang ang matatag na paniniwala sa kanyang Panginoon, buong tapang niyang pinamunuan ang mga tao noon upang mapagtagumpayan nila ang kanilang mithiin.

So much for the throwback, ngayon, kung madadala natin ang ating henerasyon upang saglit na maglakbay sa panahon ni Joshua at sa mga digmaang kinaharap nila, ano kaya ang kayang gawin ng isang millennial person upang may maiambag sa mga panahong iyon?

Alalahanin nating bilog ang mundo, ang buhay natin ay isang serye lamang ng mga yugtong sumusubok sa ating pagkatao, sa ating paniniwala. Matapos ang panahon ni Joshua ay sinundan muli ito ng ups and downs ng mga sumunod sa kanilang henerasyon, at ang bawat down ng kani-kanilang mga panahon ay tulong-tulong at sama-sama nilang pinagtutulungan upang makabangong muli.

Aminin nating gaya nila, nahaharap tayo ngayon sa isang malaking pagsubok kung saan ang tingin sa ating mga millennial ay mapupusok, easy-go-lucky, at kung ano-ano pang hindi magagandang imahe.

At upang makatuntong din tayo sa lupang ipinangako, ‘wag tayong magpakakulong sa mga masasamang imaheng ito. Kumilos din tayo. Hindi na natin kailangan pang maghanap ng magsisilbi muling mga Moses o Joshua na mamumuno’t mangunguna, bawat isa sa ati’y nararapat magastang tulad nila.

Marahil ang akala nati’y tapos na ang panahon ng digmaan, pananakop o pang-aalipin, ngunit lingid sa ating lahat, ito’y nakakubli sa ating mga sarili at unti-unti tayong sinisira. Nasa sa atin kung paano natin pamumunuan ang ating mga

sarili. Nawa’y magsilbi itong mitsa upang kung ‘di talaga natin ugali ay mapilit lamang natin ang ating mga sarili upang kumilos ng naaayon, kumilos ng tama at umasta ng tama.

Kumbaga, pangatawanan ‘ika nga.

Subalit tandaan nating kailan ma’y hindi natin naging kasalanan ang maisilang sa panahong ito.

Isa itong oportunidad. At bilang oportunidad, common sense naman kahit konti, ‘matik na dapat.

AL MNT K / / 1 1

“My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless you the LORD.” JUDGES 5:9

Bigla akong nagising ng dahil sa init, sa iyak ng mga sanggol Ingay ng nagsisisihang maglolo ng dahil sa mabahong amoy ng pabango ng heridero.

Tinanong ko ang batang naglalaro ng mobile legends kung ano ang nangyayari, “Wala akong alam dahil bata pa lang ako, kung gusto mo ay H maglaro ka na lang din,” sagot ng bata.

THROUG THIS VERSE Noli G. Ama

Nagmasid-masid ako sa paligid ngunit walang makapagbigay ng sagot kung ano ang problema Dahil lahat sila ay may kanya-kanyang mundo at puro sarili “Those days, Israel had no king lang ang iniisip.

And everyone did what was right Hanggaang dumating ang propesyunal na nakakaalam In their eyes” raw kung pano ayusin ito But then, He punished them all Ngunit kinalaunay sumuko din dahil di alam ang And showed to them problema.

That He is tougher Than those pyramids and wall Hanggang sa nakauwi ako, And now in our very own days Wala, wala kahit isa ang may alam kung pano Would we let this case? ayusin ang nasirang aircon ng bus na byaheng Tondo.

WALA KAHIT ISA Johnell B. Cabusas

“Huwag na kayong magsalita nang may kapalaluan; Huwag lumabas sa inyong bibig ang kahambugan; Sapagkat ang Panginoon ay Diyos ng kaalaman at ang mga kilos ay kanyang tinitimbang.”

1 SAMUEL 2:3 1 2 / / AL M N T K

JOB Mark John Coloquit

AL MNT K / / 1 3

SUTIL Cass of Bukowski

“Sapagka’t inihagis mo ako sa kalaliman, sa gitna ng dagat, At ang tubig ay nasa palibot ko; Ang lahat ng iyong alon at lahat ng iyong malaking alon ay umaapaw sa akin.”

JONAH 2:3

Hinamil ka kan dakulang balyena sa kadagatan Dae mo nanggad naisip na maghali ta puwerte baya an diklom sa laog Makaugma gayod.

Rumdom ko pa an kaakian kadto naglaladop, ta daw ika nasa laog, pindot ning pindot?

Igwa man daw nagigibo an?

Gayod.

Iyo na baga yan nag iiriwal huli ta dae na maaraman Kung siisay ang siisay, kung arin ang arin, kung sain ang sain “Nata nagpakakan ka sa Sistema?”, hapot niya saimo.

Iyo na kaya yan; dae pa magdangog.

Nalupigan ka lugod ning dae ka nag aaram. Asin iyo ka man, nanlupig ning kaakian.

Sa sunod tabi, magdangog.

Ta garo bako na sanang tolong aldaw ang ihahaloy kaini Kundi mga nagkapirang bulan o taon, depende kung nuarin ka mauuntog asin magkakabukol nin huli ta dae ka makahiling sa diklom.

Dae pahamil sa balyena.

Marhay na ideya yan, bako?

14 / / AL M N T K

RY CROWNING GLO ral Cab A. Ann e ilain Em

TY PECULIAR BEAU Emilaine Ann A. Cabral

PANACEA Emilaine Ann A. Cabral AL MNT K / / 1 5

“At sininta ng hari si Esther ng higit kay sa lahat na babae, at siya’y nilingap at minahal na higit kay sa lahat na dalaga.”

ESTHER 2:17

Hi! The name’s Estella. 26-24-26. Dae nanggad Photoshopped an picture, mas magayon sa personal. Swipe right, baby ;) Sa subago pa na pasuru-swipe ni Andrew sa saiyang 5.5 inch QHD Display, Exypnos 8890, Octa-core Processor, sagkod 4GB RAM na Sumsang S6 Edge, ining bio sana na ini sa Tinderbell an nakapagpahingalo sa saiyang tanglay nang muro.

An lalaki duda sa nabasa asin siya nagtaram, “Hmm, dawa filter mayo? Weh? Butog man kaini ni Ate Gurl”.

Ma swipe-left na kudta an lalaki kundi siya talagang na-intriga kang pa #naturalbeauty ni Estella kaya siya nagpadagos sa pag-stalk. Sa pairi-iskrol, naaraman niya an pagkatawo asin mga araaladaw na gibo kan babayi puon pagkamata hanggang sa bago ini magpirong.

“Gayon ni Manay mo. Photo album na, diary pa. Hays, garo man lang si ex ko...”

Si Andrew napapundo sa saiyang pag-zoom-in kang mga ritrato ni Estella

16 / / A L M N T K

na intirong HD pati pores kang nagirumduman an dating ka-ilusyon. Si Vash.

An lalaki asin si Vash kaidto maugma sa saindang relasyon. Gwapo si Andrew sa saiyang pagtubod asin dyosa si Vash sa saiya mang paghiling. Sa Instagram. Dawa sa mga posts pa lang niya namimidbidan an ka-ilusyon, aram na ni Ahasuerus, sa boot niya – magayunun an bata niya.

An duwa sa phone sana pirmi naguulay pero sinda kaidto talagang maugma.

Dawa kun minsan hinangos na sana an saindang simbagan huli ta naubusan na sinda nin mapag-uulayan, padagos pa giraray an magka-ilusyon sa pag-apudan.

“Baby ko, naka-UCT100 ako kaya dae ka para-hádit. Basta dae mo ko babaan ha?

Ma-burá na sana ako pag nakaisip na akong topic”, an sabi ni Andrew sa babayi.

Sa pirming pag-uulay kan duwa, nagrarom an pagmati ni Andrew kay Vash kung kaya siya na-curious ano man daw kung maghilingan sindang duwa.

“Baby qhouh, eye-ball man daw kita.

Gusto taka lamang makugos sa personal bako tong pirmi na sana kitang pa-xoxo sa text. Sagkod gusto taka ipabisto sa mga barkada ko. Papa-araan ko sinda kung gurano ka-gayon an bata ko ;),” Ini tig-chat ni Andrew ki Vash sarong banggi matapos masulot kan lalaki an password sa wi-fi kan katungod nindang harong.

Si Andrew nagpreparar sa maabot na paghihilingan. Ika-aga, an lalaki nagabot sa 7/11 asin nag-halat ki Vash. Nagarabot naman si iba niyang barkada trenta minutos an nakaagi puon sa alauna nindang urulayan. Sa sarong oras pa na paghalat, an babayi dae pa nanggad minaabot kaya si Andrew saiya na nag-text.

“Baby qhouh, wer na u? dito na me 7/11.“ Naghalat an magbabarkada sa

dyosa kuno na kailusyon ni Andrew sagkod sa inabot na sinda nin aga. An barkada nauyam saiya nin huli ta dae nagpa-inom an lalaki hangga’t mayo si Vash. Sinda nagkaaranggotan asin nagsipurulian na sana. Sa sobrang kasuyaan ni Andrew, siya sa Facebook nagpost.

Dapat an lalaki iyo ang hade sa saiyang harong. Kaya ika Vash, sa dae mo pag-tubod sako, sa dae mo sako pagsipot, bahala ka na sa buhay mo. Break na kita.

Ibalik mo palan sako yang cp na gamit mo ta ako man kaiyan nagbakal. Ini tig-tag kan lalaki ki Vash sagkod tig-block ang ex-gf.

Na-depressed na maray si Andrew sa nangyari kaya siya napabayaan na an sadiri.

Sa saiyang curiosity na mahiling ang hitsura kang ka-ilusyon sa personal, siya nawaran ning ka-aylabyuhan asin napatunayan na Curiosity really kills the cat. Siya nacurious, nagpabaya sa buhay, asin si ikos niya nalingawan niyang bahugon. Mala, uto na ang hayop nakahigda, gadan, asin tiririk an mata.

Sa pagwara kan ikos, si Andrew naliwanagan sagkod naisipang lalo na sanang pagwapuhon an sadiri. Andrew d’ Great Version 2.0 an goal kang lalaki.

Nagpainom muna siya sa barkada kaya

sinda nagkabarati na gabos sagkod nagpaabot kan saindang suporta sa pa New year, new me kang nakamove-on nang barkada.

“Padi, ipapabisto ko saimo an gabos na magagayon igdi sa lugar ta”, sabi ni Hanman, kanang-kamay ni Andrew.

An lalaki napaisip kundi nahinua man niya ang gastos kung sasaru-saroon niya makaka-blind date an mga mabibisto kaya siya nagpaabot man kan saiyang concerns sa kwarta.

“Naman kaya ni si Padi. May aram ako.

Sa Tinderbell,” sabat man ni Morde Kyle.

FINDING NEXT QUEEN Trishia F. Job AL MNT K / / 1 7

WRONG NUMBER* Tipsy-Mttlrst

“Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.”

PSALMS 99:3

“They tell me to fall in line and wait for my turn To kneel, roll down or even walk miles away” “They tell me to pray silently, calmly, and whole-heartedly” “They tell me to offer milk, wine To light some candles Give some money and other gifts” “To tell honestly my sins Pay for them, repent” “But to whom would I pray?”

“If there are two Gods – one who created us And the one that we created.” *Pasintabi sa pelikulang Bollywood na PK ng director na si Rajkumar Hirani.

18 / / AL M N T K

PROVERBS JJ Diño

AL MNT K / / 1 9

A RELIEF Cass of Bukowski

“Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so people are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.”

ECCLESIASTES 9:12

Him: Hi! Is this the right Hopeline?

Her: I guess this is. I mean, if you’re going through a lot and feels like you’re close to being Hannah Baker, then this is the right Hopeline. What can I do for you, sir?

Him: How do you know about Hannah Baker?

Her: I’m no millennial, but I love reading books.

Him: Do you know Alaska too? What about Cassidy?

Her: I know Alaska. And Cassidy. The panopticon?

Him: Yeah. The panopticon.

Her: I see you’re into books too.

Him: Yes. Reading calms me. Okay, so, maybe you can help me?

20 / / AL M N T K

Her: I’ll try my best. What’s your name and how old are you, sir?

Him: Uhm… 18. The name’s Elias.

Her: A millennial. I’m Cleia, what’s the problem, Elias?

Him: Is it true that everything is meaningless?

Her: Why’d you ask that? What’s wrong?

Him: It’s just that living in the twenty-first century makes it all hard. Everything should have a purpose, everything should have a meaning. And then, I stumbled upon something and it says that everything is meaningless. I think, it’s a relief.

Her: A relief? Don’t think of it as a relief. Everything should really have a purpose, a meaning. Like you.

You have a purpose. They say that the millennials are the next great generation. So please don’t think of it as a relief. Embracing the fact that everything is meaningless just means that you’re ready to let go.

Him: I did not say that I’m ready to let go, I just said that it’s a relief.

Everything being meaningless, it’s a relief. You see, we do the same routine every day and when we

get bored, we change a thing or two then do the “updated” routine every single day again.

Her: Which part of it is being meaningless? I see you have a set of routine every day. You’re somehow in control. You do the things you like and sometimes, do the things that you don’t like for the sake of others. Which part of it is being meaningless?

Him: The in between of those fucking routines. I mean, we go to school. We eat lunch. We read our textbooks. We jot down notes. We write our shitty essays to be what?

Graded? And it’s a relief, the fact that everything is meaningless. We work hard for things that we want to achieve, yes, I admit that. But is it really worth it? I mean, we were born to die.

Her: Calm down, Elias. Everything is going to be fine. I’m here, listening.

I guess, the millennials are exposed to toxic ambiance. You’re being surrounded by toxic people. You’re always on your phone; in front of your laptop screen; listening to music that you thought expresses you. Those are the things that are meaningless. You always thought that other people don’t care. But we do. That’s why these things exist.

These Hopelines. We can help you, if you will let us.

Him: Yes, I guess we really are exposed to some toxic ambiance.

Pictures aren’t for beauty anymore,

they’re also for making someone look bad. Words aren’t for expression anymore, they’re also for bringing someone down…

Her: You’re something, kid. You notice all these kind of things.

Him: I notice all these kind of things and I really wish that everything is meaningless.

Her: Why? Him: Because a teacher said that everything is meaningless.

Her: Your teacher?

Him: …

Her: Elias? Hello? *Hanging up doesn’t mean he already did what you’ve all been thinking. Hanging up may mean that he’s got an emergency call of nature. It may also mean something else. Or maybe he really did it, the thing that you’ve all been thinking about the whole time. In this situation, you’re the one who’s going to decide if he went downright killing himself or not. You’re in the middle of thinking about whether everything is meaningless or not.

You’re going to decide whether life is worth another shot.

Ecclesiastes says that everything has been done under the sun; that everything is meaningless; that with much wisdom comes much sorrow; that the more knowledge, the more grief. It sums up life. Living in this century and being part of this generation is somehow, pretty sad, bad and rad. But life is one big paradox. One thing contradicts the other. Life makes one and then the half of it contradicts the other half of it. Even you, you contradict yourself.

If it is a paradox, when a teacher said that everything is meaningless, does it mean a thing?

AL MNT K / / 2 1

SOLOMON’S BELOVED’S OST Trishia F. Job

“How beautiful you are and how pleasing, O love, with your delights!

Your stature is like that of the palm, and your breasts like clusters of fruit. I said, ‘I will climb the palm tree; I will take hold of its fruit.”

SONG OF SOLOMON 7:6-9

Prelude:

Listen! It’s my lover, look! Here he comes Eyes cold sober, lustrous than my rums My lover is a gazelle breed with desire I am his damsel; he is my dire Listen now! He spoke and said to me,

“Arise, my darling, and come with me.

See! It’s past midnight; Absurd is a marriage ceremony”

1st Verse: For I belong to my lover, and his desire is for me.

I soon came closer; had bestowed my V

All the night ‘til it’s break of dawn

Bask in comfort from warmth of our season

His arms were like the clusters of vine

The taste of his built, his every line

Like apples, his mouth, like that of best wine Chorus: Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth

For it is more delightful than whispers of doubt

Pleasing is the path he takes directing south

Lube is like perfume poured out 2nd Verse: After one on my bed I seek for my lover

I looked for him hopeful we’re not over

22 // ALMNTK

Bridge:

I will get up now and go about city streets I searched all day and found but bricks I slept but my heart was wide awake Listen! My lover is knocking in quake: “Open to me, my darling, my flawless one For I ache love, your temple, for yet another one”

I have taken off my robe – must I put it on again?

No delve nor probe, he took comfort in my den

Coda: I opened for my lover but he had left

Oh! What a rover – I was a maiden; he’s a theft

Society bumped on me as they judge around the city

They beat me, cursed me, and bawled me tawdry Those posts on my walls!

O bloggers of credence, I charge you!

If you find my lover, this you must do Tell him – our dearest child, his name is blue.

With but a single gaze…

The vow of his perpetual love Has set my heart ablaze.

THE ONE Nichole Rae A. Dizon

“Close your heart to every love but mine; hold no one in your arms but me.”

SONGS OF SOLOMON 8:6

2 3 / / AL M N T K

KADHBA RJ

“’The multitude of your sacrifices – what are they to me?’ says the Lord. ‘I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals... When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings!”

ISAIAH 1:11-13

Around a dozen people have already gathered around our village’s makeshift altar. I have come once again to please our one true God. My right hand is stone cold as it grips the ceremonial sword, hiding away the history of its uncontrollable trembling when I first performed the holy ritual. Ironic as it may seem for a tough man like myself, I have a soft heart for lowly creatures.

I cast inner fears away with the words “this is for Him and His glory” playing on repeat in my mind. The blood of our sacrifice and the ashes of its corpse are meant to please God; are meant to cleanse our sins; are meant to bring good fortune. This is His will.

“It’s time,” says our leader.

I grab today’s live sacrifice by the neck, marking where the blade must land. It continues to squeal in pain as I pushed it down the altar’s floor.

Our leader raises a thumbs up, the cue that the camera started recording. With my voice muffled by the black mask that conceals the entirety of my face, I asked the sacrifice, “Do you have any last words?”

“God bless America,” says the white infidel with his bloodshot eyes staring blankly at the ground. I raised the sword towards the heavens, and let it fall with one swift move.

“Allahu Akbar,” I prayed as the man’s severed head slowly rolled away.

2 4 / / AL M N T K

“Holy shit! I can’t activate into Godmode.” Now, even feces are considered holy and, as such, God is not solely the god anymore.

Idolatry had been but a great matter in divinity during the time of our ancestors and presently, a rise of yet another sin of the 21st century had once again diverted the people’s devotion from the eternal king. Modernization prompted the newest version of object worship and the millennials seem to have stronger faith in it. Instances are their willingness to put worshipping into first priority from their day-to-day activities to which they deal with, religiously.

One of the most rampant among these routines involves the latest place of worship. Commonly, one would go to church and hear the liturgy of the Eucharist or offer food to a certain tree to honor their God as a divine being but, these days, a blogger could just post and preach how his God would provide salvation to everyone and people would just click the “share this on your timeline” icon to reflect on their own.

Sometimes, if the user is just a pretend-devotee, just a mere sight of something that involves religion would make them share the post even without taking a second to consider its worth.

Another thing that adds up to the trend is the contemporized way of praying. Instead of clasping both hands while uttering words of gratitude and ask for forgiveness, nowadays, people just settle in the “one like, one prayer” jig and after hitting that like button, they would just continue on scrolling down to where entertainment awaits. Since when did a thumb icon become a cue for a prayer? Well, this is what the current generation is today.

Lastly, as a Catholic, one must keep the Sabbath day holy but in the modern era, a person would just follow religious pages which would provide them with the gospels for every single obligation day. Yes, it would indeed be handy since instead of waking up early to hear the Sunday morning mass, they could just browse their smartphones and after a little reading, they then could go back to managing their social media accounts.

In our modern society where we could experience firsthand the power of the cutting-edge technology spawned by mobile phones, a typical teenager then, when called by her Bestie to set forth the latest techno tidbits of a newly launched smartphone, could be left so stunned to answer with just the mere words – Oh, My God. AND TO PHONES, Mobile phones were meant to be useful for us. But, instead of utilizing it for an ‘OH, MY GOD’ advantage, we make this as a device to Trishia F. Job fulfill our youthful shenanigans. And these days, instead of being able to promote religion given its wide “They say to wood, ‘You are my father,’ and to stone, ‘You gave me feature, its wonders left us birth.’ They have turned their backs to me and not their faces; yet hypnotized to how sublime when they are in trouble, they say, ‘Come and save us!’” it could be leaving faith to fall into our pockets.

JEREMIAH 2:17

2 5 / / AL M N T K

LAMENTATIONS Mark John Coloquit

26 / / A L M N T K

THE REUNION Kacy Welcome, Batch of 2007!

I stop walking and stare at the large banner hanging at the top of the school gym’s entrance. The cheery layout is so at odds with the strange mix of reluctance and mild terror that I feel right now.

I wipe my sweaty hands down the sides of my kneelength navy blue, sleeveless dress—blue being the theme color of this year’s high school reunion.

The sound of thumping music drifts over me as I try to peek inside from where I’m standing. I see familiar faces milling around inside; faces I haven’t seen in ten years and prefer to continue not seeing again, ever, if I’m being honest. But, alas, I have no choice. I made a promise and I intend to follow through, no matter how painful.

You’re stalling, an evil voice that sounds like my fiancé whisper in my head.

Shut up, I petulantly whisper back.

I huff. I’m a half-hour late anyway because of lastminute work stuff, and I’m not really particularly enthused to come face to face with the people who made my high school life miserable. Oh, how glad was I to finally graduate and happily forget about them.

The woman who was pacing along the side and talking on the phone when I got here finish her call and tuck her phone back

inside her clutch.

She’s about to return inside when she sees me. Her eyes widen slightly and her mouth split into a grin. “Oh my gosh, Shane! It’s you!”

Before I know what’s happening I’m suddenly engulfed in her tight hug.

Bewildered, my hands hang at my sides.

Not wanting to look like an idiot, or worse disrespectful, I force my arms to lift and I pat her back awkwardly. Who is she who is she who is she who is she and why oh why is she hugging me?

It’s not that I’m adverse to human contact or interacting with strangers who feel like we’re siblings from another mother, but I cannot help but act like a cornered animal within the confines of this campus; this place is the home of some of the most humiliating and depressing moments of my life. It’s been ten years and I’ve healed now, thanks to the help of the people I hold dear, but I have a feeling that I’m never gonna be entirely comfortable being in this place anymore.

The woman pulls back and smiles so brightly at me I almost go blind. Looking at her closely, she does look very familiar.

Not a former classmate, I’m certain of that, but I do I have a vague recollection of a girl who wore pigtails and a mouthful of braces—always going out of her way to be friendly with anyone, even to me.

I mentally snap my fingers as her

“Hold fast to love and justice.”

HOSEA 12:6

27 // ALMNTK

name pops in my head. “How are you doing, Ali?” She squeals, delighted that I remember. “Oh, I’m fine, I’m good! SO excited to be back and see everyone and catch up.” That makes one of us. “How about you? Where’ve you been, stranger? I haven’t heard any news about you since we’ve graduated. I’m really curious what it is you’re up to these days. Oh! Did I tell you how pretty you look? I love your dress and your shoes, and you have really gorgeous hair, it’s like a waterfall—but black.”

I shake my head slightly, dazed, and try to smile at her. I forgot that she likes to talk.

A lot.

“Um,” I clear my throat, trying to think of proper answers to her questions. “I’m doing great, actually, thanks for asking. I, ah, work in a network consulting company in Chicago. I’m visiting family this summer, so it’s a good thing that it collided with the schedule of the reunion.

I guess.” Not really. I was coerced into going is what it is. I was planning to visit on Christmas but Jake, my fiancé, kept on badgering me about this reunion, saying that he wanted me to go.

But I don’t tell Ali any of that.

I tuck a sheet of hair behind my ear and that caught Ali’s attention. She stared slightly open-mouthed at the ring on my left hand.

I resist the urge to hide my hand behind my back when she kept on gaping at it. “Yeah,

28 // ALMNTK

um, I also kinda got engaged recently.” I feel my cheeks heat.

She snaps from whatever train of thought she was having and gives me a sly look. “Kinda? Shane, with a rock that big no one is going to doubt you’re definitely getting hitched.” She claps her hand and jumps. “Congratulations, I’m so happy for you!”

“Thank you.” This time the smile is not forced.

“Come on, let’s go inside and chat with everyone, show off that boulder of yours.” She waggles her eyebrows at me as she takes my hand and starts pulling me inside.

My smile fell slightly as nerves once again spread over me like a thick blanket on a sweltering summer night, suffocating me.

I take a deep breath. Nope. No dice.

I hope Ali doesn’t notice that my hand is getting clammy.

I distract myself by studying the decorations. Blue cloth. White cloth.

Balloons. Tables.

Oh, and there is a ton of people of course.

Some of them barely paid any attention to me, others doing a double take, then proceeds to whisper with the people they were talking to, throwing me curious glances from time to time.

Some of them laughed mockingly.

Apparently, Ali has taken notice of my disquiet, judging by the frown etched on her pretty face. I try smiling, telling her not to worry about me. It doesn’t work.

She stops walking and I gently disentangle my hand from hers. My eyes start searching, frantically looking for— “Hey,” Ali is in front of me again, concern swimming in her eyes. She knows what my problem is, how can she not?

“I’m sorry,” I whisper hoarsely, looking intently at the floor boards as if it holds the secret to life. “It hasn’t bothered me much anymore these days. I guess, being back here messed with my head again and all that.”

I release a breath heavily, frustrated with myself. I don’t even know why I’m telling her this. She’s supposed to be having fun with her friends somewhere. God only knew why she’s here with me.

I walk toward the wall, knowing she’ll follow, and lean against it, my eyes not focusing on anything. I can feel Ali looking at me but I don’t look at her. I can’t. My head is in full flashback mode, relieving the things I’m better off not thinking about, at all.

I was the school slut. Or, that’s what they said I was, until even I believed it myself. I’m not even sure how it started—just, one day, everyone had started looking at me accusingly—like I took something from them, like I betrayed them.

No, I guess I do know when it started. At least, I think it was because beyond that I’m afraid to even know the real reason.

It wasn’t my fault that my family’s genes guaranteed that, once puberty hits, I would be rocking a chest and backside sizes that was too much to handle, pun not intended.

Add that to my mother’s desire to always have me all dolled up ‘because her baby girl is too pretty for boyish clothes’, then it wasn’t really a surprise that girls envied me and boys…well.

In fact, a boy of my upperclassmen had become too interested that he dumped his girlfriend to “take a chance” with me. I refused, of course, but because of that his ex tried very hard to make me feel like dirt, just because her boyfriend wanted to be with me more than her. Several other boyfriends of different girls, in fact.

After that, when I finally thought that I’d have my peace again, another guy from my year started courting me, despite my protests. Eventually he won me over and I was truly beginning to feel happy. Little did I know that once I’d agreed to be his girlfriend, I’d also be in on a little secret: he courted me because of a bet. His friends dared him to do it, to see how easy I was. There was even a betting pool going on that almost half the school had partaken with. He apologized profusely and said that he genuinely did develop feelings for me, but the damage was done. I’d been devastated; my so called reputation made and easily believed by all. Sounds too cliché, right?

I’m not even going to be surprised if some people here thought that I work for an escort agency, or something along that line.

Sigh. Jake will not be too happy with me and my trip down memory lane.

At least social media wasn’t really that active during those painful years, otherwise there’d be no ignoring the things that could be floating in cyberspace, so there’s that.

I’m pulled back from my reverie with a hand on my shoulder. Ali. “You okay?” I can see deep worry in her eyes, the way her lips are turned down at the corners.

I cover her hand with my own and smile faintly.

“Yeah. Thank you, Ali. For being here.”

She studies my face and I know she sees that I’m grateful for more. Because I know that Ali was one of the few people who defended me back then, even when I was too hurt and stubborn to see that not everyone treats me like society’s scum. She smiles back.

A gaggle of women get near us, giggling and throwing glances at something across the room before talking over each other excitedly.

One of them sees Ali. “There you are, Ali! (more glances and giggles) we’ve been looking for you everywhere!” Her eyes move to me as she and her friends converge on us. I see recognition flash in their eyes at the same time my stomach drops. These are the people that once partook in a bet that ruined my high school life. “Oh.” I remind myself that I’m not that girl anymore, that I’ve already proven myself to all those who mattered. I school my features into a neutral mask, straightening, and nod my head politely, the best greeting I could do.

Ali, bless her heart, remains all smiles. “Hey, guys. You remember Shane, don’t you? Did you know that she’s getting married soon?”

I give Ali the stink eye but she ignores it. Her

AL MNT K / / 2 9

friends shift and glance at each other, undecided on their reaction, before offering stilted congratulations at me. I continue smiling politely.

They ignore me after that, thank God, and direct their attention at Ali. A name is mentioned excitedly that got my attention.

“I can’t believe how good looking Jax is now. He was such a pretty boy back then.

But now?” She proceeded to fanning herself. I arch my brow. Huh. “I know, right? The boy took care of himself real good.”

I follow their gazes and spot ‘Jax’, my former classmate and everyone’s favorite guy, standing across the room, talking to several of his buddies and I feel like fanning myself, too. The man carries himself well.

There’s a collective sigh from the ogling women in front of me.

I roll my eyes.

Ali chuckles.

I look at her inquiringly.

She shakes her head, amused. “Jax’s still charming everyone even across the room, don’t you think? He never did change.”

I shrug noncommittally. We watch him throw his head back and laugh heartily. I narrow my eyes at him. Good for him; he seems to be having a great time.

30 / / AL M N T K

“Did you know that, apart from me, he was one of the people who tried very hard to stop that stupid bet from happening?”

I swallow and nod my head, remembering the way his warm, kind eyes would look me over and ask if I was okay.

“He’s always been kind to me.”

As if feeling the heavy weight of female attention on him, Jax—I really find that nickname a little funny—turns his head to our direction, his eyes finding mine immediately and staying there. I lift my hand and did a small, timid wave.

He smiles and winks. At me. Doesn’t that make me feel like a high school girl again that has gotten noticed by her crush.

If I’m being honest though, he’s still kinda my crush, too. Gah! I fidget with my ring.

The murmurings of the women in front of me get louder after that little wink-and-smile combo, and even loader as we watch him excuse himself from his friends and start heading this way, a swagger on his step that wasn’t there when he was younger. I can almost feel the vibrations coming off from these women.

“He’s coming over!” one of them hissed.

His very intent eyes remain fixed on mine that I start squirming.

“Ladies,” he said in a smooth, masculine voice. They swoon. I refrain from rolling my eyes again while Ali chuckled on.

There are various Heys and His and Hellos along with fluttering and batting lashes directed his way.

“Good to see you, Jax! How’ve you been?” Ali gives him her standard hug.

“I’ve been good, Ali. Thanks,” he replies warmly but keeps his eyes on me.

He steps away from her and moves closer to me, enough to wrap an arm around my waist. “You guys don’t mind if I borrow my fiancée for a while, do you?”

It’s almost comical to witness how their smiles turn wooden while looking at the arm possessively wrapped around my waist and how their heads snap up to gape at us. I bite my lip to keep from laughing, since it’s rude and all, seeing as they were just fantasizing about Jax. Or Jake, as he now prefers to be called.

“You guys are engaged?” Ali’s eyes has gotten round and her hands cover her mouth.

“Yep. Just recently actually,” Jake says helpfully. “Now, if you could excuse us. Later, Ali.” I wave bye to Ali as he steers me away from the gaping women. I can hear Ali yelling, “Details, I tell you! I need details or so help me!”

“They were very surprised, weren’t they?” I glanced up at him. Even in my heels, he’s still much taller than me.

“Sure. But what I’d like to know is why you didn’t go straight to me once you got here.” He mock scowled at me, pouting.

I laughed. How adorable. “There’s a lot of people, you know.

It’s packed. It’s not that easy.” I pinch his side where I know he’s ticklish. He jerks and narrows his eyes at me playfully. “Besides, I got distracted…”

I don’t really need to elaborate to him. He knows what the deal is. His arm tightens around me as he kisses my temple tenderly. “I’m sorry you had to go through that again, but I’m also so very proud of you. I told you, didn’t I? You’re going to show these people who’s boss. That’s why I wanted you to come with me.”

“Okay, fine. But I’ll reserve judgment until the end of this event.”

“Fair enough.” He kisses my cheek this time. “Besides, I wanted to show off my future wife anyway. I figured everyone in Chicago already knows, might as well cover this place too.”

I scoff, but inside I’m all warm and gooey. I feel so grateful to have him in my life.

“Let’s just get this over with.”

He rewraps his arm around me and smiles cheekily. “Lead the way.”

AL MNT K / / 3 1

MATTHEW Mark John Coloquit

34 // ALMNTK

THE TOILSOME ODYSSEY OF THE NEW AGE DREAMER Nichole Rae A. Dizon My dearest Louise, I will be succinct - My memories are wilting.

I fear that soon I may no longer be able to remember the sun. You are now a grown woman and soon you will find that the filaments of your memories are not as sturdy as you thought they’d be. As I have come to grasp this fact, I have decided to put into writing a brief account of my life. I was born and raised like the common child.

School was for play and friends. Home was for education and family. As I grew, I became more aware of the atrociousness of life. Serenity was elusive while misery was widespread. The pride of humans grew like the tower of Babel – always trying to be taller than the other, but ultimately became their end. I was engulfed in anguish and the cold tendrils of despair drowned out every bit of warmth that hope left me. Life was more depressing than death. In spite of all of this, I thanked God that my spirit remained doughty. I managed to ricochet from the abyss and remake my life. It took the greatest of efforts to resist indolence and temptations, but my hardships

were greatly rewarded. I became the author I always wanted to be. Your father, bearing all the love in his being, found his way to me and gave me the most precious gift in the entire world – you. And so began the halcyon days. What follows is the story that you know all too well and that you ought to finish.

The beauty of humanity is that it is both fragile and durable. We fail, but those failures fortify our spirits. Let this remind you that you are capable of so many things, even the seemingly unfeasible. I want you to know that even though the mind may fail to remember, the heart never forgets. My love for you is perpetual.

Mother

“’If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

35 // ALMNTK

MARK 9:23

21

ONE WITH THE WIND Gabby

The first gulp of smoke made my lungs sting that I had to give out a thunderous cough. The second was better. I watched as the smoke went up to join the air with dust and vapor and dirt. Vaguely, I thought of how it’s going to widen the hole in the ozone. Then again, I think I don’t care.

My body is getting used to the feel of smoke filling my insides. My hand is getting accustomed to its papery almost vulnerable texture. Huh. But there is nothing even slightly vulnerable with it. Right at this very second, in every inhale of it that I take, my life is being

decreased by hours at a rapid speed.

Yeah, well, at least I’ve lived at all.

I told myself I was gonna stop. And I did.

Well, for a week, at least.

Let the future me bear the consequences.

Mom was not a smoker. I can remember how she constantly warned my father how smoking will kill him. But after twenty years of smoking, he’s still alive and after ten years of warning my father, she died. I wonder, vaguely, if my father blames himself for her death.

Because I do. Every waking moment of this god-

3 6 / / AL M N T K

“And he said to them all, “If you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, take up your cross every day, and follow me.”

LUKE 9:23

awful life.

I went back to my room to pretend that I’m doing my homework. As I got there, I sat by my window and looked at how the sky is alive tonight. The stars are shining, looking so innocent, you’ll think they’re little diamonds up there and you’ll probably think that, that is a perfect place to live. I was lost in thought when someone suddenly spoke.

“I bet you can’t name any constellation up there,” I looked around my room but there isn’t anyone there except me.

“Up here,” the voice said. My eyes found where the voice was coming from. From my room to another room in the house next to ours.

There on the window opposite mine is a girl with the reddest hair I’ve seen in my whole life. I can’t make out her face as it is dark and she’s standing on the way of the light in her room. I swear if you look a second longer, you’ll think her head is on fire.

“Dude. You’re staring. That’s rude. It’s kinda creepy. I think I might like you,” she drawled on as she puffed a quite large amount of smoke.

That was the night I met Abby.

Sometimes I think if Abby is the personification of all my pent-up emotions, aloud and alive to disturb everyone unfortunate enough to be even relatively existing with her. In point of honesty, I must say that we are the only persons who tolerate each other, but the statement, “we became friends from that day forward” is better.

She’s one of those people whose names doesn’t fit their personality. Abby just sound so innocent, so kind, like a name of a well-behaved little lady. But the person Abby is a pole apart from her name. Black eyeliner, clothes that barely cover her skin, tattoos located unconventionally, loud music, pot.

I should have known better by then never to assume what a person is until I truly and deeply knew her. Even when we became friends, I thought she’s not afraid of anything.

I admired her fearlessness and her no-shit attitude. And she’s awfully honest about things and she would tell you some things you’d rather not hear. She can see through all my bullshits. She’ also awfully, awfully, sarcastic it nears the

border of amusing and annoying. fear, only the ecstatic feeling of being free, of being one Like that one time when I tried to talk sophisticatedly with the wind. Right at that moment, I thought we were but I’m just actually blurting out random highfalutin words immortals. Immune to all pains for we have endured it all. from a vocabulary material I’ve read the night before. She Invincible against all odds as we have nothing to lose. told me I sound like Mary Poppins doing a narration in a She somehow managed to grab on the steering National Geographic show. Or that time I tried wearing only wheel and slow down the vehicle and managed to stop black things even on a very hot day. She asked me screaming. My insides felt lighter as though I’ve if I joined the cult or I simply lack attention that been rid of something heavy like I was carrying I want to have a heat stroke in the middle of my a weight in my chest I don’t even know existed.

She class.

She slowed down but we continued to I always thought she was the funniest drive until we reached the beach. We didn’t get stopped person I knew. out but I think it’s more because of our wobbly crying I was on my way to the library when legs than the gruelling heat of the sun. somebody grabbed my arm and covered my “Who’s Laura?” I tried asking her again but and mouth. without the screaming but instead in a hushed peered “Don’t. Say. A. Word.” The voice warned voice. through clenched teeth.

She sighed and took a deep breath. outside I knew it was Abby even though she disguised “Laura, she… she is – was – my baby sister. the her voice in what she might think scary. She led me I’m five years older than her. She was perfect. out to the parking lot and pushed me in her car. I Curly black hair, her voice so soft. She got sick window slowly looked at her when she got inside and was when she was six and it changed her. It changed to look at surprised when I saw her shoulders shaking. She all of us. Now, I don’t know how … how her death was crying. Now, I have seen everything. will make of us.” the sun.

“What’s wrong Abbs?” I asked as I put my I was Abby’s friend but I never know she hand on her back to soothe her. had a sister. I thought she was an only child, I I worried “Sh-she’s gone,” Abby said in between her mean how she acted. she sobs.

“So, all those times – “ “Who? Who’s gone, Abbs?” “ – I had to go home early ‘cause I just might “Laura” don’t feel like listening to teachers drawl on. hurt her “Who’s she?”

Yeah. Either my mom and dad is away or Laura But she didn’t answer. She just cried for the simply wanted me by her side.” eyes, it’s whole thirty minutes we were in her car. Then she “I’m sorry, Abbs,” I said as I took her hands just two started driving. She drove the car towards the in mine. highway and I realized she was gaining speed.

She stopped crying and peered outside pm and Luckily, we are the only car on the road as it is the window to look at the sun. I worried she the sun noon and so hot and everyone is indoors. might hurt her eyes, it’s just two PM and the sun “Abby, will you calm down?!” I yelled at her is still so bright. is still so as panic crept through me.

I thought back to that moment on the bright.

“I can’t, Dani, I can’t!” she yelled back at me, road a while back. I guess it wasn’t the lack of frantically. “Laura’s gone and I’m still here and she anything to lose that kept my fear at bay but the is so much better than me I can never be half the bit of thought that we are immortals. But more person she was even if I try! I should be the one than that, it is our subconscious telling us that who’s dead, Dani.” we can do anything now that we have been through worse “Abby, who is Laura?” in life. We have carried the heaviest crosses we possibly She hit 100 and I thought, this is it. This is how I’m can. gonna die. She let go of the steering wheel and we began to scream. Vaguely, I wonder why we haven’t screamed earlier.

We screamed on top of our lungs as though the screaming would slow down the vehicle. We screamed but there is no AL MNT K / / 3 7

JOHN Joshua James R. Diño

38 / / A L M N T K

ACTS Mark John Coloquit

AL MNT K / / 3 9

40 / / AL M N T K

ROMANS Joshua James R. Diño

“Lo ve,

We, the Millennial, have always been judged for not having any idea of what happened during Martial Law, or as what others refer to it, “The Golden Age.” We were told to live in the present and to mind our own generation’s problems. We were told to let love prevail and to not keep record of wrongs. But let us not settle for an easy solution of forgiving the Marcoses just because we weren’t there during the Martial Law era, just because it is an issue from the past, and just because Ferdy, the 14-year long fascist dictator, is dead. He may be dead but the memories of dreadful state oppression, widespread corruption, and the missing bodies will remain alive and will forever seek justice.

Let us not embrace the concept of Historical Revisionism through changing little details of that period favoring the Marcos partisans. Let us not be fooled by the stories they claim through the use of social media, trying to influence us, that it was the golden age of the Philippines.

Media men, the best and brightest young people were jailed and tortured, women were sexually abused, raped, killed and many disappeared, as they counter the state, where their bodies can never be found. It can never be a golden age.

If we compare and contrast our present Freedom of Speech and Democratic country from the Martial Law era, we might not like the outcome of our bravery. Let us not forget Archimedes Trajano, a 21-year-old college student who questioned Imee Marcos on her leadership of the Kabataang Barangay in a forum. He also asked her about the human right violations tied to her father. On the same day, he was seen dragged by Imee’s security personnel, tortured and thrown

41 / / AL M N T K

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ere d; TE E, it k ee ps M TH B no R PE E rec or Ch A 1 C arl T S R A ORIN d of wro o u t TH en ng M of a eK E N IANS 13 s.” building :4ris TA 8 window. A few A. Bo L days later, his body was rb found lifeless and mangled e

in the streets of Manila.

Let us add to the list, Liliosa Hilao, a writer who oppose the Marcos regime through her works. One evening in April 1973, drunken soldiers were looking for her brother. When she asked for a a warrant of arrest, she was handcuffed by the soldiers and took her to Camp Crame. A day after that, her body was found slashed to her vagina with indications of sexaul abuse. Her face was beaten and her lips were burnt by cigarettes. Her throat had a hole, her brain and organs submerged in a bucket of muriatic acid.

8

21

Emmanuel Lacaba, a poet, essayist, script writer and playwright, was killed in combat together with other revolutionaries. He also used his works to oppose the Marcos regime. His body was found in a shallow grave, with his back flesh almost pulped, an indication that he seemed to be dragged along rocky terrains and gravels.

A 16-year-old, Luis Mijares, was abducted and tortured because his father, Primitivo Mijares, wrote a book that embodies condemnation to the rule of the Marcoses. His body was found in a dump outside Manila. His face was recorded unrecognizable with his head cracked, eyeballs scraped out, hands and feet crushed and chest bared multiple stab wounds.

They also claim that the Marcos regime was a compassionate and smiling dictatorship, but the truth is, people in the rural areas were subjected to inhumane and oppressive conditions.

Kalinga chieftain, Macli-ing Dulag, who led the people of Kalinga against the building of Chico Dam, was gunned down one evening in April 1980 of the military in Kalinga.

Revisionists also claim that the economy was on its peak during that time. The Philippines was

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the second top performing economy in Asia next to Japan by the time Diosdado Macapagal ended his presidential term.

As soon as Marcos the senior assumed presidency, it was a complete downturn. When Macapagal left the office in 1965, the foreign debt was at $599 million. But when Marcos, the senior , was ousted in 1986, it was a whopping $26.7 billion.

Biddings as well as checks and balances weren’t even available under the dictatorship.

Because of these colossal foreign debts, the economy went on a downward spiral and we are still suffering from its effects. It was written in accounts that Marcos, the senior, even begged Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore to lend the Philippines money from their country. Lee stated in his memoirs: “He (Marcos, the senior) sent his Minister for Trade and Industry (Roberto Ongpin) to ask for a loan of $300 – 500 million to meet the interest payments. I looked at him straight in the eye and said ‘we will never see that money back.’”

Both Loyalists and apologists who rely on revised history books claim that life during that time was peaceful and that people were properly disciplined.

It is unfair to equate the massive human rights violation with censorship. During that time, the state controlled the media and the only stories allowed to be printed are the praises of the Marcoses and their regime.

These loyalists also claim that Ferdy is the

greatest president. But let us remember that he faked his World War II Medals and fabricated his war exploits by claiming that his so-called guerrilla group, “Maharlika”, existed, which actually do not. He crept his way to be nominated as the Nacionalista Party’s standard bearer for the 1965 Presidential elections by using his cash to bribe the delegates to the party’s convention. This is not a great man.

He introduced the ‘Guns, Goons, and Gold’ mentality in dealing with the Filipino electorate, especially during the 1969 Presidential elections and the 1986 Snap Presidential Elections. He was culpable for the murder of at least 3,240 of his political opponents. He caused the torture of at least 34,000 and the illegal imprisonment of 70,000. He plundered public resources amounting to at least Php 167 billion and at least $15 billion.

To proclaim his Martial Law as legit, he controlled the Highest Court of the land. In the same manner, to prolong and legalize his authoritarian rule, he bribed, arm twisted and horse traded with the members of the 1971 Constitutional Convention. He made sure that he’ll get his and his family’s interest in the form of prolonging his hold on power. ‘A man known for building his own monuments is not a trait of a great man,’ as what people say it.

Alongside Marcos, the senior, is Imelda Marcos, his wife, known for her collection of a thousand pairs of shoes and expensive jewelries. In 1983, she spent $7 Million in just 90 days. She bought a Silver Tiara which the amount can send 2,000 students to college; she had a shopping spree in a day with $3 Million; $ 2 Million on Jewelries; $35,000 on limousines; $3.5Million to buy a Michaelangelo painting; $2,000 on chewing gum in San Frnacisco Airport; $10.3 Million to renovate Sarrat, Ilocos Norte for her daughter Irene Marcos’ wedding; b o u g h t building in New

Y o r k , including Woolwor th’s; bought every item in Sotheby’s art auction amounting a total of $5Million; ordered an airplane to turn around because she forgot to buy cheese in Rome.

Imelda can call the national flag carrier for an aircraft that will carry her to New York or any part of the world using the excuse that she was Marcos, the senior’s Ambassador-at-large, where actually she would just shop in luxury department stores. This resulted in delayed flights and heavy losses in the carrier’s profit.

Another brilliant record that was linked to Imelda is when she was rushing the construction of the Film Center for the International Film Festival in the early 1980’s. An accident occurred at the construction site and the workers were buried alive in the Film Center. Until now, the Film Center is haunted for the workers’ were not retrieved.

We shall remember the wanton display of ill-gotten wealth that his family did. We shall always remember what happened during the “Golden Age”.

This is not Love.

Never Again.

Never Forget.

AL MNT K / / 43

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“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

GALATIANS 5:1

44 / / A L M N T K

Pinutol na ang tanikala para sa kanya Ngunit iginapos pa rin ang sarili Sa ilusyong higit pa – Higit na maganda, Higit na matibay, Higit na matalino.

Iginapos ang sarili sa ilusyon Una’y sa paa APOS Hindi makahakbang, Hindi makaalis sa Gabby kinatatayuan.

Pataas ang kadena.

Ngayon ay nasa kamay na ito Pataas hanggang ngayo’y ito’y nasa leeg na Humihigpit ang kadena Humihina ang kanyang paghinga Ngunit patuloy pa rin ang ilusyon Mas hihigit pa

PHILIPPIANS Mark John Coloquit AL MNT K / / 45

“Huwag hamakin ng sinoman ang iyong kabataan; kundi ikaw ay maging uliran ng mga nagsisisampalataya, sa pananalita, sa pamumuhay, sa pag-ibig, sa pananampalataya, sa kalinisan.”

1 TIMOTEO 4:12

Ika-17 ng Enero, 1981

1995

Si Pablo, manananggol ng Pambansang Demokratikong Prente ng Pilipinas, ayon sa paninindigan ng kilusang sosyalista, at ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan na ating pag-asa.

Kay Timoteo, na aking tunay na anak sa pagkamakabayan, at nagaalab na nasyonalismong inaalay sa masang pinagsasamantalahan na dapat pagsilbihan at ipaglaban natin.

ANG UNANG SULAT NI PABLO KAY TIMOTEO RJ

Ang nakaraang dekada ay nagmistulang impyerno hindi lamang para sa ating mga manananggol, kundi para sa sambayanang Pilipino. Ikinubli ng tutang diktador na si Marcos ang kanyang mga pansariling interes gamit ang huwad na pagmamalasakit sa bansa.

Binaluktot niya ang katotohanan at ipininta ang ating kilusan bilang tagapaghasik ng kaguluhan. Ngunit alam natin, Timoteo, kung sino ang tunay na kalaban.

Gustuhin ko mang henerasyon namin ang mismong magkamit ng tagumpay, karamihan saami’y nagkamalay nang walang lakas ng loob na umalpas sa mahigpit na pagkakapiring sa mga mata at pagkakabusal sa bibig.

Kaya’t nakapatong sa balikat ninyong

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kabataan a n g m i s y o n g ibaling ang mga nakatutok na armas at lumalagablab na galit mula sa ating mga manananggol tungo sa mga diyos-diyosang oligarko at naghaharing uri.

Ang biling ito ay ipinagtatagubilin ko sa iyo, Timoteo na aking anak, upang sa pamamagitan ng mga ito ay makipagbaka ka ng mabuting pakikibaka.

Basagin mo ang paniniwalang marangal ang hindi pagpanig. Isang kahangalan ang sumilong sa kapayapaang hatid ng hindi pagkiling, dahil ito’y katumbas ng pagsasawalang kibo sa mga kalapastangan sa lipunan. Tandaan mong ang kasaysayan ng

Pilipinas ay naisulat ng mga mulat na bayaning pumanig, nanindigan at sinaklolohan ang mga naaapi.

Hindi sapat na kabisado mo ang kwento ng mga pinagsasamantalahang uri, ikaw mismo ay kailangang lumusong sa kanilang mga paghihirap. Hayaan mong ang pinagsaluhan ninyong pighati ang siyang magtulak saiyo na isulong ang pagpapalaya sa mga nasa laylayan ng tatsulok.

Kapag ika’y namulat ay kasalanan na ang pumikit. Hindi magiging madali ang daan tungo sa tuluyang pagbalikwas sa bulok na sistema.

Naway hindi ka mabulag ng pansamantalang mga kaligayahan nang ‘di ninyo mabaling ang tingin papalayo sa pangkalahatang kalayaan.

Oh Timoteo, ingatan mo ang ipinagkatiwala saiyo, na manatili kang mulat at patuloy kang magmulat: Nang sa gayon ay hindi kailanman malimot ng susunod na henerasyon ang mga kalapastangang hatid ng pasismo at kapitalismo sa ilalim ng huwad na mga pinuno; At nang sa gayon ay hindi kailanman umindak ang kabataan sa kumpas ng kahit sinong magmamanyika.

Ang gabay at proteksyon ng Inang Bayan ay sumainyo

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AL MNT K / / 47

I am no longer a being that you can see, but dear, I am with you still; a part of the world beyond what you know. You may not be aware of it, but I linger around; guiding you.

My existence in this realm you dwell in may have already reached its end. However that does not mean that yours should, as well. For being alive is an eccentric and serendipitous feat; incomparable to what I feel now.

I am a mere soul, wandering. I can see, but cannot express—no matter how much I want it to do so. So, please, live with no regrets.

I can only hope that my voice infuses itself to your dreams, for it is the only way I can make you listen now.

It is still not your time. There are things in life with which you still have yet to discover, experiences that will have the power to shape and make you. Keep a mind’s eye and do not waste any of it, as best as you can.

I know that life may seem unfair, callous, and imperfect. But, see, that is what makes it worthwhile to live. To come through endeavors that hurdle your way and still manage turn your face toward the iridescent sky and smile at the end of the day—that’s what perfection means.

You do not have forever to accompany you, and I know that we’ll meet again someday, but take time to savor every moment that is on your horizon and enjoy the breeze while it caresses your face—

Because nothing lasts forever.

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“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

HEBREWS 12:1

NOTHING LASTS FOREVER Kacy

17

“Patay ang katawang walang espiritu; gayundin naman, patay ang pananampalatayang walang kasamang gawa.”

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SANTIAGO 2:26

SI AIDA, SI LORNA AT SI FE Not Marco Sison (Mttlrst)

Si Aida, the tax payer Laging maagang gumising si Aida sa araw-araw upang maghanda sa kanyang trabaho.

Isa s’yang guro sa isang pampublikong paaralan at isang single-parent sa isa niyang anak. Sampung taon na siyang guro at aminado s’yang hindi sapat ang sweldong natatanggap niya na kadalasan ay delayed pa kung dumating. Sasabayan pa nang pagbayad sa kanyang mga loan at kaltas ng kontribusyon nya sa gobyerno. Ito ang araw-araw na laban na pilit niyang pinagtatagumpayan.

Patungo si Aida sa isang kooperatiba na nabanggit ng kanyang kapwa guro na nagpapa-utang nang malaking halaga ngunit may kataasan ang interes. Nagbabakasakaling

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Kaya marahil hindi tayo umuunlad dahil iba ang sinasabi ng ating mga salita sa ginagawa nang ating katawan.

“Umagang-umaga pa lang dada na nila ang mababasa ko sa social media patungkol sa samu’t saring bagay. Ewan! Bakit kasi may mga ganyan, hindi marunong magpasalamat at umintindi sa kalagayan ng iba. #SorryNotSorry”, ang unang post ni Fe ngayong araw.

maka-utang para pang-tuition ng kanyang kapatid na nag-aaral sa kolehiyo. Dala-dala ang mga requirements na nabanggit ng kanyang kapwa guro, umaasa si Aida na mapagbibigyan sya.

Habang naghihintay sa pila kasama ang iba pang umaasa sa munting tulong na makukuha, ibinaling niya ang atensyon sa social media.

Inner Self. *Habang nagbabasa ng mga balita sa social media* “Nakakatuwa naman ‘tong panukalang free tuition fee sa lahat ng pampublikong kolehiyo. Sa wakas may narating din ang buwis na binabayaran ko.

Mas mapapagaan nito ang pang-araw-araw naming pamumuhay.” *scrolls down* “Mas maganda kung below 25k ang pwedeng ma-exempt sa pagbabayad ng buwis para makasama ang karamihan sa mga pampublikong guro. Ang hirap na nga pagkasyahin ang delayed na sahod eh.” *scrolls down* Saglit na nagbago ang ihip ng hangin dahil sa nabasa niyang artikulo.

“Ibinigay na nga sa kanila ang bahay ng libre pati ba naman patubig at kuryente!? Nakakahiya naman po sa mga nagbabayad ng tax. #SorryNotSorry” *sabay pindot sa share button* Biglang natigilan si Aida nang tawagin na siya.

“Miss Aida Ramirez,” ani ng isang empleyado sa kooperatiba. *lumapit si Aida*

“Sorry, Miss Aida hindi po namin kayo mapagbibigyan sa ngayon. Naghigpit po ang management na kailangan nang collateral bago kayo mapapa-utang. Ganon pa man, kapag mayroon na po kayong maaaring gawing collateral, mapapautang na po namin kayo.

Paumanhin po, Miss Aida,” dagdag pa ng babae.

“Ganon ba? Salamat,” ang tanging naitugon ni Aida.

“Oh Diyos ko, patatagin mo po ako,” sambit ni Aida pagkalabas ng bangko.

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Si Lorna, the endoworker Huling araw na sa trabaho ni Lorna. Tapos na kasi ang kanyang kontrata sa isang fast food na anim na buwan nya ring pinapasukan. Kailangan nya na naman maghanap ng bagong trabaho kasi kung hindi paano sila mabubuhay ng kanyang pamilya. Nakapagtapos man nang apat na taong kurso, hindi pa rin siya makahanap ng mas maayos at pangmatagalang trabaho.

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2 Habang naghihintay ng dyip papuntang trabaho ay nakabasa ng post si Aida tungkol sa insidente hinggil sa pabahay na libreng ibinigay ng gobyerno para sa mga maralitang lungsod. Tila nag-init ang tenga ni Maria kaya ishinare nya ito kasabay nang caption na: “Ang tatamad kasi kaya naghihirap. Kung nagtratrabaho kayo eh di sana maganda ang pamumuhay nyo. #SorryNotSorry” Sa trabaho.

“Oy Mars, may alam ka bang pwedeng mapagapplyan, endo na ako,” ani ni Lorna.

“Subukan mo Mars sa kabilang fast food chain. Alam ko naghahanap sila ng mga bagong crew, may bagong branch kasing magbubukas dyan sa tinatayong Mall,” ani naman ni Diane, na tatlong buwan palang sa trabaho.

“Hindi ba mahirap makapasok?” tanong ni Lorna.

“Hindi naman siguro pero alam ko medyo magastos sa requirements,” sagot ni Diane.

“Kumusta naman ang sweldo?” dagdag pa ni Lorna.

0 2 1 0 “Sabi nila 50pesos ang rate pero all-around ka dapat. Pero ang panimula ata, 35 pesos at tataas na lang depende sa performance mo sa mga naunang linggo,” tugon naman ni Diane.

“Ganon ba. Sige. Susubukan ko kesa mabakante ‘di ba?” ani ni Lorna kasabay ng pagbuga ng napakalalim na buntong-hininga.

“Oh Diyos ko, patatagin mo po ako,” ang sambit ni Lorna.

----------------------------------Si Fe, the blogger Tanghali na nang magising si Fe, bakasyon na kasi at ‘di tulad sa iba wala na siyang kailangang ihabol na requirements sa kanyang mga subjects. Bilang tipikal na kabataan, una niyang hinahanap ang cellphone pagkagising upang icheck lahat ng social media accounts nya. Aktibo si Fe sa social media isa kasi siyang blogger at kadalasan sa mga isinusulat ay

patungkol sa mga trending na issue. Siguro kaya ganon na lang ang naging reaksyon nya nang mabasa ang isang artikulo tungkol sa #OccupyBulacan.

“Ano ba yan, nagkalat ang mga trolls.”

Sabay pindot sa SHARE button at lagay nang caption na: “Sabi ng prof ko sa Journ 101, magsulat tungkol sa anggulong hindi pa nasusulatan ng iba. Hindi naman sinabi na mag-imbento nang anggulo para may istorya. #SorryNoSorry” *post and scrolls down ulit* “Buti pa siguro na gumawa ako blog entry to oppose the trolls para hindi na ako makabasa nang mga baluktot na post tungkol sa mga issue. Para hindi na masira ang araw ko.”

Biglang natigilan si Fe nang marinig nya na ang talak ng nanay niya sa baba.

“Hoy Fe! Ipapaalala ko lang sa’yo hindi tayo mayaman, kaya tumulong ka naman sa mga gawaing bahay! Bakasyon naman kaya wala ka nang dahilan para magpirmi dyan sa kwarto mo!”

“Hay. Andyan na po, baba na.”

“Abangan nyo post ko mamaya. Laters baby!” *status posted*

0 2 1 0

AL MNT K / / 5 1

52 // ALMNTK

JAMES 2:17

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

LDR. Cass of Bukowski

Naging uso ngayon ang online dating dahil sa paglawak ng koneksyon ng isang tao gamit lamang ang smartphone na puno ng iba’t ibang application na maaaring magdala ng ligaya sa ating buhay. Naging madali sa atin ang makipagkilala at makipaghalubilo sa mga taong hindi naman talaga natin kilala ng personal. Dahil na rin dito, may mga nabuong relasyon o ito na yung tinatawag na Long Distance Relationship, LDR for short.

Maraming mga konotasyon ang tao tungkol sa LDR. Sinasabi ng karamihan na ang LDR ay mahirap; hindi maganda dahil sa kawalan ng “physical touch”; walang kasiguraduhan kung loyal sa isa’t isa; at kung ano-ano pa.

Lahat ng pasakit ay kayang tiisin ng isang nagmamahal, hindi ba? Lahat kaya mong isugal para lamang sa iyong sinisinta.

Kayang magtiis ng isang pusong tumitibok at sumisigaw ng “Mahal kita” sa bawat oras na lumilipas na kayo’y magkalayo. Kaya nila.

Tanging komunikasyon ng mga magkarelasyong LDR ay ang paguusap sa cellphone, video chat at text. Ang hirap ‘di ba? Minsan wala pang load o kaya ‘di makaconnect sa wifi. Minsan naman, mahina ang signal, choppy tuloy ang usapan sa telepono.

Sa bawat minutong lumilipas, gusto mong nariyan lamang siya.

Kung wala sa iyong tabi, eh dapat naroon siya sa lugar kung saan kahit anong oras, kaya

m o n g mapuntahan.

K a h i t magkalayo kayo, ‘yung pagtitiwala ay nariyan.

Alam mong mahal ka niya, mahal mo siya, kaya ‘di mo iisiping may iba. Lagi ninyong ipinaparamdam sa isa’t isa ang pagmamahal.

Hindi ito nawawala, at hinding-hindi ito mawawala.

Mga salitang gusto laging mapakinggan; mga matatamis at mabulaklak na mga letra na siyang bumubuo sa mga salitang nagpaparamdam ng langit sa ating mga puso. Ngunit, kung hindi naman ginagawa, paano na kaya? Ika nga, In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Hindi lamang puro dapat salita, dapat may gawa. Hindi mo dapat sabihing mahal mo siya kung pagtalikod niya, iba ang katabi mo sa pagtulog. Hindi mo dapat sabihing sa kanya lamang ang puso mo kung sa tuwing aalis siya, ipapamigay mo na lamang ito sa iba na para bang kay dali nilang makuha ang iyong matamis na “oo” na kanyang pinaghirapang makamit. Ang mga salitang laging binibitawan sa tuwing kayo’y magkausap ay dapat may kaakibat na aksyon.

Oo, mahirap ang LDR. Pero kung tunay ang pag-ibig na inyong nadarama para sa isa’t isa, walang mahigit na distansiya ang pipigil at maghihiwalay sa inyong dalawa.

and The known out Sloth l to all. e a lies yawn ts unfi on a pi as he l n for ished e of h t God e thou asks, g pat is ever ht ie min nt and d nap if he won’t t . long The G ook a r mou s for a eedy with ntain o pos the hi f gold g s he t ible pe hest h will ought ak, for if h provide God e And seeks only . sinf so the u con l yout h t for inues t t o tha hey tho sin, t Go ugh unc d t ond will be itio nall com y and passio forg nate ivin g.

“For everything in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – comes not from the Father but from the world.”

5 3 / / AL M N T K

WITH EYES TO HEAR AND EARS TO SEE RJ 1 JOHN 2:16

ps ud kee The Pro up d his hea e looks h high as m his o fr n w o d for he r, e w to t God though nd a d e s s ble im more loved h rest of e than th ers. The th his bro oans m Lustful re as su in plea t sts fas he thru , for rd a and h od ught G he tho to e v E d create heart’s fill his . The desires curses l fu th ra W mies e n e is h ves for and cra nizing go a ir e th e ll, for h downfa od’s G t h g u tho should justice ed rc fo n be e

54 // ALMNTK

JUDE Joshua James R. Diño

a not lang ol liw, ipin ni ng i a k a l g an a al tung ng a a h t , a 5 o a m ar : 1-2 cha, Filipin a g sa a ang uwiran o , h n L S c o D t il ny *Lo kay rdinary --ka-D ni sa i uktot n ang ka k g a s l o o l n u ir ri al gi igy as 1 M just an Locha G na ma aghaha kap . Binab g mab s n a na ” list, ider ng inawag at sa p m n sa Diyo os upa layan. i a h g n i r l n y t a o jou go at l kat milala ng Di g kah wala mga politik b pag u ri an ng Rod Para sa hay sa “…sa ayaw k ng-loo kanil itiko o! :4 l a g u o n p m g o AS 1 dah u n a n t a m a a y .

JUD g na ay mg a Hun a ka s g mga , mabuh sa a D ty, m PRR 2 Par at loyal sa an g i d ulat inin ng is ddy D, Guro a a pan n n a ad ko s ting Da gawa Huw nais g a g gina mga , ang -loob n t sa n S Ang D g -D ira a a akin a o’y n a n a k i h n a y a a s g n d p i M n to 3 ng puro t sa na i kaga ang ta kong media ng isula digan a al ’y o h n a i m a g iny it naki a n n m e a p str aila a ing kilal ngun ga main ang k inyong ta sa at an. Kay a ’t r a m m a yo o n pinu nin si P y n n p i a a u l ng a n K i s s a a no. g .

RRD, g k a a d a a y p a i p w h t g a a a l a n ang i kan a a m 5 Ka at oon ating g p atay no i r t h o e i isan nampal ngayon pang d , y t nais b kata n o a u g a a , s alam as-ta ko p ng p sa y k t pan addy D g blog l o a asan a n n l . pas loya g niya ngulo a ring ipa a ninyo na D wa ako ohanan na naka mang l tungko a n a l a g n a t a a g n a l g o n r a bans g la n a W m a s y g a a g gum ga kat at lihim wala g r h n a i a sa inyo la Ko a a b d t a a k u m l g g n i g rugis na il g ntra krim mga ang 4 sapa yangon uktot n pang m w nilan ta ili e D Du un bal Aya repu mainstre . Subalit roga, pin n, ipinat gtas ga h D. Bina b ni PRR layan. t , u a u a m p m p k s a y s ilit n d on a niy med Extra ang Daddy ng-loo g kaha da a ia a judic a g lan ial K hil isina na ito sinisiraa ang atin gandah kani i n s l a 6 l g a i n a n n n g Alala g gs. awa g hind sa k iran a ha i raw kaniyang w at k nanatil nin din n niya katu apan i sa i n a y ng o gyar pang ihan kanilan ang mg ulo. g , a K mo sila’y ung hus dahil wa dating Dilawan g la si gaha k nang mali lang alagaya n ak n n o l ng p aaliw a is. Oo, t na totoo ng maru oyalty s anro a mi a gtutu pa p roma ng l MA y a a r n nagl la dahil sa, ngu o ng ta ntaran a kala NU ipan n k m s i o t sil a ka ang ng a sa bata SK a’y nila pa in s hang sa ‘di ma ternet. ng mga mas ma raan RI Cha h g K s p a a * a TO Pagh ng sa s apatid n ya’t sil x video lay rlen a u i a s na NI Dilem hukom. la’y hatu tanikal ’y ginap eK LO a at os n lan s Saya ma.

CH ris i g b n a i g n da il ‘di k A. B A o na kilang A anggo -sav orb r a w e nu e mbe ng r ni 55 / / AL M N T K

17

ina na s ninyo ng mga in d a p in lahan at iba w Death 7 Ala Batobato, Baba lowers, g t n a as le-b no Kastañ ro diuma ilang whist nag-utos b b g s n m a a e b lo miy ma sila’y pangu , ay lu aman Squad iin na ang y. Kaya n an dahil id sla as upang ang mang- ang kaligt na itong il sa nil sa ka ot sa kan Magsilbi yong k . ang in natata inirang ito il niyo na n ig a It , sa p sa lahat. ilawan ga D babala oals. ng m t ng Fake a G in d #Squa Ganyan d agpapakala kanilang p 8 ng nilang an nila a nila ang is sa ka dahil y dinudung hinahamak ang ating a it , News tawan RD at nilala g ka PR in il r a s mga an ni ih r a y o ng g pinun l sa kapan DDS. o a k n g n i tu aen mga k Kahit si L alita siya B, ay M N L s a 9 g mag ni Marcos s n gawa a a n n n, ng ay Dilawa g ng bangk yon at wala abi niya in sin as paglib alam sa ok nging nd a Ang ta murderer a g walan igilan ito. a f, p thie ng upang cos was a Dilawa ro.” ar g mga awaan. no he n ay “M n is a e g r. H uun stan a dictato At nilalapa di nila na DDS s 10 mga ang ay g m n u o n y a . Sila ta a g t n li n a a a nam ito na b a ang n na uwad dia n Sisiraa agitan ng h tream me lubog na s a p m in k pama g mga ma g kanilang hama n gpapa y an tulad ang a namang ma m la iniisip , na siya t ang yo kilabo akilanegos a. a sa K il ! s a il d s il o sa kan Kaawa-awa kat sumun g media. g 11 on pa ila sa a desperad hindi sila itin n sasap wa ng mg hilippines, News, na P ba e halim g Square g Fak n awa n Tulad biling gum tu nag-a

56 / / AL M N T K

3 rea s dahil ons why L la Nagh mang sa ocha sho uld pa im Daily agsik sila lugi nilan n’t run, n g News Admirer n g tulad ng negosyo. , Philip a gu m Tiyak na tatakb pine o raw awa ng sila’y Squa F ako s malu re. a Sen ake lugi ring katula ado.

12 d ng at Napa kalak k a s ir ing a maka sama ang-puri kahih pang iyan ninyo ang m sil iniint agkakapat sa mga s indi alu-s a’y id. along kund Kaya Wala i n silang Bibe aman nag ang kanil Rally ang s a g a w upan s Dilaw g alis a kami n arili. an. in an g mga g Palit 13 S biben ila’y na a g m n gawa g bula a ga alon ng k y an s a g ka dagat ahiya bituin nil -h magp na nak iya; mga ang mga ala akaila ligaw nman an sa 1 . kadil na iman paha 4 Tungko ya l B.A.B g ni Bon din sa k .A.O m doc, anila na k rally t ovem ang ab e a ibig s yo. Hindi g nt. Sinabi ilang sa a ban niya, alit a n sa an “ g pwe g gasolina Mag 1 rs . Pagpang 5 Linisin ulo. natin a. ang palig T id ng nang anggalin a tapat ng ay . Ipak ang n aw m it a a a nat mga b gbabago in sa gtrabaho a m atas, kund y hindi la undo na i tayo 1 ng m mang ang walan 6 Ang ga m g kasiy ga Dilaw tao.” alipin ahan ang n g , kanila mga ito’y ma ng m m asasa pamintas manlo ayayaban , mang g, at ko pa na sa ra ma kuha nay na s sa, anay ang g usto Mga B nila. abala at mg a Pay o

inyo anin n alalah ls at ng , S D D kaa Gir 17 Mga mga Loch sa bi ng Rodrigo. a in s a nila g ang abi n gulon in n s a p ’y ating g on pa 18 No is coming”. a mga taon s a ge g n n o m a y h s i, C g inyo, “ Ito ang solu baha-baha g n a m a 9 a k 1 pagka ang masas d ng ha ng nil oo lumilik lipin ng ka ayaw man e ng a Tub ng taong a tao a You at mg tutorials s ngan natin a s a n a video aakit. Kail a pangulo. n gaming g pan at matatag na Bakal sa n a m ta y apang nsang Kama t a g n m ng ba tin ng lema an na b g o n r a p il Ka sa kayo, ungo atag pakikit pakat dali ang g a m a ito. i m unit a 20 Ng dahil hind pa ring mg ang ami DDS, r il s a a k M . in nat mga atin ik at aka n ‘wag pakikib a lipunan, ng nanahim ilang n s a b*bo arami ahil ayaw ung in. M d isis. K na gayah kialam alaking kr a o m k para ayaw kot sa m g ik ay g g akin masan mananahim grasya an is y d ako a ayaang ma a uport in ring h a bayan. g sum kayon g na kayo ln a i h il a t a m a n n 21 Ma g at huw People ca lo a ing b l media. mi p k a a r a a m a s dition lve. Mas a r t o sa ev and grow

rin tayong supporte mga mai rs kump nstream media. D ara sa po natu ahil hind tunan sa i es authentic journalism kwelahan ang .

22 Nasa 5 mill supporte rs. Kaawaa ion ang ating n ninyo Dilawan. ang mga 23 Ang ib a na ninyo dah ma’y ka il aw isa na ak hindi nila matangg aan ong miyem ap na kasuklam b ro ng an ninyo MTRBC; silang ay Rated PG aw gawin ang soft p g orn.

Bendisyo n 24 Sa kany a na p kung kayo ’y malulul apatay sa inyo ong sa d kaniya na roga, sa palamura ngunit na dahil b*l lsh* it na kasisiya man tala kaniya na ga, at sa mahilig m maalindog anipol sa na binib mga 25 sa iis ini, an g tagapaglig lider na tas, sa ating pamamag Rodrigo na itan ni p DDS, sa ng angulo natin, sa mga kaalan ni Lo Girls, mul cha, at ng a pa noon g una, ngay Locha anim na ta on, at sa on! Put*ng -ina.

AL MNT K / / 5 7

Siguro, if I were to answer the Miss Universe question for Maxine, I will told them that the most significant change in the world for the past 10 years is technology particularly the social media because through social media, in this very moment, I have the chance to share my opinions on issues that not only concerns me as a youth but all issues that concerns me as a Filipino. So as far as the perks of social media is concern, I believed, we have the power to choose on how we use this significant change we have for the past 10 years and counting. Thank You and Mabuhay!

Kidding aside. Lately, I’m so bothered kasi with so much fake news in my news feed in my social media accounts and as a concerned citizen, I’m very eager to do something with this. For we all know that pen is mightier than sword, I guess it’s a smart way to write against it even I’m actually typing.

As one of my professor in Journ 101 told us, para mas maging

NOTICE TO PUBLIC Fe, the blogger (Mttlrst) “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walked about, seeking whom he may devour.”

1 PETER 5:8

58 / / AL M N T K

, we namin nt -write re a fe ir if n yong . y in d patok e the stor rent angle e fe s e dif th , a in must b i ctive, laga d perspe n naman ta e, the more o ar I’m So gan ferent you t. But e dif you ou k more check angle to ma , l il w people if inventing ut syempre B s l unrea curiou nted? is cou ical to write ess I u story g th e I n u so ry it’s ve naman eh, n na. uestio werful stories d my own q o p a is re answe with, media consider as in y o g ll e a To b ese s actu ith th t ment, instru rth state. W oners mus ti u t the fo ower, practi onsibly jus p resp wer o r p e much t w a e po , “gre use th erman said ponsibility”. id es like Sp ith great r ist? w ex rm comes oes media to info yd edia is society m f So wh o e e s th o f p o r t The pu ou be aware ll you wha te ty r and le ng with. To its for you c lo li you be on and so edia is an g s . M is goin out it e. It allow ns ab rs opinio for discou as, argue if e e r avenu exchange id convince o e, t way a you to ry, persuad th sa ea. In neces ers id nections. , rts oth n suppo lso build co onnections c a media edia builds m Since

we en co article unter or rea d ab DO NO out particula a malicious T SHA r issue RE be indirec please c a tly for the mis use we help the pe ople aro inform ation o und us Hear m f . e not, if I tell me be cause y o u believe I’m rig me, if d ht. Bu I t belie is righ tell you to ve t. Bein d g part iscover wha which t of the un media, daily li deniably is ving, h a as a re part of ou deliver r sponsib the tru il th but also re qu as aud ity to ience it critical. ires us to do o A the fals nd that is ho ur duty to be w we e e truth liminate .

You, m y read er, thing, mamula I ask you to t ka at d pipikit huwag o one pa. ka nan g

through media, we can organize the masses for a certain cause.

We can educate each other to mobilize and make a change.

Just like Martial Law years, media in the form of mosquito press, serves as tool of bringing people le. together. Media is intended to y as a who the societ serve as linkage between sectors, rong endangers divided for a w connects them and let them us It made realize that they all have the same gies reason. in ideolo d d, differ exact problem –end the abusive an ee t d ec in sp We, to re t regime of Marcos. we tend we accep but still se au ec b ted ase Aside from these, media serves be respec law –we can’t ple e nc also as eyes and ears to the ral to existe the natu society. Set a siding, personal . But due we are so everyone h, ut tr l false interests, media must make sure e the of severa beliefs b make our . It made us that no other versions of truth will eager to le b w, it g accepta prevail. In all forms, media must only thin d and yello etween re powerful. lead us in only one truth. Idealistic divided b e th lambs of it may seem but that is all we must made us g, media is the thin have need –a media that will serve the re t he us m ut B it market; l. To people and for the people alone. s fu it er ve ow ha n p to remai rms Even how good it can be, people fo e l nc al ie d au news and ke efit fa are so cunning to make good thing en b te r ra tole neve truth will der to make into bad. Since media –a powerful of false or in em. So earmeans of building bridges, can ust be cl e us but th sh, you m th also be a way to burn them. these vani vigilant because d and False truth created by fake news, headed an ns to the people, nt mai social media trolls and the likes e can sile power re to you. W uth it remains ents of false tr cial on the prop tion. In so llective ac locked and b through co be olls can with media, tr e thing the sam hen w d , te at or th p re Aside from s. w ne fake

AL MNT K / / 5 9

“ May darating sa gitna ninyo na mga huwad na guro. Lihim silang magtuturo ng mga maling aral na ang dulot ay kapahamakan.�

2 PEDRO 2: 1

Nagbabala si Trillones sa mga gumagawa ng huwad na balita sa social media, mga tinatawag na Trolls.

Silang gagawa ng paraan upang iligaw ang mambabasa sa katotohanan.

Ipatutupad ni Trillones ang manuskrito numero 259 upang maparusahan ang Trolls na ito.

Ngunit ayon sa isang fallen angel na si Tarrot, ang pag parusa sa mga gumagawa ng Fake News ay kawangis ng pag parusa sa pag sulat ng Fiction.

Isang huwad na pahayag mula sa huwad na pagiisip sapagkat ito’y hindi tama.

Nais linawin ng mga propeta ang pagkakaiba ng dalawa dahil ang Fake News: Naglalahad ng totoong balita ang mga Social Media Trolls; samantalang ang Fiction: Trolls (2016).

Siyang Tunay.

SIYANG TUNAY Charlene Kris A. Borbe

60 / / AL M N T K

REVELATION Joshua James R. Diño

AL MNT K / / 6 1

Sa bawat pagdikit ng pluma sa papel, ang mga letra’t guhis ang nagdikta nang bawat pagtitig at paghaplos, nang bawat pagbuklat at pagtupi sa mga pahinang nagnanais magpalaya.

PAS ASA LA MAT

Nawa’y ang bawat salita sa mga akda ang siyang maging paalala na ang bawat pagsusumamo ay magbubunga.

Ang bawat linya sa mga dibuho ang maging tagapaggunita na ang dugong dumadaloy sa’yong ugat ay instrument ng pagbabago.

Tandaan ang mga aral: ‘Wag magpagapos sa tukso ‘Wag bulagin ang sarili ‘Wag itikom ang bibig.

Anak ng kahapon, patunayang ikaw ang pag-asa ng bukas.

Simulan mo ngayon.

ALIMAN Ang Opisyal na kalipunan ng mga akdang pampanitikan ng University of Nueva Caceres

TOMO IV

TA K LUPONG PATNUGUTAN at MGA KASAPI 2017-2018 Punong Patnugot Ruby Jane L. Bandola Kapatnugot Gabrielle D. Fullante Tagapamahalang Patnugot Maryvil O. Rebancos Patnugot sa Lathalain Charlene Kris A. Borbe Patnugot sa Balita Precious Kacy D. Faraon Patnugot sa Palakasan Matthew L. Loresto Patnugot sa Sining Joshua James R. DiĂąo Tagapamahala sa Sirkulasyon Mark John M. Coloquit Tagapamahala sa Web Johnell B. Cabusas Tagapamahala sa Pananaliksik Noli G. Ama Mga Apprentice Emilaine Ann A. Cabral

Michael Jefferson Caligan Nichole Rae A. Dizon Trishia Mae F. Job Eugene S. San Jose Catherine C. Buena Mga Tagapayo Ruby L. Bandola

Shirley A. Genio