Waves of Life (An Original Zine by 12 Compassion)

Waves of Life

E D I T O R I A L B O A R D A N D S T A F F

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

ANGEL SABELENO

ALLEO JAY PEÑONAL

ANGELA TRIXIE PINO

ASHLEY NICOLE RICO

GODSLEY TABUÑAG

KAISER ALZATE

KYLE GRAMATICA

LYDRICH BRIONES

RUSSEL KURT CODILLA

SOPHIA DELA CRUZ

VIDI PEREZ REFUEZO

EDITOR - IN - CHIEF

CHOLIE NACITO

ASSOCIATED EDITOR

STACY BLESS CAMBARE

ABOUT THE ZINE

Each and every person in this universe has an unforgettable moment in life that harshly affects them emotionally and mentally. It's a tattoo in their minds that cannot be surgically removed or cannot even be hidden using the most expensive makeup existing in this world. This zine is all about our life episodes with an actual experience. It's a wave blow of life encounters splashing in the sand of our whole lives. Through these stories, you will discover numerous emotions when going through the pages of our adventures and journey’s in life. These stories will be a reminder that every moment we experience should be treasured and valued. You will be conscious of various feelings as you unveil each page of our zine.

UNEXPECTED FALL

Heading to School on a bright but cheerless day, silence hung heavy in the air as I walked down the street of empty storefronts, The only sound was the faint echo of my footsteps. I made my way down the corridor, As I climbed the steps I caught the sounds of giggles of my friends in the classroom, the atmosphere filled with delight, making my day on top of the world.

As the bell rang, the classroom door swung open, and a rush of excitement spilled into the hallway, laughter and chatter filled the air as students streamed out. As We chatted near the staircase, one fleeting tragedy occurred to me, As I took one step backward, my socked feet slipped slightly on the polished wood. At that moment, time seemed to suspend.

Life flashed before my eyes, as my vision began to blur. Seeing my friend gasp, as I stumble into the unknown. Began to rapidly descend down on the remaining steps, approaching the ground at speed.

A loud bang accord, landing my head heavily on the floor. Hearing the sounds of yells and gasps, as I was losing my conscious. A wave of urgency swept through the school corridors as the news of the tragedy spread like wildfire. Voices hushed in whispers of concern and curiosity, other students calling for nearby teachers, as I was in a deep slumber.

NEW YEAR, NEW HOPE

The arrival of the New Year fills me with anticipation akin to a dog joyfully wagging its tail. It's a time of exchanging gifts, reveling in parties, and embarking on adventures with loved ones, just like the traditions I've cherished with my family and friends. Everyone around is as industrious as a bustling bee.

It vividly reminds me of the new year that we had last January this year. I had so much fun playing games with my cousins because it's easy as shooting fish in a barrel, exchanging gifts not to mention to those people who were so generous who gave me gifts without expecting in return. We were playing outside the house although the sun playing hide and seek with the clouds. Me and my cousins spent time talking about everything and I had these one cousin who's funny as a barrel of monkeys. He had these funny stories and we were all laughing.

The other one is as curious as a cat that nothing escapes his attention. A well diverse cousins I must say. We were like children craving for food that we could eat a horse. New Year reminds me that we really have to appreciate even the smallest thing in this world. Life is likea box of chocolates. For me New Year represents new hope and new journey in life because it brings changes to our lives and make the best out of its opportunities. I would say that I will always look forward for the New Year to come.

DELIGHT IN SURPRISE CONFECTION

I settled into the belief that this day, turning a page in a forgotten book, quietly came and went. I've never been one for the extravagance of celebrations, so their absence didn't weigh on me.

But I was framed by the most wonderful surprise, a moment that inscribed the knowledge of my importance into the very fabric of my existence. I realized that I was special to my friends in a way I'd never truly comprehended before. Their efforts to surprise me were like a symphony of love and affection, with every note played with care and perfection. I noticed a collective gleam in the eyes of my closest friends, a spark of delight kindled by my presence.

As I blew out the candles, I understood that I was more than just a friend to them; I was a confidante, a laughing companion, and a shoulder to cry on during life's storms. Their ability to pull off this surprise was proof of the special position I was in. My emotions swelled like a tidal wave as reality rushed over me. My eyesight became blurred as tears welled up in my eyes. At that moment, my heart was a vast ocean, and thanks and love were the waves crashing against the shores of my being, leaving traces of joy and appreciation in their wake. Their unexpected exhibition of devotion had struck a deep chord within me, and the depth of our bond had stunned me.

This slice of life was framed with gratitude, frosted with care, and sprinkled with the realization that I was extraordinary, not because of outstanding actions but because of the true relationships we had built. The cake and gift were more than just wonderful gestures; they were a vivid reminder that I was valued, adored, and forever etched into the sweet tapestry of my friend's hearts.

QUAKE OF EMBARRASSMENT

As the sun descended, casting long shadows in the wake of our final class, my yearning for my friend's house, where the cadence of basketball beckoned, swelled within. In the midst of my stride, an abrupt stomachache gripped me, unbalancing my steps. Desperation urged me onward, clutching my midsection and hastening my journey to the sanctuary of the restroom. While my friends reveled in the warmth of the sun's embrace, bathed in laughter and playful camaraderie, I sought refuge within the restroom, attending to a private interlude.

Unfortunately, I sensed a quiver, and all I could distinguish were the echoes of 'earthquake! ' It wasn't until I felt its recurrence that I fully grasped the seismic truth. In the face of the daunting encounter, I sensed a surge of nervousness and panic, which set off a trembling in my posterior, resulting in a continuous and involuntary expulsion of its contents.

"I'm still in the comfort room!" I shouted, my voice reverberating in wild echoes. My friends watched my haste to reappear and seek relief from the unexpected ordeal while loud laughter reverberated deep into their minds. Up to this day, I remain haunted by the events, chuckling to myself as I replay that fateful moment in my mind.

SWEET SOULFUL DAY

My father wonderfully drove me on the way to school together with serenity, I embraced the warmness of the sun and the freshness of the airbrushed through my hair. He fetched me with a heart-warming smile and there is a lightness in every step I take, together with a skip in my heartbeat.

I went into the gate facing a new challenge within my day, I walked and skipped as if I were in wonderland. I went into our classroom with a huge grin and squinting eyes because of the overboarded joy, I felt nothing but euphoria. I sat down with a feeling of glee in my heart and I dreamed of my hand painting the pretty scenery that would happen today—all the greens of the blooming garden and shades of blue in the skies. But then, I received the most heartwrenching message from my mother. My hands were like waterfalls, my head weighed a ton as my eyes followed the words that were plastered on my screen.

My mind went blank for a moment as I froze in time. Her words splashed to me like boiling water awakening my physical and mental state. A moment flashed between my eyes as I thought of how much agony my father must've felt. Conscience consumed my being as a gleaming memory appeared in my mind of my father delightfully dropping me off at school. And hearing the loud voices in my head blaming myself because of what had happened to him. A slap of despair puts me on my knees. No! my cerebrum said. My lips spread like a rubber. Standing taller than a tree. A decision to overcome all the despair that comes my way.

THE SHIFTING SHADES OF EMOTION

The afternoon began in utter silence, while the little girl's mind wandered into daydreams. As the hours slipped away, the young girl was struck by an inspiration to venture outdoors. The day waned, painting the sky with the hues of a setting sun, while the night began to awaken, casting the moon aloft, reminiscent of a feline's vigilant gaze.

As she tripped, her lips blossomed into a crescent smile, and her eyes expanded to rival the sun's brilliance. She joyfully dashed across the street. An unexpected awareness crept beneath her soles, an unspoken torment that cast a sudden shadow over her, plunging her into a world of darkness. As the circle tightens around her feet, she finds it difficult to breathe and think freely. She felt as though she was drowning in the weight of her emotions and unable to free herself Shock immediately startled her out of her comfortable existence. It dispelled the frail illusion of invincibility she had held onto. The blood was all over her feet when she recognized it, which horrified her.

After that, all she could hear were the voices of shouting and panic echoing in her head and ears Her mother's silent mourning and tears carved rivers through the map of her heart.

Upon awakening, she found herself adrift in the sea of her bedsheets, the shores of memory obscured by the fog of confusion, and her past night's journey a hidden treasure chest awaiting discovery. Afterward, her mother painted a vivid scene of danger, describing how she was struck by a motorcycle as she dashed across the street.

DARK SKIES IN GRAY NOVEMBER

That day was a snap. It became a reminder for me to not shrink myself ever again. That moment was like a lifetime, yet, I felt it passing. I was frozen into place by my encounter of the being in front of me He casually blabbed words upon me like a race car desperate to win a dash. I am still sitting in the corner I haunt for what felt like hours. If I wasn’t so busy sorting through my own emotions, I would’ve been able to notice that he was not in front of me anymore.

I was tired and defeated like a warrior surrounded with millions of comrades that had been slain, I lost a battle. A battle within me that I never knew existed. His words made me want to fling myself off of a cliff. It’s quick, exhilarating, and it did not occur to me to mind if i should survive it or just let myself be immersed by the sudden feeling. Thus far, respect still hangs in the air and has stayed around. It stayed around multiple times despite handing me the feeling of being unwanted.

It is not an earth-shattering experience. It is also not a scene out of the unordinary. Perhaps, it’s typical. Nevertheless, I am not adept to the feeling of indefinitely. I am still unusual to the vague idea that it’s normal to feel the aftermath of a season in hell. His words crushed something inside of me, but it did not end my entire being.

No wonder why I just causally brush off whatever foul words stoned upon me. What he said the day before were like water evaporating after a heavy night of rain. He thinks that whatever was said and done should be irrelevantly forgotten, it’s not like a high school breakup that can easily be unremembered. It’s a vast conception that I won’t be able to remove from my memory unless another one happens for the second, third, or fourth time around.

RAN FORM THE PAST

Peace everywhere, a place surrounded by woods, no clue of the outside world, and away from society. Under the gaze of the sun, we gather in our domain. A contract is where if the enemy catches the ally, the ally becomes under the enemy. They chase, I ran. My heart sounds like the base of a drum, struggling to catch my breath. I hid on the top of the tree. I saw him running like a pronghorn. The predator behind him was a cheetah. I laughed, watching the prey get chased.

As he caught the prey, both of them smiled at me. They yelled at me as a signal that they were both coming for me. I ran faster than the train. I was not yet seized. I hid again behind the grass and someone called my name. It was my ally. After minutes of hiding, we made eye contact, he smiled at me, and I was a fool. I ran as if I was running away with my life, he screamed, looking at a distance, other predators ran toward us.

Finally, the predator catches all the prey. After the contract, all of us shared amusing occurrences during the contract. We laugh as if our voice reached the top of the mountain. Under the cloudy sky, under the tree, cold wind, a comfortable back to lean on, showered with sweat, and we rest like a log. Calling our names gets us separated, parting ways. Now we can only think of those moments as we grew up tomorrow. We had a good time, an unforgettable moment in our lives.

HIS FINAL WHISPER

Time froze when some news from Mom percolated into my ears. I just stare with wide-open eyes that cannot shut, like the whole world is crumbling apart around me. I was shocked as a bird landing on a live wire; I wasn't able to move anything. Sorrowful tears streamed down my face as I sobbed uncontrollably over my older brother's death, my shoulders trembling with the force of my emotions. I rushed my way through the funeral home. I didn’t believe it at first, but the moment I saw the long wooden box in which his cold dead body was in place, my heart was torn into many pieces while I looked at him comfortably sleeping.

No words can adequately express my sorrow and suffering. The moment I saw my niece so naive about what was happening, I stopped crying as if nothing had happened; my eyes were firmly red and swollen after an hour of crying, and my voice was croaky from suppressed sobs. I comforted them with words that I can’t even apply to myself: “Everything is okay, so don’t worry,” I said to my nieces. I hugged them so tight to express how sorry I felt for them. Seeing them reminded me of their father and the memories that I shared with my brother. The happy memory strikes me as divine déjà vu, lingering in my synapses for a minute and lifting my spirits. Memories that I will carry on till my last breath.

DESNTINY'S ENCOUNTER

Life is full of moments and small incidents that form our fate and leave an indelible mark. On a bright fall afternoon, an encounter that changed the trajectory of my life in ways I could never have expected. It was just another day, I thought as I walked through the park, the fallen leaves crunching beneath my feet. The sun cast a warm, golden light over the area, and a gentle breeze whispered whispers through the trees. I had no idea that this regular day would quickly become spectacular.

I observed a person sitting alone on a bench, their eyes concentrated on a ragged old book, as I strolled through the park's meandering route. I was drawn to their stance and the passion with which they consumed the text on those pages. I approached with caution, not wanting to break their trance, but my curiosity got the best of me. I made an introduction and struck up a discussion. To my amazement, this stranger held a depth of information and a life perspective that struck a deep chord with me. We discussed literature, philosophy, and dreams. As we plunged into soul-stirring debates, time seemed to stop still. This stranger, whose name I later learned was Kessa, had an infectious love of stories. She pushed me to pursue my own goals of being a pulis woman, which I had long put on hold owing to self-doubt and apprehension of failure. Kessa’s unshakeable faith in my abilities was a revelation that stoked a fire under me.

VICTORY OF RESILIENCE

I was roaming around when I walked passed a field with children playing basketball with their out-of-the-world happiness. A cold breeze slapped my face as I reminisced the day that we won the SK League in our barangay. My body was about to fall down as if it were a heavy cloud. My mind boggled with all of the pressure I was carrying. I ran like a wolf chasing his prey in the wild, carrying the ball and protecting it as if it were my territory. When I shot it, the ball fit perfectly in the ring, and I grinned widely like I reached the heavens. I saw my friends cheering like wild hyenas begging to be freed.

The deafening voices make me hear nothing. It was not until the moment I snapped that it occurred to me that I created an impact like a meteor on the crowd. For me, the world saw my purest intention of aiming for the best of the best. winning was my sun, it made my everything brighter. It was a reminder for me of a long day that I should cherish for every single second. This is how my efforts paid off after millions of practices. That is when I realized that I have the strength within me to overcome any obstacles that come my way. Integrity embraced me as my winning swirled through my mind. I was proud of the way I survived.

WAKENING OF HOPE

At the tender hour in the stillness of dawn, she was abruptly jolted from her slumber, torn from the embrace of dreams that lingered like mist in her mind by the hushed voices that cut through the serenity of dawn.

"Wake her up already, she's going to the operating room at 6."

The words hung in the air, engraving themselves into her consciousness, and with a reluctant flutter of her eyelids, she met the unwavering gaze of her father In the delicate half-light, his eyes were a comforting anchor amidst the whirlwind of emotions.

The clock's hands marched forward, she found herself in the sterile confines of the operating room, its stark white walls, a stark contrast to the colorful tapestry of her thoughts. Doctors and nurses bustled around her, their voices a gentle hum in the background.

Their questions and preparations were blurry as anxiety entwined around her heart like a relentless snake. What if? Those two words echoed in the chambers of her mind, persistent and insistent. What if she didn't wake up? What if something went horribly wrong under the surgeon's steady hands?

For a moment, the darkness of doubt threatened to consume her. It's tendrils reaching into the recesses of her thoughts. But then, as if summoned from the depths of her resolve, she fought back. No, she couldn't surrender to the negative thoughts She couldn't let fear be her captor

Time passed like a river, and eventually, she stirred, her eyes fluttering open. The pain in her stomach pulled her from the depths of anesthesia, and as her gaze met the clock, it read 2 p m The weight of the clock's message washed over herthe surgery had been successful. That tiny lump in her liver was banished. vanquished by the skilled hands of the medical team and the faith that had sustained her.

With a heart filled with gratitude, she whispered her thanks to the Almighty She faced the impending surgery, with a persistent spirit, not as a prisoner of fear but as a warrior of hope.

MOONLIGHT RIDE

The clock ticked past midnight, the world wrapped in a tranquil blanket of darkness, The town's familiar sights, one bursting with life. I sat on the couch, waiting impatiently for my friend.

My heart races with excitement. This was it, the perfect adventure I'd been waiting for! As Jan arrived.

"Up for some adventure"? Jan asked me.

I paused, taking a deep breath of the evening balmy air, my shoes crunching on the gravel. The golden hue of the sunset caught the glint in my eyes. I glanced his way, my lips curving into a mischievous smirk.

The city lights flickered below, a vast sea of twinkling roads. The motorcycle engine roars in harmony with the beating of my heart. As we reached the summit, the cold air nipped at my cheeks, making them flush with life, every light a silent testament to the mangle of the moment.

The chill in the air made me pull my jacket closer, but I didn't mind: it was a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the seat. My fingers instinctively reached out, touching the velvet sky as if the city's secret were at my fingertips. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, the mist from it curling the night. We sat there, two silhouettes against the city's backdrop, letting the silent majesty of the view speak volumes.

ReferencesofImagesUsed

Wave of life (book cover): re: https://pin.it/2gmHwKv

Cover of Pages

https://pin.it/K3192tI.

Unexpected fall: https://pin.it/7y7APOl

New Year, New Hope: https://pin.it/1aozc4y

Delight in Surprise Confection: https://pin.it/6J3jP32

Dark Skies in Gray November: https://pin.it/WOiyLab

Ran From the Past: https://images.app.goo.gl/JdfXfyK MCPcFy5G87

His Final Whisper: https://pin.it/5C71SmN

Destiny’s Encounter: https://pin.it/3jiTUTn

Wakening of Hope: https://pin.it/4iCHEoP

Quake of Embarrasment: https://pin.it/1bxXmwj

Sweet Soulful Day: https://pin.it/LcJjoNi

Shifting Shades of Emotion: https://pin.it/1I41O9f

Moonlight Ride: https://pin.it/6yWDR08

Victory of Resilience: https://pin.it/17kKgKy