IRIDESCENCE 2023

IRIDESCENCE

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ChelseyM.Libo-on

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AlyannaFrancesM.Alisbo

KylieT.Jimenea

GiselleMaeG.Ambrosio

KrizzandraM.Gallermo

Introduction

Thejourneytoaperson’sincandescenceisnotonlyexclusivetoone’sownstature butacondeniumoftheinfluenceandpointofviewsofallthepeoplewebumpintoor loved.Whenwearecaughtupwithshadesofgray willwebeabletoilluminate ourwingstoiridescence?Thiscollationofnon-fictionalarticlesandmaterialswill circlearoundtheexperiencesofindividualsintheirrespectiveessays throughthe useofcreativelanguage.

LITERARY REPORTAGE

Wings,Fire,Claws,andWater

In pursuit of victory, competition is necessary to force the best out of everyone; to demand greatness and courage to win. Ergo, when sports events are held losing is not an option to many. As everyone is capable of shining in their own state of iridescence, which element rose from the ground and emitted rainbow-like colors?

Last February, the Liceolympics made its noise to wake the sporting spirits of Liceo De La Salle students. In the system of the event, the senior high school community is divided into four houses named Parmenie, Rheims, Paris, and Rouen evoking a sense of division and competition within the student body.

It is debatable if the house-system did more than harm to the relationships between the houses and its house members as issues of bullying, fake news, and cold wars between the students were shown every season of the event Nevertheless, it is indisputable that these issues are inevitable; it will always be there because competition is a factor of sports.

Despite the stumbling blocks of having a house-system for sporting events, we can say that it has its own benefits for the students. Being in one of the houses gives many people a sense of belongingness, a sense of strength to fight for your people, or even a sense of home treating your housemates as your family throughout your stay in Liceo De La Salle; that despite your differences in strengths and weaknesses as per your strands, you come together to fight as one.

With this system, despite its impediments to create peace with other houses, it is still up to the person to portray respect and camaraderie with other athletes or competitors. The houses, regardless of their differences in colors and elements, have one goal to face; that is to win. But it is only possible for one to achieve because we may all have our own states of iridescence, but here, only one can shine the brightest Courtesy of Kapawa

An Ex-athlete’s Confession

Pixsey

Coming back to the warmth, nostalgic feeling of first loves may leave a bitter feeling if it’s with romantic love, but if we’re talking about first loves in sports, it’s a different feeling.

“You’re not playing for your school anymore? What happened?” are words that I usually hear if I tell people I stopped playing Badminton The pandemic had greatly affected my performance and skills as a player. It was almost 3 years ago when I last held the shaft of my Badminton racket leaving me dejected because of my doubts about my capabilities as an athlete.

Last Liceolympics 2023, I joined the Badminton team of my house, the House of Parmenie. It brought me back to the days of training, having new-found friends, and competing As the day of the games arrived, I saw familiar faces as the Badminton world is small, you get to be really familiar with the faces of the players, especially those who participate in the NOPSSCEA Seeing these people made me feel nostalgic leaving me with a sundry of emotions: happy, I get to see them again; and sad: I realize how far they have gone and how stagnant I did.

We finished last for the competition, which left me a disheartening feeling that did not last. I injured my right leg again so I needed to take precautions to injure it no more The defeat did hurt my ego, but despite the loss, I gained a lot of learnings throughout the season. First, it made me love the sport again; it gave me a sense of hope to try again, to be the best version of myself as an athlete Second, it helped me learn to accept defeat healthily with respect to my opponents, to be human and to realize that as much as life is full

of wins, it has its losses, and that is okay. And lastly, it taught me to trust myself, that despite the stumbling blocks of impediments, I am capable because I know myself.

Sometimes, going back to how things were is a beautiful thing; and sometimes, it’s a waste of time to spend our efforts on things we think we have outgrown But not all things are stagnant in their sizes for us to ‘outgrow’ them. This is what I personally have learned from the Liceolympics; that I am a different person back then when I left my passion for Badminton But how sure am I that Badminton is still the same value for me before compared to now?

I firmly believe that while it is true that iridescence is possible if we can go out of our comfort zone, it is not a bad thing to bring it with us while we are out of it so we are reminded of all the things we have loved and cherished from the past that made our iridescence possible in the first place

TRAVELOGUE

Authentic Fraise

March 16, 2023 was the day when we went to Iloilo for a short vacation. We rode a boat going to Iloilo which was around 8:50 am. We just wanted to stay at a budget friendly hotel, one of those would be Figtree It is located at Donato M Pison Ave., Brgy. San Rafael, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. For the rooms the usual standard single bed room costs around Php 1,480 and the room we purchased was Php 1,880 which is a standard room double bed( Queen sized). We stayed at the hotel for 3 days and 2 nights and the service was decent and good for a budget friendly hotel in Iloilo. They had free breakfast for the people who booked a room They also have rooms for disabled people, it’s a big bedroom and bathroom with railings. The hotel also has free wifi for the guests of the hotel which is very convincing. For lunch we had Netong’s batchoy which was so yummy and authentic in taste. After having our lunch we decided to roam around SNR which was like a shop that had foreign or bulk products for you to purchase. I enjoyed walking around the area due to its variety of choices and the numbers of it. When it was around 5pm we decided to head back to our hotel to just relax and chill. The first night staying at Iloilo we had dinner at one of the well-known seafood restaurants in Iloilo which was Tatoy’s Restaurant . The food tasted pretty good, it was like the flavors were dancing in my mouth. Me and my parents enjoyed eating the food that my father ordered for us, it was buttered shrimp oyster with cheese and native chicken My dad stays in Iloilo so he wanted

Courtesy of Detourista

City in SM, I had fried rice and spring rolls while my parents had fried rice and dumplings. The fried rice tasted so juicy and savory while the spring rolls were crisp and meaty with flavor. After having lunch we roamed around the mall and went into shops like H&M, Uniqlo, Miniso, and Pandora. Going inside the Pandora shop made me go in awe due to the sparkling and shimmering jewelry on the glass displays, such pretty jewelry but the prices were also shining on our faces. For our snacks we went out to Vista mall which had a restaurant with food that Iloilo was known for.

My mom really wanted to taste the molo in iloilo since she has heard how much flavor it is. People had suggested she eat at Kap Esing’s pancit molo due to the nostalgic aroma it gives among the locals My parents really wanted me to taste something authentic and loved by the locals. The last night that we stayed in Iloilo we ate at a restaurant that my dad suggested since he told us that the grilled chicken tasted good. It was still located in the vista mall because our hotel is just a walking distance from the area. I found the idea kinda ironic since my dad told me that the taste is like the grilled chickens from Bacolod, I just found the concept funny that I went to a different place which had a different taste yet still ate the meal that I eat when I’m in Bacolod.

I really loved my stay in Iloilo since it introduced me to new savory, delicious, and authentic delicacies. It makes me feels so refreshed and feels like I’m just eating comfort food.

Courtesy of Detourista

A Look Back

Hiraeth

Boracay Island was once like a well guarded secret that o people know of its existence. It was only when a foreign featured the island and was called “Paradise on Earth" in the a German traveler By then, the quiet isolated island was ev called the best beach in the world Gaining attention from the the beach became a teeming vacation and leisure spot for from all parts of the world. Located in Aklan, Philippines, Bo known for being one of the most glamorous beaches in the wor natural beauty gives serenity to every tourist. It has rem recreational activities that are not common in other places in kiteboarding, scuba diving, windsurfing, parasailing, cliff divin and snorkeling

Along with our long trip to Boracay, we went for a Sampaguita Garden at Kalibo, Aklan Sampaguita Garden is with a heavenly ambiance and resting place where people coul time with friends and loved ones as it has lots of fun and asto views that could attract tourists at one look. There, we stro hotel full of different sizes and kinds of dolls, souvenirs, fo even pools. It was as if a life in a dream house I could ever w Outside the hotel, mini and huge statues were placed everyw my gaze roamed around, there was a statue that would catch instantly As we arrived in Boracay, we were warmly welcome sound of waves, a touch of the golden sun, the smell of the b and tourist guides in a hospitable manner. When the pale moon shone like a silvery claw in the night sky, we went aro station barefooted, feeling the soft white goldish sand beneath as if I was walking in a blanket of sugar cotton wool. A exhaustion in my body from a long trip went away just like a s the wind as the sound of banging music, people dancing with of fire, and young children building sand castles greeted my g dined on a dinner buffet, where just by looking at the loads of and the smell from the chef’s pan tossing the fried rice and egg drooled me We visited nearby beaches by island hopping an Beach stands out for me most owing to its crystal blue clear and kinds of pebbles and puka shells. It was bordered by coconut trees and has a lush tropical jungle close to its breat shore. Our last day was spent visiting and buying from local s shops, building sand castles, collecting varieties of seashe swimming in the sea and pool

Stepping foot on that island is like never wanting to leave it. A short stay on that enticing island embedded a thousand memories for me to cherish As I roamed my gaze around for the last time the sea waves that were carelessly dribbling onto the sand, powdery white pure sand with seashells engraved with beautiful swirling spirals in it. The horizon of the sea where the sky and the water were merging The magnifying colors slowly changed from creamy yellow to shades of glowing orange of the sun setting reflecting the water of the sea Boracay's sprawling length of beach scenery suddenly felt lonely as if it did not want me to leave.

The beach has always been one of my comfort places The sounds of waves calm me as the ambiance of the air allows me to be in a depth of peace to think and reflect. It is as if half of me is being healed in a split second as the enticing scenery of the beach reflects my gaze. Refreshing and tranquil emerald palm trees, golden scenery of sun setting alluringly complementing the landscape, comforting every person could come across Those were the exact emotions embedded in me upon staying in Boracay.

PERSONAL ESSAYS

I Starve to be Happy Ms

Pepper

I was a fan of comparing myself to others just so I could use it as a motivation to be better I looked for body inspiration that rotten my ego claiming that I must also look like them. While everyone online shares their workout progress, I am on the other side of the screen wishing for instant results so, I starve myself

Starving has been my coping mechanism when someone comments about my weight like “That shirt makes you look big” or “You’re getting chubbier, lose some weight” especially when a family member does it. There was this one time when I got a hang of myself and I wore a tank top confidently We went into a nice restaurant expecting a nice family dinner. Everyone in the family knows I don’t eat as much and often starve myself but obviously, they don’t know my reason behind it My body is not skinny, I am not chubby either I am in fact in the normal body height and weight scale. During dinner everything was fine, I was enjoying myself with food when I heard a manly voice uttering “ You don’t eat a lot but your stomach says otherwise” followed by laughs from anyone at the table. I was trying to hold back my tears and tried to defend myself but I cracked up with every word that came out of my mouth My night ended up with tears, resentment, and insecurities. Their hypocritical voices tell me to eat but if I do I get humiliated. I could go through phases of accepting myself over and over until one negative opinion destroys it.

After all of these phases and experiences that I have gone through I learned that I cannot control situations and how people react and perceive me. This gave me the security that no matter how I dress, how I behave, and what my body looks like is enough I am okay with myself agreeing that I look good and not seeking validation to others even if it’s a family member. I do get insecure at times but I can cope with it better as I remind myself that everyone blooms differently at their own phase I would lie if I tell you that I eat perfectly these days but I strive to listen to my body more and eat healthily rather than aiming for a perfect body in my mind

Lassie Hiraeth

Life as a woman is a complex and multifaceted experience as if it is in need to pour out blood, sweat, and tears to be as good as a man. A journey that is filled with challenges, triumphs, and everything in between. Set of expectations and limitations thrown upon us despite these being restrictive and shaping the way the world sees a woman Such these tend to be detrimental and repressive, keeping women from iridescence. But who would have thought that a fictitious girl from a comic book would have much influence on me as a woman?

As I grow up, stereotypes of being a woman have been part of my daily basis. Echoes of “You should do this and that because you are a girl.” “Girls don’t do that.” “Let him do it because you are a girl ” would fill my head Getting catcalled on the street, simply for existing in public spaces, being told phrases about my very own body, that I had to dress or act a certain way in order to be respected. It is as if everything is limited and restricted that I should live up with the stereotypes and their expectations as a woman. Despite all of this, I have never been more proud to be a woman As someone who is a die-hard fan of the DC Series “Supergirl”, it influenced a lot of my worldviews and personality as a person and as a woman. I vividly remember binge-watching the Supergirl series that I would unconsciously stay up until I would hear the cluck of the chicken and birds chirping outside. Then, whenever my mom would catch me watching it, “Supergirl na naman?” would instantly come out from her mouth. Frankly, the hero of National City became my hero, too. My heart would instantly dazzle in awe every time the screen would be filled with a woman in a red skirt and cape soaring around the sky safeguarding the city. As I grew older, it was clear as a crystal for me why a man, Lex Luthor, is threatened by a girl Supergirl may be just a fictitious character to others, but she represents how women are perceived in society. Gratifying and esteem emotions then would be embedded upon me as I watched her stand up for all women and put halt on the fixed hackneyed mindset of others. Shattering glass ceilings and breaking down barriers on women What she stands for pushes me to be and do better today and tomorrow. Finding a glimpse of hope in the most gloomy instances, how stronger people are when in a league. As her legacy says Hope, Help, and Compassion for All, it casted light in my heart to be as well live up in her legacy. She never failed to find a beam of hope even in the darkest moments she has been in and seeing the best in people Helping and saving people without even being asked and thinking twice even the cruelest. Showing compassion and deep care for the people of the Earth as she knew what it's like to lose everything. Supergirl is not just a superhero for me, she is a beacon of hope in a world that can often feel dark and foreboding She soars through the sky with a grace and power that is unmatched, her cape billowing behind her like a banner of courage.

It feels surreal even for me how a drawn character could shape a young girl’s life into a woman of her own Showing me that as a woman, I can be strong and powerful too Embracing myself just like when she embraced herself and did not let the others define and tell her what she should live up to. Any woman is capable of being a hero of themselves. Even just living up with Hope, Help, and Compassion makes us a hero of our own story.

Heroes do not need power to be called one as being a woman is enough to be a hero As a woman, I am capable of achieving great things, and I should never let anyone tell me otherwise. I am a trailblazer, carving my own path and refusing to let anyone stand in my way.

El Mayarah Stronger Together.

REFLECTIVE ESSAYS

Wing of Iridescence

Pixsey

Getting to know oneself is sometimes a difficult matter to face While it is easy to just merely guess and fabricate your favorite color, favorite food to eat, and your favorite places to go to the deeper portion of knowing you as you is most of the times ruled with doubts and confusions

Growing up in a Filipino household, it is really a sad reality to deal with that things like roles, careers, fashion preferences, or even colors are labelled to a certain gender creating an unhealthy environment for kids to express and have their own relish in life. As you go through your adolescent years, you don’t just get to know yourself by simply finding out basic things about you. There comes a time where deeper matters may arise; like what you want for college, your skill-set, and most especially your sexuality. There is always a moment for everyone to realize this; but the thing is the experience is not felicitous for everyone, especially if you realize that you are somehow not attracted to the opposite sex.

Being in an all-girls Catholic institution could be the moment I realize this about myself Religion is important to me, but of course being into people of the same sex is for them an abomination. Through this, a self-hatred grew inside of me; all of the “Why should I feel this way?” and “Why can’t I just be like other people?” I shut it out in fear of disappointing the people I love later realizing that it is not love if they can’t accept you for who you are. As I entered a new institution, it is where I first felt that I am free to be me without shame and fear. Maybe it isn’t the place, but the people in it. It Is an unsavory feeling shut inside the closet Especially if you are in a setting where you cannot safely express how you feel about this matter, it will add up to the burden that you are carrying discouraging you to find out more and push you to the side where you are physically safe but unsafe about yourself With that I am forever grateful to be in a place now where I am safe to be me. I’ve spent my time letting other people sort out what I feel but in the end, your sexuality is your own to accept.

Coming to terms with your sexuality can be very hard It may not be in the best condition now but it is better than the last and that is okay. Everyone sees the rainbow the iridescence but never the storm. Realizing that you are not “the same as everyone else” is not as easy as saying “I don’t like red, I want green ” The self-hatred, internalized homophobia or biphobia, and the countless nights of crying yourself to sleep they all leave an unsavory feeling. But the thing is it is only after the rain that we realize that it is a beautiful thing to shine your colors and to be defined by the things that you love; because it is a beautiful thing to be yourself after all like a butterfly wing shining in iridescence.

An Introvert Can’t Say No

Ms Pepper

Have you been in a situation where you struggle to say no? Or lied about being sick if you don’t want to go in invited plans?

Ever since I was little I kept lying to other people about how inconvenient they are to me and I would try to grab some flowery words just to sugarcoat my response to them. I don’t want to ruin their expectations and I am scared that they would end up disappointed in me. I felt like I owe someone something So, It became a struggle for me to say no As an introverted person, I easily lose my energy whenever I am around people, especially in my elementary days. I was 11 at that time and my shallow mindset was not beneficial. Whenever I don’t feel surrounded I struggle to express my feelings because the word introvert was underrated at that time and even I don’t know that I was an introvert. If I am invited to a party, or accompanying them in the mall and any other activities even if I don’t have the energy to do so, I would still go. My reason is that I feel bad for them thinking of inviting me and they would receive a no. Even if it’s hard for me to socialize at the moment I would say yes to an invite just for the sake of not hurting them In that process, I was exhausted because I felt abuse that I couldn’t even dare to confront. I don’t know how to defend myself as I overlooked my battles as an introvert and chose to consider others' favor. I failed to discern how bad it is for my mental health because it came to a point where it became a habit for me Until I found light reaching out to me amidst the darkness, amidst the negative innocence that made me a people pleaser.

Behind me is a struggling young girl but a thankful one as she blows gratitude to the future woman she has become. She faces the world more confidently and nevermore the one who hides in a two-face synthetic kindness I came to my senses and realized that I will not enjoy the

bonds I have with my friends if I force myself into that situation and should rather complete my energy. With this voyage, I roamed in the sea of life, and I trawled my self-respect back. I became adroit at dealing invitations, favors, and requests as I admonished myself not to force myself into a rendezvous where I announce repugnance.

Expressing your feelings makes things better for the other person because it helps them understand you better.

END.