ALEGRIA - A Literary Folio by LELLS | Vol. 1

Acknowledgment

The League of English Language and Literature Students

would like to express their deepest gratitude to Mr. Guiller T. Marila for his endless support in making this Literary Folio possible. From ideas to planning and the execution, you have been there until the end and we greatly appreciate you for that. Thank you for your guidance and support that no one can ever measure to. You have and always will be a great inspiration to all of us.

The LELLS would also like to thank everyone reading this Literary Folio, to the literary committee and graphic designers, the LELLS officers and of course, the people behind the pen names who contributed to this literary folio. We appreciate each and everyone of you, this would not be possible without your existence.

Thank you and God bless.

Gabrielle Neil S. Bulda President, LELLS

Editor's Note

Hello there!

In line with National Literature Month, I am proud to present you the first-ever literary folio of the League of English Language and Literature Students entitled "ALEGRIA: Define Your Own Joy," it is a great privilege to manage this literary folio as the Head Editor despite having hectic schedules with various events taking place.

While editing with the team, I read some of the entries and witnessed how they define joy that sparks within them creatively with illustrations, experiences, and deeper meanings you'll never expect to see.

I'll never forget the sleepless nights I have in finalizing this book with the Executives.

I'd recommend listening to a dreamy playlist to feel the experience of this book. Take a glance. Enjoy and read, what joy means for you and me.

Matthew Jullian C. Naval External Secretary, LELLS

Wordsandphrasesthatspark thoseunwaryhearts thatsetsindividualstoembark anddefythemeaningthatmarks.

Willjoygiveyouaspark?

what I would give

tobegivenahearttolovescrapsevenifsomeoneclothes theireyesinwrapsatleasttheyseenoneckssnapped

whatIwouldgivetolivewithasmile;toseeallthebeauty inawhile

whatIhavedonewasofnoexcusewithafloodof desperationIhadusedtodefilesomeonewithaopeneye underneathallthisIwantedtotrywhatseemedtobeart inalightsobright toaskforforgivenessfeltlikerain,topourdownonme harderasIfeelpaintoerasewhathadbeentomakeanew withbetterwordsinmindtospewinahandIwishtolift youreyessoyouwon'thavetoforeverseelies

allIdesireistorelieveusofthepastformyheartnow feelssovastIwishnolongertotrampletheserosesforus toliveinaworldfullofprosesevensoImayfallshort likeyoubutthistimeweshalllearnsomethingnew whatIwouldgivetoseeyouhappywhatIshouldhave giventoliftyourheartwhatIcouldgivetowatchyou growasIcouldonlywishforsomethingbetterforallof ussothatnoapparitioncaneverhauntus liketheleavesintheshortfallnotinymisdeedcanever besosmallforwhatyoudeserveisbeyondallthissolet uswaitforthatacrossthemistsoshiverandquiver withinyourselfbutletnotthisfearofyoursoverwhelm eveniftheleavesfallinthewrongseason,bestbelieve thatitmaystillfallfortherightreason.

- Mari Maglasang

shed me a crystal

bytearsIfloodmywordsunspokenthroughmymindI verbalizeanythingletmyhandstakewordofmyheart

shedmeacrystal,o,mydear-everythinghasitsworth andage,

tobehandledwithloveisaprayerIutterextricate

myselffromalltheseblundersabreathoflifeshallwin meoverandashiningheartIwillcarryonwardtospark afirewithinthesethingstocherishthemfortheyare notflings

toreachyourhandwhiletheworldpullsmetobelifted byyoutosavemefromheretohavesomeonetogive solaceuponmywitheredsoulinthereIshallfindevery reasonformetoliveandnottosimplystandandkneel

ateventideIdriftfrommyapparitiontolivebyhope andnotbysubmissiontoletthesewhisperslosetheir waysoImayriseoncemoretoseeanotherday byonedayIseemyselfinthemirrorandhereIhave witnessedwhatwouldseemtobe: thereasonofeverytearIheldbacktoseethisgemnot whiteandblacksothatallofthiswasdoneevenifI maycrack theartofreleaseisbeautiful,butsoisrestraint,for everytearwehaveisablessing,regardlessofhowwe dealwithit.

- Mari Maglasang

a letter I kept

falleninbetweenyoureyesIgazeuponcrashingbeside me,theechoesofaffectioninthepastIwatchyoubecome mine,onlytoloseyouinthenextlifetime

aletterIkeptforyou,inthemomentIhavewishedtogive myoathoflovingyouwitheternity:behindmybackIfeel yourembraceclosetoyourfaceIseethewonderofyou heldinmineyourhandsotightlytomeinthemorningI sitbesideyoutostayintheeventideIdancewithyou underthenightinforeverIwishonlytobewithyou thoughattimesmywordscannotmatchyourtruths momentswhereyoutremblebeforemeintearsadayof thinkingofpartingwaysadecisiontoexactaswebicker inbitterairtoextricateourselvesfromeachothertolet ourshadowsdiedownasweembrace

whatallIcouldaskforwassurelyyouyetbydawn youvanishbutthenIknewthatallofwhatwehad wasjustthis-apicturesquealbumofourparadise, slowlycrumblingaswesoughtotherpeople despiteoursullenhistory,woulditmatter?would itstillmattertoknowyoumissedme?shouldit matterasIwatchyoufallintosomeoneelse's arms?wouldthisepistleevenworthanythingto you?tofinallyletgoofthisasIdeliverthistoyou yet,sweetlyIstillimaginewithasmile"Icouldneveraskforanythingbetterthanyou."

- Mari Maglasang

The Flame of My Soul

Withinmysoulthereburnsaflame, Notdefinedbyfortuneorfame. It'skindledbythethingsIhold, Andnurturedbythestoriestold.

Alovefornature,pureandwild,

Adrivetocherisheverychild.

Aheartthat'sfullofempathy, Andkindnessthatflowsendlessly.

Apassionforcreating,artandword, Athirstforknowledgethat'snotabsurd. Ajoyingiving,fromtheheart, Andmakingsomeone ' sdayastart. Thesearethethingsthatmakemeglow, Thesparkwithinthatstartstoshow. AndwhenIsharethemwiththeworld, Mylightcanshine,andloveunfurled.

- C.M. Rodelas

LIVE YOUR JOY

thesmiLesyougetfrompeoplewill Inspireyouthemost.

VeritymustbeniceifEveryonewill notdeny... thefeelingstheYhideinside. Ormaybethisisanewstartto reinventyoUrselfandReapyour rewards.

Joyisagift mustbenOurishedand

- Christian Loid Valenzuela

Muse

WhenyouhavesomethinginmindYou starttoactonit...butforwhatpurpose? Butwhenyoudohavesomethingin yourheart.youdedicatesomething,for someone.

Yethere,Idohavesomethinginmind andheart. Everythoughtandwordofthis. Ionlydedicatethistoyou.

Suchthingscanlookdullasbland colors

Orbrightasfreshfieldofflowers

Iwonderhowsmallwindowsofsoul

CanmakemebringthemtoyouThey remindmeofgalaxies

Constellationsthatseemsendless

Howsuchbeautycanbeso breathtaking...

alive

Thesunwasharshonmyskin

butthecoldbreezecalmsit

Oh,howtobealive

Thegreengrasssmellsdirt

Theblueseatasteslikesalt

Howgooditistobealive

People'ssmileswerecoveredbut youcanseethejoyintheireyes

Theywalk,jog,leapandrun

Yes,thisistobealive

Iremovedmymaskandbegantobreathe

Thetreesswayandflowersbloom

IlookedaroundandIlookedup

God,yourcreationissogood!

Coupleswouldwalkhand-in-hand Antswouldcrawlandbirdswouldfly Thecarsdrove,thebikeswouldgo Peoplewouldjog,peoplewouldeat

Ohhowgooditistobealive Tobeabletobreatheandclosemyeyes

Thesunwasharshonmyskin butthecoldbreezecalmedit

To Whom I Will Be.

TowhomIamtodayBraveandstrong,patiencelong. Strivinghardnotjusttosurvive; Workinghardtolivelife.

TowhomIamtodayWeakandhurt,laughingfirst.

Carryingeverythingalone; Withoutsorrowbutwithfullbelief.

TowhomIamtodayAflowerunderthesummersun. Butabeachonitsisland, Butaboatoverwithahelpinghand.

TowhomIwillbeNiceandsuccessful,feetonthe ground.

Happyandproud,mom'sclapping around.

Gratefulandfaithful.

Knowledgeableandsuccessful.

TowhomIwillbeYoudidgreat. Love.

Life.

Sometimeslifecanseemlikeamaze. Thedetours,delays,andturnabouts, Buteverythingworksoutintheend... incomingdays.

Friendswilloccasionallypartways. Othersmaybetrayordisappointsome. However,newoneswillmovein. induecourse.

Thepainofmakingamistake, Andthelessonitfrequentlyteaches Yousee,theirpurposeistostrengthenyou. induecourse.

Generosityfreelyextended, Nowunnoticed,yetwilleventuallyfinditsway I'llreturntoyouandstaywithyou. induecourse.

Workseemsnottopayoffasexpected? Keepgoing,mybuddy,andkeepdoingyourbest.

Theworthypersonwillbefoundbyfortune... induecourse.

Withoutadoubt,lifecanbedifficult. Buttheonethingweabsolutelymusthaveis hope.

Thingswillworkoutwellwithjoy... induecourse.

I and That Person

I’msousedtobeingalone,sowhensomeoneoffered tostay,Iaccepted,notbecauseIdon’twanttobe lonely

anymore,it’sjustlikehavingasafespace tohavewhenyouarealone,thatpersongavemean assurance,thatit’sokaytohavesomeone whenyoufeellonely.

Thatpersonaren’tmysafespaceanymore,thatperson becamemyshieldbetweenmylonelyworld.

Ididn’tthinkthatsomeonewillleaveanytimesoon, soIenjoyed,Ihaveforgottenthefeelingofloneliness andemptiness, thatpersongavemeawindowtoanotherworld, thatpersongavemethesenseofhopeI’vebeen yearningtohave, astheysaytypically,thatpersonbecamemylight throughoutthedarknessI’min.

Iwassohappytohavethatsomeone, Ifeltluckytohavethatpersonbymyside, IsawaworldthatIhaven’tseenforsolong.

Iwantedtostayinthisworld,eventually,Ifound anotherpersonwhoarewillingtostandbymyside, andalotmorepersonwhoarewillingtostay.

Daybyday,IwaslivingthelifeIwanted,“thisisit” Isaid,Iforgotthefeelingoflonelinessandemptiness, itdoesnotevencreepinanymore.

“Areyouhappy?”

Thatpersonaskedagain,continuingtoignore thatpersonwiththecompanyofmany, “Areyouthathappy?”Thatpersonannoyedme “Yes,socanyoustop?Iamhappy,andyouaremaking meguiltyaboutit”

Isaidthat,clearlyannoyedofthatperson, “Sorry,Iwon’tbotheryouanymore”asthatperson said,thatpersonleft.

AsIwasenjoyingthecompanyofmany, Ididn’tnoticebecauseoftheseblindinglights, thatIhaveleftoutthepersonwhostoodinsidemy darknessandlitamatch, Iwasnottherewhenthedarknesswascreepingin, Ididn’tevenbothertotalktothatpersonorevenlook atthatperson, tosay,Ihaveforgottenallaboutthatperson becauseIhavetheattentionofmany, I’msorrythatperson,Ihavecometoolate, Iwasenjoyingthelightyougavemeandforgot toshareittoyou,I’msorryforleavingyoualone inthedark,Iforgotthefeelingofdarkness.

Ihaveforgottenhowitfelt, butIknowwhenyouareinthatplace, it’shardtogetoutalone,I’msorryfornotbotheringto litamatchforyou, I’msorryIdidn’tbecamethelightyou’llgrabonto leavethedarknesspit.I’msorryIhaveforgottenyou.

Tothatperson,thankyouforsavingme,Iowethelight yougaveme,I’mgivingitbacktosomeoneelsewho needsit.Tothatperson,HappinessiswhereIfoundthe solemnityofbeingalone,whereIfoundmycurrentself andmyinnerchild,healing

Traitor's Envelope

I'vebeenherebefore

Writinglettersforsomething toadmitthatshouldbeenthinkthrough ButyethereIam,withthissmallenvelope

Slowlyreachingittoyou

Itslikeconfessingacrime

Withhesitationascoldairbitesmyskin

Heartgoingerraticlikeitwentona marathon

There'snosuchthingasrighttiming Wordswritteninink,aproofofathought Forsuchalivelyholiday,insteadofapray Ionlytookaleapoffaith.

Asyoureachedforthatsmallenvelope, myfatehas alreadybeensealed.

Confession Eve

Coldfeelsgivemechills.

Foradaythatshouldbefulloffeels.

Children'scheersurroundsme.

ChristmaslightsisallIcansee.

Spiritofjoyispresentthatday.

ConfessionthatcontainswordsIwanttosay.

WordsthatIwantedyoutoknowofthis.

Yourglimpseremindmeofwhatthatdayis.

Asthetimestruckbyeve.

Feeloffearstartedtoleave.

Thesewordsofmine,wantedtobeheedbyyou.

ThesefeelingsthatIalreadyknew.

Thinsheetspilledallmyrawfeelings.

Inkthatleavesmarksalloverthething.

Thesethoughtsofmine,haveadoreyou.

AndIhopeyouknowthattoo.

Contented

Shethoughteverythingwouldbealright, Butitbecameunfairinasudden. Shewasconsistent Witheverydecisionshemade, Forhimtobehappy.

Althoughissheevenhappywithevery movedshemadeforhim? Shewascontented.

Tell the Sun & Moon

I'lltellthesunsetaboutyou

andI'lltellthestarsandmoon,too

Thesunrises,Iseeyoursmile

Itshinesbrightandmakesthecloudsgoshy

Youcompletetheday,givinglighttoall

Everythingaboutyoujustshines

Thesunhassetyetyoustillbrightlyshine

Warm,cozy,yellowbrightsmile

Everydayonearthisaparadise

WhenI'mwithyou,I'llalwaystellthesun&moon

Themoonatnightglowseverso

Justlikeyou,yoursmileandeyes

Thedarknesscan'tcontainyourglowandlight

Andthecoldgetswarmerbyyou

I'lltellthesunhowyoushine

andI'lltellthemoonhowyouglow

Yougavelightandgavemelight

We'llgivelight,let'sshineandglow

My notebook

MyNotebook

Sketches,doodles,randomthoughtsareinthere

Itsupposedtobefullnotesfrommyclasses

Butinstead,itsfullofthingsthatgotmedistracted

Itdidnotserveasitsmainpurpose

Tohelpmerememberthelessonsandlectures

Butitdidbecomeaspecialfriend

Toremindmeofallmyschooladventures

Itknowsallmydaydreams

theFLAMESfromthosesweettimes

Signaturesthatchangeseverysingletime

Andmyrantsfromunwantedtimes

Notebookisprobablythemostvaluablethinginschool AsitholdthethingsthatIthoughtwere“cool”

Butanyways,thanksnotebook Forstickingtotil’theend Andbecoming“MY”book

what is joy?

ababy'scry

whenafathercomeshome

seeingmymother'ssmile

whenimadeamess

ahomeless'breath

inawinternight

acat'smeow

whentouchedbyawarmhand

thelandistepon

theseaandtheocean

thewindthatcaressmyface

andthesoundringinginmyears

thepeoplearoundme

thepeoplewhohurtme

thepeoplewhogavemeahardtime

andmostespecially

thepeoplewholeftme -

88, old self

Poem#1:MOON

You'relikeamoon

Thatwillneverbemine

Themoonthatshinesatnoon

MyonlymoonthatIadmire.

Point#1:MORON

NowIrealized,youreallyarethesun planetsarealignedorbitingaround AndI'mstandin'attheground, inalargecrowd---wounded.

- faded red so I'm pastel

Just Way of Saying, “Goodbye, Fun.”

Ihaveneverthoughtthatitwouldbepossibletoget tiredofyourselfwhilehavingfun.Thatitisstill possibletofeelemptyandgetlost.Likeyouare makingyourselfthehappiest,bestestpersonasyou copewiththepainandtraumas.Butnotforamoment thatthiswouldevercomethatyouwouldalsorealise: Itisjustsomethingverysimilartorunningawayfrom yourfear;muchthesameasrestrictingyourselffrom feelingsomethingmoreanylonger.Somehow,Ifeel superiorfornotcontrollingmyselfenoughtocare aboutmysurroundings,tooverdothings,norto overlovesomepeopleeveniftheydonotdeserveit— eventhoughIknowitisnotreciprocal.EventhoughI knowthatthesethingsarenotbeneficialtomybeing. Someofyoumightcallmearecklessnoradense personfordoingit,butcouldyoublameme?Thatwas mydefinitionoffun tobecarelesswithmyown existence.

WhereIalwaysmakemyselfcomfortablyuncomfortable, wearingaheavy,jollymaskaslongasitlookslike optimism.Icaresomuchabouthowpeopleperceiveme thatway,butlittledidtheyknowitwasonlyforthe external.IknowIwasquiteaharshperson,asIforgotto considermyselfforawhile.Iforgottheantagonisticand unenthusiasticsidesthatarestillneededtobepresentto balancethislife,tosay,"Whatalife,"andIfeellikeIam moreblindbecauseIwastoofocusedonhowtobe pretentious.BecauseIchoosetohavefunandrefuseto livewithreality norperhapsItotallyforgotthereality. Nevertheless,youstillhavetoacceptthatyouarea humanbeing,andtoallintentsandpurposes,youwould stillhavesomevulnerability.Ijustrealizedthatthemore yourunawaywithyourfear,themoreitchasesyou.The moreyouchoosenottofacetheproblem,themoreyou runincircles.Themoreyouareunwillingtoembraceyour weakness—theweakeryoubecome.

Buthonestly,beingvulnerableisfine— likebeingthisway?Bringsyoucloserto absolutefreedom.Itmaysoundlike indecisiveness,butwhenyouremember allyouhavebeenthroughwithpainthat hascausedyouamiserablelife,Ithinkit wouldbesogreattocallita"defense mechanism."Well,thereisnothingwrong withhavingfunatall,however...donot letthisbeanescape,foryoumightendup beingstuckwiththebeliefthat“having funisalsohavingaperfectlife.”Thatwe allknow doesnotevenexist.

The Contributors

Matthew Jullian C. Naval makes digital graphic designs. He is currently a second-year student taking a Bachelor of Secondary Education | Major in English. He was part of the 2019 DSPC Filipino Broadcasting in Tapinac Senior High School as a Radio Broadcaster, 1st Place in "The Search for Mr. and Ms. ICONS 2022 in the Department of English, and was cast as the main character in the teaser, "LELLS Confess" in February 2023. He writes film scripts for fun and aims to be a rookie model in the future.

Gabrielle Neil S. Bulda is currently a second-year student taking Bachelor of Secondary Education, majoring in English. She was a Senior Sports Editor, Proofreader and a Co-Anchor in Radio Broadcasting in Olongapo City National High School's Official English Student Publication, The Anchor. She is currently an English as Secondary Language (ESL) Teacher at iYES Language School.

The Contributors

Ma. Melissa D. Merlas writes fiction and poetries. She is currently a second-year student taking a Bachelor of Secondary Education, majoring in English. She was a Senior News Editor, news writer, and radio broadcaster in Olongapo City National High School's Official English Student Publication, The Anchor, and Gordon College Senior High School Department. She aspires to be an author and a broadcaster alongside her career as an educator in the future.

Criscel M. Caingal is a third-year student from Gordon College taking a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English. She was part of the student publication; during her elementary and high school days. Now, in her college, she is part of the League of English Language and Literature Students as one of the business managers and one of the online committees.

The Contributors

Izzy Mae Tiozon, a student of Gordon College, under the Department of College of Education, Arts, and Sciences, is taking the course Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in English. She is one of the editors under the Online Committee of the League of English Language and Literature Students.

Aeros Raphael N. Morales is a freshman taking the Bachelor of Secondary Education majoring in English at Gordon College. He is currently one of the members of the Online Committee of the League of English Language and Literature Students (LELLS).

The Contributors

John Christian J. Rocero hails from Nasugbu, Batangas, and is a first-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Secondary Education degree, majoring in English. He has demonstrated his exceptional communication skills and passion for the English language through his role as an English Radio Broadcaster at the official student publication unit of Gordon College, The Forefront. In addition, he is a member of the Media and Documentation committee of the highest standing council of the institution, the Gordon College Supreme Student Council. Furthermore, he is a proud member and part of the online committee at the League of English Language and Literature Students (LELLS). John is poised to become a notable figure; in the field of education and communication.

Matthew Jullian C. Naval Literary Editor

Aeros Raphael N. Morales

Criscel Anne M. Caingal

Gabrielle Neil S. Bulda

Izzy Mae N. Tiozon

John Christian J. Rocero

Ma. Melissa D. Merlas

Matthew Jullian C. Naval

Layout and Graphic Artists

Gabrielle Neil S. Bulda

Ma. Melissa D. Merlas

Matthew Jullian C. Naval Literary Committee

LEAGUE

OF ENGLISH

LANGUAGE

AND LITERATURE STUDENTS

President

External Secretary

Internal Secretary Treasurer Auditor

Public Information Officer

Public Information Officer

Business Manager Business Manager

1st-year Representative

2nd-year Representative

3rd-year Representative

4th-year Representative

Gabrielle Neil S. Bulda

Matthew Jullian C. Naval

Ma. Melissa D. Merlas

Atasha Kei L. Alejandro

Elaine M. Viray

Abigail D. Avelino

David Eman S. Simsuangco

Criscel Anne M. Caingal

Chrishelle Mae R. Agustin

Jeremiah A. Tañamor

Jasmine Alliah D. Silvido

Jasper Andrei D. Silvido

Mina D. Miranda

Guiller T. Marila Adviser

In a world that is cold and dark, where there is a tiny spark that warms the palms of these authors' hearts.

Words and phrases that spark those unwary hearts that sets individuals to embark and defy the meaning that marks. Will joy give you a spark?

May you define your own meaning of joy in writing that sparks within you.