ALEGRIA - A Literary Folio by LELLS | Vol. 3

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?

Veronika and Eduard

Kungikawaynasadulonangkatapusan, atangorasaytumigilnaparangnasabuwan.

Huwagmongitigilangpaghahanap,

magtiwalakasadireksyongiyongtinatahak.

Atkungmataposmanangiyongpaglalakbay.

Halika'tsamahanmoako,sabaynatinglibutin

angmundonawalaniisamanang nakakaunawa.

Tangingtayolamang.

Mundongparasaatinlang.

Defining My Happiness

HowdoIdefinemyhappiness?Howdo otherpeopledefinetheirs?Theworditself isobjectiveandisn’texactlyfixtoone definition.Wedefineourhappiness differently,justlikehowwedefinebeauty andgoodness.Theyarewords,definedby dictionaries,encyclopedia,andthesaurus, andyet,itisdifferentfrompersonto person.AndIknowitinvolvesmoraland ethicalviewpoints,butwewon’tbetalking aboutthoseterms.Wewillbetalkingabout myhappiness.

Myhappinesscancomefrommycat.Thatwigglesits buttallthetime.Runaroundthehouselikeachildand cuddlemelikealover.Myhappinesscancomefrom theraysofsun,thatpassesthroughmyskinandgives warmthtomysoul.ItmademethankfulforthedayI wasborn.Myhappinessisthankstothemoon,that guidesmethroughmytravelatnightandneverleave myside.Myhappinessisreflectedintheclearsky,it mademewanttoflyandreachforsomething unreachable.Myhappinessiswithpeoplepassingthe streets.Theyholdstoriesthatistold,andforcenturies thestorywouldbeold.Towhichremindsme,howI findhappinessincapturingimages.Mayitbe photographyorart.HowIlovethedepictionoflifein otherpeople’seyes.

Iseemyhappinessinalotofthings.MaybeIam simplelikethat.ForaslongasIknowhowtolike everylittlethingaboutlife,I’llfindmyhappiness. Therearetimesthatitisimpossibletobehappy,and thisfakehappinessthatI’mforcingmyselfiswhat makesmeunhappy.IknowIlovehappiness,butI don’twanttokeepembracingitandletgoofother thingsintheprocess.Ineededtobesadtobehappy, beangrytobecalm,toacceptfailureandbesuccessful, tofeelinsufficienttolovingmyself.Before,Ididn’t knowhowtoembracetheseemotions.Iwouldalways smileandthinkthatI’mhappydespiteofitall.Butit's eatingmeup.Andatsomepoint,thefaçademustbe brokendown.Happinessisobjectiveandisn’texactly fixtoonedefinition,howdoIdefinemyhappiness?It isme.Iammyownhappiness.

a star or sudden spark

lookingatthenightsky, allofmythoughtsfullofwhy's. questionspeakwhenIhide. amIreadytoknowandfight?

turningbacktothedaysthatImatter; fullofsmilesandlaughter.

Ididnotthinkofanyonetobother, becauseIknowthatitwilltakeforever. however, areyouastarorjustasuddenspark ofthisbeatingheart?

genuinelycaringeitheryouarebothornot.

intheend,Ichosewhat'sbestinthechapter. indecisive,butwantstofigureoutwhenitis better.

joythatlightsherupinherdulldays; joythatcaresforhereveninherclumsyhaze. whetheryouareastarorjustasuddenspark, Ihopethatyou'llstillbemyjoythatyouarenow. again,areyoumystarorjustasuddenspark?

Love Myself

Dredgingontheshallowlight

Sinkingthroughyourdarkesttimes

Beingdrownonyourownanxiety

Gettingchokedbyothershumidity

Lifeisabigmess

Survivealltheconsequence

Gothroughallthehardness

Andreachedyoursuccess

Breathingisharderthanyouthink

Butlivingisthehardestthing

Allthehindrancewillcome

Likeallofthemiswelcome

Fantasy

Theworldwhereyouideate

Makesyourdreamsfabricate

Makingupwhileyoumeditate

Andcreateyourwhileenvisaged

Dreamingwithgoodthings

Beingprettywhilehallucinating

Creatinglotsofamazing

Livingalifefullofstargazing

We'reallliving

Inthisunrealthings

Makingourlivesfeelexciting

Makingourdaymoreinteresting

Don'tstopyourfantasy

Evenit'snotthatfancy

It'slikeagoodecstasy

Whereitwillmakeyoumorelusty

- Purple Rose

Lethargic

Didyoueverfeeltired

Likeeverythingisalljammed

Doesn'tknowwhatisright

Doesn'tknowifI'mstillalright

Igotit

Icanmakeit

Justgoforit

I'mtiredofit

Silence

Silencewilltell

Thejourneyofhell

Makeurfearintocell

Andunleashedthehiddenspell

Hidthephantomofgreed

Leashedtheshadowoflust

Crutchthelightofhope

Boosturunseenstrength

Takealiftoflife

Boundedbyoneside

Takeapeakedonhell

Andlearnhowtodwell

Ruckusofsinners

Blindedbybestowers

Deafinpainfulscreeches

Andmutebyhypocriteleeches

- Purple Rose

Forgiveness

Twowords

Sevenletters

Awordsthatholdseverything

Awordsthatcreatedtobringpeace

Thewordsthatcanbesaidbythe courageousone

Thewordsthatcanmakeyoufeelso strong

Thewordsthatcanfixeverything

Thiswordsdoesn'tmakesyouweak

insteaditwillmakeyoubrave

Thiswordsmeanttobespoken

Yourfaultornot,it'snotbad

Butyetthiswordshasarival

Pride,prideisthekiller

It'safunnythingforme

Justtwowords

Sevenletters

Canfixthemall

-

Purple Rose

Optimism

Lifeisfullofups

Lifeisfullofdowns

Lifeisateacher

Lifeisalearner

We'resurroundedbyproblems

We'resurroundedbysolutions

We'rehavingbaddays

We'rehavinggooddays

Allisbalanced

Perfectlywellfit

Halfisdark

Halfislight

Everythinghasareason

Everythinghasapurpose

Everythingyouseeisbeautiful

Everythingyouseeismeaningful

- Purple Rose

Gentle Flower

Beautifulredrosebindedwiththorns

Symbolizesawomanstuckinaworld

Aworldthatisfullofdiscrimination

Aplacewhichispurelimitation

Asoftandgentleflower

That'sthefeelofwomenscare

Womanshouldtakecare

Anddon'tbescared

Keependuringthepain

Thewoundsthatcan'texplain

Whilethesakeofothersshouldbethemain

Evenitismeanttobemaintain

Thewomansdynastyshouldberaised

Equaltothemansplace

Womensrightsshouldbeinarace

Eveniftheroadisasufferingterrace

Asoftandgentleflower

That'sthefeelofwomenscare

Womanshouldalwaystakecare

Anddon'teverbescared

-

Purple Rose

finally The Moon Met the Stars

4millionpeople

Throbbedtheirheartsinadimple

Painhiddeninabrightestsmile

Anidol'sjourney

Thatcametoanend, thatcan'tcomprehend.

Ibecameastar

Rememberedtobeinthesky

Livingintheirheartsforever

Throughonelastconsole

Don'tcryanymore

Livewellforwe'llseeeachotherlater~~

Thesmilethatimparts

willneverdepart

Remainedasamemory

intheirlovinghearts.

#1

LOVEeverythingisloveineacheyes

SeveryoneislivingagreatLIFE

BEAUTYthatisinsideme

thewarmfeelingofSERENITY

WILLINGtolive

BEHAVE,that'swhatmymothersaid

stayslikeaSILHOUETTE

onthethingsthatremindsmeofYOU

#2

Salahatngtao,ikawangakingTALA

kapayapaananghatidngiyongbawatSALITA

tuladngKALAWAKANnamadilimngunitwagasangganda

ADING,halina'ttayoaykumawala

gustokongmatamisnapagkain

KADILIMANsapaligidngpulangrosas

KABUTIHANangdapatpinapairal

ikawangnasaisipmulaUMPISAhangganghuli

#1

TallFEELINGSarevalid

don'tbeafraidtoopenthePANDORA

changeisINEVITABLE

lifeisveryNOSTALGIC

asredasafireEXTINGUISHER

Ilovemyself

andforthat,PERFORMINGisindeedmypassion

#2

mundo'ymagigingIKAW

kahitmahirapayMAPAGPATULOY

parinSALAPIangnagpapasayasaakin

gayangmgaBULAKLAKsaparang

angSAKRIPISYOngnagmamahalaydimatutumbasan

GUNITAINangmgaalaala,mabutimanomasama ikawangakingHARIsadulongbahaghari

#1

everypeoplehasathingtoMANIFEST

butonedayisworthaLIFETIME

dancinglikeabee,smilingwithsomuchGLEE

areweREAL,ihopenot

theDARKNESSthatembracedme

theworldanditsETHEREALbeauty

theSUNSETbidsapeacefulgoodbye

letusshinelikeaSTAR #2

angiyongMALAMLAMnamgamata

BUKASanglaginginaasahan angitsuraniya'ynagniningning,NAGHIHIWAGAparang

mahika

BUHAYaysadyangmapanakit ngunitBUWANaynagbibigayliwanag

nakakalunodnaALAPAAP,ayawkonangkumurap

animo'yhamogsaTAG-ARAW

attuladngmgaTALA,sanatayonalangangitinadhana

#1

iwalkedinsideandfeltaSOLEMNvibe,itfeelsnice that'swhatshehavebeeneagerof,SOLITUDE

aloveRETURNEDinfull

thatneitherMONEYcouldbuy

ihavetoPRETENDtodowhatisright

theSUNSETgivemeapeaceIwant

thentheAURORAwasgivingmepeaceandputsasmile #2

palagiatpalagi,ikawatikaw,SINTA

angmuntikongMINAMAHAL

atikawangtangingHINAHANGAD

angnagbibigaysaakinngKAALIWANsaakingbuhay

walangkapantaykongKAYAMANAN

ikawlanganglagingPIPILIIN

KAPAYAPAANanghantungansahigpitngiyongkapit - e.e tu

#1

MtheSERENITYuponyourpalms

andtheWARMTHbehindtheskies

howcanyoubeinsanewithMONEY

iwasMESMERIZEDbythebeautifulscenery

whereasinourTERRIBLElives

settingmyheartABLAZE

ifoundherEXQUISITEinhernature #2

ikawangakingKAULAYAWsagabi

ikawangPINAKAMAGANDAsaakingpaningin

ngitinaparabangnakahuhumaling

iyongmgamatangparangBITUIN

akingsinta,ikawangPAHINGA

kailanma'ywalangpaalam

MAKABULUHANGpahinangaklat -

God is high

Ithoughthappinesscanonlybefoundinheaven. Butthereisheaveninyou, thattheholyscripturesnevermentioned.

Maybetheyneveranticipatedit.

Butevenifit'snotprophesized, wemadeithappen.

Genesis504.

Atthedoorthere'sGodishigh, myhappiness.

Idon'tneedaKing.IalreadyhavemyQueen. Wesavoreverymomentwitheachother, Chroniclingwithourheartsandmind.

Let'snotcountthenumbersofdaystogether. We'lljustgettiredofit, Aneternityforus,iswaiting.

Exodus?

Givemeallthereasons, Iwon'tleave,I'llstay.

Yousaidthatmyaction

isthesameasmywords Ofcourse,Iloveyou.

BecauseJob'sfavoriteproverbis, "Dowhatmakesyouhappy" SoloveGodishigh.

Thefeelingoflamentation isnewtome,becauseofyou, everytimethatImissyou.

Iloveseeingyousmile, withthesimplethingsthaticandoforyou. Youmakemewanttolivemywholelifewithyou.

Andjustlikewhatialwayssay "Iknowthere'snomoonrightnow, butit'sbeautiful,isn'tit?"

Myreveletiontomyfavorite, Jeremiah,Godishigh, lovingyouismyhappiness.

1 2 3 4 & 5 6 7

Jeez!Bigbangtheoryshouldbepacedout. Becausethestartoftheworld, iswhenwemetat14.83287,120.28214.

Everyoneshouldknowaboutthis. Evenmeteorologistdidn'tseeitcoming,thisstormof happinessthatyoubroughttome.

Rarerushofoxytocin happenstomeforthefirsttime. It'sbecauseofyou,myonlyone.

Everycolorisnowvisibleinthespectrum.ThatInever sawwithmymonochromesight.Youpaintedmylife, andthecolorisyou.

Justiceforme.Youwhostolemyheart, vandalizedmywallswithONLYYOU, andmademyeverythingasYOU.

Oh!Iwouldgladlyimprisonyou. Hereinmyarmsforever. There'snowayout,you'remine.

.

Becausebelieveme.

Whatmakesmehappyisyouandme. Notice,thestartofeverystanzaismyhappiness.

Dear self

Iwroteyouthisletter.

Whenyoureadit,youbetterremember.

Alwaysdowhatmakesyoufeelhappy.

Everytimeyouwakeupinthemorningalwaysprayandgive thanksthatyouarelucky.

Self,Iknowyou'redsad

Yoursmilehidesallthelie.

Icanseeitinyoureye.

Deepinsideyouwannacry.

Imsorryformymistakes.

Imonlyhuman,whodoesn'tknowifitisfate?

Haveyoueverfeltdiscriminatedagainst?

Grewupandbecameaman.

Wipeyourtear

Faceyourfear

Bestrongandanindependentone.

Donteverstepbackfaceit,Imalwaysherecheeringyou.Iam yournumberonefan.

Everythinghappensforareason

Maybepainandsufferbuildyouasabetterperson

Don'tbelieveindestiny

Workforitandcreateyourowndestiny

Iknowyou'retired

Givingallyourhaveeventhoughcountlesstimesyoutried

Thosewhoarelosetheirtracksareweak

Butdon'tworry,restyourheadandtakeasleep.

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.