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I CON PAULIWORLD Email pauliworld.spcp@gmail.com Facebook facebook.com/PauliworldSPCP Twitter twitter.com/PauliworldSPCP Instagram instagram.com/PauliworldSPCP ICON STAFF Editor-in-Chief Pauline Majarucon Managing Editor Laurein Mateo Associate Editor Jana Torres Feature Editors Indira Sowy, Louise Navarro Filipino Editor Gabrielle Paterno Chief Layout Artist Sophia Tantamco Associate Layout Artists Josephine Javier, Frances Angeles Chief Cartoonist Veronica Angeles Moderator Ms. Paulyn Navarrete Layout Natasha Allenby, Mieka Laciste, Alexa Bentilanon, Shannen Crespo, Grace Imbao, Angela Imbuido, Tyrelle Tebangin Contributing Writers Sophia Custodio, Therese Riego, Mikayla Sanchez, Juliana Javier, Gaby Martinez, Samantha Apilado, Bridgette Macatangay, Luna Coscolluela, Sam Veguillas, Sofia Sambrano, Anya Nacuda, Tiffany Cosue, Loreiz Abanes, Shyane Mendoza, Alyssa Reyes, Jolie Lim Contributing Artists Andrea Ochoa, Isabelle Magadia, Ania Montaner, Ambreinne Fabila, Maya Erfe, Rebecca Cristobal, Andrea Quibilan

CONTENTS 01

Literary

Feature

A grim reaper

Legacy: Unfolded

How Icarus fell in love with the sun

A man’s curiosity alternate universe

On fairytales and fantasies

How Much Longer

Supernovas

New perspectives: timeless art of tarots

Alon

Cotton candy skies

Pagtugtog ng musika: Tulong sa pagpokus o nagiging abala?

Maaari bang pumasok ngayon?

Sprouting from frozen roots

Lumulutang daigidg?

Kimetsu No Yaiba: What makes you root for the antagonists?

Siil

Luha ng pighati at pag-asa

Spaces

Where gods die

Himlayan

Wishing upon the stars

isipan

his

The

LITERARY

WRITTEN BY SOPHIA CUSTODIO

02 ICON

Layout by Natasha Allenby

No one’s ever spoken to me They would wail like children, plead like beggars, Attempt to crawl back to whatever fragility of their body remained, Or sometimes even quietly thank the gods or immortal deities That their suffering was put to an end We never conversed I just stood over them, face expressionless with indifference And patiently waited for them to surrender Until one man, a death row inmate, Due on November 2, in the genuine curiosity That comes with death said, “Will you ask me why?” He died on November 1, alone in his cell With his cold hands clasped in silent prayer As he hung from the ceiling The tight grip on my scythe loosened, And I stood, weight on both feet in my flowing black robes My empty sockets being illuminated by his glowing eyes Wondering for the first time: Is it that bad to be human? Is it so unbearable to have flesh on your bones, A heart pumping blood into every crevice in your body, A form to hold and to be held? If only I could lay down on a field, With my back tickled by the pointed needles of grass, And watch my stomach slowly rise and fall in perfect symphony, And raise my arms to count the stars with ten fingers, And be blinded by the moonlight as its rays reflect onto my retinas And at that moment, want nothing more No, I did not ask him why Perhaps because of this veiled truth about humanity, In its purest, easiest form: the beauty of being truly alive, Is what I wished was the reality I could live I guess that’s something hollowed skulls and empty rib cages, And shells of broken, reassembled pieces of delicate marble Were not built, were not allowed to understand: The despair of being human

LITERARY 03

HOW ICARUS FE L L IN LOVE WITH THE SUN WRITTEN BY GABY MARTINEZ

From Sisyphus defying the testaments of death, to Arachne’s tapestry, which caused her last breath. Divine beings have always intervened to instill humility to humans whose ego and conceit came to be their own fragility. The story of Icarus and Daedalus is no different, to the consequences and warnings that human pride refuses to revere. How luminous must the sun have been to cause such a tragedy, similar to how the brightest of stars create the most ripples of disaster in the galaxy. No one is to blame other than Icarus, who foolishly dug his own grave. A man who was frightened by the mere thought of drowning in modesty in a tidal wave. We burn our own wings when we fail to realize that human flight is not boundless. For the very reason that soaring to higher altitudes tends to make us think we are groundless. The infamous Greek myth of a boy who flew too close to the sun is anything but a romance. Rather, a portrayal of the beauty of human limitations to those with ambitions overshadowed by arrogance. Ambitiousness intertwined with unrealism will lead to an inevitable downfall, and in similar circumstances should we remember the virtues of humility and deference above all.

04 ICON

Layout by Frances Angeles

ON FAIRYTALES AND FANTASIES WRITTEN BY JANA TORRES

I don’t believe in fairytales. The

endless

pining,

the

We’re the misfits found in the corners of horrendous,

overdone plotlines that pluck out Prince

coloring books. Another filler in a novel. Another NPC in a role-playing game.

Charmings and throw damsels in distress

Now, the stars have cleared the sky. They’ve

into the sea.

run away from us. Off to deceive another

The love, the loving, the un-loving, the unrealistic songs that come from it all. Radicalized dreams. Premeditated sparks. You lie down next to me, and I tell you all of this, as we gaze up and make fun of the worlds beyond us. The stars that run away from those who blindly want to follow them. They crash, burn, and explode into stardust that seeps into your bones. You

princess and Prince Charming about true love’s kiss. It’s just you and me, with nothing but the plume of dark staring back at us— reflections of our own demise and our defiance of love, life, liberty, and all of its unfairness. Humans aren’t meant to live long if we have to keep dreaming for wishes and stars.

point at the daggers that rain hot, white

I don’t believe in fairytales because the

blood onto the dark sky.

universes

I tell you that we’ve grown too old to dream

that

have

already

bloomed

before us don’t see this.

about happily ever afters when the world

How we’ll crash. Burn. How, just as stars

kicks us out of our self-made pumpkin

do, sparks will form from collisions—a

carriages because we’re too big to fit into

fantasy’s demise.

them, or too heavy to make the wheels turn. The princesses in our storybooks don’t look like us—free of the scars and birthmarks we couldn’t control.

LITERARY 05

06 ICON

Layout by Frances Angeles

SUPER N OVAS WRITTEN BY JULIANA YSABELLE JAVIER (CFCA)

I have always felt the wandering star that trickled and hovered, around and about as it flowed inside the system of my mind. Series of hums that vibrated and trembled as it formed at the surrounding muscle floating inside of my skull – pulling and pushing while releasing gusts of hushed whispers that produced a foggy and unclear sight of which my irises saw and of which my eardrums heard. Each stellar molecule seeping into the muscle of my brain and penetrating through its layers, travelling towards its core to jab it repeatedly. It slowly said vexatious whispers at the beginning, but as the hands of time twisted and turned in a single direction to run at its usual pace, it began to shriek – let’s become a starburst together, my Callisto. And as I listen to the little star, a forged smile curls up to my lips when I agree to its repeated pleas – it almost sounded like sonatas with the loud screeches replacing its euphonious melodies. My body worked for its pleas to come to life – producing stars with stellar molecules that I couldn’t even afford to have. I created one, then two, then three, before it eventually became a thousand. I created a whole galaxy before realizing that I had to produce a trillion times ten more while functioning at a terrifying speed to become the starburst that the little star in my mind wanted. I created a whole galaxy until I suddenly imploded – all of the pent-up frustrations with my dear star’s whispers filling my mind along with its thin air, spreading across the vast space with only empty hands to embrace its impossible dreams that never emerged. I wasn’t just able to create a galaxy that I sadly wasn’t a part of; I also created a supernova.

SUPERNOVAS. How many more expectations can you place upon your shoulders before you burst?

LITERARY 07

ART BY NICA ANGELES

08 ICON

Layout by Mieka Laciste

ALON WRITTEN BY MIKAYLA SANCHEZ (CFCA)

Sa malalamig na gabi,

At tila bang wala na ‘kong kakampi.

Pinipigilan na lang ang mga hikbi.

Nakakawalang gana,

Dumadaan na lang ang mga sinasabi;

Nakakawalang halaga.

Patuloy ang kanilang sumasabay na agos,

Nalulong sa lahat ng mga sana,

Sarili na ang nabasag at hindi na maaayos.

Sana magbago ako.

Ramdam ko ang pag-iisa. Siguro bang isang dakilang parusa, Lasang-lasa ang sakit sa’king mga labi. Hindi alam ang dahilan; ang mga bakit, ang mga kasi Dahil wala namang may saksi. Kalungkutan ang laging ko nang kasama. Siya ang una kong nakikita sa umaga, Siya rin ang huling nasa isipan. Sinusundan niya ako sa bawat lakad, Sa bawat pagsunod, nawawalan na’ko ng abilidad— Ablidad upang lumipad. Tumatawag sa gitna ng dagat, Umaasang mapakinggan, Umaasang matulungan. Ngunit, katahimikan ang bumati;

Sana umayos ako. Sana. Patuloy na lang akong umaasa sa wala, At ngayon, gusto ko nang huminga. Dahil sa pagtitig ko sa salamin, Nakikita ko ang mga alon— Malalaki. Matatarik. ‘Di inaasahan. Mga alon na gusto ko nang isalin, Dahil masyado na ring malalim. Malalalim na ang mga alon. Nalulunod na ’ko sa sariling mga luha. Isipin naman ang sarili kahit minsan, Dahil nagpapa-alipin na tayo sa mga demonyo ng isipan.

LITERARY 09

COTTON CANDY SKIES WRITTEN BY THERESE RIEGO

ICON

Layout by Josephine Javier

I leisurely stroll around the neighborhood.

I look up,

Wind whispering, leaves rustling

Up at the cotton candy skies.

I see dogs chase after their masters. I find kittens sucking contentedly for milk. Oh, to be carefree again… I look up, Up at the cotton candy skies.

The sun is going down, As if escaping From its laborious job of burning for the world. Can I do the same, please?

I listen to the children’s squeals of laughter

Escape my past, escape my life?

As they play ball along the sidewalk.

I look up,

One trips and scrapes his knee.

Up at the cotton candy skies.

He clutches his leg tightly, crying loudly. His mother rushes over to him. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you. Let’s get you patched up.” He calms down, wiping away his tears. Oh to be naive and innocent once more…

And I notice… they are looming over me. Covering, Embracing, Protecting, Comforting me—

I look up, Up at the cotton candy skies. I watch a car pull up to the driveway, And out came a bearded man with salt-andpepper hair. “Daddy!” I hear, and two little kids, A son and a daughter, Run and hug their father. “You guys are choking me!” he struggles to say. The mother laughs to herself, Trying to untangle their arms from her husband. Oh, to have a whole family…

LITERARY

ART BY ISABELLE MAGADIA

ICON

Layout by Shannen Crespo

ISINULAT NI ANYA NACUDA Narito ka, kating-kati na muling tumapak sa mga lugar na tinawag mong pangalawang tahanan. Natataranta ka na baka hindi mo na muling makita ang mga mukhang lagi mong nakakasalubong sa paaralan. Naaalala mo pa ba ‘yung mga araw na nagrereklamo kang gusto mo nang umuwi? Nagrereklamo ka na gusto mo nang humimlay sa malambot mong kama at matulog na lamang buong araw. Pero ito rin yung mga araw na dudukwang ka na lang bigla ng SkyFlakes at patagong kakain sa likod ng klase. Kung maaari, pati tubig ng katabi mo, hiningi mo na rin. Nakakatawang isipin na gawain mo pa rin ‘yan ngayon ngunit sa likod na ng kamera. Pero ngayon, kating-kati kang pumasok para makitawa sa mga kaklase mong wala ring naintindihan sa Sipnayan. Ang kinasanayan mong pagsali sa Carpe Diem ay nalipat sa paglalaro ng Among Us. Ang mga pagkaing lagi mong pinipilahan at binibili sa canteen ay niluluto mo na sa inyong kusina. Ang dating taga-tikim lang ng ulam ay Master Chef na ngayon at arawaraw na kung magtimpla ng dalgona. Kung swerte ka nga naman, ang chicken fillet ni Tita Sally ay nabili mo na rin at nakain sa ginhawang hatid ng iyong bahay. Narito ka sa iyong tahanan, humihiling para sa harap-harapang klase. Narito ka sa iyong tahanan, nangagarapnangagarap na muling mayakap at makita ang mga taong tinatawag mong pamilya. Narito ka sa iyong tahanan, tinitingnan ang ulam na hinanda ng iyong ina at iniisip kung anong ulam ng mga kaklase mo. Ngunit narito ka rin sa iyong tahanan, unti-unti nang hindi ginaganahan – na para bang isa pang asignatura at bibigay ka na. Kung maaari, at alam kong gagawin mo, ko, at nating lahat, ay ibigay at isakripisyo ang lahat ng mayroon tayo para lang magkasama-sama muli. Ibibigay natin ang lahat upang maramdaman itong pagod ngayon na may halong saya dahil sa ingay at kwento ng mga kaibigan natin na walang katapusan bago mag-uwian. Kung pwede lang. “Goodbye and thank you, Miss!” Huling bati mo bago mag-unat at mag-abang sa susunod na guro noon, parehong bati pa rin bago mo isara ang iyong laptop ngayon.

LITERARY

ART BY MAYA ERFE

ICON

Layout by Mieka Laciste

ISINULAT NI TIFFANY COSUE “Anak, okay ka lang ba?” ani ng magulang na nag-aalala kay Diego, ang anak na mukhang nakatitig na lamang sa platong puno ng pagkain. “Ah, paumanhin po. May inisip lang po akong takdang-aralin na kailangang isumite sa araw na ito.” Nang bumalik si Diego sa kwarto niya, hinarap muli ang matinding daloy ng iniisip. Naku, mukhang nadala na naman ako sa dalos. Bakit nangyayari ito? Lahat ba ng tao ay dumadaan sa ganitong yugto sa buhay nila? Na para bang hindi mo alam kung totoo ang pagkakabuhay mo sa mundong ito, o simpleng ilusyon lamang? Ano ang hangarin ng Diyos sa pagkabuhay natin maliban sa pagpupuri sa Kanya? Hay, hindi ko yata malalaman ito kailanman, kahit na pagsikapan ko. Teka, kailangan bang malaman? O dapat bang manatili sa mga opinyon at paniniwala? Kasama na rin diyan ang mga pananaliksik ng sugnayan at kapnayan. Maaaring ginawa lang natin ito bilang mga taong matatakutin at upang mapawi ang pangangailangan na may pinupuri tayo? Napag-aralan pa nga natin na luminaw ang mga utak ng mga unang tao dahil sa ebolusyon. Marahil, dito yumabong ang pangambang may mas malakas na puwersa o pagkatao. Para mawala ang takot na ito, gumawa tayo ng mga paniniwalang ipinasa sa atin bilang henerasyon. Hala, parang nakatatakot isipin! Pero, mas madaling pag-isipan ito nang klaro kaysa na binabarado niya ang pang-araw-araw na aktibidad ko.

Sige, bumalik tayo sa pagiisip. Ikaw ba, mambabasa: ano ang iyong opinyon sa pagkabuhay ng sandaigdigang ito? Ah, masyadong malawak siguro. Tama ka d’yan. Alam mo, may mga sandaling tinatanong ko ang Diyos kung bakit ang daming hindi pa natin alam tungkol sa mundo at sa buong sansinukob. Eh, sa bahay lang namin, ang dami ko nang hindi alam. Ngunit, hindi naman masama ito. Tinuro sa akin na mahalagang pagisipan ang mga ideyang ito, lalo na’t magbibinata na ako. Subalit, habang tumatanda ako, dumadalas ang aking mga krisis na personal kung saan ako ay nahihiwalay sa nangyayari sa paligid ko. Dito, nadadala ako sa imahinasyon at debate. “Normal naman ito, Diego,” sabi ng aking guidance counselor noong binisita’t kumonsulta ako sa kanya, sa pag-asang matitigil ko na ang naliligaw na imahinasyong ito. Habang naglalakad pauwi ng bahay, napagtanto ko ang isang mahalagang detalye: walang mali sa pagtatanong tungkol sa “bakit?” ng mga bagay sa mundong ito. Maganda ang pagkakaroon ng malikhaing utak! Bakit ko gustong itigil?

Hindi ibig sabihin na kung kinukwestiyon ko ang mga likha ng Diyos ko, hindi na ako relihiyoso: dahil binigyan Niya tayo ng sariling pag-iisip. Siguro nga, hindi natin malalaman ang lahat sa sandaling panahon ng ating buhay dito, at iyon ay dapat tanggapin. Ang mahalaga’y may pag-asa tayong uunlad pa ang sangkatauhan at uusbong tayo bilang isang katawan. Isang araw, ako ay makapupunta sa kalawakan higit pa sa mundong ito. Makikita at matutuklasan ko ang mga lihim ng pag-iral natin at ang lumilingad na oras. Makapangyarihan ang utak ng tao; dapat gamitin natin ito nang wasto, para sa kaligiran, komunidad, at para sa susunod na henerasyon! Bagama’t sa ngayon malawak ang maaaring malaman ng tao, kailangan natin magsama-sama upang kamtan ang mas magandang buhay para sa lahat.

Oo, mahirap siya minsan. Datapwat ito ay isang biyaya ng Panginoon!

LITERARY

SIIL WRITTEN BY LOREIZ ABANES

ICON

Layout by Alexa Bentilanon

Ang nagmamani-obra ng pamahalaan Inaabuso ang kanilang kapangyarihan Nagbibingi-bingihan at nagbubulag-bulagan Kibit-balikat lamang sa pulso ng bayan Mga karumal-dumal na pagpapatayan Mga mamamayang hinahayaan lang sa laylayan Mga umiiral na korapsyong naibunyag Panggigipit sa malayang pamamahayag Ikaw ba’y uupo, mananahimik, at papayag? Sadyang tatanggapin ang alibughang pamahalaan? Magpapaloko sa kanilang mga kaaliwaswasan? O ikaw ba’y katulad nilang bulag sa katotohanan? Bagaman nakagagambala, ang alingawngaw ng mga nagdarahop Mas nakababagabag naman ang katahimikan ng mga taong pinipiling tumiklop Anila’y huwag akong makibaka at magreklamo Palibhasa’y hindi sila apektado Pirming nakatingala, sinasamba ang palpak na gobyerno Ang hibang na pangulo ay ang iniidolo Mga pambabatikos ko raw ay walang mararating Nag-iingay lang daw sa kalsada at nagmamagaling Ngunit sa kasaysayan ay may mga kilusang itinulak Mga diktador ay napabagsak Mga kadenang nakagapos ay nawasak Hindi dahas ang ginamit kundi ang boses at utak Nais ko lamang isulong ang adhika Magkaroon ng reporma sa mapang-aping sistema Mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima Panagutin ang mga nagkasala Mga maling gawi at panukala ay itama Magsilbing boses para sa mga sinusupil Kondenahin ang katiwalian ng mga mapaniil Mapaunlad ang kamalayan ng mamamayan Magkaisa sa isang makabuluhang kilusan Habang nasa isip ang kinabukasan ng lipunan

LITERARY

Luha ng pighati at pag-asa ISINULAT NI SHYANE MENDOZA Maaaring narinig mo na ito sa nakararami sa atin Ang mga Pilipino raw ay palaging nakangiti Anumang problema, trahedya, o sakuna ang sapitin Ngunit napansin mo rin ba sa kanilang mga mata ang lungkot na nagkukubli? Sa paglipas ng mga taon na tayo’y nakaranas ng hamon ng kalikasan Sa mga panahong ating inilaan upang ito’y ating paghandaan Hindi pa rin naiwasan ang pagkalagas ng ilang libong buhay Lalo na’t kalakip ng bagyo ay si kamatayan na siyang kaagapay Dahil dito, ang mga pamilya ng mga yumao’y nananaghoy sa tindi ng poot at sakit Lubhang napakahirap nga namang makita na ang mga kasama mo’y kalunos-lunos ang sinapit Parang kahapon lang ay sabay pang binigkas ang katagang, “Kapit lang, walang susuko!” Ngayon ay mag-isa na lamang na nagtatanong, “Bakit ika’y bumitaw at iniwan ako sa dulo?” Sa muling pagsusubok na bumangon mula sa pagkakadapa Marahil ay suot na ang maskarang abot-tenga ang magkabilang dulo ng bibig sa tuwa Upang maipakita sa madla na sila’y patuloy lang na lalaban Kahit pa sa kabila ng lahat ay malinaw na naliligaw pa rin sa landas na nais patunguhan Ako lang ba ang nagnanais na kahit sandali man lang ay umayon sa atin ang tadhana? Masyado na kasi itong nagiging mapagbiro at nagdudulot ng masamang sapantaha Hindi pa nga tuluyang nakakalabas sa lalim at dilim ng nagdaang mga bagyo ‘Eto nga’t mayroon na namang panibagong susubok magbaon sa atin sa komplikasyon at gulo

ICON

Layout by Tyrelle Tebangin

Niyanig ang mundo sa pagdating at paglaganap ng pandemyang tinawag na COVID-19 Lubhang sakit na may hatid na sintomas na paniguradong hindi mo nais lasapin Walang awa itong patalikod kung umatake sa kanyang mabibiktima Hindi mo na lang mamamalayan ang pagbagal ng tibok ng puso sabay ng iyong paghinga Tunay na nakapanghihina ang madapuan ng ganitong klase ng sakit Lalo pa’t babalutin ka sa lumbay gawa ng pangungulila sa mga taong sa’yo’y nagmamalasakit Sa ilang linggong mag-isang nakikipaglaban nang walang kasiguraduhan Isang araw lang ay nilinaw ng kislap na nagmumula sa kabilang mundong bagong gagalawan Ano pa nga ba’t mga masisiglang ngiti ng mga naiwan nila’y unti-unti na namang maglalaho Kahit sa huli kasi ay hindi man lang nayakap ang pumanaw dahil ito’y nag-anyo nang abo Hanggang sa mabibigat na paang naghahatid sa huli nitong hantungan Babaunin ang panghihinayang sa mga nakagagalak na alaalang kanilang kinagisnan Walang may karapatang mag-utos na sila’y tuluyan nang makalimot at maging maayos Ang tanging magagawa lamang natin ay samahan sila sa proseso upang tulungang makaraos Totoong magiging malaking pagsubok ang pagtahak palabas sa hindi mawaring bangungot Subalit posibleng maging matinding sandata ang lakas ng loob upang puksain ang hilakbot Batid nating walang mayroong perpektong buhay Ngunit kung ihahalintulad ito sa isang sirang krayola, ito pa rin nama’y kumukulay Kaya huwag sanang talikuran na lamang ang daigdig dahil sa mga naganap na trahedya Ika nga’y may dahilan ang lahat at ang Diyos ay may plano sa lahat ng kaniyang mga nilikha Muli sa pagtanaw sa mga tala sa langit ay walang kupas na nagkikislapan Pakatandaang maganda nang nakaukit ang kanilang maaamong mukha at pangalan Kaya tanging hiling ay huwag sanang magsawang lumaban at tumayo sa pagkabigo Dahil hindi COVID, Ulysses, Rolly, Siony, at Tonyo ang titibag sa ating mga Pilipino

FRONTLINERS | ART BY REBECCA CRISTOBAL

LITERARY

SPACES WRITTEN BY LUNA COSCOLLUELA

It’s in the things that do not matter,

It’s in the ratty, worn-out sweater

it’s in the things that do not care,

that you’ve worn the 60th time,

in the way you brush your teeth at night

the smudge of ink in 4th-grade letters

and run a comb right through your hair.

as you ran to race the line.

It’s in the hum of last week’s laundry

It’s in the space carved deep into your bed

or bubbles circling down the drain,

from a thousand restless nights,

the ripping pulse of endless daydreams,

that years from now concrete can fill

it’s in the way you say a name.

in order to recreate your sight.

It washes over when the rain stops

It’s in the ticking clock

and the ending comes to pain,

as minutes pass through empty air,

it’s in the indents of your fingers

it’s in the things that do not matter,

in coffee cups from Saturdays.

it’s in the things that do not care.

20 ICON

Layout by Anya Imbuido

WHERE GODS DIE WRITTEN BY JANA TORRES

On the grave of an artist,

On the grave of an artist

You will see a nameless headstone.

You will find out that they died

There are no flowers on the ground,

at the hands of their own misery

Whose petals are dirtied by soil.

Self-absorbed in their work

Nor dried candle wax left by mourning souls in

With their souls spared on the face of a canvas.

the evening And traces of prayers in the day.

On the grave of an artist You would encounter

Gods and artists alike live off of prayers

The curse they had to bear

Followers and praises

Which is that—

They come to your beck and call And live immortal So long as humans feed on hope. Until they don’t. Until they die. Until gods and artists Words that are merely broken reflections

Gods and artists die Not because they meet unfortunate ends But because they must. Because their paintings cannot find anything more to love once their paints have thinned, once their vision is dim—

Of each other

When gods and artists build shrines for

Falter.

themselves

Decay.

The walls close once they succumb

On the grave of an artist

To ruined power and perfection.

You do not remember their name The only fragments left of their souls Are paper trails. There they are— torn images of paintings Made with brushes and Paint from the dust of colliding stars.

LITERARY

REFLECTION

ART BY ANDREA QUIBILAN 22 ICON

Layout by Tyrelle Tebangin

ISINULAT NI ALYSSA REYES

Mahigit isang taon na ang nakalipas, Mahigit isang taon mo na ring kinakaya, Ang makulong sa sariling isipan At sa limitadong himlayan sa iyong tahanan. Nasanay kang dumantay sa kanlungan ng iba, Kung saan ang presensya lamang nila ay sapat na. Ngayon ay nagdurusa sa pag-iisa Kaharap ang kompyuter habang suot ang antipara. Ngunit sa iyong pag-iisa Ay naisip mong hanapin ang iyong sarili. Sinikap mong maging matatag para sa iyong pangarap Kinaya mo, nagawa mo, at ipagpapatuloy mo. Isang bagay na itinuro ng pandemyang ito Ang pahalagahan ang sarili mo. Hayaang sarili ay malumbay sa kadiliman Ng sariling himlayan. Huwag ibatay sa opinyon ng iba ang halaga mo Dahil hindi sila ikaw para magdesisyon para sa iyo.

LITERARY 23

WRITTEN BY SOFIA SAMBRANO

Our stardust dreams from the fairies in our sleep, Accelerates the force for us to take a leap. Blinded as we explore the unknown; Despite the obstacles, we continue to roam. As one dares to explore the uncertain trail, Our determination slowly becomes frail. Turning our dreams into something that we now flee, Giving us the urge to retreat, for there is no guarantee. How foolish of us to think it would give us certainty.

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Layout by Sophia Tantamco

The first step will always be the hardest, Making us doubt ourselves and putting ourselves to the test. Our minds clouded with doubts and hesitation, Wondering if we have made the right decision. But my question for you now is: Are you willing to take the risk? Is this something that you would want to miss? For in every risk there is an opportunity, But in the end, everything, even the hindrance, is worthy. So continue believing in your vision, For it is more than just a mere perception. For when you believe and wish upon a star, You can reach places, even those that are afar.

LITERARY 25

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LEGACY: UNFOLDED WRITTEN BY LOUISE NAVARRO

Whether we have accepted the situation or not, the fact of the matter is that this school year is about to end with the current online set-up. Now that us seniors are preparing to bid farewell to our home, we wish to impart a few messages to all the members of our family. To the youthful neophytes and rookies, you still have a long road ahead of you. You may find junior high school to be challenging at times, but know that you are capable of transcending the difficulties you are about to face. Create new friendships, work hard on your academics, and most importantly, remember to stay true to yourselves regardless of what you face or who you meet along the way. For the freshmen, enjoy your next school year as we guarantee you that Grade 10 will be one of the highlights of all your junior high school years, and maybe even the most enjoyable one. We highly encourage you to be more active as this is also the best time to join production teams, engage one’s self in various organizations both in and out of school, and generally participate more before you enter senior high school! As hearts of pink move on to embracing the sophisticated color of blue, we want to warmly welcome you into senior high school. This phase of your high school life may seem difficult at first, but do know that it is during these years that you are able to truly grow, mature, and learn more about one another. Allow yourselves to experience the thrill of exploring new things, and in the process, create a handful of new friendships and memories. To the juniors—the incoming seniors of the high school department, believe us when we tell you to cherish every single moment of your senior year. Regardless of whether or not you will return to the normal set-up, make the most out of your lasts here in SPCP. You may not feel it immediately especially during the start of the next school year, but little by little, you’ll soon realize how fast time flies until you are only left with months, weeks, and then days up until graduation. In the end, what we wish to impart unto all of you is simple: Remember that all of you belong to one department—one family. Whether it’s Laro ng Lahi or Sportsfest season, keep in mind that these friendly competitions are meant to brew bonds within your family; not to foster dominance over each other. Finally, remember that complacency is never an option, especially in times when your voices are needed most. Let the nation know that Paulinians are, and always will be, active members of society who are capable of embodying our core values at heart. Caritas Christi Urget Nos!

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A man’s curiosity of his alternate universe WRITTEN BY BRIDGETTE MACATANGAY

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Layout by Sophia Tantamco

Have you noticed something very similar in movies such as the iconic Click (2006), 12 Monkeys (1995), and the eerie Happy Death Day (2017)? Or how about the famous children’s entertainment book Coraline by Neil Gaiman, or A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle? If you think about it, these works all revolved around the concept of parallel or alternate universes. The latest Spider-man movie for instance, Into the Spider-Verse (2018), is already a dead giveaway to our idea of parallel universes. With the continuous production of movies, books, and fan-fictions incorporating the multiverse, man’s perception on the topic continues to shift, allowing us to come up with our definitions to support our beliefs. But what exactly does one mean by an alternate or parallel universe? Scientifically, parallel universes are described as an immense and hypothetical timeline. In other terms, it is this plane of existence where man believes that human life is simulated to be a reflection of the current reality we live in, but it alters a few facts. With the progression of technology, tech industries incorporate AUs to produce films, augmented reality, and virtual reality to enhance their works. Besides its scientific explanations, man tends to almost always associate alternate universes with current situations not favorable to him. For instance, people tend to cling to the idea of alternate universes with the “what could have been’s” with their goals and the people they meet in life. We never stop wondering if the decisions we make are genuinely the best for us, or if there existed another version of ourselves that took an entirely different, or an even better, route. One great example would be the movie La La Land (2016), wherein in the latter half of the film, Mia and Sebastian were shown their “what could have been’s” if they decided to stay together instead of pursuing their dreams on separate paths. Because we are exposed to ideas like these, we tend to connect the multiverse with life decisions or moral dilemmas. This may be a good thing because it makes our minds more conscious of the decisions we make every day. We are incredibly creative in coming up with possible scenarios of what could happen if we decide to push through a particular decision, most especially if it were an important one that determines a large outlook on our life. However, with all our thoughts and ponders, we only really get to experience one route, which makes us wonder even more what our alternate universe-selves are up to. So now, it all boils down to this: is it real? We cannot know for sure, but its complexity matched with our endless ponders makes this a great topic to stimulate and satisfy man’s curiosity.

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ART BY AMBREINNE FABILA

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WRITTEN BY SAM APILADO Back in November, the Philippines was hit by what was said to be the most powerful typhoon in history. With its violent winds and unceasing rains, typhoon Rolly destroyed the lives of thousands, taking away not just their homes, but bringing their loved ones with it. Typhoons such as this are now the norm, but how long can we keep up with this pattern of devastation knowing that it will only worsen over time? The Independent mentions that scientists predict even more catastrophic cyclones as the rapid intensification of the climate crisis persists. Carbon emissions are at an all-time high, producing the grave effects of global warming. We see this all over the globe–ice caps melting, sea levels rising, and cities sinking– which is why a climate emergency was declared to awaken countries and move them to address the ramifications of this phenomenon. Although this is a start, larger nations continue to turn a blind eye on the issue, fearing that changes to the familiar system will lead to an unfavorable trade-off in terms of economic development. With this, climate activists brought matters into their own hands by promoting what we know today as sustainability. We have long accepted that the resources of our planet are scarce. It has also been established that there is a need for sustainable development to cater not just to the preservation of the Earth, but the continuous growth of mankind. This idea paired with climate change works under the premise that we must be more mindful of our consumption to mitigate further environmental damage. Stemming from this are movements over the years to help encourage others to take part in the fight against the climate crisis. All of these fall under two main ideologies—ethical consumerism and consumer activism. Chicks for Climate, an environmental-conservation organization, differentiated the two with the former placing the responsibility on the consumer and the latter encouraging accountability from producers. To illustrate this, ethical consumerism invites individuals to shift to cruelty-free products while consumer activism fights for systemic change through the creation of anti-animal testing laws. It is evident how both are done with the same motivation of eradicating animal testing, but what differs is one’s course of action. Ethical consumerism is a great first step for us to understand our role in this problem, but it is through consumer activism that long-term benefits are to be experienced, because no matter how many of us espouse ethical consumerist practices, the ball is still in the hands of large corporations who contribute most to the damaging greenhouse gas emissions. And yes, activism demands courage, and it is dishonest for us to assume that everyone is willing to take on the fight. This is why it is necessary that we stand united to demand a future for us and for the planet. Time is running out and only you can determine how far you’re willing to go to defend your home. Don’t wait for another disaster to wake your senses because we must act now. REFERENCES: Chicks for Climate. (2020, December 07). Ethical consumerism & Black Friday's effect on sustainable fashion. Retrieved January 13, 2021, from https://chicksforclimate.substack.com/p/ethical-consumerism-and-black-fridays Dunne, D. (2020, November 03). How is the 'strongest storm of 2020' linked to the climate crisis? Retrieved January 13, 2021, from https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/typhoon-goni-super-2020-philippines-climatecrisis-b1562346.html

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New Perspectives:

The Timeless Art Of Tarots WRITTEN BY BRIDGETTE MACATANGAY Tarots are one of the oldest and most flexible magical practices out there. Tarot card readings first appeared in the 1430s, the end of the Medieval era, as a fortune-telling method wherein a fortune-teller would “read” your future inside a small booth. It is surprising to know that although tarots are 600 years old, they are still being practiced today, with a few modern touches from its standard 78-card deck.

Tarots are said to reveal “hidden truths” that possess the power of tackling big dilemmas one may face. It was even believed that any person who was given tarot cards could one day acquire

Many of us may be skeptical about tarots

universal knowledge. As time passed, the tarot deck

because there is no scientific evidence to prove that

eventually evolved into games, illustrated cards,

they actually work, but it is very surprising to see how

and even came in the form of keychains and gems.

accurate they may be once you try them. Although

When engaging with tarots, it is advised to leave

we tend to leave religion out of our readings, tarots

religion outside the door to prevent it from clashing

have a way of stimulating our minds to think about

with your belief systems. Because of this, they have

how the statements apply in our lives through the

been used more for entertainment than divination.

use of vague explanations. Predictions may or may

If you haven’t had a reading, you may wonder, how does this work? The reading process usually involves knocking on piles of cards several times, shuffling them, dividing them into piles, and picking a certain number of cards you are drawn to. For the rest of the time, your reader will interpret each of the cards you have picked and provide you with vague explanations on what they could mean and how they could apply

not be accurate as they are generally known not to serve as the sole basis for what to expect in the future. Each card has a different meaning, and it is up to us to come up with explanations to reach these certain realizations. It is similar to a key unlocking the memories and experiences you have encountered in your lifetime, even those you may have already forgotten.

to your life. Based on my experiences (although

At the end of the day, tarot readings might help

this could be different for others as readers may

us figure out our futures and serve as a guide to

follow different styles when conducting readings),

daily-decision making. There is nothing wrong with

the cards would determine your current standing

looking for a bit more perspective on how to conquer

in life, the problems you may currently be facing,

your day-to-day life. In the end, what you end up

and life advice on how to go above these challenges.

doing is dependent on your intuition and wisdom.

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Pagtugtog NG

Musika

Tulong sa pagpokus o nagiging abala? ISINULAT NI JOLIE LIM

Ang lahat ay may kaniya-kaniyang pamamaraan ng pag-aaral. Sa tuwing oras na ng paggawa sa mga ito, ang musika ang isang karaniwang tinatabi sa gawin bilang pang-aliw at panlibang, lalo

na sa online

set-up.

Ngayong

ang

bawat

mag-aaral ay inaasahang

makatapos

mga

gawain sa kani-kanilang oras, muling nagbabalik ang talakayan sa pagpapatugtog ng mga awit o himig habang nag-aaral, nakatutulong ba talaga ito sa pagpokus o nakasasagabal lamang? Isang araw muli ang lilipas nang ang huling klase’y nagtapos sa isang, “Paalam at salamat!” Ang ilaw ng iskreen ay hindi pa rin nawawala, ito’y hinahanda para sa isang gabing puno ng gawain. Naging nakasanayan na ang pagtugtog ng musika. Noong nakaraan, may tunog na pampasigla, pop at upbeat na humahalintulad pa nga sa mga tugtugang radyo’t gusto mo na lamang mapasayaw at sumaya. Kamakailan, parang nasa isang cafe, mala-klasikal at instrumental habang dahan-dahang napupuno ng check mark ang bago mong to-do list. Sa mga araw na iyon, tila nakibagay ang musika sa anong mas makatutulong at makagiginhawa sa nararamdaman. Kaya naman, madalas itong masabing naka-aambag sa pokus at etika sa trabaho.

Ngayong araw, nag-iba ang karaniwang gawain. Lahat ng tunog ay parang busina sa trapiko ng rush hour. Walang patutunguhan at mas nanaisin mo na lamang magtrabaho nang taimtim at tahimik. Ang himig na dating tumutulak sa iyong ipasa ang gawain bago mag 11:59 ng gabi’y ngayon, iniwasan mo nalang, nagtatrabaho sa gitna ng katahimikan para sa natitirang oras. Patapos na naman ang araw at naisipan mong makinig sa R&B, pang-aliw at panlibang nang matapos na ang kinakailangan. Hindi man naging instrumento ng mainam na pokus sa mga oras bago nito, nagdala naman ng komportableng paligid nang ika’y muling pumikit, hinihintay ang muling paglubog ng buwan para simulan ang unang klase sa isang masiglang, “Magandang umaga!” Ang sagot sa tanong ay nakasalalay sa ninanais ng bawat indibidwal sa isang tiyak na oras. Maaaring hanggang pang-aliw lamang ang tugtog ng musika, o sakaling lalong tumutulong kung ginagamit habang nagtatrabaho. Gayunpaman, isa ito sa mga sitwasyon kung saan malaya tayong pumili sa mas kapakipakinabang sa atin at sa pagtapos ng mga gawain. Ang simpleng pagpapatugtog o ‘di pagtugtog ng musika’y nagdadala ng kani-kaniyang epekto sa etika sa trabaho ng mag-aaral. Kung kaya’t sa lalong nagbabagong panahon, nasa ating mga sistemang piliin at gawin ang mas makagiginhawa sa atin.

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WARMTH | ART BY SOPHIA OCHOA (CFVA)

SPROUTING FROM FROZEN ROOTS WRITTEN BY SAM VEGUILLAS

It can hurt to be alone. The silence can be deafening. It can feel like you are free falling with no one to save you, or an endless amount of walls are closing in on you, and the only way out is into a small room that only you can fit in. In that small room, nobody can enter, nobody can see you, and nobody knows where you are. It’s been a while since people have been able to interact without having to be six feet apart. Numbness is starting to become a familiar feeling. All the emotions we are getting to know are only those of our own. It’s getting harder to talk to both new and old people alike, but the need for them is getting stronger. When was the last time you’ve spoken to someone who didn’t live with you? The same routines and the same people are tiring. It would be nice to see someone fresh someday soon.

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But is it really necessary? If one person can walk by themselves, then what makes the quarantine so hard in the long run? If you think about it, without other people, there would be no distractions. No one to argue with, impress, or rely on. Perhaps isolation is a blessing in disguise. A forced route into independence; a way for one to bloom in their darkest state within the small room that only they fit in. Time to grow some plants. Leaf by leaf, branch by branch; every day that passes, you learn something new. In the room where no one can enter, the small insects somehow manage to get in, nibbling away at the petals that have grown. With all the time that has passed, it’s become a big plant now, it’s bigger than you and your small room. Where do you go from here? It has grown in silence, with no one but you to cheer on the progress it has made. Once the plant goes out into the world, it will merely be another plant. One by one, each leaf will be blown away by the same wind we all feel. Nevertheless, the plant still went into the room as a small sapling and came out of it fully grown and in bloom. It took months of care, sunlight, and water, but it came out glowing, making all of the efforts worth it. In your own little room, it’s okay to make mistakes you’d otherwise be afraid to be caught making. It’s the perfect time to try to bloom into what you envision for yourself, to grow into what you plan on being. Go at your own pace and don’t feel too bad about forgetting to water yourself sometimes. Once you’re finally allowed outside your room, you will be able to glow.

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Kimetsu No Yaiba: What makes you root for the antagonists? WRITTEN BY GABY MARTINEZ

“All it takes is just one bad day to reduce the sanest man to lunacy.” We’ve most likely encountered this infamous quote once—a notorious line taken from Alan Moore’s Joker monologue. Any individual who consumes popular media would easily be able to draw comparisons between Batman’s most disputable foe and other fictional antagonists. Whether it be Akutagawa’s actions as a result of past trauma from Dazai or the Ice King’s insanity induced by his continuous protection of Marceline, one could easily distinguish the similarities between these characters as they all fall under the classic cliche trope of a tragic villain. What exactly makes a villain tragic in the first place? Although the degree of tragedy is up to perspective, most audience members find themselves feeling remorse towards antagonists, particularly those with heart-wrenching backstories that are able to elicit sympathy and pity. In turn, these feelings of sympathy then lead us to empathize with these characters, and as soon as we know it, we find ourselves rooting for individuals who commit such despicable acts that we ourselves condemn in real life. To put this in perspective, anyone who has read the manga Kimetsu No Yaiba would easily be able to proclaim that all the bloodthirsty demons are tragic villains. For example, many felt sympathy on Daki’s part as she was forced into prostitution at a young age, with her being an accurate portrayal of robbed childhood and innocence that is more often the reality in the real world. We then have Rui, who resorted to becoming a demon when plagued with an illness that left him immobile and disabled. Last but not least, you have Akaza, the infamous upper moon three demon who brutally murdered the flame pillar Rengoku, yet still getting readers and viewers alike to continue to pity him. Why is it that we continue to offer our utmost sympathy to characters similar to Akaza, who has done great harm to the protagonists? Truth be told, the simplest explanation for this phenomenon is that we audience members tend to find appeal in the relatable characteristics that the antagonists tend to embody. It’s easier to relate to villains who struggle with character flaws and imperfections rather than the heroes who are made out to be the very epitome of perfection. In reality, we see bits and pieces of ourselves in the antagonists of our favorite shows, movies, and books; this further enables us to empathize with their characters. Most villains are set up to be destined to lose from the start, and as humans who know the familiar bitterness of failure and losses, we root for these antagonists because we know what it’s like to be in their shoes based on personal experiences. In the end, character flaws and desolate backstories are made out to be plot mechanisms that pave the way for redemption arcs and character development. The imperfections of our favorite villainous characters serve as a constant reminder that we can always redeem ourselves from our own faults and mistakes as we continue to write the next chapters of our own story.

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