Table of CONTENTS
Feature: Resemblances of the Unwelcome pg 2-3
Tourism:
Last Night? pg 4-5
Have You Seen Them
The Force of Riddance pg 6
Igang Cave
Aswang : fact or Fiction pg 7 pg 8-9
Curse and its Gravity pg 10-11 Traditional Filipino healing Practices pg 12 Ang panunumbalik pg 14-15 Flight to dreamland pg 16-17
pg 24-25
Public Realm Recalling our contribution 26-27 Literary Poem 29-32 and 38-39 Short Story Half Broken Vows 33 My boyfriend’s first love 34 The Nasty part 35 Even the winged fall 36 The promenade 37 Student billboard
40
pg 18
Déjà vu:
Fantasy or Reality?
A Living Dead
pg 13
Power of Sex Appeal pg19 Superhuman Feats: Digging the Grave The Magic behind the magician
22 23 28
Cover Story
E
Enter a world of fantasy, a world beyond science, a world beyond worlds. Step into the realm beyond the backyard you’ve known all your life, leave everything you know and believe, heck, ‘leave your sanity by the door’, because in this world, anything is possible. Welcome to the world of the Supernatural and Superhuman! We have always been fascinated by the world around us, and we have trusted science to reveal to us the answers to our questions. And yet, deep within our hearts, in that space occupied by childhood fantasies and lifelong fascination, we believe that there are worlds beyond and surpassing our own. We believe that we live among otherworldly entities; the faeries, elves, dwarves, ghosts, angels, demons, superheroes and so many more. The cover shows the picture of a bamboo-filled area and a person making way to pass through. Behind the world the person knows, is a strange, new world, and he is eager to discover it. This is a world often treaded, but often passed without noticing. And now, that world is about to be discovered. In this issue, you, dear readers, will have the opportunity to traverse through these worlds. As you turn the pages, you will be faced with new adventures, new entities to know, new places to discover, and new events to uncover. Witness as The Purisimian Editorial Board reveal their ‘heroes’ within. Hear the tales of superhumans and their feats, as well as that of a local mummy. Be amazed at the scenery of the Lost World and other places. Understand the truth behind the ‘unseen forces’ with the varying opinions of the church, ordinary people, and scientific experts.
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F E AT U R E
Resemblances of the Unwelcome
F
By: Rizzi Angelica Vasquez Maribao
Folklores are everywhere. They form a part of the world’s traditional beliefs. There are thousands of mythological creatures that seem to occupy the corners of the minds of people in different countries. These folklores have different names, but in a way, they have similarities. It may not be in physical features but in ways of how they are conjured up in our minds. Here in the Philippines, we have a lot of mysterious creatures. Let us find some of those creatures and their counterparts not only by appearance but by the sinister things they are known to be.
THE
MANANANGGAL AND THE
SOUCOUYANT
The manananggal is believed to be a woman during daytime who then turns into an ugly monster at night. When night falls, she finds her bottle of an oil-like substance called lana and smears it all over her body. Thereafter, wings similar to those of a bat grow out of her back and her nails grow long and pointed like those of an eagle’s claws. Then her body divides into two, the upper part flies away to find her prey and the lower part is left. After she’s done with her victims, she returns to her half body and original appearance. On the other hand, a soucouyant resides on the island of Saut D’eau in the Carribean. She is a mysterious old woman who sleeps during daytime only to wreak havoc at night. When night comes, she takes off her skin and turns into a ball of flame. As a ball of flame, she flies without a wind and takes off across the sky with a shrill screeching sound of terror. Once she finds a victim, she sucks his blood dry. As dawn arrives she returns to her skin and her hidden identity. How is the manananggal similar to the soucouyant? Well, both of them can be killed through salt. It is believed that once you find the half of the manananggal’s body while she’s away, put some salt on it and she can no longer return to it causing her to die when the sun rises. Likewise, you have to find the skin of the soucouyant. It is said that she hides her skin in mortar and when you put some salt on it, it will perish causing her doom. To discover the soucouyant’s home, put a hundred pounds of rice at the crossroads of the village, for once she comes across it, she’s compelled to pick them up. Now, it gives you idea what direction she’s going to take.
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THE
ENGKANTO AND THE INCUBUS AND
SUCCUBUS
Engkanto is well known everywhere in the Philippines. They are known to be like humans who have civilization, culture and their own lifestyle. They live like ordinary people who go by back and forth on the same streets we pass everyday. Their physical appearance is also the same with those of humans. What makes them different and mysterious is that they cannot be seen by ordinary human beings. They are invisible creatures who intervene with the life of people whom they happen to fall in love with. In early times, out of the ordinary stories of courtship between an engkanto and a lady or a man were told. But there are times when the human they happen to fall in love with does not love them back. There, conflicts arise. They start to make detrimental actions which cause havoc to the lives of those people. The incubus and succubus are demons who enter the dreams of people they are obsessed with. They make love with people through dreams. Incubus is the male demon and succubus is the female. Some people believe that a succubus visits a man’s dream and makes love with him in order to get his semen. Moreover, the succubus draws energy from the man they make love with until that man gets exhausted and dies. Then, that succubus turns into an incubus. After changing gender, that incubus visits the dream of a lady, rapes her and uses the semen he got to impregnate that lady. Strange cases of pregnancy have been attributed to incubus. The similarity of the engkanto to the incubus and succubus is their fondness of having affairs with humans. They are both romantic and both extremely passionate when it comes to affairs. And they are both believed to sire children from human beings.
THE
TIKBALANG AND THE BANSHEE
Tikbalang is one of the oldest folklores in the Philippines. It is said that half of their body is that of a man and the half is of a horse. They live in the mountains and lead hunters astray. Some say that the tikbalang only wants to trick hunters. But many believe that the hunters serve as their snacks. On the other hand, the banshee lives in some parts of Ireland and Scotland. It is said that her presence is a signal of impending death, so you must beware if you hear her blood-scurdling scream. The banshee is described as an unattractive woman with only one nostril, one long protruding tooth and one long withered dangling breast. The tikbalang and the banshee are afar different in terms of physical features. But what make them similar are the wishes they grant. It is believed that a tikbalang has a golden hair strand at the back of his head. Whoever is brave enough to gamble his life and gets that hair strand gets one wish granted. Likewise, it is believed that anyone who dares to sneak up and grab the long withered and dangling breast of the banshee gets granted one wish.
Sources: www.google.com Wikipedia
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F E AT U R E
Have You Seen Them
J
Just another ordinary day. This was what Anna, not her real name, thought before going to bed that December night. With tons of projects still waiting to be finished, she didn’t even bother to switch the light off before she drifted off to sleep. It was around midnight when a cold, damp wind rushed against her face, followed by strange, airy noises, waking her from her sleep. Feeling a little cold, she gently opened her eyes and tried searching for a blanket when she was startled upon seeing a group of unfamiliar, pale people, probably around six or eight around her, as if they were having a gathering in her bed. She instantly felt like she was transported back in time for the people she has seen were dressed like those in the post-war era. She can still clearly recall the face of the Japanese soldier, holding a long bayonet in his arms, an old man, probably in his 60’s, wearing Barong Tagalog, and a middle-aged woman, in Baro’t Saya, holding a baby in her arms, with a boy, clutching tightly onto her Saya. They were all looking at her intently. It seemed to her that they were trying to talk with their pleading, deep eyes for which Anna could not help but get scared. “It’s my scariest ghost encounter so far and I had terrible goose bumps all over my body. For a moment, my brain went blank and I felt speechless. I rubbed my eyes to see if I was just dreaming or not. No matter what I did, they just won’t disappear! I just ran to my Mom with a blanket over my head.” answered Anna when asked about what she felt during the said ghost encounter. Anna is just one of the millions testifying that ghosts, or apparitions of the dead, are real and just around us. You may be one of the myriads of people who are trying to answer (or may have answered) the ever-endless
“ARE GHOSTS REAL?” But before going to
question:
that, there is a question that needs to be answered first. “What are ghosts?” According to Wikipedia, a ghost is said to be the apparition of a
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Last Night?
deceased person, frequently similar in appearance to that person, and usually encountered in places he or she frequented, the place of his or her death, or in association with the person’s former belongings. The word “ghost” may also refer to the soul of a dead person. For believers, they are said to inhabit places or houses where they used to live or places where murders or suicides have occurred.
WHAT DOES SCIENCE TELL US ABOUT GHOSTS? Researchers, like Professor Michael Persinger, believe that changes in geomagnetic fields could stimulate brain’s temporal lobes (located at the side of our brain close to the ears) and produce many of the experiences associated with hauntings. Critics also believe that normal and physical explanations can account for ghost sightings. These may range from a change in air pressure that can cause doors and windows to slam, orbs of light seen in the pictures which are attributed to the spirits of the dead which may actually be just household dust, and others that could just be optical illusions. Scientists also say that our peripheral vision is very sensitive and can be misleading, especially at night when our brain is tired and more likely to misinterpret sights and sounds. They also speculate that enormous amount of radiation can pull atoms together, forming an image, which people mistakenly point out as ghosts. Too much radiation could also create a force strong enough to move certain objects, which people consider as a poltergeist activity. FROM THE OTHER SIDE According to Bread From Heaven Unlimited (BFHU), an interactive website and blog for religion and supernatural phenomena enthusiasts, “ghosts that inhabit haunted houses, graveyards, or any other place may indeed be real entities and not always the figment of imagination. However, the popular idea that they are spirits of human souls who have died and were trapped here for some reason is not
By: Arian Mariz V. Javellana
possible. They are much more likely to be demons disguising themselves as the “ghost” or spirit of a human being for the purpose of leading people away from the true faith.” 2Corinthians 11:14 states: “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” Added by BFHU, “the church believes that sprits do exist. There is the visible physical reality all around us but also unseen there is a spiritual realm.” Ephesians 6:11 states: “Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. 12. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.” Lastly, BFHU emphasized that the Catholic Church believes in the spiritual realm. According to them, this realm is inhabited by angels and demons, our God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The souls who have died are also part of this realm, but not allowed to contact the living without the express permission of God. For some believers like Anna, they stand firm that ghosts are the restless souls of deceased persons, trapped and still inhabiting places where they used to live, and unable to see the “light.” Why they would stick there for eternity while others seem to rest is one of the greatest mysteries of the spirit world. There are many things in this world that we can’t understand, and there are some that may never be understood. Whether one believes in ghosts or not, the most important thing here is the truth that there is the most powerful Being above us all, much more powerful than the eerie things our imagination has taken us. In Him, you can find love, not fear, truth, and not deceit.
TRUE STORIES:
Ghost T ri v ia
S
Speaking of ghosts and hauntings, check out these spooky treats for your brain and feel the chills run down your spine. Oh, did that bloodied girl outside the window just smile?
• Some alleged haunting are actually ‘residues’ which are past events that replay themselves over and over. • Ghosts can read your thoughts. • Animals can see and sense spirits. That’s why you often see them just staring intensely at what appears to be nothing. • Ghosts like to climb up and down stairs at night. • If you are being haunted, if you simply ask them to leave, they will. Say something like “I know you are here but you are scaring me so please leave.” • When a ghost enters a room, the room usually gets cold. • If you hear a strange whisper in your ear when sleeping, it is probably a ghost. • Hauntings are most intense around children entering puberty, as kids this age are emitting immense amounts of energy. • A hooded black, smoky figure is a dark entity and you should be careful around them. They usually appear at the foot of beds. • Most ghosts can’t and won’t hurt you. Science tells us that nothing in nature, not even the tiniest particle, can disappear without a trace. Think about that for a moment. Once you do, your thoughts about life will never be the same. - Werner Van Braun
The H aunt ed A part men t
Roxa nne, 17, b said r haun to drive avely te lls the tings a wa the f our m . One str y anyone story of t ik heir n en w ing s who plac ea to ho re e to sle in the ea are wor ry that th nts the p rby apa rtm k e lace e r in ly ir p g in a n 19 ,o he sa throu ent, wh n ele eighbor id th ne of the 96. One ich gh t c old t at nig tric c m his e hem creepy omp yes a he felt a en stay ht, they w a e as said, sudd nd w ny w d do “fan wh en ho re about as wn nin nt so m g” for h shocked wind ag stairs. A en they were ed the im. T t aro ainst to se retur uch fear u e h abo e nd rrifie is f a . plac ned. The After th d, he ra n old wo ace. He 12 midnig ut e. R man slow ht, oxan same fa at incide n upstair s to h , wearing ly opene nt, th te ha ne sa d is e p a id th at no pened t y all wen troop sh ll white, outin o the t aw body ay g in ne e cree py st ver staye xt familie and nev ory t er s re o tell d in the hous nting the . e wit hout a
s place. It wa e once bright th y d rb e a p lo ne e a in arkness env buy a candle nt out and d r asked me to ddenly, I saw e su th n o “All lights we m he n w he re the sto at time w to go out of near the light brownout th standing stiff , I was about , g ’s e in 30 uy s b hi r t e a ft was facing m bably store. A e nd pants and of a man, pro us a re a o c tu d e ic b xe p ly r tu b a k a a cle ess, prob an all-blac hl g c e rin e a s sp e a s w w a s n w a the ma face. I post. He w looked back, xpressionless e e s w hi e s a th ith w w nd a sa re I eye-to-eye ht after it, me spot whe my cousins rig ied on the sa er his face.” d b n m a e m m of fear. I told a re t I a n th it he w ve s p ha e s re ec gone. Storie , it still give m –Marcel go. Until now man years a
“It class was one roo of t over m our lon he days wh and g ma after alrea th te en my f d riend lo st. W y n d g exam ar h s e and k. My be ours of c felt so re and I we Sudd hattin nt to stfrie lieve enly, I was sit nd dt an g, ting I just I on a was still we didn hat our e empty care noticed talkin ’t no teac xam lessly a sw see a tic g sw he ift lo to m very, ver oked ba movem r’s table about th e that it w ere e y pa y fac e , c n as li result stenin k to s t of a le f e, back e at m as if she ace of a e what white clo g to her of her is cu it is. inten y frie that you th b awa she was nds, the rious of w ng wom I was ne ehind m tly. an, y fr ver nb ea stil ho frien om mine l there, lo ack to th we are staring a prepare nd ds w in . t o e m I k h face sudd ing a er ey e, so d to ent o do en o t e c freak wnstairs ut shoutin ly praye me face f the girl, s. I just lo lose only d an ed o to fa that g in f o ked t d wit I ask ut, sa c ed th ear. It w hout e, abou o find ou ying a t t e m that s they m if they only wh ore wor one inch ds, a en w don’ saw ll e t kno t w wh he girl an were alr of my ea da at I’m sayin ll of them dy g abou -Mar ia t.”
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F E AT U R E
The Force of Riddance By: Aisa L. Gardose
C
Catholics believe that demons or fallen angels retain their natural powers as intelligent beings acting on the material universe, using material objects and direct material forces for their own wicked ends. This power which is limited and is subject to the divine Providence is believed to have been allowed a wide scope of activity in this realm to serve as consequence of the sin of mankind. Hence places and things as well as persons are naturally liable to diabolical infestation, within limits permitted by God, and exorcism in regard to them is nothing more that a prayer to God, in the Name of His Church, to retain this diabolical power supernaturally and profession of faith in His willingness to do so on behalf of His servants on earth. Complicated as it seems, yet it’s a fact that in some instances others may call it still a mystery but it is really happening in this modern world. THE ORIGIN: Exorcism comes from Late Latin exorcismus, from Greek exorkizen- to abjure is the practice of evicting demons or other spiritual entities from a person or the act of driving out, or warding off demons or evil from persons, places or things which are believed to be possessed or infested by them or are liable to become victims or instruments of their own malice. The word, which is not biblical itself, is derived from exorkizo, which is used in the Septuagint (Genesis 24:3- cause to swear; 111(1) Kings 22:16adjure and in Matthew 26:63, by the highest priest to Christ “I adjure you by the living God”) Expulsion by adjuration is therefore the primary meaning of exorcism, and in the Christian usage, this adjuration is in the name of God or Christ. Exorcism is a strictly religious act or rite. The concept of possession by evil spirits and the practice of exorcism are very ancient and widespread and may originate in Prehistoric Shamanistic beliefs. The Christian New Testament includes exorcism among the miracle performed by Jesus, because of this precedent, demonic possession was part of the belief system of Christianity since its beginning and exorcism is still a recognized practice of Catholicism and other religions.
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EXORCISM IN CHRISTIANITY: In Christian practice, the person performing the exorcism is known as an exorcist. He is often the member of the church or an individual thought to be graced with special powers or skills. Accordingly, exorcisms are performed using the terms “in the Power of Christ” or “in the Name of Jesus”. This is founded in the belief that Jesus commanded His followers to expel evil spirits in His name. (Matthew10:1, 10:8, Luke 9:10, 10:17, Mark 16:17). According to the catholic encyclopedia article on exorcism, Jesus points to this ability as a sign of His Messiah-ship and He empowered his disciples to do the same. In Roman Catholic dogma, exorcism is a ritual but not a sacrament. Unlike a sacrament, exorcism’s integrity and efficacy does not depend on the rigid use of an unchanging formula or on the ordered sequence of prescribed actions. Its efficacy depends on two elements; the authorization from the valid and licit church authorities and the faith of the exorcist. The exorcist may use prayers and religious material such as set formulas, gestures, symbols, icons, amulets etc. The exorcist often invokes God, Jesus or several different angels or archangels to intervene with the exorcism. In general, possessed persons are not regarded as evil in themselves or wholly responsible for their actions. Therefore, practitioners regard exorcism as a cure than a punishment. With this, Catholic exorcism is still one of the most rigid and organized of all existing exorcism rituals. Superstitions ought not to be confounded with neither religion, however much their history may interwoven nor magic, however white it maybe, with a legitimate religious rite. In the Roman Ritual, as being indicators of possible demonic possession include speaking any words of which the possessed has no prior knowledge, supernatural abilities and strength, knowledge of hidden or remote things which the possessed has no way of knowing, an aversion to anything holy, profuse blasphemy and or sacrilege. The act of exorcism is considered to be an incredibly dangerous spiritual act. The ritual assumes that possessed persons retain their free will though the demon may hold control over their physical body involves prayers, prayers, blessings and invocations with the use of the document of Exorcism and certain Suplication.
SCIENTIFIC VIEW ON EXORCISM: The practice of exorcism approaches the subject with a procedure of presuming mental or physical illness and employing mental health and medical professionals to rule out physical or mental causes before authorization of the exorcism ritual. Demonic possession is not a valid psychiatric or medical diagnosis by either DSM-IV or the ICD10. Those who profess their belief in demonic possession have sometimes ascribed the symptoms associated with mental illness such as hysteria, mania, psychosis, tourettes syndrome, epilepsy, schizophrenia or dissociative identity disorder in which the alter personality is questioned as to its identity themselves as demons. Additionally, there is a form of monomania, demonomania or demopathy in which the patient believed that he or she is possessed by a demon. Some supposedly possessed persons are actually narcissists or are suffering from low-self-esteem and act a “demon possessed person” in order to gain attention. WHO CAN PERFORM THE EXORCISM? According to the Canon law of the Church, only catholic priest who are both legally and morally ordained and are faithful to the teachings of the sacred scripture as validly understood through the legitimate moral authority of the church, and who remain spiritually sound should attempt an exorcism. Devils are powerful beings and can be extremely harmful to the unqualified. The rules for exorcism state that one should have relics of the saints at hand. Not all relics are of equal worth. First class relics are to be preferred. The more sanctity of the saint the powerful the cure. When praying and healing to a possessed person, it is very helpful to use the sacramental since it affects cures and expels the enemy. If you are seeking help, you must first start ridding yourself of those things that prevent God from working in your life. In most cases, the bondage we are in is due to the lifestyle we live. God give us the Commandments because He loves us and He wants us to be with Him in heaven one day. If you do not follow the Commandments that God established, then there is only one other rule to follow the self- destructing rule of Satan. Source: wekipidia.org.,www.new advent. org.
F E AT U R E
Aswang:
A
Fact or Fiction? By: Ma.Camille D. Dordas
Aswang. This word had been passed through generations. It had posted questions on the minds of many Filipinos. What is the truth? What do they look like? Do they really exist? These are just some. Aswang, as they are called everywhere, gave a mark in Philippine Folklore. A Fact?
The oldest and most common story started from Kapitan Gimo, the Barangay head of Dueñas, Iloilo. Jane (not her real name), his daughter, had a friend. One time Jane brought her friend to their house. They gave her friend the best food to fill her stomach. Finally, it was time for sleep. Kapitan Gimo lent her daughter a necklace secretly. He told Jane to wear the necklace on her friend’s neck as sign that she was their prey. Good thing the friend sensed what they were planning to do to her before anything happened. Everything was secured and it was time for Kapitan Gimo to pursue his plan. In the end he mistook Jane as his victim because she wore the necklace and the surroundings were dark. The boiling water was prepared and they brought Jane in. They found out that it was her only after the body was soaked. The friend ran away and asked for help from the townspeople. The townspeople went to the house of Kapitan Gimo to get rid of them after knowing their despicable act. Kapitan Gimo escaped from their house, rode a train and arrived at Panit-an, a municipality of Capiz. There he continued his wrongdoings but was later convicted. Before he died, he had transferred his being aswang giving the reason that they still supposedly exist up to the present. The Fiction
According to hearsays, Rosita (not her real name) is an aswang. She is 64 years old and currently living. She lives like a normal person does, doing things like going to Church every Sunday. She is a native of a municipality here in Capiz, with a Brazilian height and beauty but she doesn’t have a child. Many times, a child saw her transforming from her human image to different animals like a dog, cat, frog and lizard. They also hear people laughing while they pass near her house. She sharply looks at people which made people afraid of her. One day, Romeo, her neighbor who happened to be her second cousin got sick. No words can describe the pain he felt. They went to the albularyo to be cured. An albularyo is known for curing supernatural encounters. The albularyo found out that he had experienced yang-gao done by an aswang. Yan-gao is a native term which refers to the passing on of the aswang of her abilities to a person so she would die peacefully. If an aswang cannot transfer her identity she will suffer while living when she reaches the maximum age. An aswang is said to be able to perform the yang-gao by putting her saliva on the drink of her victim. The albularyo said that he has two options: to live and be an aswang or to die. When he chooses to live, he will vomit all the creatures stocked in his stomach because of the yang-gao. He can also transform like the creatures that he vomited. Right now, Romeo is living but still suffering and having a hard time choosing. The people are angry at Rosita because they suspect her of doing the yang-gao. Stand of the Church
According to Msgr. Guillermo Belvis, the diocesan exorcist of the Roxas City Metropolitan Cathedral, aswangs are human beings possessed by demons. He defended Capiz as a place known to have aswang people when he was studying at Manuel L. Quezon University in Manila during their self introduction. His classmates where laughing when they found out that he is from Capiz so he said that “Capiz is the most peaceful and hospitable province. If people in Capiz are aswangs, why is it that there are still people living there? They must have eaten each other.” He said that there is no supernatural except God. He believed the Exorcist book verse which states that “demons still have the power that God had given them even if only for a brief time”. Aswang, as a culture is wrong to be believed in because it is religion that develops culture. We have no culture without religion that modeled it. Aswang as a pure human act is against the Church. They only agree that demons merge with humans. He said that the real aswangs are from England. Their leader is Antoine Lavey who adores the devil and believes him to have power. Their activity is called witch crafting which is involved in diabolic doings and local crimes. The phenomenon of the aswang in the Philippines continues to exist despite the lack of scientific explanation. No one can truly dictate what to believe and while there are those who insist in the truth of aswangs, there are also those who see them as mere manifestations of imagination and of human fear. What anchors our life is the belief that despite all the demons and evil beings we fear, there is still one God who could banish the darkness.
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F E AT U R E
“If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.” Have you ever wondered why there are some people who have been born physically disabled and have remained suffering because of it until death? Why is it that people who were born in prominent families die with fulfillment in their hearts while others die without tasting even a single comfort in their life since birth?
C
Could it be that in the past lives of those who are privileged in this lifetime, they are in the brink of starvation? Could it be that those who are physically disabled today were not in their past life or somehow in their next life they will be athletes? Could it be that all the things you have been or have done today will be given another lifetime for justification? Do you believe that before your present life you were born in another season and setting? Is there really such a thing called “reincarnation”? Reincarnation is a doctrine or a belief that the soul of a human being survives death to be reborn in a human body. With this, a new personality is said to develop during each life in this world, but some part of the self stays constant throughout successive lives. The concept of reincarnation developed in India. Brahmins first wrote down scriptures containing ideas on this. Early Indians believe that when one dies, his body decomposes, but something of him is reborn in another body. That body does not necessarily mean to be human. You may have been a dog in your past life, and you may also be a butterfly or a mango in your
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future life. This is one of the reasons why some tribes don’t eat certain animals, because of the belief that the souls of their ancestors inhabit those animals. Egyptians believed reincarnation as the transmigration of the soul. They believed that the soul transmigrated from body to body, hence, the reason why they embalmed the body to preserve it so that it could journey with “ka”, which is equivalent to the term “soul”. On the other hand, the Pythagorean Theorem was not the only thing Greek philosopher Pythagoras taught. He also defined the transmigration of the soul, its immortality and the idea that it merely resides in the body so it survives bodily death. His further teachings claim that the soul undergoes a series of rebirths. Compared to the teachings of Pythagoras, Plato, another Greek philosopher claimed that the soul becomes impure during his bodily inhabitations although minimal knowledge of his former life remains. If the soul continues to do good things through its transmigrations, it returns to its pre-existence state. But if it does the opposite, it will end up in a place of eternal damnation.
today for there is another life that waits for man to repair the mess created in the present life. Stories of reincarnation exist like that of the child who could see in his vision his past life as a ship captain. His mother wondered why since he was not raised in such an environment where he commands people as though they were his crew in his ship. Sometimes he tells stories which seem to be out of the ordinary. There was a psychiatrist who had collections of other children’s stories of knowledge of their past life. But his study was a weak evidence to justify reincarnation.
Despite the many studies and explanations that have sprouted regarding reincarnation, Christians should ponder on this verse in the Bible: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,” Hebrews 9:27. Source: Wikipedia The Skeptics Dictionary www.google.com
It gives more appealing perspective in judging the meaning of life to know that you have lived many lives in the past before your present one, and that there are many more to come. But if people believe in these thoughts, where could their faith be? Although some people claim that reincarnation is the purification of the soul and at the same time a learning experience, it rejects the Christian belief of the final judgment by a Holy God. The scripture says that we only die once and then meet God on the judgment day. If we will accept the belief in reincarnation, it gives us the unhelpful idea of putting aside the righteous things that can be done
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F E AT U R E
Curse and its Gravity Mary Grace A. Daliva
Commonly known in our locality as ‘maldisyon’ or ‘sumpa’, cursing in its popular acceptation is often confounded in the phrase of ‘cursing and swearing’ as the use of profane and insulting language. Curse usually arouses from certain pain, failure of success in a certain endeavor, imprecations that spring from impatience, little outbreaks of anger over petty annoyances which sometimes indulge the person to mouth out inconsiderate utterances under sudden impulse. Curse Coupled with Tears Some people believe that when you shed tears upon cursing someone out of anger outbreaks or any undesired sudden impulse of hatred, the one being cursed might be inflicted as what Lara ( not her real
name) did when her boyfriend devastatingly ruined her life as he got married with another woman while Lara was working abroad. He loved her and so did Lara. The feeling she thought and believed was the sole reason that bridged the gap of their situation, and transcended those unexpected moments and other things that might challenge what they felt—even distance. But all of those beliefs between the two of them were suddenly broken when her boyfriend informed her that he was about to marry someone here in the Philippines while Lara was still abroad accepting sweetly the feeling of love despite distance in exchange of a greener pasture for herself and her family too. “My relatives told me that he married that woman because she has the money and a good job. And maybe he can’t bear the distance that separates us. After he informed me through a phone call regarding his plan to marry, I never believed him at first until such time the woman was the one who already told me. In my anger daw nakabungat ako hinala nga ginasumpa ko siya nga indi guid magmalipayon maskin san-o kag maga-antos guid siya. (I felt compelled to curse him, that he will never be happy and that he will suffer.)” She cried a lot and felt so deceived that it made her break into pieces which added to her misfortune abroad plus the fact that she had no permanent job there. Added with the misfortune in love she had, she felt so angry; the reason why she uttered those undesired language which she believes was the reason of the sufferings of her ex-boyfriend at present in his married life. “After I have moved on, it seems like there’s nothing important to me regarding the things I said, maybe I’m just angry during that time. But believe me he really suffers. I don’t know if it sprung from the words I said but he really lives in suffering. The business of their family went bankrupt, he has a sickly daughter, and he’s got a thinner body compared before. Despite that his wife has got a good job abroad, still they suffer financially. His mother once invited me to their home, explaining things regarding her son and encouraging me to forgive him so that he might live a healthy life. But for me, we’re over and I already forgave him and accepted the reality between us.” Curse Coupled with ‘Oracion’ There are those who believe that a curse, when done with a certain ‘oracion’ or prayer, enables
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the person to be inflicted, depending on what the curser prays in his ‘oracion.’ Lolo Ted (not his real name), an old-time farmer in their place, before his death adopted one of his grandchildren. He raised him like his own child, but despite the goodness he shared with his grandson, he still could not find a good reason why his grandson often stole his rice harvest. It did not happen just once or twice, but always, as long as there was plenty of harvest stored in Lolo Ted’s house. Lolo Ted still held his temper many times until such time his grandson stole the necklace given by his child who works abroad. In his anger which finally reached the peak, he was able to utter “kung sin-o nagkawat sang akon kulintas pagatubuan bukol sa ulo bwas kag magaantos guid sang iya pagpangabuhi. (whoever stole my necklace will suffer a lump on his head and will suffer throughout his life)” And so the thief got a bump on his head the day after Lolo Ted uttered that line and suffered financially and in his married life, according to Jenny, the cousin of the inflicted thief. Furthermore, according to her, their Lolo Ted prayed pieces of ‘oracion’ every 6:00 pm during his lifetime and was an ‘albularyo’ but he just practiced it with limit, even before the stealing of rice grains and necklace happened. That’s why she believed that their Lolo Ted cursed her cousin through utterances coupled with prayers because as evidence they saw the ‘bukol’ the day after their Lolo cursed her cousin and he is still suffering by not being able to fulfill the financial needs of his family. According to the sharing of one of our teachers based on a book she read, our body possesses positive and negative energy. Thus when a person happens to have a poor positive energy, his/her body might not able to resist any negative energy that threatens his/her being. To some old folks, this explanation of positive and negative energy is commonly known as ‘dungan.’ The olds believe that if a person is poor in ‘dungan’ he can be easily beaten by someone who has a high ‘dungan.’ Furthermore, this is also associated to the ‘tuyaw-tuyaw’ belief of the olds which claims that those people who have a poor ‘dungan’ could be easily inflicted by ‘tuyawtuyaw’ or ‘mulo’ of some people. According to moral theology, to curse is to call down evil upon God or creatures, rational or irrational, living or dead. Curses which imply rebellion against divine Providence, or denial of His goodness or other attributes, such as curses of the weather, the winds, the world, and the Christian faith are not generally grievous sins, because the full content and implications of such expressions is seldom realized by those who use them. When, however, evil is wished by another precisely because it is evil and with malicious presence, there is always a sin, the gravity of which varies with the seriousness of the evil; if it is of considerable magnitude, the sin will be grievous, if is of trifling character, the sin will be venial. To curse the devil is not in itself a sin; to curse the dead is not ordinarily a grievous sin because no serious injury is done them, but to curse the saints or holy things, as well as the sacraments is generally blasphemy as their relation to God is generally perceived.
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F E AT U R E
Traditional Filipino Healing Practices Meliriza S. Aliperio
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During Pre-colonization period in the Philippines, there were already numerous healing practices and healing beliefs practiced by the Filipinos. These practices particularly exist in rural areas where people are using herbal medicines found everywhere which are sometimes mistakenly considered as grass. This native and traditional way of healing was formed when colonialism started. Colonists influenced the people by introducing their different ways of healing. Even today when Filipino culture had already adopted the science of western medicine, the traditional way of healing still hasn’t been forgotten. Oftentimes this would be a subject in an argument. There are those who may believe in the traditional healing practices accompanied by superstitious beliefs and supernatural existence, and on the other hand there are also those who choose the reliable, reasonable and accurate way of healing that specializes on the study and cure of foreign illness. At times, the scientific type of healing wields victory because these procedures have undergone multiple experiments and scientists have presented it well and in a clear manner. Unlike in local healing, aside from lack of equipments, people who perform such also lack the knowledge and factual basis to defend themselves. Most of them only use theories based on simple trial and error and sometimes from word of mouth from previous healers and experiences
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they have gone through. Ironically, the theories of local healers that attempt to sway the belief of people from scientific procedures also points out the strength of scientific explanation. Sometimes, the bases of their procedures are those which have been proven by scientists using their modern facilities. Nevertheless, there are still those who remain firm believers of traditional healing which in many cases fall into superstition and supernatural phenomena. There are several types of healers throughout the Philippines, and each of them has its own native labels. Their healing process may be in the form of rituals, prayers, giving a dowry, chanting and dancing and surgery. One example of such is called “Psychic surgery”. According to some local healers, it is one of the most dramatic forms of healing practice. It involves the insertion of the fingers to the patient’s body to remove the foreign objects caught inside. These foreign objects may range from things imbedded under the skin to cysts that could eventually cause malignant illness. After the surgery, the person will see no scars left on the area where the surgery has been made. Scientists are very eager to discover whether it is really true or not, to secure the safety of the patients. While some people believe in this form of healing, there are those who remain
skeptical because of the lack of evidence and scientific explanation. To believers, the explanation could only be because the procedure is a miracle from a being who is beyond scientific comprehension, a being who makes use of an instrument in the person of the local healer. There are those who are ready to testify regarding the truth and effectiveness of psychic healing. In some cases, there are those from the medical profession who have experienced what is often termed as “supernatural illnesses” and who have also tried traditional healing and have found faith in such. However, there is, as they claim, safety in going back to scientific beliefs and explanation. In the end, people hold their own beliefs regarding which is more effective and true. A man is said to be cured by his own faith in his capability to be cured. People can’t be forced to believe if they are in doubt of the ability of local healers, while others can’t also be forced to forget their belief of the supernatural healing practices if experience especially those involving what is termed as a ‘miracle’, dictates otherwise. For some, the birth of scientific way of healing is the death of traditional practices of local healers, but for others, the procedure is not an issue. Healing, in whatever form is just the same as long as it indeed heals.
A Living Dead
By: Ma. Camille Dordas
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Behind the Sugar Central of Capiz, Pilar, lies the remains of “Santa Ibe” as she is commonly called. This 180year old mummy strangely has teeth attached to her skull until now. That is just one of the amazing features of this living dead. Many things lie ahead.
Getting Closer Maria De Juan Besaña died in the year 1829. Her husband would often abuse her, giving her numerous physical bruises that have caused her both physical and emotional pain. Despite the burden she encountered, her only refuge was going to Church. The most hurting thing that happened to her was when her husband hammered her head which caused her death. In 1837, Maria’s family member dreamt of her. In his dream, Maria was floating on the water delivering the message that she must be taken out of her tomb in the cemetery. Then came 1939, ten years after Maria’s death, her place in the cemetery was to be used by another so it was decided to dig out her remains. To their amazement, the body of Maria was still perfect. Even in her death, her nails still continued growing and her skin did not decompose. Her family decided to take care of her remnants so they clothed her and encased her in glass just as they would an image of a saint. Unfortunately, her skin turned brown when her family wiped Lysol because the local government was afraid that it would stink and cause air pollution. According to her family, they sometimes found amorsekos sticking on her dress which is impossible because she was locked in a glass covered case. Nothing seems alarmingly amiss but Maria’s family knows this corpse is different from many others. The Healing Power News spread across the place. Many called her Santa Ibe for the reason that she seemed to be a saint with the miracles happening upon her. People also come to witness and to be healed. There are many persons with diseases or sickness who went to her for healing. Her family was surprised to see a person riding a helicopter taking off near their place. That person had a rheumatic heart disease. To his despair, he went to Santa Ibe hoping that she could cure him. He drank the water from which Santa Ibe took her bath. A few months later, his sickness was cured according to the doctor’s diagnosis. Another story was with Miguel (not his real name). He is also a resident of Pilar. His hair grew bald for reasons unknown to him. He
went to Manila for further analysis but the real cause of his baldness was left unknown. Until one day, he went to Santa Ibe and asked for the water which was poured on her during her bath. He also put a bottle of water near Santa Ibe. He drank that water and wiped the water from the bottle on his head. Finally, his hair grew again. There are simple rituals like putting a bottle of water near her remains and drinking it. Another is by wiping a handkerchief on the glass that guards her. These are just some of what they say has her healing effect. Statements of a Priest Msgr. Guillermo Belvis said that what happened to the remains of Maria is a result of the minerals on her burial place. This means that the semi-preservation of her body could have probably been caused by chemical reactions instead of whatever supernatural phenomena. He believes it is not advisable to go there when illnesses seem to be incurable but instead we should go to God. Calling her a saint is a fallible act because someone cannot be called as a saint unless proclaimed by the Church through very rigid procedures such as beatification and canonization. He also reminds us that it is unsanitary to drink the water from her bath because it might trigger new diseases. The deceased body of Maria is corrupted unlike that of St. Bernadette which was considered incorruptible. This means that the whole flesh is still there, the joints are flexible and the remains look alive. The belief of people on Santa Ibe’s miracles may be their unconscious way of looking for a figure to hinge their faith on. While there are those who testify to the healing powers of Santa Ibe, there is also the reminder that there is only one God who can provide true cure for whatever illness that may befall us. It is our faith in the Almighty God that heals, not necessarily the power of the living dead.
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F E AT U R E
Panunumbalik sa Alaala ni Salus
By: Rizzi Angelica V. Maribao
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Can you still remember what you dreamt last night? Maybe some can, while others cannot, but one thing is for sure: WE DREAM.
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Dreaming is normal. It is part of being human. Whether we like it or not, mirages from our sleep will be there to accompany us in our flight to dreamland. Dreaming can take us in a new dimension where we could make impossible things possible. It is a new world where we could see the unseen, hear the unheard of, and even feel what we can’t feel in the real world we are in. It has even become a form of escapism for some who couldn’t take the pitfalls and harsh realities of life. Yes, we can’t eradicate the truth that we dream, but the question is: WHY DO WE DREAM?
THE REASON
Man’s fascination and inquisitiveness has created two different schools of thought as to why we dream: the physiological school and the psychological school. They may have variations when it comes to specifications but both, however, agreed that dreams occur during the REM, or rapid eye movement, phase of sleep. This phase of sleep is characterized by closed eyes darting rapidly about, as our brain activity peaks, and muscles suffer temporary paralysis. The physiological theory focuses upon how the body, specifically the brain, functions during the REM phase of sleep. Proponents of this theory believe that dreams happen to exercise the synapses, or pathways, between brain cells, and that dreaming takes over where the active and awake brain leaves off. When conscious, our brains regularly transmit and receive messages, which course through our billions of brain cells to their fitting destinations, and maintain our bodies in permanent motion. Dreams put back this function. The psychological theory centers upon human thoughts and emotions, and hypothesizes that dreams deal with immediate concerns in our lives, such as unfinished business of that day, or concerns we are incapable of handling during the course of the day. Dreams, in fact, teach us things about ourselves that we are unaware of.
LINK TO DREAM CONNECTIONS
The famous Greek philosopher, Aristotle wrote in his “Parva Naturalia” over 2,200 years ago, of a connection between dreams, waking experiences, and emotional needs. Others have feasted their intellect into more complicated explanations for dreams, such as the prophetic nature written of in the Bible, which was and is a belief held by many cultures. Sigmund Freud, one of the fathers of modern psychology, believed dreams to be symbolic of any number of things buried deep within our minds and memories. Eugen Tarnow suggests that dreams are ever-present excitations of long-term memory, even during waking life. The weirdness of dreams is due to the arrangement of long-term memory, reminiscent of Penfield and Rasmussen’s findings that electrical excitations of the cortex of the brain give rise to experiences similar to dreams. During waking moments, a supervisory function interprets long term memory consistent with reality checking. Tarnow’s “Dream Work” describes the structure of long-term memory. A 2001 study showed proof that illogical locations, characters, and dream flow may help the brain support the connection and consolidation of semantic memories. These
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conditions may transpire because, during REM sleep, the stream of information between the hippocampus (the part of the brain of both man and mammals in-charge of long-term memory) and the neocortex (a part of the brain that developed later for higher level of thinking) is reduced. Increasing levels of the stress hormone cortisol late in sleep (often during REM sleep) cause this decreased communication. One stage of memory consolidation is the linking of distant but related memories. Payne and Nadal hypothesize that these memories are then consolidated into smooth narrative, similar to a process that happens when memories are created under stress.
THE REAL WORLD
Dreams can connect to actual sensations, such as the incorporation of environmental sounds into dreams such as hearing a phone ringing in a dream while it is ringing in reality, or dreaming of urination while wetting the bed. People do dream without being aware that they are doing so, except in lucid dreaming wherein there is a conscious perception of one’s state while dreaming. In this state, a person usually has control over characters and the environment of the dream as well as the dreamer’s own action within the dream. The occurrence of lucid dreaming has been scientifically verified. Some philosophers have concluded that what we think as the “real world” could be or is an illusion (an idea known as the skeptical hypothesis about ontology). The first recorded mention of the idea was by Zhuangzhi, and was also discussed in Hinduism; Buddhism makes extensive use of the argument in its writings. It was formally introduced to Western philosophy by Descartes in the 17th century in his Meditations on First Philosophy. In simpler terms, it may mean the next time you catch yourself kissing your pillow, well it can be because you’re kissing someone in your dream.
DREAM RECALLS
The recall of dreams is extremely unreliable, though it is a skill that can be trained. Dreams can usually be recalled if a person is awakened while dreaming. Women tend to have more frequent dream recall than men. Dreams that are difficult to recall may be characterized by relatively little effect, and factors such as salience, arousals, and interference play a role in dream recall. Often, a dream may be recalled upon viewing or hearing a random trigger or stimulus. A dream journal can be used to assist dream recall, for psychotherapy or entertainment purposes. For some people, as their head touches their pillow as they go to bed at night, vague images or sensations from the previous night’s dreams are sometimes spontaneously experienced. However, they are usually too slight and fleeting to allow dream recall.
DREAM INFORMATION
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, both Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung identified dreams as an interaction between
A FLIGHT TO
DREAMLAND By: Maxwel John Berdugo
the unconscious and the conscious. They also assert together that the unconscious is the dominant force of the dream, and in dreams it conveys its own mental activity to the perceptive faculty. In addition, Freud felt that there was an active censorship against the unconscious even during sleeping. Fritz Perls presented his theory of dreams as part of the holistic nature of Gestalt Therapy. Dreams are seen as projections of parts of the self that have been ignored, rejected, or suppressed. Jung argued that one could consider every person in the dream to represent an aspect of the dreamer, which he recalled the subjective approach to dreams. Perls expanded this point of view to say that even inanimate objects in the dream may represent aspects on the dreamer. The dreamer may therefore be asked to imagine being an object in the dream and to describe it, in order to bring into awareness the characteristics of the object that correspond with the dreamer’s personality.
INTERPRETING DREAMS
The world of dreams is a mysterious and mesmerizing one where the rules of reality do not apply. We realize that our dreams are unique and are connected only with our “own” world. Thus, in interpreting them, it is very important that we do it our way. According to Freud, dream interpretations are based on our real state. It is usually a representation of our unsatisfied desires and anxieties. However, it also needs the dreamer’s association. He/she is therefore asked to associate as freely as possible, to elicit details of the day as residues used in the dream work, to explicate the displacement and condensations and to understand the choice of the usual that make up the manifested content. For Freud, the interpretation of dreams was the “via regia,” the royal road leading to the unconscious. In his book ‘Interpretation of Dreams’, he noted that the method should be carried to the extreme, yet the examples he provided could hardly be said to adhere to this proposal— most probably because these are for the most part his own dream, and he may have been unwilling to expose the most intimate aspects
of his personal life. Dreams unify the body, mind, and spirit. It provides us with insight into ourselves and a means of self-exploration. It helps us have a better understanding and discovery of our true identity. So brace yourself and find out what’s in your dream.
THE FINAL LANDING
Dreaming may take us to uncharted dimensions and satisfy our great fantasies, but we must not forget to live in the real world. We can dream as many dreams we want, but we can never escape from the realities of life. Remember, at the end of the day, the verdict is ours to make. It’s either we will stay dreaming and end up nothing or do something in the realization of those dreams. So, fasten your seatbelts and be ready for take-off. Bon voyage! Sweet dreams!
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Déjà vu:
Fantasy or Reality? By: May Genesis L. Avelino
Ever had the feeling when you visited a certain place for the FIRST time, you are absolutely convinced that area is something already familiar and known to you? How about the scene where you are talking to someone whom you had met and talked to for the FIRST time and instantly, after the moment you said something, you had a very strong feeling that you are both having a conversation you and that stranger already had before?
In
In the book “L’avenir des sciences psychiques” (The Future of Psychic Sciences), its author, Émile Boirac, a French philosopher, coined the term “déjà vu.” It comes from the French word which means “already seen.” It is the experience of feeling sure that one has witnessed or experienced a new situation previously (an individual feels as though an event has already happened or has happened in the near past), although the exact circumstances of the previous encounter are uncertain. The experience of déjà vu is usually accompanied by a compelling sense of familiarity, and also a sense of “eeriness,” “strangeness,” or “weirdness.” Not all, “I think this had happened before. I think I have been here before.” qualify as déjà vu. If a person has any preknowledge of something that is yet to happen, like in a dream, it cannot be Déjà Vu, and is likely to be some type of Precognition. A person cannot know that a Déjà Vu experience is coming, and also, it is always sensed as INSTANTANEOUS, as being a sudden realization that an experience “was somehow familiar”. The credibility of a déjà vu as being valid generally centers on being in an environment or situation that you HAVE
NEVER POSSIBLY EXPERIENCED EVER BEFORE. Yes, a
déjà vu COULD also occur in a familiar situation, but there is a strong possibility that it would be just a forgotten memory.
Talking about forgotten memory, our minds have countless memories in it of all the days of all the previous years that we have lived and simply to maintain our sanity, our brain “forgets” most of them, even though they are still stored somewhere in our brain. These “forgotten memories” are well-known phenomena in all of us. So, if you are in a familiar environment and you get a feeling that you “had experienced this before”, the reality MIGHT be that you actually had! When our brain sees a PATTERN in an experience, it seems to have the ability to “suddenly remember” forgotten memories which happened to have a very similar pattern in them.
WHAT SCIENCE SAYS Since the last years of the 20th century, déjà vu has been subject to serious psychological and neurophysiological research. Scientifically speaking, the most likely explanation of déjà vu is that it is an anomaly of memory giving the impression that an experience is being recalled. Science wants to have FACTS, and there are never any! Usually, people who INSIST that they have had déjà vu are usually clearly wrong and that they usually had some experiences of “forgotten memories”, which are triggered sometimes by a certain thing, person or act. It is somehow impossible to document déjà vu experiences that could be of any value for scientific investigations. A person who experienced it does not know in advance that certain phenomena will happen until he experienced it by himself and instantaneously realized that the situation is ”somehow familiar.” As a result, there is virtually nothing of scientific value to even confirm that the phenomenon of Déjà Vu exists.
THE REAL SCORE Unfortunately, claims of experiences of déjà vu could not be confirmed except from the words of the person who had experienced it. However, the more a person thinks about whether he/she has experienced something like that before, the more unsure he/she becomes. Well, getting the sense of déjà vu in itself kind of damages the credibility of the experience. The point is, if you feel so strongly that you’ve done it before, then how can you be sure you haven’t? Think about it.
In order for a Déjà vu experience to be credible, it needs to be some experience that is clearly different from any forgotten memory a person might have had, which also means something truly surprising.
Sources: Wikipedia Online; www.mb-soft.com; The Future of Psychic Sciences, Émile Boirac
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F E AT U R E
Famous common powers we know from movies and the television are the four mystic elements such as Fire, Air, Water and Earth. Some powers are in the process of being explained and given light to by science; like mental telepathy, telekinesis, psycho-kinesis and others.
But do you know that even an “ordinary person” can be ‘extraordinary’? People are preoccupied all the time, at school, at work and other personal activities. We forget that each of us has what we could call ‘natural powers’. There are people whose success at communicating with others exceeds those of an average person. Their charisma enables them to convince others and sway decisions and the point of view of other people. In layman’s terms, this is what we call, ‘convincing power’. Of course not all have this kind of ability. It is a genetic tendency that is developed through experiences. It’s a talent, a gift from God. One of the basic human characteristics is the need to socialize. Sociologists believe that socialization is one of the means human beings are kept alive. This enables them to adapt to an otherwise indifferent or hostile environment. This compels human beings to go with other people and make friends and form into groups and communities. For adolescents, the manifestations are often through hanging out with friends, attending night-outs and parties. Through these activities, a person will find lots of different kinds of people, some you might be attracted to. Sometimes you wonder why you are attracted to someone and vice versa. Aside from magnets which attract things such as metal, sex appeal is a scientific means that may best answer why people are attracted to each other. Sex appeal is a physical, chemical, behavioral, and psychological characteristic or set of characteristics in an organism that allows him to be noticed by someone or something of equivalence from the opposite sex. This term came into usage around the 1920s, exactly when ladies’ fashion got shorter, bolder and more daring. This was also the era when men’s fashion became more individualized and much less stuffy than what they were before. According to evolutionary biologists and geneticists, sex appeal is a means that has enabled organisms to reproduce and develop throughout the centuries. Specifically, the way humans choose who they are attracted to goes beyond the reasons that ‘something about someone looks or feels good’. It rather has an adaptive function that serves to improve the species. For instance, shiny locks, bright eyes and a healthy body built signify health which is deemed good for the species. A well-built man means he can take care of his tribe well; another thing people in history believe is good. The study of sex appeal has been a subject of contemporary researches in biology as well as psychology and it has been discussed in different ways such as that in Discovery Channel’s ‘The Science of Sex Appeal’. Sex appeal, as portrayed by artists and writers in history have had subtle changes throughout the ages; large breasts, long legs, long, black, soft hair and red lips have been the norm for decades on the women’s side. Men who have traditionally been found to have sex appeal were the tall, buff, dark, and handsome. These
The Power of
Sex Appeal
Khenneth Dela Cruz
standards, however, have been slowly losing steam in recent years, with the natural look becoming more appealing or at least more acceptable than the plastic doll look enhanced by numerous means developed in present time such as surgery and artificial implants. Based on scientific research, faces that are most appealing have been shown to be those with standard, symmetrical measurements between the features, regardless of what the features may be. In mathematical terms, the most attractive face is the average of the sum of all the faces in a particular society. We also emit a scent that unconsciously attracts particular types of people to us. However, sex appeal is not just a term to describe physical characteristics of people. Art and music can be considered sexy, even when there is absolutely no sex involved. It simply has come to mean it is something widely sought after by number of people. Sex appeal doesn’t have to be only physical, either. Some may find a sense of humor, money, power, prestige and being simple factors that add to someone’s sex appeal just as much as red and pouty lips of Angelina Jolie does. Sex appeal is not limited to only the tall, dark and handsome, as well as the tall, slim and cute. It also refers to the real you, the way a person carries him or herself in front of others; the way he interacts and shows others what he knows. Let yourself be free! Psychologists as well as fashion consultants advise us not to wear clothes just to look sexy but rather, clothes should be worn based on the comfort it brings. This will allow you to bring out the best in you. Being sexy is to always keep your body wellgroomed and freshly showered without using heavy perfumes. It has been found out that perfumes can actually mask your natural scents. You can create sex appeal naturally within yourself. Sex appeal is not destructive as fire, soft as air, strong as the currents of water and hard as earth but sex appeal is just as effective in enabling humans to grow and develop, captivating attention and the hearts of humans, and aiding in the creation of the species that we are now.
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The Pu Editorial Board CEIN
a.k.a.: Ms. Caressa Lynn A. Siglos Class : Faery Guardian At Heart : Hero Story : She is a faery from the Tuatha De Danann race capable of controlling and manipulating all elemental forces at her will. She helps 11 other human teens realize that they have extraordinary powers as well which they can manipulate for their own personal preferences.
SLEEPY WONDER
a.k.a.: Ma. Camille D. Dordas Class : Amazon At Heart : Hero Story : Her super strength and flying abilities come from her strong will to do good. She uses her power to save lives and stop disasters from occurring because she believes in the saying that goes: “a good deed is always a winning act.”
DRAGONSHIRE
a.k.a.: Jotham D. Funclara Class : Mana Forger At Heart : Hero Story : He has the power to manipulate mana, or the energy that surrounds the universe particularly in living things. He can create force fields and shields out of it as well as sharp weapons. He can also harness it in its purest form as a wave bearing a deadly force.
Miss tee
a.k.a.: Arian Mariz V. Javellana Class : Psychokinetic At Heart : Indifferent Story : Having the power of telekinesis, she can move objects through her mind. She has no problem in doing house chores like cleaning because she could work heavy tasks without even lifting a finger. She also doesn’t worry about having to get up out of bed to get food from the kitchen.
“We are ordin
HISTOMATIKA
a.k.a.: Mary Grace A. Daliva Class : Time Traveler At Heart : Indifferent Story : This willful lady has the ability to travel through the past as well as foresee future events before they occur. She usually does this when she wants to find out the reasons behind a person’s attitude and when she wants to decide on important matters that involve trial-and-error methods.
Can’’t Touch DS
a.k.a.: Mario A. Gomez Class : Spiritwalker At Heart : Half Hero, Half Villain Story : Ethereal as a ghost in his natural state, he can conceal himself from impending danger. He is also able to relocate himself from one place to another as well as pass through solid objects. He is thought to be an immortal, because he is matter in its purest form.
urisimian Secrets Revealed:
The Superhumans
nary people, but the bond we have and the gifts we share are what make us SUPER.”
KHENAPOY
a.k.a.: Khenneth B. dela Cruz Class : Firestarter At Heart : Villain Story : He’s a very fiery fellow. He can control and manipulate fire. He can use it to burn his enemies alive or burn stuff and throw it at them for added bonus destruction. His power reflects his heart burning with emotion. He can do a lot of things when he’s “hot”.
BLOODY MISTRESS
a.k.a.: May Genesis L. Avelino Class : Vampire Enchantress At Heart : Villain Story : She has the power to transform into any person or animal she wishes to. As a female vampire, she has the power to lull men to fall in love with her. She can hide amongst the shadows and completely conceal herself from the view of humans.
STORM ATHENA
a.k.a.: Rizzi Angelica V. Maribao Class : Storm Priestess At Heart : Villain Story : She may look just like another pretty face, but be warned: She’s a ‘living cyclone’. Her temper can cause her to unleash a powerful storm upon any area she sets her gaze upon. She can manipulate the weather patterns to create a path of destruction in her wake.
MELLASTIKA
a.k.a.: Meliriza S. Aliperio Class : Flex Girl At Heart : Hero Story : She can stretch any part of her body to any length she desires and she can bend and twist beyond any other human being could. She can also transform to any shape and size that she wills, which gives her an edge in stealth combat, or even in hiding from the teachers.
HUMAN WINDMILL
a.k.a.: Maxwel John B. Berdugo Class : Wind Manipulator At Heart :Hero Story : Making sharp and destructive weapons out of wind is his specialty. Not only can he fly, but he can make anyone or anything fly to their doom hundreds of thousands of feet in the air. He can also suffocate anyone by literally taking their breath away.
SHYLOCK ELECTRA
a.k.a.: Aisa L. Gardose Class : Lightning Channeler At Heart : Indifferent Story : She has the power to stun people with her “electrifying charms” and give them the shock of their lives. Her electric power comes directly from her body, but she can also summon devastating lightning to carve a path of destruction.
F E AT U R E
Superhuman Feats: His channel for Strength Jotham D. Funclara
“He looked at me so intently and never let his eyes stray from my sight. Those eyes judged me so truthfully and stabbed me in my core. And with one more gasp of breath, he closed them, and never opened them again. It all happened in just a few short moments, but those moments I will never forget for as long as I live. From that moment, I swore to change the way I have lived my life, I swore it upon him; my son, my baby.” Life always has an extraordinary way of showing us the right path when we have stumbled into the deepest, darkest corners of our journey through it. They say that the night is darkest before dawn; some also say the deepest falls give rise to the strongest of warriors. Indeed, even the great “superheroes” we love started their glory through a part of their lives that they consider to be their deepest downfall. This holds true in the feats experienced by Toto throughout his life. His deepest and darkest memories have hammered and molded him enough to keep him standing after every fall; swaying along as the wind sweeps over him, but still keeping his composure afterwards. He may not be your usual guy in Spandex and cape with super strength or laser eyesight flying around protecting the city, but his story, a story of superhuman endurance, perseverance and determination, is certain proof that he too is truly… extraordinary.
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When dreams break apart Toto’s childhood was filled with promise and opportunities. He was lucky enough to be the first-born in his family, and eldest brother to three siblings. Because of this, he got away with most everything, especially a good education, good friends, and siblings who look up to him. He even went to a prominent college in a large city. It wasn’t the course he freely chose, but he appreciated his college life there anyways. He was also gifted
with talents, intellect, wit and even athleticism. Over-all, people expected a lot for him. But the sad thing about expectations and dreams is the crushing agony that comes with ruining them. A huge transition stage for him was during his second year in college. A point came when problems escalated to such a level that it felt unbearable for him to stay at home any longer. He decided to leave, with nothing more than the clothes on his back and some provisions to last the journey he plans to take. In doing this, he threw away everything that was expected of him, and the people’s views regarding him changed. But he didn’t care anymore, and he couldn’t turn back anymore. All that’s important for him was living his life; finding ways to survive everyday in a harsh city that allowed survival only to those fashioning glimmering stones and riding in the fast lane; an environment that took people like him, people looking up to it for a better life, only for granted. Battling his Demons Eventually, Toto’s decision led him to the darkest, deepest, lowest corner of his life. Even today, he keeps the memories of this part of his life as a constant reminder for him not to fall again into that deep, dark corner. For so many years he fought the terrors of living alone in a huge city, with not even the safety of four walls and a roof provided for him. He got used to the idea of sleeping on a cardboard box by night, and scavenging for food or work by day. So many fears and anxiety struck him at every corner as he tried so hard to learn to live on his own in this new environment he is faced with. Trying to blend in, he learned to take on many different lines of meager jobs; from being a jeepney ‘barker’, to construction worker and many more. He shifted from so many jobs, even those where physical work was more than the pay, just so he can have something to fill his stomach with everyday. He even got a job in a fastfood place even though the alleys behind that restaurant served as his home that time. “I experienced working as an
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electrician helper, carpenter helper, cement mixer operator, cigarette vendor, balut and fruit vendor, jeepney and taxi barker, ‘pahinante’, service crew, stockman, merchandiser, construction laborer and chemisthelper in a paint factory. When I’m out of work, I sell my blood. I have done it about nine times. I did it all just to survive.” Living eventually leads to learning, and so he learned a lot of things through that battle for survival, particularly the ways of survival in an urban environment applied by people with lives and experiences similar to him. Some of these ways aren’t exactly good nor legal, but over-all; it taught him how to survive. He also learned vices, fraud, petty tricks, and even the behind-the-scenes workings of a crooked society. Light at the end of the Tunnel Toto’s experiences may have been an ugly, horrible show of chaos and danger, but as he endlessly hoped for everyday, the wheel of his life finally began turning in his favor. After years of living life in its cruelest, good news got to him from his relatives who came to live in a nearby town, and because of this he finally found himself a nice place to call home. Along with this turning point in his life, he found for himself a priceless treasure to keep forever; the queen of his life. His life has started turning for the better, but it wasn’t a stable turn, it was as if the wheel was moving slowly and kept suddenly creaking to a stop every now and then. He also kept indulging in his vices. “Vices are hard to let go of, and learned things can never be unlearned.” He would often say when relating his story. The day came when his wife delivered his first-born son. He was born already sickly and very weak. The doctor didn’t give him much time to enjoy the world. For days on end, Toto and his wife would do nothing but just be by the baby’s side, to show him and to tell him how much they loved him. Barely six days have passed with the baby still growing weaker. Toto was alone in the room with him, and this gave him a lot of time to think about everything. He never let his eyes away
from his son. And finally, with a final jolt, the baby looked straight at his father’s eyes, and expired. “It was as if he was telling me ‘father, look at me, this is all your fault. You have to change.’” Toto related. “Then end there, I promised myself to change. Never again will I succumb into the evils I have let myself fall into. I will live my life to the fullest and keep his memory as a reminder for me, for what I should do with my life.” A New Day Begins After his life-changing experience, Toto decided that his first goal was to go back home to his family. Everything wasn’t completely fixed, some of his reasons for leaving still lingered in the air, but he is determined now to always stick by his family and help his father tend to their family business. He also decided to go back to college. He didn’t go back to his previous course; instead he pursued the path he wanted, even though it meant he would repeat college over again from the very beginning as a regular student. And so he went to study here in our beloved Alma Mater. “I was ashamed at first. I already expected that I’ll be the oldest in class. I knew I’d really stand out.” Despite negative feelings he still pursued, and so it wasn’t long before he was being befriended by everyone in and even out of the classroom. He still felt out of place, but eventually, he learned to embrace his new life as a student. All the talents and skills that he had as a child continued to shine even in his college life. He still struggles to balance his school and home life, but now he’s stronger, nothing can make him give up on his goals, because for him, nothing beats what he’s already been through, and he’s determined that nothing will make him return to that kind of life again. He and his wife once again got blessed with another angel in their life: Their second son. “Having a family to care for is the greatest joy for me. My Queen and my baby, they inspire me to keep fighting, to achieve what I really want to achieve in my life.” Today, Toto is at the last year of his college life. School itself presented its own countless problems and trials for him, but he made it through it all with the aid of the memories of his harsh experiences. He also uses these memories to advise his little brothers and sisters at school on how to do things right, to keep them on the right path. This makes him a hero in their eyes, because of his simple pieces of advice and stories; he’s saved their lives before it became too late for them too. Hammering metal causes it to stretch and widen and also increases its durability. So is life. The greater the trials we encounter, the wider our perspective become, and thus we become stronger and more capable of handling our lives. Toto’s experiences have further harnessed and developed his ability to endure and overcome more challenges that will come his way. And yet, despite how strong he has already become, he desires to share this strength that others may benefit from it. He helps people in any way he can, especially those who considers part of his family. And these qualities are truly what make him ‘superhuman’.
DIGGING THE GRAVE
F E AT U R E
By: Maxwel John Berdugo
The cold ones, the undead, the bloodsuckers— these are just some of the attributes attached to the traditional vampire lore. Over the centuries, tales about Vampirism has found a place in every culture and has even created an interesting notion to human minds that have evolved as years continued to mark the calendar.
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Vampires are said to be supernatural beings who go out of their graves or coffins at night to suck the blood of the living, either at their throat or stomachs, after which they return to their cemeteries or “haunted” houses. This cliché has already created a big impact on humans and it even continues to do so to this day.
HOW THE NAME WAS COINED
The English term was derived (possibly via French vampire) from the German Vampir, in turn thought to be derived in the 18th century from the Serbian. The Serbian form has parallels in virtually all Slavic languages: Bulgarian, Czech, and Slovak, Polish, Russian, Belarusian, Ukrainian, from the Old Russian. The exact etymology is unclear. An older, and less widespread, theory is that the Slavic Languages have borrowed the word fro a Turkic term for “witch”.
A RETROSPECT
Vampire tales suffered many variations due to countless theories, studies, and even discoveries. Usually, these immortals consuming the blood or flesh of the living are entities that could be associated at the present with vampires. However, in ancient times, the term vampire did not exist because blood drinking and similar activities were attributed to demons or spirits; even the devil was considered synonymous with the vampires. One of the first civilizations to have stories of blood-drinking demons or creatures attempting to drink blood from men was depicted on excavated pottery shards. Ancient Babylonians had tales of the mythical Lilitu who was considered a demon and was often depicted as subsisting on the blood of babies. The idea also entered the world of Ancient Greek and Roman mythology which described the Empusae, Lamia, and Striges. Empusae was the daughter of the goddess Hecate and was described as a demonic, bronze-footed creature. She feasted on blood by transforming into a young woman and seduced men as they slept before drinking their blood. Lamia preyed on kids on their beds at night, sucking their blood, as did by Gello, who is one of the many names for a female demon or revenant who threatens the reproductive cycle by causing infertility, spontaneous abortion, and infant mortality. Like Lamia, Striges feasted on children but also preyed on young men. They were described as having bodies of crows or birds in general and were later incorporated into Roman mythology as Stryx, a kind of nocturnal bird that fed on human flesh and blood.
A CLOSER GLIMPSE
Curiosity has led men to come up with many concepts about Vampirism. In fact, many rituals were used to identify a vampire. One method of finding their graves involved leading a virgin boy through a graveyard or church grounds on a virgin stallion or horse. Holes appearing in the earth over a grave and cases of dead cattle, sheep, and the like were also taken as signs. Folkloric vampires could also make their presence felt by engaging in minor poltergeist— like activities such as hurling stones on roofs and moving household objects. Vampires’ transformation as bats also became an integral part of the legend. According to the modern English heraldic tradition, a bat means “awareness of the powers of darkness and chaos”. However, vampire experts said that there’s no truth to it, along with the coffin thing— Vampires don’t sleep at all. They also said that they are not afraid of garlic, it’s just that their noses are very sensitive and simply don’t like the smell. Based on the Slavic concept of vampires, this creature is said to be the “manifestation of an unclean spirit possessing a decomposing body”. This undead creature is considered to be vengeful and jealous towards the living and needing the blood of the living to sustain its body’s existence. In modern times, however, the vampire is generally held to be a fictitious entity, although belief in similar vampire creatures such as Chupacabra— a blood-sucking creature, usually animals like goats, still exists in some cultures. ` Legends of female vampirelike beings who can detach parts of their upper body even occurred in the Philippines, they are: the Tagalog mandurugo (blood-sucker) and the Visayan manananggal (self-segments). The mandurugo is a variety of the aswang that takes the form of an attractive girl by day, and develops wings and a long, hallow, thread-like tongue by night. The tongue is used to suck up blood from a sleeping victim. The manananggal, on the other hand, is described as an older, beautiful woman capable of detaching its upper torso in order to fly into the night with huge bat-like wings and prey on unsuspecting, sleeping pregnant women in their homes. They use an elongated proboscis-like tongue to suck fetuses from these pregnant women. They also prefer to eat entails (specifically the heart and the liver) and the phlegm of sick people.
THE OTHER SIDE
Vampires have proven to be a rich subject for the film and literary industries. The vampire is a major character in more
movies than any other but Sherlock Holmes, and many early films were either based on the novel of Dracula or closely derived from it. The legend of the vampire was cemented in the film industry when Dracula was reincarnated for a new generation with the celebrated Hammer Horror series films, starring Christopher Lee as the Count. A 1992 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola based on Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula— which was greeted by a generally positive critical reception and was a box office hit also created a big impact in today’s modern impression of vampires. Count Dracula supposedly lived in a castle on top of the mountain and preyed on female peasants at night. The vampire or revenant first appeared in poems such as The Vampire (1948) by Heinrich August Ossenfelder, Lenore (1973) by Gottfried August Burger, and many others. Varney the Vampire was a landmark popular mid-Victorian era gothic horror story by James Malcolm Rymer (alternatively attributed to Thomas Preskett Prest). One of the first “scientific” vampire novels was Richard Matheson’s 1954 I Am Legend which has been used as the basis for the films The Last Man on Earth (1964), The Omega Man (1971), and I Am Legend (film) (2007). Recently, the newest revolution of vampires was born when Stephanie Meyer’s top-grossing-novel-turnedblockbuster-movie entered the spotlight— the Twilight Saga. This piece of art has presented the vampires as cold-skinned beings with SUPERNATURAL capabilities like intense speed and strength in the person of Edward Cullen played by Robert Pattinson. It has caught the attention of today’s generation because it has introduced a new concept of Vampirism which relates to the modern world. There were no castles on the top of the mountain, coffins, and all that, just a fresher version of a fight for love— which is poles away from the old films that paved in the film industry. The continuing popularity of the vampire theme has been ascribed to a combination of two factors: man’s craving for FANTASY and an interesting depiction of IMMORTALITY.
THE DEAD END
Vampires are indeed scary. They may be pictured out as creatures wearing black, cold-skinned, and pointed fangs that prey on the living, and have been professed as fictitious beings who continue to gain popularity in the world of amusement, one thing is certain and evident for now: they belong to the supernatural beings of society that will serve as proof of man’s creative imagination. *www.yahoo.com
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Nature’s wonders are everywhere. We just have to wear rubber shoes, bring a backpack with cap, water and food and fit our most comfortable hiking attires. Of course, opening our senses and widening our mind will make us all set for an exciting and memorable adventure.
The Travel
Rice, corn and sugarcane fields are the common sceneries of Maayon. It is a province 35 kilometers from Roxas City resulting to a one hour ride. One of the 32 barangays of Maayon is Barangay Tapulang. It is a silent and calm place which could be reached by a 15-minute ride from Maayon. Houses are distant from each other and the people live a simple life there through farming. Apart from the cemented road is the muddy route to Sitio Igang.
The Legend
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According to hearsay, the Igang Cave was created because of the raining of stones in the past. It was that the Igang Cave was once a church that was so big, giving sufficient room for priests, nuns and their parishioners. A woman was surprised when a dog talked to her at the entrance of the cave. The dog conversed with her and then stones rained. The hale of stones combined with the structure of the church making the edifice a sight
TOURISM:
Discovering
Igang Cave By: Ma. Camille Dordas
to behold. It is said that the persons caught inside became stones too. That is why upon entering, pieces of human-sized stones could be seen standing close to the walls. A very distinctive image is that of a depiction of a person praying. It is said that ancient people bring anting-anting when they visit there for protection. First Encounter It was our first time to go to Igang Cave. However, we noticed the entrance upon passing Sitio Igang. We stopped by an inclination with a distance of 3 meters from the ground with an angle of 300 having grassy features that should be passed before reaching the entrance. We managed to go through the cave’s opening and reached far into the cave until we reached the deepest part that could be touched by daylight. We decided not to pursue into the dark part because of the bats and big snakes that abound. The first impression upon entering is a sense of coolness, attracting the visitors because despite the hot weather, we felt cold in the place. Also, it was the legend of the place that tempted us so we decided to go on. The Real Quest We went out of the cave and noticed several nipa huts nearby. A woman entertained us. We went there to ask if the cave is safe and also told her our intention to enter it. Part of being hospitable, the woman tasked her children, who always spend time in the cave, to accompany us. As we entered the cave again, our fear lessened because the children ran into the darker regions as if there is nothing to fear about. Upon passing the dark area, the beautiful streak of daylight brightened the cave. The children told us that the cave is a four-storey
structure. I can’t believe it at first but they’ve proven me wrong. The ground floor has many passages. A V-like structure of two caves exists, separated by a tall stone on the left side. The children said that no one dared to enter the two dark openings because of a deep well inside. The right side is lighted by the sun’s rays. The cave showcased features like the stone with a hole on top in which a finger can fit and the thin stone which resembles terraces because of its layered parts. It was said that the stone with the hole was a place where ashes used to be placed during Ash Wednesday. The sunlight shined fully reaching towards the walls and ceiling, making the stalagmites at the top more impressive. The one that caught our attention was the stone figure that resembles a person kneeling and praying. You can reach the second floor from the forward part of the ground floor. The steps were slippery so we needed to be extra careful. The breeze of cool and fresh air can be felt best at this place. A stone on this part depicts a man lying. It took one big step upward to reach the third floor. The place, unfortunately, forces you to shift from a standing to sitting position because the place was getting smaller. There was a part in the third floor that you have to lie down to pass through one of its caves. The passageway towards the fourth floor was limited so we had to compress our body in whatever way we can. Our little sacrifice was rewarded upon seeing the wonderful sceneries on the fourth floor. Every part of the cave has stalactites with stones shaped and polished by nature. The children said that there were interested people who had known and visited the place. It was one of the most exhilarating and extraordinary adventures we have ever had.
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PUBLIC REALMS:
Recalling our Contribution to our Own Destruction By: Mary Grace A. Daliva
Just recently, September 24 to be exact, populace coming from coastal barangays of Roxas City filled the heart of the city, the plaza near the Cathedral and the Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center. People coming from Brgy. Culasi, Brgy. Baybay, Brgy. Dumolog, Brgy. Cogon, and Brgy. Punta Cogon, considered coastal barangays of the city, gathered their families and property because of a mass panic regarding the hearsays of a tidal wave supposedly occurring at 12 midnight of that date. According to news on the radio, the panic began when hearsays spread among people regarding a tricycle driver who happened to take his route from Roxas City to Culasi. He supposedly received information from a certain adult dressed in gold with a cane in his hand, who was his passenger also, that a tidal wave will occur 12 midnight of that date. After saying it, the man was said to have suddenly disappeared. The tricycle driver consulted his mother regarding the information he received and after that helped families residing at Brgy. Culasi in evacuating… In the end the tricycle driver got all the blame because of the false alert of a tidal wave which caused undue alarm to the people. During occurrences of the different effects of climate change, ‘to panic’ is just one possible reaction of the affected. However, this should not be so. One of the most important facts taught in safety engineering subject is the simple reminder, ‘don’t panic’ even though there’s a risk of danger approaching. Nonetheless, due to some unexpected realities
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that may occur, especially with the threat to one’s life, one cannot expect everybody not to panic even though reminders and information coming from different media industries remind us that we should first be aware of reports from agencies like PAGASA before we take action or react. Yes, it’s true, standard procedures and guidelines should first be identified before taking action but on the other hand, with the present condition of the environment, did we even think that our climate, the condition of our environment, has a deeper cause than what is obvious? Did we ever realize that what is happening is an accumulation of decades, or perhaps even centuries of damage done by mankind? With this damage, did we even realize that this is one of the unpredictable realities we are forced to live in everyday of our lives? Nowadays, almost everything is unpredictable, even our environment and the process of its change, how it will destroy us and at the same time the intense realization of its effects. The earthquake and tsunami suffered by people in Samoa last September can also be suffered by coastal-area dwellers here in Roxas City. Even though PAGASA reported that there is a slim possibility because of the physical make-up of the area, the possibility is always there and will grow more intense if people (not only those who reside on coastal areas of Roxas City) will not try to act and attempt to repair the damage done to nature even just in their respective homes. Roxas City, as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines, is a source of great pride to the Capizenos. Being hailed as the Cleanest and Greenest Component City in both regional and national categories since 1999 up to 2006 is one of the best marks of the city, a making in the history. With these titles our locality has been awarded with, aren’t we inspired to maintain it?
Picking and disposing properly of garbage left by the waves at coastal areas of Roxas City is a great help for everybody to maintain a healthy environment. Sadly, sometimes the people who benefit most from the gifts of our environment are also the ones who contribute passively to the downfall of the beauty and health of our seas in Roxas City. We are all too ready to complain regarding the sufferings we are experiencing with the present environment our climate provides us. But then we do not even try to correct our routine, especially those involving proper waste disposal. We have been very inconsiderately throwing our waste everywhere. We have poor routines in maintaining a healthy and clean environment that’s why we suffer the consequences of our actions and become poorer because of our own negligence. God created man with intelligence above all creatures, possessing the ability to become stewards of nature. Unfortunately, we have been poorly keeping up with the task we have been given. We don’t have the right to complain regarding how climate change destroys life and our own living if we don’t have the proper disposition to maintain the good condition of our environment. Last year, Region 6 suffered the bitterness of the typhoon Frank. This year, Luzon suffered in the destroying arms of typhoon Ondoy and is currently suffering the immense damage brought by typhoon Pepeng. So sad it seems that the last judgment comes nearer. The occurrence of climate change simply shows us that no one is exempted from suffering the consequences of our misdeeds to our environment. How could we complain from these sufferings from climate change when upon cutting big trees either in mountains or lowland, we never dare to replace them? How could the environment hold the waters in mountains for the soil not to erode when there is nothing left but trees being cut unconscientiously. Sigma, Capiz is always suffering floods during heavy rains causing damage to different sectors of the community. Panitan, and other municipalities in Capiz
also suffer the same fate. This is a result of the areas being quarried in the second district as well as the deforestation which is becoming a problem of the province. Mining is also a business venture attempting to enter the second district of the province, a very risky attempt that might create more hazards in the future. Improvements are not bad for everyone who desires it, but for every struggle of development, in most cases, our environment is the one being sacrificed and left behind. Being one of the residents of Roxas City, it gives one pride to see rising buildings and developing structure; it seems like improvement is gently coming. But, nevertheless, seeing agricultural lands that have also been a major industry, converted to commercial subdivisions is somehow a sad reality. In history, our country was known in terms of agricultural industry. Neighboring Asian nations like Thailand went to our country to expand their knowledge on agricultural production. What a great pride for Filipino people being hailed by other nations in the past as the center of agriculture. But now it seems like it’s a shameful reality that our neighboring nations who happened to adopt our expertise in agriculture are the ones benefiting more from their learnings, the ones who extend their produce for us during times of scarcity. Modern subdivisions in Roxas City sometimes create drainage problems especially coupled with improper waste disposal of the people. On the other side, conversion of farmlands to subdivisions created scarcity of goods distribution ---the reason why we have been importing from other nations more often in the recent years. My father once told us that during his time, if parents just have enough rice fields to cultivate, they can send their children to some prestigious schools in Iloilo. But today, the harvest in the rice field is just enough to save the money borrowed to raise the field. He further told us that ‘sang-una tanom lang ya kag mag-ani ginagi-ok lang, indi pa uso ang mga abuno kag mga bulong sa uyapad pero kung nag-ani na,
ang isa mo ka tanom magbunga humay daw mga paa ya kadagku ang punpon sang bunga muna nga dalagku sadto ang ani.’ If only we could turn back time! Nowadays, agricultural lands use commercial fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides among other chemicals. Those are aids for easy harvesting of crops in a short span of time. Unfortunately, in the long run it ruins the innate and natural nutrients of the soil resulting to the farmer’s dependency on chemicals. Otherwise, there will be poor harvest. Recycling is rare nowadays in farmlands, commercial fertilizer is rampant while humus is rare. Weny’s Garden at Bonga Panay, and other local agriculturists who make use of natural and traditional means to raise their plants should be commended. Nong Weny, the owner, spent his retirement fee in building an agricultural garden, more famous to people in the locality as a butterfly garden. Butterfly production is the princess habitat in the garden --the owner focuses more on butterfly production because of the sensitivity in raising it. Nong Weny uses dried leaves and animal waste as fertilizers in the variation of plants raised in the garden. He also uses kangkong to feed and raise rare fishes found on lakes to protect their species. These projects suit the preservation of nature while encouraging bountiful business. The support of the government on projects such as those undertaken by Weny’s Garden would be very promising, inspiring a lot of young ones to take good care of the environment for everybody’s sake. Somehow the present state of our environment is too far from what we had in the past. A lot of factors affect our climate change ranging from different variations of man’s improper maintenance routine to improper allocation of our natural resources. We just have one life to live and enjoy. If we make it worthy, we could provide more worthy lives to be followed by the young ones in the future.
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F E AT U R E
By Mario A. Gomez
Magic. W h a t comes to your mind when you hear of the word magic? Is it fantasy? Is it art? Is it supernatural? Is it food? Definitely, Magic is something too mysterious that inevitably a few only know of. What is its secret? In a broad sense, there are several definitions o f the word magic… and each of them is subconsciously and perhaps “magically” related to one another. According to WikiPiki, Magic can be generally known as illusions and is a performing art that entertains an audience by creating an effect of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats, using purely natural means. One who performs such illusions is called a magician. Some performers may also be referred to by names reflecting the type of magical effects they present, such as prestidigitators, conjurors, mentalists, escape artists, ventriloquists and probably scammers and cheaters. These magic performers are scattered all over the world, showing off their great talent and prowess in the field with their uncanny powers and a pair of hat and stick. Magic Artists however, are also forces to be reckoned with. They are known to be capable of doing almost anything- with a single sleight of hand and a wave; rumor has it that a magician can zap you to outer space. Robert Houdin, Harry Houdini, David Copperfield, David Blaine, Criss Angel, and Erik Mana. At least one of these names may definitely ring a bell. That’s right… these are great Magicians… and obviously, these artists are recognized by their supernatural prowess and great skill in the field of magic. NAME: Robert Houdin SOME BYTES: The father of modern magic. He was the pioneer of some classical illusions still per formed today. He was a French magician who felt that every magic program should be
arranged so one trick builds upon each other. One surprise should lead to an even bigger surprise. Some of the tricks and illusions Robert Houdin presented became classics. FAMOUS FEATS: The Ethereal Suspension, Second Sight CRITICS: Although Robert Houdin was believed to be Harry Houdini’s role model, he was also subject to skepticism from the latter. During Harry Houdini’s career, he lost his youthful respect to Robert Houdin; believing that he took undue credit for other magician’s innovations, and wrote “The Unmasking of Robert Houdin” in 1908.
NAME: Harry Houdini SOME BYTES: He was the icon of many magicians and is a world-renowned master of escapology. Impressed by Robert Houdin’s illusions, he changed his name from Erich Weiss to Harry Houdini as a tribute. FAMOUS FEATS: The Milk Can Escape, Suspended Strait-Jacket escape CRITICS: Because of Harry Houdini’s great mystifying and dazzling acts, only a few went against him. Up to this date, no popular controversy about Houdini’s magic is known. Indeed, he is one of the greatest magicians respected worldwide.
NAME: Erik Mana SOME BYTES: The Philippines’ very own Erik Mana, is a professional Filipino magician and mentalist, widely known for his astonishing mind reading skills. FAMOUS FEATS: Mind reading, Street Magic NAME: Criss Angel SOME BYTES: Coined by some as the new Houdini, he is a star in the popular series Mindfreak, which featured various illusions and stunts performed by Criss himself. FAMOUS FEATS: The walk on water, Public Levitation CRITICS: Although commercially popular through his series Criss Angel: Mindfreak, many anti-fans have emerged because he was accused plagiarizing David Blaine’s street magic illusions. Criss Angel was also criticized for several faults and flaws in his magic tricks. Yet despite this, Criss Angel remains to be widely popular among fans across the world. Indeed,theyareextraordinary…
NAME: David Copperfield SOME BYTES: An award-winning illusionist, he was arguably the most commercially-successful magician; having so far sold 40 million tickets and grossed over $1 billion. FAMOUS FEATS: Copperfield currently holds 11 Guiness World Records1. Largest private collection of magic artifacts 2. Most tickets sold worldwide by a solo entertainer 3. Highest career earnings as a magician 4. Highest Broadway gross in a week 5. Largest Broadway attendance in a week 6. Largest international television audience for a magician 7. Most magic shows performed in a year 8. Largest work archive for a magician 9. Highest annual earnings for a magician 10. Largest illusion ever staged 11. Magician holding the most world records NAME: David Blaine SOME BYTES: Best known for his high profile feats and endurance, David Blaine was the one who made street magic popular in the field of magic. FAMOUS FEATS: Buried Alive, Vertigo CRITICS: During his latest feat, known as the “Dive of Death”, several fans were let down because he has been seen taking breaks every hour for his supposedly 60 hours of being hanged upside down. Critics called him a cheater and was booed upon ending his stunt where he lightly touched the ground when he claimed that he was going to dive from 60 feet.
because only a few are bestowed t h e power of supernaturalism. Yes, these performing artists continue to mystify the spectators around them. Through their dazzling illusions and puzzling feats, they are magicians who have helped build the living imagination of what the word Magic is this day. Now, getting to know the Magicians behind Magic, it is all up to you if you BELIEVE in the word Magic.
LITERARY/POEMS
TEN REASONS TO HATE YOU By: May Genesis L. Avelino
Ang Tumalan-aw kag ang sa
Entablado Mary Grace A. Daliva
Kalupos lang magbuhi sang mga insulto kung ikaw gapungko kag galantaw sang yara sa entablado kalupos lang magpinatawa sa kada sala niya nga linya sa paglagpat sang piyesa ukon sa pag-amba. Kalupos lang maghatag sang komento sang iya tingog nga basag sa maykropono kalupos lang guid… kung ikaw tumalan-aw. Apang kung ikaw na ayhan ang yara sa entablado, mabatyagan mo ayhan nga maiwat mangin isa ka tawo?
I hate the way you styled your hair I just can’t help but glare. I hate the tattoo you had I just couldn’t agree that it’s a fad. I hate the sweet nothing you said When you just can’t stand for what you made. I hate it when you write our names on paper And afterwards you go asking for other girls’ number. I hate it when you said I’m your everything And later on you’ll forget to check if I’m still breathing. I hate it when you said forever and ever When your eyes seemed to spell out “never”. I hate it when you start chanting those lies Oh boy, had constant lying became your vice? I hate it when you make me sigh And worse, when you make me cry. I hate it when you give me reasons to assume Yet you’re just leading me to my own doom. I hate it when you make a promise For in a few moments, I know it’s going to cease. I HAVE TEN REASONS TO HATE YOU BUT WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THE HUNDRED REASONS NOT TO?
It’s So Hard Rizzi Angelica V. Maribao
It’s so hard to say that I am Ok, if this loneliness grows more and more each day. I’ve done nothing to make you stay, but I have nothing to do if your love for me has gone away. It’s so hard to find another like you, for your eyes are like stars that shine through; You made me believe that your love was true now tell me how will I find someone new. It’s so hard to do so many things ‘cause I don’t know what these longings bring. You may be the one who brought my worst dreams, but the truth is you’re also the wind beneath my wings. It’s so hard to face the unknown tomorrow if the lonely times of today go very slow, and yesterday’s happiness has ended to flow. It’s so hard to smile if your heart is breaking. Keep on asking why these things have to happen. But the question to move on is when, If for this heart, it’s hard to love again.
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LITERARY/POEMS
For a Friend tAz
Who’s foolish? May Genesis L. Avelino
Holding a bottle of beer in the yard Doesn’t automatically mean you’re a drunkard. Having a cigarette between your fingers Doesn’t mean you belong to the group of smokers. Sometimes, what you see isn’t really what you get. And other times, what you get isn’t really what you see. Just like when he held her hand, It doesn’t mean there’s an intimate bond. Or when he hugged her tight, It doesn’t mean he’s brave enough to fight. Or when he made promises, It doesn’t mean she is all that he misses. Or when he told her she’s the one, It doesn’t mean that’s his last stand. And when she tells the world there isn’t any sting, It doesn’t mean there’s truth in what she’s saying.
You’re a friend whom I cared for. Please don’t doubt because that’s for sure I’m sorry for the times I ignored you. You’re too much valued; I also want to thank you for always being there. Even if sometimes It seems that you’re absent :c But that imperfection doesn’t hinder me to think That you’re really… …A friend indeed!”,)
MAN WAS A MAN aisa l. gardose
Man was a man. Who is lonesome? Too lonely to be happy Too happy to be amazed everyday Alas! Let them know why this was so. Man was a man. Who is busy? Too busy as a bee A bee who seeks for sweet nectar Let them know you’re alright. Man was a man who seeks satisfaction Too eager to have lasting contentment But oh no! They’ve failed to do Man still aimed everything to pursue.
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LITERARY/POEMS
Life in My Journey To You Savage Athena
Sad and Alone I started walking, Along the street I met Mr. Good-looking; Then I told him I could take care of him, But he told me to wake up from that dream. So I turned to the street going to the west There I saw a guy named Mr. Honest Shocking me saying that he wished for a sexy breast Just to replace his muscular chest. Teardrops are about to fall, I turned to the east; I was so happy meeting Mr. Altruist, But though I told him he’s the best in my list Yet he said he’s going to be a priest. I took another way to meet Mr. Responsible; But tears fall when he answered my call, He said, “I have a wife, she’s so beautiful, Two girls and a lad I have three kids in all”. Now with teary eyes tell me don’t I have the right? To meet the guy named Mr. Right? ‘cause every time I try to continue the fight The guy I’ve been looking for is always out of sight. Suddenly I’ve found you, That ends my long journey, It ended with a love that’s true A love I could only find in YOU.
Color
By: Hebi_Kage 09
Orange and red aren’t really my favorite, yet here I am, staring at an endless blanket of color. While sitting here on smooth, warm grains of shiny gold, the gentle blue dances and sways on my bare feet. It is strange how these colors can make one feel sad, A certain feeling of emptiness fills the heart. But I just can’t keep my eyes away, for in an even stranger way, Its beauty amazes me; captivates my eyes. Soon enough the blanket will change its color again, the beautiful orange and red will turn to deep black lined only by tiny drops of diamond dust and a great shimmering, lonely ball of ice. As the warm gold turns into cool, silvery white, The feeling of sadness dissipates, turning into something new. Not a strong feeling at all, but a feeling of relaxation; a feeling of the need for rest, and so with this, I close my eyes. When I again open my eyes, more new colors strike my vision. The black blanket has now turned a blinding yellow, and I sit neither on gold nor silver, but on a soft grayish white. The ball of ice turned into a blaring, angry ball of fire. Again the feelings these new colors offer differ. I feel neither sad nor sleepy, but warm and very awake. I feel a need to get up and get going, or I will miss on a lot. The ball of fire kept me warm for as long as it could all throughout. As I thought about it all over again, I realized. All those colors totally differed from each other in many a way, and so did all the feelings they offered for me also differ. But there was only one thing in which they are all similar: THEY WERE ALL VERY BEAUTIFUL INDEED.
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LITERARY/POEMS
Sulat ng Isang
OBSESSION By: Aisa L. gardose
Things that are for lust they cause men to burst. How scary is it to think that men were just out of the right track. Let there be an end to all those insatiable greediness. This world doesn’t want us to be in hell but our obsession overruled our heaven. Hey! This is not volition, nor a freedom of expression. Crave for happiness, but indeed a temporal one. Our deeds may save us and free us from evil How truthful really God is, He doesn’t forget His Divine commitment. Obsession… figures men to be shapeless, Creating lives with dreadful images. Our tendency for satisfaction drastically failed. A failure to gain our Divine identity Makes the whole world perished all the way. Obsession… shadows our life in flame of fire. Scary, yes it is… but it was our strange career A career that turned us to stairways in heaven.
Natotorpe Anonymous
Mahal nga ba kita? O crush lang talaga kita Hindi ko na nga alam Kung magiging tayo pa nga ba? Kay hirap mo pala abutin Kahit kay lapit mo na sa akin Di ko masabi-sabi parin Itong aking damdamin. Bakit sa tuwing nariyan ka, Di ako makapagsalita Ang puso ko’y naparalisa Sa napaka cute mong mukha Kaya kung ikaw wala Hinahanap-hanap kita Ngunit pag ika’y nariyan na, Nahihiya agad na makasama ka. Ewan ko nga ba Kung anong charm meron ka Pero nasisiguro ko na, ang heart ko’y nabihag mo talaga Mahal na nga ba kita? O crush lang talaga kita? Hindi ko na nga alam Kung magiging tayo pa nga ba?
Broken Pieces
By: Maxwel John Berdugo
How could I put this into words? When in myself I can’t even configure, Why this feeling still eludes me, I guess I’m in a place I shouldn’t be. I keep on joggling some queries to myself Yet no matter how hard I try to search, I can’t even force it to linger… If only I have recognized the weird sound of the knock, Maybe I could have prepared for a strong block. I can even imagine myself with a genuine grin Not concealing the pain with what can be seen I know you’re happy with somebody else I could see it with the mere look on your face. It’s painful to embrace the reality that our roads won’t meet, I guess I need to take my own route just to forget. Now I see the world in a much different angle. It’s about time to hold in the tears and assemble, The broken pieces that remained scattered the whole time, Coz it’s meaningless to put each feeling down the rhyme.
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LITERARY / SHORT STORY
HALF BROKEN VOWS
A
By: Savage Athena
At last! I have framed this certificate on the wall. I had a hard time thinking of what’s to happen with my life after I was dumped again. Yes, my heart feels like it’s been used and dumped for so many times. If there’s a junkshop for broken hearts, I pit mine. It seems like it was passed from one junkshop to another. And now, it’s completely a scrap with no use. How can it be recycled to fall in love again if the traumatic heartbreaks it had ruined it totally? After taking a bath, I faced the mirror and fixed myself. I still wanted to look more beautiful. It’s the end of the boys in my world but it’s not the end of the world for me. I left the bathroom to consult my closet. As I opened it, I felt a sudden rush of changing moods when I saw the clothes I used to wear during my past dates. The red shirt reminded me of Paulo during our Valentine date; the green one was Jake’s favorite; the blue pants reminded me of William’s line, “Sexy”. I was about to close it when my eyes caught something. It was the white blouse and white skirt which was Mom’s birthday gift to me. That was a year ago but I never cared to try wearing them because I hate to wear whites. And I hate to wear skirts. But since I’m going to a wholesome place, I took that pair out and tried it. I can’t explain the feeling of fulfillment when I looked in the mirror so I decided to wear the pair. As I entered the church, I was mesmerized with the next scene. I was walking in the aisle in my white dress. The music was perfect. At the end of the aisle in front of the altar someone’s waiting for me. And he’s also wearing white! Oh, how my heart trembles with the way he smiles… “Hi! No choir practice today,” he said causing me to suddenly wake up from that deserter day dream. Choir! Hell do I care about the choir? But before I could say something, he spoke again. “There was a change of schedule of practice. Were you misinformed? Or maybe you’re a new member, right?” The smile was constantly painted on his face. “Well, actually, I’m here to ask Him why…” and again he spoke without letting me finish. “Oh, don’t ask Him why. Everything happens for a reason. If you want to ask something just ask Him ‘what’. The question why sometimes sounds complaining, but when you ask what, it may mean obedience,” I like the way he explains it in a very cool voice. I’m starting to like this man, not in a sense that he is a perfect boyfriend material. He is more like a father even though he looks like he’s just in his late twenties. “I thought you were also a choir member ‘cause you’re wearing all white.” He chuckled for his
mistake. I smiled saying, “Well, I don’t have passion for singing.” He offered me a seat and we talked. I don’t even know the name of this handsome guy but I felt secure when I was with him. I told him every single bit of my problems and thank God he’s a good listener. “So, will you give me an example of that question and I’ll ask Him later?” I just want to give him a challenge by asking that. “Ahmmm…” he smiled and paused for a while, “I’m sure the question you were supposed to ask was something like ‘why did You give me this kind of problem’, right?” I nodded so he continued, “Then, just ask Him what the best thing is for you to do.” “Oh, I see! Thanks for the advice! Gotta go! By the way Ray, it’s Sam,” I said as I offered my hand. “How did you…” he paused then looked at his shirt, and we both laughed, “You have sharp eyes, huh!” The next day, I decided to join the choir. There I saw him again but I discovered something which surprised me. An old lady called him with a title indicating his vocation. Perhaps, the title fits his personality but there’s a part of me that just can’t agree. I was wondering when I felt his gentle pat on my shoulder. I should have called him with his title. But for some reason, I apologized and said I would prefer to call him simply “Ray”. It was too awkward but he didn’t mind it. He said it was okay and after the practice we talked again. Since then, we always talked, talked about the things which concern our worlds. And every night, I laughed at myself. I still wanted to stay single but I think I’m falling in love again; this time, with the perfect man… except for one thing. He will stay single forever but he is committed for a lifetime. The warmth of that so-called friendship reached three years. The best thing that happened in my life was when Ray became my companion. I learned from him the best things in life a person should know even up to the little aspects of it. “I wish to have a daughter who could fulfill in herself the broken dreams I had for myself,” I told myself one day making him overhear it. “Don’t wish, wishes have no particular assurance. Just pray and you’ll have it if you believe what you’re asking for is good,” he said without looking at me. Then came that night when I decided to tie-up myself to him without bothering to think of what’s going to happen next. After all, I couldn’t ask for more. Having him tonight is more than walking in the aisle to have a husband for a lifetime. It felt like I was the happiest and luckiest woman in the entire earth when he uttered these magic
words, “I know what we’ve done tonight is a mistake. But one thing is for sure, loving you will never be a mistake to me. And I’d rather make this mistake tonight just to leave a single memory in your life which will last forever.” And even up to this day, that memory remains. “Ayr, stop moving, I can’t comb your hair well,” I told her as she turned her neck left and right in front of the mirror. “Mom, I know I got my eyes and my nose from my Dad ‘cause yours are different.” She’s only five but she knows how to speak her mind, “I know this might be the thousandth time I’m going to ask this, but I really want to know who my Dad is”. I made a deep sigh, and then I finally made up my mind, “Okay, let’s make this a game. If you want to know him, just scramble your name. Now with no more questions you go to sleep.” It’s been ten minutes since I left her in her room but the lights are still on. When I opened the door, I saw her with a pencil and a paper. She giggled saying, “Don’t worry Mom, I’ll go to sleep now ‘cause I got it,” she said, the sweetest smile painted on her face. I woke up early this morning to prepare breakfast. As I pressed my feet on my slippers I recalled the smile she had last night. But I was stunned with the next scene I saw in the dining room. It was Ayr wearing her yellow dress and yellow shoes. I can’t imagine how a fiveyear old girl can fix herself like that. I was even perplexed on how she had tied perfectly a yellow ribbon on her hair. “How do I look Mom? I’ve done these all by myself. I’ve even finished my milk”, she said proudly with her playful gestures. I was about to ask her where she is going but before I could speak she rushed towards the door and said, “Bye Mom! I’m going to the chapel. I’m so excited to tell Fr. Ray that he and my Dad have the same name.” Before she walked out of the door, she turned again, “I told myself last night that maybe Fr. Ray is my Dad, Mom,” she paused for a while and frowned. “But that’s so silly ‘cause priests can’t have kids, right? I wonder why they can’t…” I held my breath. Then I made a deep sigh of relief and thanked God when she walked away without waiting for me to answer. How can I make her understand that priests can’t have kids if I myself can’t understand why they cannot. Perhaps, I could explain to her… They can but they should not. I myself can understand that explanation, yet, it’s just that I still can’t accept why they should not.
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LITERARY/SHORT STORY
My boyfriend’s first love
E
By: May Genesis L. Avelino
Eliza -- she was the first woman in his life. She is his love, his world, his everything. For him, she was the best. And me? I’m also the best, the second best, I supposed. “He loves her and he loves me, too.” My mind objected to that stupid idea. How could he love us both when it is only him whom I love? It was pathetic. More than pathetic, it was foolish. And yet, no matter how much my brain rejects that thought, my poor little heart continues to believe. Davies was the center of my universe. Cheesy, mushy, corny – people can call me all those worst names that come to their minds but still, one truth will never be altered: I love Davies, I always will. I could very well remember the first time I met him. I was running away from everything, from everyone. I wandered in the woods until I saw a tree from afar– with broken branches and withering leaves. I made a crook smile. What a coincidence! I found something with which I could share my angst against this cruel world. The tree is broken and so am I. Just perfect. When I was already a few steps away from the tree, I noticed a man, sitting under it. Suddenly, he lifted his face although I could not see him clearly because of the dark. “What are you doing here?” We both utter in chorus. A glint of awe struck us. “Nothing really.” For the second time, we speak together. “Ow.” We both exclaimed. The next minutes, we found ourselves laughing for the unexpected unanimous expressions we had. At that very moment, my subconscious mind came to analyze whether my laughter is just a cover up. Well, I laugh a lot and I always have fun but I am seldom happy. The joy often does not reach my eyes. It stays only on the grin seen on my face or on my mask, rather. But here, in this gloomy place, in the midst of this dark forest, in the presence of someone I do not know, the laughter is just so right. I could feel my heart spluttering hyperactively. We talked about our lives. I am usually not the “share-my-drama” type but strange as it may seem, I bared my soul to the man in front of me, whose face I could not even see, without hesitations. And he did, too. I learned that he was left behind by the woman he loved. Every night, Davies and I would meet at the broken tree. That was our spot. That is where we belong. Until one sunny day, the hole in my chest seemed to be gaping even more due to all those annoying cycle of events in my life. I immediately escaped to another world – our own world. I was bracing myself because of fear that even a small amount of shaking might break me at any moment. When I found the spot, I sat on the withering leaves on the forest ground. Right there, flashbacks of all the failures I made and the disappointments I gave started playing in my mind. And the words just slipped out of my mouth… “Why can’t I just be worthy without having much to say and much to do? Why do I always have to prove myself?” After a long time of holding back, of pretending to be okay, of fighting those tears away, I finally broke down. “Jennie!” A melodic voice echoed on the forest. The voice was calling me. I knew for myself that I do not need to look up to know who it was because that was a voice I would know anywhere, in any way – Davies. He sat beside me, wiped my tears and all
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over again, he said: “Hush. I’m here.” When my tear ducts at last seemed to run out of supply, I found the courage to look at him. In all those countless nights we shared under this broken tree, we were not able to see each other’s face because of the darkness. And now, in this same spot, under the shining sun, my head slowly turned to his direction. Unexpectedly, he was doing the same thing I am doing and our eyes met. There was silence between us. We were taking our time, indeed. My eyes lavishly explored his every feature. From his to-diefor nose, his slightly-opened sensuous lips, his even-toned fair skin up to his enticing brown eyes… I could not believe that someone looking almost perfect could be real. And so I came up with the assumption that maybe I have grown out of my sanity that is why I am already confusing fantasy with reality. Tears started running down my cheeks again and he pulled me towards him, hugging me so tight, reiterating the words, “Hush. I’m here.” And that made me 100% sure I was not dreaming. There is something between me and Davies that is beyond any explanation known to men. We playfully call ourselves “complementary angles”. And despite of the sad truth that I was a damaged item and he was a rejected product, we developed a certain bond which grew stronger even more. Like the saying, birds of the same feather flock together, maybe just maybe, broken individuals fix each other. It was a seemingly vain hope however in attempting to fix something that is broken beyond repair. I knew how much he loves her. Yes, Eliza – the woman who left him behind a couple of years ago. His love for her was unchangeable. And no matter how I envy that thought, I just could not tell him about it. He loves me too, undoubtedly, he really does. Davies brought me to their place. He introduced me to some members of his family and friends but there is this one woman whom I have seen and he never acknowledged her. The woman would glance at him occasionally and he would pretend he doesn’t see her. My instincts are already working trying to analyze the situation and from the moment I saw Davies stealing glances of her while she was not looking, I could tell. He stared at her, the kind of stares which is full of love, the type of stares which seemed to be desperate and literally sick of the desire to hold her once again. I knew it was HER. She exudes great elegance in her every action – from the way she walks, the way she laughs, the way she flips her hair up to the way she carries herself. She was everything… that I was not. I don’t really hate her. I just don’t like the idea of liking her. Neither because she was beautiful and sophisticated nor she was the first love of the man I love the most, but because she caused Davies too much pain. I feel like being strangled whenever I remember the glint of anguish in Davies’s almost perfect face, the tears forming in his brown eyes and his struggle to hold them back, the not-so-good lying attempts of Davies about feeling fine and the way he heaves a great sigh whenever he hears names like “Liz. Liza. Eliza.” One day, while I was at home, someone knocked. “Who’s there?” I asked. “Eliza.” I was too surprised that I accidentally hit the vase. I kept asking myself, why in
the world would she drop by my place? Imagine? I will be talking to my boyfriend’s first love! When I opened the door, there she was – urbane and beautiful as ever but her eyes seemed to convey something deeper. They were like… pleading? Oh, one need not to be a genius to understand what was running on her mind and words are no longer necessary for one to be aware of her purpose of being here. No matter how hard it was, I played the game of martyrdom without knowing what’s in store for me. Davies always tells me how grateful he was for having me in his life and that he was happy. Yet I know that he will be happier with her. All I wanted is Davies to finally be able to smile and laugh his heart out. And if this will be the price for his happiness, I am more than willing to pay for it that is why I engaged myself on a mission of REUNITING MY BOYFRIEND AND HIS FIRST LOVE. Pathetic, excruciating and extremely difficult, it surely was. But nothing could ever be as rewarding as seeing Davies so happy to be at long last, reunited with the woman he first loved. Eliza will always be his life, his world, his everything. Despite all that happened, I could not make myself hate Eliza. When she left, that was the time Davies and I met. I could thank her for that although if I had the power over events, I would not want her to leave even if that would mean Davies and I would be living in this world without knowing each other’s existence. But then, this is what happened and so I was thinking that the drama I had and the problems he carried must have been God’s blessing in disguise because they were the reasons why at that particular night, we found our spot under the shade of “our broken tree”. “Thank you.” was all that I said to Eliza. I was having a difficulty in forming coherent statements. Her beauty is simply irresistible. Eliza held my hand and said, “I’m the one who owe you a lot, dear .Thanking you for the rest of my life would never be enough for what you’ve done for me and Davies. He hated me so much for leaving him behind. I couldn’t blame him for that. I didn’t tell him about my struggle to find treatments for my illness before. But there you are, you took care of him and you made him understand. You brought my son back to me and no other mother in the world could ever be as happy and grateful as I am.” And then, she came closer and threw her arms around me. Davies saw us and his lips creased, making my most favorite smile in the world. He rushed towards our center, put his left arm on my shoulder and the other one on his mom’s shoulder and exclaimed, “My girls.” I and his mom punched him playfully at the same time and we both laughed. Davies paused for a moment but afterwards laughed the way I have never heard from him before. I smiled one of the most genuine smiles I made and looked at his brown eyes. They were still as enticing as they used to be but there is something more about them -flickers. He enclosed us both in his arms and I could very well feel and hear the beating of his heart. “Eliza. Jennie. Jennie. Eliza.” my imaginations would tell me. I would not mind in what order will my name be in, for the love I have for him is irrevocable, never changing, never fading… And I am seriously committed to seeing it through no matter what it would cost me.
LITERARY/SHORT STORY
E
Ever since she gave the biggest hug to comfort me when I failed my Math test, I’ve noticed that Ella has been looking prettier everyday. I never thought that she has this “hidden glow” that would capture this way— it’s weird. Her shiny, straight, and black hair indeed worked for her than her usual pony tail. When she rolls her eyes on me and starts displaying that winsome smile, I can’t help but sigh and ask: “Am I in the twilight zone? And when did she drop the usual look she used to have?” We hang out, chatter about her likes, go on food binges, kick each other’s butts playing Video Games, and do all sorts of boy stuff under the sun. She was always there to witness my funny moments and crazy mischief. Ella is definitely more than just another pretty face— she’s one in a million! But something nasty happened… I didn’t see it coming— how that bumping incident would begin to mess up the equation for the both of us— but I do remember the very first time I got bitten by the jealousy bug. I’ve never felt so betrayed by my own thoughts. There was Ella again with Brent— the new boy in the campus who boomingly became the school’s new heartthrob. After their short-lived conversation, she instantly walked towards me while I was in the bench, listening to my “Ella-inspired” playlist and organizing my new downloads. Actually, what I did was just a front act— an as-if-I-don’t-care drama. “Playing with that stuff again, huh?” she muttered while sitting next to me. “Yeah” was just what I replied but inside me, I felt the undeniable urge to ask her what the hell did they talk about, or how the hell did they become so close after they have bumped into each other last week in the cafeteria, and worst, how much I wanted my punches to land on that newbie’s face. But I decided to kill the time instead and said to myself, “that’s not me…” so I just decided to act as if nothing happened. Memory deleted. “I like that new boy. He’s a lot like you.” She mumbled. A lot like me, sure— only a heck of a lot cuter. I don’t know if I’ll count that as a compliment but I guess that was not exactly the vote of confidence that I needed. I wanted to shout that time while she kept on telling stories about Brent over and over as we decided to walk towards the cafeteria. The last thing I heard, however, were the words “I like his smile,” replaying again and again in my head like my most hated song in the planet, that I won’t even bother to include in my playlist even if it will be the last song left. The nastiest part was that, there wasn’t anything about Brent that I could hate. He belongs to the “almost perfect” zone of the society. He was a picture of good looks and personality. He’s not the type to wink at girls to catch their attention like any other average Joe. It was not that being so charming and collecting pogi points is bad, but the reality was, he didn’t need to be. He was so attractively simple that many girls were drawn to the fact that he didn’t try too hard— that he never had to try at all. I wanted to run away, jump off a cliff, and fall down to death— either that, or till I become at least as half as good looking as Brent. Unfortunately, reality really bites…
The Nasty Part: Is it Game Over? By: Maxwel John Berdugo
and when it does, it really hurts…really, really hurts (sigh). “Maybe I need a little bit of workout to be in great shape…” I said. “A little bit?” James replied apparently hearing the mid-part of my monologue, “you need to lose some serious weight man! Because it’s either your face is getting rounder or you’re starting to develop some kind of unnecessary muscles in your cheeks!” he burst out laughing. I could not take that line for the joke that it was. Wounded, I turned to James, “Thanks for the help friend…” I uttered, emphasizing the word friend. He quickly explained, “No, don’t take it personally man. I was just pulling your leg which you found hard to believe at the state you are in…” That was so weird. Looking in the mirror very often is not my thing. But after that slap-in-the-face incident, I repeatedly checked my face in the mirror for possible bloating that day. I don’t want to admit to myself that I’m kinda insecure with Brent but I guess my strange actions nowadays are clear symptoms of this disease. Truth is, I was slain by my own insecurities…by my own self. When I got home, I rushed to my room, locked myself, lied on my bed and finally, stared at the empty ceiling— it was the most crucial stage. It was just me…myself…and I…no HER. And that gave me a creep. I guess I was already crazy…PARANOID. Those notions made me hide under the covers of my bed. When will I come into my own senses? When will I come back to my normal-butnot-so-special-but-it’s-okay self? It was like the time was frozen. I can even feel the heat of the moment eating me up little by little. I can’t take it any longer. The next day, we were in the library. I was playing with the books her hand carried, trying to listen intently to her tales. That jiffy, I felt so relieved knowing that she’s near me and there was no Brent in the picture. I wanted the moment to last longer...but just like any other fictional stories, there are endings. Sadly, I didn’t have a happy one. Poor me, it’s all because her phone rang. I’m not sure if it was because of the light from her cell phone or the name appearing on its screen but I could’ve sworn her face lit up. “Is that Brent?” “Uh-huh…He updated me about the book I want to borrow from him…I found out that he’s also a book worm like you…”he chuckled. Like me…why does it has to be that way? Why does she need to drag my name and compare it to that newbie? Can’t we just be separate entities? That’s why I hate comparisons— it only makes my situation complicated, a total, horrific, blundering mess! I gave her a fake grin, “You sure like him don’t you?” “Yes, like you...” “But you sure have a lot of chemistry.” I struggled to joke. She just blushed and smiled at me in return. So what did that smile actually mean? I only have two ideas in mind. A.) She’s already crossing the line
from just liking him to completely loving him or B.) My joke was funny. However, with the mere weight of her expressions, I have a greater feeling that it’s letter A. Considering that I’m not an effective joker, what else could lead me to pick B? How pathetic. Doomsday came. I was about to go home when I realized that I left my notebook in the classroom so I decided to go back. On my way, I saw the most tragic scene— Ella’s with Brent in the corridor…again. I could see from my position how happy and I guess “in love” they were. Brent handed over a book to her (I bet that was the one Ella was talking about). She said “thank you” and kissed him on the cheeks. Then he waved goodbye and chuckled “See you on Sat. at 3:00 pm sharp!” Whoa! What’s up with the kiss? What are they, like, lovers? Maybe I’m just over reacting but the next line, however, made me think again: “Is that a date or something?” This is useless— and it’s all because of that lousy notebook. But on second thought, that also made my eyes open to the reality. But what if my speculations aren’t true? (Grrr…) This is not just useless…this is impossible! But then I’ve realized that the nastiest part was not the fact that I don’t have the reason to hate Brent. The nastiest part was that, because Ella and I were still just friends, I couldn’t. That’s the real problem I guess. It’s definitely nice to be part of an “us”— the enthralling feeling of receiving the last phone call of the day from her, go dating during weekends, and having the license to call her “mine”. But it’s really a pain in the ass when the fairytale picture of “coupledom” turns into a nightmare when I’m not sure I can handle. She only thinks of me as his boy bud, her great play mate for ball or video games when she don’t feel like doing girly activities such as shopping or going to a salon, and her perfect companion to watch the latest gory action flick that none of her girl friends want to see. I guess she’s already tired of the “who-needs-a-boyfriend-when-youhave-the-best-boy-bud” syndrome. This is hell…Is it really GAME OVER? Is it already time to say goodbye to the good old days when she can wolf down her spaghetti without having to worry about making a mess? When she can play sports without bothering to think about how sweaty she is or how messy her hair looks? No way… I know that’s not pretty for a girl but those ungirly-acts are the reasons why I’m in such mess— I think it’s not friendship that I want to offer her anymore. It’s more than that. Inside me lies the timeless kid who desperately hopes that his gal pal will not break his heart…sigh. I should tell her how much she meant to me, how strongly I felt about her. I wanted her to know how happy she made me, how complete I felt when I was with her, how I never felt as alive as I did when she was with me…but HOW? HOW could a coward like me shout those declarations of love if I can’t even tell her that she’s pretty? =<
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LITERARY / SHORT STORY
It
It was a cool evening. Jessica rested her head on my shoulder as we sat down side by side on bare grass by a hilltop overlooking the city. Her eyes sparkled with the millions of tiny diamonds shimmering in the pitch black sky above. It was after a hearty romantic picnic, we were silently watching the stars when she opened the conversation. “Do you believe in angels?” she repeated. I didn’t answer then, so there was silence again. She lifted her head and looked up at the sky. “Well, I do. I can never forget that day. Everything seemed hopeless then…” she said. When I looked at her, there was a sad look in her eyes. “Yeah, I remember. The ship was in flames, you jumped without realizing that you were about to land on a steel platform. Lucky I caught you when I jumped to save you and diverted both our fall. And that’s how we met; funny huh?” I said, trying to get a smile out of her. She did smirk a little, but the sadness in her eyes remained. “That moment… that horrific, strange moment when we were in the air with your arms around me felt like we were flying. I swear, I felt the rush of wings from behind you.” She said. I sighed and looked up the same direction she was looking. “Here we go again. And that’s why you call me Angel. Blah blah… Yadda yadda… Is anything else on? Change the channel, please!” I said rudely. She turned around and punched me so hard in the chest that I even gagged. I was still rolling in agony when she stood up and laughed. “You jerk! You’re ruining my Emo moment!” shouted her with another good laugh. I stood up, still rubbing my chest. “Hehehe… Finally, I thought you’d never smile. Hey, that was five years ago, okay? If remembering it only makes you sad; just think of what is now instead.” “But that’s just it, Angel; I want to remember. It was my second life. And it’s all thanks to you. And that was the day I met my Angel, of course.” “You’re really sweet. And yes, that was where we first met. But really, pondering about the past just makes it impossible for you to live the present and get ready for the future. Besides, how would we ever know how to fly? Is that a joke?” I said casually. “Hmmp! Fine, Mr. Confucius; I’ll try to forget everything now, Joshua!” she exclaimed. Then she walked away over to the far edge of a cliff and sat hugging her knees, sulking. I walked over to where she was, sat down beside her and put my arms around her. She neither moved nor talked. “Aww come on, Jes. You know I don’t mean we should forget it. I just mean that we shouldn’t dwell on it. What’s important is we have that as a memory, and we should always treasure it.” I said, reassuring her. “But… I really felt it that night. We were… flying. I want to understand it;
I want to believe. I… I want to know the truth. I need the whole truth.” Again she looked at me with those sad, misty eyes. I couldn’t bear to see her so sad; but then again… “I’ve already told you. I’m just plain old Joshua; I was nothing but an ordinary college kid then, going home from a field trip on a cruise ship that had a terrible fire. Before everything burned down, I tried to find a place to jump, when I saw a beautiful young girl about to jump the wrong way. I rushed in and saved her at the nick of time.” I explained. The whole time, Jes just listened patiently, even though she heard it a million times already. I wondered… maybe she was expecting a different answer? “Okay. Thanks, Angel. Thanks for not being tired of telling me your story. I know I’ve been a pain by forcing you to tell me over and over again. I guess my heart wants to believe you’re really a…” She stopped talking and closed her eyes as she saw and felt our lips touching, and there was silence and sweetness filling the air for what seemed like hours upon hours. We were in love; we were happy with each other, that’s a certainty. But what we weren’t really happy with, was ourselves. The kiss was over in a few moments, but the silence remained longer. “Angel, aren’t you wondering, why I’ve been asking you so much to tell me what I wanted to hear?” she asked, finally ending the endless silence. “Actually, yeah I have been wondering, Jes. And why, why now after five years of our knowing each other and being a couple, have you brought this issue back up again?” I asked her. “Well, I haven’t really laid this question to rest. It’s always been bothering me all these years. And now…” she stopped. I saw that the mist in her eyes had now liquefied and now rained down on her cheeks. I wiped the tears from her cheeks and then hugged her really tight. I couldn’t let her see, I can’t bear it, but I was crying too. Even though I don’t know the reason for her tears yet, my eyes sympathized immediately. Another sweeping moment of silence and muffled sobbing followed. When she calmed down, she stood up and faced away from me. “I’m sorry, Angel. But… Well…” “What is it, Jes? What’s wrong? I said, as I stood up and held her hand. “Be strong. I’m here. Tell me.” I tried to hide the squeak in my voice. How can I tell her to be strong when I’m feeling so weak inside? “Angel. No, Josh… I’m sorry, but our time together… is about up.” I didn’t speak. I waited for her to follow-up what she had said. The moment she said that, my mind filled and flooded with so many different thoughts that my whole body began to shake and my eyes began to blur. But I waited for her to speak again. I waited… “Remember my trip to the hospital almost a month ago? When I just fainted in the middle of the street while we were walking? Well, Doc said my heart has caught an illness, and that it has grown very weak… so weak that another attack would definitely be my end.” “Yeah, I remember that.” was all I said. I was still holding her hand, trying so hard not to let go. “Well, Doc called me last week. His diagnosis said that… I’m not gonna… He said that I’m not gonna last much longer before my expires from Jotham Funclara heart fatigue. He said there’s nothing he can do because all
Even the Winged Fall by:
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“Do you believe in angels?”
his equipment and resources are limited, and even we don’t have the money to afford an operation. He said that what’s best is that I just pray for a miracle.” “How much time?” I asked. I hesitated to at first, but I guess I knew all along what the answer’s going to be. “He gave me eight days… Today would be the last.” That was all she said. I know she couldn’t speak any more without breaking down. But what felt more miserable is that even I myself also can’t speak another word. F o r another eternity, silence swept over us; just her and me, alone on the hilltop, clasping each other’s hand but turned back at each other, looking the other way. Our heads bowed down as tears dripped to the ground. The wind blew on us; the silence covered us, and our hearts are killing us. My head scrambled so hard to find the words to restart the conversation. I knew I had to make her feel better. But I just felt like a total jerk. Finally, she let go of my hand to wipe off her tears. Then she sat back down, so I sat down beside her again. She lovingly laid her head down on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry… Josh… I guess I should get used to calling you by your real name, huh?” she said as sweetly as she could. I could sense she was holding back another cry from escaping her lips. I didn’t answer. “I’m sorry; I guess I just really wanted to believe, even for one last moment, I want to hear from you the things I want to hear. But I guess… That’s being selfish right? So it’s okay… Thanks Josh… for everything you’ve done for me. You’ve extended my life, but I guess now really is my time.” “Jes… I have something…” I started. But she interrupted me with a small peck on my cheek. I could already feel her weakening. “Josh? I feel…sleepy…” “Then how abut a story? Come, I’ll carry you piggyback, and then we’ll have us a nice stroll, okay?” I said, trying to smile and sound as gleeful as I could. I really want to cheer her up. She smiled and nodded yes. I carried her on my back and walked towards the farther edge; the highest point of the hill. I didn’t know how she will find my story, but I don’t care anymore. “You love Angels right? Well, here goes one really good story. Once upon a time there was a simple angel who was so passionate in his duty. He was assigned to protect a beautiful lady in a far away kingdom. He was told that he can only help her indirectly, by defeating the dangers before it struck her. But in no circumstances must he directly involve himself and make any physical contact with her. For many years the angel successfully protected his lady from so many dangers, but even there, there was already a problem; the Angel was in love with the lady.” I began. As I relayed the story, I felt her getting weaker and weaker still, but I felt her straining hard to listen. My tears began to flow again, but I managed to continue. “One day, a terrible accident came. The lady was about to die, but the Angel couldn’t resist anymore. He chose to disobey his rule, and thus he saved the lady’s life.” “The day came when the Chief of the Angels learned about this, and he punished the Angel. ‘Because of what you have done, I sentence you to be removed of your power and status as an angel. You will live as an ordinary human being, without access to your wings. However, you can use your wings again, but that will signify that you are ready to return here in our world and never again cross back into the human world.’ The Chief’s sentence may be harsh, but
the Angel was actually happy about it, because he knew he and his lady could finally be together. And they were, they found each other, had a happy life, and lived happily ever after.” “Hey Jes, what do you think? You like it?” I asked. “Uh huh. Hey, thanks, Josh… Thanks for giving me this satisfaction… At least… Now I can leave happily… Thanks for everything… I love you forever…bye, Angel…” she mouthed weakly, barely audible. I didn’t answer anymore, my eyes were already too sore to let out another tear, and my mouth was at its driest. I knew she understood my story, I know that she believed. She did ever since all these started. “Hey Josh, what happens after happily ever after?” she asked with the same slow, quiet tone. Even though I couldn’t see her face, I knew she was smiling. Even now, when I’m at my lowest point, the mere belief that she smiled for me was enough for me to pull myself together. “Still making jokes, eh? Hehehe…” I asked, wiping my tears with one hand. She didn’t answer. She was very nearly asleep… It was almost too late. She spent what possibly were her last words in trying to cheer me up. Now, finally, I’ve already decided on what to do. There can be no turning back now… “Hey, Jes, I hope you still can stay awake a little longer.” I whispered to her softly, I knew this is what she wanted me to do too. With a long sigh, I closed my eyes, flexed my shoulders, and stretched out my wings. Long, white feathers flew everywhere as I did. I tried flapping it a few more times; I haven’t used them in five years, after all. I made sure Jes wouldn’t fall, adjusted my weight, and in an instant, I was off. Off into the starry sky we flew just like we did on that night at the burning ship. I didn’t tell her at that time. I couldn’t bear to. I didn’t want her to change her outlook towards me. And even if I told her, she will still be depressed because I couldn’t give her the satisfaction of flying again without having to leave her forever. But now, I wasn’t afraid anymore because even if I opened my wings now, I won’t be leaving her behind. “I knew it… I knew it…” she said, and then she reached her hands around me and hugged me tightly. The warmth of her arms filled up the cold void in my heart. I was completely happy and completely sad all at the same time. “Thank you, Angel…” The moment she said that I felt a few drops of cold tears fall on my back. I knew deep inside that she was happy. Even if she was leaving the world where she lived her whole life, she knew that I would still be with her. And then it stopped; the tears, the warmth, everything. All was quiet now. Even my tears had stopped. I set my gaze forward to the clouds. Straight ahead was a gap in the midst of the grey clouds painted sparkling silver by a beautiful moon below where we were. From the gap streamed a great, vast white light, peaceful and serene. As we got closer I heard the gentle hum of beautiful voices and a calming tone of instruments playing. “This is it Angel, nothing will stand between us now. This is our happily ever after.” I whispered in her ear.
The Promenade
W
“What? Don’t say you believed me when I said that JOKE to you, Derna. Who would ever want to become your prom date, Ms. School Nerd 2009? Anyway, meet Jewel, my REAL prom date for this night.” Ace replied, with full sarcasm in his voice. “You are all liar! You jerk! How could you ever do this to me?” I pushed him away and I started to run while trying to hold up the tears that welled up in my eyes. That was the night that I have actually been waiting for. There were bright lights, my classmates in their gowns and tuxedos dancing in the dance floor, great music-- and in the midst of that perfect night, there was me, running away as laughs and insults echoed from everywhere. I ran across the people dancing, pushing away anyone who blocked my path. I ran into the stairs and went out of the gate, clueless on where would I go, tired and panting, I found myself under a tall, dark tree… crying helplessly with only the moonlight to witness. “A beautiful girl like you should be enjoying herself inside.” A deep, male voice suddenly appeared in front of me. I looked up, and almost blinked a few times. In front of me is a stranger, probably with the same age as mine, standing about 5’9”, and smiling to me, with a smile that I bet to be the sweetest smile I have ever seen. His mestizo complexion seems to glow as the moonlight hit his gentle face. “Being alone suits me well.” I tried to make my voice as whole as possible. “I see. It has been a while that I have last seen a lady as beautiful as you here. I am the luckiest ma… man on earth.” The stranger replied. “Stop kidding me. How can this girl, with smeared make-up and thick eyeglasses be pretty?” I sarcastically talked back. “I tell you, you have the prettiest face that I my eyes have laid on. I wonder why you are just here under this old tree.” He is now looking down on me, like he was begging for
LITERARY/SHORT STORY “What is this? I thought you are going to be my prom date, Ace! You’re even the one who said that to me!” My voice almost cracked as tears flowed down from my eyes. That was Ace, the one who presented himself to be my partner for the prom, and now walks in front of me with Jewel, the prettiest girl in our class.
me to stop crying. “Nobody wants me. Nobody! This must have been a great night for me but... but... Nobody even asked me to dance, and my prom partner fooled me.” I started to cry again as memories came rushing through my mind. “Well then Miss Derna, would you please dance with me instead?” I was stunned with his reply. He now bowed to me and offered out a hand, with eyes that pleads for me to say yes. I was almost speechless for a minute. I nervously put my palms against his and he helped me to stand up. We are now facing each other, with eyes meeting lovingly. He immediately put his hand at my back and we started to dance under the old tree, silently devouring on each others’ gazes. We swayed and stepped along with the cold wind blowing against us, dancing with the tune of the slow love song that we hear from a distant ball. “How did you know my name?” I finally uttered as we were still dancing. “I just… I just know. I am Ricardo Gomez, by the way.” He whispered against my ear. “It’s the first time that I saw you here. Are you for a visit?” I whispered back. “No… I was already here, right in this very spot.” He replied. “I don’t… I don’t understand.” I looked into his eyes. “You don’t have to understand everything. There are things that cannot be understood and it’s better if you just wouldn’t try. All you have to understand is what I feel for you, Derna. Would you just please stay here with me? All of them left… Please… I am alone here.” I looked at him intently. Of course, I would want to be with him, even if that means forever. I was about to say yes when we suddenly
stopped dancing as my two friends, Sharra and Sandra, came running towards me. “Derna! Derna! We have been searching for you all over! Good thing we found you!” Sharra spoke to me, almost gasping for air. “No, I was just right here, with my new friend, Ricardo.” I answered back. “Yeah right. Don’t say that you’ve gone crazy after what Ace did to you?” Sandra said. No! I am really with Ricardo; I was dancing with him before you girls came! Ricardo?” I looked back to see Ricardo, but the only thing I saw was the old tree—with no Ricardo around. “Ricardo? Where are you? I tried calling his name again, but the only sound I heard back was the hustling of the cold wind that blew against me. “Okay girl, that’s enough! Let’s go back to our prom, everybody’s searching for you! Sharra pulled my hand and dragged me along with her, leaving me no choice but to follow. I was still looking back at the tree when I suddenly stepped on something hard. It was smooth, probably not a rock. I bent down and cleared the grass that covers it. It was then I was caught dumbfounded as I read the bold letters written on the white, smooth stone: RIP RICARDO GOMEZ BORN: AUG.13, 1876 DIED: DEC. 13, 1896
the purisimian
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LITERARY/POEM CONTRIBUTIONS
Not Me!!! Anonymous
I’m not anyone, no, not just anyone I have a right to lead a life fulfilled with every need I’m not any man, design to fit someone’s plan I have my own desires, of the things a man aspires No! I’ll not be used, misled, deceived, or abused No sir! Not me! I am free and I’ll not give away! The freedom I have is the same! To say I do! I don’t! I will or I won’t! I know myself, these words are true Do you know me? I hope you do! I have waited a while, but not in vain I lost a child…. A man remains! Life is filled with those who fail The weak, the strong, the meek, the frail And those who, they refuse to try! And those who, they don’t live, then they die! I’m not; I’m not one of those! I have failed I stand with pride I suppose! I’ll say it loud! I am proud! And I’ll not be afraid, for a hundred of face! And no one! No one! Even a number of disgraces! No sir, not me! Soon…time will come You’ll see!
Vocalist of my Life Nocsaga_nylsirk virus
Though you make me feel blue, in my heart there is none but only you. I’m willing to give up my happiness, for you, I will give my very best.
Jed: My
Precious Prince Hilarious Liehchen
I always wanted you as my prince. On my mind, in my dreams, on my heart wide awake, this old feeling I can’t fake. I confess, I may be delusional, but I don’t care! ‘Cuz my love for you is irrational. Who cares if I dare? Sunsets and moon rises my heartbeats just for you. But you seemed to be on top. To reach you, I should pursue. No matter how I deprive it, the feelings don’t escape. You’re like a new brand of Heroin, ‘cuz I’m totally addicted to you. You’re not Robert Pattinson, nor Daniel Radcliffe. You’re Jed Belargo, the one I can’t live without. But you’re so good to be true. No one believes in you, I’m the one who loves you promptly, Your charm is inevitably. There’s not a day that you’re miles away. You’re always in my midway; I’m thinking of you everyday.
You’re the “vocalist of my life”. The music you play makes me wild. Just keep on rocking me ‘cuz without you I know my life would be like a lousy melody… You’re my heart’s only messiah, and I really pray to God to let me spend the rest of my life with you, ‘cuz I deeply love you. My life wouldn’t be the same without you.
I Wish by Lorevie Joy De La Torre
I wish you were here instead of my tear I wish I could close my eyes and make you appear. I wish I could snap my finger back to the time you were mine. and I wish that hocus pocus could change you goodbye.
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LITERARY/POEM CONTRIBUTIONS
THE
Broken
by Hilarious Liebchen
ME
Everytime I close my eyes I came to realize In myself, secret lies A heart, which often cries I find it hard to criticize But it hurts me otherwise I don’t think If I had a prize When I look up at those skies My heartaches are not ending Without God I would be dying Thought it would be enjoying But all I deserve was crying. Those memorable laughter and smiles Of where really the secret hides I am loosing all of those hopes Where my happiness, have been broke I always try to intend and laugh as though I pretend Where I always try to defend happiness, which I cannot fully attend.
Broken By: Lorevie Joy De la Torre
What am I supposed to do when the best part of me was you? I’m still alive but I’m barely breathing what am I supposed to do? your best days will be my worst you finally met a girl that’s going to put you first. Now that you broke my heart I’m fallen to pieces, It’s complicated now that you’re not with me.
Nothing to do
Poem of
Unfaithful
by: +_+ mr. Yoso +_+
I never expected this to happen, I never thought my love would lessen I never saw this coming I didn’t saw your heart bleeding I thought the two of us we’re destined But then someone came and our story was ruined My faith and loyalty to you was tested and our relationship now should be ended. I should not be so rude to you ‘Cause I don’t want to be blue I should have never done this and stayed with you as you wish. But still I’m enjoying adrenaline and thrill with this game I’m getting even though, I know, it’s forbidden but the affairs I have will be hidden.
Hauntings Redaert Nwad
Oh dear ghost why do you haunt me so? After every battle you show up. Just when my eyes start raining and burning, your face comes to light up the rest of my day. Sweet ghost, phantom of my life strongly so, Your song brings me back through time. To a picture of children being themselves, sitting by a tree, talking under diamonds in the night. Beautiful ghost, your beauty amazes me so, and yet it is your heart that captivates me deeply. Like a red rose flower amid black grass, your sweet scent and beauty stands out a lot. Precious ghost it saddens me deeply so, Because no matter how much I would love, Even touch you I cannot do because you are not mine and I am not yours. Oh dear ghost why do you haunt me so? After all those years I deeply regret losing you. If only I can bring back the time that’s lost, you will be more than just “My Ghost.”
by Lorevie Joy De La Torre
You turned your back and walk away I close my eyes to hide the pain. Now there’s nothing I can do to make you stay. Though the feeling hasn’t passed sad to say our love didn’t last. Now you don’t even care and there’s still nothing I can do. Now I’m left here all alone I can see it in your eyes that love is already gone, still there’s noting I can do.
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Annalou G. Dela Cruz BSCS- I
“I would rather be rich and famous. I want to have a happy life and I want to have a sister. I want to be a great dancer, a great singer, a famous writer and to have things I don’t have right now.”
Robert L. L a t i e r a BSCompE-IV
What do U want ? e f i L t x n R U n i e b to
“I want to be a secret millionaire so that I can help my fellow people.”
Junne Mark F. Francisco BSMT-1
“I want to be a superhero so that I can help people who are in need.”
(This special section is a mini-Pop-Up corner, so this isn’t really going to be in every issue.) We at The Purisimian aim to empower the Purisimian students in our very own way, and that way is through acknowledging the good works they have done, be it simple or huge, especially those who do great acts, but remain silent about it. This way, more and more students may be inclined to do good deeds which will benefit their personal molding as students inculcated with love for God and our beloved Philippines. -EIC
Ms. Ruby Lyn Agreda – Undergraduate Librarian
“I want to be Princess Diana because I am inspired by her doings like her charity acts.”
Msgr. Policarpio John A. Luza “I would be a beatific vision, I want to be face to face with my God and be with Him.
Caqren Marquillo BEEd- SpEd II
“I want to be a princess; I want to feel being cared and no worries at all.”
Virilio B. Clarito BSCrim
“If I have another life, I want to correct all my mistakes and not to commit mistakes again.”
Angel Joy Degala AB Pol. Sci. II
“ I want to be more successful and be more religious, also I want to correct all the mistakes I’ve done before and learn to be wise in choosing people to be with.”
Mary Jane Tidong AB Pol. Sci. II
“I want to be the sun, so that everybody revolves around me.”
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the purisimian
Jenneth Balasa BSMarE- II
“I want to have a lot of money so that I can travel to the wonderful sceneries
Engr. Majaluz Villanueva – MarE Teacher
“I want to be myself with less mistakes.”
Emmylou Demeties Ciudadano – Theology Teacher
“I really believe that I am destined to be a teacher. If I will be given another life, I still choose to be as a teacher because I want to inspire people, youth, and students in my own simple way.”
The Purisimian Publication
acknowledges the following person:
Mr. Gino Capundan, for his act of great honesty, by returning a lost cellphone which he had found at the Audio-Visual Room last August after the conduct of a symposium. The owner of the phone wishes to send his utmost gratitude regarding this matter.