Thomasian Engineer Literary Folio Issue No. 2 - Circles and Scribbles

CIRCLES & SCRIBBLES all we've lost

⚫

all we've gained AND

Thomasian Engineer LitFolio ⚫ Issue 2

⚫

all that remained

CIRCLES & SCRIBBLES From the Literary Editor

This work of fiction aims to capture the heart of our fellow future engineers through the inspiration and personalization of the engineering experience by incorporating the realizations and technical values we have gathered all these years. This is for all the chances we have lost, for all the values we have gained, and for all the things that have remained to us, with us, and for us amidst the chaos.

To Batch 2023: Nagsimula ang ating paglalakbay sa Ruano nang magkakasama, tinuloy man na magkakaharap sa birtuwal na paraan, ngunit dahil sa ating paghangad at mahigpit na pagkakabigkis, tinapos rin natin ang ating kabanata nang magkakayakap. Sa kabila ng unos na pinilit nating binuno, nandito tayo upang gumawa ng mga alaalang pambawi sa nakaraang nasayang.

To all the dreamers out there: There is more to life than the heartbreaks we feel, the defeats we need to heal, and the regrets we need to face. The pain tends to be felt for a time, yet demands to be learned from for the rest of our lives. Padayon, mga susunod na Tomasinong Inhinyero!

Copyright © 2023 Thomasian Engineer. All Rights Reserved.

CIRCLES & SCRIBBLES

After all this time, we thought the pandemic had brought an end to our wildest dreams. Like circles and scribbles, our movement might be scalar - weighted yet directionless - there'll come the right time when our flawed masterpiece will be defined with a point connecting both ends.

Preface Three years have passed since the pandemic has struck the world.

Three years have passed since the world has been running in circles and scribbles.

This is dedicated to: All we've lost All we've gained, and All that remained

all we've lost

Contents Circles and Scribbles

6

Inagaw ng Salot

7

Dying Lights

8

Void

9

Equilibrium

10

Nakatago

12

Volume

13

A

ALL WE'VE

ALL WE'VE LOST

all we've lost

- all we've lost -

CIRCLES & SCRIBBLES

by Julienne Ramano

our matter has rested and has held a pen so wobbly so wriggly, like the ink's free from the force coming unexpected what was it? …. gravity? or just the pressure of destiny? mind blotted, i scribbled smaller and smaller circles lines came slanted when could i escape this bubble? circles and scribbles in paper the day's getting scalar oh, i can feel it's heavy yet aimlessly, there i go that way

6

ART BY

Waldy Hans De Castro

- all we've lost -

Inagaw ng Salot ni Euclid John Jornacion Sa gitna ng tahimik na gabi Ang siyang pagbigat ng nadarama Tinanong ang sarili Kung may bukas pa bang nakahanda, May ‘ako’ pa bang nakatadhana?

MGA KUHA NI

Sebastian Gauce

Nag-iisa sa pinagkulungang puwang Nalulungkot…

Nangangamba…

Natatakot…

Umaasang may pagbabago Tumayo sa gilid katabi ng bintana Kumuha ng maiinom, kasabay ng pagtulo ng luha At biglang naramdaman ang malakas na kulog at ulan Sumigaw nang sumigaw “Tama na!”

‘Di na tama.

Huminahon; bumalik sa masasayang alaala Habang pinagmamasadan ang buwan at mga tala Pinakalma ang ‘di mapakaling mga kamay at paa Huminga nang malalim at hiniling ang minsa’y inagaw sa’kin ng pandemya Pag-asa Sa’yong pagbalik, aasa pa ba?

7

- all we've lost -

Dying Lights by Christian Mendoza A once, hollow, empty soul that wandered through the night, Found some company on whatever gives light.

Overtime, the light dies and the soul wanders through, Looking for someone that will light him anew.

The hopeful soul wandered more to find what makes him reshine, Wish upon the stars that everything would align.

Time and time, the soul would shine and it would fade, The light that shone passionately, in time, was unmade.

The light shone brightly, but shuts down occasionally, Stayed there through the times, even knowing it wasn’t healthy.

Stayed for the fragment of hope within, Oblivious to the possibility of what could have been.

It was euphoric when it was good, gloomy when it’s not, Stayed with the shining star even drought is what it brought.

The soul went on with it, even if it’s a bumpy ride, Up until the last bit of light remaining dies inside.

8

- all we've lost -

VOID

by Maychie Ortega 2020 was the year when everything started, The year when everyone gets disheartened.

“What a cruel world,” they said, As I watch, everything goes down to shreds.

News and policies, New medicine and technologies.

Everything was being used, But why do I see it being abused?

Cases upon cases rise and rise.

ART BY

Jefferson Juan

The lockdowns were many’s demise, And many suffered casualties at hand.

What about us? Is this the end?

The world is now a void, A performer of tasks who are not joyed,

A performer trying to go back to the norm, But only does so to conform.

9

- all we've lost -

EQUILIBRIUM

by Jan Harvey Lasic December 2023 “—is a state of balance between two or more forces.” The bell rings and cuts Mr. Zamora’s lecture. He ends the class and dismisses the students . Jack, right before leaving the room, gets called by Mr. Zamora. Jack approaches the teacher’s desk. “Take a seat, hijo,” Mr. Zamora said.

“Okay… hi! How’s our onsite class for you, Jack?” Jack answers, “Equilibrium, sir, I missed it.” Confusion paints Mr. Zamora’s face but Jack says nothing and smiles.

December 2019 Kaleidoscopic lights luminate UST. Jack is in awe as he, together with his friends, walks the Plaza Mayor. Music excites him even more as Ben & Ben start playing “Bibingka”. The friend group rushes to the field and secures a spot. They jam along the enchanting tunes until the band’s final song. The night concludes with a pyromusical display — truly magical.

December 2023 “I used to have school-life balance before the pandemic happened, sir.

Hard times, fun times, downward and upward forces. They cancel out and everything’s just fine,” Jack says.

December 2020 In his room, Jack is busy, carefully outlining his orthographic plate as music from his laptop resonates. He pauses when Bibingka starts playing. It’s that time of the year.

10

December 2023 “Paskuhan, never felt so depressing. Positive moments were lost when everything I do was done through the screen of my laptop,” Jack added.

December 2021 Comfort is completely lost in the darkness of Jack’s bedroom. Jack stares catatonically at the screen of his laptop as his hands loom to click the button that will send his request to file a Leave of Absence to their dean. Throwing all his doubts, Jack finally sends the email.

December 2023 “I tried to adapt but I couldn’t. I had to pause. I had to heal. I had to take my time and bring back my will. The formerly active and outgoing student that I am lost his ardor in confinement,” Jack explains.

December Kaleiback in in the

2022 doscopic lights luminate UST. Jack is in awe to be the Plaza Mayor with his online friends, finally flesh. They proceed to the field to listen to the live music. They jive until the night concludes with a classic pyromusical display — still magical.

December 2023 “After a year of hiatus, things changed. The new normal started to feel more… normal. The world has recuperated from the impacts of the pandemic. Positivity slowly returned in the lives of people, myself included. I went back to school, sir. After all, I redeemed myself. I regained my drive, my wellbeing and I reached equilibrium anew,” said Jack.

December 2021 (present) “Jack! Jack!” someone calls while knocking on the door. Jack wakes up finding himself bowed on his desk. “Wait, Ma!” Jack responds. He gets up, leaving his laptop open and an email unsent.

11

- all we've lost -

NAKATAGO ni Eiyzen Cayabyab Nagsimula sa kalagitnaan ng delubyo Mundong hindi mabait na titigil para sayo.

Patuloy pa rin ang ikot kahit isip ay gulong-gulo Distansya ma'y hadlang, kailangan pa ring matuto Sa set-up na hindi mainam para sa lahat Kahit anong aral ay hindi naging sapat Kahit naninibago, kailangan magpatuloy Kahit mawalan pa ng panlasa at pang-amoy Sa kalagitnaan ng dalawang taon, Naglaro ako ng tagu-taguan Pilit kong hinanap ang tiwala sa sarili Pati oras sa minamahal nag-aatubili Kailan kaya mahahanap ang nawawalang kumpyansa Nasaan ang sarili na puno pa ng pag-asa Ano nga ba ang dapat kong gawin para patunayan ang sarili ko Hanggang kailan ko sasabihing babawi ako Halos dalawang taong pinagkait Mga alaala sanang nabuo na hindi maipagpapalit Hindi lang sarili ang hinanap Dahil kasamang nawala ang lakas para sa pangarap Mga kaibigan na sinandalan ko noon Hindi ko maakap dahil nakakulong sa apat na sulok ng kahon Mga alaala na pinagkait ng pagkakataon Kulang na kulang ang panahon.

12

ART BY

Toby Orduña

- all we've lost -

PHOTO BY

Ronielle Angela Rey

VOLUME

Oh, it became empty because of you.

by Maychie Ortega

Laughter was the one that filled the room, Do you know what could have filled this volume?

It is a series of circles that fill the tiny space, Big and small, it filled up the place.

This has been constant for months and years, Just for it to end when news reached the ears.

Oh, where are the circles in the room?

A circle can be formed digitally, But that cannot replace what was formed originally.

The remaining months where it could’ve been cherished Has gone to waste with nothing to relish.

The volume of this room was once filled to the brim, But with one occurrence, everything was grim.

Oh, where are the circles in the room?

Oh, it became empty because of you.

13

all we've gained

Contents Imprinted Ink

16

the academy

17

Distance Among Stars

18

Inner Friction

19

Mga Lihim ng Langit

20

The Continuity

22

Ambon

25

A

ALL WE'VE LOST

all we've gained

ALL WE'VE

- all we've gained -

Imprinted Ink

by Ainsley Judd Tumbaga Life for me was never dull, You’ll see me always innovating fun ideas, As I embrace my passion and grit for adventure.

Subsequently, a life-changing decision was made.

Sacrificed joys of youth, For the future that my family has been aiming for.

Leftover ink in my left hand, A reminder of how sweet my life once has been.

Crumpled papers everywhere, Life wasn't what I envisioned years ago.

It pained me of how I’d changed, Down the roundabout in less than a year.

ART BY

Jean Orme

Where once I only solved my questions for the universe, I sat and stare at my blank paper for hours to solve for given equations.

But these experiences forged from the painstaking exhaustion, Made me rise and resist the flow.

I was able to see what I could not see before, Experience, knowledge, and sacrifice were all interwoven after all.

Silent sobs were conquered with bursting waves of laughter, Frustrations shown by crumpled papers overpowered with victorious battles.

Were once detached due to the pressure of the harsh reality, Now, everyone’s pulling me back, reminding me that I may fight alone, but not lonely.

Life for me was never dull, Though I am still in the midst of my journey, But oh, how I am proud of what I have overcome.

Thus, a new season would soon blossom, Where I will resist the flow and innovate my way out of this world.

16

- all we've gained -

the academy

by Julienne Ramano Philosophy, as they see Defines as the science of truth Life comes as the methodology To our prime from our youth We seek the light Then be the light For others to find afterwards As they relentlessly play the cards The academy called life Had snapped idealism out of my mind Before we can say knife The kids aren’t alright

… And that’s okay We ain’t turning blind It’s how we take our own creeds into light

17

PHOTOS BY

Jeremy Edera

- all we've gained -

Distance Among Stars

by Janna Louise Ong Beginning is where I stand, Eyes above, but feet on the ground.

Where to go with nothing on hand?

End is nowhere to be found.

As the night falls, done is the day.

Stars, even the farthest, trail behind, Like a shadow that never goes away, Just hides itself back in the blind.

Running in circles is what it seems.

Road unfolds with every step taken.

Nothing as no sound of the streams Can be heard, or am I mistaken?

One path, now two, unknown awaits.

Either direction adds to my journey.

With the thread, what do the Fates see in the dreams of the worthy?

18

ART BY

Waldy Hans De Castro

- all we've gained -

Walking forward with a force hindering you to go.

Flashbacks of the past returning like a storm.

There's no choice but to take it slow, To make it uniform, Which helped me to transform.

It will never be gone, just as it would never not have happened.

It’ll push us like a force, Back to the time when it ended, Where it all began, At the time when I ran.

I wanna go forward, but friction keeps holding me back, Memories of the past, Nostalgia that feels me rack, Bits of all the fun, Realizations when it’s done.

ART BY

Toby Orduña

Even through the hardest times, even if we can’t, We always go forward, And got to take our stand.

We got to open the door, Because there is more in store.

Walking forward with a force hindering you to go, But stronger than the friction Repressing you to grow.

Like what everyone had said before, Let’s go ahead for more.

19

- all we've gained -

Mga Lihim ng Langit ni Hannah Andrea Romarosa nakapagtataka ang hiwaga ng langit— bakit ito patuloy na nagbabago ng anyo? dalawang taong tila walang-hanggan ang tiniis dalawang taong tila wala akong magawa kundi magkubli sa pagitan ng apat na pader gusto kong makita ang nasa labas ng mga pader na ito gusto kong pagmasdan ang langit gusto kong suriin ang hiwaga nito ang mga lihim sa pagitan ng mga ulap na bumabalot dito ang tanging kariktan na marapat pagmasdan sa gitna ng pait ng panahon ay siyang napagmasdan sa pagtingala ko— nakilala ko ang langit sa langit nakapinta ang bawat pangarap na sumagi sa isip at pusong nagmula pa sa unang pagpatak ng oras

20

Mga Lihim ng Langit

ang pagbangong-anyo nito ay siyang tanda na walang permanente sa mundo tunay na lahat ay nagbabago, kahit subukan nating pigilan ito lahat ay nagbabago, kahit na minsa’y hindi pa tayo handa para rito sa langit nakapinta ang bawat nagbabagong pangarap— ang bawat umuusbong na pangarap at ang lihim ng langit? ay hindi ako nag-iisang nangangarap hindi ako mag-isang lumalaban nakilala ko ang langit at nakiala ko ang mga kuwentong nakaukit dito ngunit kung tutuusin, wala talagang lihim ito— kailangan ko lang tumingin at pagmasdan ito walang lihim ang langit na hindi pa naibunyag kahapon pagka’t ang mga ito’y naisigaw na ng mga nauna at lumipas bago ako walang lihim ang pagtiis—hindi ito pormuladong hakbang tungo sa dulo ng lahat ng kapus-kapalaran totoong ang buhay ay puno ng kasawian walang lihim na maibabahagi ang langit para daigin ang mga ito gayunpaman, lahat ng nakaukit dito ay nakikiramay at gayunpaman, kusang dumadaloy ang pagtakbo ng oras samakatuwid, ako ay patuloy lang

21

- all we've gained -

The Continuity of Kindness

by Rhianne Joie Delmo and Maychie Ortega

The scorching heat from the sun scattered all throughout Manila. People of different ages walked through the streets hurriedly to get to their respective destinations. The honking of jeepsand buses are heard as they pass each other on the highways.

And in the middle of it all, there’s a middle-aged homeless man, sitting under a shaded sidewalk, lost in thought.

The man was unconsciously watching every passerby, observing and thinking to himself, what if he was one of those people who has a destination to reach for? Near him were children playing. Their giggles illuminated the sidewalk as they were trying to run away from each other.

The homeless person’s ponder evaporated when a loud sound of a person falling on the ground was heard. As a reflex, the homeless person stood up, and helped the young boy stand up on his feet.

Visible concern was seen on the homeless person’s eyes as he gave the young boy a soft smile.

“Are you okay?”

The young boy gave him a nod and mouthed a thank you towards him as a reply.

The young boy then turned his back to the homeless person and slowly and carefully ran after his friends. Before he could speed up his pace, he caught a glimpse of an old lady with a kariton having difficulties pushing the cart as she was crossing the street.

The young boy didn’t think twice and proceeded to

help the old lady. He approached the old lady with a big smile.

“Nay! Let me help you with that!”

The old lady gave him a grateful smile as they both crossed the street with the boy pushing the old lady’s kariton. When they reached the other side, the old lady gave a gentle motherly pat on the young boy’s shoulders.

“Thank you, little guy. I hope you take care of yourself wherever you go,” she said before they both drifted apart.

The old lady continued her way down the street when she made a stop. She let the gentle breeze graze right through her. Despite it being a hot afternoon, the afternoon breeze was enough to keep the lady calm. There were numerous people passing by as she let her two orbs look around the place, not until she spotted a little boy, sitting at an empty corner of a street.

The old lady observed the little boy and there she found that he was staring at something. She followed his gaze, and saw that he was staring at a group of children eating sweets and not in a single blink, the old lady took a few of her goods and offered it to the little boy.

Unknown to the little boy, a person was already approaching him.

The shadows of the old lady dominated his little figure, resulting in the child to be suddenly cautious. He checked who it was and saw the old lady

22

The Continuity of Kindness

giving him a sweet smile.

“Here, you can have these,” the lady said as she was handing him a pack of a few sweets.

His eyes twinkled with delight as he hugged the old lady as a thank you and began running towards the other kids while eating his sweets. The old lady also left with a huge smile on her face.

Before the little boy made it to the other children, he passed by a teenage girl who was struggling to pick up the scattered papers on the ground.

The little boy then ran towards the teenage girl.

“Hi, ate! Let me help you with those!”

school was having trouble doing her homework.

She noticed that the girl was having trouble differentiating concepts as well as applying them.

Seeing that her order is still being made, she approached the young girl who was struggling.

“Hi! May I ask what part you are having trouble with?”

The young girl just looked at the woman who approached her. The young girl was contemplating whether to answer the woman or not but seeing as she does not have any ill intentions, she told her where she’s struggling.

The woman taught the girl while waiting for her order. When it arrived, the girl thanked the woman where in return, she gave the young girl a smile and finally left the coffee shop.

Enthusiasm was heard in his little voice which made the teenage girl giggle, surprised with the little boy’s actions.

She then gave him a small nod to indicate approval and they both picked up the papers while also having small conversations.

When they finally picked everything up, the boy even offered some of his sweets to the teenage girl.

The girl declined but gave the little boy a high five.

“Thank you! It’s good that you’re helping others at your age. You should continue to do it!” The teenage girl encouraged the little boy.

The boy only gave her a wide smile and they both went their separate ways—the boy going to his friends and the teenage girl going the opposite way.

The girl, then, went to a nearby coffee shop to buy some treats before going home. As she was waiting for her order, a girl who seemed to be in high

The young girl continued studying until she finally decided to go home. However, while walking by a playground, she noticed someone sobbing near the swings. She was contemplating whether to come near the person or not as maybe they needed some time alone but the young girl immediately disregarded these thoughts and just went straight to the person crying.

As she came near the swings, there she noticed that the person who was crying was a middle aged woman who looked like she came from work.

The woman was sobbing softly until the young girl grabbed her attention.

"Uhm, excuse me? May I ask what's wrong?" The girl asked.

The woman slowly looked at the girl, teary-eyed.

Then, she lowered her head embarrassed.

23

The Continuity of Kindness

"It's nothing…" the woman said.

The young girl was not convinced. Instead, she sat with the woman on the swing and started chatting about her day.

The woman just looked at her confused because why would someone randomly tell their day to a stranger? But for some reason, it comforted the woman as the stories were all about the fun things the young girl did that day and it made the woman smile a little.

The young girl noticed the small smile that the woman gave and gave her an even bigger smile.

Feeling the comfort of the girl, the woman continued to listen to the girl’s stories until the end.

Feeling satisfied and happy she helped the woman, the young girl bids her farewell as she notices that it’s past her curfew. The woman also says her thanks and also goes on her own way.

The woman was smiling to herself despite having a heavy heart because of the young girl from earlier. As she continued to walk her way home, a man suddenly bumped into her.

“Ah, sorry,” they both said.

The man, however, was in a hurry and didn’t notice that his wallet fell from his pocket. The middle aged woman saw this and immediately ran after the man who just left.

“Excuse me!”

The man was still walking until he reached a store— a toy store. The woman saw the man come through the door of the shop and started to look at Disney Princesses.

The woman followed suit and was just in time as the man was standing by the counter, rushing through his things as if looking for something.

“Excuse me? Is this your wallet? You dropped it after bumping into me,” the woman slowly approached.

The man looked at the woman bewildered. Then, he looked at the wallet that the woman was holding before slowly reaching out to it.

He immediately checked the contents of the wallet and saw that nothing was missing. He looked at the woman and thanked her gratefully.

“I won’t be able to buy my daughter a gift if it wasn’t for you,” he said teary-eyed.

The woman just smiled at him and bid him farewell before going her own way.

The man was still bewildered but happy that a nice soul gave him back his wallet.

He paid for the toy that he bought for his daughter and headed off. As the man was walking home from the store, he saw a homeless man asking for alms. The man didn’t stop and just continued walking in the direction he was heading to.

After a while, the man came back to the homeless man with a large paper bag. He handed it to the homeless man sitting on the sidewalk and just smiled at him.

“I hope this is enough to get you by,” he said to the homeless man.

The homeless man was confused and peaked through the large paper bag. He saw a variety of food inside which would greatly help him.

The homeless man was sobbing when he received the gift from the stranger. It is because he was the homeless man that started it all.

The endless chain he started, still continued through him.

24

- END -

- all we've gained -

AMBON ni Julienne Ramano tama lang ang lakas tama lang ang hina ng ambon at ang bakas ng iyong pagpatak sa lupa gaya ng alumana sa iba hindi isang daluyong na ang bugso ay nanggigiba hindi rin umuurong Ah, eh, urong-sulong hindi pipigilan ang iyong ambon

ang optimismo ay hindi optimisasyon ang optimismo ay maaaring pumaraan sa dakong huli ang pag-asa sa tangkang gumawa ng nakakatulong nagmula sa hangad na matibay at mariin naghahangad na maangihan man lang ambon rin ng iyong pagmamahal ang pagbuhos ng bagyo ay hadlang dahil ito'y bugso ng damdaming adrenal

ikaw ang ambon ako ang lupa magkaibang mundo maghihintay ako magtago man sa ulap ang pitik ng puso ko naniniwalang sa'kin pa rin ay babagsak

25

ART BY

Jean Orme

all that remained

Contents Everything Over Me

28

Unknown Force

29

Life and Tenacity

30

A Diamond in the Process

31

C

32

Universe's Promise

33

Promise Yourself

34

Mga Liham ng Langit

37

A

ALL THAT REMAINED

all that remained

ALL THAT

- all that remained PHOTO BY

Alex Miguel Tacderas

Everything Over Me

by Janna Louise Ong A thin solid line exists in between.

But does it mean something?

If the boundary is barely seen Before me and after everything.

What’s left of me is just enough To breathe without a piece of soul.

Mountain of burdens stands tough, Reaching the skies without control.

Dividing myself among my worries Leaves no remainder for me, Not even a fraction of ease.

Will I be heard with my silent plea?

In a ratio that is endless to one, Time to dream screams guilty to dare, So I place where the number is none, That results in nothing—not a spare.

28

- all that remained -

Unknown Force

by Eiyzen Cayabyab In the first chapter, I learned the summation of moment And suddenly had a Socratic moment, how do I find one’s moment of inertia?

In my pursuit of finding answers through these equations I asked myself, has the distance struck our circle of life?

Or maybe…. is this the right ambition? am I still in the same position?

My next chapter taught me how to cherish moments That could be possible without any formula No product of force and distance It was just to appreciate the present I was no longer trapped in the four corners of my room Memorizing, studying all afternoon with gloom To be surrounded by people with a common goal I may now escape from my bottomless hole I was never good at finding the allowable forces Nor proficient in finding the spaces between rivets But my driving force for my dreams remained And I know this feeling will never fade

29

ART BY

Jefferson Juan

- all that remained -

LIFE AND TENACITY

by Euclid John Jornacion I live not by fortuitous as everything matters Like Physics, all else move through space and time; So that by chance or destiny alike, When opportunity on my door knocks, I grab the chance to grow and rise For life is Calculus- it continuously changes And at times take me to place a new An area where I brave and face volumeVolumes of challenges and fear, I despair not though, for one thing is sureI will meet and have someone to Inspire and strengthen me - take at heart Everything I do and have the courage To reach my goal I see at a distance And embrace many chances to change, To grow and develop - be self - anew Ready to win life’s battle Rejuvenate, enlightened with the fact that Life is a series of probabilities for A better, brighter and merrier opportunity To live life to the fullest.

30

- all that remained -

A Diamond in the Process

by Rhianne Joie Delmo Born on the month of April, woe A month in a year that comes like a wave, drowning you whole You cast a shattered home, subdued health, and stoic Yet your orbs hold the deepest ocean, I was adrift Thalassophobia? I couldn’t care less Not a single second, I dove in Your waters strangle my neck, suffocated, still I stayed. We stayed.

As in your abyss, my eyes met concealed shimmers.

What are the odds that something sparkles In your vast pain and fragmented self?

Realization hits me hard, rockbottom; April’s stone is a diamond Kiss away the thoughts that you deserve the world’s torture You are a diamond in the making You need to go through immense heat and pressure of life; Sleepless nights, silent weeps, and unsaid battles you only know.

You are molded with pressure into a fine material.

The heat of embers here on earth made you tough.

When people gets a glimpse of your light, The world will permit a halt, so they can stare in awe.

Diamonds are rare You are rare Simple, yet the most precious That even the world is undeserving of your beauty You are worth more than any value to ever exist; The strongest and hardest material to ever be known on earth.

You will be unbreakable, indestructible, and stunning You are a diamond in the process.

So hang in there a little bit more, diamond, you’ll soon diffuse your shine.

31

ART BY

Waldy Hans De Castro

- all that remained -

C

by Julienne Ramano One letter with a multiplicity of meanings.

That can leave a mark on fate.

That can change the way we think.

C++ A program we all might know From its fundamentals Hell, even its complex functions Can’t help but think sometimes “Can’t you be gentle anyway?” +C The addition of a character Personifies a new life And as the value goes by Shows that our story can be definite That there's more to life than the trials we see

32

- all that remained -

UNIVERSE's PROMISE

by Rhianne Joie Delmo Before the bigbang or the creation It was written in the stardust and space That in every universe in this multiverse I belong to you and you belong to me We are one made into two different persons We’ve breathed different airs and saw different cloud shapes The resemblance of our situation is like fire meets water That even fate wouldn’t permit our collide But fate was wrong, our orbs met and twinkled like stars I have never seen such beauty, never heard the softest voice You are so new, quite an amazing impression But strangely you felt safe, you feel like home As if I was your diary but empty Like i knew nothing about you but at the same time i knew everything As I get to explore you, I got to know myself more I also got a glimpse of the universe hidden in us.

Your presence is what I’ve longed for my whole life It’s been a lifetime of waiting for my heart’s finally You took every space in my heart, it’s so full of you Seems like you own it now You brought along all the things i'm scared of Hurricane of cries, thunder of anger, a strong rain of pain My heart always skips a beat, but not of fear but of love Always know that I am never afraid of your storms, i’ll sail it Pieces of all that moments together Patches up to a picturesque of you and I are meant to be It’s when the sky kisses the ocean; beautiful; It’s the universe’s promise; soulmates; A sky full of stars, we’ll still be staring at each other in awe

33

ART BY

Waldy Hans De Castro

- all that remained -

PROMISE YOURSELF

by Rhianne Joie Delmo To read and to fulfill whatever is written in here To treasure the shine of you Like a star roaming the galaxy A cup of you that you poured 365 times this year To mortals of hues we pass by Promise yourself, that in the welcoming year you will never leave the cup empty To each delicate touch of your soul Embrace and cherish them As they leave a sparkle To the people along the way Whenever midnight blues takes over And voices of different yous flare up Promise yourself, You will shoo these monsters with grace The pieces left from the past track before Promise yourself, to treat them as reminders and lessons The crawling of mountains, the resisting of waves Deep dives from ruins to new beginnings Brokenness that exposed the shimmers in you It never fails to dazzle people around you Promise yourself, that in fragility You’ll look for the glisten within you To the existence of irony in our being; Insecurity and stability, like agnosticism in your feeling

34

ART BY

Jefferson Juan

Promise Yourself

It will always highlight your physique Promise yourself, That chin is up, flaws are down; stare proudly as you glimpse in the glass To your colors that are yet to unveil Fear not, welcome genuineness Promise yourself, To always beam your own hue.

To the unsuccessful weeps Kept to form clouded thoughts on the unholy hour Promise yourself, to remind that it is okay to not be okay To let the tears enjoy sliding down your cheeks For after every storm comes a rainbow The walls founded by inflictions Which has been a haven of delicate Promise yourself, that it will never cause a blind view Of reality, care, and love The unhealthy lifestyles of now; Insomnia, starving and fraud joy that shelters your unfeigned emotion Promise yourself, That you will always find a way out and chase the rays peeking at the end of the tunnel The knowledge and wisdom rooted inside your temple That made the beholder stronger and wise Promise yourself, to always speak worthy That leaves a struck to every listener To every deeds with compassion You have done with altruism Promise yourself, that you’ll give yourself a tap on the shoulder for embodying a wonderful soul that the world needs For the bonds knotted in friendship and love Fuels to connections and bounty to social life

35

Promise Yourself

Promise yourself, that you will cherish every knot That they will feel regarded and special To the dreams that are in the process That’s been a motivation for the future Promise yourself, that whatever lies ahead Always take one step at a time, rest for a while, and never say never To all the failures That you thought were the end already Promise yourself, that in every stumble We have to learn how to get back up or crawl for the breakthrough To the red marks Which fed us to disillusionment Promise yourself to fill those spare spaces With much more lessons To all the heartbreaks and pains Spawn and embraces Promise yourself, to always find the new beginnings and opportunities Make those gaps of brokenness golden For leaving, staying, acting like a fool, and realizing Oh as they say, an optimal solution to learning and cringing Promise yourself, that it will never be a reason to halt your ignition of authentic love Promise yourself, That whatever you are, whatever you do, wherever you are in life You will always irradiate the shine of every single star Made to sparkle just for you Promise you that you'll be you this time.

There's nothing wrong with being you.

36

- all that remained -

Mga Liham ng Langit ni Hannah Andrea Romarosa bitbit ko ang mga liham ng langit na marahang nagiging makulay sa pagdaloy ng panahon bitbit ko ang pait ng bawat patak ng ulan ang bawat pangungulila ng tanging sikat ng araw ang bawat mapanglaw na bati ng buwan sa gabi ngunit hindi nagtapos sa kalamlaman ang mga liham ng langit dahil sa pagdating ng bawat kinabukasan, bitbit ko naman ang pag-asa pag-asang patuloy na nagsasabi ng, “baka sakali” pag-asang nag-tutulak sa aking magpatuloy lang sa kabila ng kalamlaman ng kahapon bitbit ko ang mga liham ng langit na marahang nagiging makulay sa pagdaloy ng panahon bitbit ko ang ngayon, mamaya, at bukas ang bawat pagkilala sa nagbabagong langit ang tamis ng bawat pagpatak ng ulan ang bawat init mula sa pagsikat ng araw ang bawat masiglang bati ng buwan sa gabi iba-iba man ang katingkaran ng langit sa bawat araw, ngunit nabubuhay ako sa pag-asang bawat bukas ay pagkakataon para sumibol bitbit ko ang mga liham ng langit langit na bumabati, langit na nangungumusta langit na hindi nagsisinungaling langit na nakikiramay bitbit ko ang mga liham ng langit na marahang nagiging makulay sa pagdaloy ng panahon

37

Executive and Editorial Board Carl Tristan D. Gile Editor-in-Chief Aundrea Joy C. Levanza Associate Editor Laurence Gabriel E. Arellano Managing Editor Keith Portia R. Andres Publishing Editor Justine Keith R. Moises News Editor Jose Miguel C. Ballecer Associate News Editor Julienne Alicon O. Ramano Literary Editor Eunice E. Abayon Features Editor John Carlo O. Urbano Sports Editor Lance Kasel Lasam Technical Editor Toby Miguel L. Orduña Art Director Dana Vea D. Plando Layout Director Reinehard T. Aytona Assistant Layout Director Julia Beatriz C. Galvez Head Photojournalist Khristel Kate P. Penoliar Associate Head Photojournalist Mary Andrew M. Dalogdog GIQC Head Jeremy R. Edera Associate GIQC Head

CIRCLES & CRIBBLES

CIRCLES & SCRIBBLES

Literary Writers Hannah Andrea P. Romerosa Jezel Kaye Chua Rhianne Joie N. Delmo Ainsley Judd D. Tumbaga Janna Louise R. Ong Eiyzen Klein L. Cayabyab Christian Jyreh G. Mendoza Jan Harvey E. Lasic Maychie L. Ortega Euclid Jornacion

Photojournalists Alex Miguel T. Tacderas Jeremy R. Edera Ronielle Angela T. Rey Keith Cyril G. Fernando Sebastian Raj R. Gauce

Artists Waldy Hans V. De Castro Jean Louise B. Orme

Cris Jefferson M. Juan Toby Miguel L. Orduña Reinehard T. Aytona

Thomasian Engineer LitFolio ⚫ Issue 2

Thomasian Engineer LitFolio ⚫ Issue 2

CIRCLES & SCRIBBLES

all we've lost all we've gained all that remained