Commute

Copyright © 2022 Booked Commute Volume 11 LXXX No. 1 Literary Folio of Tolentine Star, the official student publication of University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos All rights reserved. No part of this folio may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Editor-inChief.

Published by the students, faculty, and alumni of the University of Negros Occidental - Recoletos at Impress Quality Printing, Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

Literary Folio Editor Leslie Marie Banaban Associate Editors Carla Joanne Robles Cristopher Villaruel Editor-in-Chief Romchelle Chris Danielle Waminal

Foreword You, reading this, be ready!

What do you want to remember about your daily commute? From the chronicles brought by experiences you have on buses, trains, motors, and jeepneys, you are moved into stories you tell yourself and others while we are on our journey.

We always talk about the crazy things we see... but how many others' "commute" stories do we appear in?

People surrender to such things and march to battle for seats and space.

Some talk of secrets, like noises, and some are peacefully defending metal seats like barriers. Others embrace to run with the beauty of morning and night shifts, waiting on roads to jam. Perception is how we see the world differently inside the chaos of commute.

We move with the unfamiliar crowd - with strangers from start to stop.

We approach a traffic light and wait for it to shift to a "go" signal. At that moment, the traffic wardens wait and converse as we follow what life dictates. It is time to make a move. Continue and wander, again and again.

Every commute is interesting and riveting. And each one contains the twists and turns that will manifest and not be forgotten, not just yours but ours as well.

Commute to your unknown destinations. Return with the incisive mode on your headlights. Find what you were not searching for behind a soiled commuter seat.

Take something with you on your commute, all you wayfaring commuters.

It's time to trudge now.

Dreamlike by Carla Joanne Robles

COMMUTE

Barker ni Cristopher Villaruel

O, lima na lang at aalis na tayo.

Aalis na mula dito sa maalinsangang kanto.

Ating tutunguhin ang landas na mabato.

O, halika ka na! Mayroon pang apat na upuan.

May pagkakataon ka pang pumili ng iyong masasandalan.

Sa oras ng antok at pagkabalisa, sa tagal ng byahe sa kawalan.

O, kunting usog lang at kasiya pa diyan ang tatlo.

Pakisiksik na lang po sa kaliwa't kanan, at diyan sa dulo.

Atin ding paupuin ang naghihikahos at nanghihinang si Pedro.

O, ayan na! Umaandar na ang makina.

Dalawa na lang at tayo'y lalarga.

O, Mama at Neneng, pakibilisan.

Para tayo ay makaalis na, Makatayo na ating kinauupuan.

Para mamakalaya na Mula sa inip Sa init Sa nag-uunahang pawis

Sa samu't saring amoy Sa sikip Sa sakit

Sa pagbubulagan at pagpikit

Sa lumipas na hinanakit.

Pakibilisan niyong dalawa para tayong umusad na.

Bilisan at kumapit ng mahigpit.

Sapagkat puno na ang dyip, at tayo ay maglalakbay.

Pero teka, mayroon pang gusto sumakay.

Maraming gusto makasabay Sa byahe ng paghahanap ng kasagaanan.

Bilisan at kayo'y sumabit na lang.

Basta ang kapit ay higipitan.

Hugutin ang malamim na buntong hininga.

Kapit at lalarga na.

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One Last Ride

by Nevermore

Riding among the sunset on a hill.

All of us, waiting in the car, seeking.

It was a winding road, often swerving.

Taking off into one road, such until Arrived late on the very hill.

All of us are very awe-struck, panting.

As we rushed into the sun, worrying That we'd never see the promise fulfilled "It's time," says one of my very best friends Reaching each other's hands with hope "We promised we'd go here, brimming with pride."

The goals we reached, into the sea we yelled Our dreams now fulfilled, we ride down the slope As we experienced, our last ride.

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Uno

by Maecel Joy Priolo

The sky started to darken, and it started pouring hard. I grabbed my umbrella and quickly went to a shed. I ended up being at a bus stop, so I've decided to wait and ride to get home since this heavy rain was impossible to stop any minute from now. I waited there for almost an hour, and it's now 6 pm and still, no bus has stopped there. Another half an hour went by, and it was getting darker, but thankfully there were streetlamps. I saw someone running towards where I was.

He stood beside me, soaking wet from running in the heavy rain. He looked at me awkwardly and smiled. I smiled back at him, and minutes had gone silent. A cold breeze blew, and I got shivers then I looked at him, and he was just standing still while water was dripping from his hair. I checked my bag and grabbed a tissue and offered it to him. He smiled and said thank you afterward.

Finally, a bus came. I went inside first, and he followed right after. He sat beside me leaving a gap. I looked at him and his eyes are now closed. I studied his face and he got nice features. He has a pointed nose, pinkish lips, bushy brows that complemented his overall features, and not to mention his long eyelashes.

He's a pretty boy if I may say so. I got startled when he opened his eyes and looked at me bewildered. I then got confused when he laughed a little after. "Hi, I'm sorry I didn't even get to introduce myself. I am Uno.", he said smiling. "Oh hi, I'm Kris.", I said back to him. "Thank you again for the tissue, Kris."

From then, we talked about random things. Where we were from and where we were going. I learned a lot about him during our ride home. He's from his work and he usually brings his car with him, but it had to get repaired, so he had to commute. We are the same age and surprisingly graduated from the same university. We also had attended the same subject once but didn't have the chance to know each other. We are both even not familiar with each other's faces.

Our bus got stranded because of the flooding and we had to wait for it to subside for a while. Our talk went on and got even deeper. We talked like we knew each other even way back. He's a gentleman and soft-spoken. He also cracks jokes that made me laugh and made people look at us like we were crazy.

"I like you, Kris.", he said stripping the smile off my face. "Did that make me look like a maniac?", he added afterward. "No, it's just that it came as a surprise.",

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like a maniac?", he added afterward. "No, it's just that it came as a surprise.", I replied to him. "I meant it like, I like your personality and vibes. I like you to be my friend, Kris.", he said with his sweet smile. "I like you too, Uno.", I said smiling back. We talked for a little more until I had to get off the bus. The rain had stopped right after I got off. I looked at the window where Uno was sitting, so I could wave my hand and utter a goodbye, but he never looked in my direction.

A week has passed, and I never get to see Uno again. I tried to go to the bus stop where we first met hoping our paths will cross again but it never happened.

I even asked my friends if they knew Uno back from our university, but no one knew. I tried to search for him on social media, but I couldn't find him even with the help of my friends. I went to the same bus stop every day and rode the bus there even if it was kind of far from my workplace. I don't know but I felt a connection with Uno. It might be platonic or romantic, I don't know so I must see him again. I never had this instant connection with a person before, not even with my longest and closest friends. I feel like I needed to see him and see how it goes.

It has been exactly a month ago since I met Uno. It was about to rain again and as usual, I went to the same bus stop. I even lost hope already, but my feet dragged me here like it's what I'm supposed to do. It's getting darker as time passed by. I waited for a while again for the bus. I remembered it was like this when I first met Uno. The bus arrived but no Uno, as expected. I sat at the same seat where we sat together and tried to remember everything we talked about. It was one ride we had together, but it felt like a whole lifetime to me, hearing his stories and soft laughs. I remember the most when he said, "I loved this life, it's messy but fun." I grabbed my phone when it vibrated, and a message astounded me. It read. "I found him, Kris. Here's the link, you might want to look at it now."

My heart started to race, and my palms started to sweat. I clicked the link and it directed me to a post saying, "A year had passed our dearest boy. We miss you so much." With Uno's picture and a "First Death Anniversary." on the top part of it. I looked to my right and saw Uno smiling with tears in his eyes.

Byahe ni Ron Albert Libosada

COMMUTE

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PÁRA! by night owl

Para!

Hiyaw ng estranghero nang bumaling sa bintana Lumagpas na pala siya sa destinasyon at 'di na naalintana Bakas sa mukha ang pagkabigo Sa pagkakataong kanyang pinalampas.

Para!

Ulit niyang hiyaw na may halong pangamba Balisa at takot sa lugar na kanyang madadatnan Tila ang angal niya'y di rinig nino man Sapagkat ang iba'y mayroon rin pinagkakaabalahan.

Para!

Buong puwersa niyang sigaw Bitbit ang puso't isip na 'di magkandamayaw Huminto ang dyip at napabaling ang lahat Sa kanyang lakas na loob na kanilang ikinagulat.

Para..

Kalmado niyang bigkas sa katagang ilang beses na inulit Ang inipong lakas ng loob na ngayo'y nagamit at sinulit Para sa desisyong tumigil o magpatuloy Sa walang-lubay na byahe ng buhay patungong tagumpay.

COMMUTE

Silken Thoughts

by Kashina Ashley Gatilogo

Brisk breeze on my face, Wind blowing through my hair aloft in my head.

In the process

I lost my mind in the

soulful music

under a barely illuminated sky.

I

gaze on the

dimming sky

with tired glistening eyes,

looking at the serene road,

I don't feel like going home.

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Commute by Remie Arcayos

COMMUTE

Nostalgia

by Elizabetheia

sidewalk lights. chitter-chatter.

the smoke of jeeps and aling kurita's barbecue platter. an all familiar 2019 set. travellers of all ages with their life-colored baggage gather to wonder and wander. "has life always felt like a movie as soon as the wheels turn?" i think of the bliss, the woes, and the future and as blurry as the roads looked i was left speechless in this old seat of eight inches. like a trip down the lane with no direction; maybe i'm a traveller with no destination. tainted blue, i took a deep breath and stared at how everyone seemed trapped in their own worlds, forever rotating. i ponder what they feel at that moment. are we alike? do your heart carries this stir of emotions too? i wanted to ask, and with a gulp of spoiled saliva from my five-minute quest, all the words that spilled out of my air-colded lips were — "lugar lang, nong."

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18 Gising Na ni Krisha Danielle Ronzales

Tahimik ang paligid. Wala ang harurot ng mga sasakyan na nag-uunahan.

Busina ng mga dyip; Sigawan ng mga konduktor; Pag-andar ng mga makina; Wala ni isa ang maririnig.

"Isang kakaibang araw para sa isang commuter," bulong sa sarili sabay sakay sa dyip na nakaparada sa harapan ko. 'Di nagtagal ito'y umandar kahit ako pa lamang ang pasahero nito. Madalas ay hinihintay nito na mapuno ng pasahero ang dyip bago umalis pero kakaiba ngayon.

Baka nagmamadali si manong at kukuha na lang ng pasahero sa daan.

Nagpatuloy nalang ako sa pagtanaw sa bintana at 'di mapigilang mapansin ang kagandahan ng kalye ngayon. Iba ang awra ng kapaligiran. Napakamaaliwalas ng paligid ngayon, 'di kagaya ng mga nakaraang araw na puro usok at dama mo ang maduming hangin... pero nasaan ang mga dagsa na pasahero?

Ilang minuto na ang nakalilipas pero ako pa rin ang nag-iisang pasahero ng dyip. Hindi ko na mapigilan ang aking sarili at naglakas loob na ako para tanungin si manong drayber kung bakit walang pasaherong sumasakay maliban sa'kin.

"Manong? Bakit po ako lang ang pasahero n'yo? Laban po ba ni Pacquiao ngayon?" pabiro kong tanong kay manong habang tumatanaw sa labas kung may nag-aabang bang mga pasahero.

"Naku Ineng! Dalawang taon na simula noong nagkapandemya na COVID-19.

Napakatumal ng pasada lalo na't ayaw magsilabasan ng mga tao sa takot na mahawaan ng virus."

Ha? Dalawang taon na ba? Bakit parang kahapon lang ay nagpaalam pa ako sa kaibigan ko na uuwi na ako at magkita nalang kami bukas?

Hinayaan ko na lang at nagpatuloy sa paghanga sa kakaibang simoy ng hangin ngayong araw. Dulot siguro ito ng pandemya; walang masyadong taong

COMMUTE

lumalabas, walang polusyon. Napakaaliwalas talaga.

Mahigit isang oras na ang dumaan pero nandito pa din kami sa kahabaan ng Marcos Highway, hindi malayo kung saan kami nanggaling. Napakakupad ng takbo ng dyip sa kabila ng maluwag na daloy ng trapiko.

"Manong, bakit po ang bagal ng takbo natin? May sira po ba ang dyip?"

Marahang tumingin si manong sa likod na pangtingin na salamin para kitain ang mata ko bago sumagot. "Humina ang takbo ng mundo simula ng pandemya.

Halos lahat naghihikahos para lang may ihain sa lamesa. Matumal ang pera, lalo na sa mahihirap. Walang ibang magagawa kundi maghintay ng grasya. Buti na nga lang at mayroon akong dyip na p'wedeng ipasada. Kahit papaano, may paraan para kumita ng malinis na pera... pero matumal talaga."

Naguguluhan na talaga ako, nasaan ba ako sa loob ng dalawang taon at bakit parang wala akong alam sa nangyayari? Ganito ba talaga ang naging dulot ng pandemya? Dumungaw ako ulit sa bintana, napansin ko ang magagarang mga sasakyan, mga mabibilis na pagtakbo nito. Lumapit ako sa pwesto ng drayber at magsasalita na sana nang mapansin kong nakatayo si Manong.

Nakatayo siya at tila hinihila ang dyip na sinasakyan ko. Nakatayo siya sa puwesto na kung saan dapat may upuan. Kaya naman pala mabagal ang pagtakbo namin!

"Hala, Manong! nasaan po ang upuan n'yo? Ayos lang po ba kayo? Bakit n'yo po hinihila ang dyip? Ang daming mabibilis na sasakyan na magagara at mukhang walang problema, bakit po kayo sa sirang dyip bumabyahe?"

Nakita ko ang pagkabalisa sa mukha ni Manong sa dami ng tanong na sunod-sunod kong binato. Ngumiti ng mabilis ang drayber at tumingin din sa mga sasakyang lumalagpas lang sa kanya. Tila nangangarap na magkaroon ng maayos na sasakyan.

"Ang mga sasakyang nakikita mo ay pagmamay-ari ng mga mayayaman. Ang iba sa kanila ay kasapi ng gobyerno; mga pulitiko. Ang iba naman ay sadyang

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20 ipinanganak na maraming pera. Ano ba ang laban ko sa kanila? Napakabilis ng pag-asenso nila. Wala kasing klaro na pahayag kung saan nga ba napunta ang mga nawawala, 'Eh, ano ba ang magagawa natin, 'e 'di ayusin nalang ang pagboto sa susunod na eleksyon."

Natahimik ako at nakaramdam ng galit. Bakit hinahayaan itong mangyari?

Hindi makatarungan! Nakakagalit. Nakakadismaya. Nakakakulo ng dugo. Ayos lang sa kanila na naghihirap ang kapwa nila Pilipino? Napakasakim at walang plano para sa pag-asenso!

Nakauwi na ako ng bahay matapos ang halos habangbuhay na b'yahe sa dyip ni manong. Talaga namang iba iba ating sinasakyan. Nasa iisang kalye, pero magkakaiba ng sasakyan.

Binati ko ang aking nanay na nakaupo sa sala at nanunuod ng balita.

"Ma, nasaan ba ako noong kasagsagan ng pandemya? Nasaan ang pakialam ko noon? Bakit ngayon ko lang napagtanto kung paano maapektuhan ang lahat dahil lang sa kawalan ng kakayahan?" Pinipigilan ko ang pagdaloy ng luha sa aking mga mata. Niyakap niya ako habang hinahagod ang buhok ko.

"Masaya akong gising ka na sa katotohanan 'nak. Huwag ka nang pipikit.

May halaga ang boses mo. Ikaw ang pag-asa ng bayan."

COMMUTE

Pedestrienne by Alrenzi Esparagoza

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Green Lights by night owl

Go forth and beyond

the bumpy road of triumph

with luster,

hopes,

and dreams.

COMMUTE

Mind the Gap

by Leslie Marie Banaban

Strangers sat side by side, Unfolding stories they're capable of, You were there, asking.

"Where does life take them?

Toward what situation do they want to flee?"

Amongst the scattered noises and chaotic mindsThe rolls of unpleasant trudges and whereabouts, You were there, thinking.

"It's getting late.

It's getting lonely."

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Rider’s Lament

by Leslie Marie Banaban

28th of July I see you standing there Waiting for a bus, Waiting for care.

29th, I saw you.

Waiting for a bus, waiting for care.

Suddenly a bus halted right beside you ride in.

30th, I was waiting.

I was waiting to see you, waiting to ride on a bus.

Suddenly, a bus halted right beside me You weren't inside, weren't there.

31st - It's been a month of waiting.

The same old bus halted right beside me Still, you weren't inside, weren't there; I am you.

COMMUTE

Karon lang! ni Cristopher Villaruel

Luha, Balhas, Tubig nga ulan.

Tugnaw, Kulba, Isahanon sa dalan.

Dyip, Taxi, Wala may masakyan.

Suga, Sa kilid, Naga-patay-sindi.

Pulo, Ka-missed call, Trantay-nuwebe nga mensahe.

Ang kasadya Gina sa birthday, Nabayluhan sang hibi.

Kay ginahambalan na nga mapuli, Wala guid namati.

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Ride by Rheymar Chua

COMMUTE

Para Po

by Elizabetheia

tara sakay dito sa dyip ng takipsilim, kung saan bawat isa ay may iba't- ibang balak at lihim. tingin sa kaliwa, tingin sa kanan. uy hija, hijo, san punta mo?" "ah dun lang po."wag kang ngumiti, wag kang tumitig. atras lang ng konti sapagkat hindi lahat ng estranghero ay anak ng dios dito sa dyip ng takipsilim. may lumapag sa kaliwang hita. tumindig ang aking mga balahibo sa kaba. nalamon ang lahat ng aking salita at tila tinangay ng hangin ang lahat ng aking lakas at diwa. agad akong bumaba sa tindahan ng mga sirang alala. tila bawat sakay sa dyip ng takipsilim ay larong roleta. jackpot na ata kung hindi ka mapagdiskitahan ng mga mababang uri at demonyong nagbabalot kayo sa dilim ng pahabang upuan na tila mas nakaka takot pa sa mga lublob na eskinita.

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Sampung Minuto ni Astra

Andaming pweding magyari sa loob nang sampung minutong pag-commute mo sa jeep.

Maari mong mahawi ang dede ng katabi mo.

Maapakan 'yung grocery bag nang ale sa harap mo.

Makapag-upload ng Instagram story.

Makapag-comment sa post ni crush.

Ma-like 'yung rant ng kaklase mo.

Ma-replyan 'yung chat nang prof mo.

Makatabi 'yung soulmate mo.

Makuha 'yung cellphone number niya.

Mag-usap ng kung ano-ano.

Mahulog sa isa't-isa.

Maipakilala sa Mama niya.

Habulin ng itak ng Papa niya.

Mag-propose sa harap ng madaming tao.

Magka anak nang kambal na tatawagin niyong Daniela at Danilo.

Tumanda magkasama.

Magkakasakit.

Pupanaw. . .

Andaming puweding mangyari sa loob ng sampung minuto.

Ikaw? San yung destinasyon mo?

COMMUTE

A Beam of Hope

by Trisha Renee Valencia

"Dad! Wake up! Please!"—was all I could utter when I lost him.

It was a fine, sunny, cool-breezed Valentine's day in our subdivision. We celebrated that day filled with laughter, all-time favorite home-cooked food, shared a joke or two with our family, and many more. In short, it was the ideal definition of "A Perfect Day." It was the day after Valentine's that the plot changed. We were having our family worship at 5:30 am and everything was going well. Not until my Dad mentioned he wasn't feeling well. My mom checked his vital signs and nothing seemed alarming. "Dad, we should go to a drugstore and buy the maintenance for your blood pressure because we ran out yesterday," my Mom said.

As I was observing him lying in bed, his lips were quite pale. He was sweating a lot. And so he stood up but then immediately sat back down because he felt dizzy. He tried standing up again this time but stopped in the living room because he said that the room was a bit spinning. "I'll drive, you stay here," I insisted.

At first, he did not want me to but I strongly insisted because my intuition was telling me that he is not capable to drive considering his condition. "Okay, but I'll go with you and your Mom." An hour later, we went back home. My Dad told us to wait for him inside because everything was spinning again. I was waiting for him outside the passenger's seat together with my older sister who was left behind earlier as she was preparing for her first-day orientation as a medicine post-graduate intern.

"Can you please get me a glass of warm water?" he uttered. I hurriedly went inside to get it and went back outside immediately. After taking a sip— "Blood! Mom! Blood!" I frighteningly shouted. I quickly went back to the driver's seat and when I looked his way, his eyes were rolling upward—he was having a seizure. Whenever I close my eyes and go back to that scenario, I can still vividly and traumatizingly see what he looked like.

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My sister was trying to close the passenger's seat door but couldn't because his right foot was sturdy as a rock, causing the blocking of the door. My sister tried to squeeze and put pressure on his thigh as hard as she could for him to feel an amount of pain. And so when his seizure stopped, he stopped breathing and his heart stopped—all at the same time.

I drove out of the house and forget to put my seatbelt on. I rushed and drove as fast as I could. "Dad! Please! Wake up!" I shouted as loud as I was holding the driver's wheel while tears were continuously falling down my eyes. All my senses heightened because all I could think about was bringing him to the hospital as soon as possible and as fast as I possibly can, and at the same time, hoping he would wake up sometime soon because I am not yet ready for the thought of losing him—never.

"Dad, stay with me. Mommy's here," mom repeatedly uttered these words while crying, trying to wake him up. Fifteen minutes had gone by since we lost him.

"Why i-is sh-she c-cr-crying?" my Dad uttered weakly with no idea about what had happened to him. I felt like my soul detached at the time and went back inside my body the moment I heard his voice again. During that time, I clearly remember that my reaction was that I never asked God why I doubted or blamed Him but I trusted Him that much. If you ask me now, what sustained me during that unexpected traumatizing experience? Hope. Hope that this battle my family and I are facing shall soon pass and that something good will come out of this despite the uncertainties of tomorrow. Whenever I'm in a challenge with hardships in life, a beam of hope keeps me going.

"Dad, we're almost there. You're not feeling well so just hold on a bit. Okay?

Stay awake Dad," I cried.

Byahe sa Hapon ni Ron Albert Libosada

COMMUTE

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32 Rutang de Peligro ni Cristopher Villaruel

Parang parusa Ang bawat sakay.

Sa pagpapatintero sa daan.

Parang parusa Ang bawat sakay Sa paghahabulan sa sasakyan.

Parang parusa Ang bawat sakay.

Sa bawat pagyuko ng katawan.

Parang parusa Ang bawat sakay Sa bawat malilikot na kamay.

Na nangunguha.

Nanghahablot.

Nanghihimas.

Nanglilimas.

Nangangalabit.

Nang-aakbay.

Parang parusa Ang bawat sakay.

Sa takot na kinikimkim.

Sa takot na malalim.

Sa takot na tinatago sa hikbi Sa takot na hindi makauwi.

Parang parusa Ang iyong bawat sakay.

Kaya mag-ingat ka!

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Coming Home

by Kashina Ashley Gatilogo

It's not about

the long route,

the busy roads, the heavy traffic, that I dislike.

It's more about

the heavy sighs, the watery eyes,

being separated

once more

alone

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34 Canceled

by Romchelle Chris Danielle Waminal

I stare at the clock - 8:46 a.m.

Need to get there by 9.

9.1 km Knew I shouldn't have slept late.

Greenlight. I can still make it.

Firm grasps on the driver's wheel. Green. Orange.

Beat the red light!

Scratched an SUV's bumper? Almost hit a pedestrian?

'Scuse me?,They're not paying my tuition.

I'm going to be late.

Speeding cars honk loud and long.

I don't see how swerving thr ough heavy traffic was so wrong.

Fine, I knocked a side mirror once or twice.

But I tried to smile and be nice.

They don't get it.

9:05 a.m.

Rush hour. Rush of blood to my head and heart.

Empty noise, static voice.

One more turn - traffic.

Hostile buzzes in my head Sanity balancing on a thread.

Might miss one exam, three quizzes at this rate.

Told you, you should've called in sick.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

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I parked the car by an abandoned shed.

Enough with the traffic jam, I beg.

I ran like a madman; slipped and spoiled my attire.

Sweat swelled on my back and chest - smelled like burnt tire.

9:55 a.m.

Ran three flights of stairs.

Anxious faces awaiting an unannounced welcome.

Like ghosts scheming behind a mirror.

Heart pounding; hallways silent.

Watch ticked at 10.

Hollow hallways, when, in fact, they should be halfway through today's lecture.

Early dismissal?

Told you, you should've called in sick.

I opened my phone.

Class is canceled - sent at 9 a.m.

What a prick.

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Kapit ni Renee Suala

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Cold Path

by Kashina Ashley Gatilogo

Perhaps our love was like riding a bikesome destinations were worth stopping, and others were meant to be viewed from afar.

As I pedal my way, I'll forget to maintain my balance and fall out but I'll always remember the encounter.

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A Letter to Mister Overthinker

by Rheymar Chua

A letter to Mister Overthinker Come, take a walk with me.

I'll be there every step of the way.

It may be fast or slow, At least you're worth the wait.

Worry? Worry about what?

Oh, the unknown?

Well, we don't have to, As long as it's your hand I'm holding on to.

Find someone new?

Why would I? When out of all the people I met, My answered prayer is you.

Fall out?

No one's gonna fall out.

Autumn and winter may come, But I'm sure spring will surely follow.

Drain? Each other?

Our energies may not match, A simple rest will do the trick.

With that, everything will last.

Tempted? Why would I? When my eyes are set on you.

Nothing to compare, nothing to resist.

Out of all the colors in the spectrum, all I see is blue.

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You're too sensitive?

Well, too bad because I'm too compassionate.

Endlessly never getting tired, Nor exhausted of the things you hate.

Sorry? Because you're not perfect?

If every pork chop would be perfect, then we wouldn't have hotdogs.

It doesn't add up? But at least I made you smile.

We won't see each other for a long time?

I'm not worried, I know you're working hard for us.

Now, shush.

There's nothing to break, not even my trust.

Now, still wanna take a walk?

May the path be foggy and blur.

I'll hold your hand clenched and firm.

Now come walk with me, Mister Overthinker.

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40 Next Track

by Nevermore

One calm evening, inside the jeepney. I am sitting quietly inside the vehicle, listening to my favorite tunes. Deep in thought, as I shuffle through some songs, someone enters the jeepney, noticing that the jeepney made a full stop to accommodate the passenger. As I try to peek, whoever was trying to get inside, she taps me on the shoulder as she occupies the seat beside me.

"Hey! I haven't seen you in a while," she said. "Same to you. How have you been?" I respond. "Great, and you?" as the ride goes on we talked about many things that had happened over the past few years that we have not been able to talk to each other about. "It's been, what? Two years? I mean, you sure changed a lot lately. Life has been tough ever since that fateful moment," she reminisced.

"Yeah, like life's been so different ever since that day," I remembered.

"The times that we shared. We were like brother and sister, you know. We were so tightly knit, that was perhaps inseparable."

As she babbles about how many good times we had, I was the other hand, remembered her like she was just a person that had been in my distant memory.

A memory forwent that I almost forgot that she existed ever in my life.

"What's wrong?" she noticed. My mind was wandering through the song that I was currently playing. "Oh sorry, I just noticed something." She then snatched my phone and I hurriedly pried it from her hand. When she noticed the song, her expression became somber. All of a sudden, the atmosphere is awkward then neither of us is currently talking.

"You know, I knew from the start," she broke the silence and after a few more seconds, I asked. "About what?"

"Why?" As she asked that very question, tears have flowed through her face.

"Why didn't you tell me about your feelings? Why were you so adamant about hiding it from me? Why not on the day?"

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All I could say was this: "I was too scared and too late. The day that we promised to say something to each other, someone else was already by your side.

That moment, I knew I was glad that someone else was more deserving to be by your side."

She held back her tears as she finally mustered to say something amidst that all of the sobbing. "I have waited for the day. A day that we promised to each other. To be honest. A day that we told each other. I wanted to hear everything from you. And you alone." Her tears kept running, and I just sat there in silence.

And as the driver shouted that the next destination was upcoming, she quickly wiped her tears. Just as she was prepared to leave, she said something to me one more time. "Thank you. Thank you for being honest."

She took a good pause, then she approached me one more time this time, in a whisper. "I loved you for so long, and it's time I finally said goodbye."

She left her seat and the vehicle altogether.

And as I finally sat there alone one more time, my tears finally flowed, and as I continue with the journey, I finally resumed. I finally skipped and proceeded to the next track. `

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Colleagues by Ron Albert Libosada

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Bird’s Eye View

by Maecel Joy Priolo

The continuous movement of violet hue pieces Corralled in a sea of a spinning black object.

Emitting noises that reverberate, the beeping and honking In the middle of a seemingly endless pavement.

Everything moves in a stupor and tedious time-lapse.

On a swelter-bustling afternoon in June, The pieces turned into mushrooms like that in the woodland.

On a frosty and still bustling afternoon of December, The pieces were all submerged in a chunky furry skin.

All the violet hue pieces are still corralled in the spinning black object.

They disappear then reappear, repeating the whole lot.

Howbeit, what made them different are their eyes.

A few had the same shape, however, they each held a different gaze Some are empty, some are full, and some are just lost.

And I would give my brief lifetime again, just to see this peculiar view.

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44 My Significant

by Trisha Renee Valencia

Our mind loves to play tricks thus, fear is my worst enemy.

Not until Dad imparted, showed what it is like to be brave.

Conquering my fears is what he instilled ever since, then came the thing that I feared the most was fulfilled.

Before him, I shed tears of shame and woe, and he was there.

My heart is as pure as gold yet, sharing my true feelings is not in my human nature not until Mom showed and taught me the importance of honest open-communication.

I was too focused on other people that I neglected to express my own.

But when words ran out of my mouth to speak, She was there.

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Back in high school, Miss Congeniality was my middle name.

Out of kindness and genuineness, I used to gullibly please people I meet.

Even friends whom I consider family unknowingly turned on me.

Not until my Sister introduced and taught me what tough love was and guided me through my mundane naiveness.

I learned the hard way, yet she was there.

These significant three will always be my guide, in surpassing such hardships.

I came this far because of them.

I am who I am today because of them.

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46 Kinabuhi

by Maecel Joy Priolo

"South," it says on the signboard. Flashbacks came flooding; the memories engulfed my whole being. I stepped inside and waited for the bus to hit the road.

It's been years since my last visit there. It's warm, yet the breeze feels cold, just the right atmosphere to go there. It's still early in the morning, but I feel tired already. Maybe because I didn't get enough sleep preparing for this trip. I looked at my checklist, and the first one was written: "South at 8." I guess I'm on the right track.

I am almost close to drifting to sleep but I fought back. I wanted to make every second count. I want to enjoy every passing moment of this whole trip and be an independent commuter. It's my first time traveling again and it feels so refreshing and free. I wish I have done this sooner; I wish I give myself enough time to enjoy the things I want to do for so long. In a few moments, I can now see the bluish sea irradiated by the sunlight. It made it seem like a sea of blue diamonds shining and glittering. It looks ethereal, and I'm supposed to feel tranquil, but desolation took over. The bus stopped, and I hurriedly went straight to the shore. I felt the sultry breeze and tangy smell of the sea. The atmosphere squeezed me like a cozy blanket, but it did not feel comfortable. I missed this, yet this doesn't feel right.

"Carmen's Piedmont," is second on my list, a town on the mountainside. I rode a tricycle that lead to the bus station. It takes half an hour to get to the center of this small town. "Are you new here, Ma'am?" I asked the driver. "Yeah... I guess," I answered him. "Back in the days, this used to be a paradise, now people who have power took advantage of the natural resources and exploited it. We have been struggling to support our needs here ma'am since we were denied of our land." I was too immersed in my thoughts and feelings that I did not recognize the massive changes in this place. The rest of the ride fell silent.

I've been to Carmen's Piedmont a couple of times, but this is my first time by myself and through public transportation. Everything about this trip is so familiar yet so new to me as well. I'll probably reach my destination in an hour or two.

The scenery brought me back to when I first came here. The tall trees, rice fields that stretch far away, the clear blue sky, and the simple life of this town. I finally

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arrived at my second destination. The town looks old, it purveys melancholy rather than serenity. The sight of this place made me want to put a stop to this trip but wanting to relive the good old days is more important to me. I must push through, and so I went to walk a little. I didn't realize how far I walked until I couldn't see houses anymore, fortunately, a motorbike passed by, and I rode it back to the highway. "Did you like the place, Ma'am? I'm not originally from here and found this place boring at first but when I look back at my life in the city, I realized how this place offered me a sanctuary, and of course, a wife that gave me a beautiful family that I wouldn't trade in any grandiose life in the city." The driver said in a calm and content voice contrary to what I am feeling.

"Albanios" is the third and last bus I will ride. It takes a while before I can get to my last destination. The sun is almost setting, birds are flying home, and the clear blue sky began the change into different pastel colors that left me in awe. The breeze became cooler the road started to calm down, and the atmosphere felt like coming home. "Where are you headed, Ma'am?" Asked the old lady beside me. "To Albanios," I replied. "I have left Albanios to work for 10 long years. I never get to come home in those years, I wonder what it looks like now. I heard about many great improvements in the town. Do you live there, Ma'am?" She added. "No, I just want to visit," I said to her. "I hope you find the place as good as you expected. I'm excited to be back home and see my family after so many years," she said genuinely.

Albanios, at long last. It's been many years, yet everything feels like it was just yesterday. I walked with familiarity, no destination in mind, but my feet brought me in front of an old house. I felt dizzy as it reminded me of my past. I remembered traveling to the South, Carmen's Piedmont, and exploring Albanios with my friends and family. Those were the happiest years of my life however, life as it is, I wanted a change. I wanted to feel independent and settle far away from here. I went to places I had never been, but as I go on and live with my choice, it seems like I even feel lost. Somehow, being here fills the void. After all, being home is what I needed.

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Para ni Renee Suala

Obscure by Raeverly Elena Ramirez

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1st Place | Poetry

Pilay na Paglalakbay

by Adonis Torreno

Gumulong, gumuho Aray! Gulong ko'y wari'y sumusuko Panglaw! Mga pasahero'y panglaw ang sinusubo Tulong! Dilim pa nama'y ayaw magpasuyo Oo, takipsilim ay kinain na ng lalim Daana'y sinlabo na ng lihim Saan na ba ito?

Ewan, piyesa ng himig ay tumakas na sa lamig Manong, ako'y may supling pa sa aking tahanan Ako'y guro, bayani ng karunungan, Subalit ako'y niyayakap na ngayon ng dalamhati Maawa ka, supling ko'y paano na?

Manong, ako'y mag-aaral, pag-asa ng aking magulang Gusto ko pang maging doktor, Pagalingin sinumang may karamdaman Maawa ka, pangarap ko'y paano na?

Manong, ako ang balangaw ng aking angkan Balintataw ko'y kanilang kinabukasan Bilang isang kuya, kapusod ng kanilang pag-asa Maawa ka, mga kapatid ko'y paano na?

Pasensya na! Tama na!

Ako'y may anak ring nagmamakaawa Sa oras na ito, siya ri'y umaasa Nagdarasal na ang kanyang ama, sana ay makauwi na.

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2nd Place | Poetry

Commuter’s Music

by Chariz Villarete

Taka-tak!

Mint gums and cigars; Running vendors, here and there.

Click-clack!

6-7-8 to 10!

Jeepney's fare, going up.

Clinking coins, passing through.

Vroom-vroom!

Black smoke and squealing engine; Sweaty driver in distress 3 times for this week His jeepney's broken again.

Psht-Psht!

Alcohol bottles hanging everywhere Plastics in the middle of each Remove it!

Social distancing - what is that?

Prrt-Prrt!

Whistling enforcer ViolationIllegal Parking!

Loading and unloading!

Scratching motorist, Here's your ticket - a violation fee!

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3rd Place | Poetry

Ang Byahe ng Buhay o Kamatayan ni Lixie Imee Soriano

Para po! nilakasan ko ang aking boses para ako'y marinig, Gabi na at iilang tao na lamang ang aking nakikita at nababatid, Malakas na tunog ng takong ang aking naririnig sa aking likod, Binilisan ko ang aking pag-akyat para siya'y makasunod.

Laking gulat ko ng makita na kami lang dalawa ang pasahero, Sapagkat sa ganitong oras ay marami ang gustong umuwi at ang siksikan ay hindi biro, Ngumiti ako sa kaniya sapagkat batid ko na para siya'y malungkot at tuliro, "Nakikita mo ba ang babae?" tanong ng drayber habang ako'y nakaupo.

"Syempre naman po," ang aking tugon sa kaniya, "Patay na siya, huwang mong tahakin ang landas na tinahak niya" sambit ng drayber habang nakatingin sa'kin ng masama.

Naglahad ng kamay ang babae, "gusto mo bang sumama sa aking posisyon?"

Tiningan ko siya ng may diin, "Patay ka na at ako'y buhay pa, magkaiba tayo ng destinasyon."

Nawala ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi at unti-unti siyang nawala na parang bula, Naghahanap siya ng kaniyang makakasama sapagkat siya'y iniwan at mag-isa, Nasa iyo ang desisyon kung pipiliin mo ang byahe ng buhay o kamatayan.

Eh ikaw, ano ang iyong byahe na gustong sakyan?

Consolation Prize | Poetry

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Road End

by Mary Pauline Santos

'beep beep' the jeep honks as I try to sleep on the ride home on a Friday evening from a week at school

to those who hitchhike against traffic lights like those who said I'm wrong and they're right about my very own fight in life

'ting ting' my phone rings as my friends text me why I went home again when supposedly we are to have fun

as if they know what I've been throughfrom the roads I've crossed to the drives when I feel lost anyway, I don't really mind about their insights

the jeep stops like my social life didto all the missed opportunities and every ditched invites to gatherings

cause it doesn't matter if I bail once, twice, thriceI'll happily wave at all of them as they pass by as long as I reach the road end not as a race but as my own life

the noise of the road is an endless nightmarelike the critics and commentary about why I chose to study than to party

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Consolation Prize | Poetry

Deus Ex Machina

by Chloe Jay Cobra

Where's my fee? Am I ready?

Hopping on since life has a certain key Opened my eyes but not that lofty Amazing view, the journey must be right Riding the time of my uncertain life Exhilarating trip, yearning some guide Yet, something saved me from this frazzle Overseer by something imperceptible Upon this ride of life, I'll take control

58 1st Place | Artwork

Rush Hour by Lyka Calar

2ndCOMMUTE Place | Artwork

by Joshua Garita

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60 3rd Place | Artwork

Tuon sa Jeep by Eullina Tulda

ConsolationCOMMUTE Prize | Artwork

Midnight Train-INTERN by Laxa Krik Yven II

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Consolation Prize | Artwork

by Jaymark Villagracia

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1st Place | Short Story

Dyipney Labsori ni Chariz Villarete

"San Roque! San Roque!" sigaw ng barker na may hawak-hawak na supot ng turon sa kanang kamay at bimpong naninilaw sa kaliwa.

Sa kabilang banda'y papasok ng dyip ang isang ale na may hawak na sanggol na tulog na tulog. Sa kanang bahagi ng dyip naman ay nakaupo ang matandang pinapagalitan ang dalawang teenager na naglalampungan sa harapan niya. Ani'y mga kulang sa dasal at batang-bata pa'y ang lalandi na.

Si Myrna, isang Educ student, ay late na naman. Kaya'y galing pa sa kabilang kanto ang tinakbo nito para lamang maabutan ang dyip na paalis na.

"Pwede pa lima!" sigaw ng barker kahit halata namang kahit isang tao'y 'di na kakasya.

Si Myrna ay agad pumasok. Malayo pa lang ay kita niya na ang poging nakauniporme na tila'y si James Reid sa pagkapomada ng buhok. Rinig niya ang himutok ng katabing babae nang pilit niyang siniksik ang pwet sa gitna ng dalawa.

Linagay ang naka Creamsilk na buhok sa likod ng tainga, dinilaan ang dry na dry na mga labi, at slow-mo- kagaya sa mga pelikula- nilingon ni Myrna ang lalaki.

Ang lalaki naman ay nakatingin na rin kay Myrna. Kaya nama'y parang uod na binudburan ng asin ang naging hitsura ng babae.

"Oh, isa na lang. Isa na lang. Aalis na! Upong nuwebe lamang nang magkasya!

"Wag dumekwatro dahil dyip 'to, 'di mo kwarto," hirit ng barker bago umalis ang dyipney.

Kung anong putok ng blush-on ni Myrna ay siya ring pagkaputok ng muscles ng katabi niya. Parang sardinas na kasi sila sa dyip kaya feel na feel naman ni Myrna na mas lalong masiksik sa mga braso ng lalaki.

"Yung mga gamit niyo, pakihawak ng mabuti," utas ng driver na tingin ng tingin sa rearview mirror.

Hinawakan naman ng mabuti ni Myrna ang knapsack niya. Naku! Mukhang may magnanakaw pa sa jeep na ito. Paano ba naman, kung magsabi ng ganyan ang mga drayber ay sure na na may nakitang talamak na snatser na nakasakay.

Sa utak niya.

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Si Myrna'y pasimpleng nagmasid. Mga studyante mula sa pinapasukan niyang hayskul noon, babaeng may hawak na sanggol, matatandang mukhang mamalengke Kalbong pandak na punong-puno ng tattoo...

'Di naman sa nagiging judgemental si Myrna.

Pero sa isip niya'y mukha lang naman na 'yon yung pinaparinggan ng drayber.

May hawak pa itong malaking bag. 'Eh diba, 'yon yung modus nila? Buti na lang at malayo siyang nakaupo rito. Kaya prente lang si Myrna at patulo'y lang nanagpakyut sa katabi niyang lalaki.

"Ano ba yan," singhap ng babae sa gilid ni Myrna. Inirapan ng babae si Myrna sabay kuha ng touchscreen na selpon at nagtipa ng:

Hanep naman itong katabi ko sa jeep, busog na busog ako sa pancit canton niyang buhok.

Sabay pindot ng post sa peysbuk.

Si Myrna nama'y walang pakeng linilingon-lingon pa rin ang lalaki. Medyo mapusyaw ang balat nito, mahaba rin ang mga pilikmata at napakatangos ng ilong.

"Bayad po," napatili sa sarili si Myrna ng marinig ang boses ng lalaki. Boses palang, ulam na!

Kagat ang labi na inabot ni Myrna ang bayad ng lalaki. Kaso sa tagal ng titig niya rito ay naunahan na siya ng katabing babae. "Bayad niya raw." Umismid ulit ang babae kay Myrna pagkatapos ibigay sa drayber ang bayad.

Mabilis ang naging takbo ng dyip, 'sing bilis ng pagbaba at pag-akyat ng mga pasahero.

"Ay!!!" tili ng mga tao ng biglang tumigil ang dyip. Ilang busina ang narinig, pero pagkatapos ng ilang pasensya ay nagpatuloy ang byahe.

Ramdam naman ni Myrna ang braso ng katabi niya. 'Di na siksikan pero mukhang gustong-gusto siya'ng katabi ng poging katabi... Kaya nama'y hindi pa rin ito umuusog! Mas kinilig naman si Myrna dahil doon.

Mas nadagdagan ito ng maramdaman ng dalaga ang kamay ng lalaki sa tagiliran niya! Aba at- pwede ba - sabihin nalang nito kung type din siya para bababa na lang sila sa dyip na ito ng magkasabay at magkaholding-hands. 'Di naman nito kailangan manantsing at papayag naman siya kung magsasabi lang ito! Litanya sa sarili ni Myrna.

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Lihim na napahalakhak si Myrna sa mga kapilyahang naisip. Ang matanda sa harapan niya ay masama ang tingin sa kanya at pinanlalakihan siya ng mata.

Sa utak ulit ni Myrna ay panigurado'y kulang lang sa pag-ibig ang matanda kaya kanina pa bitter na bitter sa dalawang teenager at ngayo'y mukhang magiging kontrabida rin sa namumuong love story niya.

Pahapyaw lang na nginitian ni Myrna ang matanda at liningon ang lalaki.

Kahit na tagaktak na ito ng pawis at mukhang natatae sa kung anong dahilan ay 'di talaga maalis ang katotohanang ang gwapo nito!

Biglang inalis ng lalaki ang kamay nito sa tagiliran ni Myra. Si Myrna nama'y nanghinayang ng todo.

"Para po!" biglang sigaw nito na mas lalong nagpanghinayang pa sa babae.

Ano ba yan! Akala ni Myrna ay hihingin pa nito ang number o pangalan niya.

Kung gaano ka bagal ng paghinto ng dyip ay kabaligtaran naman sa naging pagbaba ng lalaki. Animo'y si Flash sa pagkabilis-bilis ng mga naging hakbang nito at talaga'y tumakbo pa ito ng tuluyang nakababa.

"Ineng, kanina pa kita senisenyasan na ninanakawan ka na. Hindi ka ba makaramdam?" utas ng matanda.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Myrna at mabilisang kinapa ang cellphone at wallet niyang wala na!

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2nd Place | Short Story

Ingat ni Aleczeah Ysabelle Padre

Nagmamadali akong lumabas ng kwarto nang mapagtantong lampas alaskwatro na ng umaga. Dumeretso ako sa sofa para magsuot ng sapatos. "...walang kamalay-malay ang anim na pasaherong sakay ng isang jeep na biyaheng Bacolod City na isang professional hold-upper ang makakasabay nila sa biyahe..."

"Nak, ingat sa pag-commute, ha? Tingnan mo, may na-hold-up na naman daw malapit sa Downtown kahapon."

Papalabas na ako ng gate nang muling nagsalita si mama, "Nak, nakalimutan mo 'yung baon mo."

"Thank you, ma."

Paalis na 'ko ngunit napunta ang atensyon ko sa nagsasalita sa radyo. "...kapag may nakitang kahina-hinala na tugma sa deskripsyon ng suspek, agad-agad na tumawag ng pulis. At huwang kalimutang mag-ingat..."

Malamig ang simoy ng hangin at medyo madilim pa nang makarating ako sa terminal ng jeep. Iilan pa lang kaming naririto at halos lahat ay mga estudyante rin. Kaya naman ay hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang nasa harap na lalaking nakasuot ng sumbrero at may katamtamang taas. Namangha rin ako sa kulot at hanggang balikat niyang buhok.

Akmang bubuksan niya ang dalang bag subalit napalingon siya sa gawi ko.

Naniningkit ang mga mata niyang nakatago sa gradong salamin at mukhang hindi rin maganda ang araw niya.

Agad akong umiwas at hindi ko na sana siya pagtutuunan pa ng pansin ngunit nakita ko ang nunal sa kaniyang kaliwang kamay.

"Gaano karami ba sa buong mundo ang may nunal sa kaliwang kamay?" tanong ko sa sarili.

Bigla akong kinabahan nang napansin ko ang unti-unti niyang paglakad papalapit sa akin.

Muli ring bumalik sa isip ko ang nilalaman ng balita na narinig ko kanina.

"Ang suspek daw ay nakasuot ng itim na sumbrero, may mahabang bu-

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hok, singkit ang mata at nakasuot ng salamin, kayumanggi, 'di gaanong katangkaran, at may nunal sa kaliwang kamay. Kapag may nakitang kahina-hinala na tugma sa deskripsyon ng suspek, agad-agad na tumawag ng pulis."

Nang dahil sa naalala ay hindi ako mapakali nang mapansing ilang hakbang na lang ang pagitan naming dalawa. Tiningnan ko ang relo at humiling na sana dumating na ang jeep na sasakyan ko.

Para bang sadya, dumating nga talaga ang pinakahihintay ko. Agad naman akong tumayo at sumakay sa loob.

Parang natanggalan ako ng barang tinik at saka lang nakahinga ng maluwag nang tuluyan na talaga akong nakasakay sa dulong upuan ng jeep.

Inilabas ko ang cellphone at nagrebyu pero napahinto ako nang biglang makaramdam ng kakaiba.

Pasimple ko itong tiningnan para malaman kung tama ba ang hinala ko.

Nagsimula akong mag-panic. Ramdam ko ang biglang panlalamig ng buong katawan ko at tila hindi ako makagalaw. Unti-unti ring nawala sa paningin ko ang ibang pasahero hanggang sa dalawa na lang kami ang natira. Masyado pa ring madilim ang paligid para makita ang mukha niya pero ramdam ko ang matalim niyang tingin sa'kin.

Muli akong bumalik sa reyalidad nang pumara ang katabi ko sa kaliwa.

Napatingin din ako sa paligid at tinantiya kung malayo pa ba ako sa paaralan.

Nahinto ako sa paglingon nang maramdaman ko ang mahinang hampas ng hangin nang dumaan siya sa harap ko at tumabi sa akin. Itinago ko ang cellphone sa bulsa at pinagsama ang namamasa kong kamay. Sinubukan kong kumalma pero tuluyan akong nawala sa sarili nang marinig ang mahina niyang salita.

"Bakit mo ako tinitingnan kanina?" Magkukunwari sana akong walang narinig pero hindi ko napigilan ang sariling lumingon. Nang muling nagtama ang mga mata namin ay bahagya siyang ngumiti na siyang nagpakilabot sa akin. Hindi ko rin naiwasang sundan ang kilos ng kamay niyang may hinu-

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hugot sa bulsa.

Agad akong napatingin sa iba pang pasahero. Gusto ko sanang humingi ng tulong pero wala ni isa ang may pakialam. Hindi ko alam kung hindi ba sila nanghihinala sa pagkatao ng katabi ko o talagang takot lang din silang madamay?

"Paano kung bigla siyang maglabas ng kutsilyo? Paano kung kunin niya rin 'yung phone at wallet ko? Ibigay ko na lang ba?"

Ramdam ko ang panginginig ng mga kamay at paninikip ng dibdib ko.

Hinihiling ko na sana may makapansin para makahingi ako ng tulong, pero wala.

Unti-unti niyang ini-angat ang braso, pero bago niya pa ito tuluyang magawa ay lakas-loob akong sumigaw ng, "Para!" at saka tumakbo papalabas ng jeep.

Narinig ko rin siyang sumigaw at parang tinatawag ako, pero hindi ko siya nilingon. Diretso lang akong tumakbo papalayo kahit na medyo umaambon at may mga taong nabubunggo.

Ilang sandali pa ay lumingon ako sa likod at laking gulat ko nang makita siya. Agad akong lumiko sa kanto, pero kung minamalas nga naman, napunta pa ako sa lugar na walang tao.

Maya-maya ay dumating na rin siya.

"Ang bilis mo naman tumakbo, miss."

Napakunot ang noo ko sa naging tono niya. Humakbang din ako paatras sa kada hakbang niyang papalapit sa akin.

Nilakasan ko ang loob at sinubukang kapain ang bulsa kung may maggagamit ba akong panlaban.

Kabaliktaran sa nararamdaman ko, ay kalmado siyang ngumiti sa'kin na para namang ikababait niyang tingnan 'yon.

Nang mapagtantong wala akong maggagamit na panlaban at dehado ako, sinubukan kong mag-isip ng ibang paraan para makatakas.

Huminga ako ng malalim at tinipon ang lahat ng lakas para tumakbo, pero

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isang hakbang pa lang ay napigilan na niya ako agad sa braso. Handa na rin sana akong sumigaw, pero laking gulat ko nang bigla niyang iniharap sa mukha ko ang isang pamilyar na payong.

"Hindi ko alam kung bakit ka tumakbo, pero naiwan mo kasi 'yung payong mo. Ibabalik ko lang sana sa'yo."

Naiwan akong tulala. Narinig ko siyang nagpaalam na mauuna na raw siyang umalis, pero nanatili lang akong nakatayo.

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng konsensya. Talaga bang inakusahan ko siya bilang suspek na nasa balita kanina?

Hindi ko napigilang matawa sa sarili.

Hihingi sana ako ng tawad bago siya tuluyang makaalis sa paningin ko, pero huminto siya at nagsalita hanggang sa unti-unting nawala sa harap ko.

At sa pagkakataong ito, parang umurong 'yung konsensya ko.

Kasi ang huling salitang narinig ko sa kaniya ay, "Ingat."

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3rd Place | Short Story

Palagi ni Stephanie Gonzales

Ayon, at may paparating nang jeep. Tinaas ko ang aking kamay para sumenyas na sasakay ako pero tila hangin akong nilampasan nito.

May dalawang babae at grupo ng mga estudyante pa lang pumara sa unahan kaya sa kanila tumigil ang jeep.

Nayayamot man, wala rin akong maggawa dahil palagi na lang ganyan kapag sasakay ng jeep. Sino ba namang tsuper ang papatol sa nag-iisang syete pesos kung mayroon namang trentaysingko pesos na nakabantay sa unahan?

Pinauna ko muna silang sumakay bago ako sumampa sa loob.

Paborito kong umupo sa pinakadulong upuan malapit sa babaan dahil kitangkita ko ang lahat ng pasahero at hindi ako mapapansin ng drayber. Hindi rin ako maiistorbo sa walang katapusang"Bayad pakiabot."

"Bayad, manong, sa harap lang ng SM South."

"Ilan 'tong singkwenta?"

"Tatlo estudyante po 'yan, manong!"

"O, pakiayos lang ng upo para makaupo rin ng maayos ang ibang pasahero!"

Sita ng drayber na mas lalong ikinairita ng mga pasahero dahil sa pinagsamang lagkit, amoy ng usok, at pagod din siguro na halos hindi na nila maintindihan at masikmura pa.

Napadako ang aking tingin sa grupo ng kabataan na nakakulong sa sariling mundo ng kanilang gadyet.

"Paabot ng bayad." Sabi ng babaeng kakasakay lang ngunit mukhang hindi sya napansin ng mga kabataan dahil masyadong tuktok ang tenga't mata sa tila pelikula o Koryanong drama na pinapanood.

"Salamat, manong." Sabi ng babae nang inabot ng isang matandang nakabihis ng 1980s ang kaniyang pamasahe at siya na mismong nagbayad sa drayber dahil siya ay nakaupo naman sa mismong likod nito.

"Manong, bayad niya raw po," sabi ng matanda, pero mukhang kahit ang

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72 drayber ay nagbibingi-bingihan rin. Mabuti na lang at ang nakaupo sa tabi ng drayber na ang tumanggap sa bayad at sya na mismong naglagay sa perang lalagyan ng drayber.

"Diba, sabi ko ako na nga ang bibili! Ang tigas talaga ng ulo mong bata ka, ano?"

Nakita ko ang pagkagulat at pagismid ng iba habang nakikinig sa babaeng katabi ko na tila ang kausap niya'y nasa kabilang baryo.

"Ha? Kita mong gabi na lalabas ka pa-Aba'y sandali lang, manong, pwedeng pakiayos naman ng pag-upo mo! Parang nirentahan mo yung buong jeep ah! Ni halos pwet ko ay hindi na makahinga sa pag-upo!" At hayun na nga, nadamay pa ang walang kamuwang-muwang na mama na halos ipagdikit na ang dalawang hita sa sobrang laki at taba nito.

Napakamot naman sa ulo at tila nahiya ang matabang lalaki at walang sabisabi'y nagsabi ng"Dito na lang po, manong." Nakahinga ng maluwag ang ibang pasahero kaya napailing na lang ako. Maya-maya pa ay nagpara na rin ang babaeng maingay.

"Bastos! Bastos!" Napadako naman ang tingin ko sa babaeng bigla-bigla na lang sumisigaw habang pinaghahampas ang lalaking katabi.

"Teka sandali! Inaano ba kita diyan? Wala akong ginagawang masama!"

Depensa ng lalaking inaakusahan nyang nambastos sa kaniya. Ngunit hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang lalaking nakangisi na kaliwa ng babae.

"Manong, para!" Sabi niya sa drayber pero pinaglihi sa binging sanga ang drayber kaya hindi siya nito narinig.

Mabuti na lang at aligagang sumigaw ng para ang babae kaya nakangising bumaba ang lalaki habang sinusundan ng tingin at yapak ang babaeng bumaba ng jeep.

Sa pagbaba ng dalawa ay siya namang pagsakay ng isang mag-ina. Naunang sumakay ang ina at nakasunod sa kanya ang limang taong gulang na batang lalaki. Isang imaheng taliwas sa karaniwang nasasaksihan ko.

Nang makaupo ang babae ay kumandong ang batang lalaki at lumingon sa akin upang sumenyas na tumahimik ako. Nakangiti naman akong tumango habang pinagmamasdan ang ina niyang tahimik na nagpupunas ng matang namumungay

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at nakapikit.

"Tingnan mo at sumobra na tayo! Para nga! Bilis!" Sigaw ng isang binata na galing sa grupo ng estudyanteng nakatutok sa kanilang mga gadyet.

Tumigil naman ang jeep at hindi pa rin sila matapos sa pagbabangayan hanggang sa umandar na ulit ang jeep. Huli na nang mapansin kong bumaba na rin pala ang matandang lalaki na nakaupo malapit sa drayber saka ang lalaking katabi ng drayber.

Nilibot ko ang paningin sa jeep at napansin ang isang babae na nakaupo sa kabilang parte, samantalang nasa unahan ko naman ang mag-ina.

Dadalawa na lang pala ang pasahero ng jeep.

"M-manong, para po." Nanginginig na sambit ng ina na siya namang ikinatigil agad ng jeep. Nagmamadaling bumaba ang babae at sinulyapan muna ako ng bata bago ito bumaba. Hinabol ko pa siya ng kaway ngunit hindi na niya ako pinagtuunan ng pansin pa.

"Para para, manong! Para! Sandali lang!" Hindi na rin nagpahuli ang babaeng nasa harapan ko na parang may meeting sa barangay na dadaluhan.

Nang magsimulang umandar ang jeep ay napasulyap ako sa bilugan at kumikislap na parang platong buwan sa kalangitan.

"Manong, para ho." Sabi ko at sakto namang tumigil ang jeep saka ako nilingon ni manong.

"Eto po pala ang bayad ko. Huling sakay ko na po kasi ito."

"Huwag na hijo, ayos na iyan. Balato ko na lang sa iyo dahil palaging dumarami ang pasahero ko kapag nakasakay ka. O siya, mag-iingat ka pag-uwi."

Sabi niya nang bumaba ako ng jeep.

Inaasahan kong aalis na siya at gagarahe na pero tinatanaw niya pa rin pala ako habang tumatawid ng kalsada.

Kinawayan ko siya upang magpaalam ngunit nagtaka ako nang bigla siyang mamutla habang nakatingin sa akin. Nagtataka kong binalingan ang sarili at huli na ng mapansing tumagos pala sa akin ang rumaragasang kulay itim na Vios.

Ganiyan naman palagi ang nangyayari kaya hindi na nakakagulat.

Nginitian ko na lang si manong na ang mukha'y namumutla pa rin.

Palagi na lang.

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Consolation Prize | Short Story

Coin Purse

by John Mark Sanico

"Another oil price hike is expected to take place. According to Unioil, there will be an increase of P1.70 to P1.80 for gasoline and P0.40 to P0.50 for diesel..."

The static noise coming from a portable radio swallowed the makeshift home of the family.

"This is what I always say. That's why Tino, you should vote for the candidate that can help us, the poor," uncle Jojo commented while sipping his cup of coffee.

On the other hand, Tino was hastily fixing his shoelaces as he is late for his duty.

"Uncle, I'll just leave the door open. Later, auntie Doling will have another massage session with Lola," said Tino, while leaving the door unlocked.

It's already eight in the morning and Tino is just halfway from the nearest tricycle he could find. Tino is working as a factory worker - this is aside from the other side hustles that he does. The wage is barely minimum and, for him, it's not enough to help his uncle Jojo with the bills.

At a young age, Jojo was orphaned. It was his Lola who took the responsibility to raise him. However, because of poverty, Tino was not able to finish college.

Tino was hardheaded. He was an itch to Lola's head during his high school years. Until such time that his Lola fell into a stroke. She was married to her bed ever since and only uncle Jojo was there to look out for them.

Here comes the tricycle. The smoke belching from the exhaust of the public vehicle tails the busy street of his neighborhood. Lupang Pangako was quite ironic given that this barangay tops the highest crime rates. Yet, for Tino, the place was his haven.

Upon reaching the jeepney terminal, Tino is greeted by a crowd of commuters fighting their spaces inside a 10-person capacity public wagon. This scene is not new to Tino. Due to the pandemic, the capacity of the public utility vehicles is lowered. Every day he imagines himself participating in a gladiator battle, just that the arena is the streets and the competitors are those riding their four-wheel chariots.

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"Dang! For sure this time I'll be fired already.' Tino mumbled while still waiting for his ride. It took him 30 minutes before he spotted a vacant space in the middle part of the jeepney just behind the driver's seat. He was literally sitting in the middle of the two aisles as if he were a shepherd overseeing his human flock.

"Please pass the fare," said the woman sitting at the end of the left aisle near the exit of the vehicle. Then another guy passes his fare to the driver. Yet, because Tino was sitting behind the driver, he was automatically promoted from a commuter to the conductor. He was left with no choice but to receive and relay the fares of the commuter to the driver behind him.

While the ride continues to stride the asphalt of the city, Tino can't help to see the individual businesses of his fellow commuters. His thoughts continue to travel imagining that they were soldiers ready to be dispatched to war. One after another, each soldier gets off of each station, leaving their seats warm. It was only the time when Tino got the chance to breathe cool air after there were only five passengers left. An elderly woman clutching her bayong who was sitting in the middle part of the left aisle, two middle-aged men dressed in their work uniforms and both of them sitting near the exit, and a young lady sitting beside Tino on the right aisle.

The two uniformed gentlemen got off near the police station while the young lady was on the side of the street leading to the plaza. It was only Tino and the elderly woman left in the jeepney. In Tino's mind, he knows that the woman will be getting off near the market and it's only five blocks away before she reaches her destination.

Suddenly, the atmosphere changed. The situation triggered beads of sweat on Tino's forehead. His palms are sweating. The rush of blood is racing in his veins.

He's about to be compromised.

"I must do this," Tino's thoughts are pushing him to the edge already. Three blocks remain until his holy grail vanishes. The dilemma has been solved. A decision was made.

The jeepney suddenly came to a stop. Tino focused his gaze on the number ticking beside the red light. He only got ninety seconds to perform his task. Tino immediately transferred near the exit beside the elderly woman. Tino grabbed the

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cold arm of the woman and their eyes met creating an impulsing shiver keeping the woman's frail body frozen.

"Don't move. Don't look at the driver. Give me your money," the soft sinister voice Tino continued to exert force on the arm of the woman.

"Make it fast!" Tino continued to send fear until such time that the poor woman reached inside her bayong and pulled out her black coin purse printed with a name of an election candidate.

The elderly woman secretly surrendered her purse to Tino while saying, "Child, that's the only money I have. I only beg for vegetable scraps at the market."Upon hearing this, Tino mustered his emotions. He knew that the person he victimized is the same as him. A no-one in the society. A person belonging to the forgotten. Yet he was left with no choice. He reminds himself that it was society that made him do it.

Twenty seconds before the sign switched to green, Tino jumped off the jeepney.

Leaving his victim with teary eyes. A few moments later, Tino opened the purse and pulled out the crumpled twenty pesos bill of the poor woman. Tino wasn't lucky for today but at least after his work in the factory, he still got enough to pay his way back to his Lupang Pangako.

Consolation Prize | Short Story

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Para po sa kaniya. Para po sa tabi! ni Sittie Farhanna Mutin

Naiipit na 'ko, mukhang hindi na rin ako makakahinga maya-maya. Nagpaupo pa kasi si kuyang driver kahit kitang-kita naman na siksikan na kami dito.

"Kasya pa isa sa kaliwa!", napabuntong-hininga ako, mahaba-habang biyahe pa naman 'to papuntang kanto namin, nako naman. Uwian na rin kasi talaga sa mga paaralan at trabaho kaya marami nang nagpapaunahan makasakay kahit siksikan na.

Ang dami kong iniisip, ang mga kailangan kong gawin pagdating sa bahay, kung paano ako makakahinga ng maayos dito, kung paano ko pupunasan ang pawis ko dahil sobrang init na, at kung paano ko sasabihin kay ateng nakaupo sa tabi ko na nakakain ko na ang buhok niya. Huwag na nga lang, nakakahiya! Titiisin ko nalang! Mariin kong ipinikit ang mga mata ko sa takot na baka tumama ang buhok niya dito.

Habang tinitiis ang mga ganap dito sa jeep, bigla kong naalala ang nangyari kanina bago ako mapunta sa ganitong sitwasyon. Naglalakad ako papunta sa bahay nila Khai, bitbit ang mga prutas na binili ko pagkalabaas ko galing ng paaralan namin. Nabalitaan ko kasi na nagkasakit siya kaya 'di siya nakapasok ngayong araw. Ang lakas naman ng loob kong bisitahin siya, nawala ang hiya ko simula noong inamin ko na may gusto ako sa kaniya! Gusto kong palakpakan ang sarili ko dahit sa kakapalan ng mukha ko!

"Tao po!", sigaw ko nang makarating ako sa tapat ng bahay nila.

"Ano po iyon?", agad kong narinig ang tinig ng isang lalaki. Hindi ito si Khai, alam ko.

"Dito po ba ang bahay nila Khai Magalleon?", tanong ko kahit na alam ko naman. Agad kong nakita ang may ari ng boses na kalalabas lang sa kanilang bahay.

"Oho! Tatay niya po ito. Ano po ang kailangan nila? Pasensya ka na at hindi siya makakalabas may sakit kasi siya", sunod-sunod niyang sabi. Teka, sandali! Tatay niya to, hindi pa ako handa para sa meet-the-parents na eksena!

Pero bahay nila ito, dapat inaasahan ko nang makikita ko ang mga magulang niya kahit papaano.

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78 "Ah, opo! Kaya po ako nandito, may ibibigay po sana ako sa kaniyang mga prutas", agap ko. Pinapasok niya ako sa gate nila.

"Nako, napakabait mo naman at nag abala ka pa", bigla siyang tumingin sa akin na parang may naaalala.

"Bakit po?", pagtataka ko.

"Pasensya ka na namumukhaan lang kita, parang nakita na kita sa cellphone ni Khai", sabi niya naman. Ha? Nakita niya ako sa cellphone ni Khai? Wallpaper ba?! Ayaw kong umasa! Nako Khai ha. Pero kailangan ko nang ibigay ito, baka mahirapan akong makasakay mamaya.

"Ah! Ako po si Toby San Martin, pareho po kami ng University na pinapasukan ni Khai", sabi ko at inabot na sakanya ang supot na may prutas.

"Ito po, para po sa kaniya".

Para po sa kaniya ...para po sa kaniya...

"Para po sa tabi!", biglang sigaw ng pasahero sa harap ko kaya bigla akong napadilat. Nakatulog ako! Nasaan na ako? Kanto Raul na! Lagpas na ako sa bababaan ko, nako naman talaga oh! Agad din akong bumaba, lalakarin ko nalang pabalik sa amin, hindi naman gaano kalayo. Maraming salamat naman kay ate sa jeep, nakatulog ako kakapikit dahil sa buhok niya. Bigla kong narinig na tumunog ang cellphone ko. Biglang napatigil ako sa paglalakad nang makita ko kung sino ang nag-message. Si Khai lang naman!

"Salamat sa mga prutas, sana nag-message ka na dadaan ka para nakalabas ako at nakapagpasalamat ako sa personal.", ang nakalagay sa message niya. Agad ako nagtipa ng reply nang nakangiti.

"Walang ano man Khai, hindi ako nagsabi na dadaan ako dahil alam kong nagpapahinga ka. Magpagaling ka ha", at pinindot ko na ang send button.

Nawala ang ngiti ko nang makapa ko sa bulsa ang mga barya na pamasahe ko para sa jeep kanina. Hindi ako nakapag bayad! Nag-123 ako! Kuyang driver hindi ko sinasadya! Sa puntong ito, parang naiiyak na ako dahil sa nangyari.

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1st Place | Photography

Pahulay by Paolo Belonio

COMMUTE 2nd Place | Photography

Homebound by Nezel Fria Legaspi

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3rd Place | Photography

Frontseat by Pauline Monique Viedor

Consolation PrizeCOMMUTE | Photography

Strike by Mary Pauline Santos

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84 Consolation Prize | Photography

by Adonis Torreno

Adonis (pathmaker) – Adonis is a work in progress. This young man is polishing himself with every challenge and achievement he gets. A truly servant toward his faith, and an active goal-setter may it be accompanied by fun and glory Alea (Elizabetheia) – is a living testimony to the true essence of what it means to be authentic. She is charming, beautiful, and well-balanced. Alea always thrives on making things orderly and aesthetically pleasing. I mean, her ‘my day’ on Facebook almost seems like a Pinterest timeline.

Alec (compass) – mystic and mysterious plays along well over her bizarre aura Adonis (pathmaker) – Adonis is a work in progress. This young man is polishing that radiates even more confident and positive herself.

All are himself with an every challenge and achievement he gets.image A trueof servant in the pleased to know hergoal-setter. more if you read her works. faith and an active Alrenzi (Selcouth) – relishes the rawness of life. Her positive outlook in life helps – is happiness a living testimony to the essence what it means to herAlea find(elizabetheia) small genuine in between.

Enzi is of also very charismatic, be authentic. She is charming, beautiful, and well-balanced. Alea always thrives energetic, and dynamic. She is born with lofty energy and enthusiasm to take on in making things orderly and aesthetically pleasing. Even her “My days” on theFacebook world. seems like a Pinterest timeline.

Crisha (Astra) –Aki is honest, curious, creative, and altruistic. However, her Alec (compass) – mystic and mysterious aretowords that cool. one might use to describe personality is unpredictable and a tends lose her Though she is quick to her to aura. radiates andand a positive of herself.

Getplace, to know come theShe defense of confidence the underdog make image the world a better there’s her more when you read her works. no denying that she struggles to understand people’s emotions, and has high expectations for others.

Alrenzi (selcouth) – relishes the rawness of life. Her positive outlook in life Carla (Blue Sky)small – Sijey is optimistic, of freedom, hilarious, fair-minded, helps her find genuine happinessainlover between.

She is born with energy and enthusiasm - enough to take on world and She its challenges. honest, and most especially, anthe intellectual. can be very spontaneous and fun, usually with a lot of friends, and is perhaps the best person you can share Crisha (Astra) – In times of odds and evens, Aki comes bearing a joke to keep your with.This Shemass is also always downstudent to do random things, evenyou if itneed is weird theworries mood light. communication is not reliable when or some avant-garde or requires you to travel to the other side of town. cheering up but is also reliable with her work.

Chariz (Signage) – Chariz was born to perform. Her bright and warm character Carla her (blueshine sky) –the Sijeymost is a lover of freedom hilarious. is always to makes among others.and She’s also She beautiful – down confidently do random things, even if it is weird or questionable. beautiful with a heart.

Chloe (busser) – if Chloe will beborn an emoji, probably theand funny one.

His love for Chariz (signage) – Chariz was to perform.

Herhe’s bright warm character sharing memes only proves that he has a great sense of humor.

Not only is kind makes her shine the most, among others. She’s beautiful - confidently beautiful a heart. of with funny, but he also topped his skills in his crafts; an online gamer, motorcyclist, and a boxer. Indeed, a multifaceted person.

Chloe (busser) – if Chloe will be an emoji, probably he’s the laughing-with-tearsCristian (Night Owl) - believes that each random passerby has their fair share of in-my-eyes one. His love for sharing memes only proves that he has a great sense theofstory similar to his.

Get to to know humor.

Not only is he able crackCristian a witty and jokesyou butwould he alsobeis surprised serious in at hishow compassionate he is towards his peers and often acknowledges the complexity love for the craft. of each individual’s life by putting himself in the shoes of others.

Cristian (night owl) – Chan is–not what seems.

One might think he’s the group’sHe is Cristopher (Thunderstorm) Tope is he a very caring and chivalrous person. wallflower upon first impression but, scratch the surface, and he’ll unload lots of protective, warm, exceptionally helpful, fiercely loyal, and very generous. You stories, from serious to aimless conversations. always give off the aura of being a ‘one-call-away’ friend. You’re like a huge ball of potential you never fail to amaze everyone.

Eullina (globetrotter) – This artisan is beyond normal. Eullina can tell stories behind her artworks, and with every art, she does she touches a lot of lives.

Hence, she’s not only good with what she’s capable of, her talent made her exceptional.

Imee (Steering wheel) – if beauty, talent, and brain is a person, probably that is

Cristopher (thunderstorm) – Tope is a very caring and chivalrous person.

As a friend who’s “one call away”, he is ready to cater to everyone’s needs.

Eullina (globetrotter) – This artisan and her pursuits are beyond casual.

Her artworks breath inspiration into the lives of others – truly exceptional.

Jaymark (souvenir) – Jaymark is a family-oriented person and a friend you can count on. He makes sure he’s active, in his studies and heeds the call of his faith and community service.

John (resfeber) – his interests are what makes him stand out from others. A natural-born leader, poet, and scholastic achiever, name it.

Joshua (honk) – with his sense of passion, he makes sure he’s seen and heard through his works.

Kashina (sycamore) – soul-searching is what she yearns for—she does not settle for less and wants to break free from the current routine. This soonto-be Engineer is a changemaker and trailblazer.

Kirk (roadie) – Kirk is a student who is passionate in doing art as much as he is in teaching. Continue soaring future educator. You are heard.

Leslie (driver) – Leslie is fierce and fearless as she is loyal. An artisan through her works, her words will accompany you through every thick and thin.

Lixie (steering wheel) – if beauty, talent, and brains were a person, Imee would be the embodiment of all three. Her kindness and good character make her shine even brighter.

Lyka (wanderlust) – Through Lyka, one can assume that angels do exist.

Lyka knows how to strike a pose as much as she knows what stroke to utilize in her art.

Maecel (sunbeam) – when you’re with her, it seems as though she radiates happiness. She never hesitates to rise to the occasion, no matter how difficult it is.

Mary (train station) – Mary’s love for literature can put her in corners, unmoved for hours. Not only does she love reading but also creates her pieces while juggling being a meme junkie and interacting with pals.

Nezel (travel buff) – this soft and active bunny spoke social awareness through her online dungeon. Though she may be a private person, she never hesitates to express her thoughts through literature.

Paolo (side mirror) – Surely, Paolo embodies talent and good taste. This civil engineering student knows how to work on not only mathematical equations but also camera angles.

Pauline (snap) - With her every click and every stroke of her pen, she captures a beautiful piece that brings a smile to everyone.

Rein (nevermore) – someone who embodies “pictures are worth a thousand words.” A man of few words, he expresses his appreciation for life and the little things through pictures and art.

Remie (navigator) – a resident graphic artist who is quick on his feet and brings about one of the finest pieces.

Renee (Explorer) – from being a timid pub tita during freshman year, Renee has bloomed to become a confident mentor and artist in her own right. Sweet and silly, she is an exemplary addition to the mix.

Rheymar (flight) – Miko is continuously drawn to his love for art and math.

This soon-to-be-engineer may have a stare that may make you freeze and consider your life choices but he has a soft spot for his friends.

Romchelle (rainbow) – Fun, free-spirited, and fiercely independent, Bomchelle is a breath of fresh air – a bright-burning candle in human form. She is a natural leader with a powerful ability to inspire and motivate everyone in the publication.

Ron (morii) – Papa Ron, through his lens, captures moments that shouldn’t be missed. Ron is the perfect mix of humorous, enigmatic, and fun to be with.

Sittie (dérive) – her love for reading pushed her to create her own pieces. She is mysterious but puts out little details out there that help you piece out her enigmatic persona.

Stephanie (navigator) – Stephanie’s heart is surely full for her love of anime, K-drama, and books. With these hobbies, she creates pieces that will leave you in awe.

Trisha (alchemist) – a modern miss independent. Headstrong and no-detourtype of girl. She does not believe in shortcuts and always ups her game in what she loves.

EDITORIAL STAFF A.Y. 2021-2022 EDITORIAL BOARD ROMCHELLE CHRIS DANIELLE WAMINAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CARLA JOANNE ROBLES CRISTOPHER VILLARUEL ASSOCIATE EDITORS ALEA JEN VILLAHERMOSA MANAGING EDITOR DESK EDITORS LESLIE MARIE BANABAN LITERARY FOLIO EDITOR CRISTIAN JAY PLAZA MAGAZINE EDITOR

CRISHA ARROYO NEWSPAPER EDITOR

TECHNICAL EDITORS RAEVERLY ELENA RAMIREZ INFORMATION MANAGER KRISHA DANIELLE RONZALES INFORMATION ASSOCIATE RON ALBERT LIBOSADA MULTIMEDIA EDITOR WRITERS THERESA MAE DULMAN KASHINA ASHLEY GATILOGO STEPHANIE JUMAO-AS JOSEPH LETRAN MAECEL JOY PRIOLO DANICA ROSE QUINDAP TRISHA RENEE VALENCIA CARTOONIST RHEYMAR CHUA JOCER MACALISANG RENEE SUALA GRAPHIC ARTIST REMIE ARCAYOS PHOTOJOURNALISTS KHRYSTAL KEY CLARIDAD VIDEOJOURNALIST REINHARDT FIRMEZA LAYOUT ARTISTS ALRENZI ESPARAGOZA RAFAEL IAN MERIVELES HUMAN RESOURCE CONSULTANT KAYE EUNICE LAMERA, RSW TECHNICAL CONSULTANT ALYSSA MARIE ARCEÑO TECHNICAL ADVISER ENGR. ASHRAF KHATER, ChE, MEnE

Tolentine Star would like to express thanks to the following people: GOD ALMIGHTY for His inexhaustible blessings and protection that have enabled the completion of the folio despite the ongoing pandemic restrictions; THE GAWAD TOLENTINO PARTICIPANTS AND CONTRIBUTORS for entrusting us with your abilities and sharing your pieces, arts, tales, and experiences with us; THE TEACHERS for recognizing and encouraging the students’ skills; ENGR. ASHRAF KHATER, ChE, MEnE for eagerly mentoring, motivating, and guiding us; KAYE EUNICE LAMERA, RSW for the pep talks, mental health check-ups, and sound counsel; ALYSSA MARIE ARCEÑO for her comforting presence and sincere advise; DR. DEXTER PAUL DIOSO, CSASS for the unwavering support and trust as we continue to uphold the love of literature and art through our outputs; REV. FR. AMADEO LUCERO, OAR for entrusting us with the holistic growth of the students through campus journalism.

Without the appreciation and support from the authors and readers, this literary folio would not come to fruition. Your desire to share your talents, to read, and to support literature in all forms fueled the creation of this literary folio. May the love of literature continue to travel through all corners of our community, as we commute and journey throughout our lives.

- Literary Folio Editor

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