Copyright Š 2020 Booked #Woke Volume 9, Part 2 LXXVII No. 4 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-in-Chief. 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 Editor-in-Chief Alyssa Marie Arceùo
Foreword porword
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No one's harmed when they're prepared, no one's screwed when they're into it, and no one's guilty when they're not. The Filipino life has been a series of twists and turns with the constant deprivation, oppression, and ill intentions from those who have power. It has been a bad habit of Filipinos to keep quiet and go about our lives without batting an eyelash when there is something happening. The eyes which look to the world cry with the bitterest concerns, yet we forget and, worse, exercise apathy. As our eyes close, we suddenly fall asleep until no one knows when we are bound to wake up. Now is high time for the youth to chug their coffee, read their paper, scan their screens, and do whatever it takes to wake up, and seek truth and justice, most espe� cially for the Filipino people. Here's to a naked vision that shall appear beyond the lightless part of our jour� ney. Dear sleepers, stay #woke.
Contents kontents
SHORT STORIES AND POEMS SHORTSTORIES AND POEMS
09 Fallen Angel 10 Fourth Shot 12 1k 14 You thought. 15 Ok, Boomer 16 Sopdrenks Woe-some 19 Itulak ang pinto! 20 Thousand Years 22 Papuntang Langit 27 Hindi ko alam28 Unod-mangunguma//El Niño 35 The Early Bird Catches the Worm 36 Lumpia 39 Aswang
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41 Kagitingan 45 Talaarawan 47 Countdown to Doomsday 49 Pwersa 50 Wake Me Up When September 5 Ends 56 Tumiwalag, Sundalong Damulag 58 Noon at Ngayon
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For your eyes only by Lourdes Angeline Sendico
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Fallen Angel by Krisha Marie Semellano
Twinkle, twinkle little star How beautiful an angel you are Up above the world so high Like a diamond tainted with scars. Twinkle, twinkle ‐ That's how you sparkle at night. Your alluring smile and charm Chained white men into your arms. Fallen at 16 ‐ At day, you are a dimming light Exhausted like a wilting flower. Ought to earn a penny To escape the fiery pit of poverty. Ought to be unchained; Freed from the melodies of deathly sorrows. But how? Money smells hope. It's a dead end ‐ no choice; no escape; Completely entangled in the chains of sex trade. In every fallen angel lies a dreamer.
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10 BOOKED V O L U M E 9 , PA R T 2
The Fourth Shot by Sijey Robles
Neighborhood dogs howled and barked at nothingness while streetlights flickered in the streets. On my right hand was a bag of rice and lechon while on my left was a dainty box. Suddenly, a wave of sharp pain radiated in my right shoulder as I climbed up the stairs to my house. It's long and slender make made my back ache a little more as the pain slapped my rear each time I took a step. As I took a deep breath then put on a smile on my exhausted face, I knocked on the old, narrow door. "Papa?" a small voice answered me. "Baby, Papa's got a pasalubong for you!" I said in glee as she struggled to open our door, making a scratching sound on the bamboo flooring. "Oh! It's a doll! I love you, Papa!" she excitedly said as she straddled me and showered me with kisses as I sat on our chair. "Yes. But first, dinner! I bought your favorite lechon! Look!" I said excit� edly while reaching for the small, plastic table. "But, Papa, put your gun down first." ~~~~ The hot, humid air along with the stench of rotten meat scraps and mag� got-infested pig skulls did not seem to bother Kirk Campos as he walked over puddles of questionable liquids and mud in the poorest wet market of the city. Flashing his brightest smile to the impoverished citizens, he reaches out to a crying child, then held her in his arms. He seemed to have a small talk with the people, casually wrinkling his nose at the stench. Just then, my cellphone rang. "Did you see him?" "Yes, sir. He's got four bodyguards with him today," I said as I scanned
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the area. "I'll take it that you know what to do." "Yes, sir." I replied. "I want a clean job. Don't mess up." Before I could even reply, she ended the call. I then tucked my phone in the pocket of my jeans then put on my mask. As I prepared the M24, I took a deep breath and made sure that I'm not going to mess this up. The target was on the move. I shifted a little to match the distance and slipped my index finger on the trigger � touching it, feeling its scratchy surface. "Papa! The water is dripping on our roof again! It's raining again." "Papa, look! Our neighbor gave us their leftovers." "Papa, I'm hungry." "I'm cold, Papa" "Papa, where is Mama?" A deafening shriek bellowed across the street as Kirk Campos fell on his face with blood staining his neatly ironed shirt and his left arm under his chest. Chaos descended in the market. Panic and terror came before the citizens as they grabbed their children as they ran for their lives. Guards checked Campos' pulse then uttered something on their radio. After the area went under distress, I returned the sniper rifle in the bag and silently jogged down the building. Taking off my mask and my shirt, I placed them on a corner then burned them. Along the exit door was an old man wearing a loose, brown bonnet and raggedy clothes. Seeing as he was, I peeled my gloves off and gave it to him. He gratefully looked at me then wore it with shaking hands. Blending in with the crowd, I ran to the thick line of trees, tiptoed down the canals, and tucked my gun safely under a safe buried in the canal. "Papa! Come on! Put down your gun so we can have dinner," Erika says as she clasped my face with both her small hands. Before I could put my gun down, our door came crashing down followed by armed men and four gunshots.
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1k ni Joe Arnel Celestial Jr.
Nakalagaw ka na bala sa siyudad nga modelo kung ginakilala? Ang siyudad sang mga matam-is nga yuhom nga kung isugidon "Best Performing City"?
Ini bala tungod napatindog na ang balor milyones nga Halandumon nga pila lang ka bulan ginaguba naman?
Kamusta ang imo sinadya sa nagligad Sa imo pagsuroy-suroy sa matahom nga Masskara? nga sentral sang probinsya sang kalamay, Saksi ka man bala sang pagpinahubog wala ka man lang bala gakatingala? kag linampusanay botilya? Sa kung ngaa, sa bilog nga pungsod, Mga katingalahan kag mga pala� tanyag ang lugar sang mga naga-maskara? mangkutanon Nga hinali nagdagpi sa akon malinong Ini bala bangud mahamot ang tatlo ka nga paminsaron. dalagko nga mga merkado? O kay ang mga manugbaligya ara Sin-o ayhan ang maisog nga nagapagutok sa sidewalk? magapamatok? Ang naga-agunto nga mga imol sa Ini bala tungod malinong ang dalan likod sang husto kag kay-o ang mga suga trapiko? nga ngirit-ngirit sang maskara? O kay nagapasundayag ang mga O ang mga nagbaton sang isa ka libo trisikad sa mayor nga mga dalanon? nga kuwarta? Ini bala bangud sang malahalon nga bike lane? O kay basi pang-utdon man lang ang mat� ag-as nga puno sa dalan nga wala untat ang pagkay-o?
#woke Awake by Jocer Macalisang
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You thought. by Loki
The time now is 3:45 PM. Your entire body is aching. You sit on the living room couch, unable to move without excruciating pain in your knees. You think your 36-hour shift in the hospital made you feel this. The time now is 4:37 PM. You're still on the living room couch, staring at the wall ahead, laden with picture frames. The wall isn't that far yet your eyes couldn't make out the faces in the photos. The time now is 4:39 PM. You snicker at yourself. You are only 37 yet you feel so old. You shifted positions on the couch but didn't get up yet. The time now is 4:53 PM. You think about your last hospital shift. A small boy, no taller than three feet, at the age of six has just been released from hospital admission due to leukemia. Before he left, the child held both of your hands and thanked you. His eyes sparkled and his uneven dimples showed up � the dimple on his right cheek slightly higher than the one on his left. The boy's simple 'thank you' cured your fatigue. The time now is 5:28 PM. You yawn. The time now is 5:29 PM. You decide to get up. You try. Your knees are killing you. You sit back down. The time now is 5:30 PM. Your husband enters the living room and he helps you stand up. Something feels off. The time now is 5:32 PM. You look at him. He smiles at you. ''Diin ka makadto, 'la?'' he asks.
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''Lola?'' you ask. He smiles, showcasing his dimple � the dimple on his right cheek slightly higher than the one on his left. The time now is 5:33 PM. ''This boy isn't my husband,'' you think. The time now is 5:33 PM. You snicker. You realize what's wrong. You were a doctor after all. The time now is 5:34 PM. He walks you to your room, passing the reception area for the home for the aged.
Ok, Boomer by Delilah
This is to you Who think that boys Can never fit a dress. Who believe That climate change Is a faux news at its best. Who stop teens From taking pills And getting contraception.
You should have known You were all born In a distant generation.
We are not you, A lot has changed and It's different - how we roll. Don't you insist. You cannot fit A square peg in a round hole.
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Sopdrenks ni Alea Jen Villahermosa
Laklak at mga halakhak. Pumunta sa Bi-es hotel. Pag-akyat sa ika-labing isang pal� apag, Naramdaman ang simoy ng hanging mapagpanggap. Ikot-ikot; puno ng takot! Bakit? Tumawa. Ano? Boses na hindi na madinig; Balat na hindi makadama. Parang nasa isang kulungan; Wala akong maintindihan. Mabangis na leon Nakapaligid at uhaw na uhaw. Batang napakaganda Parang tinadyakan ng kabayo. Mundo ay gumuho, Mga pangarap unti-unting nanlabo. Napakagulo. Nakakalito. Ayaw na manatili Sa baliw na mundo.
Woe-some by Akii
I have once died. Those people who told me they'll stay, left. Those dreams I had for myself are gone. I wasn't murdered Nor did I commit suicide. I have once died while still breathing. Haven't we all?
#woke Contagious by Carl Andro Vallejera
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Enigma by Rheymar Chua
#woke
Itulak ang pinto! ni Nina Aira Villanueva
Mga nangangating paa, Sa ilaw na patay, sindi ako'y dinala Kasama ang mga tugtog na kasabay Ang kabog ng dibdib na umaalab, Yugyog ng katawan, at pilantik ng mga kamay. Tila alon na walang patutunguhan Ang init na dumadaloy sa akin patungo sa'yo. Mga yapos at kiskis ng iyong balat Tila mga batong nagkikiskisan. Sa init ng gabi, ako'y lumiyab. Sumiklab ang ating pagtitinginan; Mata sa mata; Labi sa labi. Lumiyab ating katawan. Dahan-dahang napalitan ng sigawan ang musikang nakabalot sa atin. Mga bulyawan at tulakan ang umugoy sa atin; Mga padyak ng paa na wala sa tiyempo. Sa tindi ng init, ikaw'y nalusaw sa aking mga bisig. Sa pagtigil ng tugtog, Lahat ay naabo. At tanging alaala na lamang Sa lapnos kung balat ang init ng iyong yakap.
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Thousand Years by Jusalanne Matulac
The sun is about to set and another day is about to end. As the early streak of light begins, another generation is about to rise and some are about to end. However, here I am alive for more than a decade of existence. I tell you, your validity doesn't vary on how useful you are to the society. I can testify. I have been too valuable in every way, even in such little ways but I ended up being thrown away for the rest of my life. And, the fact that I am illiterate, I learned that no matter how a person educates himself, one thing he couldn't learn is to save me and the earthly world because of his slight ignorance. Thanks to my suppleness, I have gone to different places, through the land, water, and even on air - I survived. Covered with endless dents, I endured the days on the deep trench, cold weather on the side street, floating on the ocean, the smell of the canals, the heat of the sun, being dumped and crashed onto, and a whole lot of things that no one could imagine in the episodes of my 1000 years. But it has been too long. Witnessing what is happening to the world - the evolution of people from the destruction of the trees up until the loss of humanity in each person. I stood still. I stood still when people disregarded me after my worth. I am too tired to keep adding cavity to my green pastures. I have been stationed everywhere for a long period of time. When will they stop using me? I just want to die but burning me will emit a larger peril.
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Where Life Meets Death by Godwin Robert Tan
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Papuntang Langit ni Leslie
"Kung ako'y mamamatay, pupunta ako sa langit." "Kung ako'y mamatay, pupunta ako sa langit." Nakangiti ngunit hindi. Hindi, dahil tila di ko madama ang nakaguhit na kurba sa aking mga labi. Mukhang pagod na yata ang mga pisnging ito sa pag� paparanas ng kabanalan sa'king mukha. Tuloy 'di ko kayang gawin ng maayos. Hindi ito ang una at tatlong beses na pagbibigay kumpyansa ko sa aking sarili habang binabanggit ang mga katagang ako'y paparoon sa langit. Sa aking pag� tatantiya, nasa ika-isang libo ko na itong sambit. Eh, bakit ba panay panalangin itong aking ginagawa? Masama bang maging kabanal-banal? Nakaluhod ako ng tunay at nakaharap sa altar ng napa-biglang isip na may kakulangan pa rin. "Hindi ito sapat," bigla akong nanalangin muli sa ika-dalawampung beses, nagdarasal na pupunta akong langit. Papagitna ang sambit sa nangangalahating orasyon -- malapit na muli ako roon, malapit na malapit habang mahigpit na mag� kakaugnay ang mga daliri sa pagdarasal. Nakapikit matang nagpapakitan walang tumbas ang salitang mataimtim kung hindi ko gagawin. Ngunit, istorbo ang pagkabagabag habang nadarama ang presensya nang yaong ngiting sumisilay sa aking isipan, iyon ang masamang ngiti at mukhang nanlalait. Napadilat, ngunit patuloy ang dilang nagsasalitang Poon sa harapan at siya ngang nakamasid ang mga matang nangingilabot sa aking pakiramdam. Nawala na ako sa aking panalangin, isang kasalanan ito! Bagaman wala akong nagawa at nagpadala sa simoy nang kawalang ulirat. "Bakit ka nakangiti?", Kunot noong aking sambit habang patuloy sa pagtitig sa kanyang mukha. Malinis ito at tila ba tingkad ang kanyang kabanalan. Gusto kong maging katulad niya. Pero hindi, masyadong makasalanan ang katulad niya. "Mapagpanggap! --" "Senorita maayos lang po ba kayo?" Tila mapapasigaw ako sa di kanais nais na tanong nito dahilan para mawala ang aking paningin sa makasalanang iyon. "Ano sa tingin mo ang iyong ginagawa?", aniya nito, "Rinig ko ang inyong sigaw baka magdulot po ito ng kapusukan, nasa loob pa po tayo nang simbahan."
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Alam kong bahay ito ng Diyos, napasigaw ako pero ano sa palagay mo ang iyong gagawin kapag may makasalanang pumasok sa bahay dasalan? Katulad ng nakikita -- makasalanan ang nasa harapan. Kailangan mawala ang tingin at ngiti nitong ipinagkakaloob sa akin, at sa mga tagpong ito baka hindi ako makapagpigil na magdasal muli't muli. "Alam ko ang aking ginagawa, utusan lang kita." Namumunang mga mata ko siyang tinitigan, habang di nakapagpigil ay tumayo na't pinaglandas ang nag-iinis kong kamay sa kanyang tagiliran. "Aray !" "Paumanhin Poon, naglandas lamang ang aking mga kamay sa kanyang tagil‐ iran. Hindi ko iyon sinadya." Pagmamakaawang sambit, at muli't muling nagtan‐ da ng krus. Napatingin na naman ang aking paningin saking utusan at nilaro ang mga daliring pinuntahan ang kanyang tagiliran dahilan upang mapa-aray uli't ito. "Oh, Poon di ko talaga sadya nakita niyong naglandas lang ang aking ka‐ may.'' Naghihintay tugon, nakabukang kamay at handang manghingi nang tamang pagpapahinahon sa sarili nang muli na namang sumilay ang ngiting iginagawad nito. "Nakita mo iyon?" Biglang nataranta sa nakikita at agarang napatitig ng masama sa altar. "Isa siyang demonyo!" pagkaraan ng ilang kumpas ng aking mumunting hin‐ tuturo ay siya ring daming titig ng mapanghusga ang sumilab saking kinatatayuan. Biglang nagkumpulan ang lahat habang kabilang na roon ang paghatak ng aking alalay sa aking kamay. ''Maghunos-dili ka senyorita, humayo na tayo!'' pagsusumamo nito na pilit kong nilabanan. Bakit ganoon? Anong makasalanang gawa ba ang aking dinulot? ''Rinig kong baliw daw ang inay niyan. Baka baliw din ang anak.'' ''Iyan ba yung bayarang babae sa bahay aliwan na pinakasalan nong Don? Ah, kaya naman pala.'' Nagpantig ang aking magkabilang tenga habang papalabas sa lugar na iyon. Maka-ilang ulit ko ring nilalagpasan ang mga titig ng yaong mga maka-Diyos at hinayaan ko na mismo ang kanilang mga bibig sa panghuhusga sa akin. Hi‐ nayaan ko na di dahil ayoko lang magkasala kundi ayoko kong madungisan ng kasumpang sumpong na pananampalataya na mayroon sila. Ganu'n ako kabanal.
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Walang pagkakasala at pupuntang langit. Ngunit inaamin ko. Anak ako ng isang baliw, na tinakwil ang sariling ina. Pumuntang bahay aliwan at doon nagpakasasa sa sarap na pinapalasap ng mundo sa akin. Wala akong nagawa. Hindi naman iyon kasalanan - hindi makatanggi tutal biyaya iyon ng Poon. Lahat ng iyon. Ngunit, ito na naman, binabagabag na naman ako habang nakadaupang pa‐ paakyat sa kalesang pinagmamay-ari ko. Tila nagigiliw ako sa pag-iisip kung bakit nasilayan ko ang ngiting yu'n. Muli't muli akong nagwala at parang di ko na kontrolado ang aking katawan. Pakiramdam ko'y binabaliw ako ng ngiting yu’n. ''Ano sa tingin mo ang iyong ginagawa?'' Mariin akong nakapikit nang marinig ko ang boses na yu'n. ''Paumanhin. Paumanhin. Tama na!'' ikalawang dinig mula sa boses nung umiiyak. ''Maawa ka! Wala siyang kasalanan. Anak ko iyan!'' Si inay. Kung hindi nga ako nagkakamali ang boses na yaon ay kay inay. Pero bakit ko ito naririnig? Maka-ilang ulit ko pa rin itong naririnig, hindi ko alam pero habang tumat‐ agal nakakaramdam na ako ng hindi maganda. Sumasanib ang mga katagang paulit-ulit at patuloy na bumabalik sa aking isipan. Hanggang sa 'di ko namalayan unti-unting bumagsak ang mga luhang noon pang gustong kumawala. Pero hindi! Mali ito! Hindi ako dapat nakakaramdam ng ganito. Ayaw ng Poon na maging mahina ako. Isa akong talunan sa aking kabanalan kapag magasal tao ako. Wala ito sa banal na kasulatan - magiging masama akong tao. Noon pa ma'y, mula nang tuparin ko ang nais ng Poon, lahat ng aking gi‐ nagawa ay napapabuti sakin; mayroong biyayang hatid. Isa roon ang pagbigay sakripisyo na ang nais ng Poon sakin ay hayaan at iwan si inay dahil iyon ang maganda sa paningin. Magiging perpekto kang nilalang, malayong-malayo sa pa‐ giging tao, at magiging malapit ang depinisyon sa pagiging banal. Nagliwaliw at paglilihis ng landas, dahil nakatulong ang bahay aliwan sakin na mapabuti ang aking buhay. Dalawa iyon sa gusto Kong sundin mula sa Poon kaya agad niya akong biniyayaan. Malayong-malayo sa pagbibigay biyaya ng iba at ang sa akin ay para bang Isa ako sa paboritong sugo mula sa itaas. Pero nakaramdam ako ng init na nagmumula mula sa kung saan. Pinakiram‐ daman ko ang paligid, kumapa ang aking mga kamay sa kung saan, at tila may
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gusto itong hawakan. Patuloy pa rin akong nakapikit pero hindi ko alam kung bakit patuloy lamang nakapikit ang mga matang 'to. Gusto kong dumilat pero hindi ko kaya. Saka ko rin napagtanto na sa kung kanina nasa loob ako ng kalesa ngayon nama'y nasa makitid akong espasyo na tila nasisikipan. Kung kanina'y malinis at malawak pa ang hanging aking nalalanghap, ngayon nama'y nagiging limitado na ang aking paghinga. Ano ito? Ito na ba ang katapusan ko? Bakit wala akong naririnig? Nasaan na ang aking alalay? Nasaan na ang mga umuugong na kalesa. Ito na ba ang huli? ''Ito na ba ang langit?'' Bakit hindi ako makahinga? ''Poon, ako'y tulungan mo!'' natataranta, biglang humikbi, at biglang napadpad ang aking palad sa isang matigas na bagay. Anumasagi saking isipan ang madilim, napakadilim, at sa sobrang dilim nararamdaman ko ito mula sa talukap ng aking mga mata. Huling napagtanto ang mga karanasang pumupuna saking kabanalan. Nag-aalangan at biglang napadilat sa katotohanang kinamumuhian ko ang buhay na ito. Nagising, ngunit tila huli para imulat ang mga matang nabulag. Oo, ako'y sumasamba ngunit hindi sa Poong inaakala niyo. Ako'y nanalangin ngunit hindi para sa kabutihang pinaglilingkuran ng tao. Masyado akong naging tukso. Hindi ko lang maamin. Huli na ng magpagtanto ko na pinagbabayaran pala ang kasalanan at binilog ang kaisipang kahit mamatay walang parusang pinagbaba� yaran. Huli na ng mapagtantong pinikot pala ako sa isang eksena kung saan wala ako sa umpisa para humingi ng kapatawaran. Biglaang hinatak at inangkin ng kamatayang isiniwalat mula sa hukay. Ako'y binaon mula sa nakatalukbong na kabaong. Hindi kailanman makakaalis ngunit mamamatay sa liyab ng kasalanan. Isang linyang guhit na lamang ako, nag-iisa habang nag-iisip ng ideyang -"Ako'y patay na. Pupunta ba akong langit?"
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26 BOOKED V O L U M E 9 , PA R T 2
The Blues by Joshua Garita
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Hindi ko alam – ni Ella Jane Mercado
Dalawa kaming magkakapatid. Inay ko ay nagtatrabaho bilang isang kasambahay sa kapatid ng Lolo ko na mayaman at ang Itay ko naman ay nagtatrabaho sa gobyerno. Ika nga ng iba, bakit isang kasambahay ang aking Inay sapagkat maganda naman ang trabaho ng aking Itay? Hindi ko alam kung bakit eh. Basta, ang alam ko, hindi masaya si Inay sa poder ng Itay. Masaya naman ang aming pamilya. 'Yung tipong magkakasama kami sa sala at nanonood ng telebisyon ngunit hindi naman kasama ang Inay dahil gabi na kasi umuuwi 'yun pero hindi ko alam kung bakit eh, Talaga bang hindi masaya si Inay si poder ni Itay? Alas singko pa lang ng hapon sa araw ng Biyernes ay nakauwi na si Inay. Ako na ang nagpakain sa mga alagang manok ni Itay. Nakapagtataka dahil sa araw ng Biyernes ay hindi talaga umuuwi ng maaga iyon, hindi ko alam kung bakit? Lasing nanaman siguro yun kung umuwi. Nagising ako sa iyak at sigaw ng Inay, "Sige! Patayin mo ako Eduardo!" Agad akong napatayo sa taranta dahil parang hindi kanais-nais ang nang� yayari sa labas ng aking kwarto. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nagigising nalang ako sa ganitong senaryo tuwing Sabado ng madaling araw. Pero tila alam ko na kung bakit. Tila ba'y inaayawan kong aminin ang dahilan na ito sa sarili ko ng makita ko na itinututok ng Itay ang kutsilyo sa leeg ng aking umiiyak na Inay.
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Unod-mangunguma//El NiĂąo ni Aly
"It feeds on farmer's flesh. Its teeth protruded with shiny fangs peeping on each corner of its mouth. Letting out demonic screeches, it haunts the night away," Celso, eyes red with fear and grief, shakily tells the farmer's union's president, Ernie, details of last night. --- Hda. Estrella, Sitio Verde --Both farmers, Ernie and Celso spent their whole lives in Hacienda Estrella where the sons of their sons find their fates in the wet mud. Estrella was home and home was Estrella. The land where they work for and live in was generously given by Don Adonis Estrella, the late great grandfather of Sitio Verde's captain, Atty. Apollo Estrella-Intal, during the late 50s. Celso's wife, Delicia, raised their family of 10 in a 40-square-meter lot with a nipa hut situated in the center and a small chicken coop in the corner. The incessant crowing of the poultry begins each day of the bunch as they prepare for the morning's meal. Each child is provided a small space for sleeping as the sleeping quarters inside the hut could not shelter a comfortable slumber. With its rickety bamboo floor and posts and sewn sacks as walls, the children learned to live a much simpler life. As part of the Dimaculangan legacy, Ernie decided to take the responsibility bestowed upon him by his late father, Gracio or Asyong. The Dimaculangan family was entrusted by the Estrellas with the land work and accounting. As a vow to keep peace and system, the head of the household by then, Manuel Sr., volunteered as leader of the hacienda's workforce. --- Lost and Found --Recently, 15 farmers of Hda. Estrella went missing. Five days later, bodies were found by tanods of Sitio Verde near the riverbank; some submerged in the rice fields, others hanged upside-down on the mango trees' branches. A monstrosity, they cried. Maidens and housewives alike were weeping in agony as their dearly beloved are now the dearly departed. Since then, heads of households, mostly from late night drinking sprees, were one by one attacked and killed. An aswang, they whispered. Dead bodies jaundiced with gouged liver parts and twisted intestines as their carcasses dripped and were eaten by the dogs. The farmers were told that there is an ongoing investigation by the local police. Celso, being the breadwinner of the family, became alarmed of the news of the killings.
#woke He was confused as to how he could defeat an aswang whose claws were said to be as sharp as the eagle's talons, wings as wide as their land, and bloodied face as crimson as his rooster's feather's. He noticed that the killings are looming in as he believed there was a pattern - forming an "E". First, Esteban from the leftmost house above. Next, Eleazar, right to Esteban then Edgar next to him. After several ones, from the corner, Ernie then him. Maybe the beast is after bigger meat. Beads of sweat started to fall from his creased forehead as he kept on thinking of ways. "To escape, to stay and fight and prepare, to surrender?" he thought, "How about the children?" Then, Niño, baffled by his father's worrying, asked, "What's wrong?" --- Niño --Born on the 19th of January, Niño was thought as a blessing much like the child Je‐ sus who was sent to give hope to its believers. Upon his enquiry, Celso started to instruct and lay out his plans for the coming of the beast. "Take note. The monster may be in any shape or form. It may be one of our chickens, the goats outside, or the neighbors' dogs," he whispered as he points to the possible locations of the animals surrounding the house. "You're the oldest boy among the remaining lot, Noy. If I am to be gone, it's just you and them," he continued. The morning after, the two placed trails of rock salt around the hut - on the windows, doorstep, roof, and foundations. Then, they splashed holy water from the blessed deep well on the walls of the hut. Lastly, small bottles of coconut oil were placed near the salted windows. Scrawny Niño helped his siblings inside as the sun began to sink. "The devil awaits the setting of the sun before it seeks for blood," Delicia warned the children. Celso followed, strengthening his grip on his binangon. It was half past eight and they were still cooped inside, waiting for any sign or any sound. Then, there was screaming. Louder screaming followed. The tanods are nowhere to be heard. Celso's ears rang as he heard Agnes, Er‐ nie's wife, cried for help. "Don't ever leave them," he comanded Niño as he left for Ernie'ss hut. There he found Ernie unconscious near the dining table with Agnes in the corner of the kitchen stiffly waving a wooden cross against the monster, hoping to ward it off. The hut was filled with hot smoke and smelled with incense. Celso thought that there was a fire. He swiftly raged to the monster. Lo and behold, the devil's face, soiled with blood, glared upon him with sharp, outward teeth and wild yellow eyes. Celso loudly gasped in fear and began to pray as he took several steps back. He then took the courage then chased the monster with his binangon. The monster felt outnumbered then fled from
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the hut. As the beast fled, Niño caught an up-close glimpse of it from the window slightly pried open. --- The Meeting --"It feeds on farmer's flesh. Its teeth protruded with shiny fangs peeping on each corner of its mouth. Letting out demonic screeches, it haunts the night away," Celso, eyes red with fear and disbelief, shakily told Ernie details of last night. Ernie called an emergency meeting to warn the others. Their fellow farmers filled the meeting hut with endless chatter and arguing if the monster is real or not and why was there not a single tanod to rescue the attacked or policeman securing the premises. "This is getting out of hand. We had to rely only on ourselves. We're not safe anymore," he said, soliciting more noise. Everyone in the room wanted to reach out to Atty. Estrella-Intal. As if the wind blew his name, the lawyer stepped inside the hut, silencing the debating lot. "I apologize if it took a while for me to reach here and grieve with you all," he said, "No need to worry I have brought assistance as well as protection with me. Goods and financial aid are available in the vans outside. Just approach my people. Policemen are also on their way." A man with a well-trimmed mustache and strong facial features peeped in the room. His right hand rubbed his belt where his gun holster is attached. Many thought he was the lawyer's guard. The babbling subsided then each one of them shook hands with the lawyer. Celso, eager to ask for help, introduced himself to the lawyer. He then called Niño to meet the lawyer. Niño passed by the back of the hut where he stumbled upon the lawyer's guard. As his face rose to meet the guard's, his turned pale and frozen. The guard snuffed sensed the same thing. Likewise, he thought. Niño's eyes welled up with tears as he suddenly knew why and who. The guard took a pill-like object from his left pocket, raised it to Niño's face then popped it. Niño screeched, mostly in horror, from what he saw. "You want our fathers dead," he sobbed. "No. He wants you out of his land, poor boy. You were born in mud. You will die in mud," the guard snarled softly. "I won't tell. I promise. I will ask papa for us to leave soon," Niño pleaded. "I don't trust a rat bred by rats. You poor folk cannot and will not understand value for you live for the little and the little are bad for business." One big gape fell into Niño's mouth as his body succumbed into the man's knife. "More farmer meat for the farmers' market." the man whispered. Celso looked for Niño. It has been an hour since he called for him.
#woke SAKA-samaang palad ni Cristopher Villaruel
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Hush by Joelle Mariel Paderog
#woke
the
33
7
th
short story and poetry contest
Winning Entries
34 BOOKED V O L U M E 9 , PA R T 2
1st Place Artwork
artwork by James Necarl Mesa
#woke
1st Place Poetry The Early Bird Catches the Worm by Charles Gabriel Gelotin
At the prime age of 25, I decided to kill myself. Lost my hope in humanity Caged in eternal darkness That I can never escape from Back when I reached my legality at 18, I tried everything I haven't - all things I was deprived of Kissed everyone I just met Sold eveything I can But no crystal can lift high This level of despair I feel inside And no smoke can hide My unwanted scars long ago acquired Back at 12, I lived my life anew under a different roof But despite the thickness of blood compared to water, I was still victimized
The joke is on me, yet again Because the stench of my uncle's smell A resemblance of a pigpen Left a permanent curse I was not the Maria I used to be abused Because, looking back, At the young age of 7, Trapped in my parent's closet, I heard a gunshot for the first time I woke up Earlier than kids my age And, instead of dreaming of unicorns and rainbows, I started dreaming of revenge and seek� ing for justice Not just for my parents but for the childhood I lost
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1st Place Short Story Lumpia ni Mary Pauline Santos
"Radyo: DZTY! Mata ng bayan, boses na purong katotohanan. DZTY! Doskinse sa palapihitan ng inyong mga radyo. Ang oras natin ngayon ay limang minuto makalipas ang alas sais ng umaga, araw ng Martes, ika-walo ng Pebrero. Sa loob ng tatlong minuto, maghahatid ng balitang walang kasinungalingan, puro kinatunayan lang. Ito ang Kinse Balita! Abangan mamaya-maya lamang!" Bagong silip pa lamang ang araw ay nakikisabay na ang tunog ng radyo sa halos hindi na magkanda-ugagang paghahanda sa kusina. Pistang bayan na at siguradong punong-puno na naman ng kasiyahan, indakan at syempre, kainan. Inaabangan na matikman ng mga sabik na bisita ang mga putaheng laging menu sa ganitong okasyon. Hindi pwedeng mapahiya ang maybahay sa araw ng selebrasyon. Dapat uuwi ang mga bisita na pinag-uusapan kung gaano kasarap ang mga pagkaing inahanda nila. Halos mataranta na si Sally sa dami pa ng kanyang lulutuin. Pinagparte parte niya ang mga rekados sa naaayong putahe. Uunahin niya daw lulutuin ang mga pagkain na mas ginastusan sa sahog dahil mas importante ito kesa sa mura lang ang sahog. Itinabi niya muna ang dalawang balot ng apa na hindi pa napira-piraso at ang giniling na baboy na hinaluan ng dinikdik na carrots, sibuyas at bawang at tinimplahan ng asin at paminta. Hindi raw kailangan madaliin ang mga simpleng pagkain. Makapag-aantay ito at hindi kailangang bigyan ng ganoong paghahanda. "Radyo: Isang ospital sa Navotas City ang haharap ngayon sa batas ng nagagaw-buhay ang isang pasyente dahil mas inuunang inakomoda ng nasabing hospital ang sa tingin nila ay may kakayahang magbayad. Ipinag-antay ng isang oras ang pasyenteng naghihingalo sa tabi lamang ng hallway ng hospital. Wala pa ring sagot ang panig ng namumuno sa hospital sa hinaharap nilang kaso dahil sa paglabag ng House Bill No. 3432 o ang Anti-Discrimination Act of 2013." May tira pa man sanang laman ang tanke ng LPG, pero mas pinili ng pamilya na bumili na lang ng bagong gasul. Hindi puwedeng mamatayan ng apoy sa gitna ng pagluluto. Nahugasan at nakahanay na ang mga gagamitin niya sa pagluluto. Lahat ay bago. Walang lugar sa lumang kagamitan sapagkat lahat ng ito'y lubos na pinaghandaan.
#woke
"Radyo: Inireklamo ng ilang residente sa Ailhad Street, Fairview, Quezon City ang sinasagawang proyekto dahil binakbak daw ang isang abalang kalsada roon kahit wala naman itong anumang sira, at tsaka muling pinalitadahan upang madaanan. 'Binabago daw ang bago' ani ng mga residente sa kontrobersyal na proyekto." "Handa na ang ilelechon!" Pinuntahan ni Sally at inihanda ang baboy na magtatatlong buwan pa lamang nabubuhay sa madungis at mapanghing kulungan ngunit ito ay masarap at tiyak simot pagkatapos ng handaan - ang Lechon de Leche! "Radyo: Isang tatlong taong gulang na bata ang ni-rescue mula sa isang child pornographer matapos halayin ng labindalawang beses ng iba't ibang lalaki." Napatingin siya sa orasan at binilang ang oras na natitira para matapos niya ang mga putaheng kanyang lulutuin at kung maluluto ba ang lechon sa oras ng pananghalian. Likas na sigurista si Sally at hindi puwede paghintayin ang mga bisita. Malas daw iyon. Hindi makakabuti sa swerte at sa reputasyong pina� pangalagaan. Taon-taong nananalo sa panlasa ng mga dayo ang kanilang mga hinahanda. Ang pamumuno sa larangan na ito ay matagal ng pinapasa-pasa sa henerasyon. Sila dapat ang laging panalo sa mga bisita ng bayan. "Radyo: Mainit ang naging debate sa pagtatanggal ng political dynasty kaya ipinaubaya na lamang umano sa mga mambabatas ang paglalagay ng depinisyon dito - bagay na gustong baguhin umano ng Consultative Committee ng bina� balangkas na federal charter. Tama na raw ang paghahari-harian ng isang pamilya sa lugar na parang kulang na lang ipangalan sa kanila." Kasasalang lang ng karneng gagawing kare-kare. Nakahanda na sa gilid ang isang garapon ng mamahaling peanut butter at ang gulay na ilalagay dito. Pinapa� kuluan na rin pala ang kaldereta, nakahanda na ang relyenong bangus, nakahain na ang sandamakmak na fried chicken. Huli sa lahat, pinapalamig na sa freezer ang minatamis na leche flan, mango float at apat na flavor ng ice cream. "Radyo: Ang oras natin ay sampung minuto makalipas ang alas 10 ng umaga. Magbabalik ang mga nagbabagang balita!" Bumalik siya sa paghahanda sa simpleng putahe na kanyang isinantabi kanina. Binalot niya ang karneng, halos isang linggo ng nasa loob ng ref sa apang kasing nipis ng tissue ngunit pilit niya pa rin iyong ibinabalot para sa kapitbahay na may
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walong anak dahil ang lechon de leche at iba pang putahe ay para kina mayor at sa iba pang bisita. Mabilis ang kanyang mga kamay sa paggawa- kassimbilis ng makina; may ritmong sinusunod at may bilang na nasasaad. Ngiting-ngiti siya habang nagluluto nito sapagkat naalala niya na ito ang pinakapaboritong pagkain ng kanyang anak. "Radyo: Halos isang toneladang karneng baboy ang hinihinalaang nag� dadala ng African Swine Flu ang nadiskubreng isang linggo nang nakatambak sa warehouse ng isang palengke sa Bulacan. May balak daw itong gawing iba't ibang frozen food katulad ng tocino at longganisa na ibebenta sa sadyang ma� babang presyo para tangkilikin ng mga kababayan nating kapos at ito lamang makakayang bilhin. Tira-tira na lang ba talaga ang ibibigay sa mga mahihirap?" Ding-dong! Nandyan na ang mga bisita. Ihanda na ang lamesa. Lumabas na ang mga magagarbong plato, baso, at kubyertos na nakatago sa isang aparador sa kusina. Kasabay ng mga nagkikintabang kutsara't tinidor, ay ang mga eleganteng baso, mga place mat, at ang bagong mantel na itinerno sa tema ng okasyon. Kompleto na ang lahat at nakahain na sa mesa, nakapalibot sa isang malak� ing plato na may bundok ng kanin. Nakahanda na rin ang mga samalamig na ipamimigay mamaya sa mga bisita. "Radyo: Sa dinaraos na SEA Games, abala ang lahat sa preparasyon at na� glabas ng milyun-milyong budget ang bansa para sa nasabing kaganapan upang ipakita ang kakayahan nating maglunsad ng palabas. Sa kabila ng kasiyahan, makakalimutan na yata natin na milyun-milyong pa ring kababayan natin ang naghihikahos at nagaabang ng tulong sa ating gobyerno upang makaraos sa pang-araw-araw. Ano na? Aba gising, Pilipinas!" "Tama na iyan, Aling Sally. Sapat na ang pagkain na nakahanda sa labas." sabi sa kanya. "Radyo: Sa pagtatapos ng pagbabalita, palaging tandaan na ang kasiyahan ay ang pagkontento, hindi ang pagkamit ng luho. Sa uulitin mga kababayan, ito ang Kinse Radyo! Laging totoo!" Pinatay niya ang apoy, binalot ang tirang lumpia, at naghugas ng kamay. Nagpagpag ng damit at nag ayos ng buhok. Dumaan siya sa likod ng bahay, nakangiti habang naglalakad palabas dala ang dalawandaang piso at ang tatlong supot ng plastic. Kaldereta, spaghetti, at tatlumpong piraso ng lumpia. Tiyak na matutuwa ang anak niya sa kanyang pag uwi. May pagsasaluhan na silang pananghalian sa pista ng bayan.
#woke
2nd Place Poetry Aswang ni Primrose Fuentes
Sa amon lugar diri mo guid ni laban sila makita; Ga tumpok kung aga sa tiyanggi ni tiyay Mila. Wala pa kapangalimog, ga tinipon na. Mga baho pa baba; hitsura daw mga wangga. Indi kabalo mag-atipan sa ila mga bata Kay kabuhi sang iban ila gina-usisa. Kundi ila dalagita, una pa nakatulon bola. Ti, una guid nila na saboran ang naguluwa sa ila baba. Wala ko kabalo kung ang amon baranggay damo kuwarta Kay tagsa-tagsa ka bangga may ara CCTV camera; Gina-isyuhan bisan upod mo lang imo barkada. Hambalan ka pa, "Hala bira! Untat ka na lang eskwela?" Kung obra lang ang pagka-chismosa, Sigurado ko sila tanan milyonarya na Kay ang baba nila sobra pa sa makina; Wala untat obra istorya. Ang pagbantay sang kabuhi sang iban wala guid maayo nga madangtan Pero amu na ni ang kamatuoran nga yara sa aton atubangan. Oo, kita nga mga Pilipino damo guid sang mga talento Pero tani gamiton naton sang insakto nga indi ta makasakit sa iban na tawo.
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2nd Place Artwork
artwork by Ma. Eullina Tulda
#woke
2nd Place Short Story Kagitingan ni Alora Kimberly Talde
Mayo 1, 2020 Lungsod ng Marawi, Pilipinas Isang delikadong misyon ang naitalaga sa'kin sa araw na ito. Delikado hindi dahil buhay ko ang nakataya ngunit buhay ng maraming kababayan kong Pili� pino. Ako at ang aking pulutong ay naghahanda na sa pagpapaslang ng isang kumandante ng mga kalaban. Ako'y kasalukuyang nasa itaas ng gusali upang maipuwesto ko nang maayos ang aking riple, tama lang para hindi mapansin ng mga kalaban. Bago ako magabang ay kinuha ko muna ang litrato ng aking pamilya mula sa aking bulsa. Pag� katapos nito ay masisilayan ko na ulit ang ngiti ng asawa't anak ko. Sila talaga ang inspirasyon ko na kumayod sa araw-araw. Para sa kanila, ako'y magiging matatag. Gagawin ko ang lahat kahit buhay ko ang kapalit mabigyan ko lamang sila ng maayos na pamumuhay. Bumalik na ako sa dati kong puwesto dahil malapit na ang aming tudlaan ayon sa oras na tinantiya namin. 'Di nagtagal ay may mga sasakyan nang pa� parating. Malayo pa lamang ay naririnig na namin ang malakas na ugong ng isang papalapit na sasakyan. Itinuon ko ang riple sa direksyon ng tudlaan at nakahanda na rin ang aking daliri sa gatilyo ng aking riple. "Fire!" Utos ng aming kumandante sa'kin. Isang hudyat na kailangan ko nang hilahin ang gatilyo. Bumagsak siya, saktong ulo niya ang natamaan ko. Dali-dali kaming nagta� go ngunit hindi pa kami nakaaatras ay pinaulanan na kami kaagad ng mga bala ng mga kalaban. Hindi kami makababa dahil mabilis silang kumilos at may mga iplinanta na silang bomba sa ibaba ng gusali. Napapalibutan na nila kami at wala kaming ibang paraan upang makatakas kundi ang lumaban. Nakipag-barilan na rin kami at marami kaming natamaan. Nagkaroon kami ng pag-asa hanggang sa may napakalakas na pagsabog. Sobrang init; pakiramdam ko'y nasusunog ako. Hindi ko na kaya ang halong pakiramdam ng sakit at init sa katawan ko kaya natumba na ako.
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Nagising ako at ako ay nasa loob ng isang kwarto. Pumasok ang aking asa‐ wa at ang aking kaisa-isang anak. "Mahal! Sa wakas at gising ka na!" masayang bungad ng asawa ko. Ang ganda niya talaga lalo na kapag nakangiti. Nilibot ko ang aking paningin at namangha ako. May mga pigurin na sigura‐ dong mamahalin, malawak ang espasyo ng silid at napakakumportable ng aking hinihigaan. "Mahal? Nasaan tayo? Hindi naman 'to kwarto natin o ospital? Medyo nalilitong tanong ko sa kanya. "Mahal, halos isang buwan kang hindi gising dahil sa mga sugat na natamo mo. Gusto ko lamang ipaalam sa iyo na ito na ang bunga ng pagsisikap mo. Sak‐ to na ang pinag-ipunan natin upang makabili ng bagong bahay. Salamat sa lahat ng ginawa mo Mahal." Sinserong sambit ng asawa ko. "Papa, gustong-gusto ko talaga ang bagong house natin. Malaki ang space kaya makakapaglaro ako kahit dito sa loob!" Sabat naman ng anak kong ku‐ mikinang ang mata sa kasayahan. Napaiyak na lamang ako, ang suwerte ko pa rin talaga. Mabuti ang pangan‐ gatawan ko at napasaya ko ang mahahalagang tao sa buhay ko. Habang pinagmamasdan ko ang paligid, ang mga magagarang gamit ay biglang naglaho, tila nalulusaw sila hanggang sa kulay puti na lamang ang na‐ kikita ko. Sumigaw ako nang sumigaw at hindi ako makagalaw, hindi ko mara‐ mdaman ang mga paa ko. Nababaliw na yata ako! Napalingon ako sa aking gilid at nakita ko ang aking asawa, umiiyak at 'di alam ang gagawin habang ang anak ko'y nakatitig at kitang kita sa mga mata niya ang bahid ng takot at pagkalito. May doktor na dumating. Gusto kong tumayo ngunit parang ayaw na guma‐ na ng katawan ko. Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang sarili ko. Wala na akong mga paa! Naalala ko ang huling nangyari sa'kin. Panaginip lang pala ang nangyari kanina. Napapikit na lamang ako. Pakiramdam ko hindi na ako mapapakinaban‐ gan pa. Sana namatay nalang ako kaysa maging pabigat sa pamilya ko. Hindi ko mapigilang umiyak sa sitwasyon ko ngayon. "Pinatunayan mong kaya mong isakripisyo ang sarili mo para sa bayan," sabi ng isang malalim na boses mula sa may pintuan. Si Heneral! Mabilis kong pinahid ang luha sa mga mata ko at habang siya'y papalapit ay may dala siyang
#woke
isang maliit na kahon at ang laman ay isang medalya. Nang marating niya ang kinaroroonan ko ay isinabit niya sa'kin ito at nagulat ako. Hindi ito isang ordinaryong medalya lamang. Isa itong medalya ng kagitingan. Ang pait na nararamdaman ko ay biglang napalitan ng 'di mapantayang saya. Hindi lamang ako isang hamak na sundalo. Nawala man ang mga paa ko, napatunayan ko naman na kaya kong isakripisyo ang aking buhay para sa bayang minamahal ko. Sumaludo ang aming Heneral sa'kin pati na rin ang mga kasamahan ko sa bakbakan. Nagbigay-pugay din ako para magpakita ng respeto. Kapag nakabawi na ako sa pinsalang natamo ko ay magkakaroon ng pormal na programang laan lamang para sa'kin at sa mga kasamahan ko. Pagkaalis nila ay niyakap ako ng asawa ko at ng anak ko. Ako si Sargento Lundagas. Patuloy na maninilbihan kahit ang isang paa'y nasa libingan.  
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artwork by Hyacinth Salazar
3rd Place Artwork
#woke
3rd Place Short Story Talaarawan ni Reyland Alvarez
"Baldo! Anak ng teting naman, oh. Gising na. Hindi ka hari!" Tanghaling tapat na at sigaw ni Aling Ester ang gumising sa aking diwa na mahimbing pang nakasubsob sa isang malabong panaginip. Bumangon akong inaalala ang bawat senaryo ng aking pantasya ngunit napaharurot ako sa muling pagtawag ni Aling Ester. Walang kahit wisik na tubig ang dumampi sa aking mukha o kakarampot na tubig ang aking namumog dahil sa takot ko sa aking ti� yahin. Dali-dali kong inayos at tinupi ang banig na aking tinutulugan sabay kuha ng balde at diretso sa poso para mag-igib ng tubig para sa kanya. Ito parati ang laman ng aking talaarawan. Para na ngang nagmukhang Xerox copy ang bawat pahina ng aking maliit na kuwaderno. Paulit-ulit na lamang ang lahat! Minsan, iniisip ko sana makakita rin ako ng butuing tulad ni Starla para bigyan naman ng thrill ang mala-Cinderella kong buhay. "HOY, Baldo! Bili mo nga 'ko ng yosi. Siguraduhin mong Camel pula ha. Bilisan mong kupal ka!" pagmamalabis na utos sakin ni Carlo, ang kaisa-isahang anak ni Aling Ester. Siya lang naman ang nag-iisang Prinsipe Batugan ng ta� pal-tapal na kaharian ng aking tiyahin. Madalas niya akong pag-utusan at gawing sariling alalay. Minsan akong nalingat at naiwang ang aking sinaing. Masyado akong nawili sa panunuod ng palabas doon sa kapit-bahay. 'Yon bang mga pelikula bago mag tanghalian. Gigil na gigil ako sa kontrabidang nang-aapi na tila bang sila ang may-ari sa iyo. Nais kong itulak siya sa pinagmamayabang niyang balkonahe at hayaang malugmok ang gutay-gutay niyang katawan. Nasa barilang parte na ng pelikula nang bigla akong nakarinig ng isang pamilyar na boses na dumadagun� dong palapit sa akin. Hindi pa man ako nakapag-iisip ng aking sunod na gagawin ay dumampi na sa aking likod ang walis tingting na akay-akay ni Aling Ester. Bugbog ang aking sinapit noong araw na iyon. Hangin ang aking naging kanin at ang mura ni Aling Ester ang nagsilbing ulam ko sa buong magdamag. Hindi na ako umiimik sa kanilang mga utos. Wari ko'y asta nila sa'kin ay parang isang laruang de makina na walang nararamdaman. Yun bang pwede lang nilang yurakan at abusuhin.
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46 BOOKED V O L U M E 9 , PA R T 2
Wala naman akong magagawa sapagkat sila ang nagpapakain sa'kin. Wala akong karapatan na sila ay suwayin o pagsalitaan pabalik. Kung magawa ko man ay siguradong sa lansangan ako pupulutin. Isang gabi, mumunting ungol at tila'y nasasaktan na huni ang aking narinig sa pagitan ng manipis na dingding na humahati sa maliit kong kwarto at kwarto ni Aling Ester. Ilan pang mga minuto ang lumipas ay mas bumilis at lumakas ang ungol. Kinabahan ako at di maiwasang magtaka kung ano ba ang nangyayari sa kabilang kwarto. ''Naku! Maaari kayang may nakapasok na magnanakaw at kinu� ha ang mga tinatagong alahas ni Aling Ester tapos ay pinapatay siya sa tadtad ng saksak para 'di kumanta? O baka naman pinagsasakal na siya ng mga kapitbahay na nabuburaot sa kanya?'' Dahil sa takot na baka may ibang tao na nakapasok sa bahay, mahinhin kong dinungaw ang telang nakatabon sa pintuan ng kwarto ni Aling Ester. Nanindig ang aking mga balahibo nang nakitang nakabandera ang hubad na katawan ni Aling Ester at ang kaniyang anak na si Carlo. Nakita ko kung paano nag umpugan ang kanilang mga pawisan na katawan habang isinasahimig ang mga ungol na tila nakakabagabag pakinggan. Nangingilabot ang aking katawan. Nais dumugo ng aking mga mata sa bawat senaryong aking nasisilayan ngunit hindi ko maigalaw ang aking mga paa upang bumalik sa aking kuwarto at matulog ng mahimbing sa pag-aasang malilimutan ang gabing ito. Nawa'y maging isang masidhing panaginip lamang ang lahat. Lumipas ang ilang sandali nang maramdaman ni Carlo na may nagmamasid sa kanila. Tila ba bumalik ang aking kaluluwa sa mahina kong katawan at ku� maripas agad ako ng takbo papasok sa aking kwarto at nagtulog-tulogan. Kaba at takot ang bumalot sa aking buong katawan. Di ko maiwasang maisip muli ang kanilang ginawa. Akala ko'y makakatulog ako ng mahimbing at iisiping isang masidhing panaginip lamang ang lahat. Mali ako. Lumipas ang ilang mga araw at gabi na tila normal lang ang lahat, na parang walang kakaiba at masalimu-ot na mga pangyayari. Subalit biglang nag-iba ang lahat nang... "Baldo, halika. Sabayan mo kami sa pagtulog," sabay na sambit ni Carlo at Aling Ester habang nagbabaga ang mga mata at pinapawisan ang mga noo. Ito na yata ang magbabago sa mga nilalaman ng aking talaarawan.
#woke
3rd Place Poetry Countdown to Doomsday by Earl Dominic Pa-oyon
10...9...8... She utters, Plucking sampaguita petals For each drop of count not so late. 7...6... Bullets clashing on the rice fields. NPA or AFP, there's no mix, She's standing amidst the battlefield; eyes fixed. 5...4... Blood's dripping - a war to fight for. Petals stained in blood, unto The fields. It's an eyesore. She's losing breath, the little one. Chaos building in. Missiles launching in... 3...2...1...0...
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48 BOOKED V O L U M E 9 , PA R T 2
Consolation Prize Artwork
artwork by Windsor Linus Sumbillo
#woke
Consolation Prize Poetry Pwersa ni Manolo Salaver Jr.
Ginbata sa uma: Manami nga klima, Masadya nga pamilya, Puno guid sang grasya.
Grabe ang kulba, kurog, kag palamalhas. Sinakyan, wala lisensya, kag nag angkas.
Si Inday pwerte ang kulba; Napraning, wala kaon, suyop shabu kag Si Inday gapangalipay marijuana, Sa bitbit ni Tatay nga tinapay; Napabay-an ang pag-eskwela. Yuhom na matam-is pa sa kalamay. Si Toto, Nanay, kag Inday daw ginkutot Sige pa demanda, nagkalaubos manok, karabaw pati baka. man ka subay. Maalam si Inday Nangin scholar, nakakuwarta, salamat sa bugay. Ginpadal-an ang panimalay, May pang-abuno na ang humay. Ugaling si Inday Nag minanol sa bisyo nga kalipay. Tilaw kag liwat lang anay. Pagdugay, nagtagay na Tanduay Upos ka sigarilyo, Tinaktak sa baso. Naglingin ang ulo, Nawad-an animo. Pagka-aga, gapalanakit ang lawas; Wala bayo; nagauba kag nagahublas.
"Nay! Gusto ko iPhone!" "Sorry, nak. Wala pa ta tinipon." Ahay, Inday, wala tinipon, tanan-tanan na lang supsopon. Wala labot sina, sige man sindi kag suyopon. Nadimat na magserbisyo Tanan para sa bisyo. Si Inday nga malipay, nangin perwisyo. Ang 5-star nga presyo, Nag-150 pwede na bisan sinsilyo. Si Inday wala na kita. Si Inday indi naman makita. May ara nalang balita: ''NASAPWAN! DALAGANG BINATA."
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50 BOOKED V O L U M E 9 , PA R T 2
Consolation Prize Short Story
Wake Me Up When September 5 Ends by Charles Gabriel Gelotin
September 5 | Monday | 6:00 AM | As my dream of receiving my own Grammy by winning Album of the Year slowly fades, I started opening my eye - regaining my consciousness. When everything went clear, I realized how another far-flung dream ended with just the sound of my alarm clock blaring, 6 in the morning. | 6:04 AM | Two beep sounds then filled my messy room coming from my phone's daily reminders. Happy Birthday, John Awe - my first greetings. I unlocked my phone and connected to the WiFi then a surge of notifications lagged my phone, drown‐ ing the screen with chat heads of friends and acquaintances. | 7:30 AM | "Beep, beep!"the sound of the car horns echoed on the streets that are grad‐ ually filled by commuters. "5...4...3...2...1," I counted with the traffic light counter as I tried to have a buzzer-beater cross on the street. But I failed. A hundred-sec‐ ond mark started and I have no choice but to wait. A series of vehicles ranging from buses to private cars went against the music from my earphones. | 7:31 AM | Even far away, a loud sound of a car engine can be heard. In a split second, the distant vehicle starts to gain form in sight. As the fast-but-not-so-furious car paved its way near the intersection, a sudden leap of a blurry creature caught the right side of my peripheral vision. A cat, with yellow and black stripes, jumped towards the center of the streets. I vividly heard the tires screeching as the driver of the speedy car tried hard to counter-maneuver the surprise attack. In the blink of an eye, the car went to the other lane, free of killing the innocent creature, but heading straight to head-on collision with a school service full of grade schoolers.
#woke
"What can I do...?" I spoke on my mind, frozen like ice. It seemed like my brain cannot fully process the things that are about to happen. As I opened my mouth to shout in shock, I barely had enough oxygen to catch my breath. But before the two car bumpers collide, everything went black - pitch black. September 5 | Monday | 6:00 AM | The next thing I remember was opening my eyes while still catching my breath. I can still feel the tingles from my back. I can still hear the sound of horns, tires screeching. "Was that a dream?" the words I uttered, realizing everything was just a dream - or I hope it was. Suddenly, my alarm clock rang. What surprised me was not the fact that it is already 6 in the morning. What caught my attention was the date it projected, '09/05.' It was the 5th of September just like in my dream. But I think everything was just a coincidence. | 6:04 AM | "Beep, beep!" My phone rang, the same ringtone; the same feeling. Everything started becoming strange because it felt like it already happened before. The taste of air, the feel of tension - all were the same. "Happy Birthday, John!" my phone literally reminded me. For the first time, I wished that it was not my birthday. I never dared to connect to the WiFi because I can still remember the chat heads that are about to pop. | 7:25 AM | The next thing I knew, I was standing at the same spot in the middle of the intersection. I ate the same breakfast in my dreams, believing that my imagination is just extreme to carbon-copy reality. When the buzzing sound of a distant car starts to seep into the highway. I can't explain the sudden urge that made me look around for the cat - the same yellow and black striped cat in my dreams.
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52 BOOKED V O L U M E 9 , PA R T 2
I was about to laugh to my paranoia when a cat of the same figure ran towards me. As it leapt, trying to cross the streets, I was able to catch it by the tail. | 7:31 AM | I was amazed of how the drifting car looked very same but somehow it was unusual. This time, the driver has a companion seated at the front. I also saw how this foreign girl blurt out angry emotions with matching hand gestures ad� dressed to the driver. Looking annoyed, I saw how the driver and his companion argued over the car's wheel. The car changed lane from left to right twice. Tires screeched - yet again and I had myself witnessed a painful memory for the second time around. September 5 | Monday | 5:58 AM | The next happened was me on my bed, catching my breath crying. How can I have a dream inside another dream? "Why is this happening? Am I trapped in the loop? Why?" I had a lot of questions but what emerged in my pool of thoughts was the idea of preventing the accident to happen and save lives. | 6:00 AM | I was able to turn my clock off even before it rang. I also greeted myself first a happy birthday before the world does. I am not heroic. I am not larger-than-life like epic protagonists. Having Birth� day greetings is already so much to ask for a nobody like me. But I know I needed to do something. I needed to change how the story goes. | 7:20 AM | I walked down my way, two blocks away from my bus stop. If the cat is not the main reason then maybe I can turn the table If I stop the car myself before it reaches the intersection.
#woke
Consolation Prize Artwork
artwork by Claire Janson
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54 BOOKED V O L U M E 9 , PA R T 2
I waited, readied myself for this heroic deed. Five minutes passed but there was no car. I checked around, no cat either. I felt something wrong. Maybe I forgot something. Maybe I missed one detail. | 7:30 AM | Everything went crumbling down to pieces as sirens from a distant ambu� lance bombarded the tense highway. As the rescuers passed me by, I shivered when I saw the man driving the drifting car now driving the ambulance. Two blocks away from me, an accident occurred. Same spot, same time of the day but now, the reason was drunk driving. I was able to change the cause but never did I alter, for just a tiny bit, the effect. I changed the means but the end still ended the same. Life is full of un� controlled variables. Altering one might not shock the entire framework. Change is a collective effort. Some things cannot be changed overnight.
#woke
Kamao ni Ashraf Khater
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56 BOOKED V O L U M E 9 , PA R T 2
Consolation Prize Poetry Tumiwalag, Sundalong Damulag ni Chariz Villarete
Walong sundalong nabuo sa isang mainit na lomi'ng tila'y lumalamig na Tumiwalag! Kagaya ng isang heneral Tinipon mo kami bilang isang lupong Tumiwalag! Mga halakhak mo'ng natabunan ng aming mga hagulgol Luha ng kasiyaha'y Naging luha ng kalungkutan Tumiwalag! 'Sing bilis ng putok ng gatilyo Ang iyong pagkawala Iniwan mo kami sa giyerang Ngiti mo ang tanging naging sandata Positibong pananaw mo ang tanging naging kalasag Mga kuwento mo'ng naging pahinga namin sa gulong nasa labas Comrade! Sigaw nami'y, "Bumalik ka kaibigan. Bumalik ka." Ngunit talo na naman Tanging bumalik ay mga bakas ng kahapon Na kahit anong pilit Ay 'di na maitutulad sa dati dahil sa iyong pagkawala
#woke
Tumiwalag! Sundalong damulag Bakit kahit anong higpit ng aming kapit ika'y tumitiwalag? Tumiwalag! Sundalong damulag Noon, Kahit anong tiwalag mo'y Ngumingiti ka pa rin Sintikas ng isang tunay na sundalo Naglalakad Pabalik sa amin Tumiwalag! Ngayon, Kahit ika'y tuluyang tumiwalag Kahit anong tagal Kami'y di maiinip sa paghihintay Sa aming sundalong at sa kanyang Muling pagbabalik
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58 BOOKED V O L U M E 9 , PA R T 2
Consolation Prize Short Story Noon at Ngayon ni Stephen John Gavaran
Tinig ng mga bata ang bumungad sa akin sa pag-gising ko pagkatapos kong matulog buong gabi. Aking tiningnan sa labas at nakita silang naglalaro ng masaya. Bakas sa kanilang mukha ang saya ng paglalaro kasama ang kanilang mga malalapit na kaibigan, iniinda ang init ng araw para lamang makalaro. Hindi matatawaran ang ganitong sandali. Naalala ko tuloy ang aking pagkabata. Ako'y natulala lamang habang iniisip ang mga larong ginagawa ko noon. Kung pwede lang sanang balikan ang nakaraan, babalik ako. Nakita ko na mayroong naglalaro ng tagu-taguan. Dito ay kailangan mong magtago sa pinakaliblib o sulok ng isang lugar para mas maliit ang chansa na makita ka. Kung ikaw ang taya, kailangan mong maghanap kung saan-saan - kahit sa pinakasulok ng isang lugar para la� mang makita ang mga nagtatago. "Nandito ka lang pala. Huli ka na!" Minsan makikita mo na merong nagtatago sa pinakasulok ng isang lugar kasi nasa isip nila na mas maliit ang chansa na makita sila ng taya. Tumingin ako sa katabi nila na naglalaro ng luksong tinik. Dito naman sa larong ito, puwersa talaga ng paa ang puhunan; mas malakas ang puwersa ng paa, mas mataas ang talon. Minsan, kapag mataas ka, mas malaki ang iyong abanse kaysa sa mga pandak na hindi masyadong mataas ang pagtalon. "Hoy! Bawal ka diyang tumalon!" Hindi talaga mawawala ang mga mandaraya sa mga laro na gagawin ang lahat para lamang manalo pero, pagkatapos ng paglalaro, manalo man o matalo, bakas pa rin sa mukha ng mga kabataan ang saya ng paglalaro buong araw. May naglalaro din ng habul-habulan sa kabila. Dito sa larong ito ay kailangan ng bilis para tumakbo at liksi para mailagan ang taya. Tumatakbo sila ng mabilis, ginagawa ang lahat para lamang hindi sila mahuli. Minsan nga kung saan-saan na lamang pumupunta. At minsan, makakabangga ka na na ng mga tao sa daan kasi nagmamadali; baka mahuli. Sila ay nag-iisip din ng stratehiya kung paano mata� takasan ang taya. Sino ba namang gustong maging tagahabol sa susunod na laro? "Ah! Nahuli siya!"
#woke
Hindi talaga maiiwasan ang mga pangungutya sa mga ganitong mga laro. Meron kasing mga mandaraya na kung minsan ay dahilan pa ng away. Meron namang siya palagi ang taya. May nakita akong naglalaro ng patintero. Dito naman, liksi at bilis naman ang puhunan. Kailangan mo lang tumawid sa kabila at pabalik ng hindi nahaha� wakan ng kalaban. Iilagan mo lang ang mga kamay na nagbabakasakaling mahuli ka. Kapag nagawa mo 'yan, magkakapuntos ang iyong grupo. Depende sa kanila kung ilan ang puntos na dapat makamit para lamang manalo. Kapag mahaba ang iyong kamay, mas malaki rin ang abanse mong makahuli ng kalaban. "Nahuli na kita. 'Wag ka nang tumakbo!" Mayroon namang nagkukunwari na hindi sila nahuli dahil nagbabakasaka� ling hindi malaman ng kalaban na nahuli na sila. Baka puwede pa silang maka� wala. Pero hindi. Kapag nahuli ka, wala ka nang kawala. May naglalaro naman ng baril-barilan sa kabila. Ditto naman ay kailangan mong ilagan ang mga imahinaryong bala na lumalabas sa kanilang mga kamay. Walang talo at walang panalo sa larong ito. Depende na lang sa mapag-usapan ng dalawang grupo kung sino 'yung mamamatay at kung sino ang mabubuhay. "Natamaan ka na! Wala ka na!" Minsan meron ding bata na ayaw ng lahat - 'yung gagawin nila ang lahat para hindi na nila makasama ito sa paglalaro. Puwedeng hindi nila gusto ang ugali ng bata o kinukutya nila dahil meron itong deperensya; pisikal man o sa pag-iisip nito. 'Yung tipong lahat ng kalaro ay magkakampihan at kokontrahin yung isa para lamang madali ang kanyang pagkawala sa larong ito. Hindi talaga maiiwasan ang mga ganitong sitwasyon pagdating sa mga kabataan. "Hoy! Anong ginagawa mo diyan?" tanong ng nagbabantay. "Ah, wala. Nasisiyahan lang ako na panoorin ang mga kabataang naglalaro sa labas. Naaalala ko lang ang aking kabataan. Naglalaro rin kasi ako ng gani� yang mga laro noon," ani ko. Masaya maglaro ng tagu-taguan, patintero, luksong tinik, habul-habulan at baril-barilan, ang sarap balikan ang mga nakaraan, yung mga panahong hindi pa mga pulis ang iyong kalaro. Bumalik na lamang ako sa aking higaan, at inisip ang mga ginagawa ko ng wala pa ako sa seldang ito, ng hindi pa nasa pagitan ng rehas ang buhay ko.
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profiles
propayls
Akii is an awkward social alien that will ship boys with boys. Her fantasies always involve world domination and alien invasion. She would curl up in one corner of the office drowning herself with Yaoi mangas, waiting for her Alpha to come and rescue. Alea may appear to be very jolly but she is very mysterious and reserved. She loves everyone in the office and she wishes to open up more to the staff in the future. Give her a hug when you see her. Alora Kimberly Talde can pull off any type of hairstyles; may it be curled, straight, or with bangs. She smiles a lot but no one knows what’s going on her mind? Aly is a mystery yet to be solved. She is caring but savage, feminine but rocks, and, most of all, she conquers. Her singing sessions in the office would make you sing along. Some days, she is a queen who loves to be massaged by manang Kyun. Ash is either an Egyptian Pharaoh in his past life, Pentagon’s top agent, Area 51’s hidden ace or an atomic bomb in sleep mode. He is astute, canny, wise, and clever. Sometimes we ask if he is human. Carl is a small Ariana Grande born with a different (censored word) but this small boy is very determined in his goals on being a future engineer. Chariz Villarete misses a soldier. In her loneliness, she finds the inspiration to dedicate her words to him. Charles Gabriel Gelotin is a Green Day fan. Don’t forget to wake him up when September 5 ends because he is bound to lead the collective effort for change. CJ is a goal seeker. She moves forward and always has a clear goal in mind. You will find yourself laughing at every small, awkward, low-key joke she throws off. Her charming attitude makes her fun to be with. Claire Janson is a sweet little potato girl who likes to order C2. Being prayerful is an understatement to describe her, we all know she’s a faithful servant and God always blesses her because of that. Cristopher is a gentle giant that is always up for a warm hug. Everyone thinks he’s shy but wait until you get to know him. He is a life-sized talking teddy bear. At night, He runs the world with girls ;). Delilah is beauty and brains since birth. She is very caring and loves everyone in the office. She is also adept in an alien language called math. Earl Dominic Pa-oyon loves to scare people with his backward counts. Who wouldn’t be thrilled with that? Ella is a natural stage queen. She is straightforward and doesn’t mind speaking what she feels is right. That’s why most of the staff like her. She is a loyal lover and a beautiful human being. Godwin is the resident Chinoy in the office. With the qualities of a good businessman, you can get tips on how to save for 2020 from him. Hyacinth Salazar not only adept in art but also she possess a voice like an angel. You can never be bored when she’s around. Request her your favorite song and let her charm you with her lovely voice. James Necarl Mesa is a total Kpopper. Who would have thought that this young man does not only love Momo of Twice but also his artworks, too? Jocer is a half future engineer and half koala who loves to sleep. He has this immeasurable sex appeal that attracts both Ella and Leslie.
Jonel is the powerhouse of energy. His screams are both irritating and funny. He may always be joking around but he is actually an intellectual diety in human form. He conquers every stage he steps on with that look in his face like a queen claiming her crown. Jusa is a charming and a reliable companion yet her “see me at the office” moments can bring shivers down your spine. She radiates elegance and femininity but also has a wild side. Krisha is a quiet but intelligent being who is always up for growth and improvement. The tone of her voice may be calm but her words are pretty powerful. She is an achiever and a queen who conquers her field in masscomm. Leslie always has an air of danger and mystery. She is beauty in its entirety and an old soul mixed with modern ways. Her soft voice would always calm the office and she’s even more adorable when she gets mad. Lourdes is a mixture of both intellectual and funny. She is always about fun and jokes and her sarcastic moments are always the best. Loki bites. She is a small, hungry beast that is only tamed by food, and is always up for a wild and playful adventure. Under any circumstances, do not let her get close to your cheeks. You’ve been warned. Ma. Eullina Tulda is a faithful patriot to her loving country. Check out her works and you’ll know why. Manolo Salaver Jr. a man with guts and twist, Manolo never forgets to amuse us with his gayness on his Poetry. His light mood in doing poetry was never new. He’s divine. Mariel has this bright smile that is very contagious. Her charming personality would draw you closer into her. She comes as very strong but a gentle and lovable princess of the waves. Nina is a frustrated artist. Do you want to buy socks? Or maybe cellphone cases? She is just one PM away. Nina is an intelligent being with a lot of things in mind but lazy enough to put them into words. Primrose Fuentes is a free-spirited woman who loves to go on adventures. Her experience in dealing with life puts into a work of fiction which will truly amaze you. Reyland Alvarez’s imagination is out of this world. Try to read his work and you know why. Stephen John Gavaran feels sentimental. At the thought of childhood, basked under the afternoon sunlight with a mix of rhythmic laughter, Stephen finds the inspiration to write. Windsor Linus Sumbillo is a man who can do magic in his art. With his pencil on his hand, this artist is pierced with sweetness.
EDITORIAL STAFF A.Y. 2019-2020 EDITORIAL BOARD ALYSSA MARIE ARCEÑO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LYKA DE LA TORRE MANAGING EDITOR DESK EDITORS LESLIE MARIE BANABAN LITERARY FOLIO EDITOR JUSALANNE MATULAC NEWSPAPER EDITOR ELLA JANE MERCADO MAGAZINE EDITOR
TOLENTINESTAR The Official Student Publication of the Uni versit y of Negros Occidental -Recoletos tolentinestar@gmail.com | www.facebook.com/tolentinestar | www.tolentinestar.com
The Literary Folio team would like to express our gratitude to the following people who were supportive in completing this: GOD ALMIGHTY for the gift of wisdom and creativity, and for guiding us; THE GAWAD TOLENTINO PARTICIPANTS AND THE CONTRIBUTORS for entrusting your talents and works of greatness to us. Thank you for sharing your pieces;
TECHNICAL EDITORS LOURDES ANGELINE SENDICO SENIOR MULTIMEDIA EDITOR JOCER MACALISANG JUNIOR MULTIMEDIA EDITOR ROMCHELLE CHRIS DANIELLE WAMINAL INFORMATION MANAGER STAFF WRITERS CRISHA ARROYO JOE ARNEL CELESTIAL Jr. CHARLENE GRACE GELOTIN JOSEPH LETRAN JADE CHRISTINE ORQUIA CARLA JOANNE ROBLES KRISHA MARIE SEMELLANO ALEA JEN VILLAHERMOSA NINA AIRA VILLANUEVA PHOTOJOURNALISTS JOELLE MARIEL PADEROG RAEVERLY ELENA RAMIREZ GODWIN ROBERT TAN VIDEOJOURNALISTS JOSHUA DUHAYLONGSOD DAVE EVANGELISTA ALVIN ZULUETA CARTOONISTS RHEYMAR CHUA JOSHUA GARITA RENEE SUALA CARL ANDRO VALLEJERA WEB ADMINISTRATOR
THE TEACHERS for leading as the channels and for waking the students’ love for literature. You are essential to this masterpiece; DR. IVY GONZALES-ABOY for always being there with us and for motivating us; ENGR. ASHRAF KHATER, ChE, MEnE for the encouragement and for the undying support, guidance, fatherly love, and constructive and motivational ideas that help us to strive only for the best; MR. CONRADO GEN TOMAS for the friendship shared and built and for the best accomodation that we couldn’t ask for more; DR. DEXTER PAUL DIOSO for the trust and support, and for always believing in all the publication’s endeavors as we fulfill our goal to publish and display truth as it happens through our outputs; and REV. FR. AMADEO LUCERO, OAR for imparting and entrusting us the holistic development of the UNO-Rian student body through campus journalism, in this case, in literary works.
MERLH CRIS CELESTE LAYOUT ARTIST CRISTOPHER VILLARUEL TECHNICAL CONSULTANT ENGR. ASHRAF KHATER, ChE, MEnE HUMAN RESOURCE CONSULTANT KAYE EUNICE LAMERA, RSW
This literary folio would not be made possible without the love and support from each one of us – author and reader. We thank you for not sleeping on our dreams of producing this folio. Thank you for being with us. Let the love for literature always be awake. The Literary Editor
TECHNICAL ADVISER IVY GONZALES ABOY, PhD
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