For Your Eyes Only

For Your Eyes Only

Copyright Š 2019 Booked For Your Eyes Only Volume 9, Part 1 LXXVII 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-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 Editor Leslie Marie Banaban Editor-in-Chief Alyssa Marie ArceĂąo

Foreword Envision the things that we will never reach while we try to pull out the strings that we view uncertainly. Imagine happenings that use our own sight, somehow trying to take hold of our own feelings.

Close those innocent doors for the dream makers – hold on while you can. Shut down reality, rekindle those visions you once had, and spread outrageous momentum. Don't let risks break your moment. Open the mirrors of your soul. Take a glance and realize the mystic that your eyes possess.

To be understood and to understand, let your eyes speak what your mouth fears to say. Allow the gaze to overtake.

Contents Poems Conundrum of Esoterica ..................... 8 Wrong Chosen One .............................. 9 Unpleasant Reality ................................ 10 Hithit ...................................................... 22 /viZH(oo)el/ .......................................... 23 Façade A Letter to Me ....................................... 28 Silip-buhay ............................................ 30 Hukas-lalaw The Beauty That I’ll Never Reach ....... 33 A-B-Z ..................................................... 34 Chismis .................................................. 36 Kulay ng Pag-ibig ................................. 41

Short Stories

Leave or Die ........................................... 12 Grenade .................................................. 15 Tukib ....................................................... 18 Cuddle Weather ..................................... 26 Dance ...................................................... 27 Sa Pagdilat ng Aking mga Mata .......... 31

Artworks Blink ....................................................... 11 Divine Grace ......................................... 14 Ovid’s Vison of Misery ........................ 17 Reflections ............................................. 21 Beauty .................................................... 24 Fragile .................................................... 25 Goals ...................................................... 29 Kalangitan ............................................. 32 Nature’s Guise ....................................... 35 Michaelis-Menten ................................ 42

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artwork by Loi Christian Cari-an

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Conundrum of Esoterica

by Nina Aira Villanueva

Those who seek are lost; Lost in the abyss of thoughts; Buried in the realm of the unknown.

By knowing is slowly dying.

Those who dared are dead.

Those who dream will perish.

Those who questioned are damned.

Revolts are long forgotten.

The oblivion of death Brings no sense to the senses.

The agony lasts and endures.

For what is thy death?

For those who are dead Is time spent; Spent for the lives of those who lived; Lived to see the world Away from the shams of idiocracy and servitude.

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9 Wrong Chosen One

by Jade Christine Orquia

As quick as lightning, they struck their evil deeds; Planted the seed of destruction in every direction.

They lived in a sunny place and hid from a stormy life.

And all, in a flash, they took everything.

They murdered, they plundered but are still considered as heroes.

They lied, they manipulated but still they are respected.

Are we deceived by the words that only come from the mouths of the wicked?

Are we blinded by the games they play so nicely?

We saw what they did Yet we just watched and smiled As they pull our strings, Replacing them with fear, sadness, and despair, Driving our thoughts to go mad and insane Until we no longer know ourselves.

Did we choose the right one?

Or did we just fool ourselves for the wrong chosen one?

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Unpleasant Reality

by Kyle Matthew Fuentes

Dark – darker yet darkened.

Abyss of the unknown Keeps crumbling in my mind, Yet to be diminished from the preconscious.

The unknown reminisced As if it was an old stranger Who was once attached To strings that glittered.

As if this memory Was once forgotten at some point To disrupt the feelings of fear And ignore the pain I endured.

We can't hide from our fragile minds.

And the memory was replenished.

Tears started to drip down For it was someone who once gave meaning to my life.

Drowned and beaten, We have to accept the unpleasant reality That we don't move on And we just learn how to forget.

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Blink by Renee Suala

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

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Leave or Die

by Jusalanne Matulac

"Don't tell anyone you saw it," he warned me with his death-glaring eyes, scowling at me as he minded his own business.

I am a woman who stands for justice and never for imprudence. I'm not as ignorant as anyone is. I can't shut my mouth if an innocent life were put into harm. If not me, no one else would stand up for the life that was lost.

Running was never my best skill but, today, I have to get away from the bad guy. I kept running until I reached my destination – the police station.

"I witnessed a crime in the street!" I outrageously reported to the police the moment I got in. "It happened near my house five blocks away!" I added.

They seemed surprised. I was left confused. Was it new for them to hear a report?

They escorted me to a private room. My hands couldn't stop fidgeting but I tried to calm myself even though the horror of seeing someone held at gunpoint kept flashing before my eyes; the image of the dead body, the guy with the gun – everything.

"What happened?" he calmly asked while chewing his gum and sticking it out his tongue. I know that I panicked but he was too calm as he crossed his feet below the desk during my interrogation, somehow guessing that I was going to report an attempted murder.

I told him the details of what exactly happened.

I was out from my house to buy some groceries at the nearby store. It was about 10 o'clock in the evening. The streets were narrow. Children were playing under the dim lights with their neighborhood friends. It wasn't new to me because they are there every night; that's a thing of being a child.

When I was heading back to my house, the street went cold, empty. And the loud noises of the kids were gone. At first, I thought it was just nothing.

They were kids who simply get tired after playing but not until I heard someone raise his voice.

"Why are you still out in the street?!" he shouted. I never wanted to intrude but the voice of the child asking for help got me into it. It wasn't that far from my house, so it was easy to sneak out to the corner of the block. I can't clearly see his face but I almost caught him strangling the child with his own hands. "What are you doing?!" he shouted again.

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"I'm so-sorry, sir. I will just go... home," the kid said shakily.

"Go home?! You aren't going anywhere, kiddo. I just caught you," he let go of the child and threw him to the wall. I thought it was over but he sat down near the child and grabbed something in the boy's pocket. "What is this?" he asked and held a sachet of plastic with white powder.

"I don't know," the boy said, shaking his head as he tried to argue that it wasn't his. But the guy didn't even bother to listen. He slowly pulled a gun from his holster. Though I was nervous and unsure, I interfered. "Stop!" I shouted. The child's face glimmered with hope as he saw my face; he saw hope from his fears.

"Stay away from this, lady," he threatened me with the gun, freezing me to where I stood. "G-g-get away from the child!" I commanded. But he only smirked.

"Shoot. Shoot," the gun went. Then one last shot echoed in the small corner where we stood. "The kid's a user," he uttered. I cannot move. I felt scared and confused. I was dumbfounded. It took three bullets to take a life.

"Don't tell anyone. Leave or die," he ordered as he grabbed the kid's head and began pulling the body to the corner. I ran. That's the only thing that I can do to save my life. That is why I ended up here at the station.

"Ah, so, are you okay, lady? What's your name again?" the officer asked, still calm while pretending to sketch something and write the details I just told. "Cath," I answered.

"Miss Cath, maybe you're a little ill. Just forget what you saw. Maybe it was just a misunderstanding. Maybe that kid was caught using something illegal. That's it for a punishment," he dismissed and put his pen on the desk.

"What? The child died and you'll just say that it was punishment?! For what?!" I lost myself on how he easily dismissed me. He stood up and walked around the office, caressing the edges of the table. He started to come close to me, now, caressing my hair and he whispered, "Didn't he warn you to keep quiet?" I studied him for a while and remembered something – those details –that holster... blood stain. "You should've stayed at home. Your beautiful face will be a waste if you die too soon."

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Divine Grace by Lourdes Angeline Sendico

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15 Grenade

by Carla Joanne Robles

Lights were blaring against my eyes and the loud, chaotic noise of the traffic jam drilled my ears. As the jeepneys stood motionless, these little impoverished kids filled the roads, handing out tiny, white envelopes with handwritten notes that barely formed comprehensible words. This one particular boy ran up to the bus that I was on, climbing the stairs. I was surprised at how desperate he looked. When he got up and straightened his posture, he quickly rummaged through his baggy, faded shirt down to his seemingly miracle pocket that was still intact, considering how his small, yellowish pants were torn at the sides and the seams. As he successfully got his hands on the envelope, he mustered a sad glint in his eyes – the same sadness that darkened the land with poverty.

As he held the envelope tight in his hand, he walked up the small platform to the seats up the front of the bus. After what seemed like a minute or so, he gathered his courage and poked the man sitting in front, nibbling on his biscuit that looked too sweet for his age. The man glanced at the kid and shook his head; a small understanding between them. The kid started to turn around to face the seat across the man but he was surprised when the man softly tugged on his large shirt to offer the remaining biscuits. Without thinking twice, he grabbed the small bag of biscuits and munched on them while facing the other seat.

Swallowing the last bite he had, he offered the envelope to a couple of teenagers. The one sitting near the aisle pretended to be asleep while the other one near the window had turned up the volume of her earphones; then again, an understanding was made.

Restlessly facing back then front and walking to the sides, the little boy who held the envelope was still empty-handed. The biscuits the man gave him was long gone, too. Then, he reached my seat.

I was sitting near the door of the bus on the left portion of the seat near the aisle when he handed me his tiny, crumpled, white envelope. Written on the envelope was, "Bless your soul for giving for the deaf."

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

I looked at the boy who probably thought I was taking too long to give him a response. He stared at me for God knows how long then scratched his head when I just smiled at him. For some selfish reason, I held my bag tightly and turned my head to the opposite side.

Before leaving, he looked at my lap where my bag was safely tucked and looked at me then looked at the bag again. His eyes went cold and beads of sweat formed on his nose. And, yet, he made large strides to the seats at the back to offer his envelope.

A man with thick, round spectacles reached for his wallet at the back of his pants and placed a 50 peso bill in the boy's envelope. After the man gave it to him, he quickly placed it back on his backpocket. But the man looked puzzled. His thick brows arched and he pursed his mouth because the little boy, after passing my seat, had looked scared and panicky.

The next second the boy realized his envelope had been filled with such amount, he quickly ran out of the bus and looked back at me. He stared at me long enough for me to notice his tears running down his cheeks. But then, again, I smiled at him one last time before the bus leaves for the green light.

After the engine started to move, I pulled the pin then dropped it just below my knees.

"The boy saw it on my hand," I thought.

Lights were blaring against my eyes and the loud, chaotic noise of the speeding cars drilled my ears. Then, I let it go from my grasp and let it roll down to the back. If I can't get the love of my life to accept me, I'll get him to regret ignoring me.

"A grenade!" The bus went into chaos... BOOM.

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Ovid’s Vison of Misery by Jocer Macalisang

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Tukib ni Leslie Marie Banaban

Pasaylo sang katumanan nga pilit ginakalimtan. Ano ang gusto mo matukiban?

Aga pa sadto sang ako nagbangon sa akon nga higdaan. Gin-unyat ko ang akon mga kamot kag gilayon ko man ginhakos ang akon lawas. Insakto lamang subong sang tiyempo. Ang dapya sang matugnaw nga hangin nga gahakos sa akon panit kag ang mga huni sang pispis amo lang ang akon natalupangdan.

Pero ngaa bala gakuba-kuba guid ang akon nga dughan? Ang kalangitan gulpi lang nagbag-o, sa matin-aw nga anyil naislan ini sang mabaskog nga panganod.

"Norma!" gulping tawag sang panganod sa akon rason para makibot kag makulbaan ako.

"Nay, Tay, tabangi ko!" nagdalagan ako paguwa ugaling wala sing nanay kag tatay ako nga nakita. Ang balay namon nangin isa ka magamo nga linong kag biskan landong sang akon ginhikanan indi ko makita.

Gintinguhaan ko pangita sa akon mga ginhikanan, kag asta makalab-ot ako sa guwa. Apang kabalo ako nga sala ang akon gingiho, gindala ko ang akon kaugalingon sa isa ka maragtas.

"Madamo nga pagpasalamat ang maambal ko sa imo kung... himuon mo ang luyag ko," ini gin-ambal sang panganod samtang ginaamat-amat niya ako dala sa kapiotan.

"Indi ako... palihog, untati ako," pagpakit-luoy lang ang nahimo ko samtang ang akon mga tiil indi na makatungtong sa duta. Madali sa iya nga ako pagadalahon. May kalainan sa buot ako nga nagabato ugaling nga mas kusog ini kumpara sa akon. Dios ko, ano ni ang iya gusto?

Wala siya sing luyag nga may matabo sa akon, among hambal niya, nga indi guid nakon mapatihan. Pero ari ako subong, malayo sa kadutaan kag malayo sa realidad. Ngaa gindala niya ko sa langit?

"Ikaw among sinuguran kag katapusan. Norma, luyag mo bala balikan ang ginsuguran ukon makadto kita sa katapusan?"

Wala ako sing may isabat kay wala ako may nabal-an sa duwa niya ka

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19 pamangkot. Indi ako makabalo sang ibalos ko.

"Ngaa ako imo ginapapili? Ikaw ang nagdala diri sa akon. Bahala kana kung diin mo ko ipagabutang." Malaot ko nga baylo nga gilayon ya man nga gin sang-ayunan.

Gilayon, gulpi lamang siya may ginhambal kag gilayon ako nahulog sa akon nga kaina nga ginatindugan. "Maayo nga pagtukib. Sa paghulog mo, ikaw pagasal-on sang ginapangita mo."

Nag-amat-amat na ako ginabutong sang kadutaan. Wala sang tinaga nga naghimakas magguwa sa akon nga baba ugaling ang kakulba ko naman ang gakaon sa akon nga sistema. May pamatyagan ako nga may malain nga hitabo ang magasugata sa akon.

Gusto ko makahalin sa amo ni nga sitwasyon gani ginpiyong ko ang akon mga mata kag ginapaminsar nga damgo lang ini.

Masakit nga adlaw ang nagbilin sing halok sa akon panit, timaan nga na-adlawan ako bugtaw. Gulpi nagbukas ang akon mga mata kag sa indi maipaliwanag nga hitabo, gulpi ko napaminsaran ang panganod nga naga-istorya sa akon. Ngaa katuod sito nga hitabo? Damgo lang bala ang amo to pero ngaa gapabiin ang kulba sa akon nga tagipusoon?

"Ah, basta. Wala sing rason para mangin tuod ang amo to nga hitabo.

Wala sing papilian sa sinuguran ukon sa katapusan. Tanan to –"

"Norma!" ang tingog nga ato amo ang kay nanay. Puno sang kakulba ang mabatian sa tingog niya sayuron para magbangon ako sa akon higdaan.

Ugaling sa akon pagtikang, amo man ang sunod-sunod nga pagginuwa sang mga memorya ko halin pa sang una – sang bata ako nga gina-atipan sang akon iloy kag amay; sang makabalo na ako magtikang, magpalumba sing dalagan sa kay Tatay asta nga nadula ang tanan sang nag-abot ang tion nga pirmi na ako ang ginabasol kag ginaakigan ni Tatay. Ang tion kung sa diin hubog siya kag ako nga bata niya wala nakapalagyo sa kalainan sang ginagiho niya. Asta nga... asta nga ginhimuslan niya ako kag si Nanay ginpatumbayaan ang ginahimo sang Tatay sa akon. Wala ako bulig nga naagom kundi sakit, kapiot sa dughan kag kaakig; pagsalo sa akon sang kamatuoran nga wala ko nakita kag wala nahibaluan.

Subong, athag na kung ngaa amo to ang ginpamangkot sa akon sang panganod. Napuno ako sing kaakig kag pagpatumbaya sa kaugalingon. Napuno na ako kinahanglan ko maghimalos.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Amat-amat nga tikang, asta nakita ko kung paano maghibi ang wala kaluoy ko nga iloy sa akon. Puno siya sing Norma nga ginamitlang samtang may bahid sa sing dugo ang iya kalawasan.

"Norma tama na, untati. Maluoy ka sa amon," wala sing pagtulok nga ambal ni Nanay pero dapat sa akon siya nagatulok ugaling ngaa may ginastorya siya nga lain?

Nagtika ako sing kaisa kag didto ako napangbugnawan, may Norma man nga ara sa kilid sang akon iloy kag ginataga niya si Tatay sang binangon sa iya kalawasan. Gapalang-lapaw ang lapuyot nga dugo sang akon amay kag gabulwak ang bibig sini sang mapula-pula nga dugo. Tinamaan man nga patay na siya. Apang ako, ang akon ginatulok sa malayo nga si Norma grabe ang akig nga may ara siya sa iya nga lawas. Ang gapalang-dulom niya nga mata kag ang ngirit nga handa magpatay sing tawo ang makita ko sa iya.

Hindi ako ina.

"Tapos na si Tatay, Nay. Gusto mo ikaw naman?" na demonyo na siya apang si Nanay ga amat-amat na kamang papalayo sa akon.

"Tabang! Ahhh!" ini ko masarang ang pagtaga sini sang binangon sa isa ka paa ni Nanay. Bisan ano matabo, nagkasala man sila, ginhikanan ko sila gihapon gani dapat ko siya buligan.

Malapit sa akon ang isa ka taga kag madasig ako nagdalagan pakadto sa ginatindugan sang akon malalaot nga bersyon nga Norma. Handa na ako buligan si Nanay. Handa na ako pagapatyon si Norma. Handa ko na ini tagaon sa iyang likod ugaling gulpi lamang ako naglapos.

Ngaa? Paano?

Gulpi nag-untat si Norma kag nag-atubang sa akon nga rason para ako makulbaan.

"Salamat sa pagtukib sa imo ginkalimtan. Kag sa masunod ako imo pasalamatan, Norma!" hakot sa kadalumon sang duta nga tingog kag ang buya ni nga mga tinaga isa ka patimaan nga matuod ang tanan.

"Ahhhh!" huliing singgit ko sang gina-amat-amat na ako nga ginakaon sang kalayo tungod sa sala nga ginhimo ko.

Nay, Tay, patawara ako.

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Reflections by Reinhardt Firmeza

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Hithit ni Aly

Dumukot sa bag Ng isang pack ng yosi 'Di makatulog Sa naninilim na gabi Sa isang sulok sinimulan Limang hithit ng kapalaran Una, sa taong mahal na nawala; Ikalawa, sa pagkakataong ayaw ng tadhana; Ikatlo, sa mukhang 'di na masisilayan; Ikaapat, sa mga sandaling ninakaw ng kaduwagan; at Ikalima, sa pangarap na patay Na paulit-ulit nang iniiwasan Kalakip ng pag-asa Ay hikbi ng tiwala Kasama ng tapang, Lakas ng loob ay nanghihinayang Sa limang hithit na lamang mararamdaman Dampi ng labi sa yosing nagbabaga ang laman

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23 Faรงade

by Krishna Dolar

Behind smiles bright as the light sky And see-through emotions like clear glass The truth was I'm struggling to clothe with a faรงade, With an invisible mask.

Do I clad it right?

/viZH(oo)el/

by Alea Jen Villahermosa

Endless swirl of memories, A room once full of joy Shattered, lost, and broken.

No trace left, even fragments.

Even if you thrive with all your might, I'm out of anyone's grasp.

Even if you drive a mile towards the sky, I'm a star only for your eyes

Yearning to feel again But only the void filled my veins.

It's nostalgic to be in a house When it's no longer a home.

Eerie it may seem When flashes of people's faces Came rushing in As I scan every corner clean Sit back, relax, remember, I told myself once more.

What I see struck the question of why and how And all that was left is this abyss now.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Beauty by Carl Vallejera

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Fragile by James Necarl Mesa

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Cuddle Weather

By Lyka De La Torre

There's always that peaceful feeling that comes with droplets falling off of nimbus clouds. Hearing that pitter-patter sound as precipitate lightly hit metal roofs in rhythmic succession, I got lulled further into dreamland.

But got interrupted by ringtone number nine blasting off of my phone speakers in melodious uproar. I clicked on the fat, bold SNOOZE displayed at the bottom of my phone screen and tucked myself into a comfortable mess of pillows and blankets like a sleep-deprived burrito.

"Five more minutes," I mumbled for the eighth time.

The white noise of rain hitting cityscapes was a beautiful lullaby – too beautiful, I realized. And then, I jolted up. I had to go to school.

Reaching for my phone, I noticed the notification light blinking.

Floating over my wallpaper was a lurking demon – a chat head with the profile picture seemingly smirking at me. I tapped on it.

"Meg, masulod ka? Indi ko magsulod kung indi ka magsulod."

There it was. The devil that lulled me back to sleep.

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27 Dance

by Stephen John Gavaran

"The dance floor is now yours to take," the emcee announced as if suggesting everyone to ask their special someones to dance.

I was just there, staring and waiting for the right opportunity to ask you if we could dance together but all those introversions came over me.

"Why don't you ask her?" a voice from behind broke my daydreaming and I didn't even bother to look at the person who started the conversation.

"I'm too shy to ask her to dance," I answered.

"You know, I was once like that. I had all the opportunity in the world yet I wasted it. I had her in my arms yet I let her slip away before I could even take one last grasp on her. I may be rich but I am poor in love," the man replied, causing a deafening silent bridge between us.

But his reply made me realize something.

"I may not change my past but I certainly can change yours. Don't do the mistakes I have committed. Ask her before the song's over," he added. He stood up and walked away. He turned his back on me before I could even know who that man is.

"I know, if I ask her, she'll just say no," I uttered to myself. I just stood there imagining that scenario back in my high school days."The dance floor is now yours to take," the emcee announced. "It's time to change the future."

I sat beside a guy wearing a blue and gray semi-formal attire and questioned him, "Why don't you ask her?"

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

A Letter to Me

by Bianca Cababahay

Not a lot of people notice the effort you put into getting up each day – How you struggle to even leave the solace that is your bed.

All they need is for you to show up in front of them come what may.

And though it is most unfair, there is no time for tears to be shed.

You got a point higher in another hard test; Did one more push up past your known limit; Beat the jitters and got another all-time best; Fought so hard to get a drop of joy back into your spirit.

Hopefully, you didn't lose yourself For that's a setback you will always regret.

The world may be cruel and dark and bleak, Turning a blind eye to those they consider weak.

The little people have no say but to follow the crowd.

And should they wish to survive this, kindness will never count.

But I pray that you never stop believing in recovery – Letting yourself grow when you are ready.

Those little steps that people brush off in favor of the results, They are for your eyes only For yours is the only opinion that ever truly mattered.

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Goals by Kyn Lance Gelverio

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Silip-buhay ni Joe Arnel Celestial, Jr.

Mala-musika ang takbo't kilos ng bawat tao, Umiindak sa tunog ng samu't saring bagay; Pilit na inuunawa ang bawat bigkas ng mga labi; Nahihirapang ipahayag ang laman ng puso't isipan.

Malinaw ang nararamdaman sa mapanlinlang na mga mata.

Matatanaw ang higpit ng yakap sa bawat isa.

Sapat na ang oras na biniyaya sa kanya ng panahon.

Binalot ng pangungutya ngunit lumaban at nakaahon.

Sino ba ang hindi magiging higit na masaya?

Hukas-lalaw Namulat ka sa tahimik ng kapaligiran – ni Christopher Villaruel Na tanging mata lang ang nakakaalam.

Hanggang kailan mo ba uunawain?

Naglabay na ang tinion Ang silip-buhay ni pipi't bingi.

Apang athag gihapon sa malayo Ang maanyag nga mga bulak sa imo nga hardin.

Ang butlak sang suga nga daw mga bituon Kag ang huni sang malinong nga hangin – Ikaw nagapahuway nga Nagahigda sa imo puti nga payag; Nagakatulog ka sang mahimuokon kag malinong.

Ikaw naka suksok sang puti nga panapton, Ginahimutaran taka.

Kaupod ang tun-og sa hilamon Ang sana-aw sang bulan sa kaagahon.

Ginahanduraw ko ang maanyag mo nga guya Nga may yuhom Ugaling wala na sang ginhawa.

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Sa Pagdilat ng Aking mga Mata ni Ella Jane Mercado

Hindi na makapaghintay ang aking mga magulang na maimulat ko ang aking mga mata. Ang dilim na nakikita ko sa loob ng apat na buwan ay, sa wakas, mapapalitan na ng mga imaheng nais kong makita.

Masasayang tawanan at nakahuhumaling na kuwentuhan – hindi na ako makapaghintay na masaksihan ang mga tinig na ito. Ako'y natutuwa sa ganitong pakiramdam.

Dahan-dahan ay may nakikita na akong liwanag, ngunit hindi ko inaasahan na masakit pala ito sa unang pagkakataon. Ako'y pumikit ulit – Sinubukan kong buksan muli ang aking mata hanggang sa hindi ko na maramdaman ang sakit. At sa muling pagbukas ng aking mga mata, hindi ko lubos maunawanan ang imaheng gusto kong masaksihan – Liwanag lamang.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Kalangitan ni Christopher Villaruel

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33 The Beauty That I’ll Never Reach

by Colline Aspan

He is the glinting treasure inside a meadow; Aging, always waiting For the one who yearns for his rarity.

With hands so gentle in touching mine, He warms my meek heart.

Those eyes had me in awe.

Such did the stars in the dark sky.

But, in that smile was the dying light With eyes that of an exploding star.

His genuine feelings questioned When alone with his demons.

He doesn't understand that The physical entity was never the basis Of his undying beauty.

But how bold is it for me, To assume that he worries about that Or worries about what I think?

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

A-B-Z

by Cris Marie Gavasan

I keep on thinking, keep on writing as Pieces of paper on my feet keep spreading.

A specific letter that is yet to be known From A up to Z, what could it be?

And we begin By gazing into each other's eyes.

It felt so strange yet so nice That I remember all pleasant times.

An illusion that speaks; And these emotions are getting real.

I'm so confused – I don't know why.

I just want to leave these questions behind.

This feeling's too strong My instincts didn't go wrong.

Should I follow my gut?

Or should I say this is enough?

From all the letters in the Alphabet Maybe it's capital Y-O-U But don't assume its you.

And all I can say is, "guess who?"

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Nature’s Guise by Yen

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Chismis ni Romchelle Chris Danielle Waminal

Si Nenay na kaklase ay kakaiba.

Walang lumalapit sa kanya – Maitim at dilaw na mga ngipin, Nanlilisik ang bawat tingin.

Palaging laman ng chismis si Nenay.

Kanyang bibig, punung-puno ng laway.

Hindi sumasama sa mga gala; Sa upuan, nakatulala.

Nawala si Ed, ang pabibong kaklase; Totoong epal naman kasi.

Walang kumibo, ni tumanong Kung bakit nakahiga na siya Suot ang puting barong.

Sa gitna ng luksa at hikbi, Si Nenay ay nakangiti.

Ang dilaw na mga ngipin, pula na sa aking mga paningin.

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41 Kulay ng Pag-ibig ni Crisha Arroyo

"Bakit ko kasi siya nagustuhan? Eh, alam ko namang mali?"

Tanong na dahilan kung bakit siya'y nananatiling nakakubli.

Kung ang bahaghari nga'y may iba't ibang kulay; Sa mapanghusgang mundo, Kung sa klase nga'y may iba't ibang Kung saan lahat ng gagawin mo ay may hanay; grado, Paano pa kaya sa taong umiibig nang Kailan ka kaya makakagalaw ng malaya? tunay?

Kailan ka kaya magmamahal nang hindi dinadaya?

Kailan man hindi naging prebilehiyo ang magmahal Dahil, sa pag-ibig, kalayaan dapat ang umiiral.

Lalaki ka mang nagmamahal sa kapwa mo lalaki; Babae ka man na minamahal ang katulad mong binibini; Hangga't may respeto ka sa iba at sa Kailan pa ba naging mali ang magmahal? iyong sarili, Kailan pa ba naging mali ang mahalin Hayaan mo na ang pag-ibig lamang ang ibinigay ng maykapal? ang mamayani.

Kailan pa ba naging kasuklam-suklam ang umiibig lamang?

Ganiyan na ba talaga ang daigdig?

Kahit pa nagsusumigaw ang puso, Mas pipiliin mong tikupin ito Dahil alam mo na, sa oras na may makarinig, Huhusgahan ang klase ng iyong pagibig.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Michaelis-Menten by Ashraf Khater

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P rofiles

Aly (myopia). Aly is a religious member of the Titas of Bacolod and a former lead dancer of the Sexbomb Girls. The music industry should recognize her for keeping old songs alive in the office. To sum it all up, she’s the queen of the pub. Without her, we’re all doomed.

Crisha Arroyo (nightlight). Aki is the little momshie of the TS babies. She’s willing to take on anything, especially in exploring her writing styles.

Colline Aspan (Sistine Chapel). Colline is an active volunteer of the Red Cross Youth. She’s fond in dedicating her literary works to beauty she can’t reach.

Leslie Marie Banaban (heterochromia). Leslie is an overall performer. She’s an aspiring artist aiming to prove the world what she can do -- may it be singing, dancing, or through her artworks. Name it all. A true batang may laban.

Bianca Cababahay (kaleidoscope). Bianca usually incorporates her quirky to sentimental personalities in her poems. She is crazy about Finn and Jake.

Joe Arnel Celestial Jr. (Bailes de Luces). You can’t predict what will come out of Romina – err – Jonel’s mouth. If he’s serious or not, you may not know. He’s an actor after all. One thing’s for sure – he’s always entertaining and everyone likes him because of that.

Lyka De La Torre (20/20). Lyka is a small, hungry beast that needs to be fed constantly. She’s always late for anything but never when there’s food. With her debt collecting skills, no doubt that she’ll open a money lending business instead of a construction firm in the near future.

Krishna Dolar (Pieta). Krishna is an active advocate of faith and education. She’s a passionate girl who serves with a genuine purpose. She can sleep well despite the rocky road. We think that’s a skill.

Reinhardt Firmeza (Polaroid). Rein is a workaholic and a hopeless romantic rolled into a soft bun. In anything that’s in store for him, he takes it as a challenge and proves that he can do better the next time around.

Kyle Matthew Fuentes (camcorder). Kyle is a wanderer in search for reasons and answers who is seeking the thrills of friendship, love, and experiences.

Stephen John Gavaran (Photoshop). Stephen fancies sharing memes but, fun aside, his friends admire his artworks as they invoke words that are not spoken yet are the loudest.

Cris Marie Gavasan (UV ray). Cris can give your daily dose of your romantic poet and dreamy athlete.

Ashraf Khater (night vision). This Egyptian pharaoh is cursed with ancient wisdom and adept skills from the tombs of his ancestors with royalty-like perspectives in life – in peasant terms, the smarts, talent, and a head full of first-world problems.

Jocer Macalisang (Pantone). Call him Wacheley. Joe’s a former member of the F4 yet kicked out for being overqualified. Scary stories are his lullabies – whether they’re about him or from the Internet.

Jusalanne Matulac (Venus). Jusa is either Joy or Sadness. Little do the staff know but she silently cares for everyone. We haven’t seen her angry before. We wonder what’ll happen if we get to her bad side.

James Necarl Mesa (watercolor). Breaking the all-work-no-play medtech student stereotype, James unleashes his creative side in all platforms he can think of, especially in TS’s Booked.

Ella Jane Mercado (facial mask). Ella loves everyone, especially Jocer, her source of utang. She banters a lot but only ceases once reminded of her debts. Also, she’s the perfect example of marupok.

Jade Christine Orquia (Miyazaki). Jade speaks so, so, so softly. But, just like any other kid in the office, she can be outgoing whenever she’s comfortable with people who truly understand her.

Carla Joanne Robles (Mona Lisa). To continue the race of medtech students in the office, CJ

became the descendant of the greats. Still figuring out her way into college, she has the TS babies to count on.

Lourdes Angeline Sendico (Hubble Telescope). This lady may look small and her name may sound heavenly but, once you come across Lourdes’ strongest peeves, you just might not imagine doing something like that again. She lives for pranks and jokes but, once serious, you wouldn’t want to mess with her.

Renee Suala (binoculars). Renee looks like she had set her face in default. She always looks grumpy as if she hates the universe and our whole existence. She’s unpredictable and, basically, she just doesn’t care.

Carl Vallejera (Uni Pin). This small boy is determined to surpass the struggles of being an engineering student. Carl plays the role of “small but incredible” really well.

Alea Jen Villahermosa (rainbow). Alea is a fun ball of sunshine. She can be very persuasive through her words that one may think she aspires to be a politician when she’s actually a future teacher.

Nina Aira Villanueva (Frida Kahlo). Nina has a strong personality yet she may have not yet shown that frequently in the office. She’s also an intelligent girl who has a lot of interesting and sensible things to say. And, oh, her thoughts are mostly dark and dank.

Cristopher Villaruel (gridlines). Grizz of We Bare Bears, Tope is responsible and creative. One may think that he’s the silent type but, well, the worst is yet to come.

Romchelle Chris Danielle Waminal (microscope). Romch feels like a baby bathed with milk because of her soft and white skin. And, just like cute babies, she bites, literally. And, just like tired college students, she bites through countering your arguments in her sarcastic, very Romchelle-like way.

Yen (swatch). Her neverending love for colors and art proves how Yen will not cease to express herself and social issues as well. Graduating did not stop her from sharing her art in this year’s Booked.

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 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. KRISHNA DOLAR CHARLENE GRACE GELOTIN JOSEPH LETRAN HYASCENT ALRIZ NABO 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 MERLH CRIS CELESTE JOSHUA DUHAYLONGSOD DAVE EVANGELISTA ALVIN ZULUETA CARTOONISTS RHEYMAR CHUA JOSHUA GARITA RENEE SUALA LAYOUT ARTIST CRISTOPHER VILLARUEL WEB ADMINISTRATOR REINHARDT FIRMEZA HUMAN RESOURCE CONSULTANT KAYE EUNICE LAMERA, RSW TECHNICAL CONSULTANT ENGR. ASHRAF KHATER, CHE, MEnE-CAR TECHNICAL ADVISER IVY GONZALES ABOY, PHD

TOLENTINESTAR The Official Student Publication of the University of Negros Occidental -Recoletos tolentinestar@gmail.com | www.facebook.com/tolentinestar

Tolentine Star wishes to say thanks to the following: GOD ALMIGHTY for the gift of words and creativity and for giving us the heart to guide all the people who made the completion of this folio possible; THE CONTRIBUTORS for trusting and imparting your pieces, art, stories, and experiences; THE TEACHERS for encouraging and uplifting the students’ love for literature; DR. IVY GONZALES-ABOY for checking in in times of doubt and second-guesses; ENGR. ASHRAF KHATER for the unending support, told-you-sos, provisions, and constructive and motivational ideas that let us strive only for the best; MR. CONRADO GEN TOMAS for the years of service and friendship and for making this a tangible masterpiece; DR. DEXTER PAUL DIOSO for the support and belief in all of the publication’s endeavors as we fulfill our goal to establish truthfulness and fairness through our outputs; and REV. FR. AMADEO LUCERO, OAR for entrusting us the holistic development of the student body through campus journalism.

This literary folio would not be possible if it were not for each one of us – author or reader; artist or spectator. Let the love for literature reach beyond the human eyes.

Literary Folio Editor

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