Chismis

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.

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. Sa mapanghusgang mundo, Kung saan lahat ng gagawin mo ay may grado, Kailan ka kaya makakagalaw ng malaya? Kailan ka kaya magmamahal nang hindi dinadaya? 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. Kailan pa ba naging mali ang magmahal? Kailan pa ba naging mali ang mahalin ang ibinigay ng maykapal? Kailan pa ba naging kasuklam-suklam ang umiibig lamang? Ganiyan na ba talaga ang daigdig? Kung ang bahaghari nga'y may iba't ibang kulay; Kung sa klase nga'y may iba't ibang hanay; Paano pa kaya sa taong umiibig nang tunay? 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 iyong sarili, Hayaan mo na ang pag-ibig lamang ang mamayani.

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.