Entropy

Copyright Š 2018 Booked Entropy Volume 8, 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 Steffanie Condemilicor Associate Editor Charlene Grace Gelotin Editor-in-Chief Alyssa Marie ArceĂąo

foreword

We always value the order of things as a whole but disregard those that are in disarray. As the galaxies far beyond us unravel the true nature of life itself, life would be uninteresting to live without that little chaos. Most wanting to escape from it, others tend to give up yet some embrace the inner chaos within them making them resilient.

The human mind fears what it cannot understand and this is the chaotic code of life one should continually aim to decipher in order to be transformed into a whole new being. What remains of us should fathom the cruel reality and realize the thrill as we let that howl of defiance against entropy echo through the void for all to hear.

To be transformed and constituted, we need unbreaking first.

For by chaos there is cosmos.

Table of Contents

7 Cataclysm 8 Dear No One 9 Off-beat 11 A Wrinkle in Time 14 Terra Nostra; Reflections 15 An Anomaly 17 YOUnit of Entropy 18 Expansion/Destruction 19 Assymetrical Relationship 20 Surreality 22 Take It or Leave It 23 Breaking Into Anxiety 25 Tatay-tatayan 28 Nakaupo

29 Breaking News 30 Nagakalayong nga Maria 32 How Can I? 33 Dreams 35 Enigma 36 134340 38 Galong

“Disrepair” by Caesar Daniel Parayno

ENTROPY Cataclysm

by Tisha Celine Erika Ocampo

Five star stickers Decorate each page A "Well Done!" pin, a golden badge A frequenter of the center stage.

The "best-in-this", the "best-in-that", Star student, top of the class Life was perfect, life was grand The world in the palm of his hands.

College came So did shame Sleepless nights and coffee stains Singed eyebrows and briefly passing grades.

Constant fails, rarer wins Desperate ends call desperate means.

Still in shock, forever stuck In the past of stellar grades and stellar luck.

Medals, once hung Heavy and loose, Now a tightening noose 'Round a neck with a head too proud to bend.

Burning out and breaking down Falling apart and falling down Imploding, exploding, A supernova dying; A black hole in the making.

7

8 Dear No One

by Angelica Neri Celeste

The soft pitter-patter of the rain against the rusty roof woke me up. The scent of the morning dew that slipped through the small creaks of the wooden window made me feel calm. Opening my eyes, I saw you. With your eyes closed, chest rising up and down softly, letting out small puffs of air through your mouth.

Looking at the small things that made me love you even more: Your long dark lashes that fall on your cheeks, the cute mole on the tip of your nose, your cute chubby cheecks that make me want to squish them with my soft hands, your prettily made lips that cutely pout whenever you act cute, your fluffy brunette hair, making me want to run my fingers through it, untying small knots that formed while you are dreaming.

I can't wait to see you flutter your lashes as you slowly lift your eyelids, opening your galaxy for me to wander.

The most gorgeous thing that I've ever seen are your eyes that screamed the truth; where I want to dive in and be drowned. The way it beautifully sparkles whenever you're happy makes me feel the happiness too.

I could get used to waking up to this.

Pulling me closer to you, encircling my arms on your waist, and diving into your warmth, I closed my eyes again.

Then, hearing the ear-piercing sound of my alarm clock, blaring through the small expanse of my room, waking up without your warmth. Alone. Stretching my stiff limbs, realizing that I had the most beautiful dream with you, dear no one.

ENTROPY Off-beat

by Charlene Grace Gelotin

I despise to hear His bated breaths As I can't accept what's coming Tied to a bed Tubes in his head He said, "Look at me, my darling."

I shy away I cannot stay His bruises are painful purple A few months in He lost his hair Sheets of skin as cold as marble Yet, here he is He still insists, "Dont worry, I will get better."

I know for sure There is no cure I'm losing grip on my dancer

9

“Unravelling” by Steffanie Condemilicor

ENTROPY 11 A Wrinkle in Time

by Michael Librando

A shy breeze caressed the drawn satin curtains of the well-illuminated room. A forlorn student sat on a mound of stacked books, his thoughts focused solely on the novel he was currently reading.

The day was now drawing to a close; its final rays of light engulfed the bookladen room with its warm, golden cloak. The student finally lifted his gaze from the book he was mentally devouring and checked his watch. He let out a sigh. Unfazed, he continued to read.

"Still at it, Alex?" the voice echoed within the lofty halls as a bespectacled, middle-aged woman descended from the staircase.

Shifting his gaze towards her, he unfurrowed his brows and let out a tired smile, barely concealing his stressed out appearance.

"Yes, Mrs. Cruz. There are still a few more pages that I'd like to finish before I go."

"What's new?" She replied, indifferently. "You're practically the only person to visit at regular intervals. With the advent of the internet, it's a miracle anyone ever comes here. Old libraries such as this have lost their charm a long time ago."

"But not to me, Ma'am," he beamed. "Always loved to read in the more traditional way."

Mrs. Cruz reciprocated a gloomy smile. "You always are a special kind of something, Alex. You have this brightness with you. A certain kind of shine. Your mother would've been proud of you."

"I-I do hope you're right, Mrs. Cruz," Alex stumbling across his words. "Thank you."

"Be a dear and lock up after me, okay?" She replied as she approached the main doors. "Oh and one more thing. If, perchance, he comes by tonight, tell him 'she already left'."

"Come again, Mrs. Cruz?" He said, cocking his head to the side.

"You heard me right," she said, turning to face him. "Those stories you hear around campus? There's a grain of truth in every one of them."

A rush of the cool night air swept inside, flipping the book pages wildly as she swung ajar one of the doors open.

12 "There are some rather... inexplicably strange things that happen every once in a while in these halls," She continued, swinging the heavy oak doors further out as they emitted a loud, deep, and unnerving creak that took the student by surprise and jolted him from his seat.

"More so often as the sun goes down. Take care, Alexander," she finished.

The doors boomed shut, reverberating across the entire hall. As the deafening wave decayed into nothingness, the still sound of silence was all that remained.

The stillness of the night never bothered Alexander. Neither the fact that he was alone inside one of the large cavernous halls of the library nor Mrs. Cruz's bizarre responses. However, it was his own imagination that he feared the most.

As a man of logic, Alexander never believed in ghosts or the supernatural.

It was simply too far-fetched that something such as that would exist. Cases of supernatural events he concluded were merely psychological phenomena where the mind played tricks on the person. A strong will and a focused mind were all that was required to escape the clutches of the supernatural.

However, the foreboding atmosphere coupled with Mrs. Cruz's parting words were enough to unman even the bravest.

Alexander, tapped his toes inside his shoes uneasily. He had an eerie feeling that he was being watched. His focus on his opened book dwindled as his attention was diverted. His eyes restlessly scanned the tall book cases, the winding staircase, and the dimmed halls for any sign of movement. Soon enough, unbeknownst to him, a series of unsettling events were about to descend upon him.

The student's entire body flinched as a stack of old books close to him fell with a resounding thud.

His labored breaths were all that was audible now. Slowly, Alex drew nearer to the sprawled books and gingerly picked them up one after another. Strange. No gust of wind could've knocked these books easily nor any small scampering creature.

"This is all in my head. Pull yourself together," he thought.

Not more than a minute has passed when a shrill, rough noise in one of the halls echoed throughout the library. It sounded as if a heavy wooden chair was being dragged carelessly across the tiled floor.

Alexander couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was positive nobody else was inside the library with him when he entered hours ago, but now it seemed that it wasn't the case. Someone or something was inside this library that came before he

ENTROPY 13 did. Maybe even years ago.

There were stories around the campus that spoke of restless apparitions of people who died grisly deaths within the university and stalked the grounds at night. What made them decide to leave their ethereal planes, nobody knows.

The oldest building within the campus was the library itself. Its five floors of fully stacked bookcases made it a central hub of knowledge. Back in the days, it was also the tallest building around. This, however, attracted the attention of suicidal students suffering heavily from clinical depression. Needless to say, many students met their end in this academic structure.

The most popular of these gruesome stories was the tale of a law student who topped the bar examination but later discovered that his girlfriend loved another so he took his own life.

Alexander thought hard. Was he imagining things? Was this a side effect of his regular aspirin usage? His body seemed to freeze from everything that was happening. He wanted to make a mad dash for the exit but he couldn't move.

Suddenly, a wild flurry tore through the half — opened windows, scattering books and papers in its path.

"WHOOOOSHHHHHHHH," it whistled loudly.

By some unknown force, the desks and chairs near Alexander convulsed violently. Some smashed themselves against the concrete walls, flinging splintered wood everywhere.

The student's blood turned to ice. His heart pounded wildly from what he was witnessing. He couldn't fathom whatever was happening at that very moment.

The wind continued to howl. A tempest seemed to brew inside the library's main lobby. This didn't make any sense at all.

Alexander finally snapped out of the trance and dashed towards the main doors.

The door was inexplicably locked.

"OPEN! PLEASE, HELP!!" He screamed helplessly, twisting and pulling at the knob. The strong, oaken doors refused to budge.

The wind let out a plangent growl.

14 Terra Nostra

by Mirray Christine Maguad

Cataclysm lurking in the midst of brume; Shades shrieking in anguish and dolour; Realm of puissant whited sepulchre; A limn of lachrymals in star-crossed Stygian isle.

Yesterday fulminates to malefic morrow; Betoken in the lay of fidus Achates; A pompous mage of noxious lenity; Nymph's visage in penumbra of serpent soul.

Doom scribes woebegone in plumbless caves; River of ichor laving blades; Tenebrous dungeon of sempiternal chaos; Dominion of plangency in a form of poesy.

A mephitic tryst of vast blithe and agony, May love be denouement in terra nostra!

Reflections

by Alrenzi Ezparagoza

Cohesive and fine; what a facade humans display.

Look into their eyes, see the demons they battle.

Burdened minds, tired souls; note the slump of their shoulders.

But wait, don't you see?

The spark of hope in each man, will it die or burn brighter?

5

ENTROPY 15

An Anomaly

by Romchelle Chris Danielle Waminal

Flowers were etched on her skin, Moonlight was encapsulated in her eyes, decorating her lips, And the sun danced on her fingertips.

An angel on bedazzling beauty, Impaled in marble walls by nails of ivory and steel.

Oh, but roses and lilies are withered, dark and dead.

The moon dissolves into the nightsky to be conquered by the sun And the sun seizes the eye and burns it, leaving a bitter taste of regret.

What beauty then is there to behold?

When all there is, a grotesque mosaic of an inner chaos?

The beauty of cracks on the glass Or ripples on water Of the bleeding of paint on paper Of a crumbling soul and the stories hidden underneath.

“Of Love and Seas” by Lourdes Angeline Sendico

ENTROPY 17 YOUnit of Entropy

by Angela Marie Zamora

The aftermath of a structured beginning, The spur of an unexpected ending.

When simplicity becomes complex, When a straight path becomes a labyrinth, When sentences are broken into words, When a whole becomes pieces, When tranquility becomes chaotic, Lying in between was you.

You are the distance, The measure, The length of process in between.

You're neither the state of perfect order Nor the high degree of randomness, You're the neutrality of dovish and rebellious.

When unity becomes discordance, When serenity becomes clamor, When fondness turns to hatred, When life turns to death, When everything leads to nothing, Between it all, it's you.

18 Expansion / Destruction

by Cleajane Macapagong

We're each other's puzzle piece, The completeness and perfection The grand masterpiece Of busting lights, of million reflections.

But as the one spring day When we would always try to meet, Blending with blooming flowers and the soft ray, We are now being dragged by our feet away.

From the sun.

From the dusk.

From being one.

From being us.

Because as the universe continues to expand So does our world continues to grow.

With nothing but cig and bitter "I love you"s at our hand, You indeed reap what you sow.

ENTROPY 19

Assymetrical Relationship

by Jessel Mae Siruelo

You are my universe, No one else is.

My love composed of so much dust particles, Where you and only you matters to my whole liveliness.

What is still lacking?

That I became a dark dimension towards you?

All of these elements, Just to give you the needed complements To love me from the beginning to ends.

What is still missing?

That a light-year of distance became a wrong space in our relation And the axis is the reason of our separation because of no revolution.

Maybe. Just maybe You are my brightest shining star.

You are matter to me and I am anti-matter to you.

That, when we meet, we'll eventually explode and be gone forever.

20 Surreality

by Lyka De La Torre

It was surreal.

You walked down the carpeted aisle, dressed in the prettiest white I've ever seen.

Yes, you were beautiful.

Your eyes were glistening — they captivated me. It was exhilarating to know a woman like you was my bride — my soon-to-be partner for life.

But when you walked up to me, I knew something was wrong.

Your eyes weren't the ebony black I remembered them to be.

My vision was a blur.

"Of course this wouldn't add up." I smiled at myself.

I caressed your cheek and kissed you on the forehead.

"Even in my dreams, you remain breathtaking," I whispered to your ear.

Then I reached up to pinch my cheek.

It didn't hurt.

It was surreal.

You glided down the carpeted aisle, dressed in the prettiest white I've ever seen.

Yes, you were beautiful.

Although, your eyes were no longer glistening, and your skin was the palest I've seen them to be.

It was petrifying to see you, the woman who never ended up as my bride, being pushed down the carpeted aisle in a white-gold casket that displayed your body — cold and dead.

My vision was a blur.

I reached up to pinch my cheek.

It hurts.

“Drained” by Lourdes Angeline Sendico

22 Take It or Leave It

By Joelle Mariel Paderog

Are we going to change trail?

Or take some actions and let concord prevail?

Are we going to light the way?

Or in darkness, we stay?

Are we willing to leave misanthrope's tail?

Or we let idiocy reign?

Are we willing to mend everything that's broken?

Or just let it be ruined?

A dream we wished not to happen, A life we could never imagined, A chaos of unexplained noises, A story of human beings' discontentment.

Just like an ocean's abyss Or an eagle's flight, incomparable as it is.

A ray of hope can still exist As long as humanity is willing to take a risk.

So you decide.

Are you going to take it?

Or leave it all behind?

ENTROPY 23 Breaking Into Anxiety

By Dyniel Keith CataluĂąa

The first day I entered college, I walked with a gleaming smile on my face, excited for satisying my thirst for knowledge. College was a fresh start for me; new teachers, new friends, new schedule - everything was new. And then there I was; a boy who came from a small town, sitting on a chair inside a classroom of one of the best universities in the metro.

Time passed by. Days, weeks, and months flew like a young bird who has just learned how to fly. My first year in college was rough. I was not accustomed to living alone. I had to learn how to wash my own clothes because, back home, my mother would do all the laundry and I had to learn some few other things. My studies in my first year were really not that challenging since they were all pretty basic. Some of the lessons that we had were pretty much taught to us when we were in high school.

A year has passed and I was starting my second year in college; things were not the same as before. I have gotten the hang of living alone, slowly adjusting into the community. The lessons we were having in class have somewhat increased in difficulty. But there was one thing that I have noticed. It's something hidden in the dark, hidden from the naked eye.

Another year had passed and my life in college was becoming more and more difficult. I failed three subjects the year before and I was pretty much disappointed in myself. The thought of not graduating on time scared me as pressure slowly began to build up. I said to myself that I would come back from this, strong and independent, but, before all of that, I needed to change and to change I needed to do something that I have never ever done in my whole life. With that thought in mind, I joined an organization with the hope that it would change the way I do things and it did.

It stopped most of my bad habits. Then, later that year, pressure was once again building up as I was struggling to balance my time between the organization and my academics. That thing hidden in the dark I was talking about earlier was slowly starting to show itself to me.

Another year passed and, hopefully, this is going to be my last year in college.

That unknown thing has presented itself to me clearly: anxiety. Anxiety was slowly building up and I failed to notice it. As I am now in my fourth year in college, my mind is pretty much in chaos, I have been struggling to balance my time doing my thesis and internship. Now with a high level of anxiety, I found myself crying alone in my room, lost and insecure.

“Disable” by Michael Steven Veniegas

ENTROPY25 Tatay-tatayan

by Jezreel Caberoy

Masakit talagang makarinig ng pag-iyak ng isang ina lalo na kapag ikaw ang anak nito. Wala akong magawa kung hindi ay umupo sa aking kwarto at gawin ang aking gawaing pambahay sa paaralan. Bata lamang ako. Kahit sumasama ako sa saya ng aking mga kaibigan, lumalamig ang aking pakiramdam pag umuuwi ako sa tinatawag na bahay.

Mag-aanim na buwan na noong nawala ang aking ama. Alam ko na walang tinatawag na perpektong buhay. May mga paghihirap din kaming dinaranas ngunit kuntento kami sa mga maliliit na bagay na mayroon kami. Minsan ninanais namin ang pinakamodernong mga kagamitan pero hindi kami nagkakandarapa para makuha ito.

Si tatay ay isang taong aakalain mong masamang tao dahil sa laki ng kaniyang katawan at bigote na kadalasa'y makikita mo sa mga kontrabida sa mga teleserye. May mga pagkakataon na hindi ako nakakauwi ng maaga at pag-uwi ay malakas na boses ang bumabati sa akin. Habang si nanay ay simpleng mga pang-araw-araw na kagamitan ang hinahanap at kadalasa'y umaabot nga ng tatlong oras ang ginugugol niya para makita ito.

Isang araw, ang mga dating katrabaho ng aking ama ay siyang kumatok sa aming pinto.

"Toto, pakibukas ng pinto," hiyaw ng nanay ko.

Pumunta ako sa pintuan at nakita ang mga taong may kaparehas na suot ng aking tatay. Ang isa sa kanila ay nakikilala ko na minsan na niyang nakainuman dito sa bahay. Matapos kong masabi ang aking pagbati ay hiningi nila ang presensya ng aking ina. Pumunta ako sa kusina para ipaalam ito sa aking ina.

"Mrs. Garcia, patawad po talaga. Pasensya na po," paiyak na sinabi ng isang lalaking may suot na kapareho ng damit pantrabaho ng tatay ko.

"Bakit? Anong nangyari?" pagalit niyang sabat sa taong parang umiilag ang tingin sa kanya.

"Ang inyong asawa..."

Hindi ko talaga maproseso kung anong nasabi niya noong panahon na iyon.

Ang natatandaan ko lamang ay ang pagbagsak ng isang babae na naghihinagpis sa pagkawala ng pinakaimportanteng lalake sa buhay niya. Hindi ko rin napansin na niyayakap ko na siya sa gitna ng kanyang sakit na dinaramdam habang binibigyan ng

26 pagtiyak sa ganoong pangyayari. Wala na ring magawa ang mga dayuhang nagbigay ng masamang balita kung hindi samahan kami sa pagsubok na ito.

Sa sumunod na mga araw hanggang sa kanyang burol, ang aming mga kamag-anak at mga katrabaho ng aking ama ang nakikiramay sa amin. Mga kwento tungkol sa aking tatay na tinatapos sa isang pag-iyak o pagtawa ng mga tao ang maririnig mo sa mga araw na ito. Sabay-sabay na kasiyahan at kalungkutan ang mararamdaman ko.

Kadalasan, mga tiyo at tiya ko ang bahala sa mga pagkain at kape sa mga bisita. Ngunit naiintindihan ko rin naman na may mga tungkulin rin silang kailangang gawin.

Akala ko ay maliit lang ito na pagsubok na tatahakin ko kasama si ina, ngunit hindi. Minaliit ko ang pagkawala ng aking ama dahil kailangan kong maging matibay.

Hindi lamang para sa akin ngunit para rin sa aking ina. Kailangan kong maging malakas na lalaki katulad ng tatay ko at gampanan ang mga tungkuling kanyang naibilin.

Wala na ang mga araw na kasama kami sa pangingisda. Wala na ang gabing magpapaalala sa akin ng oras ng pag-uwi sa bahay. Wala na ang aking guro sa aking mga gawaain sa eskwela. Dahan-dahan ko itong napansin at dahan-dahan ko rin na hinahangad ang kanyang presensya.

Ngunit dahil dito, mas marami akong natutunan. Hindi sa gusto ko, ngunit ito ang kailangan ko bilang taga-ako ng resposibilidad ng isang haligi ng tahanan. Mga pagbayad sa mga bill hanggang sa pagpili ng mga lulutuin sa palengke. Gusto kong tumulong sa aking ina dahil ito ang obligasyon ko sa aking tatay na panatilihing maganda ang kabuhayan ng pamilya.

Sa gabing ito, hindi ko gustong maging anak na tumutulong lamang sa bahay.

Kung hindi, isang anak na binibigyan ng pagmamahal ang aking ina dahil sa pagkawala ng aking ama.

Tinigil ko ang aking pagsusulat. Binuksan ko ang kwarto papunta sa hapag-kainan, umiiwasang matitigan ang aking ina.

"Natapos mo na ba ang iyong gawain?" kanyang tanong habang tinatahan mula sa pag-iyak ang sarili.

Nakita ko na sa pagkawala ng isang tao ay may katumbas na malaking pagbabago.

Sa mga proyektong ginagawa niyo hanggang sa simpleng mga pag-uusap galing sa eskwelahan. Sa gabing ito, gusto kong ipahiwatig ang aking nadarama.

"Inay, ganito po 'yon."

ENTROPY27 “Trends” by Ashraf Khater

28 Nakaupo

by Christian John Fuentispina

Heto ako nakaupo.

Heto ako nakaupo.

Nakaupo samantalang ang mundo ay nagkakagulo.

Ang mga tao ay may sariling kuro-kuro.

Lahat magaling, walang nagpapatalo.

Gawin mo man ay tama, sa paningin ng iba ito ay hindi wasto.

Hindi alam kung kailan tatayo.

Natatakot na baka sa puntong pagtayo ay siya ring pagyuko.

Pagyuko sa katotohanan na ang pagmamahal sa bawat isa ay unti-unting naglalaho.

Naiisip na baka sa aking pagtayo ay siya ring katapusan ng aking yugto.

Heto ako nakaupo.

Nakaupo pa rin habang ang lahat ay nagtatalo Kung sino 'yung matalino at kung sino 'yung bobo.

Mga bangayan na minsa'y wala na sa punto Hindi natatapos, hindi nakikita ang dulo.

Heto ako nakaupo.

Ako'y nakaupo at aking napagtanto Na kahit mahirap pipilitin kong tumayo Hindi hahayaan na ang katarungan ay lumayo Kailangang lahat ay kumilos at makihalubilo.

Heto ako nakaupo.

Heto ako nakaupo.

Nakaupo at minamasdan ang galaw ng mga tao.

Mga gawing hindi kanais-nais at hindi nagbabago.

Ang simbahan at gobyerno ay hindi nagkakasundo Mga munting mamamayan ang naiipit, namumugto.

Tayong lahat ay kailangang umangat at tumayo Nang kahit papaano ay maayos ang magulong mundo Upang katahimikan at kaayusan ay matamo.

Tama na ang pag-upo. Oras na para tumayo!

ENTROPY29 Breaking News

by Alyssa Marie Arceño Totoo ba?

At sa iba ko pa nalaman.

Kahit konting menshahe lang.

Ewan ko. Bahala ka na.

Oo na.

Nalipasan na.

Mabuti na lang iyan.

Ewan ko. Bahala ka na.

Totoo nga.

At hindi ko napigilan.

Kailan pa ba? Matagal na?

Ewan ko. Bahala ka na.

Masama ang ma-istress.

Ewan ko. Bahala ka na.

Okay na ‘ko.

Nawa’y totoo na walang pasok ngayon.

30 Nagakalayong nga Maria

by Kyun

Sa paghaplit sang malahalon nga lipstik sa mahumok niya nga bibig, amo man ang paglutaw sang maanyag niya nga yuhom samtang naga-atubang sa espeho kag nagabutang sang dugang nga pulbos kag blush-on. Sang siya nalipay sa gakakit-an, isa ka madalom nga ginhawa ang iya ginbuy-an bag-o niya ginkuha ang iya bag sa kilid kag nag-guwa sa iya malinong nga panimalay.

Nagapalong ang mga naga igpat-igpat nga bombilya samtang si Maria nagalabay sa dalan sang Santa Ana. Madamo nga mga tawo ang gakasugat-an niya sa iya paglakat padulong sa isa ka hilikuton kaupod ang iya mga amiga karon dugay-dugay.

Beinte na ka tuig halin sang makatapos sila sa college kag hidlaw na siya sa ila. Pati na sa iya. Lapit na man lang siya sa lugar kon sa diin sila magkilit-anay.

Pagkatapos sang pila ka minuto nga paghulat, tanan nakaabot kag nakatambong man guid. Tuman nga kalipay ang gakabatyagan sang kada isa sa bilog na oras nga ginasagamsam nila ang presensya sang kada isa. Natapos ang pagsinadya kag nag amat-amat na sila pauli.

Sa paglakat ni Maria pakadto sa sakayan ka jeep, bisan nalipay siya sa ila nga pagkilit-anay sang mga amiga, daw ginakumos ang iya taguipusuon tungod sa nabatian nahanungod sa isa ka tawo nga nangin isa sa pinakadako nga rason kun ngaa asta subong, nagahulat pa siya sa gihapon.

"Sugod sang ginpadala siya sa giyera sa Marawi, wala na kami balita sa iya.

Pagkatapos sang gamo didto kag pagtawhay sang tanan, amo pa man ang pagkabalo namon nga may asawa kag duwa ka bata na siya gali. Ara sa Cebu pamilya niya."

Apang sa pagsaot sang maitom nga gal-om amo man pag amat-amat dula sang silak sang mga bituon. Dayon man pagtaliwan sang mabaskog nga ulan kon sa diin ang nagahatag kolor kag katahum sa nawong ni Maria kagina naga amat-amat man hukas, tunaw, kag dagdag kasubong sang ulan. Bisan daw hinuyupan na lang ang iya lima ka gatos nga bili sang pampagwapa niya kon sa diin sang isa niya lang ka adlaw ginbayaran si Tiyay Minda sa Avon, wala na siya labot.

Kasubong siya sang isa ka nagakalayong nga bulak. Nanari-sari man na bulong nga pampagwapa kag pampabata sang nawong ang iya nga nausar, hindi man sa gihapon matago ang kamatuoran nga amat-amat nga ginabuka sang mga dekada ang dagway ni Maria mangin ang pagbuka sang iya taguipusuon sa nahibaluan. Wala na pulos ang pagtapal sang kolor sa iya nawong kung ang rason sang pagbuhat niya sini ara sa iban nga babahi nagatulok kag nahatag na sini ang taguipusuon sa iban.

“Withered” by Steffanie Condemilicor

32 How Can I?

by Nevermore

In an empty place or room, I was supposed to be with someone. With her makeup on, wearing the uniform that was signed by many classmates dear to her. With her stole and her medal worn, certificates on hand. So demure, so kind, so beautiful.

I was supposed to be alone with that girl. The girl that I admire so much has already made circles in my own heart waiting to burst in happiness.

It's that moment where I could finally tell the story that I wanted her to know.

Every single moment had happened in such a way that I envisioned. In one bright sunny afternoon, sitting before that destined day to be in that moment. In that shade, I was in a daze, waiting for the moment that I was going to be able to go to the stage and receive my diploma.

A friend was passing by, approaching me. "Hey, what are you doing here?"

"Waiting for my grades to be finally released," I replied.

"Are you ready to finally tell her everything?"

All of a sudden, my body was swallowed in pain, my mind became blank, my eyes went blind, and then everything stopped.

When I woke up, I saw the fluorescent lights from the all-white ceiling, feeling something painful is tugging my arm. I saw an IV tube, being pierced in my very skin down to my vein.

That's when I realized, I'm in a hospital.

Beside me is someone that I was supposed to be talking to on that fated day. Her signed uniform, her stole which she proudly wore, her diploma on hand.

"You're alive! Thank goodness you're alive!"

She was almost out the door but suddenly, she stopped and ran back to me. "I shouldn't tell anyone you woke up. Because I have to tell you something that you should know."

As I was about to say something, I realized something was wrong with my body.

I can't feel anything. My whole body was numb, my face was all I can move. I can't move anything in my body - not my limbs nor my legs. I can't even say any word. All I can do is to move my eyes, hear my surroundings, smell the alcohol scented room, and feel my heart beating.

She then said, with eyes intent onto me, her lips close to my ears and her sweet scent into my nose, her voice, sweetly saying: "How am I going to take care of you forever, the man I love so much?"

Then I, in everything that happened, cried for all in the world.

And everything went blank.

ENTROPY 33

Dreams

by Justin Fiel Ayuco

At the age of nine, they said be who you want to be So I've dreamt of flying through the galaxies But they objected And said those things don't happen in reality.

At the age of 13, they said I should chase my dreams So I put on some make-up And curled my hair But they shove books on my face instead.

At the age of 16, they said I should achieve more So I studied my head off And abused my body for years.

At the age of 19, they said I got no worth So I struggled to wake up every day, Tried to continue life But now with a dying soul.

Now I'm 20 and can't take pressure anymore.

I ended everything. Time stopped for me at 20.

Now all I can hear is their adoring words as I lay peacefully here in my casket.

artwork by Hyacinth Salazar

ENTROPY 35

Enigma

by Philip Andrew Gimay

Who are you now?

In the middle of the night, You are finding a light Enlightenment in the mind For the people who are getting blind.

Blaring screams, hideous dreams Everyone has been eaten by worldly acclaims; Tempted and captured by the hypocrite's soul, You find yourself as a fool.

One's dignity ruined for bribery.

Receive and forget everything easily.

Who are you now?

Are you still the one your parents once knew?

Are you the one who has the light?

The light that should be a guide to one's life?

Or are you the one who has been eaten by the darkness And had been left nothing but selfishness and fleeting happiness?

36 134340

by Mareville Anne Caro

Gliding past into the steep streets of the city, Lights turned on—turned off slowly.

Shadows marching quick and constantly, My feet moved into the dark alley.

The darkness devoured thy soul, In the pit of the abyss, voices that howl "You'll be destroyed, you'll be alone," Said in synchronized arbitral tone.

Screams yelp inside this head, Behold, it had led me to an element and a creed.

Unthrifty loveliness, forbidden act was induced.

Detonates and explodes, deuced.

artwork by James Necarl Mesa

38 Galong

by Jude Xerxes

Nakapanaog na ang adlaw sa langit.

Pero kagalong.

Namit kuno ang sud-an.

Mag-amiga nagsiyagit pagkit-anay.

Barato ang utan subong.

Nadagdag ang ginapas-an.

Gapanawag sa selpon nga daw bungol ang gasabat.

Nagpamangkot ang isa sa presyo.

May galibod.

Gapamusina ang salakyan gapangita pasahero.

Sige pa ang panglakaton.

Gaamat-amat dula ang mga huni sang kalibutan.

Nagpalayo na ang mag-amiga.

Nanghimos ang mga manug-utan.

Si manong kargador natapos na ang obra.

Gintapos na ang pagpanawag kag nagbalik na sa panglakaton.

Nanira na ang tiangge.

Ubos na ang ginabaligya.

Tapos na ang ruta sang nagamaneho.

Kag naglinong ang kalibutan.

Lain na ang hutik.

Mabatyagan ang tulok nga malain.

Wala may gabantay.

Indi na kilala ang nagasunod.

Sinyas sa kamot nga sila lang kainchindi.

Patay-siga ang suga sa dalanon.

Sirado ang pinakalapit nga pirtahan.

Wala manugbaligya.

Punuan ang mga dipasahero.

Ginapangita na ang kagalong sang kalibutan.

“Gravity” by Caesar Daniel Parayno

PROFILES Alyssa Marie Arceño. “Alyssa is never wrong.” Indeed, you can never go wrong with Tolentine Star’s resident cat lady. Good for your health? She’s a Medical Technology student. Good with words? She is not the Editor-in-Chief for nothing. Good with business? PM her for details. Good advice? Well, she might be a self-proclaimed “bad advice friend” but she’s actually a goldmine of “adulting” wisdom.

Charlene Grace Gelotin. Writer, dancer, achiever and heartbreaker extraordinaire, this Civil Engineer in the making has the looks, the height, the grace, the poise, and the wit of a beauty queen (Miss Universe 2057). A word of warning: steer clear of her this rainy season.

Kyun. With her innate compassion and natural ability to light up someone’s gloomy day, Kyun is the very definition of a happy pill. Radiating too much positive vibe, she has her locker filled with Kitkats from admirers wanting a piece of her sunshine.

Steffanie Condemilicor. Versatility is the name of her game! From cartooning, to writing, to photojournalism, this boop has climbed her way to the top as this year’s Literary Editor! How to be you po, lodi? You’ve got it all!

Michael Librando. Computer Engineering’s top memeboi and Gawad Tolentino’s yearly winner is now a part of Tolentine Star’s own constellation. With brewed coffee in his veins and Metallica music in his soul, this Ketchup Eusebio look-a-like will have you wondering why some people are born naturally charming and annoying at the same time.

Dyniel Keith Cataluña. “Libre!” – (Cataluña, 2018). A constant seeker of anything to decrease his monthly expenses, Dyniel frequently resorts in joining the “Freeloaders’ Club” along with other staff. His sideline also includes being the guitarist of the “Poco Loco Dance Guild”.

Jezreel Caberoy. Jezreel is a cat-whisperer and a “casual” listener of OPM. He has also widened his horizons to layout, photojournalism, and Vector graphic design. In his down time, he likes to take care of his hacienda along with his black furry cat, browse memes, and daydream about getting a jacket from his ultimate idol, Kuya Willie.

Lyka Dela Torre. How can so much talent fit in such a small body? Lyka compensates for it by one simple solution. She eats. A LOT. It never shows, so you would wonder where her food (and others’) goes. She is also an official dancer of the “Poco Loco Dance Guild”.

Lourdes Angeline Sendico. Graphics are sweeter the second time around. With a good eye for art and anything aesthetic, Lourdes, her talents, and her love for our furry friends are back to bring color and life to the publication.

Tisha Celine Erika Ocampo. Internship in Cebu transformed this sardine hybrid into a strong and independent swan. Without her ocassional mental breakdowns and karaoke sessions, the total sound produced inside the Tolentine Star office lost a few decibels.

Mareville Anne Caro. This brave young soul is this year’s News and Sports Editor! Marv is anything light - light-hearted and lightweight. If you need to fill up your drawing book look for this girl, she will supply you with infinite stick figures.

Romchelle Chris Danielle Waminal. The shy type but soft-hearted demoiselle here has greatly exerted her efforts on capturing her photos as well as having potentials in feature writing.

Jessel Mae Siruelo. This young writer at the age of nineteen also has a hidden talent in Filipino writing.

Despite being busy with her academics, she never misses any of her assignments. Moreover, she still provides time for supporting aquatic flightless birds.

PROFILES Christian John Fuentespina. CJ always and proudly expresses himself and is confident that his community will progress on societal acceptance. This Filipino writer’s pieces constitutes creativity engulfed with humor.

Philip Andre Gimay. Talking about amazing video editing skills, Philip is one of the “one shot takes all” in all angle (no puns intended), though he sometimes needs a sentence-feeder. Not to mention, he’s a drummer and a guitarist and has a 75% probability of being Lyka’s long lost twin brother.

Nevermore. This mysterious yet talkative fellow never runs out of stories to tell. Just letting him stand or walk around sometimes just makes you want to hug or bite him with all your might.

Alrenzi Esparagoza. Beware of Enzi’s laugh, it’s contagious. She may not seem to be a person who could really comfort others when they’re sad but rest assured that she’s trying her best.

Mariel Paderog. The “wanderlust ant-worker”. Stalk her on Facebook and you’ll know what I mean. And as she satisfies her thirst for adventure, she wonderfully tries to capture such precious moments along the way.

Caesar Daniel Parayno. “Wow” is an understatement on his artworks. He never had leftovers and is hungry most of the time. Just don’t leave him alone or you’ll find your things, even trash, properly organized by size.

Mirray Christine Maguad. 2018’s Colgate cover girl, this tiny pixie fairy always brightens up the office with her smile. She’s definitely a nominee for Ms. Congeniality.

Michael Steven Veniegas. Ben-ben can transform into many forms of aliens with the help of his omnitrix watch; he is ought to saving the world from “waley” jokes any time. He’s THE Uncle with lots of words of wisdom and has the ability to discern others just by observing in a corner.

Justine Fiel Ayuco. This year’s CBA governor is an endless mine of jokes and hugots. Moreover, she believes that she doesn’t need a knight to save her. Why? Because she’s a strong independent woman.

She can save herself so, knights, don’t bother.

James Necarl Mesa. This artistic fellow can devour almost ten medium-sized marshmallows at the same time. This wizard not only has power over the guitar but with the camera as well.

Angelica Neri Celeste. This young maiden has amazing writing skills. She is also a cat-lover and a solid BTS Army. So, don’t try to mess with her when talking about felines and her beloved KPOP group or else you might encounter something bloody.

Angela Marie Zamora. Angela is also a wanderlust skilled writer trapped in a tiny figure. This mademoselle is nobody’s shadow and is the main character of her own story.

Cleajane Macapagong. Do not mistake her as a potterhead because of her glasses, she is simply a die hard fan of EXO. Don’t be too shocked if you find out that she’d be flying off to who-knows-where and have some magic-filled happiness. Mind you, she’s patiently waiting for Tipid Ticket Fares from time to time.

Jude Xerxes. This medical technologist, teacher, and, most importantly, fluffy fellow is the occasional “Tito/Maninoy” of the publication. Whenever he’s inside the office, fun and prizes await.

Ashraf Khater. This highly gifted chemical engineer and professor is the constant alarm clock during presswork - the main reason why we always ask ourselves, “What would we do without nong Ash?*crying emoji*”

TOLENTINESTAR

The Official Student Publication of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos

tolentinestar@gmail.com | www.facebook.com/tolentinestar | www.tolentinestar.com

EDITORIAL STAFF A.Y. 2018-2019

Our sincerest thanks to the following:

EDITORIAL BOARD ALYSSA MARIE ARCEÑO editor-in-chief CHARLENE GRACE GELOTIN ASSOCIATE EDITOR KAYE EUNICE LAMERA MANAGING EDITOR

GOD ALMIGHTY for the gift of wisdom and skills and for guiding all the people who made the completion of this folio possible;

DESK EDITORS STEFFANIE CONDEMILICOR LITERARY EDITOR MAREVILLE ANNE CARO NEWS AND SPORTS EDITOR MICHAEL LIBRANDO FEATURE EDITOR TECHNICAL EDITORS LOURDES ANGELINE SENDICO GRAPHICS EDITOR MATTHEW JOHN LORIZO MULTIMEDIA EDITOR STAFF WRITERS Jezreel Caberoy Lyka De La Torre Christian John Fuentespina Mirray Christine Maguad Tisha Celine Erika Ocampo Jessel Mae Siruelo PHOTOJOURNALISTS Joelle Mariel Paderog Romchelle Chris Danielle Waminal GRAPHIC ARTIST Caesar Daniel Parayno CARTOONIST Michael Steven Veniegas VIDEOGRAPHERS Reinhardt Firmeza Philip Andre Gimay LAYOUT ARTIST Alrenzi Esparagoza WEB ADMINISTRATOR Dyniel Keith Cataluña TECHNICAL ADVISER IVY GONZALES ABOY

THE CONTRIBUTORS for trusting and imparting your pieces, arts, stories, and experiences that constituted this literary folio and for being with us as we grace it as a whole; The Teachers for encouraging the students to contribute as they showcase their masterpieces and literary prowess; Ms. Ivy Aboy, MaEd for the guidance and support you have imparted throughout the years; Engr. Ashraf Khater, ChE for the unending support, told-you-sos, provisions, and constructive, motivational ideas that innovate the publication to strive only for the best; Mr. conrado Gen Tomas for accommodating our requests and for always opening your doors and providing warmth in welcoming us in your humble office in every ways possible; Dr. Dexter Paul Dioso for the unending consideration, trust, and support in all the publication’s endeavors as we fulfill our goal to establish truthfulness and fairness and enliven “caritas et scientia” in the University and in the society; Rev. Fr. AMADEO LUCERO, OAR for entrusting us to uphold the development of the student body as we uplift the Rekoleto community as the Cradle of Excellence.

Literary Editor