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K

Tungkol sa Pabalat:

Sa malayo’y tanaw ang di maisuksok na hangaring hubad


na taglay ng mandirigmang di lantad

alyo
sa madlang ganid sa kaalaman, halimaw subalit nagkaisip
hinahabol, hinihingal
may aninong di mawari ang paroroonan…

Manunumbalik ang mga gawa


at lilitisin ang sarili…

Uusigin ang ipinamana


at matutuklasang hitik ang legasya…
The Philippine Artisan - Manila
maaaring kupas ang mga idinulot subalit mananatili! 2009 - 2010 Literary Folio
Mauubos ang buhangin ng panahon
sa pamamagitan ng MGA PATNUGOT
isanlibong Benjunar G. Barcoma & Geo Raphiel I. Anico punong
kaisipan at patnugot, Mark Leilan O. Tanglao kapatnugot sa ingles,
walang magluluksa Francis Andrew A. Dy kapatnugot sa filipino / patnugot
dahil walang pagtatapos na magaganap…
sa lathalain at literatura, Jeffry A. Caigoy sirkulasyon
Babaligtad ang kahapon at itutuloy ang bukas / tagapamahalang pampinansyal, Rafael G. Cultura
walang kamatayan! patnugot sa balita, Melchor L. Eduarte patnugot sa
mananatiling imortal ang mandirigmang isports.
patuloy na dadami
sampu ng kanyang mga isisilang na binhi
mga sanggol na magtataguyod MGA GANAP na KAWANI
ng nasimulang rebolusyon, at bubuwagin ang dingding Ma. Roan O. Barredo, Julius T. Costa, Jacky Ortega,
ng kawalang-malay… Jenilyne S. Pumaris, Almira Lyn B. Recto, Ma. Edalyn
Reduta, Salve Gina M. Totanes
sa pamamagitan ng PLUMANG WALANG WANGIS at
ginawang sandata ng paninindigan…
MGA KAWANI
- Punong Patnugot Christian Joseph N. Ambong, Christine J. Chua, Thea
Camille M. Diaz, Sharon B. Ditucalan, Brian A. Fabregas,
KALYO Gizelle G. Ganit, Syne R. Mirasol, Joemar A. Papa, Mary
Tomo LXV Bilang 4
Karapatan sa Paglathala 2010
Grace C. Reyes, Christopher S. Rosales, Mary Jane V.
Venegas
Reserbado ang lahat ng karapatan sa anumang uri ng reproduksyon
at pamamahagi ng kalipunang ito sa patnugutan ng Philippine TAGAPAGLAPAT ng DISENYO
Artisan 2009 - 2010. Nico L. Lasaca, Anne Karla D. Rivera, Cliff Kevin M.
Cedaña, Jonathan O. Savellano, Catherine L. Sy
Nananatiling pag-aari ng bawat nag-ambag ang kanilang mga
akda.
GRAPIKS
Inilalathala ng Philippine Artisan ang KALYO isang beses sa Wilvic Joe C. Cañas, Nestor M. Cayabyab Jr., Albert A.
loob ng taunang pang-akademiko. Ito ay kalipunan ng mga Dadag, Reymond P. Raymundo, Russel John T. Ramos,
akdang panitikan at sining biswal. Anumang puna, komentaryo at Arnel E. Arenal, John Carlo O. Dizon, Dino Albert R.
mungkahi ay malugod na tatanggapin ng pahayagan. Nillo, Carlo R. Sotero Jr.
Ang opisina ng Philippine Artisan ay matatagpuan sa silid 103, NAG-AYOS ng LIBRETO:
gusali ng CAFA/CIE, Teknolohikal na Unibersidad ng Pilipinas,
Ayala Boulevard, Ermita, Manila.
Nico L. Lasaca

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Philippine-Artisan/220678716042 NAGDISENYO ng PABALAT:


Albert A. Dadag
Kasapi: College Editor’s Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)
TAGAPAYO:
Inilimbag sa: Punzar Printing Press Prof. Almina T. Tengco-Chan
Imortal
Mula sa Punong Patnugot:

Walang kakalam na sikmura sa isusubong pagkaing ibinuga ng kamusmusan. Pilit kakalas


ang kamangmangan subalit ito’y manganganak ng perpektong obra-maestra.

Hindi lingid sa kaalaman ng nakararami na ang Kalyo ay patuloy na sinusubaybayan at


inaabangan. Ang pampanitikang libretong ito ay sumasalamin sa dalisay ngunit mapangahas
na emosyon, pinagdadaanan at takbo ng kaisipan. Piling akda at piling manunulat. Ang ibang
akdang kasama sa limbag na ito ay bunga ng mapanuring TUPian.

Ang mga ito ay inukit mula sa bakal na puso at matibay na isip. Maaring ang iba’y
nanggaling sa marupok na kaalaman, ngunit pinanday ng emosyon at hinango ang langit mula
sa bawat katha. Ang paraiso ay hindi makikita sa iilan lamang. Nangyaring iilan pa lamang ang
nakakatuklas nito at natagpuan sa bawat karanasan.

Dito ay ilalapit ang langit sa impyerno nang sa gayon ay mananatili ang balanse at masaksihan
ang kadalisayan, maging ang kapalaluan.

Ikaw. Oo ikaw na nagbabasa nitong libretong hawak mo. Sa iyo iniaalay ang limbag na
ito. Nawa’y kapulutan mo ng aral ang mga kathang pinagbuhusan ng sarili. Tunghayan.
Husgahan.

Maligayang pagbabasa!

Patuloy na mangangapal ang kalyo sa kamay tanda ng inuukit na utak. Wangis ng isang
kandilang matutunaw subalit manunumbalik.

Kuya Benj
Punong Patnugot
SANLIBONG IDEYA
TULA

Aktibista...................................................................................................... 8
Balik Bayan Box......................................................................................... 9
Baliktanaw.................................................................................................. 10
Bangungot................................................................................................... 11
Ikaw At Ako................................................................................................ 12
Iskwater....................................................................................................... 13
Kabataan..................................................................................................... 14
Kundiman.................................................................................................... 15
Liham.......................................................................................................... 16
Lihim........................................................................................................... 17
Maling Akala............................................................................................... 18
Mundo Ngayon........................................................................................... 19
Ngiti............................................................................................................ 20
Pagsuko....................................................................................................... 21
Patawad Sinta Ko........................................................................................ 22
Pintasera...................................................................................................... 23
Rali.............................................................................................................. 24
Taghoy......................................................................................................... 25
Tiwala......................................................................................................... 26
Versus.......................................................................................................... 27

SANAYSAY at DULA

Pulubi + Taong Grasa = Anong Pinagkaiba Nila?...................................... 30


Sino Ang Dapat Magmalasakit................................................................... 32
Transparency............................................................................................... 34
Nang Ang Bata’y Natutong Magsalita At Ang Matanda’y Nautal............. 35

KOMIKS at GRAPIKS

Do’s And Dont’s ......................................................................................... 38


Noon Yon Di Ngayon.................................................................................. 41
Absum?....................................................................................................... 42
Aypad.......................................................................................................... 43
Bilanggo...................................................................................................... 44
Boundless.................................................................................................... 45
Emmanuel................................................................................................... 46
Freedom...................................................................................................... 47
Gearing Forward......................................................................................... 48
Inosente....................................................................................................... 49
No Turning Back......................................................................................... 50
My Ego....................................................................................................... 51
Mystic......................................................................................................... 52
Senses.......................................................................................................... 53
Stress........................................................................................................... 54
Torn............................................................................................................. 55
Truth ........................................................................................................... 56
Way of Mortalization.................................................................................. 57
K alyo

The Philippine Artisan


Manila
Literary Folio
2009 - 2010
Aktibista
Balik Bayan Box
Baliktanaw
Bangungot
Ikaw At Ako
Iskwater
Kabataan
Kundiman
Liham
Lihim
Maling Akala
Mundo Ngayon
Ngiti
Pagsuko
Patawad Sinta Ko
Pintasera
Rali
Taghoy
Tiwala
Versus
Tula
K al yo : T h e O f f i c ia l Lite rary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Aktibista
-jen-

Puro salita
Wala naman sa gawa
Nakakayamot
Paulit ulit lang ang ikot

Doon sa Mendiola mas ginusto mong manahanan


Pawisan ka at nakayapak
Nakikisigaw ng pagbabago
Subalit mismong sarili wala namang ipinagbago

Asan ang angas mo


Kapag presinto ang kinahantungan
Kakaputak maghapon
Paos lang ang kinahinatnan.

Hindi ka pa ba naaawa?
Sa lalamunan mong laging uhaw
Sa tindi ng init ng araw
Wala namang nakikinig sa iyong isinisigaw.

Hindi ka nakikiisa.
Kundi nakikigulo ka lang.
Kung sarili mo mismo hindi mo maituwid,
Para san pa kaya ang “ako mismo” na ipinapabatid?

Ano pa ang silbi ng gobyerno


Kung lahat ng bagay ay gusto mong instant!
At sa one click lang
Burado lahat ang suliranin ng bansa.

Talaga bang nariyan ka para sa pagbabago?


O baka sa pangalang nais lang bumango?
Alam mo ba kung para san ang ipinaglalaban mo?
O nakikibaka ka lang para sa salaping ibinayad sa iyo?

8 Tula
K a l yo : T h e O f ficial Lite rary Folio of Th e P hilip p ine Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Balik Bayan Box


Christopher S. Rosales

Ayokong tanggapin ang kahon mo, Itay;


Hindi baleng amagin iyan at maagnas,
Kahit pa mabagsik mong mata’y tikom na.

Kahit pa matupok lahat mong padala


At loteng nililok ng dugo mo’t dusa;
Ayokong tanggapin ang kahon mo, Itay.

Ayokong maparam ang hapdi, ang marka


Ng sint’rong hambalos mo sa’king balikat;
Kahit pa mabagsik mong mata’y tikom na.

Kahit pa batid kong napilitan ka lang


Na ako’y aluin sa bruhang dentista;
Ayokong tanggapin ang kahon mo, Itay.

Ayokong mapatid ang higpit ng yakap


Mo sa pag-abot ko ng aking diploma;
Kahit pa mabagsik mong mata’y tikom na.

Kahit pa ang baduy ng iyong tinuran


Na taktika sa’king unang panliligaw;
Ayokong tanggapin ang kahon mo, Itay;

Ayokong maglaho ang payo mo’t luha


Sa kasal ko’t binyag ng tatlo kong anak;
Kahit pa mabagsik mong mata’y tikom na.

Ayokong pigilan agos ng gunita,


Kahit pa bumukal ang lamig ng bangkay.
Ayokong tanggapin kabaong mo, Itay
Kahit pa mabagsik mong mata’y tikom na.

Tula 9
K al yo : T h e O f f i c ia l Lite rary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Baliktanaw
Jacky Ortega

Binagtas at tinahak ang daan sa karimlan


Umaasang sa dilim ng buhay ay may liwanag na masilayan
Bawat gabing lumipas, panalangin ang pananggalang
Laban sa pagsukob ng ibayong kalungkutan.

Bawat pagsikat ng araw at pagdating ng umaga


Panibagong sigla at lakas ang siyang nadarama
Dahil batid na may bagong pagkakataon na maipadama
Ang pagmamahal at pagsinta ng pusong mapagkalinga.

Maaaring marami tayong natutunan sa ibayo


At sana lahat ng ito’y atin namang naisapuso
Sa rami ng ating bagong kaibigan at karanasan
Tinugon ang panalangin na ating inusal nang minsan.

Ngayon maliwanag na ang ating daraanan


Kung dati’y may agam-agam, ngayo’y may kaginhawaan
At muling lingunin ang mga taong nakapila at kumakaway
Sa paglisan mo, tandaang sila ang naging karamay.

10 Tula
K a l yo : T h e O f ficial Lite rary Folio of Th e P hilip p ine Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Bangungot
Kantoy Palaboy

Unti-unting kinakain
Hindi alam kung paano papawiin
Sa ugaling sakim
Ang salubong ay lagim

Dahan-dahang nawawala
Hindi mapigilan ang pagwawala
Sa korte ng Diyos siya’y nagmamakaawa
Pero ang Ama sa kanya ay sawa

Dahil tao ang may gawa


Siya rin ang hihingi ng awa
Balang araw ako’y mawawala
Dahil tao ako at nagkasala

Tula 11
K al yo : T h e O f f i c ia l Lite rary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Ikaw at Ako
vhinzcs

nilikha ang lahat para iisang dahilan


nilikha ang lahat nang iisang paraan
ikaw at ako ay pawang mga likha
mula sa abo at pinong lupa.

ikaw…
nilikha ka mula sa abo
mula sa lupang tunay na pino
iba sa lahat
iba sa nararapat

ako...
ako’y iba sa’yo
hugis, ugali, buong pagkatao
kaiba sa lahat
kaiba sa nararapat..

likhang matatawag
ikaw at ako’y iisa
pareho ng lipi
kaisa ng lahi…

ikaw at ako…

12 Tula
K a l yo : T h e O f ficial Lite rary Folio of Th e P hilip p ine Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Iskwater
Brian A. Fabregas

Sa maputik, marumi’t masikip


Mga sarili ay pilit isinisiksik
Kahit karangyaa’y lubusang ipagkait
Mabuhay lang sa mundong marikit.

Dumaraang unos dulot ng kahirapan


Pighati’t kasawia’y nararamdaman
Lumulubog madalas sa bahang ganti ng kalikasan
Animo’y dinudustang lubos ng kapalaran.

Ang maghapon ay palaging minamadali


Upang kagutuma’y makalimutan kahit sandali.
Nang dahil dito’y natututo ng mali
Tumitigas ang katawan, umiitim ang budhi.

Isang kahig, walang tuka


Masakit ma’y tinaguriang hampas-lupa.
Sa lipunang puno ng pangungutya,
Paalisi’t palipatin, sigaw ng madla.

Ano nga ba’ng nagawa’t naidulot mo?


Damdami’y ‘di lubusang mawari sa iyo.
Pagrespeto’t pag-alaga, tiyak ang nasa puso
Subalit ang pag-ahon, laging nasa palad mo.

Tula 13
K al yo : T h e O f f i c ia l Lite rary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Kabataan
Thea Camille M. Diaz

Nasasakdal mula sa kadiliman


Tinititigan ng mapanghusgang kamalayan
Bawat sulok ng kanyang katauhan
Tila ba sa kanya’y walang kinalaman

Sunod sa agos ng kasalukuyan


Postura’t pormang laging pinakikialaman
Ang ngayo’y bumabalot sa kanyang katauhan
Isang nilalang na naghahanap ng pagkakakilanlan

Mapanlait na salita sa kanya’y laging sambit


Ng mga taong nagnanais na makapanakit
Sa kaguluhan ng mundong walang malasakit
Sama ng loob, ito ang kanyang bitbit

Ang kinabukasan ay sa kanya iniaasa


Pagkat siya raw ang natitirang kumpiyansa
Ngunit paano nga ba siya dedepensa?
Kung tila ang mundo, sa kanya’y walang tiwala?

14 Tula
K a l yo : T h e O f ficial Lite rary Folio of Th e P hilip p ine Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Kundiman
sungkyeoul

Kung tutuusin…
Matagal na dapat kitang nakilala,
Ngunit hindi.

Kung iisipin…
Mas matagal na sana kitang nakasama,
Ngunit hindi.

Mas nauna sana akong napalapit sa’yo


Mas unang pumasok d’yan sa puso mo
Una sana akong nakapagpaligaya sa’yo
At naging dahilan ng bawat ngiti mo
Ngunit hindi.

Pero kahit pa, kahit na…


‘Di man tayo agad nagkakilala,
‘Di man agad ako nakasama,
‘Di agad napalapit sa isa’t isa
Masaya ako.

Una man siyang pumasok sa puso mo,


Naunang nagpaligaya sa’yo,
At nakapagbigay ng ngiti sa labi mo,
Masaya na rin ako.

Masaya ako dahil noon iyon.


At mas mahalaga kung ano ang ngayon.
‘Di man agad ako,
‘Di man nauna sa’yo,
Maligaya ako sapagkat ngayo’y mayroong TAYO.

Tula 15
K al yo : T h e O f f i c ia l Lite rary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Liham
malayang fREE!!

Sumulat Ako upang sabihin sa’yo kung gaano Kita pinahahalagahan.


Ibig Ko na lubos mo Akong makilala.

Sa paggising mo sa umaga, inilalantad Ko


Ang maliwanag na pagsikat ng araw sa iyong bintana.
Umaasang Ako’y iyong mapansin,
Ngunit ito’y hindi mo binigyang tugon.

Pagkatapos, sa iyong paglalakad na kasama ang iyong kaibigan,


Pinaliguan Kita ng maligamgam na sikat ng araw
At binigyan ng humahalimuyak na hangin
Kasama ang masamyong bango ng mga bulaklak.

Subalit Ako’y hindi mo pa rin napansin.


Kaya Ako’y sumigaw sa pamamagitan ng malakas na kidlat at kulog
At inilarawan ang magandang bahaghari.
Ngunit ni hindi mo ito tiningnan.

Sa gabi, itinanglaw Ko sa iyo ang liwanag ng buwan


At nagpadala ng sariwa at mahalumigmig
Na hangin sa iyong pagtulog.

Ako ay nakatanaw sa iyo at nagbabahagi sa iyong isipan,


Ngunit wala ka pa ring malay sa Aking pagmamahal.
Umaasa Ako na minsan makikipag-usap ka sa Akin
Sa mga sandali at panahon na ikaw ay handa na.

Ako ay malapit lamang. Mahal na mahal Kita.

Ang iyong Kaibigan,


HESUS

16 Tula
K a l yo : T h e O f ficial Lite rary Folio of Th e P hilip p ine Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Lihim
vhinxzcs

isang tanong sa aking isip ay sumagi taglay ko ang mga bagay


tanong na kailan man, di ko nawari taglay ko ang dahilan para mabuhay
walang kasagutan, walang patutunguhan may damdamin at pag iisip
sino ba ako? sino ang tunay na ako? humihinga’t nabubuhay

walang wala daw makakapagsabi subalit ano ang katotohanan


kundi ang aking sarili walang nakakalam
sino ako sa mata ng nakararami? walang kasagutan.
sino ako sa huwad na sarili? sino nga ba ako?

makikilala mo ba ako sa kasuotang taglay ko? nabubuhay sa malayang katotohanan


sa hitsura? o maging sa pagkatao? nakikihalubilo sa kung sino man
isang ulirat malalaman mo handang tumayo sakaling madapa
sino nga ba ako sa paligid ko? taas-noong haharapin tungo sa payapa.

isa lang ba akong bagay? ito ba’y ako o bahagi lang ng isang katanungan?
isang dahilan para mabuhay? malapit na bang matunton ang kasagutan
hindi maari!!! sa isang tanong para sa katotohanan
may dahilan pa para sa papuri.
nag-iisa’t walang katulad
sino ako sa mata ng mga magulang ko ako ay ako
sa mga kapatid at kaibigan ko? taglay ko ang kalayaan
may hawig man at pagkakaiba ang buhay at kapayapaan
hindi maaring ako’y sila.
sino nga ba ako sa mata ng mga tao?
iba ang pananaw, lalo na ang pagkatao sino ako sa sarili ko?
iba ang nadarama lalo na ang nasa isip ko ako ay ako
sino ba talaga ang tunay na ako? sa katauhan at pagkatao!
ako ba ay natutulad sa inyo?

Tula 17
K al yo : T h e O f f i c ia l Lite rary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Maling Akala
Ma. Edalyn Reduta

akala ko’y ikaw na,


ang lalaking aking iibigin;
nang dumating ka’y kaligayahan
naramdaman nang ako’y mahalin

akala ko ikaw na ang nararapat


sa pag-ibig kong tapat
puso ko’y ipinagkatiwala ng lubusan
ngunit ito’y iyong sinugatan..

sadya kang malupit


puso ko’y pinilipit
ako’y pinaasa
at ngayon ay iniwan mong nag-iisa

habang ako’y nagdurusa


nakuha mo pang humanap ng iba,
sana’y di na lang kita minahal ng lubusan
upang puso ko’y di nasaktan.

18 Tula
K a l yo : T h e O f ficial Lite rary Folio of Th e P hilip p ine Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Mundo Ngayon
Ma. Edalyn Reduta

Sa panahon ngayo’y lahat de pindot


pinatatakbo ng makabagong robot,
mga makina na ang usong-uso..
oh! anong laki na nga ng ipinagbago.

Mga bagay ngayon kaydaling gawin,


kaya’t salamat sa mga eksperto
mga gawain madaling mapagaan
kahit kapalit nito’y ating inosentong mundo.

Ngayo’y puro teknolohiya


ang sa mundo’y nagpapaikot
kaya’t ano ang magiging dulot
pagbabagong sa mundo ng tao ay katakot-takot?

Kaya’t ingat mga tao!


baka ang mundong iyong binabago
ay tuluyan ng maglaho
dahil di ka nakokontento sa tinitirhan
mong mundo!

Tula 19
K al yo : T h e O f f i c ia l Lite rary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Ngiti
Ma.Edalyn M.Reduta

Sakit at kirot ang sa puso’y tumitimo

ngunit iba’y hindi ito maanino,

sapagkat sa likod ng lahat ng ito’y

nananatili ang maskara ng mga ngiti sa labi at puso…

Oh! kailan ko kaya maipapakita

ang tunay na sakit na aking iniinda

takasan ang mapagkunwaring katauhan

upang maipakita ang tunay sa karamihan.

Ngunit ano mang pilit, pakiwari ko ako’y nakapiit

dahil ipakita man ang tunay na saloobin

sino ang handang ako’y saluhin?

Kung aking tatanggalin

ang maskara ng isang mapagkunwari,

ngayon ko lamang napagtanto

na mas maganda’ng pagpapakatotoo.

Di ko na kinakailangang itago

ang kalungkutan sa aking pagkatao

sapagkat alam ko, ika’y nariyan

upang ako’y tanggapin kung sino ako.

20 Tula
K a l yo : T h e O f ficial Lite rary Folio of Th e P hilip p ine Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Pagsuko
sungkyeoul

Dahan-dahang pumapatak
Unti-unting tinatahak
Ang pisnging namumula
Mula sa mugtong mga mata
Pinipigilang masulyapan
Ng sadyang may dahilan
Kung bakit nakaramdam
Sakit ng pamamaalam.

Nagnanais bumalik
At alisin ang siyang tinik
Na dumudurog sa puso
At kawawang isipin
Pilit tinatalikuran
Ang masayang nakaraan
Kaya’t tumitinding agos
Ay patuloy sa pagbuhos.

Sana’y tapos na!


‘Pagkat sadyang pagod na nga
Hindi na kakayanin pang
Pigilan ang pagluha
Ayaw nang mabigo
‘Di na gustong magpatukso
Kaya’t kahit pa mahal ka
‘Wag na lang, paalam na

Aking
Sinisinta...

Tula 21
K al yo : T h e O f f i c ia l Lite rary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Patawad Sinta Ko
Ma. Edalyn Reduta

Mga salita ko’y di sapat


sa pag-ibig mong tapat
ako’y isang hamak
na sa puso mo’y nangwasak..

Tapat ang iyong pag-ibig


ngunit ito’y aking siniig
ika’y nasaktan
puso mo’y sinugatan.

Pagmamahal di sinuklian
maging pagkatao’y di pinahalagahan
oh! patawad sinta
sa sakit na iyong iniinda.

Puso mo’y umiiyak


sa babaeng sayo’y humamak,
ngunit patuloy pa ding iniibig
kahit pilit kong nilulupig;

Oh! ako’y kahabagan sa aking nagawa


ika’y naging kaawa-awa
sapagkat ika’y umibig
sa taong di alam ang kahulugan ng
totoong pag-ibig.

22 Tula
K a l yo : T h e O f ficial Lite rary Folio of Th e P hilip p ine Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Pintasera
Ma.Edalyn Reduta

Ikaw ba’y pintasera?


Mga mali ng kapwa ang siyang tinitira...
buhay ng iba’y pinapakialaman
sa mga pintas, walang ligtas ang katauhan.

Ika’y mahiya naman sa iyong asal


ikaw pa nama’y laging nagdarasal
sa Diyos ay laging nakaharap
yun pala’y isang pagpapanggap
sa mata ng iyong kaharap.
Hoy! Iyong tandaan, mundo’y bilog;
baka ika’y mahulog.
At sa iyong pagkakahulog
baka ika’y magtaka
panghuhusga na ginagawa sa kapwa
ay bumalik at ika’y tamaan
upang ika’y matauhan
sa mga ginawang walang kabuluhan
buhay at kamalian ng kapwa
ang iyong inaatuman.

Tula 23
K al yo : T h e O f f i c ia l Lite rary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

>ILAR
anonymous

Mainit
Magulo
Maingay
Sa Mendiola…

Siksikan
Tulakan
Takbuhan
Sa Mendiola…

Iyakan
Hampasan
Duguan
Sa Mendiola…

Ipanalangin:
Nakialam, Nakilakad,
Nakilaban, Namatay
Sa Mendiola…

24 Tula
K a l yo : T h e O f ficial Lite rary Folio of Th e P hilip p ine Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Taghoy
Sharon Ditucalan

Sa mundong mapaniil
Di ko alam ang dapat gawin
Bawat kilos ko’y nakakapit
Sa mga paniniwalang kay hirap alisin

Buhay ko’y nakatali


Sa piling ng maruming ligid
Nakakalungkot isipin
Bukas mamamatay akong walang imik

Kapit sa patalim ang sitwasyon ng marami


Hininga’y handang putulin para lang may pangkain
Pamilya’y nanginginig sa gutom at pait
Tila gulong ng buhay ngunit laging nasa ilalim

May liwanag pa ba kung bukas man ay sasapit?


Pawang kahinaan lang naman at dilim ang nakakamit
Pati mumunting pag-asa ay ipinagkakait
Kay hirap mamuhay sa mundong malupit

Tula 25
K al yo : T h e O f f i c ia l Lite rary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Tiwala
Ma. Edalyn Reduta

Ba’t ang tao kaydali magtiwala?


sa kapwa nama’y agad agad naniniwala
sa mga mapagkunwaring tao
na sa kanila pala’y manloloko...

loob at tiwala’y kinukuha


upang ika’y di maghinala
iyon pala’y ikaw ay gagamitin
sa kanyang gawaing maitim.

kaya minsa’y nakakadala


ibigay ng buo ang tiwala
sa taong inaasahan
na dulot pala’y kapahamakan.

kaya ikaw aking kaibigan


mag-ingat sa mga tao sa iyong paligid
dahil maaring sila ay tunay
o mga pawang kathang isip...

26 Tula
K a l yo : T h e O f ficial Lite rary Folio of Th e P hilip p ine Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Versus
Jacky Ortega

Sa araw na ito, ang mahihirap at mayayaman ay darating


Isa-isang magtutunggalian
Mahirap at maliit na puwang sa mundo,
Tiyak mayayaman ang maghahari dito.

Mahihirap patuloy na nagdurusa,


Mayayaman ay gumiginhawa;
May patutunguhan pa ba ang pagtutunggalian?
Sino nga ba ang nakikinabang at sino ang patuloy na napag-iiwanan?

Mayayaman na mapang-alipin,
Mga taong hindi nawawalan ng gawain,
Walang pakialam sa lipunan,
Silang mga pinagpalang mamamayan.

Mahihirap na nagpapaalipin,
Mga kumakapit sa patalim,
Mga nagtitiis sa pang-aalipusta;
Sila ang mga taong nangangailangan ng pera.

Tula 27
Pulubi + Taong Grasa = Anong
Pinagkaiba Nila?
Sino Ang Dapat Magmalasakit
Transparency

Nang Ang Bata’y Natutong Magsalita


At Ang Matanda’y Nautal
Sanaysay
at
Dula
K al yo : T h e O f f i c ia l Lite rary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Pulubi + Taong Grasa = Anong Pinagkaiba Nila?


Jen

Taong lansangan. Minsan kinaaawaan, madalas pinandidirihan. Sino ba naman ang hindi
makakakilala sa isang pulubi? Saang sulok man ng bansa, ang Maynila na nga ata ang pugad ng mga ito.
Ang hirap sigurong mamuhay bilang isang pulubi.

Manlimos…
Tumanga sa kumakain …
Tiisin ang kagutuman…

Hindi ko alam kung bakit sila tinawag na pulubi. Dahil kaya sa palaboy sila? Walang matirhan? O
basta na lang naimbento ang salitang pulubi nang bigla silang naglipana? Ano ba talaga ang kwalipikasyon
ng isang pulubi? Anong pinagkaiba nila sa taong grasa?

Marumi, tulo-uhog, malansang amoy at hindi mo maaatim lapitan. Babae man o lalaki, matanda o
bata, may ngipin man o wala, hindi ka palalampasin mahingan ka lang ng limos. Ikaw pa ang masama
kapag hindi ka nagbigay. Madalas sila doon sa parke, tapat ng restawran, kalye, gilid ng bangko, simbahan
at sa mga matataong lugar. Walang umaga o gabi basta may mga taong maaring limusan ay gising na
gising ang kanilang mga diwa. Pakay nila ang manghingi ng kaunting limos. “Ate, kuya, palimos naman
po kahit magkano lang.”

Ibang iba na talaga ngayon. Pati mga pulubi may minimum price required na. Nariyan ang aakyat sa
dyip at magpupunas ng sapatos ng mga pasahero at malas na lang kung naka-tsinelas ka dahil sa sobrang
bait nila kahit hindi ka nakasapatos ay pupunasan ka pa din nila, pagkatapos ay sabay lahad ng kanilang
mga palad. Mayroon pa nga yung mga hilig ang makipagpatintero sa kalagitnaan ng kalye bitbit ang
nakababatang mga kapatid na kumakatok sa mga bintana ng mga magagarang sasakyan na hindi man lang
nila inalintana ang sakunang maaari nilang ikapahamak. Pulubing mapagpanggap animo’y kawawang tupa
na mag-aabot sa iyo ng kapirasong papel na naglalaman ng paghingi ng kauting tulong para sa mga may
kapansanan. Ang tanong, may kapansanan nga ba talaga? Kanya-kanyang diskarte. Iba’t ibang istilo.

Ang ipinagtataka ko lang, bakit may mga pulubi na hindi na kailangang mamilit ng tao para sa
kaunting limos. Yun bang uupo sa isang tabi, tutugtog ng kakaibang instrumento at sasabayan ng pagkanta.
Madiskarte ang mga pulubing ganito.

Ayon sa isang blog mula sa internet, ang sakit ng karamihan ang tumama sa mga pulubing mababaw
ang diskarte. Ito yung tinatawag na TAMADITIS. Ang sakit na ito ay mahirap ng maalis sa mga taong
katamaran lang ang pinaiiral. Kung ang pulubi ay isa sa mga taong lansangan at karamihan ay may
tamaditis, eh ano naman ang pinagkaiba nila sa taong grasa?

Taong-grasa. Sabi nila mapalad ang mga ganitong tao. Sila yung hindi na kailangan humanap ng
solusyon sa mga suliranin ng buhay. Ano kaya ang mundo kapag napuno na ng taong-grasa?

30 Sanaysay at Dula
K a l yo : T h e O f ficial Lite rary Folio of Th e P hilip p ine Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Kilala mo sila pero ikaw hindi ka nila kilala. Walang ipinagkaiba sa pisikal na estado ng mga kaibigan
nating pulubi. Iyon nga lang, dahil wala na sila sa tamang bait eh madalas mapapansin silang walang suot
sa katawan, puno ng grasa, sa malayo nakatingin, nagsasalita ng mag isa, luray luray ang kasuotan at
parang pinagkaitan ng suklay.

Malaki ang ipinagkaiba nila sa pulubi. Hindi lahat ng taong grasa galing sa kahirapan sa buhay.
May ilan din sa kanila na nagmula sa may kayang angkan at magandang buhay. Matatalino yun nga lang
sa sobrang dami ng iniisip hindi na nakakaya ng pag-iisip. Hindi sila dapat paglaruan, pagtawanan at
kutyain bagkus hayaan natin silang mamuhay sa mundong ginagalawan at kinabibilangan nila. Hindi sila
nanlilimos ni singkong-duling. Mismong sila ang inaabutan ng kaunting tulong. Malayong-malayo sa mga
biktima ng tamaditis. Kapag nakakaramdam sila ng gutom, kaya nilang maghalungkat ng mga left overs sa
mga restawran. Marunong din silang mag-entertain ng madlang pipol. Makarinig lang ng kaunting musika
ay hataw na ito sa pag-indak. Masayahin sila yun nga lang hindi mo din maaatim ang kausapin at lapitan
sila baka ‘pag nagkataon ay mapagkatuwaan ka at mahampas nang wala sa oras. Ang nakakalungkot lang
ay ang isipin at makita ang mga taong ito na nagiging numero unong biktima ng karahasan at pang-aabuso
ng mapagsamantalang lipunan.

Nakakalungkot…
Nakakaawa…

Nakakahabag ang makita sa ganitong kalagayan ang mga taong ito na tila inabandona na ng
kanilang mga pamilya.

Sanaysay at Dula 31
K al yo : T h e O f f i c ia l Lite rary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Sino Ang Dapat Magmalasakit?


Albert A. Dadag

“Ang salitang malasakit ang paborito kong kataga sa wikang Filipino.”

Nagmula ang pananalitang ito sa isang sikat na mamamahayag sa telebisyon na naging speaker
namin sa isang Journalism Seminar sa La Salle. Ito raw ay mula sa salitang “mala” na ang ibig sabihin ay
nararamdaman mo at “sakit” na nasasaktan ka. Sa madaling salita, nadarama mo ang nadarama ng iba.

Ginawa nyang halimbawa ang isang kabanata sa El Filibusterismo ni Rizal, kung saan hinihikayat
ni Simon si Basilio na sumapi sa binubuo niyang rebolusyon. Pagtanggi ang isinagot ni Basilio, dahilan
nya’y bakit pa siya makikibahagi sa usaping pampulitika hindi naman sya pulitiko at isa pa’y malapit na
syang maging doctor, kaya na niyang buhayin ang kanyang sarili. Maaari na rin nyang pakasalan si Juli
at magiging mabuti ang kanyang buhay. Maari namang sa ibang paraan siya makakatulong sa kapwa
Pilipino. Kaya bakit pa siya makikibahagi sa rebolusyon?

Sa aming opisina ng publikasyon, madalas bumibisita ang mga student lider na madalas kaming
hikayatin sa kanilang mga pagpupulong ukol sa mga isyu na tumatalakay sa kasalukuyang sitwasyong
kinahaharap ng ating bansa. Ipinaliliwanag nila sa amin ang aktibong pakikibahagi ng kabataan sa
paglaban sa katiwalian sa ating pamahalaan. Sinubukan kong makipagpalitan ng opinyon sa kanila. Tama
nga namang maging aktibo ang kabataan sa ating lipunan, subalit hindi na kailangang maging agresibo
hinggil sa hinihinging pagbabago. Iwan natin ang ganyang mga responsibilidad sa mga taong may ganap
na kakayahan. May tungkulin din naman tayong dapat gampanan bilang isang mabuting anak at mag-
aaral. Mas mabuti pang paunlarin ang sarili nating kakayahan at ihanda ang ating sarili para sa ating
sariling kinabukasan. Gaya ng aking inaasahan, ipinagtangol ng lider estudyante ang kanyang paniniwala.
Tinanong niya ako kung hahayaan ko na lang bang makita ng aking dalawang mata ang kahirapan ng
aking mga kababayan dulot ng maling sistema sa ating lipunan. Hindi ko naman sinasabing pipikit na
lamang ako sa mga pangyayari, ngunit may mga bagay na maaari naman tayong hindi na makisali.

Naalala ko tuloy nung hayskul pa ako. Bago ko marating ang aming paaralan ay sasakay pa ako ng
tricycle, baybaybayin nito ang makitid na daan katapat na mismo ng pintuan ng mga dikit-dikit na barung-
barong. Ang iba’y nakahilera sa mga tore ng Napocor na lubhang delikado lalo na kapag umuulan. Kahit
anong sigla ng mga ngiti ng mga naninirahan dito ay hindi nila kayang itago ang kanilang kahirapan.
Malayo sa mga konkreto at nagtataasang bahay na kinalakihan ko sa aming lugar. Naranasan ko ang
pamumuhay nila roon dahil madalas ko rin namang bisitahin ang mga kaklase ko lalong lalo na kapag
sumasabay ako sa kanilang paglalakad. Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang isa kong kamag-aral na
nakatira sa paligid ng sementeryo. Nasa matas na lugar ang sementeryo at nasa ibaba naman ang tirahan
ng mga tao. Sa pagpasok mo pa lang sa kanilang pintuan ay kailangan mong iyuko ang iyong ulo hindi
bilang paggalang sa mga nakatira roon kundi baka tumama ang ulo mo sa kisame. Medyo mababa lang
kasi ito na yari sa plywood. Ang itaas naman ang nagsisilbing tulugan. Dikit-dikit na bahay at maliliit
na daan ang larawan ng lugar. Sunog ang isa sa kanilang kinatatakutan dahil na rin sa yari sa kahoy ang
karamihan sa mga bahay. Ito na ang kinalakihan nilang pamumuhay. Malaking tulong daw kasi sa kanila

32 Sanaysay at Dula
K a l yo : T h e O f ficial Lite rary Folio of Th e P hilip p ine Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

ang libre nilang paninirahan dito, mahal na rin kasi ang pag-upa o kaya’y pagkakaroon ng sarili nilang
bahay.
Nakatapos kami ng hayskul at tumuloy sa panibagong daan na tatahakin sa aming buhay. Sa humigit-
kumulang limandaang gradweyt ng hayskul, mapalad na ang iilang nakakatuntong sa kolehiyo. Mayroong
iilan na nakapag-aral sa pribadong unibersidad. Ang iba’y pinalad na makapasa sa UP at kaming iilan ay
hinanap ang kapalaran sa mga state universities gaya ng PUP, TUP at PNU. Gaya ng inaasahan kada taon
ay may nakakapagtapos ng kanilang pag-aaral, isa ako doon. Kaya masasabi naming mapalad pa rin kami
na kahit nagmula lang sa mga state universities ay masasabi mong mga “degree holder”.

Balikan muli natin ang kabanata sa El Filibusterismo, ihahambing ko ang aking sarili kay Basilio.
Natapos ko na ang aking pag-aaral, kukuha na rin ng board exam. Matapos kong maiipasa iyon ay hahanap
na rin ako ng maayos na trabaho, maari ko ng tulungan ang aking pamilya. Maari din akong pumunta sa
ibang bansa para kumita ng malaki. Maari naman akong tumulong sa ibang paraan. Kaya bakit ko iisiping
makibahagi sa mga aktibong kabataang pumupunta sa kalye at sumisigaw ng pagbabago. Kung iisipin,
ang mga aktibong kabataang ito ay may potensyal na maging mabuting pinuno ng ating bayan, ngunit
maipapangako ba nila na kapag nabigyan sila ng pagkakataong mamuno ay hindi rin sila magiging ganid
sa kapangyarihan o maging corrupt gaya ng ibang nasa puwesto. Hindi sapat na batayan na nararamdaman
nila ang damdamin ng mga maralita upang isulong ang pagbabago. Ngunit tingnan di natin sa kabuuan
ang totoong problema ng bayan. Kung gusto natin ng pagbabago, unahin nating baguhin ang kabulukan
sa ating pagkatao. Hindi lang sa palakasan ng sigaw sa kalye makikita ang pagiging makabayan. Higit pa
rito ang kabuuan ng ating pagkatao. Sa kanilang pagtalakay sa mabibigat na isyu, nagiging responsable
pa ba sila sa kanilang mga pamilya o natutugunan pa ba nila ang responsibilidad sa pagiging mag-aaral.
Tingnan muna natin ang sariling pagkukulang bago ang pagkukulang ng iba.

Bawat isa’y maipapakita ang pagmamalasakit sa ating bayan. Sa tapat na pagbabayad lamang ng
buwis ay natutulungan mo na ang pamahalaan. May mga pulitikong tiwali bakit pa natin ihahalal at
higit sa lahat huwag ng pamarisan. Kung nais mong sumunod na mamuno sa bayan, maging tapat sa
inyong tungkulin at maging mabuting huwaran sa iyong nasasakupan. Kapag nabigyan ng pagkakataong
mag-aral, mag-aral ng mabuti at piliting makapagtapos para magkaroon ng maayos na hanapbuhay. Mas
mapipilitang mangibang bansa at doon papalarin. Sana sa iyong pagbabalik makatulong ka sa kapwa
sa pagpupundar ng negosyo dito sa Pilipinas at mabigyan din ng hanapbuhay ang kapwa Pilipino. Iilan
lamang ito sa mga simpleng paraan upang magkaroon ng pagbabago at mabibigyan pa natin ng inspirasyon
at pag-asa ang iba nating kababayan.

Sabi nga ng isang kadete sa PMA. “Ang kailangan lang ay gisingin ang ating bansa sa pagkatulog
sa paniniwalang kinagisnan nito at tulungang iahon ang mga paa sa nabubulok na sistema. Hindi man
hawak ng tao ang buhay, ngunit hawak ng tao ang kapangyarihan para hindi pahirapan ang ibang tao.”
Sumasang-ayon ako sa kanyang sinabi.

Sanaysay at Dula 33
K al yo : T h e O f f i c ia l Lite rary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Transparency
Jacky Ortega

Natapos na ang halalan. Samu’t saring paraan ng pangangampanya ang nasilayan. Kaliwa’t kanang
patutsadahan ang napakinggan.

Dikit dito, kamay doon. Talumpati dito, pangako doon. Nagmistulang sirang plaka na nga talaga
ang sistema sa ating bansang tinaguriang Perlas ng Silanganan. Nagpatuloy na nga ang lumang tugtuging
dapat sana’y ating iniiwasan. Ngunit, paano pa nga ba maiiwasan kung dumikit na sa sistema ng bawat
isa ang ganitong pamamaraan? Pagdikit na permanente at patuloy na lumalason sa sistema. Pagdikit na
kumakapit mula sa malalaki na umabot sa maliliit na sangay.

Tumpak ang nasaad – umabot na nga talaga sa maliliit na sangay ang kabulukang kahit ang mga
batang lansangan ay hindi na kayang masikmura. Kabulukang naliligaw na ng kinalalagyan. Kabulukang
hindi man inaasahan, ngunit naging masangsang na hangin na nilalanghap pati ng mga estudyanteng dapat
sana ay nagbibigay atensyon na lamang sa kanilang pag-aaral.

Maaaring marami ang umalma. Marami ang magtatanong kung ano ang tinutukoy na kabulukan.
Marami ang sasang-ayon o kokontra. Pero bago magkaroon ng hindi makatarungang reaksyon, tunghayan
muna natin ang pagtatanggol.

Ang kabulukang nais isaad ay hindi sa naging paraan ng pagboto, hindi sa mga namahala sa halalan,
hindi sa mga nanalo sa botohan, kundi sa mga natalo sa halalan. Ito ay para sa mga hindi pinalad magwagi
sa posisyong inasam ngunit hindi nabigyan ng sapat na pansin. Hindi nabigyan ng sapat na pansin dahil
sa pag-aakalang gamay na ito at tiyak na mapagtatagumapayan. At dahil sa maling pag-aakala ng mga
kapus-palad, pilit nilang isinisi at ibinabaling sa iba ang kanilang kasawian.

Hindi pa ba malinaw kung ano ang kabulukan? Ito ang kapalaluhan ng mga tao na ibaling sa kanilang
kapwa ang kasawiang kanilang dinaranas. Ang paghuhugas ng kanilang mga kamay upang magmukha
silang inosente at walang alam sa mga katiwaliang kanilang sinisimulan kaya hindi na sila magawang
pagkatiwalaan. Ang pag-akusa sa kalaban ng pandaraya at maging sa namamahala sa botohan na mayroon
daw pinapaburan. Ang pagrereklamo na kaya hindi sila nagwagi ay dahil sa sinisiraan na sila ng husto ng
mga taong nakapalibot sa kanila. At milyon-milyong kasinungalingan upang mapagtakpan ang bahong
umaalingasaw na nagdulot ng hindi nila pagkamit ng kapangyarihan.

Sa ganitong pagtatanggol, makatarungan pa bang makatanggap ng mapanlinlang na reaksyon? Wala


namang mapangkutyang maisusulat o mailalahad kung walang negatibong naipapakita.

34 Sanaysay at Dula
K a l yo : T h e O f ficial Lite rary Folio of Th e P hilip p ine Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Nang Ang Bata’y Natutong Magsalita At Ang Matanda’y Nautal


sanctified sagacity

Mga Tauhan:
Richard (batang namamalimos sa palengke)
SP03 (Pulis sa bayan ng San Andres)
Kagawad (tagapamahala sa palengke)
Mang Erning (tindero ng tinapa)
Misteryosong lalaki na may dalang bag

Tagpo: sa isang maingay na palengke ng San Andres, habang ang lahat ay abala sa pamimili…

Mang Erning: Ooooooohhh!! Tinapa, mura na lang ang tinapa!! (Habang binubugaw ang mga langaw sa kanyang tinda)

Nakitang papalapit si SP03 na may kinakalansing na tig-lilimang piso sa magkabilang kamay. Agad naman itong inirapan ng matanda
na parang walang nakita…

SP03: Mukhang madaming benta ah (sumisipol sa himno ng Sex Bomb ni Tom Jones)

Mang Erning: Mahina nga eh, wala pang masyadong benta (halatang pinagpapawisan ng malamig)

SP03: Bakit kasi hindi yung anak mong babae ang pagtrabahuhin mo? Tiyak na marami kang magiging suki kapag nagkataon.

Nainis ang matanda sa sinabi ng tiwaling pulis, dumukot ito sa bulsa ng apat na limang piso at inabot sa kausap. Nagpatuloy sa
paglalakad ang damuho. Doon nama’y abala si Ricahrd sa paghingi ng limos.

Richard: Palimos ho. Parang awa niyo na. Kahapon pa po ako hindi kumakain

Tila bato sa lansangan ang paslit hanggang sa nakasalubong nito ang kagawad na kumakain ng mais. Sa paglalakad ay nabunggo
siya ng paslit.

Kagawad: Hoy! Di ka ba tumitingin sa dinaraanan mo?!

Richard: Pwede po ba makahingi kahit kaunting barya? Pangkain lang po..

Kagawad: Pera? pangkain? (Nangungutyang tanong nito) Baka ipang-rugby mo pa yung pera. O heto mais, kainin mo (sabay dura sa
hawak na mais bago iniabot sa nananabik na kamay ng munting anghel. Kumuha ito ng sigarilyo at sinindihan)

Agad itong kinuha ni Richard at agad na pumunta sa gilid ng palengke para kainin. Hindi nito alintana ang laway na kumakatas sa
pagkaing hawak. Para sa kanya ito’y biyayang ipinagkaloob, isang misteryosong lalaki ang humahangos na hinahabol ng dalawang
lalaki sakay ng motorsiklo.

Misteryosong Lalaki: Tabi! Tabi! Arrrggghhhh!!! Tabi!! (Takbo… lukso…pag-iwas ang kaniyang ginawa para iligaw ang mga
nagbabanta sa kaniyang buhay habang hawak ang bag).

Napadaan ang lalaki sa tapat ni Richard at doon ay dalawang magkasunod na putok ng baril ang pinakawalan ng lalaki na nakasakay
sa humaharurot na motorsiklo at naihagis ng lalaki ang hawak na bag.

Richard: (Napatigil sa pagkain at napatingin)

Mang Erning: (Napatigil sa pagbugaw ng langaw at natulala sa nakita)

SP03: (Naihulog ang mga barya sa palad at napatulala)


Kagawad: (Itinapon ang sigarilyo at natulala sa nangyari)

Noon ay nagulat ang lahat dahil sumambulat ang pera sa loob ng bag, lahat ay nagsilundagan para dumampot ng biyaya.

Richard: Patay ang lalaki! (sigaw nito) Pinatay siya!! (tinaasan nito ang boses ngunit walang nakakarinig sa kanya)
PIINNNAAAATTTAAAYYYY SIIIYYYAAAA!!!

-DILIM-

Sanaysay at Dula 35
Do’s And Don’ts
Noon Yon Di Ngayon

Absum?
Aypad
Bilanggo
Boundless
Emmanuel
Freedom
Gearing Forward
Inosente
No Turning Back
My Ego
Mystic
Senses
Stress
Torn
Truth
Way of Mortalization
Komiks
at
Grapiks
K al yo : T h e O f f i c ia l Lite rary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

38 Komiks at Grapiks
K a l yo : T h e O f ficial Lite rary Folio of Th e P hilip p ine Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Komiks at Grapiks 39
K al yo : T h e O f f i c ia l Lite rary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

40 Komiks at Grapiks
K a l yo : T h e O f ficial Lite rary Folio of Th e P hilip p ine Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

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Absum?
PRiDE_CRS

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Aypad
RRJ

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Bilanggo
Emise

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Boundless
ArenalAE

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Emmanuel
Emise

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Freedom
Emise

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Gearing Forward
Wilvic

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Inosente
RRJ

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No Turning Back
Reymond

50 Komiks at Grapiks
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My Ego
ArenalAE

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Mystic
Emise

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Senses
Emise

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K al yo : T h e O f f i c ia l Lite rary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artis an - Manila 2009 - 2010

Stress
ArenalAE

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Torn
NeoCerberus

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Truth
Emise

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Way of Mortalization
NeoCerberus

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felt this... more than 19 months ago...
Now, I’ve broke her heart... So I did to mine...
I left with a heavy heart. Loathing myself for what I’ve done as I walk past her. But just after a few moments I heard her
voice call my name.
“Go hit me, I deserve it...” I said to her while she stood behind me.
“To whom are you talking? You’re still weird, why don’t you look over here.” I can’t resist to stare back at her, frozen to
hear those familiar words... Then she rushed towards me and embraced me suddenly...
“You’ll be my favorite nightmare...”
“I’m hoping that when I wake up from this nightmare it will still be you who’s beside me...”
“But if this is how things will end up, then... I will miss you... so much... my Neo...”
After casting those words, memories that I’ve tried to delete suddenly flashed in monochrome, pancakes, waffles, those
weird looking sandwiches, my dark blue sweater, all of those .psd files, custom made apple syrup, rocky road ice cream impaled
with Stick-Os, that four seasons epic failure, the great fall of humpy dumpy from the rooftop, the black cat that spooked her, that
stormy day, the stars, the orange sunset, the cold winds, my laptop, her habit of poking me at my sides, that melted chocolate
that she likes to smear at me and our daily dose of Cream-O... Those memories that I’ve thought that will only remain in my
head were somehow turned out to be a part of me.
It was noon that time, the sun is intensively blazing at its space but still, I can feel the pressure from her arms, I can smell
her sweet scent, feel her soft hair, see her rosy cheeks, those cheerful eyes and the warmth of her red lips... for the last time...
I’m hoping that this will be the last that a pair of heart will be broken... Because deep in me I have realized... What love
does really give... How painful it becomes... When we let our cruel mind decide... And when we let our defiled heart love... Now
I understand, now I can feel... When our broken hearts that tried to fix each other failed... The shattered pieces of unfulfilled
feelings and tainted memories ruptured beneath our veins... And now it all ends...
In this darkest nightmare of eternal pain...
Now playing: Kjwan - Pause
~♥~
Essay, Short Story and One Act Play 41
Kaly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M an ila 2009 - 2010
the reasons why she appreciates me more than anything...
It’s because of all those negative experiences that she had before... Same as I, that’s why I’m doing this because of what
I’ve felt more than a year ago. “Hey, I’ve downloaded this song, can you please play it? I really like this song.” then she handed
me over her flash drive. “Matchbook Romance – If All Else Fails... right?” I copied the file and played it. “That song reminds
me of what you’ve told me....” she said while looking up in the dark sky. I still know what she meant, those lies that I’ve told
her still lingers in her heart. It’s so good to be true, it feels so heart-warming for anyone to have someone important tell you that
he’ll never fail you, will protect you, keep you safe, won’t hurt you and will never leave you. Unfortunately, not all words that
you hear are true, most are thick facade, most are deception, most are lies...
We both listened to the song for a number of times with only the same lyrics that echo around. I can’t think clearly now,
do I feel the guilt? Do I feel sympathy? Am I having my payback to the wrong person? Should I stop now? Is it already been
too late to end this?
I was speechless, stunned to hear the truth, she’s puzzled on what’s happening to me but she thinks that I’m serious
because I appreciated the song and the stuffs she told me. She kissed me goodbye but as she leave I pulled her back to my arms
and embraced her so tight for a longer time. I can’t deny the cold winds that freezes my spine, with my cold blood flowing in my
veins, with my brain stuck in the awful truth, with my eyes closed to deny what I see, with my fists clenched to grip my hatred,
the only thing that keeps me striving is this warmth that lays on my chest. This feeling deep inside is killing me, I never said any
words to her because I don’t want to tell her lies anymore. She’s astounded and delightful on what I’ve done unaware that it is
the way on how I say... I’m really sorry...
I’ve got a taste of my own medicine. I should have known it sooner, I shouldn’t have made her fall to me, she’s also
suffering and she’s tired of it. She’s not the kind of a girl that I’ve ever wanted to hurt. Now my conscience is ripping me apart,
tomorrow is the final day, should I do what I’ve planned no matter what will be the consequences of my wrong being? Or should
I love her because we both feel the same pain hoping that we might be able to heal each other’s wounds? Those questions
flooded my mind, questions that cannot be answered by anyone except me.
I’ve packed all of my things that night, I’m planning to leave without saying goodbye but that will not straighten things
up. I need to either give her hope or break her heart. I went to their house the next day and it was only her and her sister that
was left there.
I can feel the sun’s rays pierce my skin, the weather was never been this fair before, the warmth irritates me, the searing
rays burn me, as if the heavens are telling me not to end what I’ve intended to accomplish. Is this what we call guilt? I was hurt
before so why should I feel this. Did that girl even felt any guilt when she neglected me? I can’t remember anything... This is
full of foolishness, now I’m in despair. There is nothing I can do, this will be euthanasia or suicide. I have to decide at this very
moment... I should decide...
“I’m going home now and I’m taking back everything that I have except for one... I’m going to leave you, I can’t be in
a long distance relationship because I’m too busy to spend my precious time visiting you in Laguna, there are plenty of other
girls too in my place so I might only make you expect for nothing. I want to clear things up, I never courted you so there is
nothing going on between us. You’re wrong that I’m different from all of your pasts, I’m not interested to you that’s why I
never tried to score on, I only wanted to play foolish games with you. I enjoyed your company and this vacation of mine. Just
think of me as your darkest nightmare. For the record, you’re my first fling and I would assume will be the longest. I don’t want
to see you again or to have you bother me in my phone or at my online social networking accounts. Since you’re obsessed in
listening to foreign and MySpace bands to express what you feel I would suggest you to listen on those emo/punk bands right
now. There are a hell lot of break up, emo and sad songs to wail on, outnumbering a hell of love songs that lovers choose. So
ironic isn’t it?”
She can’t believe on what I’ve said, her eyes that I’ve cherished before so much are now filled with tears, her lips turned
pale as she bite it to restrain her sorrows, the mere fact that she didn’t even said any harsh words sent painful chills throughout
my body... this feeling... I’m unable to describe it... What I only know... Is that I’ve somehow felt this before... I think I already
40 Essay, Short Story and One Act Play
K aly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M a n il a 2009 - 2010
forget it. On the first it would be “knowing each other”, the second is “confession of the lovers”, the third will be “conflicts to
win over” and the fourth... “loving me more but I’m tired and it’s over”. What a good chapters of a tragic love story.
On the fourth week, I tried with all of my best to make her think and feel that she’s the only one I love, she easily fell to
my trap... “I love you, I love you, I love you...” she keeps on repeating those three words as we stick our foreheads together
and look at each others’ eyes. “Just keep those words, you might get tired on saying that to me if you say it too much.” I said,
just to start a romantic conversation. “No I won’t, I promise!” she said with a smile. “Promises are made to be broken, you’re
pretty and I’m sure there are plenty of handsome boys that would like to be with you.” I said. “Of course not, I won’t exchange
my heart to anyone else.” she refers the word heart as me. “I’m glad to hear it from you, I love you too, you’re so important to
me. I can’t think of anything or anyone else that gave me this feeling of happiness except you, you’re the only one who gave
importance to me. I don’t know how to fairly repay your love but what I want for now, is you to be my other half forever.”
another lyrical lie. “You don’t need to say such, I love you too and there’s nothing too much that I’m expecting from you, being
together is one of the best things that you can do for me. You’re so special to me just by being yourself.” she replied.
“Hey where are you going?” I asked as she walked away. “I’m going to take some Cream-O from the fridge, I’ll be
back.” she said. “Promise me to bring back my heart” I refer her as my heart. “Now you’re getting cheesy.” but I did saw her
cheeks blushed.
“If we don’t know each other do you think that we can be together?” she asked. “Ummh... No...” I said. “Yeah, I think
the same way too.” she replied suddenly with a sad tone. “No, you don’t understand, If we don’t know each other I will punch
and force myself to wake up because I’m sure that I’m inside a dreadful nightmare.” I told her. “If we will be separated, will
you miss me?” with her lips pouted. “Of course not, because I know that you’re always be here inside my heart.” as I stare to
her eyes. “Now you’re getting even cheesier as days pass, can you please stop that.” and she embraced me. “Why should I stop
loving you?” I replied. “That’s not what I mean...” as she brought her lips closer to me. “Huh?” I said with a confused look.
“Nah, never mind... I will always keep you in my heart too. Just by remembering back what you’ve said makes me feel better.”
right after saying those words she kissed my lips, paused for a moment and stared to me, her face blushed and her lips smiled
sweet. I touched her face and set her hair aside. As we gaze to each other, the lines that split us are blurred, our thoughts become
one and we speak the same words. I returned a warm kiss back to her. As our lips touched each other, the time suddenly stood
still; as we close our eyes, a mile of silence followed. This is the second time that we’ve intimately kissed yet it feels like the
first time. My hands we’re trembling and my heart beats in haste, her soft hair is held between my fingers and I can smell her
sweet scent, I can hear our heartbeats and feel the warmth of our lips. My eyes are shut tight but I can see her beautiful face in
my mind. The night seems endless as we spent it together... so does the darkness that reigns deep in my soul...
Almost a month have passed since I confessed to her, at the 29th day I’ll end what I’ve intended. This will be the last day
that she will enjoy my company; this will be her last happiest moment with me. When tomorrow ends, this foolish girl that used
her pure heart instead of her mind... will fall.
We’re not able to spend much of the time together in the last few days because I’m preparing for the incoming enrolment
and I need to work on my commitments in my extra-curricular activities, those are the reasons why she’s happy to see me that
night. We’re not able to stargaze because of the clouds that blocked the view, so we spent the night chatting together instead.
The cold winds still never fail to chill us, so I lend her my favorite blue sweater while I wear the olive drab one. That night
she told me something... a burden that she can’t lift, a painful memory that dreads her mind and the absolute reason why she
loves me so much...
She told me that she’s been in relationships before, relationships that never lasted even for a week because all of her ex
we’re just after her to score, one of them even harassed her when she refused to. Damn those b*star*s, but I can’t blame those
pe*verts though, she’s really pretty and sweet, I was a victim of those sick thoughts also but my avenging soul is stronger than
the sudden pulse of blood and burst of hormones.
Now I understand why she cherishes me so much, I never loved her for flesh, I never tried to force her to submit to me,
I was there to listen to her grieves, I shared to her everything that I have, I was with her when she needs a shoulder to lean on,
I’m her shield to every battle that she struggles, I was there to tend her when she felt that no one really cares for her. These are
Essay, Short Story and One Act Play 39
Kaly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M an ila 2009 - 2010
rain. She’s so worried about me even though we had a misunderstanding a day before, I can see it in her face, those expressions
that her eyes made, those lips that she hold trying not to frown, and those trembling hands that she have. “I want to talk to
you but I don’t know how to tell you... so I simply stood there hoping to...” Just after a few seconds after I started talking, she
pulled me inside and sobbed. “You’re so weird, no... Now I think you’re getting stupid. You’re all soaked and wet, don’t you
know that you might get sick? It’s hard for me to be separated from you for a day so think about it if something happens to
you.” “But I thought you’re mad at me? I was expecting you to snub me...” I said just to bite in the conversation. “Why would
I ignore you? We know each other since we we’re kids, before it was always you who greets me remember? When did I snub
you?” she insisted. “But...” before I can even start she rushed towards me, embraced me tightly and whispered... “Please, I
don’t want to lose you. I miss you more at each day you’re gone.” She’s always sincere every time she cries; I can almost feel
the guilt in every tears that she shed.
No... I should not feel guilty, my revenge is just beginning. She’s not fully bounded to me, she still decides for herself,
once she cannot say no to me then I will bring the final blow. So this girl will understand... what love really gives... I will make
her know and feel up to her core... what I did felt... when I let my heart decide... when I let my heart love...
It’s already been 19 months and three days since I’ve decided to freeze my heart... that day I’ve decided never to use this
heart in making decisions, to think things in the most accurate ways and never be fooled by emotions, think as if you’re a sniper
in the middle of a battle... to wait for the perfect chance to strike with a single bullet... to kill without being noticed... this damn
heart only gives vibrations that distresses your aim... without it... you can kill targets in a row... kill targets without the feeling
of regret... Without emotions... you can send them to their certain death...
It was my 4th year in high school by then, I didn’t even noticed this girl for weeks but when she smiled and talked to me I
instantly felt happiness, that I always wanted to see her smile and hear her sweet voice. For almost two years, she’s the one who
chained my heart. I’ve done almost everything for her, but she simply dumped me. I can’t help but to be sad, to feel useless for
more than a year. Too much has been sacrificed, I’ve lost a friend that I consider as a brother because he gave way for me, I’ve
lost my confidence because of her rejection and my loving side was replaced by this endless retribution...
I can still remember some of those painful memories of her, when she dumped me for the first time, when I offered her
some Chippy and she said that she doesn’t eat junk foods but I saw her buy one after a week, when I was officially dumped,
one time when I said directly that I love her, when she said that I should stop giving her flowers anymore so I decided to give
all of my female classmates including her a red rose in our prom, when I greeted her in Friendster on her birthday after not
talking to her since she dumped me officially, when I was carving down some Styrofoam models at the TLE shop and used it
as an excuse so that I can watch over her since she was sick by that time and some other stupid events that I don’t want to talk
about anymore.
It is not called love if it’s one-sided, no one can call it love if it’s unrequited and you cannot call it love if only one
sacrifices for the person that he loves... it is only called pure sufferings.
Most of my friends told me to forget her, some told me to replace her, I’ve tried to do what they’ve said but nothing
worked to relieve this pain in my chest. She’s not the only girl in this world but I can’t find anyone who can surpass her in
my heart... Until a dark voice deep in me shouted... Why should I feel sad? Why should I feel the pain? Why should I give
importance to her? If I can do unto others what they’ve done unto me...
I’ve simply gone tired of enduring this pain, when my mind told me to have my revenge, when my pride started to bite
my tongue until it bled, when my heart suddenly stopped from beating and when vengeance started to flow in my veins. After
months of pain, weeks of sadness, days of flashbacks and hours of tears shed... I finally realized that I should move over it and
the only way to set my foot off the past is to have my revenge. If I can’t have my revenge directly to her... I’ll just have it to
anyone whose fool enough to be deceived by her own heart... To that ignorant one who will decide instead of her mind but by
her foolish heart...
Unlucky enough for this girl, I am planning to get her heart for less than a month, doing things to the sweetest so she will
bite to my bait. And when the time is ripe, I’ll break her heart and I will make sure that it will be so painful that she’ll never
38 Essay, Short Story and One Act Play
K aly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M a n il a 2009 - 2010
Scorching Conflagration Of The Heavens Light
Retribution of the Shattered and the Wrecked
Endless Darkness Of The Night Sky (prelude)
I’m always fascinated to her enthusiasm in cooking, she prefers to drag me around when looking for ingredients to her
experiments and always glad to make use of me as her guinea pig. I will never forget that time when she tried to make me sip
that weird concoction she made, so to save my tongue I gave her this recipe of Apple Syrup for pancakes and waffles which
I’ve got from an instructions website, I tinkered it for just a little bit so that it will suit to her taste. We both have sweet tooth
for pastries, aside from that, we are complementary; she really loves to cook while I like eating more than cooking, she’s a jolly
person while I’m a serious type for most of the time, she likes to go out while I’d prefer staying at home though I know a lot
more of special places than her, she loves to sing while I have a zipped mouth, she’s silent when she feels bad while I’m a hell
too much hyperactive when something troubles me. There are only few things that we have in common, we both love listening
to alternative rock and its similar genre, she’s also an avid fan of MySpace bands, we both love to stargaze, I’m a software geek
while she’s a hardcore surfer and we both like to talk nonsense and laugh about it later on. But what we both really love to do
is to spend time talking together... about our dreams and plans for the future, before... those plans were only for our own sake...
but as days passed, these self-centered plans turned to linked dreams for us to fulfill... together.
I always tend skip lunch every time I’m at the shop, I always fail to remember that I have not eaten yet even for breakfast
but she’s always there to pull me off my seat and drag me to their kitchen. I can’t resist her convincing charm and her occasional
dominant personality, she’s the only girl that was able to break my tight decisions and know my inscrutable personality so
well.
Since that night, that special night, we have become inseparable, she stays with me when I play online games at my free
days, I always accompany her when she goes to the marketplace and we never miss a night stargazing together. I’m always
with her, trying to protect her, taking care of her; she’s always behind me, pulling me out of the quagmire whenever I sink and
bringing me up every time my morale depletes. How I wish... that these lies we’re true...
She thought that I’m her shoulder, that she’s my comfort, she’s my lover and I’m her follower. She thought that I do really
love her, now she thinks that we’re in a relationship because she feels that I’m bounded to her heart. What she doesn’t know...
is that I’m a demon in disguise...
Since that night, the darkest night, everything just went on to what I’ve planned. I started to create small conflicts that
would make our so called relationship stronger, I started to give her surprises that are mostly negative which makes her mad
at me, I fix the fuss later and back it up with something for her, a kiss, a quote, a lie. She gets intensively happy every time
she feels my effort to straighten things up and the more she becomes attached to me. I love the look in her eyes when I see her
believe in my lyrical lies.
Later on I tried to make her miss me so much by not showing up on certain days, I simply stay at a different computer
shop for hours, take a nap for some time or go back to our house in Manila early in the morning so that she’ll never see
me around. It worked well, she flooded my Friendster account with comments or texted me concurrently. I can’t delete her
comments because she might get suspicious so I placed her number in my screened messages so when she send messages it
gets stored in my phone but never gives warning tones. I always tell her excuses though she’s bright enough to feel that there’s
something up with me, but it is the trust of her heart that she blindly chooses, it overcomes her mind rendering to see the painful
truth, one adverse effect of the sensation that people call “love”.
The best deception that I’ve done to fake her... It was in the middle of a furious rain, we did have a conflict a day before
this event happened and because of too much boredom that have stricken me I went out and stood right in front of their door.
The rain is heavy and all of the houses are locked, the winds are turbulent and all windows are closed but I know that she has
this habit of looking out in the window to estimate time. Luckily, I got her for less than a minute just when I’m soaked in the
Essay, Short Story and One Act Play 37
Kaly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M an ila 2009 - 2010
Vampire Academy
Jacky Ortega
Setting: Constantinople
Character: Vampire – main cast
Mikhail – custodian at the academy
Jeanne – a beautiful apprentice
Gregory – Jeanne’s lover
***
The young beautiful apprentice, Jeanne lied on the field with her head on Gregory’s belly.
Jeanne: Both my mind and body will get well. It is because I’m glad you’re with me in this field. I love
you… (Tears started flowing in her soft pale face)
Mikhail suddenly appeared in the field where the two lovers and a stranger were staying.
Gregory: Mr. Mikhail, who is that gentleman? He looks familiar.
Mikhail: Even I don’t know what the gentleman’s name is. We just call him Vampire.
Gregory: An art professor?
Mikhail: Perhaps. As we saw his past works, he only sketches corpse, teaches how to make one. As soon
as someone dies, a picture of a dead is completed.
Suddenly, Gregory looked at what the Vampire is sketching… and saw Jeanne in it. She is quiet.
36 Essay, Short Story and One Act Play
K aly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M a n il a 2009 - 2010
Stranger’s Gift
Jacky Ortega
Yuri was 18 years old when his father passed away. It was the first real blow that made his life turn upside down
and he never thought of recovering from it. As months passed by, he became open to the fact that everything has its end.
Acceptance and adjustment is all he needed for him to easily move on from that hurtful moment.
At first, he went to the cemetery with fear. Fear of remembering all the sufferings of his father before he died. But
then, amazingly, his thoughts didn’t bother him anymore. Although sometimes, his painful memories especially when
he is at his father’s grave tend to make his tears fall.
Years passed. Yuri and his family moved to Fukuoka, the town where he had been born and had spent his youth.
They only came together on feast days, especially on All Souls’ Day in the cemetery.
His mother lived with him, for many years, until her old age. Her long life in a way compensated for the untimely
loss of his father. Now that she, too, rests beneath the marble stone, he go even more with full desire. While he’s there,
again he reminisce all their sweet and sad memories. The silence there brings him peace and calmness.
He often looked at the people who are busy in cleaning and decorating other graves and wondered who they are
visiting and the cause of their grief. He doesn’t know them, but he feels sympathy for them.
One sunny morning, he noticed a modest grave beside his parents’ plot. It is a very simple grave but it outstood all
others. That caught his attention. Mitsu had decorated the site on its own and maintained its cleanliness and uniqueness
for 16 years. Whenever he visits, he feels that the plot was surrounded with love and affection, that he wondered what
happened to this mysterious lady.
Fortunately, their roads crossed. They nodded on each other and began a short conversation. Yuri asked Mitsu
whose grave it was.
“My father’s. He died when I was 1 year old. I really never knew him. I didn’t even see pictures of him. All that
I have is his grave.”
“No one comes to visit this grave besides me because I was his only child. He died of heart failure. My mother
is too old to visit here. So then, I always come here whenever I’m sad or happy. Later, we moved in another house, a
bit far from here.”
He listened thoroughly, even in silence. Tears unconsciously fell in his eyes as he realized that he had never seen
such boundless love. Love that is unconditional. Love that is too inspiring. A condition that he never expected to hear
but he did.
She has a great outlook in life that she constantly visits her dad’s grave.
They bid their goodbyes. As they walked away from each other, Mitsu indeed left a special gift to Yuri. A special
gift that should be treasured. A loyal and long-lasting affection of a kind-hearted lady to her father. Despite not knowing
her father, she remains devoted to him and shows true love of a daughter.
On his way home, he kept on thinking of her touching story. He decided that if weeds ever began to show on the
neighboring grave, he would clean it together with that of his parents’. By then, his kind-hearted friend will be grateful
because she is not the only one taking care of her father’s grave.
Essay, Short Story and One Act Play 35
Kaly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M an ila 2009 - 2010
The esSense Of Responsibility
Cantoy Alter
Responsibility is a basic component for growth either for thyself or for the good of all. Everyone has
responsibilities, from young ones to the grown-ups. Everybody has something to contribute. Everybody
has something to protect and something to gain.
Everybody has something to contribute…
In the course of human history, the power of government is vested upon the gold rested in its pocket.
The more gold it has, the more powerful it becomes. It is important that the government has the power
to control the nation. It has the duty of developing our nation and lead its people for the better path. It
shall provide everything in every way possible guided by law. Likewise, it’s our duty to pay taxes and
monitor its usage. We should stand up and confront those in the government whose actions are leading
to corruption or unwise use of the public’s trust. Not paying tax worsens our current situation. Everyone
should contribute. No exemptions applied.
Everybody has something to protect…
Voting is a sacred duty. It is a responsibility our ancestors were longing for to have equal rights in
choosing the leaders of the nation. No matter who you are in the society, your vote still matters. The power
of one warlord is no stronger to the combined might of the people. It is more powerful than the strongest
bomb that was made. Protecting your vote is holy and honorable. Because when it comes to our future –
our family’s future, you can be cunning as a leopard.
Our environment is also an important creation we should conserve. Man was designed to exploit nature
but his duty is to preserve what is natural. We are now paying the misuse of our resources. Conserving is
protecting what is most important. And that is a responsibility we should gladly accept.
Everyone has something to gain…
In taking responsibilities, one has something to gain. Experience is one of those. No one is expected
to do something great in his young age. But taking responsibilities (either voluntary or elected) would
develop you into a better human being. Another is honor. Those who take responsibilities, those who fail
and those who accept their defeat are honorable.
34 Essay, Short Story and One Act Play
K aly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M a n il a 2009 - 2010
Fear Of Tomorrow
Sharon Ditucalan
I just don’t care though I am ‘aware’ of what is really happening in our country – corruption, poverty and along
with these is crime. I am aware but I don’t care.
I don’t care with the 2010 election for in the first place I am not a registered voter with my age of 17 and this
gives my mind a thought that I, together with the youth of my age don’t really have the free will, the right, and the
freedom to choose from the eight presidential candidates. So why Rizal would consider us part of the ‘hope of the
country’—I guess this is the craziest question I’ve ever realized but then I know in myself that I really have a point.
Does the saying, “Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan” still exist? Does the Filipino youth dominate the rest of the
people living in the Pearl of Orient Seas in improving the lives of all Pinoys? Tell me, am I foolishly asking these
questions?
I started to agitate different questions in my mind which seem to have no satisfying answers. And these
questions arise whenever our purok leader calls us in a meeting regarding the demolition in our place – questions
that concern a national state. At first, I wondered what will happen but at present state, all I know is that I feel the
intense actions of our acting leaders who are exerting efforts in making visual materials that will be used in rallying,
conducting meetings, and securing our place from the merciless hands of the government. From then, I can’t stop
worrying. I am afraid that one day I wander without a home.
My young mind never worried too much on anything related with my family’s lifestyle. We we’re happy and
contented with what God provides for us; three meals a day, complete family, education, good neighbors and a home.
Not until I saw people rallying along Luzon Avenue. I asked if their efforts in shouting and yelling the words that
directly oppose the government would result into something that favors them. I felt such stupid emotion. I wondered
why I have to feel little happiness. Maybe because I knew that those people I saw know how to fight for their right
and express their grief. Their being expressive and brave leads them to a hopeful tomorrow. But then again, so much
sadness crossed my heart when suddenly I woke up with the reality that my family is with those activists – lifting
up their sign boards that strike my soft mind painfully because every word I read opens my mind into a world of
changes. I fear to have a homeless life. I believe that among the three basic needs of a human, shelter best gives
true contentment and serves as a foundation of an effective family being the smallest unit of the society. Without a
home, how would my life go on? I bet I’m being too emotional but I wish that the next president could provide every
Filipino family a home that is permanent.
I know and everybody must know that it is not only through voting where we can help for the betterment of
our motherland. But it starts there – through choosing the right person to lead. But how do we know and how are we
so sure that the person we prefer is the right one? We all have the ability to criticize a man, we all have the mind to
decide and we all have the conscience of not allowing elements of evil (those unbelievable statements, those made-
to-be-broken promises and those simulated actions) to manipulate our hearts and souls. Nothing is impossible but
if it is far from reality, learn to let go of those spoken words and face the fact that we should act. How would the
two hands of the next president build a mansion or a kingdom? It simply means that if we want a beautiful place,
everybody should move. We should not be selfish. We shouldn’t work only for our own sake. And when the day of
election comes, think wise.
The simple pen and paper held on May 10 will make a big difference…
Essay, Short Story and One Act Play 33
Kaly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M an ila 2009 - 2010
Burn The Bridges Behind You
Jacky Ortega
Nothing makes sense in my world. Everything seems to be unknown and undefined – knowing
nothing about myself, knowing nothing about the things around me, knowing nothing about everything
that seems to matter to other people.
Knowing nothing for I am afraid to ask. Afraid to question things. Afraid to understand mine and
their situation. Afraid to search for truth and reality of my world.
I feel alone. I feel lonely. I feel neglected. I feel abandoned. I feel that nobody cares. Until I try to
feel again...
All the emotions that I feel are just parts of my past. The yesterday that keeps on running into my
mind, the antiquity such as misfortunes, tragedies, failures and some unhappy moments keep haunting my
personality, my dignity... myself.
These experiences make me feel empty as it prevents me from enjoying my today, expecting that
everything is all about me, about my world; rather than about others, about their world.
As I try to feel again, I have to burn the bridges behind me. Forget the old times – for they are gone
forever. Only today is the acceptable time. No turning back once I have decided to walk the chief aim in
my life.
I will burn the bridges behind me and continue living my life that is not focused on myself alone but
unto others as well. I will keep going until I have fixed a certain goal, until I finished a certain purpose. I
will keep up the courage until victory alone crowns my actions.
32 Essay, Short Story and One Act Play
Essay,
Short story
and
One act play
Burn The Bridges Behind You
Fear Of Tomorrow
The esSense Of Responsibility
Stranger’s Gift
Vampire Academy
Scorching Conflagration of the Heavens Light
K aly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M a n il a 2009 - 2010
Walls
Ma. Edalyn Reduta
In the midst of darkness
I was embraced by sudden sadness
a momentum of loneliness
sucked my bewildered emptiness!
I was insane in vanity
trying to figure out my humanity
escaped to the world of reality
to stand for my dignity;
Set in place by subtle disregard
my body became feverish
lust that gives me anguish
hands that caressed my womanhood
Walls were hidden in a snap
as darkness crept up
New Horizons in all directions;
I stretch out my arms in full motion.
Reflecting light in every facet
I feel the shadow of a frame,
Until I seek a space that continues..
where mutual nurturance sustains.
28 Poem
Kaly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M an ila 2009 - 2010
The Spot
Kantoy Palaboy
Writing on the spot
Got to be boiling in the pot
Got to be ill with a quill
Then end with a seal
No revise, no rewrite
Because I know everything is all right
No holding back
All thoughts are in well stack
Never think of making a sonnet
I guess I should thank that comment
To be inspired to conspire
Because I’m made not to expire.
Poem 27
K aly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M a n il a 2009 - 2010
Temptation At Work
Jacky Ortega
Started from a small craving
Applied the same strategy
Utilized an old trick
Adapted the same pattern.
Identifies sinful desires
Releases evil doubts
Speculates deception
Conceives disobedience.
Lured by circumstances
Motivated by lies
Provoked by shortcuts
Tempted by thoughts.
26 Poem
Kaly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M an ila 2009 - 2010
Summertime
-ZaiJ-
In the midst of summertime,
A sudden comfort grew like sunshine
When trees in valley dance with me
I love to ease the pain of my yesterday.
I run fast as I could
Till the wind embraced me
And the clouds begged me to stop…
I did not live my life in glee
It hits to my deepest part
Lights off!
Gettin’ tired…
All I want is silence.
Poem 25
K aly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M a n il a 2009 - 2010
Serenading A Goddess
Rafael G. Cultura
As the sparkling glow of candlelight
Breaks the darkness of the night
Sweet tunes fill the moon so bright
Making the ambiance all right
And the stillness starts to fade
With every strum in his guitar he made
For the gentleman, tenderly serenade
Underneath the lady’s shade
Sacred words from the strings
Whispering their passionate feelings
In an oak tree there’s a nymph who clings
Smiling to a suitor who sings
Perfect lines from his lips
Into her heart the lyric creeps
In her soul his love peeps
By his song that she keeps
Suddenly the air is filled with warm sensation
Taking away all vexation
As the twinkling stars he sets in motion
By the soft melody created by friction
There he stands with pure intention
Screaming his deep adoration
While she stares with great attention
Together they create a night of perfection
24 Poem
Kaly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M an ila 2009 - 2010
Reality Check
vhinxzcs
if rivers can speak
…like chirping birds
…like tiny insects
though they are not human
listen to what they say.
here oh! hear
your eyes were saying
no trees, no water, no air
where will life go?
shout it to the human
king of all kingdom
“What have you done?”
but never heard by anyone.
if nature will send its battalion
to start a revolution
ready we must be
for we shall all see.
where will life go?
listen to their voice
see the tears because of our choice
it’s like our cry in pugad lawin
we want to be free, like it’s said in history
for we are living
we enjoy our being
for we have feelings
like what your heart is saying
where will life go?
we are their lives
they are our lives
we are together
forever and ever..
Poem 23
K aly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M a n il a 2009 - 2010
Party Animal
Rafael G. Cultura
Go crazy to the beatin’ of rock n’ roll
Go wild, go shakin’ on the dancing floor
Move your body, groove your thing all night long
Just dance, don’t care if your momma call
Let the drugs run down to your bottom core
‘Til you fade away and down you fall
Let the music of the disco conquer your soul
Let the rhythm of the drums overcome you whole
Let the crowd know in this club you rule
Don’t let anybody steal your throne
Keep bitches drown in alcohol
When drunk you’ll enter behind closed door
Break free, go insane, don’t stop your show
Step up, get mad and loose control
Let your mind escape and your money flow
Then wake up broke in jail tomorrow
22 Poem
Kaly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M an ila 2009 - 2010
Lullaby of Silence
Rafael G. Cultura
I
The moonlight gleams its sweet embrace
Against the evening sky, the hills defined
As bright stars dance in endless space
Cradled by the heaven from mournful cry
II
The poet’s awakened by nightingales
Inspired by love, he paints the wind
From soil he drew his masterpiece
Molding the lines of earth refined
III
He asked the trees to move and live
While up above the angels sing
The sprouting flowers start to speak
And leaves whisper gently… softly…
IV
The night was calm and freed from fear
All the pain and agony hid away
The child flew high in fantasy
Escaping the realms of rationality
Poem 29
K aly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M a n il a 2009 - 2010
Last Goodbye
-jen-
This cold night knocks off my feet
While I started to reminisce
The time you fulfilled those emptiness
And to find way of saying goodbye to you.
The time I fear of is near
Now you are about to leave
I hate goodbyes…
But I really have to.
Its hard for me to do
Saying goodbye to the one I trusted before
I found out that it’s difficult to pretend
That I am happy for you to leave
I am feeling so sorry
I wish I could turn back that time
To make those foolishness right
…but it’s too late, you’re no longer holding tight.
I will miss everything,
Happy moments on my mind are lingering
How you accepted my imperfections
And to be with me without asking questions…
Now you’ll be going miles away
Far away from here where I can no longer see you
There’s nothing else I can do
But to accept, to smile.
Yes. Its not easy for me to convey,
But I have to leave these words to you now…
Salamat…Sorry…
at Paalam na kuya …
Poem 21
Kaly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M an ila 2009 - 2010
Kyasurin
Kantoy Palaboy
Girl, we gotta leave the past
Did I say that everything wont last?
It’s all in the eyes
I can see the truth in them lies
We’ve got to speak
to reach that peak
High above into the sky
Looking down in the ground
There is no such thing as a perfect day
that’s a thing I can only say
say that last goodbye
because we don’t know if today we die
This feeling is so simple
but it gives me wrinkles
we are faced with too many possibilities
I just hope one of them is a reality
My head is turning wild
I wish this feeling would go mild
for God gave us love
so let this our guiding dove
20 Poem
K aly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M a n il a 2009 - 2010
Illusion
sungkyeoul
The yellow canaries are singing
The sweetest song tonight,
Composes mellifluous music
Makes me wanna hug you tight.
Moon dances in the night sky –
Enjoying hours of its flight
The twinkling of the tiny stars
Show us the right time to dance all night.
Put your hands on my waist
And in your shoulder I’ll put mine;
Glide with me into the air,
Wearing your ever engaging smile
Let me get to you even closer
To feel the loud beat of your heart,
Softly whisper in my ear
The melodious words I wanna hear.
Closing my eyes for a second,
I felt a tear flows in my cheek;
The still air gets colder
As the music stops to sing.
Knowing everything is just a fantasy.
Poem 19
Kaly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M an ila 2009 - 2010
He
Sharon Ditucalan
Looking beyond his perfect smile
Hides growing sadness and dying heart
Owning a coward and helpless mind
Lets his eyes cry a lot
A man like him truly fights
But when limitations drive him right
End of the fantasy holds him tight
And reality gives signs to give up tonight
Hoping stops when one gets tired
Of waiting and loving too much
If someone never loves you back
Let her go but never close thy heart
18 Poem
K aly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M a n il a 2009 - 2010
Checkmate
Thea Camille M. Diaz
Blinded by what I’m seeing
Deafened by what I’m hearing
Selflessly, I can’t help thinking
Deeply weeping, I hope there’s an ending
I’m all alone in this silence
Totally lost in this darkness
Mind corrupted, all out suspense
Helplessly, drowning in this world of revenge
With all my might I’m trying to fight
But each time I try, it keeps on recurring
In this world that’s full of cheats and tricks
I just can’t watch back on my seat
I am now depending on him
Tears shed as I watch him leave
Checkmate. I can’t breath, I can’t move
This fragile thing has stopped its beating
Poem 17
Kaly o : The O fficial L iterary Folio of The P h ilip p in e Artisan - M an ila 2009 - 2010
Broken Hearted
Ma. Edalyn M. Reduta
In a quiet room of darkness, I found myself crying
Knowing that I‘ve lost now my everything
No hope gives me the reason for living
At this moment, I really have nothing
You tore my heart apart without knowing
And stabbed it many times, kept it aching
And now, my heart keeps on bleeding
But I am trying to forget everything
I told you that I can’t live without you
But still you left me through
Every moment that keeps reminding of you
Is an echoing ache in my solitude
Now that you set me free,
Because you found someone better than me.
My heart is drowned in my own tears
When I saw you in the arms of other.
You told me that you’ll never leave me
And made me believe that it will last forever
But you threw me out of your life
Now my dreams went all into shatter.
16 Poem
Poem
Broken Hearted
He
Illusion
Kyasurin
Last Goodbye
Lullaby Of Silence
Party Animal
Reality Check
Serenading A Goddess
Summertime
Temptation At Work
The Spot
Walls
Scripts Unfaded
POEM
Broken Hearted...................................................................... 16
Checkmate............................................................................. 17
He........................................................................................... 18
Illusion................................................................................... 19
Kyasurin................................................................................. 20
Last Goodbye......................................................................... 21
Lullaby of Silence.................................................................. 22
Party Animal.......................................................................... 23
Reality Check......................................................................... 24
Serenading A Goddess........................................................... 25
Summertime........................................................................... 26
Temptation At Work............................................................... 27
The Spot................................................................................. 28
Walls...................................................................................... 29
ESSAY, SHORT STORY and ONE - ACT PLAY
Burn The Bridges Behind You............................................... 32
Fear Of Tomorrow................................................................ 33
The esSense Of Responsibility............................................... 34
Stranger’s Gift ....................................................................... 35
Vampire Academy.................................................................. 36
Scorching Conflagration of the Heavens Light...................... 37
DI KAMI NAGSASAWANG MAGPASALAMAT
Sa araw-araw na binigay sa amin ni Lord...
Sandamukal ng mga oras na iyon ay nakikipagbakbakan kami sa mga pagsubok ng buhay...
Pero hindi parin naman kami nawalan ng oras at pagkakataon...
Para makasama ang mga taong pinahahalagahan namin...
Kahit na halos buong araw na papel na lang ang hawak ko...
At sunog ang mata sa monitor...
Maligaya parin kami dahil naibibigay namin sa inyo...
Ang mga impormasyon na dapat ninyong malaman...
Kahit na puro hardcopy lang ang binibigay ninyo...
At kelangan pang itype ng kung sino...
Ay mahiwaga parin itong...
Nakakarating sa Kalyo...
Minsan na pag-iinitan kami ng mga tao...
Dahil nadadale namin ang kalokohan nito...
Pero andito parin kami...
At nagbabasa ka ng dyaryo...
Maraming salamat sa lahat ng aming mga mata
Sa lahat ng aming naging tenga
Sa mga matatapang na naging aming bibig
At sa lahat... Sa pinagsamang mga isip...
ALAY NAMIN TO!!!
***
Woot!!! Sa wakas!!! May release na ulit kami!!! Matapos ang napakaraming pagbabago... Ang
matagal na proseso ay lalong napatagal... Masyadong mahaba kung ipapaliwanag pero kahit papaano
ay nagawa naming maibigay sa inyo ang mahiwagang Kalyo!!! May bonus pa! Dahil may Photo Essays
na kami!!! Iyon po ang limang makukulay na pahina na nakita nyo kanina... Mga larawang naglalahad
ng mga kwento, mga screen shots sa alaala ng mga contributors, mga snapshots ng mga bagay na hindi
nakikita ng iba, mga colored pages na may color mode na RGB at may image format na PNG...
Ngayon, mag-umpisa na kayong mag-ipon ng mga mala-epikong pictures at malulupit na akda... 24/7
na bukas ang aming opisina para sa inyong mga likha... Kaso nga lang mula 6:30am hanggang 9:00pm
lamang maaaring manatili sa ating pinakamamahal na unibersidad, kaya para mas efficient, ipasa nyo na
lang kapag may pasok kayo... hehe...
Maraming Salamat mga kapwa TUPians!!!
Green
Friday The Sleepyhead
Grass is always greener... on the other side...
Suicide
NeoCerberus
Blinding my eyes
With the searing screen
To see, to find, to seek
To understand...
Studying hard
Depriving myself of time
Keeping myself in strain
In this endless search of truth...
Draw
Until my wrist tears
For others to see what I perceive
My view, my dreams, my fears..
Drowning myself in coffee
What an irony
For it keeps me away from Sleep...
Death’s cousin...
Layon Ko Ay Kalayaan
Marc Fave Reyes
Magmalasakit...
Makialam...
Magpahayag...
Deprived Optimism
Marc Fave Reyes
I came to you to seek refuge.
I violated my stillness and refrained from calmness.
I expected that you understand and attend to my gripe.
It was my first.
But it was also my last...
Detention
Cheenie Bagus
I did not want my silence to be...
forever.

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