Literary Magazine

Unveiling the Truth, Voices of the Youth ENJOY YOUR BE A BLESSING TIME WITH TO OTHERS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE HAVE FAITH IN HIM LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST SEIZETHE BEFORE MOMENT EVERYTHING’S BE HAPPY, TOO LATE BE CONTENTED



Today: Bring about Change Associate Editor As technology advances, the world is VALESKA MAY A. BUSCAS bombarded with different phenomena and issues to be tackled by the modern rising generation. Managing Editor Disseminated through the mass media and social media platforms, the active youth are much more CATHERINE KAYE H. MANDE aware of the current society and the challenges it is facing. Passion and eagerness to bring about social Lay-out Artist reform and justice dawns in each one of these juvenile hearts. But, how can these voices be heard? Our DIANNE KEITH C. TABUJARA ultimate goal is to become the refuge of young writers and artists in expressing ourselves and our Writers perspectives to societal affairs and matters and shed light to these with veracity and dignity. VALESKA MAY A. BUSCAS JETH SPENCER G. CARLOS The theme of this month’s issue pertains to the realization of the importance of time through the RAHUL M. KUMAR pandemic COVID-19. We hope that this would set a CATHERINE KAYE H. MANDE testimony for all generations that the youth, the future of our world and society, has the responsibility to take JORIZ M. PANTI the initiative to act today for tomorrow’s fate. KHLOE CHANNTAL C. SANTOS DIANNE KEITH C. TABUJARA Artist VALESKA MAY A. BUSCAS DIANNE KEITH C. TABUJARA JETH SPENCER G. CARLOS Photographer Editor-in-Chief JETH SPENCER G. CARLOS DIANNE KEITH C. TABUJARA THE RISING ERA | 3 Unveiling the Truth, Voices of the Youth

by Jeth Spencer G. Carlos I hate you! I hate the clocks! The hands of the clock move and circle its frame and I just don’t know COVID-I9 significantly kills numerous people globally, well, according to the when it’ll stop torturing me, knowing that news reporter I’ve heard while watching as the long arm reaches the top, another the TV. This and that, oh, actually, there hour, another day would pass without are certain protocols that everybody affection and inspiration that I’ve always needs to follow the law to stay at home wanted to have, to snatch… during pandemic specifically below 21 years old. Come on, listen, do you realize how much pain I had to go through? Do you know But, being locked at home was never new that as I grew, even I disliked myself to me, a 16-year old teenage boy who was because of what others thought of me? I born out of wedlock. I could say that I am just wanted to feel loved, of having a a diligent student but I have several certain value to someone, of being deficiencies. Sudden seizures and significant. The feeling of being talked to distressingly being diagnosed with a because someone cares for you. No one “Williams Syndrome and Mild Dyslexia” took the time merely listening to me. I was made my life outlandish, no friends to ask always alone and will forever be. You for help or even someone to talk to. always tell people that “Time is gold,” but Parents? My mom is working overseas as because time is very precious to you, you a certified nurse while I, oh, just left to a became very selfish to share it with drunkard, smelly uncle… the doctors told others. Mom, I hope that you’ll be happy them that I need to have a regular check- without me… up but they always feared that going outside would be much dangerous due to Today, I reminisce, as I am lying on this pandemic. hospital bed, due to the detrimental effects of my illnesses, well, I guess, it’s Mom is taking care of other people time…it’s my time already. Oh, it’s funny abroad, but I need her, I want to be with how life played with me, even at the last her, but I just can’t... She has always moments of my life, the only thing that I deprived me of spending time with her. can see is the hand of the clock reaching Oh, how I longed for that day to come its peak… that I would experience the caress of love and care, but now I am losing the urge to Click! Click! I heard the door open and a yearn for it, I just think that I can’t achieve faint voice saying, “My son! I was too late! it. As time passes, the candle of hope of I love you baby! Please don’t leave me! My reaching that dream has ran out of wick. son!” THE RISING ERA | 4 Unveiling the Truth, Voices of the Youth

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By: Jeth Spencer G. Carlos THE RISING ERA | 6 Unveiling the Truth, Voices of the Youth

by: Rahul M. Kumar This time during the global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 more commonly known as COVID-19 or novel coronavirus 2019. This virus began to spread in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Within 7 months, the virus was believed to have begun its spread of infection worldwide causing everything to temporarily or permanently shut down. Schools have shifted to online class or modular mode of learning; some work shifted to \"work from home\". The virus could spread by sneeze droplets while disinfecting hands with alcohol and wearing a face mask may reduce the chance of being infected. During these times, people were advised to isolate themselves in their homes to avoid contamination. The most common symptoms of the coronavirus are: dry cough, difficulty in breathing, headaches, and fever. Mental health is the general state of well-being and state of mind while mental illness is something that interrupts how you feel, think, communicate, and behave. According to Glenn Close, “What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” Most people who struggle with the most common mental illness need someone to talk and reach out to. The restriction to go out without something essential to do has caused friends to stop seeing each other for their own safety. Demi Lovato, a famous singer who fought depression said that “I wish people could understand that the brain is the most important organ of the body. Just because you can’t see mental illness like you couldn’t see a broken bone, doesn’t mean it's not detrimental to the people affected.” If you know someone who is struggling with mental illness where reaching out to them could help, please do not hesitate to ask them how they are feeling, because most of the time, being lonely triggers depression. Being strong for yourself dceapnremsseiaonn a lot because everyone deserves to be given proper mental illness treatment. Seeking psychological help is a great way to overcome our mental illness. A fearsome number of people have committed suicide and the family of the people who committed it endured great grief because they were not able to determine the mental illness early. Communicating may be very therapeutical to many people with depression, resorting to self- harm and suicide is not a way to battle depression because it is in a body that wants to live but in a mind that wants to die. Taking the time out to work out, communicate, and being positive may help you a lot to overcome your illness, and seeking psychological help is very important before it is too late. This pandemic should enable us to have time to spread awareness about mental health and mental illness. People may resort to seeking spiritual help or counseling to overcome their illness. Surrounding ourselves with positivity in these trying times is very advantageous for us because it will lighten our mood and make us feel better. THE RISING ERA | 7 Unveiling the Truth, Voices of the Youth

THE RISING ERA | 8 III. How far The past is not a basis of judgment But the past makes way for the future If not changed in the present by: Rahul M. Kumar We lock our fate in doing I. IV. How far Many scholars have tried to change We wake up everyday We sometimes barely realize how far time we’ve been Some were able to change history But time never stops But their secrets were engraved Take time to be a better person. Time is something so precious yet uncontrollable II. If we were given more chance to wake up We would definitely take the chance Without thinking of the future So why would we?

By: Catherine Kaye H. Mande arch 10 was like another ordinary day. There were few students outside their classrooms because the next class will start in 15 minutes. I was carrying two different bags as I was rushing to my adviser's office with a letter stating the reason for my tardiness. I brought my green backpack and a white string bag where my clothes were. I won't be staying at home that night because I have no classes tomorrow, and I have to complete a performance task. Darkness was filled outside, and I just had my dinner with my classmates when suddenly there was news about a surge of COVID-19 cases in Manila. We were alarmed by it, worried about what would happen. We were trying to stay awake the whole night, so we could finish the task right before the sun rises. I went home when morning came and slept before I began studying. The next day was the examination day. It will be the last requirement I have to accomplish before I become a senior high school student. Right before the final test of the day started, there was an announcement that the prom was not happening. Many were worried about the outfits they have prepared and the experience they were about to miss. But it was okay for me since I haven't prepared anything. I went home right after the exam and prepared for the test the coming day. There was an announcement of the suspension of classes on the night of March 12. What we thought was just a day became a week. Then suddenly, nobody was allowed to go out unless needed. No one knew that what we thought has next time will be the last. Questions that started with 'if only' and 'what if' would always cross my mind during a fine day. It was like any other day, but something is missing. Nobody knows what tomorrow could bring. It is exciting but terrifying. If we live as if today's our last, will we be able to make the most out of it? Or treat it as an ordinary day and do nothing? As we lose our time, we lose our moment to live. We must take risks before those chances become another 'what if.’ THE RISING ERA | 9

THE RISING ERA | 10 Will tomorrow wait ‘til I’m finally ready Lost on time When my mind’s at ease And my soul’s not weary BY: CATHERINE KAYE H. MANDE ‘Next time’ was the phrase I’ve heard Plans were made Wishes were sent When the glistening eyes were filled Before the clock announced, with sorrow; Another year has began It comforted me, But it reminded me of something I lost Time won’t stop and grieve with me For it only did its purpose If only the heart’s desire joined its rhythm The present may have flown differently LIlLIes Expectations were shuttered Contemplations struck BY: VALESKA MAY A. BUSCAS I should’ve hugged you tighter I should’ve stayed longer I should’ve known better that Tragedy is inevitable I wish I could go back to give you red roses Now, I am giving you lilies.

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THE RISING ERA | 12 Unveiling the Truth, Voices of the Youth By: Valeska May A. Buscas “Sparing some time to bond with friends and family won’t hurt you, enjoy and add more memories to cherish.“

by: Dianne Keith C. Tabujara Time, as what I’ve known my whole regret those moments that which I did not seize, I regret it because it was my personal life, is gold. Both are precious and choice not to. I should’ve gone out more with nevertheless important. It should be friends, spent more time with relatives, made cherished, appreciated, and luxuriated. We more experiences in school, travelled more, are given a driblet of it within the span of our and all those other stuff that I could’ve done, lifetime; it could slip out of our hands in just but then again, I chose not to. Now, I am a blink of an eye. It is very limited that we stuck at home, unable to do these things for cannot waste even a single millisecond of it. God knows how long, but I know it’s not too Every moment is important, may it be good late. or bad. You’re rewarded? Then enjoy it. You’ve failed? Then learn from it. Personally, I have many regretful decisions, such as time is one of the things that is most being inconsiderate of the importance of important to me next to life. Let me tell you time and valuing every moment that I could why. make use of it. I know that the state of which I am currently in is temporary, which means Time isn’t just about numbers, there is that I still have a chance. Every single day, I much more depth to it. It enables us to enjoy am blessed with a new opportunity to live. our lives, bond with friends and family, go to YOLO, you only live once, seize the moment, different places, be productive, and do just take risks, these are important learnings that about anything. For me, when I am in a state I would continue to keep in my heart as I am of enjoyment, hours go by swiftly, but when I growing up. After this pandemic ends, I’ll am bored or got nothing to do, it is as slow as make sure that I would make up to these a snail, and I hate it because I’m very moments that I could’ve grabbed. I will lay impatient. But I got to learn how to hold of every second of time that I have in appreciate time, I must be thankful that I still my hands to do what I want, to do what I have time. This pandemic made me realize all should do, and to do good deeds to others. I of that. I have so much time in my hands, but am encouraging all of you to cherish time I am unable to use all of these to have fun, do and make the most out of it because we never what I want, be with who I want, etc. I am know when this so-called “time” that we unable to experience a lot of things because I have, would eventually wither. didn’t make the most out of what I had. I THE RISING ERA | 13 Unveiling the Truth, Voices of the Youth

by: Dianne Keith C. Tabujara Tempus, Latin for time But, what really is time? Well, all I know is that it is gold is the time It is way more precious than you think. We most certainly regret every bit of time wasted It could’ve gone to something much more essential Very limited is the time on our hands In just a snap, it is long gone and would never come back We are given an opportunity and time everyday Make the most out of it Do what you long for and achieve what you want to achieve Don’t let anything hold you back The moments and memories that you had shouldn’t be the last of it Make more using all of the time that you have Don’t let it go to waste Every second, minute, and hour is important and therefore shall be indulged

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIANNE TABUJARA Time: [ time ] noun The healer and the killer.. THE RISING ERA | 15

OUT OF THE BLUE Dazed, perplexed and Fear. I felt these three words in collision, that I had to remind myself how to breathe once again. I remember it being just a second, but I was so sure the time stopped for everyone. It was as if time took a second to pause and register the haunting news. This felt so unreal that I was paralyzed at my seat, anxiously waiting for someone to wake me up. Sadly, everyone else also wasn’t able to wake up from this nightmare. “I need to go now. I have a 7 A.M. meeting to attend to.” Those were the usual words I’d hear from dad on weekdays while my mom is also busy managing our business. I grew up taken care by my nanny, not my parents. I tried reaching out countless times but their priority was their work. We may live in one household but we have separate lives. Most of the time, we come in and out of the house without seeing each other. We rarely eat meals together since they are too busy to even eat with me. I spent my time outside with my friends since it was boring to be home alone. It was a sunny Sunday morning when we heard the news about the spreading virus, “COVID-19” in our country. “My boss called me saying, ‘the company will be cost-cutting.’ Luckily, I’m not included to those who were removed from our company, but still we need to save money,” dad said. “We also need to lessen the employees in our business. We won’t have enough money to pay them,” mom exclaimed. Ever since this pandemic started, nothing much has changed. Except that they both chose to stay and work at home for their safety. Numerous deaths due to the virus was reported in the news. Protocols were made for everyone’s safety. Suddenly, my phone rang. “Mom? What’s wrong?” I asked. “I- I tested positive Klai,” she answered. I can’t move. I don’t know how I would let that sink in. The only thing I know is she will survive- she has to. Guess what? She was able to survive COVID-19! She even had the opportunity to meet her grandchildren before they both died. After her suffering, they decided to loosen up a bit. We spent our weekends and free times together. We made memories that lasted forever. We never know when our loved ones will be taken by God which is why we should make the most out of it. Never let our families feel alone. They should feel important, loved, and accepted. People were able to turn things around. They accepted things positively, changed their perspective. I consumed my time thinking of ways to make this experience less miserable; reflecting on things I did before this pandemic occurred. Ended up looking at the positive side, making every single day productive leaving no regrets. THE RISING ERA | 16 Unveiling the Truth, Voices of the Youth

Zemblanity: Unexpected Unsurprise Time is really important. People who appreciate this are only few. Many are naive, Abruptly, this pandemic made them care. All of a sudden, tables were turned. From being calm and confident, T o citizens who were frightened. Panic and fear overruled their emotions. It’s been a while, Since we’ve been free. Seize the moment, Live your life to the fullest. Know your priorities and limitations. Life is short. Create wonderful memories, Make them unforgettable. THE RISING ERA | 17 Unveiling the Truth, Voices of the Youth

by:Joriz M. Panti The Good Earth was printed in 1931 and have become Buck’s most well-liked and widely read novel. It depicts a life cycle from a man’s early years till his death. Some Chinese felt that the portrayal of their individuals was inaccurate and incomplete, and plenty of Chinese intellectuals objected to the selection of a peasant farmer because the subject of a unique, preferring that the Western world sees the intellectual and philosophical Chinese, although that cluster was a minority. Buck’s sole answer to such criticism was that she wrote concerning what she knew best, and these were the individuals whom she had seen and was able to understand and love throughout her years within the interior of China. The novel of “The Good Earth” is associated with uncomplicated things with universal attractiveness, and also the author shows a person rising from economic condition and relative unimportance to a grip in some ways in which, the story is that the proverbial Alger tale that such a large amount of readers apprehend and admire. The distinction here, creating it idiosyncratic, is that of the setting. Wang Lung, the main character around whom the action within the novel revolves, may be a poor person and he is aware of little aside from the very fact, he spends his entire life attempting to amass the maximum amount land as he will confirm each, his own security, his family, and descendants for generations, he eventually becomes just like the creation whom he initially holds in awe once he permits himself to follow in their path and separate himself from the land, the Earth theme is seen repetitively throughout the book. Wang Lung’s greatest joy is to look over his land, to hold it in his fingers, and to figure it for his survival. The Good Earth could be a straightforward, direct narrative. There aren’t any difficult literary techniques, no concerned subplots to bring down from the main story line. Wang Lung is the central character, and others are the opposite characters and their actions is somehow related to him. The book depends on characterization, and its emotional scenes were anticipated through the sensitivities and encounters of its characters. It's going to be aforesaid that a strength of the author’s characterization is her consistency, for all of her characters act and react to keep with their personalities. None could be a stereotype; all of their motives are complicated. O-land could be a sympathetic portrait, however there are aspects of her temperament. THE RISING ERA | 18

THE RISING ERA | 19 The Disease The Disease by: Joriz M. Pantiby: Joriz M. Panti Pay attention to the plague. ThTeAhpplealaggupAueePpliasilasatggphyueeuesadtieieslteaetnidnsteldiiaenelts,mththoiioceof.wthnedevmeetro.aalldt. hlieesptloafgtuhee. m all. A plague is endemic. A plagueA, hpowlaevgerumeystiesriopuseist mtialyebne.tial, however. Will always be a problem. Does the plague make you shiver? A plagueD, oheos iwt? ever mysterious it may be. Will always be a problem. I saw how the peoplDe AoofpefmloasrygmugteeyhnilseoerivnaeetpdixoplonalniwcegaesDb.ruleeoe.keillmesd.iatH?koweIymoouurnsedhiver? Never forget the experienced and intense sadness. I saw how the people of my generation were killed. How I mourned for my loved ones. A plague is inexplicable. Never forget the experienced and intense sadness. THE RISING ERA | 19

THE RISING ERA | 20 By:Jeth Spencer G. Carlos F Softly, slowly, wandering. Would broken wishes l vanish with the wind? a s h By: Catherine Kaye H. Mande f i I still have to do something. Please, stop the c t i o n By: Valeska May A. Buscas s Bucket list? Prolly next time.