FLAME - PANDEMYA

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Photo by Kayelene Caacbay feed by Daniel Domingo

A wall of how perfect What we truly miss is, other lives are. while we are envious, Non-stop scrolling, endless. spending time on our feeds, Our days are lingered with we have a life ahead of us, what ifs. a life not taken due to that feed. This is my quarantine life. Timelines are different. Hello to the new morning! The feed is meant to look perfect. What is new with their lives? To keep us in it. Everyone else’s life looks Don’t let it eat you up. perfect! Be brave. That online seller who looks like they are earning. Perfection doesn’t exist. Hey look! Take care. Someone looks good in their post-quarantine makeover. Oh. Someone is being political. Good point.

The tranquil blue skies, reminds me of your ocean blue eyes. Life will be bluer without you. Life will be meaningless, if there’s no you. As you’re made just for me And the fate has started writing, ‘bout you & me.

Blue skies by meanimalist Photo by Clark Justine Galiza

Artwork by Clark Justine Galiza

GDBYS by ky It’s just me against the world I shouldn’t have trusted your words Coz it turns out to be a sword Stab me when you’re bored But I keep coming again at you Thinking like were gonna make it thru And believing again in those words are true Not thinking that you’ll be just waiting for another queue Putting maximum effort for you to be happy Coz I always wanted those smiles to see Not matter what the worst case scenario consequences will be It’s all about you, nothing to think about me With every moment with you I seize But you’ve been so cold as what I see You’re too damn hot but when it comes to me you’re icy But what I can do if you’re the only one these eyes see Now I’ve got to be living believing that you’ll be leaving Rather than minding that you’ll be staying I don’t want you to leave that’s what I’m saying But it would be better if I already start waving

They fill our void Things that we cannot avoid But once they’ve left Hearts will be deaf Memories will remain As well as, stories that are insane Feelings in pain Conscience in vain No one lasts forever So don’t wait for it to be over Treasure your moment Don’t be complacent At the end of the day Whatever we say They will leave you With the things you do They will get tired Even if we tried Friendship will be gone Adventure is done.

friEND by Perseus Photo by Clark Justine Galiza

Artwork by Clark Justine Galiza

To myself who always feel unloved & unwanted by Alice in Neverland I never tried writing a letter to anyone. Perhaps, it is because I don’t know how to put my sentiments into words; and it is hard for me to express myself. I don’t know what holds me back, probably it was fear. Fear of having my words become salt into someone’s wound, or it may tear someone apart somehow. Self, I am writing you a letter, as lately you’ve been feeling lonely, unloved, and unwanted. I am not here to console you, but I am here to apologize for not being the best version of me when you really wanted to have a progress. I wanted to apologize for giving up easily when you wanted to fight ‘til the end. You always suffer whenever I try to harm myself. You always wanted to break free, but all I do is to cage you with my sadness. You wanted to be heard, but I made you mute—voiceless. I actually wanted to help you get better, but I wasn’t certain how to. Instead of helping, I resort to hurting you more. Instead of moving on, I ne’er let go the pain and the past. I want you to be free; I want you to be happy. I am sorry...if I hurt you more than I should love you. Self, I’ll try to make you feel loved and wanted. I’ll never let you down anymore. You, who’s trying to pick up the broken pieces that connects us.

Procrastination by Dyan Rae Rapacon Phone is full, earphones on You told yourself “just a moment,” you are doomed That moment became hours, it became half the day It took your remaining hours ‘til the next day 3 days more? 3 days left? Your brain tells you to move, but your body is at rest. Your hands are becoming heavier, your bed drags yourself Until you’ve got no more days left. It’s at its finest when you need not to be But it releases you when your time is ticking You pack 5 days into 1 You lost your chance without realizing. Regret comes last though you knew at first Move! You’re not a princess. This thing is taking your dream, don’t get caught up Tomorrow is endless, but tomorrow may be your last.

Artwork by Russel Joy Pascua

relationship by: Ghianne Alonzo Photo Art by: Clark Justine A. Galiza

Relationship isn’t always romantic. In the middle of happiness, expect that there will always be misunderstandings and quarrelings. Nevertheless, forgiveness and acceptance will always be the key to keep going. Although, it takes time to forget all of those happenings that caused you pain and heartbreaks. But how to trust again if “too much” is not enough to express how painful you’re going through every battle? And your mind keeps on debating between giving up and keep going. Where your tears makes you sleepless at night then you start to ask and belittle yourself. “Where did I go wrong?” “What are my shortcomings?” “Am I not really enough or he is just losing interest in me?” It’s hard to predict what will happen next. Love is the only way to bring back what you used to be before. To trust again will start from acceptance, throw away and avoid negativity that surrounds your relationship never let your pride ruin what you have built. Forgiving takes time and little by little you will make it.

Isee a vivid vision of a young boy bathing in gratitude to the spiky tiny drops of rain. Carefree as he never felt the darkness in the rare momentum of bliss. The heavy clouds start to get angry in a thunder and lightning but never did it cause fear to the overjoyed. As if he has forgotten the warmth of sunshine, willing to give up those happy days to just live in the crying of heavens. Oh, the unstoppable don’t care. Then suddenly he went home, and there’s no other rainy day that made him come back. Every time it rains, I wait for him. In its pouring, a sudden isolation of void comes darker than the clouds that trapped me as if I’m a prisoner inside these four corners of my cold room. It is like the feeling of nothing but at the same time it is everything. And only the street light in front of the gate is the only source of clarity then. I’ve never heard silence quite this loud. I stared into the not so clear Polaroid posted in my wall while coated in a long-kept comforter, wearing the crocheted sweater given by grandma. The rain became more violent as the night went deep. Country songs of the 90’s played in harmony with the heavy drops of rain into the gutter. I sat while sipping the hot brew of coffee into the windowpane as I anticipate the coming back of the happy kid to tell him…“Oh my youth, you were never alone. The angels cry with us when no one else does. Come back and make my rainy day happy again.”

Aesthetics by Mark Dio F. Palcon Photo by Clark Justine Galiza

Photo by Pamela Tadeja

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Pebrero akinse noon noong umuwing abot tenga ang ngiti ng aming panganay na kapatid. Si Kuya Joel, nagtapos ito ng Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management. Ang kaniyang pagtatapos ang isa sa mga pinakamasayang araw para sa aking mga magulang dahil sinikap talaga nilang pagtapusin sa kolehiyo ang aming panganay. “Inay! Natanggap nako sa kapitolyo!” Masayang bungad niya sa amin pagkapasok pa lamang niya ng pinto. “Talaga anak?! Nako! Salamat naman sa Diyos!” Niyakap ng mahigpit ni nanay ang aking kuya. “Teka, kailangan kong pumunta ng palengke ngayon, ipagluluto kita ng paborito mong pansit…” “at shanghai!” pagtatapos naming magkapatid sa sinabi ni Nanay. Lubos ang galak naming pamilya sa mga araw na iyon. Hindi matapos ang biruan at tawanan, punong puno ng kasiyahan ang mumunti naming tahanan. Masaya kaming sumalo sa hapag noong gabing iyon. Hindi nag-akala ng ganitong araw na mahirap nang maipinta sa aming mga labi ang saya. Sino’ng mag-aakala? Napabuntong hininga ako pagkatapos kong alalahanin ang mga masasayang araw namin bago ang malawakang lockdown. Hapon na ng tuluyang nilockdown ang aming barangay mula sa utos ng alkalde. Naglagay na rin sila ng mga barikada sa bawat sulok at may mga bantay na pulis bukod pa sa mga tanod ng barangay. Hindi pinapayagan ang lumabas ng kanilang bahay ang mga residente. Ang mga tanod na rin ang mag-aabot sa amin ng mga gusto naming ipabili sa bayan. Kinuha na rin ng ambulansya ang pamilya nila Mang Pablo upang sila ay maeksamin.

“Sana hindi na magpositive sila Mang Pablo at Aling Melda.” Sinamahan ako ni tatay sa pagkakaupo ko sa sala habang tinatanaw ang bakanteng lote sa aming harapan na dati’y napapaligiran ng mga batang naglalaro ng sipa. “Oo nga po itay e.” sagot ko sa kanya. “Kumusta naman ang mga aralin mo? Naipaalam mo na ba sa mga professor mo ang sitwasyon natin dito?” tanong ni tatay. “Opo ‘tay. Naiintindihan naman po nila ang sitwasyon natin at sinabihan rin nila ako na mag-ingat.” “Mabuti ‘yan anak, at naiintindihan nila. Hindi gaya ng mga iba e sinasabihan pa ang ibang mag-aaral na humanap ng magandang signal. Balita ko nga kila Uncle Lando mo, ‘yong anak niya. Nako!” pagbabalita niya sa akin. “Bakit po ‘tay? Napano si Ate Hanna?” nagtatakang tanong ko sa kanya. “Yong professor niya raw, sinabihan na maghanap ng paraan upang makapagpasa ng mga ipapasa niya sa…” Bahagyang tumingin sa akin si itay. “Canvas po.” Pagpapatuloy ko. “Oo, yong sa Canvas niyo. E parang hindi ata naintindihan ‘yong sitwasyon natin dito. Kaya ayon, pinagalitan ng guro.” Bumalik ang tingin ko sa labas ng bahay. Alam ko na ‘yan itay. “Hayaan na lang po natin ‘tay, sigurado ako hindi rin naman pababayaan ni Ate Hanna ang pag-aaral niya. Dahil tulad natin, masipag at matiyaga rin siya at ang kanyang pamilya. Sa aming barangay, bilang lamang sa darili ang talagang may kaya, kung hindi man hirap sa buhay ay kinakaya naman ang mga dagok. Kaya laking pasasalamat ko dahil sa pamilya ako na may pagmamahal at pagtityaga. “Oh siya ‘tay. Lumalalim na naman ang gabi, kailangan ko nang magsaing.” Tumayo na ako sa maghapon kong pagkakaupo at pagtingala sa langit na parang naghihintay ng sagot sa aking mga katanungan. Hindi man nito kayang ibagsak isa-isa ang mga hinihiling ko, sa bawat pagliwanag nito’y makakaasa ako na unti-unti nitong bubuklatin ang mga kasagutan sa aking isipan.

Artwork by Clark Justine A. Galiza

Artwork by Clark Justine Galiza

MISTERious: Unknown by SAV Watching the stars while sitting on the rooftop Then my phone beeped and my world stopped I suddenly received a text message from an unknown person I thought it was from one of my admirers who want my attention Just like other guys, I nearly blocked him But I don’t know why I refused so, am I dreaming? My crush just texted me; can’t believe it, I smiled like a fool undeniably Are you not tired of running in my mind? I can’t find another person who will become my happy pill, I don’t want to end this conversation of us Even just through text message, you perceived me at last.

Look! What I found by Luna You found me at my darkest place You saw me spineless You caught me bleary And I can’t get up with my mess You sat beside me You are comfortably hearing my rants You accompany my extinction And I didn’t hear a single word coming from you After days meeting me in that place You tell me how great life is You taught me to stood up and held my head high You also taught me how to be brave Days, months, and years pass by... It seems something has changed Something I yearned of Something I wish it didn’t happen

You always ignore me but I always pleaded you You told me to distance myself from you I cried—not once but many times As I walk to a dark path... Guess what I found! A dark place of memories I wish it didn’t happen I found my self again at my weakest part You taught me happiness And caused me tears... I wish everything was a dream.... Artwork by Clark Justine Galiza

OPPOSE IT by ky Artwork by Rommiel Castres

It’s not only your body that’s flexible coz you also bend the truth Not even on formal but for you it always suits Aint force but why do I always need to exert energy to put It’s not only trees got the reason to leave coz you have means to stay with your roots Your words are far too different from your actions like your’re tryin’ to oppose it It’s not a word with antonyms but why it’s always opposite Acting tough instead of crying, you oozin’ Instead of medicines, alcohols are what you’re dosin’

Utopian Realities by Jessie Felipe Jr. The Tyrants enjoyed the collapse of the battle cry For its triumph of an abusive government manifests in the contemporary world The heir of killings. People trapped in room. Trapped. Suffocated by smoke. Is still alive in burst. The indolence and trivial traits of the Filipino people That lead them towards non-attendance in the school of thought THEY ARE! They are the dysfunctional. The uneducated. That thrive possessing the qualities of an INDIO. Enshrined with wealth, authority and power How restless they are in the Throne of Greediness? They serve, help and reaching humanity But hideous enough to execute their motives and agenda Finger counted projects But estates unexplained and unaccountable. The marginalized with astray food filled in stomach While the Gorgons’ Head filled by nutrition appetitive with monstrous desires

As the leaders’ pockets vomit Buildings, infrastructures collapse For substandard materials there to build a weak foundation By the intelligent wise and the pitiful dumbfounded Will the triumph of the history reigns? Or will it reside in the people awakened? If otherwise. Will ultimately suffer. If not, justices are in its right places Photo by Clark Justine Galiza

Photo Art from The Review Kabataan Pilipino, Kabataang Globalisado by Jezreel Larry R. Caunca

Sa bawat panahon, kabataan ay tumugon Sa panawagan ng globalisasyon tayo’y umayon Pakikiisa sa iba’t ibang bansa ay ating gawin Kabataang aktibo sa lahat ng dako ating pagtuunan ng pansin. Sa larang ng akademiko man o kultura Pakikiisa ng kabataan ay nararapat na makita Pandaigdigang pamantayan ay ating abutin Aktibong partisipasyon sa ibayong dako kaya natin. Sa larang ng ekonomiks o hindi kaya’y bolunterismo Kabataan ang magiging sentro ng mga ito Sa bawat bansa na mapupuntahan Kultura at tradisyon ay magiging puhunan. Pagtalakay sa seguridad man o kapayapaan Kabataan ay tiyak na makatutulong sa ganitong paraan Ating paigtingin ang programa ng kabataan sa ibang bansa Makikita natin ang pagbabago na nais nating matamasa. Tara na at tumindig Kabataan ay mag-kapit bisig Partisipasyon sa programang pandaigdigan ating gawin Kabataang Pilipino, globalisado rin!

Behind the smile you’re showing are the scars, sorrow, wounds & pain that you never want others to find out. Yet, I saw those through your eyes, read between your lies. You know what, sometimes, it’s okay to say you’re not fine. That doesn’t mean you’re a loser or you’re weak. You’re actually strong that despite the hardships you’ve been through, you still can pull yourself together. By Alice in Neverland

Artwork by Zenith Kin Agcaoili

Artwork by Clark Justine Galiza

Captain’s Hook by ky Those promises that keeps me hanging from the hook. Opened my chest for the treasure that you might find, But a devil’s hand covered by angelic dust; surprised me with hoax. Thrusted the hook into my chest and pulled out on what’s inside. Showed you what’s beneath the mask, put down the cards at rest. Even knowing from the start that you’re into games, Yet I never thought that treasure inside my chest will cause cardiac arrest. All along you were the queen of diamonds who will set me on flames. Captain, captain, you’re causing too much vibrations. With those unnecessary movements destroying the flow, Making it hard to dive in the ocean of emotions. But, how could I? if the feelings have been always faux Pulled you out of the bottom to rise from the depths, Thrusted straight to the edge to meet the end. Saltiness of this feelings will never be questioned for the tears I’ve wept, But will still wishing that these feelings will mend.

Minsan namalayan ko na lang ang aking sarili sa aking kinahihigahan Hawak ang mga basang unan at kumot na saksi sa kalungkutan Napatulala sa dingding ng aking kwarto at ang larawan mo’y napagmasdan Tanong sa sarili, “kailanma’y di na ba kita mahahagkan?” Naalala ko pa ang iyong mga kamay na humahaplos sa aking katawan Maging ang mahihigpit na yakap mo mula sa aking likuran Lalo na ang aking mga pisnging halos mamula sa tuwing iyong hahalikan At higit sa lahat, kung paano mo ‘ko hagkan mapawi lang ang pusong duguan Ang sarap titigan ng mga mata mong sinlalim ng bangin Parang nangungusap sa akin na ika’y aking sagipin Ang mga mapupula mong labi na ang sarap simsimin At ang iyong tengang laging handa akong dinggin. Lahat ng ito ay mananatili na lang sa aking alaala Nang bigla akong magising sa pagkakatulog na mahimbing At kasabay nito ay ang pagkagising ko sa katotohanang wala na sa akin ay maglalambing Tanging hiling na lang ngayon sa mga buwan at bituwin Ingatan mo ang babaeng naging laman ng akin mga dalangin

Artwork by Clark Justine Galiza Mulat na ang Mata by vaughnmarkgelo

Photo by Clark Justine Galiza

raindrops sun by Alvin Bartolome A thunderclap brought down raindrops and hailstones as big as marbles, Behold the vivid behind the dusky nimbus rather than its feature, Broaden thy vision in life that blessings is like a raindrops’ bubbles, The cynosure of eyes is in its shine with a dazzling light at its biggest picture.

How ironic that vices where the devil found its darling and here I am Never crossed my thoughts that I will be playing with the devil when she came Lost quickly and ended straight to hell even all the chips were gambled that all I had was love and nothing to gain but pain Not on false promises or one’s hands I will hold on but on this vices for this keeps me away from falling to my bane Romance never go unpunished with things like betrayal and dishonesty Have seen and felt the fracture of the human soul, broken lives with so much pain and adversity If it is the price to change one’s life, then the other might stay like how it should be The earned broken parts of thyself must not be pounded and shattered into pieces for this had taken history to collect and carry Have nowhere to go and start with the anxiety to make the same mistakes like the past You and I together a something could last forever suddenly turned to dust Removing the poison of deep grief that still flowing into my veins is what it must Romance have never play the game of love, fairly. That’s how life works and one must adjust themselves from the known unjust.

Artwork by Rommiel Castres ROMANCE WITH THE DEVIL by ky

To Whom Should I Talk Today? by John Eiell Domingo Artwork by Clark Justine Galiza

Of all the people I’ve met, I found that no one is true, Of all the people I’ve considered friends, no one is real, And of all the people I’ve been with, no one is true-blue, I have offered all the love which I hoped that they would feel. People are wicked, friends are phony, brothers are nasty; I dreamed of happiness and peace but I found disasters. Where can I hide? Where can I go to stay happy and free? To whom should I talk today and ask for all the answers? Never have I imagined that the world is not perfect, It is not haven and it is not safe here anymore. Man destroyed the peace, everyone is in moral neglect, Brothers kill their brothers, and the blood of innocents roar. Many have offered their help but have no pure hearts at all, They look for opportunities so the people see them; They thirst for applauses and compliments from the people, They wear masks of deception, they live their lives full of shame. I am afraid after realizing all of these things, When I did all my best and proved my noble existence. But it was never enough and I don’t know what others think, Will this world change? My wild guesses of this question now ends.

Pinagtagpo… by: Marahuyo Pinagtagpo muli sa ikalawang pagkakataon Edad ang pinakaunang dahilan sa unang paglisan Relasyon biglang nagkalabuan Oras din ang naging problema Dahil din sa milya-milyang distansya. Inaasamasam bawat haplos mo sa aking balat Tinatamasa ang malalambot mong labi tuwing pinaplanong magkita Inaasahan na balang araw ikaw ay mayakap Ni minsan hindi ako tumigil mangarap na makita ka Araw-araw pinagdarasal sa maykapal na sa kabila ng Distansyang namamagitan sa ‘tin Huwag tayong magsawa sa isa’t isa, kase balang Araw, bawat pangako bubuoin, bawat plano bibigyang buhay Ngunit nang pinagtagpo tayo muli; masaya na tayo sa piling ng iba Ako at ikaw—pinagtagpo PERO DI TINADHANA

Artwork by: Clark Justine A. Galiza

Photo by Kayelene Caacbay

Photo by Kayelene Caacbay

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