FLAME - PANDEMYA

Tahimik ang paligid na parang naririnig ko ang daloy ng aking dugo. Nararamdaman ko rin ang unti-unting paglapit ng lamok sa aking tenga. Hindi na sa lamig ng bagyo ang dahilan ng pagsara ng bintana ng mga bahay. Oktubre na, pasko na sa ating bansa. Dama mo na ang malamig na simoy ng hangin. Sa pagdaan ng mga buwan wala ni isa sa atin ang hindi humiling na sana’y mawala na ang pandemya. Ngunit tila mahina ang ating tinig sa paghiling nito. Mula noong nagkaroon ng kasong COVID-19 sa aming barangay, tila binago rin nito ang pamumuhay ng mga tao. “Tuluyan nang tatanggalin ang barikada sa Barangay San Jose matapos mag negatibo sa ikatlong pagkakataon ang isang OFW na una nang naiulat na nag positibo sa COVID-19…” muling naibalik ang ngiti sa mga labi namin nang narinig namin ang balita sa radyo. Matapos ang ikalabing-apat na araw na lockdown sa aming barangay at pananatili lamang sa loob ng aming bahay, tila isang malaking tinik ang nabunot mula sa aming lalamunan. Nagdiwang ang mga tulad kong estudyante na noon pa ma’y nais nang makapag-aral ng maayos, inilabas ng mga nanay ang kanilang mga damit at saya upang muling bumalik sa kanilang trabaho at ang mga kalalakihan nama’y muling inilabas ang mga materyales sa pagkukumpuni at pagsasaka. Parang nag-piyesta ang ingay ng mga sasakyan na pumunta sa mga palengke at kanilang mga trabaho ang mga taga sa amin. Mabuti na lamang sa loob ng labing-apat na araw, hindi nag-atubili ang mga kalapit naming barangay upang maghandog ng kanilang tulong. Araw-araw ay nabibigyan kami ng ayuda mula sa iba’t ibang tao at grupo mula sa mga barangay na malalapit sa amin. Buhay pa rin ang bayanihan.

“Oh anak, halika na, mamamalengke pa tayo.” Aya sa akin ni inay. Linggo noon at wala namang klase. Nasa ika-apat na taon na ako sa kolehiyo. Bagama’t naging mahirap para sa amin ang pagsisimula ng pasukan ngayong academic year, nairaos naman namin ng maayos. “Opo ‘nay. Nandito na. Nadala mo na po ba ang basket?” tanong ko sa kanya bago ako lumabas. “Oo, nandito na.” sigaw niya. Sa labas, nakita ko si Aling Maridet na nagdidilig ng kanilang mga halaman. Hindi na pala ako noon tumuloy kila Aling Maridet, hindi dahil sa ayoko nang magtrabaho noong panahon iyon, ngunit napagtanto ko na mas kailangan ng aking pamilya ang presensya ko sa loob ng bahay dahil tumatanda na rin ang aking mga magulang. “Nay.” Tugon ko habang naglalakad si inay papunta sa sakayan ng tricycle. “Oh, bakit anak?” nagtataka sa abot tenga kong ngiti. “Wala lang po. Masaya lang po ako sa araw na ‘to.” Tugon ko at humawak sa kaniyang balikat. “Nako, naglalambing ka na naman. May gusto kang ipabili no?” sagot niya habang tumatawa. Hindi na ako sumagot, bagkus, hinigpitan ko na lamang ang pagkakayakap ko sa kanyang balikat. “Maligayang kaarawan anak.” Bulong niya sa aking ulo sabay halik sa aking noo. “Salamat po, ‘nay.” Tugon ko habang nakangiti.

Ang pandemya na siguro ang isang problema sa aming buhay na siyang sumubok sa aming pagkatao at maging sa pananampalataya sa Diyos. Kung ang iba man ay hindi naging maganda ang naging dulot ng pandemya sa kanilang mga buhay, gusto ko itong ituring na malaking aral sa amin, sa akin, sa atin. Hindi lamang ito isang sakit na siyang nagpabago sa takbo ng mundo. Ito rin ang nagpabago sa pagkatao ng bawat isa. Sa paglipas ng mga araw, unti-unti nang binubuklat ng buhay ang mga sagot sa aking mga katanungan. Sa pagsikat ng araw, sa pagdungaw ng dilim, ang pandemya, ang ating buhay – lahat ng ito’y may kani-kaniyang dahilan at layunin na maaring magpabago ng ating pananaw kung paano mabuhay.

Artwork by Clark Justine Galiza Pandemya by Alvin Bartolome

Posporo na inihalintulad sa mga tao, Sa kuwadradong siksik, sila’y nakadestino, Na tila’y lalabas sa mundong delikado, Sa isang iglap ay nagliyab dala ng mikrobiyo. Sakit na natamo, sa hospital napatungo, Ang pagliyab ng katawan, ngayon nasa peligro, Peligrong maaaring maagapan bagkus di sigurado, Kung iitim ang katawan na parang posporo. Manatili sa kuwadradong hindi delikado, Hanggang matapos ang pandemyang di biro, Sa mundo na halos lahat ng sulok ay apektado, Manampalataya higit sa takot na dulot ng mikrobiyo.

You were there under the moonlight, you’re twinkling. I saw how those cheeks glistened As your face reflects that bright yellow light. Your smile, oh my weakness, it is turning me into a slave. I was falling through your eyes. I see shadows of your past and how they’ve thirsted you with love. I told myself I will be your well; I’ve loaded my heart with affection that only you can taste. I was selfless when I am with you. You see, you take away the crave in me. But you, we weren’t mutual You want my wings, so you could fly My body? You’d only leave me on the ground. I wanted to be that wind on the sky, But you soar around clouds; you wouldn’t need me when you fly.

US(ED) by Dyan Rae Rapacon Artwork by Clark Justine Galiza

7 W’ s and 1 H by Crystell Ivy Ferreras Artwork by Zenith Kin Agcaoili

What do you do when every beauty in this world turns to something scary? Who do you run to when all your bounty enters a phase of scarcity? Where do you go when you can’t freely roam around all the places in the city? When do you start living happily again when every people is in deep agony? Why do you think we experience this tragedy when yesterday we’re just partying merrily? How will you respond when everything lively just turns inactive and gloomy? Will you still choose to live and believe in humanity? Or will you let yourself get drowned in the middle of this misery?

Dear Someone by Ugly Duckling This is for someone who was brave enough to knock on my heart even though its inside is creepier than a haunted house; and there’s an ugly beast waiting—which is me. Ugly was actually an understatement. I know myself, and I know I am uglier than a beast that you can imagine. He was indeed a man that every girl dreams of, like a prince in the realm of reality, a no match for someone who is hideous as me. I got no scar but I got tons of imperfection. My face is fine, but I got dozens of insecurities. I’d be lying if I say, I wasn’t happy that he confessed his feelings for me, the fact that he likes me is actually overwhelming. True, he is someone who is ideal, and wouldn’t leave out the fact that I am totally whipped by him. But I don’t think I deserve him. I actually got scared. Got worried and over think. There were so many what ifs and whys circulating on my mind. I fell in distress.

What if...what if he just got confused being comfortable with the feelings he thought it was love? What if, he was just thankful he got moved on with his past relationship through my help? What if he was just playing around since I am ugly he thinks I am an easy target? There are a lot of pretty and sparkly diamonds around me, why pick up a worthless stone as me? In a sea of ideal girlfriend that will be a perfect match for him, why choose someone who got low self-esteem, hideous visage and cheap style? Imagine, he got sexy and pretty exes; then his next will be nothing but a plain potato, not even salted. I was so happy finally someone was able to give me the love and attention that I am looking for, but for a second, I went back to my hard shell. I don’t think I deserve the love he was offering. I got my insecurities into me, and lose my rationality. For a moment, I was in chaos. Artwork by Zenith Kin Agcaoili

Photo Art by Clark Justine Galiza

Maghintay ka by CJ7 Sa madilim na loob ng apat na sulok Ikaw ay nagmumukmok Bakit ang daming pagsubok? Tanong na agad sa isip mo’y pumasok Ang daming pagbabago Ang hirap ng ganito Mga pangarap ay mahirap ng maging totoo Tanong, kailan matatapos ito? Bintana ay binuksan at liwanag muling nasilayan Kailangang lumaban at makipagsapalaran Sa magandang pamamaraan Upang makamtan ang kaginhawaan Diyos ang kaagapay Pag-ibig niya’y walang humpay Lalaban at maging matapang Dahil lahat ay pagsubok lang

Experiences and Lessons Learned from COVID-19 Pandemic by Carlito Felipe Jr. If I were to give three words to best describe my quarantine journey from this pandemic, those would be LIFE, FAMILY, and LOVE. During the massive lockdown, everything became limited, and yes, boredom really strikes ALL THE TIME. Struggling at home, most people around the world are in desperate straits, while others are separated from their loved ones in their hours of need. Unfortunately, this is the impact of COVID-19 Pandemic. COVID-19 is really unexpected. Each day, the news about it seem to be almost the same from the numbers of people infected, to on how it continues to strain our health care system and resources. Everyone’s in great danger. We must sacrifice our own freedom of movement that have shut down whole economies just to flatten the epidemic curve. The government implemented Community Quarantine and even wearing a facemask is a must for the safety of the citizens, which for me, it became a big deal because I like really like to stroll around the city, and I still have my academics to finish with.

At first with this quarantine, I’m so lazy. It made me really lazy. I woke up late in the morning. I even got scolded by my parents by doing nothing. I also watched television, surfing the internet and I even could sleep all day long. I only kept in mind that I’m too lazy to do something. But one thing I’ve realized during the quarantine, is why don’t I try something new. People tend to think that this quarantine is just like a prison, which in some cases is true, but if we dig for the brighter side of it, we can actually do a lot during the quarantine. That’s LIFE- finding the bright things in dark places. I really didn’t know how to cook, but the quarantine gave me the time to do so. At first, I really don’t know where to start. And then I began with the basics, like frying eggs, hotdogs which literally made me happy cause I felt like a pro. But little did I realized, that started it all. Now I can cook various recipes, and yes, it made me proud watching my parents enjoying them. And that’s when I also realized the importance of FAMILY. Being with my parents 24/7 inside the house, made me think that they really are my stress relievers. I also realized that they are now growing old, which made me sad at some point, thinking that I might be too late for me to make them feel how much I love them. At that moment, I said to myself that I’ll be cooking for them every day for the rest of the quarantine. The last thing that I’ve learned is on how LOVE can come out in all forms, whether it may be a romantic love to another person,

love to your family and your community, or even love to yourself. And whatever form of love that may be, I realized that it should always be genuine and true, that it should always come from your heart, and not in your mind. They say, life is short. In this pandemic, I’ve realized that life is really short. Life really matters. Many people die because of this virus. Death is always possible. If we go outside, we don’t know what danger could happen to us, and so considering everyone as a carrier of the virus is indeed important for us to be cautious. We never know who’s carrying the virus. So we must be vigilant and be aware at all times. At times of existential danger, we instinctively desire to be close to our family and friends, hold their hands and embrace them – but now we are forbidden to do so, for every act of physical contact – every expression of physical loving-kindness and compassion – could bring illness and death. So for now, as we still hold the life that God gave us, we must always be grateful for it, for it is a golden chance for us to still experience life and love, with our family.



Lonely Walk by Snakespear Photo by Clark Justine Galiza

I lost track, I couldn’t find my way back. I keep taking the lonely path, But every step I do, I keep coming back to you.

Photo by: Clark Justine Galiza The Signature by Annyeonghaseyo Chan was impatiently waiting for the traffic jam to make a progress. His hands were shaking, gripping the stirring wheel as hard as he can. He couldn’t help himself not to bite his lower lip, it has been his mannerism whenever he’s nervous or something is bothering him. “Finally!” He beamed as he drove as fast as he can, on his way to Korea University Medical Center. —— Sejun waved his hand calling Chan’s attention. “Big bro, Hyun had another seizure, Suho is talking to his attending doctor right now.”

After hearing Sejun’s remarks, Chan ran to find Suho. His hands were shaking, his heart’s beating fast. He doesn’t want to deny; he’s scared...he’s damn scared to lose Hyun. He saw Suho coming out from Hyun’s attending doctor’s office. “Bro!” “Oh, Chan! Glad you’re here.” “Bro, what did the doctor said?” He nervously asked as he sat down on a nearby seat on the hospital’s hallway. “I don’t want to hide everything from you. This would hurt you but you deserve to know the truth.” Suho couldn’t find nicer words that could console his friend. He knows how devastated he is already, how he’s slowly falling apart. Hyun is Chan’s first love, that he dedicated his life looking after Hyun. Hyun on the other side, was born weak and have a problem with the heart. He needed extra attention and care that Chan never failed to give him those. “His condition is getting worse. The medications and methods we did are not making him well. I am sorry, but he only got days to live. His disease is really incurable in the first place. It only extended his life to pass his supposedly due.” Tears are flowing down from

Suho’s face, patting Chan’s back. He’s hurting, but it is not comparable with the pain Chan dealing with. “It is better not to tell him what’s going on. It will just make his condition worse.” Suho added. “Start making things memorable. We have no choice but to let him go.” —— “Channie! Channie!” Hyun enthusiastically greeted when Chan entered his room, showing a piece of paper with something written on it. “Look, I’ve finally decided what would be my new signature look like. The one I had was very lame and boring, and ugly. So I decided to make one.” Hyun said. Chan, setting aside the bad news he heard, smiled as he scanned the paper. “This is the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen, of course next to you. Your dream is to publish a book and have your own signing event right?” Hyun nodded with a wide smile plastered on his lips. “Get well then love, so you can work on your soon to be novels, that one day your signature will be called autograph. People will go crazy for it. And I promise you, I will be the first person that will get an autograph from you. For now, I’ll keep this.” He placed a kiss on his forehead as he fixed his blanket. “Rest for now, Channie loves you, always. Remember that.”

—— Eighteen days later... “Coffee Chan?” Seojun asked him while leaning on the counter. Chan is currently on Seojun’s café, working on a novel that Hyun never got a chance to start. He’s overdoing himself to finish what his first love couldn’t even start. “Yes please. Thank you hyung.” (Hyung/hyeong is the korean term for big brother, that is being used by male speaker to address someone who’s older than them.) He fished out a frame out of his bag, caressing it. It was the paper where Hyun did his new signature. HYUN. Remarkable, it reminds him everything. “Soon love, people will go crazy over your signature. And it’s an honor to do it on your stead. I’ll make your dream come true. I love you, please wait for me.” Photo by: Clark Justine Galiza

A simple darkness turns into light Your smile used to be so sweet The love embraced me tight You used to be my world You give hope to my world You gave me the courage to love you I will embrace the love and never untold If I love you believe it, love

IlluminatebyAndreaMaeBolo Photo by Clark Justine Galiza

Growing by Opelac, Reymarc Jericho M. Photo by: Clark Justine Galiza

You’re like a sunflower on a gloomy day Trying to fit in a garden full of different flowers Thinking that you grow in the wrong sand; Longing for a person with a careful hand A precious smile hiding a bunch of problems inside A beautiful song who has a deep lyrics and needed to hide Holding a heavy heart and a lots of worries is like a pain in the back You felt like you can’t escape, you’re stuck You need to release and ease the pain- To have the freedom, to have the gain Don’t be afraid to be different and learn to stand up You’re sunshine will come and you’ll rise up

ldr by Dyan Rae Rapacon Hindi isang milyang layo, ngunit aabot ng libo Ang lapit mo sa telepono, ngunit presensya mo’y malayo Minu-minuto mang kausap, ngunit ang hirap mapunan Ang distansya nating bundok at dagat ang pagitan Sa selfie, at videocall ko na lang nasisilayan Ang mga mapupungay mong mata at labing gusto ko nang mahagkan Sa speaker ng cellphone madalas kang humikbi Sabi mo, homesick ka, kaya ako eto, lagi kang binabeybi Madalas may bangayan, madalas ang tampuhan Madalas man ang selos, ngunit agad ko ring naiibsan Bumabawi sa bawat pagtatalo, kinakantahan gabi-gabi Linalasap ang pagkakataon at bawat sandali

Ngunit sa pagdaan ng araw, biglang ika’y tumamlay Wala na ang good morning love sa umaga, puro na lang “Hi” Kwentuhang dati’y inuumaga, tawagang walang sawa Naging “Pagod na ‘ko, bukas na” at “Wala na akong gana” Tiniis ko ang sakit, lahat ay aking ginawa Ngunit isang araw bigla ka na lang nawala Bakit? Saan? At Kailan ako nagkulang? May iba na bang naghahatid ng iyong kasiyahan? Ang dating ako na tahanan mo, iyong inabandona Nakahanap ka ng ibang kalinga sa piling ng iba Ang dating masasayang alaala, napalitan ng bakit Bakit? Bakit? Bakit ipinagpalit mo ako sa mas malapit? Photo from Kaye;ene Caacbay

Artwork by: Russel Joy Pascua

she’ll never know by Jazz Villanueva I want to run, I want to hide From all the pain she caused inside. I want to scream, I want to cry. Why can’t I tell her goodbye? I want to move on; I just can’t let go. I love her more than she will ever know. I want to start over, I want to feel free! But this pain will never leave me. She hurt me bad; the pain is deep From all the promises she couldn’t keep. All the lies I heard her say Are in my head and just won’t fade. How can I forget her, leave her behind? Erase the memories from my mind? She doesn’t love me, and she never will. She will never care how I feel.

Lies turn to Scars by Arthdal “W..what you’ve been accusing wasn’t true at all!” Fuming mad, Jia exaggeratedly screamed like an untamed beast in front of her professors while pointing her fingers at Luna who’s staring at her blankly. Luna sneered and whispered, ‘That’s already one.’ then she composed herself. “You... attacked me with your groundless accusation! You gave me scratches on my face! You’re shameful, hah!” Jia once again spat deliberately losing her rationality. Luna scoffed again whispered, ‘Two.’ “But you really stole something from me.” Luna said in a calm manner and looked at Jia seriously grinning from ear to ear. “Are you mocking me?” The other girl rebutted, and she’s on her warrior mode already--like a cat ready to claw someone’s face. “Are you girls done?” Professor Watson asked while looking at them. “You know what happens when you lie right?” She continued and reached for her mirror from the side of her table and handed it to Jia. “Look at yourself…scars are slowly appearing.” Jia couldn’t stop her tears when she saw small scars appearing on her neck and some are in her face. Yes. They are living in a world where lies turn into a scar. And they are not quite sure if it is a blessing or a curse. Blessing, wherein, chances of committing dishonesty and deception are low--a curse wherein, even a small or white lie turns into an ugly scar.

Luna met a lot of people whose body or faces are full of scars. And she haven’t met anyone who never acquired a scar. “Alright…I stole her necklace because I was so jealous on the fact she can have the limited edition that I’ve been wanting. I was the one as well who spread rumors about her being a gold digger.” Jia admitted tearing up. Luna was left dumbfounded with the confession she heard, she balled her fist and anger’s driving her. “How dare you! I’ve treated you well because you were my dorm mate! Yet you were the one to blame why people think I am a gold digger! Scheming bitch!” Jia couldn’t contain her anger she pulled Luna’s hair pushing her down on the floor. “You dared call me bitch? Why? Wasn’t even true that you were hooking with an old man so you can live a luxurious life? Tell us then you weren’t a mistress of an old man, I bet a lot of scars will be appearing. Ugly as you!” Luna managed to get up and she looked at Professor Watson fiercely. “That old man you talking about was my uncle! It wasn’t my fault that I came from a well-off family and I have an uncle who drives a luxury car and spoils me with branded stuff.” She has reached her limit, her eyes are still on Professor Watson, full of disappointment. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re lying!” Jia tucked Luna and pinned her on the ground, ripping her clothes so she could find the scars that would prove her claim against Luna. “Where are you hiding your scars liar?!” She angrily tried to flip her and she successfully managed to expose Luna’s back. People around them gaspef not because Luna’s body got exposed, it is because of the big scar on her back. It looks painful and deep though, it’s already a scar. People can’t believe that they would see such a big scar…it was their first time. Myths have said that such people would never exist but guess what, it does. Photo from Pinterest

“Your…back…what happened.” Jia asked panting and taken aback just like everyone around them. Luna casually picked up her cardigan and wrapped it into her body. “Oh this? I got this when I told someone I can’t forgive her no more and I don’t love her anymore.” She said in a minute voice while looking at Professor Watson. She turned her back when she saw a tear escaped from the Professor’s eyes.

Photo by Clark Justine Galiza

Photo by Clark Justine Galiza

Photo by Clark Justine Galiza

Photo by Clark Justine Galiza

Digital Art by Clark Justine Galiza

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