Flame: You

Summertime, under the scorching sun, I’ve found someone sitting by the gritty sand by the shore. I could tell by just looking at his back -- he’s in great pain. As I paced towards him, I could feel the despair he’s going through. I silently sat beside him as I watched him looking sad. And to my surprise, he opened his mouth --- telling his story...to a stranger, which is me. His name is John. He’s mourning for the love that got betrayed. I am Aya. I, too, could relate to what happened to him. We both shared stories of how our love turned to sorrow. I realized, we all go through the same phase of sadness and pain. It’s just, the tolerance and volume differ. Also, we don’t have the same coping mechanism. In the end, we all have been honed by these stages we go through. words I dew art I clarkjustinegaliza

peterpan I can’t imagine how it went wrong. Yesterday you loved me but now I end up being alone That I’ll be waiting for you at the end of the day, Where butterflies are flattering, especially when it comes to Sunday. Your sweet smile is like stars at the eve. Twinkling, below it is I merely don’t wanna leave ’Cause I see you as my Peterpan And that makes me Tinkerbell, here in Neverland How I wish we could stay like this. Where our love is above all things. But I guess there is no such thing as Neverland or Wonderland However, you will always be my Peterpan.

I indeed understand when you say “Go with your dreams” But let me tell you, that you belong with those dreams. That I hope, rebirth is for reality. Thus, I’ll make sure we’re destined to love each other happily. You’re my man who stopped in time Let that someday be- were I will run into you And that someday, it’ll be the perfect time See you, underneath the sky my love, that is blue For my love for you is undying However, it is not a happy ending Let the sky cross our paths again, With you my Peterpan in Neverland. words I michellecurammeng art I @justinvonlagoc

I covered my eyes as I see a flashy light. Who is this person who walks like Rhianna? Ohh, is she the one they’re talking about? The one who will save them from their poor life? Laughing inside my mind as I see how she acts. How can these people adore someone like her? I mean, she’s not even helping you, she is drowning you. Come on people, this is not a fantasy, she cannot save you. You are the only one who can save yourself. Not these people who promise you a better life ahead. Choose someone who will help you learn how to fish, Not someone who will just give you a fish. Be with someone who teaches you to be independent. Not those sluggish people who want you to depend on them. Sweety, they should just have built a charity. But how? When they use our money for their benefit.

words I rhiana art I @justinvonlagoc

Someone I loved once gave me a box full of heartbreaks. He wrapped it with cringeworthy gestures, inside of it, were sweet lies and all the “I love you” he ended the love before it could even start.

And all I could ever do is to cry over a box full of heartbreaks he left me. words I gojo art I @justinvonlagoc

What if you wake up realizing time has stopped running? And all of the people around you, even things, stopped moving except you? Was it because time is starting to change, or an hour gone missing?

And I was brought back to reality -- I was just imagining things. It was just because I was staring at his hazel brown orbs, my world stopped for a moment. Time freezes whenever I am with him. words I haru art I @justinvonlagoc

hliytweoreurerirtaery

epilogue New Beginning

Epilogue: New Beginning In life, people always crave attention from the people they love. They feel like they need their opinion and thoughts about them because their accomplishments are nothing without that. Life is unfair to everyone because if there was fairness, everyone would have lived on their own. They will no longer need other people’s help; worse, everything will be in chaos. Chaos in a way that everyone is smart, everyone is right, and no one is wrong. It may have positive effects on your life, but it won’t be meaningful. There will be no balance, which causes everyone to drift apart. Life being unfair to everyone is a way for them to see the beauty of their life, for everyone is raised differently. Rue, Zeneath, and Thana never stop proving that they can be the best version of themselves no matter what happens. They have chosen themselves instead of anyone else. It is the start wherein they are no longer mindful of other people’s comments. Since that night, wherein they spent together and talked about their plans. They have changed for the better, but their relationship has become stronger. Rue topped the board exam with the highest rating. During her testimony, she said that she never let pressure come through because she knew that the more she thought about it, the more she would fail herself. After that, she went to a medical school, where she finally became firm with her decision to become a cardiothoracic surgeon, just like her parents. She is already giving her best in her studies without thinking about other people’s opinions. She lets herself be in the spotlight, but she is still a down-to-earth person. She just learned to fight for her dreams and her right to choose herself more than anyone else. Zeneath, on the other hand, talked to her parents and decided to live on her own. She started working in a pediatric hospital after passing the licensure examination. During her stay there for a year, she then decided to study medicine and aimed to be a pediatrician or a psychiatrist. The pain and trauma she had made her realize that life is too short to feel miserable. Her parents, on the other hand, realized they were being too harsh on her; unfortunately, Zeneath is adamant that she will not rely on them any longer. She never sought validation from her parents again, and she was happy being with her friends and living her life to the fullest.

Epilogue: New Beginning Just like Zeneath, Thana talked to her parents. Her parents asked for her forgiveness and asked her not to stay away from them. They promised to make up for all the years they had wasted, but it was already too late. Thana decided to live on her own too, because no matter what happened, she would never be treated as their daughter. They were just afraid that no one would continue their legacy. One day, sad with that thought, she entered her brother’s old bedroom. Everything was still in its place, and she found a big box with her name written on it. It was a box full of Sevi’s letters to her. Those letters kept her going and made her stronger as the days passed by. She also started to take medicine and became an emergency medicine specialist to save the people who needed immediate help. For her, being on the frontline will bring her closer to her brother. Also, she wants to always remember how Sevi smiled and comforted her when everything was already falling apart. No one knows what is happening in your life. No one will ever know the pain, trauma, and sacrifices you’ve been through. They’ll be there to clap on your success, but no one will wipe your tears in the process. With that, for once, stop thinking YOU.about them and start thinking about

minsan...

Minsan kailangan mo munang mapag-isa, para mahanap muli ang sarili at makapag isip nang payapa. Minsan kasi, mas masarap ’pag tahimik, kung saan mas nakakapag muni-muni at mas makakapag-desisyon ng tama, kumpara sa buhay na puno ng gulo at walang tigil na siraan. Minsan, mas masarap ’pag mag-isa ka, dahil walang taong puwedeng magpasama sa iyong pakiramdam. Pinakagusto ko kapag mag-isa ako, dahil sa mas nakikilala ko ang sarili ko. words I kayceevalorozo photo I @clarkjustinegaliza You think I don’t care at all. You despise me for not giving you any attention. But have you noticed the way I looked at you? Have you not feel the love I have for you? I am loving you silently, but it’s never enough. We are complete opposite but never attract each other. You’ll never know my pain and it’s okay. That’s the kind of love I have that’s all I can say.

her I saw you laugh, i saw you cry I’ve watched you dry your eyes Your perfectly shaped smile I could stare at you all the time Those months that we talked It’s like i’ve known you in forever We shared music Hell, i even introduced you to my favorite song called “lover”

I treasured you, gave you my all Made future plans within those late night calls December breeze flee fast, it slipped like a moment of time Now you’re with her and here i am thinking “were you ever mine?” I’m pretty sure she stole your heart at a glance But did you really have to do it? Break my heart in two, so you could have yours as a whole? You think I don’t care at all. You despise me for not giving you any attention. But have you noticed the way I looked at you? Have you not feel the love I have for you? I am loving you silently, but it’s never enough. We are complete opposite but never attract each other. You’ll never know my pain and it’s okay. That’s the kind of love I have that’s allwIorcdasnI skaleyi. photo I @clarkjustinegaliza

dawn There is a painful drought in my eyes the aftermath of a flash flood of tears; ironic isn’t it? I should have known it wasn’t merely a drizzle nor a spitting rain when I heard a suppressed roar of thunder followed by the unusual dead air. The calm before storm. In three, came the heavy landfall; destructive and almost curse-like, I wanted to scream at the heavens and throw a dirty finger to the sky, ask whoever is up there, what the hell for? why? This wasn’t on forecast, this wasn’t supposed to happen, we’re only building our shade up, why does this have to happen again? photo I @clarkjustinegaliza

Should I blame the human nature for his stolen future? Or should I blame his youth? The not-so easy past, I’m not so sure anymore. But reason tells me, he needs to own accountability, but everytime I look at him, he’s still a baby. Taller than I am, and probably more skilled doesn’t mean, he had to have a huge part of his dreams be killed. Yet if that’s what it takes for him to learn, What else is there to do? But to hope that tomorrow, as early as the crack of dawn, comes the rainbow.

-- Everything is fading bl The lights in the desp Becomes more clou I can’t feel me n I’m getting t My cries are drowning o It is going to end just like t I’m breaking do Scattering, disappear Little by little in the d I wish someone help me o

i dear my dearests I dear my dearest tons The welfare of I and loved ones In happiness, cupids, and guns Through storms, autumn, and suns I dear my dearests One with me could never harm them in interest Make decisions for me? Be my guest However, they put my psyche to the test I dear my dearests loads One I could never loathe But I lie awake at night, weak in my bones: What if I get to pick my life’s road? I dear my dearests incredibly But choosing my road is bliss indefinitely Able not am I, for it would risk my dearests’ bliss, consequently How, o how shall I choose between bliss bloodlessly? lack I dear my dearests most. pair Perhaps I’ll keep these thoughts like an oath uded now Let it slip my mind, drown in the coast tired This conversion is now closed. out this own ring dark out words I shanelleannevalenzuela photo I clarkjustinegaliza

yellow ink Will you satisfy my thirst? ; happiness Long gone since i felt Revive me from darkness i beg you Please don’t be another dream Quench my whole longing Quench all hot pool of tears Do be the answer unto sadness Creeping into sanity Should i drink you? Mix it into coffee; Orange juice perhaps? Peace and calmness, is what i’m asking Sane me back to ecstacy. words I klei photo I @clarkjustinegaliza



-- Everything is fading bl The lights in the desp Becomes more clou I can’t feel me n I’m getting t My cries are drowning o It is going to end just like t I’m breaking do Scattering, disappear Little by little in the d I wish someone help me o

red Up to talk until midnights Dirty little jokes to kill time Phone calls long until dawn Nothing’s too boring for me to yawn “Have i known you 20 seconds or 20 years” You told me it was deep My darling red you never knew how much i like you Ever since we were in senior year Two summers’ worth it No hesitations from my first move Gut feels telling me “he’s worth the wait” i hope it’s true; Bluffing and beating around the bush really isn’t my groove I’m a risk taker yes you could say that Replacing “ i ” with “ we ” in just a day lack But could you blame me if you’re such a catch? pair Admired you from afar for too long now you’re mine uded You, yes you. You are the best thing that’s ever been mine. now tired out this own ring dark out words I klei photo I clarkjustinegaliza

closed doors Many times in life we encounter rejections, disappointments, disapproval, and dismay. These are all inevitable as we go through in life. Life is feasibly full of triumph and celebration, however, we cannot escape the stage where we need to step out of our comfort zones for us to explore and go beyond the realities. There may be nights that takes away our hopes and darkens our rooms but when tomorrow comes, the daylight would surely brighten our lost passion and persist to keep our hopes on high. Life would allow us to experience these for us to gain learnings, testimonies, deeper wisdom, and for us to stand firm on our own as we continue the race of life.

Fate sometimes is playful. At times it, leads us to where we do not expect, directs us to where we wanted to be, takes us to where we can learn in life, heads us to where we can discover a lot in life and people around us, and escort us to where we can find ourselves as well as our real destination. There may be doors in life where we are not welcome which aims to push us closer to our main door. These instances reveals our pathways wherein life is truly a survival of the fines, it’s full of ups and down, it’s a matter of finding our real purpose in life, and it takes a lot of courage to win our battles. Closed doors are the opportunities and prospects that heads us to where we truly belong. It is certain that we all have room for improvements, accomplishments, favors, and breakthroughs. Embracing what’s ahead of us would assure that we have a spot in the stage of the future. words I mariairishlucas art I @pauleldrichdamo

three words for me I loved you deeper than the ocean, I opened my arms wider than the sea, Told you the three words very often, And hugged you tight for free. I will give my all, I would bend, cry, and crawl, Just for you to be mine, As I thought everything would end fine. I feel happy when you are, But why can’t I receive the same? Why can’t I feel treasured? Oh wait, is this just a game? words I iska art I @pauleldrichdamo

Now, I’ll stop, Won’t show any single tear, Mind is clear and I have no gears, I’ll stand for myself, today, tomorrow, no fear. I thought I’d be happier if we’re together evermore, But now I’m never the same as before, I appreciated your presence, But now I’m craving for your disappearance. Thanks for making me realize, That l’am more than who l’am and who I was, The three words were yours, Now they’re mine. Hey, I love you. I mean, I love me.

paumanhin Uumpisahan ko ito sa salitang patawad Dahil ikaw ang naglahad Na dapat akong magpatuloy sa aking lakad Para sa akin masakit ang aking nagawang kasalanan Ang ikaw na biglaang iwanan Na kahit ako’y nagpaalam, ika’y aking nasaktan Kaya itong tulang ginawa ko ay sana’y mapakinggan Ang bawat salitang ginamit ko ay bigay ng damdamin Sobrang bigat at hirap dahil ang isang katulad - ay ’di dapat pinapaluha ng isang katulad kong dukha At ’di marunong magpahalaga sa isang tulad mong likha Ang araw at gabi ko noon ay ’di maipinta sa sobrang saya Mga problema mong ikinukuwento sa akin na aking binigyan ng solusyon At iyo namang ginawan ng aksyon Subalit noong ako naman ang nagkaroon ng pagsubok Ako’y sobrang nalugmok

words I mamangpresidente art I @pauleldrichdamo Noong sandaling iyon, ako’y naging makasarili Ayaw ko kasing ika’y masali Sa mga pasaning mabibigat Kasi ayaw kong ikaw ay magbubuhat Sana huling pagkakataon ay mapatawad Dahil ’di naging sapat ang paalam sa biglaang lakad Naging masaya akong kausap ka Mga sandaling ’di na pwedeng balikan Kasi lalo lang akong masasaktan At sa huli ng aking tula na parang panaginip Sa katulad natatakot gumising Kung sa pagmulat ng aking mga mata ay yung ikaw na wala Dahil wala eh, masaya ka na sa kanya Kaya salamat at paumanhin.

you Why did i receive rain when all i gave you was sunshine? Since when did i become blind? Did the tingling sensations make me do it? Your own words, did it break you? Did the dagger aimed at you like the way it did to mine? You were my rainbow, yet you were also my rain Aren’t you ashamed?

You made me a house while making a castle for someone else What a shame i didn’t see it coming Now i’m stuck here alone in a corner of a star that you drew You were my moonlight, but i was never your moon. words I klei art I @pauleldrichdamo

ulap Umuulan na naman Ang sayang makipaghabulan Sa taong hindi ka naman sinalo At hindi ka niya pinili sa dulo Parang hindi humihinto ang ikot ng mundo Pagdating sa kanya, parang maguguho ang iyong puso Bakit sa kanya parin umaasa Kahit alam mong wala kang pag-asa

Dinadamdam ang bawat patak ng ulan Nanginginig na dahil sa lamig Kahit alam mong nanlalamig ang pakiramdam sayo Nanginginig dahil alam mong hindi na siya para sayo Malakas ang buhos ng ulan Kasabay ang pagpatak ng iyong luha Nasasaktan ka dahil hindi ka niya kayang panindigan Dahil kailanman hindi ka naman niya talaga ginusto words I yhn art I @justinvonlagoc

The Calendar whose days were numbered There was once a flower that shone amongst the rest, everybody adored him, thought he was the best. He kept his composure, firm and headstrong. They built his image and he played along. He laughed and cried and mourned and listened,\\ he never left no one so far as he reckoned. He was their savior, or so they thought. He just wanted to help and the praises are not. One day he rotted and everybody smelled, everyone was worried so they asked him how he felt. “I’m okay, worry not,” they listened to his heed, they told him to rest but he said rest was not needed. For days it continued, he was shriveled and decayed. “You don’t need to help everyone!” everybody pleaded. And so he did, and finally he rested. Days, weeks, months have passed, he is finally back, back at last! The faith he put in them was not for naught, he finally has achieved what he has set out to do. He sat down and watched, as everyone flourished. He watched in silence until he was finally forgotten.

He brought back the calendar that he called days end, hung it on the wall for he himself to see. The use was not known because nobody asked, no one was there, even under the sunlights bask. It didn’t matter anyway because he liked the stars more, shining and glimmering, wondering what it looked like at death’s door. From 10 to 15 to 32 to 1, the days flew fast and so was his calendar. He mingled with everyone, even listening to their banter. From 1 to 10 to 15 to none, it was finally the end for the journey that once began. He looked back for a bit, reminiscing about the past. Of what he is now and what he was once. He wanted to look at the stars again, so he looked upwards at the vast sky. But all he saw was dark clouds covering the night sky. He shrugged and then chuckled and told himself “Oh well, I just hope someday that the stars will have a story to tell.” He pulled himself up, from the ground he was rooted. And waited for a moment until there was finally no movement. No one shed a tear, for nobody knew. That the flower they once knew, in life, is now through. He really was not a flower, but a weed that just happened to bloom. words I ls

Special Chapter how it a Today was the first day of classes. A girl was already late for her class and seemed to be lost. She then asked countless people to find her building. When she finally found her classroom, she knocked on the door and slowly opened it. “Yes? What do you need?” said the old instructor in front of the class, raising his eyebrows. “Good morning, sir; I am Zeneath Salvador,” she said cheerfully, giving her a wide smile even if she was already shaking inside. “You are 30 minutes late, Ms. Salvador. I don’t want anyone to be late for my class. You should be here 10-15 minutes before our class, or else I will deduct points from your scores when you have your quiz,” coldly said the instructor before he asked the students to bring out an index card that would serve as their attendance and will be used during recitation. Zeneath froze a bit as she realized she hadn’t brought anything with her. She just has her pen and a small notebook. Looking around the classroom, she saw a girl taking out an index card from her very organized bag. The girl stared at her for a bit and frowned, but then her expression changed when she realized she was about to ask her for an index card. She shyly handed me the index card. “Hey! Thank you!” Zeneath uttered as she gave her a wide smile. “Your voice is too loud, Ms. Salvador. Keep your voice down,” angrily said their instructor. She immediately said sorry and awkwardly smiled at my classmates.

Special Chapter all began After their class, she tried to talk to some of their classmates while waiting for their next period, but it seemed like they were trying to ignore her. She shrugged it away and jumped again from the other group, but they made her feel the same way. Despite all of those, she smiled at them and said that she’d be doing something just to escape the awkwardness she was feeling. She entered their classroom, not knowing what to do. She feels hopeless because it feels like transferring to this school is such a mistake. In the back of her mind, she thought a lot of things, such as She should have stayed in her old school, she should have just stayed in her comfort zone, but she thought how would she ever learn if she won’t come out from her shell. She sighed heavily and saw two different people seated on either corner. This one in the northern part is reading her novel while the person in the southern part, which is the one who gave her an index card, is reading a thick textbook. “WHAT’S UP, PEOPLE!” she cheerfully shouted. Both of them got shocked and turned in my direction with a frown painted on their faces. She smiled genuinely because she knew that she got their attention in an instant, and with that, she knew that these two would be her person during my college life.

appen chapter 1 Will there be a time that I’ll choose myself? i protected you, but you’ll never know duwag note heres to the one dying inside suffer heart of silk adieu eternity la vie sa mata ng kaibigan toxic side chapter 2 When will I be okay? one day fragile love tapos childhood with you, im adept with crisis sincerely yours i wish, i never anino pansin

ndices chapter 3 Will I ever be enough? trails of goodbye dear someone a letter for my younger self oma glimpse of us a rant of an 18 years old peterpan epilogue New Beginning minsan her dawn i dear my dearests yellow ink red closed doors three words for me paumanhin you ulap the calendar whose days were numbered

boards a Pamela V. Tadeja Editor-in-Chief Dyan Rae G. Rapacon Zenith Kin P. Agcaoili Managing Editor Copyeditor Charisse Sophia A. Raquinio Kristene Claire O. Lazo News Editor Features Editor

and leads Keishey Aiana H. Bonoan Ziantal Samantha B. Lorenzo Literary Editor Sports Editor Russel Joy L. Pascua Clark Justine A. Galiza Lead Cartoonist Lead Layout & Graphic Artist Jonh Llyod Aquino Prof. Joan Jesusa B. Velasco Lead Photojournalist The Review Adviser

staffers Alcaraz, Jereanne Ashley F. Aspili, Jhian Denver G. Baltazar, Leihzelie Jharlayne Bartolome, Alvin R. Bartolome, Kerizle Monique C. Buduan, Kate Corine R. Bulanadi, Roussel I. Buted, Donald Cristopher B. Cabiliza, Jhon Keampher Candia, Carl Dominic A. Corpuz, Aira G. Corpuz, Erika Winslet S. Curammeng, Michelle Faye L. Damo, Mark Bryan D. De La Cruz, Jeanette Aira G. Felipe Jr., Jessie G. Fernandez, Samiel B. Flor, Kleirisha M. Foronda, Aletha Janine D. Foronda, Lucky Jastine D. Gabriel, Hanna May C. Jacinto, Earl John G. Jacinto, Lady Kyla Jornacion, Leyn S. Juan, Larissa T. Lagoc, Justine Von B. Lapitan, Frances Kyle T. Lucas, Maria Irish C. Maquiraya, Brittany Lei Membrere, Emar Jabez D. Menor, Aian Mark Orcia, Jenuca Coleen B. Prudenciano, Joebert C Salasac, Denielle Ellixe Cortel Santillan, Poll Anthony R. Sina, Daniel Villa, Karen Joy

contributors Yna Salazar Coleen Juan Kaycee Valorozo Shanelle Anne Valenzuela Paul Eldrich S. Damo Ella Jane Ramos mamangpresidente witheredflower soleofthedeep aliceinneverland annie rhiana myth altF4 dew iska .you.

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY