LITERARY FOLIO: Triad

triad FLAME The Official Literary Folio of The Review



The official literary folio of The Review, the official student publication of Northwestern University. Academic Year 2022-2023 No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses.

editor’s note Oblivion to the risk that come pursuit, love is an emotion that overpowers much of what we perceive. It may come as an invisible thread that binds puzzle pieces of some sort or it may even arrive as a riptide that crash along unexpectedly - indistinct. In the midst of the lense that we acquire, we have pebbles along that very shore that we acknowledge to keep and to treasure despite the risks instilled within. Love indeed is a gamble and most often than not, we fear the throbbing ache that pain provides. But pain remains as a constant reminder that we are human - alive and real. Triad, a book that intertwines sacrifices as a means of being able to make others happy. A token that indicates how we can never be too comfortable with what we grasp and to never take things for granted just because of pure self interest. For it is within our breaking point that we come to realize and lose sight of the important pebbles that chose to stay despite the irresistable tides that the ocean provides. Associate Editor I Leyn S. Jornacion

Life is a color wheel. Different colors, different types of challenges. The circle represents life. It indicates that life must go on. The lines that separates the color is the indicator that we passed the challenge. The lines connects to each other in order to create the circle of life. Challenges add up as a flavor of life. We may stumble and cry. It may be hard to rise again. We may fall and break but the good thing is that we chose to rise after the fall. We chose to fight rather than lying on our fall. We chose to find the courage to fight and continue living. But some people inivisibly express their thoughts and suffering. They kept it all by themselves as long as they can. But have you ever wondered how long is that? How you ever tried to kept it all inside and suddenly you burst out? It is hard to endure the pain, sorrows or even disappointment that we get every single day. Everybody is fighting a battle that is invisible to our eyes. They may seem happy and smiling outside but behind that smile is a sack of burden. Always remember that after the night of suffering, sun will rise and morning filled with hope will arrive. Always chose to be yourself and turn everything into a colorful scheme that only you can shade and chose its hue. Literary Editor I BRITTANY LEI MAQUIRAYA

This book depicts identity crisis, insecurities, relevations, and innate self decision making skills. It offers entertainment and different life values through uncommon situations. It puts light in those who are socially relative yet individually inclined to their own identity. This book is for those who are trying and fighting, amidst problems and awful situations- everyone. Trying to make the the right decisions at the right moment in time; nobody is not suffering from this. Living is a virtue. Moving forward is a principle. Feeling alive is a choice, until it’s not. Feature Editor I Sophia Louisse ANg

editor’s note Our editors, staff, and contributors colored this another circulation issue of The Review, Flame: Triad, as it presents a story of how much a person can do to save other people from suffering. As you read the pages of this folio, it will color different stories of pain, bravery, and love. You will be reminded of the people and the moments that brought happiness to your lives, how loving them made you sacrifice a lot, and how losing them made you feel heartbroken. You will meet Blue, Red, and Yellow who will make you realize that not all connections are forever. You will discover how much love can do. How you chose to do the right thing even if your heart aches against it. Flame: Triad offers lessons of life from three different perspectives. Read the pages as we aim to make you realize that although some people aren’t meant to stay, love remained. Adviser I Prof. joan jesusa b. velasco



triad POEMS ARTWORKS PHOTOS

self Is it still me? Is everything I’m doing to myself still right? You don’t know everything you see I’ve hurt myself too much Every now and then, I was alone I love myself, but why am I hurting? I am my friend and my enemy It’s true and I don’t know why Forgive me, myself In due time, the wound that cause you hatred I am afraid to get hurt will heal But I’m the one doing the things that hurt me I can count on you and only you I am afraid of how people mistreated me It’s just you and me. But I’m the one mistreating myself harm My own expectations is killing me My own burdens will keep me locked up I Arkitektongmanunulat My own personality, I no longer know I’ve hurt myself 01 I TRIAD

I AQUIQUOTES Self-Harm I TRIAD I 02

I Behind The Blank Stares I Leihzelie Jharlayne 03 I TRIAD

BEHIND THE BLANK STARES Do you think it’s easy? But, I hope you’ll find the person who will give you the love It’s easy to pretend that my heart doesn’t beat for you. that you deserve. It’s easy to look into your eyes without falling into it. The love that is bright as a sunny day. It’s easy to run away from your affectionate arms. The love that will give you solace in the middle of the It’s easy to give you cold shoulders when you confess your storm. feelings for me. For I know that what I can only give you is a forbidden love. It’s easy to give you blank stares whenever you give me The love that will cause you unbearable pain and butterflies. heartbreak. The love that will put you into the abyss of tears and I wish I could rewrite the stars. misery. Make you feel that my heart beats for no one but you. Let myself fall for you while staring at your alluring brown I may not be able to call you mine in this lifetime. eyes. I may look at you with my stoic and cold stare. Run towards you and feel the warmth of your arms. I may be acting like I don’t care. Scream at the top of my lungs and tell the world that But, you will always be the subject in every poem I write. you’re meant to be mine. You will always be the melody in every song I make. Show you the unfathomable love I have for you until our Because I already fell for you before you did. hair turns gray. I CULIBANGBANG TRIAD I 04

grateful After a rainy day comes solace that blinds the eye I thank thee fair lady for I am indebted. Rainbows shall be seen, as the green leaves pass by. Without you, I would still be lost and I wouldn’t have known Upon living weeks in this wretched place that I dreaded. where I am headed. I realized that it’s not so bad after all because you are here Those thick eyebrows and wonderful eyes had me when needed. astonished. I hope this poem wouldn’t leave you weirded. You are the solace that shines upon thy eyes. You are the rainbow after a rainy day has gone by. For this is only one of my gratitude towards you. You were there whenever I felt lost and adrift. Since you’ve helped me these past few days when I was For I am indebted to you and my gratitude is my gift. blue. Again, I thank thee fair lady for you are my savior. Amidst this unknown and new mysterious waters. 05 I TRIAD I Aurlevior

I clark justine a. galiza Grateful I TRIAD I 06

I Goodbye Agony I KAYCEE VALOROZO 07 I TRIAD

GOODBYE AGONY Stuck in the darkness, Wondering why I didn’t live my life To the fullest. Drowning in my own stupidity, Is there anyone there that can save me? As I gaze into the abyss forever, I can’t help but to smile and wonder. Why did I have to suffer? I had fun with you. But sadly, I have to say goodbye. It was a wonderful journey, Even though I lived my whole life Hiding this agony. I Aurlevior TRIAD I 08

Dear twinkle little star Twinkle star. twinkle twinkle Can we go back when we still You’re above the sky. little star feel the spark? Can you lift me high? Is it written in your ark? I was with you when you were down. Little twinkle star Can you hear me now? My star, Can you tell me how? Shine and twinkle with her now, How do we take a bow? Our spark is nowhere to be In the altar through shining found. stars. 09 I TRIAD I Roussel Bulanadi

I DANIEL SINA Twinkle Twinkle Little Star I TRIAD I 10

I Aking Luna I daniel sina 11 I TRIAD

Pagsapit ng gabi, liwanag na nagkukubli, bumabawi. aking LUNA Bawing kailanma’y hindi mahihigitan sino ma’ng humawi. I Roussel Bulanadi TRIAD I 12

where shall In Monday green, Where the seats by rows we meet? where people sing, and in between is the passage, along with leaves drifting by the stroll in white, holding rose wind. hand in hand till old age. When clouds start to sob, Or perhaps, we shall meet, along with thunder and lightning, where you shall nod onto me on Tuesday evening. with nostalgia in your memory Where youths began to cheer, Where my name lay in granite Groove and yell with the sunset stone, clear, as you believe so hard, as if it is the last dance to where I will lay in a graveyard. and the voice they hear. 13 I TRIAD I Louela Mabini

I CLARK jUSTINE A. GALIZA Where Shall We Meet? I TRIAD I 14

I Dying To Live I jaenmarie ramil 15 I TRIAD

The hideous thought of living dying to live It slowly kills her soul As it devours her flesh like a mad wolf TRIAD I 16 Molding hidden pain and scars With screams being silenced in the dark Breathing seems like a punishment Not gasping for air but for a change That may fade her anguish into fragments Life is indeed unfathomable Before you live, you must first experience what it is like to die. I mc.g

SUFFOCATED Feels lonely in a place where I used to be happy, My heart feels so heavy, neglected. Why does it feel like doom in this place we’ve built? I can’t breathe, I can’t move but I am free I was suffocated. 17 I TRIAD I Roussel Bulanadi

I CLARK jUSTINE A. GALIZA Suffocated I TRIAD I 18

I Treasure I CLARK JUSTINE GALIZA 19 I TRIAD

For one moment, I had everything in She smiled, butterflies covering the treasure my grasp. whole scene. The second I look back; it’s gone, Then nonchalantly she said, “Trea- they’re all gone. sure” Perished and reduced to ashes As she closes those sublime eyes, spreading into oblivion. forever. The last question I had in mind was, Tears bursted, eyes went dark and “What am I to you?” wide. Mouth screaming at the top of my lungs, above her head. As I hugged her tightly. Desperately longing for her eyes to blink back and smile at me. Her smile was all I had and now it’s all pain. From now on, I’ll never get to see that angelic smile, ever again. I Aurlevior TRIAD I 20

You’ll always be that underlying subject in my poetry. I STILL HIDE YOU I want the world to discover your depths without even directly saying it. IN MY POETRY Imagery, figures of speech, too much description and creativity. They all fit. I LJP I want my piece to scream, scream how beautiful you are and.. This will only be the thing that would remind the world of you, even when the time comes that you will be my worst nightmare. 21 I TRIAD

I still hide you in my poetry I I John Reygie Sison TRIAD I 22

I The One I Prayed For I CLARK JUSTINE GALIZA 23 I TRIAD

Who had sat with me by the pasture, THE ONE I Looked still beyond the altocumulus; PRAYED FOR with the silhouette of blue jays — everything had captured, TRIAD I 24 From the days of youth, you’re still meticulous. Inevitable angst attacked when a luminous signal plummeted before me, My once unwavering ground causes me to tremble now ‘Til my knees hit the ground. Who will sit with me by the pasture when the birds start to sing? Watch the clouds upon disappearing, When the one I’ve prayed for turned out to be someone else’s blessing. I Louela Mabini

pahimakas Dalawang daanan, walang pagpipilian iyong tinahak sa aking tita Kahit walang ideya kung saan ang patutunguhan. Sa gabing walang katapusan, tila ika’y pinagsakloban ng iyong kapansanan. 25 I TRIAD Nakatayong tila walang pakiramdam ngunit ika’y naging ilaw sa kadiliman Pagkatapos tahakin ang daang deretso lang; ako sayo’y SALUDO. Ito’y aking pahimakas, sapagkat hindi kita nasilayan bago ka maglaho ng tuluyan. Ito’y aking pasasalamat sa iyong paglaban, Ika’y lubos na matapang, sapagkat aking nakita ang iyong paninindigan, Sa matatag na paniniwala, na lahat ay may masayang patutunguhan. I Roussel Bulanadi

I daniel sina Pahimakas sa aking tita I TRIAD I 26

I I long for a dream I clark justine galiza 27 I TRIAD

I’ve been longing for a dream; Reality of life we mourn, I long for a A dream in which I’m not sad, In our shoulders we lift dream Nor shed tears thinking of it. It’s weight, slowly we try. Is it really peace we left? Serenity on one’s soul. That dream itself makes us believe, Or just a sudden gust of dream That in chaos there is peace. Escaping phenomenon. We find lightness in darkness, Hoping I find a glimpse of life Like the sea hugging the sky, Far from this hellhound-like world The mountains kissing the rain. Eternally tranquil dream. Beneath the moon and stars, The coldest breeze of the wind, TRIAD I 28 Make us feel the emptiness. I Louise Julius Vince Solsoloy

AGONY OF all this time YESTERDAY I thought I am happy and fine, but when did it all start? 29 I TRIAD that I can clearly see like it’s on my front when will I be fully healed? even the scars cannot be concealed. when will this agony come to an end I am lost for words, I want to be dead but then I thought, is death the real solution to every pain, when my family will be left in vain. I strawberryjam

I clark justine galiza Agony of Yesterday I TRIAD I 30

I Hikikomori I clark justine galiza 31 I TRIAD

I need no one, Hikikomori but books, internet and music. Closed door, closed window, To keep away from conflicts. It is not healthy, But society cannot judge me. And no one can count on me, No one, just me. Now I’m here, in my safe bubble, After amassing up all I need. I’m escaping from the world, And the world will forget about me. I Aquiqoutes TRIAD I 32

Hinugot Namalagi sa isang yugto kung saan matiwasay, Na Talulot Walang nagtatakda kaya nagagawa ang mga bagay. Nanibago ang lahat nang sumolpot ang bulikil na mapanghalina, 33 I TRIAD At kay hirap umilag sa mga ngiti at mabikas niyang mata. Hindi siya sumailalaim sa aking kahambugan at ako’y tumugon, Sapagkat batid niya ang anino na sunod ng sunod maghapon. Aking pinagpaliban ang panahon upang mabatid ng sukdulan, Ngunit ang kanyang pagkabalisa’y aking nasaksihan. Nag-umpisa’t magkaayong nangako na ‘di lang sa una masaya, Na ‘di maihahantulad sa iba, na habang tumatagal ay nawawala. Sinuri ang bawat saglit na makapiling bilang unang kalaguyo, Hanggang siya ang prinsipeng pinili kong isulat sa aking libro. I Aquiqoutes

Hinugot na Talutot I Buwan-buwan at ‘di matantiyang araw ang lumipas, Dagling nagbago ang nais na tila umiba ang landas. Nanaig ang panlilinlang mo na dahilan ng aking pagkabalisa, At naging tagumpay mo ang kabinihan kong iyong nakuha Sa saglit na panahong ibinigay ko ang kaligayahan, Unti-unting naglaho ang mga nakakapukaw na kinagawian. At wala na akong paghihirang kung ako’y iyong kaligtaan, Sapagkat ako’y binibini lamang na walang kalaban-laban. I JEANNETTE AIRA DELA CRUZ TRIAD I 34

I Longing I KAYCEE VALOROZO 35 I TRIAD

You know what’s sad? LONGING It’s when the thought came to you Telling you that you should comfort yourself TRIAD I 36 Alleviating yourself whenever there are circumstances That turns your world befuddled. Because you know no one will stay and comfort you No one will stand by your side because you have already planted it in your mind. That everyone has their own battle to survive But then, what’s more saddest is when you rely too much on, Too much that you didn’t realize you were living along Dealing alone those problems That is just a snap; you were left there Feeling the sense of emptiness Because it’s been a while since you’ve been comforted Comforted in a genuine way and heart lighting And words will just be uttered, “I’ve been longing for this for too long.” I DAPHNEY TABIGNE

I Survival I alvin bartolome 37 I TRIAD

A fight for ration, survival A shelter to be sheltered, I Jerryan A fire to keep warm to survive another cold night. A fight in the past, A different fight today, A seeming world difference. A fight for wit, A battle to coins for a shelter, A cold sleepless night to survive another height. TRIAD I 38

The Wise Oppo A sky lantern, I took a grip, “Letting go is parallel to knowing where Stamp by wishes beneath, you sow Should I unleash or leave? what’s the perfect soil for you to grow Both I questioned in my litany. as the unknown direction of the wind of life began to blow” There I met her halfway, she added as a constant oppo. Between a twinge of rue and Vale “Set love free” she says Sky lantern I once held Or move forward with your tale. Letting now fly and move ahead For she said, “To look forward isn’t the same “Have faith; that love and destiny always as setting free the man you cared wait. But mere headway for self-proclaimed; A step to take on another stair ‘til all will be forgotten and fade.” 39 I TRIAD I Louela Mabini

I justine von lagoc The Wise Oppo I TRIAD I 40

I Missing Courage I hanna mae gabriel 41 I TRIAD