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Dream | A Conventional Poem by Julienne Lagman

As I look at the view in front,

the sky is as blue as the sea.

People do not hunt,

the animals run free.

There is no constant fear

when you are all alone.

Whenever someone’s near

you come out of your zone

Fresh air and clean water

dancing trees and spacious ways;

back then, these are all that matter

time flies really fast these days

But as promising as these seem

it was all just a dream

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Imagine | An Unconventional Poem by Julienne Lagman

I can only imagine

what life would be 

in the near future.

There is no guarantee 

streets that are not crowded, 

air that is free from pollution. 

Children having fun,

women feeling safe about themselves.

A government that leads, 

a government ready to serve its people.

I can only imagine

for in the near future,

this might never happen.

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Oh, Future! | An Unconventional Poem by Eunice Pineda

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Memories of the Past |  A Conventional Poem by Eunice Pineda

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Safe Skies | A Short Story by Danielle Nicole Santiago

It was March 15, 2019 when I said yes to a commitment with a man named Mike. It was the easiest decision that I’ve made for myself so far. We’re so full of emotion that I cannot put into words how many butterflies I felt in my stomach. The feeling was indeed superb. I met mike in a dance group before, when our eyes met, I was stunned by his brown eyes. I do not believe at love at first sight, but since that day, I think I do. Everything was going so smooth and completely fine. I enjoyed the weekend hangouts at his house, we enjoyed every slice of pizza that we shared, as well as every movie that we both chuckled, cry and laugh at. I treasure those late night walks that are full of shared stories, those dates that we made at park. Enjoying the swing and running around like 5-year-old toddlers. But not until the day when Mike seems to control every move and things that I make. It was September 2019 when I felt that something is different. On September 13,2019 it was just a normal school day where I woke up at six in the morning, brushed my teeth, took a shower, chewed on granola bars and packed my school stuff. On that day that I opened my eyes and got up for school, I knew that there was something wrong. It was a normal day at school where my feelings and emotions were strange, and was not normal. I was daydreaming the whole math class, until the bell rang. It was a typical morning break were Mike used to wait for me at the canteen. But since I am not emotionally well that day, I refused to meet him. I texted him right away so he didn’t have to wait, I said “Cannot meet you, maybe later at lunch” he texted back in a few seconds saying “Sure, I’ll meet you there”. I was waiting for myself to feel a little better so that I could meet him at lunch. But to my disappointment, the bell rang again. Yes, It’s lunch and still I cannot help but to overthink. I texted him again and said, “I’m sorry, I cannot make it to lunch, maybe dismissal” he texted back, “Are you okay? You are acting a bit strange” I replied, “I am. I think I’ll have my period real soon, I am not feeling well.” Then he texted me back in a minute, “Do you want me to grab you some lunch? “ I replied so fast in a panicky manner “No, It’s fine, maybe I can meet you later”. I badly wanted to go home, I do not feel so good at that time. I easily get irritated, I find everything and everyone so annoying. I just want to spend the rest of the day on my bed with dash. And if you are wondering who is dash, he is my dog shaped stuffed toy that I cannot live without. Dash is a gift given by my grandparents on my 10th birthday. He’s been with me for 9 years now and I literally bring him during sleepovers or whenever I travel. They said I am too old for a toy, but I said that I am not too old for a best friend, right? I cannot sleep without hugging my dust full stuffed toy best friend. Anyways, it is 2:55 pm, five minutes more until I can finally get to go home. I was still undecided whether if I’ll meet mike or not. I am still skeptical. I forced myself to make a decision in a span of 30 seconds. Then I finally made my final judgement, I met I mike at the hallway, he attempted to hold my hand but I avoided it. He asked me right away, “Are you sure that you’re okay?” I replied, “Yes I am.” Then he offered, “ I can drive you home” then I refused, “ No, thanks. You don’t really have to” then he stuttered, “But..” I replied immediately, “No buts, I’ll see you tomorrow at the park near the subdivision at twelve noon, bye” then I left immediately and walked as fast as I could. He waved me goodbye and yelled “See you!”. I am finally home, I cannot describe into words how comforting it is to be finally home after a mentally and emotionally tiring day. I went upstairs and changed my clothes, then I laid on my bed and hugged dash. The moment I rested, millions of thoughts were bothering me. Why mike tried to control everything. From the clothes I wore, social media posts that I posted, to the people that interacted with, I could no longer talk to my guy friends either. And what I am worried about the most is that he controlled every decision that I made for myself. Little by little, I lost my passion. Right from the start, I knew that I had a passion in running a business. Maybe it is because I am a daughter of entrepreneurs, or maybe I just like the feeling of having money in my pocket. Kidding aside, almost everyone knew me as an independent person. My parents saw that at an early age of mine. I did not seek for help with my home works because I do believe in myself that I can do it without anyone by my side. I did not need my mom to assist me in baking cookies at the age of 9. And before I met mike, I ran my own business. It was a small business of mine where I sold personalized stuffs. The business was doing good, but I needed to stop. Because Mike demanded for time and attention as much as I did to my business. I did not really have any regrets till the day that I realized I lost a lot of the opportunities. It was the 14th of September at 12 noon when I was supposed to meet mike at the park. But this time, I stood up for myself and made a decision. I refused to meet him. Because every time that I face him, the harder it was for me to choose whether to stay in our relationship or live my independent life. I texted him instead, I said “I’m sorry, I cannot make it today, do not attempt to visit me because I am not ready to see you.” I am glad that he listened. As soon as he got home, I texted him this, “ Hello. I know it is a bit confusing, but let me get it straight. Few days ago, I had a thought, not a random one, but a serious one. I noticed that you managed to control everything that I do, from the way I dress, to the way I talk to people, you made me stop my business because you said that I did not have enough time for you as much as I did with my business ventures. Before I entertained you, you knew it yourself that I am not a typical girl. I am an independent young lady who has her own business and managed to make big decisions on her own. I do not know why I let these things to happen, but all I know is that I wanted to be a best version of myself. Remember the day that I told you that I do not want you to be a pilot because I am afraid that if something bad happens, I will lose you. You would have enrolled to your flying school this year but I refused to agree with your decisions. I am really sorry for that, I should’ve understand. Just like you, who wants to be a pilot, I also want to be an entrepreneur. I can see that it is not healthy for us to stay in this relationship with these kinds of differences. Know that I am grateful for all the things that we shared, and I believe that our relationship had a purpose. It made us realize that we are the pilot of our own planes. We have personal lives outside our relationship. It is not realistic that we think that the world only revolves around us. Thank you for making me appreciate of how independent I am, and of how successful I am prior our relationship. Surely, this lesson will stay with me for the rest of my life. Safe skies, Captain.” After I sent him a message, I blocked him on my social media accounts, I did not wait for is reply. Because I believe that it will be more painful for me if I read those. Fast forward of who I am now, and how far I became, I am now the CEO of our family’s company, and managing various businesses such as hotels and restaurants. Did I forget to tell you about our family business? It was just last 3 years when this company was offered to us, My parents and I gave it a go. And now, I am a CEO of an airline here in the Philippines. And I am engaged to a pilot who used to stop me on my businesses years ago. I am amazed on how destiny played its role in our relationship. Sometimes, we need to choose a path. A path that we think is best for us. Enjoy the moment and live with it, let destiny do its job.

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The One That Could Have Been | A Short Story by Kaela Tiamzon

It was five years ago when Blythe said, “One, two, three, smile!.” as he captured the smiles of his batchmates while wearing a black toga. The official photographer of the school called an hour before the photo shoot, saying that he would not be able to come because there was an emergency. As the student body president of the university and the president of the Photography Club, Blythe insisted to take the graduation pictures.

Blythe is gifted with the ability to foresee the future using the camera that was given to him as a gift before his parents disappeared when he was 15 years old. No one knew about this special ability except him because even though Blythe has always been active in school, he remained discreet when it comes to his powers because he was afraid to be taken advantage of. He’s also aware that what he sees is different from others.

During the photo shoot, he was able to see that some of the wealthiest batchmate of his will turn out to be either homeless or alcoholic, the poorest will someday own a company, and most of them turned out to be successful somehow.

“Last one for today, smile!.” Blythe said with a huge smile on his face. When he looked at the camera to see the future of the girl standing before him, he saw a plain picture. Like how a normal picture would go. This is the first encounter for Blythe, he never not saw the future of his subjects. In confusion, Blythe decided to take another picture and still got the same result. In his mind, he said, “This can only mean two things: One, is that she does not have a future, and two, is that she is going to die later.”. Worry got the best of Blythe but before he could even turn to face the girl, the girl already disappeared. He tried to run after her-- chase her but unfortunately, she was nowhere to be found. Luckily, Blythe was able to get her name from the log sheet of the studio. Her name’s Amara. Amara Salvatore.

As soon as Blythe got home, he immediately printed out the picture of the girl and put it inside his wallet. Since then he would always bring it with him, in hopes that he would find Amara. He got so curious about her and this curiosity turned into obsession towards the girl to the point that he literally searched for her everywhere-- knocked on every door, every house in Verona. He even started dreaming about her.

Eventually, Blythe had to give up because he was convinced that Amara might be dead the same day he took the picture. The same day that they met.

5 years later…

Blythe rode a subway on his way home. He fell asleep during the ride and woke up when his stop was near. He was about to stand up to prepare for his departure when he recognized the lady seated in front of him. He scratched his eyes to confirm that he was not dreaming or in the worst-case scenario, is that he was only hallucinating.

He wasn’t.

He. Really. Wasn’t.

Blythe pulled Amara’s picture right away from his wallet and whispered with a voice that’s so low,

“It’s you.”

This caught Amara’s attention and panic flashed inside her eyes. The doors of the subway opened and Amara immediately made her way out.

He tried to call her but she would not turn around.

He said, “Why won’t you talk to me?.”, No answer.

He said, “Hey, I am not going to hurt you, I promise”, still got no answer.

Blythe ran so he could face her and said, “Listen, we met before. You’re Amara, right?. Amara Salvatore?. I was the one who took the graduation pictures. I saw yours and it was different from the others.”

Amara continued to walk as if no one was talking.

“I thought that you’re dead. I looked for you in an extensive time but you were nowhere to be found. I thought that the first time that we met--the first time that I saw you would also be the last. It took me long enough to convince myself that you’re probably already. dead. But here you are, standing in front of me, it just feels so… surreal.” Blythe said with tears in his eyes. Blythe never cried, he was always known to be tough.

Amara stopped in her tracks and finally looked at Blythe in the eyes and said, “Are you crazy? What are you talking about? I saw the other pictures you that took, they are pretty much the same.”

Blythe debated with himself whether or not he should tell her about his secret but Amara started to walk away and he could not afford to lose her again, so he shouted, “I can see the future.”

Amara took a deep breathe and said, “I know.”

“What? How? What do you mean?” Blythe uttered as he tried to fathom what was happening. Amara suddenly hugged Blythe that made him close his eyes.

 Amara can read and control minds and she can also let people see what is on her mind.

She let him see that she was reading his mind all along and that she knew about his gift.

She tried her best to avoid Blythe because she was afraid that Blythe would see what she’s meant to be, so she tricked him into thinking that the picture was plain.

The vision stopped which caused Blythe to open his eyes, he saw blood dripping from Amara’s head. Someone was trying to kill him but Amara took the shot. Amara’s heart stopped along with her powers and so the picture of her that Blythe was holding began to reveal what it really looks like. He saw that Amara was the one. The one that he will marry. The one that he would end up with.

“Why? Why did you catch the bullet, Amara? Why did you try to save my life?. I am an immortal, I am not capable of dying, I will never die.” 

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The Value | A One-Act Play by Allen Ocampo

CHARACTERS

VIVIAN – the wife of Cameron

CAMERON – the husband of Vivian

TIFFANY – close friend of Cameron

 TIME

 The time is the present.

 PLACE

 Inside a condo unit near Taft Avenue.

Scene 15

Around 9:00 in the evening, 14th floor of a 25-storey condo. CAMERON holds his bottle of sleeping pills while sitting at the right corner, talking to himself. Surrounding him are empty bottles of beer.

CAMERON

Why am I such a jerk? (Sighs) Guess what, I play with women’s hearts, but in the end, I am always a loser. (Laughs crazily) Maybe, maybe I deserve all of these. I am not worthy of anyone’s love.

 (CAMERON opens his bottle of sleeping pills and takes a handful of them.)

 CAMERON

Look, I thought Tiffany would bring me the real happiness and satisfaction that I never felt from Vivian. But I was wrong. (Gets quiet for some seconds then suddenly shouts) I just want to sleep and never ever wake up again. (Brushes his hair out of frustration) I am so sick of this mess.

 (CAMERON swallows the sleeping pills in one go, then slowly lies on the floor and closes his eyes because of drunkenness and the pills’ effect.)

 (Not fully unconscious yet, footsteps are heard. VIVIAN is heading towards her room. She enters from the left wing.)

 VIVIAN

(Shocked and eyes wide open) Cameron! (Rushes near her husband) Cameron, Cameron! Wake up! Are you okay? (Continues to panic)

 (VIVIAN scans the entire place, and finally notices the remaining sleeping pills scattered on the floor.)

 VIVIAN

Cameron. (Sobs) Why do you have to do this? Have you lost your mind? Have you lost your hope? (Cries heavily) Why have you ended it this way?

 (VIVIAN collects the pill remains and keeps those on her right hand.)

 VIVIAN

I didn’t have the chance to explain to you, but I have already forgiven you before. It’s true that you broke my heart when you told me that there is a better woman than me, I was even angry at you, but… (Sighs) that won’t change the fact that we are still the ones destined for each other. (Sobs) What you may have done was a sin, and I’m also aware that I am not the wife you have always wanted me to be, but I realized that you’re still the one that I love the most. I shouldn’t have let you go that night. I should’ve fought for us. I felt so empty since the day you left me.

 (VIVIAN continues to cry hard and leans her head on CAMERON’s chest, punches the floor out of regret.)

 VIVIAN

Well, I think it’s time as well. (Slowly lying beside her husband) This was, is, and will always be my pledge to you. (Raises her right hand where the sleeping pills are hidden) Until death do us part, Cameron. (Swallows the sleeping pills)

 (After some seconds, VIVIAN becomes unconscious. CAMERON mouths his final words while eyes are still closed.)

 CAMERON

(Stutters) I love you. I’m sorry.

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Lovesuit | A One-Act Play by Patrick Jordan Waje

CHARACTERS

  Andrew – 22 year-old college student Sam – 21 year-old college student

 TIME

  The time is the present.

  PLACE

  A school in Pampanga, Philippines

Scene 4

 Lunch time. School garden. SAM is reading her book while seating on the grass waiting for Andrew.

 She sees Andrew and called him to seat beside her.

 SAM

Hi Babe! (Hugs Andrew) Why are you sad, what happened?

 ANDREW

Nothing. (Smiles) What books are you reading?

 SAM

Another Shakespeare’s play entitled Romeo and Juliet. I love

this story because it reminds me of our love.

(ANDREW is just looking at SAM while she is talking)

 SAM

 I had a fight with my mom.

ANDREW

(eyes widens)

What happened?

 SAM

Come one we are both aware that our families are mad at each other. (Laughs) Mom what me to break up with you or el-

 ANDREW

Or else what?

SAM

(SAM inhales a large amount of air and looks at ANDREW.)

I will not inherit any of our business and they will not treat me as their child anymore.

 ANDREW

(Stands)

What?!

 SAM

  (Stands)

Hey, do not worry. I do not need their money. When we graduate, we can build our own law firm, we do not need their money to be successful babe. (Kisses ANDREW on his cheek)

 ANDREW

Let’s break up, Sam

  What?!

SAM

  ANDREW

I said let’s break up, are you deaf huh?

 SAM

(Her brows furrow)

No, we can not break up because of our parents. Babe I love you please do not do this to me.

 ANDREW

Your parents are not only reason why we need to break up.

 SAM

What do you mean by that?

 ANDREW

I do not love you any more, I met someone new.

 SAM

What did you say? (SAM starts crying). No, you can do that I know you. You are not capable of doing that.

ANDREW

I already did it, Sam. You are so boring and always reading book. Look at yourself you look like a nerd.

 SAM

If you do not want the way I dress I can will change the way I dress just do not leave me please. (Cries)

 ANDREW

That’s enough, Sam. You are smart, you can understand that I do not love you anymore.

 SAM

Who is your new girl?

 ANDREW

(Stays quite for a while)

Her name is Julie, I meet her at the bar. We started talking last month and I visited her on her condo without you knowing.

 SAM

So, she was the reason why you are so cold towards me. You are going to her condo, spending time with her but when I am the one who wants to see you, you keep on telling me that you are busy studying. (Sobs)

 ANDREW

(Hugs SAM)

I am sorry.

 SAM

(Pushes ANDREW away and slaps him)

Leave me alone I do not want to see you anymore. I love you more than my parents, I am willing to sacrifice everything for you and you still got the audacity to cheat?. I should have listened to my parents instead of your family who can not be trusted. But I trusted you because I thought you are different from them. Oh well you all have the same blood! Go away leave me now!  

 ANDREW

(Walks away)

BLACKOUT

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Twelve Years of Journey in Writing | A Craft Essay by Ahlaisa De Borja

When I was in grade 1 and 2 I just knew how to write a sentence using a filipino language and then when I was in third grade I transferred into 3 different school so before I remembered that I am having a very hard time and I just learned how to create a sentence using english. I stayed in Santa Cruz when I was in fourth grade and I am part of the top 10 in class and what I have learned was before was to create a simple 2 stanza poem in tagalog and then I transferred in a different school again when I was in grade 5 but still I am part of the top 10 in class and what I have learned in grade 5 and 6 was how to write a short story. Before my imagination was so fascinating to the point that I really enjoyed writing short stories including me and my cousins. I also showed my cousin all my stories because I am that proud and because we are still young he was amazed because I wrote a lot. My first year in highschool was not easy because I am being bullied so my writing skills did not improved that much. I did not like attending classes and our activities does not requires us to write that much we are more on being creative in something else like creating dance steps, experimenting, solving math problem, arts and history. I felt like my highschool life really began when I transferred here in HAU when I was in grade 8. What I have learned in my first year in HAU was to write an essay both filipino and english and in grade 9 and 10 I have learned how to write a research paper but I felt like today as I looked back my research paper was not that great it was lacking lot of parts and it was nothing compared to our research paper now and I also learned on how to write a script on our role plays. In grade 11 and 12 I have learned a lot but I realized that I did not have a good relationship with writing as compared before because back then I really enjoyed writing stuff especially writing short stories but now I did not have the same imagination. Most of the time I feel like I am always buffering and I could not think properly. Creative writing refreshed my memories in writing because to be honest If I did not recall what I have learned before like writing stories, scripts, poems and many more in this subject I would not be able to write this essay. I can say that creative writing really helped me to have a broader knowledge in writing and it also helped me to improved my writing skills.  I thought that writing was easy and I already knew everything about it but this subject proved me wrong because now that I am already in grade 12. I knew that I struggled when it comes to writing and I also knew that I don’t have the best imagination and I am not the best writer in class.

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A little Inspiration to Strive and Make a Move | A Craft Essay by Jahleel Alfonso

When I was little, I liked to play with those street children with my cousins in a field full of trees, fresh airs, sand, and birds who were chirping that made us feel alive. We used to watch kites flying in expands, running through the wind, playing different tricks and pranks is all I knew.

I loved watching television when I have free time. I used to watch all day, watching those Filipino dramas and comedies. I'm not into English movies because I have a hard time understanding their language and I usually fell asleep when English movies were aired in TV.

On the other hand, I'm a kid who loved playing instruments like ukulele, guitar, and flute. I also loved dancing, even though dancing does not love me. In this hobby of mine, I learned how to be myself and love myself alone. I realized that I can enjoy, have fun, and appreciate simple things. I distance myself from others because they have given me some little chaos in this world.

Not until my high school year came, and my world turned and changed with a little happiness. I met people who are fun to get along with, I got friends who are still here up to this day. I’ve encountered a lot of events that year. I learned how interact with people who have a different culture, traditions, norms, way of life. Then writing came to me unexpectedly and it was a little bit skeptical. It is like I entered a world wherein I'm nowhere to be found.

In Grade 7, I was 13 years old that time, it was my first time to know the elements of the story. There were times that we will identify and analyze some stories in our English Subject. I mostly got a high score with that, but I wasn’t inspired in writing. Writing here is like you are in a jungle.

Again, I began to love reading short stories on Wattpad. Imagining those fantastic butterflies with my stomach and those unrealistic scenarios. But not until I'm the one who will write a short story when I was in grade 8, I was 14 years old at that time. It was hard to think of a story wherein it can be related to those people who will read. I'm confused at all times because I do not know where to start, what will happen to my story, and eventually, I gave up. But I saw my classmate's works and said to myself that "kaya mo ba yan? matatapos mo ba? ang panget ng gawa mo". Then I lost my confidence and the trust I had for myself. Writing is arduous.

Florante at Laura was our performance task in my Filipino Subject when I was 14 years old. I became part of the people who will be leading it. As a director, I needed to check and revise the script when it gets done. It was hard because there are a lot of script and page to scan and inspect. But in time, my teammates helped me and make the work easier and light. And Filipino was the medium of language I easily understood. It was a good experience because I became part of the leaders, and I knew how to have proper scriptwriting and how to handle a play. "Do not give up, keep on striving". Writing here is becoming buoyant.

At 15 years old, writing for me became lit and inspiring. We have a lot of role plays, stories to watch and play, and scripts to write in different subjects. My classmate and groupmate became competitive. I take writing at this time as a challenge. I can say that my works get better and improved than when I was starting. But I cannot deny the fact that it was mind-blowing. My grades became higher. I can say that I have achieved tiny attainment in writing this time.

Writing when I was 16 years old became stressful and aggravating. This is the time where I started having a mini-research in our English subject, research in Mathematics and solving, and lastly our Science Investigatory Project. I have researched some topics, articles that are related to our study and experimentation. I got to see different authors who have a different study. I was all new with this kind of writing, you are following some steps, and it is a process. But I graduated with flying colors in Grade 10 because I fulfilled those not so beautiful and wonderful prerequisites.

In my whole year of studying in Elementary and Junior High School in Magalang Christian Ecumenical School Incorporated, one thing that taught me how to love writing is that every time that we will have an examination, we are needed to memorize one-two or three Bible verses, and we will write it on the last part of our paper in GMRC or ESP subjects and write some reflection. I learned how to have a terrific perspective about life and towards other people. I learned how to see good things in all ways, to give respect, and to spread love.

One thing I am scared of is that I will transfer to another school and will have to say goodbye to the home where I'm able to develop my skills and capabilities and a home that welcomed me and meet a new family. But I enjoyed to in my new home which is the Holy Angel University. New challenges have come. New forms of activities which include writing make my life a roller coaster ride. I learned how to write a position paper, a lot of essays indeed, other creative stories, scripts for our plays, poems where I make myself free in the pain and hatred I'm feeling.

In my 17 and 18 years of existence, writing in this time become my getaway. My opinions became wider and my perspective in life became clearer. I have some points where I can fight for them with the help of writing. I'm able to be aware of and spread awareness and knowledge to those issues that are happening in society. Usually, I'm having a hard time with my grammar but I'm willing to learn and correct it. My teachers and my former adviser in my English subject helped me with my works for me to improved, enhanced, and expanded my works. I take their comments and suggestions positively for me to improve.

Writing is not easy, but if you will learn how to write and accept it, you will get some freedom within yourself, and use it as your escape. It's not all about the content, it is within your knowledge and passion for writing. Then everything will be in order and organized. When you write, always connect it with your heart. Not only with your mind. It is okay to fail sometimes, because failure will make you stronger and be inspired to keep on moving to have the betterment you are desiring.