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Justice by Ralph Semino Galan

Derision - the feeling that people express when they criticize and laugh at someone in an insulting way

The line from this poem by Ralph Semino Galan that struck me the most is, "he has to face the music of derision." It means that this certain person has to accept the fact that he has done something wrong and face the consequence of it. We are also reminded by this poem that only the truth shall set you free.

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Turban Legend (Excerpt from Leche) 

By R. Zamora Linmark

           This is a story about Vince who is a Filipino and is currently living in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is observing the people around him at the Honolulu International Airport. He seemed to have eyed at his “kababayan” or fellow Filipinos. Vince mentions the fact that when Filipinos are going back to their families in the Philippines, they bring so many balikbayan boxes.  These boxes are filled with canned goods like SPAM and Libby’s Vienna sausage, designer jeans (new or hand-me-down), travel sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion. But Vince also points out that these items inside the balikbayan boxes can be easily purchased at Duty Free which is outside the airport. Vince also mentioned a story that was told by his older sister Jing, wherein an engineer talked his roommate into checking him in as an excess baggage which was cheaper that a round-trip fare. But the man died of hypothermia. Vince didn’t buy the story and said that there were too many loopholes. It was a “turban legend.” Jing said that, “You’re missing the point, brother.” “It’s not the mechanics that matter.” “It’s about drama. The extremes a Filipino will go to just to go back home for Christmas with his family.”

           There are many Filipinos working abroad and sacrificing to give their families a better life. I salute them for being courageous enough to face the different cultures and traditions and accepting it, being brave enough to leave home, and not being with your family to celebrate birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries. I am grateful that both of my parents are here to guide me and my siblings in the right direction. I thank them for working very hard and for giving us what we need.

            Remember to always be grateful. 

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Literature

From the story, The Safe House by Sandra Nicole Roldan, the people who were not safe during the time of Martial Law was the perspective used by the writer. I was greatly intrigued by how the writer were to portray the lives of those who were "in hiding". Reading this story made me very curious of what really happened and what people experienced during the Martial Law. 

This story is about the people who are against Martial Law and how they cope to live with it. It highlights how an innocent young girl gets to live through a revolution happening outside her "safe house". It also shows the sacrifices she and her family had made. From her mom leaving them and her dad being arrested. To her childhood being ruined, to listening to words she doesn't need to hear. In the end, this girl would know and learn about the danger that is within this world.