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(One Act Play)

By: Sean Andrei Valencia

A FAMILY DINNER

A One-Act Play

By

Sean Andrei S. Valencia

CHARACTERS

Shang – 18-year-old teenager

Mr. Grande – Shang’s Dad

TIME

The story happens in the evening during the family dinner.

PLACE

At the Grande Hotel.

Scene 3

Dinner time. Grande Hotel Dining Room. Shang’s parents are seated at the dinner table waiting.

Shang came. Mr. Grande stared at Shang with anger in his eyes.

MR. GRANDE

Where have you been Shang? I have noticed that you’ve been getting home late these past few days? Busy about something perhaps?

Shang

I’ve been with my friend Chan and we are doing charity works around Baguio?

Mr. GRANDE

You mean the delivery boy who drives a cheap motorcycle? How can he manage to have a charity work when he can barely feed himself to?

SHANG

You’re so rude dad! Chan’s my friend and he is very kind and intelligent!

MR. GRANDE

You’re just a teenager and you know nothing! He can put your life into danger by driving around the streets of Baguio with that motorcycle!

SHANG

You know what dad? I feel more safer whenever I’m with Chan and riding around the streets of Baguio rather than laying around here in the hotel doing nothing but your will!

MR. GRANDE

Silence! I don’t want to see you with that boy ever again! He is not good for you and for the name of the family.

(Stands up)

SHANG

No dad! All my life I’m doing everything for the family and the company’s sake. I feel like my life is already planned out and I don’t like it. I think it’s time to choose my own fate.

MR. GRANDE

Choose your fate. But why him?

SHANG

Dad I love him. I’m sorry but you can’t see him the way that I do.

MR. GRANDE

But you don’t see the future that I have planned for you.

SHANG

So don’t judge him. He is a very determined and hard-working man, just like you.

MR GRANDE

(Laughs)Just like me? He will be never be like me!

SHANG

Dad, remember where you started your just a janitor back then who fell in love with mom who is at the upper class of society.

(Shang leaves his dad with a sad smile and goes up to her room.)

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(Unconventional Poem)

Author: Rivera, Keanna Marise N.

Every day, I keep moving forward,

Is all we need and it should be.

Looking to the future is more meaningful,

Than think about present,

Develop your future while remaining connected to reality.

Keep striving for your goal until you achieve it.

You shape your own destiny,

Setting life goals for a better future.

Learn from past mistakes,

Make things right in near future.

Live life to the fullest.

Photo credits: Aidana Khabdesh on Unsplash

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(Conventional Poem)

Author: Rivera, Keanna Marise N.

Wish we could go back in time,

Where it used to be happy.

Seeing the sun bright shine at daytime,

Now, seeing the sun shine looks snappy.

Memories still here,

Where small thing is enough.

But all the happiness disappear,

Like life have been bluff.

Moments we may cherish,

For the rest of our lives.

The life we lived before have been perish,

Wishing my childhood to be relived.

The past inspires us,

And all we need is to adjust.

Photo credits: Brittney Weng on Unsplash

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Zephyr of coldness in a dark night sky,

Gazing the starlight of darkness,

Wrapped by the scenery of tomorrow,

Can’t hold you tight nor see you mine.

Mesmerize by the color of your eyes,

Deprived me by the scent of your soul,

Yet drowned by the cursed of pain,

Shall I condone thee to bring light.

Desiring my moon by the glimpse of infinity,

The heart of mine in pieces left,

Thee light of dream is in zir hands,

Might I be trust you, little shadow of mine.

Imprisonment of broken heart,

Signing of hesitation in future,

Thou alleviate the wound within me,

Clever enough to find my way to you.

Author: Pineda, Juliana Michaela A.

Photo credits: Aidana Khabdesh on Unsplash

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The series of changes is inevitable,

Forbidden rule of devotion never exists,

Parallel dimension makes us invisible,

Beyond no antidote of love hypothesis.

See the reverse world in endless sleep,

Aroused by the sweet bibliophile,

Confused of the shared relationship,

Linger for the clock glimpse the worthwhile.

When we stand before two hearts as one,

Ripped by the shadows cease to comply,

Strength of our denied is good as none,

Aspire freedom insist not to cry.

The chapters of our story, comes to an end,

Obliviate the memories, I shall pretend.

Author: Pineda, Juliana Michaela A.

Photo credits: Brittney Weng on Unsplash

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POISON A One-Act Play By Jose Marie T. Nabong

TIME The time is the present. PLACE An old house in Cebu, Philippines

SCENE 5 Dinner time. Old house’s dining area. HAZEL waits at the gate, scrolling through social media. CAR HORN is heard. TRISTAN Appears alongside PAOLO and HAZEL opens the gate. 

                                                     PAOLO

Hey, babe! (Hugs HAZEL and kiss her forehead) Am I late for the dinner? Traffic is heavy, cars were not moving in there. Thank you for waiting. (Whispers on HAZEL) What is Tristan's purpose in being here? 

                                                     HAZEL 

Hi, babe! (Hugs PAOLO back) Hmm, Tristan is joining with us tonight. 

                                                    TRISTAN 

What’s up dude? Hi, Hazel! I brought some wine, your father loves wine, isn’t he? (smiles) HAZEL Yup, he would love that! (Smiles back) Let us get inside, dad cooks for us. He’s waiting us inside.

TRISTAN (Enters the gate with PAOLO) I’ve been waiting for this day. Finally, I could join everyone to a dinner. By the way, I love your house, Hazel. (Beholding HAZEL’S house) 

                                                    PAOLO 

(Evils look at TRISTAN) HAZEL (Smiles) Wait for me there, I’ll just lock the gate. (Locks the gate and goes in to the kitchen) 

                                                    HAZEL 

(Holds the plate) Dad, Here’s Tristan (Points TRISTAN) Tristan, here’s my dad (Points ALBERT TRISTAN Hey, sir! I brought you some wine, Hazel have mentioned that you’re a big fan of wines. I hope you like it. (Hands over the wine)

                                                    ALBERT

 (Chuckles) Oh, Hazel is being noisy. I’ve no secrets left to tell. (Laughs)                                                                  

                        ��                           PAOLO

Babe, let me help with those plates. Go find your place, I’ll serve everyone (takes the plates and serves it on the table) 

                                                    PAOLO 

(Smells the dish) This food smells delicious, sir! I can’t wait to taste your specialty. (Places the pot on the table) 

                                                    ALBERT

(chuckles) Thank you, Paolo. I’ve been cooking since my early age, I guess, cooking is my hobby. (Speaks proud and laughs) 

                                                     HAZEL

Okay, let us pray guys. (Leads the prayer) Let’s eat! TRISTAN (Hands the pot to HAZEL)  Here, let me serve you. You’ve been so good to me during our high school days. Let me serve you, queen! (Laughs)

                                                     HAZEL 

You don’t have to do that. I can do it by myself. (Smiles weirdly at everyone) 

                                                    PAOLO

 (Weird looks at TRISTAN) Here babe! Taste this, your father is really good at cooking. I hope I could learn some secret recipe from him.

                                                    ALBERT 

                                                   (Laughs) 

                                                  TRISTAN 

                            (Pours the rice and the food on his plate)

You know what sir, I’ve fallen in love with your daughter when we were in high school, don’t get me wrong. But apparently, she’s in love with Paolo up until know. (Slowly nods) You’re so lucky dude. Don’t hurt her. 

                                                    PAOLO 

                                                (Makes face)

Of course. (Nods) It’s a man thing. I don’t treat women the same thing with bad boys. (Pours the rice on his plate)

                                                  TRISTAN 

(Raises eyebrows) Well, Hazel would be very lucky as well. (Romantically touches HAZEL’S shoulder.) You’re with a man. 

                                                   PAOLO 

                                                   (scoffs)

                                                   HAZEL 

                         (Moves shoulder and keeps quiet for a while)

                                                   ALBERT 

So, what do you do for a living, Tristan? Do you still study? (Smiles at TRISTAN)                                                    TRISTAN

                                 (Fixes posture and stops eating) 

Well, I graduated same year with Paolo, sir. (Speaks arrogantly) But I already own famous local clothing store here in the Philippines which has 4 branches around the country. (smiles)

                                                    ALBERT 

                                                     (Nods)

That’s nice. With that young age you already own business. Now I know the reason why you brought me some wine. (laughs) 

                                                    PAOLO

                                          (Eats uncomfortably) 

                                                   TRISTAN 

                                                    (laughs)

                                                    PAOLO 

Maybe, we could taste the wine then? Let me serve it for you. (Grabs HAZEL’S hand) Common, help me. 

                                                    PAOLO 

                                           (Takes wine glass)

What was that babe? Those weird touches? Is that why you invited him for a dinner? (Makes face while pours the wine in a wine glass) 

                                                    HAZEL 

                                         (Holds the wine glass)

It’s nothing babe, we’re just friends. That’s all. Seems like you’re accusing me that I’m cheating on you. I should go back in there. (Frowns and leaves the kitchen)

                                                   PAOLO 

             (Looks back and checks if there is someone behind his back) 

(whispers) I don’t want you to be the reason of our break up. I have to end your life. I’ve been jealous for your ever since you came.

                                                   PAOLO 

(Takes out the poison on his pocket and pours in TRISTAN’S drink. Goes to the dining area) 

Hey guys! Here’s the drink. (Serves the drink and mistakenly gives the drink with poison to ALBERT) 

                                                    PAOLO

Let me raise a toast to the girl I love most in the whole world. Cheers! (Clinks the glasses) 

                                                    ALBERT

                                             (Drinks the wine) 

(Smiles) This is so good. 

                                                    PAOLO 

                                         (Stares at TRISTAN)

                                                    HAZEL

Oh my god. Yes, this is so good. I guess it’s expensive (astonish) 

                                                  TRISTAN 

Yes, this is one of a kind. I brought this one for the us. (smiles) 

                                                   ALBERT 

                               (Falls down the chair and dies)

                                                    HAZEL 

(shocks) Dad! Dad! (Goes to that and checks his pulse) Dad is not breathing (cries) What happened? Why did this happen? (shouts) 

                                                   PAOLO 

(Stuns and keeps quiet)

                                                  TRISTAN 

Sir! (Shakes ALBERT’S body and shouts) Call 911 

                                                    PAOLO 

                                         (Stuns and stays quiet) 

                                     (EVERYONE keeps silence) 

                                                     HAZEL 

                                                (Cries loudly) 

                                                    PAOLO 

(Cries) I’m sorry babe (Shaking) I put some poison but that isn’t for your dad. It supposed to be for him. 

                                                     HAZEL 

                                                    (shocks)

(Shout) How could you do that! You’re a demon! (Cries and throw plate on PAOLO) 

                                                    PAOLO 

                                           (Dodges the plate) 

I’m sorry babe, I did that out of my jealousy. Forgive me! (Begs and kneels)  

                                                  TRISTAN 

                             (Keeps quiet and silently calls police)

                                                    HAZEL 

I couldn’t take this. I can’t believe I loved someone that could kill a person. (Cries and drinks the left-over wine with poison) 

                                                  TRISTAN

                                            (Pushes HAZEL) 

(Shouts) Nooooo! HAZEL (Dies on the floor) 

                                                 TRISTAN 

                                           (Shouts and cries)

You’re a monster! (Punches PAOLO) 

                                                  PAOLO 

                                          (Pushes TRISTAN)

It’s all your fault! This will never happen if you just leave us alone! (Punches TRISTAN)

                                         (Police siren heard)

                                                 TRISTAN

You will rot in jail! 

                                                 PAOLO 

                              (Takes out the poison and drinks) 

                                                TRISTAN

                                                 (shocks) 

What did you do? (Wide-opens eyes)

                                                 PAOLO 

                                                  (Dies) 

                                           (TRISTAN sits) 

                                               BLACKOUT

Photo credits: Liya Shin on Unsplash

#CreativeWriting

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“The truth runs marathon, while lie run spirit.”

Mila was found in the trash by Delya, who was kind to her. She loved Mila so much, like a real grandchild, she taught her good manners. Mila is kind, smart, and brave, so she can defend herself against her oppressors, and she helps her grandmother with selling their vegetable garden. 

She has two best friends, Yna and Emma. They always help her when she needs it. They are the ones she runs to when she has a problem because she knows they can relieve her sadness and problems, especially on the days of her birthday when she was not with her parents. 

It was too late when Mila saw her parents dead. The servant of her parents was shocked when she saw Mila, the one and only daughter of the king and the queen, and she didn't expect that her parents were rich, and they were king and queen, and she was a princess. 

She is the one to inherit the property left by her parents, but Victoria does not agree that the property should go to her, so she planned to kill Mila, but she did not win because Mila was a smart and brave child. She defended herself even when she was alone and even when she was young. 

When Mila's grandmother found out what happened to Mila's parents, she confessed to Mila that she had conspired with Victoria and ordered her to kill Mila when she was a baby because she needed her husband's treatment that day, but she didn't. He couldn't do that to Mila, so he just ran away from Mila and took care of her like a real grandchild. 

Mila was very angry with Victoria, so she fought it and took all her property from her, which was her right to take from her. "You are so greedy, I didn't get along with my parents because of you," Mila said to Victoria. 

The two fought over the gorge, and when Victoria was about to kill Mila, her friend Emma came and pushed Victoria into the gorge, where Victoria finally died. 

Mila won and got her rights, and she shared her wealth with her countrymen and her friends, as well as her grandmother. She lived a happy life.

Author: Dizon, Alwina R.

Photo credits:  Valentina Ivanova on Unsplash

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BROKEN STRINGS by Melissa Lawingco

"Again. Again. Again"

The words keep replaying in Elise's head like a broken record. Lately, she's been out of it she knows that. Hands lie immobile against her strings, her mind and body refusing to play. It’s embarrassing, being the best guitarist in their band and the inability to play dents her ego.

Elise’s fingers graze the strings. The strings are a gift from her parents, a wish of "good luck" as her band performance comes close. Her room is nothing too out of the ordinary, except for the mess she’s left unkempt on her floor, bed, and chairs. The young musician’s mother never failed to remind her daughter of the mess — but she’d rather hold her guitar and stare into nothing like what she does right now.

"What am I doing this for?" she ponders to herself. She admits that it doesn’t make her happy anymore but what could she do? Her parents rely on her to do well so that they have a daughter to boast about with their friends. Little did they know she’s been playing hooky and skipping practices and lessons.

She remembers being a small child, holding an instrument for the first time, instantly falling in love with how she felt when she created beautiful music. Those were the better times. Ecstatic whenever she learned a new song and immediately running to her parents for a small show.

Things now are much different of course. Every talent competition she’s competed in boosts her confidence in a way that nothing else could, and she loves it. So much so that she always desires more, craving it until she made it her goal to be better until she was the best.

“You were so good”

“I wish I was that talented”

“Wow! What a performance!”

Her thoughts are put on halt by a knock on her door, a creak from the door produced from the opening motion. Elise’s mother comes in with a plate of her daughter’s favorite dessert in her hand. “I assume you must be hungry since you haven’t been outside your room the whole day.”

“Oh? I’m okay! Don’t worry about it” she assures her elder, taking the offering to her. Taking a bite off the cheesecake is the most relieving feeling in the world, the cold feeling against her tongue makes her forget about her problems even for a second. That feeling soon ends when her mother asks a very interesting question.

“May I ask why you have been skipping practice?” Elise stops in her tracks, pausing mid bite, sweat forming on her forehead. Silence dominates the room for a moment before her mother spoke again. “Why have you been skipping practices? Do you think that we’re dumb enough to not know anything?” the tone in her voice much more serious, almost bordering on shouting too.

Elise flinches from her mother’s increased volume, keeping quiet before tears form around her eyes and she sobs quietly with her head tilting towards the floor. The plate in her hand falls along with the cake staining her already dirty floor. “I’m sorry” she finally speaks after a short moment, her nails clawing at the scars she has on her hands, courtesy from constantly playing the stiff guitar strings. The young girl, still sobbing when she spoke, her hands covering her face, feeling embarrassed to face her mother.

“I don’t think I can play anymore”

Photo by Valentina Ivanova on Unsplash

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My journey of writing Essay

What exactly is writing? For me, writing is an activity in which individuals express themselves or educate others about something they are educated about. Writing is so integral to every element of life that it is a part of daily existence and has a significant role in defining who we are as individuals. Writing is critical for communication, and it is a journey that everyone must take.

What I do recall is that I didn't particularly appreciate writing as a child. However, when I reached my adolescent years, I discovered and developed a tremendous enthusiasm for essay writing. During my junior high school years, I became interested in writing and began reading various books, which increased my enjoyment and love for the material I read. While writing is still challenging at times due to the subjective nature of writing.

Reading a book improves my writing because I pay attention to the grammar used and apply it to my work. My first essay was difficult for me to write. I didn't know where to begin. I have a strong attitude, and I know what I want to say when it comes to writing an essay, but I lack confidence when it comes to writing.

To assist build my confidence, I constantly tell myself that I am capable of writing, which increases my enthusiasm and eagerness to study. For me, writing requires a significant amount of time and work. My writing practice will help me achieve academically by allowing me to express myself and, I believe, by building my confidence in my ability to create a challenging and good essay.

I like writing in various contexts because it pushes me to improve as a writer, and I am aware that higher education is more challenging. I used some form of writing throughout my writing life; writing is a form of communication; writing is exceptionally complex; writing is learnable, and writing has been highly reflective of my writing process because I have been on a journey. My journey toward reflection and growth continues as I write every day.

Author: Mangiliman, Andrei T.

#CreativeWriting 

Photo credits: Annie Spratt on Unplash

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My Journey as a writer 

I don't write because someone told me to, I write to escape, imagine, visualize and enjoy my journey in writing. - Bandong J.S.

At the age of  7, I was so young yet so curious about writing. In a very young age, I started to love books more than toys. I would tell my mom to buy me a book at the bookshop. It made me realize back then how wonderful those stories that I have read and also realize, how can a person write this? I collected some books that made my bored go away and that's when I started to love books and let my imagination run wild. It made me realize now that I'm so young back then that I started to give love for these things. At this age, I also started writing a Diary and I have a lot of it and I treasured it because I love to read what I write down. 

At the age of 12, writing was my way of how I wanted to escape reality. It made me realize there is much more in this world waiting for me to write it all down with all of my imaginations. At this age, I read a lot of books and now I'm on the next stage where I wanted to be an Author. Yes, I wanted to be an Author and then luckily I discovered a app where you can write stories and let people read about it and I was so excited that I started writing. It was not that perfect because it was my first time writing and I didn't know how to organize it. But I didn't give up and continue writing my story called "Perfect Strangers". 

At the age of 15, writing is still in me. My first story was not that successful so I started a new one called "One Step Closer" and it was one of my best works ever because it reached almost 2 thousand views from other people reading my story. I know it is not that many but it is an achievement for me to have that many viewers from my story where people also comment that they want a new update on my story. I was really motivated and very inspired to write because of it. I Think I can write 2-3 chapters in a day. 

As I get older and we had some classes that talks about how to write stories, poems or novels. I started to learn and improve my writing skills. But there we're some times that I struggle from writing. I lost touch to it due to all the works I have to do and I have no time to write. It was very sad to lose something you always love to do. Writing gave me comfort in every way, when I'm sad or happy, I write it all down with my feelings. I write my feelings to it when writing, especially in poems. I also started to love write poems because I appreciate how I can write my true feelings in it. 

Now, I got older again and I'm finally 18 years old. I still continue to write as I find motivation and inspiration in writing. I started a new story which I really love writing because I really put my effort to it. I will never get tired of writing stories because it is my sweetest escape where I can go to another world where I take control of everything. I also enjoy writing anything because it reminds me a lot of things why I started writing it. Writing belongs to my heart that I wanted to do forever as I can. 

Author: Bandong, Jeremiah Shaina S.

#creativewriting 

photo credits: Annie Spratt on Unplash