wenierose

[wenierose]

ABOUT US

ALMARIE ORTIZ

A 17 year old girl academic achiever of Grade 12 Gas 1 from Bislig City National High School.

WENIE ROSE TANGMUAN

An 18 year old Miss Hardworking of Grade 12 Gas 1 student from Bislig City National High School.

IVY JOY BATISTIN

An 18 year old minion lover of Grade 12 Gas 1 student from Bislig City National High School.

RACHEL MAE CEDRO

A 16 year old girl dancer of Grade 12 Gas 1 student from Bislig City National High School.

EDITO CINCO

A 19 year old reserved type of a boy of Grade 12 Gas 1 student of Bislig City National High School.

JOMAR SATUROS

A 26 year old self-supportive boy of Garde 12 Gas 1 student from Bislig City National High School.

[wenierose]

TUBAG SA MANANANGGAL

(human hukmi sa Ginoo)

Corazon Almerino

Sige Lord, ibutang ko sa impyerno.

Sunoga ang akong lawas ug mga pako.

Pero sa dili pa ko nimo isugba,

Paminawa sa ko.

Manananggal bitaw ko.

Inig gabii dili ko makadulog

Sa akong bana, kay mamalbal ko.

Inig buntag dili ko makahugas

Sa mga plato; dili ko makalaba;

Dili sab ko makaluto kay mamawi

Ko sa akong katulog. Tam-is ra ba

Kaayo ang mga pagkahinanok,

Kay layo ang kab-ot sa akong

Mga pako. Walay manghulga nako

Og asin o abo. Walay holy water

Nga molimpyo sa akong lawas.

Lami kaayo ang mga tawo,

Ug tanan kabahin nila.

Lami kaayo. Kana bang kagumkom.

Aslom-aslom. Parat-parat. Tam-is.

Manananggal bitaw ko Lord.

Akong mga pako makakab-ot

Og mga bitoon. Akong dila

Motila sa kinahiladmang dapit

ANALYSIS:

Manananggal denotes a woman being judged just about by the 'indecency' as what they call it. In a humorous way, the author was able to establish the reflection of a woman, a prostitute, being judged by the society without even knowing the ground for such deed.The society often refer to such women disgusted that makes it look for them for the world to seem like hell.Sadly, women are often associated to just serve his man, do chores, staying at home.Even women wearing short and sexy clothing would then be labeled 'sluts', 'indecent', 'cheap' and any other name.Oftentimes, men take this as a ground to buy out women and sexually harass them as if they're a thing unable to feel anything.They are jugding them because of what they see ,not even thinking if they want to be like that. We cannot blame them for doing such thing, its their life ,they have their reason behind this action. Society shouldn't be judgemental for we dont know what they will feel when people kept on disregarding them. We dont have the right to let them feel that they dont belong in this society that were living. They are still human after all. A human that needs acceptance within human.

-RACHEL MAE CEDRO

[wenierose]

Friendship

Arian Rey Tejano

It is cosmic. But why do we try

reducing it precisely to habits?

Perhaps it sleeps, too, and wakes

to a new day like we do.

It sits momentarily, reviews a list of needs

and few serviceable tasks in a day.

Perhaps it looks for a quick inspiration, too.

A good call, or a response to a message

which has not been read for a couple of hours.

Neither circumstances nor excuses will ever

lose its value. After conflicts and neglects,

it restores and seeks itself again.

Perhaps it finds a new space

sometimes: once in a week, a month or two.

How long can it travel alone? It learns

where it stumbles upon itself.

It does not know it loves

because sometimes it reads too much.

It raises a mirror to itself and gazes

long at what it only wants to see,

and throws a question it cannot even answer.

Only when it demands, it delivers

a disappointed look.

It also hates and does not accept,

even itself. When it is in pain, it goes back

to where it once found itself easy.

It strangles with both hands but stops

to a sight of love, open as widening palms.

Then it goes home, empties out its pockets

full of ever-hefty disquiet.

Later, before it rests, it remembers

and holds a new precious thought.

Only it knows how it always wishes itself best.

ANALYSIS:

The author was implying about the nature of the title itself. As we continue our journey here on earth and blend with the people around us, we earn more and more friends.Which this would cause to lessen the time spent with the old ones. We tend to get more attached with the person with the same environment as we have than those old bonds.As a relative effect, the phenomena might also trigger disputes for it leads to more misunderstandings because of slowly losing contact with each other.From this, the bond might break but it would seek itself again eventually. If you two are really good friends, you'll find yourself reconciling with one another asking for another chance to bring back what you have in the past.Another perspective shown is a situation wherein a friend is being too demanding. If this happens, the other gets weary of the things and there is a possibility to detach oneself unable to carry the load of demands. Henceforth, the one that was left behind would just find itself reminiscing the good old days wishing the best for the other.

- IVY JOY BATISTIN

[wenierose]

ANG MGA KAGILA-GILALAS NA PAKIKIPAGSAPALARAN NI JUAN DELA CRUZ[i] (Sipi)

Jose F. Lacaba

1          Isang gabing madilim

2          puno ng pangambang sumakay sa bus

3          si Juan de la Cruz

4          pusturang-pustura

5          kahit walang laman ang bulsa

6          BAWAL MANIGARILYO BOSS

7          sabi ng konduktora

8          at minura

9          si Juan de la Cruz.

10        Pusturang-pustura

11        kahit walang laman ang bulsa

12        nilakad ni Juan de la Cruz

13        ang buong Avenida[ii]

14        BAWAL PUMARADA

15        sabi ng kalsada

16        BAWAL UMIHI DITO

17        sabi ng bakod

18        kaya napagod

19        si Juan de la Cruz.

20        Nang abutan ng gutom

21        si Juan de la Cruz

22        tumapat sa Ma Mon Luk[iii]

23        inamoy ang mami siopao

24        hanggang sa mabusog.

25        Nagdaan sa Sine Dalisay[iv]

26        tinitigan ang retrato ni Chichay[v]

27        PASSES NOT HONORED TODAY

28        sabi ng takilyera

29        tawa nang tawa.

30        Dumalaw sa Kongreso

31        si Juan de la Cruz

32        MAG-INGAT SA ASO

33        sabi ng diputado.

34        Nagtuloy sa Malakanyang

35        wala namang dalang kamanyang

36        KEEP OFF THE GRASS

37        sabi ng hardinero

38        sabi ng sundalo

39        kay Juan de la Cruz.

48        Pusturang-pustura

49        kahit walang laman ang bulsa

50        naglibot sa Dewey[vi]

51        si Juan de la Cruz

52        PAN-AM BAYSIDE SAVOY THEY SATISFY

53        sabi ng neon.

54        Humikab ang dagat na parang leon

55        masarap sanang tumalon pero

56        BAWAL MAGTAPON NG BASURA

57        sabi ng alon.

58        Nagbalik sa Quiapo

59        si Juan de la Cruz

60        at medyo kinakabahan

61        pumasok sa simbahan

62        IN GOD WE TRUST

63        sabi ng obispo

64        ALL OTHERS PAY CASH.

65        Nang wala nang malunok

66        si Juan de la Cruz

67        dala-dala'y gulok

68        gula-gulanit na ang damit

69        wala pa ring laman ang bulsa

70        umakyat

71        sa Arayat[vii]

72        ang namayat

73        na si Juan de la Cruz.

74        WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

75        sabi ng PC[viii]

76        at sinisi

77        ang walanghiyang kabataan[ix]

78        kung bakit sinulsulan

79        ang isang tahimik na mamamayan

80        na tulad ni Juan de la Cruz.

[i] sikat na tula noong panahon ng Batas Militar, binibigkas sa mga lansangan noon bilang protesta

[ii] Rizal Avenue sa Maynila

[iii] sikat na restawran ng mga pagkaing Tsino

[iv] sinehan sa Avenida

[v] sikat na komedyante noong panahong isinulat ang tula

[vi] kasalukuyang Roxas Boulevard

[vii] Arayat=bundok na kilala dati bilang pinagtataguan ng mga rebelde

[viii] Philippine Constabulary; Guardia Civil noong panahong iyon

[ix] mga aktibistang estudyanteng nagmumulat sa lipunan

ANALYSIS:

Ang kagilagilalas na pakikipagsapalaran ni Juan dela Cruz was a perfect paradigm for a throwback picture of Marcos regime.The main character plays the Filipino citizens who were deprived from freedom and rights.The persona was constrained at all things that made it seemed breathless to him. All his actions shall follow strict and unjust rules- laws that are not even humane.We all know that the power was held alone by the government. During those years, freedom isn't something that you can just ask for.People are treated with utmost superiority and coercion.And they just continued swallowing these concepts. But then there comes a time when the persona gets tired of absorbing such abuse that he learned to fight.He started gaging with rebellion to battle up with what he sees unjust.

- ALMARIE ORTIZ

[wenierose]

Sanayan Lang ang Pagpatay

By Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ

Pagpatay ng tao? Sanayan lang ‘yan pare.

Parang sa butiki. Sa una siyempre

Ikaw’y nangingimi. Hindi mo masikmurang 

Tiradurin o hampasing tulad ng ipis o lamok

Pagkat para bang lagi ‘yang nakadapo

Sa noo ng santo sa altar

At tila may tinig na nagsasabing

Bawal bawal bawal ‘yang pumatay.

Subalit tulad lang ng maraming bagay

Ang pagpatay ay natututuhan din kung magtitiyaga

Kang makinig sa may higit na karanasan.

Nakuha ko sa tiyuhin ko kung paanong balibagin ng tsinelas

O pilantikin ng lampin ang nakatitig na butiki sa aming kisame

At kapag nalaglag na’t nagkikikisay sa sahig

Ay agad ipitin nang hindi makapuslit

Habang dahan-dahang tinitipon ang buong bigat

Sa isang paang nakatingkayad: sabay bagsak. 

Magandang pagsasanay ito sapagkat

Hindi mo nakikita, naririnig lamang na lumalangutngot

Ang buo’t bungo ng lintik na butiking hindi na makahalutiktik.

(Kung sa bagay, kilabot din ‘yan sa mga gamu-gamo.)

Nang magtagal-tagal ay naging malikhain na rin 

Ang aking mga kamay sa pagdukit ng mata,

Pagbleyd ng paa, pagpisa ng itlog sa loob ng tiyan

Hanggang mamilipit ‘yang parang nasa ibabaw ng baga.

O kung panahon ng Pasko’t maraming paputok

Maingat kong sinusubuan ‘yan ng rebentador

Upang sa pagsabog ay magpaalaman ang nguso at buntot.

(Ang hindi ko lamang maintindihan ay kung bakit

Patuloy pa rin ‘yang nadaragdagan.) Kaya’t ang pagpatay ay nakasasawa rin kung minsan.

Mabuti na lamang at nakaluluwag ng loob

Ang pinto at bintanang kahit hindi mo sinasadya

At may paraan ng pagpuksa ng buhay.

Ganyang lang talaga ang pagpatay:

Kung hindi ako ay iba naman ang babanat;

Kung hindi ngayon ay sa iba namang oras.

Subalit ang higit na nagbibigay sa akin ng lakas ng loob

Ay ang malalim nating pagsasamahan:

Habang ako’y pumapatay, kayo nama’y nanonood.

ANALYSIS:

Sanayan lang sa pagpatay is about how the society were able to intensify its insensitivity. In the story, the persona wasn't comfortable of the idea of killing someone- even something. But as the poem goes on, killing became somewhat normal for people as time pass by. They just care less about the grief of other people unless they are related to the victim. Instead of showing concern, they would say "it suits them".It is stated that when you do something over and over again, it would seem like a cliche story.Meaning you'll just get used to it. That is the saddest thing about the world where we are right now.

- WENIE ROSE TANGMUAN

[wenierose]

Taphag

Teresa May Mundiz

Nong Porferio prepares the rice, eggs, and a roll of native cigarette for that day’s ritual. A son of a neighbor has had a fever for more than a week, and no medicine could seem to subside the illness. According to Anok, his grandson, they were just playing and shouting in the forest a fortnight ago. So Nong Porferio asked for Anok to help him do the taphag. It is also high time that his grandson learn their tribe’s ritual and panawagtawag.

“’Nok,” called out Nong Porferio, “can you please come out of the hut and help me here?”

Anok, in his brightly colored shirt and faded shorts, comes out of the hut. The boy lives with his grandfather because his school is just a kilometer away from his grandfather’s house. Both Anok and Nong Porferio have sunkissed skin, unkempt hair, lithe bodies, and honest faces. They are both Mandaya Kamayo living in Barangay Borboanan.

“Help me prepare the table for the taphag,” ordered Nong Porferio to the quizzical-faced Anok.

“Taphag-what?”

“Taphag is what we call our tribe’s ritual. During taphag, we prepare the table for our offerings to the spirits.”

“Are those rice and eggs for the spirits?” responded Anok almost with disbelief and excitement. He knows he is a Mandaya Kamayo, but he has not known about rituals or offerings all his 12-year-old life.

“Yes,” curtly replied Nong Porferio. “We have to do this because your friend has not been healed of his fever.”

Nong Porferio sets the buyo into the wooden mortar. He has to have his mama ready as well.

Anok, sensing the urgency of the taphag, quickly grabs on the bolo, goes at the back of the hut to get fresh banana leaves he will set on the table, then returns to where his grandfather is seen pounding the buyo for his mama.

“Tang, what else do we include in the taphag?” asked Anok. Indeed, he remembers another young boy whom he was playing weeks ago. He has not seen him after that, and he has heard about his fever. There was another neighbor who related on how this young boy’s stomach has swollen, too. “Tang?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, dong,” muttered Nong Porferio. “Please take out the chicken in the pot, and place it on the ritual table. Do not even try to put salt into it.”

“Why?”

“You know, the spirits…” jokingly responded the old man. “There has to be sweets like candies on the table, then, some rhum. But, again, no salt.”

Anok balances the pale chicken on the sartin plate as he walks towards the bamboo table filling up the gifts for the taphag. He sees his grandfather’s favorite rhum, still unopened, the eggs whose raw, hardened shell has the same color as the unsalted chicken, and a lot of candies. He wants one, but he has seen how Nong Porferio is also eyeing him. His eyes telling him, Do not steal from the spirits. Embarassed, Anok walks away from the table.

“They will be here in a minute,” remarked Nong Porferio.

“Nong!” came a shout from the distance. There are also other voices, leaves ruffling. They have visitors.

“Uy! come here,” ushered the old man. “Come near here in the table. I am almost done.”

Along with the entourage is the sick boy. He looks really frail, and his eyes have dark circles under them. His mother has been crying. “Please heal him, Tang.”

“We have to make peace, and ask the spirit to heal him,” came the reply.

Then, changing his usual clothes with a vest, and a piece of undergarment, both grandfather and Anok gather up the kamanyan leaves to build a fire. Anok fans the smoke as it rises up on air. Chewing on his mama, Nong Porferio lifts one by one the items on the table. He then chants a prayer, and moves toward the sick boy.

The smoke continues to rise, along with the taphag. Anok looks at his grandfather with pride and awe. He has not seen him in trance. Nong Porferio, in his old age, still moves lightly, circling the sick boy. And he guides the boy to move with him.

Anok feels the wind blowing, rustling the leaves of the trees around them. He sees the boy kneeling, his grandfather still in trance. Then, silence falls.

“Nay,” a weak voice came. It is the sick boy. His face no longer pale. A little smile forms his mouth.

“The spirits heal!”

“The spirits forgive!”

When everyone of the family gathers around the boy, Anok, also in trance, walks toward his grandfather. Nong Porferio is slumped, his head bowed down. He has fallen asleep after the taphag

ANALYSIS

Taphag mirrors the traits and culture a kamayo mandaya tribe have. Even up to this so called "millennial" generation, it is inevitable to have noted about the existence of such beliefs for spiritual beings. In the short story, Nong Porferio plays the role of a traditional healer who performs the ritual called taphag with the help of his grandson Anok.This shows how rich the Filipino culture is. Due to the evolution brought by time, this poem could serve as a refreshment for us to remember the tradition we once have and is now slowly fading.The traditional way of healing sicknesses that are believed to be caused by unknowable creatures that are mentioned in the Text were the giving of offerings and performing the rituals with smokes and Chants.The story is mainly about Nong Porferio and Anok who perform the ritual to help ease the sickness that their neighbor had. They've prepared the materials needed. After, the conflict was solved resulting to the healing of the boy. Nong Porferio has slept after the ritual.

- JOMAR SATUROS

[wenierose]

Bago Aplaya

by Macario Tiu

Hinay ang tapya sa balod

Ug nagsugod na ang taob.

Namasbas ang pari sa bangkang de motor,

Ug lakip tang nawiskan sa bendita.

Uban sa mga gagmayng mananagat nga nanag-alirong.

Nalipay ako sa ilang kalipay

Nga nakaangkog himan sa panagat:

mao kana ang atong gisaulog.

Apan hinay ang tapya sa balod

Ug nagsugod na ang taob.

Ug sama sa karaang magbabalak,

Akong nabati ang walay kataposang kasubo

Nga dala sa balod.

Apan dili tungod sa pangagho sa katawhan

kondili sa akong kaugalingong kahimtang.

Ugma, mobiya ka na sa hangtod

Samtang hinay ang tapya sa balod

Ug magsugod na ang taob

ANALYSIS:

As we read the poem, we sense a sudden change of emotions. In the first part, the character was rejoicing together with the fishermen in celebration for the blessing of the new pump boat by the priest. But on the latter part of the piece, there shows a sudden transition from being happy and rejoiceful to being downcast. In the context of the poem, the first part reflects about a wife who shares the happiness with the people as to what they are celebrating. The boat would help them sail for fish that could sustain their living. The fish symbolizes life. But then, the wife was sad for the blessing means that her husband would go for another sailing. The boat might beget death to her husband. She isn't sure as to what might happen when they sail. For this, she only hopes for the best and wait until he comes back.

~Edito Cinco

[wenierose]

BONSAI

By: Edith Tiempo of Nueva Vizcaya (Cagayan Valley)

All that I love

I fold over once

And once again

And keep in a box

Or a slit in a hollow post

Or in my shoe

All that I love?

Why, yes but for the moment-

And for all time, both.

Something that folds and keeps easy,

Son’s note, or Dad’s one gaudy tie,

A roto picture of a young queen

A blue Indian shawl, even

A money bill.

It’s utter sublimation,

A feat, this heart’s control

Moment to moment

To scale all love down

To a cupped hand’s size.

Till seashells are broken pieces

From God’s own bright teeth,

All life and love are real

Things you can run and

Breathless hand over

To the merest child

ANALYSIS:

All of us are longing for love. We seek this from the people whom we consider dear and expects to get the same intensity. But love, in its greatest evolution, is being something unconditional. A kind of love that we see from our parents toward us. That even though we may be stubborn at all times and do nothing but to make their head aches, still they accepts us and continue to be there for us especially through hard times. Second, is the love of the two lovers toward each other. Two persons who love each other unconditionally, always gets through any obstacles holding hands. But of course all of us wouldn't overcome the challenges just by ourselves but with the help of the greatest Devine, our God. He, I can say, is the greatest giver of this kind of love. For every mistakes, He intensify more His love that He showers us to make us feel loved and unleft. To make us see that there is better yet to do than those sins we are currently doing. Bad or good, He loved us endlessly without asking anything in return.That, I can say, is an unconditional love. Something that is absolute, complete, and constant at any given situation.

- RACHEL MAE CEDRO

[wenierose]

New Yorker In Tondo

Mareelino Agana, Jr.

There once was a girl in Binondo, basically she’s a “Binondo girl, named Kikay. She used to study Hair Culture and Beauty Science in New York. After a year, she returned in the country bringing New York with her manner, looks, style and her speaking gesture. She don’t even want to call her “Kikay” but instead ” Francesca.”

Eventually, her secret Fiancé, Tony had heard she was just arrived. Together with Kikay’s childhood friends, Tony and Nena went and visited her into her house, they wait her ’til she woke up.

As she woke up, she straightaway amuse her friends. But all of a sudden the “Kikay” they knew was utterly change. Upon conversation, she kept comparing things and all those stuffs in New York and in Tondo.

One right moment, Kikay and her Fiancé, Tony talked. And he opened the matter of their engagement before she leaved. But this rude Kikay brusquely don’t pay attention. Cheekily, she apprised him that being engaged to him is just a childish act. To make sense, she paradoxically deteriorate Tony by making him realize an “ordinary Tondo Boy will marry a New Yorker girl.” Tony was very aggravate to Kikay and expressed his resentment that New York didn’t bear her any good.

As she deeply apprehend what Tony told her, she now effectuated. She asked Tony for forgiveness and promised him that she will be the girl he used to know, “Kikay the original.” Regretfully, she told him that the girl he was conversing was dead and Kikay is back. And because of Tony’s intense love for her, he forgave her and hug each other.

ANALYSIS:

The poem entails about someone who have long migrated to newyork and when she went back to her town, her peers and fiance have wondered about the sudden change of attitude. They think that it may be brought about of the latter environment she was into. But otherwise, they were being understandng as they can be. Then the situation got even worse that the fiance couldnt help it but to corect her wrong actions Later on, she realizes what she did wrong. This only implies that wherever you may go, though you may adapt other people's culture,you must not forget that of yours. Not because you have gone somewhere far and you referred as "better" than where you have originated, doesnt mean that you have to change yourself too. Remain who you are to keep up those people that you have from the start.

- Ivy Joy Batistin

[wenierose]

Disgrasyada (English version)

Erlinda K. Alburo

That's the movie showing next street. 

But so what, Inday, if they call you disgraced 

because they say you're a mother but not a wife? 

Someone said---a poet from somewhere--- 

That a rose by any name would smell as sweet. 

How good it will be to have a child to bring up 

Who will roll you a plum-leaf cigarette 

Especially a girl who will rouse you from a bad dream 

and sing while darning the traces of your sweat 

and if a boy he will know how to fetch water 

slide down the coconut tree and let dance the bamboo pole. 

So there, who then is truly disgraced: 

the poor mother who is not a wife 

or the wife who has neither child nor husband? 

ANALYSIS:

The piece talk up about us not to mind what may be the perspective of the world towards us. People has always something to say whatever your action will be. So do not live for their satisfaction for you aren't born to please all of them. Live as to what you wanna be- just as yourself. For if there is someone who knows you best, its you yourself. So what if you are a 'disgraced woman', as they call it, just because you are bearing a child without being married? It doesnt make you less of a woman. In fact, you just have received something worth to cherished. May it come from a dismal situation, still you must be grateful for the gift of life. It is much more better than a wife not having a child and a husband.

- Wenie Rose Tangmuan

[wenierose]

To His Coy Seatmate

Poetry by Jeff Javier | February 17, 2008

(After Cecille Laverne dela Cruz)

 |          |

  |          |

 |          |

  |          |

  A          B

Two parallel lines, fated never to meet in a two dimensional plane.

If you place line A

to compliment line B,

you’ll end up with a telephone pole.

Santa Claus flies to all children,

from North to South, good and bad to give

candies and charcoals – all around the magnetic pole.

If you’ll allow me,

let me talk you into a vision

where the world melts like chocolate

and every day will become Christmas day. Things

will fly that every concept is nothing but good and good.

I’ll even let you come to play in Santa’s factory.

Come, then.

I’ll talk my tongue onto your pole.

ANALYSIS:

Our journey in life is most likely composed of people that may come and go. The poem talks about two people who are fated to just see each other but not to stay together. The parallel lines describes the situation where in people are apt not to meet halfway. For if forced, the relationship would end up like a telephone pole which would be a ground for endless dispute for the both of them. But then, the foundation of this being feasible is merely understanding each others ' differences. If you attan this, a vision of your relationship being as sweet as never before that is described by the author as the world that melts like chocolate, overflowing with happiness that was stated in the poem to be an everyday christmas day, and looking into your partner's all good sides. Those things mentioned would indeed bring up your bond inflicting you two to stay with each other.

- Almarie Ortiz