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The people behind this blog are the following: Kaira Akut, Alexis Cinco, Jasimah Gutoc, Jether Faburada, Nicole Rodes, and Raizel Tibayan.  This blog contain all the literary works of these writers which they have crafted for the past 4 months. All the works that you will be reading here are an extension of these writers’ lives. We hope that you will have a good time reading them all. Thank you for the unwavering support!

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

MEMOIRES

Memoir by Kaira Akut

Next Time by Alexis Cinco

Memoir: My First Encounter with Passion by Jether Faburada

A Child’s Greatest Fear by Jasimah Gutoc

Turning Point by Nicole Rodes

Memoir by Raizal Tibayan

TRAVEL ESSAYS

Travel Essay by Kaira Akut

Disconnect by Alexis Cinco

Where in the World is Jimenez, Misamis Occidental? by Jether Faburada

A Memorable Trip to Dakak by Jasimah Gutoc

Trip to Café sa Bukid by Nicole Rodes

Travelogue by Raizel Tibayan

ANECDOTES

Anecdote by Kaira Akut

Eventful Celebrations by Alexis Cinco

My Mom’s Humor by Jether Faburada

A Piece of Burger by Jasimah Gutoc

River by Nicole Rodes

Anecdote by Raizel Tibayan

LITERARY REPORTAGE

Literary Reportage by Kaira Akut

Grey Hairs and Life Stories by Alexis Cinco

Literary Journalism by Jether Faburada

A Wholesome Two-week Journey at Oro Pahulayan by Jasimah Gutoc

Immersion Journal by Nicole Rodes

Literary Journalism by Raizel Tibayan

REFLECTIONS

Reflection by Kaira Akut

Behind Every Smile by Alexis Cinco

Reflection Paper by Jether Faburada

Why? Just why? by Jasimah Gutoc

Silver Lining by Nicole Rodes

Reflection Paper by Raizel Tibayan

TESTIMONIES

Testimonio by Kaira Akut

Many Are Called, but Few Are Chosen by Alexis Cinco

Personal Essay: Testimony by Jether Faburada

Closer and Farther by Jasimah Gutoc

Prochóra brostá by Nicole Rodes

Personal Testimony by Raizel Tibayan

CRITIQUES

Critique by Kaira Akut

A Critique Paper on Nicole Rodes’s Trip to Café sa Bukid by Alexis Cinco

Critique Paper by Jether Faburada

A Critique on “Happiness’ Just Around the Corner” by Jasimah Gutoc

A Critique on “Disconnect” by Nicole Rodes

Critic Paper by Raizel Tibayan

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Memoire

by Kaira Akut

This essay is about a very unexpected experience of meeting someone new. Having to meet this person has brought happiness and inspiration in my life and I would always feel grateful for this unexpected plot twist.

            I was bored on a Saturday morning, thinking about what I could do to pass time. There it hit me “what if I try to use Omegle?”. Little did I know that I was going to meet someone that would mean the world to me one day. 30 minutes has passed and I still couldn’t find someone worth talking to but then I was finally matched with someone who made feel so curious to figure out who that person was. We chatted and chatted and I have never felt more comfortable with someone in my life. This person and I gave each other clues about our identity. It’s funny how this special someone figured out who I was but I didn’t even have a clue who he or she is. When this person found out who I was, I was immediately given a nickname and then I did the same.

            We called each other “Bababs”. Hours have passed and I still didn’t know who Bababs was. I was dying to know this person’s real name. We would talk about anything that would come to our minds - school, friends, food, happy moments, sad moments, you name it. We talked until 2am and we still wanted to talk each other more but we eventually head off to bed and sleep. When I woke up in the morning, I realized that a random person from twitter messaged me, it was Bababs. Again, we talked and talked until it was night. Every word shared with this person made me happy and I was more than grateful to meet this person. At the end of the day I figured out who Bababs was - Bababs was a girl.

            After a week of talking, we decided to meet up and go on a “laag”. I was so nervous and so excited at the same time to meet her in person. We decided to meet up at a store near Xavier University. The moment I saw her, I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. We immediately clicked and it felt like we’ve known each other for a long time. We went to Chingkeetea and Bababs treated me with a drink there. While we were sitting in the store facing each other, I realized that I have grown attached to this person. Nobody else makes me feel the way she does and I was scared for that. Is she going to be there until the end of time for me? Would she want to be there until the end of time for me? I secretly wished to God that she really would.

            We would always meet up and go places together. We didn’t care about the destination because the only thing that mattered to us is that we were together. I loved how clingy she was. She would always hold unto my hand whenever we would walk side by side. Having her to hold my hand meant something and I realized that I was more than attached to this person. It couldn’t be, we’re both girls. I don’t think she would think the same.

            A month has passed and we have grown closer to each other. A day without Bababs made me feel incomplete. Everything got weirder because one time, she wouldn’t only hold my hand but she give me a kiss on the cheek or forehead as well. Every time she would give me a kiss, I would feel safe and loved and there is this heat inside my body that would come out of nowhere. We were good friends but I don’t think I just want to stay friends. I realized that I wanted something more. November 13, 2019 7:04pm - “Do you really like me?” I asked. Nothing made me happier than a word with three letters - “yes”. This “yes” meant many things. Conversations became more romantic, a touch became more sincere, and I kiss became longer. No, I don’t like her - I love her.

            The most memorable experience I had was having to meet Bababs and every special moment with her became all my favorites. You will meet people who would mean the world to you one day but that doesn’t mean that it would be a romantic kind of relationship, they could be your parents, your siblings, or your friends. But be careful, someone could mean the world to you and wouldn’t feel the same for you but if they do, cherish it. Make sure you don’t take anyone for granted.

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Next Time

by Alexis Cinco

This work holds dear to me, and this memory is engraved into my mind. Losing a loved one is heartbreaking; the thought of not spending enough time with them brings a pang to my chest, but what makes my experience all the worse is that I chose not spend my time with the loved one I knew was slipping away from my grasp. With this piece, I hope all the readers indulging in this story would learn to treasure the opportunities they still have with their loved ones. Don’t waste it while you still have it. 

           It’s unfortunate how we only treasure the things we have when it’s too late or totally gone. It makes me wonder why it’s difficult to treasure things every day, and then I remember this study I found about that. It said that people, especially in relationships, slowly lose interest and effort because of familiarity. Routines make everything normal. That is why we do not notice the details anymore, because we’ve grown accustomed to them. We see the same face, we hear the same voice, we feel the same touch, we encounter the same presence; we grow used to the feeling, but what if that feeling was snatched away? Your days wouldn’t be the same once again.

           Loss is love’s greatest weakness, if I were to say. It’s a cruel thing to savor the best feeling just to have it taken from you. It hurts, and I’ve experienced it on the month of October last 2016.

           It was a warm and sunny day at the cemetery. It was a weekly routine every Sunday with my family. We visited the familiar gravestone and we gathered around to say our prayers, until a call interrupted us from my father’s phone. He searched his pocket while I admired the engraving on the block of stone blankly.

           “Papa El is in the hospital.” My father said in alarm, wide eyed and his face drained from color. “He had a heart attack.”

           The plans that day were rushed. My Uncle Gil, or who we call Papa El, was in the hospital! All of the members of the family, my uncles, aunts, and cousins, all gathered at home, discussing on the current family issue. I saw the concerned look on their faces; heard the raised voices; saw them argue with one another. It was a sleepless night in the end.

           The next day, my mother, along with my brother and sister, was going to the hospital to visit. “Do you want to come?” She asked. I shook my head in response. He’s going to get better. I’ll see him next time, I thought.

           But he wasn’t getting better.

           He had to be brought from Maria Reyna Hospital to Medical Hospital for ICU. Once again, he got transferred to CUMC because the previous hospital did not have the facilities to treat the heart. Even after how many times he got transferred, I never visited him once. My siblings, on the other hand, were the entire opposite. My sister, Alyssa, would stay at the hospital to accompany our uncle, while my brother, Andrew, always visited after school.

           One night came that we all had to go to the hospital, and I was forced to come. I felt my heart pounding while I sat in the backseat of the car as the building came to view. My footsteps along the hallway were quiet and stiff, my hands were ice, and I couldn’t seem to breathe. My eyes were fixed on either the pale floor tiles or the deep blue walls. It was only the last minute that my mind processed that I was going to visit Papa El.

           We met with my family who were waiting for us at the bench outside. My siblings, of course, went straight to the room, but I, unsurprisingly, stayed behind and sat beside one of my uncles.

           “You will not see your Papa El?” One of my uncles asked me in an excited tone. “He’s been waiting for you.”

           “No.” I replied.

           “Why?” He asked again. I exhaled a shaky breath and said, “I don’t want to go inside.” He looked at me strangely. Everyone knew my relationship with my Uncle Gil. I would get giddy when I see him, and it was almost impossible to claw me out of his side. I was basically Velcro that clung to his body, but not today, maybe next time.

           I kept my mouth shut on the ride home with a void feeling in my chest. I wonder what he looked like, but at the same time, I didn’t want to see reality with my own eyes. I would hear my family talk about him; how his body has been inserted with some tubes as it induced some fluid to stop his peristalsis in his stomach to ease his pain. It sounded like it hurt, and I didn’t want to see him hurt. I wanted to see him better.

           I will see him next time when he is better, I said to myself.

           Then came October 24th, Julia’s, my friend, 16th birthday. My uncle was still in the hospital, yet there I was in the taxi going to a party at Elarvee with my mother. The venue was crowded. I saw familiar faces, including the one and only birthday girl. Aside from the intended celebration, the party was somewhat an escape for me from what was really going on in my life. At this point, the doctors said that an infection started in my uncle’s stomach, and it spread towards his brain. That night, I tried my best not to think about me; talking with friends, using my phone, enjoying the program.

           When dinner was served, my mother ushered me to come closer. She just got a call, and I knew what it was, but that doesn’t mean I wanted to hear it. As I approached her, I held my breath for the dreaded conversation.

           “He’s gone.” She said in a hushed tone with sad eyes. It was only two words, but they hit harder than a speeding truck. I clenched my jaw and simply nodded. What else was I supposed to say when words couldn’t fully express the feeling I had? I went back to my seat with the heavy feeling in my chest. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. One tear led to another, and the next thing I knew is that I was crying.

           “What happened to you, Alex?” one of my friends, Lila, laughed, and I wasn’t offended. Who would cry during a birthday party? My other friends just put a hand on Lila’s shoulder and shook their head. They didn’t know what was going on, but they knew it wasn’t fun and games. It was an ironic setting; celebrating a birthday knowing that someone just passed.

           I continued with the party anyway, but everything had to end. The distraction had to end. The tension inside the taxi was unbearable as my mother and I headed home. Suddenly, my sister was on the phone crying. “Papa El is gone.” She sobbed. Hearing the news twice made it even more real. “I know.” I choked barely above a whisper.

           I didn’t cry that night. I don’t know why I didn’t, but the unwanted feeling was definitely there. Why wasn’t I crying? Why couldn’t I cry?

           I couldn’t sleep either. The news kept racing in my mind.

           The entire week of the wake was no better either. I refused to look at his lifeless body, so I spent my time away from the people in a separate on with my earphones on as I listened to music. It was like I was ghost.

           The day of the burial came. It was time to say our final goodbyes. My cousin did the eulogy, and she talked about the plans she made with our uncle for the now different future. “I told him that he was gonna walk me down the aisle when I get married,” She said. “but I’m not going to get that moment anymore.”

           Melancholy was evident that day. Everyone had their sunglasses on, some were crying, some sat in silence. Everything was too overwhelming, and I couldn’t contain it anymore. One sob managed to escape my lips, and another, until I was full on crying. After weeks of not saying anything, not allowing myself to feel, it all broke out.

           I hugged my siblings as we cried together. What if this couldn’t have been the last time? What if I visited, he would still be here? What if he just waited for me, needed me, to be there?

           This was the last time, I realized. There was not going to be a next time. Well, there was, but the next time I was going to see him was his name on a gravestone and unable to respond.

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A Child’s Greatest Fear

by Jasimah Gutoc

They say that the best and most unforgettable moments in your life are the ones that you will never forget. But, we can’t also deny that sometimes, tragedies are the ones that will forever reside in your heart and will change you for life. As you read this memoire, you will be introduced to the most remarkable and heartbreaking moment in a child’s life.

           “The tumor we’ve found on her right breast was malignant, sir” the doctor sadly said to my father. My father’s eyes widened as he stared at the doctor for several seconds, not knowing what to say, not knowing how to respond. He then looked at my mother who’s peacefully sleeping at the bed, looking so pale from the surgery. His eyes started to fill with tears and he put both of his hands at the back pocket of his pants with a heavy sigh. “We’ll be conducting some further tests to know what stage her tumor had grown”, the doctor added.

           As the doctor was about to leave the room, my father called his attention.

          “Doc, can I ask you a favour?” he asked.

          “What is that, sir?”

          “Would it be okay if you inform my wife about her condition instead? I don’t think I can manage...”

          “It’s alright, sir. I’d be willing to do that for you”

          “Thank you so much, doc”, my father said as he smiled so weakly.

          After the doctor left, silence has occupied the four white-painted walls of the suite room that we were staying at. I never knew that silence could be so ear-shattering until that moment. Minutes after, my cousin stood up from the sofa and checked the grocery bags for some sachets of 3-in-1 coffee. She then puts some water on the heater and grabbed the mugs from the counter. She then offered my dad a cup of newly-heated coffee but he kindly declined. The sound of a stirring spoon was the only thing that can be heard from the room at that time. No one dared to speak, no one dared to ask, no one dared to talk. My kuya was just staring blankly at the wall, my ate was biting off her chapped lips, my father was closing his eyes with his head looking downwards and his hands holding his forehead, and I...I was just observing them all, waiting for someone to say something.

          As I look around the room, as I stare at mama and papa, heartbreak choked the breath from my body. Coldness ran through my spine going towards my chest—coldness that had seemingly frozen my heart at that very moment. What was once a whole is now shattered filled with shard, what was once a fear has now become real. I thought I would only see it in TVs or read it in my social media accounts, but now, it’s happening to our family—it’s happening to the one and only light of our home.

          “I know it’s hard, but I want you kids to be strong for your mom. She needs us now, she needs to see us strong”, my father said as he abruptly broke the deafening silence.

          “What do we do now, pa?” my kuya asked with sorrow in his voice.

          “When she wakes up and asks about the biopsy, I want you kids to act like you know nothing. Let’s leave that part on the doctor. I don’t think she can handle if it’s from us. And I don’t think I can manage to tell her either”, papa answered as he approached mama and held her soft, cold hand.

          I have never seen my father walking in circles around the room. I was used to seeing him lying down on the bed with his glasses on and scrolling through his Facebook timeline with a loud volume as he watches news clips from either ABS-CBN or Bente Kwatro (24) Oras. I was used to seeing him so chill and somehow emotionless, as they say. But that man who was standing in front of me was a whole lot different. His eyes filled with confusion, his mind full of worries, and his heart immersed in sorrow.

          After several hours, mom’s eyes started to slowly open and her seemingly weak fingers started to move—a scene that I thought I could only see in the movies. Our eyes sparked with happiness as we see her wake up. Her mouth then curved into a smile, leaving our faces lit up. With a weak voice, she asked, “Love...What did the doctor say? How was the biopsy?” We gazed at one another, with nervous written all over our faces. “They’re not done yet with the biopsy, love. But I think the doctor’s coming here sooner or later. Don’t worry”, my father answered.

          “Are you sure, love? Why do you all seem so flustered?

          “No, we’re not. Just relax for now.”

          “It’s alright. You can tell me, what is it?”

          “Huh? There’s nothing, love. Maybe you’re just overthinking. Let’s just wait for the doctor to arrive, okay?”

          “Well, maybe you’re right.”

          Indeed, you cannot hide anything from your mom. But this time, we had to. We had to lie to her for her own good, for her own well-being. Thirty minutes of silence in the room have passed when the doctor finally came in.

          “Good afternoon, Mrs. Gutoc! How are you doing? Is everything alright?”

          “Yes doc, I’m fine. Everything’s good in here. How was the biopsy result, doc?”

          “The tumour that we have removed from your right breast was unfortunately malignant, Mrs. Gutoc. But thankfully, it was a small tumor. Chances are it has not spread throughout your body. But we still have to conduct other tests to determine what stage you’re at.”

          “Doc, will I get through this? What.. what do I do?”

          “Don’t worry, Mrs. Gutoc. Breast cancer patients have high records of recovery. And thank God, you’re diagnosed at an early age. It wouldn’t be hard for you to undergo treatments. You’re still strong, Mrs. Gutoc.”

          “Doc, please do everything you can. Please doc. I have to live for my children. I have to be there by their side. My children, my siblings, they can’t live without me. They need me, doc.”

          “Yes, Mrs. Gutoc. We will do everything we can.”

          It was from that moment on that I knew I wanted to be like my mom—a strong, fearless, loving individual who will always put others first before her. A person who lives by purpose and not just by for self-interest. It was that wholesome, terrifying, life-changing experience that have awakened my heart and mind to the reality of this world. It was that fear that had made me stronger and self-reliant as I am today. It maybe a tragic experience to hear, but it is a meaningful event in our lives that had changed us in all possible ways towards betterment.

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Turning Point

by Nicole Rodes

This story is very close to my heart for it holds a huge impact on who I am today. At a very young age, I experienced a lot of ups and downs but I grew stronger and better. This memoir is here to remind you that there is always something good in a bad experience that can help you gain a new strength and to remind you to keep moving forward. 

           This story happened when I was around 13 years old but let me take you back first where it all started. When I was around 7, my dad went abroad to work as a Civil Engineer in Saudi Arabia, it was a new journey for us, a new found glory for my parents. For the first few years we were all happy, calling each other everyday and my mom, my sister, and I started going out during weekends because we can finally afford it. My dad on the other hand, checked on us everyday and vice versa, he enjoyed his job, worked a lot and whenever he has the chance he goes out with his friends. I was able to study in a private school and was able to buy the things I needed immediately. We were all happy, each and every day I thank God for all the blessings and the happiness ha gave to our family but just like all the happy stories, there is always one problem that will take each drop of happiness away from you and it all happened in a flash, at a young age, I did not expect it.

           Crisis fell on Saudi Arabia’s feet, the company that my dad worked for took a full blow of it. All of it’s success vanished, projects were exterminated and workers were being fired due to the company not being able to pay all of them. For a few months, my dad stayed stable for he was not one of the workers who lost their job, but he was already having a hard time because he knew that it would not last long. My mom on the other hand grew worried, all of our savings are slowly getting used due to the bills we had to pay and all the necessities we had to buy. I noticed every thing, how my parents changed, their treatment for one another and the way they spoke, It was like they were just talking for the sake of it, no longer the husband and wife treatment they used to have.

           My dad was still in Saudi when I noticed my mom changed, I knew her heart was not there anymore.

           “Mom, what’s wrong?” I asked. My mom looked at me with sadness in her eyes and she said to me “I just don’t know what to do anymore, I don’t have a stable job and your father cannot provide for us at the moment, I’m lost.” I comforted my mom while tears fell from her eyes and I had to face the fact that maybe one day, my mom and dad would separate.

      Few days later I saw my mom talking to someone else during my swimming class, I did not mind it at first until I heard their conversation. I know I shouldn’t eavesdropping but I couldn’t help it. My heart broke that day and I said to myself “Stay strong, Nicole. You’ve been through a lot, you can handle this.” In that day, I accepted that my parents already separated. I called my dad and told him everything I found out, the heartbreak in my fathers voice left a void in my heart that until today, no one could fill. “I’m so sorry I was not able to provide for all of you.” My dad started blaming himself and I told him over and over again that “No, it is not your fault please remember that.”

           That day, I lost my complete family, I lost my smile and my cheer. Every family day I look at my classmates and think to myself “Wow, they are very lucky indeed, I want to feel that once again, even just for once.” But I know deep down, that’s not gonna happen anymore. My mom asked for forgiveness and explained her side.It was hard for me at first but as a daughter who cares about her mom very much, I forgave her and continued to look at the bright side of my life. I said to myself that “This is a only a challenge, life still continues and I will continue living my life despite of being incomplete.” At a very young age, I grew even more mature and I learned to value the people in my life even more because we will never know when someone will leave us. It was just me, my faith and my trust that I am going to be okay.

           Few years passed, I finally entered Senior high school, I still kept in contact with my dad and stayed with my mom. My mom and dad decided to just be friends in order to keep me supported but sometimes, I still feel like a punching bag when they have petty arguments since I am the only one who bridges them together. But just like the usual, I kept my feet on the ground and my hold, still. During my first year of Senior high school, I decided to make a goal for myself and that is to never let my personal and family problems get in the way between me and my education, I don’t want to fail myself that way I did in elementary and junior high school  just because of my personal problems. I told myself “Strive hard for this is your chance to redeem yourself.”

           I finished 11th grade with a first honor call, despite the void and the problems in my head and in my heart, I did not let these get away between me and my dreams. I kept on reminding myself that my family problems should not be a hurdle in my journey and that I would continue to strive harder and be a better student. Recognition day, the most unexpected thing happened, both of my parents attended my awarding, my smile was irreplaceable, even my classmates told me I looked like I could light up a whole city. None could take away my happiness that day and for the first time, in a long time, I felt complete. Joy overflowed all over me as my parents and I went out for lunch. It felt like just the old times when we were still complete. I thank God that day and I thank him for giving me another chance to celebrate a very special day with my parents.

           At a very young age, I lost hope due to my parents separating, I experienced a personal downfall and saw my very self falling apart, but God kept me in tact, kept on reminding me to stand up and rise from the ashes. From a very happy family and a happy me, to an incomplete family that turned me incomplete as well, I learned to stand up once again and not let anyone or anything get in the way of my goals and my right to be happy. I learned to always keep going, just what like Dory said from the movie Finding Nemo, “Just keep swimming.” Despite all of the hardships that I experienced and all of the heartache this world has given to me, I learned to overcome all of them and everyday I am learning how to be a better person. I always remind myself to never give up, fall seven times but stand up eight. Each problem is a learning experience and each experience is a turning point in your life that would make you a better person for this whole world to see.

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Memoire

by Raizel Tibayan

This tackles the most clear memory that one has, regardlesss on whether it’s good or bad. This is mine. 

            She was nervous. 

            Everyone around her was smiling, talking, recollecting old memories of the past. Her relatives were on the same apartment/hotel room, on the 27th floor of  the Astoria Building. She could feel the cold air, roughly pass through the thick wool blanket that was given to her as a gift. She jiggled her knees, and hid her shaking hands. If anyone asked, she bluntly answered that it was cold. But this wasnt exactly true. She could feel the strong feelings mix inside her. Anger, anxiousnes, curiosity. Depression most of all, took the thone in her heart, creating the heaviest feeling for her. She bit her lower lip, once again peeling the dry skin off her it, her eyesight started to blur from the tears that formed on her eyes. As a reflex, she looked down, quickly wiped her eyes dry, and focused on her attention to the TV screen pretending she was watching. The flow of different conversations, carried her into an almost calm state of mind.

              Almost. 

            She could hear the sound of his voice within the sea of voices. His distinctive voice, was low and quiet. Almost invisible. But then again, how could she ignore the sound of his voice? She was drawn to him, and his mysterious personality. She always upwondered on how someone could be so happy, yet be so sad at the same time. Masking sadness is different of course, and it was obvious he wasn’t masking it. She grew a habit of watching people, and she could easily tell what was going on with the person was going through, through their body language. The voice eventually become clearer and clearer as each minute passes, until it was the only thing she heard. Coral was his nephew, although he was two years older than she was. He was born out of wedlock, and he was a family outcast, just like she was. He charmed his way to everyone’s hearts prasing God, loving life, yet often joked about suicide like he was a totally diffrerent person. He was the first to treat her like someone, and as they talked online she felt loved, special. 

            Two things she could never feel from her own family. 

            She meant a lot to him. She wanted him to be truly happy but she couldn't bear to be in the same room as him, that night or the whole duration of her father’s birthday. 

            She moved to the master’s bedroom, and locked the door. Her heart was heavy, and tears started to roll down her cheeks. She was furious with him. Just seeing him as if nothing happened made her blood boil.Her emotions started bubbling up, into a dark mix. There was a tight feeling on her on her chest, and it was constantly felt like being twisted. She wanted to scream. She wanted to throw her phone out the window. She heard the door open, and sure enough it was Coral, holding the keys to the door. 

            "Raizel? Na paano ka?" 

            She clentched her fists. She struggled to come up with a lie right on the spot. She wiped her tears away. "What are you doing here ?" 

            "Are you okay? What happened?" He asked as he sat right next to her, wrapping his arm around her. 

            She felt her skin crawl he sat down next to her on the edge of the bed, as his finger tips touched the bare side of her arm. Her heart pumped, as she she felt her blood boil with anger and agitation. Her nails dug into the flesh of her palm, as she clenched her fists. Memories of the events flooded her mind. 

            “May pakialam ka ba?”

            "Syempre may pakialam ako," he answered, "what kind of question is that?"

            He tried to pull her into a hug, but she pushed him away. "Bwisit ka." She spat. "Coral naman.” Tears started to flow down freely down her face. “ Don’t touch me. " She felt her blood boil once again. "DON’T TOUCH ME. YOU USED ME. YOU TOUCHED ME ALL YOU WANTED AND YOU LEFT. YOU LEFT ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAUSE YOU SUDDENLY HAD A GIRLFRIEND." She said in pure anger. “PERO BABALIK KA NANAMAN ULI DIBA? KASE INIWAN KA NIYA.” 

            "Raizel..." His voice was low, hurt.  It was clearly still a sensitive topic for him as his girlfriend left him. 

            "RAIZEL ?!" She laughed mockingly. "IS THAT ALL YOU'RE GOING TO SAY?!" She shouted. "YOU FUCKING HARASSED ME." 

            She couldn't take it anymore. She was mad, clearly upset as tears were freely flowing down her face. Both of them were silent, as she controlled her breathing. Coral sat on the edge of the bed, looking down guiltily. Coral was silent. Shocked. She felt his eyes on her, but she just looked down.  The wave of anger was gone, and she spoke softer, instantly feeling regret. She hated when she had breakdowns like this.

            Millions of times, she told herself she was done. Millions of times she told herself she would stop thinking about it. Not to think about him anymore.  

            But when she looked at him, she saw her childhood bestfriend. She saw someone who accompanied her during the times that she cried as a child. She could say say she was done over and over again. But even she couldn’t stop herself for caring again. Guilt consumed her again.

            "...Raizel.."

            "I just thought you'd be different. " She said softly. "I would frantically check, everyday if you were really fine. I know something was wrong.” She mumbled softly. “When you got a girlfriend and left all of a sudden, I felt like I was something disposable. But I wanted to see you happy for so long, that when I saw that you were, I guess, it never mattered." She paused. "When she left, you scared me. I thought… I thought I'd lose you too."

            She immediately felt him pull her into a tight embrace. He snuck his head, resting on her shoulder. She slowly stood up, but he didn't let her go. He was on his knees, his arms wrapped around her, head burried on her stomach. Guilt consumed her, as she was locked on his embrace. He was crying, muttering apologies over and over again. She only remained silent. 

            "Slap me. Hurt me, do something, please..." he begged as he held both of her hands. "Raizel, I'm so sorry. Saktan mo ako." 

            She only looked down on his tear stained face. Her shirt was was slightly damp from his tears. She held his face, wiping his tears away. She stroked his burgandy brown hair, as she catched most of his weight. She wrapped her arms to the best that she could around his chubby body. She slowly went  back to the state of numbness. Both of them were tired. He sat down on the edge of the bed, and she sat right next to him, leaning his head against her shoulder as he cried softly. 

            "One day, it'll all be okay." She mumbled.

[xnwritten]

Travel Essay

by Kaira Akut

A very special trip that I had with my friends on a holiday to a place called Cafe Sa Bukid.

    It was on June 12 year 2019, my friends and I were going to have a road trip to “Café Sa Bukid”. On that day, I woke up early and jumpy from excitement. I rushed off from my bed to get ready for the exciting adventure. It was my first time renting a car and going on a long-drive trip with my friends. As soon as I finished getting ready, I went off in a flash – driving to pick up my friends. After I was able to pick up my friends, we stopped by a convenience in Iponan to buy snacks and drinks needed for the trip. When we were finally ready to leave Iponan, we all sat in the car in silence for a while to pray for a happy and safe trip.

    “Here we go!!”, exclaimed a friend of mine after the prayer. We were finally started our adventure. The time duration going to Café Sa Bukid from Cagayan de Oro City would last for 2 and a half hours. In the span of that time, we spent the long-drive singing and jamming to the songs we love. Two of my friends were taking a lot of videos during our trip. As we reached Bukidnon, we let the windows of the car down to feel the cold and refreshing air. My friend Godwin even stuck his head out like what dogs would do. We enjoyed every single moment as time passed by.

    When we finally got to Café Sa Bukid, we ordered a lot of delicious Filipino delicacies. I ordered some their raw Indian-mango with some shrimp-paste. The view was very pleasing to the eyes. Everything was filled with life and happiness. The cold air did not even feel gloomy, it was a happy type of cold. When you drink hot coco or hot coffee in the morning and breathe out to the air, you could see a smoke like figure coming out of your mouth. Everything was comfortably pleasing – the food, the environment, the staff, and everything else that existed there.

    We stayed there for more than an hour enjoying all the good vibes. When we left Café Sa Bukid, we drove off to Camp Phillips. On our way to Camp Phillips, my friends and I were jamming to the song Tayo Nalang Dalawa by the band “Mayonnaise”. We were singing our hearts out while pretending to be the band who created that song. Everybody was laughing and singing. We didn’t know that we were making memories, we just knew that we were having fun. I hope and wish that it would always be like this because I know how much I would miss all of it when I’m older

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Disconnect

by Alexis Cinco

Sometimes we have our attention glued to our gadgets that we rarely look up to see and appreciate what’s going on around our surroundings. When I had my trip to Camiguin it felt refreshing to separate myself from the digital world for a while, and I think others should do it as well. We invest ourselves in the virtual reality too much that we have forgotten the beauty of the real world that we have. 

           It was a sunny trip going to Camiguin, yet the breeze from the sea was fresh and cool despite the summer season. My family and I were going to the island to attend the family reunion of my mother’s side, and we were staying there for almost a week. I’ve been dreading this trip for weeks. I didn’t want to go because not only was I close to them, but I also barely knew any of my relatives there, and the only cousins I got along with were not going!

           I sighed as I got off the barge ship that took us to Camiguin. The tropical weather was warm, but it wasn’t hot. The warmth from the sun felt good on my skin. Well, that was the first good thing I had today.

           We took a motorela to the place where we were staying which was my aunt’s house. When we arrived, we saw her with a grin on her face as she welcomed us with open arms. It was strange to be greeted like that. I never knew her, but she acted like we’ve seen each other multiple times. I ignored her gesture anyway.

           She led us inside the house and showed us our room. When she twisted the doorknob, we were greeted by a bedroom with vibrant blur walls and a window near the corner. The room was small as well. Not too bad, I thought. “This is where you guys will sleep.” My aunt said. She pointed to a bed, just one bed. I raised an eyebrow. There were four of us, and there was just one bed? This is insanity!

           To ease my mind, I decided to take out my phone and check what was going on in the Internet. I gasped quietly. There was no signal! While grunting, I slumped my body on the bed with my face first, and my mood was definitely sour. I knew this trip wouldn’t do well for me.

           “Do you want to go to the beach?” My mother asked me. My siblings already bolted outside. The house was right beside the beach, and I could hear the waves crashing on the shore from where I was. I shook my head in response. “Come on. Enjoy the little time we have here.” She encouraged. I let out another sigh once again. I lazily pushed myself up, and I put on some slippers to join my brother and sister outside.

           I dragged my feet along the sand in a soothing way. While I watched my siblings enjoy, I was thinking about the things I could do on my phone if I had signal. Facebook, Youtube, Wattpad…oh, it could have been great to do that right now.

           My trance was interrupted when my little brother called me. “Let’s build a castle!” He said. I didn’t want to, but the hopeful look in his eyes made me give up on resisting, so I squatted on the sand and got my hands dirty. A few minutes passed and we created our masterpiece.

           The castle had four towers in it and surrounded by uneven walls, and we even made a river for it. Andrew, my brother, had a proud expression painted on his face. He ran towards our mother, who was standing from a distance to watch over us. That scene planted a soft smile on my lips. Maybe this wasn’t so bad.

           We had to cut things short that time because the reunion would be the next day, and to say that the night we slept together was uncomfortable would be an understatement. Aside from the humid temperature, my bed-mates were far from still in their sleep. They tossed and turned while I was wide awake. With that being said, they woke up well-rested, but as for me…well, let’s just say that the bags under my eyes weren’t going to fade anytime soon.

           Camiguin was a rather small island, so mostly everywhere was at walking distance, and we did exactly that in order to reach the place where the reunion was. I glanced on my phone; it was almost lunch, and still, I had no service. I pouted and returned the gadget inside my pocket. We arrived at a house that I, of course, have not seen before. There were numerous people, though. Tall coconut trees gave us shade outside, and there was music blaring from the inside.

           “Uy! Welcome!” the old woman, whom I assumed to be my grandmother greeted with energy. “Dayun mo, dayun!” She ushered us inside. My siblings and I followed our mother like ducklings. Our grandmother called two other children. “These are your cousins.” She said. There was a girl and a boy. I hid behind my mom and covered my face, but like a usual mother, she left us there to bond with them.

           I fiddled with my fingers as the five of us sat on the wooden bench. “Hi.” I said shyly.

           “Hi.” The girl replied.

           “Do…do you want to play?” I asked her. The short statement brought a wide smile to her face. She nodded with enthusiasm. I smiled back, and so we stood up from our seats and went outside.

           I didn’t notice that I was already having fun; playing with some kids with the same age as me, joining in with the karaoke, and eating some home-cooked food. Soon enough, I forgot about the device buried in my pocket. I did not need it to have fun, I said to myself. Maybe I should learn to connect to the people around me more; disconnect from the virtual world and connect to the real world around me. At least that way, I wouldn’t need any service to enjoy the time I have.

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A Memorable Trip to Dakak

by Jasimah Gutoc

Summer vacation is the particular time of the year where you are able to rejuvenate and retrieve yourself from all the stresses in work and in school. Some may want to spend it peacefully at their homes but nothing tops over travelling with the people you love. As you read this travel essay, let us altogether recall my family’s most unexpected and memorable trip to Dakak. 

            I took a final look around our room to make sure I had not forgotten anything. Polaroid camera, rash guards, underwear, comb, charger, adaptor, sun block, and shades are all check. I am indeed ready to go.

            As I went out of the room carrying my blue medium-sized handbag, I yawned when suddenly my father called our names. “Ole! Nono! To those who’ll be sitting at the back, go inside now”, he shouted. I quickly went out of our house and went inside the car.

            I opened my bag and grabbed for my earphones to avoid feeling of sleepiness. I listened to music all throughout our road trip to Dapitan yet I couldn’t recall one song I’ve listened to as I ended up sleeping the whole trip. But all I know is that within that sleep, I was intensely filled with butterflies in my stomach as it is our first trip out-of-town after several years.

            After almost nine hours of sitting in the car, we have finally reached our destination. We were welcomed by the dancing green leaves of trees – in harmony with the soothing breeze. As I stepped out of the car, the dazzling sunlight beaming down the pavement greeted me.

            “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Dakak! What can we help you?” the crew asked with pleasant smiles on their faces.

            “We have a reservation for a dormitory type of cottage, family name is Gutoc” my dad kindly responded.

            “Oh yes, we were expecting for you. Follow this way, sir.”

            As we were walking to our cottage, we can’t help but be mesmerized by the beach resort’s atmosphere. It gives you this vibe of being in an island with tall, green trees and wooden cottages together with other people wearing beach hats, swimsuits and rash guards. Even from afar, we could really feel the blow of the wind touching our newly-waken up faces—pale, dry, with no lip tints and powder on.

            The cottage in which we found ourselves was very large and lofty. The windows were long, wide, and rounded and at so vast a distance from the wooden floor. Light draperies were hung to the wall. The general furniture was antique in an aesthetic way. The mattresses were so mushy that the kids started to jump on it; lying down on the mattresses made us feel relaxed after a nine-hour road trip.  

            After almost an hour of resting, we rose from our beds and grabbed for our toothbrushes and soaps to get ready for our trip to Fantasy Land that night. We were told by the crew to gather in the lobby by 4:30 pm and wait for the shuttle to take us to the amusement park of Fantasy Land. Other families were also there with us and with similar excitement and anticipation as we had. By then, it was already sunset. We witnessed how the sun cast its golden rays upon the clouds of billowing smoke, turning them bright red.

            It was already six in the evening by the time we arrived in Fantasy Land. But before anything else, we first took a picture of our whole family. It took as a while to get a picture as we were too many—the photographer kept on arranging us whereas the others just newly arrived after going to the washrooms. Almost after three minutes of arranging and waiting, we’ve finally gotten a picture. It was time for the rides.

            The most memorable ride among all of them is the roller coaster. There are people screaming everywhere, in front, in back, and on both sides of me. Our ride just started and people are already screaming their lungs out. I tried to keep my mind calm as we began to slowly rise up higher and higher. I opened my eyes and it widened as I could see most of the amusement park from a bird’s view. People are as tiny as ants from my point. As we reach the peak, I shut my eyes and refuse to look down. The roller coaster then goes down as fast as a bullet train. The wind then hardly blew my hair making me look like as what they call as a “bruha.”

            It was already ten o’clock in the evening when the shuttle took us back to the cottage. Almost all of us immediately slept when we arrived, well, except for me. I had a great time seeing my family members drooling on their sleep. After some time, I decided to go to sleep then. I knew it was going to be a greater and bigger day tomorrow.

            We woke up at around six in the morning and had a quick and light breakfast. Moments after, we went out the cottage and walked down to the beach.

            I could feel the sand squish slowly through my toes as I gaily walk down the shore. I am taken in by the soothing atmosphere that surrounds me. I run as fast as my feet can carry me toward what my body sees as heaven, an endless pool of crystal blue water. Looking at the ocean and feeling the cold breeze meet with my skin made me all breathless – giving me a sense of inner peace.

            The waves stated to get stronger, seems like it was trying to play with the people. The sun is rising and the people were laughing and having the best time of our lives. And there goes my family, shouting “Jet ski! Jet ski! Jet ski!” to my father. Papa, being the generous man as he is, kindly requested for one then we all shouted at unison. Riding in a jet ski with my father was an experience of breaking through the waves and seeing and passing by the stunning landscape of Dakak’s white sand beach from afar.

            On our way back to the cottage, I have never felt more refreshed than ever. I knew that this was the break that I needed away from reality. Leaving Dakak on that day was like leaving all my worries there behind. The strong, violent winds from the roller coaster and jet ski ride, the freezing crystal blue water from the beach, the cold soothing breeze from the shore, have all washed away the heaviness inside of me. For me, this trip to Dakak remains the most memorable as I am with my whole family freshening up and rebooting our minds—altogether, creating a new start.

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