Distractions, we've come to discover, are the best
ways to keep going. Because the thing about life is that
it doesn't stop for anybody.
For some, this may be ticking off books on their
“to-read list" or discovering new recipes to cook at
home. For me, it's spending more time to practice my
writing and discover opportunities to grow as an artist.
Life goes on, indeed, and living from one distraction
to another is still better than not living at all.
As the second wave of the lockdown comes to an
end, I start to reflect on how much time I've spent
healing from things I rarely spoke about.
I wasn't able to do adulting chores as much as I had
expected before the pandemic hit, but I found there
isn't really no rush in growing up. Any day is an
opportunity to learn what it means to be in your 20s.
Sure, it's nice to know that we're being productive
and functional, but it's also perfectly fine to not know
what to do or what steps to take next.
Part of growing up is realizing that more mistakes
are made, that there are opportunities you’ll be
missing, and there will be people disappointed. And
every waking day you have to remind yourself to be
kind and forgiving of yourself.
43
The lockdown may have given us a choice to do what
we typically don't have time for. But there is no harm in
giving yourself liberation in seeking your wants, even if it
means putting your life on hold. We shouldn't let anyone
make us feel ashamed for not going down a
conventional path.
It may be lonely and, at times, make us feel guilty to
prioritize ourselves over other things. However, the
thing about living lies in exercising our freedom, even if
we're locked away from the rest of the world.
Take every day as it comes, I remind myself these
days. Isn't that already a fine goal by itself?
44
Ode to Sunrise
Poetry
Zandro Louie R. Oraño
Here I am on the shore,
gazing upon as you appear,
Feeling every grain of sand
On this never-ending shoreline
Beyond that sea,
your light strikes in the skyline.
Shouting throughout the land,
My victorious knight.
You rise my sense of hope
As your light shines through.
From this dark shore I went on
turn into a paradise.
Your warm spirit breeze,
Cast away this shadows that covers me.
Being blind from that night,
‘Till this day you gave me sight.
I will always wait here,
To gaze you every moment.
Rising beyond that sea-
My beautiful sunrise.
45
Cristy Ann F. Felix
Sa panahon na puno ng pag-aalala at pangamba sa gitna
ng pandemya, mabilis ang mga pangyayari, sinubok tayo sa
bawat oras, araw, at panahon.
Maraming pagbabago na tila ang lahat ay parang
nananaginip lamang. Marami ang nawalan ng trabaho,
nagsara ang ilan sa mga gusali. (pribadong paaralan,
kompanya, at iba pa.) Ang mga supply ng medisina ay hindi
sapat, higit na masakit at masaklap pa ay maraming buhay
ang nawala.
Sa lakas ng naging epekto nito, ang mundo ay nagulo.
Lahat ay aburido dahilan ng kakulangan sa lahat ng aspeto.
Ang mga tao ay nahihirapan solusyonan lalo na ang mga tao
sa gobyerno.
Ang kakapusan sa mga kagamitan, pasilidad, kakulangan
sa medisina, kakapusan sa badyet, kakapusan sa kita ng
bawat pamilyang Pilipino at higit ang sa edukasyon.
Maraming kakulangan ang naging problema na hindi
masolusyonan.
Hindi natin alam kung hanggang kailan matatapos ang
kaganapang ito. Tanging ang sandata natin ay ang pagkakaisa
na harapin ang pagsubok na ating tinatahak sa kasalukuyan
at ang pagdarasal, papuri at pagkilala sa may likha sa atin.
Dahil sa bawat araw ay walang kasiguraduhan.
46
Poetry Pananampalataya
Dianne Lindsy A. Feliciano
Isang taon sa inakalang panandalian
Isang taon, ilong at bibig nabusalan
Isang taon, nagkalayong ugnayan
Isang taon ang mahawa’y pandidirihan
Ilang buwan makalipas mula mag-umpisa
Ilang buwan ‘di rehas kundi kanlungan na
Ilang buwan na ginapos ng pandemya
Ilang buwan na nang magtapos ang istorya
Ilang linggo nang nakulong sa aking bahay
Ilang linggo nang dumadamay ang lumbay
Ilang linggo mula nang maghiwalay
Ilang linggo na ngunit araw-araw pa ring
pinapatay
47
Isang araw nagising na lang ako
Isang araw na hindi na totoo
Isang araw na hindi na pala ako
Isang araw biglang niyanig mo ang mundo
Isang Diyos ang nagsilbing koneksyon
Isang Diyos, pananampalataya ang naging tugon
Isang Diyos ang nagbuklod, nag-alis ng pangamba
Isang Diyos, pananalig ang sa tao’y nagsalba
Isang paalam sa lahat ng tanong
Isang paalam sa dinulot ng COVID-19 ngayon
Isang paalam, isang sakit, isang bitaw
Isang paalam sa nag-iisang ikaw
48
Fiction Pasko ni Nay Amor
Cristina Figuracion
Sobrang lamig na naman ng panahon paparating na
naman kasi ang pasko. Pero hanggang ngayon ay tila
ba wala paring mga kumukutitap na ilaw sa harap ng
bahay ni Nay Amor, na s’yang pinakamayaman sa aming
baryo. Samantalang noong hindi pa dumating ang
pandemya ay laging magarbo ang mga dekorasyon at
palamuti na matatanaw mo mula sa malayo at mayroon
pa ngang mga regalo na ipinamimigay. Naalala ko pa nga
nakatanggap ako ng teddy bear na hanggang ngayon ay
hawak ko pa rin at sa katunayan, katabi ko pa nga ito sa
aking pagtulog. Ano kaya ang nangyari sa kanila?
Kumusta na kaya si Nay Amor?
“Hoy Tina, halika at mangaroling tayo roon sa
malaking bahay! Siguradong makakarami tayo ng
aguinaldo doon at kung suswertehin pa nga ay
mabigyan pa tayo ng tsokolate at mga kendi!”
masiglang aya ng aking pinsang si Bingbong kasama ang
ilan sa aming mga kaibigan.
“Sige ba! Basta hati-hati tayo sa makukuha natin ha!
Walang lamangan. Ayos ba?” sagot ko habang
naka-thumbs up. “Ayos!” sabay-sabay naming sabi.
49
Subalit sa aming pagpunta ay bumungad ang isang
matandang babae na halos hindi na namin makilala
dahil sa hindi maayos na pananamit at hindi kaaya-
ayang amoy nito. Matapos ang aming pagkanta ay
binigyan n’ya
lamang kami ng salitang, “Patawad mga anak, ito na
lamang ang aking nakayanan, pagpasensyahan n’yo na
lamang,” marahang bigkas niya sabay abot ng bente
pesos na barya na yuko ang ulo.
Nakalulungkot isipin ang nangyari sa kanila dahil
nawalan sila ng anak nito lamang nakaraang buwan sa
isang aksidente at na-bankrupt pa ang kanilang negosyo
at ngayon ay nakaremata na din ang bahay na nooý
nagbigay saya sa aming mga kabaryo at mumunting aliw
tuwing dumarating ang kapaskuhan. Ikinuwento ko ito
sa aking mga magulang at kaibigan at kinalaunan ay
napagpasyahan namin na tulungan ang pamilya at
samahan sila sa pagdiriwang ng pasko. Sa tulong ng
aming kapitan ay nakalikom kami ng pera mula sa aming
mga kabaryo at bumili kami ng munting regalo na
pagkain, gamut at salapi. Ang ilan naman ay
nagpresentang magluto at magpondo para sa salo-salo
sa barangay o Christmas party na rin kasama ang bawat
pamilya at sina Nay Amor.
Sabay-sabay nating salubungin ang pagsilang ni
Hesus na sentro ng misyon natin bilang mga tagasunod
N’ya at iparamdam ang diwa ng pasko sa ating kapwa.
50
Quantum Entanglement
Fiction
Februey Lei P. Rugayan
Dear Diary:
It must have been about two in the morning, but
tiredness still cannot be laid upon me. I had been here
for quite a long time now, yet, still unable to grasp this
parallel world that surrounds me every day, that I, for
sure, never have imagined would exist. It has been my
first time enjoying the breeze of summer with everyone
in their long and seemingly covered dresses, seeking
fresh air that I can only see, not feel. T-
I was writing my feelings down in my diary when
suddenly I felt someone was opening the door. I almost
jumped out of my chair, for I was startled. "Woah! That
scared the hell out of me. Miss?”
“Monica,” she answered. “Okay, but where is Ms.
Abby?” I asked in confusion. “She is probably still busy
roaming around by now. You know her, she loves
making herself busy, so I decided to check on you."
She looked at the clock hanging by the white wall
above the big window where only I could see
everything down below.
51
"Why are you still awake? It is two-thirty in the morning,
Miss Ruey. You should be asleep. Your Mom will get
angry.”
“Yeah, I am just going to finish this one, then I will
surely lie down there and sleep.” I was referring to my
bed behind me.
“Okay, but be sure to sleep after whatever it is you do,
alright? Either Ms. Abby or I will be checking on you again
later.”
“Yeah, sure, Ms. Monica. Adios!” Then I saluted to her
that made her laugh. She then walks towards the door
then vanishes from it. The sense of bright and big smile I
made earlier slowly turned into a smirk and frown
for-which has just naturally grown to me nowadays.
I casually looked down on my old vintage-like
notebook, indisposed. Spending my time gazing at it for a
long time, yet as if everything in my mind was suddenly
intruded with emptiness locking my mind and soul from
transferring the words to this tiny book. After those quiet
times looking at it unoccupied with thoughts, I later
decided to close it for that night. I placed it neatly on top
of my dictionary then walked out the way into that big
window placed on my right beside the table. A white
curtain, thick enough to block the lights covered it,
averting disturbance in a mode of silence. I slightly parted
it and looked farther outside.
52
Everything was moving in slow-motion. Some people
were trying to be sighted, from the cars and vehicles
roaming around and people who still have their agendas
to be done, most specifically the frontliners. I stared
there motionless for a few minutes. I love seeing lights
from other buildings during overtime working hours
same goes for the street lamps lying on the long-wayed
rode for about 100 meters ahead of me.
I was deep asleep when I felt the continuous
vibration of my phone from text messages and call. I
reached out for my phone and saw my Mom still calling
me.
Mama: Ruey! Happy birthday, sweetheart.
Me: Thank you, Mom.
Mama: How are you feeling? How are you there?
Me: Mom, I am so much fine here; pampered.
Mama: I’m glad you’re better. Your Dad and Lolo want to
talk to you, baby.
Me: Really? Where are they?
Mama: Here. Hon, Dad, Ruey—
Dad: Hi, Sweetheart! How are you feeling?
Me: I’m feeling fine, Dad
It’s been, I think, one week since I last talked to them.
I’m filled with blitheness right now.
Dad: Happy birthday, baby.
Lolo: Apo! Happy birthday!
53
Me: Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Lo.
The conversation went on for almost two hours. We
only stopped when the time had come to check on me.
Ms. Abby did it for me. Carrying all of her stuff on a
carrier while being covered with multi-layered clothes
makes it difficult to recognize her unless she speaks.
That whole day ended up with endless greetings
from all the friends and family, as well as those people
whom I am with right now in this lonely yet wholesome
place.
ReuyMist logged in...
BrottiOfTheYear: Ruey! What's up!
MissAlligator: Hi Ruey! How are you?
Plenty of messages were popping up nonstop when I
finally logged in after one and a half weeks of being
deactivated.
HariNyo: Hey! We're here at SexiMama's birthday. Wish
you're here with us.
ReuyMist: I really hope so, but I can't.
YourSakristan: That's fine, we'll keep you updated every
time so that it always feels you are here with us.
Shatapthem: True.
YourKuys: Let's have a video call later.
ReuyMist: SexiMama, Happy birthday. How's your
party?
SexiMama: @RueyMist, we're having a lot of fun, but
54
less since you're not here.
LivingInSand: @SexiMama is right @ReuyMist.
BrottiOfTheYear: We're going to call you later and every
day.
There's no doubt they're having a lot of fun and it
makes me happy that they are always keeping me
updated, which makes me less lonely and alone here in
this place.
Dear Diary:
It must have been about two in the morning, but
tiredness still cannot be laid upon me. I had been here
for quite a long time now, yet, still unable to grasp this
parallel world that surrounds me every day, that I, for
sure, never have imagined would totally exist. It has
been my first time enjoying the breeze of summer with
everyone in their long and seemingly covered dresses,
seeking fresh air that I can only see, not feel. The feeling
of isolation is quite unbearable yet seemingly
interesting and a great cure for self-healing. I've spent
enough time inside this painted wall of white bitterly
place where no one wants to be in either way and
experienced even worse scenarios. Hopelessness can
build up but can also be a powerful weapon and fashion
for a stronger chain of hope.
Living in a world far from the environment
and people you are used to being with suddenly is not a
55
good sight and a great experience. However, I'm kind
of less feeling that way since everyone I am closed with
was making sure I know everything happening around
them and glad even that way.
We are all in the middle of a battlefield where we
can't see the enemy. It seems like we are blind, making
us unable to identify when and where it will attack and
damage our well-being. COVID-19 is not a joke for
those who fell ill, lost someone special to them, and
frontliners who are making sure we are all safe. Just
like a quantum entanglement, where the quantum
states of two or more particles or objects are moving
along together even if partially separated, we should
keep everybody updated even if we are not together to
create our world where communication and
togetherness cannot only be related with being with
each other physically but most especially, through
heart, even if it's only virtually.
56
Poetry Sa Gitna ng Pandemya
Cristy Ann F. Felix
Maraming beses na nag- alala at nangamba
Dahilan na pagtaas ng positibo sa pandemya
Busina ng mga sasakyan higit na ang
ambulansiya
Aba! Nakakatakot naman mabahala.
Sa bawat araw nakakarinding pakinggan
Positibo, sino? Taga-saan? Kailan?
Kakila-kilabot na mensahe mula sa lansangan
Na akala natin biro lang, wala lang yan!
Subalit sa bawat araw maraming buhay ang
nawawala,
Marami ang naaapektuhan na pamilya
Higit na ang mga frontliners sa ating bansa
Sila ang guwardiya sa pagpuksa ng COVID-19.
57
Hindi basta-basta, hindi madali, hindi sigurado
Dahil sa bawat oras parang nakakandado
Ang lahat ay walang kalayaan kumilos
At ang karamihan ay naghihikahos.
Umaasa na matatapos na ang lahat ng
paghihirap
Ang buhay na nakakulong sa pag-aalala, takot,
at pangamba
Magwawakas din? Kung ang bawat isa'y
magkakaisa
Magbayanihan sa pagpuksa sa ating
hinaharap.
58
Poetry Tayo na Kaibigan
Rhea Mae Valdez
Alam kong naguguluhan ka na
Katanungan sa sarili nasagot mo na ba?
Puno ng bakit, paano, hanggang kailan ang nasa
isip ng bawat isa
Mga taong nagtatanong, kailan ba malalagpasan
ang pandemya?
Maraming mga taong ngayon ay naghihirap
Maraming mga taong ngayon ay salat
Dulot ng pandemya sa buong mundo ay kumalat
Doktor at mga nurse ay patuloy ang paghihirap
‘Wag kayong magpakain sa pangamba
Lahat tayo ay nahihirapan
Maraming taong namamalimos sa lansangan
Munting lansangan na kanilang tirahan
Pandemya ay sabay-sabay nating puksain
Pagkakaisa ating pairalin
Bayanihan ating payabungin
Upang pandemya ay maglaho sa buhay natin
59
Ito na ang tamang oras para magtulugan
Mga sakit sa puso’y nararapat nang ipagtabuyan
Bawat isa’y nararapat nang magtulungan
Upang pandemya patuloy nang mawakasan
Naitanong mo na ba sa iyong sarili?
Paano ako lalaban kung ibang tao ay hahadlang?
Paano ako lalaban
Kung ang gobyerno ang unang kalaban?
Bakit ako lalaban, ito’y para saan?
O aking kaibigan ito’y para sa bayan
Bayan na iyong kinalimutan
Na dati ay nagtutulungan
O aking kaibigan
Hindi pa huli ang lahat
Para isakatuparan mga pagbabago sa ating bayan
Sabay-sabay nating imulat ang ating mga mata
Upang kapaligiran ating makita
Kung gaano ito kahalaga at saan nagsimula
Huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa
Tayo’y magiging masaya
Pairalin ang pamamahal at pagtutulungan
Upang kalaban na hindi nakikita ay mawakasan.
60
That morning…
Fiction
Kate Trucilla
The buzzing of my alarm clock woke me. How frustrating that
I forgot to turn it off before I went to bed last night! I forgot again
that I did not have to wake up early because I don’t have work
anymore. How long has it been? Since this pandemic has put
everything on hold, stopped every work, and halt every activity?
It’s been 5 months I guess, but I’m still not used to this situation
of being home, doing nothing, and not working.
After turning off my alarm clock, I proceeded on doing my
morning routine before making my coffee, I could not come back
to sleep because my senses are already awake.
There’s nothing much to do in the morning, so I opened the
television and watched the morning news. Updates about the
COVID-19 are all over the news. The everyday situation is getting
worse and worse, and it seems like it has no ending-the end is
still out of grasps.
Burned-out faces of health care workers are flashing on the
screen. Although wearing Personal Protective Equipment, anyone
could tell how tired and worn out they looked. The number of
patients is growing big, hospitals are getting crowded, there are
not enough tools for everyone and the lack of health care
professionals is not helping at all.
When I was a kid, I remember that my dream was to
become a nurse so I could help sick people. Well, I was a licensed
nurse. I worked for almost 5 years in a public hospital. That was 5
61
years of working with a very low salary, hours of tiresome shifts,
and tons of emotional breakdowns before I decided to let go of
that profession and dream of mine and decided to find a job
that will make me more comfortable even if the salary is not
that high. Yet, because of this pandemic, I am once again
jobless. I am not tired but I am not earning as well.
I heaved a deep sigh after reminiscing. Ever since that day,
when I resigned as a nurse, I couldn’t find any passion in my job.
It’s like the wind took it away that very same day.
My thoughts were disrupted when my phone rang. I was not
expecting any calls so I wondered who was calling.
“Hello, Good day!” I greeted.
“Hi! Is this Ms. Shiela Vasquez?” the person on the other
line asked.
“Yes, what can I do for you?” I confirmed.
“I am calling from Evangelista Hospital,” she stated and it
somewhat made me nervous. What if one of my family
members is there?
“I was informed by Nurse Herald that you are an inactive
licensed nurse, we would like to know if you are willing to work
again at a hospital?” she asked me.
I was relieved to know that none of my family members
were brought to the hospital. But, there was a sudden volt of
feelings that rushed through my veins. Was it excitement?
Happiness? Shock? I am not even sure but something inside of
me was resurrected.
I hesitated for a moment but I said yes. I know the work
now will be a lot harder than before, but this time I know I can
do it with more passion than ever.
I hang up the phone. I am nervous and excited. I could not
believe I will once again live my childhood dream. I could not
believe that in this unfortunate time, I will gain back the passion
that I lost and I will find myself again.
62
Poetry Uncertain but Hopeful
Kate Trucilla
It crawled to my skin, up to my head
Ringing, banging, how loud could it get?
But how come? The noises are long gone
Since the crown was seen by everyone.
Spread through the swift wind – just seconds.
It was too noisy then snap! Deafening silence took over.
I was crumbled, then I tumbled
Grasping for reality after moments of insanity
Anxiety, fear, and despair, spread across the sphere
Jolly, busy, and lively lives gone in the atmosphere
Could I last for more days? Or weeks? Or years?
Uncertainty of the future filled my head
Like heavy clouds it would burst.
I hide and hide to avoid death,
But forlorn living is taking away my breath.
They said to keep a distance,
With lots of happenings, we could only glance.
This situation is truly draining,
But we are still fighting, surviving,
Maybe because we are still waiting,
For the distance to be shorten,
And close the gaps between.
Share the warmth, spread the light
Until the day the crown will be gone
Like our nightmares at night.
63
The words you are searching are inside this book. To get more targeted content, please make full-text search by clicking here.
Discover the best professional documents and content resources in AnyFlip Document Base.
Search