Nagising naman ako ni Rolhen Jeyk Constante Tulog ako nang magbintangan at siraan, Naalimpungatan ako nang naging pangkaraniwan ang pagmamanipula at pagkagahaman. Nagpunas ng muta nang maging harap-harapan ang dayaan at bayaran. Nagising naman ako, Nakalimutan ko lang bumangon. 146
graphics by AC Manalo 147
Siete by Arianna Crizelle Manalo Seven days Seven faces Seven identities Seven last words 148
photo by Lewis Caroll Mendoza 149
yet to exist by Danielle Grace Tayag potential is such a terrifying idea, even worse than hope to want something that is uncertain, to crave for a possibility, to long for a version of yourself that is yet to exist. when potential is all you have, What are you made of exactly? 150
graphics by Rolhen Jeyk Constante 151
Blasphemous Whisper by Zeira Was my faith just illusionary? Were those promises just lies? For what kind of Father allows such mockery? Preach your faith and preach your highs. To favor one apple over the other by its kind And to test the purity of gold by its brilliance To allow one’s joy at the expense of one’s despair And to make life peaceful to one but eternal damnation to others? Do you even remember my name, my plight, my wishes, and my aspirations? For what kind of mercy selectively grants one’s pleas? I am too, one of your children, but never has the sun rose on my side. No sunlight, no ray of hope, no essence of life 152
photo by Rolando Estrella Jr. 153
Witness Greatness by Rolando Estrella Jr. Until realization came: Faith is placed as if it’s the missing pieces of a puzzle, a one-person journey. Tell me, how often do people stumble along the way then leave them intransigent with the idea of a higher being? I was there, barely living. In a midst of full-on self-destruction and hatred. I looked upon the heavens, and asked for a higher being. One that can do anything to end my misery; The desperations of a lost soul. Then comes warmth, an unexplainable warmth of acceptance; Hope. And when God was reintroduced to me, it was a different light entirely. 154
graphics by Ken Andrey Austria 156
Forecasted by Michelle Patricia Manalo In the depths of night, a tired soul lies awake, She’s resting unrested, for the love they forsake. Longing for the impossible, wanting more, Faith in love is an open door. With every restless night, her baggage grew wide, In the hollow promise of a loving future, she tried to hide. Chasing the “what could be”, Scared of setting it free. Tried to ignore the signs, Fighting for love to still intertwine. He made it perfect at the start, In the end, she sleeps with a broken heart. 157
graphics by Mark Renyel Guinto 158
Selfless Help by Mark Renyel Guinto A helping hand in times of hardships, A crying shoulder for failed relationships. Helping others was my deed, Them, not knowing I was the one in need. Smiling, and laughing as I pave my way, Wiping their tears and sorrows astray. Seeing them smile and happy is my pill. Them, not knowing I was mentally ill. It was my duty to be a strong and steadfast friend, For them to be worry-free until the end. Plastering my problems with facades of acts, Them, not knowing I was the one down in the racks. Because I know how it feels to be helpless, And aiding others was my form of success. Helping others is my form of glee, Them, not knowing they’re the ones helping me. 159
photo by Lewis Caroll Mendoza 160
Petrichor by Danielle Grace Tayag I used to love the rain so much. After all, who wouldn’t find comfort in the earthy smell the pavement permeates once those thousand droplets of water touch the ground. Thousand droplets landing with a soft thump on your window before it cascades down, distorting the view outside into one blurry landscape. An excuse to sleep or rest beneath the soft sheets of your warm bed. Such delights are what makes rain such a charming phenomenon. I used to love the rain so much. Not until the mushy soil stains my white shoes, or when the windows get too foggy I can’t see the landscape outside, or when it makes the weather too gloomy for me to do anything productive, or when my flowers outside die of too much water. Admit it, you can’t say you love the rain as well as the storm that comes with it. We only love things to a certain extent, because to love something in its everythingness means you will eventually hate all the things that it charmed you with in the first place. 161
graphics by Ken Andrey Austria 162
Symphony of Existence by Rolando Estrella Jr. And when our great purpose calls, let it circulate the entirety of being. Let it go beyond your mental capacity, into madness. We are after all allowed; Insanity, in our very own ways. Burn your essence, reshape your mind. There is no other lifetime. 163
graphics by Rolando Estrella Jr. 164
Fin by Rolando Estrella Jr. According to the theory of energy, Energy cannot be created nor destroyed, it can only be converted. We have been lifelong particles of energy that cycled the Earth. Much like water, the sky, and even the universe. There will be a lifetime where all of our prayers are answered, where the missing pieces of the puzzle would be found. This may or may not be it, But I promise, There would be a lifetime where we’d be complete again. Whole-hearted. How lucky are we to have spent this energy with the people we met along the way. Creating portraits for our Museum. On some days, we can see how awful things used to be, On good days, we can laugh. Now tell me, what did you learn? This is it, one last room to explore remains. Step forth, if you understood the meaning of your journey. 165
PASASALAMAT Dr. Hazel Tolenada-Mabborang, LPT The Blaze Adviser
Walang sawang pasasalamat ang aming batid sa inyong pag suporta at pagmamahal sa The Blaze. Sa ngalan ng editorial board and staff ng ating College publication kami ay lubos na nagagalak, nagaganyak at walang halong pag alinlangang na lalo pa naming pag bubutihan at gagalingan upang makapg bigay kagalakan at karangalan, sa ating mahal na kolehiyo. Sa mga paulit ulit na bumabasa at nagmamahal sa literatura, sining at publikasyon, gayun din sa mga laging naka abang at laging umaasa sa balita at obra na ibinabahagi ng The Blaze mapa dyaryo, folio o sa internet man ito, kayo ang aming inspirasyon. Salamat. Kami rin ay nagpapasalamat sa suporta ng ating mahal na unibersidad Tarlac State University at ng ating Koleheyo ng Pangangalakal at Pagtutuos (CBA), gayun din sa mga magulang at guardian ng The Blaze editorial board and staff, salamat po sa pang unawa at pag suporta sa aming ginagawa. Lahat ng ito ay bunga ng ang hindi matawarang enerhiya, pagiging malikhain, determination, kasipagan at pagmamahal ng ating mga mahal na student writers ako ay talagang saludo saiyo, ipagpatuloy ang inyong magandang hangarin. Salamat Sainyo. Mabuhay Kayo! Dr. Hazel Tolenada-Mabborang, LPT The Blaze Adviser 167
Dr. Hazel T. Maborrang Publication Adviser Jess P. Resuello Editor-In-Chief Joe Francis F. Rallo Associate Editor-In-Chief Ronaldo Estrella Jr. Literary and Culture Editor Arveeh Mae Tortoza Sports Editor Alyanna Palada Business Page Editor Ken Andrey Austria Graphics Editor Xandinne Santiago Staff Writer Kalvin Tipay Staff Writer Emmanuel Desiderio Staff Writer Princess Jhoey Gopez Staff Writer Ella Mae Santos Photojournalist Mariah Jane Arquiza Photojournalist Alessandra Jean Rivera Photojournalist editorial boar
rd and staff Michelle Patricia E. Manalo Managing Editor Danielle Grace A. Tayag News Editor Owen T. Ocampo Feature Editor Samantha Louise Garcia Layout Editor Andrea Sheyne B. Tabra Multimedia Editor Lewis Caroll Mendoza Senior Photojournalist Mark Renyel Guinto Senior Cartoonist Rolhen Jeyk Constante Staff Writer Arianna Crizelle Manalo Staff Writer/Graphic Artist Allyssa Mae Dancel Staff Writer Maria Nicole Anne Manalac Staff Writer Daniela Vina Francia Mercado Layout Artist Vhan Allanis Orteza Layout Artist