Tinta

The Poverty of Human Beingness

2019-03-28T20:43:00.003-07:00

by: France

It is evident in our society that poverty is one of the major quandaries ravaging our country and its people. Poverty is a state in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and essentials to enjoy a minimum standard of life and well-being that's considered acceptable in society. More than 26 million Filipinos remain poor with almost half, or a little more than 12 million, living in extreme poverty and lacking the means to feed themselves, according to official government statistics for the first semester of 2015 (Inquirer, 2015). The film overall displayed the state of our destitute countrymen inside a dissonance society. The portrait that the artist had painted reminds us about the wretched condition of our street children that lacks daily source of food and shelter.

“I see humans but no humanity.”

- Jason Donohue

Once again, I heard a beat of my heart while watching the film due to the fact that it speaks the reality of poverty here in the Philippines. The cruel reality in which some of us are lucky enough to have a home and food to eat, but some are deprived of these because they exist in the remains of our bones and ashes. In solitary, they sung the lacerated lullabies wishing that someone will hear this and lend them a helping hand to lift them up away from the pit of misery and despair. After seeing their heartbreaking situation, it made me realize how gifted I am. It also opened my eyes wider about the view of impoverishment and beggary happening around me. The message of helping those who are in need is already engraved in my heart and soul. It ignited my passion to help even more those under the cold sheet of poverty. Only if each of us got this fiery ember in our hearts inflamed by passion to help others and generosity to offer then we can able to make this place a better place to live where genuine smile is shown everywhere.

Insomniac

2019-03-28T20:41:00.005-07:00

by: France

Your smile makes me cringe that I can’t sleep
Your eye makes me insane that I cut myself so deep
Why do we live?
Why do we give?
Why believe?
Why do we need to live in order to give to what we believe?
I am hated
I am loved
I still keep longing for love that I cannot have
I keep searching
And what I search is what I have
And what I lost
Is something that I treasured the most
This is something I understand
This is somewhere in the middle land
This is someone who cannot stand
In silence I cry
In silence I die
In silence are all lies
I win and I lose
I lose therefore I win
I am nothing but pure sin
In this heaven
In this hell
There is something inside you, you cannot tell

Thr Right Path, with the Bright Light

2019-03-24T04:58:00.004-07:00

by: Rommaine

As a curious teenager, there will be days that you will feel the urge to try different things in life. It may lead you to the right or wrong path. I’ve tried several things that resulted in failure and lost of hope. There are days when all I can see is darkness and all I can hear is raging voices. There’s a chaos in my mind and in my heart.

But despite of all the troubles and worries, I found the light that guided me to find new hope. I found God in the midst of darkness. I found the bright light that guides me in everything that I do. And for that, I will always be thankful and grateful because I am currently taking the right path.

A Quick Getaway

2019-03-24T04:56:00.005-07:00

by: Rommaine

Hindi mapawi ang mga ngiti saaking labi noong panahon na aking nalaman na kami ng aking pamilya ay pupunta sa Pangasinan: ang lugar at ang tahanan na laging bukas at handang tumanggap saaming lahat.

Sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko sa sobrang kagalakan. Ako’y nagagalak, dahil sa wakas ay akin na ulit makikita ang mga Pinsan ko at mga Tituhin ay Tiyahin.

Sa aming paglalakbay, kami ay sinalubong ng napaka init na araw, ngunit hindi ito naging sagabal upang tahakin namin ng patuloy ang daan patungo sa aming napiling destinasyon. Punong puno ng halakhakan at kasiyahan ang aming sinasakyan dahil ang lahat ay nagagalak sa byahe.

Noong kami’y nakarating na ay wala kaming sinayang na oras at lahat ay aming ginawa at pinagsaluhan ng magkakasama. Lumangoy kami sa Dagat at naglibot libot sa iba’t-ibang lugar. At para saakin ito ang pinaka memorableng bakasyon dahil sa mailkling panahon ay puno ng kasiyahan at kaligayan ang namutawi.

A Year of Rollercoaster Ride at St. Edward: A Grade 12 Graduating Student

2019-03-24T04:54:00.000-07:00

by: Rommaine

As a graduating student, I cannot stop myself from reminiscing every moment that me and my friends have shared inside and outside of St. Edward integrated school. The non-stop jokes and the learnings we’ve shared for almost 10 months. I found a place where I can be myself.. A place where I can express my true emotions and to be the goofy version of myself.

The school doesn’t make me feel different. It helps me to boost my confidence and to find people whom I can actually call and treat as a family. I can say that this is the year that I will not gonna forget. I thank them for bring out the best in me. I will surely miss them when we part ways.. I will always be thankful to everyone that made my Grade 12 experience memorable.

Baka Bukas Makalawa

2019-03-24T04:50:00.002-07:00

by: Genesis

"Nag-iinarte lang iyan"

"Sus. Kulang lang yan sa pansin"

Habang abala ang lahat na paligayahin ang mga sarili, mag-isa mong tinatakpan ang tainga mula sa ingay sa labas. Ganoon rin ay tinakpan mo ang iyong mga labi upang masigurado na hindi ka na makakapagbitaw ng ngiti.

Paunti-unti ay nakulong ka sa sarili mong takot at ang tangi mo na lamang emosyon ay lungkot. Pero hindi naging sagot ang mga lubid upang wakasan ang sarili mong pulso. Dahil ang totoo, may naghihintay na purong kasiyahan sa iyo sa labas. At sa pagkakataong iyon, hindi mo na maririnig na sasabihin nilang "nag-iinarte ka lang".

Ayon sa mga numerong inilabas ng World Health Organization noong 2014, umabot sa 4.5 milyong Pilipino. Gayundin, sa mga datos na kanilang inilabas ay pumapalo sa 800,000 ang bilang ng mga taong namamatay dahil sa suicide na dulot ng depresyon kada taon sa buong mundo.

Bilang isang indibidwal na mayroong lakas na magsalita upang matulungan ang sinumang iniinda ang depresyon, hindi pa huli ang lahat. Tanggap ka ng mundo. Pinili mo mang magkulong sa kwarto at isipin paulit-ulit ang mga bagay na nagpapaluha sa iyo, hindi pa huli ang lahat.

Gayundin, sana ay masampal tayo ng respeto na huwag balewalain at gawan ng masamang impresyon ang sinumang biktima ng depresyon. Hindi natin alam, baka bukas makalawa, ikaw na ang masabihang,

"..nag-iinarte lang iyan".

Slut-Shaming

2019-03-22T19:07:00.001-07:00

''Flirty'', ''Bitchy'', ''Slut'', ''Whore'', ''Hoe'' In modern culture, if a woman is having sex with multiple partners she is called a slut but in our world today, sexual experience is not criteria to be called by that way. This word has a lot of meanings that come with a variety of negative connotations. The term is used to degrade and belittle women for apparently expressing their sexuality, by the way they dress, dance, move or even talk. There is a word for it, slut-shaming. Do people really need to judge a woman for being just real to themselves and to the world? Is it really their fault that there are a lot of people who have malicious minds? Slut shaming is closely related to issues of victim blaming and rape culture, which promotes a strong beliefs against woman that women’s sexual liberalism is to be blame for their experiences of sexual assault and violence. By degrading a woman for expressing her sexuality whether she is wearing a decent clothes, talking like an angel, or walking like a Miss Universe means that any action, how big or small, can be criticized as negative. Whenever people slut shames a woman, it strengthens the message that women have no control of their own bodies and sexuality. People should stop being insensitive about this issue. People prefers to isolate and alienate these women who only wish to express themselves. Let’s open our eyes and minds. We need to respect everyone whatever their status maybe. Just because these women practice unconventional and non-traditional actions that are indifferent, this does not mean they do not deserve everyone’s respect. We need to remember that something unorthodox does not mean the deficiency of one’s dignity

How My Grandparents Met

2019-03-22T19:04:00.000-07:00

by: JV

A girl from a barrio goes to the city to find a job. She is the second oldest out of the siblings of the family and even though she came from a family where money was just enough for food, she managed to finish an educational course. which led her to find a job in the means of going away from her family and going to the city. There, she didn't only find a job, she also found a guy. A guy that married her and gave her the gift of motherhood.

The story doesn't end there though, because after being married for years, her marriage with the guy who was supposed to shower her with love and make her feel home, soon became a disaster and somehow an experience that if she will describe, hell. In the arms of her husband, she was abused. The guy he thought who was an angel, was a disguised devil in all reality.

Then another day came. There she is, seen in a corner of a restau-bar sitting with her head hanging low, sobbing and thinking about how to escape her husband and save her child. While she was thinking of things to do in order to make her life work again, she heard a sound of someone sitting in front of her. She looked up with tears and sorrow evident in her eyes. Right there she saw a fine and young looking man who is looking worried despite of not really knowing each other then the guy spoked and the first thing he said was a question asking her if everything's alright.

That is where, two strangers who met on a strange place and strange time fell in love with each other. Not in that exact moment, but as the time goes by they eventually did. One was saved from abused while the other was saved from loneliness.

That is how my grandparents met.

My Favorite Teacher

2019-03-21T09:44:00.000-07:00

By: Kyzha

There is no denying the fact that a good teacher is responsible for the all-around development of the student, a good teacher easily motivates the student according to their requirement and make them responsible citizens of the country and that makes their importance is more in our life.

“Makagraduate lagi mo, tarong ug salig lang” words from an amazing teacher who went beyond the curriculum telling us that we can soon get our diplomas and graduate as long as we trust and persevere. Ms. Reyno is a science teacher who is my favorite subject teacher but just like how we explore science into its particles and mind-blowing chemical reaction activity we also delve onto our capabilities on doing something great more that we think we could. She is by far the best teacher that I have ever had, she has the ability to make a subject that many students find incredibly boring come to life through her enthusiasm and passion and her love of being a teacher. Going to her lecture is something we look forward to not dread with other lessons.

My story of becoming her as my favorite teacher doesn’t start there, it actually stat when I was in grade 7, she is one of my subject teacher I remember her walking into our room observantly, eyeing everyone, a woman in her 50’s sat on her chair with her newly rebounded Brazilian style hair and shining painted nails with that I started to shiver in fear. I have always had fears with strict people uncomfortable to work with them. I went out of focus and I cannot just understand every she say but weeks by, I started my plan ignore completely that strong aura in science class because I don’t want to fail the subject. At the end of the semester I got low grades obviously that plan didn’t worked out no matter how much I push myself to listen attentively to her class but fear came out first. I knew I was lacking confidence to myself. With the grades she gave me it still got me ticket on my way to grade 8. There was an unexpected whirlwind of events, that woman whom I’m very scared of became my homeroom adviser. The first moment I heard about it my vision just went blank and paleness can be evidently seen on my face. Just with the thought goes a lot deeper and harder I imagined how much torture of emotions and shivering sessions I was gonna go through. But everything turns right where it supposed to be, later in the afternoon was our PTA meeting I knew already no one would come, I knew already I just get used to it and was scolded a lot about it. She was standing in front of the class a bit scolding moment for those student whose parent will not able to attend but it was all about encouraging that each one of us in that room felt that we are someone to be proud of. It smacked me in the face that this teacher cares each one and value “me”. With that each day is working in progress of recognizing “me” and still continue to build and rebuild the person that will shape the future all thanks to Ms. Reyno.

She teaches by the heart and touches the mind and soul.

Indonesia Counts the Dreadful Toll of an Earthquake and Tsunami

2019-03-21T09:42:00.003-07:00

By: Genesis

     "Sadly, there was no early warning, it just happened", said Sarina, a 32-year old mother who survived the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that left the the island of Sulawesi devastated. She is on her way home afternoon of September 28, when her house starts trembling. She was not afraid at first but the quake happened for three times that made her petrified. After the earthquake, a tsunami was next to pester their place and left the people in danger. Sarina is fortunate enough to survive the calamity but 1,407 was declared dead.

     This tragic article of Time Magazine is quiet sad. It is written to put each and everybody's mind awareness of what can nature do to people. This write-up says that any trouble or peril is inevitable and can happen anytime. We are part of possible ways to somehow help everyone know their responsibility as individuals . And it all shout start in ourselves.

     I felt unhappy knowing that a danger can put life into death. Seeing a country suffers from a calamity is really crestfallen.

The Poverty of Human Beingness

2019-03-21T09:09:00.004-07:00

By: France

“I see humans but no humanity.”

- Jason Donohue

A Journey with them

2019-03-21T09:03:00.003-07:00

By: France

Before the school year ends I just want to express myself and the happiness inside my heart because of some special people. Those special people are my friends that walked together with me until the very last days of the school year. Along the journey we took are memories that forever will remain in our hearts. At our last day in school is when I realized that they are no longer my friends, but a second family to be with. We supported each other in our high and low points in life. We taught ourselves how to become a better version of ourselves. We worked together to push boundaries and hardships along the way. We created a bond that can never be equated.

All I hope is that we will never forget each other and all I wish is we will have the chance to meet in the crossroad of life. I wish them good luck and have fun in following years to come. I wish that the next time we will be able to meet again is we became the person we envisioned to be in our future. It will be the happiest day of my life if I ever get to see one of them contented and living the life they dreamed to have. Right now, this road we took comes to an end, but this bond will carry on to the very end.

Marlboro Nights

2019-03-21T08:42:00.002-07:00

By: France

The fiery tip of my cigarette is the only thing that lights up my surrounding right now. You know when we are living in a dark and sad world when some people chose to buy happiness at the price of their own mortality. Cigarette has been the very companion I have at miserable times. It's the only thing I can count on when everything seems to be falling apart around me. As soon as the smoke settles in inside my chest every pain and misery seems to disappear for a moment in time. The relief that it gives me is just satisfying and deeply easing to my weary mind. The ephemeral ease is just enough to make me last all day. It's hard to live this kind of lifestyle when I'm dependent on one thing to make myself stable. It's like a torture that I have to go trough such self-destructing lifestyle. I know that there comes a point in time where I have to give up this addiction that I have, but who knows when. Maybe when my body is already half dead or maybe when I'm already six feet underground. A genuine help from a kind soul is all I ask. I can't fight this battle on my own. I can't fight this battle with my very own mind.

Uninvited Visitor

2019-03-21T07:53:00.000-07:00

By: Kyzha

“She had the perfect party planned only to be ruin by her ex”

I went through a break up that took me several years to get over. He was intelligent, loving and ridiculously handsome, a perfect man for a woman who always a messed up all her entire life and a love that has been prayed over nights under the shimmering stars full of hopeful dreams. We dated for two and a half years and the mark he left was footprints of pleading injustice. He was the man who dreamt of our future together, he would always say that he imagined me walking down the aisle wearing a perfect pictured smile with him waiting in the altar, our vows be express with tears running in our faces wiping a joy of love. I fell in love with those enchanting words of him but in reality those are just a snippet of a beautiful disaster that’s yet to happen and not just like any fairytale love story it does always end up in a happily ever after.

A several painful years to get over to the man of my dreams, years of hiding myself emotionally and surrounded with furnaced inhospitable people. I found my courage to ascent my drowning self and manage to untangled from an introvert-reserved person to the unleashed woman who fully enjoys resilience and gives meaning to the momentous episode of life. In fact I will be throwing a party for all the success I have covered, aside from a company that I’d manage to put up this is a celebration of the challenges I’d maneuver to overcome. Embellishing a glorious night is with the people who is silver and gold to my treasure box, people that made me a significant being in the midst of consciousness disaster. The visibility of my success may be seen around filling the crowd, I have witnesses the joyous laughter intertwining with the sweet taste of whiskey, a masterpiece can be made with the couple’s chatting and dancing to the euphony of music adding to the ambiance is the shining crystal lights and ornaments joined with the loud mumbling of sound. I was overflowed with happiness but to expect the unexpected my monumental night turns into an agony. I saw my ex walking towards me, the man who used to be life is now standing in front of me, for some, it could be the moment where everything surrounds you began to blur and everything just go in slow motion but the man I saw is not the man whom I laid my eyes into the man that showed tonight is the spiteful drunk and has a rusty behavior who probably lived a horrible life. I can’t deny the man whom I defined as an almost perfect partner is also an adamant immature and has the mouth of a misogynist. Everything that makes me fall in love just faded just maybe a shallow basis of his eyes that were used to be my doors to see his soul but now it was then completely shut.

Maybe those painful years is what I deserve. The party that was perfectly planned is ruined by a visitor in the past.

Moana’s Adventures: The Travelling Feet Goes to Bukidnon!

2019-03-21T07:45:00.001-07:00

By: Kyzha

Gallivanters on Wheels!

I woke up 4 am in the morning by the harmonious tiktilaok of our neighbors hens, when you are in a province this will gonna be your immediate alarm clock and an effective reminder to start the morning early to have a productive day. I still got sleepy eyes on with a plan to spend a minute to an inviting bed but I suddenly snapped out of my dreamland as I realized that I have a long trip waiting to be bump within the day. An adventure awaits for a 2-day trip to Bukidnon and that for sure made me hyper activated. We were a group of gallivanters who is composed of an OFW, a seaman, a teacher, a businesswoman and me as a bakasyonista.

I slept 3 hours for a sweet and comfortable ride from North Cotabato to Davao but the zigzag road awoke me in the middle of the mountainous view of Bukidnon. It was then a stunning touch of masterpiece served right in front of our glowing eye, our lips plastered smiles as we felt the cold weather and the wildflowers along the main highway. We’ve had several stop overs just to take phots and fills up our gallery, just only the beginning of the trip consumed already our cellphones battery but the gallivanters was still set for more to devour by wheels.

Gallivanter – a person who goes off to travels around in search of amusement fun or adventure.

Overnight with nature!

After a butt numbing 8 hours spent on the van we’ve made our way to Dahilayan Adventure Park tagged as one of the longest zip line in Asia, the three phase zip line offers a spectacular ride overseeing pine trees and a garden with a vast variety of plant and flowers and a lot more zip extreme experience. But that wasn’t the highlight of our first day trip, instead of spending for expensive room around the area, we decided to spent the night camping around the place just underneath the glittering stars and the overview of Bukidnon. It was was also a safe and secured camp, before seizing our majestic night we finished off a savory dinner with Bulalo centered on the table its marrow, tasty broth and its serving of leaner cuts of meat that are remarkably tender everything soothes perfectly in our hungry stomach. It was a night of connecting with nature and a moment tranquility.

Kingdom of Pineapples!

Our 2^nd day started with a tick of cloud making the sun so shy to show its splendid but the shivering weather and mesmerizing view of Bukidnon completes our morning. We left at 8 am and arrived in Del Monte farm, Bukidnon around 10 am. The plantation is located in the camp Philips in Manolo Fortich which is a 2-hour drive away from Dahilayan and is a home to the finest and sweetest pineapple in the country. Upon entering the plantation, we passed by and I overheard one of them saying “ na dako gyud kayo ma’am” (yes, it was a really big help) pertaining to how the plantation have helped them and a lot of employees to have a job in sustaining their family’s needs. I’ve noticed that throughout our trip I’ve never seen hospitals or clinic located near the barangay this is also supported by one of my friend who Is a local resident. Houses are distant and that fast transportation is also hard to attain but the farm built home for its employees in which they can also bring their family with them. This housing project have had clinics to provide health cares to the farmers. It was a truly a kingdom of pineapple not because it is the biggest plantation in Asia but with the people who built and work behind it.

In the Arms of my Mother : An OFW Story

2019-03-21T07:43:00.003-07:00

By: Kyzha

People go through a series of difficult experiences in life that might force them to contemplate their past. The more we discussed our regrets, the more we realized there were far more periods we would want to return to, and far more mistakes we would want to fix.

A child were about to celebrate her 12^th birthday. Growing up she have never really celebrated an important time and was never excited about it anymore. Everyone may be has their memorable celebration of their birthdays but to her, she tried every possible ways to avoid these conversation when obviously she didn’t have any great stories to tell. But the family reunion weren’t all about her birthday, her mother were coming. A mother whom she haven’t seen in her entire existence.

In the family’s dining room where we used to gather, I sat on the floor by the small bookshelf and pulled out the black scrapbook. The first page was a beautiful picture of our eldest sister as a sleeping newborn. I began flipping through the pages. Searching, yearning and then I saw this child pictured while crying. I stared at it, it was me crying over nothing, I may not remember why I was crying at the time but then for sure I cried loudly for a reason that there isn’t a figure of a woman whom I saw to embrace its whining child.

I felt tears ready to burst out. The flood of emotions was pushing its way up. I closed the book slowly and made my way to my room as I silently cried by myself.

I remember the day when I first met my mother, It was in the airport , a rendezvous of my first meeting of the woman who is gone for almost 12 years. She arrived, happily hugging everyone around me it’s a second of deep thinking but now its my turn, she came close to me and open her arms wide then squeeze me tightly. In my mother’s arms I felt like I need to cry but I didn’t know what to do, maybe I was in shock of the strange feeling that I didn’t know how to respond to it. Her arms around me, her hands stroking my hair and kissing my head so tender, as I saw her eyes it was full of longingness but then again I was not really sure if I was right about it. I just stood still, I didn’t move a bit, not even a single word came out of my mouth, my eyes grasp into nothingness ,I can feel my body shaking and my hands began to sweat. In her arms it felt like it was the safest place to be, the arms I had felt as a child even when I can’t even remember a single memory with the her in it.

Looking back at that moment when I first had a glance of my mother, guilt and regrets showered upon me. What could I have done differently?. I just wondered a lot things that I should have done in that minute, I should have embrace her and tell her how much I missed her, I should have proudly showed all the achievements I’ve had in school, how I was a good girl helping my siblings with the chores and there’s a lot more but I didn’t.

A trip to my past self was more about me questioning myself. A difficult decision to fully accept mistakes and stop thinking about the past. That woman today felt she lost a child and thought she has done horrible things for that child to hate her when all she hoped was to give them a fulfilling life where she can provided everything they needed. She sacrifice everything including her own happiness to sustain the dreams of her children. Start appreciating the moments that today offers for it fills you to the person you are in the future.

Soon I'll Be Okay

2019-03-21T07:42:00.000-07:00

By: Elizabeth

Before, everything is perfect i feel that i am the happiest human being being existing in this world. I thought that this happiness i feel so for a lifetime and i can’t relate to those people who are suffering and experiencing heartbreaks because of the joy i felt that time. Going back to those days when he’s not yet around , those days that he’s not existing in my world i don’t know the feeling of being special with someone you love, someone who treats and makes you so special in their life. That time wish i could have that so call someone who can definitely make me feel at the emotions that you don’t usually feel.. And finally i found him , my dreams came into reality he let me feel that i’m worth to feel that kind of contentment. He treated me life a Disney princess like belle in the “beauty and the beast “he will protect me to those people who have the intention to hurt me” like Cinderella , prince charming will do everything just to be in her princess again”. Snow white he will wait until i wake up in the morning and reply to his text “ Good morning”with a big smiley emoji all those princes did everything just to see their princes but all of a sudden that they lived happily ever after turned into at least they used to be happy together “ I thought what he had is real and he will be my last nut in just a snap its all gone real quick that was my first time to feel that kind of pain, I didn't expect that it will be ended up like this because were happy together it really hurts me for a long time he was my first but probably not my last because life goes on. But before we all think that love is perfect love is perfect love is full of happiness but you cannot defined what is love until you know how to love and how to be loved but i believed that you wont just experience love from other. People or the person you admire the most but you can also find love in yourself too. Just love yourself and choose to be happy . Soon I’ll Be Okay .

Our Legacy

2019-03-21T07:39:00.002-07:00

By: Lorraine

“Kapag namulat ka na sa katotohanan, kasalanan na ang pumikit.”
Today was probably the most anticipated day i’ve ever waited to happen. We only had two days of exams for senior high school, and usually you’d have three. Our third day was not exams but our book launching. In the beginning of this SHS life, I saw my old school creating a book, and I was envious. I wished I was back there, submitting my entries too. Some time passed by and I forgot that happened, until we, Grade 12 HUMSS, had the opportunity to launch our own book. I was speechless; it was really happening, for the first time in St. Edward School, our first ever book launching and that legacy will continue.
Our book is entitled as TUKSO: Social Stigmas and Taboos in the Millennial Age, as it’s title suggest, talks about the issues that we currently have in the Philippines. The entries were separated into categories, the seven deadly sins; Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Wrath, Gluttony, and Sloth. I was one of the representatives of sharing our excerpts under the category Envy. As I stood in front of our guests I thought; ‘This is it. It is really happening.’ We made it.
Honestly, as I was watching my classmates, I thought of how far we’ve gone, how proud I was to be in this class. We were like isolated creatures during our grade 11 days, it was horrible. But now, people saw us standing in front of them, with our loving Creative Non-Fiction adviser, Dr. John. To be able to do something big and memorable is such an honor and for the rest of our lives, we will remember that book we made possible, with the help of Dr. John, our supportive friends and family, and teachers that witnessed our success. Thank you.
Grade 12 Humanities and Social Sciences Batch 2018 – 2019; Signing off.

Entry 101 of a Hopelessly Hopeless Person

2019-03-21T07:37:00.004-07:00

By: Lorraine

My day was coming along just fine, had several laughter with my friends, I got to go to immersion and earned myself hours,,, then afternoon came. I went to my usual place, at the back of the LS, the field. Every immersion I had, I would go to the field to relax and spend time with my friends. It was funny actually, because i was with a close friend of mines who saw her past crushes gathering into one place. She couldn’t look forward, backward, or side ward, so she laid down on the grass, staring right to the skies. I, on the other hand, saw a friend and hugged her. I was talking about my crush and she told me she was just at our southeast. I stopped, literally I didn’t know how to breathe. My heart started beating faster as I debated whether I should give her the letter that I wrote to her on the last day of February. Here is what she said that made me rethink everything;

“Bakit mo pa po ibibigay kung hindi naman niya naaappreciate?”(“Why would you give it when she doesn’t even appreciate it?”)

My heart sunk. She was right. Maybe I shouldn’t be doing such efforts on someone who doesn’t even care if I existed... but no. I couldn’t betray my feelings. Yes, it would be stupid of me to pursue of a love that wouldn’t be returned, but the thought of expressing and letting the person I like know that I indeed like her... would be better than regretting the action I didn’t choose to take. ‘Selfish.’

Another realization; it wasn’t just a crush anymore. I like her. My friends would ask me from time to time; “Siya parin ba?” (“Is it still her?”) Unfortunately and fortunately, yes. I tend to be loyal with crushes, because why would you need to find others (other crushes) to make you happy if she/he alone makes you the happiest? *Hopeless romantic alert* Maybe this is one of the reasons why she doesn’t like me (aside from the obvious fact that she’s straight).

Then again, I go back to square one with my present feelings I have towards her. Just a fact; we don’t talk anymore. It was like from friends to acquaintance to strangers. I hate the fact that I couldn’t do anything to approach her. I can’t talk nor greet. All I could do was simply watch her fade away from my vision and far within my reach. It was the first time I ever regretting expressing myself, but change allows me to learn from it. Maybe not all of my crushes would be comfortable around me, and have me as a friend again, but that’s alright. I don’t have the power to force them into something they do not want to do. Hopefully by the end of this school year, I’ll be given a chance; one last chance.. then I’ll give up.

“But know that it isn’t bad to express yourself. It’s better regretting doing it than not at all. At least you tried.”

The Memories of the Past

2019-03-21T07:35:00.002-07:00

By: Ashley

Since I was young and until now, my parent loves to tell me stories about their humble beginning, where they grew up and how they met abruptly. They both lived and was raised in a province they said, but have never met. They were like shooting stars that have never crossed paths until a time came where they both planned to venture to look for a job, in a city where they met and have started. My parents lived in that city in the early nineties with an agreement where to start of a family due to the fact that it will be more convenient for my father where he was designated just nearby in that particular area as a Military. During that time, the barrio was under control or covered by the military or called a military base, that all the people who resides and are present in that time are full of disciplines and respect because all of the residence who lived there are only soldiers with their families. As time goes by everything changed, the military base moved its place. Eventually, it turned into a barrio where numerous of people moved there closely to be fully occupied by civilians. Which from over time has evolved closely to become a gambling place in present time. Differs from what I have catch up compared to how it was before makes everything messy, to think on how it happens to be like that, knowing what it was before. It will really leave a quest in your mind on how does the barrio full of reverential people turned into a disenchantment.

This too Shall Pass

2019-03-20T05:32:00.001-07:00

by: Angelo

Everyday we get struggles. Everyday we encounter problems that gets us breaking down every single time. Everyday we try to find a way out. Some may contemplate of ending their life but don't worry, one thing is certain, this too shall pass.

These things are just challenges that prepares us eventually for our future. If we do not experience such thing, how will we be in our future? Will we be ready for the troubles that we face now? Everyday is a preparation of something.

For every dark night, there is a brighter day.

image source: https://cdn.wallpapersafari.com/42/47/pL9iMt.jpg

Dear Future Me

2019-03-20T05:22:00.000-07:00

by: Angelo

Dear Future Me,

You are great among numerous of things. You are great with sports, making people laugh, having fun, being a good man to the love of your life, maybe not so much in your studies but at least you are good in something. In every smile you make, you make a mark in other people's lives. I hope you continue being that great person that you are. I hope you continue being good to the people round you. I know you are capable of many great things. Your dreams will happen, you will achieve it.

Never give up on who you want to be.

Sincerely,

Your Old Self

Tatak Pinoy

2019-03-20T05:03:00.002-07:00

by: Migelle

Makatao. Maka-diyos. Makakalikasan. Makabansa. Tunay na ligaya ang masabihang isa kang Pilipino, ngunit paano ba maging isang Pilipino? Ako ay nasa inyong harapan upang talakayin ang dapat gawin upang maging isang Pilipino.

Una sa lahat, magkaroon ng katangi-tanging talento. Maging mahusay sa lahat ng larangan. Ito man ay nasa arte o mga isports, kailangan mong maging mahusay. Kung hindi mo taglay ang mga ito, maaring sa iyong utak manggaling ang kagalingan. Kung ika'y hindi nabibilang sa mga iyan, dapat mo ng itanong sa iyong sarili kung tunay ka nga bang isang Pilipino. Mahusay at magaling, iyan ang tatak ng Pilipino.

Pangalawa, maging masayahin. Isang ugali ng mga Pilipino ang pagiging masayahin. Kahit na ika'y isang biktima ng kawalang-pakialam ng sarili mong gobyerno, ito ay ngitian mo lang. Kahit ikaw ay niloloko at binubuwisan ng napakalaki, itawa mo lamang. Kung dumaan ang bagyo at kulang ang mga pasilidad na binibigay ng inyong munisipyo o siyudad, ingiti mo lamang. Iyan ang tunay na Pilipino.

Pangatlo, maging maaruga o sinasabi nilang hospitable. Lahat ng tao dapat ay matatanggap mo ito ng buong buo. Kahit dayuhan man yang sumasalakay sa sarili nating lupa, kailangan natin itong batiin. Ipakita natin ang Filipino Hospitality na isang taglay ng Pilipinas. Kahit na tayo ay nalulugi at nananakawan ng sarili nating mga likas na yaman, kailangang ipakita ang ating kabaitan. Iyan ang tatak ng Pilipino.

Panghuli, maging kayumanggi. Ang balat na ito ang nagtataglay ng ating katanginang Pilipino. Ang mga puti ay hindi kasama rito maliban lamang sa larangan ng showbiz o kagandahan. Ang mga eurocentric na katangiang ito ang isang representasyon ng isang Pilipino ngunit kailangang mahalin pa rin ang kayumanggi nating balat. Kayumanggi ang tatak ng isang Pilipino, maliban sa pamantayan ng kagandahan.

Ito ang mga dapat gawin upang maging Pilipino. Ito ang dapat gawin upang mapansin ni Inang bayan. Sang-ayon ba kayo? Ito ba ang tunay na nagrerepresenta sa ating lahat? Tanungin niyo ang inyong mga sarili kung ano ang inyong nararamdaman sa pamantayang aking isinabi. Marahil sa inyo ay may sumangayon at mayroon din namang hindi. Buong puso akong umaasa na lahat kayo ay hindi sumangayon sa aking sinabi. Ang pamantayang ito ay ang dinidikta ng marami sa atin. Ito ang dinidikta ng ika nila ay kultura ng Pilipinas. Maging masiyahin, maaruga, mahusay, maganda, at maka-diyos. Ang mga katangiang ito ay hindi likas na masama. Ito lamang ay nagiging masama kung ito ay naipapakita natin sa mapang-abusong paraan.

Ang isang tunay na Pilipino ay kailan man hindi masusukat sa iisang pamantayan. Komplikadong usapan ang alamin kung paano nga ba talaga magiging Pilipino ang isang tao ngunit alam ko na may isang basehan na nararapat laging pagtuunan ng mga Pilipino. Ang pagmamahal sa Pilipinas ay dapat taglayin ng lahat na gusto maging Pilipino. Sa ganitong paraan, tunay na busilak at puro ang kanyang pagka-Pilipino. Hindi dapat itinatanong kung paano maging Pilipino ngunit kailangang tanungin kung paano magmahal ng bayan ang isang Pilipino.

Wonder

2019-03-20T04:57:00.000-07:00

by: Brayant

Everyday I wonder why the world is what it is. Why is it full of tragedies? Why do people hurt other people? Why do people kill other people in the name of beliefs? Will their god have a smile on their faces while they do it? Why do people do such things? What would the world be like if they just only do good for others? Will we have a heaven on earth?

The world is full of wonders. It is filled with a lot of mysteries. There is no direct answers on the questions that we always wonder about. People make the choices that we experiences everyday. We make our own fate to the things that we do everyday. That is what life is.

image source: https://images.pexels.com/photos/255379/pexels-photo-255379.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&dpr=2&h=650&w=940

Small Changes

2019-03-20T04:44:00.002-07:00

by: Brayant

Having changes, whether it be big or not impacts our lives so much. It does not only affect our selves but also around the people around us. I have been studying in St. Edward Integrated School for about 5 years now. I wonder what will happen if I enrolled in a different school or if I never transferred schools. What would my life be like? What would have changed? What if I was born in a different country?

There are so many what ifs that we can have in life. Small details that could instantly make a change in ourselves. That is how interesting our life is. It relies on things that had been done.

image source: https://images.pexels.com/photos/531880/pexels-photo-531880.jpeg?cs=srgb&dl=background-blur-clean-531880.jpg&fm=jpg