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therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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Page 1: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B
Page 2: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B
Page 3: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B
Page 4: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

Copyright © 2018-2019 by The Republic

First published in the Philippines in 2019 by The Republic

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

The RepublicThe Official Student PublicationMarcelo H. del Pilar National High SchoolBagong Bayan, City of Malolos, Bulacan

For more information, go towww.therepublicmhpnhs.com

Page 5: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B
Page 6: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

Contents

FORewoRd Eliza Victoria

Poems

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

desire in Love Anna Gatchaliandangling Alicia Salamatovercome the darkness Ruth Jedidiah L. Durolfo wings of Liberty Joyce Ortegastars Iris Abigail GloriosoThe walk Joyce OrtegaPanimula ng wakas Andreah Davidshe was Jiro VasquezLast wave Hazel RaagasKasama Erika Taguinodmirror Ayumi BoloHaplos ng Hangin Orrin AcuyongFireworks Jeremy Faith AzufraNewborn on Fourth avenue Archie Villangca Fajardo Hope Cindiella VasquezHappily Never after Georgia SiongcoGreatest dream Nina CruzGood ol’ days Archie Villangca FajardoGirl Power Nicole TamondongBunso, tulog ka na? Kathleen MartinFoul Play Black SeraphimBida Kontrabida Georgia SiongcoBegin Yna Marielle TorioBathala Anna Gatchalianechoes Miranda AutorIronic Sandra Julia Dimaapiako ay Guro Diosdado M. Melanio, LPT, MAT different Tricia InsigneLife after death Ayumi Bolo Bee Niña Ella M. Linapthe paradoxes of love Marc Barcewithout Love John Jayson M. Tolentinoakala ko... Andreah Davidmemories Joseph Maverick FaustinoKisetsu Marion Claire A. Buendia sisterhood cannot be untied Anjanette Capule

Page 7: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

sHoRT sToRIes

41 42 43 44 45 48 49 52 53 55 56 57 59

Jeopardy Sandra DimaapiI Touched Him SymiesRead me HTBang Tanong Kay Neneng Symiesthe love we deserve Miranda AutorPula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just DeeThe wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de GuzmanVague Daniel B. PedrajetaI’ve died many Times Fermina Kassandra D. Dela Cruz Yes, sige pa, ang sarap. Joseph Maverick Faustino Bulwagan Alicia Salamatmagdalena Just Deea letter to myself Nadine C. Musni

aRTwoRKs

61 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73

our second Home Marianne Regalado Crown of Beauty Kurt Ivan Bernal#Jowabels Kurt Ivan Bernalsunset Alexander P. Sinteysakura season Dean Andrew Calalang Unspoken Julia Maye Tolentinoariel Iris S. MarzanPlum Blossom Irish Nicole Alvaran asymmetrical Balance Irish Nicole Alvaran Fairy Irish Nicole AlvaranFinally found myself Irish Nicole Alvaran mundo Edward Rye Espiritu

NosTaLGIa

75 76 77 81 82 83 85

Happiness Reynaldo Santos, IV-1Just Plain Fear Magdalena Lui, IV-1spider in the Rain Perfecto T. Martin, III-1one Thousand Peso Job Virgillio S. Payongayong, IV – 1 our Heroes Albert S. Toribio, III – 1Cinquains Various WritersHaikus Various Writers

Page 8: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

Foreword

W hile I was a student at Marcelo H. del Pilar High School (“National” was not yet part of the school’s official name

then, which should give you an idea of how old I am), the pages of The Republic served as the home for my early writing. It is my great honor to write this foreword for The Republic’s first Art & Literary Folio.

When I was still in high school, social media networks, as we know them now, have not yet been invented. (Yet another way to guess my age.) Livejournal (launched in 1999) and Friendster (2002) were already around, but they did not have the incredible reach and mainstream influence of the networking sites that would follow: Facebook in 2004, Twitter in 2006, and Instagram in 2010. For better or for worse, our social media accounts have become an extension—for some, dangerously, even the sole representation—of our lives, pushing us to curate our experiences, to aim for that perfect selfie. Why? Because social media amplifies, and we want to amplify the best part of ourselves. To “share” something is less sitting in the dimness of the confessional and more picking up a megaphone and shouting a joke to a thousand followers.

The word “lang” in this folio’s title—Share Ko Lang (“Let Me Just Share”)—is interesting to me. “Lang” in Filipino emphasizes a smallness, an unimportance, but then you open the pages of this folio and discover poems confessing love, stories sharing moments of grief. The writers of these pieces belong to a generation who grew up on a culture of sharing—sometimes “oversharing”—stories online, and here they similarly share their stories with equal parts vulnerability, confidence, and generous openness. Nothing small or unimportant here.

We are “creatures constituted by narrative”, says Frederick W. Mayer in his book Narrative Politics. That is, we like stories, and in many

Page 9: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

ways, we are created by stories. We like telling them and we like hearing them, be they in the form of a poem, a piece of short fiction, an essay, a Facebook post, a tweet, an Instagram caption. “Share ko lang,” someone once might have said to you to preface a story, and you sit down, excited to hear the tale. At the end of that story you might have laughed, or cried, or experienced a philosophical epiphany. You might have emerged from the telling a better person, with a better understanding of the world.

That’s not “lang”. Th at’s the great aim of literature, and I se e the writers collected here taking that first step.

‘Yun lang naman. Share ko lang.

Eliza Victoria is the author of several books including the Philippine National Book Award-winning Dwellers (2014), the novel Wounded Little Gods (2016), the graphic novel After Lambana (2016, a collaboration with Mervin Malonzo), and the science fiction novel-in-stories, Nightfall (2018). Her fiction and poetry have appeared in several online and print publications, most recently in LONTAR: The Journal of Southeast Asian Speculative Fiction, The Best Asian Speculative Fiction, The Dark Magazine, and The Apex Book of World SF Volume 5. Her work has won prizes in the Philippines’ top literary awards, including the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. Find her at elizavictoria.com.

Page 10: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

lodipetmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaastigpraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhavEYwaleyswabekerimarswalwallodipetmalumAmshiewerpacharotrapsaastigPraningbulilyASechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdhinserMaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleySWABEKerimarswalwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacHarotrapsaastigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatseCoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarsWALwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaastigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaraTjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarswalwallodipETmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaaStigPraingbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjOwadelwAtDEhinsermaterpatsechoschoshinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekeriM arswalwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacharOtrapsaaStigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatONTisaratjOwadelwatDEhinserm aterpatsechosCHOswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarswalwalloDI

Page 11: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

lodipetmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaastigpraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhavEYwaleyswabekerimarswalwallodipetmalumAmshiewerpacharotrapsaastigPraningbulilyASechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdhinserMaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleySWABEKerimarswalwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacHarotrapsaastigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatseCoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarsWALwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaastigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaraTjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarswalwallodipETmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaaStigPraingbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjOwadelwAtDEhinsermaterpatsechoschoshinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekeriM arswalwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacharOtrapsaaStigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatONTisaratjOwadelwatDEhinserm aterpatsechosCHOswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarswalwalloDI

Poems

Page 12: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

1 |

Desire in LoveAnna Gatchalian

Everyone is longing for loveRisking everything just to feel itSearching everywhere just to find it

Everyone is waiting for someone who left themHoping that someday they’ll come backEnduring the pain and keeping the memories

Everyone is capable of losing themselves Longing for love isn’t badBut losing yourself isn’t love

Page 13: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

share ko lang | 2

DanglingAlicia Salamat

Stay quiet, they say.Shut your mouth, don’t move.What ever happens, just pray.Everything will be okay soon.I flinched — and winced — and cried — yes!I tried but I’m tired.For the first time i asked myself ifI’m really alive, or do I just exist?Why do I even insist?How can such souls get fixed?

The screams were silent,but the cuts are violent.I wonder, do you hear the pleas?Do you hear just the silence?The sickening echo of a pin being pierced in a body of a well-behaved child?She can’t stay quiet.She can’t shut her mouth.She wants to move, she tried to pray —because she knows that everything won’t be okay.I hope and I dream,that one day you’ll listen to her very last wish.

“Can you please...please...please, have some room for peace?”

Page 14: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

3 |

overcome the darknessRuth Jedidiah L. Durolfo

never let yourself to lack of lightjust don’t forget to smile and fightnever let the storm ruin your dayjust be positive and play

let depression be your enemyjust stay away from agonybecause you can be a yellow not a grayjust kneel down and pray

cease it with your pure heartnot everything by your partlet your life shine and glowjust set the fire and don’t blow

let your problems all fallstill you have a great wallyou can smile and be a starbut don’t frown too far

let depression all fadebut never ever play with bladejust smile and be freejust don’t fly like a bee

Page 15: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

share ko lang | 4

Wings of LibertyJoyce Ortega

Let your dreams collide,Fly high with pride,Sprinkle the fairy dust,Go build up your trust.

Conquer your giantsAnd continue the hunt.Let the hunt anthem resound.Remember, the world is round.

Create your own destinyAnd cease the melancholy.Live with positivity,Unleash the wings of liberty.

Page 16: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

5 |

StarsIris Abigail Glorioso

The stars that dot the skyLittle pinpricks of salt, purely whiteOpen your eyes to see the beauty beneathYour lovely abode as your parents sleep“Sleep, sleep child so sweet”Your parents say while you count the sheepBut it wouldn’t be fun, it wouldn’t be grandWithout seeing the stars before sleeping beforehandIsn’t it exciting? Isn’t it exciting?The glimmering, shimmering stars shiningIts resplendent pristine white colors flourishingThat awakens the curiosity of a younglingTip toe, tip toeOff your little toes goSlide open your windowAnd admire the stars dotted from your homeSee how they dance, see how they pranceSee the dust they scatter to your handsDusts of happiness and pure joyFilled with wishes for a good girl or boyAs long as you whimper these words of joy“Star light, star bright that shines brightly on this night”

Page 17: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

share ko lang | 6

The WalkJoyce Ortega

I am walking a long road leaving footprints behind me,Appreciating the beauty of everything I see.Reminiscing all the pauses and steps every single day.Overcoming the obstacles and stumbles as I pray.

I’ll keep walking forward even though life is hard.Surpass everything with my barefoot and get the reward.Ill reach my destination by making the right turn,And endure everything because there is no return.

Page 18: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

7 |

Panimula ng WakasAndreah David

Ipinikit ang mga lumuluhang mata,Kinadena ang sarili sa mga halimaw na lumalamon sa kaluluwa.Kabisado ko na ang paghalakhak nila sa aking tabi,Habang namumutla ang aking mga labi.

Matamlay.Tila hindi na interesado sa mga bagay-bagay,Walang ibang ginawa kung hindi humagulgolSarili’y sa mga demonyo’y hindi na maipagtanggol.

Pagod na, hindi na kaya.Gusto nang hubarin ang makulay na maskara,Maskarang mapaglarong ngiti ang ipinapakita,Na taliwas sa tunay na nadarama,

Ito na.Ang oras na itinakda niya,Panahon na upang wakasan ang nasimulan,At mamuhay ng walang hanggan.

Page 19: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

share ko lang | 8

she wasJiro Vasquez

she wasthe bright blue sky and loved

a manwho was afraid to lift his feet and fly

Page 20: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

9 |

Last WaveHazel Raagas

I’m not aloneWhen I sit in my room,tears flowing through my eyes, when my handsautomatically wiped it all,I know, I’m not alone.

There is a ghost.Hovering around.On the photographs on the walls, On the corners of my room,On the wet covers of my pillow, On the screen of my phone,I always see that ghost.

That ghost,that made me smile,once in a while,made me run for mile,

That ghost,that posses the night sky.From the walls I can see him, smiling at me,but whenever I try,to reach him,to embrace him with my tired arms, and heart,he suddenly disappears.

Page 21: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

share ko lang | 10

My mom once told me,that I should be scared of that ghost, for he is dangerous.But I won’t,I can’t.

I can’t feel any stains ofhesitations.I feel myself begging,for that ghost to come back,for real,for that ghost,is the memories,of us,for that ghost,is you.

Page 22: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

11 |the Republic Folio

KasamaErika Taguinod

Palaging hawak, hindi mabitawanKasama sa tuwa at kalumbayan.Katabi sa aking pag tulog,Hinahanap sa aking pag gising—Aking telepono.

Ngunit isang araw, ako’ iyong iniwan—Luhaan at nag iisa.Nag-iwan ng aral sa aking isipanMga pangaral na dapat pakatandaan

Dapat nga yata talagang maranasan ang mga bagay-bagay para matutoAng karanasan ang pinaka mainam na guro.

Pikit mata ko na lamang na tatanggaping—Nawala ang aking telepono.

Page 23: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

share ko lang | 12

MirrorAyumi Bolo

Once again, she looks at her reflection“Mirror, mirror on the wall,”With disgust and mortifica tion“Tell me who is the fairest of them all.”

Quoting the beautiful queenWith fair skin and and full lipsShe adds her own words to the spin“A hundred meals I shall skip.”

And a tape measure rolls around her hips“A tiny waist I shall keep,”A corset comes to hinder her breathing“Multiple layers of make-up I’ll be putting.”

And she lays a hand on the mirror “Oh, let’s not forget to cut off a few parts—”Her body in pale, unhealthy color“Imperfections that tear me apart!”

Blood draws from fingertips that meet jagged glassFrom bruises and cuts that will forever lastAnd she smiles so widely, so terribly horridWith eyes absolutely livid.

She shouts madly, with terrifying glee.“Mirror, mirror on the wall,”And the mirror finally falls with a shattering crash“Who’s the fairest of them all?”

Page 24: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

13 |

Haplos ng hanginOrrin Acuyong

Gabing madlilim,sa malamig na hangin.Ako’y yakapin,pag-iisa’y alisin.

Ikaw ang bituing,nagbibigay liwanag sa’kin.Ako sana’y balutin,ng lumpia.

Page 25: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

share ko lang | 14

FireworksJeremy Faith Azufra

This life seemed likeA simple poignant taleA spectacular explosionThat isn’t looked for

We live And eventually We dieLike fireworks shattering in the sky

Our light is very temporaryCompeting against the darkUntil our brilliance turnsInto pieces of dust

But hey, we are all bright Don’t forget to bangAnd hold up your fireEven it’s only a moment

With million of needles Dangling at nightSparkling and exploding

Imagine,You’re the one everyone’s idolizingEveryone’s looking at you,Your beauty That will soon fade away

Page 26: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

15 |

Newborn on Fourth AvenueArchie Villangca Fajardo

Traveling from East to West,Until I found some place to rest,All beyond the lowlands of Bulacan,Towards the horizons of Caloocan,Though I travelled for miles and miles,Still I’ve got a precious smile,Tired as it may seem,But it’s a spectacular scene,Having that kind of view,There’s a beauty in you,Hiding on the fourth avenue,I’ve still got something new,A newborn me,A beginning that everyone wants to see.

Page 27: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

share ko lang | 16

HopeCindiella Vasquez

She is crying and tryingTrying to reach out but she’s got nothingThey don’t believe her, ‘cause she’s just “acting”But they don’t know that she’s on the verge of dying

A small blade on her handReady to cut her wrist and see her bloodAs she cut her wrist, she felt so nice‘Cause she finally saw her blood streaming like melted ice

She was about to cut another siltBut someone grabbed her blade and threw itShe look up and cried harder‘Cause she saw her God who’s trying to reach her

Page 28: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

17 |

Happily Never AfterGeorgia Siongco

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hairLet’s run away from this kingdom, so cruel and unfairThey keep on judging us, should we be scared?If this is true love, then why should we even care?

If I kiss you, would time stop?If you were Sleeping Beauty, would you wake up?Would it be as sweet as the sound of Snow White’s song?Or as deadly as the apple that was poisonous all along?

I was given three wishes; I could’ve settled for twoYou know what I wished for? You, you, youI asked the genie to make you love me tooNot for you to go and pretend that your love was true

Maybe this love is like Romeo and Juliet’sBecause the pain you’ve caused me felt like a thousand tragic deathsMaybe I should’ve ran when the clock struck twelveMaybe if I acted like Cinderella, we wouldn’t be hurting ourselves

There’s no such thing as happy endingsOnly sad goodbyes and euphoric beginningsIf all true love led to heartbreak and failing,Is there really such as thing as a perfect fairytale?

Page 29: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

share ko lang | 18

Greatest DreamNina Cruz

Stage by stage, I manageDay by day, night by nightYou’re my greatest dream

Some people already have their own,But me – I’m still waiting for the perfect time to have youI did my very best to have youSince day one, you’re my number one priority

Will the time still come?I will not give up, And make myself upYou’re my kind of treasure, diploma.

Page 30: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

19 |

Good ol ’ daysArchie Villangca Fajardo

The happiness that would fade once I got homeIt wasn’t because I was physically exhausted but emotionally drained.I would wear a mask that would hide my lonelinessI was always fun and happy Until waves of memories dawned upon me.

My friends would tell me that they’ve got my back.But I had always known that I was the color blackIt was easier to show everyone that I was happyStill, once I laid my back on the mattress of my bedI would cry my eyes out as I fell asleep with the thoughts in my head.

It deeply saddens me that I cannot turn back timeBecause there are things that I would like to change to feel just fine.Tick, tock, tick, tockIs it already past midnight?If so, let me end this once and for all.

Page 31: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

share ko lang | 20

Girl PowerNicole Tamondong

Fairytales are so unfairTo all the girls who are thereAll they do is sit and waitFor the prince to come to the gate

Why can’t girls be the knightsWho often engage in dragon fightsWhy do they have to unhappily waitWhen they could make their happiness first-rate

Most of the time I think that if I see himI would immediately let him inThough he asks for a large feeAt least he lets me choose who I want to be

Every princesses should have her sayLater or tomorrow she will have her way

Page 32: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

21 |

Bunso, tulog ka na ?Kathleen Martin

Tahimik ang lahat,Nakabibinging tunog ng paligid ang masasalat.Palibhasa’y madilim sa labas,Walang pangahas na tao na sa gabi’y tumatakas.

“Bunso, tulog ka na?”“Bakit may tulog bang bukas ang mata?”Mariin kong tanong pabalik,Pero si tatay ay ‘di na nakaimik.

Walang pakundangan ako kung sumagot,Sa gumagambala turing ay salot.Imbis na humingi ng paumanhin,Umusbong pa ng lalo ang galit na ‘di masalamin.

”Bunso, tulog ka na?”“Oo, sumasagot ang tulog, ‘di ba?”Pabalang kong banggit,Pero ang aking nanay ‘di nakitaan ng pait.

Hindi inaalala ang nararamdaman ng iba,Ganyan ako kung talagang inis na.Imbis na itikom ang bibig,Salitang masasakit tuluyang bumabagsak sa bingit.

“Bunso, tulog ka na?”“Sinabi ng tama na,Kakatanong na ako’y tulog na ba.Talaga bang ngayong gabi aking buhay magwawakas na?”

Page 33: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

share ko lang | 22

Umagos ang aking luha,Kasabay na mga salitang aking ihinuha.Hindi ba sila masaya, Na ako’y lumalaban pa?

“Gusto niyo bang ako’y mawala na,Hindi ba kayo masaya na ako’y humihinga pa?Taguan kay kamatayan aking ginagawa,Nang matagal ko pa kayong makasama.”

Mahirap itago ang lungkot sa inis,Lalo na sa iyong mga mahal sa buhay na ‘di matitiis.Pero bakit sila ganyan,Miyembro ng pamilya’y gustong mabawasan?

“Anak, alam naming hindi mo na kaya,Ika’y magpahinga na.Kita naming iyong paghihirap,Kaya huwag ka ng magpanggap.”

Umagos na tila ilog,Mga damdamin kong hinog.Kung handa na sila sa aking sasapitin,Kung gayon, ako ay handa na rin.

“Paalam na kuya,Ako ay lilisan na.Huwag akong kakalimutan,Sa puso o sa isipan man.”

“Paalam na Tatay at Nanay,Salamat sa pagmamahal na walang kapantay.Pasensya na sa ibang maling ugali,Maitatama ko yon sa pagkikita natin muli.”

“Mamaalam akong masaya,Ang inyong bunso ay tulog na.”Sa pagpikit ng aking talukap,Naglalakbay na sa alapaap.

Page 34: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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Foul PlayBlack Seraphim

Why am I being torn into pieces?I, myself, do the destructionI only don’t hurt myselfFor the one who wants me to be a princess

A princessI know I am oneIn their own heartIn their own soulPlease forgive meBut I also think that I am not contented

The content of my book is just some fantasyWhich I wrote to hurt myselfDon’t judge the book by it’s coverBut why am I judged by everyone?I can’t help itTo do what they are doing to me

Golden rule?I find the opposite of thatI am literally a crap Know myself that the contentment inside meIs nothing at all

I have sacrificed enough to hold onto somethingSomething that can make me hurt moreHurt that makes me who I amWho I am that even the light in my life doesn’t know

Page 35: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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Bida KontrabidaGeorgia Siongco

Gusto ko lamang na maging pinakamaganda sa buong kagubatan,pero ito ako,ako na naturingan sumira sa buhay ni Snow White.

Gusto ko lang naman disiplinahin ang anak ng aking ikalawang asawa,ngunit ito ako, naturingan malditang madrasta ni Cinderella.Hangad ko lang din naman tumulong ng may kapalit,pero ito ako,ako na naturingan kalaban ni Ariel.

Gusto ko lang naman na maimbitahan sa kasiyahan sa palasyo;pero ngayon ako pa ang naturingang kontra sa buhay ni Aurora,ano ang maling nagawa ko?

Ako na nakilala sa masasamang gawain;ako na nakilala sa masamang ugali,pero ngayo’y nasa inyong harapan upang magpakilalang muli.

Ako,akong isang tauhan na gusto lamang maging bida sa sarili naming mgaistorya

Page 36: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

25 |

BeginYna Marielle Torio

Again,Another sheet of paperAnother empty space to write betterWrite, I say, until you can

For it will be a twist of fateKnowing what you will write nextWhatever plot it will consistIt will inked the very best

Ready, because you will misspell some wordsSome may be grammatically wrongThen it will be judged, word by wordAgain, get ready, ‘cause you need to get along

Along these errorsAlong those judgementsThat may tear your paper apartAnd make you repeat from the start

Yet, don’t give up on your storyA mistake doesn’t end your journey Because every mistake is another stepAnother step to begin a great one, again

Page 37: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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BathalaAnna Gatchalian

‘Pag ang bagyo ay masyado nang malakas,At tinatangay ka na sa ibang landas,Kung saan hindi mo na alam ang gagawin;Nandito lang ako at iyong tanawin.

‘Pag ang mundo ay masyado nang magulo,Isipan mo’y puno na nang pagkalito;At ang sakit ay hindi mo na kaya pa,Huwag mong kalimutang may pag-asa pa.

Asahan mo na nandito ako para sa’yoHanding samahan ka sa magulong mundo,Magiging iyong tanglaw at magbibigay ng liwanag at pag-asa,Lalangoy kasabay ka papunta sa pampang ng saya.

Page 38: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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echoesMiranda Autor

i hear the ghosts of things long pastof memories forgottentheir bitter tone still haunting methe long soft sighs so damning

no matter what the stories saythere are no happy endingscuts pierce my skin and maim my bonesyet still there is no leaving

through all my pain, i have one wisha desire to go back homenostalgia fills my tainted souli’m losing all control

sanity lost, i scream and yellon the brink of madnessmy chest is filled with deep unrestjust waiting to be banished

voices fill my head with quiet criesit’s time to make things rightregrets long gone and put in placethe world i will embrace

tempting fate, i make my moveredemption in my graspa blank canvas to be written onthere are only new beginnings

Page 39: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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IronicSandra Julia Dimaapi

Our hands intertwinedSwinging through the wind breezeOf colored autumn leavesAnd fragrant flowersHow ironic it isFor our hands intertwined —but we have distant hearts.

Page 40: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

29 |

Ako ay GuroDiosdado M. Melanio, LPT, MAT

Ako’y guro, gurong sa tungkulin ay taimtim.Maputi na ang buhok kong dati-rati’y maitim.Pati mga mata ko’ malapit ng mangulimlim,Subalit sa Gawain ay di pa rin nagpapailalim.

Mas pinili ko ang sa bansa ay magpakilala,At sa mundo ng pagtuturo ay magpakadalubhasaMagpasulat, magpabasa ‘yan ay di ko alintana,Sapagkat kabataan sa akin ay may halaga.

Pagtuturo’ y tunay na mahirap na tungkulinPero sa bansa at bayan ay kaya kong gawinKahit isaalang-alang ang ilan kong lunggatiinKahit sarili ko’y bahagya kong limutin.

Ngunit ang mahirap sa aking buhayAy di kilalanin at mawalan ng saysay,Pahalagahan ako ng tunay na tunayDahil mundo naman ay binigyan ko ng kulay.

Banghay-aralin nga sa bahay ay dalaPaggawa ng mga materyales ay isa pang inaalalaPagtutuos ng marka na tunay na kinakabakaKahit nanlalabo na itong mga mata.

Bakit itong bata kapag di natutoAy agad pag-alipusta ay aking natatamo?Tinuruan ko naman na maging mabuting tao,Sadyang mga magulang ay di ito natatanto

Page 41: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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Nais kong ang mundo ay magkaroon ng ilawAt ang pagtuturo ko ang siyang magbibigay linawNang sangkatauhan mga mali ang pananaw Na parang pagkukubli sa isang balintataw

Mapagpalayang edukasyon ang aking hangadKagawaran ng edukasyon ang siyang gagalugadPakalimiing husto nang hindi magagadMawalan nang saysay kaaga-agad.

O mahabaging langit usal ko ay dinggin!Pagiging guro ko’y nais kong pagbutihin.Ituro mo pa ang mga dapat kong sundinDahil agad akong susunod sa iyong mga tagubilin.

Ipinagmamalaki kong ako ay isang guro,At ang mundo ko ay ang pagtuturo.Kung sakali mang ako’y may pagkabigoMay Diyos naming sa akin ay hahango.

Page 42: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

31 |

DifferentTrisha Insigne

We all have houses in our headsYet we don’t dare to explore it.There are voices echoing in my headDo I have to listen to it? 

Broken vases, torn curtainsIs what I am made ofEverything is scatteredLike how my thoughts are 

I fear the darkI fear my heartI fear myself But being this helpless and abnormally different is what I fear the most

Page 43: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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Life After DeathAyumi Bolo

Perhaps we’re not really afraid of deathOf breathing our last then never againOf going ahead of the people we’ve metOf finally letting go of all the happiness and painPerhaps what we’re really afraid ofIs being forgotten — removed from existenceLike the buzz from a radio slowly dying outOf being mentioned and then laughed offAs a name that is just a figment of one’s imagination.Perhaps that’s why we struggle and fightTo remain not a speck of dust that’ll be forever unknownTo not be erased, left in the darkness of the nightAs the dark sky prowls and crawls, signaling the beginning of the end;To be remembered, even after the destruction of our gravestone.Perhaps that’s what we wish forTo leave an invisible mark, even just to a few, no matter how smallFor our names to come from lips and we do and don’t knowTo live on after years and centuries of our final fall 

Perhaps it is not that we fear dying that we dread being unremembered,But that we fear being unremembered that we dread dying.

Page 44: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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BeeNiña Ella M. Linap

I break I standI learnI change

Cracking heartShoot middle in the dartI see you in bright nightKissing someone in dim light

Picking pieces of mineMaking myself fineCreepy pretty pest of pastMake drown in the sea every part

New heart, new life, new meReady to face the real worldFor my better moldBuzzing and fly high like a wild bee

Page 45: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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the paradoxes of loveMarc Barce

it will hurt you, but it will heal youto feel their warmth is to feel their coldto feel joy is to feel paini long for gentle and kind lovebut i tire easily once i taste its bittersweet flavorthe idea of love is like water mixed with alcoholit’s tricky but it makes my soul feel less heavyit will destroy my mind and i will find myself blindfrom the pain i hideand i will never stopbecause i’m already addicted albeitit feels terrible to look into their porcelain of a heart,and all the while see nothingbut still i try to come insideand search for a guide on how you can be mine

Page 46: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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Without LoveJohn Jayson M. Tolentino

Books have never brought me interest,But she was a book I wanted to read and understand.Movies without actions have always sent me to sleep,But she was the Mona Lisa you’d be pleased to look at even if she did nothing.

She is the masterpiece of very artist,The color of one’s painting.She is the best part of every story,The best scene in every movie.

Change was once my enemy,Keeping things as they were sounded better than risking.But she was a good change that I wanted to risk.

I disliked the thought of being unsure,But I was willing to get on a boat and let the splashing of the waves lead me to where she is, to where she was, to where she will be.I once lived a life without love and it only scared me.A lonely life lived is scary.

Love is a necessity in one’s world, just like how humans need oxygen to live.Life without love, is scary.Life without her, is scary.

Page 47: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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Akala ko ...Andreah David

Malayo ang tanaw,Pinagmamasdan ang unti-unting paglubog ng araw,Na pumupukaw sa aking balintataw.Diwa ko’y sumasayaw-Ang kahapon ay aking tinanaw,Ang hinaharap ay dinungaw.

Ako’y napayuko at marahang napapikitAt ang aking mga labi ay may nasambit“O,inang bayan,sadyang kay sakitSapagka’t hanggang ngayo’y ika’y nakapiit.

Marahil ay nakalaya na tayo mula sa mga dayuhan,Ngunit tila nakabilanggo pa rin tayo sa labis na kapighatianPatuloy pa rin tayong nakagapos sa ating sariling kamangmangan,Namumuhay para sa sariling kapakanan.

Mga taong silaw sa peraMga buwaya sa politikaMga mamamayang nalululong sa drogaLibo-libong babae na maagang nagiging inaLipunan na puno ng mga mapanghusgang mata.

Mga kabataan na inaabuso ang KalayaanKasarinlan na ipinaglaban ng mga bayani ng bayanKung saan dugo,pawis,tapang at karununganAng kanilang naging puhunan.

Kaawa-awa.Pilipinas na naturingang demokrasyang bansaNgunit ang totoo-Ay hindi pa tunay na Malaya.

Page 48: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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MemoriesJoseph Maverick Faustino

We don’t speakOur eyes talk for us.You seem alrightWhile memories are coming back.

Whenever I recallOur happiest moment,It reminds me that it is also our saddestBecause I know it will never happen again.

Page 49: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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KisetsuMarion Claire A. Buendia

Spring, summer, winter, fall, they’ve all flew by.Along the woodland hymns that lingers up sky,Bright bulb bulges upon my big blue eyesSeeing the seldom sunlight while the roads are dry.

Oh sun, now that you are around, I pray you do not go.Stay stuck still in the sky though the wind blowFor you brought the world happiness and pleasant mellowFrom the top of lofty mountains down to the depth of each burrow.

I will happily wander a melancholic day—As long as you peek between the stacked clouds hay.With Goliath trees swaying as I walk awayFeeling the warmth and solitude of the season, I wish summer could stay.

We hold so many memories and the memories hold us.Through the summer dawn until the summer duskBut bliss loaded hearts could burst into nothing and dustWhen the summer’s gone, so stay if you must.

Page 50: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

the Republic Folio39 |

Sisterhood cannot be untiedAnjanette Capule

I didn’t ask for a gift from GodBut he gave me youI didn’t ask for anything that matteredBut he’s given me something a lot better For years, it felt like I was all aloneBut then you came alongAnd vanished all the tears I had;Even made me feel that I am loved Truly, I cherish someone like youAs I wouldn’t have to feel blue‘Cause it’s you by my sideAnd this sisterhood cannot be untied 

Page 51: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

lodipetmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaastigpraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhavEYwaleyswabekerimarswalwallodipetmalumAmshiewerpacharotrapsaastigPraningbulilyASechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdhinserMaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleySWABEKerimarswalwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacHarotrapsaastigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatseCoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarsWALwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaastigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaraTjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarswalwallodipETmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaaStigPraingbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjOwadelwAtDEhinsermaterpatsechoschoshinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekeriM arswalwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacharOtrapsaaStigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatONTisaratjOwadelwatDEhinserm aterpatsechosCHOswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarswalwalloDI

Short Stories

Page 52: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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JeopardySandra Dimaapi

I threaded my way off the dark and desolated lot as I was dragged by an unknown force from my back. I glimpsed at the figure of a 6-footerman, a mask on his mouth, a black hoodie big enough toreach his forehead and hide his face.

He dragged me towards the factory wall behind large trucks, his hand covering my mouth to prevent me from screaming, which wouldn’t do me any good for there were no people in the middle of the night wandering around that lot. His other hand gripped onto my hands while his arms clung on my body.

He leaned me on the wall and pulled out a 24-caliber gun from his jeans and pointed it on my head, ready to shoot. Pathetic and hopeless, I succumbed, closed my eyes, and thought, “What’s the purpose of pointing a gun on my head and try to kill me, when I’ve got nothing else to lose?”

Page 53: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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I Touched HimSymies

Five minutes. I have been — no, we have been facing each other for the last five minutes. My heart is thumping like crazy as I can al-most see myself in his eyes. Those long and curvy lashes that brush the heart inside me, his thick eyebrows that scream his manliness, that pointy nose, too perfect. I lifted my hand and held his chin, when everything turned black. Oh, geez, I forgot to charge.

Page 54: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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Read MeHTB

I don’t know how you value yourself anymore. I don’t even know if you are still doing well.But I am pretty sure that what you are doing right now is not the world you want to be in. I don’t know how to help you, or how to pick you back up, but your life is not worth giving up. It will never be, for there are much more in it that are worth celebrating. There is much more to see and explore, you may have bumped to a thousand walls, or tripped on hundreds of rocks, but all of those are part of what makes you special. All of them brought the light and color that makes you, yourself, stand out from within. You may “suffer” but that is and always will be the roots of something called beauty.

To: Yes, to youFrom: Someone who sees you from a distance

Page 55: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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Ang Tanong Kay NenengSymies

“Kanino ka sasama? Kay Mama o kay Papa?”

Muling nag-isip ang paslit na si Neneng. Pinagiigihan niya ang pag-iisip sa tinanong ng kaniyang Kuya.

Kanino nga ba? Sa kaniya bang Ina na kaya siyang patahanin kapag nangungulila siya sa kaniyang Ama?

O sa kaniyang Ama na kayang magpaka-Ina kapag wala ang kani-yang Ina?

“Si Mama, maraming kendi.” Muling nagsalita ang kaniyang Kuya. ”Si Papa, maraming laruan.”

Aha! Malapad na ngiti ang iniharap niya sa kaniyang Kuya, kahit namumugto ang mga mata nito, ngumiti pa rin ito sa kaniya.

“Kuya, Kuya, sila nalang ang sumama sa akin! Kasi kapag suma-ma sila sa akin, hindi ko kailangang mamili. Pareho ko pa silang kasama hanggang pagtanda ko! Tama Ba ako, Kuya?” Inosenteng tanong ni Neneng.

Page 56: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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the love we deserveMiranda Autor

“We accept the love we think we deserve.” -Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being Wallflower

Standing on the rooftop, my mind has never been more deter-mined. I clear my throat. I’m about to say it. I’m really about to say it. A lump rises in the back of my throat. What if she starts crying? What if I start crying? I push those thoughts to the back of my mind and say the four dreaded words before I can second guess myself.

“We should end this.”

She looks at me and smiles, a sharp grin that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “I thought that was obvious,” she says, smirking.

I sputter. Words can’t seem to find their way out of my mouth.

“You knew?” I ask her, wondering if all my worrying had been for nothing.

Her smile falls as she stares at me with a sad look on her face and replies, “Always.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

She turns around, back facing me and answers in a voice that I can barely hear. She tells me, “I loved you and you didn’t love me back.”

“I did love you!” I protest.

She faces me again with a look of longing. “Not in the way I wanted you to,” she tells me. I start to argue but then realise that she’s right.

Page 57: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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My love was platonic. Whatever her love for me was, it definitely wasn’t the same.

“What way did you want me to love you?” I ask, trying to clarify the details of our complicated relationship. Looking back at our long history, I can’t remember a time when she wasn’t there to support me. And I — I did my best to support her too.

It was never enough.

“In the way that every other couple looks at each other, knowing with all their heart that their passion for their partner is returned,” she says. This time, I’m the one who looks at her.

One word rushes through my mind.

“Why?”

“Do you know what it’s like to be in love with someone who pre-tends to care because they pity you?” she says. “Do you know what it feels like to wake up every day with the knowledge that it could all end once they got bored of pretending?”

She glances at me then quickly looks away. She whispers, in a small broken voice, “It hurts more than you’ll ever know.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, not quite sure what I’m apologizing for. Her heart was broken and there was no way I could fix it. Except perhaps by loving her. But it would be a lie to say that what she said wasn’t true. She didn’t deserve a lie. Not anymore. I sigh. How could I fix her heart when I was the one who had torn it into shreds?

“Stop,” she says. “It’s not really your fault.”

I startle.

“But it is! You deserve better, I—”

Page 58: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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She interrupts, her face blotchy and red from all of her anger and frustration. Despite that, her voice is made of steel and it sends shivers down my spine.

“I’m not the only one who deserves better, you know. You do too,” she declares, looking at me, in a way that stills my soul and makes me wonder what we could have been if I had returned her feelings. She says one last thing before she leaves me on the rooftop, alone.

“Do me a favor, alright? Love yourself before you love me. You can’t love another person if you can’t even love yourself first.”

With those words, she leaves me, staring at the place where she had been mere moments before.

Page 59: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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Pula ang Kulay ng BuwanJust Dee

“Aray!” napahawak siya sa bandang baba ng kaniyang tiyan at umusal ng ilang mura at sumpa. Halos mamilipit sa sakit na nararamdaman. Hindi maipinta ang kaniyang namumutlang mukha. “Ang sakit!”muli na isang malakas na sigaw ang pinakawalan niya.

Gumapang ang kaniyang kamay pababa, sa bandang likuran. Dahan-dahang sinalat ang mamasa-masang likido at saka tinapunan ng tingin. “ Lagot! Dugo!”

Hindi malalaman ang kaniyang gagawin, tumatakbo siya sa pinakamalapit na tindahan.

Matalim ang tingin sa paligid. “Kailangan ay walang makakita sa akin.”

Mas binilisan pa ang lakad at sa wakas narrating ang maliit na tindahan.

“Ate, napkin nga po, with wings.”

Page 60: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

49 |

The Wiles HauntingMarc Vryant G. de Guzman

“There’s nothing to work on, Mr. Dahmer, we’re sorry.”

Their son, covered with cuts and bruises was found in his room. A crimson pentagram was on the floor where he was lying. “There’s literally nothing. Whoever did this is a damn ghost!” Exclaims from the police could be heard as they tried to look for more clues, but to no avail.

John Dahmer was a locally paranormal investigator. He was cur-rently solving the haunting of John Wiles, a notorious serial killed. He had killed 67 people in the same summer: slice on the neck, thrice on every other part of the body. A pentagram would always be seen somewhere on the scene of the crime, drawn using the blood of the victim.

“No, I can’t,” Karen Dahmer spoke, shaken by the tragedy that had unfolded. “I can’t look.” She tried to run but John got hold of her hand. “Wait, Karen!” he blurted out. Karen protested. “That is our son in there. I am his mother and I can’t even muster up the courage to look at him! He was an angel given to us by God and I couldn’t even protect him.” Karen sobbed. “Let go of me!” She violently yanked her hand and ran away.

“Karen!” John called. He was about to run for her but he felt some-thing on his shoulder. “Who’s there?” A sigh of relief came out of his mouth as the presence revealed itself as the detective. “I’m sor-ry if I startled you, Mr. Dahmer, but we need you for questioning. We will interview Mrs. Dahmer later as it seems as if she is still in an extreme state of shock.”

“So, Mr. Dahmer, this happened in the middle of the night. What were you doing at the time?”

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“I was sleeping.”

“So, you never heard anything?”

“What’s with these questions? What are you implying?” A hint of resentment could be heard in John’s words. Trying to defuse the situation, the detective started talking. “Sir, I’m not implying any-thing—”

“Leave me alone. I’d rather be with my wife than talk to someone who thinks I killed my own son.”

Yellow tape, sirens, nitroglycerine. Blue uniforms swarmed the place by the next morning.

“Who’s the victim now?”

“The missus, same thing.”

“Oh, the poor bastard. If I was him, I might as well die!”

“Gentleman, let’s focus on the job, shall we? Someone just died and your foul mouths are still moving!” The detective snarled as he walked past the two officers, now as silent as a rock, to approach John. “I’m so sorry for your loss, Mr. Dahmer. Can we talk for just a moment?” he asked. John proceeded to answer. “Look, do you really need to question me for what happened? You’re a detective, right? Do your job and leave me alone.” John walked to his office. Away from the police. Away from the scene of the crime.

Away from everything.

He sat on his desk, remembering what happened last night.

“What are we going to do now, John?”

“I don’t know too. Okay, Karen?”

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“I told you this was dangerous. Look at what happened to our son! If you don’t quit your job, I’m leaving you!”

He was about to burst into tears.

Tears of joy.

“I never needed you, Karen! You think I’ll be devastated when you leave? I killed you before you could ever try! Because starting now, I’ll truly be famous!”

John Dahmer was never caught.

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VagueDaniel B. Pedrajeta

I was walking happily on my way home. Today had been a tiring day that had to got me and I really needed to rest. A few minutes later, I arrived at my house and the first thing that came to my mind was that something bad had happened. 

“I’m home! I have good news for you, Mom.” 

The place remained quiet. The deafening silence made my heart beat faster. I was overcome with nervousness and before I knew it, I was holding onto my mother who was covered in blood. The feel-ing was very painful as if I was being stabbed by a thousand knives. 

“Oh death, why are you so cruel? Taking my mom’s life and leaving me in agony.” 

I swore that whoever did this to my mom would surely pay. I may be good, but I am also evil. One last moment and the place was covered with so much silence that even the steps of a walking ant could be heard.

“CUT!”

“Alright. Practice is over,” our leader said and we all got up, ready to go home.

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I ’ve Died Many TimesFermina Kassandra D. Dela Cruz

I see crumpled papers on the floor telling me to stop chasing impossible dreams. I see people stare at me with eyes as sharp as knives as if they want me to disappear from the earth. I see lights slightly fading as I close my eyes and embrace myself as this darkness fills my room. I’ve died many times by being stabbed by hopelessness and discouragement.

I had this dream where I walked and ran barefoot. I was with my friends trying to blend in with this world’s trend. I was left behind without them even noticing my absence. I lost myself in the midst of nowhere until thoughts and extreme emotions dragged me into a strangely familiar house, a house that used to be my home. Broken glasses and scissors scattered on the floor made my feet tremble in pain. Ah — pain, why do you hunt me even in my dreams? In that dream, I’ve died many times by being left behind.

Recovery came in. I let the wounds heal and scars followed swiftly as sweet marks of my cursed story. People surrounded me once again but this time, they didn’t leave or kill me. I sa-vored the moments I was in their hearts. I spent my daylight, twilight and moonlight with my loved ones. My friends and family built up my life again. However, the foundation was not firm so I decided to destroy it with a snap of my finger. I was afraid that this happiness wouldn’t last so before it was taken by anyone, I took it myself. Well, I succeeded. I’ve died many times again by being drowned in sorrow and fear.

For the last time, I tried to fight. Hopelessness, deterrence, emptiness, distress and anxiety, you may haunt me no more! This time, I was the one who killed myself; my old self died with Christ on the cross. I conquered my weaknesses and

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freed the giants from my head. I let the negativities go and let myself die in order to be alive with Christ in my life. I let my mind, heart and soul be renewed by God. Chances were given to me to build my life in accordance with His plans and as God built me, I was firm and well-founded. There I realized that behind all the curses were the blessings, behind all the sharp words were the prayers, and behind all my death, there was life.

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Yes, sige pa, ang sarap. Joseph Maverick Faustino

Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa aking isipan at pumay-ag akong puntahan siya. Siguro ay dahil na rin sa dami ng aking ginawa nitong mga nakaraang araw at gusto ko naming makara-nas ng sarap. Hindi ako komportable sa ganitong posisyon pero ito raw ang kailangan — ang dumapa. Ayaw na ayaw ko ang naka dapa pero dahil ngayon ko lang naman susubukan ito, tiniis ko nalang at hindi naman pala masama.

“Puwede ko na bang umpisahan?”

“S-sige,” ang kinakabahang sagot ko.sa

Sang-ayon sa aking senyales ay inumpisahan na niya ang pag ha-god. Ang sarap! Noong una’y dahan dahan lamang ngunit habang tumatagal ay pabilis nang pabilis ang kaniyang pag galaw. Buti na lamang at nilagyan niya ng pampadulas kaya hindi masakit.

“Yes, sige pa, ang sarap!”

Nakuha na niya ang spot. Sabi ko ay medyo diinan niya doon sa bahaging iyon — sa aking kiliti.

Halos isang oras siyang humahagod kaya pagod na pagod siya.

Sigurado ako na uulit ako. Para na niya akong dinala sa langit. Nakapapawi ng stress babalik muli ako sa kaniya dahil minsan lang ako makaranas ng ganoong sarap. Isasama ko sa susunod ang aking mga kumara, the more, the merrier!

Post ko nga sa instagram ang nangyari kanina.

#Satisfied #SuperSarap #Spa

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BulwaganAlicia Salamat

“Limang libo.”

“Sitenta’y singko.”

“Isandaan.”

“Kalahating milyon.”

Kulang pa. Kulang na kulang ang halaga. Wala na bang itataas pa?

“Dalawang milyon, perang hapon.”

“Barelya, don. nagkabentahan na.”

Napatikhim ang dalaga. Mukhang mapapasubok na naman siya.

“Don, nakaw yata ang pinuslit niya.”

“Hangal! Ibalot ang pera, magtatago tayo sa hacienda.”

Kalmado ngunit mapait ang hangin sa loob. Umilaw ang sirenang ibig sabihi’y nagbukas ang pinto sa bulwagan.

“Hindi na puwede, don. Nakatakas na si Maria Clara.”

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MagdalenaJust Dee

Nakapagtataka.

Sa 21 taon kong pananalangin sa simbahang ito ay doon ko siya palaging nakikita. Nasaksihan ang kaniyang pagkabata hanggang siya’y magdalaga. Ngayon nga palagay ko’y magka-edad na kami.

Napakaganda niya, kaya’t hindi siya makatatakas sa aking paningin na hinahanap ang maamo niyang mukha tuwing sasapit ang ika-siyam ng umaga tuwing araw ng Linggo.

Nakapagatataka.

Bakit doon siya palaging nakaupo sa ikaapat na upuan mula sa dulo?

Minsan, kasabay na aking pagpapasya na lapitan siya at alamin ang kaniyang ngalan ay hindi siya dumating. Wala siya sa ikaapat na upuan mula sa dulo.

“Humayo kayo at magpakarami, sa ngalan ng Ama, ng Anak at ng Espiritu Santo…”

Hindi maari, patapos na ang misa ngunit wala pa siya.

“Amen.”

Hindi ako lumabas ng simbahan. Hihintayin ko siya. Hihintayin ko si Magdalena, dito sa ikaapat na upuan mula sa dulo, ditto sa kaniyang paboritong puwesto.

Hindi niya ako binigo. Dumating siya at agad na lumuhod, pumikit, nagdasal habang ako’y tahimik siyang pinakikingan.

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“Lord, sorry late ako, may inutos po kasi si Tiya Martha, hindi bale, nandito napo ulit ako. Sa parehong pwesto sa tuwing araw ng lingo, baka sakali pong mapansin ninyo ako. Nanditopa rin po ako sa parehong upuan na inupuan ni nanay at tatay noong araw ng kasalang bayan. Ito rin po ako sa parehong upuan na aking inupuan habang minamasdan ang kanilang katawan na binabasbasan at iniyakan noong araw ng kanilang kamatayan. Lord, parehong upuan, parehing kahiligan. Lord kuhanin niyo na rin po ako. Gusto ko na pong makasama sina nanay at tatay.”

Hindi ko alam kung paano pero nataguan ko na lamang ang akin sarili na nakaluhod at nananalangin.

“Lord, alam ko pong napakaganda niya at talagang madaling mapapansin, pero nakikiusap po ako. Huwag n’yo po siyang pansinin. Huwag mo pong dinggin ang hiling nya. Pangako, aalagaan ko po siya. Amen.”

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the Republic Folio59 |

A letter to myselfNadine C. Musni

I just want to tell you that it’s okay. It’s okay to be yourself. You are you and no one can change you. Every day, every night, in every way, you are getting better and better. You are like a flower who is waiting to bloom and be her prettiest and best self.

No matter what happens, be as brave as a lion. Never be let down by the obstacles that you may encounter. Always believe in yourself that you can do it and move on for the better. Think that no one can stop even if storm-like hardships occur. In every storm, there will always be a rainbow after. A rainbow full of joy and success just for you.

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lodipetmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaastigpraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhavEYwaleyswabekerimarswalwallodipetmalumAmshiewerpacharotrapsaastigPraningbulilyASechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdhinserMaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleySWABEKerimarswalwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacHarotrapsaastigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatseCoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarsWALwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaastigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaraTjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarswalwallodipETmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaaStigPraingbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjOwadelwAtDEhinsermaterpatsechoschoshinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekeriM arswalwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacharOtrapsaaStigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatONTisaratjOwadelwatDEhinserm aterpatsechosCHOswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarswalwalloDI

Artworks

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Digital ArtMarianne RegaladoOur Second Home

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63 |

Digital ArtKurt Ivan BernalCrown of Beauty

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#JowabelsKurt Ivan BernalDigital Art

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Acrylic PaintAlexander P. SinteySunset

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Watercolor PaintDean Andrew CalalangSakura SeasonWatercolor PaintDean Andrew CalalangSakura Season

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Oil PastelsJulia Maye TolentinoUnspoken

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Watercolor PaintIris S. MarzanAriel

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Watercolor PaintIrish Nicole AlvaranPlum Blossom

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Watercolor PaintIrish Nicole AlvaranAsymmetrical Balance

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Watercolor PaintIrish Nicole AlvaranFairy

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Watercolor PaintIrish Nicole AlvaranFinally found myself

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the Republic Folio73 |

lodipetmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaastigpraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhavEYwaleyswabekerimarswalwallodipetmalumAmshiewerpacharotrapsaastigPraningbulilyASechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdhinserMaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleySWABEKerimarswalwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacHarotrapsaastigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatseCoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarsWALwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaastigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaraTjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarswalwallodipETmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaaStigPraingbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjOwadelwAtDEhinsermaterpatsechoschoshinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekeriM arswalwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacharOtrapsaaStigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatONTisaratjOwadelwatDEhinserm aterpatsechosCHOswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarswalwalloDI

Digital ArtEdward Rye EspirituMundo

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lodipetmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaastigpraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhavEYwaleyswabekerimarswalwallodipetmalumAmshiewerpacharotrapsaastigPraningbulilyASechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdhinserMaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleySWABEKerimarswalwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacHarotrapsaastigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatseCoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarsWALwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaastigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatontisaraTjowadelewatdEhinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarswalwallodipETmalumamshiewerpacharotrapsaaStigPraingbulilyasechibogchikatontisaratjOwadelwAtDEhinsermaterpatsechoschoshinsermaterpatsechoschoswafuhaveywaleyswabekeriM arswalwallodipetmalumamshiewerpacharOtrapsaaStigPraningbulilyasechibogchikatONTisaratjOwadelwatDEhinserm aterpatsechosCHOswafuhaveywaleyswabekerimarswalwalloDI

Nostalgiaa collection of literary works from

The Republic Vol. XXIV circa 1966

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HappinessReynaldo Santos, IV-1

Happiness is like a crystalFair and exquisite and clearBroken in a million piecesShattered, scattered, far and near.

Now and then along life’s pathwayLo’ some shining fragments fallBut there are so many piecesNo one ever finds them all.

You may find a bit of beautyOr an honest share of wealthWhile another just beside youGathers honor, love or health.

Vain to choose or grasp undulyBroken is the perfect ballAnd there are so many piecesNo one ever finds them all.

Yet the wise as on thy journeyTreasure every fragment clearFit them as they may togetherImagining the shattered sphere.

Learning ever to be thankful Though their share of it is smallFor it has so many piecesNo one ever finds them all.

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Just Plain FearMagdalena Lui, IV-1

When I was young With bouncing bulk of energy,I had a fear, I know not whyThat I might die early in lifeAnd leave these mundane joys for the unknown.I did not die; I knew not why.But I lived on and on.I thought the world was constant joyUntil I began to learn.I became old:The sight was dim,The bones were stiff and creaked in every joint.Then there was fear again (and I knew why)That I might live on and on And never die at all.Just plain fear.Though here we stay on borrowed time,It’s not the young, it’s not the old Whom death stalks in the wake.But rather ours is just to wait,And tire not of waiting,As I shall go when time is up.

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Spider in the RainPerfecto T. Martin, III-1

“Levy.” I tried to break the silence which meant my long struggle with defeat, for it seemed something was about to happen; and I had been sensing a victory since we left the novena to our Lady of Perpetual Help. There was serenity and calmness in her eyes.

“What?”

She threw a glance at me, and, just as quickly, she turned her face away.

“Eh…”

I couldn’t answer but I didn’t know why. I became speechless and felt as if my tongue was cramped. I said nothing.

The rain continued dripping and the chilly air began to blow. It soothed my skin and I shivered. It had been raining since afternoon and now it was past seven. The sky was still shedding its tears like a creature mourning a death, and the night was dull and the mercury street lamps were still many meters away from us, so that we were hardly reached by their light. I could hardly see the muddy road except for the few ripples on the watery ground.

There was silence again, and neither she nor I dared to break it. She did not want to say anything and she was looking far, very far, away. I felt it was enough to accuse me.

—a double crosser! A two-timer!

Her face was ruffled but it was the same face I had admired since I had come to know her. She still focused forward, avoiding my eyes. The silence between us had been adulterated by the rhythm of the successive rain drops on the roofs of the houses. The chain of

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water drops fell carelessly to the ground, quickly making abstract sketches in the mud — Newton’s masterpiece.

Everywhere I looked was darkness, except for the light passing through the transparent windows of the houses. They were all shut. Nature seemed grieving, sobbing, and I asked myself, “Does Nature cry with me?”

Successive flashes of lightning followed after the loud rumbling of thunder. She was afraid of it but she didn’t want to show she was. Everytime the lightning flashed, she moved a little nearer to me and my arms came in contact with her wool sweater. But I didn’t try to take advantage of her nearness. I was afraid that she might lose her trust in me.

Suddenly the thunder snapped and was followed in a split second by a rush of lightning in the vast sky. She unknowingly seized my hand tightly. Her hands were cold and trembling, and after a moment she realized she was holding me. Quickly she freed my left arm and ashamedly looked down.

“Are you afraid?”

“No… no…”

Her steps became faster, the way they do when I try to accompany her on her way home from classes. I had to walk faster too, or else I would be left.

She was so in a hurry that she didn’t notice the small puddle of water at the roadside. It was already too late to point it out to her before she stepped in it. Her feet were wet all over and drifted by the mud.

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I cautioned her to walk slower and she heeded me. The rain was heavier than before. Her small umbrella was not enough to cover both of us and the rain still reached our bodies.

I first met Levy three years ago. She knows me very well now – knows everything about me and another girl, her best friend, for there were times when I went with that girl and Levy was with us. I still remember those pretty pleasures that have passed, but there was a bigger question – the question of faithfulness – a big if to Levy.

-How faithful cam you be to me? That was what I could tracefrom her face everytime I met her. I myself could not reach thedepths of my heart and I was a little afraid I might be defeatedonce more or might be weakened again and that Levy might behurt. I didn’t want that to happen.

“Levy.” I tried again.

We stopped walking.

“Can’t you believe me?”

She did not say anything. She was speechless and didn’t move. Could it be the noise made by the rain, and that she didn’t hear me? We were only a block away from their house. I knew she had heard me, but she kept on playing deaf. Her grasp on the handle of the umbrella became tighter, firmer.

“Levy, can you?”

Our steps became slower and she threw another glance at me. It was longer now and I looked directly at her. She lifted her eyebrows and frowned. She was questioning.

-How true? How long?

She remained silent and it was another point against me. I was beginning to lose myself. I wanted to force her to answer – to

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hold her firm! It was my time to conquer her – her feminity so frail and weak! I wanted to tell her “I love you”.

But I remembered she was Levy, my light, and I didn’t want to shut out her light only to keep my path dark. I tried to subdue my desire.

As we continued walking, the same silence prevailed, and finally we reached home. The rain had stopped and the stars were beginning to appear. We stopped. She looked down and picked up a dry mango leaf from a little puddle near cur feet. Inside was a small spider. She put the leaf on the branches of a San Francisco plant and the spider was released – saved from a possible watery death. Then she looked at me, and I was amazed. It was a different look – so full of brightness.

And then, she smiled.

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One Thousand Peso JobVirgillio S. Payongayong, IV – 1

They offered me a job,A one thousand peso job.With nothing to bother,And free on all matters.

I said I didn’t want it.They asked me, “Not enough?”They said they still could add.I told them, “No! Too much.”

“What?!” they wanted to know.I repeated, “Too much.”“Are you a fool?” they asked.I told them they were the fools.

If I’d accept the offer,Then I would be the fool.I’d think of more and more,And ask for more and more.

With two hundred I’ll have Serenity, dignity.No one will envy me.No one will threaten me.

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Our HeroesAlbert S. Toribio, III – 1

Heroes…people of dignity and courage bearing a common inter-est in their hearts to serve their country; soldiers who fought the enemies fearlessly — happy at their death, falling in the fields of battle without seeing the dawn.

“Brave soldiers never die,” goes the song which reminds us of the great men and women whose ideas we must follow. If we can only remember them all the time — they whose principles are for our good and whose love for their country, great as it was, made them risk their lives to defend its liberty. Remembering them and ap-preciating what they have done, and learning to protect what they have given us is the only way by which we can glorify them and make them happy.

November 30th marks their day. It is the time for us to recall their heroic deeds and emulate them…praying that their efforts may not be thrown to oblivion.

Youth, let’s make a great Philippines, as those heroes wished.

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83 |

Cinquains a five-line stanza

A DreamNenita C. Angelo, II – 1

I dreamt,He did not care

Nor paid much attentionFor the good things I’ve done for him

Those days.

WarningCelestino V. Nacion, III – 1

Believe Everything here

Is made for only youBut don’t try to overuse them

Be wise.

Little BirdEditha Santos, I – 2

Lit’l birdI envy you

Freest of all creationPerching, singing, dancing with mate

I watch

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share ko lang | 84

...continuedNight

Ranulfo Reyes, IV – 2 Night bringsTranquility

That envelopes the earthTakes men into deep reverie

The night.

Ask MeJulia Punongbayan, II – 1

Ask meIf I love you

I won’t answer you dearBut glance at my eyes and see that

I do!

Remembering YouFreita P. Bautista, II – 1

The rose That you gave me

I’ll keep and treasure itUntil the day we meet again

You’ll see.

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Haikusa Japanese form of poetry

PeaceRuby Capule, III-2

Peace Found in ocean deep

Felt on every dewy eveHow can world find thee?

Summer's GoneRuth G. Tayao, II-2Summer is gone nowI feel lonely as a cloudMissing lovely things

A WhisperDante G. Sayo, III-1

One sunny morningI glimpsed at a lovely girlMy heart said, “love her.”

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share ko lang | 86

I Wonder WhyPaulinita Punzalan, IV-1

I wonder whythe luminiferous

moon commencesup from the blue skiesto exhaust this eternal

silence.I wonder what

the whistling wind seemsto play

when the splendid treesin pensive mood begin

to sway.I wonder why

the effeminate flowershide

their timid, exquisite petalsin the opalescent rays of

beloved PhoebusThough I wonder

about these things,they please me, just the same,as the Creator wisely decreednature as it has to be.

...continued

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Editorial Staff

Literary Editor

Copyreader

Layout Artists

Adviser

Graphic Artists

Dee Anne Tampuz

Ma. Isabel Cruz

Alicia Mae Salamat

Ramoela Joyce LeonardoMa. Andreah David

Judd Russel AsuncionMiranda Autor

Joyce Gwyneth OrtegaKurt Ivan Bernal

Edward Rye Espiritu

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For this generation, language is evolving at an unprecedented rate with more new words and sayings being invented each day to supplement and improve our standards of communication as a whole. Despite the initial unintelligibility of newly created slang to the uninitiated, it remains a valuable part of our current system of exchanging thoughts, ideas and concepts.

If language remained stagnant, we would not be able to get across the subtleties and implications of our words and actions in a way that reflects society as it is now. In this way, languages, both English and Filipino, must evolve to accommodate the burgeoning usage of colloquialisms such as “petmalu” and “lodi”.

In order to reach out to the youth of the 21st century, this folio is entitled “Share Ko Lang” and allows Del Pilarians to share their stories, memories, and works with a wider audience. As the title suggests, share your thoughts even if you think they are irrelevant. Someone may still find use for them somewhere. No matter how young one may be, you can still have the desire and ability to create works of art that can touch the hearts of your peers.

About the Cover

Page 100: therepublicmhpnhs.com · ang Tanong Kay Neneng Symies the love we deserve Miranda Autor Pula ang Kulay ng Buwan Just Dee The wiles Haunting Marc Vryant G. de Guzman Vague Daniel B

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