Kat

itik

an

Si Lea, Si Myla og ang mga Kapay-

kapay og Kagiki

1

Rosas Nga Tapul 3

Mahiwagang Pulbos 5

Sa Aming Mundo 9

Tats Mub

Mamulat Ka, Mamulat Tayo

11

Chasing

Dilaw, Rosas at Pula

12

Rain 13

The Happy Worker 15

The Sunshine Fads 17

Time On The Shore 18

Priestess Of Sea, Lady Of Foam, 19

Boy In Love 21

Love Is...

Impossibilities

A Poem of Unity

22

28 Minutes 23

Don’t Stay Too Long 25

Table of

Contents

ABOUT THE COVER

KATITIKAN KttK

Never has it become clearer in our history when the youth’s role as

nation builders has been this perturbed. With the onset of modern cul-

ture, the youth are swayed afar from the love of reading and the

nourishment of literature. But today, with this issue of Katitikan, we go

back to the basics. For after all, the decline of literature indicates the

decline of a nation.

KATITIKAN, meaning compilation of literary

works, is the literary folio of The Carolinian, the official student publication of the Uni-

versity of San Carlos in Cebu City, Philip-pines published once a year by The Caro-

linian Publications whose editorial office is located at G112, Anselmo Bustos Sports

Complex, USC Downtown Campus, P. del Rosario St., Cebu City 6000 Philippines.

We welcome your comments, suggestions, letters and contributions. Only letters with

signature will be entertained. Original man-uscript contributions must be typewritten,

double-spaced on a legal bond paper, and should bear the author’s name, ad-

dress, year level and college. The identity of the writer maybe withheld upon request.

Submitted contributions, whether published or not, will become property of the publi-cation. Send your contributions to this email

address: thecarolinian.usc@gmail.com.

No part of this issue should be used for whatever purpose, unless allowed under

the law, without a written permission duly-approved by the publication. All rights re-

served 2012.

IJGN M. DESOACAMENOJ Editor-in-Chief | MARHAG L..

MAGHNAY Associate Editor | LEJNHLJ O. HNJO IR. Managing

Editor | IGAHNE LYKA A. VHLLA Circulation Manager | IJGN

M. DESOACAMENOJ & IJYCE S. MAW Layout Artists |

ERCLHE T. MTRHLLJ Craphics and Art | IJGN LJTHE B.

FTENOES Staff Qhotographer | Staff Writers NHKKA LJREEN

J. YCJO | IJDHE O. FERRER | MELHSSA ANCELHPTE B.

MALACA | IEWELMAE C. SJLAS | MARLA ARHELLE B. SJ |

IAN LJTHS CAZJ | RAMJNA MAE S. RAIARAONAM | MARHA

CHNDELLE ANCAIAS | IJYCE S. MAW | MELERHA MANCARHNC

STAFF BOX

Hamon ng Nagdaang Taon

M ga magigiliw na Carolinians! Sa pamilyang tinatawag nating The Carolinian, laging hangad namin ang inyong kaligayahan at ka-pakanan bilang aming mga mambabasa.

Patunay dito ang walang pakundangang pagsasapubliko namin ng libu-libong magasin at peryodiko sa nakalipas na taon na malugod ninyong tinangkilik. Hindi biro ang naging isang taon nating pagsasama. Marami ang naging balakid. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat, naga-wa nating lampasan ang pinakamalaking dagok sa kasaysa-yan ng ating pahayagang pangkampus—ang magsimulang muli matapos ang isang madilim at masalimuot na nakaraan. Sa aming mga damdamin, walang katagang per-pektong magsasalarawan sa papel na inyong ginampanan pa-ra madaig natin ang hamong ito at iyon ay ang inyong patu-loy na pagbibigay ng pagpapahalaga sa aming mga ginagawa. Ang isang taon na lumipas ay isang taon na dapat nating ipagbunyi. Nagpapatunay lamang ito na muli nang nanunumbalik sa ating kamalayan ang pag-ibig para kalayaan natin sa pamamahayag. At kasabay ng paglabas ni-

tong Katitikan ay ang aming dalangin na patuloy ninyong

ipaglaban ang adhikain ng The Carolinian tungo sa pama-mahayag na balanse, responsable at walang bahid-politika. Muli’t muli naming sasabihin at hindi kami mapapa-god na sambitin na mula sa kaibuturan ng aming mga puso, ang aming tauspusong pasasalamat! Ang lupon ng mga editor ng Taong Panunuruan 2011—2012

KATITIKAN KttK

N ahigmata siya sa kusog nga yugyog sa iya’ng abaga. Sa iyang pagtim-

bakuwas, misugat sa iyang mga mata ang kapay-kapay ug kagiki sa 12-

anyos ug awtistik nga si Myla.

“Ka-ka-on k-ko, Ma-ma.”

Nanginit ang iyang da{unggan nga m’orag gikawras sa kaaway’ng tigre.

Nama{ikas siya. Ug nakati{aw’g {aparo ang bata.

“Hrrrr,” nangurog si My{a nga mipaak-paak sa tuong kumagko niini.

“Ah, mosuko{ ka na ha!” Giudyes niya ang da{unggan niini nga igo {ang

mingiwi. Mihangad kini kaniya sa tinan-awan nga nagpaki{uoy. “Ka-ka-on k-ko,

Ma-ma.”

“Hi{om diha! Wa ta’y makaon! Wa ta’y kuwarta! Ikaw ang nagda{a’g dema{as

bataa ka!” Gibuhian niya kini ug mipadu{ong sa kusina. Sa iyang pagba{ik,

nagda{a na’g baseyong {ata. Ang baseyong {ata nga gihimo ni{ang taksanan sa

bugas.

Gihawiran ni Lea ang tuong kamot sa anak ug gibukhad ang palad.

“O, pang{imos hinuon didto sa simbahan sa Sto. Niño. Daghan ang nanim-

ba rong buntaga.”

“Ma-ma-ma,” nahunong ang dugang pang isu{ti sa bata sa dihang gikumot

ni Lea ang baba niini.

“Hi{om na! Mabun-og ka karon. Lakaw na hinuon aron dako kag agi.”

Mitutok kaniya si Myla ug milingo-lingo.

1 | KATITIKAN

Si Lea, Si Myla og ang

mga Kapay-kapay og Kagiki

“Di-di-{i… di-di-{i.”

“Unsay di{i!” Gibira niya si My{a pagawas sa barungbarong ug

gitulod aron makalakaw. Apan ang bata nag-ukon-ukon sa paglakaw.

“Unsa ba? Di ka moadto o bun-ogon tika?”

Miduko si Myla ug hinay-hinay’ng mi{akang subay sa tu{ay’ng

kawayan nga nagpanglingi kaniya ug unya motan-aw naman sa lata

nga iyang gihatag. Sa dihang nalayo na, mibalik siya sa barung-

barong ug midagkot og Champion. Nakatulo na siya ka stick. Sa

ikaupat niyang dagkot nakapanglingabngab siya unya taudtaod gi-

ganoy ngadto sa kamingawan.

Giokupar nila George ang usa ka lamesa sa suok sa Kabayan

Videoke House.

“Ga, wa{a na ra ba ko tunghai.”

“O, unsay naa niana, di ipatangtang!”

“Di ba, matod mo, imo kong pakas{an?

“Ha-ha-ha! Kasa{? Nagdahom kang pakas{an ko ang sama nimo?”

Mitindog siya ug midagan. Midagan ug midagan. Nahasum-ok siya

sa langob ni Tess nga mahinangpong miabiabi kaniya. Gipaambit siya

sa bulawanong aso nga gipakamutya sa higala. Ang kaanindot sa

iyang gibati miduyan kaniya sa kawalaan. Nakatulog siya.

Pagbuka niya sa iyang mga mata nagngisi ang pulahon, sunga-

yan ug ikogan nga tawo sa iyang atubangan. Midagan na usab siya ug

midagan. Apan gigukod siya sa tawo nga mokatawa unya motawag na

man sa iyang ngalan.

Misangko siya sa dead-end nga eskina ug naabtan siya sa tawo.

Gihawiran siya. Nakasiyagit siya sa kainit sa mga kamot niini. Mora

siyag giganggang.

Nahigmata siya. Apan ang iyang damgo nahimong tinuod. Nag-

dilaab ang kalayo sa iyang palibot. Nasunog ang ilang barungbarong!

Gisap-ongan niya ang ilong apan nakahanggap na siyag daghang aso.

Inanay siyang natumba. Sa wala pa siya mawad-ig panimuot dihay

misulod ug mibutad kaniya.

Diha na siya sa ospital mawaswasi sa panimuot. Hibatyagan ni-

ya ang pagpanakit sa iyang panit ilawom sa mga benda. Sa iyang tu-

pad nga katre naghigda usab si Myla. Duna usay mga benda sa nawong

og lawas. Gitug-anan siya sa doktor nga si Myla ang nagluwas kaniya.

“M-ma-ma, d-dag-h-han s-su l-lod l-la-t-ta. P-pa-pel p-pi-so,” bun-

gat sa anak nga mitan-aw kaniya nga mikisdom dayon ang panagway. “A

-apan s-su-nog.”

Milabhag ang pahiyom ni Lea ilawom sa mga benda sa nawong.

Buot niyang gakson og hugot si Myla. Usa ka gakos sa inahan nga

dugay nang naghikaw og pagmahal sa anak, apan dili niya mahimo.

Morag gipanghiwa ang iyang mga panit sa dihang mihana siya sa

pagbangon. Mitulo ang iyang mga luha. (KATAPUSAN)

KttK | 2

*Kining sugilagming ikapito nga pinasidunggan sa Gov. Gwen Garcia Literary Awards

nga gipasiugdahan sa Sun-Star Superbalita niadtong Disyembre 2005.

Didto {uyo sa iyang payag, may tanaman siya’ng gi-

a{ima. Duna’y tanaman sa mga utanon. Duna pu’y tanaman sa

mga lagutmon. Apan ang iyang pinaka-ampay sa tanan mao

ang tanaman niya sa mga buwak.

Panahon kadto sa berano busa kada-adlaw magpamaghot

ang {agiting sa init. Kini ang hinungdan ngano’ng di niya

pakyason ang pagkawos og tubig sa bungtod. Di siya ga-

nahan nga mangasawot ang bunuhi niya’ng mga tanom, {abi

na ang mga mamiyuos nga tanom sama sa rosal, sampaguita,

kamya, santan, dama de noche og gumamela. Taliwala sa har-

din duna’y punuan sa i{ang-ilang nga gikapyutan sa

bagang duot sa mga orkidyas. Ubos sa punuan mao ang mga

paso nga mao’y gitamnan sa pinakapaborito niya’ng buwak

sa tanan, ang rosas nga tapul.

Dugay na’ng gi-ugmad ni Waldong ang tanaman sa buwak

apan wa pa siya nakasaksi bisan kausa nga namukadkad

ang biyu-os sa rosas nga tapul. Ambot, mga duha na ka tuig

niya’ng giatiman ang maong tanom apan bisan kausa

{amang, wa g’yud siya makasaksi sa pagpangud{ot niini

aron mamuwak.

“Wa ba kaha ni’y da nga sumpa ni’ng buwaka?” Nakaingon

siya sa iyang huna-huna kun makahinumdom siya nga pila

na ka buwan ang nang{abay og wa gihapo’y buwak ang mga

rosas. Gikan sa balay sa iyang iya-an ang mga sanga nga

mao’y iyang gi-ugsok sa mga paso. Bisan og layo kaayo ang

gibiyahe ni Waldong, gituman niya ang saad sa kaugalin-

gon nga mangita niadtong k{ase sa buwak. Duna siya’y gi-

tagan-an niini. Tuod man, nanalingsing kini hangtod sa

nilabong ang mga dahon. Nanagko ang mga sanga og mitubo.

Apan kun ngano’ng wa g’yud kini namuwak, wa’y bisag kinsa

ang makatubag.

Taas nga panahon na ang gipaabot ni Waldong. Kada

ad{aw niya’ng duawon ang tanaman aron pagsuta kun duna

na ba’y gamay’ng biyu-os nga migimaw sa mga udlot niini.

“Karon ka {ang og mamuwak ning mga rosas ko’ng tapu{,

Inday Carmela. Tan-awn ta’g di ba ma{ukmay ang imong ka-

sing-kasing nga magsud-ong sa {abing romantiko’ng buwak

sa tanan!” Dugay na’ng gipanguyaban ni Wa{dong ang da{a-

ga. Apan matag pamisita niya sa ilang balay, sugaton

dayon siya’g yawyaw ni Nang Besing. Pobre {agi intawn si

Wa{dong. Mao’ng {ayo siya sa dughan sa mga ginikanan ni

Carmela. Ang amahan sad niini, igo ra dawaton ang mga

gasa nga dad-on ni Waldong sa pagpamisita. Usahay, magda-

{a siya’g usa ka bu{ig nga saging, hinog nga nangka o ba

kaha usa ka ayagan nga puno sa klase-klaseng matang sa

utanon og lagutmon. Inig human og dawat ni Noy Kanor ni-

ini, aguy, mudemano dayon og istorya nga di kuno sila

bagay ni Carmela kay lagi, dako ang gintang sa ilang

edad. Traynta’y dos si Wa{dong samtang dese-otso pa ang

K aadlawon. Mao

pa’y pagtuktuga-

ok sa mga hi-

niktan. Nag-ilog

pag-angkon sa kalibutan

ang bugnaw’ng hamog og

ang bidlisiw sa adlaw sa

sidlakan. Sama sa naandan,

mibangon og sayo si Wal-

dong. Gikuha niya ang

balde og sinangayan; mi-

lakaw paingon sa atabay

nga tua sa pikas bungtod.

Human mapuno ang balde

sa pipila niya ka bitad sa

timba, da{i napud niya’ng

gibaktas ang dalan pauli.

Naghangos siya’ng naabot

sa ilang tugkaran.

SUGILANON NI John M. Destacamento

Rosas nga Tapul

3 | KATITIKAN

dalaga.

Apan alang kang Carmela, matarong nga lalaki

si Waldong. Lahi ra kini sa tanan. Kugihan siya og

may panglantaw sa kinabuhi. Mao kini ang na-

gustuhan ni Carme{a kaniya. Mabihag g’yud dayon

ang iyang dughan magtan-aw sa mga buwak nga dad-

on ni Waldong. Usahay, may mga pungpong sa kam-

pupot. Usahay pud, mga kalatuchi nga gikadena aron

makwentas niya.

“Pero, Dong. Rosas nga tapu{ {age uy. Mao g’yud

na ako’ng kinaham nga buwak ay,” ni Carme{a nga

seryoso’ng mitutok kang Wa{dong usa ka gabii di-

hang gipamisitahan niya kini.

“Ambot kun nabuang na ko, pero ganahan kaayo

ko sa rosas nga tapu{. Sunod nimo’ng ari Dong, pag-

dala palihog beh. Pangita-i ko nianang buwaka.

Musugot ko’ng muuban kanimo. Magtaban ta. Baha{a’g

masuko silang nanay og tatay. Basta, dad-i {ang ko’g

rosas-tapu{.”

Mao ‘to, nangustyada si Wa{dong pagpangita sa

ta{agsaong buwak. “Hahay,” nakapanghupaw siya

karon. “Kanus-a kaha to mamuwak akong rosas?”

Human siya makapahuway gamay, misulod na si

Waldong sa iyang nataran. Milipot siya sa payag

kilid sa may banggera kay naa didto ang agi-an

paingon sa tanaman. Sugdan na niya ang pagpamubo.

Og mao pa’y pag{apas ni Wa{dong sa may bata{an di-

hang mibantang sa iyang panan-aw ang labing ma-

tahom nga talan-awon sa tanan: nagpa-uraray sa

huyuhoy sa hangin ang gagmay’ng biyu-os sa rosas

nga tapul! Namuwak na kini! Namuwak na ang mga

rosas!

Duna’y ta{agsaong kahinam nga mikubot sa

dughan ni Waldong. Human ang dugay nga panahon,

nahitabo na g’yud ang iyang gipaabot. Mga napu{o’g

siyam ka buwan siguro siya’ng nagpaabot niini’ng

maong adlaw. Busa dali-dali napud siya nga nag-

ilis. Mikaratil padung sa sunod nga baryo, sa balay

ni Carmela. Puno sa kahinam ang

iyang gibati. Magpuyo na silang

Carmela!

“Tok tok tok! Ayooo! Day Carme{a,

Nang Besing, Noy Kanor! Ayoooo!”

Babaye ang niabli apan di si

Carmela. Ang inahan.

“O, Dong, kasayo ba nimo ni-a.

Unsa may tuyo mo?”

“Naa si ‘Day Carme{a, Nang?”

“Si Inday? Hahaha.” Mingisi og

mura’g may gustong ipasabot ang

katawa sa tiguwang.

“Wa pa g’yud diay ka mahuman

ana’ng imo’ng kabuang, Wa{dong?

Dugay rang naminyo si Carmela uy.

Gikasa{ na gani si{a’ng Jose. Kadto

bang enhinyero’ng anak sa kapitan

sa sunod barangay. Niadto ra’ng

Disyembre uy! Tu-a na sila sa si-

yudad namuyo.”

Mitutok si Waldong sa tiguwang.

Apan iya’ng mga mata daw wa{a’y

nakita. Di siya makatuo sa iyang

nadungog. Kun paspas siya’ng

naabot sa ilang Nang Besing,

paspas pud siya’ng nahiba{ik sa

ila, pinas-an ang tanang kasagmuyo

sa kalibutan. Kamangtas ang

mipatigbabaw sa iyang mahigug-

maong kasing-kasing.

Sa iyang pagbalik sa tanaman,

maaghupong giduyan sa hangin ang

mga gagmay’ng ud{ot sa rosas nga

tapul. Ubos sa punu-an sa ilang-

ilang kilid sa mga paso sa rosas,

nagsandig ang iyang lagting.

Gikuha niya kini. Og unya, sama sa

pinaka-isog nga manggugubat, gi-

pangtadtad niya ang mga punu-an

sa tanom sa iyang hardin. Kutob sa

naagi-an sa ha-it niya’ng hinagib,

nangatalinggab. Patay na ang

rosal, ang sampaguita, ang kamya,

ang santan, ang dama de noche og

ang gumamela.

Og unya, may kamingaw. Sunod sa

paghuros sa hangin, hawan na ang

palibot. Nangapalid ang mga dina-

bas nga tanom. Og lakip sa mga na-

ngapa{id mao ang gagmay’ng biyu-os

sa rosas nga tapul.

KttK | 4

K

Subalit sa isang maalinsangang kuwarto, bukas na bukas

ang mga mata ni Amado habang nakahandusay ang kanyang

patpating katawan sa higaang kawayang papag. Kasing liwa-

nag at kasing bilog ng buwan ang kanyang mga balintataw.

Lumilipad-lipad ang pakiramdam niya na parang hindi man

lang niya batid ang tigas ng kanyang hinihigaan. Naririnig

niya ang matikas na paggalaw ng hangin na para bang

gumagawa ito ng makapanindig-balahibo ngunit kaibig-ibig

na musikang dumuduyog sa kanyang paghinga. Sa edad na

dalawampu‘t dalawa, nadama na niya ang kasiyahang hi-

nahanap ng kanyang buhay-rodilyo. Iyon sapagkat ang sinabi

ng kanyang utak.

Paglipas ng ilang minuto, ang labis niyang kagalakan ay

unti-unting nalilipol na kuwitis. Lumalakas sa pandinig niya

ang katahimikan ng liwayway, nararamdaman na niya ang

paghipo ng galugod ng kawayan. Hindi niya ito gusto. Tuma-

yo siya at lumapit sa maliit na lamesa sa sulok ng kuwarto.

Lumuhod. Inilatag nang pahaba ang Mahiwagang Pulbos sa

lamesa. Idiniin ang kanyang kanang hintuturo sa kanang

pisngi ng kanyang ilong at hinay-hinay na lumapit ang butas

ng kanyang kaliwang ilong sa dulo ng pahabang Pulbos. Hinay

-hinay niya itong sininghot, subalit bago pa man siya nangala-

hati, ―DUG!‖, isang malakas na ingay ang sa kanya‘y bumu-

laga.

Ang ingay na iyon ay nasundan ng ingay ng mga hakbang.

Hakbang na nanggagaling

sa kabilang bahay. Dahil

dikit-dikit ang mga bahay

na yari sa yero‘t kahoy,

bumabagtas sa tabing bahay

ang anumang ingay sa kabi-

la. Tumahimik si Amado.

Tumigil ang mga hakbang.

Hinay-hinay siyang sumilip

sa butas na nagdurugtong sa

kabilang bahay. Nakita niya

ang silweta ng isang la-

laking nakatalikod. Mataas.

Hindi masyado ang

katabaan. Ang usyosong

kanang mata niya ay

nananatiling nakatanaw sa

K ahit iskwater

pala, natutulog

din. Alas-tres na

ng madaling a-

raw sa kalye Balarang;

bumigay na rin ang mga

tao sa kani-kanilang mga

aktibidad. Nag-uwian na

ang mga lasenggo. Naubos

na ang liksi ng mga bata

sa kakalaro. Kahit mga

madyongero, napagtanto na

nilang may hangganan din

ang pagwawaldas ng Roxas,

Macapagal, Aquino at ng

pabarya-baryang

Aguina{do’t Riza{.

MAIKLING KWENTO NI Leonilo T. Inot Jr.

5 | KATITIKAN

MAhiwagang Pulbos

butas. Sa harap ng lalaki ay si Aling Thelma na natutulog. Ma-

yamaya‘y humugot ng kutsilyo ang lalaki at biglang sinaksak

si Aling Thelma. ―STAB! STAB! STAB!‖ Tatlong pagsaksak.

Oo, tatlo iyon. Hindi man lang nakaimik ang matanda na

himbing na himbing sa kanyang tulog. Kahit hindi masyadong

naaaninag, sigurado si Amado na may pumapatak mula sa du-

lo ng kutsilyong hinahawakan ng lalaki. Hindi makapagsalita

si Amado. Saglit lang ang kagimbal-gimbal na pangyayari,

subalit mas nakakapanindig-balahibo ang kanyang na-

raramdaman ngayon kaysa naramdaman niya kanina lang.

Dali-daling umeskapo ang lalaki pero nang ang mukha nito‘y

nasinagan ng ilaw mula sa labas ng kalye, naging maliwanag

sa kanyang kamalayan ang imahe ni Waldo.

Si Waldo. Kapatid ng asawa ni Aling Thelma.

Tatlumpung taong gulang. Barumbado ng Balarang. Kapwa

adik.

At nang bumalik ang paningin ni Amado sa natutulog na

matanda, napansin niya si Maya, batang babae, na nakatanaw

mula sa kisame. Nakita rin niya. Nakita niya ang pagpatay ni

Waldo kay Aling Thelma. Bakas sa mukha niya ang pagkasin-

dak din sa nangyari. Umalis na rin sa wakas si Waldo.

Paggising ng araw ay doon na napansin ng asawa ni Aling

Thelma—na kararating lang mula sa trabaho bilang panday ng

isang konstruksyon sa kabilang barangay—ang nakabulagtang

bangkay. Halong gulat, galit at pighati ang tumataga sa

kanyang damdamin.

Dumating na ang mga pulis para imbestigahan ang

krimen. Siyempre dinumog ng mga kapitbahay ang labas ng

bahay ng pinangyarihan. Napatingin sa labas ng bintana ang

walang tulog na si Amado dahil sa lakas ng pag-uusap ng

usisero‘t usisera. Kinugos niya ang DVD player na binigay ng

kapatid na nasa Qatar nang may maibenta. May paglalaanan

siya sa pera—ang Mahiwagang Pulbos. At nang may rason

siyang dumaan at makinig sa usap-usapan ng mga tao sa labas.

―Nakakaawa naman si Manong Gardo. Nawalan na siya

ng anak, nawalan pa siya ng asawa.‖

―‘Yung si Maya, na anak ni Loring, iyak ng iyak. Hindi rin

nagsasalita. Sabi ng mga pulis, posible na na-witness ng bata

kung sinong sumaksak kay Thelma. Na-trauma. Ayon, dinala

ng nanay sa lola para lumayo-layo rito. Kawawang bata.‖

―Ayan, tsismosa kase kaya‘t pinatay siguro ng kaaway.

Kaya ‗wag nang mag-tsismisan.‖

―Hoy, Bimby! Anong nangyari?‖

―Ewan. Nagsilapitan ang mga tao, kaya lumapit din ako.‖

Inilabas ang bangkay ni Aling Thelma. Nakatingin si

Amado habang ang kanyang bibig ay gumagalaw na parang

gustong magsalita. Pero nilalaro ng kanyang konsensya ang

kanyang isipan. Kumakalog ang kanyang mga kamay. Na-

hihirapan siyang makita ang parada ng bangkay ng isang

matanda, ng nagdadalamhating asawa at

ng mga taong naka-unipormeng asul.

Nagpatuloy nalang sa paglalakad si

Amado hawak-hawak pa rin ang DVD player.

Gabi na naman sa kalye Balarang,

naglalaro pa rin ang mga bata, naglala-

basan na ang mga lasenggo‘t madyongero.

Naibenta na ni Amado ang DVD player.

Naglalakad siya papunta kina Bono‘t Mi-

randa, ang mag-asawang drug dealer. Nang naglalakad siya sa kalye Aliman,

naging magaspang ang kalantog ng

hangin na parang nagbabadya ng hindi

maganda. Hanggang, may pamilyar na

boses na tumawag sa kanya.

―Hoi, Mado! Mabuti‘t nakita kita.‖

Si Waldo. Si Waldo, bagay na bagay

ang pangalan para sa isang kriminal. Si

Waldo, siya lang naman ang pumatay kay

Aling Thelma labing-anim na oras ang

nakalilipas. Lumapit ang halimaw sa

kanya at walang alinlangang inakbayan

siya nito.

―Session tayo. Meron ako rito.‖

KttK | 6

―Saan naman?‖

―Ewan ko. Ikaw?‖

―Sa amin nalang.‖

―Ay! Ay! Hindi puwede.‖

―Ba‘t ‗di puwede?‖

―Basta. Doon na lang tayo sa may

kanto. May building doon. Walang tao

roon.‖

Grabeng pawis ang dumadaloy sa

katawan ni Amado. Hindi siya maka-

paniwalang nakaakbay sa kanya ang

taong puwedeng pumatay sa kanya

kapag nalaman nitong alam niya ang

nangyari. Kinakabahan. Gusto niyang

tumakbo, ngunit naaamoy niya ang

alak sa kanyang hininga na

nagpapaalala sa kung anong klaseng

tao siya.

Sa abandonadong gusali, inilabas

ni Waldo ang walumpung gramo ng

Mahiwagang Pulbos, isang lighter, at

isang palara. Sinimulan ni Waldo.

Sinaksihan ni Amado ang kagandahan

ng ginagawa niya na parang bawat

segundo‘y hindi dapat malaktawan.

―Ahhhh! Buhay nga naman. Ikaw

naman Mado.‖

Ang pagkakataon. Walang alin-

langang tinugunan ni Amado ang

kanyang pangangailangan. Ang panan-

daliang kaligayahan. Sa pangalawang

pagkakataon, sinundan kaagad ito ni

Waldo.

―Alam mo, may sekreto ako. Pero

secret lang natin ‗to ha! Nabalitaan mo

na ba na pinatay si Thelma kaninang

madaling araw?‖

―Hindi. ‗Di ko alam.‖

―Ba‘t ‗di mo alam, eh, magkapitba-

hay lang kayo?‖

―Hindi pa ako umuuwi sa bahay.‖

―Itong si Thelma, napaka-

tsismosa! Tsismosa! Eh, pinagkalat

lang naman niyang may iba raw akong

gelprin. Ayun, nagalit si Stella,

nakipag-break.‖ ―Ilan ba‘ng girfren mo?‖

―Dalawa! Pero ‗di ko naman talaga

‗yun gelprin ang isa, nilalaro ko lang

‗yun. Alam mo? Pampalipas oras.‖

―…‖

―E, dahil sa galit ko, ayun, pinatay ko ang tsismosa.‖

―…‖

―Pero may problema, eh. May nakakita sa akin. Isang bata.

‗Yung anak ni Loring ba ‗yon.‖

Tumigil muna sa pagsasalita si Waldo para lumanghap sa

pangatlong pagkakataon.

―Kailangan ko rin siyang patayin. Ngayong hatinggabi. Ano

pang masabi nun. Sa kulungan ang bagsak ko. Atin-atin lang ito,

Mado, ‗wag mong ipagsabi. Alam mo ako.‖

Oo, alam ni Amado kung paano magalit si Waldo. Mabag-

sik. Lahat ng salitang dinudura niya‘y ginagawa niya. Mabilis

ang tibok ng puso ni Amado. Gusto niya ang ganitong pa-

kiramdam, pero ibang klaseng pagtibok ang nararamdaman niya

sa mga oras na iyon. Sobrang pangit. Gusto niyang tumakbo,

pero nakatitig si Waldo sa kanya.

―Kailangan mo ‗kong samahan ngayong hatinggabi.‖

Nagulantang siya sa sinabi ni Waldo. Lalong bumilis ang

tibok ng kanyang puso. Uminit ang paligid. Naging pula ang

kulay ng kanyang paningin. Hindi siya makagalaw. Hanggang

humarurot sa kalsada ang isang motorsiklo na naka-

pagpanumbalik sa kanyang matinong kondisyon. At siya‘y ku-

maripas ng takbo .

Dumulog si Amado sa istasyon ng mga parak. Pero bago pa

man siya pumasok ay itinago muna niya ang pakete ng Mahi-

wagang Pulbos sa kanyang kalsonsilyo. Pagkatapos, lumapit siya

sa matabang pulis na nasa front desk.

―O, parang naliligaw ka ‗ata!‖

―Alam ko kung sinong pumatay kay Aling Thelma.‖

―May ebidensya ka ba?‖

Saglit napatahimik si Amado.

―Wala.‖

―Eh ‗di wala tayong magagawa d‘yan.‖

7 | KATITIKAN

―Magsasabi ako ng totoo. Pulis ka, ‗di ba?

Puwede akong mag-witness sa kaso.‖

―Ba‘t ako maniniwala?Adik ka!‖

Tinurok ng mga katagang iyon ang puso ni

Amado—―Ba‘t ako maniniwala‖. Pero mas na-

mumukod-tangi ang kirot sa kanyang pan-

damdam—―Adik ka!‖

Adik ka! Adik ka! Adik ka! Paulit-ulit sa

kanyang isipan ang mga salitang iyon habang

mabagalang lumabas siya sa istasyon. Nang nasa

pintuan na siya, napatigil siya at nakita ang isang

poster ng Most Wanted Criminals. Sa labing dala-

wang mukha sa nakapaskil na poster, naging tawag

pansin sa kanya ang mukha ni Jun Jun ―Totoy Bato‖

Romano, ang pinakakilalang drug lord sa bansa na

binansagan ding Shabu Kingpin of the Philippines. Bawat mandurugas alam kung sino siya.

Nagkatagpo lang ng isang beses ang mga landas

nina Amado at Totoy Bato noong mga panahon na

nagsisimula palang si Amado na gumamit ng Mahi-

wagang Pulbos.

Sa oras na iyon, muli siyang pumasok sa istasy-

on at lumapit sa matabang pulis.

―‘Di ka talaga titigil, ano?!‖

―Alam ko kung nasaan si Totoy Bato.‖

Saglit napatahimik ang matabang pulis at ilang

pulis na nakarinig. Sa mga tainga nila, seryoso ang

naging tono ni Amado.

―Ba‘t ako maniniwala?‖

―Dahil… Adik ako.‖

Isinalaysay ni Amado ang mga nalalaman niya

tungkol sa sistema ni Totoy Bato ng paggawa at

kalakalan ng droga na may milyung-milyong hala-

ga. Totoo ang mga sinabi niya sa mga pulis gayun-

paman, wala siyang binanggit na mga lokasyon ng

pagawaan o transaksyon. Naging kapani-paniwala

si Amado sa harap ng mga pulis. Nang tinanong

siya kung nasaan si Totoy Bato, itinuro niya ang

kinalalagyan ni Maya. Sa bahay ng lola ng bata.

Rumisponde ang mga pulis sa lead na ibinigay

ni Amado. Naging tahimik ang pagpunta nila upang

walang makaalam ng kanilang isasagawang

operasyon. Sa bahay, nang papalapit sila sa paligid

nito, nakarinig sila ng isang batang pigil sa pag-

iyak. Nalito ang mga pulis. Lumabas si Amado sa

sasakyan ng pulisya at nagmadaling hinampas ang

pintuaan ng bahay. ―BOOOG!‖ Pumasok si Amado,

nataranta ang mga pulis at sinundan na lang siya

papasok. Pagbukas ng ilaw, isang kagimbal-gimbal

KttK | 8

na eksena ang nasaksihan nila. Nakalatag

ang katawan ng isang matandang babae na

may saksak sa tiyan, duguan, sa sahig,

nakaupong nakayakap ang bata sa kanyang

hita‘t binti habang umiiyak, at si Waldo na

kapit-kapit sa kanyang kanang kamay ang

isang duguang kutsilyo na papasaksak na

sana sa bata. Pero madaling pinigilan si Wal-

do ng mga pulis bago ito mangyari, pi-

nusasan, at inilabas sa bahay. Tumawag na

rin ang isang pulis ng ambulansya nang na-

kumpirma niya na humihinga pa ang lola.

Naglabasan na ang mga pulis mata-

pos sinuri ang bahay. Nanatili sa loob si

Amado. Nakita siya ng matabang pulis at

nilapitan.

―Alam mo, sa kabila ng pagsisinun-

galing mo tungkol kay Totoy Bato, nasagip

natin ang buhay ng mga taong ito. Hindi,

nasagip mo ang buhay nila.‖

Bago pa man lumampas si Amado sa

pintuan, lumingon muna siya sa loob. Na-

hagilap ng kanyang paningin ang isang itim

na DVD player. Napatigil siya‘t pinag-

masdan ang kasangkapan ng ilang segundo.

Mayamaya, lumingon siya pabalik sa pintu-

an at lumabas na rin ng bahay. Ngunit ku-

makalog pa rin ang kanyang mga kamay at

ang kanyang mga balintataw ay kasing liwa-

nag at kasing bilog ng buwan sa langit. K

A ko si Ana, labing-isang taong gulang, isang mangangalakal ng

basura. Pangatlo ako sa pitong magkakapatid, ulila sa ama dahil

nabaril ito ng security guard nang mahuling nagnanakaw ng

gamut sa isang drugstore, namatayan ng kapatid dahil sa pul-

monya, at nabubuhay sa pangangalaga ng inang pangangalakal din lang ang

ikinabubuhay.

Nakatira kami sa ilalaim ng tulay, pangatlong bahay na namin ito, palipa

-lipat kasi parating nabibiktima ng demolisyon, gawain ng pamahalaang

magaling manggiba pero ‗di marunong umunawa. Ngayon, gigising na na-

man ako sa panibagong araw, pero sa parehong uri ng buhay.

―Ate, gising na‖, ang araw-araw na sigaw sa‘kin ng aking nakababatang

kapatid, si Rona, siyam na taong gulang.

―Oo, nandiyan na. Hindi ba muna tayo kakain?‖

―Hindi na raw sabi ni Inay. Wala na raw kasing bigas eh, tsaka hindi na

rin nagpapautang si Aling Pasing, mas malaki na raw kasi utang natin kesa sa

kapital n‘ya.‖

Alas-sais ng umaga kami kadalasang umaalis patungong tambakan at

‗yun nga rin ang nangyayari ngayon. Pero ang inakala kong ordinaryong

araw lang ay magiging isang pangyayaring ‗di ko malilimutan.

―Ate! Tingnan mo ‗to!‖

Isang bangkay ang gumulantang sa amin—lalaki, mataba, may balbas,

may suot na maraming alahas. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero sa sandaling

iyon, napunta ‗yung isip ko sa alahas at hindi sa patay.

―Ate, pabayaan na natin ‗yan. Ipaalam na alng natin ‗yan kay Kap.‖

Sayang ‗yung alahas, malaking pera na rin ‗yun--- ito ang tumatakbo sa

aking isipan, pero pinakinggan ko ang kapatid ko. Patungo kami sa barangay

hall nang…

―Ana, yung nanay mo hinimatay. Isinugod na siya sa ospital. Sumunod

na kayo‖, sigaw ni Aling Nena.

Pumunta agad kami sa ospital. Saktong pagdating namin, lumabas ang

isang doktor at naghahanap ng kapamilya ni Inay.

―May sakit sa bato ang nanay n‘yo. Malala na ito. Siguradong matagal na

n‘ya itong dinadamdam pero hindi n‘ya lang ipinapahalata sa inyo.

9 | KATITIKAN

KWENTO Ni Jewelmae C. Solas

Kailangan niyang dumaan sa kidney transplant kung hindi, malamang

hindi na siya aabot pa sa susunod na buwan.‖

Hindi pwedeng mamatay si Inay. Sapat na samin ang mawalan ng ka-

patid at ama. Kung pati si Inay mawawala, mas mabuti pang lahat kami

sumama na lang kanya. Nag-iiyakan ang mga kapatid ko nang marinig

nila ang sabi ng doktor. Alam kong hindi nila alam kung ano ang kidney

at lalo na ang transplant, pero ramdam nilang hindi na kaaya-aya pa ang

sitwasyon ni Inay. Wala akong ibang magawa, kaya binalikan ko ang

bangkay sa tambakan ng basura at kinuha ang mga alahas na suot niya.

Ibinenta ko ito at umabot nang P250,000 ang pera ko.

Naoperahan si Inay. Sinabi kong may tumulong sa amin para maope-

rahan siya. Pagkatapos nun, wala nang may alam kung ano ang nangyari.

Sa sumunod na mga araw nakaranas kami nang may laman ang tiyan sa

buong maghapon, na nakakakain kami tatlong beses sa isang araw.

―Ate, ang sarap pala ng pakiramdam nang nakakakain tayo no,‖ sam-

bit ni Helen.

―Ganito pala ang lasa ng lechong manok. Naku, kung nandito lang

sana si Itay tsaka si Junjun,‖ pahayag ng limang taong gulang kong kapa-

tid na si Roy.

Alam kong mali ‗yun at walang anghel ang makapagpapatawad sa

akin sa ginawa ko, pero ano‘ng magagawa ko? Isa lamang akong kapatid

na gustong makitang

nakangiti ang mga kapatid

niya, at isang anak na nagna-

nais na makasama pa nang

mas matagal ang kanyang

ina. Malamang hindi mo

maiintindihan ang ginawa

ko, dahil may magulang ka,

may sariling bahay na tinu-

tuluyan, may malulusog na

mga kapatid, at nakakakain

tatlong beses sa isang araw.

Pero magkaiba tayo ng mun-

do, sa mundo ko, Diyos ang

tawag namin sa mga taong nag-aabot samin ng limang piso. Swerte nang

maituturing ang malinis na tubig panligo, at sa mundo namin, hindi

masama ang gumawa ka nang kasuklam-suklam mapataha mo lang ang

ang sikmurang kumakalam. K

KttK | 10

11 | KATITIKAN

Mamulat Ka,

Mamulat Tayo Ni Dimaguibang Pag-asa Malamang ngayon ikaw ay iniwan

ng mga mahal mo sa buhay, sugat ginawan;

puso‘t isipan mo‘y poot;

wala na ‗atang bukas, gumising man wala ring patutunguhan

Araw ay lumipas, wala ring nagbago;

tingin mo, ―…wala na ‗atang pag-asa ‗tong bayang ‗to‖;

korupsyon, prostitusyon, lahat nagkalat sa kanto

nakakadiring tingnan, nakakadiring malaman.

―Ako‘y bata lamang, walang magawa,‖

sabi mo sa sarili mo, at gait mo pa‘y ikaw ay kaawa-awa;

Ikaw ay galit, ilang beses ka ring sinaktan nitong isang mama.

Kay lalim ng sugat mo, pano pa kaya mawala?

Pero bata, wag mag-alala, may nagmamahal sayo.

Kung tingin mo‘y wala kang silbi, may pakialam Ako.

Ang Diyos mapagmahal, poot at sugat mo‘y maglalaho

Bubuohin ka Niya. Bubuohin niya puso‘t isipan mo.

Kaya samahan mo ako, magkaisa tayo.

Sa rebolusyong hindi pang-pulitiko, hindi din relihiyoso

Kundi Rebulosyon ng Pagmamahal na nanggaling

sa Kanya mismo.

Una Siyang nagmahal kaya, kaya mo ring

magmahal ng ibang tao.

Sa pagmamahal na ito; kaya mong baguhin a

ng kurso ng mundo.

Ikaw ay History Maker, ikaw ay Reformer.

Mamulat ka bata, hindi mo pa batid ang magagawa mo.

Sa Kanya, lahat ng akala mong hindi mo magagawa ay

magagawa mo.

Kaya simulan

na natin ang

rebolusyon,

simulan na na-

tin ngayon.

Tats Mub

Nahibong ko kun nganong pagkadali

Gihural mo gilayon ang tam-is

Mong ―Oo‖ sa gugmang

Akong gidiga kanimo

Pastilan tulin pas alas kwatro

Ang pagsugot nimo kanako

Di man unta ko ingon ana ka

Gwapo apan ang lawas ko

Brusko daw sa boksidor

Ikaw, pagkaanyag sab tan-awn

Ang laylay sa imong buhok

Og ang anghel mong naw‘ng

Ang hamis mong panit

Og igwad mong luyo

Daw langit og yuta atong gintang

Dako kong pagkahibong

Nganong gisugot mo ako

Apan mao diay imo ko‘ng gisugot

Duna man pud diay kay itlog

Sa laang mo ako nahulog

Ikaw usa diay ka bayot!

KttK | 12

DilawDilaw, , Rosas Rosas at at PulaPula

Dilaw ay pag-asa.

Dilaw ay liwanag.

Dilaw ay kalayaan.

Dilaw na ginto.

Rosas ay pag-ibig.

Rosas ay kapanatagan.

Rosas ay dalisay.

Rosas na banayad.

Pula ay pag-aalab.

Pula ay wagas.

Pula ay katapangan.

Pula na mapangahas.

Ngunit dilaw ma‘y ginto

Ay siya ring kaduwagan

At mapaglinlang.

Rosas ma‘y banayad

Ay siya ring mapagdamdam

At marupok.

Pula may nag-aalab

Ay siya ring bangis

At mapagmataas.

Sa likod ng bawat kulay

Ay maraming kwentong

Sumasalamin hindi lang ng

Kagandahan at kabutihan.

Hindi dapat mamuhay nang

May kinikilingang iisang kulay.

Ang mundo ay hindi lang dilaw.

O rosas.

O pula.

Chasing By Meleria Mangaring

It seemed to be

A new life at the time,

You caught my attention

Unconsciously;

I was in need, and you helped

Willingly,

A unique bond grew

And was pure as lime;

You were the lyrics of

The string‘s rhyme,

My dream‘s exact epitome,

Shockingly;

A magical sense existed

Swiftly,

I was reluctant

It‘s like a crime;

And when He heard me,

Confusions came too;

‗Guess I wasn‘t ready

At the time yet;

All was said and done,

What else could I do?

Pain crushed me, and

it‘s too hard to breathe,

Blade tore me when

thud rose from the piano,

Mind of hate

Soul of love

Heart of regret.

The monsoons season is coming! Not that this is new

to us Filipinos, it‘s expected that La Niňa should be around the

corner, excited to visit the cities of every province. She can

stay for as long as she wants but in a beautiful country then

she should really travel. Please. She could be pouring down on

your side of the neighborhood and you have no choice but to

stay inside, and sigh and stare at your window pane. The rain,

it can get boring at one point and be a hassle the next minute

for it comes without warning during these past few months,

thus your weird weather report says it will be an on and off

occurrence and will not cooperate.

The rain is here and there. She has come to view your

city but you don‘t expect it so soon. So she wants to greet eve-

ryone and she can all at once. First, as you walk out there you

do not even notice that your shadow is fading on the ground

and a gush of wind has just brushed you, except the noise of

the streets get your attention. The rain‘s first attempt failed. No

“The day wi{{ seem {onger to me

when it rains,

The morning, afternoon and

evening look the same in the

sky,

not a cloud out of place, not a

shade any different.

I see as a chance to do some-

thing without stress,

Not the pressure that time is

short when the earth is in a

different position

Or the sun shows your shadow

stretches on the ground.

The grey fluff is doing me a

favor by covering the sun

For a short whi{e.”

RAIN ESSAY By Mariah L. Mahinay

13 | KATITIKAN

KttK | 14

problem, because next you will be

tapped several times. A little drizzle

will get you informed that the popula-

tion of 50, 000 in brgy. ----- and the

adjacent one, has a visitor in the skies.

But you wipe it off your arm or any-

where you‘ve been hit because you

think it‘s just sweat. Phew! Ang ka init sa tibuok kalibutan. The rain‘s second

attempt failed. This is more challenging

than the rain thought. This will be-

come an epic fail if you refuse to at

least look up because now the sky is

enveloped in clouds of grey. Come on,

are you that busy not to notice?

At the third try begins and this

time, a heavy downpour happens be-

cause the rain wants to greet you now

and she tried to shake your shake your

hand. But you stepped into a puddle

and begin to get wet all over so you

run, run, run to the nearest place that

has shade. Aha! You curse at how un-

expected it all was and gaze above

where the rain is pleased you finally

pay attention, even if it‘s only for a few

seconds. She greets you with a ―Hello

down there!‖ Looking around you (and

probably you‘re not the only one)

soaked and perhaps at least not to the

bone. The rain sees your discomfort as

you try to dry yourself somehow. I can

help! She thinks. And here comes the

strong wind to dry you starting with

your clothes, but you feel the chill and

edge farther from the street. Rejoiced

by the good deed, the rain is happy that

you have entered a sheltered area along

with people in the same conditions.

―He‘s not alone and I brought him

friends.‖ Not knowing that you are be-

hind schedule and impatiently waiting

for all of to calm down.

Other instances when the rain

visits are early in the morning. You

awake to the sound of heavy pounding

on your roof. They are hard for a rea-

son. Wake up! Wake up! Tries the rain,

knowing that it‘s midterm week or a

major test shall be conducted today.

But seeing the wet sur-

roundings and feeling the

cold seeping in, you begin

to feel lazy. Tempted to

return to your bed be-

cause the mattress and

pillow have never felt

softer, the sheets have

never smelled so fragrant

and your body feels heav-

ier, the clock has never

moved so slow hanging on

that wall; so you go back

to bed and continue to

dream about that flat 1 you caught in the air so easily. The rain

continues to pour hard because she does not want you to miss

class. At least it has hit a crack on the roof, slides down the

layers of the ceiling and kisses you on the face or on your

neck. That‘s it! You think. There‘s a leak and you decide to get

up and move. Success! The rain has proof it can be your part-

time alarm clock somehow albeit, a less stressful way to get

out of bed.

Rain is symbolic worldwide. A poet can use the rain

to set a mood in a stanza or be as creative as possible by relat-

ing it to anything. Songwriters add ―washing the pain away‖ in

their lyrics, as if it‘s a bath like no other, no soap could rinse

off such pain. So while you could be on your way to any-

where, down in the dumps from a break up or in any way get-

ting to depression, the rain will sympathize with you. As if

pain is a physical problem clinging to your back, then that‘s

when the rain thinks ―hey, I could do him a favor: have a

shower.‖ You would feel better or sick from staying too long

but either way your head will feel lighter.

Take the usual nuisance of waiting in traffic and the

cars are moving inch by inch every --- minutes. Before it got

as bad as that, remember a few moments back when the streets

were dry, dust was spreading around and any vehicle within

sight looked like a dust bunny with wheels. Seeing the filth on

your new Honda CR-V, a gift from your parents, the rain de-

cides to wash it for you. ―Free of charge too!‖ With a smile on

her face seeing all the colors an automobile can have from

rusted green to metallic black.

Not a stranger to us, the rain has been here for mil-

lions of years, doing what she always does for different rea-

sons, greeting us in a number of ways and doing us ‗favors‘ like

a friend in the wings. Get a glimpse the next time she comes

around, look outside and you don‘t have to scowl for such aw-

ful weather. There are still children who play in the rain, who

frolic with her presence and willing to enjoy the outside even

when it can‘t be a sunny day. K

15 | KATITIKAN

W alhon ka gali,

Manang Juaning?‖

said my mom in

Hiligaynon, refer-

ring to Lola Juaning‘s left-

handedness as the latter was signing

some papers on my mom‘s table.

―Ambot. Opo siguro, ma‘am,‖ the

natural Ilocana said. ―Nasanay po

kasi talaga akong gamitin ang kali-

wang kamay ko.‖

―Hindi ba magagaling daw ang

mga kaliwete?‖ I interjected. ―Sabi

nila matatalino daw kayo.‖

―Hindi ko alam, apo,‖ she said

laughing. ―Siguro kung nakapag-aral

ako nang maayos.‖

The whole conversation went on

and on to other things in life, but

that particular line really hit me

hard.

―Siguro kung nakapag-aral ako

nang maayos.‖

Lola Juaning is a 50-something

utility worker at my mom‘s office.

Her position may not be envied by

many but she does her duties well

with grace and efficiency.

As a utility worker, she generally

cleans areas assigned to her in the

capitol compound. Most of us might

cringe at the thought of doing what

she does, but with the measly salary

she gets from mopping floors or gar-

dening (even lower than most teen-

agers‘ monthly allowance these

days), no one has ever heard her

complain much since she started do-

ing what she does.

I have known Lola Juaning for

The Happy Worker STORY BY Jan Louis Gazo

KttK | 16

The Happy Worker more than ten years now. Over those ten years, her bond with my mother,

both as co-workers and as friends, grew stronger and stronger. At times I would

catch them talking about their hardships in life or just laugh at their experienc-

es. They got acquainted closely with each other‘s families even though both live

totally different lifestyles.

But with all those years of knowing her (and her cooking – Ilocanos do have

exceptional talents in cooking), never have I given much attention to her educa-

tion until the day she mentioned it.

―‘Di ba nakapagtapos ka ng high school, ‗nang,‖ my mom asked her.

―Ay, hindi po, ma‘am,‖ she answered. ―Hanggang first year lang po ako.‖

―Hala! Bakit? Hindi po ba nakaya ang gastos?‖

―Hindi naman siguro. Hindi lang talaga binigyan ng pansin ng mga magu-

lang ko.‖

I hate to think that Lola Juaning would have had a better future if her par-

ents‘ mind set gave more importance to education. I hate to be the one feeling

bad for her when she seems to be contented with where she is now. But the

way the old lady said it, you could see it in her eyes that she was thinking of all

the alternate realities, the endless possibilities that could have gone her way if

only she had even just a high school diploma.

Back in her time, there was not much financial difference between public

and private education in the country. Either kind of education would have been

alright for Lola Juaning. But having been deprived the privilege, she made do by

learning to be street smart. She probably knows more than the average person

yet most of the things she knows aren‘t taught in classrooms. The things she

knows are the practical things we could actually use to survive every day. This

is why she is good at doing what she does. This is why she knows the most ef-

fective way to clean food stains and the best time of the day to do her garden-

ing. This is also why she cooks the most delicious dishes.

With this kind of knowledge, she might not top any standardized test but

she has raised her family and put all her children through proper education –

the kind of education she was never given the chance to finish. No wonder she

is happy.

The next day, I saw her again at my mom‘s office. She was sitting on a chair

by an unoccupied table, watching TV during her vacant hours. Her signature

smile never wears off just like when she‘s doing her job or reading a newspaper.

Her laughter sounds of contentment and happiness. At that moment, I forgot all

that I knew and felt about her educational background.

There, in front of me was a woman who had no proper education but was

more educated than those who had. This was a woman who coped and is happy

and contented in life, the kind of happiness and contentment not achieved by

those who are well off. K

17 | KATITIKAN

On to the forties, on to the

bolder

On to the zipper, the “sunburn”,

the shoulder.

That ended in fifties, rebirth

of couture

A golden age of skirts, fit

waists and Dior.

Anew in the sixties of Mods, and

the minis,

Warm weather of mid-riffs, pas-

tels and bikinis.

But disco and love turned for

the seventies,

Summertime of androgyny, bell

bottoms and hippies.

Contradicted by the eighties,

with spandex and leggings

With leotards, Madonna and her

“street urchin” beginnings.

Fizzled out in the nineties of

grunge fads and rejection

And sunshine of t-shirts and

minimalist accentuation.

THE

SUNSHINE

FADS By: Joyce S. Maw

The heat, the temp, the scorch

or rays

Brings wonders and thrills of

clothing ways.

Through the eras, the decades,

through all the years,

Fashion and summer were always

so near.

Each summer is different, each

divine,

One summer scorching, one summer

fine.

Each trend is distinct, each

discrete

One trend brisk, one trend con-

crete.

Now what can one use to mask or

tame

The heating sparks of the daz-

zling flames?

The roaring twenties and its

flapping heat,

Had masculine cuts and low

waisted pleats.

While the summer of thirties,

the summer of war

Was the summer of change, and

fashion flung far.

KttK | 18

TIME ON THE SHORE

I spelled his name on the sand

And looked across the blue deep

And sighed with great relief

To walk away from a monstrous grave,

I let the waves wash his name

I simply smell the salt

It covered me walking in shame

By and by the wind sang of my fault,

The palm trees dance to the sunset’s son-

net

Bidding goodbye like a traveler’s life

The sand turned cold without hesitation

Between my toes they mocked me tonight,

A crab passes by over a body buried deep

Flesh of the hero

The mighty creatures always compete

For the flesh of the hero,

And wake to see what was grand

To be a hobo on the sand

And greet the fading rays of today,

Never more words to say

Never the same

My fingers still itch to spell his name.

By: Mariah L. Mahinay

19 | KATITIKAN

Deep into the ocean, the water is

as clear as pure sapphire be-

cause of the magic of the merfolk.

Few believe in them now, but they

exist. In fact this story is as

much about a certain little mer-

maid as it is about her. Know from

the start: this is not a happy

one.

T his tale, like her life, begins and

ends with the sea. There stood

upon a distant shore a holy tem-

ple. The salty air was spiced with

citrus from its gardens, and at sunset the

sky would blaze up in rosy flames. This was

her home. A summer child: blonde, blue-

eyed and sweet. A lost baby the moment

she was found on that doorstep.

Though she had no relatives, she

had mothers and sisters there: Priestesses of

Sea, who vowed to protect humans from the merfolk. Her train-

ing started very early.

But no lesson — laws; vows; magic, white and black—

prepared her for him.

She thought he was dead when they first met. There had

been a storm the night before and a tragic shipwreck. She knew

nothing of corpses, nor anything of men.

The man did not look dead, only asleep. His raven hair

had been pushed back, exposing a handsome face. As she neared

him, a flash of red caught her eye. She turned and saw only the

blue sea.

The temple was a whirlwind of activity afterwards, for

the man was none other than their prince. He was everything the

stories had said: charming, gallant and gracious. He spoke often

with her and she derived great pleasure from gazing into his eyes.

She felt cold the moment she saw him leave.

Reports of storms decimating coastal towns reached the

temple. Mermaids‘ work, the matrons said, for their siren song is

so beautiful that nature goes mad hearing it. Hoping to appease them, the prince was to wed a

young Priestess of Sea.

She didn‘t care if it was unladylike to rejoice at this news.

Her boarding of the ship was heralded greatly. She felt like a princess in their silks.

Her prince gave her his warmest smile. Everything was perfect. Perfect, bar the girl.

She was scandalized, for the girl was dressed like a boy. The prince gave her those,

they said, for she accompanies him on adventures. The girl was the court‘s ―mute foundling‖.

Her prince named the girl himself.

She hated her: this girl with the sea-green eyes and hair red as flame. The foundling

was pale, yet not a freckle marred her skin. The girl was perfect, almost inhumanly so.

The feast was all a blur, for though she was by her prince‘s side, his mute foundling sat

STORY By Marla Arielle B. So

KttK | 20

by his other. The girl seemed ever curious and used those soulful eyes of hers to ask

questions which her prince seemed only too willing to answer.

To think she thought her prince reserved his warmest smile for her.

The storm was at its most terrible but the foundling seemed to belong in the

midst of it. Five mermaids rose up from the water. The girl stared at them, at their shav-

en heads, at the knife one of them held.

They spoke in their sibilant tongue, ―We sang storms for you, sweet sister. We gave our hair to the sea-witch for this knife: a sharp and magical one, it is. Kill the prince and you will be with us again. Either he or you must die tomorrow. Hurry!‖ She found her in the ship‘s chapel, praying to gods she didn‘t keep. She thought

of the lessons, of how the merfolk were creatures who did not even shed tears for their

own.

―You wish my prince harm. I cannot have that,‖ she told the mermaid as she

unsheathed her own knife. ―He is mine. I‘ll kill you before you hurt him!‖ The girl did nothing. It only made her angrier. ―You were the one at the beach, the one who really saved him. That was you, wasn‘t it?‖ her voice cracked, ―He loves

you… More than he will ever love me. You may not understand it, but I do. I love him!‖

―I-I love him,‖ she faltered. She had been speaking in her own language. Yet

the mermaid seemed to understand her. They locked eyes and the silent girl smiled.

As do I, the mermaid seemed to say as she gave her unholy knife to the priest-

ess.

Night is the time of darkness: when dark acts are committed and shadows be-

come all too real. It is a time for black magic, enchantments, and even body-swapping.

The price: your soul.

The mermaid, who would not murder to save herself, had not the heart for such

acts. Pity, the witch‘s knife was a vital tool for the black arts.

The sun shone upon the first peaceful day in weeks.

A scarlet-haired lady stumbled weakly upon the deck. Every step felt as if she

walked on broken glass. She held a shining knife. Pinprick boils erupted from her skin,

oozing not pus nor blood but water and foam.

The door creaked. She turned and saw the horror-struck prince and his bride.

She managed a smile: for the prince who was never hers; for his lovely bride; and

for herself, the sad girl dissolving into nothingness.

She wondered where the soulless went and found that she did not much

care. Her heart and eyes stung, but mermaids cannot produce tears.

The knife fell, the hand holding it nothing more than a mass of bubbles.

With her last strength, she flung herself off the boat. When

the couple peered over the edge, all they saw was foam bubbling in

the waves.

The sun shone upon the first peaceful day in weeks.

That was the end of her. The mute foundling was gone, for

she now had a voice all her own. The prince gently stroked her

golden hair and gazed into her sea-green eyes.

K

21 | KATITIKAN

Boy in love

Jake is in love

Though he does not bother

A lot is on his mind

Love is nothing but trouble

Buried in his books

He spends his nights with glee

With Shakespeare and Poe

Love should not be a worry

When he sees that girl

His heart beats with joy

His stomach is a whirl

Yet he thinks it‘s a ploy

A ploy to distract him

To stray away from his plans

Of a future so firm

A destiny so grand

Yes, he is determined

Never will he falter

Yet he now feels an emptiness

He now starts to wonder

What if I tried?

Yes, a lot is at stake

My future could still be bright

And my heart not so desolate

Now he sees that girl

The one he dreams of at night

He feels his knees buckle

His stomach fills with butter-

flies

―Hi‖ was all he could muster

Yet the girl starts to smile

There they looked at each

other

There they stood for a while

The girl said ―Hello‖

His heart jumped with delight

He tried not to shiver

He smiled with all his might

He carried her books

To her next class they walked

People started giving them

looks

Still they beamed as they

talked

The girl‘s name is Daniela

Her hopes are equally soaring

She dreams of travelling the

world

She spends her free time cook-

ing

When they got to her class

His world almost dropped

How could this conversation

end?

He never wanted it to stop

She seems to have read his

mind

For a while they stood awk-

wardly

She offered him time after

class

Then they parted happily

The boy was light-headed

The butterflies went away

He wasn‘t in his mind

Yet his feet found its way

The girl felt no different

She spent all the time waiting

She loved him from the start

Her love was never fading

This day is the happiest for

them

Yet they hope for more to

follow

More days to spend with each

other

More moments of love to

come.

By: Jan Louis Gazo

KttK | 22

By Reah Crezz P. Andrino

an argument that never annoys

the music in every noise

reconciliation amidst a war

tears shed when someone departs

hope within depression

freedom beyond suppression

the voice of truth

joy of someone's youth

happiness after every sorrow

triumph over every foe

humility beyond pride

light that serves as guide

learning when to let go

creating a life anew

learning how to fight

defending your right

fighting in vain

flying kites in the rain

Love is..

walking with life every step of

the way

pretending to be okay

listening to same song all day

loving that person no matter

what they say

Love is..

being kind and true

someone called you

Impossibilities By: lernzilla

I catch a glimpse

Our eyes meet halfway

My heart races

As I lose my senses

In the abyss of my mind

I hope I will find

That we never could be

More of what others can see.

A Poem of Unity

(for the Typhoon Sendong Victims) By: Fidel Rico Y. Nini

A single drop can create a great wave

A small voice can build a loud sound

In charismatic charity we must behave

Keep your heads up high and feet on the ground

We are bound to the contract of revolution

Everyone has to act and do his own part

Our task is to care for nature and love for nation

The flame of kindness must keep burning in the heart

When one is missing, the whole can‘t function

We need each other to sustain and grow

All we need now is a strong dedication

Selfishness and hatred we mustn‘t show

Every person in this world has a purpose

Every man is worthy of respect and love

Every incident happens for a cause

God will repay those who gave what they have

23 | KATITIKAN

It was 6:02 a.m. As she felt the same breeze that hit her innocent face eight years ago, her lashes moved and the sun rose in her big, hazel eyes.

“The sunrise is beautiful, still beauti-ful,” she told herself. She held on to her scarf and placed her eyes on the bright horizon. The same memories tried to play-back but she tried to stop her heart from fooling her mind all over again.

Tears ran on her angelic cheeks but she wiped them off hurriedly. She got hold of the paper boat she made and slowly placed it in the peaceful waters just like how she did eight years ago. Her mind was travelling when she heard sluggish yet familiar footsteps from behind.

“Eight years ago…,” the person said. She was Annie. He was Keith. “We sailed paper boats every morn-

ing,” he said. “And you always clutched your paisley scarf.”

“And you were always in your black sweater,” Annie answered as their eyes met.

He smiled. His dimples made him the same guy she knew from before.

“And you loved potatoes,” Keith said. Annie’s expression changed. She

couldn’t look at him with her miserable eyes. For eight winters, she had been longing to see him to hear his answer to the question she yearned to ask. But she was afraid that the answer may break her heart again.

“I don’t like them now,” she replied. Annie stood up and was about to walk

away when Keith held her arm. “How are you?” He found the courage

to ask her. Annie gazed at his hand holding her.

Keith released his grip and let her loose. “ I..I’m alright,” she said teary eyed.

“I’m now an architect. I’m going abroad.” He looked into her eyes. “You’re leav-

ing?” She nodded as she kicked a pebble in

front of her. “When?” he asked. She answered, “Today, 3 pm.”

K

“Oh.” His eyes couldn’t hide the anguish he felt. “You’re successful; you’re beautiful; you’re perfect;

I’m happy for you.” Annie felt that their conversation need-

ed an end. She wanted to walk away and forget everything.

But her lips moved. “Why did you leave me?” she asked.

“Why did you break your promise, Keith?” He stared at her. “I’ve been longing to ask you this ques-

tion,” she said. “Why, Keith? You promised that you’ll never...

...leave me.” Keith couldn’t say a word. “Answer me!” she said. “I trusted you

because I thought you loved me.” “I did… I still do.” he answered. “I’m so

sorry Annie.” “I’ve heard those words before, “she

interrupted. “Those useless words.” Annie couldn’t hold her tears any long-

er. Keith touched her flawless cheeks and

wiped the tears. She backed off. “I just wanted to clear

things up.” “I know you still love me.” Keith said. She couldn’t look at him. “I have fulfilled my dreams…our

dreams, without you. I became a better per-son with your absence. I loved myself even more when you left me. I don’t need you anymore.”

Annie walked away. Her heart was pounding and she was bruised all over again.

“I came back.” Keith yelled. “I came back Annie. But you didn’t wait for me.”

Annie stopped. She shook her head in disbelief.

“The day I went, I left a letter at your doorstep. I wrote in there that I was going to college. I wanted to achieve our dreams. I wanted to be a better person for you.”

Annie was ruined. She fell to the ground and broke down. The pain felt like a dagger stabbed at her back. Keith came close to her and hugged her tightly. Annie’s face was hidden in his arms. They treasured that moment stolen away from them.

The sun was shining now. Everything was silent except for the splash of playful waves.

Keith felt Annie’s lovely face. He re-membered the first time he saw Annie, it was also the same time he felt in love her. Her pretty eyes, her infectious laughs, her wonderful personality… she had everything a man could ask for.

Annie held Keith’s hand. His hands moved a tiny bit. She noticed something glitter. It shone in the sun like some heaven-ly treasure. Its silvery flush was warm to the eyes. Keith opened his hand and showed it to her.

“I was going to give you something simi-lar to this but…” Keith said.

Annie looked at him. “Keith, you’re…” “I still love you.” Keith said. “I’m sorry.” She gazed at Keith’s fourth finger and

her heart was full of regret and pain. Her tears fell for the millionth time. But there was nothing she can do now.

“I’m married.” Keith said. Annie felt Keith’s hand slide into hers

but no matter how much she wanted to cling and feel his tender fingers, it was way too late. Her heart’s too battered that no ma-chine or person could ever fix it. She knew they couldn’t trick fate. She gave Keith a kiss on his forehead and with a heavy heart, she walked away. The paper boat she set on the waters was drowning together with her dreams and hope.

Keith waded into the waters. He picked up the paper boat. He didn’t want it to drown.

It was 6:30 am. Everything had changed.

She was in her paisley scarf. And he was in his black sweater.

KttK | 24

25 | KATITIKAN

DON’T STAY

TOO LONG BY Melissa Angelique B. Malaga

R yan was a self-proclaimed perfectionist.

He would press his uniform three times until

every wrinkle was ironed out. He would ar-

range his books and papers until they were

stacked in two neat piles. He would wake up at exactly 4:45

every morning to check if everything was still in its proper

place. He had a strict diet of boiled okra and he would only

eat meat if it came from a very healthy source. From 1st

year, he was a dean‘s lister with a 1.9 as his lowest grade.

Teachers found him admirable. His classmates found him

strange.

He liked studying, especially when he would stay in the

library. Almost all the time, he would stay late after school

with the night guard as his only companion.

One day, he was studying in the library. It was 5:45 p.m.

when the kind librarian pressed her bell and called to him.

―Hijo, it‘s almost 6:00 p.m.‖

Ryan looked up and replied in a monotonous tone. ―I need

more sources. I have to get this baby thesis right. I‘ll lock up

after I‘m done. I‘ll even clean the library if you like.‖

The librarian stared at him. This was the 14th time he stayed

late. She had been told thousands of times to not let any

student stay late. However, she could not help but admire

Ryan‘s dedication to his studies. She sighed and took the

library key from her purse and said: ―Hijo, I‘ll leave the key

with you. Just don‘t forget to fix everything and lock up, ok?

And don‘t forget to give the key to the night guard.‖ Then

she gave the key and left.

At 6:00, Ryan was left alone in the library.

He saw the figure of the night guard as he

entered the library. The night guard was a

kind man in his late twenties and was a fa-

vorite among the students. While most of

the security guards were strict and overbear-

ing, he was the friendly and sociable guard

who would tell jokes to the students.

While the other guards were called ―Guard‖,

he had the affectionate nicknames of

―Watchman‖ and ― Chief.‖ Ryan liked Chief

a lot. Often times, they would enjoy coffee

and leisure chat.

―Evening, Chief.‖ Ryan greeted while staring

at the book‘s text. Chief looked at Ryan and

replied.

―Good evening. Working late again?‖ When

Ryan nodded, Chief pulled a chair and sat on

it. ―Did you hear about the group of students

who were playing with spirit of the glass?

They supposedly summoned the ghosts of

several people who died while being impris-

oned here during the Japanese occupation.

They say they haunt this building and has

been haunting it ever since.‖

Ryan laughed and said ―Chief, where do you

get these stories? There‘s no such thing as

ghosts. More so, the said ghost is merely a

manifestation of man‘s delusion and there-

fore not a product of the so called supernatu-

ral.‖

Chief chuckled and said ―It helps if you

think of the impossible to be possible.‖ Then

tossing a can of coffee, he added. ―Just don‘t

stay too long. I‘m locking the main entrance

by 9. Drink the coffee. It‘ll do you good.

Sometimes, man is merely the haunted one.‖

Ryan read his seventh book. Ghosts? He

thought to himself. There is no such

thing. He reflected on Chief‘s words.

Sometimes, man is merely the haunted

one. What did Chief mean by that? He

turned the page.

Suddenly he heard a sound. He got up

and looked around. He saw no one. Odd.

He thought . It was just him and Chief.

Maybe Chief was playing tricks. He

brushed it off, took a swig from the can

coffee and read another book.

It was 9. Chief had told Ryan that the

main entrance would be closed by 9.

Frustrated at the thought of leaving the

library, Ryan fixed his books and papers

into his bag, arranged the tables and

chairs and finally locked the library. The

hallway was dark with faint lights flick-

ering on and off. Ryan was not so easy to

scare. He took his cellphone and turned

its flashlight on. It was faint, but he man-

aged.

The library was located in the second

floor of the main campus administrative

building. His dorm was right across the

Law Building. And since the main exit

was closed, he had no choice but to pass

through the Law Building‘s exit. And that

meant going down the stairs nearest the

exit.

He hated these stairs. By day, it was a

regular flight of stairs with posters on the

wall and announcements. But at night, it

was, as he dubbed, a steep step to acci-

dents. There was also the fact that it had

a rather eerie portrait of one of the

KttK | 26

school‘s previous presidents. Ryan walked towards the stairs and stared at the

portrait. Its piercing eyes and thinning hair reminded him of the elderly teacher

whose round head and stout body made students laugh. Perhaps, it was eerie

because of the atmosphere.

He sighed and carefully climbed down the stairs. As he approached the last few

steps, he wondered what he ought to cook for dinner. The can of coffee Chief

gave him kept him awake just as he hoped. He wasn‘t that hungry, but he

needed the energy to study more. Then he noticed something….odd.

He had landed in the second floor! He saw the portrait again. He looked at the

balcony. He was sure he was going down. He could not have made a mistake!

After all, he never made a mistake in his life. So he went down the stairs again.

As he approached the base, he saw the same painting and knew he was going to

end up in the same place.

This was getting scary. It was as if the school didn‘t want him to leave. He de-

cided to try the stairs near the hotel. The moment he stepped on the last step, he

had landed in the second floor again.

Ryan was frantic. For the first time, he was frantic and scared. He began to look

for Chief. ―Chief…CHIEF!‖ He called out but there was no reply. Over and

over, he went down the stairs only to land in the same second floor. He went

back to the library and decided to try the main stairs. Fearful of the possible

outcome, Ryan closed his eyes, placed his hand on the stair‘s railing and stepped

down.

As he stepped down, he breathed heavily , hoping that he would be able to go

home. He thought of so many possible causes for this. But he could not conclude

at all. He was too afraid. He felt his feet touch the ground floor. He opened his

eyes. He had landed on the first floor. He had arrived at the lobby. He could see

the big bible in the center and the framed documents on the walls.

He let out a sigh of relief. At last it was over. He felt a tap on his shoulder. He

turned to see Chief, holding a flashlight up to his face.

―Oh, you‘re done? I was about to get you.‖ He noticed the beads of sweat on

Ryan‘s face. ―What‘s wrong with you? You look as if you‘ve seen a ghost.‖

Ryan relayed his story. ―I was going down from the second floor…only to land

on the second floor again. I kept going down over and over again. I just kept

going in a crazy circle. I swear I was going down.‖

Chief chuckled and said ―You were just having a nightmare. Come on, I‘m tak-

27 | KATITIKAN

ing you home.‖ Ryan sighed a sigh of relief as the guard

led Ryan to the Law Bldg. exit. He was finally going

home. As they approached the Law Bldg. Chief began to

speak to Ryan. ― Next time, don‘t stay too late. Nowadays,

the building plays tricks on students. You never know

where you might end up.‖

Ryan nodded in agreement. Chief then added. ―I mean,

when you‘re passing through the hotel, it gets scary.‖

Ryan stopped at his tracks. He lowered his head and

thought about what he heard. Chief said passing through

hotel. He had mentioned to Chief that he tried going

down in the Law exit,but he never mentioned that he

tried passing through the hotel.

―Chief…how did you know I tried the hotel?‖ Ryan heard

no reply…only silence. Then he looked up and saw that

Chief was not in front of him. Then he turned around and

realized that he had entered the 2nd floor again.

For the first time, he lost his cool and began to panic and

scream. He went down the stairs over and over again, all

the while screaming into the night. And after that, the

scream…became silence.

An ambulance had pulled up at the driveway the next

morning. Students and faculty alike watched as two para-

medics loaded a gurney with a quivering and terrified

Ryan. He kept shaking his head voice was low and trem-

bling. His mouth kept saying the words ―

stay….long….stairs….‖ over and over again.

Students began to talk about it. The president then called

for Chief and asked him what had happened.

Chief then explained that around 10 last night, he had

gone to the library to get Ryan only to see Ryan going up

and down the stairs in a dazed state. Then he saw Ryan

screaming and running in the Quad before finally passing

out. He had then took Ryan to the security office only to

be stirred later by Ryan‘s screams.

As the ambulance doors closed, Ryan leaned forward and

screamed towards his classmates…

―Don‘t stay too long..‖

KttK | 28

K

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