Like Cotton Seeds

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These last few days and up until now, it has been raining cotton balls here in the University of the Philippines. What they call here as American cotton trees have seen shooting these balls, covering the green lawn in the Freedom Park with soft whiteness. Even the surrounding willow and acacia trees are covered with them, much like snow coating the pines. These cotton balls each have a seed inside which when lucky to land on good soil and be protected, will grow to become another mighty tree. Here, it is believed that the shower of cotton signify the end of the semester and the celebration of graduation. Indeed, graduation rites in the University will be held days from now.

Passing

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Since the jeepney going around the campus does not pass by our building, I have to walk some good distance, maybe a five- to ten-minute walk on broken and crowded sidewalks. It must have been the cold late morning, or the greenness around me that I felt kind of overjoyed with my walk. Never mind that I slept late again last night, or I still have several papers to make, or that there are impending exams by March. Nah, I just did not mind them, I was really into my walk.

For Justice: The Parting

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....Continued from For Justice: A Fateful Reunion

A loud explosion suddenly befell. The ground quaked. Everyone was thrown. Sand and earth rained.

“The armies are attacking,” Ka Andres screamed, his voice panicky.

The gun had slipped off Ka Julio’s hands. He fumbled for it but there were only stones and twigs around him. He widened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings. His comrades were crawling, tightly clutching their weapons. He sighted Harold tottering to get himself out of the zone. On impulse, Ka Julio went up to him, dragged him and hid themselves behind a large bush.

For Justice: A Fateful Reunion

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....Continued from For Justice: Victims of War

It was not vengeance his reason for joining the rebel group. It was principle. It was apprehension that made Julio see the yearning and travail in them.  It was a felt obligation for they were his own kind. It was a matter of faith and blood.

“There’s a place for everyone,” Andres had said, “but there’s none for us.”