The Ferris Wheel Ride

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It’s Feb Fair here in the University of the Philippines – Los Baños and the campus’ Freedom Park had been converted into a party festival. Stalls selling food and refreshments, booths offering various gimmicks, and amusement rides can be seen anywhere. Since our dormitory is only right in front of the park, I and my dorm-mates wasted no time in joining the party. So from one fun fair booth to another, we hopped. And despite its dilapidated appearance, we also rode the Ferris wheel.

Seasons Change

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It was already half past noon. I was walking back to my dormitory from an inexpensive food store when a light shower poured down. Instinctively, I opened my umbrella and continued my walk. The dorm was still a good distance away so I took time walking slowly, leisurely and pensively.

Yolanda and the Filipinos

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Haiyan. Yolanda. Whichever the name is, that typhoon has been a great gauge of strength, resiliency, and unity of the Filipino nation.

It was the 7^th of November, 2013 when Yolanda entered the Philippine shores, initially devastating the sleepy town of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. It was night time and the damage it had brought remained unseen, until the dawn of the next day. By November 8, Yolanda crossed the entire islands of Leyte and Samar, with winds up to 315 km/h (195 mph). Along with the furious winds was the gigantic storm surge, waves reaching as high as 5-6 m (15-19 ft). Waters covered the whole City of Tacloban and those who were unfortunate to reach high grounds were drowned and killed. Buildings and churches toppled. Boats and ships were thrown on land. Trees were uprooted and lives were wasted. By November 10, Yolanda exited the country, leaving ruined cities and provinces, broken lives, and a shocked nation.

The Wall

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For the last few months, I have been recycling my articles in my blogs, republishing old works or scanning through my tattered notebooks looking for some relevant pieces. It’s just that my mind could not think of anything worth writing for and publishing. I just could not find the inspiration to write, not to mention the pressure I have from my present situations, deadlines to beat from my other engagements, and the temptation from Candy Crash, Urban Rivals, and various other online games.

The Old House: Shattered Innocence

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....Continued from The Old House: An Unforeseen Evil

Quito had witnessed enough and had controlled himself too much. Hastily, he retraced his way out of the house. After closing the last door, he breathed real air for the longest time. 

The house is evil, he murmured.

The Old House: An Unforeseen Evil

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....Continued from The Old House: Hungry Cries

The shadow was that of a woman; she was swaying to the beat of claps. It was a lazy dance. Her hair was long and tousled, and she seemed to wear a loose robe. Below her was another figure.

 

Curious, Quito dug through the thick layers of fibers. It was a painstaking struggle, careful and unhurried so as not to distract the owners of the shadows. Upon reaching the last curtains, he made another sign of the cross, and through the breach between two fabrics, he peeped.

The Old House: Hungry Cries

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....Continued from The Old House: The Tradition

Few minutes had passed by before he finally went inside the house. He proceeded to the living room where the staircase was, surveying the place along the way. Except for the cobwebs dangling around the corners and on the ceilings, the house was surprisingly neat and fragrant with a strawberry scent. There were lighted candles everywhere – on the kitchen counters, on the wooden furniture pieces and even on the stairs. They were ingeniously arranged. For a moment, Quito was mesmerized by the exoticism of the surroundings.

The Old House: The Tradition

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....Continued from The Old House: Children's Tale

Quito erased the thought, and instead, he concentrated on his driving. He had vowed to himself that he would never return to the old house. But tonight, he violated his own decree and was now a mile from the house, biking under a brilliant moon, gliding through shadows and suppressing the bitter bite of the breeze as well as the fright creeping within him.

For Justice: Victims of War

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....Continued from For Justice: The Promise

Many years back, everything had been like in the movies. People were aimlessly running with their bundles of clothes. Animals were scuttling. There were bleats and squeals and shrieks in the air. Everyone was evacuating. Julio saw Harold being towed by his parents. He had never seen his friend so much frantic and frightened. He called them, but by the next instant, they were gone, dissolving into the chaotic crowd.

For Justice: The Promise

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The moon was sinister. Its yellowness imposingly deprived the stars of their place. The heavens were evenly stretched from all corners. The vastness of it soothed Ka Julio’s jumbled mind. The month had been onerous for him and for the whole troop. Military assaults were interminable. The frequent clashes broke the rebel group into several small factions. But Ka Julio was optimistic. They had to win, and they would. He believed Ka Andres, one of the leaders of the group and was now commanding their unit, would devise the proper plan.

Why Does the Sun Go On Shining?

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Three years ago, I wrote this short reflection....

It has been raining or cloudy for the last few days and the sunlight showers on almost every object brought certain cheer to the atmosphere. It was early yesterday morning and the thought of beauty gave me much energy to prepare for that day’s work. But it would be silly standing at the front door and absorbing everything I see, so I hurried up and rushed to school.

The Article: His Submission

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....Continued from The Article: A Changed Person

Shortly, the wind became worst. He went inside the house and spent the remainder of the night editing, reconstructing and rewriting his work over another canfuls of beer.

The next day, he visited the publication office in his campus. The article had been neatly put on paper and was now assuredly held in his hands. Summoning his courage, he knocked on the door of the literary room. Immediately, it opened.

The Article: A Changed Person

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....Continued from The Article: Sad Eyes

William stopped and exhaled a long breath. Unknowingly, silent tears formed in his eyes.

….Yes, I know that I could be hurt over and over again….

Those words were the same thoughts William had as he watched the girl. Those were the same feelings he had then. But the heartache, it was no longer the same.

The Article: Sad Eyes

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....Continued from The Article: Love of the Bully

....One time, I decided to visit a friend in the nearby town. I waited for a bus along the highway. So when I saw one coming, I hailed it and sat on the only vacant seat which was along the aisle. The music, a rock one, was really great that I started thumping my foot on the floor to the beat of it. Just then, on my side across the aisle, a voice impatiently said: “Will you please stop that noise?”….

The Article: Love of the Bully

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.... Continued from The Article: The Affected One

William then write about Mary Jane whom he had a week-long affair when they were only thirteen.

….She dumped me for no good reason. She simply said, “Will, I am not interested with you any longer so let’s split up,” and then left. It drove me nuts for I was madly attracted to her. But I got even. I and my friends locked her in the men’s restroom….

Birds Fly

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Three years ago, while recovering from leg fracture, I wrote this reflection....

Friday afternoon, I was waiting for my neighbor to pick me up at school. I still cannot walk right from a fracture I had so somebody would have to fetch me at school every day. So I was waiting for him, seated alone on a bench, and it was past five in the afternoon, when I noticed a flock of birds perched on the transmission line. It was a large group, maybe a hundred or more. Locally known as “lansang”, they were singing (or should I say making noise). It rained hard earlier that afternoon, and the wet grass, the smell of drenched soil and the song of birds were creating a pastoral atmosphere. It was peaceful, and so I sat there waiting, watching the birds. Watching the birds, oblivious to time and to the electricity, made me think of my own life and others as well. Life and time are two inseparable things.

A Lighted Candle

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Almost five years ago, a year after my father's death, I wrote this sad recollection....

As noisy as it had been, the house is now peaceful. Friends and relatives who came to commemorate with us my father’s first death anniversary had now left. And as lonely as the stillness that enveloped our home are my father’s memories, which a few hours ago, we joyfully shared.

Random Thoughts

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There are times when we are too tired that our head takes on random pieces of thoughts. On this subject that I wrote this article six years ago in my Friendster account....

You are walking hand in hand with her, the afternoon breeze blowing the folds of her skirt, her eyes sparkling for every word she says or for every smile she does. The grassed path is gentle beneath your treads. And the earth smells of life and happiness.

The Chicken and the Fence

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Two years ago, I wrote this reflection about my students struggling with their academic loads....

Sometimes, we must try something else to succeed rather than trying harder….

I was spending some quiet hours in our swing when I noticed our chicken attempting to get out of the fence. With all her energy, she kept walking to and fro along the span of the wire fence and sometimes trying to fly over it. The greater space outside, or the site of greener grounds, must have tempted her to get out of our yard. Her walk seemed frantic, and from time to time, she pushed herself through it to no avail. She occasionally cackled, as if begging me to help her escape.

Alone: Never Again

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....Continued from Alone: A Sad Past

“Time’s up!” Elias presently said, suddenly becoming aware of time. “We better go back.”

Reluctantly, the boy followed him back. But when they reached the bench, solid black under a lamp post, no Halie was there; it was as empty as they had left it. Elias, tired and nauseated from the rides, almost broke down if not for the presence of the smiling boy.