Literary

14

Sep

By Adam Joseph Bolante

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Abong Bahaghari

  Mula sa aspaltong tirintas na pumipiring sa Maynila gumuguhit ang liwanag sa dilim sa hugis nito.   Sabi ng mama, kaya magkakaroon ng kalsada sa langit ay para mapagbuklod ang dalawang dako ng lungsod.   Turo niya, mas tanaw mo ang ganda ng pamayanan sa itaas, malaya sa kalawang…

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02

Sep

By The Flame Literary

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Ganggang: When innocence gets caught in the web of cruelty

THREE children trapped in a state of oppression band together and find escape in the world of spider fighting, a game that unknowingly mirrors their town’s struggle with increasing military presence and its incessant red-baiting of the community. The struggle, which is beyond the comprehension of young minds, constituted the…

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02

Sep

By The Flame Literary

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Cinemalaya 2026 Shorts A: Mirrors of the nation

SPOTLIGHTING RELEVANT sociopolitical themes and giving exhibition to the nation’s finest filmmaking, this year’s Cinemalaya Shorts A demonstrated why local cinema remains vital as an authentic reflection of the country with subject matters ranging in gender, disability and poverty. The Shorts A collection of the 22nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film…

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31

Aug

By Anthea Anika de Sales

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Empty Nest

  I SCREAM in protest as my father pulls me towards the enclosure of feathered beasts. He laughs tenderly at the sight of me creeping around their pen, as if there were no wires to clip their flight. A little later on, I shudder once more at the sight of…

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24

Aug

By Ron Kyle Gabrielle Reyes

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Hand of God: A volley to the heart

CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE is often lost in translation. As people grow older, they often forget the simple joys that once made the world feel boundless: a game, a friendship and a field to run across.  In the harsh realities of adulthood, these fleeting pleasures become distant memories. Yet for children caught…

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06

Aug

By Adam Joseph Bolante and Anthea Anika de Sales

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The Odyssey: An ancient voyage that reflects the tides of the present 

THE FURY of the gods is no match for the backlash endured by Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s ancient epic. Yet, like its titular hero, The Odyssey defies the odds and comes home triumphant, proving to be a necessary admonition for a society that seems to be desensitized towards violence.…

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03

Aug

By Anthea Anika de Sales

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Lifetimes

WHEN I asked my friend his age, he revealed it was as young as our independence. He told me that he had seen the sun and three stars when it was first hoisted up among the clouds.  That day signaled freedom for his brothers, but for him, those yellow threads…

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20

Jul

By Adam Joseph Bolante

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The Last Sail to the Terminal

THE FERRYMAN laments the day his ship might never emerge again. Hours before, the tin ship, rusted with age, was packed with strangers who exchanged sweat without malice. Paper bills and coins climbed a staircase made of open palms, their scent clinging to the crevices of everyone’s hands. Dressed in…

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13

Jul

By The Flame Literary

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Cinemalaya 22 films invite audiences to the “reel” world

THIS YEAR’S Cinemalaya Film Festival will celebrate cinema as an artistic medium and a mirror of society in the face of technological advancements. Carrying the theme ‘Reel Reflections,’ the film festival’s independent filmmakers pushed the boundaries of Philippine cinema and the value of Filipino creativity, Film Development Council of the Philippines…

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12

Jul

By Bettina Katryn Reyes

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how much more do i need to offer

  before the smoke of the candle reaches You? these hands have stayed curved to protect  the weak flame about to die out.   the wick can only hold so much of my plea until the wax melts into its origins. so close Your eyes,  meditate. look for the sound…

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