Literary

by VON ZYRON P. ALIMORONG I HAVE sat at many tables and walked many roads, accompanying two lovers and seen them drown in love. I have also seen many of these lovers grow apart, often turning into bad memories or to strangers—and me, their sole witness. The lucky ones would remain acquainted. The usual ones, however, would act like ghosts toward one another. Their reasons vary for becoming like so. But in most of them, the other half would suddenly give up swimming in a sea as vast and dangerous as love. It takes a certain courage to remain in that sea. So for some, the shore seems to be a better place to remain in. And in returning to safer shores, they would leave their partner floating all alone. Their partner, who once knew how to swim and where to go, would be lost and confused...

by MARIA ALTHEA V. JAVIER Editor’s Note: This piece is one of the works in a nine-part series in line with the Dapitan 2023 theme Panopticon. All works are written by The Flame‘s Literary staffers. MAY BAGO na naman silang bidyo. Matagal na akong aliw sa panonood ng mga artistang wala na sa karera kaya marahang lumilipat sa pang-uuto ng mga katulad ko. Oo, kasama ako. Sa mga oras na nakikita kong pilit nilang ibinabagay ang mamahaling bag nila sa pucho-puchong rubber shoes, parang gusto kong masuka.  Sabagay, ano nga namang ambag ng opinyon ko, e kahit yata basura ang ipasuot mo sa mga ‘to, gagawin pa ring balita ng lahat ng news channels sa balat ng lupa. “This is the very first bag that I bought for myself when I was asking my mom if I should buy this, first paycheck k...

by VON ZYRON P. ALIMORONG  WHEN ONE is on the brink of being ruined, the most instinctive thing to do is to cling to some sort of belief—going so far as to give all her faith to something she does not usually believe in. But faith can only do so much.  In Lorcan Finnegan’s 2022 psychological thriller Nocebo, fashion designer Christine (Eva Green) suffers from an unknown illness with no known cure.  Initially, she experiences having vivid hallucinations. Eventually, other symptoms start manifesting: tremors, difficulty in breathing, body pains, and memory lapses—ultimately affecting her work and her family. Enter Chai Fonacier’s character, Diana, who arrives at Christine’s home one day, much to the homeowner’s surprise. Diana claims she was hired as their maid but Christi...