Liyab

Lady of the Forest

Lady of the Forest

THE path to the bamboo forest was strewn with junk left by careless and ignorant travelers. I treaded carefully, the leaves and stones getting crushed beneath my feet. I avoid the chaos left in its wake. The bamboo towered over me like city skyscrapers. “Tabi-tabi po” I murmured, as the…
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Pagbangon

Pagbangon

NAKASANAYAN na niya ang init ng araw na bumabalot sa kanya. Malakas ang tagaktak ng kanyang pawis; ito ay nagsilbing patunay sa malupit at nakakapagal na walong oras niyang pagkakayod. Tulad ng dati, binalewala niya ito at nagpatuloy sa pagbabanat ng buto. Ganito ang takbo sa gulong ng kanyang buhay.…
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Mumunting Hiling

Mumunting Hiling

NOONG ako ay bata pa, imahe mo ay siyang dinasalan. Lumuhod ako sa iyong harapan, at nanalangin para sa iyong pagdinig ng aking mumunting hiling. Maliit lamang ito na bagay — isang bagong laruan. Ayaw kasi ako bilhan ni nanay, kaya ikaw muna ang inasahan. Sa aking pananalangin, mahigpit ang…
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Lagusan

Lagusan

MASASAYANG ingay at tawanan ang sumalubong sa akin paglabas ko ng fakultad. Daan-daang estudyante ang nakaabang at nakapila para dumaan sa arko. Tumungo ako papunta sa kanila, nagbabalak na makisingit sa makikipot na espasyo ng kanilang pila. Mayroon akong pupuntahan, at sila ay nakaharang sa daan. Sa aking pagbagtas, tanging…
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Stuck

Stuck

It was that time of the day when the roads were scarcely bestrewed with vehicles and people - when the morning light has just manifested into the streets. He hopped onto his bicycle and proceeded to go along his usual day. As the day progressed, the peaceful streets he was…
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Torrential Truth

Torrential Truth

AMID the crowd of supporters on that rainy day, I stood out. I was soaked from head to toe while others enthusiastically held on to their umbrellas. As I made my way in the rambunctious crowd, I heard raised voices of support for a man covered in blood, fear, and…
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Mumunting Puwesto sa Recto

Mumunting Puwesto sa Recto

SA isang magulong kalye, tahimik kong pinapanood ang mga taong dumadaan. Minamasdan ko ang kanilang pananamit at pagkilos - pati na rin ang bawat hakbang. Sinusuri ko ang kanilang mga mata para sa bahid ng interes tugon sa aking inaalok. Kaya kong tumupad ng pangarap. Mula sa aking mumunting puwesto,…
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Realizations in the Rain

Realizations in the Rain

THE weather took a hard turn the moment I climbed into the seat. Despite its inconvenience, it still seemed to be perfectly-timed. On days like these, my favorite way to pass time is to observe the raindrops cutting tracks down the window pane. Silently, I wonder which one of them…
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Under the Rainbow

Under the Rainbow

ACCEPTANCE was a foreign sensation. Instead of a warm hug on a rainy day, the acceptance I longed for came with a slap on the face along with words so vile that it pierced through the remaining sanity I had. Fear slowly crawled into my consciousness; it swallowed my very…
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Big Times Behind

Big Times Behind

HE dreamt of going fast. His fantasies always had him riding at a breakneck speed. It did not matter where, whether on horse, bike, or vehicle; all he wanted was to leave his small, idyllic hometown. His mind turns to Manila and its bustling city lights and urban lifestyle. At…
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