Liyab

SOMBER clouds loom overhead as gloom engulfs me—it is a feeling I have been accustomed to these past three months. Somehow, I feel strongly that I share the same sentiments with the rest of the world right now. Come dawn, everything remains the same, as days melt into months and…

“SHOOT to kill,” sabi sa telebisyon. Nangyari nga ang kinatatakutan ng marami. Ang mahihirap na walang kalaban-laban sa kalupitan ay tinanggalan ng karapatan habang nakaluhod, at tinutukan ng dulo ng baril. Hindi nagtagal, sumunod ang alingawngaw ng pagputok at dumanak ang dugo na parang ilog sa kalye. “Nanlaban,” kabulaanan ng…

ENDURING is the word that comes to mind In thinking of your hallowed buildings And time-honored arch From egg white bricks to cinder blocks Your structures get built and destroyed; But reconstructed every time You have stood earlier than the birth of a nation, Raising its forefathers how to break…

LIKE most children, I grew up admiring fictional characters with otherworldly powers. Equipped with their swords and shields, they served others through courage and self-sacrifice. To me, they were someone I absolutely admire. Before I knew it, the clock had struck evening. I heard the shuffling of familiar footfalls behind…

THE gray dinosaur glared at me. Its dead white eyes stared at my distressed face. My brows furrowed. For the past ten minutes, I have been helplessly pressing Ctrl and F5. To no avail, the screen looked the same. I pressed the spacebar and the dinosaur sprang to life. Tap.…

KUNG hindi lang siguro nag-atubili sa pagpapatupad ng mga kinakailangang hakbang, malapit na sana tayo sa dulo. Hindi na sana nagtitiis sa gutom ang mga pamilya ng libu-libong Pilipino na nawalan ng trabaho. Papatag na sana ang kurba at hindi na nadadagdagan ang bilang ng nasawi. Upang aliwin ang sarili,…

IN the warzone of a deadly virus, Asclepius’ warriors battle in one crusade all over the world. Wearing their protective gear of surgical masks and goggles, they courageously face the enemy even if their weapons are not complete. In some parts of the world, the warriors have won, but in…

THE streets were bare and cold that afternoon. I wish I did not have to go out at a time like this, risking the safety of others, myself, and those I love. However, the bills do not pay themselves and I have a family to feed. These are dark days,…