Dapitan 2021 Promotional Pieces Archives

Mar272021 by Letters EditorNo Comments

Called by the Siren

Literary

By: PATRICK V. MIGUEL Editor’s Note: This piece is one of the works in a six-part series in line with the Dapitan 2021 theme Captured. All works are written by the Flame‘s Letters staffers. As Nena grew up from her father’s stories about mermaids, she was warned ever since to never trust them. “Sirens are deceitful,” he always said. This time, however, Nena neglects her father’s warning as she tip-toes in the middle of the night to reach the shore. Not far from their house, she spots the sharp fins of the mermaid rising from the shallow surface of the water. The mermaid looks at her, tilting its head as Nena walks towards her. Holding up the hem of her skirt, Nena dips her foot to the water, but as she takes one more step, she looks back into their house...

Mar142021 by Letters EditorNo Comments

Gunning for Truth

Literary

By TAFFY ARELLA M. BERNALES Editor’s Note: This piece is one of the works in a six-part series in line with the Dapitan 2021 theme Captured. All works are written by the Flame‘s Letters staffers. Captivated by its power, my nine-year-old self had always dreamed of possessing a gun. I believed it would be the key to defeating “bad guys” causing mischief with their thieving hands. Bang! Bang! Gunshot sounds suddenly echoed in my mind as I replayed the CCTV footage of policemen surrounding an unarmed civilian. The kid in me would have been pumped to see this, if not for the dreadful event that occurred fourteen years ago. I have not been the same ever since. I shook my head, hoping to clear my mind; I cannot afford to be distracted. I have a crime to re...

Feb282021 by Letters EditorNo Comments

Liwanag

Literary

By RAMON CHRISTIAN G. PLACIDO Editor’s Note: This piece is one of the works in a six-part series in line with the Dapitan 2021 theme Captured. All works are written by the Flame‘s Letters staffers. Pagkamulat ni Liwanag, kumawala siya kaagad sa rehas ng kama upang umpisahan ang umaga. Inihanda niya ang mga kasuotan sa sala habang isinalang ang kanin sa elektronikong lutuan. Matapos ang paghahanda, dumiretso siya sa banyo at napatalon ng humaplos sa balat ang malamig na tubig. Pinatuyo niya ang katawan matapos nang mahabang pagbabad sa tubig. Madaling lumusot ang plantsadong uniporme sa katawan. Napansin ni Liwanag na hindi pa nasasagutan ang papeles para sa mga residente ng barangay na nakatira sa dormitoryo. Ngunit ipinaglaban niya ang pagsagot nito upang hin...

Feb212021 by Letters EditorNo Comments

Sa Lunduyan ng Laban

Literary

By FATIMA B. BADURIA Editor’s Note: This piece is one of the works in a six-part series in line with the Dapitan 2021 theme Captured. All works are written by the Flame‘s Letters staffers. “Huli ka!” Narinig ko ang pilyo at malisyosong tinig malapit sa aking tainga ngunit, hindi ko mabatid ang may-ari. Kasabay nito ang mahigpit na pagpisil sa aking galanggalangan. Hindi ko pa rin makita ang may sala. Pinilit kong hilahin ang aking mga braso pero walang bisa. Tulad ng inaasahan, mabilis akong kinaladkad. Alam ko na ang mapait na paroroonan ngunit hindi mapigilan ang pagtungo dito. Ipininta ng isip ang larawan nito, binuo lamang sa mga sabi-sabi. Subalit, tila mapatutunayang totoo ito. Habang papalapit nang papalapit, lalong kumakapal ang karimlan. Hin...

Jan302021 by Letters Editor1 Comment

The Flower’s Augury

Literary

By DAWN DANIELLE D. SOLANO Editor’s Note: This piece is one of the works in a six-part series in line with the Dapitan 2021 theme Captured. All works are written by the Flame‘s Letters staffers. TW: rape Sealed beneath the trenches of memories, the day of my reckoning lies. It is a tale passed on through tongues of poets, ancient and contemporary. The story of woe graced amphoras of ancient Athens, walls of Macedonian tombs, and parchments of the Greek and Roman balladeers. They tell of the maiden of spring, plucked from her realm of innocence, and taken to the depths of Hades’ seat of eternal despair. I am quite astonished at how they seized every detail of that day, except one. There was a lily in my garden, with fair and white petals. Amongst the violets ...

Jan162021 by Letters EditorNo Comments

Strings

Literary

By ABIGAIL M. ADRIATICO Editor's Note: This piece is one of the works in a six-part series in line with the Dapitan 2021 theme Captured. All works are written by the Flame‘s Letters staffers. While she was carried to the attic above the theater, Helena knew that the puppet master was not pleased. He slammed the glass door of Helena’s case shut as he placed his gloved hands on its surface. As his youthful face seethed with rage, contempt filled his voice as he spoke to the puppet. “You call that a performance? That was pathetic!” Helena tried not to flinch at every word as she bowed her head in shame. She knew her job was to give the best performance to all those who saw her. The thought that she disappointed not only the audience but also her puppet master, made her feel ...