Paglisan Archives - The Flame

Sep182020 by Letters EditorNo Comments

Paglisan: In Sickness and In Health

Literary

By: PATRICK V. MIGUEL photo taken from Youtube MARRIAGE does not start with the exchange of rings— it starts with a set of vows bound by love. By exchanging promises, a couple’s individual lives shall merge into one and a new chapter will begin. However, there is no such thing as a “perfect marriage”— it is only an illusion— as there are promises for better and for worse; in sickness and in health. Directed by Carol Joseph Papa, Paglisan (The Leaving) is an animated musical film that tells the story of a married couple: Dolores (Eula Valdez) and Crisanto (Ian Veneracion). Despite being together for more than two decades, their marriage struggles to remain the same. With Crisanto suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, Dolores also faces depression as her husband gradually...

Jan292017 by Associate EditorNo Comments

Opening

Literary

IT IS suffocating. Living behind closed doors, that is. I am enclosed in a rectangular chamber; the four walls, along with the dark, squeeze every part of me. I drown myself with the sound of air drawing in and out, since it is senseless to speak for no one can hear me inside. My movements, too, are limited. Extending my arm causes scratches on my wrist when it hits the cold, scraped wall of the wooden chamber. In this confined space, I am struggling. Although it often hurts, living under the cloak can sometimes be therapeutic. In the shadows, I create my own world. Inside, there is no judgment. There are no voices to point out the bruises my father has made. There are no eyes observing the flaunting of my hips. I hide in this space, in this darkness that is mine. My eyes begin t...

Jan152017 by Associate EditorNo Comments

A Bedtime Story

Literary, Liyab

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one of the works in a five-part series in line with the Dapitan 2017 theme “Paglisan” or Departure. All works that are part of the series are written by the Flame‘s Letters staffers. HER MOTHER talked about him like how one would tell a bedtime story—hopeful, gentle, and with the presence of familiarity and a sense of longing. The child often observed how her mother’s eyes would twinkle in delight whenever her lips, in mid-utterance, would form her father’s name. She always brimmed with hope whenever she explained why he had to live oceans away, or how every December, she would try to convince her the boxes filled with new toys were never from Santa—but from him. Her stories were always softly told; she never mentioned anything negative whenever she woul...

Jan12017 by Associate EditorNo Comments

Ang Binata sa Labas ng Hayupan

Literary, Liyab

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one of the works in a five-part series in line with the Dapitan 2017 theme "Paglisan" or Departure. All works that are part of the series are written by the Flame's Letters staffers. UNA MO siyang nakita noong nasa ikatlong taon ka pa lamang ng elementarya sa inyong lakbay-aral habang papasok ang buong klase niyo sa isang hayupan, kung saan dinig mo mula sa labas ang huni ng iba’t ibang ibon, gayundin ang paminsan-minsang ungol ng mga unggoy at iba pang hayop na nakakulong rito. Papalapit ka sa napinturahang pintuang-daan habang siya ay nakatayo sa tabi ng mga nagtitinda ng kendi at sigarilyo sa lansangan. Napansin mo ang heometrikong disenyong nakaburda sa dyaket niyang gawa sa abaka, at pantalong hanggang tuhod na kasimpula ng kaniyang turban. Batid mo an...