katitikan - june 2012
DESCRIPTION
Katitikan is the official literary folio of The Carolinian, the official and oldest publication of the University of San Carlos, Cebu City.TRANSCRIPT
Kat
itik
an
Si Lea, Si Myla og ang mga Kapay-
kapay og Kagiki
1
Rosas Nga Tapul 3
Mahiwagang Pulbos 5
Sa Aming Mundo 9
Tats Mub
Mamulat Ka, Mamulat Tayo
11
Chasing
Dilaw, Rosas at Pula
12
Rain 13
The Happy Worker 15
The Sunshine Fads 17
Time On The Shore 18
Priestess Of Sea, Lady Of Foam, 19
Boy In Love 21
Love Is...
Impossibilities
A Poem of Unity
22
28 Minutes 23
Don’t Stay Too Long 25
Table of
Contents
ABOUT THE COVER
KATITIKAN KttK
Never has it become clearer in our history when the youth’s role as
nation builders has been this perturbed. With the onset of modern cul-
ture, the youth are swayed afar from the love of reading and the
nourishment of literature. But today, with this issue of Katitikan, we go
back to the basics. For after all, the decline of literature indicates the
decline of a nation.
KATITIKAN, meaning compilation of literary
works, is the literary folio of The Carolinian, the official student publication of the Uni-
versity of San Carlos in Cebu City, Philip-pines published once a year by The Caro-
linian Publications whose editorial office is located at G112, Anselmo Bustos Sports
Complex, USC Downtown Campus, P. del Rosario St., Cebu City 6000 Philippines.
We welcome your comments, suggestions, letters and contributions. Only letters with
signature will be entertained. Original man-uscript contributions must be typewritten,
double-spaced on a legal bond paper, and should bear the author’s name, ad-
dress, year level and college. The identity of the writer maybe withheld upon request.
Submitted contributions, whether published or not, will become property of the publi-cation. Send your contributions to this email
address: [email protected].
No part of this issue should be used for whatever purpose, unless allowed under
the law, without a written permission duly-approved by the publication. All rights re-
served 2012.
IJGN M. DESOACAMENOJ Editor-in-Chief | MARHAG L..
MAGHNAY Associate Editor | LEJNHLJ O. HNJO IR. Managing
Editor | IGAHNE LYKA A. VHLLA Circulation Manager | IJGN
M. DESOACAMENOJ & IJYCE S. MAW Layout Artists |
ERCLHE T. MTRHLLJ Craphics and Art | IJGN LJTHE B.
FTENOES Staff Qhotographer | Staff Writers NHKKA LJREEN
J. YCJO | IJDHE O. FERRER | MELHSSA ANCELHPTE B.
MALACA | IEWELMAE C. SJLAS | MARLA ARHELLE B. SJ |
IAN LJTHS CAZJ | RAMJNA MAE S. RAIARAONAM | MARHA
CHNDELLE ANCAIAS | IJYCE S. MAW | MELERHA MANCARHNC
STAFF BOX
Hamon ng Nagdaang Taon
M ga magigiliw na Carolinians! Sa pamilyang tinatawag nating The Carolinian, laging hangad namin ang inyong kaligayahan at ka-pakanan bilang aming mga mambabasa.
Patunay dito ang walang pakundangang pagsasapubliko namin ng libu-libong magasin at peryodiko sa nakalipas na taon na malugod ninyong tinangkilik. Hindi biro ang naging isang taon nating pagsasama. Marami ang naging balakid. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat, naga-wa nating lampasan ang pinakamalaking dagok sa kasaysa-yan ng ating pahayagang pangkampus—ang magsimulang muli matapos ang isang madilim at masalimuot na nakaraan. Sa aming mga damdamin, walang katagang per-pektong magsasalarawan sa papel na inyong ginampanan pa-ra madaig natin ang hamong ito at iyon ay ang inyong patu-loy na pagbibigay ng pagpapahalaga sa aming mga ginagawa. Ang isang taon na lumipas ay isang taon na dapat nating ipagbunyi. Nagpapatunay lamang ito na muli nang nanunumbalik sa ating kamalayan ang pag-ibig para kalayaan natin sa pamamahayag. At kasabay ng paglabas ni-
tong Katitikan ay ang aming dalangin na patuloy ninyong
ipaglaban ang adhikain ng The Carolinian tungo sa pama-mahayag na balanse, responsable at walang bahid-politika. Muli’t muli naming sasabihin at hindi kami mapapa-god na sambitin na mula sa kaibuturan ng aming mga puso, ang aming tauspusong pasasalamat! Ang lupon ng mga editor ng Taong Panunuruan 2011—2012
KATITIKAN KttK
N ahigmata siya sa kusog nga yugyog sa iya’ng abaga. Sa iyang pagtim-
bakuwas, misugat sa iyang mga mata ang kapay-kapay ug kagiki sa 12-
anyos ug awtistik nga si Myla.
“Ka-ka-on k-ko, Ma-ma.”
Nanginit ang iyang da{unggan nga m’orag gikawras sa kaaway’ng tigre.
Nama{ikas siya. Ug nakati{aw’g {aparo ang bata.
“Hrrrr,” nangurog si My{a nga mipaak-paak sa tuong kumagko niini.
“Ah, mosuko{ ka na ha!” Giudyes niya ang da{unggan niini nga igo {ang
mingiwi. Mihangad kini kaniya sa tinan-awan nga nagpaki{uoy. “Ka-ka-on k-ko,
Ma-ma.”
“Hi{om diha! Wa ta’y makaon! Wa ta’y kuwarta! Ikaw ang nagda{a’g dema{as
bataa ka!” Gibuhian niya kini ug mipadu{ong sa kusina. Sa iyang pagba{ik,
nagda{a na’g baseyong {ata. Ang baseyong {ata nga gihimo ni{ang taksanan sa
bugas.
Gihawiran ni Lea ang tuong kamot sa anak ug gibukhad ang palad.
“O, pang{imos hinuon didto sa simbahan sa Sto. Niño. Daghan ang nanim-
ba rong buntaga.”
“Ma-ma-ma,” nahunong ang dugang pang isu{ti sa bata sa dihang gikumot
ni Lea ang baba niini.
“Hi{om na! Mabun-og ka karon. Lakaw na hinuon aron dako kag agi.”
Mitutok kaniya si Myla ug milingo-lingo.
1 | KATITIKAN
Si Lea, Si Myla og ang
mga Kapay-kapay og Kagiki
“Di-di-{i… di-di-{i.”
“Unsay di{i!” Gibira niya si My{a pagawas sa barungbarong ug
gitulod aron makalakaw. Apan ang bata nag-ukon-ukon sa paglakaw.
“Unsa ba? Di ka moadto o bun-ogon tika?”
Miduko si Myla ug hinay-hinay’ng mi{akang subay sa tu{ay’ng
kawayan nga nagpanglingi kaniya ug unya motan-aw naman sa lata
nga iyang gihatag. Sa dihang nalayo na, mibalik siya sa barung-
barong ug midagkot og Champion. Nakatulo na siya ka stick. Sa
ikaupat niyang dagkot nakapanglingabngab siya unya taudtaod gi-
ganoy ngadto sa kamingawan.
Giokupar nila George ang usa ka lamesa sa suok sa Kabayan
Videoke House.
“Ga, wa{a na ra ba ko tunghai.”
“O, unsay naa niana, di ipatangtang!”
“Di ba, matod mo, imo kong pakas{an?
“Ha-ha-ha! Kasa{? Nagdahom kang pakas{an ko ang sama nimo?”
Mitindog siya ug midagan. Midagan ug midagan. Nahasum-ok siya
sa langob ni Tess nga mahinangpong miabiabi kaniya. Gipaambit siya
sa bulawanong aso nga gipakamutya sa higala. Ang kaanindot sa
iyang gibati miduyan kaniya sa kawalaan. Nakatulog siya.
Pagbuka niya sa iyang mga mata nagngisi ang pulahon, sunga-
yan ug ikogan nga tawo sa iyang atubangan. Midagan na usab siya ug
midagan. Apan gigukod siya sa tawo nga mokatawa unya motawag na
man sa iyang ngalan.
Misangko siya sa dead-end nga eskina ug naabtan siya sa tawo.
Gihawiran siya. Nakasiyagit siya sa kainit sa mga kamot niini. Mora
siyag giganggang.
Nahigmata siya. Apan ang iyang damgo nahimong tinuod. Nag-
dilaab ang kalayo sa iyang palibot. Nasunog ang ilang barungbarong!
Gisap-ongan niya ang ilong apan nakahanggap na siyag daghang aso.
Inanay siyang natumba. Sa wala pa siya mawad-ig panimuot dihay
misulod ug mibutad kaniya.
Diha na siya sa ospital mawaswasi sa panimuot. Hibatyagan ni-
ya ang pagpanakit sa iyang panit ilawom sa mga benda. Sa iyang tu-
pad nga katre naghigda usab si Myla. Duna usay mga benda sa nawong
og lawas. Gitug-anan siya sa doktor nga si Myla ang nagluwas kaniya.
“M-ma-ma, d-dag-h-han s-su l-lod l-la-t-ta. P-pa-pel p-pi-so,” bun-
gat sa anak nga mitan-aw kaniya nga mikisdom dayon ang panagway. “A
-apan s-su-nog.”
Milabhag ang pahiyom ni Lea ilawom sa mga benda sa nawong.
Buot niyang gakson og hugot si Myla. Usa ka gakos sa inahan nga
dugay nang naghikaw og pagmahal sa anak, apan dili niya mahimo.
Morag gipanghiwa ang iyang mga panit sa dihang mihana siya sa
pagbangon. Mitulo ang iyang mga luha. (KATAPUSAN)
KttK | 2
*Kining sugilagming ikapito nga pinasidunggan sa Gov. Gwen Garcia Literary Awards
nga gipasiugdahan sa Sun-Star Superbalita niadtong Disyembre 2005.
Didto {uyo sa iyang payag, may tanaman siya’ng gi-
a{ima. Duna’y tanaman sa mga utanon. Duna pu’y tanaman sa
mga lagutmon. Apan ang iyang pinaka-ampay sa tanan mao
ang tanaman niya sa mga buwak.
Panahon kadto sa berano busa kada-adlaw magpamaghot
ang {agiting sa init. Kini ang hinungdan ngano’ng di niya
pakyason ang pagkawos og tubig sa bungtod. Di siya ga-
nahan nga mangasawot ang bunuhi niya’ng mga tanom, {abi
na ang mga mamiyuos nga tanom sama sa rosal, sampaguita,
kamya, santan, dama de noche og gumamela. Taliwala sa har-
din duna’y punuan sa i{ang-ilang nga gikapyutan sa
bagang duot sa mga orkidyas. Ubos sa punuan mao ang mga
paso nga mao’y gitamnan sa pinakapaborito niya’ng buwak
sa tanan, ang rosas nga tapul.
Dugay na’ng gi-ugmad ni Waldong ang tanaman sa buwak
apan wa pa siya nakasaksi bisan kausa nga namukadkad
ang biyu-os sa rosas nga tapul. Ambot, mga duha na ka tuig
niya’ng giatiman ang maong tanom apan bisan kausa
{amang, wa g’yud siya makasaksi sa pagpangud{ot niini
aron mamuwak.
“Wa ba kaha ni’y da nga sumpa ni’ng buwaka?” Nakaingon
siya sa iyang huna-huna kun makahinumdom siya nga pila
na ka buwan ang nang{abay og wa gihapo’y buwak ang mga
rosas. Gikan sa balay sa iyang iya-an ang mga sanga nga
mao’y iyang gi-ugsok sa mga paso. Bisan og layo kaayo ang
gibiyahe ni Waldong, gituman niya ang saad sa kaugalin-
gon nga mangita niadtong k{ase sa buwak. Duna siya’y gi-
tagan-an niini. Tuod man, nanalingsing kini hangtod sa
nilabong ang mga dahon. Nanagko ang mga sanga og mitubo.
Apan kun ngano’ng wa g’yud kini namuwak, wa’y bisag kinsa
ang makatubag.
Taas nga panahon na ang gipaabot ni Waldong. Kada
ad{aw niya’ng duawon ang tanaman aron pagsuta kun duna
na ba’y gamay’ng biyu-os nga migimaw sa mga udlot niini.
“Karon ka {ang og mamuwak ning mga rosas ko’ng tapu{,
Inday Carmela. Tan-awn ta’g di ba ma{ukmay ang imong ka-
sing-kasing nga magsud-ong sa {abing romantiko’ng buwak
sa tanan!” Dugay na’ng gipanguyaban ni Wa{dong ang da{a-
ga. Apan matag pamisita niya sa ilang balay, sugaton
dayon siya’g yawyaw ni Nang Besing. Pobre {agi intawn si
Wa{dong. Mao’ng {ayo siya sa dughan sa mga ginikanan ni
Carmela. Ang amahan sad niini, igo ra dawaton ang mga
gasa nga dad-on ni Waldong sa pagpamisita. Usahay, magda-
{a siya’g usa ka bu{ig nga saging, hinog nga nangka o ba
kaha usa ka ayagan nga puno sa klase-klaseng matang sa
utanon og lagutmon. Inig human og dawat ni Noy Kanor ni-
ini, aguy, mudemano dayon og istorya nga di kuno sila
bagay ni Carmela kay lagi, dako ang gintang sa ilang
edad. Traynta’y dos si Wa{dong samtang dese-otso pa ang
K aadlawon. Mao
pa’y pagtuktuga-
ok sa mga hi-
niktan. Nag-ilog
pag-angkon sa kalibutan
ang bugnaw’ng hamog og
ang bidlisiw sa adlaw sa
sidlakan. Sama sa naandan,
mibangon og sayo si Wal-
dong. Gikuha niya ang
balde og sinangayan; mi-
lakaw paingon sa atabay
nga tua sa pikas bungtod.
Human mapuno ang balde
sa pipila niya ka bitad sa
timba, da{i napud niya’ng
gibaktas ang dalan pauli.
Naghangos siya’ng naabot
sa ilang tugkaran.
SUGILANON NI John M. Destacamento
Rosas nga Tapul
3 | KATITIKAN
dalaga.
Apan alang kang Carmela, matarong nga lalaki
si Waldong. Lahi ra kini sa tanan. Kugihan siya og
may panglantaw sa kinabuhi. Mao kini ang na-
gustuhan ni Carme{a kaniya. Mabihag g’yud dayon
ang iyang dughan magtan-aw sa mga buwak nga dad-
on ni Waldong. Usahay, may mga pungpong sa kam-
pupot. Usahay pud, mga kalatuchi nga gikadena aron
makwentas niya.
“Pero, Dong. Rosas nga tapu{ {age uy. Mao g’yud
na ako’ng kinaham nga buwak ay,” ni Carme{a nga
seryoso’ng mitutok kang Wa{dong usa ka gabii di-
hang gipamisitahan niya kini.
“Ambot kun nabuang na ko, pero ganahan kaayo
ko sa rosas nga tapu{. Sunod nimo’ng ari Dong, pag-
dala palihog beh. Pangita-i ko nianang buwaka.
Musugot ko’ng muuban kanimo. Magtaban ta. Baha{a’g
masuko silang nanay og tatay. Basta, dad-i {ang ko’g
rosas-tapu{.”
Mao ‘to, nangustyada si Wa{dong pagpangita sa
ta{agsaong buwak. “Hahay,” nakapanghupaw siya
karon. “Kanus-a kaha to mamuwak akong rosas?”
Human siya makapahuway gamay, misulod na si
Waldong sa iyang nataran. Milipot siya sa payag
kilid sa may banggera kay naa didto ang agi-an
paingon sa tanaman. Sugdan na niya ang pagpamubo.
Og mao pa’y pag{apas ni Wa{dong sa may bata{an di-
hang mibantang sa iyang panan-aw ang labing ma-
tahom nga talan-awon sa tanan: nagpa-uraray sa
huyuhoy sa hangin ang gagmay’ng biyu-os sa rosas
nga tapul! Namuwak na kini! Namuwak na ang mga
rosas!
Duna’y ta{agsaong kahinam nga mikubot sa
dughan ni Waldong. Human ang dugay nga panahon,
nahitabo na g’yud ang iyang gipaabot. Mga napu{o’g
siyam ka buwan siguro siya’ng nagpaabot niini’ng
maong adlaw. Busa dali-dali napud siya nga nag-
ilis. Mikaratil padung sa sunod nga baryo, sa balay
ni Carmela. Puno sa kahinam ang
iyang gibati. Magpuyo na silang
Carmela!
“Tok tok tok! Ayooo! Day Carme{a,
Nang Besing, Noy Kanor! Ayoooo!”
Babaye ang niabli apan di si
Carmela. Ang inahan.
“O, Dong, kasayo ba nimo ni-a.
Unsa may tuyo mo?”
“Naa si ‘Day Carme{a, Nang?”
“Si Inday? Hahaha.” Mingisi og
mura’g may gustong ipasabot ang
katawa sa tiguwang.
“Wa pa g’yud diay ka mahuman
ana’ng imo’ng kabuang, Wa{dong?
Dugay rang naminyo si Carmela uy.
Gikasa{ na gani si{a’ng Jose. Kadto
bang enhinyero’ng anak sa kapitan
sa sunod barangay. Niadto ra’ng
Disyembre uy! Tu-a na sila sa si-
yudad namuyo.”
Mitutok si Waldong sa tiguwang.
Apan iya’ng mga mata daw wa{a’y
nakita. Di siya makatuo sa iyang
nadungog. Kun paspas siya’ng
naabot sa ilang Nang Besing,
paspas pud siya’ng nahiba{ik sa
ila, pinas-an ang tanang kasagmuyo
sa kalibutan. Kamangtas ang
mipatigbabaw sa iyang mahigug-
maong kasing-kasing.
Sa iyang pagbalik sa tanaman,
maaghupong giduyan sa hangin ang
mga gagmay’ng ud{ot sa rosas nga
tapul. Ubos sa punu-an sa ilang-
ilang kilid sa mga paso sa rosas,
nagsandig ang iyang lagting.
Gikuha niya kini. Og unya, sama sa
pinaka-isog nga manggugubat, gi-
pangtadtad niya ang mga punu-an
sa tanom sa iyang hardin. Kutob sa
naagi-an sa ha-it niya’ng hinagib,
nangatalinggab. Patay na ang
rosal, ang sampaguita, ang kamya,
ang santan, ang dama de noche og
ang gumamela.
Og unya, may kamingaw. Sunod sa
paghuros sa hangin, hawan na ang
palibot. Nangapalid ang mga dina-
bas nga tanom. Og lakip sa mga na-
ngapa{id mao ang gagmay’ng biyu-os
sa rosas nga tapul.
KttK | 4
K
Subalit sa isang maalinsangang kuwarto, bukas na bukas
ang mga mata ni Amado habang nakahandusay ang kanyang
patpating katawan sa higaang kawayang papag. Kasing liwa-
nag at kasing bilog ng buwan ang kanyang mga balintataw.
Lumilipad-lipad ang pakiramdam niya na parang hindi man
lang niya batid ang tigas ng kanyang hinihigaan. Naririnig
niya ang matikas na paggalaw ng hangin na para bang
gumagawa ito ng makapanindig-balahibo ngunit kaibig-ibig
na musikang dumuduyog sa kanyang paghinga. Sa edad na
dalawampu‘t dalawa, nadama na niya ang kasiyahang hi-
nahanap ng kanyang buhay-rodilyo. Iyon sapagkat ang sinabi
ng kanyang utak.
Paglipas ng ilang minuto, ang labis niyang kagalakan ay
unti-unting nalilipol na kuwitis. Lumalakas sa pandinig niya
ang katahimikan ng liwayway, nararamdaman na niya ang
paghipo ng galugod ng kawayan. Hindi niya ito gusto. Tuma-
yo siya at lumapit sa maliit na lamesa sa sulok ng kuwarto.
Lumuhod. Inilatag nang pahaba ang Mahiwagang Pulbos sa
lamesa. Idiniin ang kanyang kanang hintuturo sa kanang
pisngi ng kanyang ilong at hinay-hinay na lumapit ang butas
ng kanyang kaliwang ilong sa dulo ng pahabang Pulbos. Hinay
-hinay niya itong sininghot, subalit bago pa man siya nangala-
hati, ―DUG!‖, isang malakas na ingay ang sa kanya‘y bumu-
laga.
Ang ingay na iyon ay nasundan ng ingay ng mga hakbang.
Hakbang na nanggagaling
sa kabilang bahay. Dahil
dikit-dikit ang mga bahay
na yari sa yero‘t kahoy,
bumabagtas sa tabing bahay
ang anumang ingay sa kabi-
la. Tumahimik si Amado.
Tumigil ang mga hakbang.
Hinay-hinay siyang sumilip
sa butas na nagdurugtong sa
kabilang bahay. Nakita niya
ang silweta ng isang la-
laking nakatalikod. Mataas.
Hindi masyado ang
katabaan. Ang usyosong
kanang mata niya ay
nananatiling nakatanaw sa
K ahit iskwater
pala, natutulog
din. Alas-tres na
ng madaling a-
raw sa kalye Balarang;
bumigay na rin ang mga
tao sa kani-kanilang mga
aktibidad. Nag-uwian na
ang mga lasenggo. Naubos
na ang liksi ng mga bata
sa kakalaro. Kahit mga
madyongero, napagtanto na
nilang may hangganan din
ang pagwawaldas ng Roxas,
Macapagal, Aquino at ng
pabarya-baryang
Aguina{do’t Riza{.
MAIKLING KWENTO NI Leonilo T. Inot Jr.
5 | KATITIKAN
MAhiwagang Pulbos
butas. Sa harap ng lalaki ay si Aling Thelma na natutulog. Ma-
yamaya‘y humugot ng kutsilyo ang lalaki at biglang sinaksak
si Aling Thelma. ―STAB! STAB! STAB!‖ Tatlong pagsaksak.
Oo, tatlo iyon. Hindi man lang nakaimik ang matanda na
himbing na himbing sa kanyang tulog. Kahit hindi masyadong
naaaninag, sigurado si Amado na may pumapatak mula sa du-
lo ng kutsilyong hinahawakan ng lalaki. Hindi makapagsalita
si Amado. Saglit lang ang kagimbal-gimbal na pangyayari,
subalit mas nakakapanindig-balahibo ang kanyang na-
raramdaman ngayon kaysa naramdaman niya kanina lang.
Dali-daling umeskapo ang lalaki pero nang ang mukha nito‘y
nasinagan ng ilaw mula sa labas ng kalye, naging maliwanag
sa kanyang kamalayan ang imahe ni Waldo.
Si Waldo. Kapatid ng asawa ni Aling Thelma.
Tatlumpung taong gulang. Barumbado ng Balarang. Kapwa
adik.
At nang bumalik ang paningin ni Amado sa natutulog na
matanda, napansin niya si Maya, batang babae, na nakatanaw
mula sa kisame. Nakita rin niya. Nakita niya ang pagpatay ni
Waldo kay Aling Thelma. Bakas sa mukha niya ang pagkasin-
dak din sa nangyari. Umalis na rin sa wakas si Waldo.
Paggising ng araw ay doon na napansin ng asawa ni Aling
Thelma—na kararating lang mula sa trabaho bilang panday ng
isang konstruksyon sa kabilang barangay—ang nakabulagtang
bangkay. Halong gulat, galit at pighati ang tumataga sa
kanyang damdamin.
Dumating na ang mga pulis para imbestigahan ang
krimen. Siyempre dinumog ng mga kapitbahay ang labas ng
bahay ng pinangyarihan. Napatingin sa labas ng bintana ang
walang tulog na si Amado dahil sa lakas ng pag-uusap ng
usisero‘t usisera. Kinugos niya ang DVD player na binigay ng
kapatid na nasa Qatar nang may maibenta. May paglalaanan
siya sa pera—ang Mahiwagang Pulbos. At nang may rason
siyang dumaan at makinig sa usap-usapan ng mga tao sa labas.
―Nakakaawa naman si Manong Gardo. Nawalan na siya
ng anak, nawalan pa siya ng asawa.‖
―‘Yung si Maya, na anak ni Loring, iyak ng iyak. Hindi rin
nagsasalita. Sabi ng mga pulis, posible na na-witness ng bata
kung sinong sumaksak kay Thelma. Na-trauma. Ayon, dinala
ng nanay sa lola para lumayo-layo rito. Kawawang bata.‖
―Ayan, tsismosa kase kaya‘t pinatay siguro ng kaaway.
Kaya ‗wag nang mag-tsismisan.‖
―Hoy, Bimby! Anong nangyari?‖
―Ewan. Nagsilapitan ang mga tao, kaya lumapit din ako.‖
Inilabas ang bangkay ni Aling Thelma. Nakatingin si
Amado habang ang kanyang bibig ay gumagalaw na parang
gustong magsalita. Pero nilalaro ng kanyang konsensya ang
kanyang isipan. Kumakalog ang kanyang mga kamay. Na-
hihirapan siyang makita ang parada ng bangkay ng isang
matanda, ng nagdadalamhating asawa at
ng mga taong naka-unipormeng asul.
Nagpatuloy nalang sa paglalakad si
Amado hawak-hawak pa rin ang DVD player.
Gabi na naman sa kalye Balarang,
naglalaro pa rin ang mga bata, naglala-
basan na ang mga lasenggo‘t madyongero.
Naibenta na ni Amado ang DVD player.
Naglalakad siya papunta kina Bono‘t Mi-
randa, ang mag-asawang drug dealer. Nang naglalakad siya sa kalye Aliman,
naging magaspang ang kalantog ng
hangin na parang nagbabadya ng hindi
maganda. Hanggang, may pamilyar na
boses na tumawag sa kanya.
―Hoi, Mado! Mabuti‘t nakita kita.‖
Si Waldo. Si Waldo, bagay na bagay
ang pangalan para sa isang kriminal. Si
Waldo, siya lang naman ang pumatay kay
Aling Thelma labing-anim na oras ang
nakalilipas. Lumapit ang halimaw sa
kanya at walang alinlangang inakbayan
siya nito.
―Session tayo. Meron ako rito.‖
KttK | 6
―Saan naman?‖
―Ewan ko. Ikaw?‖
―Sa amin nalang.‖
―Ay! Ay! Hindi puwede.‖
―Ba‘t ‗di puwede?‖
―Basta. Doon na lang tayo sa may
kanto. May building doon. Walang tao
roon.‖
Grabeng pawis ang dumadaloy sa
katawan ni Amado. Hindi siya maka-
paniwalang nakaakbay sa kanya ang
taong puwedeng pumatay sa kanya
kapag nalaman nitong alam niya ang
nangyari. Kinakabahan. Gusto niyang
tumakbo, ngunit naaamoy niya ang
alak sa kanyang hininga na
nagpapaalala sa kung anong klaseng
tao siya.
Sa abandonadong gusali, inilabas
ni Waldo ang walumpung gramo ng
Mahiwagang Pulbos, isang lighter, at
isang palara. Sinimulan ni Waldo.
Sinaksihan ni Amado ang kagandahan
ng ginagawa niya na parang bawat
segundo‘y hindi dapat malaktawan.
―Ahhhh! Buhay nga naman. Ikaw
naman Mado.‖
Ang pagkakataon. Walang alin-
langang tinugunan ni Amado ang
kanyang pangangailangan. Ang panan-
daliang kaligayahan. Sa pangalawang
pagkakataon, sinundan kaagad ito ni
Waldo.
―Alam mo, may sekreto ako. Pero
secret lang natin ‗to ha! Nabalitaan mo
na ba na pinatay si Thelma kaninang
madaling araw?‖
―Hindi. ‗Di ko alam.‖
―Ba‘t ‗di mo alam, eh, magkapitba-
hay lang kayo?‖
―Hindi pa ako umuuwi sa bahay.‖
―Itong si Thelma, napaka-
tsismosa! Tsismosa! Eh, pinagkalat
lang naman niyang may iba raw akong
gelprin. Ayun, nagalit si Stella,
nakipag-break.‖ ―Ilan ba‘ng girfren mo?‖
―Dalawa! Pero ‗di ko naman talaga
‗yun gelprin ang isa, nilalaro ko lang
‗yun. Alam mo? Pampalipas oras.‖
―…‖
―E, dahil sa galit ko, ayun, pinatay ko ang tsismosa.‖
―…‖
―Pero may problema, eh. May nakakita sa akin. Isang bata.
‗Yung anak ni Loring ba ‗yon.‖
Tumigil muna sa pagsasalita si Waldo para lumanghap sa
pangatlong pagkakataon.
―Kailangan ko rin siyang patayin. Ngayong hatinggabi. Ano
pang masabi nun. Sa kulungan ang bagsak ko. Atin-atin lang ito,
Mado, ‗wag mong ipagsabi. Alam mo ako.‖
Oo, alam ni Amado kung paano magalit si Waldo. Mabag-
sik. Lahat ng salitang dinudura niya‘y ginagawa niya. Mabilis
ang tibok ng puso ni Amado. Gusto niya ang ganitong pa-
kiramdam, pero ibang klaseng pagtibok ang nararamdaman niya
sa mga oras na iyon. Sobrang pangit. Gusto niyang tumakbo,
pero nakatitig si Waldo sa kanya.
―Kailangan mo ‗kong samahan ngayong hatinggabi.‖
Nagulantang siya sa sinabi ni Waldo. Lalong bumilis ang
tibok ng kanyang puso. Uminit ang paligid. Naging pula ang
kulay ng kanyang paningin. Hindi siya makagalaw. Hanggang
humarurot sa kalsada ang isang motorsiklo na naka-
pagpanumbalik sa kanyang matinong kondisyon. At siya‘y ku-
maripas ng takbo .
Dumulog si Amado sa istasyon ng mga parak. Pero bago pa
man siya pumasok ay itinago muna niya ang pakete ng Mahi-
wagang Pulbos sa kanyang kalsonsilyo. Pagkatapos, lumapit siya
sa matabang pulis na nasa front desk.
―O, parang naliligaw ka ‗ata!‖
―Alam ko kung sinong pumatay kay Aling Thelma.‖
―May ebidensya ka ba?‖
Saglit napatahimik si Amado.
―Wala.‖
―Eh ‗di wala tayong magagawa d‘yan.‖
7 | KATITIKAN
―Magsasabi ako ng totoo. Pulis ka, ‗di ba?
Puwede akong mag-witness sa kaso.‖
―Ba‘t ako maniniwala?Adik ka!‖
Tinurok ng mga katagang iyon ang puso ni
Amado—―Ba‘t ako maniniwala‖. Pero mas na-
mumukod-tangi ang kirot sa kanyang pan-
damdam—―Adik ka!‖
Adik ka! Adik ka! Adik ka! Paulit-ulit sa
kanyang isipan ang mga salitang iyon habang
mabagalang lumabas siya sa istasyon. Nang nasa
pintuan na siya, napatigil siya at nakita ang isang
poster ng Most Wanted Criminals. Sa labing dala-
wang mukha sa nakapaskil na poster, naging tawag
pansin sa kanya ang mukha ni Jun Jun ―Totoy Bato‖
Romano, ang pinakakilalang drug lord sa bansa na
binansagan ding Shabu Kingpin of the Philippines. Bawat mandurugas alam kung sino siya.
Nagkatagpo lang ng isang beses ang mga landas
nina Amado at Totoy Bato noong mga panahon na
nagsisimula palang si Amado na gumamit ng Mahi-
wagang Pulbos.
Sa oras na iyon, muli siyang pumasok sa istasy-
on at lumapit sa matabang pulis.
―‘Di ka talaga titigil, ano?!‖
―Alam ko kung nasaan si Totoy Bato.‖
Saglit napatahimik ang matabang pulis at ilang
pulis na nakarinig. Sa mga tainga nila, seryoso ang
naging tono ni Amado.
―Ba‘t ako maniniwala?‖
―Dahil… Adik ako.‖
Isinalaysay ni Amado ang mga nalalaman niya
tungkol sa sistema ni Totoy Bato ng paggawa at
kalakalan ng droga na may milyung-milyong hala-
ga. Totoo ang mga sinabi niya sa mga pulis gayun-
paman, wala siyang binanggit na mga lokasyon ng
pagawaan o transaksyon. Naging kapani-paniwala
si Amado sa harap ng mga pulis. Nang tinanong
siya kung nasaan si Totoy Bato, itinuro niya ang
kinalalagyan ni Maya. Sa bahay ng lola ng bata.
Rumisponde ang mga pulis sa lead na ibinigay
ni Amado. Naging tahimik ang pagpunta nila upang
walang makaalam ng kanilang isasagawang
operasyon. Sa bahay, nang papalapit sila sa paligid
nito, nakarinig sila ng isang batang pigil sa pag-
iyak. Nalito ang mga pulis. Lumabas si Amado sa
sasakyan ng pulisya at nagmadaling hinampas ang
pintuaan ng bahay. ―BOOOG!‖ Pumasok si Amado,
nataranta ang mga pulis at sinundan na lang siya
papasok. Pagbukas ng ilaw, isang kagimbal-gimbal
KttK | 8
na eksena ang nasaksihan nila. Nakalatag
ang katawan ng isang matandang babae na
may saksak sa tiyan, duguan, sa sahig,
nakaupong nakayakap ang bata sa kanyang
hita‘t binti habang umiiyak, at si Waldo na
kapit-kapit sa kanyang kanang kamay ang
isang duguang kutsilyo na papasaksak na
sana sa bata. Pero madaling pinigilan si Wal-
do ng mga pulis bago ito mangyari, pi-
nusasan, at inilabas sa bahay. Tumawag na
rin ang isang pulis ng ambulansya nang na-
kumpirma niya na humihinga pa ang lola.
Naglabasan na ang mga pulis mata-
pos sinuri ang bahay. Nanatili sa loob si
Amado. Nakita siya ng matabang pulis at
nilapitan.
―Alam mo, sa kabila ng pagsisinun-
galing mo tungkol kay Totoy Bato, nasagip
natin ang buhay ng mga taong ito. Hindi,
nasagip mo ang buhay nila.‖
Bago pa man lumampas si Amado sa
pintuan, lumingon muna siya sa loob. Na-
hagilap ng kanyang paningin ang isang itim
na DVD player. Napatigil siya‘t pinag-
masdan ang kasangkapan ng ilang segundo.
Mayamaya, lumingon siya pabalik sa pintu-
an at lumabas na rin ng bahay. Ngunit ku-
makalog pa rin ang kanyang mga kamay at
ang kanyang mga balintataw ay kasing liwa-
nag at kasing bilog ng buwan sa langit. K
A ko si Ana, labing-isang taong gulang, isang mangangalakal ng
basura. Pangatlo ako sa pitong magkakapatid, ulila sa ama dahil
nabaril ito ng security guard nang mahuling nagnanakaw ng
gamut sa isang drugstore, namatayan ng kapatid dahil sa pul-
monya, at nabubuhay sa pangangalaga ng inang pangangalakal din lang ang
ikinabubuhay.
Nakatira kami sa ilalaim ng tulay, pangatlong bahay na namin ito, palipa
-lipat kasi parating nabibiktima ng demolisyon, gawain ng pamahalaang
magaling manggiba pero ‗di marunong umunawa. Ngayon, gigising na na-
man ako sa panibagong araw, pero sa parehong uri ng buhay.
―Ate, gising na‖, ang araw-araw na sigaw sa‘kin ng aking nakababatang
kapatid, si Rona, siyam na taong gulang.
―Oo, nandiyan na. Hindi ba muna tayo kakain?‖
―Hindi na raw sabi ni Inay. Wala na raw kasing bigas eh, tsaka hindi na
rin nagpapautang si Aling Pasing, mas malaki na raw kasi utang natin kesa sa
kapital n‘ya.‖
Alas-sais ng umaga kami kadalasang umaalis patungong tambakan at
‗yun nga rin ang nangyayari ngayon. Pero ang inakala kong ordinaryong
araw lang ay magiging isang pangyayaring ‗di ko malilimutan.
―Ate! Tingnan mo ‗to!‖
Isang bangkay ang gumulantang sa amin—lalaki, mataba, may balbas,
may suot na maraming alahas. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero sa sandaling
iyon, napunta ‗yung isip ko sa alahas at hindi sa patay.
―Ate, pabayaan na natin ‗yan. Ipaalam na alng natin ‗yan kay Kap.‖
Sayang ‗yung alahas, malaking pera na rin ‗yun--- ito ang tumatakbo sa
aking isipan, pero pinakinggan ko ang kapatid ko. Patungo kami sa barangay
hall nang…
―Ana, yung nanay mo hinimatay. Isinugod na siya sa ospital. Sumunod
na kayo‖, sigaw ni Aling Nena.
Pumunta agad kami sa ospital. Saktong pagdating namin, lumabas ang
isang doktor at naghahanap ng kapamilya ni Inay.
―May sakit sa bato ang nanay n‘yo. Malala na ito. Siguradong matagal na
n‘ya itong dinadamdam pero hindi n‘ya lang ipinapahalata sa inyo.
9 | KATITIKAN
KWENTO Ni Jewelmae C. Solas
Kailangan niyang dumaan sa kidney transplant kung hindi, malamang
hindi na siya aabot pa sa susunod na buwan.‖
Hindi pwedeng mamatay si Inay. Sapat na samin ang mawalan ng ka-
patid at ama. Kung pati si Inay mawawala, mas mabuti pang lahat kami
sumama na lang kanya. Nag-iiyakan ang mga kapatid ko nang marinig
nila ang sabi ng doktor. Alam kong hindi nila alam kung ano ang kidney
at lalo na ang transplant, pero ramdam nilang hindi na kaaya-aya pa ang
sitwasyon ni Inay. Wala akong ibang magawa, kaya binalikan ko ang
bangkay sa tambakan ng basura at kinuha ang mga alahas na suot niya.
Ibinenta ko ito at umabot nang P250,000 ang pera ko.
Naoperahan si Inay. Sinabi kong may tumulong sa amin para maope-
rahan siya. Pagkatapos nun, wala nang may alam kung ano ang nangyari.
Sa sumunod na mga araw nakaranas kami nang may laman ang tiyan sa
buong maghapon, na nakakakain kami tatlong beses sa isang araw.
―Ate, ang sarap pala ng pakiramdam nang nakakakain tayo no,‖ sam-
bit ni Helen.
―Ganito pala ang lasa ng lechong manok. Naku, kung nandito lang
sana si Itay tsaka si Junjun,‖ pahayag ng limang taong gulang kong kapa-
tid na si Roy.
Alam kong mali ‗yun at walang anghel ang makapagpapatawad sa
akin sa ginawa ko, pero ano‘ng magagawa ko? Isa lamang akong kapatid
na gustong makitang
nakangiti ang mga kapatid
niya, at isang anak na nagna-
nais na makasama pa nang
mas matagal ang kanyang
ina. Malamang hindi mo
maiintindihan ang ginawa
ko, dahil may magulang ka,
may sariling bahay na tinu-
tuluyan, may malulusog na
mga kapatid, at nakakakain
tatlong beses sa isang araw.
Pero magkaiba tayo ng mun-
do, sa mundo ko, Diyos ang
tawag namin sa mga taong nag-aabot samin ng limang piso. Swerte nang
maituturing ang malinis na tubig panligo, at sa mundo namin, hindi
masama ang gumawa ka nang kasuklam-suklam mapataha mo lang ang
ang sikmurang kumakalam. K
KttK | 10
11 | KATITIKAN
Mamulat Ka,
Mamulat Tayo Ni Dimaguibang Pag-asa Malamang ngayon ikaw ay iniwan
ng mga mahal mo sa buhay, sugat ginawan;
puso‘t isipan mo‘y poot;
wala na ‗atang bukas, gumising man wala ring patutunguhan
Araw ay lumipas, wala ring nagbago;
tingin mo, ―…wala na ‗atang pag-asa ‗tong bayang ‗to‖;
korupsyon, prostitusyon, lahat nagkalat sa kanto
nakakadiring tingnan, nakakadiring malaman.
―Ako‘y bata lamang, walang magawa,‖
sabi mo sa sarili mo, at gait mo pa‘y ikaw ay kaawa-awa;
Ikaw ay galit, ilang beses ka ring sinaktan nitong isang mama.
Kay lalim ng sugat mo, pano pa kaya mawala?
Pero bata, wag mag-alala, may nagmamahal sayo.
Kung tingin mo‘y wala kang silbi, may pakialam Ako.
Ang Diyos mapagmahal, poot at sugat mo‘y maglalaho
Bubuohin ka Niya. Bubuohin niya puso‘t isipan mo.
Kaya samahan mo ako, magkaisa tayo.
Sa rebolusyong hindi pang-pulitiko, hindi din relihiyoso
Kundi Rebulosyon ng Pagmamahal na nanggaling
sa Kanya mismo.
Una Siyang nagmahal kaya, kaya mo ring
magmahal ng ibang tao.
Sa pagmamahal na ito; kaya mong baguhin a
ng kurso ng mundo.
Ikaw ay History Maker, ikaw ay Reformer.
Mamulat ka bata, hindi mo pa batid ang magagawa mo.
Sa Kanya, lahat ng akala mong hindi mo magagawa ay
magagawa mo.
Kaya simulan
na natin ang
rebolusyon,
simulan na na-
tin ngayon.
Tats Mub
Nahibong ko kun nganong pagkadali
Gihural mo gilayon ang tam-is
Mong ―Oo‖ sa gugmang
Akong gidiga kanimo
Pastilan tulin pas alas kwatro
Ang pagsugot nimo kanako
Di man unta ko ingon ana ka
Gwapo apan ang lawas ko
Brusko daw sa boksidor
Ikaw, pagkaanyag sab tan-awn
Ang laylay sa imong buhok
Og ang anghel mong naw‘ng
Ang hamis mong panit
Og igwad mong luyo
Daw langit og yuta atong gintang
Dako kong pagkahibong
Nganong gisugot mo ako
Apan mao diay imo ko‘ng gisugot
Duna man pud diay kay itlog
Sa laang mo ako nahulog
Ikaw usa diay ka bayot!
KttK | 12
DilawDilaw, , Rosas Rosas at at PulaPula
Dilaw ay pag-asa.
Dilaw ay liwanag.
Dilaw ay kalayaan.
Dilaw na ginto.
Rosas ay pag-ibig.
Rosas ay kapanatagan.
Rosas ay dalisay.
Rosas na banayad.
Pula ay pag-aalab.
Pula ay wagas.
Pula ay katapangan.
Pula na mapangahas.
Ngunit dilaw ma‘y ginto
Ay siya ring kaduwagan
At mapaglinlang.
Rosas ma‘y banayad
Ay siya ring mapagdamdam
At marupok.
Pula may nag-aalab
Ay siya ring bangis
At mapagmataas.
Sa likod ng bawat kulay
Ay maraming kwentong
Sumasalamin hindi lang ng
Kagandahan at kabutihan.
Hindi dapat mamuhay nang
May kinikilingang iisang kulay.
Ang mundo ay hindi lang dilaw.
O rosas.
O pula.
Chasing By Meleria Mangaring
It seemed to be
A new life at the time,
You caught my attention
Unconsciously;
I was in need, and you helped
Willingly,
A unique bond grew
And was pure as lime;
You were the lyrics of
The string‘s rhyme,
My dream‘s exact epitome,
Shockingly;
A magical sense existed
Swiftly,
I was reluctant
It‘s like a crime;
And when He heard me,
Confusions came too;
‗Guess I wasn‘t ready
At the time yet;
All was said and done,
What else could I do?
Pain crushed me, and
it‘s too hard to breathe,
Blade tore me when
thud rose from the piano,
Mind of hate
Soul of love
Heart of regret.
The monsoons season is coming! Not that this is new
to us Filipinos, it‘s expected that La Niňa should be around the
corner, excited to visit the cities of every province. She can
stay for as long as she wants but in a beautiful country then
she should really travel. Please. She could be pouring down on
your side of the neighborhood and you have no choice but to
stay inside, and sigh and stare at your window pane. The rain,
it can get boring at one point and be a hassle the next minute
for it comes without warning during these past few months,
thus your weird weather report says it will be an on and off
occurrence and will not cooperate.
The rain is here and there. She has come to view your
city but you don‘t expect it so soon. So she wants to greet eve-
ryone and she can all at once. First, as you walk out there you
do not even notice that your shadow is fading on the ground
and a gush of wind has just brushed you, except the noise of
the streets get your attention. The rain‘s first attempt failed. No
“The day wi{{ seem {onger to me
when it rains,
The morning, afternoon and
evening look the same in the
sky,
not a cloud out of place, not a
shade any different.
I see as a chance to do some-
thing without stress,
Not the pressure that time is
short when the earth is in a
different position
Or the sun shows your shadow
stretches on the ground.
The grey fluff is doing me a
favor by covering the sun
For a short whi{e.”
RAIN ESSAY By Mariah L. Mahinay
13 | KATITIKAN
KttK | 14
problem, because next you will be
tapped several times. A little drizzle
will get you informed that the popula-
tion of 50, 000 in brgy. ----- and the
adjacent one, has a visitor in the skies.
But you wipe it off your arm or any-
where you‘ve been hit because you
think it‘s just sweat. Phew! Ang ka init sa tibuok kalibutan. The rain‘s second
attempt failed. This is more challenging
than the rain thought. This will be-
come an epic fail if you refuse to at
least look up because now the sky is
enveloped in clouds of grey. Come on,
are you that busy not to notice?
At the third try begins and this
time, a heavy downpour happens be-
cause the rain wants to greet you now
and she tried to shake your shake your
hand. But you stepped into a puddle
and begin to get wet all over so you
run, run, run to the nearest place that
has shade. Aha! You curse at how un-
expected it all was and gaze above
where the rain is pleased you finally
pay attention, even if it‘s only for a few
seconds. She greets you with a ―Hello
down there!‖ Looking around you (and
probably you‘re not the only one)
soaked and perhaps at least not to the
bone. The rain sees your discomfort as
you try to dry yourself somehow. I can
help! She thinks. And here comes the
strong wind to dry you starting with
your clothes, but you feel the chill and
edge farther from the street. Rejoiced
by the good deed, the rain is happy that
you have entered a sheltered area along
with people in the same conditions.
―He‘s not alone and I brought him
friends.‖ Not knowing that you are be-
hind schedule and impatiently waiting
for all of to calm down.
Other instances when the rain
visits are early in the morning. You
awake to the sound of heavy pounding
on your roof. They are hard for a rea-
son. Wake up! Wake up! Tries the rain,
knowing that it‘s midterm week or a
major test shall be conducted today.
But seeing the wet sur-
roundings and feeling the
cold seeping in, you begin
to feel lazy. Tempted to
return to your bed be-
cause the mattress and
pillow have never felt
softer, the sheets have
never smelled so fragrant
and your body feels heav-
ier, the clock has never
moved so slow hanging on
that wall; so you go back
to bed and continue to
dream about that flat 1 you caught in the air so easily. The rain
continues to pour hard because she does not want you to miss
class. At least it has hit a crack on the roof, slides down the
layers of the ceiling and kisses you on the face or on your
neck. That‘s it! You think. There‘s a leak and you decide to get
up and move. Success! The rain has proof it can be your part-
time alarm clock somehow albeit, a less stressful way to get
out of bed.
Rain is symbolic worldwide. A poet can use the rain
to set a mood in a stanza or be as creative as possible by relat-
ing it to anything. Songwriters add ―washing the pain away‖ in
their lyrics, as if it‘s a bath like no other, no soap could rinse
off such pain. So while you could be on your way to any-
where, down in the dumps from a break up or in any way get-
ting to depression, the rain will sympathize with you. As if
pain is a physical problem clinging to your back, then that‘s
when the rain thinks ―hey, I could do him a favor: have a
shower.‖ You would feel better or sick from staying too long
but either way your head will feel lighter.
Take the usual nuisance of waiting in traffic and the
cars are moving inch by inch every --- minutes. Before it got
as bad as that, remember a few moments back when the streets
were dry, dust was spreading around and any vehicle within
sight looked like a dust bunny with wheels. Seeing the filth on
your new Honda CR-V, a gift from your parents, the rain de-
cides to wash it for you. ―Free of charge too!‖ With a smile on
her face seeing all the colors an automobile can have from
rusted green to metallic black.
Not a stranger to us, the rain has been here for mil-
lions of years, doing what she always does for different rea-
sons, greeting us in a number of ways and doing us ‗favors‘ like
a friend in the wings. Get a glimpse the next time she comes
around, look outside and you don‘t have to scowl for such aw-
ful weather. There are still children who play in the rain, who
frolic with her presence and willing to enjoy the outside even
when it can‘t be a sunny day. K
15 | KATITIKAN
W alhon ka gali,
Manang Juaning?‖
said my mom in
Hiligaynon, refer-
ring to Lola Juaning‘s left-
handedness as the latter was signing
some papers on my mom‘s table.
―Ambot. Opo siguro, ma‘am,‖ the
natural Ilocana said. ―Nasanay po
kasi talaga akong gamitin ang kali-
wang kamay ko.‖
―Hindi ba magagaling daw ang
mga kaliwete?‖ I interjected. ―Sabi
nila matatalino daw kayo.‖
―Hindi ko alam, apo,‖ she said
laughing. ―Siguro kung nakapag-aral
ako nang maayos.‖
The whole conversation went on
and on to other things in life, but
that particular line really hit me
hard.
―Siguro kung nakapag-aral ako
nang maayos.‖
Lola Juaning is a 50-something
utility worker at my mom‘s office.
Her position may not be envied by
many but she does her duties well
with grace and efficiency.
As a utility worker, she generally
cleans areas assigned to her in the
capitol compound. Most of us might
cringe at the thought of doing what
she does, but with the measly salary
she gets from mopping floors or gar-
dening (even lower than most teen-
agers‘ monthly allowance these
days), no one has ever heard her
complain much since she started do-
ing what she does.
I have known Lola Juaning for
The Happy Worker STORY BY Jan Louis Gazo
KttK | 16
The Happy Worker more than ten years now. Over those ten years, her bond with my mother,
both as co-workers and as friends, grew stronger and stronger. At times I would
catch them talking about their hardships in life or just laugh at their experienc-
es. They got acquainted closely with each other‘s families even though both live
totally different lifestyles.
But with all those years of knowing her (and her cooking – Ilocanos do have
exceptional talents in cooking), never have I given much attention to her educa-
tion until the day she mentioned it.
―‘Di ba nakapagtapos ka ng high school, ‗nang,‖ my mom asked her.
―Ay, hindi po, ma‘am,‖ she answered. ―Hanggang first year lang po ako.‖
―Hala! Bakit? Hindi po ba nakaya ang gastos?‖
―Hindi naman siguro. Hindi lang talaga binigyan ng pansin ng mga magu-
lang ko.‖
I hate to think that Lola Juaning would have had a better future if her par-
ents‘ mind set gave more importance to education. I hate to be the one feeling
bad for her when she seems to be contented with where she is now. But the
way the old lady said it, you could see it in her eyes that she was thinking of all
the alternate realities, the endless possibilities that could have gone her way if
only she had even just a high school diploma.
Back in her time, there was not much financial difference between public
and private education in the country. Either kind of education would have been
alright for Lola Juaning. But having been deprived the privilege, she made do by
learning to be street smart. She probably knows more than the average person
yet most of the things she knows aren‘t taught in classrooms. The things she
knows are the practical things we could actually use to survive every day. This
is why she is good at doing what she does. This is why she knows the most ef-
fective way to clean food stains and the best time of the day to do her garden-
ing. This is also why she cooks the most delicious dishes.
With this kind of knowledge, she might not top any standardized test but
she has raised her family and put all her children through proper education –
the kind of education she was never given the chance to finish. No wonder she
is happy.
The next day, I saw her again at my mom‘s office. She was sitting on a chair
by an unoccupied table, watching TV during her vacant hours. Her signature
smile never wears off just like when she‘s doing her job or reading a newspaper.
Her laughter sounds of contentment and happiness. At that moment, I forgot all
that I knew and felt about her educational background.
There, in front of me was a woman who had no proper education but was
more educated than those who had. This was a woman who coped and is happy
and contented in life, the kind of happiness and contentment not achieved by
those who are well off. K
17 | KATITIKAN
On to the forties, on to the
bolder
On to the zipper, the “sunburn”,
the shoulder.
That ended in fifties, rebirth
of couture
A golden age of skirts, fit
waists and Dior.
Anew in the sixties of Mods, and
the minis,
Warm weather of mid-riffs, pas-
tels and bikinis.
But disco and love turned for
the seventies,
Summertime of androgyny, bell
bottoms and hippies.
Contradicted by the eighties,
with spandex and leggings
With leotards, Madonna and her
“street urchin” beginnings.
Fizzled out in the nineties of
grunge fads and rejection
And sunshine of t-shirts and
minimalist accentuation.
THE
SUNSHINE
FADS By: Joyce S. Maw
The heat, the temp, the scorch
or rays
Brings wonders and thrills of
clothing ways.
Through the eras, the decades,
through all the years,
Fashion and summer were always
so near.
Each summer is different, each
divine,
One summer scorching, one summer
fine.
Each trend is distinct, each
discrete
One trend brisk, one trend con-
crete.
Now what can one use to mask or
tame
The heating sparks of the daz-
zling flames?
The roaring twenties and its
flapping heat,
Had masculine cuts and low
waisted pleats.
While the summer of thirties,
the summer of war
Was the summer of change, and
fashion flung far.
KttK | 18
TIME ON THE SHORE
I spelled his name on the sand
And looked across the blue deep
And sighed with great relief
To walk away from a monstrous grave,
I let the waves wash his name
I simply smell the salt
It covered me walking in shame
By and by the wind sang of my fault,
The palm trees dance to the sunset’s son-
net
Bidding goodbye like a traveler’s life
The sand turned cold without hesitation
Between my toes they mocked me tonight,
A crab passes by over a body buried deep
Flesh of the hero
The mighty creatures always compete
For the flesh of the hero,
And wake to see what was grand
To be a hobo on the sand
And greet the fading rays of today,
Never more words to say
Never the same
My fingers still itch to spell his name.
By: Mariah L. Mahinay
19 | KATITIKAN
Deep into the ocean, the water is
as clear as pure sapphire be-
cause of the magic of the merfolk.
Few believe in them now, but they
exist. In fact this story is as
much about a certain little mer-
maid as it is about her. Know from
the start: this is not a happy
one.
T his tale, like her life, begins and
ends with the sea. There stood
upon a distant shore a holy tem-
ple. The salty air was spiced with
citrus from its gardens, and at sunset the
sky would blaze up in rosy flames. This was
her home. A summer child: blonde, blue-
eyed and sweet. A lost baby the moment
she was found on that doorstep.
Though she had no relatives, she
had mothers and sisters there: Priestesses of
Sea, who vowed to protect humans from the merfolk. Her train-
ing started very early.
But no lesson — laws; vows; magic, white and black—
prepared her for him.
She thought he was dead when they first met. There had
been a storm the night before and a tragic shipwreck. She knew
nothing of corpses, nor anything of men.
The man did not look dead, only asleep. His raven hair
had been pushed back, exposing a handsome face. As she neared
him, a flash of red caught her eye. She turned and saw only the
blue sea.
The temple was a whirlwind of activity afterwards, for
the man was none other than their prince. He was everything the
stories had said: charming, gallant and gracious. He spoke often
with her and she derived great pleasure from gazing into his eyes.
She felt cold the moment she saw him leave.
Reports of storms decimating coastal towns reached the
temple. Mermaids‘ work, the matrons said, for their siren song is
so beautiful that nature goes mad hearing it. Hoping to appease them, the prince was to wed a
young Priestess of Sea.
She didn‘t care if it was unladylike to rejoice at this news.
Her boarding of the ship was heralded greatly. She felt like a princess in their silks.
Her prince gave her his warmest smile. Everything was perfect. Perfect, bar the girl.
She was scandalized, for the girl was dressed like a boy. The prince gave her those,
they said, for she accompanies him on adventures. The girl was the court‘s ―mute foundling‖.
Her prince named the girl himself.
She hated her: this girl with the sea-green eyes and hair red as flame. The foundling
was pale, yet not a freckle marred her skin. The girl was perfect, almost inhumanly so.
The feast was all a blur, for though she was by her prince‘s side, his mute foundling sat
STORY By Marla Arielle B. So
KttK | 20
by his other. The girl seemed ever curious and used those soulful eyes of hers to ask
questions which her prince seemed only too willing to answer.
To think she thought her prince reserved his warmest smile for her.
The storm was at its most terrible but the foundling seemed to belong in the
midst of it. Five mermaids rose up from the water. The girl stared at them, at their shav-
en heads, at the knife one of them held.
They spoke in their sibilant tongue, ―We sang storms for you, sweet sister. We gave our hair to the sea-witch for this knife: a sharp and magical one, it is. Kill the prince and you will be with us again. Either he or you must die tomorrow. Hurry!‖ She found her in the ship‘s chapel, praying to gods she didn‘t keep. She thought
of the lessons, of how the merfolk were creatures who did not even shed tears for their
own.
―You wish my prince harm. I cannot have that,‖ she told the mermaid as she
unsheathed her own knife. ―He is mine. I‘ll kill you before you hurt him!‖ The girl did nothing. It only made her angrier. ―You were the one at the beach, the one who really saved him. That was you, wasn‘t it?‖ her voice cracked, ―He loves
you… More than he will ever love me. You may not understand it, but I do. I love him!‖
―I-I love him,‖ she faltered. She had been speaking in her own language. Yet
the mermaid seemed to understand her. They locked eyes and the silent girl smiled.
As do I, the mermaid seemed to say as she gave her unholy knife to the priest-
ess.
Night is the time of darkness: when dark acts are committed and shadows be-
come all too real. It is a time for black magic, enchantments, and even body-swapping.
The price: your soul.
The mermaid, who would not murder to save herself, had not the heart for such
acts. Pity, the witch‘s knife was a vital tool for the black arts.
The sun shone upon the first peaceful day in weeks.
A scarlet-haired lady stumbled weakly upon the deck. Every step felt as if she
walked on broken glass. She held a shining knife. Pinprick boils erupted from her skin,
oozing not pus nor blood but water and foam.
The door creaked. She turned and saw the horror-struck prince and his bride.
She managed a smile: for the prince who was never hers; for his lovely bride; and
for herself, the sad girl dissolving into nothingness.
She wondered where the soulless went and found that she did not much
care. Her heart and eyes stung, but mermaids cannot produce tears.
The knife fell, the hand holding it nothing more than a mass of bubbles.
With her last strength, she flung herself off the boat. When
the couple peered over the edge, all they saw was foam bubbling in
the waves.
The sun shone upon the first peaceful day in weeks.
That was the end of her. The mute foundling was gone, for
she now had a voice all her own. The prince gently stroked her
golden hair and gazed into her sea-green eyes.
K
21 | KATITIKAN
Boy in love
Jake is in love
Though he does not bother
A lot is on his mind
Love is nothing but trouble
Buried in his books
He spends his nights with glee
With Shakespeare and Poe
Love should not be a worry
When he sees that girl
His heart beats with joy
His stomach is a whirl
Yet he thinks it‘s a ploy
A ploy to distract him
To stray away from his plans
Of a future so firm
A destiny so grand
Yes, he is determined
Never will he falter
Yet he now feels an emptiness
He now starts to wonder
What if I tried?
Yes, a lot is at stake
My future could still be bright
And my heart not so desolate
Now he sees that girl
The one he dreams of at night
He feels his knees buckle
His stomach fills with butter-
flies
―Hi‖ was all he could muster
Yet the girl starts to smile
There they looked at each
other
There they stood for a while
The girl said ―Hello‖
His heart jumped with delight
He tried not to shiver
He smiled with all his might
He carried her books
To her next class they walked
People started giving them
looks
Still they beamed as they
talked
The girl‘s name is Daniela
Her hopes are equally soaring
She dreams of travelling the
world
She spends her free time cook-
ing
When they got to her class
His world almost dropped
How could this conversation
end?
He never wanted it to stop
She seems to have read his
mind
For a while they stood awk-
wardly
She offered him time after
class
Then they parted happily
The boy was light-headed
The butterflies went away
He wasn‘t in his mind
Yet his feet found its way
The girl felt no different
She spent all the time waiting
She loved him from the start
Her love was never fading
This day is the happiest for
them
Yet they hope for more to
follow
More days to spend with each
other
More moments of love to
come.
By: Jan Louis Gazo
KttK | 22
By Reah Crezz P. Andrino
an argument that never annoys
the music in every noise
reconciliation amidst a war
tears shed when someone departs
hope within depression
freedom beyond suppression
the voice of truth
joy of someone's youth
happiness after every sorrow
triumph over every foe
humility beyond pride
light that serves as guide
learning when to let go
creating a life anew
learning how to fight
defending your right
fighting in vain
flying kites in the rain
Love is..
walking with life every step of
the way
pretending to be okay
listening to same song all day
loving that person no matter
what they say
Love is..
being kind and true
someone called you
Impossibilities By: lernzilla
I catch a glimpse
Our eyes meet halfway
My heart races
As I lose my senses
In the abyss of my mind
I hope I will find
That we never could be
More of what others can see.
A Poem of Unity
(for the Typhoon Sendong Victims) By: Fidel Rico Y. Nini
A single drop can create a great wave
A small voice can build a loud sound
In charismatic charity we must behave
Keep your heads up high and feet on the ground
We are bound to the contract of revolution
Everyone has to act and do his own part
Our task is to care for nature and love for nation
The flame of kindness must keep burning in the heart
When one is missing, the whole can‘t function
We need each other to sustain and grow
All we need now is a strong dedication
Selfishness and hatred we mustn‘t show
Every person in this world has a purpose
Every man is worthy of respect and love
Every incident happens for a cause
God will repay those who gave what they have
23 | KATITIKAN
It was 6:02 a.m. As she felt the same breeze that hit her innocent face eight years ago, her lashes moved and the sun rose in her big, hazel eyes.
“The sunrise is beautiful, still beauti-ful,” she told herself. She held on to her scarf and placed her eyes on the bright horizon. The same memories tried to play-back but she tried to stop her heart from fooling her mind all over again.
Tears ran on her angelic cheeks but she wiped them off hurriedly. She got hold of the paper boat she made and slowly placed it in the peaceful waters just like how she did eight years ago. Her mind was travelling when she heard sluggish yet familiar footsteps from behind.
“Eight years ago…,” the person said. She was Annie. He was Keith. “We sailed paper boats every morn-
ing,” he said. “And you always clutched your paisley scarf.”
“And you were always in your black sweater,” Annie answered as their eyes met.
He smiled. His dimples made him the same guy she knew from before.
“And you loved potatoes,” Keith said. Annie’s expression changed. She
couldn’t look at him with her miserable eyes. For eight winters, she had been longing to see him to hear his answer to the question she yearned to ask. But she was afraid that the answer may break her heart again.
“I don’t like them now,” she replied. Annie stood up and was about to walk
away when Keith held her arm. “How are you?” He found the courage
to ask her. Annie gazed at his hand holding her.
Keith released his grip and let her loose. “ I..I’m alright,” she said teary eyed.
“I’m now an architect. I’m going abroad.” He looked into her eyes. “You’re leav-
ing?” She nodded as she kicked a pebble in
front of her. “When?” he asked. She answered, “Today, 3 pm.”
K
“Oh.” His eyes couldn’t hide the anguish he felt. “You’re successful; you’re beautiful; you’re perfect;
I’m happy for you.” Annie felt that their conversation need-
ed an end. She wanted to walk away and forget everything.
But her lips moved. “Why did you leave me?” she asked.
“Why did you break your promise, Keith?” He stared at her. “I’ve been longing to ask you this ques-
tion,” she said. “Why, Keith? You promised that you’ll never...
...leave me.” Keith couldn’t say a word. “Answer me!” she said. “I trusted you
because I thought you loved me.” “I did… I still do.” he answered. “I’m so
sorry Annie.” “I’ve heard those words before, “she
interrupted. “Those useless words.” Annie couldn’t hold her tears any long-
er. Keith touched her flawless cheeks and
wiped the tears. She backed off. “I just wanted to clear
things up.” “I know you still love me.” Keith said. She couldn’t look at him. “I have fulfilled my dreams…our
dreams, without you. I became a better per-son with your absence. I loved myself even more when you left me. I don’t need you anymore.”
Annie walked away. Her heart was pounding and she was bruised all over again.
“I came back.” Keith yelled. “I came back Annie. But you didn’t wait for me.”
Annie stopped. She shook her head in disbelief.
“The day I went, I left a letter at your doorstep. I wrote in there that I was going to college. I wanted to achieve our dreams. I wanted to be a better person for you.”
Annie was ruined. She fell to the ground and broke down. The pain felt like a dagger stabbed at her back. Keith came close to her and hugged her tightly. Annie’s face was hidden in his arms. They treasured that moment stolen away from them.
The sun was shining now. Everything was silent except for the splash of playful waves.
Keith felt Annie’s lovely face. He re-membered the first time he saw Annie, it was also the same time he felt in love her. Her pretty eyes, her infectious laughs, her wonderful personality… she had everything a man could ask for.
Annie held Keith’s hand. His hands moved a tiny bit. She noticed something glitter. It shone in the sun like some heaven-ly treasure. Its silvery flush was warm to the eyes. Keith opened his hand and showed it to her.
“I was going to give you something simi-lar to this but…” Keith said.
Annie looked at him. “Keith, you’re…” “I still love you.” Keith said. “I’m sorry.” She gazed at Keith’s fourth finger and
her heart was full of regret and pain. Her tears fell for the millionth time. But there was nothing she can do now.
“I’m married.” Keith said. Annie felt Keith’s hand slide into hers
but no matter how much she wanted to cling and feel his tender fingers, it was way too late. Her heart’s too battered that no ma-chine or person could ever fix it. She knew they couldn’t trick fate. She gave Keith a kiss on his forehead and with a heavy heart, she walked away. The paper boat she set on the waters was drowning together with her dreams and hope.
Keith waded into the waters. He picked up the paper boat. He didn’t want it to drown.
It was 6:30 am. Everything had changed.
She was in her paisley scarf. And he was in his black sweater.
KttK | 24
25 | KATITIKAN
DON’T STAY
TOO LONG BY Melissa Angelique B. Malaga
R yan was a self-proclaimed perfectionist.
He would press his uniform three times until
every wrinkle was ironed out. He would ar-
range his books and papers until they were
stacked in two neat piles. He would wake up at exactly 4:45
every morning to check if everything was still in its proper
place. He had a strict diet of boiled okra and he would only
eat meat if it came from a very healthy source. From 1st
year, he was a dean‘s lister with a 1.9 as his lowest grade.
Teachers found him admirable. His classmates found him
strange.
He liked studying, especially when he would stay in the
library. Almost all the time, he would stay late after school
with the night guard as his only companion.
One day, he was studying in the library. It was 5:45 p.m.
when the kind librarian pressed her bell and called to him.
―Hijo, it‘s almost 6:00 p.m.‖
Ryan looked up and replied in a monotonous tone. ―I need
more sources. I have to get this baby thesis right. I‘ll lock up
after I‘m done. I‘ll even clean the library if you like.‖
The librarian stared at him. This was the 14th time he stayed
late. She had been told thousands of times to not let any
student stay late. However, she could not help but admire
Ryan‘s dedication to his studies. She sighed and took the
library key from her purse and said: ―Hijo, I‘ll leave the key
with you. Just don‘t forget to fix everything and lock up, ok?
And don‘t forget to give the key to the night guard.‖ Then
she gave the key and left.
At 6:00, Ryan was left alone in the library.
He saw the figure of the night guard as he
entered the library. The night guard was a
kind man in his late twenties and was a fa-
vorite among the students. While most of
the security guards were strict and overbear-
ing, he was the friendly and sociable guard
who would tell jokes to the students.
While the other guards were called ―Guard‖,
he had the affectionate nicknames of
―Watchman‖ and ― Chief.‖ Ryan liked Chief
a lot. Often times, they would enjoy coffee
and leisure chat.
―Evening, Chief.‖ Ryan greeted while staring
at the book‘s text. Chief looked at Ryan and
replied.
―Good evening. Working late again?‖ When
Ryan nodded, Chief pulled a chair and sat on
it. ―Did you hear about the group of students
who were playing with spirit of the glass?
They supposedly summoned the ghosts of
several people who died while being impris-
oned here during the Japanese occupation.
They say they haunt this building and has
been haunting it ever since.‖
Ryan laughed and said ―Chief, where do you
get these stories? There‘s no such thing as
ghosts. More so, the said ghost is merely a
manifestation of man‘s delusion and there-
fore not a product of the so called supernatu-
ral.‖
Chief chuckled and said ―It helps if you
think of the impossible to be possible.‖ Then
tossing a can of coffee, he added. ―Just don‘t
stay too long. I‘m locking the main entrance
by 9. Drink the coffee. It‘ll do you good.
Sometimes, man is merely the haunted one.‖
Ryan read his seventh book. Ghosts? He
thought to himself. There is no such
thing. He reflected on Chief‘s words.
Sometimes, man is merely the haunted
one. What did Chief mean by that? He
turned the page.
Suddenly he heard a sound. He got up
and looked around. He saw no one. Odd.
He thought . It was just him and Chief.
Maybe Chief was playing tricks. He
brushed it off, took a swig from the can
coffee and read another book.
It was 9. Chief had told Ryan that the
main entrance would be closed by 9.
Frustrated at the thought of leaving the
library, Ryan fixed his books and papers
into his bag, arranged the tables and
chairs and finally locked the library. The
hallway was dark with faint lights flick-
ering on and off. Ryan was not so easy to
scare. He took his cellphone and turned
its flashlight on. It was faint, but he man-
aged.
The library was located in the second
floor of the main campus administrative
building. His dorm was right across the
Law Building. And since the main exit
was closed, he had no choice but to pass
through the Law Building‘s exit. And that
meant going down the stairs nearest the
exit.
He hated these stairs. By day, it was a
regular flight of stairs with posters on the
wall and announcements. But at night, it
was, as he dubbed, a steep step to acci-
dents. There was also the fact that it had
a rather eerie portrait of one of the
KttK | 26
school‘s previous presidents. Ryan walked towards the stairs and stared at the
portrait. Its piercing eyes and thinning hair reminded him of the elderly teacher
whose round head and stout body made students laugh. Perhaps, it was eerie
because of the atmosphere.
He sighed and carefully climbed down the stairs. As he approached the last few
steps, he wondered what he ought to cook for dinner. The can of coffee Chief
gave him kept him awake just as he hoped. He wasn‘t that hungry, but he
needed the energy to study more. Then he noticed something….odd.
He had landed in the second floor! He saw the portrait again. He looked at the
balcony. He was sure he was going down. He could not have made a mistake!
After all, he never made a mistake in his life. So he went down the stairs again.
As he approached the base, he saw the same painting and knew he was going to
end up in the same place.
This was getting scary. It was as if the school didn‘t want him to leave. He de-
cided to try the stairs near the hotel. The moment he stepped on the last step, he
had landed in the second floor again.
Ryan was frantic. For the first time, he was frantic and scared. He began to look
for Chief. ―Chief…CHIEF!‖ He called out but there was no reply. Over and
over, he went down the stairs only to land in the same second floor. He went
back to the library and decided to try the main stairs. Fearful of the possible
outcome, Ryan closed his eyes, placed his hand on the stair‘s railing and stepped
down.
As he stepped down, he breathed heavily , hoping that he would be able to go
home. He thought of so many possible causes for this. But he could not conclude
at all. He was too afraid. He felt his feet touch the ground floor. He opened his
eyes. He had landed on the first floor. He had arrived at the lobby. He could see
the big bible in the center and the framed documents on the walls.
He let out a sigh of relief. At last it was over. He felt a tap on his shoulder. He
turned to see Chief, holding a flashlight up to his face.
―Oh, you‘re done? I was about to get you.‖ He noticed the beads of sweat on
Ryan‘s face. ―What‘s wrong with you? You look as if you‘ve seen a ghost.‖
Ryan relayed his story. ―I was going down from the second floor…only to land
on the second floor again. I kept going down over and over again. I just kept
going in a crazy circle. I swear I was going down.‖
Chief chuckled and said ―You were just having a nightmare. Come on, I‘m tak-
27 | KATITIKAN
ing you home.‖ Ryan sighed a sigh of relief as the guard
led Ryan to the Law Bldg. exit. He was finally going
home. As they approached the Law Bldg. Chief began to
speak to Ryan. ― Next time, don‘t stay too late. Nowadays,
the building plays tricks on students. You never know
where you might end up.‖
Ryan nodded in agreement. Chief then added. ―I mean,
when you‘re passing through the hotel, it gets scary.‖
Ryan stopped at his tracks. He lowered his head and
thought about what he heard. Chief said passing through
hotel. He had mentioned to Chief that he tried going
down in the Law exit,but he never mentioned that he
tried passing through the hotel.
―Chief…how did you know I tried the hotel?‖ Ryan heard
no reply…only silence. Then he looked up and saw that
Chief was not in front of him. Then he turned around and
realized that he had entered the 2nd floor again.
For the first time, he lost his cool and began to panic and
scream. He went down the stairs over and over again, all
the while screaming into the night. And after that, the
scream…became silence.
An ambulance had pulled up at the driveway the next
morning. Students and faculty alike watched as two para-
medics loaded a gurney with a quivering and terrified
Ryan. He kept shaking his head voice was low and trem-
bling. His mouth kept saying the words ―
stay….long….stairs….‖ over and over again.
Students began to talk about it. The president then called
for Chief and asked him what had happened.
Chief then explained that around 10 last night, he had
gone to the library to get Ryan only to see Ryan going up
and down the stairs in a dazed state. Then he saw Ryan
screaming and running in the Quad before finally passing
out. He had then took Ryan to the security office only to
be stirred later by Ryan‘s screams.
As the ambulance doors closed, Ryan leaned forward and
screamed towards his classmates…
―Don‘t stay too long..‖
KttK | 28
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