sa among baybayon sa bohol

written by a friend

2011-03-03T14:40:00.003+08:00

she never paints her face

no mascara or false lashes
to conceal the message
written on her eyes.

she never paints her face
because she doesn't have to

no stick or gloss
drawing false smiles
on lips that never lie.

she never paints her face
because she doesn't have to
hide behind sophistication

no blush-on or rouge
on cheeks that easily glow
at the slightest gentleness.

she never paints her face
because she doesn't have to
hide behind sophistication
to show her best qualities.

a pureheart, plain and simple.

2011-03-03T14:34:00.000+08:00

2011-03-03T14:26:00.001+08:00

2011-03-03T14:25:00.000+08:00

2011-03-03T14:24:00.000+08:00

2011-03-03T14:23:00.002+08:00

2011-03-03T14:23:00.001+08:00

2011-03-03T14:12:00.001+08:00

Ka Rene

2009-06-06T13:09:00.007+08:00

Naaamoy ko pa ang asim ng suka
sa singkamos na inulam mo
nuong gabi ng Mayo 19, 2009.

Natatandaan ko pa ang ngiti mo
nuong ininterbyu ka ukol sa CARPER
at nakita ka ng mga kasama
sa telebisyon.

Naririnig ko pa ang tawa mo
nuong nagpupulong para sa
susunod na mga hakbang
alay sa mga magsasakang
walang lupa.

Nararamdaman ko pa ang pakikipaglaban mo
sa bawat segundo ng aking buhay,
sa bawat pagpatak ng aking luha,
sa bawat tanong sa iyong pagpanaw.

Hanggang sa ating muling pagkikita

kaibigan
kapatid
guro
lider
magsasaka
ama

Paalam kasama.

My Sweet Angel

2009-04-04T14:39:00.015+08:00

You are an angel in my life

You are true to what you feel
you tell me lessons you have learned
you laugh from your heart
your smile lifts me into
a happy zone I want to stay.

I may hurt you,
you may make me cry
and sometimes,
we may have disagreements

Yet, the fact remains that
each limitation makes us
understand each other,
makes me love you more,
my dearest sister.

I am ignorant on a lot of things,
especially when it talks about
life and living it to the full.

With you in my life,
I am not scared
to be scarred
all over again.

Taking Pains

2009-02-01T18:48:00.005+08:00

you seem to take everything in stride
regardless of what life brings
you are always able
to stand up strong

thank you

for inspiring people
like me

for leading
when nobody wanted to walk

for talking
when no one stood up

for teaching us that
life indeed is beautiful

Mayroong Pagbabago

2009-02-01T18:32:00.003+08:00

patuloy ang paglalakbay ko sa buhay
kahit nakapiring man
ang dalawang mata ko
matatag pa rin ang kalooban ko

sa lahat ng pagsubok na ito
kasama ko ang aking mga kaibigan
at ang aking mahal na pamilya

Getting Burned

2008-11-21T18:32:00.002+08:00

Order

Call

Talk

Silence

Shout

Scream

Bellow

Talk

Hands

Chitchat

Uncover

Genuine

Links

Masaya ba ako?

2008-10-21T11:27:00.004+08:00

May nagtanong sa akin kahapon
kung masaya ba daw ako sa
aking kasalukuyang trabaho.
Napaisip ako sa tanong niya.
Totoo, hindi ako sigurado sa sagot ko.

Siguro, hindi.
Sa isang banda, hindi ako masaya
dahil marami akong gustong gawin
sa buhay ko na alam ko kaya ko.

Marami akong pangarap
na gusto ko pang abutin.
Gusto kong maglakbay
sa buong Pilipinas
at sa buong mundo.

Pero, alam ko rin na masaya ako
dahil nakakatulong ako sa ibang tao.
Mas nakikilala ko ang sarili ko
sa trabaho ko ngayon dahil
sa mga araw-araw na
pakikipagsamaluha sa kanila.

Maraming aral akong natutunan
sa pakikipag-usap ko sa mga lola
at lolo na nagpapagawa ng affidavit
dahil nawalan sila ng senior citizen's ID.

Nalulungkot ako kapag may pamilya
na napipilitang humingi ng tulong
dahil wala na silang maibayad sa ospital.

Naaawa ako sa mga punong barangay
na pumupunta sa opisina dahil
sa mga problema sa araw-araw
na bumabagabag sa kanila.

Humahanga ako sa mga kasama
sa trabaho na taos pusong
nagtatrabaho.

sa mga simpleng tao ako
natutututong magsilbi.

Paano

2008-09-25T15:30:00.006+08:00

Gusto kong gumising bukas
na masaya at mapayapa
kasama ang aking munting anghel
na mahigpit mong niyayakap
sa bawat oras na magkasama tayo.

Halika, samahan mo kami
maglaro sa bakuran nang bahay
nang tumbang preso, sipa at taguan.
Tara! magsaya tayo.

Ang saya ng kahapon.
Ang saya natin nuon.
Naririnig ko pa ang mga halakhak
ang mga walang katapusang takbuhan
sa bukid man o dalampasigan.

Patuloy akong umaasa
sa panaginip nang kahapon.
Patuloy akong naniniwala
na sa bawat pag-alis mo
ikaw ay babalik.

Lumaban ka
andito pa ang iyong pamilya
andito pa si lolo at lola
andito pa ang inay

na patuloy na nagmamahal sa iyo.

ang sulat na hindi ko matapos-tapos

2008-09-06T09:04:00.005+08:00

Dearest Ate Elaine,

Kailan ba tayo unang nagkita?

Ay, oo, nuong nagkaroon kayo ng isang training sa Tagbilaran. Suplada ka pa nun, hindi pa kasi kita kilala. Pero bilib na ako sa iyo nuon dahil progresibo ka mag-isip, isang malalim na tao.

Kaya siguro, naging magkaibigan tayo. At habang lumulipas ang panahon, lalong tumatatag ang ating pagkakaibigan. Minsan nasasaktan mo ako, minsan nasasaktan din kita. Pero hindi ka nang-iwan. Kahit malayo tayo sa isa't-isa, andiyan ka pa rin para iparamdam sa akin na may Ate Elaine ako.

Minsan nasabi ko sa iyo na malungkot ako sa bagong buhay ko dito. Ang text mong ito ang patuloy na nagpapatatag sa akin: "Nalulungkot ka kasi nasanay ka na andiyan ang malalapit mong kaibigan. Pero hindi ka dapat nalulungkot kapag nakikipaglaban. Dapat humuhugot ka ng tapang mula sa iyong pinagkatandaan, sa magandang karanasan ng buhay at pagmamahal sa Diyos at sarili."

Marami akong gustong sabihin sa iyo na hindi ko maisulat. Umaabot nga nang ilang buwan ang sulat na ito dahil hindi ko matapos-tapos. Pero kagabi, napag-isip-isip ko na hindi naman talaga kailangan na tapusin ito dahil patuloy pa rin naman ang buhay. Patuloy ang pagbabago. Patuloy ang pagkakaibigan.

Andito rin ako para sa iyo, sa kung ano man ang iyong hinaharap ngayon.

Hanggang sa muli,

amor (",)

Dearest Anna Louisa, Antoinette, Normita, Elva, and Babie Mar,

2008-09-05T14:50:00.004+08:00

Whenever I'm asked of what phase in my life I was happiest, I would always say it was when I met all of you in high school. We shared unforgettable moments. At that time, we felt we could endure anything because we had each other.

However, time came when we faced personal struggles alone. Some struggles made us into better persons, while a few left us broken and scarred. I admit there were instances when I got scared because I was alone.

But, one thing that kept me strong all these years is the love we have for each other. That love has assured me that you will continue to love me in spite of my imperfections and faults. That love has also inspired me to do my best in everything.

God always have the best intentions in His creations. His love is beyond words. Your existence in my life is the best proof of that love.

Thank you for sharing your life with me.

Love,

Mai

Hanga Ako sa Iyo, Zyra

2008-09-03T15:33:00.003+08:00

Pagtuturo ang natapos ko sa kolehiyo
Pumasa pa sa pasulit ng mga guro
Pwede na sana akong magturo
Ngunit, iba ang landas na niliko.

Naging manggagawa ng probinsiya
Naging manggagawa ng NGO
Naging manggagawa ng kongreso
Naging manggagawa ng mga tao.

Pero mas humahanga ako
Sa pagiging guro mo
Mas marami kang mahuhubog
Na mga kabataang busog.

Pagbabago

2008-08-23T16:47:00.005+08:00

Umiyak
Nasaktan
Humagulhol
Nalunod.

Lumabas
Nagtanong
Nag-isip
Umintindi.

Salamat
sa minsang
masasayang
araw kasama kayo.

Sa susunod
nating pagkikita, patawad.

Pauwi

2008-07-26T18:43:00.003+08:00

Mag-isa akong uuwi ngayong gabi
Katulad din ng mga nagdaang araw
Walang kahawak na kamay
At kausap.

Pero, masaya na ako dito
Mas gugustohin kong mag-isa ngayon.

Pipilitin kong kayanin
Habang Hinihintay ko
Ang desisyon mo.

Kaya mo pa kayang lumaban
Para sa ating dalawa?

Mahal kita
Alam mo yan
Sinabi ko na nang
Paulit-ulit sa iyo.

Hanggang kailan ako
Maghihintay
Para mahalin mo
Ulit ako?

I Love Mai

2008-06-01T12:27:00.005+08:00

Often, I laugh at myself for doing things clamsily. I am flatfooted, so I also often stumble while walking. When I was young, I was accident-prone. I even got into a fight when I was in first grade when I accidentally broke a flower vase in school. I seldom got into fights, but when family and friends are treated unfairly, I stand up for them. One time when a classmate of my older brother tried to make fun of him, I got irked and chased the boy around campus. Eversince I was young, I never liked seeing people getting hurt and being treated unfairly by bullies. My father taught me that doing good is one thing, doing nothing about injustice is another.

My father's principles are still alive everyday in my family. We all try to pay forward the blessings each of us were given. It may not bring us wealth, but we are happy with what we have, each other. We seldom talk about mundane things at home. We used to have meetings to discuss vital issues at home, but that was seldom. Often, either we each read a book, write, eat, or do house chores. Or watch television and listen to music. Sometimes, we are more talkative outside. We have misunderstandings every now and then, but one thing is for sure, we are there for each other.

I love me. I love what I am today. I love my family. I love the people.

Devoted Mother

2008-05-27T08:00:00.007+08:00

An extraordinary individual

Never afraid to risk,
True to your word and
Out of the ordinary pal.
Naive.
It is your childlike disposition
Everyone loves.
Teach me,
Tell me your story,
Experience loving you.

Friend

2008-05-26T14:31:00.004+08:00

Natural and simple
Idealistic and impartial,
Notably gorgeous and
Innately good hearted
A real person and friend.

Sister, sister

2008-05-26T14:09:00.002+08:00

Reaching
Out
Sets you
Apart from everyone else,
Remarkable
Idiosyncracy you have,
Only you.

Everyone's Angel

2008-05-26T13:56:00.002+08:00

Zealous in any endeavor in life
Yearning to learn everything
Rapt with glee, you will always be you
An angel on earth.

Pure Heart

2008-05-26T13:38:00.007+08:00

Each moment with you calms me
Uniquely tranquil yet persuasive
Noble in your deeds and words
It sometimes put me in a thought
Catching up on whatever you said or did
Echoing your pure heart.

Dear Papa,

2008-05-21T07:17:00.002+08:00

Why did you leave so soon?
You could have answered my questions.
You could have explained what happened.

I know I will never find
those answers I need now.

If only you could come home.

Ice Cream

2008-05-18T12:53:00.004+08:00

I shared a gallon of ice cream with you
Something that we seldom do
It was raining that Saturday
And we were home alone

The marsmallow tidbits got the good of me
Because I could not keep my eyes off you
Your smile, your eyes
The ice cream dripping from
The plastic spoon

You tasted like chocolate.

Kaibigan

2008-05-08T13:27:00.003+08:00

Nandito ako bilang kaibigan mo
Inakala ko nuong una na mataray ka, pero
Natuwa ako nung nagsalita ka na
Inglesira ka din pala
At totoong tao.

Happy Me

2008-05-07T13:56:00.004+08:00

God is good.
Each day He goes on loving us through
Modest and unassuming people,
Memories treasured are countless.
Alive I will be.

Paldo

2008-05-06T16:02:00.005+08:00

He was without shoes and had crumpled shirt on. He was a stranger, same as the many others that came before him. Paldo, as I would call him one day, caught my attention the first time I saw him. He could have been my father. Except, my father died thirteen years ago in a hospital bed.

Paldo had a frightening face when he asked if the mayor was in. I wanted to tell him that he need not be afraid and could very well enter the room as he pleased. If I woke up at the wrong side of the bed that day, I could have treated him coldly. But, I didn't. I only had pity for the man who wanted to eat one meal that Thursday afternoon.

He came at a wrong time, too, for me. I had enough change for the jeepney trip back home. I, too, had an empty stomach. But Paldo's hunger was different. He told me he hadn't eaten for two days. I knew his hunger was longer than two days.

His presence in my life that day was heartbreaking. Paldo reminded me of my father. Tito, as friends would call him, was a very simple man. Often, he would work on an empty stomach just so he could save some food for the children and my mother. I could very well remember how he used to look like when I knew he wasn't eating much. Yet, he didn't complain. He never complained.

Paldo, too, did not complain. Despite the hunger, he smiled when I told him he looked like my father. I should have hugged him that very moment. Hugged him the way I hugged my father everytime he made me sit on his lap after the usual scolding I get from him. But, I got scared. Scared because I knew his visit was only temporary, he would still go somewhere far and leave me. Like the way my father left me.

I handed Paldo my last twenty pesos and kidded him that he better get a good meal rather than use the money for something else. How he laughed when he heard it from me. Paldo told me he used to get the same kind of scolding from his late daughter Maria.

He bid goodbye and wished to see me again someday, in a better place and time.

Maybe.

Taking A Leap

2008-05-06T13:22:00.003+08:00

You seem to have all the good things God has
And somehow, I am at a loss on what I want to say to you
Never did I hear you complain about work and people, an
Individual who stands out by simply being down to earth
Everyday, I thank the Lord for having met you.

mahal kita kapatid

2008-03-28T16:02:00.005+08:00

madalas akong napapahinto
sa aking ginagawa
kapag iniisip kita

minsan, gusto kitang yakapin
at sabihan na andito lang ako
naghihintay

na kausapin
yakapin
patawarin
mahalin

ilang taon din tayong nawalay
hindi nag-usap
hindi nagpatawad

at sa mga taon na iyon,
hindi ako sumuko
sa pagmamahal sa iyo

salamat,
sa pagpapatawad.

Para sa isang matalik kong kaibigan...

2008-01-28T18:18:00.001+08:00

Eto na siguro ang pinakamasaya kong araw... sa
Bagong daan na tinatahak mo ngayon.
'Yan ay tunay na paglilingkod.
Ang puso mo ay nasa nangangailangan
Na walang hinihinging kapalit na kapangyarihan.
Ganyan si Ebyang...

mabait
matalino
mapagmahal

isang bayani sa puso ko.

Walking a mile for Tiger

2007-10-29T10:24:00.000+08:00

Home alone and starving was how Tiger lived when i left for work one day. Not that I didn't feed him, actually he had the usual cat food waiting for him. But he'd rather stare at the window than eat what was on his bowl.

It was November when Tiger was no longer playful and jumpy.

When December came, he decided it was time to go around the neighborhood. Tiger would go home if he wanted to, but at times he had his dates. Most nights, i would find myself looking for him.

Then, he stopped coming home. I waited. And waited. And still waiting.

i miss home

2007-09-23T20:37:00.000+08:00

where is home?
home is...
in dampas, tagbilaran city
in pamilacan island, baclayon
in baybayon, mabini
in el nido, palawan
in luisiana, laguna
in sikatuna village, quezon city
in north susana, diliman.
home is me.

malalim

2007-08-31T22:02:00.000+08:00

ang balon
ang dagat
ang pagmamahal

pamamaalam

2007-08-29T20:58:00.000+08:00

paalam sa notebook ko, isang pahina na lang ang natira
paalam sa ballpen ko, 2 buwan ko pa lang ginagamit ay bumigay na
paalam sa paboritong kong t-shirt, nawala sa laundry shop
paalam sa isang palabas sa sinehan, hindi ko man lang nakita
paalam sa tindera ng bubble gum sa tapat ng philcoa
paalam sa dagat, puno na ng basura
paalam sa isaw sa may up, mas masarap pa rin kay nang mary's

paalam sa huling anim na piso na pamasahe ko sa padyak.

wounds

2007-08-05T20:50:00.001+08:00

tonight
she sits by the window
praying the dreams
don’t haunt her once more.

memories
of endless nights
looking through the window
waiting for him.

now she sits by the window,
a girl with a woman’s eyes
and a daughter’s empty stare
towards the sky.

yearning for closure,
praying for him.

...published

wordless

2007-08-05T20:49:00.003+08:00

dead calm…
night’s silence rekindles,
redefines
the beauty of life

and slowly changes
his fear
into something more special,
unknown.

...published

the virgin

2007-08-05T20:49:00.001+08:00

she stared
at the wallet in front of her.
it wasn’t there an hour ago.

straining, she looked the other way.
scuffled to leave the snoring figure
of the stranger beside her.

but she remembered him
the man she had known well enough
to love, to hate, and wish to die.

because once, a daughter
had found herself stripped
learning the order of fake sleep.

but now,
ten years of confused reverence past,
he needed her.

then, she looked again.

...published

socials

2007-08-05T20:48:00.001+08:00

crumpled, papers,
gorgeous, girls,
sunset, stories,
all, came.

party, people,
pretty, something,
lifeless, being,
all, came.

people, taken,
smoke, booze,
sun, rises,
all came.

...published

remembering

2007-08-05T20:47:00.003+08:00

bereft.
alone in a forgotten place,
forsaken by the beast
she adores.

body aching,
limbs weakened,
her face -- of tears and blood,
she smiles.

...published

silence

2007-08-05T20:47:00.002+08:00

pen and paper,
a quiet evening,
you…

a distant dream.

a kiss,
a smile,
a hug,

an anxious grip…

a stare,
a tear,
and me.

alone.

...published

doubts

2007-08-05T20:43:00.000+08:00

uncertain of life
he chooses to live
within the walls of failure.

mocked for the obscure predilections
he lives for none
but his search for the Truth

of that Somebody supposedly greater
than All, than himself.
a perfect being, maybe.

so that if he could catch
but a glimpse of that Truth
then he can breathe one’s last.

... published

Keeping Peace

2007-07-29T16:52:00.000+08:00

Everytime I write a phrase, something that I have thought for in a rush, it ends up being deleted. Come to think of it, I have been editing much of what I say in public or what I write on paper. Did I grow up deleting some phases in my growing up years? Maybe. There are few events in my life which I would rather forget than remember it all over again. Painful memories that I have kept within me, only sharing it to my dearest bestfriends.

dive

2007-02-28T13:10:00.000+08:00

i am sad.

sad at the thought of failing again.

i want to write
i want to cry
i want to fly

dive.

angels and miracles

2007-01-22T20:53:00.001+08:00

everyday, i meet angels.
be it in any form.
i love life.