Short Story

Sunrise

The "bell" is ringing and it says that the class is dismiss.

“Class dismissed”, said by Ms. Locsin.

I stared at her and ask myself “is this Ma’am Josie?” together with the noise of my classmate, Becky is shouting, my lazy best friend.

“Bea, let’s go. I don’t want to be late on my date,” she said. Then I looked again on Ms. Locsin face, waiting for some reaction.

“Shocks”, Becky said silently as she saw Ms. Locsin turn her head on our direction. I smiled. “This is it”, I said to myself.

But seconds later, their’s no such word comes out. Sometimes, there are times that we need to bring handkerchief and prepared our selves if ma’am Josie will give us advice. She doesn’t want for all of us to engage in any relationship at our early age.

She says, “you are still young and there are many things much important than that. Don’t think that I made a decision for you, but ….”

One simple knock was interrupting our attention. We turn our eyes on the door and Dr. Raffy, the tall and handsome resident doctor in our school.

Ma’am Josie, stand up and left the room together with Dr. Raffy as if we are not there.

“Let’s go”, I whispered to Becky. She smiled and then we left the room.

Ma’am Josie is my idol, she is beautiful and smart. She is in the high standard of living, strict but also kind person. Sometimes, we are joking but there’s also a limitation. Never mention about having boyfriends because she will never stop advising you.

She is twenty five years of age, and eight year is our gap. For me, Ma’am Josie is a picture of a young one. Even though she is deep and there’s always angriness in her speaking.

She is really kind; I think that while I am walking to go home. When I’m reviewing my lessons, Ma’am Josie is still on my mind. I noticed that she is more different from these past few days. She’s like frighten, lonely and it seems that she had a great problem deep within. I want to help, like what she did to me, three months ago.

August 19, in Subic…. Class 3A had a field trip. And just like those past years, she is quietly smiling while joking with us. I am silently sat on the back side of the bus, together with my best friends, Becky.

“Bea, let’s go, let’s swim,” the bus arrived at the resort. We are not yet arranging our things but Beck was so excited to swim.

They are all happy and I silently go far a little bit from them. I sat on the seashore.

“The sunset is beautiful, right?” Ma’am Josie uttered from my back. She sat in my side. Then there silence between of us. I don’t want to talk, because I don’t want her to see me crying so I changed my position.

“But you know, sunrise is much beautiful”, she continuously speaking. Maybe she means that there is a hope in every challenge.

And my shameless disappear. I can’t control my tears from fallen.

“Talk to me”, she said “forget that I am your teacher now.”

“Ma’am …” this is the single word I spoken. She embraced me.

And while I’m crying I tell her my problems. I tell that my boyfriend, Ruben passed away because of car accident. She gave me a chance to outspoken my feelings.

“Did you think, Bea….” That death doesn’t mean to lose hope”, I am shock to what she said. And she looked at my eyes.

“Things are happened. Ruben is passed away and yours tears makes him uncomfortable because he saw you crying.

We are still on that position, when I smiled and feel some happiness because there’s no such pain in my heart. Right! There’s a hope.

I stood up and shout, “There’s a hope!” while we are staring at the sunset I turn my eyes to Ms. Locsin face. I notice that there’s a smile in her lips and she is happy.

A month later, Ma’am Josie did not come to our class. They said that she is in the hospital in Manila. She filled a leave.

One day, some teacher was talking about Ma’am Josie and I heard that she passed away after six months of surviving in her illness. On the past three months up to that day, she never told us about her condition.

I stopped walking when I saw that there is a man in Ma’am Josie’s room. I silently enter the room and I see Dr. Raffy who is facing the window and staring at the sunset.

“The sunset is beautiful, right?” then he look at me.

“But sunrise is much beautiful, isn’t it?” I replied and smiled at him. In my heart, I know Ma’am Josie want me to use as a way to give a hope to Dr. Raffy.

“because, it gives another hope”, he softly said. I stepped forward to his placed and embraced him. I let him cry as what Ma’am Josie did to me.

“Doc, did you know that Ma’am Josie will not be happy if she will see you crying.”

Then after a few minutes, DR. Raffy stop crying and have some smile in his lips.

WE left the room happily and we look together at the sunset.

“Tomorrow… I will watch the sunrise, and I know that he will also do.”

Essay

The Real Me

"If only someone could go beyond the inner recesses
of my souls, then i could manage to change myself the way
I want it to be."

My peers have known me for being a shy, silent, conservative and a very passive individual. But never did they know that I also had trouble getting along with others. There was time in my life that I was a loner. I once secluded myself from anyone's company. Somehow, I have changed a bit, I've got friends now, but they're not enough. Having them did not permit me to unlock the door to my heart. I always think that things are much better when they are kept unsaid.

People would always praise me for my humility. They just don't know how my other side brags about whatever achievements I have had. Seldom would you see me feel neither happy nor triumphant over my accomplishments. But here, I want to show them off to the rest of the world. It’s just that I can’t do it bluntly because I don’t want to ruin the image that had settled in people’s minds that I am this ever-sweet girl who can never be so humble. But the truth is I am boastful, arrogant and proud.

I have never lost any competition. Do you know why? It’s simply because I have never participated in any. I’m afraid to compete for I don’t want to experience the pain and the embarrassment of losing. I’d rather not try than lose for to lose would mean death.

I don’t tell people what I truly feel about them. I just keep it locked inside me. Whenever I’m angry with someone, I would never confront him. My actions would just show my anger. But most of the time, I won’t show them. Instead, I would still treat them nicely and good although I want to explode in anger. I can really become hypocrite whenever I intend to.

I have never uttered the words “I love you” to anyone – not even to my parents, siblings, friends or to anyone dear to me. It’s just so hard to express especially to that someone you’ve chosen to commit your whole being. It seems as if part of me is being taken and that I want to avoid the feeling of being rejected and get hurt in the end. Again, I’d rather not.

I am cheater in the fact that I always think that everything’s going alright, that I can handle my problems well and that I don’t care much if I’m going on the wrong direction. And yes, I am a great pretender. Nobody had ever seen me cry. I want others to see me as an insensitive and a strong built girl who is capable of taking care of things by her.

The more pain I feel, the more I feel depressed and frustrated. There’s no one I can turn to share mi miseries. Of course, there may be some who are always behind me, but I don’t know how to open myself. Not because I don’t trust them, but how can I trust others when I myself don’t know what trust is.

Recently, I thought I found the person who would teach me how to trust. Even if I regarded myself as clever and picky, I didn’t know how I ended up with a fraud. The goddamn messed up my life and became an addition to my frustrations.

I don’t enjoy this kind of situation that I am in now. My heart is filled with mixed emotions: anger, pain, heartaches, sufferings, frustrations, miseries and a thousand else. I think I’m almost at the brink of insanity. I can’t hold on, anytime soon I will fly into a rage. I’m losing grip of reality. I wanted to be outspoken, strong and confident and I wanted to be somebody that I am not. That’s why I envy people who speak of what they feel because they can breathe easily and live life at its fullest, unlike me.

Right now, I do hope that there would be somebody who can figure out my real being. If someone could go beyond the inner recesses of my souls, then I could manage to change myself the way I want it to be.

How I wish that this revelation would lead me to try reaching out to people. All I need is your help and your support. Will you?

Poem

Poverty

Because of you I learned
to face the challenge,
to see the truth,
to stand strong, and to be success.

I work hard to flee from you,
to live at the fullest,
to in cure you and rescue
my life in the darkness.

Through my strength and courage
I fulfill my ambition,
though I am a poor,
of all things.

Poverty!
Are you my inspiration or
my weakness?
Do I need to escape or
allow you?
How would I overcome you?

Critique

Cordillera Autonomous Region(CAR),is one of the region in the Philippines. Their were many ethnic group in CAR. some of them are Isneg, Tingguian and so forth. Each of one has their own beliefs and traditions. Sometimes they similarly in their ritual practices.

First, Isneg was derived from a combination of "IS" meaning "recede" and "Uneg" meaning "Interior". They liced in the north westerly end of northern Luzon. Isneg was described as a slender and graceful structure, with manners that were kind, hospitable and generous. They also possessed with the spirit of self-reliance. and courage and clearly artistic in their temperament.The Isneg women traditionally give birth in a kneeling position. Their family begins with the right courtship. the girls parents allow this to take place in their house. The Isneg are actually no Gods or hierarchical deities in the other world of Isneg, only good and bad spirits. Their tradition had a similarity to some ethnic story. However, in their formation of family might be differ. Nowadays, no parents are allowed her daughter to sleep together with the boy if they are not yet married. Also sexual relationship without the marriage is a sinful matter. They shown their some characteristics in their literary arts.

Second, Tingguian is the first inhabitants of Abra were the ancestors of the Bontoc and Ifugao. These inhabitants eventually life to settle in the old mountain province. Tingguian are also known as Itneg. Some Abrans still believe in ancient and supernatural spirits to this day. Abra's economy is agriculture based. they also plant rice, corn, root crops, coffee, tabacco and coconut.Tingguian people are brave and strong. They care for their love ones. They are loving people.

Third, Ifugao refers to the group of people living in Ifugao province located in the central Cordillera mountains of northern Luzon. Ifugao may also have been derived from the word "Ipugo' which means from the hill. The Ifugao is the most prominent of the Mountain people. They are one of the ancestors who built the famous rice terraces without the aid of metal tools. They are also have riddles which serve to entertain and at the same time educate the young and recounting the origin of the people, the life and adventure of Ifugao hero. The Hudhud Hi Aliguyon is a literary works that shown the Ifugao folk hero. Aliguyon, a brave warrior, an intelligent, eager young man who wanted to learn useful things. He challenge Pumbakhayon. Their battle was become tedious one. Eventually at the end, they became to respect each others talents. some characteristics of the Ifugao are shown, being strong to face the battle, being brave, challenging people, kind, forgiving and respecting other people.

Fourth, Bontoc is derived from two morphemes "bun" (heap) and "tuk" (top). Together it means mountain. The Bontoc are the only people in this area known to have laws on warfare, including the making of peace pacts. Some of the Bontocs' were educated because of the scholarship in America.The Bontoc believe in the anitos or spirits of their ancestors and in spirits dwelling in nature. Their God is Lumawig, their culture hero and son of the god kabunian. Bontoc social literature aims to communicate ideas or attitudes to others at certain social occasions. Bontoc literature expresses the Bontoc world view and reflects their collective history. Bontoc literary myths are also integral parts of rituals This shown their traditional wedding ceremony, and how Lumawig their god multiplied and increase their harvest planting of crops.

Fifth, Kankanay are the third largest cultural community in the mountain province. Like the other Cordillera ethnic groups, the kankanay resisted the Spanish colonization. The Kankanay practice three types of agriculture: slash-and-burn, terracing for wet rice production, and horticulture. many Kankanay teens moved to Baguio City to finds a job. Family is the basic unit of Kankanay. They are also rich collection of riddles and epics.Sudsud is the recounted in gatherings of adults or when they are working in the fields, doing work at home or around the house yard, or when they are relaxing. In kankanay tales the main content of the stories are marriage and family life, social customs and traditions, religious values, beliefs and practices, and tales of magic, and imagination.

Lastly, Kalinga comes from the common noun "kalinga," which means "enemy," "fighter" or "head hunter" in the Ibanag and Gaddang languages. The Kalinga belief that illnesses were caused by bad spirit was changed by the American school teachers and missionaries. the mountain tribes remained loyal to the Americans when the Japanese came. A Kalinga household consists of a nuclear family which may include an old parent or grandparent of one of the spouses.Kalinga literature consists of riddles, legends, chanted, epics or ballads. Ullalim are ballads that narrate the heroic exploits of culture heroes which also emphasize the bravery and pride of the Kalinga people. Like the other ethnic groups, their literary works emphasize their own belief and tradition, their own characteristics and experiences.

Critique of Biag ni Lam-ang

The Biag ni Lam-ang dates its origin during the pre-Spanish period of the Philippines. This story is a mix of adventure and romance with exciting and unpredictable outcomes.
The story revolves around Lam-ang who is a very extraordinary guy. He started to talk at a very young age and was the one who choose his own name. His adventure began when his father, don Juan, went to search for his father in the highlands where his father was said to go. Her mother, Namongan, allowed her to go to find his father. When Lam-ang reached the place, he was enraged upon seeing his father's head on top of a bamboo pole that was stuck in the ground which was a scene that he had dreamed before reaching the place. Lam-ang then demanded to know the reason why did that happen to his father. Instead of running Lam-ang bravely fought with the chieftain and its tribesman. Lam-ang won the fight with less effort that serves as his revenge for his father.
As Lam-ang was on his way home he passed by a river and then decided to have a dip. The dirt from his body caused the death of fishes, crabs, shrimps in the river. She was gladly attended by some of the women who saw him. Lam-ang upon reaching home decided to court his love interest, Ines. Despite his mother's disapproval he followed his heart and set again another journey for her love. His adventures had never been that easy. He faced one of Ines' suitor and monsters. But he won the battles with ease. Upon reaching the place. Lam-ang drew the attention of many and impressed Ines. He was helped by his magical pets. This amazed everybody, especially Ines. Their wedding was held with a lot of feasting. However Lam-ang's story never ended here. He was sent to catch a gigantic shell but unfortunately he was swallowed by a shark. In an instant Lam-ang happily rejoined his wife.
For me, it is just a fantasy. No one would be born with this super talent and intelligence. It's not a true to life story. The epic poem only showed some of the earlier customs, culture tradition and belief of the Ilocano people. This story presented some of the qualities of the people of the Ilocos region- adventurous,hardy, and brave as strongly portrayed by Lam-ang.

My Self!

I am Rose Ann Ditan Baliquig. I am 18 years of age. We are six siblings of Mr. Rudy Jaictin Baliquig and Mrs. Eufemia Ditan Baliquig. I'm second to the last and I'm came from the province of Batangas, but now I lived at 602H Boni Avenue Mandaluyong City. I am Taking up Office Administration major in Office Management.

As a person, we know that we are not perfect many of us criticize each others but they didn't see that they are also not perfect. In our country we can see the different personality of the people, some have a flat nose, black skin, curly hair and many more. But it doesn't mean that they do not have the right to lived in this world. Anyone is free or accepted to be lived. It not according to the outer beauty if you are qualified or not.

Therefore, the most important aspect of the beauty is the inner than the outer beauty. Perception or judgment of the people may change the way we are. I admit that because of their perception or their judgment, I've change a lot. I'm begun to accept all their criticism and be strong to face it. I thought that it is not good if I will think all that they saying. I'm a strong person and I will prove them wrong that I have a vision and ambition to fulfill.

I'm a big dreamer. I want to have a extravagant living. I want to travel around the world. I want to be fashionable young girl. I want to have a good family someday, a lovable and caring husband. Also a healthy children and a big family.

I also want to show them who I am, the real me. That I don't want to be "plastic" just to accept me. Especially to my parents and to all people around me. However, I don't anticipate that they will know the real me.

But actually my goal in life as of now is to finish my study, so that they will be proud of me and I proved to them that I can graduate with any problems or trouble to be, that I am not a worthless. Even though, it so wearisome to study a lot but its not a hindrance to fulfill all my ambitions in life. I know with my trust to our Almighty God, He will help me to fulfill all of this. He is the one whom will guide and show me the light for my success.