The Break-Up Speech

Nonfiction by | June 1, 2008

Tonight I was yet again presented with the opportunity to take a romantic stroll around the city. In short, it was too ma-traffic (and humid), so I figured I’d get to my destination faster if I just walked along the bridge.

While walking, I thought, I’m going to miss this city.

Haven’t really made plans for where I’ll get a job yet; all I know is that it won’t be here. Some well-meaning people ask me if I’m crazy for choosing to leave. Yes, I know; it’s a tough choice. I’m thinking: once I leave, I can never drink water straight from the tap again. I don’t think I’ll be able to have a good, filling meal with P20–even P30– any place else. And the No-Smoking ordinance–I don’t think I’ll have the benefit of that where I’m heading. I think I’ll have to forget all about getting exact change from the taxi driver and having access to wi-fi virtually anywhere.

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Chicken

Poetry by | June 1, 2008

I can hear our chicken in the backyard
following me at night
when I take her egg at day
and stares at me

I can hear this chicken following me at night
when I go inside the kitchen
after emptying the trash bin
with cracked shells sticking inside it

I can really hear the chicken following me at night
up the concrete staircase
suddenly it stops
to see if I’ll turn
to look at her.

Dalawa

Poetry by | June 1, 2008

Dalawang kaluluwang naglalayag sa batong karagatan
Dahan-dahang sinusuyod ang bagyo sa ilalim ng kahel na ilaw
De makinang mga nilalang, isa-isang iniilagan
Binabatong mga titig, paunti-unting iniiwasan
Pawis na tumatagaktak, kamay na handang pumunas
Mga butil ng maalat na likidong nahawi ng maitim na hangin
Mahapdi sa mata, malamig sa balat
Hinto!
Berdeng bwa’y nagpakita at nagmamadaling tumakbo ang mga de makinang tao
Naghahabulan na parang mga batang yagit
Nag-aagawan sa kakaunting espasyo ng dagat na bato
Lakad!
Pulang buwa’y lumabas at hinay-hinay na nagpaanod ang mga kaluluwa
Nilalasap ang bawat yapak, ninanamnam ang panandaliang kapayapaan
Tumitingin sa kalangiting butas—maitim at walang laman.
Katulad ng mga sikmura ng dalawang dakilang kaluluwa—nangangasim dahil wala pang nakain.

Guillermo Dagohoy: A Biographical Sketch

Nonfiction by | May 4, 2008

Guillermo J. Dagohoy was born on October 23, 1919 in Sogod, Southern Leyte. His parents were Agustin Dagohoy and Macaria Jacobe. He had one brother, Hospicio, and three sisters, Celestina, Rufina, and Dulcesima.

Guillermo grew up in Sogod where he finished his elementary grades at Sogod Elementary School. In 1938, the family settled in Davao, and Guillermo continued his high school studies at Davao City High School. He attended college at the Visayas Institute, now the University of the Visayas where he finished with an Associate in Arts. He eventually became a high school teacher in the Assumption Academy of Peñaplata in Samal Island.

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Kaanugon Da

Fiction by | May 4, 2008

Hinaguros lamang ang agi ni Peter sa taliwala sa kamaisan samtang nagpadulong ngadto sa iyang lagkaw nga nahimutang sa iyang uma.

Ning-undang na lang gayod siya pagbungay bisan sayo pa ang kaudtohon kay ang iyang hunahuna kaganina pang ga-alindasay.

“Hidusdosan man lang ang kamot ta ning amol da! Karon ka gayod didto sa lantay kay hingpiton ta gayod ang pagsubay,” bagutbot ni Peter sa iyang kaugalingon.

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Ang Passport Ngadto sa Langit

Play by | May 4, 2008

Magdudula

Abogado
Doktor
Maestro
Enhinyero
Negosyante
San Miguel
San Pedro

(Mosulod si San Miguel nga nagdala sa timbangan ug si San Pedro nga nagdala og yawi.)

San Miguel: Karon Pedro, kay kita man ang gihatagan og gahom sa paghukom sa mangamatay, pinaagi sa ilang mga nabuhat sa kalibotan, ato gayod kining matngonan pag-ayo. Dili mo ablihan ang pultahan sa Langit kon dili ko pa matimbang ang ilang mga gibuhat sa kalibotan. Timbangon nato ang ilang mga maayong buhat ug mga daotang buhat. Kon bug-at ang daotang buhat, ato silang ibanlod sa Impyerno. Kon bug-at ang ilang maayong buhat kay sa daotan, ato silang pasak-on sa Langit. Kon pareho ang gibug-aton sa daotan ug maayo, ato silang ibutang sa Purgatoryo.

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