Bye bye, Baby

Nonfiction by | July 12, 2009

I couldn’t say no. I couldn’t grunt ‘But…,” nor ask why. I just said yes, and nodded even when I meant no. Recently, my parents said no about me working in Metro Manila. I was devastated. I wouldn’t survive it, they predicted.

In Kindergarten, my teacher told this story after nap time when other kids were still sleepy. She told us that birds make good parents – they build nests for their young, feed them everyday, and protect them from unkind predators. But there’s one thing bird grown-ups don’t do for their young – fly. They don’t teach their chicks how to flap wings or glide in the air. In fact, some bird parents even risk pushing their chicks from the nest so that they will learn how to fly. It’s nature’s way of saying that learning does not always have to be vicarious. All birds learn to fly the hard way.

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Dalha Ko Sa Imong Payag

Poetry by | March 22, 2009

Dalha ko sa imong payag
Ipakita sa ako ang mga buak mong kolon
Ang mga kutsara’g lapis nga nagpasad sa abuhan.
Ang bag mong dugta kagabii sa uwan,
Ug ang mga libro mong giilo ni Tatay.

Dalha ko sa imong payag
Ug ipakita ang mga supot nga wa’y sud
Ang mga abo ning sug-angan, una gakayo
Mulupad sa iyang kapuwa
Dayon malumos ngadto sa hangin.

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Mission Possible

Nonfiction by | November 9, 2008

I settled at the back of the Toyota pickup, crouching on the floor. I reached inside the bag and wore my shades and sahal, ready for the long trip ahead. Definitely, this was not one of the top ten things I wanted to do before growing old. But I was going anyway. And I came quite prepared. I had plenty of water, and an umbrella besides. I was joining a medical mission hosted by the Southern Mindanao District of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP.)

The mission consisted of around twenty volunteers, including five doctors. I was one of three from the youth sector of the church. It was 8am, and cold, the sun hidden behind the rain clouds. We were going to a far-flung barangay at the foothills of Mt. Apo in Matan-ao, Davao del Sur.

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Asawa ni Jose

Poetry by | September 28, 2008

Gabi’t ang kulisap lamang ang tanging
Umiikot sa lamparang nagngingingas sa tabi ng baul.
Hinipan ko ang alab nito’t
Napawi ang ilaw sa apat ng sulok nitong kwarto.
Tanging ang ilaw ng buwan ang sumisilip
Mula sa mga butas ng kawayang dingding.
Gabi’t ang at ingay ng hilik mo ang tanging
Pumupuno sa dampang tahanan ng ating pag-ibig.
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Ang Ulan ug ang imong Pagbiya

Poetry by | July 20, 2008

Nakahinumdum ka ba sa panganod?
Itom ug nagataliabot,
Halagpad nga gawara-wara sa nasukong langit;
Murag imong pagbiya nga managsugod,
Dili matugkad sa akong pagsabot,
Dili mahangyo sa pulong ug sa hagit.
 
Nakahinumdum ka ba sa kilat?
Hugpong ang iyang mga kamot
Sa pag-igo sa kakahuyan ug kayutaan,
Halangdon sa iyang pagbusikad ug pagpakurat
Murag imong mga kalagot ug kasukong hurot
Sa usa ka kalit ug dili gitaganang katapusan.
 
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