2

Mga Bulawan sa Laog

3. Neon at mga banda sa Tabaco City

Sa buwan ng pagalala sa mga yumao, maraming kaganapan sa Tabaco.
Nariyan na ang simula ng kampanyang UNMDG ng ABKAT sa pamamgi- Mall parking area
tan ng mga patimpalak. 4, An Lalake sa Higod
5. Arts Network Asia Project Proposal
Napakaraming nagtetext upang magtanong ukol sa mga pamantayan ng
6. Nakagakot sa lambang puso
mga kontest, mga estudyante at mga guro. Ngayon pa lang ay dama na
natin ang himig ng tagumpay. 7. Sex and the Art of Motorcycle
Maintenance 21
Sa isyung ito ng Haraya, mababasa ang pagpapalabas ng Neon ni Clodu-
8. Anticipation
aldo del Mundo sa Tabaco Mall parking area, na kung saan palaman ang
rock music sa gitna ng dula. Sayang nga lang at naubusan ng baterya ang 9. Alvin Ybañez
hiniram na digicam sa Mayor’s office. 10,11,12,13. {Panitikan
14. Love in Seperation
Nasa isyu ring ito ang proposal ng ABKAT sa Arts Network Asia (ANA),
isang paghingi ng grant upang matuloy na ang matagal ng plano ng grupo 15. Ralabanang Urag-Urag
na summer arts camp. Wala namang problema pagkat BIR at SEC regis- 16,17,18,19. Grapixs
tered ang grupo sa kabila pa ng masanghaya nitong CV. 20,21,22,23. Deblois
Kung matuloy ang Mabuhay Artstreet Project (Tentative Title, pagkat nag- 24,25. ABKAT UNMDG Contest Posters
mamadali na mapasa ang proposal sa oras), tiyak mas madulas na ang 26. Haribol Memoir
paghingi ng grant sa mga local ng institusyon tulad ng NCCA.

Malamang tuloy tuloy na ang pagyabong ng grupo. Meron ding mangilan-

ngilan na nagsaad ng kanilang damdamin sa pagsali sa grupo, tulad ni Ro- Where are you going?
nel Abillon ng Tiwi, at ang makatang si Isko na tiga Malilipot na sobrang Once in my life, I think college sucks
saya ng mabatid na kasali na siya sa grupo kahit di pa pormal.
F rederick M aurice S. L im
Mababasa at magagayak din kayo sa mga iginuhit ni Bon Deblois, mga
larawang ibinigay niya kay Erik Lim para ilathala sa Pegasus, ang dating
opisyal na pahayagan ng mga mag-aaral ng pamantasan ng Aquinas sa
Legazpi. Hindi nalathala ang mga larawan sa maraming kadahilanan, pero
ngayon nasa atin na ang tuwa.

May ipinasa ring ilustrasyon si Alvin Ybañez, at nakasama ang mga

dibuho nina Giovhanii Buen at Jimple Borlagdan. Nilagay din namin ang
mga posters ng UNMDG contests ng ABKAT.

Pangalawang isyu na ngayon na walang tudling ang YPEC, ‘di na raw kasi
aktibo ang grupo sabi ng isa sa tagapagtatag na si Homar Murillo. Hindi
mawawala ang ipinaglalaban ng YPEC, at kami’y umaasa na muli silang
mag-ingay para sa ikagagaling at panunumbalik ng sigla ng ating pumu-
putlang luntiang kalikasan.

Galing sa ibang mga college publication na nalathala na ilang taon na ang

nakaraan ang ilang mga tula na nakapaloob sa Panitikan, isa kasi itong
paraan para maipon natin ang mga akda ng mga kapwa nating Bicolano.

Tapos na raw ang Sex and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance sabi ni
Giovhanii Buen, nais daw niya itong palitan ng Karma Bums, tignan natin,
tiyak nakapapanabik iyan.

Kung sakali mang Enero na ang susunod na isyu ng Haraya, o maging

tuwing ika-dalawa o tatlong buwan na ang isyu dahil sa mga personal na
dahilan tulad ng pamilya at kakulangan ng pondo, sana’y suportahan pa
rin natin ang Zine for our subcultural Heroes. Titiyakin po namin na mas BINTANA
gagawin namin ang aming makakaya para mas mapabuti ang ating do-
kumentaryo ng mga pira-pirasong kasaysayan ng ating nagmamadaling
panahon.

Neon and Original Live Band Performances Last
30 Oct 2008 at the Tabaco City Mall Parking Lot
Chronological Order of Presentation
7:00 – 8:30 Original Live Band Performances from:
1. Play As One (Emo)
2. Amadeus (Alternative – Rock)
3. Kalbaryo (Metal)
4. Rash (Alternative – Grunge)
8:30 – 9:30 “NEON” – a symbolist one-act play about love
By Clodualdo del Mundo performed by the Cope Dramatics Club
and directed by Richard D. Madrilejos
9:30 – 10:15 (Continuation)
Original Live Band Performances from:
5. Flat Earth Society (Hardcore)
6. Krear Bathala (Rock)
7. Dark Dungeon (Rock-Metal)
Narrative Report
This was the 2nd event organized by our cultural group, ABKAT, Inc.
(NGO-Tabaco cultural group) with the approval of Hon. Krisel Lagman-
Luistro. The activity was a success to us, members of ABKAT but a disas-
ter to some. It was successful because for the first time, we had a public
crowd gathered reacting, appreciating and applauding the performances
especially to the NEON play. It was a disaster because the said crowd was
not the usual/avid customers of the October Beerfest but the “little” people
of the city of love. Some stall owners (maybe all of them) were protesting
for the event to be cut short because they believed the event caused a de-
creased in their customers therefore a downfall on their profit. That’s why,
when Kalbaryo (a metal rock band) was performing their original composi-
tions, City Tourism officer Ms. Ghia Antonio approached me personally
and expressed her frustrations to our event especially with what she was
hearing (a metal rock music genre which every mainstream music human
being fans couldn’t appreciate). She said that, “If Madam Krisel had known
about this, she would not approve.” Based on her reactions, Ms. Ghia,
couldn’t see what’s original in the music of Kalbaryo and never thought for
a minute that what Kalbaryo was performing is music. Immediately, I
called the attention of Archel, the lead guitarist of Kalbaryo and made a
sign to finish their 2nd song though they prepared 3 original songs. For Ms.
Ghia and the rest of the stall owners, it was a disaster because we were not
in the right place in the right time since October 30 was the last day of the
October Beerfest and what they were getting at around 7:00 PM to 8:00
PM was zero beer buyers (customers). We do apologize for that. But, we
3
believed the “small” people/ the masses had enjoyed and were entertained
one way or another. These “small” people were those who don’t have any
or extra money to buy themselves or drinks.
Accordingly, Madam Krisel had originally approved the October 31, 2008
date for the said event but it was Sir Eric Valeriano who upon knowing the
date told the undersigned to change it to October 30, 2008 because the
Beerfest will only be until October 30. This shows, that ABKAT had no
intention of ruining the businesses of the stall owners of the beerfest. Given
an order of not to perform on Oct 31 prior to the said date, we will not hold
the event or change venue. We are just starting as an NGO to be recognized
by the city especially Madam Krisel, and we don’t want to act as an
“arrogant bastard”. We are too humble to follow, Sir’s and Mesdames. But,
like all human beings have, we have rights, too. If you did not appreciated
Kalbaryo then let Kalbaro be our fault and we apologize for them. But it
would really be unfair if because of Kalbaryo, you will sum up our event a
disaster… It would be unfair for Rash who had given 5 original songs
about love, parenting, growing up, and generation gap. It would be unfair
to 2 Tabaqueño bands – Flat Earth Society and Krear Bathala who are part
of the 1st original Albay Rock Album entitled “RIBOK” produced by Club
Molotov in Manila. It would be unfair to the great composition of Jimple
Borlagdan of Krear Bathala entitled “Kagadanan” (part of RIBOK album)
wherein it’s very timely due to the All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day. It
would be unfair to the oldest but rockest cover band “Dark Dungeon” and
its screaming fans especially when they rocked the song “Rock the Vote.”
It would be unfair to the actors of the Cope Dramatics Club who had 3
rigid half-day rehearsals of which without some missed lines by one of the
major characters and the technical problem caused by the lapel, the play
would have been promising (but not as promising and superb last rehearsal
they have with me). It would be unfair to the common people: old and
young bystanders of the Tabaco City bus stop, side walk vendors, street
children, etc. to stop what they’re doing because they were intrigue why the
people (actors of NEON) on stage were carrying chairs, dressed and
painted black while laboriously walking. They were intrigued that they
came closer to the stage and some street children paused in their mundane
poking for coins or food near LCC, Jolibee and Graceland to sat on the
white monoblock chairs from Amando Cope College near the stage. It
would be unfair for those who laughed, who reacted, and who were enter-
tained of the one-act play by Clodualdo del Mundo’s NEON. We had a
crowd of common people, “small people”, of the masses of the city who
one way or another were entertained by our event. For them, it would really
be unfair considering our event a disaster.
On the other hand, I’ve learned to consult EVERYONE though the only
ONE have approved your activity already. Also, it would be better if a play
can stand alone without intermissions.
The city digicamera we’ve borrowed thru Jimple run out of battery that’s
why only the first part of the event was documented. The Neon play was
not documented, only the actors before the show.
Criticisms are good. They make us stronger. We become stronger. These
are defenses in fighting the “atrocities” of the mainstream, the usual, and
the valueless or senseless tradition. But we also need respect as we give
respect to whatever we see or hear that you put on stage.
rmadrilesjos@yahoo.com
4
kan ugbos kamote. Huna mo, arog sana satuya, may ogom na
sigarilyo, na mas halaba pa an abo kaysa sa supsupan, an aso
ipadumig an saiyang mata. Daing girom, garo pirming may ha-
rarom na pigrurumdom, an wasiwas kan tigbas sa makunit na
bayawas o marurugi, o an maan sa pigtatarangang kalibubog,
garo pangiturugan.

Pero mas pirmi ining nakatukro, kairiba an mga

pananom. Lalo na ngonian na tagsupang, ogom an sigarilyo buda
nakahiling sa sarong mahewason na kaawagan o dagat na garo
dai ta nahihiling—dai ta kayang hilingon: an pandok kan Dios na
an silya purong kaogmahan.

Pagtugdon kan manok sa bagting kan simbahan sa

orasyon, hali sa harong na natakluban kan rambong kan mga da-
hon, minaluwas an sarong babaying an pandok garo bilog na bu-
hay nang nakahampang sa sarong maraoton na tanawon: an mata,
hubas nang bubon, an buhok, walat na tungkag kan inasyab na
paroy, an hapros kan unit ngirhat kan lumoy buda haraphap kan
tulak kan gadan na insekto.

Titikwilon kaini an lalaki, arog sa pagpukaw, dangan

mabalik sa laog kan harong na bilog na buhay niya nang kagumu-
lan. Sa laog kan harong, mapuon an enot na ilaw. Malumlom ini
sa asong hali sa dapog na kuminupot sa ploresent. Luway-luway
na mabuhat su lalaki. Sunod-sunod na an bagting kan sadit na
mga kampana, senyal na tapos na su pangadyi. Bago malaog sa
pinto, makiling ini para sa sarong hudyan na hiling sa nagiging
diklom nang mga tinanom. An mga amay na bituon sa langit
nanginot sa sarong magayunon na banggi kan tag-init. Kun dai
mo aram kun ano an nahihiling kan lalaki, huhunaon mong garo

AN LALAKE SA HIGOD pigtutuom kaini an bilog nang aldaw hiniling, buda kinaagahan,
hihilingon man sana gilayon.

Nakatukro na naman an lalake sa irarom kan mga puon www.karangahanonline.blogspot.com

kan gumamela sa higod kan harong na marambungon an tanom.
An matang nakamaan palaog sa sarong bubon, daing pirok, huhu-
naon na nakahiling sa limpoy na dugmunan kan mga nuknok
buda namok. Masusulo na kan nagraraning baga an saiyang nga-
bil, kulor talong sa hadok kan nikotina, pero garo dai siyang na-
mamate. Baad nalingawan niya nang may ogom siyang sigarilyo.
An namamate iyo an napapaagi, ayam o tawo. Pag-arog kaini,
luway-luway niyang ikiling an payo sa direksiyon kan karagnas
kan bitis. Dangan garo itok kan pandok kan elektrik pan na
pagnasampot na an sagkodan mina itok pabalik, minakiling siya
giraray sa kun anong pigmamaanan sa sirong kan pananom.

Sa ibang aldaw, mahihiling an lalakeng nagtataras ki

mga sanga kan alang na kahoy o nagbabayubo kan kama-kama
 5

tabak at Arts Network Asia (ANA)

Project Proposal
rosas... Project title: The Mabuhay Artstreet Project

Frederick Maurice S. Lim

Profile

For three years, we are focusing in bringing arts to the masses. From free theater presentations, free concert, free art workshops. We believe that
art should not be elite that it is only for the intellectual.

1. “SIKAT – Pasok o Tigok?” (Debut Play Production) LCC Activity Center, Tabaco City, August 27-28, 2005
2. “BARAYTE SYOW” (A Variety Special for the Crisis of the Country) LCC Activity Center, Tabaco City,
October 29, 2005
3. “UNPLUGGED” (An Acoustic Performance for the Upcoming New Year) LCC Activity Center, Tabaco City, December 30, 2005
4. “ANNIVERSARY” (Anniversary Special of the Group) Good Shepherd School, San Juan, T.C. March 27, 2006
5. “PAGLAOM UNO” (Poetry and Music After Reming) G. Bragais Building, Quinale, T.C., December 31, 2006
6. “PAGLAOM DOS” (Poetry, Music and Play from the Artists of the Group)Good Shepherd School,
San Juan, T.C. January 27, 2007
7. “PAGTANYOG” (Sining Para sa mga Tabaqueño) National Arts Month Celebration, Pastoral Center,
Parish of Tabaco, February 26 - 28 2007
8. “URAG – URAG” (Original Tabaqueño Musical Concert), Tabaco City Kiosk, December 1, 2007
9. “PAGTANYOG DOS: Gilayon Hanapon an Kagayonan” (Original Tabaqueño Artworks), ACC Amphitheatre, March 18, 2008
10. “PAGTANYOG TRES:
11. CURRENT PROJECT: Essay, short story writing, music, and painting contests to promote UNMDGs

Although, financially we are struggling we strived to actualize our projects. Arts summer camp is a project we didn’t make yet because of lack of
funding. We are hoping that you could help us make this dream come true.

We also have a monthly culture and arts magazine based in Albay Phillipines. And a timely collection of original regional music.
____________________________________________________________________________________

The children, they are the voices of our tomorrow. There are many street children in Tabaco City, Albay, Philippines. We like to teach them arts
to help them become responsible individuals when they grow up. We believe that arts for a cause could mold their consciousness.

These are the fields of arts that we want to teach them

1. Literature – Poetry and prose

2. Visual arts – Painting, drawing, and photography.
3. Music – How to play musical instruments and how to play music with a group
4. Dance – Preferably Hip hop
5. Theatre Arts – Acting and directing
Culinary arts.

We want to do it annually besides our cultural events that include art contests and workshops, for free.
We will document the events for reference, and to inspire other groups to dream and make their dream to help people a possibility. We could
make a change. We will launch a website for people to view the activity.

We will ask help from the local government, business establishments and friends to help us promote this project. It is also a way to engage them
in this beneficial activity to the community.

The projected date of the project is on April to June 2009. The project is projected to be Monday to Saturday and there will be a culminating
activity on Saturday. And the last day will be the graduation and the collaboration of all products of that activity.

After the project, we will keep contact and keep guidance to those kids who we believe can share a light to the current and the generations com-
ing. God is with us.

Proposed by Noted by

Frederick Maurice S. Lim Richard D. Madrilejos

President Secretary
6
Noel B. Dorente
Haloy na, an pagsawod ta ki 'syapo' na hali sa taramon na 'si Apo' an pina-
kangsinyal kang satong kultura na kang inot na panahon bakong basang-
basang no-gamiton, kudi tunay na pagngaran sa pigmi-midbid na Diyos
kaito. Garo logod an nangyayari pigtutuya-tuya ta na sana an satong nakaagi,
an satong mga tunay na ginikanan.
Kun siring, garo man nangyayari na, dai kita ki punteriya kang pagmakulog
kang satong ladawan sa bilog na kinaban. Kaya gayod pag-abot sa ekono-
miya, pobreng nasyon kita. Pag-abot sa Olimpyada, dugay ngani mabukod
ta dawa an nasa ikapurit kang puro sana bronse an nakua. Pag-abot sa gi-
yera, dawa ngonyan, pirahon na naman sana daw kita kang maka-uukupar
satuya. Ano daw no-igwa man nanggad ki matanos na kaadhaan an pigkikil-
ingan na Diyos kaitong panahon? Kun kaya kadakol kang mga makahihirak
na sitwasyon kitang nasasapar. Tibaad iyo na ini su mga pasakit kang inot na
didalaganan kang konsyensiya kang nakalihis na panahon,
Mga namomotan kong parabasa. Bakong maraot maghapot ki siring ano man
an satong kagsakop kang pagtubod buda pigtutubodan na Diyos. Kudi bilang
kabali sa daga na no-sain an mga tawo: an kolor kang unit iyo an kayu-
manggi buda igwa ki nalalain na tataramon, siyempre minsan maiisipan tang
may kapadabaan kitang pag-atang na dai ta pigtutuyo kudi yaon satong pig-
gigibo, satong pig-aandaman inot pati na, buda siring man, dai pigtutuyo;
uminuyakpat sana kang minsan kita namomongnan.
Tawo an satong ginikanan, igwang mahiwas na pagsadiri, igwang hiniras sa
satuya gabos. An mga banyagang nagdigdi sa Islas Filipinas dai nakahil-
ing ki sarong pag-iribanan ki mga bua-bua, dai nakahiling ki mga pagano,
buda dai sinda pwedeng magtaram na mga ignorante an mga suanoy tang
tawo ta kun totoo ito, sa punaw pa sana gadan na sinda intiro, dai na kutang
natadang tawo sa mga kinararawan na mga purô (island) na ini. Tawo an
satong ginikanan, sagkod ngonyan an kolor kang unit ninda mamomostra pa
man giraray sa satong unit sa ngonyan, Mga tawong dapat respetuhon, dapat
tawan ki pantay na paghiling. Dawa kaito, publiko na kitang may sadiring
relihiyon, may sadiring gobyerno, may sadiring sistema nin edukasyon, may
sadiring gubing, sadiring arkitektura, may sadiring alpabeto buda an maray
na dawa pano napreserbar ta sa kahaluyan: an satuyang tataramon. Kudi
kadakol kang napara sa satong nakaaging kultura, naruromduman ko an
istorya kang sakuyang nagpaaram nang ama. Kang nag-aadal siya sa Uniber-
sidad kang Santo Tomas, an mga propesor kaito pag nagtatao ki lektura
manungod sa satong historya, mina-istorya daa ito na pano nin kamundoan
buda dagit sa saindang pandok, na an mga estudyante minahirimati man
nanggad na haros dai ninda namamalisyahan an pagdalagan kang oras buda
biyong minahiribi sa saindang natutukawan. Palibhasa kang panahon na ito,
inabot nanggad ninda su Tiempo Hapon. Namamati nindang marhay kun
gurano kaherak an nasapar kang bilog na nasyon. Nagtutubod ako sa istory-
ang ito. Kawasa, pag-abot sa pagsurat pa sana, mapu-probaran man nanggad
na masakit magsurat na malinig. igwa nanggad ki salak pirming Kas-
tila. Sa dialect pa sana kang una distrito kang Albay, dakol na an gadan na
termino na an mga nag-iirok na sana sa mga iraya na mga gururang na, an
nakakasabot. Dai na naipamana sa kaakian. Kaya dai naman naipamana an
dating ritwal na kaugalian kaito sa kadahilanan na na-impluwensyahan kita
kang banyagang pagtubod. Na dawa ngani an mismong nagdarara ka'an digdi
bako man logod an mismong ginikanan kang bagay na saindang pigtutob-
dan. Kundi an nasyon kang Israel. Dapat managing tultol kita sa mga
bagay na manungod sa Kabudyahan-Bikolnon. Ta an kapadagusan kang
satong irensya an mismo buda pinakang makusog na basehan kang pagkani-
tawo tang mga Bikolano. Kadakol na kang satong dapat pag-adalan. Ano
daw no-an satong mga leyes nasurat sa Bikol, bakong mas masasabutan ta an
ley buda mas magkaka-igwa ki masigkat na sistema kang hustisya? Minsan
an kauswagan kang sarong nasyon nababase sa marhay na paagi nin komuni-
kasyon. Ta kun arog kaining kadakol kitang katigayonan na pig-aadalan,
syempre adalan ta na inot an Ingles por dahil sa pigpapakinabangan kang
bilog na kinaban, katakod an katotoohan na pag nakua mo an kompyansa
kang bilog na kinaban, makukua mo an delihensya sa bilog na kinaban. Iyan
ugaring sa paagi nin komersyalisasyon. An kultura kang kwarta. Bakong
batarisan, bakong pag-anduyog, bako na su dating gawi nin pakipagkapwa.
Pag minanganâ an kabubukod ta kang kwartang iyan. Minakulog an satong
mga payo. Kudi ta ma-inulon-ugon kitang tawo. Minauli kita sa pagsawod ki
"syapo".
May mga beses na bigla kitang napapasawod ka'an dulo kun yaon kita sa
kamurogtakan na labi- labi an satong kapurisawan kudi ta masakiton
maresolberan kun kaya ipipasa-Diyos ta na sana, naghahanap ki magtatabang
sa satong mga reparo. Dangan mataram kita 'syapo mo an' o an mawot sabi-
hon si Apo na sana an maghiro para sa sato, ano man logod ito su saiyang
muya man logod mangyari. Aakoon ta. Ta pig-aapod na Apo an Diyos kaito.
Nangangahulogan na igwa na ki pagtubod an mga tawo kaito bago nag-abot
an mga dayong puti. Sabihon man na an satong budhaya kaito nagsasamba sa
bayong, sa aldaw, o sa tinanon. Sa satong kabudyahan, bako sinda mga pa-
gano, bako sinda mga ignorante buda dulong bako sinda daing soberaniya.
An tawo tang botabara, (warriors/fighters) kinabarang
an (tinapatan) kang mga puti ki Guardia Civil na de badil;
napunas. An mga botóng na igwang ginurotan* kang baybayin sinugba
kang mga puti; napara. An satong tataramon na haros ipigbawal dawa sa
paghinghing (whisper) sana kaito dai pwedeng pag-adalan an retorika buda
dai ikatukdo sa mga eskwelahan; ginadan.
Mga kaugay nin boot sa pagpauswag nin mga proyektong pangkultura. Aram
kong makulog sa boot pagmati-mation an katotoohan kang nagtalikod na
mga siglo. Kudi sabihon tang igwa ki parte kang satong pagtubod an naru-
rungasan, pag an bagay na manungod sa kultura an satong pagtatawan nin
dóon, itao ta kuta na an disiplina manungod sa kultura. Kabudyahan na dai
nasabutan sa laog ki haros limang gatos na taon. Sa ngonyan naglalataw-
lataw an bagong makot kaini. Siring kang pagkimat-kimat kang mga
bitoon sa kabanggihon. An luhay-luhay na pagbukad kang mga festival buda
siring kang pag-balangibog -Bikolnon, sarong bagay na nagpapahiling na dai
kita basta-basta makakabutas sa mga bagay na ginikanan kang satong kul-
tura. An moralidad na kayang itao sato kang pagsabot kaini iyo an satong
pagkaburonyog. Pagkasararo ta gabos. Siring kang dai paghali sa banwang
dinakulaan. Yaon nakikisumaro buda nagsasabot no-pano an pagpasabot
kang bagay na dapat ibalangibog sa saiyang mga kahimanwa.
Sa panahon ta ngonyan, dakula man an porsyento kang mga tataramon na
bantaga sa satong mga institusyon, mga relihyosong organisasyon, patin
kang satong mga opisina-de-gobyerno. Yaon an mga programa ninda hinin-
goha maski pano: sinurat sa Bikol an saindang mga theme, slogan, etc. Pag
no-dai ta na makutkot su mga hararom tang termino o kataga. Pwedeng
matararam na naman kita ki 'syapo mo an'. Kun iyan pagpadaba, pagpadaba
na dai pigtuyo. Por dahil ito ta dulo kitang magmumuya syempre sa bagay na
satuya. No-ito ngaya syapo mo an ta pobreng nasyon ining sato, syapo mo an
na bakong dakulang kagsakop ta an karawat sa Olimpyada , o syapo mo an
na dai kitang istriktong paglansar mapadapit sa pag-armas. Dahil ito sa sa
sagkod nakasiblag an satong mga puro sa mga darakulang kontinente, na-
kasiblag an satong pagkanitawo sa mga unit-labanos, unit-uring, buda sa mga
singkit. An kadagatan na nakapalibot sa satong mga puro, sagkod iyan yaon
manghihinayang kitang ini babayaan. No-pirang beses mina-abot an mga
hukol sa baybayon. Ladawan ito kang pagpagirumdom na ngapit an saro
muyang maghali siring kadakol man an paghapot niya sa sadiri no-saiyang
lawoson pa o dai na. Dawa ngani sa mga nakaluwas na sa ibang nasyon.
Dakol pa man giraray an minauli. Buda pag-abot sa harong minadalagan na
makadulok sa mga namomotan dawa nasa laog naman sana kang harong.
Dangan mahihiling na... sa saindang pagkugos mamomostrang nakagakot
man giraray an saindang kapungawan buda luha kang kaogmahan.

Ang net cafe na pinasukan ko nitong
Nov.11--parang Sept.11--ay auto shut
down pala kapag na-consume mo na
yung oras na binayaran mo sa may
counter. The usual business-oriented
creature of this world, pera ang tingin
nila sa kapwa nila. I was mad of
course, kung hindi ko lang naisip na
dayo ako sa lugar na yun ng Pilar,
Manuguit Tondo M.M., aba'y magha-
halo ang balat sa tinalupan. Ala eh,
akalain mo ba namang imbes na mag-
pasintabi'y ang tanong eh; na-save mo
ba? Hello? Okay ka lang? May alt+s ba
ang multiply? Pasintabi sa pa-girl epek
ko dine. Pero masakit sa isang
manunulat na pagkatapos ng isang
oras na walang humpay na pinagha-
long pagsusulat at pag-iisip; pag-
eemote sa harap ng pc, bigla na lang
maghahalong parang bula ang mga
sinulat mo. No one can step on the
same river twice. Lalo na't pinag-
eeksperimentohan ko pa rin ang
'sumiye' sa pagsusulat. Salamat kay
Jim, sabi niya beatnik; parang ganun
na nga pero mas 'sumiye' pa rin ang
ibig kong sabihin at gawin. Kung hindi
siguro nangyari ang insidente ng pag-
kawala na sinulat ko nung pagpAila ko
last week ganito sana ang laman nito:
dalawang tao ang hinahangaan ko
ngayon; si Josh Leming at si Michael
Moore. Blah blah..etc. Incarnation si
Josh Leming ng mga musikerong orihi-
nal at matapang na ipinaglalaban kung
ano ba ang maganda dahil maganda ito
hindi dahil ito ang 'in' ngayon. Sabi
niya ang American Idol ay isang glori-
fied karaoke, where they put pretty
faces with pretty voices and let them
sing songs they never created. Implic-
itly, commercialization of the arts--
saludo ako sa kanya sapagkat boses sya
ng mga totoong artists ngayon. Hindi
sya nanalo. Hindi sya nakapasok sa top
24, pero mayroon na syang record con-
tract. Sya ang pinakamagandang state-
ment na hindi kelangang manalo sa
isang kompetisyon para patunayang
mas magaling sa iba. He refused to
pander to likes of the show. He refused
to kiss their asses. Sana magkaroon din
ng ganito sa Pinas yung tipong who can
fuck the system and get/be loved by
fans at the same time. Yung tipong
hindi niya kelangang i-associate ang
kanyang sarili sa malalaking istasyon
at kumpanya para magkaroon ng al-
bum na tatangkilikin ng mga tao. Alam
naman nating pinipilit lang sa atin ng
mga kumpanyang ito ang junk food na
'to kasi wala taung mapag-piliang iba;
kasi kung meron man--underground
sila at indie. Eto. Eto ang isa sa mga
dahilan sa poverty of the arts natin.
Hep hep? Buray. Parrot. Anyway,
speaking of Michael Moore, farenheit
9/11 at sicko will give you an idea. You
don't have to be into zeit geist para
iaprreciate siya but the boy has a point.
9/11 is perhaps the greatest show on
earth. From the executive producers to
the gaffers and post-production units,
da best. Pero mas kahanga-hanga ito
dahil walang take 2, no doubles, totoo
ang special effects, super laki ng stage,
at ang buong mundo ang nanood ng ito
ay nangyari--at ang mga actors at ex-
tras, it was real emotion...tears and
blood. Maraming nagki-criticize kay
Michael Moore, pero yung nangyaring
live interview(?) sa kanya ng CNN ay
7
parang eksena sa pelikulang Bulworth.
Da best sya man, ba't di nyo sabihin sa
mga manonood ang totoo? Sabi niya sa
host. Kasi taliwas sa interes ng istasyon
na 'to ang totoong balita kung ba't
hindi nyo sya pinapalabas. He-
hee...siguradong spam na ang death
threat kay Michael Moore. Dito sa Ta-
baco, may mga sentimientong katulad
ng kay Josh Leming at kay Michael
Moore, kahit nung mga araw na hindi
pa sila natin naririnig sa TV at inter-
net. Sa Manila sigurado akong meron
din, sa Cebu, sa Davao, sa Luzon, sa
Visayas at sa Mindanao, saan mang
sulok ng mundo--shet, parang jingle ng
Wowowee. Basta hindi tayo, kami, ako
nag-iisa. Artists of the world unite!
We've got nothing to lose except our
claims! I'm happy that amidst the dete-
rioration of what's good in our world
meron pa ring nakikipaglaban. Sa mga
katulad namin naghahanda at unti-
unting gumagawa ang mga dapat
gawin, sige lang kapatid. Hangga't may
taong katulad nating hindi pumapayag
na lamunin na lang ng bulok ng sis-
tema mapa-sining man o pulitika, reli-
hiyon man o media, mayroon pa ring
saysay ang hangad sa pagbabago.
Word count: hindi ko alam, walang
Microsoft office dito kina Chucks. Let's
make a difference.
k1ngfischer@yahoo.com
Giovhanii Buen
8
TARTICLES
Anticipation
It took me many days before I can come up with an idea for my
article this month. It's hard to think when you are feeling all aches
- backache, headache and the likes. I used to really mind that un-
pleasant feeling but it only gave me ruined evenings. Sleepless
nights are the worst evil for me during working days. I celebrated
my 2nd year anniversary in my present job last November 11.
Two years is long in the call center industry. I had workmates
before who lasted for just three months then they moved to a dif-
ferent call center. Or has chosen a totally different job. I even had
one teammate who took calls for a day and never came back
again. Working as a technical support is not a fun job, but two
years has taught me to say "my job is forever toxic hahaahaha".
Yes, the best thing I learned is to find a way to laugh even when
you already have to push yourself so can go home after every
shift. The end of shift and restdays are the best hours for me in
that two years. I am always the first to leave the office in our
team. And if our Operations Department is in need of overtime, I
am the last person you can expect to sign up. I do love my job, but
whoever thinks I enjoy it is wrong. But anyway, I am proud that I
survived two years fixing dial up and broadband connections for
New Zealanders.
I do not enjoy my job, but I intend to keep it. That is why I am not
happy to know that there is a global economic crisis. I was still ok
when it was just the United States who has to close banks, offices
but factories. But when European countries are starting to have
the same events, that's when I start to worry. I worried even more
when there were already 300 or more overseas Filipino workers
who came back home after they lost their jobs in Taiwan. Taiwan
is already very close to Philippines and that gives me the creeps.
I am one of those employees who wishes for a salary increase.
Although my daily rate is twice the required basic pay, I still have
to tighten my belt on many days. I can't imagine how my office-
mates who have to send three children to school are making ends
meet. I am really amazed at how they survive everyday. We all
need extra cash because we want to not only finance our needs but
those little luxury that we deserve after our excruciating works. I
am in a job I do not enjoy that's why I always want to reward my-
self, and I really feel frustrated when I cannot do it. My office-
mates have already consented to the fact that the salary increase
that we had been praying for is already a hopeless case. I find it a
sad fact, but with the current economic fall, I started to have an-
other thought.
Today, November 21 is already the third day I am attempting to
finish this article. I cannot decide on how to say "I am scared to
lose my job" in a non-pitiful manner. I guess there is no other way
of saying it. I'll just say it directly, I am scared to lose my job. I
have been more scared when it was reported last night that a call
center has to layoff 900 of its agent. 900 agents is bigger than our
account, and 900 is a big number. We are less than 500 on our
account and I can't think of where many of us will be if we were
part of that 900 agents. That would really be a nightmare. I know
that most of us are totally dependent on our job. Like me, they do
not enjoy the job but they are keeping it because they need it.
After hearing that news, I felt so lucky. It may sound pathetic but
I really felt so lucky. I woke up at 6am today and even if my voice
is hoarse again I felt the I-want-to-work feeling. I still want a sal-
ary increase, that won't go away. But for now, I am just happy that
I still have a work, one that I can still call stable. I think I won't be
complaining about the high call volume and the other documents
that we need to submit everyday in the following days. Life with
a work-caused backache is a lot more tolerable than not knowing
where to get the money for the bills. The two years that I have
spent in this job may not be that blissful but it made me live. Two
years .. Trust me, there is a part of me that hasn't absorbed that
yet. Herlyn B. Cenita
Art installation in Daet, Bagasbas
Christopher Carretas
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AUL Masscom Soc 2004

Francisco L. Samonte’s, Kagadanan Iba’t ibang Anyo

14
Jaime Jesus U. Borlagdan
Love in Seperation
Instantly I was caught up in a meditative mood (aka staring
blankly into space) as I mentally pushed the pause button in the universe
to assess certain feelings from the days very different from this pre-
sent. It was the morning I faced the classic dilemma of whether there
really is a difference between loving someone because of need, and
needing someone because of love. I was readying myself for work, and
as if on cue, an anxiety gripped me: will I make it even a day without the
wife? She was leaving for Manila in a few days. The first time we will
not be traveling as a family. The first problem would be Radha, although
its actually the maid's problem, but emotionally will I be able to subdue
her when she finds out that her mother has been gone for a dubious
length of time? Will I be able to do the things, whatever they are, her
mother does? And a few other personal and silly worries cut-off from the
norms.
Our marriage hasn't been on a Pamela Anderson and Tommy
Lee on their first sex basis. It's more like the silence during New Year
after all the fireworks had been fired. It's a phase. But this is not about
that. This is about separation. Not divorce, but love in separation. That is
my problem. I am the biggest crier over spilt milk. No, we are not break-
ing up; both of us still has a lot of ammo to spare. It's just the sad-
ness...maybe it was the weather the day she went away...or just my plain
old deppy. But it's the shock of suddenly being pincered out of the rou-
tine you're kinda fed up with before. And this is not the first time I had
felt this. She wasn't the only one.
I felt my first intense sadness when I was about four or five,
and it was not for a girl (although after that, it will all be about that spe-
cie) but for my brother. When my mother was still working abroad as a
nurse, me and my brother were brought to the separate care of our grand-
parents from both sides of the family. And we only get to see each other
on weekends. This day meant a lot to me as I was mostly alone in a big,
gray, and rough house filled with abaca fibers and piles of sacked palay,
and grown ups and rice insecticides. I even remembered a skull, a real
human skull in that house. So when my brother visits, its a good day for
me. Sometimes he would sleep over and we'd play all day, and I'd make
him cry and we'd draw or ride in tandem in my trike, and do brotherly
stuff like wrestling and farting on each other's face. Then it would be
time for him to go back to my other lola, and me and my father would
take him there, and we would hide or give him Coke so that we can
leave--those tricks to leave very young children. I don't know, if he'd cry
or not after he finds out that we're gone--i will never know perhaps. I
could ask him now, but that would be awkward. But what I will always
know is the feeling I'd get when I return to the big house, and see our
toys and the stuff we had drawn together, the creased bed where we had
wrestled, even the cement floor which is impossible to mark bears a triad
of brown tracks made by our weight on the tricycle. And yes, like
what Annette Benin's character did in American Beauty after finding
Kevin Spacy on a table with his cranial blood, I embraced my brother's
blanket, his pillow, his soiled sweaty shirt, and maybe a little moisture in
the eyes.
I can't explain it. But that morning I practiced. I stared at our
bed, which I will not be sleeping on for a few days (I plan to stay in my
parents house with Radha), and the same feeling came. The same child-
hood sadness without a tinge of weakness. And it went on until the day
of her trip. We said our goodbyes, and I tried to appear strong, or else
she will not go. The weather was the killer, it was a Velvet Underground
"Perfect Day" day. We made Radha sleep, and then she headed for the
terminal. I wrote her this poem a few minutes after she left:
Kan Pagpa-Manila Mo, Agom.
Kan naghali ka, naghagad su mga bagay na sinda maanan ki maray.
Nakaduko sinda gabos, arog an nangangadying may pighahalat.
Ngonian sana itinuga kan isip na dai taka kayang wara,
na haloy, na dai ka mag-uli diyan-diyan na banggi.
Ata an sakuyang katanosan muya nang sumusog saimo,
ta ining lawas na nagpupugol saiya dai nang padumanan.
Kun pwede sanang dai na umabot an banggi— pero mas ngana
ining hapon, na ruminokrukon sa lumlom
garo mag-gadanon, nakasuklob ki itom.
Dulo pa akong dai pahangoson kan dampog
na nagsasarabod-sabod.
Pero, maabot an banggi, buda mahibi an mga burak ki hamot na maka-
yugtuon.
Garo su ulok mo kan enot kitang nagmidbidan.
Pag-iyan ngani umagi sa sakuyang pangiturugan, diyan-diyan
baka dagos nang mautsan.
Hulyo 27, 2008. Karangahan.
Salin:
Nuong Nag-Manila Ka, Mahal
Nung umalis ka, hiningi ng mga bagay na masdan silang mabuti.
Nakayuko lahat, tulad ang nananalanging may inaantay.
Ngayon lang inamin ng isipan na hindi kita kayang wala,
na matagal, na hindi ka uuwi mamayang gabi.
Ay, ang aking katinuan, nais nang humabol saiyo,
pagkat itong katawan na pumipigil sa kanya'y wala nang papupuntahan.
Kung pwede lang na di na dumating ang gabi--ngunit higit
tong hapon, na nauupos sa lilim
wari'y agaw-buhay, nakatalukbong ng itim.
Muntik akong di pahingahin ng ulap
na nagkabuhol-buhol.
Ngunit, darating ang gabi, at iiyak ang mga bulaklak ng bango
na
makabagbag
damdamin.
Parang yung ngiti mo nung una tayong magkakilala.
Kung yan pa ang dadaan sa aking panaginip, mamaya
baka tuluyan nang malagutan ng hininga.
Do I love her so I need her or do I need her that's why I am loving
her? Frankly I can't tell. People at this stage, speak in things, little unpo-
etic things. I don't want to waste my days with her with this love-need
stuff. Needing is bad because it's selfish and settling, but sometimes, to
accept that we need someone is the first step to selflessness. For exam-
ple, surrender to God is to accept that we need Him, and only Him. It's
hard to say when you are using or loving someone--but the best way to
tell is, forgive the cliche, when they're gone.
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Symptoms of the Near End. 35x30

Acrylic on Canvass. Noel B. Dorente
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Gratitude
 25

For the participants

Days passed by like thunderbolt in the meadows of this hungry heart. Now, senile in this deteriorating lump of meat, forgetting my
best friend in Vrindavhan… ahh, to reminisce the laughter of the children, like we eternally are, as they chant the Mahamantra: O,
sweet Holy names of the Supreme Lord:

Hare Krishna
Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna
Hare Hare

Hare Rama
Hare Rama
Rama Rama
Hare Hare
(Repeat repeat hey hey repeat)

We also do Brgy Cormidal, usually it was just me, Reno (the guy
holding the guitar in the background), and Jordan, a talented conga
Percussionist.

Now, slowly I feel like a maggot, here in my little heart, trying to have
a fix every now and then in natural and artificial so called high like arts,
friendships, relationships, but still skull’s and all a barren barrel.

There is the center in Bombon, Tabaco City where they offer free
Meditation. My longing tulsi japa beads staring into my wild eye mind,
but these weak legs of mine grows weaker, my heart slowly fainting,
Oh Krishna… Krishna. In the end, hope I’m Agamila — the editor

26