#LifeinStories

[shamanka66]

Vlogging Snippets 2

musing on metaphor via the girl with the red hooded cloak

[humanidades121]

Moondrop No. 25 | Kyle Ervin Caganan

Kanto Tres | Isang Istorya

Sa isang silid na puno ng mga ilaw at kandila at kung saan nandoon rin ang mga taong nananangis, ang aking mga mata’y mistulang nagkabuhay. “Ano itong lugar na ito? Bakit maraming taong hindi ko kilala?” at “Sino ako?”, ito ang mga tanong na sa aking isip ay tumanim. Sa dala ng aking kuryosidad, ako ay bumangon mula sa aking kinatatayuan. Lumapit ako sa bawat tao at pinagmasdan ang kanilang mukha, bakit mga mistulan silang huwad? Upang masagutan ang aking kuryosidad, lumabas ako at naglakad kahit malalim na ang gabi.

Habang ako ay naglalakad, may matanda akong nakasalubong at winikang, sa ikatlong kanto ko malalaman ang kasagutan sa aking mga katanungan. Nagpatuloy akong maglakad at pagod na pagod na ako bago makarating sa unang kanto.

Kanto Uno. 

Nakita ko doon ang mga bata. Mga batang masayang naglalaro at nagliliwaliw. Masaya silang tingnan, at inaamin ko, ngumingiti ako nung mga panahong iyon, walang problema at walang masyadong iniisip. Subalit sa isang iglap, mistulang nagbago ang ihip ng hangin, ang mga batang masasaya, mistulang naghihirap na ang mga ito, madaming hindi ang nabibigyan ng nararapat na karapatan, marami ang naaabandona at naiiwan. Ako’y naluha at nang pumatak ang aking luha, may isang kutsilyo at tumusok sa akin mula sa gawing likod.

Kahit may saksak, patuloy ako sa paglalakad hanggang sa ikalawang kanto. Maraming beses akong nadapa subalit patuloy pa rin ako sa paglalakbay.

Kanto Dos. 

Nakita ko dito ang yugto ng kabataan. Dito ko nasaksihan kung papaano sila naging masaya at kung paano naging makabuluhan ang kanilang buhay. Subalit sa isang gawi sa kantong iyon, nakita ko ang mga kapwa ko kabataan na inaabuso. Marami ang ginagamit para sa salapi at mga kabataang ibinebenta ng mga sariling magulang. Sa kabilang dako naman ay nandoon ang mga kabataang gumagawa ng mga krimen, nagbebenta ng mga ilegal, gumagamit ng mga ipinagbabawal na gamot at ang masama pa ay mayroong pumapatay. Sumanggi sa isip ko, “Bakit may mga kabataang ganito ang sinasapit? Hindi ba pwedeng matamo nila ang kasiyahang para sa kanila?” Kahit na mayroon akong saksak sa likuran, may tumusok mula sa aking kutsilyo mula sa harap at sa aking dibdib ito tumama.

Nang mga sandaling iyon, maraming dugo na ang lumabas mula sa aking bibig subalit kahit hinang-hina ako, pinilit kong umabot sa ikatlong kanto upang malaman ang sagot na aking hinihingi. Halos hindi na ako makalakad at gapang na lamang ang aking nagagawa.

Kanto Tres. 

Pagod na pagod na ako at tanging nadatnan ko ko lamang doon ay isang higaan na walang laman. Uhaw na uhaw na ako sa pahinga at sa sobrang sakit at gusto ko nang mawala. Naalala ko na sa kantong iyon ko malalaman ang kasagutan sa tanong ko subalit wala man lamang kahit ano doon maliban sa higaan. Humiga ako, tinanggal ko ang dalawang saksak at pumikit.......

Sa isang silid na puno ng mga ilaw at kandila at kung saan nandoon rin ang mga taong nananangis, ang aking mga mata’y mistulang muling nagkabuhay. “Ano itong lugar na ito? Bakit maraming taong hindi ko kilala?” at “Sino ako?”, ito ang mga tanong na sa aking isip ay tumanim. Sa dala ng aking kuryosidad, ako ay bumangon mula sa aking kinatatayuan. Lumapit ako sa bawat isa at may nais silang iparating sa akin ngunit hindi ko pa rin iyong maintindihan. Lumabas ako at ang matandang sa akin ay lumapit ay winikang “Kaya’t noong una ay inaakala mong huwad ang mga taong nananangis sa iyo sapagkat para sa kanila, hindi ka dapat sumuko, hindi ka dapat humiga sa higaang iyon. Mayroon ka pang dapat gawin para sa mga anak mo”. Tinanong ko siya kung sino ang tinutukoy niyang anak at tinuro niya ang mga taong nananangis. Pumunta ako sa loob at sila’y tumingin sa akin at sabay-sabay na nagwikang “Ina, huwag mo kaming sukuan”. Napapikit ako at noon din ay nalaman ko ang sagot sa katanungan ko.

Ako ang Pilipinas at sila ang aking mga anak, at pipilitin kong lumaban para sa aking mga anak. Handa akong sumalo ng ilan pang saksak para sa kanila.

[mumfordandmike]

My new lock screen. Because without imagination life is just so dull. #johngreen #imagination #bookwriting #writingbooks #lifeinstories #neverloseyourpassion #dftba #nerdfighters #fishingboatsproceeds

[humanidades121]

Moondrop No. 26 | Laila Dawn Dimaapi

Stockholm Syndrome | Isang Istorya

Stockholm Syndrome

The phrase was reported to have been coined by criminologist and psychiatrist Nils Bejerot.

Psychiatrist Dr Frank Ochberg was intrigued by the phenomenon and went on to define the syndrome for the FBI and Scotland Yard in the 1970s.

"The hostages experience a powerful, primitive positive feeling towards their captor. They are in denial that this is the person who put them in that situation. In their mind, they think this is the person who is going to let them live." - Dr. Frank Ochberg

Bukang-liwayway, panibagong araw na naman ang kailangang suungin. Bukang-liwayway, haharap na naman sa iba't-ibang dagok na dala ng buhay. Bukang-liwayway, makikipaghalubilo sa kapwa na parang hindi dinadalaw ng pagod ang katawang-lupa. Bukang-liwayway, hanggang kailan mo balak hintayin ang pagdating ni Haring Araw? Bukang-liwayway, hanggang kailan ka magpapatuloy sa'yong buhay?

Kaunting galaw na lang ng kamay ng orasan malapit ng mag alas cuatro. Ilang minuto mo nang tinititigan ang nanlamig na kapeng kanina mo pa tinimpla noong alas tres y media. Bigla mong narinig na humihilik ang iyong nakababatang kapatid, saka ka natauhan, kailangan mo nang kumilos. Makikipagsapalaran ka pa sa pagsakay sa pampublikong transportasyon. Makikipagsapalaran ka pa sa sikip ng daan dahil sa mga ginagawang kalsada na hindi mo mawari kung para saan, maayos naman noong dumaan ka nakaraang linggo. Kailangan mo nang kumilos, haharap ka pa sa boss mong busabos.

Saka na ako magpapakilala, kapag malapit na akong mawala.

Ayaw ko sa mga Pilipino. Ayaw ko sa mga Pilipino dahil sa mga kaugaliang tinataglay nila. Ayaw ko sa mga Pilipino, gigising pa nang maaga para lang masigurong hindi sila mahuhuli sa trabaho. Ayaw ko sa mga Pilipino, mga walang modo! Makikipagtulakan pa para lang maunang makasakay sa dyipney! Ayaw ko sa mga Pilipino, napakadaldal! Umagang-umaga, makikipagbiruan pa sa mga drayber na parang walang tinulak kanikanina lang! Ayaw ko sa mga Pilipino, nakakabuwisit ang ngiti! Tirik na tirik ang araw, nagbabanat ka ng buto, paanong nangyayaring may sumisilay pa na ngiti sa'yong mga labi? Ayaw ko sa mga Pilipino, magpapakawala lang ng buntong hininga kapag abutan na ng sweldo. Kahit kapos ang perang ibinigay kumpara sa trabahong inialay mo. Ayaw ko sa mga Pilipino.

Saka na ako magpapakilala, hindi naman ako mawawala.

Ayaw ko sa mga Pilipino. Ayaw ko sa ugali nila. Ayaw ko sa kanila.

Pero bakit parang mas napapaibig ako ng mga 'to?

Napapaibig ako sa paraan nilang gumising nang maaga para hindi mahuli sa pupuntahang trabaho, siguro'y para hindi na makaltasan sa sweldo. Napapaibig ako sa mga Pilipino, hindi man naising masaktan ka sa kagustuhan niyang makasakay agad at makarating sa paroroonan, pagpasiyensiyahan mo na. Napapaibig ako sa mga kwento nilang sadyang kasiya-siya na makakalimutan mong kanina ka pa nasa C3 at naiipit sa mga truck na nagdedeliver ng kung ano-ano. Napapaibig ako sa kanilang mga ngiti. Napapaibig ako sa kung paanong pinipili nilang magpatuloy at ngumiti sa kabila ng hirap ng buhay, napapaibig ako sa kung paanong kaya nilang paligayahin ang kanilang kapwa kahit na sila mismo'y kailangan ng kakapitang kaligayahan. Napapaibig ako sa ugali nilang makakapagisip ng paraan kung paanong mapagkakasya ang kakarampot na sweldong ipinanlimos sa kanila ng kapitalistang mundo. Napapaibig ako sa kung paanong uunahin nila ang pangkain ng pamilya, ang pang aral ng kapatid, ang panggamot ni Inay at Itay, ang ibibigay na renta kay Nana Sela, ang pambayad sa kuryente't tubig na kailangan ng pamilya, uunahin nila ang pamilya, imbes na sa sariling ligaya.

Bilib ako sa'yo, napapaibig mo ako. Pero, Pilipino, ipapaalala ko sa'yo, hindi dapat ito ang buhay na tinatamasa mo, karumadaldumal ang pambababoy na ginagawa sa'yo ng bansang 'to. Ayaw ko sa mga Pilipino, ayaw ko sa'yo pero pinapaibig mo rin ako. Pinapaibig mo ako sa bansang kinulong ka sa mga isla nito. Pinapaibig mo ko kahit na mali. Pinapaibig mo akong lumaban. Pinapaibig mo ko sa taglay mong nawasak at naitagong kagandahan.

Ayaw ko sa mga Pilipino, pero bakit mas pinapaibig ako nito? Dahil ba sa kabila ng lahat ng 'to, iniibig mo rin ako? Ako, ang boses ng pag asa. Na namumuhay at nabubuhay sa bawat pagdilat ng iyong mga mata sa tuwing sumasapit ang umaga. Ako ay ikaw, Ikaw ay ako. Pilipino tayo. Lalaban tayo. Kaya maghintay ka, magpatuloy ka! Maghihintay ka sa pagdating ng bukang-liwayway.

Magpapatuloy ka sa'yong buhay!

[humanidades121]

Moondrop No. 11 | Santi Marie Claire Martelino

FOUR Keeps: How my SHS friends and I maintained a healthy relationship in a toxic setting

"Friendship is everything. Friendship is more than talent. It is more than the government. It is almost the equal of family." —Don Corleone (The Godfather)

I met Shereen, Arnold, and Engel during our enrollment in P.U.P and ever since then, we never separated ways! It’s funny to think that strangers can turn into people whom I will cherish for the rest of my life, they’re more than just friends, we consider each other as sisters already.

I met Shereen first, inside a jeepney on is way to PUP, we exchanged glaring looks from each other because I thought her lipstick looked too red for an incoming Senior High School student and she thought my face was too cynical and ‘bitchy’. Then Arnold, who I met in Oval, he was looking for a company while I was looking for mine too, and our parents pushed us to go inside together since they knew we were targeting for the same strand. Lastly, Engel, who I met at the last step of the enrolment, I even thought she was a little sister of another enrollee who turned out to be her friend, she looked so small and innocent back then!

It was a miracle all of our paths crossed that very day. When we found out we were all in the same section, we got so hyped and got even more excited to start Senior High life with each other. Ever since then up until the very last day of this semester, we are never separated, we never fought, we never heard of issues about each other, we talk like family, we solve problems like family, we stay in each other’s sides through thick and thin like family.

Studying in PUP while dealing with personal issues can be an exhausting and toxic setting to be in. The heavy workload, financial problems, family problems, homesickness, existential crisis, constantly trying to come up with new ideas for a paper, fighting the urge to ditch a class, comprehending tons of readings, writing out what we learned from lessons, issues from other classmates, issues from the works being given. It is draining to be there most of the time, but with the help of these people, my academic life in PUP became bearable. They also helped me in times of personal troubles. We help each other through everything, we call each other out if there are some issues that need to be addressed instead of talking about it behind their backs or outside our little circle, what is said inside our circle stays on it, we help each other grow by giving options on what to do and offering a hand if it’s available. 

Our friendship don’t grow stronger by talking and making gossips out of other people’s business, it grows because we are there for each other only. We put our energy in doing works and helping each other out instead of stressing on other people’s issues. When we are not talking about academics, we ask how our lives are going, ask about each other’s families, make plans for places we will surely not be able to visit, we ask about each other’s mental health and remind each other that if they need anything, all of us will be ready to drop everything to offer a hand. It’s fun to mind your own business, it shields us from even more troubles, it gives us more time to do works instead, it gives us more time to just talk to each other.

Here’s some of the things that I think helped us to be stronger as family each day despite a pressuring, tiring setting:

1. Choose each other every day.

— Just like any other relationship, it needs work and consistency. To be consistently there for them, to be able to share thoughts and laughs, to be supportive of what they do, all of these are some of the things that make us choose our friends everyday. Sometimes, it doesn’t need words, just our presence, and that is choosing them. Everyone can walk out of things out of nowhere, without explanations, cut everything off abruptly, so choosing them to be with you and being chosen to have you by them are some of the things to be grateful everyday.

I am a low maintenance friend, I barely talk to my friends, I barely go out with them because I tend to choose a good sleep or a day at home than to go outsided. But whenever I’m with them, I do show them I like it being there by clinging to them. My love language is physical touch, and that can’t be seen or felt when I’m away from them. Some of my friends before misunderstand this by saying I am too detached or cold especially when we can’t see each other, but in reality, I just can’t show that I am there for them because I am not present physically. This is why I’m thankful to the Arnold, Shereen, and Engel for choosing me everyday, they don’t misunderstand me as cold or detached and know well that I show my love to them by being clingy or touchy, they understand me even though I show things through my actions instead of talking directly to them. We are understanding of each other’s needed spaces, we are aware that all of us 4 have different ways of showing we care and showing that we choose each other everyday.

2. Got something that doesn’t sit well within your group? Talk it out!

— Trust me when I say, there are still people who say that they are loyal to their circle, but then you hear them talking badly about the same people. It does not help you and your relationship with your friends grow. Instead of going to other people’s backs and flaunt their flaw by making an issue out of it. Why not talk it with them about it? Friends understand each other, they are willing to hear constructive criticism especially if it’s from their friends. There is nothing wrong with talking about issues, that doesn’t mean that you and your friends are already arguing, it means that all of you care for each other enough to be honest with them. If it is something that doesn’t sit well within the whole group, it is great to sit in one place and talk about it, why it looks off, how it can affect the friendship, and resolve everything from that. We don’t need people from outside our immediate circle’s opinions, what we need is a good talk within our circle so the issue will die down instead of piling up that can have a negative outcome in the long term.

All of us 4 were in the same research group (PR2), it is an inside joke that after the defense or by the end of the semester, we would all get into a fight and break off because of the stress we had to go through while making our research paper. It is now a week after the defense and a couple of days since we passed our hard copy of our research paper, and we’re stronger than ever! The thing about it is that we didn’t let the stress get into us. When it is worktime, we work merely as classmates, we work as professionals. When the worktime is over, we talk again as sisters, if there are issues that need to be addressed we talk about it, we don’t stay there and act clueless, we talk it out because we know that the 4 of us will call each other out for the sake of self-improvement. There are other friendships that get destroyed because of backstabbing, and that is something we don’t do. Whatever that is needed to be addressed, will be addressed within the group.

3. Don’t make other people’s issues the center and bonding of your group.

— There are some groups who bond over gossiping. That is completely toxic and shallow, another people’s business should not be yours especially if it doesn’t affect you or your group. Yes, it is inevitable to talk about issues here and there, but for it to be the center of your group’s bonding and be a topic of everyday is tiring.

We talk about issues when it involves one of our members, we help that friend out so they can figure out what to do. We also talk about the issues of other people for a hot minute then it will be dropped because what’s the good in that? It’s funny how the 4 of us don’t even know the latest ‘chikas’ and just be informed about it after months, we don’t force people to share with us what they have for the sake of laughs and judgements. It’s tiring to always talking about issues especially if it those don’t concern the group at all so we stray away from it.

4. When works are too much, distract each other by talking non-academic things!

— It is important to not talk about academics all the time, after being in the school for most of the day, it is refreshing to hear something outside school life. Especially when the workload is heavy and you only have little time to take a break, you wouldn’t want to hear more topics about school in that break time.

Our personal distraction is BTS, korean artists from South Korea. I dragged them into watching videos, concerts performances, edits, listening to their music, talking about the theories and the books BTS used for references in their story lines. It is fun that we’re all fans now, I bring my laptop with me everytime I know that there will be a vacant time so all of us can watch a newly released content of BTS. Instead of us stressing about academics during our break, we share laughs and appreciation about BTS. This helps a lot because it gives us bonding time and a relaxation of mind at the same time.

5. Go out, a ‘gala’ makes more time for bonding.

— Going out with your friends is therapeutic, it might make your wallet cry out for help, but it doesn’t compare to the feeling of happiness because you had spend time with your loved one. Being away from home can make us sad and homesick, so why not go to our nearest family that is our friends?

The galas of our tiny group isn’t miles away from Metro Manila (except for one, when the 4 of us went to Cavite for Engel’s debut), it is roaming around SM Sta. Mesa, Pureza, Teresa, PUP Main, and Master Buffalo. Most of our little galas don’t even cost us a fortune in terms of fares, it cost us a fortune because of the amount of money we spend on food, especially after a long and tiring day. Sometimes we go out to just eat, or accompany each other while buying makeup or going to our waxing appointments. It’s the little things, as long as we’re together, I consider it as a date and a bondting time.

6. Ask each other about their headspace first before venting out to them.

— This is probably the most important part of our friendship. We look for ourselves and each other out simultaneously. It is important to know If they are in the right headspace before we vent out, if we don’t take these things seriously it might harm them mentally. It is not only the physical health we look out for in ourselves and in our friends, but also each other’s mental health and their capacity to take in things from us.

Shereen and Engel are more outspoken of something that bothers them, it’s amazing how easily they can cry and let their frustrations out, they are things they choose to not talk about, of course, but most of their issues are familiar to us because they are open about it. Arnold and I, however, tend to shy away from being open, we endure things first get our patience run out before we say something. Arnold and I barely cry and barely show that we’re sad or bothered, but when we do, we talk it out with the group. We usually start with ‘okay ka lang ba?’ then proceed to asking ‘okay lang bang mag-open sayo?’, if there is a go-signal then that’s the time we can talk about heavy issues, if there’s no response or hesitation, we don’t take it personally and hold a grudge, it only means that they are not mentally ready to absorb another heavy issue beside their personal ones. We understand that we are not each other’s therapist, but we will be there for each other no matter what, we understand that sometimes, not being able to lend an ear and a mind because of personal shortcomings, our hands and shoulders are still there for them.

7. Offer a hand if it’s available.

— Now when you are mentally and physically ready or available, offer a hand! Sometimes, our friends reach out for a hand for something as little as helping them cut or hold papers, print out their papers for them, buying them food, etc. Again, it’s the little things, even the smallest of things they need help with is still an ‘ask’ for help, so do it!

I am a very flimsy person, so I ask them for help whenever I need to cut papers or do some things that require extra carefulness. They ask me out for help with designs, grammar corrections, and many other little things I’m truly happy to help them out with!

8. Appreciate each other, their works, their attitude, after a tough day.

— At the end of the day, we want some validation and pat on the back for the hardwork we did because, hey! you survived, and you deserve love for that. Our friends are the ones we first go when we need some kind of validation, when we ask for their opinions, when we are tired and we need some hug or a massage. It is so fun to make your drained friends they feel like they can’t even put up a smile, grin wide because you appreciated their work and their work ethic.

Before a tiring day, we wish goodluck and tell each other‘kayang-kaya mo yan! sexbomb ka eh!’ and proceed on our work. After that tiring day, we kiss each other goodbye, saying they did well. We open our groupchat, congratulate and say ‘I love you’s’ to each other, might sound cheesy, but I truly appreciate it, to be there for someone and to be able to say that they did great. When they achieve something, be their number 1 supporter!

9. Empower each other, cross the competition out.

— Competition can be ugly, it is toxic because you tend to hate the person who may go or achieve higher than you, it produces a bad mindset and hinders us from developing a civil or healthy relationship. Especially in PUPSHS setting where there is no top 1 or top 10, everyone can be in the honor roll if they meet the grade quota. So, instead of tearing each other’s neck for the sake of being higher than the other in terms of honor ranking, we help each other out so all of us will be in the same page.

Thriving academically in PUP is fulfilling, it is one of every student’s goals as they start the semester. All of us 4 are consistent honor students ever since we started going to school, and fortunately, up until now. We help each other out by giving notes and reviewers, asking each other out about the important points of a topic, giving opinions about an output so it can be improved, studying together, etc. I tend to enjoy studying when I’m with them and I remember what I studied for when they ask me about it, the same thing works for them, so we go into that setup. We are all parts of the honor roll and I couldn’t be more proud of them! They deserve it, the recognition they are getting are truly hard earned and I’m glad to be there beside them all throughout.

In the end, friendship is one of the factors that influence one’s performance in school. It is crucial to pick your circle of friends as they might put you down or help you out to go higher. In my case, I’m glad I have the right people with me, ever since enrollment and first day of my first semester as a Grade 11 student to? Forever! They are my family, my blessings, my sisters, my rocks! Definitely the people that are for keeps!

[humanidades121]

Moondrop No. 22 | Eunice Evangelio

Ina | Isang Istorya

“Ma, kapag po ba naging aktibista ako magagalit ka?”

Bungad na tanong ko sa aking ina habang kumakain kami ng manggang pinitas ko galing sa aming bakuran. Tila natigilan ang aking ina sa pagkain at napatingin sa akin. Inayos niya ang kanyang upo at umubo ng kaunti.

“Bakit naman pumasok sa isip mong maging aktibista?” tanong niya pabalik.

“Hindi ko na po kasi kayang manahimik sa isang tabi habang naaabuso ang ating bayan. Hindi ko na po maaatim na muling mapasakamay ng maling tao ang ating bansa. Kailangang magsalita, ma. Kailangan ng aksyon,” mariin kong sabi.

“Pero anak-“

“Ma, kailangan po ako ng bansa. Ako, kasama ng iba pang mga maninindigan para sa kapakanan ng ating lupain. Sama-sama naming lalabanan ang katiwalian na nagaganap sa gobyerno,” pagpoprotesta ko.

“Anak. Anong magagaawa ng pagpoprotesta ninyo? Kung hindi kayo papakinggan ng mga nakaluklok sa pwesto o hindi niyo makumbinsi ang masa, balewala lahat ng ‘yon” sabi niya at hinawakan ang aking kamay.

“Hindi masamang sumubok, ina. Di bale nang sumubok na walang kasiguraduhan kaysa manahimik dahil takot sa kahihinatnan.”

“Delikado, anak. Alam ko dahil nararanasan ko rin. Sinusubukan ko rin na lumaban. Ngunit masyadong marahas ang lansangan lalo pa’t hindi lahat ay sang-ayon sa inyong pinaglalaban. Kahit pa alam mong tama ito ay mali pa rin sa tingin ng iba. Patuloy nila kayong iipitin hanggat hindi kayo sumusuko” aniya.

“Alam ko po, ina. Nakakatakot, nakakapagod at delikadong mahalin ang bansang ito. Ngunit, ina, lahat ng ipinaglalaban namin ngayon ay magbubunga sa takdang panahon. Lahat ng ito, ina, hindi man magbunga ng kaaya-aya ngayon ay ayos lang sapagkat alam kong nasa tama ang pinapanigan ko,” wika ko nang may ngiti sa aking labi.

“Anak kita. Alam kong kung ano man ang ipaglalaban mo, bukal ito sa puso mo. Alam ko rin na may paninindigan ka sa kung anong tama at mali. Pero masyado nang maraming sugat, kalat, dugo, pawis, ni hindi mo na rin mapagtanto kung ano ang katotohanan sa kasinungalingan. Ayaw ko lang na pati ikaw ay madamay sa gulo anak.”

“Ina. Ang laban mo ay laban ko rin. Ang mga bagay na ninanais mo para sa kinabukasan ay siyang mga bagay na gusto ko ring makamit. Una pa lamang ay lahat naman damay na sa gulong ito. Pilit lang tinatakpan ng iba ang kanilang mga tainga. Nagbubulag-bulagan para mailigtas ang kanilang mga sarili subalit ang hindi nila alam ay mas lalong hindi magiging ligtas kung ganun na lamang ang kanilang gawi palagi.”

“Alam kong hindi ito ang buhay na gusto mo anak. Pasensya ka na at ito lang ang kinakaya kong ibigay sayo ngayon,” sabi nito habang nakayuko.

“Wala akong reklamo ina. Nais kong makibaka upang makamit ang sati’y nararapat. Kaya ko gustong lumaban ma, dahil alam ko na may mas magandang kinabukasan na naghihintay sa atin kapag patuloy akong kumalampag. At hindi lang naman ako, marami kami. Kaming mga anak mo na nagmamahal sayo,” maluha-luha kong sabi.

Napahigpit ang hawak niya sa aking kamay. Marahil ay nadama niya ang nag-aalab na pagmamahal ko sa kanya. Napansin kong hindi na tulad ng dati ang kanyang itsura. Mukha itong pagod at sugatan. Pagod na pagpasahan ng iba’t ibang tao na walang hanggad kundi sarili ay umunlad at sugatan dahil sa karahasang nagaganap sa kasalukuyan.

“Ililigtas kita ina. Kay tagal na rin po kayong hinahagkan ng mga taong ang tanging hangad ay pansariling interes. Namulat na ang mga anak mo. Namulat na ang kabataan at nagsusumigaw na ang kanilang puso’t nag-aalab sa pagmamahal sayo. Huwag kang mag-alala. Itutuloy namin ang laban para sa tuluyan at totoong paglaya mo. Sa amin mo iasa ang pagkapanalo sa gerang ito ina, gaya ng pag-asang itinanim sayo ng mga bayani noong panahon ng digmaan. Ipapanalo namin ito at hindi kami tatahimik hanggat hindi mo nakakamit ang dapat na para sayo. Namulat na kami ina, at hindi na kami muling pipikit pa,” wika kong determinado ang tono habang nakatingin sa kanyang mga mata.

Naluha siya sa aking mga tinuran kaya naman mas lalong lumakas ang aking loob na ipaglaban siya. Mas lalong naging matapang ang aking puso para kaharapin ang bukas na darating para sa nag-iisa kong inang pinakamamahal, ang Pilipinas.