#lualhati bautista

[ano-po]

Filipino writers may be unto something here, as I am seeing similarities between Jose Rizal's characters and Lualhati Bautista's (especially Dekada 70)

Their characters are from a privileged or middle class background with happy families and sweet lovelives. They are well-accepted in society that was crumbling in the background. Slowly, the people around them are acting erratic or dying, as they try to keep everything together in their minds, hoping that things will return to normal tomorrow. They know something is wrong in their society, but they'd like to think they can be spared. Until, even the people of similar standing are being targeted. Nobody is safe. They realize they should have fought from the very beginning, but what can they do? They have a family/lover to protect. They are now backed in the corner and they can't do anything.

This feeling is quite fundamental in being a Filipino. Something is wrong, we can feel it. However, we want to delude ourselves that we are safe, and that our beautiful life can go on as normal.

Are you a Rizalian character?

By no means you have a main character vibe, but you are greatly affected by the movers of society and it's either you hate it or you blind yourself from it.

[ilaw-at-panitik]

Wala po ng tinatawag na peaceful revolution. Ang pagbabago, ang rebolusyon . . . di po maiiwasang maging madugo. Gaya ng panganganak.

Lualhati Bautista, mula sa "Dekada '70" (Unang Inilathala, 1983)

[maganne-studies]

Out of nowhere, I started pulling out a bunch of books I bought and some I took from my dad's collection. I've been thinking of finally reading through one of them after finishing the semester.

So...

Gonna start reading at July and by that time I would've bought 5 more books.

[thesullengrrrl]

my third book this year!!! so good!! no one ask me why i'm crying before nine in the morning

[bruja-engkantada]

ONLINE RESOURCES (for Filipino witches) - by bruja-engkantada

Buying books related to witchcraft, folk magick practice, and tarot might be difficult for Ph-based practitioners because of the following:

Limited budget

Other people might see the physical books

Here are some resources and individuals that helped me delve deeper into my craft. Please do remember that it is important to not only have these resources at hand, but also to consume them, learn from them, and apply what you learned or what resonates with you. What we are doing is a "practice" after all.

I'm still trying to learn tumblr, so I don't know how to link yet, or if multiple links are allowed in a post on this platform. I will edit and add links once I figure it out.

TOPIC: ALBULARYOS & FAITH HEALERS

Interviews by Off the Record (YT) - these interviews are in Filipino language

Lihim na Karunungan (FB Group) - this is where you see the the real albularyos and how they work

BhesTV (YT) - this account focuses on medicinal properties of Ph plants and herbs, and also information about the amulets & talismans in the Philippines

TOPIC: PHILIPPINE HISTORY

Nick Joaquin (Filipino Journalist Writer), Ambeth Ocampo (Filipino Historian) and Lualhati Bautista (Filipino author) - research about their books. Their research and studies focus mainly on Ph artifacts, and Ph history during different colonial periods, and also pre-colonial era. You can also follow Ambeth Ocampo on FB or IG.

The Aswang Project (website) - these have blog entries pertaining to esoteric practices, mythical creatures, and urban legends from Ph.

The Pinay Writer (IG) - also here in tumblr. Their content is mostly focused on pre-colonial history of Ph. You can follow them on IG, and other platforms as well.

TOPIC: TAROT AND COMMUNITIES

Rob Rubin Philippine Tarot Authority (FB/IG) - one the tarot pioneers here in Ph. He also practices the craft.

Mysterium Philippines by Rob Rubin - the Intro to Tarot course they have is like the most official here in Ph. They do offer other courses aside from tarot studies, so check their page out.

Mysterium after Dark by Rob Rubin - a Spotify Podcast about Tarot

FB Groups/Pages - Tarot Philippines Community, Project Tarot: Filipino Tarot Community, Soluna Esoterica Ph

Legitimate Ph Tarot Shops (IG/Shopee) - LunaBrujeria, ArtemisPaints, Shelfscape... National Bookstore and Fully Booked also sell some Tarot Decks & Book Guides

Joe Monteleone (YT) - Tarot Practitioner and mentor. They have great & easy to understand lessons on learning tarot, they also have free guides on their website. You can follow them and subsribe to their YT.

TOPIC: CONTENT CREATORS (you can find them on different social media platforms)

Witch of Wonderlust (IG) - She is Filipinx descent, so you might resonate with her content. (She's a pole instructor too!)

The Mestizo Mystic (IG) - He is Filipinx descent as well. He is a Santa Muerte Devotee, but he also incorporates Catholicism/Christianity in his practice.

Chaotic Witch Aunt (IG) - they are Italian Folk Practitioner. But since their practice is kind of related to our dominating religion here in Ph, you might resonate with their content as well.

These are some of the free and accessible resources out there, and people who you can follow. I hope I was able to help. Please correct me if there are any wrong or outdated information above.

Books are awesome resources. But while we're trying to save up funds, you can follow these amazing people, join public communities, and learn from free resources. Give thanks and appreciation by following & interacting with their socials.

It is great to learn from experienced and expert individuals, but your practice is unique and your own. I hope you also find the style/type of practice that would best suit you.

[eljeebee]

4,5,11,12,13,14 for country ask!

I'm gonna answer this ask instead of the first one u sent hehe dw i didn't saw anything

4 Favorite Dish specific for your country?

I have a loooot. Chicken tinola, bicol express, sisig, to name a few!

5 Favorite song in your native language?

11 Favorite native writer/poet?

Lualhati Bautista. Contemporary subject we had when I was in 2nd year made us read Gapo written by her. It's set on Olongapo, and gives you a glimpse on what happens in an airbase occupied the US military, how they impact the lives of the natives there, how they turned that place into theirs.

12 What do you think about English translations of your favorite native prose/poem?

I have never seen one, I'm sorry 😭but I know how hard it could be because our words are hard to translate, and you gotta have to capture the nuance of it.

13 Does your country (or family) have any specific superstitions or traditions that might seem strange to outsiders?

Considering that the dominant religion of the PH is catholic, most superstitions stems from it. If you went into a wake/funeral, you can't go straight home, you have to go to another place (say, the mall). They say it's to misguide the spirit, and to prevent them from following you.

14 Do you enjoy your country's cinema and/or TV show?

Me? Absolutely. Mostly because I love shitting how the plot can get so long and ridiculous. We have a lot of telenovelas, and I've watched (and some of them I manage to catch it from the start!) it with my grandma.

[ang-paborito]

Feminism, French, and Ferdinand Marcos

My mother is illiterate. She can't read well. But her favorite author is Lualhati Bautista. She read all her books that have existed indirectly. She also read the newspaper but only the business section and the obituaries then classified ads. I asked why she read the obituaries.

"If someone died in a property especially if it's murder, market value goes down."

Mommy has a monthly subscription of fashion and gossip magazines. She loves the photos and pictures, but hated the words. She still read it.

All of it through my dad. He reads it to her. It was mostly a habit normally I see my parents doing. When Holmes came by and witnessed it herself, she thought it was sweet.

The scene was Dad was reading a translated french poetry to her by Victor Hugo I think.

"Oh?" Just my reaction.

Earlier this year, Lualhati Bautista released her latest, 60s in the city. It's very insightful and entertaining, you should read it. On mom's birthday this year, the first birthday she didn't have on Earth, I read it to her.

I went to Pyramid in Buyagan and sat and read through her. The people there must have seen a lot and ignored me.

I bought the copy personally in the Book Fair and ligned up with greasy weather during the signing. I met Ms. Bautista personally and asked her to sign. I told her that my mom loves her.

"Anong pangalan ng mama mo?"

"Rita."

I was gonna say she doesn't have to because she's dead but I know it'll invoke an uncomfortable interaction. Awkward ess dortof thing.

Mom never went to college but when she joined a group of activists and protesters for labor rights women's rights, she wasnt with intellectual activists but with the marginalized.

Unlike today's breed of activists who love to circlejerk with their intellectual ejaculation for hours with very impractical yet arousing theories of Mao and Marx, the likes of my mother understood only one thing: oppression kills them. The most basic.

I have a lot of hate with today's activists who thinks they are so edgy especially the NatDem but I'm trailing off again from my thoughts.

During the dictatorship, mom's first husband died in the mines. The mining is owned by Marcos's crony. Just like the CCP tragedy, the news was buried alive. They were buried alive. They were complicit so they complained for their labor rights.

My mother doesn't know shit about the law before but she understands rights. She got jailed nonetheless. Then got freed by my dad whose son and daughter were working on giving legal aids to activists.

My mother was a feminist even if she doesn't realize she is one. She is aware but she don't know the word feminist.

She knows deeply what are double standards, inequality, being a woman in a patriarchal society. I believe my uneducated mom is more intelligent on this matter than an educated liberal, intellectual western woman. Because she lived through it. She saw her sisters live through it and she felt that hand over her throat tightening so she demanded to make it stop.

Lualhati Bautista was the same in her own right. She's an activist and a feminist but what I admire about her is how she articulates this knowledge of how oppressive patriarchy is and chews it down on how it trickles down to from the woman in all social classes, most especially in the marginalized area.

I also love that her idea of feminism is not to force women out of marriage and domesticity as others might have misinterpreted.

All her characters aren't the girlboss, CEO with blue hair. They are traditional women in a sense on how society cages a woman. They are housewives, mothers, working mothers, prostitutes, mistresses, poor women, rich women, middle class women daughters-- all of which are living the hellish and brutish patriarchy. It shows that feminism isn't academic. It's lived and experienced is enough to make one a feminist.

That's why for me her books are an eye opener of what patriarchy looks like in the Philippines. Because I think it is not something often talked about. It is not approached in a way as the western world does.

Because we still think women's problems and complaints are not real or not something to be concerned of. NOBODY TAKES A WOMAN SERIOUSLY. Just look at how reproductive health is designed.

Hormonal contraceptives have a lot of side effects for women. When a male hormonal contraceptive was invented, it was not approved because of the same side effects it will cause the men. Sure there are condoms, but we instilled into men that rubbers aren't pleasurable. Ligation. I just found out from a sister that you can't ligate if you never gave birth and if you are married you need a husband's permission. It's a very invasive process too.

For Vasectomy, men can get it as young as 21, married or not, with child or childless. And they will still FUCKING COMPLAIN THAT THE PROCEDURE IS A HASSLE.

If you think the only time tr world take women seriously is when they get assaulted. WRONG!

Sure men aren't taken seriously as well when they get assaulted but that's a different thing altogether.

According to PSA stats only 15% of rape cases filed in a year alone is won.

When you complain about sexual assault. This is what you'll meet:

1. Victim blaming

2. Telling the victim to get over it

3. Be slutshamed

I know because I've been through it. I was blamed of seducing my attacker with my orange sweater and blue jeans and sneakers. And also apparently am a 13 year old slut because I have photos of me on friendster with boys during badminton match.

I learned about feminism when I watched The Dictator in 2012. It's a comedy satire film. The female character considers herself a liberal, all-inclusive, progressive feminist. But going further from Simone du Beauvoir, the Suffragettes, the first wave to the second wave, I came to an understanding why western feminism works a little in Ph settings.

I'd love to dive deep into it but I have less time. I can theorize also.

Filipinos are still secluded to liberal ideas and has a completely different notion of it.

Semantics, maybe?

What is a liberated woman? What is an emancipated woman? What is a free woman? What is an independent woman?

You get different answers.

Totally different.

In the wester world, a liberated woman is someone who pushes back on sexism and pushes for rights.

In Filipino context, a liberated woman is the total opposite of a conservative one not in ideal butin appearance. I asked Hollmae to picture it immediately if I mention it.

"What's a liberated woman?"

"Someone who smokes, drinks, flirts with men and goes home with them and also wear mini skirts."

There's this long tirade Facebook post about telling women to dress properly so we will be respected by men. So laughable and it makes my blood boil. The last one says that women should be more like "Lucy" and not "Kris."

Ibthibk he is or she is referring to the Lucy Torres who is by the way a kleptomaniac. And Kris Aquino is the other one who by the way is Ph's top tax payer. I'd rather be the latter, thanks.

You know whenever a man would tell me or anyone about modest clothing, I'd show them a photo of Igorotas in bare breasts and just tapos. And the men too interlinking their arms. And tell the this is how my ancestors dress up in the days, and there are no recorded rape cases. In fact, there's a docu movie about it by Lester named Walang Rape sa Bontoc. Tis is backed by statistics by the way.

A woman's body is treated by society weirdly. It is begged to be seen and touched and when it does, they are called whores. Marjan Satrapi is my favorite comic artist. Iranian born who witnessed the civil war in her country and the changing political scenes in Iran. Most especially her observation of how women are seen and treated. One strip in her comic book was about modesty where the teacher reprimands the girls to cover up to not to tempt the boys but Marjan points out that the boys are wearing tighty little jeans thatmolds the bulk.

She has also punted out the hipocrisy of religion and internal misogyny. Her mother was like my mother too. Here's my mom photo during one of the protests in Mandaluyong. She made history on being a really cool feminist, liberated mom.

When I get asked what image pops when I hear "a liberated woman".

I picture of this. Mom in bobbed hair with her vintage Gucci glasses with a placard. Raising a middle finger at the government along with the women with their children with ubba on their backs. Her eyes swollen crying for the loss of the love of her life . Another one is when she's sitting at home chugging a Maria Clara wine bottle reading Yes Magasine in her green chiffon daster.

Or that time she is negotiating her way out during a court mediation that even if she never read a single law book in her life, she is well informed about the law. Also she's in red lipstick and gold Tiffany co earrings. That's a historical liberated woman for me

Many women in our history are considered a liberated woman who wears a very long saya and doesn't even course. Look at our politicians, Santiago Defensor, Robredo, Aquino, okay Arroyo hmm, Conchita Carpio--they are what the western world consider as liberated. But they are conservative in appearance, but liberated in mind.

So, in semantics, I think Filipinos have learned wrongly what "liberation" means.

I'm which speaking of politics, I just learned that women only make up a quarter of the government.

No wonder the laws about women's bodies are by men.

I have yet to understand because I'm not a jerkass who claims to understand things.

Why is it?

Religion? Culture? Environment?

Probably.

These are letters to my therapist circa 2015 almost a year after my parents died. I was held back a year and was finishing my last year of college. I was recommended to a therapist and due to busy schedule, I only have sessions twice a month. The therapist recommended writing and journal therapy because she said I communicate better in writing than in speaking.

[akocomyk]

Didn't realize that I have this "Reading Challenge" on my book mark

So I thought maybe I should do it. Some of the books I've already read this year can put ticks on those circles, meaning I'll only have to read the remaining books I haven't checked yet.

Teaches you a skill, idea, or practice – Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to A Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia Puigcerver and Franscesc Miralles

Makes you swoon – Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Features a real person –

With a magical element – Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Tells the story through images and text – The Sandman: Book 2 by Neil Gaiman et al.

Helps you understand yourself – Atomic Habits by James Clear

Essays or short stories – Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman o

Set in the Philippines – Desaparesidos by Lualhati Bautista

More than 500 Pages – The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

With an intriguing mystery – Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

With a one word title – Sourcery by Terry Pratchett

Published in 2023 –

This shall coincide with my other challenge of reading 25 books this year. I'm at 20 as of this writing, and going 21 and 22 soon.

[ellshyrralopez]

2 remarkable writers in different period and their contribution.

Period of Activism:

Lualhati Bautista - is a Filipino writer and feminist who wrote about the struggles of women and marginalized sectors during the Martial Law era. Her most famous work, Dekada '70, is a novel about a middle-class family's experiences during the Martial Law period.

Jose "Pete" Lacaba - is a Filipino writer, journalist, and activist who wrote about the social and political realities of the Philippines during the Martial Law period. His most famous work, Days of Disquiet, Nights of Rage, is a collection of poems and essays that document the protests and political repression of the era.

Period of New Society (1972-1986):

Jose Garcia Villa - He was a poet, short story writer, and literary critic who was known for his distinctive use of punctuation, which he called "comma poems". Villa's literary contributions during the period of the New Society include his collection of poems entitled "Selected Poems and New" and his book "Doveglion: Collected Poems".

Nick Joaquin - He was a prolific writer and journalist who wrote novels, plays, essays, and short stories. Joaquin's literary contributions during the period of the New Society include his novel "The Aquinos of Tarlac: An Essay on History as Three Generations", which explores the history of the Aquino family, and his collection of essays entitled "Culture and History".

Period of Third Republic (1965-1972):

N.V.M. Gonzalez - He was a writer and critic who wrote novels, short stories, and essays. Gonzalez's literary contributions during the period of the Third Republic include his novel "The Bamboo Dancers" and his collection of essays entitled "The Novel of Justice: Selected Essays 1968-1994".

Francisco Arcellana - He was a poet, essayist, and short story writer. Arcellana's literary contributions during the period of the Third Republic include his collection of short stories entitled "The Mats" and his novel "Selected Poems".

Post-EDSA 1 Revolution (1986-present):

F. Sionil Jose - He is a novelist and essayist who is best known for his series of novels collectively called "The Rosales Saga". Jose's literary contributions after the EDSA 1 Revolution include his novel "Po-on" and his collection of essays entitled "In Search of the Word: Selected Essays".

Jessica Hagedorn - She is a novelist, playwright, and poet who is known for her works that explore the experiences of Filipino immigrants in the United States. Hagedorn's literary contributions after the EDSA 1 Revolution include her novel "Dogeaters" and her play "The Gangster of Love".

[ilaw-at-panitik]

Minsan, sa gitna ng mga hinagpis at panalangin, ang pagpapaganda pa rin ang pinakamatalinong solusyon na magagawa ng isang babae. Pampataas ng morale, pampalaki ng pag-asa, pampasaya ng araw.

Lualhati Bautista, mula sa "Sixty in the City" (Inilathala ng Dekada Publishing, 2015)

[jeomee]

Photo Credit: https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/people-power-philippines-world-bright-spot-1986/

"The Emergence of Contemporary Writers in Post-EDSA Revolution Philippines".

The period after the EDSA revolution in the Philippines saw the emergence of a fresh cohort of writers who addressed contemporary concerns and challenges. These writers tackled themes such as democracy, social justice, human rights, and national identity. Some of the prominent writers from this era were Jose Dalisay Jr., Ninotchka Rosca, Jose F. Lacaba, Bienvenido Lumbera, and Lualhati Bautista. Through their works, they conveyed the experiences of Filipinos during the post-EDSA era and their writings offer valuable perspectives on the intricate issues that continue to influence Philippine society at present.

Reference: https://www-manilatimes-net.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/25/opinion/columns/edsa-1-a-revolution/1880137/amp?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16830937649940&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.manilatimes.net%2F2023%2F02%2F25%2Fopinion%2Fcolumns%2Fedsa-1-a-revolution%2F1880137

[marjuiced]

Pero ang babae, talian man ang katawan o suutan ng chastity belt, ay may uri ng kalayaang hindi mananakaw ng kahit sino; ang kalayaan niyang mag-isip.

Lualhati Bautista, Dekada '70

[ibayongpakikibaka]

Anu't anuman, dito naganap ang mga unang pangamba ko, na ang anak ko'y hindi na isang estudyante sa loob ng kampus...unti-unti'y nagiging bahagi na rin siya ng mas malawak at balisang lipunan, ng mga bagong tao ng ngayon na siyang magpapasiya ng bukas: isang malinaw na mata at tainga at tinig ng kanyang panahon.

Lualhati Bautista, Dekada '70

[m--a-r-i--a]

Free time to ask myself.

1. What subjects in school am I passionate about, and how can I explore them further?

-Siguro passionate ako sa asignaturang Filipino. Kaya nang maramdaman kong interesado ako rito, sinubukan kong mag-adbans sa mga aralin? Hahaha. Nerdy ba? Maliban diyan, bumili rin ako ng napakaraming libro para lang mag-aral pa nang todo. Dagdag kaalaman ba! Sa ngayon, ineexplore ko naman ang pagsusulat. Kagaya ng tula, sanaysay, kuwento, o 'di kaya'y mga karanasan ko sa aplikasyon na ito!

2. Is there a new hobby or interest I want to try out?

-Gusto kong subukan na sumayaw! Natutuwa akong sumayaw, ang kaso... hindi marunong! hahahhaa.. kaunting painit na lang sa rice cooker tiyak na lalambot na rin! Hanga ako sa marunong sumayaw at may kakayahan na lumikha ng mga steps.

3. Have I caught up with friends recently, either in person or online?

-Hmmm, I got caught up with someone online. Nakilala ko siya sa Langmate. It is an app where you could chitchat with people around the world para mapractice ang language na alam mo o matutuhan ang language na nais mo. Anyway, balik tayo, nakilala ko sa aplikasyon na iyon si Lucas na taga Spain. At sa totoo lang, sobrang grateful ako na nakilala ko siya. Sobrang bait niya! At mas naenganyo pa akong matutuhan ang Español at Hapones. :))

4. What books or movies have I been wanting to check out?

-Nakuha ng Gapo ang atensyon ko. Aywan! Tumingin lang kasi ako sa National Book Store, naghahanap lang ng libro ulit sa Filipino pandagdag koleksyon ko at para may mabasa... kaso naagaw-pansin ako sa Nobelang Gapo ni Lualhati Bautista.. balak ko sanang bilhin kaso wala akong dalang salapi noong araw na iyon.. katabi pa no'n ang isa pang Nobela ni Lualhati Bautista, ang Dekada '70. Kung mayaman lang ako, binili ko na ang dalawang iyon!

5. Can I brainstorm ideas for a creative project, like writing, drawing, or music?

-Siguro para sa akin, nahihirapan akong mag-isip sa mga bagay na wala akong kakayahan o expertise, at kaalaman. Mahilig lamang ako sa Linguistics, at sa pagsusulat. Music na rin! Lalo na sa pagkanta, paglikha ng awitin, at tumugtog ng piano. Kaya naguguilty ako madalas sa pangkatang gawain lalo na kapag kinakailangan ng sayaw, hindi ko kayang magchoreograph kaya parang iniisip ko napaka wala kong kuwenta. Madalas din akong abala sa buhay kaya hindi nakakadalo sa mga ensayo. Hai...

6. Have I practiced any sports or physical activities I enjoy?

-Mayroong one time, sumali ako sa arnis, talagang desidido akong sumali kaya nagpursigi akong mapapayag ang aking ina. Awa ng Diyos, pumayag siya. Hindi rin nagtagal ay nagquit ako, gustuhin ko man ituloy kaso abala ako sa pag-aaral ko, at napanghihinaan na rin ako ng loob dahil iniisip ko na "iyon lang talaga ang kaya ko?"

7. What goals do I have for the upcoming school year, and what steps can I take to work towards them?

-Pangunahing layunin ko ngayon, mag-apply sa mga Exchange Student Program. Gusto kong makapag-aral sa ibang bansa! Japan sana o kaya sa Espanya, kaso hindi bukas ang mga program nila, kaya sa ngayon sa ibang bansa ako nag-aapply. Kahit hindi na sa Japan at Espanya, basta makaranas lang maging exchange student. Kaya nag-aapply ako ngayon sa lahat HAHHAHA ipinagdadasal ko na lang na pumasa ako.

8. Can I learn a new skill, such as cooking, coding, or playing an instrument?

-Siguro new skill kaya ko namang matutuhan. May kakayahan namang matuto ng bagong skill basta may determinasyong matuto! Gusto kong pagbutihin ang skill ko sa pagpiano, ang problema, abala ako at tinatamad.. dagdag ko na rin ang cooking, mahilig ako magluto, isa siya sa skill na inaaral ko, masarap naman ako magluto ang problema takot akong matalsikan ng mantika!

9. Have I volunteered or found ways to give back to my community?

-Sa ngayon wala/hindi pa.

10. Is there a place nearby that I haven't explored yet, like a park or museum?

-Mayroon!!! Gusto kong pumunta sa Makati Circuit. Nakatira yata ako sa ilalim ng bato? Hindi ko pa napupuntahan 'yon sa buong buhay ko.

11. Can I organize my room or workspace for a fresh start?

-Sa totoo lang, tamad ako maglinis. Ang kama ko laging magulo. Pero that's just how things are for me and that's how it works for me. Mas naaalala ko kasi kung saan ko nilagay kapag magulo kaysa sa kapag maayos e basta lang inayon kaya nakakalimutan ko kung saan ko nilagay mga gamit ko. Pero somehow may negative sides ang magulo ang kama, nawawala rin kasi mga gamit ko, oh diba? burara lang...

12. Have I considered starting a journal or blog to express myself?

-Mayroon na, actually gumawa ako ng diary sa phone ko na isa kaso sira na... may diary din naman ako na notebook pero hindi ko na tinuloy. Itong blog ko na 'to sa tumblr para lang iexpress mga thoughs ko sa pamamagitan ng mga sulatin lalong-lalo na sa pamamagitan ng masining na pagpapahayag sa likha kong mga tula.

13. What future career paths or interests am I curious about, and how can I learn more about them?

-Interested akong maging derma at surgeon! Pangarap ko talaga 'yan noong bata ako, napalitan lang ng pagiging Filipino teacher. Siguro kung mali ang desisyon na maging guro, itutuloy ko na lang ang derma o surgeon.

14. Can I plan a fun outing or activity with friends or family?

-Oo naman, kaso madalas kanselado dahil busy ako.

15. Have I researched any topics or issues that I find important or intriguing?

-Nagreresearch lang ako kapag may argumentative essay o research paper na gagawin. hahahha.

16. Can I experiment with different styles or looks through fashion or makeup?

-Through fashion, yes. Guilty pleasure ko ang maging stylish through my outfit, doon ko rin ineexpress ang mood ko. Ang make-up pinag-aaralan ko pa, sa ngayon, blush-on, lipstick, at eyeliner pa lang ginagawa ko.

17. What are some ways I can challenge myself academically or intellectually?

-I want to challenge myself na huwag maging tamad? HAHHAHAHA. Kompleto naman lahat ng requirements ko sa paaralan, hindi mababa ang mga iskor, pero siguro procrastination ang kalaban ko? Gagawa ako 3 days before the deadline o kaya minsan sa araw ng deadline mismo. Pero hindi ako gumagawa sa school, nakakabastos lang sa guro na ipakita mo sa kaniya na hindi mo ginawa ang t.a hahahaha.

18. Have I taken time to relax and unwind, maybe by listening to music or practicing mindfulness?

-Yesss, ginagawa ko kapag stress ako!!!!

19. Can I set some personal goals for self-improvement or growth?

-Siguro need kong improve ang katams ko HAHHAHAHAH. As I said earlier, lumalala na ang katamaran ko.

20. Have I reached out to a mentor, teacher, or older sibling for advice or guidance on my interests and aspirations?

-Yes, sa teacher ko noong grade 7 ako. Super bait niya at lagi siyang nariyan kapag may problema ako. Lagi siyang nagbibigay payo o advice sa akin. Para ko na siyang nanay sa kung gaano kami kalapit sa isa't isa. Nalinawan ako kahit papaano sa kung anong gusto kong maging at anong paraan ko para makamit 'yon! May oras na sukong-suko na ako pero nariyan siya, kinomfort pa niya ako kasama ng mga co-teachers niya na close ko rin. Hindi ko alam kung anong magagawa ko kung wala siya, hindi niya man ako inaalagaan kapag may sakit ako, pero ang laki ng appreciation ko sa kaniya. Love na love ko siya. :)))

BONUS QUESTIONS

What is your sexuality?

Kailangan bang malaman 'yan? hahahaha..

When is your birthday?

March 23 (secret sa year :p)

Biggest pet peeve?

Mga taong hindi considerate, maissue, hindi maganda ugali. hahaha.

Hobbies?

Singing, listening to music, reading academic books in Filipino subject, writing poems or essays; any type of writing, journalism(?)

[akocomyk]

6th Place – Top 10 Books of My 2023

Desaparesidos by Lualhati Bautista

This is one of the most beautifully haunting books I've read this year.

I've already read Bautista's other Marial Law inspired novel Dekada '70, and I can say that this is one is better written. It has a more gripping plot. The way she painted some disturbing scenes would make me cringe but that's because I could feel the pain. I could feel the anger and sorrow.

And to think that these events happened in real life makes it even more horrifying.

Add the fact that there are many people being misled by rampant historical revisionism and misinformation through modern technology... it's just sad.

[forsakenn]

My 2023 in Books :)

January

“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger (5⭐️)

- I first started this book during quarantine but I found the protagonist annoying so I dropped it lol. Started it again this year and I actually enjoyed it. I still think that the protagonist is annoying but I get it now. It’s because he’s a teenage boy and I think that the writing is accurate for a teenager. There are some lines that really resonated with me and there are times when I related to Holden. The book itself didn’t hit me that hard but when I read the analyses, damn. I’m much more similar to Holden than I thought and that scared me.

“Bata, Bata… Pano Ka Ginawa?” ni Lualhati Bautista (5⭐️)

- It’s truly a progressive book and I wish more books like this were being read in school in the Philippines. As the Philippines is still very conservative, it opens your mind to see the nontraditional ways of living in the PH and will make you question societal constructs. The way that this was written through the perspective of a mother raising her two kids really solidifies the idea that almost everything is a societal construct and how a conservative society affects children raised progressively. I’ll never forget the look on my classmates’ faces when they saw the title of this, a real life example of why conservatism needs to be killed in the PH.

February

“Canal dela Reina” ni Liwayway A. Arceo (5⭐️)

- Another Filipino book! I’ve been wanting to read more Filipino literature to be more connected to my roots lol. My sister recommended me this as it was similar to Parasite (2019). This is actually the second time I read it since when I first read it I feel like I didn’t understand the whole message. This kinda hits home since the premise is something similar to what my family has experienced before. I really like the build-up of this book and how it tackles so many things like class disparity, monopolization, environmentalism, and materialism but it wasn’t overwhelming at all.

“To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee (5⭐️)

- This is also a reread. I was raised in the legal field as well so I related to Scout a bit. Reading the court scene was An Experience. It’s one of those things that I wish I could forget about to experience it again for the first time.

March

“Circles of Hell” by Dante

- I honestly just read this book because I watched a Wendigoon video and wanted to see it for myself lmao.

June

“Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom (3.5⭐️)

- I’m indifferent to this book. It just didn’t make an impact on me I don’t know. It’s alright and offers valuable lessons I guess. One line that struck me was “like all youngest children, he was pampered, adored, and inwardly tortured.”

July-August

“The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt (4⭐️)

- This was an impulse buy. I was waiting for my friend at a bookstore and saw it and was curious about all the hype Donna Tartt’s books have online. It was alright? Crime books aren’t really for me but I can see why people like this. I really liked how Tartt wrote grief and how easy it was to empathize with the protag when his mother just died especially when he hadn’t known yet that his mother died and the audience just have to sit with that uncomfortable knowledge and read about this kid waiting for his mother that will never come back. The build-up to the climax was so long though and that’s why it also took me a long time to finish it. I got bored in some parts of it.

September-November

“1984” by George Orwell (4⭐️)

- I have been wanting to read this for a long time! The thing is that this book is so absurdly dystopian and yet I can see how it reflects our current society. It’s so scary to read this and see how current systems can lead to this dystopia, some aspects of this book are even true…

December

“Dekada ‘70” ni Lualhati Bautista (5⭐️)

- Another great book from our queen, Lualhati Bautista. This has been in my to-read list for such a long time. It’s about the PH’s martial law era during the dictatorship of Marcos Sr. This was the fastest book I read this whole year. I finished it in like less than 10 days. It just hooked me in like that. Unfortunately, since a Marcos is president again, I feel like it’s my duty as a young Filipino to educate myself on the horrors of martial law since I wasn’t there to experience it myself. This book made me empathize with my mother so much and yet I can’t tell her that. It also fueled my hate for the patriarchy lmao. This is like a retelling of the Martial Law Era combined with the ideologies of the Barbie movie since it’s told through the perspective of a mother.

Short Stories I read

“Apokalipsis” ni Alvin Yapan

- This rewired my brain like actually. Me and my friends read this at the same time. The whole thing is crazy itself but there was just that one scene that hits you and everyone else will see the Look on your face and just nod in understanding. We had to have a whole debriefing of it to process what we just read. Lunch was… eventful that day.

“No is Yes” by Paul Jennings

“The Lorenzo Project Questionnaire”

- DUDE. THIS. I read this because of a literature club halloween meeting AND OH MY GOD. It restructured how I looked at horror stories. It’s just so unique and horrifying, but it’s not like other horror stories where the monster is on your face all the time. It’s like you have to dig under implications to understand the story. I recommend this every time someone asks me about horror.