#pag-asa

[asdfg0lb]

WALANG TATALO SA PANGARAP

Capiz - isang lalawigan sa Visayas na nakilala dahil sa mga kuwentong ito ay pinamumugaran ng masasamang elemento. Nguti, hinggil sa kaalaman ng lahat na ang lugar na ito ay may mas nakakatakot na problema - Ang KAHIRAPAN.

Pinapalakas ng Department of Agrarian Reform ang sa lalawigan ng Capiz ang kampanya laban sa kahirapan at kagutuman. Ito ay isang patunay na hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin nakakabangon sa kahirapan ang lalawigang ito.

Taong 1956, ito ang kaaranawan ng aking ama na si Junifer B. Avila. Ngunit, ito rin ang araw na naranasan niya ang kahirapan sa lalawigan ng Capiz.

Nang dahil sa kahirapan ng buhay sa Capiz, ang nanay ni papa Junifer, na si Lola Daisy, ay nais makipagsapalaran sa Maynila upang kumita, at magkaroon ng pag-asang makakaahon sila sa kahirapan. Kaya naman siya ay humingi ng tulong sa mayor upang siya ay makapunta na sa Maynila.

Napadpad si Lola Daisy sa lungsod ng Valenzuela. Dito siya namasukan bilang katulong, at kung minsan naman ay naglalabada. Ito lamang ang kayang trabaho ni Lola Daisy dahil hindi rin siya nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Ngunit sa lahat ng hirap na ito, dito naman niya natagpuan ang kanyang asawa na si Lolo Fausto.

Nagkaroon ng bunga ang pagsasama ni Lola Daisy at Lolo Fausto, at sila ay bumalik sa Capiz. Ngunit, hindi rin nagtagal ay iniwan sila ni Lolo Fausto, at hindi na muling bumalik pa. Halos gumuho ang buhay ni Lola Daisy dahil hindi niya alam kung paano bubuhayin si papa Junifer. Kaya naman sila ay bumalik sa Valenzuela upang magtrabaho at manirahaman.

Kahit na mahirap lamang sila, hindi ito naging hadlang kay papa Junifer upang maging top sa klase. Kaya siya ay nagkaroon ng scholarship sa Malinta Elementary School. Nagpatuloy rin ito hanggang sa high school kung saan siya ay nag-aral naman sa Meycauayan Institue. Dahil high school na, naisipan nilang pamilya na magtinda siya ng puto at pandesal upang magkaroon siya ng baon sa araw araw.

Kahit na may mga scholarship na natatanggap si papa Junifer, hindi pa rin ito ang naging kasagutan sa kahirapan na kanilang nararasanan. Kaya imbis na ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral sa kolehiyo, pinili niya munang magtrabaho upang makatulong sa kanyang ina. Siya ay namasukan sa Ramie Textile Incorporated.

Ngunit, hindi rin nagtagal ay napagtanto ni papa Junifer na hindi sapat ang ganoong uri ng pamumuhay, kaya siya ay sumubok muli na mag-aral. Kinuha niya ang kursong Pharmacist sa FEU. Habang nag-aaral ay nagtatrabaho rin siya sa Ramie Textile Incorporated. Magtatrabaho siya sa umaga, at mag-aaral naman sa gabi. Kaya sa mga panahong ito, naranasan niya ang matinding pagod at hirap. Pero hindi pa rin siya sumuko dahil sa kanyang pangarap na makaahon sa kahirapan.

Dito ako nabilib sa aking ama dahil kahit na ang daming problema at pagsubok sa buhay, hindi siya sumuko.

Nakita ko ang kahalagahan ng pangarap sa buhay. Ito ay isang mabisang instrumento upang makamit ang ating inaasam-asam sa buhay. Dahil sa pangarap, kahit gaano na kahirap, magpapatuloy upang maging maganda ang hinaharap.

Kaya, papa, salamat sa inspirasyon. Ipagmamalaki kita sa kahit na sino. Nahigitan mo na ang pangarap mo. Mahal kita.

~ Avila, Japhet V.

[episcopalphl]

NUESTRA SEÑORA DE LA ESPERANZA DE PALO Palo, Leyte Arkidiyosesis ng Palo

Kapistahan: Ika-8 ng Nobyembre Petsa ng koronasyon: 8 Nobyembre 2022 Dambana: Katedral ng Pagbabagong-Anyo ng Ating Panginoon (Kalakhang Katedral ng Palo)

Kaugnayang lathalain: Palo Archdiocese Crowns Nuestra Señora de Esperanza de Palo on Yolanda's 9th Anniversary (archdioceseofpalo.org) 9-taong pagluluksa ng Our Lady of Hope of Palo, tinapos na ni Archbishop Du (www.veritasph.net) Our Lady of Hope of Palo – Leyte’s Ray of Light (pintakasiph.wordpress.com)

[mgakwentongbayan]

Si Usman, Ang Alipin

Sa malayong lupain ng Mindanao, may isang marilag na pook kung saan naninirahan ang pamilya ni Usman. Ang mga araw ay nagdaraan nang payapa, at ang buhay ay parang isang magandang alon sa karagatan. Si Usman, isang kabataang Muslim, ay lumaki na may magandang pamilya. Sila ay may lupaing kanilang sinasaka at kanilang kinikita mula rito. Ngunit, isang umaga, biglang nagbago ang lahat. Isang…

[onenettvchannel]

FLASH REPORT: An Intentional Fiber Cut of SkyCable and the Unexpected Utility Interruptions in Dumaguete City was blacked out due to a Regional Service Outage, along the unpleasant weather of Typhoon Egay in Southern Negros Oriental [EXCLUSIVE]

DUMAGUETE, NEGROS ORIENTAL -- SkyCable Corporation, who was a parent cable and internet company of the ABS-CBN Corporation under a subsidiary of Pilipino Cable Corporation (PCC) are experiencing technical service outage between the Cable and Fiber Internet last Monday morning before 5am (July 24th, 2023 -- Dumaguete local time).

(Screenshot Photo via Rhayniel Saldasal Calimpong / MySky.com.ph website)

This was due to an intentional fiber cut, leaving several barangays affecting both municipality and a main city capital of Negros Oriental. The following areas of the barangay for SkyCable are in Agan-an, Ajong, Boloc-boloc, Cangmating, Looc, Magatas, Maslog, Poblacion and Tubtubon in Sibulan town. And on the other hand are in Batinguel, Buñao, Cadawinonan, Camanjac, Candau-ay, Daro, Motong and Pulantubig in Dumaguete City.

Meanwhile between the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative 2 (NORECO II) are also experiencing the unexpected blackout and later tripped from the Amlan-Siaton 69kV transmission line before 1pm per affecting the areas from Calo, San Jose to the entire area of Sibulan, Dumaguete, Valencia, Bacong, Dauin, Zamboanguita and Siaton. And here in our locals in Barangay Pulantubig alone, Metro Dumaguete Water (MDW) in collaboration with NORECO II receives no running water except the Water Pump o 'Poso'.

(Screenshot Photo via Rhayniel Saldasal Calimpong / Text Message from SkyServes)

Between the two individual utilities of NORECO II and MDW, NGCP and a local officials have not yet been determined for the explanation of both causes. While the cable company services of SkyCable, service team and technicians of Dumaguete are working closely to fix between the Cable & Fiber internet. All services are expected to be restored by 6pm on the same night.

(Photo Courtesy via PAGASA-VRSD / Facebook PHOTO)

Aside all the above mentioned cable company and utility individuals, state weather bureau PAGASA-VRSD or Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration-Visayas Regional Services Division reports that there will be an unpleasant, inclement rainy weather in Dumaguete City and southern portions of Negros Oriental for a potential Super Typhoon Egay affecting municipalities of Tanjay, Pamplona, Amlan, San Jose, Sibulan, Dumaguete, Valencia, Bacong, Dauin, Zamboanguita, Siaton, Santa Catalina and Bayawan due to moderate to occasionally heavy rain showers and thunderstorms with lightning and strong winds in this said province.

(Photo Courtesy via DOST-PAGASA / Facebook PHOTO)

In relation to these municipalities of Negros Oriental, it is expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon or 'habagat' which was not independently listed in Signal #2 or #3. ST Egay will soon exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility later this week on Friday early morning at 2am (July 28th, 2023).

SkyCable, NGCP, NORECO II and MDW apologizes for a total and massive inconvenience for the people of southern Negros Oriental and in Dumaguete City. The utility needs, technology and communications are part of the daily life in our said province. Blackouts and the inclement weather problems like ST Egay are in big trouble and to be immediately sorted the soonest until 6pm or earlier.

PHOTO COURTESY: Rhayniel Saldasal Calimpong (Freelance Photojournalist & News Reporter and Presenter of OneNETnews) BACKGROUND PROVIDED BY: Tegna

SOURCE: *https://www.mysky.com.ph/help-service-advisories [Referenced Screenshot Photo via Rhayniel Saldasal Calimpong] *https://www.facebook.com/100068228590132/posts/597496195867995 [Referenced FB Advisory Post #1 via PAG-ASA Visayas Regional Service Division] *https://www.facebook.com/100068228590132/posts/597550272529254 [Referenced FB Advisory Post #2 via PAG-ASA Visayas Regional Service Division] *https://www.facebook.com/100068228590132/posts/597553035862311 [Referenced FB Advisory Post #3f via PAG-ASA Visayas Regional Service Division] *https://www.facebook.com/100064849864375/posts/682707500567573 [Referenced FB Weather Bulletin via DOST-PAGASA] *https://www.facebook.com/100057610622491/posts/720196183244063 [Referenced FB Post via NORECO II] and *https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/23/23/egay-now-a-severe-storm-may-become-super-typhoon-by-tuesday [Referenced News Article via ABS-CBN News]

-- OneNETnews Team

[spilledcoffeefrommy]

09MAY2023, TUE.

One year na po pala, Atty. Leni Robredo. Hopeful ‘almost’ anniversary, Inang Bayan. Sending love, light, and prayers po. 🙏🏼🌷🌾🌸🎀💝

[on3th1rds]

mahiwagang salamin, kailan ba niya aaminin ang kanyang tunay na pagtingin?

⊹₊ ⋆ bini "salamin, salamin" mv; 2024 ⋆ ₊⊹

[andengeu]

NAMAMASKO PO! 🥳🎄🫡

XDDDD

[anyonghalimaw]

filipino leftist music will save me

[delfindakila]

RAECHE DACANAY Pag-asa sa mga Ulap, akriliko sa kambas, 2023 #artPH

[rhk111sblog]

Just some nice Infographics from a recent Article of the Asian Century Journal (ACJ) on the Issue of how the Administration of Bobong Bong Marcos (BBM) was completely caught Off Guard by the recent Bombing in Marawi.

It also talked about the latest PROPAGANDA Efforts by the United States (US) and their Filipino Dogs against China in the South China Sea (SEA), in the meantime here are some of the most important Quotes from it:

“The obvious Question is in the light of such Operations, why was there no anticipation whatsoever of a “Rido” (or “Resbak” in Tagalog) if a major Leader of the Terrorists was indeed slain? Why were there no Precautionary Measures conducted by the Police and the Military covering the Civilian Population, especially the Christians in a predominantly Muslim-populated Province, barring any Collateral escalation? This is a 20-20 failure of Military, Police and Civilian intelligence. Obviously, the Security Sector has been sleeping on the Job.”

“National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, the President’s top Intelligence Officer, was busy inaugurating a building at the Pagasa Island in the Spratlys, some 1140 kilometers away from Lanao del Sur. He was preoccupied feeding the frenzy to shame China over Conflicts in the South China Seas, to reinforce Raymond Powell’s Narrative about yet another Buzzword “Grayzone Tactics”.”

“The Organizers pleaded for permission from the NSC because it appears that they have already received an alleged $5 million Foreign Donation, part of which was for the Project.”

“The Route from Palawan to Pagasa covers 273 nautical miles, where any Ship will travel through five Features of the Spratlys occupied by China, four by Vietnam and two by Taiwan. It is impossible to reach Pagasa without encountering Patrol boats of these Foreign Nations. In my honest Opinion, this Propaganda Project is nothing but another attempt to fish for a “False Flag” to blame on the Chinese Coast Guard, akin to the fake removal of Fishing Barriers and the improvised collisions that the Philippine Coast Guard has staged but whose lack of authenticity their own videos exposed.”

Here is the Link of the Article to the Website of the ACJ: https://asiancenturyph.substack.com/p/marawi-bombing-catches-marcos-government

[could8963]

[arkipelagic]

Baby pictures of Pag-asa, the first Philippine eagle born and bred in captivity.

His hatching on January 15, 1992 was a culmination of over a decade of research by the Philippine Eagle Foundation. He was named the Tagalog word for “hope” as a symbol for the survival of his critically endangered species.

[mgakwentongbayan]

Ang Paglalakbay ni Sultan Kudarat

Noong mga unang panahon sa Mindanao, may isang makapangyarihang sultan na nagngangalang Sultan Kudarat. Siya ay kinikilalang isang mahusay na pinuno na kilala sa kanyang karunungan at tapang sa labanan. Isang araw, nabalitaan ni Sultan Kudarat ang isang diwang paglalakbay na naghahangad na mas lalong mapalakas ang kanyang kaharian at palawakin ang kanyang nasasakupan. Nagdesisyon siyang simulan…

[theasarmiento]

Poverty: Ang Mga Sanhi at Epekto ng Kahirapan sa Iba't Ibang Bahagi ng Lipunan

Ang kahirapan ay isang suliraning hindi lamang tungkol sa kakulangan ng pera o pangangailangan; ito rin ay nagdudulot ng malalim na epekto sa buhay, pag-asa, at kinabukasan ng mga tao. Maraming pamilyang Pilipino ang nakakaranas ng mga hamon sa araw-araw tulad ng kawalan ng sapat na pagkain, maayos na edukasyon, serbisyong pangkalusugan, at trabaho.

Ano ang Kahirapan?

Ang kahirapan ay ang estado ng kakulangan sa mga pangunahing pangangailangan tulad ng pagkain, edukasyon, pabahay, at kalusugan. May iba't ibang antas ng kahirapan, tulad ng absolute poverty kung saan hindi sapat ang kita upang matustusan ang mga pangunahing pangangailangan, at relative poverty na nangangahulugang mas mababa ang antas ng pamumuhay ng isang indibidwal kumpara sa iba sa kanyang komunidad.

Mga Pangunahing Sanhi ng Kahirapan

Kawalan ng Trabaho at Mababang Sahod

Isa sa mga pangunahing dahilan ng kahirapan ay ang kakulangan ng trabaho o ang mababang sahod. Ang kita ng maraming Pilipino ay hindi sapat upang matugunan ang kanilang mga pangunahing pangangailangan, lalo na sa mga lungsod kung saan mataas ang presyo ng bilihin at serbisyo. Dahil dito, maraming pamilya ang nahihirapang makapag-ipon para sa kanilang kinabukasan.

Mababang Kalidad ng Edukasyon

Mahalaga ang edukasyon sa pag-angat mula sa kahirapan, ngunit maraming kabataang Pilipino ang walang access sa dekalidad na edukasyon. Dahil dito, limitado ang kanilang oportunidad na makakuha ng magandang trabaho sa hinaharap, na nagtutulak sa kanila sa siklo ng kahirapan. Sa kakulangan ng paaralan at mga kagamitan sa mga malalayong lugar, maraming kabataan ang napipilitang huminto sa pag-aaral at pumasok sa mababang pasahod na trabaho.

Korapsyon at Pag-aabuso sa Kapangyarihan

Ang korapsyon sa pamahalaan ay isa ring malaking dahilan kung bakit nananatili ang kahirapan sa bansa. Ang mga pondo at proyektong dapat sana ay mapunta sa mga mahihirap ay nawawala dahil sa maling paggamit ng mga opisyal. Ang kawalan ng accountability at transparency ay nagiging dahilan upang mas marami ang hindi natutulungan at ang mga may kapangyarihan lamang ang nakikinabang.alig

Mga Epekto ng Kahirapan sa Lipunan

Epekto sa Kalusugan

Ang kahirapan ay may direktang epekto sa kalusugan ng mga tao. Dahil sa kakulangan ng access sa mga serbisyong pangkalusugan, maraming mahihirap ang hindi nakakabili ng gamot o makapagpa-konsulta. Ang kakulangan sa tamang nutrisyon ay nagdudulot din ng malnutrisyon sa mga bata at malalalang sakit sa mga matatanda.

Epekto sa Edukasyon

Ang mga pamilyang nasa ilalim ng linya ng kahirapan ay hirap na mapaaral ang kanilang mga anak. Maraming kabataan ang napipilitang huminto sa pag-aaral upang tumulong sa kanilang mga magulang na magtrabaho. Ang kawalan ng edukasyon ay nagiging hadlang sa kanilang oportunidad sa hinaharap, na nagiging sanhi ng paulit-ulit na siklo ng kahirapan sa kanilang pamilya.

Epekto sa Ekonomiya

Sa kabuuan, ang mataas na antas ng kahirapan ay nagpapabagal sa ekonomiya ng bansa. Ang mga mahihirap na hindi nakakapagtrabaho nang maayos dahil sa kakulangan ng edukasyon at kalusugan ay hindi nagiging produktibo para sa ekonomiya. Dahil dito, tumataas ang demand para sa social services at nagiging hamon para sa gobyerno ang suportahan ang lahat ng mga nangangailangan.

Mga Solusyon at Hakbang Tungo sa Pagbabawas ng Kahirapan

Pagtataguyod ng Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Ang Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ng United Nations ay naglalayong bawasan ang kahirapan sa buong mundo sa pamamagitan ng pagtataguyod ng pantay na oportunidad sa edukasyon, trabaho, at kalusugan. Sa pamamagitan ng pagtutok sa mga SDGs, maaaring magkaroon ng mas organisadong pagkilos upang masugpo ang kahirapan sa lokal at pambansang antas.

Pagsulong ng Edukasyon at Pagsasanay

Ang edukasyon ang isa sa pinakamahalagang solusyon sa kahirapan. Sa pamamagitan ng mas accessible na edukasyon at vocational training, magkakaroon ang mga tao ng kakayahan na makahanap ng mas magandang trabaho at magkaroon ng mas matatag na kinabukasan. Ang edukasyon ay nagbibigay ng kasanayan at kaalaman na magagamit ng mga tao upang makaahon mula sa kahirapan.

Pagpapabuti ng Serbisyong Pangkalusugan

Sa pagpapabuti ng serbisyong pangkalusugan sa bansa, mas magkakaroon ng kakayahan ang mga tao na manatiling malusog at makapagtrabaho. Ang pagkakaroon ng mas abot-kayang gamot at pag-access sa doktor at ospital ay makakatulong upang bumuti ang kalagayan ng mga mahihirap, na makakatulong sa kanilang kabuhayan.

Ang kahirapan ay hindi isang simpleng isyu na malulutas ng iilang hakbang lamang; ito ay nangangailangan ng tulong ng bawat isa sa komunidad. Sa pamamagitan ng sama-samang pagkilos, muling pag-aayos ng sistema ng pamahalaan, at pagbibigay ng pantay na oportunidad sa edukasyon at trabaho, unti-unting mabibigyan ang bawat Pilipino.

[serbisyongpangkalusugan]

Bakit Mahalaga ang Abot-Kayang Serbisyong Pangkalusugan?

Sa bawat sulok ng ating bansa, may mga pamilya na patuloy na lumalaban sa kakulangan ng akses sa kalidad na pangangalaga sa kalusugan. Habang ang iba ay nakakamtan ang mga serbisyong medikal, may mga Pilipinong hindi kayang magbayad para sa mga simpleng check-up o gamot. Sa kabila ng mga pagsulong sa sektor ng kalusugan, isang mahalagang isyu pa rin ang kakulangan ng mga ospital at doktor, pati na rin ang pangangailangan para sa murang healthcare. Ano ang mangyayari kung tayo ay walang kakayahang magpagamot?

Kalusugan Para sa Lahat

Sa gitna ng modernong panahon, ang kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino ay nananatiling isang pangunahing karapatan. Ngunit para sa marami, ito’y tila isang pribilehiyo kaysa isang pangkaraniwang serbisyo. Sa kabila ng pag-unlad ng teknolohiya at medisina, nananatiling problema ang kakulangan ng mga ospital, doktor, at abot-kayang healthcare sa bansa. Marami sa ating mga kababayan ang hindi nakakakuha ng kinakailangang atensyong medikal dahil sa mataas na gastos at limitadong mga ospital, lalo na sa mga liblib na lugar. Paano natin masisigurong ang bawat Pilipino ay may kakayahang pangalagaan ang sariling kalusugan nang hindi nababahala sa gastusin?

Kakulangan ng doktor

Sa kasalukuyan, ang mga pampublikong ospital sa bansa ay kadalasang kulang sa pasilidad, kagamitan, at mga medical personnel, isang bagay na nagpapabagal sa serbisyo. Ayon sa mga datos, ang kakulangan ng doktor ay isa sa mga pangunahing isyu—sa Pilipinas, tinatayang may isang doktor lamang para sa bawat 33,000 na Pilipino sa ilang rehiyon. Ang ganitong ratio ay malayo sa ideal na 1:1,000 na nire-rekomenda ng WHO. Bilang resulta, ang mga pasyente ay nagtitiyaga sa mahabang pila at kadalasang hindi napapansin ang mga minor na kondisyon na maaaring lumala.

Bukod pa rito, mataas ang gastos ng healthcare sa mga pribadong ospital, kaya’t maraming Pilipino ang nagdadalawang-isip kung ipagpapatuloy ang pagpapagamot. Ang mga universal healthcare program, gaya ng PhilHealth, ay isang hakbang patungo sa abot-kayang serbisyong pangkalusugan ngunit kulang pa ito upang matugunan ang lahat ng pangangailangan. Mahalaga ang pagpapatupad ng mas maraming proyektong magpaparami ng mga doktor, magtatayo ng mga ospital, at magpapababa ng presyo ng mga gamot upang mas maging inclusive at accessible ang healthcare sa Pilipinas.

Pag-asa sa Mas Mura at Mas Accessible na Kalusugan

Ang abot-kayang healthcare ay hindi dapat ituring na isang luho kundi isang batayang karapatan. Sa pamamagitan ng pagtutulungan ng pamahalaan, pribadong sektor, at komunidad, posible nating makamtan ang serbisyong pangkalusugan na kayang abutin ng bawat Pilipino. Dapat nating ipaglaban ang karapatang ito upang masiguro ang kalusugan at kinabukasan ng bawat mamamayan—dahil ang kalusugan ay susi sa pag-unlad ng bansa.

[ubescoups]

Run To You

Chapter One

January 2023.

Last semester in college. 

Elle’s seniors say it is the most pivotal semester for an accounting student. 

Make it or break it.

It doesn’t help that her mother has been vocal about her being a graduating student. She knows she cannot claim it yet. Elle’s far from being a graduating student. 

Whenever her mother says that her breath hitches a little, maybe it’s because she needs to finish this degree this June. She has no choice. She’s at the mercy of her aunt, who’s residing overseas and funding her college education. It’s a fact she has to remember over and over again to force herself to study. 

As the youngest among her cousins, she has heard the great tales of her parents’ wealth in the 90s. 

Alam mo, Elle, dati, ang mama at papa mo ang naggagala sa amin sa Greenbelt noon tapos they would take us to restaurants to eat out. 

Mama mo ang nagpaaral sa amin dati. 

The best talaga sila mama at papa mo.

She could only listen to those stories and wished that her parents did better at handling their finances. 

Hindi naman namin alam na dadating ka sa buhay namin, anak.

They were trying for a baby for a long time and had her years later. Her late father and mother often say she’s an answered prayer, but it makes her wonder. Why did they not think too far ahead about the life their kid will have if she’s a prayer they have recited maybe a million times?  

Despite growing remorse for her parents’ past decisions, she keeps pushing forward. 

Ano nga naman magagawa ko? Nangyari naman na ang lahat. Wala na akong magagawa. Pagbubutihin ko na lang. Ako na ang bubuhay kay Mama pagtapos nito.

It has been ingrained in her mind that she will be the family’s breadwinner once she completes her degree. 

Si Elle ang pag-asa mo.

Her relatives would say it to her mother as she gloats that her daughter, Elle, has been the responsible and intelligent kid she has always wanted. Her mother would say she was able to raise her well by making sure she had the best study habits and demeanor as a kid. It has been that way since she was a kid, and it’s why her aunt has supported her studies since she was a kid. She was the wonder kid of the most influential maternal figure of the family after her grandmother. 

“Napaano ka, Elle?” Jun asks as he settles beside the lady drowning in her thoughts. 

“Ah, may naiisip lang,” she replies with a slight smile. 

“Oh, ito. I got us some coffee,” he says. 

“Nag-abala ka pa, huy,” she hastily replies. 

“Wala ‘yan. Break ka muna sa pagkakape sa Lawson. Tikman mo ‘yan. Bagong bukas ‘yan sa Dapitan,” he tells her as he places the cup of coffee on her armrest. 

Elle thanks him. On the cup’s lid is a carefully folded note. She opens it. 

Kaya mo ‘yan, Elle. Ikaw pa! Andito lang ako. - Jun <3

“Thank you, Jun. Effort mo talaga,” she says, lips curling slightly. 

She’s been hesitant to think about what Jun has been doing for her. Elle knows she cannot handle being responsible for another person’s feelings when she can’t even contain her own. Elle still cannot sleep at night alone with the lights off. She would feel suffocated by her thoughts. That alone proves that she will only hurt Jun if she lets herself fall for him. 

Kapag hindi kami nagtagal at napamahal na ako sa kanya, mawawala ako sa huwisyo. Hindi ko kaya ‘yon. May hinahabol pa akong pangarap.

Elle knows her limits. She has to be focused on one goal. All eyes are on her. A lot is expected from her. She knows she has no right to be sidetracked. Being an only child means carrying out the family’s responsibilities because it’s her role. 

“Saan ka nga pala after class, Elle? Gusto mo ba aral tayo kasama sila Denise at Coleen?” Jun asks. 

“Cafe ba? If yes, pass muna. Gusto ko muna umuwi agad. Masakit likod ko eh,” Elle responds. 

“Discord na lang?” Jun asks. 

She nods.

That is not just the reason why she declined Jun’s offer. Elle doesn’t tell her friends that she’s trying to budget the allowance that she gets from her mother to have her indulgences. She has committed to joining her friends outside the university in a drag show next month. For a student who commutes from her hometown to Manila every class day, Elle gets to save a little money that she spends on sudden school-related expenses and her hobbies. Because of this, she would put herself on strict financial planning to ensure she saves money. 

Purgang purga na ako sa siomai rice at rice meals ng Lawson.

She eats a lot of food at home to minimize the need to buy food around the university. It doesn’t help that lately, her friends would drag her with them to study in cafes or co-working spaces. Elle can only sigh at how tight her finances are. Unlike the pandemic's peak when she could do some business and work to support herself and contribute to their household while studying, she cannot do part-time jobs anymore as she has to focus on her courses. 

“Kakasimula palang ng sem na ‘to parang mamamatay na ako sa bigat ng subjects,” Coleen retorts as she picks up her bag from the plastic chair. 

“Discord na lang diba, Jun, Elle?” Denise asks.

Elle nods. 

“Okay. Kitakits. Mga eight na tayo magsimula para makahinga-hinga lahat pagtapos bumiyahe,” Jun says, looking at Elle. 

The three nod in agreement. 

“Una na ako, guys. Maghahabol pa ako ng jeep,” Elle says. 

“Gesi. Ingat, Mama Elle,” Denise replies. 

“Ikaw rin. Coleen, Jun, kayo rin,” Elle adds.

“Bye, Elle. Text me when you get home?” Jun says. 

Elle nods. 

After some hugs and a little chitchat, Elle steps out of the room as she places earphones on her ears. If one thing could silence her raging thoughts, it would be music. She momentarily forgets her worries over the upcoming first comprehensive exams for each of her subjects this semester. She doesn’t think of the many things she has to catch up on at home and her internship that’s about to end. She doesn’t think about the upcoming research defense initially scheduled last month. Aside from that, she has some org work to accomplish. 

She walks along the pathways in front of Albertus and Ruaño, music blasting in her ears. The wind is cooling her sweaty skin as she looks around her surroundings—a temporary solace. 

A man laughing with his friends blocks the path as she trudges on the sidewalk. 

“Excuse me po,” she retorts. 

“Ay, sensya po,” the man mutters. 

Elle stops herself from rolling her eyes. Engineering students block the pathway every day she’s in the university. They would talk in the middle of the sidewalk while walking slowly—her pet peeve. She continues to walk, focusing on the music she’s listening to. 

If not for the slow traffic along España, she would stay on the campus for a bit. She would let the cold wind of the late afternoon kiss her skin as her eyes wandered to the greenery from Plaza Mayor to Lovers’ Lane. The turmoil caused by the classes in her building is silenced by the solace brought upon by the campus once she goes out of Albertus. It has been that way since 2019, even when the college was still in the university’s carpark. 

Having those thoughts, Elle realized how far she had come. She was far from the girl who was discouraged by the guy she took care of when she was a freshman and he was a sophomore. 

Hindi mo kaya ‘tong course na ‘to.

Kung ako sa’yo, umalis ka na habang maaga pa. 

Shift ka na.

It was three years ago when it all happened, but his voice is still in Elle’s head whenever a semester starts. 

Will she be able to survive it? Is he right all along? 

It’s no secret that Accounting, in general, is never her dream career path. It didn’t help that she transferred from BS Accountancy to BS Management Accounting in her second year in college. Elle has always felt doubt and uncertainty about her decisions and path in life as an accounting student because she was never sure of it, and she had someone doubt her from the start. 

She sighs heavily as she exits the campus to cross the street through the footbridge. She looks at the heavy traffic flow caused by the rush hour. Surviving a three-hour lecture is one thing, but the commute home is another story. 

Her daily demise as a student could have been prevented if her parents planned her college education well, but she knows there is no point in thinking about it already. She can only live in the moment and work with what she is provided. She has no chance to voice out these feelings without upsetting her mother. 

As she reaches the sidewalk after going down from the footbridge, she waves her hand to signal an approaching jeepney she wants to ride. The vehicle stops, allowing her to get in and find a seat just in time before the light goes green again. 

It’s going to be a two-hour commute going home.