THOMAS, ANAK NG LUMIKHA

THOMAS, ANAK NG LUMIKHA

After the mourning, glorifying the life should follow.

Isa lamang ‘yan sa mga hindi ko mabilang na aral na natutunan ko mula sa aking tiyuhin na si Thomas Zipagan Jr. – nakababatang kapatid ng aking ina. Una kong narinig sa kanya ang gintong aral na ‘yan nuong pumanaw ang panganay nilang kapatid na si Joephord Zipagan taong 1997. Labing-apat na taong gulang lamang ako nuon. Pero kailanman ay hindi nilisan ng mensaheng ‘yan ang aking isip hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Kaya naman, siya ang penultimong dahilan kung bakit hindi ko kinakatakutan ang kamatayan. Hindi sa kamatayan magtatapos ang lahat. Kung tutuusin, iyon ang umpisa ng ating legado base sa kung papaano tayo nabuhay sa mundong ito.

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THE BITIN CAVE

The Philippines. Thousands of tourists from all over the world travel every year to experience numerous destinations way beyond the imaginable. Beaches, lakes, mountains, food, events. As the tourism motto says, It’s more fun in the Philippines.

Albert Blackstone, an English-American Anthropologist based in California had just arrived in the country. Not to experience a luxurious holiday on the beach, but to study. He put back the Travel Magazine in the seat pouch and went to the washroom. It’s been a long-tiring travel aboard Philippine Airlines.

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MARGA

“MARGA”
(First published by the Philippines Graphic Magazine – February, 2020)

“The story of Marga, is true. She exists. Living alone in the ghastly hut at the foot of Mt. Irid. With the ability to shift to a dog or wild pig, believe me, my son, she is the last person or should I say, creature – you would want to see.”

I frowned as my mother tells the story of Marga. An old woman told to be living alone in a secluded area about a mile near the Groto of Mt. Paruwagan. The story, should be petrifying. If not because of the fact that I, and any other kids in the village had heard the story countless of times from our folks, anyone of all ages would hesitate to roam the streets at night.

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The Flambeaux

“THE FLAMBEAUX”
Juan Bautista

The moth flies around the flambeaux like a freeman who believes he’s the king of the world. No one and nothing could waylay as the moth owns everything around the golden sconce when suddenly, an intruder was seen flying around the dim umbrella of light underneath the moth’s cherished territory. The intruder constantly disappears to the dark every time the moth was trying to approach it. It angers the moth. The moth won’t be at peace until it was certain that the intruder would never go back. Continue reading “The Flambeaux” →

H.P LOVECRAFT: Master of Horror

“What secret would open the gate, wiser men than we would have to find.”

– H.P Lovecraft
(Rats in the walls)

Howard Phillips Lovecraft (August 20, 1890 – March 15, 1937), is one of the most celebrated storytellers today in the horror genre. Being the genesis of the Ctulhu Mythos and Lovecraftian horror genres, he is not just one of the most read author but arguably the most influential to many modern authors, artists and musicians who we admire today. Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Guillermo del Toro, and the list of notable names goes on. His stories and letters immortalized his name that for every aspiring author/storyteller, it is a must to read his astounding works.

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PATULOY NATING PAG-ARALAN ANG KASAYSAYAN

Kahapon ay muling umikot ang balita na tinanggal na ang Philippine History sa mga subjects sa sekondarya o High School level. Bagama’t kasama pa rin naman sa mga asignatura ng elementarya (ayon sa DepEd) ang kasaysayan ng bansa, naniniwala akong kailangan pa rin itong talakayin sa sekondarya. Kasaysayan nating lahat bilang mga Pilipino ang usapin dito. At ang karunungan sa ating kasaysayan ay isa sa mga pinakaimportanteng gabay ng ating pag-iral. Continue reading “PATULOY NATING PAG-ARALAN ANG KASAYSAYAN” →

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL

Matindi ang taong ‘to. 2020. Mga bagyo, recession, kawalan ng sapat na kita o gana dulot ng pandemya at marami pang iba. Halos lahat tayo, apektado. Mga negosiyante (malaki man o maliit), mga empleyado, mga guro’t estudyante at siyempre pa – ang mga local artists. May mga masuwerte dahil hindi naapektuhan masyado ang mga kabuhayan nila, pero napakarami talaga ng mga namomroblema ngayon kung saan at papaano didiskarte, mga Tol. Continue reading “THE STRUGGLE IS REAL” →

APOY: RAP GAME 2020

Sobrang init ng Hip Hop ngayon mga Tol. Rap Game is back! “In” nanaman ang dissing game na namayagpag nuong 90s hanggang early 2000s. Sino ba naman ang makakalimot sa klasik na “Dear Kuya” ni Syke? ‘Yung pagpapalitan ng diss tracks nina Loonie at Badang? D-Coy vs Mike Swift? At marami pang “beefs” sa Pinoy Hip Hop Community. Pero sa tingin ko, pakiramdam ko, mukhang mas magiging malawig at matagal ang rap game season na ‘to mga tol. Continue reading “APOY: RAP GAME 2020” →

KAYUMANGGI: DJ Medmessiah & Moro Beats

As Hip Hop continues to grow in the Philippines over the years, one of the most important elements of the genre is the sincere dedication to artistically vision and represent our own culture. Most Filipino Hip Hop artists write and produce songs about the society, heritage, noble people and of course, the Philippines in general.

One of the most notable Hip Hop artists from the Philippines today, is Mohammed Bansil a.k.a DJ Medmessiah – a Filipino Emcee, DJ and Producer who stands as a bridge for aspiring emcees to hone their skills in delivering messages and knowledge through quality and highly dedicated type of Hip Hop music. A two time Awit Awards nominated Producer, he was also one-half of the Awit Awards nominated rap duo, Dos Fuertes along with his fellow emcee, Boca. DJ Medmessiah has produced numerous songs and beats for a variety of ingenious rap artists both the new and veterans alike. Continue reading “KAYUMANGGI: DJ Medmessiah & Moro Beats” →

Dear Mr. Ben Tulfo

Dear Mr. Ben Tulfo,

Alam na ng marami sa Social Media ang statement mo patungkol sa isyu ng Rape. Hindi ko na kailangang ulitin pa, kung tutuusin, ayaw ko naman talagang banggitin dahil ayaw kong manggaling mismo sa’kin ang statement mo kahit ipapasa ko lang sa iba. Kasi sobrang mali.

Mag-focus na lang tayo sa mismong punto ng argumento mo, kung susumahin, ang isa sa mga primerong dahilan (para sa’yo) na maaaring magahasa ang isang babae ay dahil sa kanyang kasuotan.

Sir, victim blaming ‘yan. Malabo ang argumentong ‘yan. Continue reading “Dear Mr. Ben Tulfo” →