“More than a bookworm, I am a bookwhore.”

The year was 2010, I was introduced to It in a well-lit room with light-blue brick walls – where, near the deranged blinds, a malfunctioning wall fan bows its head so morose, seemingly mourning my block’s loud chattering. In my head, I was apologizing to the insentient yet suicidal fan, but I could not concentrate. The scathing fear of the unknown was more prominent and dominating.

I could smell the fright that was circling the air – block mates’ faces full of doubt, because they knew this one-and-a-half-hour session was not for them. It was a mistake to have come here. Their body language would try to repress, “I am here against my will!” but fails. We are supposedly communication majors, and as all com-majors do, a riot amid disdain was considered. The wall fan’s head bowed lower. It wanted to escape the stench of our fear that made the heat hurt more.

The shrill noise of the bell demanded abrupt silence. Shortly after, a man wearing black long sleeves and slacks entered the room, his long hair tied to the back. He carried nothing but a brown satchel. For a minute, we mistook him for a hippie. Tension filled the air, and then he welcomed us to what would seem to be hell for the majority of my conyo English-speaking block.

But to me, it would be the class that would change the Atenean that I would become.

#8

On Growing Old and Growing Up:
A Synthesis Paper of Merlinda Bobis’ Banana Heart Summer

We Filipinos are known throughout the world for our hospitality and positive outlook towards life. Despite the countless number of crises we have come to face, we continue to be happy citizens and rise above our difficulties. Another known fact about us Filipinos is that food is a part of our culture, from the different kakanin that each province boasts of, to the usual stalls of street food and carinderia along the sidewalk. This love for food is also evident in town fiestas, where a feast is a must in every home. Until now, a feast has become a tradition in every family reunion or a simple get together with friends. As we talk about reunions, we can see from this the intact family relations that have also been known about Filipinos. In-laws staying under the same roof of the newlyweds, relatives asking for pasalubong from people abroad – everything speaks of strong family ties.

Rising above difficulties. Love for food. Intact family relations. These characteristics define the rich Filipino culture and tradition we have today, that can also be seen through Nenita, the young protagonist in Merlinda Bobis’ Banana Heart Summer. Nenita’s growth in the novel proves that although she was deprived of maternal love, she sees this as a motivation to become better and even grows to be more mature than her mother is.

#3 (2010b) ‘Sang Biyaheng Pa-Katipunan

Ang salitang ‘Katipunan,’ o asosyasyon, ay may salitang-ugat na ‘tipon’ o pagsasamahan. Para sa ilan, kilala ang ‘Katipunan’ bilang ang rebolusyonaryong kilusan nina Andres Bonifacio na KKK. Ngunit para naman sa iba, ang kahabaan ng Katipunan ay isang tipon ng pagsubok, isang katuwang sa buhay, at isang tahanan.

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#5 (2010b) Payong Kaibigan Lamang

Para sa iyo na may hawak ng liham na ito:

Kaibigan, kumusta?

Kumusta. Nakatutuwa kung paanong nag-uudyok ng tila pagmamalasakit para sa kapuwa ang isang tanong na kasingsimple ng “Kumusta?” Nakakalungkot nga lang na may iilan, nagtatanong lang bilang panimula ng usapan, ngunit mas nakakalungkot marahil iyong taong sumagot ng taos-puso sa manhid na tanong na ito. “Kumusta,” rin kasi ang salitang hindi ko madalas marinig sa pamilya kong malayo sa akin. Hinahanap-hanap ko ang tinig ng pagmamalasakit (kung mayroon pa nga ba) kahit sa liham, gaya nito, kaya’t tatanungin muli kita.

Kumusta, kaibigan?

#1 (2010b)

Bakit ka magsusulat?

Makailang ulit man akong tanungin kung bakit ako nagsusulat at patuloy na magsusulat, walang isang sagot na makakatugon dito para sa akin. May kani-kaniyang dahilan ang bawat manunulat sa kung bakit sila magsusulat, at hindi ako naniniwala sa tugon na “wala lang” o “bagot ako e,” dahil sa totoo lang, hindi ganoon kadali ang magsulat.