# data[].attributes.body
The sound of pencil scratching paper still echoes in my ears,
The feeling of my aching hand suddenly reappears,
I try to stop the panic threatening to rise,
As I quickly wipe away the bitter tears in my eyes.

The recollection of my cluttered thoughts come back to me,
My pride starts to shrivel at the horrible score I see,
My hope of doing well this time has been snatched away,
I have failed yet another task and my world has turned gray.

The effort and time taken to study seemed to disappear,
As the day of my trial quickly drew near,
Never mind the sleepless nights and review of every detail,
All that mattered in the end was my great big fail.

But then a stubborn side of me suddenly materialized,
That radiated positivity and then I realized,
Something that I still continue to say,
Tomorrow is another day, tomorrow is another day.

# data[].attributes.headline
Hangout (Zoe Villar, 9-Caritas, Imagery)

# data[].attributes.subject
Hangout (Zoe Villar, 9-Caritas, Imagery)

# data[].attributes.body
Warm embraces were felt, and laughter filled the air,

Four friends were reunited, and in joy, they cried.

What a sight, teenagers screaming without a care,

But it didn't matter, they valued their friendship with pride.

Bright lights from the shops and arcade place,

The patter of footsteps across the shiny tiles,

A gleeful expression was plastered on each face,

Their faces red, cheeks hurting from the smiles.

The unzipping of wallets accompanied by casual banter,

Metal clinking when the hangers slide across the rack,

The thank you's while taking paper bags off the counter,

And soon enough, the skies had turned from blue to pink to black.

Steam rising from cups of coffee, cooling down for later,

The quiet ambiance letting their imagination run free.

They took out paintbrushes and watercolor, pencils and paper,

They let their creativity take control, as time flew by quickly.

Phones started ringing, buzzing with each parents' message,

It was already eight pm, an hour after they were supposed to end.

They hastily took tons of pictures, not caring about losing storage,

And they said their goodbyes, knowing they'd soon meet again.

# data[].attributes.body
Our hands were intertwined

with the rough sand

light shone on her upturned lips,

I was filled with bliss.

My eyes trailed along the shore,

painted salmon pink and

bleeding out into the sea,

staining their bodies red.

Our feet dug into the ground,

swaying amongst the hermits

and drowning in the sand,

mocking our pitch black hands.

My eyes regained its youth

and my teeth showed through,

with salt water running down my legs,

and some promise of happiness.

# data[].attributes.headline
A Friend of Mine (Maxene De Castro, 9-Caritas)

# data[].attributes.subject
A Friend of Mine (Maxene De Castro, 9-Caritas)

# data[].attributes.body
I've been with you for years now
Our start wasn't good
as i saw it in you to be dull and dark
Your words ran for miles and miles
that it made me doze for hours and days

Since the very beginning
they've forced me to accept you
to hold you like my life depended on you
to cherish you like you're the oxygen that keeps me alive
for they said that you'd be the key to my future

As days went by my hatred for you grew further
like a black hole pulling me to nothingness
for your words drowned me
when I can no longer understand it
your weight felt like stones on my hand
and your pages like knives on my palms

As a child, you've taken the happiness
the happiness that i've always dreamt of
the happiness that i've always chased for
you took away the games that I played
and the friends that i've made
you took them all away like I was jailed

But then one day it all changed
all the hatred flew away
as a new me grew up and changed my mind
suddenly all the birds' chirping were music to my ears
and the light was so bright
that the dark void was nowhere in sight

The weight became bearable
and the pages now caressed
the tips of my fingers
as it no longer held miles of torture

Now, you came to be the oxygen that surrounds me
the blood in my veins
I can no longer live without you
for your words are the things
that I now treasure the most

*imagery

# data[].attributes.body
I walked around the busy town,

Staring blankly ahead with a resting frown.

With shivering arms, headed down,

Where jewelries live with their evening gowns.

I followed the familiar unpaved path,

Surrounded by swaying mid-sized grass.

Flowers danced with their gorgeous spathes,

And there I felt at home at last.

I allowed my feet to remain heading south,

Spotted the place and opened my mouth.

Memories played in vandyke brown,

And finally that frown turned upside down.

It's astonishing on how much have changed,

Realization came upon and then all faded.

On the old mile-stone, a stranger stared,

Which spoke a mind not all degraded.

'Cause there it was, the same ole' spot,

Freshly painted slides and chin up bars.

A fragment of my past that I had long forgot,

But children's smiles' bright as the glistening stars.

Each metal segment shone from the night sky,

Illuminated by the serene silvery sheen.

Gall mood, once open to every passerby,

But now occupied by innocent golden kids.

It was as if a kiss of a bliss of memories,

Shattered by the tiny bratty fools,

Mind like a bird in profound reverie,

Beside a guy that collects the loots.

I kid you not, our place as kids,

I must apologize as it seems to me,

It's not the place it used to be,

And another goodbye that I will bid.

# data[].attributes.body
Shades of the dusk stretch along the horizon,

Painting the sky with such passionate emotion.

With a smile upon my face, I gaze with admiration,

At the radiant flare slowly escaping my line of vision.

As my toes curl around the cool grain of the Earth,

My feet sink slightly as I ponder the source of my mirth.

Suddenly, lanterns lined up on the street glow bright,

"What appropriate timing," I mused with delight.

It must be the briny scent of the distant waves,

Or the cool summer breeze tickling my skin.

Whatever it is, inspiration it gave,

Like a spark igniting a fire within.

Isabela O. Santos
9 - Bermisa

# data[].attributes.body
Rain

by Leiana Toledo

In the expanse of this silence,

the violent waters pound against

the roof,

the windows,

the concrete

like screams aching to be untangled

from the mess of the sky.

It is dawn

when you hear giggles playing in a loop,

when your gums taste like sugar,

and laughter falls like drizzle.

Sometimes,

it is the pressure of work;

the ticking noise of the clock

as if every second descends all at once.

With family,

it is the angry voices of parents

competing with the sound of thunder,
sharp noises shooting right through my skull.

It is dusk,

when it becomes small bullets threatening

to tear your skin open

on your way home.

As you lie on your bed,

it is the tears staining your cheeks

like how water slides down the windowsill

in a silent but piercing downfall.

But at the end of the day,

it is just rain—

millions of emotions falling from the sky.

# data[].attributes.headline
a buddy i'd call a jerk (Mikaela Lacao, 9-Bermisa)

# data[].attributes.subject
a buddy i'd call a jerk (Mikaela Lacao, 9-Bermisa)

# data[].attributes.body
i catch my breath and

hold on before it can bolt.

mustering courage,

i step into the darkness.

a black soul embraces me.

but that’s a big feat

for a jumpy six-year-old.

well, having said that,

a (now proud) six-year-old sets

off to meet with a buddy.

a buddy i’d call

a jerk, wanting only to meet up

in the dark like that.

the dark that holds so much fear

but still so much mystery.

i guess my buddy

just wants to feel at home, since

their skin’s of shadows,

a charcoal hue that twinkles

and does remind me of space,

just like the dark does.

so my buddy’s not a jerk

especially since

all of our memories are

titter-tinted and perfect.

a tooth-gapped smile meets

such shadowed and wispy, yet

such tinkling laughter.

the children’s laughter sounds like

the tiny bells on keychains.

inky my friend may

look, they’re not the least bit dark.

they’re not of wild fun,

but that’s fine, because time with

my buddy is the best sort.

time with my buddy

feels like a comforter, and

cozy swathing warmth,

bright and blinding smiles, big hugs,

birthday cake, and solitude.

so time passes faster,

and the joy keeps it moving,

until it doesn’t.

gramma turns the light switch on,

surprising the both of us.

my buddy’s a jerk

who only meets in the dark,

who’s like solitude,

whose skin is truly shadows,

who is too good to be true.

# data[].attributes.body
those doors were yellow like honey,

or the shade of it that looked like the

happiness people keep on talking about.

i was doing fine in my four walls built on

oblivion and the bliss of not knowing the truth.

they weren't as strong as i thought they'd be,

which is why everything came crumbling down eventually.

fear is running away from someone i've always chased,

while secretly hoping i'd find them in some sort of way.

maybe i've confused fear for hypocrisy,

but that fails to surprise me.

tension is not being able to look at her straight in her eyes

despite painfully desiring one fleeting glance.

it's the resounding thud of my chest that

i'm so, so sure she can hear too.

what i crave is quickly killing me from the inside,

but it's surely for the best.

(picking my poison makes the dying part a bit easier)

that door wasn't meant to be closed so abruptly;

i'd like to think that i wasn't avoiding the inevitable. (i was)

those cubicle walls can't compare to the ones i've built,

but i was merely looking for temporary oblivion.

a feigned sense of resilience is fleeing safety because

i thought i was ready (the art of assuming isn't hard to master)

there are times when picking myself up feels so easy

because i've been in this state far too many times

fixing yourself isn't rocket science; it's as easy as counting 1-2-3

one, unlock that door; it's one of those days i need to believe

that the universe is on my side (it somehow is)

two, look away.  it won't be that hard to close my eyes, for

what i choose not to see won't kill me

i didn't make that choice, but let's pretend i had

for the sake of all this.

i'm /almost/ there—she grins—

this facade shatters—a feigned sense of resilience

is thinking that i'm strong enough when my heart and mind (are hers)

know that i'm definitely not.

if this room were the entire world, we'd literally be the only two people in it.

the world outside is dusty gray,

just like how a life without

love would supposedly look like.

i am no longer tucked away in my

four walls of oblivion;

everything comes crumbling down

at some point.

it's wretched, woeful, and hopeless,

but there will always be wonder in

the chance of starting over

again.

Alyanna S. De Leon
9-Carpio
POEE-A
August 30, 2017

# data[].attributes.headline
Little Library (Mariah Cual, 9 - Carpio)

# data[].attributes.subject
Little Library (Mariah Cual, 9 - Carpio)

# data[].attributes.body
I walk down the long halls
I hear my footsteps hit the floor
I touch the cold windows
It's not cold anymore

I squint at the glass
It's clean and new
The hand prints are gone
and the drawings too

The tables still have scratches
and the computer games are there
the I Spy books are still hidden
who knew this would make leaving a nightmare

Now the books are all covered
and everything is off
I can't go inside now
It's closed and locked

# data[].attributes.body
Pencil shavings scatter on the floor

Despair taints our yelling voices

Confusion is a wave that has wiped us out

But the hum of the air conditioning goes on.

Tears of regret and frustration spill

Papers crumpled and scribbled on carelessly

Infinite worries swirl around

Unfinished essays and incomprehensible equations

But the hum of the air conditioning goes on.

As the hours morph into days, and days into months,

The sun begins to shine a little brighter

Our smiles are now accompanied by laughter

But the hum of the air conditioning goes on.

Tearful eyes now shine like stars

Diplomas received and joy in our hearts

But then, we bid farewell to the memories

That made us into who we are

And as we take a step forward

Uncertain but optimistic

A bit dazed at how time flies

We realized, with nostalgia in our veins

That the hum of the air conditioning has gone.

# data[].attributes.body
Standing with bated breath

Looking around the sprawling stadium

Thousands of people just like me

Same view, same goal, same journey

Yet no one there was quite like me

Different faces, different races, different mindsets

Boldly colored banners and even bolder smiles

Scattered around like stars in the night sky

Bright and full of wishes and dreams

Or countries on a world map

Colorful, diverse and uniquely talented

All hoping to win, all hoping to do well

Adrenaline pumps through my veins

Excitement and fear bouncing off the walls

And I take the first step forward

Forward into the gladiators' pit

# data[].attributes.body
Rough, jagged, like sandpaper

This is how the cover seems

I looked upon this book 2 years later

With memories bursting at the seams.

Our bodies moving to the tunes

That we sang with our hearts

A hot sunny afternoon

My feet thumping at each part

I went back to the days

Where I would come home crying

From long hours of learning a music phrase

God could tell I was really trying

Every note, every melody
Became stuck in my head
Repeating the tune pleasantly
Until all lines are

These weren't just pieces of paper

Rather it is my life, career

The whole entirety of summer

All my hopes and dreams resided here.

Songs of cultures, songs of war

Songs of love, songs of peace

All these, transporting you far

While your mind wanders at ease.

Other choirs narrating stories

About their motherland

Through their eyes, these were memories

With our ears, we heard experiences we could never understand

The life of music has a lots of ups

And downs, too

Some days, will really suck

But don't let it get to you

I guess, this is my drive

What makes me wake up everyday

These are lessons and values that will stick to me for life

Because singing lets me say the words I could never say

Now, I close this dear book

And I put it down near

I give it one final look

Nostalgia in the atmosphere

Thank you, black folder

For everything you held

But for now, I'll go out to buy another

And let even more of my dreams be dwelled

# data[].attributes.body
Glass beads
add to the weight of my back
pressing against a patch of lilies
to keep them hidden from my sight

Twisted fingers of the weeping willow
hold their ground
strings of featherlight bullets
burst from fingers that aim at God, Himself
haven to me and the White Rabbit's Hole

But now, only near the hidden
patch of lilies that is pressed against
my back and the added weight of
glass beads

# data[].attributes.body
Complete opposites, you and I

Or so that's what they say

The flickers of my flame and

The dance of your streams

Seem different in every way

I bring heat, I burn, while

You refresh and revive

I die at your hands yet

I am feared and you

Are greatly revered

In many ways, we differ

And that, we cannot deny

In many ways, we can see

We are but two sides

Of the same coin

My trail is as bloody as yours

Fires and floods go hand in hand

But life is lost without us

My flames give warmth and

Your body gives life

For as much as we take

We give in return

Jiana A. Lim (Partner: Marcine Danya)

(Water & Fire)

# data[].attributes.body
​Mariah Cual 9 Carpio
(Note: Miss, sorry this is very late! We've been hesitating because no one else has posted yet.)

You are loud, I am quiet

All the time, you say what you feel

You know you'll get hurt, don't even deny it

With every word I say—a coat of steel

I'm sorry I can't express all my thoughts about you

My words don't flow as smoothly as yours

I'm sorry I don't show you the appreciation that's due

It's just so much easier (for me) to ignore

I know how much my words can burn

I'd stop if I knew how

I know I'm mean—I'm trying to learn

I hope we're okay now

—our sides

# data[].attributes.body
I am warm, you are cold,

Your love and care, tales untold,

I am friendly, you’re aloof

My earnest feelings are not without proof

I’m sorry I can’t grasp your soft-spoken ‘tude,

and I jump to far-off conclusions,

I’m sorry I can’t express my deep gratitude,

to get rid of unanswered confusions

I know you’re as good as I,

maybe even more,

So as time passes freely by,

I’m glad to be a friend of yours

To connect—

# data[].attributes.body
Inside the mirror all I see

mistakes I've made before

I want to be another me

so I'll amount to more

Erase the past and start anew

to make my parents proud

just wait and see what I will do

to earn a cheering crowd.

# data[].attributes.body
the past is drowned in waves;

hide my secrets in caves.

these tears are dyed champagne,

but hope is not inane.

i'm fragile, shattered glass,

but all this pain will pass.

now and then, the flame dies,

though soon enough, i'll rise.

push me to my limits;

i'll manage to persist.

in time, you'll know and see;

i'm doing this for me.

— Alyanna De Leon, 9-Carpio

# data[].attributes.body
​He is a vase

up for display

to be relished by eyes

on the pedestal he lay

He was made to be pretty

for those who can afford

His background and history

are something to be adored

But the vase serves a purpose

other than to enchant

It has the potential

to serve the life of a plant

Those stepped on and ignored

he wants to preserve

those little plants that get

less than what they deserve

Determination and passion

he wants to keep it alive

it does so much good

and deserves more than to just die

It pushes us forward

without it, we won't last

he just wants to right

all the wrongs in the past

but of course, in the end

he was just a pretty vase

it kind of makes you think

we are more than just a face

vases are fragile

and he was pushed too hard

the plant hasn't died

but he's been reduced to shards

# data[].attributes.body
(the long overdue persona poem)

—

rainbows fill our eyes while

the earth's axis tilts slower than usual,

while we dance to our favorite songs.

the scent of sweat fills the room,

and the music resounds throughout,

but all that matters to me is you.

we were meant to last ever since the start

everyone knew this, except for me.

i wasn't in the right mind when you made a move,

so i apologize if you get me wrong, i do love you;

i just couldn't admit it to myself.

maybe next time?

i find myself in the arms of someone new,

but i don't love him the way i love you

you've been seeing that girl from

high school again, and she's still

everything i want to be.

our flings are turning into more serious things,

but i'll hold onto the hope brought by

the next time

you repulse me, but you're not the

only one who'll take the blame.

how foolish i was to be

green with envy when i see you with her when

you were never mine and will never be

in this life.

but for this love, there'll be a next time.

i've been through so much pain for you

but i want this to end it all

your words scathe me and

i know you know that too

you've been so reckless for so long, and

it's killing me when i grasp too hard to a possibility of a

next time.

you talk about yourself when you tell me i deserve better,

and i won't disagree; i'm sorry i hadn't known sooner but

how could you blame me? i'll still run miles to get a glimpse of you,

even though it means i'd have to see you happily in love with someone else.

but as always, i'll wait

for the next time.

it's time for me to be happy for you

like how you've always been for me.

i wish we were still the little kids we used to be,

reckless, hopeful, and loving (despite not knowing how).

i do love you, but in the way

a girl loves her best friend, or so i say.

my deepest thoughts won't come out of my mouth

because i don't want to make a scene.

as always, i'll promise you

that i'll be waiting

for that next time.

after the longest time, paradise has finally come to me,

and though there's magic in all this,

it still feels quite incomplete.

in a sea of remarkable people, you'll be the first one i'll see.

you pull me into your arms, bringing me back to where it all used to be.

i've forgotten how your embrace felt like,

and i'm glad you've made me remember.

all this waiting was worth it;

we've reached the perfect time.

— Alyanna De Leon, 9-Carpio

# data[].attributes.body
(n.)
1. a home that never was
2. something that wouldn't make sense without her
---
put these letters together; i'll get a gibberish mess

solely conceived to emphasize what i see as meaningless,

until they form into something concrete and coherent,

be it a twinkle of light in the dark that swallows me,

or a slightly faded rainbow after very light rain.

put these letters together; i'll get a gibberish mess

until they clean up and turn into the words i want to say,

until they clean up and start forming your name.

my throat is confined by the thorns of roses,

and they're starting to poke out of my fragile petal skin

i am a garden filled with budding seeds that grow

because of the sun of your smile; these seeds are tiny like the

little things you tell me that mean so much.

if i hadn't known any better, i'd call you my oxygen,

but i lose the ability to breathe whenever you're around,

so i'll find another cliche to flatter you.

your favorite songs become mine

and they all remind me of you.

(though eventually, your voice will be the only one i'll never tire of repeating.)

calling whatever this feeling is love is looking for a sunrise at 3am;

maybe i get too hasty whenever it comes to something good,

but i'm starting to learn from my past mistakes.

i see you through rose-colored lenses,

and i know that's dangerous because

you're starting to look like the sunrise

i'm not supposed to be looking for.

(but i swear with all my might, you're not the one

completing my days and nights)

for as long as i can, i'll convince myself that you're simply a pastime,

a temporary fix for the void that eats me up,

a back-up plan, or anything with no strings attached,

but everyday you feel more like a necessity instead of a want,

and it gets harder to convince myself that you're not.

maybe those letters are meant to be a gibberish mess,

but for me, you're far from meaningless.

there's extra space in the car; i've been saving it for quite some time.

stay with me and enjoy the ride.

— Alyanna De Leon, 9-Carpio

# data[].attributes.body
You were mean, devious,
Loud and obnoxious
You were proven crazy
Your crimes always seemed to amaze me

Yet, we were forcefully melded together
Like pen and a quill feather
Except, the quill had no ink,
The words we tried to write, never in sync

We were opposites, you and I
Your actions, always horrify
You and your evil ways,
You never really liked to obey

You were bad,
You would always, get me mad.
And you'd laugh at my face
In front of my face, always.

You took everything away
All your commands, I had to reply with "ok"
You robbed me
You would always hurt me badly

You took away my innocence
My dignity, in a sense
You—you drove me insane
Always having to bear the afterpain

But I had no choice
I will always see you, hear your voice
Your voice, raspy and croaky
Always trying to threaten me

Your hands, rough
You always made my job tough
I never wanted to hurt you
Your words, cutting me like knives do.

You were good once
And now you shine your insignificance
I can't believe I risked my life chasing you
Me, dodging all the bullets you blew

But now, you're locked up
Payed for all of your mess-ups
You'll never see this face again
Goodbye, old friend

(Partner: Chloe Quilates 9-Caritas)

# data[].attributes.headline
Sol (Maxine Talagtag, 9 - Caritas, Persona Poem. Partner: Zoe Villar)

# data[].attributes.subject
Sol (Maxine Talagtag, 9 - Caritas, Persona Poem. Partner: Zoe Villar)

# data[].attributes.body
Sol

Oh hi! I hope you had a good day!

‘Cos mine is in the middle of the spectrum.

I wish you’re as happy as,

Hearing the title as a note in a certain song.

But who am I really? You ask,

I paint the daybreak flawless,
with my color sinking in.

But let me tell you a story,

Of a day I rose again.

I once lifted my head and saw a figure,

I whispered to myself,

“Who could that be over there
She looks very sad
I'll make her come over here
What can I do to make her glad?”
And so I cast my light.

I shone

My bright glory gleaming,
Smile costs more than a dime,
My glorious rays beaming.

But who could’ve not seen,
That our differences are too much?

But we didn’t care,

As we continued to talk

To people we are red and blue,

But who said we weren’t?

Though the fire inside me,

Is starting to lose the gas.

I released all my happiness,

And the sadness left inside began to resurface.

So I will try my best to gather light again,,

But soon enough you’ll see a ball of fire,

Turning into a black hole.

And maybe all this warmth,
inside my soul so bright,
Will be a cold solid sphere.

The heat within me rising,
will be soon gone.
So I will just shine brighter,
and make flowers bloom instead.

Turning frowns into smiles,

Until it’s my turn to glare.

Since nobody knew the story behind
how the sun suffered and died
and the moon lives and breathes
and for everyday to repeat.

# data[].attributes.headline
Hidden Golden Calf (Maxine Talagtag, 9 - Caritas, Metaphor)

# data[].attributes.subject
Hidden Golden Calf (Maxine Talagtag, 9 - Caritas, Metaphor)

# data[].attributes.body
You’re a doll that you claim to be,

A figure that has to act plastic,

You’re flawless, you’re perfect,

But little did all of us know,

That behind that dollhouse is a messed up world.

You’re one of the small branches of a tree,

Trying to keep others from breaking away.

Each one fell, and you witnessed it all,

But you’re the remaining branch,

The branch that stood strong.

You’re a piece of paper that has been crumpled up,

But you tried your best to flatten it out.

Your life is a roller coaster under fire,

You know it’s dire, but never a water seen.

Glance, you’re an ocean with an inside so deep,

Drowning on your own self, on your blue body.

You trembled, you began to break,

You fell on your knees and yelled, “Mend my life!”

But you remembered that you are the ocean,

An ocean with waves,

You retracted, but you slowly rose again.

You are a prey almost eaten by society,

A society that tried to change your identity.

They lifted a mask against your face,

Because that true face tells the story,

The one that speaks your history,

The one that tells of good times,

Of which you had shared of love lost and pain.

“What does it means to love oneself,

to have self-respect,

and to have self-worth?”

You threw that mask away,

And shoved it down society’s throats.

You opened the youth’s eyes,

School and society aren’t worth the sighs.

We are all sui generis,

We don’t need to learn it the hard way.

# data[].attributes.body
(I'm incredibly sorry for being so late)

That night you deemed a mistake was not one for me,
But you told me to forget it, so I'll follow obediently.
I'll ignore this pain and bury it in secret;
My heart longs for you, but I'll find another way to appease it.
Maybe you'll never see me that way,
But I'll keep dreaming of that day.

I lose myself with another but fragments of you fill my brain;
In my heart, you're still the one that reigns.
Only a fool would set you free;
Unfortunately, that fool had to be me.
Maybe things would go my way if I knew the words to say,
So I'll keep dreaming of that day.

When she's found home in my arms, I see your jealousy.
Wasn't this the desires of your heart, a life without me?
Your mind is a puzzle I can't put together;
Your thoughts are unpredictable like stormy weather.
Despite all this, I still care about you anyway,
And I'm still dreaming of that day.

I said those words because they were true,
But I never meant to hurt you.
Nevertheless, they had to be said,
Even when it hurt me so much when you fled.
My heart longs for you even when you're away.
Why am I still dreaming of that day?

I let out my feelings but it was too late;
I knew I was right for you, but I could no longer wait.
I'm not completely casting you away,
As I have invited you to be there on my special day.
(Although a part of me wishes you were the one carrying that bouquet,
But at this point, I'll have to stop dreaming of that day.)

The day I've dreamed of has finally arrived,
I've let my heart win; I let my love for you grow like a child and thrive.
Despite all the pains of the past,
I can finally understand you and be with you at last.
Now I can courageously tell you that I love you,
And we've reached that perfect day.

# data[].attributes.body
The constellation of stars in the sky
The blanket for the heat
The house in the field
My Sun in the day
My Moon in the night

# data[].attributes.headline
The Star in my Sky (Bianca Leocadio, Metaphor)

# data[].attributes.subject
The Star in my Sky (Bianca Leocadio, Metaphor)

# data[].attributes.body
You are a brilliant, stunning star,
Attracting people near and far,
A candescent sight in the night,
One can't help but marvel at you with delight.

Specifically you are the sun,
A provider of light and sunshine to everyone,
A guardian through strange and dark places,
A heavenly entity giving warm embraces.

You are the hope peeking through the harshest typhoons,
The reason for amazingly calm afternoons,
Try as they may, no storm could combat you,
No matter how powerful, you still fight through.

You are the light that nourishes all on this earth,
Giving these sad little weeds their worth,
You are the rays that cause flowers to bloom,
Saving many from rotting to their doom.

Amidst all of the stars up above,
You are the one who I truly think of,
The one that stands out from all the rest,
The one who shares their light the best.

# data[].attributes.headline
Until We Meet Again (Leiana Toledo, partner: Maddie Guevarra)

# data[].attributes.subject
Until We Meet Again (Leiana Toledo, partner: Maddie Guevarra)

# data[].attributes.body
persona

I swim above the joy lit seas,

The birds keeping me company.
I spin my head to all there is,

Trying desperately to find you,

To feel you, to hold you,

To be with you,

For your sake,

We shan't

Pain engulfs my blazing breath

Swallowing it, and I

Am left dry (once more).

So in pain, I bleed my rays—

Crying upon the cities

And mountains beneath.

I am sorry you must

Put on a sad face for I am

The lonesome one.

I shall chase after you.

But yes, chaos is all it will bring.

My apologies, that this rift between us is

Bringing an unrelenting sting.

Yes, I shall answer you, dear,

You are being selfish;

But so am I.

But because you're the moon,

And I am the sun;

You must give me space to rule

And I do the same, too.

The eclipse is near, my darling;

I await to see you once more.

Please do not bid me farewell,

Because it is you and only you I adore!

Why must we be separated?

The eclipse will bring us together for

We will meet again, my love.

I shall see you once more.

# data[].attributes.body
Let me hold the stars

Scattered around planet mars!

Grasp what once was ours,

Guiding my minutes and hours,

To the direction with wars.

# data[].attributes.body
You are

The roots that keep me grounded,

That keep me standing strong.

You are

The sunshine in my life,

Giving me joy and keeping me alive.

You are

Everything that matters to me,

I hold you dear close.

Without you, life is

A beach without its sand

An ocean without fishes

Incomplete and bland

# data[].attributes.body
You are the constellation of stars in the sky
The house in the vast field
My sun in the day
And my moon in the night

You are the lamp that lights the house
Everywhere you go your footprint makes a

The wall that keeps it from falling apart

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Casket (Maxine Talagtag, 9-Caritas, Form)

# data[].attributes.subject
Casket (Maxine Talagtag, 9-Caritas, Form)

# data[].attributes.body
I once had an old friend,

Same blood running in our veins.

I was one of who kept you sane,

But He chopped your rope's end.

You ignored what they said.

To everyone you are mad,

But you showed me it isn't bad,

With a smile while you bled.

"It's fine, don't be alarmed,

Whatever, it ain't my jut.

So what if I'm bonkers, I'm nuts?

'Cos the best people are."

You've always been misread,

So what if you're different?

You're the only unique current,

Seeking the riverbed.

When you took your last breath,

Never did I have the chance,

To bid you goodbye in advance.

I was busy, with friends.

Never did I expect,

Criticisms still weighing,

While I see my fellow laying,

On a hospital bed.

Wish it was them instead,

Let forth my final goodbye.

O time, betrayer, quick you fly,

But fellow's marching dead.

Not a day I not dread,

Shifting my head to the left.

I'm stuck, farewell for my bereft,

Hear my pained useless pleads.

So 'twas, you taught me well,

Your antiques, your crazy ways.

But there he was, my fellow lays,

Dressed in white woven thread.

But ever since you're gone,

You still gave me the purpose,

You taught me to accept my flaws,

To accept who I am.

And ever since you're gone,

I learned when all things go wrong,

To never give up and stand strong.

Undraw the line that's drawn.

I learned when I'm in pain,

I'll hold myself together.

'Cos the pain won't last forever.

So cheers to the champagne.

When I release my cries,

I learned how to hold the tears,

'Cos they're just left as memories,

Just lessons in my eyes.

But most importantly,

Don't slack off, be happy, don't quit,

Life's taken before you know it.

Please spend your time wisely.

Don't make the same mistake,

Because you'll regret the cost.

The day I cried, the day I lost,

Rest In Peace, my best friend.

# data[].attributes.body
Oh, sweet child, bud of a rose!

Small stars darting around in search

of your beloved sprinkling can.

Flower that shall not ever wither,

tinted with carnation light,

against each side of your face,

innocently.

You beautiful felicity,

that never refuses to let me hold you

while you are surrounded by purity,

and I,

by iniquity.

Those little eyelids are the petals,

inked with laughter,

holding those stars

winking at the heavens.

It is in grace,

in beauty,

in serenity,

you shall grow;

looking at the stars

that nourish your roots!

The morning star is your nose,

scrunching up when you smile.

And there it is;

a song!

Your angelic laughter that I am

drunkenly playing

over and over.

It is you who makes me wonder

how something can be

enveloped with such immaculacy,

little one.

Little one.

Little one.

Sweet, little rose of mine,

you mustn't ever grow evil!

Those beautiful fingers of yours,

thorns, they shan't become

for little young one,

you still need the sun.

# data[].attributes.headline
Luna (Zoe Villar, 9-Caritas, Persona, Partner: Maxine Talagtag)

# data[].attributes.subject
Luna (Zoe Villar, 9-Caritas, Persona, Partner: Maxine Talagtag)

# data[].attributes.body
Beneath me, cities sleep; the world is dark.

I'm not enough to illuminate the skies.

You always shone much brighter than me,

I'm merely the one that borrows.

My light is not, and never will be enough,

So I create the night until you come around.

I hate that I'm not a shining star;

There's nothing special about me.

You are the reason for the bands of color in the north;

You signal the start of a brand new day;

You help create rainbows after harsh rains;

You give life to the world I orbit. I give nothing.

One day, we'll cross paths; something they call an eclipse.

I'm sick and tired of feeling useless, so I talk.

I say everything that I've been holding back for so long;

I wish I were you; I hate what and who I am.

You frown, saying that I shouldn't feel that way,

You say there are a lot of things I should be happy about.

As you spoke to me, something felt different,

Each word that escaped your mouth filled me with life.

It was an uplifting feeling, I was quite literally glowing,

But there was something wrong, you were fading.

I told you to stop wasting your time on me, it was clearly hurting you,

But you shook your head, pushing yourself to shine brighter.

And the day came; you were gone, you lost everything,

You were sucked into the cold darkness of space.

But with my newfound strength, I'm here to take your place,

Ensuring that there will always be another day.

# data[].attributes.body
Laughter filled the air,

Full of joy and happiness.

We saw one another,

Filling our souls with giddiness.

Seven years of something missing,

Seven years of not seeing.

Now is the time of being complete,

Love and joy seeping through our feet.

There they really were,

Alive and true.

"Are my eyes deceiving me?"

I asked myself, as they did too.

We treasured their presence,

Like guidance in times of need,

Like presents during Christmas,

They were indeed.

Tons of games and fun we had,

Eating like we never did.

Visiting our friends and relatives,

traveling around the Philippines.

Countless days and weeks gone,

Until one whole month flew by.

It was quicker than I could realize

And it was time to say goodbye.

We said our farewells,

As they disappeared from sight.

Continuously hoping, continuously wishing,

Until they come back again one night.

# data[].attributes.body
You are always there for me

Giving me guidance and light

Your words, setting me free

Like a bird flying through the night

You teach me your ways

You teach me your style

Getting better each day

Going the extra mile

all my thoughts are clustered

So sometimes I stray away

Leaving you sad and flustered

And I say, I don't want to be this way

And I come back to you

Asking for forgiveness

And as always you do

Hugging me with happiness

No matter what I do,

You're like a lifeboat at sea

the one that brings me through

You are always there for me

# data[].attributes.headline
Discovery No. 3 (Zoe Villar, 9-Caritas, Metaphor)

# data[].attributes.subject
Discovery No. 3 (Zoe Villar, 9-Caritas, Metaphor)

# data[].attributes.body
You are Bromine; you consider
yourself destructive.

When it's all too much, you see
everything in red.

But it's all caused by your
overprotective nature.

I know deep down, it's because you
love and care.

You are Iodine; you cleanse my
wounds.

Sometimes it stings, but it's my wake
up call.

You say I can get through anything,
the answers will come,

And if there is anything broken, then it
can be fixed.

You are Calcium; you make me strong.
You hold me together, you keep me from falling apart.
You make me realize that courage rests in my heart.
You embolden me to make the world a better place.

You are Radium; you are radioactive.

You kill bad vibes by radiating so
much energy.

Your laughs reach the other side of
the world,

And I'd never trade your smiles for
anything.

You are Nitrogen; you help me grow.

You help create the building blocks I
need to bloom.

You're there for me, every single step
of the way.

You make it easier to shape myself
into who I want to be.

You are a mix of these elements,

The only chemical compound of its
kind,
I'm not the best at chemistry,
But I'm glad to have made this
extraordinary discovery.

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Little Sister (Zoe Villar, 9-Caritas, Form)

# data[].attributes.subject
Little Sister (Zoe Villar, 9-Caritas, Form)

# data[].attributes.body
These nine months seemed to drag on forever,

A long wait I just couldn't endeavor.

I spent nine years without any playmate,

Now my planner has another saved date.

The twenty-sixth of March, twenty-thirteen,

That was the happiest I've ever been.

She turned me into a brand new person,

She brought out a responsible version.

I'm the one that sets examples for her,

I became her role model, her teacher.

Four years have passed, she became my best friend,

My love never changed, sisters to the end.

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Paper + Plastic (Janette Mamauag, Persona, Partner- Maxene De Castro)

# data[].attributes.subject
Paper + Plastic (Janette Mamauag, Persona, Partner- Maxene De Castro)

# data[].attributes.body
The two of us,

completely different things

Both being used

and being thrown away

I am paper,

And you are plastic

Aggressive rivals,

Fighting for the top

You are everywhere,

Becoming trash on the streets

Being eaten by rats,

And poisoning animals on repeat

You are non-renewable,

Taking so long to decompose

Leading to so many problems

Like the effect of dominoes

But then one day,

I look at myself in the mirror

Then I see

I am not as perfect as I ought I'd be

Like you,

I harm the environment

Like you,

I contribute to enlightenment

I am paper,

And you are plastic,

Competitive friends,

with our own set of traits and abilities.