Chase for the Wonder Boys

It was a year ago when she cried a river for her wonder boy.

Moons have passed, but it seemed that she only learned to eat her words of self-salvation, as she didn't mind chasing another heart-which, still could not be hers. It is difficult to understand why her heart follows a masochistic path, knowing that she would fall into deep pain. Yet she wandered forth and hoped to finally capture his heart.

Desiderata. Life is not a chase, but a walk by the shore. Try to see the waves and smell the breeze. It is only your spirit that can heal your burns, if only you would allow it to.

Wonder boys, there are many of them in your lifetime. But they are neanderthals who, are merely absorbed in their own parallel universe. Don't you think you deserve a sapien this time around?

Asan na si Mabuti?

Asan na si Mabuti?

Marahil ilang taon na rin ang lumipas nang makilala ng madla ang batang si Mabuti. Si Mabuti ang representasyon ng tipikal na batang mag-aaral sa Pilipinas, mapa-pribado o pampubliko man ang kanyang pinapasukan. Si Mabuti ang batang inatasan ng isang mabigat na responsibilidad habang nasisilayan ang samu't saring problema sa kanyang kapaligiran, at ang responsibilidad na ito ay ang mag-aral.

Si Mabuti ba ay nakatapos ng pag-aaral? Matapos maabot ng guro ang puso niya, ano na ang nangyari kay Mabuti? Nakaapak ba siya ng high school o kolehiyo? O nag-asawa siya kaagad? O nakakilala ng barkadang sasamahan? Naabot kaya niya ang kanyang pangarap?

Asan na si Mabuti?

Sa aking pananaw, si Mabuti ay nabubuhay sa puso ng bawat Pilipino. Sa iyo, sa akin, sa atin. Kung kaya't ang kinabukasan ni Mabuti ay nasa ating mga kamay, kung saan tayo ang huhubog at magdadala. Nasa sa atin na kung si Mabuti ay lalaking mangmang, adik, o propesyunal, or martir na asawa.

Marahil si Mabuti ay isa paring musmos, na pinipilit mamulat sa isang lipunang isip-bata.

Para kay Genoveva Edroza Matute (1913-2009)

Run, Anadel, Run

How does it feel to be able to run again, Anadel?

I know you never met gramma, but for sure she'd greet you with her signature beso. You see, she can be cold at times. But gramma's pretty cool.

I've been chasing for liberty, just so you know.

I envy your beauty, your meekness. And I hate it when you never recognized my presence.

Run, Anadel, run. Fate kept us apart. We never had the chance to play on the sandy beach.

We could have been sisters.

Run, Anadel run. The clouds will be your playground.

I do hope to see you again. One day we'd be able to do the things destiny once deprived us.

Anadel Juntilla
1986-2009

Freedom Viewed from a Kaleidoscope

If you are a child of the 90's, for sure you know Francis Magalona. Known as the Philippines' Master Rapper, he started to dig groundbreaking success with his album "Yo!" way back in 1990, represented by the hit song "Mga Kababayan". Most of his songs were made up of nationalistic lyrics, stating the right of the youth to exercise their freedoms in the society. He eventually became a household name thanks to the Royal Tru Orange commercial where he teamed up with some of then's hottest teen stars to dance, sing and rap in the 45-second video.

I was in gradeschool then, and yes, I was one whom you can call a child of the 90's. My classmates and I were big fans of Kiko back then, and even as I ventured towards life and beyond, he remained to be a great influence in my formative years. Kiko may not have known me, nor may he had realized it that much, but he provided a big contribution in the development of my present principles, as a person, as a member of the youth society, and as a citizen of this nation-state.

I admit I took Kiko's omnipresence in my life for granted. I hated some of his videos, rapped along some of his lyrics, and took for granted the airplay of his songs on the radio. But my neglect for his music's messages were not because of a fickle-mind's caprice; I thought Kiko would always be there. I thought, and always believed, that Kiko, Master Rapper Francis M., was immortal.

But I guess the prerequisite to immortality is death. The Master Rapper left the earth last March 6 after struggling with leukemia. Like most fans, I was saddened. I am saddened. Too bad I was miles away from Manila otherwise I would have been there at his wake, to pay my final rites for the man I considered to have molded my life as a writer, a lover, and a political animal. His death however awakened one dream I had, a reverie which I once chose to kill after losing hope-to grasp freedom.

My heart is still bleeding for his loss, but I knew that upon his passing, Kiko left me, his fans, and all the members of the youth a legacy which all of us bear the responsibility to continue: fight for our rights, fight for our freedom.

As a fan, as a writer, and as a dreamer, I end my requiem with an aspiration that is once again reginited through the lyrics of his song:

Gusto kong matikman ang sarap ng buhay,
hawakan ang bukas sa'king mga kamay.

I will hold the future in my hands. I will, Kiko.