Hagdan: A Docu Film on Drug Rehabilitation

The “war on drugs” forms a huge part of Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s government platform when he was elected as President in 2016. For the past two years, at least 4,814 deaths have already been recorded in police anti-drug operations—or an average of about six people killed every day. Human rights groups claim way 300% more,…

Ang Resureksyon ng ROTC

Pormal nang inaprubahan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang sapilitang pagpasok ng lahat ng mag-aaral sa Grade 11 at 12 o Senior High School sa Reserve Officers Training Course (ROTC). Sa pagbubukas ng Palarong Pambansa sa Antique noong Abril 24, nagbanta pa ang Pangulo sa mga umaalma sa ROTC na posible pa siyang magpatupad ng sapilitang pagsisilbi sa…

Bagani

Editor’s Note: This piece placed 1st in the Short Story Category of the 2016 Chronicle Literary Awards of Adamson University. While this is a work of fiction, some details are based on the experiences of a Martial law rape victim. Images used are from the film “Ang Mga Alingawngaw sa Panahon ng Pagpapasya” (Echoes in the…

Her New “Kid”

She never saw it coming. It was like an undetected IED (improvised explosive device) that exploded and shattered her life into tiny pieces. She had to endure those four long hours of hemodialysis in a dialysis center in Scout Gandia. Sometimes, she would suffer from hypotension, (a low blood pressure such as 90/60), and so,…

Bata, Balota, Meron Bang Magagawa?

Nawa’y gamitin nating gabay sa ating pagboto ang mga aral na natutunan natin mula sa mga nakaraang halalan at mula sa mga taong walang takot na nagbuwis ng buhay para lamang patuloy na ipaglaban ang ating karapatan bilang mga mamamayan.

Ireland and My First Love

Through pictures of Castle Donovan and the box buildings of Dublin, I fell in love with Ireland. Sometimes the skies would send torrents of ice; sometimes the sun would beam rainbows across the green lands filled with clover leaves. Through his grey cold eyes, I fell in love with Rupert. Sometimes he would not speak…

That Thing Called Hinagpis by Antoinette Jadaone

Hinagpis ng isang Babaeng Iniwan na Nga, Ipinagpalit pa sa Pangit  “Ang kapal ng mukha nya! Taga-UP ako ha. At hindi lang taga-UP, cum laude pa ako! Tapos ipagpapalit lang nya ako dun sa pangit na yun na ewan ko kung saan galing? Ang pangit nya ha, as in grabeng pangit! Tignan mo yung Facebook…

The Myth of ‘The Butcher’ Jovito Palparan by Dano Tingcungco

On August 12, 2014, after two years of hiding, NBI operatives finally captured retired Major General Jovito Palparan in Sta. Mesa, Manila. He now has to face charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention for the disappearance of UP students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan in 2006. Palparan has carved a reputation as “The Butcher.” It wasn’t…

Ugly Tree

It’s a real ugly tree with rough skin shaming the roughest of tree skins. I am to say it has toad skin but toad skin —- warts and all — would be porcelain smooth compared to this tree. This particular Kakawate tree is old and has been across the road from our house as long…

Stories We Leave Behind

There is nothing in the world more fluid than the news. We rarely take our stories home – but there are the stories you don’t want to leave behind.

Tambay Chronicles by Isay Reyes

Basta tambay, kadalasan, tamad na agad — walang ginagawa, walang magandang patutunguhan. Pero sa mga tulad kong naghahatid ng serbisyong totoo sa balita, isa ang pagtambay sa kailangan naming pag-aralan at paghandaan. Minsan ngarag kami at kailangang mabilisang makapagbato ng balita. Minsan naman, may ilang oras na kailangan naming maghintay at tumambay! Yung tipong nabasa mo na…