703

704

Maria Ramona P. Atilano

BFA Creative Writing

Monette (Moh-net), a member of the Matalimus gandamus

species; This certified poetry and philosophy junky can
come up with crazy metaphors for your problems, offer
brilliant solutions and say the very things that will make
you wonder how in the world you’d survive without her.
When God created her, extra doses of creative juices were
added to the concoction. Active Ingredient: Enormous
heart. Caution: Monette is magnetic. You may find yourself
spellbound to her charm, razor-sharp wit, blissful disposition
and infectious radiance. Also, in the event of watching a
movie with her, be prepared to hear her in-depth character
analyses and discussion of visual symbolism. Film genre
may range from slapstick comedy to profound art film by
a foreign director whose name you can barely pronounce.
Directions: Hug tight and do not let go until symptoms of
your sadness are gone. Dosage: Take as much as needed.
This humble sweetheart’s engaging smile may be addictive
but has absolutely no harmful side effects!
 705

Ceres Helga R. Barrios

BFA Creative Writing

Cerz is fashion incarnate. Give her some rags, and she’ll

turn them into a sexy bikini. Her imagination is so unusual;
she can turn the boring into exciting. Her prowess doesn’t
stop there; her fashion expertise is nothing compared
to whatever ideas this girl can concoct. An artist to the
very core, Cerz is all that. She colorfully paints the world
with her crazy antics and creates wonderful poetry with
her flexibility and adeptness. A passionate playwright-
director and fellow frustrated singer, she would spend
hours thinking of theatre productions or flexing her vocal
chords with tunes ranging from Backstreet Boys to AC/
DC. Laughter is always present whenever she’s around—a
breath of fresh air. She is very radiant, emitting a certain
subtle charm and beauty that I can’t quite figure out, but
it’s there. Her thoughtfulness will warm your heart; her
teasing will brighten your day, & her presence will give a
sense of security that, at least with Cerz, you’ll know that
life is never dull :)
706

Christoffer Mitch C. Cerda

BFA Creative Writing

Filipino. Tagalog. Taga-Calabarzon. Taga-Laguna. Taga-

San Pablo. Taga-Brgy. Bagong Pook. Panganay. Paburito ni
Lola (Sumalangit nawa.) Mataba. Maitim/kayumanggi (Pili
na lang kayo.) Pogi/panget (Pili na lang ulit kayo.) Ayaw sa
takbo.Mahiligsalakad.Mahiligsamangga.Mahiligmagbasa.
Malikhaing Manunulat. Kuwentista. Nangangarap maging
makata. Nangangarap ng pandaigdigang kapayapaan.
Naniniwala sa Diyos. Kristiyano. Katoliko. Nilikha ng Diyos
ang lahat. Ang Nakaraan. Ang Ngayon. Ang Hinaharap.
Nangangarap magising araw-araw. Hindi alam kung bakit
gumigising araw-araw. Masarap mabuhay. Mas masarap
matulog. Maraming mga panaginip. Pangarap lang na
maging ako. Nabubuhay para makilala ang sarili.
 707

Sophia Abigail L. Chang

BFA Creative Writing

One of the three legendary “evil sistahs,” Abi, Abs or Abster

is indeed a colorful person. She can be a big, sentimental
softie (literally and figuratively), and also be the raving,
biting, mad lunatic when provoked. In one minute, she
can be the serious, passionate writer who lets out those
camouflaged emotions through an eloquent poem or a
story, and the next, you could be enduring hours of side-
stitching laughter and psychedelic goofiness with her!
You’ll never know!
A lovable and trustworthy friend, she will always be there
to show her love and support to friends and family alike.
You can sit with her for hours, without anything to talk
about (which is most unlikely), and yet feel comfortable
in her company, like you’re at home. Truly, she is one of
those rare and special people who unexpectedly crosses
your path, fills your life with so much color, and changes
you forever.
708

Jose Miguel F. del Rosario

BFA Creative Writing

Finally!!!
 709

Jose Raphael Federico G. Doval-Santos

BFA Creative Writing

“With all due respect to the Bard, it must be argued that

a name is not just a name. In Hebrew myth, Raphael
(which means ‘God has healed’ or may also be translated
as ‘giant’) is one of the seven archangels. Although Raph
usually gets around in a dark green Hyundai Starex rather
than having a pair of angel wings, he certainly embodies
what his name implies. Raph is a big guy who gives big
hugs and has a big heart. He’ll let you cry and tell you to
cry until you get it all out and feel better. And when he
promises it will all be okay, believe him. He makes it a point
to make his promises come true, even if he can’t always
do so. With a name like that and a Days cross round his
neck, you can be sure you can’t find a better friend.”

(Many thanks to Denise Alibudbud for helping me fill

spaces of silence with woven words.)
710

Jihan H. Estrella
BFA Creative Writing

Ihanzki malakasis mangarapski. 21. Nangangarap magsulat

habangbuhay. Nagnanais magpasaya ng tao. Laging may
sakit (lalo na kung galing sa biyahe). Mas gustong mag-
barko kaysa mag-eroplano (ngunit pagbaba sa barko,
may lagnat na). Mahilig sa kiamoy, toyong may kalamansi,
bagoong, hilaw na mangga, cheesecake, tsokolate, at
kay Bob Ong. Mahilig manghalik ng mga aso. Mahilig
kumain!!! Adik sa komedi at sa pag-ibig. “May kabagalan
sa pag-iisip,” sabi ng Philo teacher ko (Final Orals, 2nd Sem,
March, SY 2004-2005, Consultation room 5, De la Costa
Building, 11:15am). Ninanasang sana nakatira na lang siya
malapit sa tubig, maging dagat man ito, ilog o talon – basta
malamig ang tubig, malinaw, at walang ahas o palaka.
Gustong natutunaw ang hersheys chocolate sa mga daliri
para madila-dilaan ito na parang bata. Mahal ang pagiging
Pilipino. Umaasang aangat din ang Pilipinas. Malaki ang
pasasalamat sa kanyang mga magulang.Nagnanais na
maging mabuting tao.
 711

Irina Guillen Feleo

BFA Creative Writing

Perhaps, my college years have caused the most significant

changes to my humanity. Freshman year, I was naïve and
unsure of what I wanted in life. Not much has changed.
Today, I am more aware of who I am—strengths and
weaknesses. Strengths that are not entirely mine but
are rooted in others. I am always at a crossroad. I grow
at times when I move out of myself and sincerely pay
attention to others. I am blessed to have friends who see
through me and yet accept me without conditions. I love
my parents and sister more than anyone in the world. I
love God. Friends and family may not be with you forever,
but He will. Sometimes, I love myself. And through the
years, I have come to realize that it’s not a bad thing.
712

Danielle Angela K. Garcia

BFA Creative Writing

Danielle is sincere in everything she does, whether it be

in her faith, studies, friendships or even in her laughter
(however strangely silent it may be). Her serene exterior
belies a surprising firmness and strength of character. Her
ready smile and propensity to laugh at even the most inane
jokes are as rays of sunshine on a downcast day. She is
a marvelous poet and writer, and an even more amazing
friend. When all is said and done, Danielle is real, in every
sense of that word. The country, the world, the universe
would be better places if there were more people like her
around.
Danielle is out to change the world. She may not know it
yet, but she will and she’ll love and live every moment of
it. She may even write about it one day, so watch out for
those best-seller lists.
 713

Hanniel Micah L. Lim

BFA Creative Writing

Hanniel’s favorite (egotistic) quotes throughout college:

“I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.”

—Philippians 4:13
“I need sleep.”
“Dean’s list! We can do this! We will survive!”
“God, help me!”
“I’m the man!”
“Dude, confidence!”
“Chicks love me.”
—Penshoppe shirt
“This is crazy!”
“Ah. life.”
“Astig!”
“No, I’m not a freshman. I’m a senior. Seriously.”
“Blue Eagle Spelling! Go Ateneo!”
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles.”
—Isaiah 40:31
714

Jason John S. Lim

BFA Creative Writing

What do you need to know about Jason? Considering

that he is in a writing course, reading and writing are both
givens—so what else is there to know? That’s a tough
one. A perfect description for him is a jumbled mess. Here
goes: television shows, volunteering, complaining and
loving, book-hunting, movies, a wide variety of music,
understanding Photoshop through self-studying, staying
up late and waking up early, dressing up, dancing, promises
of exercise, philosophizing, delusional, psychotic, tactless,
slave driver, nagger, and all-around nice guy. Need I add
more? I did say that it was a jumbled mess.
 715

Pilar Kristina J. Litiatco

BFA Creative Writing

Needles of wind billowed from the west, combing the

cropped strands of her emerald hair. She sighed. Not
even a good grooming could uplift her spirits now. She
yearned for the swishing, soothing melody rising from the
pitter-patter of naked feet against the moist velvet of her
gently rolling jade covering – but then no one ever took
their shoes off anymore. She was glistening handsomely
in the moonlight, seducing passers-by to her keep, when
the Artist suddenly ran a fresh coat of paint over the night
sky. Black teardrops trickled from the sky and she was
no sooner bathed in darkness. To her dismay, she found
herself resembling a hollow pit and she highly doubted
if Mr. Rabbit would come scurrying about anytime soon.
What wicked and pleasant surprise it had been when the
familiar curve of a fleshy stub jabbed her back to reality.
She felt the earth sink comfortably on the calloused ridges
– ah, these were playful ones. “What is your name?” “Feet,
they call me feet. But Eeya—she is the one up there.”
716

Amanda Marie M. Lopez

BFA Creative Writing

Patuloy pa ring nangangarap si Ada, pagkat may tiwala

siyang ang kanyang tadhana’y matagal nang itinalaga sa
mga bituin, at alam niyang hinding hindi siya bibiguin ng
mga ito.
 717

George Peter A. Lorenzana

BFA Creative Writing

Peter—a human puzzle box made up of an infinite number

of complex sides.

A very talented poet, his pen bleeds upon the page words
directly flowing from his heart and soul. He is willing to do
anything for the sake of self-expression for art is the very
essence of his life.

There will be times when he will dare you to take that

roller coaster ride called life with him, the journey possibly
leading to hell and back. But in the end, adventures with
him only leaves one with an even greater sense of the
divine. And so, when that happens, do not hesitate. Just
allow your inhibitions to fade, your mind to be set free,
your hands to let go.

Enjoy the rush.

718

Naomi V. Pitargue
BFA Creative Writing

Yumi has the heart of a child, but the mind of a grown

woman with a beautiful soul that captures the meaning
of life through the uplifting disposition she encompasses.
There’s always something fun about having Yumi around.
One may see her in the hallways always waving to
someone and smiling. She’s always so cheery and up
for anything, as long as it’s with friends. She’ll always be
there to listen to what you have or want to say. One could
find her laughing the hardest in a company of CW majors,
singing and telling stories. She’s really easy to get along
with and when you’re with her, the word “bore” will be
crossed out from your dictionary. This person is also a lover
of art: visuals, films, plays, and especially music. This gal is
a really talented pianist—able to play pieces without even
looking at them. She also has a beautiful voice—one that
would someday lead her to be a member of a band. One
will definitely regret not knowing Yumi.
 719

Marie Denise H. Roco

BFA Creative Writing

Knowing that the name “Denise” was derived from

Dionysus (Greek god of wine), is dandy in attempting a
definition for this delicate dame.
Delve into her delirious world—deliberately dressed to
kill, dominating dying dance floors while dirty dancing and
duping you to indulge in dizzying drinks. To dream of a
dozen bottle-nosed dolphins diving into deep sea and to
dream of two darling Cocker Spaniel dogs drooling on her
lap. To quickly devour a delicious dish of shrimp dumplings,
decadent chocolate and coffee flavored Häagen Daz. To
dislike Davao durian, Danish cookies, dubious film plots,
pretentious dimwits and dreadful ditches while swiftly
driving up and down a highway. To delight in daunting
debates by debunking ideologies. To see the dark beauty
and demure tragedy of life. To dip pen on paper letting ink
drip until the day’s done. To delusional desires of a dutiful
man with damn good looks and a sense of direction.
She develops a habit for Dunhill when depressed and
endearingly denies being a damsel-in-distress.
720

Jay Salvador III P. Salvosa

BFA Creative Writing

Jay will probably be remembered by most of his dearest

friends, especially his fellow Fine Arts Majors, as Father
Freud. This is due to his uncanny ability (which most of
his closest friends now suspect as his mutant power) to
recognize, identify and dissect traces of eroticism in any
piece of literature.

But if one were to introduce Jay, these three lines would

suffice:

1. He seems to be a character fresh out of a cartoon show.

2. Snippets of himself is scattered around all over his comic
strip sketches.
3. He carries a sketchbook around, preferring to capture
moments with pencil and paper rather than film.
 721

Edlyn Margaret C. Santiago

BFA Creative Writing

Ah! The Edders! Edz, Edlyn, Edleen, Margaret, Marge, Ms.

Santiago –whatever you may call this girl, Edlyn is one
friend you will regret not knowing. A lover of books, one
can often find Edlyn in the corner of the third floor library
buried in books from the fiction section or from her own
overflowing collection. An artistic person behind the mask,
she may be the next Sylvia Plath who can see your desires
through her poems and essays. Although with her having
an amazingly low self-esteem, she would probably deny
all these. Just as she would probably deny her talents
when it comes to singing. Yes, Edlyn sings, though you
would have to be lucky to actually hear her do so. Wait
until she’s hyper, with her really close friends or just start
singing yourself and she might eventually join in. Now,
all these may make one think of Edlyn as very shy, but
be warned: Edlyn is usually the one laughing the loudest
with her CW friends or daring anyone who crosses her to
a fight!
722

Anna Katrina L. Vecin

BFA Creative Writing

Nagpapaalam ang liwanag sa mundong dumidilim,

sa isang buong maghapong pagtitiis sa hapdi at kirot ng
araw,
pagtitiyaga para lumitaw ang buhay na unti-unti nang
naglalaho.
Nagsi-gisingan ang mga paniki sa namamatay nang ingay
ng mga sasakyang bumabagal, papalayo;
payapa ang damdaming makahanap ng hinog na bunga.
Bumabangon ang buwan, nakangiting umaabang
Sa pagdating ng mga bituwing marikit,
handang makipaghalikan sa malamyos na himig
ng kanilang umaakit na pagningning.
Sumipol ang hangin, dumampi sa basa nang labi
ng magkasintahang nagbubulungan
sa ilalim ng puno ng kabalyeros
Pinatay ko ang kandila, nagpasalamat sa Diyos.
Sa gabing madilim, gabi ng tagumpay.