suno kay Estrella Taño Golingay sa “Heneral“ Mahangop sa pagbuhi sang baboy ang pagkataohanon. Kuno isa-isahon sa sugod ang mga nahanabo sa pag-abotsang buhion: amat-amat nga nagadakoang adlaw sa ibabaw sa kabukiran sang Roxas nga indi kilalahonsa tumandok nga ngalan kay Ilonggoang mga magbuhi; nagabadlak ang hulumayan, nagapadumdomnga ara lang ini kon indi pilion ang kamatayon;...
suno kay Jade Mark Capiñanes sa “A Portrait of a Young Man as a Banak” Paano mo masagadsad nga indisila makahisayod kag makabatyag sang kasulgan ukon nga kasubonggihapon nga panong ang makit-annga nagabalik? Matuod lamang nga indi silaisahanon. Madugay nanga nadula ang akon abilidadnga masaypan nga General Santos ang pila ka bahin sang Kamaynilaan.Hapos lang sa imo ipatultolang mga...
Introduction The works of young writers from Southern and Eastern Mindanao demonstrate strong artistry and a sense of rootedness in place. The writers in this selection include a member of the Blaan community in Matanao, Davao del Sur; a Butuanon creative writing major from Agusan del Norte; a Bangsamoro Kagan who has worked for the local government in Davao del Norte; and a poet and children’s...
Saif speaks of the struggleTo the listening birds of the tugan,Words persuadingSheltered in frail nests.
Listen! The crescentAnd star calling azan.Once again, the birds returnLooking for twigsFor their nests.
The call is answered.The tugan is the final meeting place.
At dawn, the march beginsOn the path only the heart knowsTo the hills of warAnd freedom.
At the back of the truck,Guns clank againstThe metal floor. RocksAnd shallow cratersMock our short naps. “Assalamo alaykom!”Welcoming men smiling,Standing by the masjid.Kids waving at us,Forgetful of their white kupyasAnd beaded tondongsGathering dust. In my vision, Darapanan flashesParadise. The wrap aroundMy head removed,Loosened by swift, suddenWind. I hold my breath,To hear the chant of...
Pagkawaray la puloshini nga sug-ang!Puthaw, ugaring,usa nga tuko, balikoan usa utod, sanglit halipot.Baga la hit ak kaluluthanbisan anhon pagbangil,sige it kinimpang-kimpang. Diin daw la ininapurutan ni Zenai?Dibris man dawini ni Yolanda.Maliwanan ko gihap ini.Kunta, sunod nga semana.Di pa man ngani kinahanglanpumalit hin bugas,kay, mayda pa mansalin han relip.Pati tinapa.Igo-igo gad lapara kanan...
Sito bata pa ak’ a bagyo panahon sa kalinaw. Sa 1981, binagyo si gingangaranan nga Dinang. Grade 5 ak’ adto. Nagpiplete kami sa ikaduha nga andana sa balay nira Mana Peping sa Sona Kwatro sa San Roque. Kadaan ngan mabaysay adto nga balay; hinimo sa kahoy a lipon ngan a salog. Siton nga gab-i antes umabot si Dinang, nag-ugrubay kami sa am’ pangaturog. Kami nga bug-os nga pamilya: sira Nanay ngan...
Original work As a child, I thought of typhoons as a time of peace. In 1981, Samar was hit by typhoon Dinang. I was in Grade 5 at the time. We were renting the second floor of Mana Peping’s house somewhere in Sona Kwatro in San Roque. It was a beautiful old house; its walls and floor were made of wood. On the night before Dinang made its landfall, the whole family– my parents, my three siblings...
Naghinuna-huna ako hadto han assignment namon kan Maam Sela samtang nangunguli. Waray ko man hingyap magin. Hi Carl nga pasimuno hit kompyuter kun udto, karuyag kuno magdrayber. Hi Jaymee liwat nga katupad ko kun science karuyag kuno mag-doctor. Di pa gud ak maaram magdrowing kun ano tak karuyag magin. Nasing ak, mangangalot na la ak hadto kun ano it ak igbabaton hit next meeting kan Maam. Nakit...
Translated by the author and Michael Carlo C. Villas Original work I thought about homework for Ma’am Sela’s class on my way home. I didn’t dream to be anything or anyone. Carl, who masterminds computer games every afternoon, wanted to be a driver. Jaymee, my seatmate in Science class, wanted to be a doctor. I had no idea I was going to draw what I would like to be. I’ll surely be scratching my...