Dark days
I stormed out of the room, sweat forming beads on my forehead. I tried not to throw another tantrum.
I’m not your arm rest
On Monday mornings, I don’t sit. At least not in the crowded Jasper Jean buses. Tuesday is usually…
Valedictory
I have always dreamed about delivering a graduation speech, though I have never deserved that honor. I was never the smartest guy in class, or the hardest-working.
‘Sabi ng Tatay ko’
“Sabi ng tatay ko triangle, hindi tra-yang-gel. Bakit naman daw yung pineapple ang basa hindi payn-apel.”—Grade 3 me to my teacher I’d always…
Camerascal
This year, the last family camera was put up for sale. We were fond of taking pictures; the…
The boy on the beach
this story originally appeared in the philippine daily inquirer on june 7, 2001. First, I lost Michael. Then…
Back to childhood
When talks of lockdown began to circulate, I was entering my 24th year. On March 11, my birthday,…
No welcome, Joe
I understand you have reached the shores of my hometown, Tabaco City, in a big boat. I’m glad at your safe arrival.
‘Psycho’
Psycho. In Tagalog, “baliw”—a general label for people with mental illness. Since I was a kid, I had…
Making my vote count
A few weeks ago, as I was watching the primetime news telecast, I heard a striking sentiment from…