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Thursday, September 25, 2008

ENCORE

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Jose Mari Hall Lanuza
IV-Enrico Fermi


I usually get an encore from the audience whenever I perform. I do not expect them to do so, nor do I care if they give me one or not. I have been so accustomed to their cheers that all of the voices I hear in front if the lights seem to have no meaning anymore. I am actually beginning to get sick of it. But among all the encores of my performances, there is only one which I yearn for everyday. How I wish that that encore would turn permanent.

We have been together for almost three years now. Three bittersweet, yet desirable years together. Yes, we have had our share of ups and downs, but we have always managed to get by. And there has never been a more satisfying task for me than taking care of her. But that satisfaction always came with longing and sadness. Something was not right. I was supposed to be the one caressing her hair, touching her face, dancing wither under a full moon. I was supposed to be the one she loved. So why am I not the one she is sitting beside to while watching the stars at night? Why am I here, without her?

Scene one. I was supposed to go directly to the classroom without any stops. But someone blocked my way. She was not supposed to stand there. Why didn’t anyone say cut? “Hey there. We are good for Saturday right? You are coming with me? To the library?” This was not in my script. But I had to ad lib. Anything for the audience. “Yeah, sure. See you there.” I walked away from her, keeping to myself the loneliness and again, keeping up my act.

Scene two. The script I kept reading in my mind said that I was supposed to be jogging around the block alone. So it had bothered me why this girl was here again, running beside me. Doesn’t she know how much hurt this gives me? Security! “Where were you yesterday? Did you forget that you were supposed to meet me at the library?” I had missed that appointment on purpose. I was afraid that doing so would only make me go deeper and I knew that eventually, that would mess up my whole play. “Oh. Sorry about that. It must have slipped my mind,” I lied. “Good thing Keith was there. At least I was not alone. But I am going to let you off the hook this time. Ok? See you at school!” And then she blew a kiss to my direction. She walked away, and I continued my jogging, this time with tears in my eyes. This cannot be. Make-up!

Scene three. After taking that brutal Biology test, we were going to have lunch together. Just like the old times, only then it did not hurt this much. “So, he asked me out last night.” Ouch. Was that included in the script? “Really. That is nice. Will you go then?” “I do not know yet. What do you think?” Great, this is exactly what I need right now. “You should go out with him. He is a nice guy, and you look good together.” Ouch again. “Really? You think so? If you say so, then it must be true. Movies on Friday it is, then.” Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. I have got to change my scriptwriter.

Final Scene. I did not see her or speak to her for a few months. That helped ease up the pain. Acting sure is hard. Most of the time I think that I am not getting paid enough for this. Suddenly I saw her approaching me. Hey, this was not in the script! Does she even read her script? “Hey. I missed you.” So bittersweet were her words that reverberated in my mind. If only a happy ending was written at the final page of the script. “Yeah, me too. How are you?” I managed to get that out of my throat which suddenly felt as dry as the Sahara. “I am good. Listen, Keith and I are together now. We have been together for more than a month. He wants to meet the guy that put me up for our first date.” Nice. Isn’t the hero of a story supposed to be victorious? Or glorified? “Oh. Sure.” “Great! Thanks so much! You are the bestest friend a girl can ever have!” Do not cry, do not cry. “You are welcome.” And with one kiss blown from her sweet, dreamy lips to me, she was gone.

That role was the most challenging role I have played. That was my best act yet. But I wonder why my audience had given me the smallest, weakest encore ever. That was not even an encore. That was nothing. If only my audience would have asked for an encore performance, I would do it all over again. I would again, for the nth time, play the caring best friend with unrequited love. If only she had asked for an encore.

With the curtains dropping, I bowed and thanked my audience. “Thank you, for letting me perform in the stage of your life. I love you.” The lights close, and the theater is soon empty. I am left standing on the stage, waiting for the encore that would never come.

THE INTERNET

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY
By Lavinia Lyka Lim Lopez
IV-Michael Faraday


According to Webster’s dictionary, the Internet is a large computer network linking smaller computer networks worldwide. The Internet has Godlike characteristics. It is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. People worldwide use the Internet, mostly at the same time. People worldwide incorporate the Internet as a state-of-the-art weaponry that they utilize to survive in their everyday lives.

The use of the Internet is evident not only in the Philippines but also in different parts of the world. People of all kinds of profession use the Internet. Teachers use it as reference for teaching. Doctors use it to find out what is new in the field of medicine. Chief executives of small and big companies advertise in the Internet. An example of this is Starbucks, a large corporation who use the Internet for advertisements. Directors of blockbuster movies promote their work in the Internet. In the opening week of “Bruce Almighty”, you would often see various pictures and video clips of the movie in the Internet. Adults are not the only ones who use the Internet. In fact, students are the primary users of the Internet. It is their hub. Without the Internet, students would not be able to function well in school. This is where they get their assignments, reports, and researches. If they want to search for a delicious recipe of mushroom soup for their home economics class, they do it in the Internet. If they want to find out the biological system of cows for their science class, they do it in the Internet. If students need to check out the prototype of a computer because it is their assignment, they search for it using the Internet.

The Internet is really a necessity to mankind. Through the invention of the Internet, certain breakthroughs followed. Companies would not function properly without it. Teachers would have a hard time updating their knowledge if there is no Internet. People form different parts of the world would have a hard time communicating with each other. Children would be depressed for they will not be able to talk and to see their parents abroad without broadband which will only function if the Internet exists. Students would not survive school life without it. The Internet is really a part of everyone.

UNWAVERING

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Jose Mari Hall Lanuza
IV-Enrico Fermi


How far can you go for the one you love? How sure are you that you possess an unwavering heart? That even in the face of doubt or danger, you will remain by their side? Even in the face of insanity?

He has always loved her beyond reason. She has always loved him incomparably among others. They had everything. And the most important thing of all, they had each other. Everything was simply perfect, as if it was written in stone that things should happen as they had. Picture perfect. Or so they thought.

One day, he was sent home from work because of a really nasty headache. She rushed home when she found out, worried that something might have happened to him. But she did not see this coming. She was not expecting what she saw. She saw him, but it was like he was a different person. He was curled up on the floor, staring into nothingness with the face of a man burning at the stakes. She did not know what to do. What was happening to him? “Who are you?”, she thought, finding her face wet with her tears. He did not turn around to see, as if he did not hear her violent sobs. She called up all their closest friends, asking for help. She did not have any idea what to do. The man she loved was no longer the man she knew. He was different. A stranger.

The doctors said it was stress and chronic insomnia that triggered his nervous breakdown. She, together with all of their friends, was now at a hospital. She could not believe what she was hearing. The man she loved, the man she was soon to marry, was now a stranger who cannot even recognize her. “No, this is not happening. It cannot.” But she could not even convince herself because when she looked at him, she knew otherwise. She could no longer see herself in his eyes. He was only a few meters away, but it felt like he distanced himself from her reach. He was in some unknown land, miles away from the girl crying outside his room. He did not even take notice of her. He belonged to nothingness now.

She never imagined that such a thing would happen. It has been a few months since they went to that hospital. It was getting harder each day for her, taking care of him and providing for him. There were lonely nights wherein she'd look back at the past and remember all the good times and bad times. She smiled to herself sadly as she remembered all the times wherein they would get into senseless arguments. Despite it all, she missed it. "A million of those would be better than this." she thought to herself. But she never regretted a single moment, because everything she did now, she did for him. She did not give up, because at the end of the day, she drew her strength from the only man she loved. Even if with every look into his eyes, she saw nothing. So even with tears welling up her eyes, she was happy taking care of him. It was through this way that she got over every single moment of bitterness.

“Good morning my love. Did you sleep well? Are you ok?” The only response she got was a look from him for just a second, before staring into nothingness again. Oblivion was his companion now. “I was thinking of getting a babysitter. Is that fine with you my darling?” Nothing. She suddenly started crying, her tear-stained cheeks now flowing again with tears of pain and suffering. “You know, every night I always pray and hope that someday, maybe you will come back. That someday, you will recognize me again. I really miss you, you know. When will you come back to me? Will you still return? Will I be able to feel your warmth ever again? Please tell me if you are feeling fine. I really, really miss you. Come back soon, ok? I will be waiting.”

So she waited and waited, taking care of him as if he were the most precious treasure on Earth. Each day was spent full of attention towards him. She made sure that someone was always taking care of him. Whenever she went to work, a baby sitter took her place. And whenever she went home, she gave him all the attention a person could ever want. Even if he did not notice a single thing. She almost had no sleep each day. All she had in mind was taking care of him. That was all she ever wanted to do, and that is the only thing she wished to do. He had everything, but he did not even know. To him, nothingness was everything.

“Good morning my love. How are you today? Do you know me now?” She sat beside him, caressing his hair as she spoke with tears in her eyes. “Is today the day? When will it be my love?” Nothing. “Just remember that I will always be here. I will never leave you. No matter how much it hurts seeing us this way, I will still be here. Please just know that.” Suddenly, he looked at her, and for a moment it seemed as if she saw herself in his eyes.

“Hello, lady.”

Suddenly he leaned on her shoulder, staring again into nothingness.

She held his face with her hands wet from her tears, and gave him a kiss. All the love that used to be only a memory now came back, even for just a second.

“My heart is unwavering. My love is only yours. Even if you cannot see me, I will take care of you. Count on me to always protect the world that you now live in. Always…”

LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Karenina Isabel Apilado Lampa
IV-Michael Faraday


I felt tears slowly escape from my eyes, and I wiped it away hurriedly before I turned around to look at him. This is it. The final moment of pretending before I can fully weep.

I took a deep breath and put on my best smile. My final act. Lights...Camera...Action.



He was my best friend ever since we had been kids. We knew each other well, and there was no other word for it. During my darkest hours, he was there for me. And during the times wherein he was at his worst, I had been there for him. We had the perfect friendship. Yes, we did. That part, however, was the saddest part of all.

“There’s this girl who sits next to me at Geometry...” He had told me during lunch one day, as we were eating together at our usual spot. I nodded absent-mindedly, taking a bite out of my sandwich.

“Let me guess. She totally ignores you.”

“Quite the opposite actually. She talks to me.”

I felt myself go stiff for a moment, before coughing and then looking at him. Well, that was something new.

As we grew up, I knew I felt something more than friendship towards him. But whenever he would casually pull me by my hand towards our favorite ice cream parlor, I would smile and shake my head. It was all but love towards a brother, probably. Well, that was what I wanted to think. But deep down, inevitably, I knew the truth. I just did not want to admit it. Even to myself.

“Guess what?” He asked me excitedly one day as we were walking home from school. I tuned down my iPod and stared at him to show that I was paying attention. I smiled at him.

“She offered to be my partner in that Social Studies project!”

I felt my smile waver but I immediately stopped it. I bit my lip and smiled at him again.

“That’s great!”

“Listen. I know we’re always partners for that project, but maybe you would not mind a bit of change this year?”

I shook my head and turned away. There was no need to get all worked up. It was a project. Nothing else.

“No. I don’t mind.”

With time, I knew I had to stop hiding from the truth. It was during our second year in high school that I admitted that I harbored feelings for him that were much deeper than friendship. It was hard to keep it that way, knowing that somehow, I wanted him to feel just the same. But I knew...right from the start. That would never have happened, no matter how much I wanted it to.

“We’re hanging out at the mall later. Good thing we’re having an early dismissal.” He told me as I was gathering my things from my chair. I looked away. I was in no mood to pretend right now.

“That’s nice.”

“Wanna come?” he asked.

“No thanks. You guys enjoy.” I would have said yes, only I did not want to be the third wheel. What? I would come and end up seeing him looking at her? Get real.

Since then, my life transformed into a massive stage wherein I was the leading character. I learned to manipulate what I felt around him, and I learned to look indifferent whenever things happened. Suddenly, I found myself acting, complete with the costume and the props. And no matter how much I did not want it, I knew it was the only way. It was the only way to keep him.

“I invited her to the prom.” He informed me as I was arranging books in the library. I threw him an annoyed look at flicked my eyes over to the ‘Be Quiet’ sign.

“Fine. I was just wondering who’s taking you. Maybe then we could share a table.” He mumbled. I grabbed a few more books and put on the most innocent face I could muster.

“Actually, I don’t think I’m going. But you enjoy.”

“Why?”

I never answered. He did not need to know that it was because it would kill me to see her dance with him.

And not once, did the thought of ever telling him cross my mind. The truth was that I treasured our friendship too much, and ever risking it was just too painful to think about. It did not matter if he would fall for someone else. As long as I was still his best friend, then all was well. As long as I could keep my act up, then maybe, I could stand the pain.

“Hey...” He caught up with me as I was about to leave the gates of our school. I looked up at him and put on my charade for what felt like the millionth time. It got easier, but that did not mean I felt any better.

“Hey. It’s been a long time since we actually spent time with each other.” I told him as he walked beside me. He looked at me apologetically.

“I’m sorry about that.”

“No worries.”

“I just needed your advice on something.”

“Then shoot.”

He fiddled with his fingers for a little bit and I turned to him. Suddenly, he stopped walking. I stopped too.

“She told me she loves me.”

My world came crumbling down.

At the moment, I felt like I wanted to hit myself. I let myself get in way too deep. I was stupid to not get over him when I had the chance. I was stupid to keep on acting for the camera. I was stupid to enjoy the audience too much that I had not realized that my performance was too real...too perfect. And last but not the least; I was stupid to fall for my best friend. For the one guy I could never, and would never end up with.

I felt tears slowly escape from my eyes, and I wiped it away hurriedly before I turned around to look at him. This is it. The final moment of pretending before I can fully weep.

I took a deep breath and put on my best smile. My final act. Lights...Camera...Action.

“Th-that’s great...I can’t be happier for both of you...”

MY PRECIOUS PIECE OF CHINA

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Samantha Grace I. Cruz
II-Robert Hooke


Have you ever experienced holding a plate nonchalantly and, without noticing it, just so happens to fall out of your hand? The once whole and precious china that was held by your hand just moments ago crashes onto the floor and splits into a thousand little pieces. Afterwards, you pick it up, and you realize it can still be put together, but of course, there would be a few chips and cracks here and there. There would be some dents that have to be covered by other pieces of china. There would still be imperfections on the once perfect surface. But still, when the pieces are put together, no matter how badly or off it seems, it is still a plate nonetheless, and it is still good.

Growing up, I have always experienced being a part of that plate, that broken china once whole and precious. Because of that, it comes to me as no surprise when someone lets go of that plate, over and over again. And it crashes down and breaks again. But eventually, the pieces still fit together, sometimes, new pieces are added.

Family is one of the most precious things in the world. Whatever kind, whatever size, it is important in everybody. Our families are the strongholds of our being, the cornerstones in the journey of life in which we put our faith and trust. There always exists, and this is true for all families, a familiar kind of love that binds each member together. So whether a family is solid as brick or as breakable as china, it is still a major aspect of our existence.

The first blow I experienced, the first crash of my precious china was of course the most painful. The father figure I once looked up to, I once respected with all my heart, dropped that plate so carelessly and did not even bother to put it back. He left without looking back. So that plate shattered into pathetic little pieces. Eventually it was put back together with clumsy little hands, though it missed the biggest piece. I used to try and look for it, I used to try and put back that piece. But now, I know better. I did not need that piece of my life. I did not need the one who left us hanging and defeated. I did not care for his selfish reasons.

For a while the remaining pieces which formed a sort of distorted, helpless plate lived in harmony. Those are me and my mother. We lived with a peace of mind back then. Suddenly, a certain feeling arose. I could feel that there was a big change about to happen to our since-then-untouched plate. Somebody was picking the pieces up again, and he was trying to put them back.

He was a gentleman, as I first got to know him, a man of his word. He showered me with gifts, spoiled me even. I was not blind to not see what would happen next. I could see it in my mom’s face. She was happy, and it was all I needed to know to accept that man in our lives.

Eventually, even though it still hurt me to move on too quickly, I accepted him. Along with him came my older stepsister. At first excitement was the only thing dominant around us. We were all happy and ecstatic at the thought of both our families colliding with each other, forming one. We were overjoyed to know that the broken pieces of our family and theirs fit together, and shaped a new precious plate.

But that was at first. As the hands of time ticked by, we slowly realized that coexisting with each other was difficult. My step sister was always easily irritated with me as I was with her. My mother and stepfather had problems of their own too. We still loved each other though, but we realized it would be tough.

Cruelty was not yet over for us. It did not give us enough time to bond with each other. Fate did not give us the chance to live with each other much longer. This was the next blow that I received. The next shatter my precious piece of china experienced.

That piece I held on to, that loving guide I put my faith into was violently taken away from me. I wept and mourned. Her piece left our plate forever, but then, she left another piece to take her place. She left another life behind her. She left to us, my baby sister.

The plate I held on to like it was my life was imperfect as ever. We were three children being raised by a single parent. We lived in awkwardness for some time, since I was not very open to them, and they were not really that welcoming. But slowly, we began to accept each other. We began to live in peace and even though we often fight, we learned to love each other the way true family does.

Now, the pieces are intact and we form one precious plate. But who knows? Someone else’s hands might break us into pathethic little pieces again, and we might not be able to recover like we did. Someone might ruin that precious piece of china that I treasure so much. I would not let it happen when time comes, but I know that it is not far. We are experiencing problems at present, and I know that it won’t be long before we are forced apart from each other. Why we are being separated, I do not know. It is a mystery to me, I’ll find out eventually. I just hope that I would have the courage to pick the pieces up yet again and mold my precious plate once more.

At present time, the pieces of our plate try to live together in happiness, despite our knowledge of what will happen in the near future. We often fight and bicker, but I guess that is normal. Sometimes I find myself yearning for that original plate, the first plate I belonged to. But then, I realize that I should be thankful I even have a one right now. Although it is not perfect, it is still good.

So if you have a plate, one and whole, treasure it. Love it with all your heart. Never let it go, and never let it fall into a thousand little pieces, for I would give anything to be in your place, to feel complete again.

WITHERING PHANTOM

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Jonah Aileen Oliva Reyes
IV-Enrico Fermi


The bell rang. It was Research class, the second subject after lunch. We headed straight to the library and saw Ms. Sabangan waiting patiently at one of the tables with a pencil in her hand. The hour was meant for consultation time of researchers and studies past due.

I am already done with that, I thought to myself. Our group’s paper made it to the defence and we are finished polishing our document. No need for extra editing’s and rephrases.

I sat with Claire, along with Charmaine who was busy reading Twilight for the second time. I joined in their conversation, talked about a book Claire was buzzing about, a book regarding murders and a witness at risk. Clutching her book while she was talking, I started to read. It was interesting, all right. I managed to read twenty pages or so.

With boredom seeping through me and drowsiness deeply penetrating, I decided to go back our room. I will just continue reading The Alchemist and have a good time doing nothing. I noticed the clouds drift as I walked by. It could not be raining, I thought. Today is a wonderful day after all.

I grasped the door’s handle and opened it up. I was surprised with what I saw inside. The boys are playing chess as usual while the other students coming from different sections stayed to get cooled by our air conditioner, one that we fortunately have.

But these people, not even the gloomy atmosphere that enveloped me captured my attention the most. But, the ghost, the ghost sitting at the corner of our dimly lit room. Everyone looked up upon my arrival but I went straight to the ghost looking warily through me. A ghost that invaded my thoughts a few months back as far as I can remember.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

“Nothing, just taking this test I missed in Math the last time.” He answered lazily while sitting facedown now. He avoided eye contact, noticed.

“Oh, okay.” T he chairs are a mess but I grabbed one and sat beside him.

Thoughts were running inside my head. I have a lot of things to tell him since he has been gone. He never showed up, even at the times when he is most needed. I missed you, my mind shouted. But, my strength was not enough to speak out the message. I just sat there, gazing at his phantom face while he stared back blankly, blinking repeatedly out of a habit. I was there, slack jawed and smiling while he was dead serious with getting a good score in his quiz.

History was when we last talked. An exchange of hi’s and hello’s, nothing much unforgettable or remarkable. I wished I could get back the spark in his eyes like the days we used to chat all night. I wished I could get back his love for sharing and love for confiding. A passion long lost to a wrecked soul like him.

I studied his face while he was answering; he looked tired and indifferent of his surroundings. Right at the moment, I feel like he does not want my presence and I wondered why he had been so cold lately, making himself a real ghost out of my ruined imagination.

“How are you?” I tried to break the silence.

“Fine.” A single word was his only answer. I blinked; maybe he was too busy that I interrupted his quiz in Math.

Give him space, I decided. I walked away and teased and joked around with my buddies while he, stayed immobile at his chair.

After a while, I finally gave up. I am not good at keeping my emotions and I can no longer resist talking to the apparition in front of me.

“Hey you finish that now and come with me; I’m starving.” I demanded.

He did not look back and I gave him clues here and there, numbers he has no idea at all. He said thanks and nodded when I asked again if he will come.

“Something’s---

“Something’s wrong with you.” I blurted.

Shoot. I did not get hold of myself; he might get irritated and just leave as he pleases.

“I do not want to cry here.” He choked instead.

“Then come on, pad foot, come with me.” I said again. Now holding his arms tightly, making sure he will not refuse.

No one else can see him. I knew I was the only one, and I cared little about it because he was, of course, my ghost. An image my mind has made up.

“Let us walk this way.’ I pointed the longer route to the cafeteria and he nodded again.

“So what are you going to tell me? I know very well something is bothering you.”

Hell, I was deeply concerned and I wanted to know what was wrong with my phantom. My only phantom best friend.

“I went to our family doctor yesterday. I went through tests and another series of examinations. It was painful but a bit okay,” he paused for a very long time and said at last. “They say I am getting worst Jonah. That is all they said.” He was barely whispering, we were now walking along classes and he surely does not want anyone to hear his revelation.

“Yeah right.” I replied.

“So as to prevent further harm, I am isolating myself from you from now on.” He added.

I was stuck right away at where I was standing.

Pardon? What did he just say?

“Huh? You are being so nonsensical! And selfish!” I panicked. He knows I do not want to lose a friend and that is so unfair of him.

“I know you will get mad, that is a normal reaction, of course, but surely it is the best way to lessen this mess. And I am not selfish. Soon it will be over and I can not risk your heart from hurting.”

“Hey, a few months to live and you are going to rot like hell huh? I do not agree. Well how about this; let us just make the most of it. ‘Coz phantom, you are not going to go anywhere. Nowhere.”

It was hard trying to fight my tears back and my limbs are getting wobbly. But I know I needed to be strong. I wish I will not add as a problem to him.

We argued again and again, our usual bonding moment. I am not good at this because he was so smart and he was way ahead of me. He knows things people do not usually know. He is a ghost, after all.

I bought a pack of biscuits and juice when we were at the cafeteria. My appetite has subsided and I am in no mood for eating.

I tried to ask him how he feels. He said he felt weaker and more delicate. I hooked my arms on his and I sensed he is very warm. Warmer than any other ghost I have met in my past.

We argued again when he opened the isolation set-up. That is not how a phantom must do if ever he is going to die right?

I finally cried.

“Let us be realistic you brute. If ever it is going to come, then you must live everyday as if it was your last.”

“Nonsense..”

“No, please, we have lots of things to do in the future. And I can not do them without you or with anybody else. Remember I am a cry-baby? No one’s going to comfort me again if ever another break-up comes in the future.”

“You need to get used on living without me, this is absurd Jonah. I can not last forever!”

He was right. He can not last forever. And nothing….. nothing lasts forever...

I joked, though sobbing and weeping, that St. Peter will not accept him in heaven because his mission is not yet complete.

“Who told you I will end up in heaven? For all the bad things I have done, He will be glad I can not make it up there.” He joked in reply.

“I am your angel and I know enough you are a good person.”

“Well, thank you very much for believing. And stop crying please. I told you so.”

He handed out a hanky and offered it to me.

“No thanks,” I refused. Later I know he will use it as soon as his sickness attacks his fragile body.

“Live long..” was all the words I said last.

He smiled. I realized it was a very different smile. There is gladness and bitterness at the same time. Mixed emotions were written on his face and he started to walk away and vanish in an instant.

Wind crept to my spine and I started to shiver. I imagined losing him and I cried even harder. I was left at the corridor crying all by myself. He is a very good friend and I could not afford to lose him.

my prediction has failed me, as usual. I went home with heavy rain pouring on my shivering body along with thunders that totally awaken my spirit. It is very cold now. i am freakishly shaking. I feel very cold not with the weather but with the melancholy eating me up brought about by the bad news. I feel totally hopeless but strong at the same time. I need to do something. There is no other way to help him.

He will live long, I promised. Not just to myself but to the million raindrops falling along with my tears…

IT LASTED FOR A DAY

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Karenina Iabel Apilado Lampa
IV-Michael Faraday


It lasted for a day. But for me, it is more than enough for the whole eternity.


I never thought of the day where he would once think of me the same way again. I had tried with all that I could to make him return. To no avail, he never did. I admitted to myself that somehow, things would never be the same again. That was the hardest part, of course. To admit to myself that I would never get him back.

It felt so wrong to give up what had been, when it could still be. Well, for me...it could still have been.

So I spent hours and days and weeks trying to let the pain subside. As time passed, I never did get any better. I felt worse and worse still, and I had no ways of ever mending it. Through it, I did learn to fake a smile for everyone. Why should they share my pain? I was the one who inflicted it upon myself. I deserved it alone, and with no one else.

So I smiled for them, making them think how great I was. They told me that I looked happier. I told them I felt happier. It would have been a nice change in my dark life, if it had not all been lies. I smiled for them, I laughed for them, but never once did I mean it. It was a lie and I knew it. But why did it matter? As long as everyone though I was good, then all things were fine.

And when I turn my back on them, I would cry myself to sleep. Even with time, my wounds never healed. They got even deeper, and I did not have a clue on how to stop the bleeding. I felt like there was poison inside me that kept on circulating in a neverending path. With the time I spent away from him, my heart yearned for him even more. And the tug it had towards him...it hurt more than I could bear.

I did not have anyone to cry to or to talk to. I did not want anyone to feel my pain. No one needed it, and only I deserved it. So who cared if I was suffering to the point of falling in the pits of hell forever?

I had locked myself up in my own misery. Unexpectedly, in the middle of my internal struggle, he came one day. I was expecting another row of thorns to pierce my barely-beating heart. I had braced myself for more pain. But when I heard his voice, the exact opposite was what happened.

“I remember the days when we were at our best...”

Then and there, all poison inside me was sucked out and all thorns pricking me disappeared. The gushing blood stopped in an instant and the deep wound closed miraculously.

Before I knew it, I had tears streaming down my eyes. I did not know why nor did I ever want to contemplate on it. But I knew one thing was for sure...That was the first time he remembered something good about me...about us. Since the dawn of whenever, it had been the first time since he remembered...The first time.

Despite all the months I’ve spent fooling myself, with that one small memory of the past, my will came crumbling down. My mind succumbed to my heart, and I did not try to deny what it wanted. It wanted him...It wanted his heart.

For me, the fact that he remembered something beyond all the wrongs that I have done him meant everything. I thought he had forgotten all, but I had thought wrong. He remembered...for the first time. He did.

It was a short moment of bliss. But I was contented.

It lasted for a day. But for me, it is more than enough for the whole eternity.

THE BEST MOTHER

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Lavinia Lyka Lim Lopez
IV - Michael Faraday


My mother is the most important person to me. She is a brilliant and beautiful diamond that outshines other treasures. She is the biggest part of my being. Without her, I would not even be alive now. I am grateful to her for so many things. She has done so much for me. All of her characteristics are so perfect that I cannot find a blemish in her. There are so many reasons why I love her so much.

She is my first teacher. She unreluctantly shared with me the fountain of her knowledge. She taught me the comprehensible difference between right and wrong. She taught me how to make the right decisions in life. And most of all, she taught me how to be a good person that loves God above all.

My mother is always there for me. In my success, she would always be by my side, praising me and being proud of my achievements, while in my misery and downfall, she would be closer to me than ever, comforting me and doing her best to make me smile.

She is my provider. She is the one who gives me my necessities in life. She is my tree of life that gives me oxygen, shelter, and food.

And most of all, she gave me life. She was in agony when I was still in her belly. She even suffered more when she gave birth to me.

She made so many sacrifices for me. She makes sure that what she gives me is the best and nothing less. She works so hard to give me my prerequisites. And because of her undying and great love for me, she is able to move mountains for my sake. I can proudly say that she is the best mom ever, next to Mama Mary of course. I truly love her so much.

GRADE CONSCIOUS

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Lavinia Lyka Lim Lopez
IV - Michael Faraday


As we all know, “Education is the key to success.” Educatioan will give us the necessary skills and information we need to be triumphant in our journey to the unknown world that is why we, students, need to strive and study hard to be ready for our incessant journey in life. We need to be grade conscious or as people especially the seniors, such as myself, in Makati Science High School refer to as “GC”.

Being a grade conscious is being responsible and conscientious enough to matters with relevance to studies. Being a grade conscious means to do our utmosts to achieve high grades that we so desire. Being a grade conscious has many advantages. If you are “GC”, you always listen to the lecture of the teacher, participate in class discussions and copy notes whenever necessary. You do any thing possible to have a high grade. In fact, others even study in advance just to have an edge over the others and to be prepared for the class discussions. Because you are always prepared, you avoid the common bungling of students, cramming. Students tend to cram always due to laziness and other stumbling blocks in their concentration to their studies like computer games, video games, t.v. shows, hanging out, bad influence of friends, family, community and media, physical, emotional, spiritual or monetary problems. Because you are always reviewing your notes and reading other references pertaining to your subjects in school, you always get a high score in tests. You avoid stress incorporated with cramming, low grades, disappointments, scolding of parents and demeaning of ones self with reference to achievements. Because of your high grades and achievements brought by being grade conscious, you get to experience the feeling of self-satisfaction and bliss. You get to experience the fruits of your toils and the joys of your labor. You even get to have a bonus wherein your family and friends will be proud of you.

Even though being a “GC” has many advantages, it also has its drawbacks. Being “GC” is time and effort consuming. You will not be able to have time for yourself because you are too busy studying. You will always be exhausted and not have time for fun anymore. Your schedule for the day will be filled up with schoolwork such as doing your homework, trainings for contests, and reviews for minor and major tests. It will devour all your energy. You will not be able to hang out with your friends and family. Your social life will also be affected. Because of too much enervation, you might even get sick. The saddest part is you will feel alone and empty inside.

People think that being a grade conscious is a bad thing. If they see a person studying for a test or doing their project or assignment, they will immediately tease him “GC”. To be honest, to be called a “GC” is a great honour because it just proves that you are dependable and hard working. It just proves that you really are something and not just a nobody moping in a corner. Being a “GC” has more advantages than disadvantages. Of course, we always have to sacrifice to get the things we want in life. Our family and friends will always be there to support us in all our attempts in life. They will never leave us. My advice to you is to be a grade conscious and not mind the judgmental people who have nothing else to do but mock you. Just remember that you have a lead on them because you are grade conscious. You are preparing for the bright future ahead of you.

REMEMBERING CHILDHOOD

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Jezel Christine Nolasco Quevada
IV - Madame Marie Curie


As I gazed out the window one rainy day, I saw a dozen of zealous children playing carefree under the rain with their blissful smiles and their joyous giggles. They laughed and enjoyed the shower of water from heaven like there is no tomorrow. Together, they sang melodious songs resembling the angels from above. A turbulent light that glows can be seen from their radiant eyes that they seemed not to worry about anything at all. Oh, how I longed to be a child once again and do things I used to!

I had appreciated watching these little angels have fun under the cold rain outside. They reminded me of my childhood days. Suddenly, I failed to notice that tears were already rolling down my cheeks. I felt an excruciating pain as these tears fell from my eyes. An image of an envious girl then unfolded before my eyes. I did not seem to understand what it meant until things that happened in the past started to flash back into reality.

I was jealous of those children I have been watching. They were enjoying the beauty of life which I now cannot do. I am like a flightless bird incarcerated. My freedom to do what I enjoy most was seized because of all the works that have to be done. My leisure time had been replaced by loads of tasks here and there. My 8-10 hours of sleep turned into forty winks a day. And unfortunately, even my healthy body was weakened by the stress I received.

Memories of my childhood are the fondest of all. It was the time I consider myself to be free, free from the worries of the world. When all I care about is to play, eat, rest and sleep and play again, rest and sleep. It is only then that I was free as the birds in the sky. Everything I ever wished to do, I accomplished them with ease. My whims and caprices were also fended. I had nothing to worry about and there were no barriers set for me to overcome.

If I just have the power to put back time, I would definitely want to be a child forever. But that is never possible. The freedom I had before is surely different from that of what I have now. Those experiences I had would have versions of their own as I grow. The loads of tasks will keep growing and soon, many more barriers would add to my life.

As I continue to grow, I realize that my childish ways slowly vanishes because of maturity. I now realize and accept the harsh realities of life. Those childhood memories will surely linger in my life forever but this time, they will stay to inspire and make me a stronger and a better person ready to face all the challenges this world will offer. I also know that I am who I am today because of those fond and enriching memories!

LISTEN TO MY SERENADE

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Francesca Gabrielle Rodriguez Trinidad
IV-Albert Einstein


Grrrr. My stomach's doing it again - that thing that it does whenever I am nervous. This should be pretty easy, right? I mean, all I am gonna tell you is the truth. The truth I have been hiding for the past 8 months. But, how will you react to it? Is it going to be good news or bad news for you? All this thinking is making me crazy. It should not be hard. It should not be this nerve-racking, just stop making a big deal out of it.

Here you are to ruin my day again. You are coming toward me, as usual. Well, there are always two things you talk about – her, or the way you feel about her. It did not use to bug me this much. I mean, hey, it does get a little bit boring, and hurtful. What? Scratch that, I'll just leave it at boring. Yeah, it is monotonous just hearing you blab about her. It is a bit hurtful that she is all you ever think about. Sometimes I would like to talk about something else, like you, like us, our friendship, that is, or what I think about our friendship.

My foot is tapping the floor again. My hands are shaking. My mind just cannot think straight. I am stuttering. What was I going to say again? I am sure I had it memorized about two minutes ago, but then you came. Why is it that you make me feel so tense? It did not use to be this way. Has something changed? Maybe you did not. But I did. Can this be real? Do I really...........?

Am I still going to do this? It is 99.9% obvious that I will not be able to pull this off. This is only one of the numerous attempts that I have tried and none of those attempts ended up as successful. But I am tired of waiting, of always staying in the sidelines, waiting for you to fall back into me. It also hurts. I have been by your side for so long and still you fail to notice this – what I am offering you. I can love you like she does, or even better.

On the other hand, I do not want to jeopardize our friendship and everything we have gone through. That would just be so disappointing. What if you do not feel the same way? What if we are not on the same page? What will happen? All my waiting would go to waste. But if you do not feel anything for me, then why prolong the waiting? It is gonna end all the same, right? Maybe I should just get this over with. And if rejection should be the answer to my request, then I would just have to love you in secret. Oh no, I said it. LOVE. There it is. I do not know anymore. I would just say that it was just a joke then go back to hiding everything, then all this madness would start all over again.

I would look you in the eyes first, then tell you that I cherish our friendship more than anything. Then I would say, Do you know that I love you? Then most likely you would say, Yeah. Sure, tropa tayo e. But I would look at you seriously, then I would confess. I would tell you that it is not just as a friend anymore. It has evolved into such a way that my whole world revolves around you, that I think of you everyday and think of your well-being more than anyone else's, that I love you beyond all reason and understandability. Then... Ugh. This part I just cannot figure out. This part would be for you to decide whether you feel the same, or not. Well, here I go.

“Jason, may sasabihin ako sa'yo.”

“Ano yun Ches?”

And just as I was about to make the most touching, heartfelt, sincere confession of my feelings for you. There she was, on her way to see you.

“Jason! Wala kayong klase? Samahan mo naman ako.”

“Sige, sandali lang. Ches, ano yung sasabihin mo?”

My speech was now officially cut short. My momentum was gone. All that was left was my irritation, anger and hatred.

“No, it's okay. Sige, samahan mo na si Katrina. Kita-kits na lang tayo mamaya, ha?”

Then you smiled that irresistible smile. But, I am mad. No, I am furious. See? This is always what happens. Stop being her beloved puppy for Pete's sake. Mahal kita, hindi ka lang kasi nakikinig. Kahit 5 minutes lang, 5 minutes na hindi siya yung nasa isip mo, I thought to myself. These words are so familiar you know? It is the Nth time I have planned to tell you how I feel. It is also the Nth time you did not listen. If you would only listen to what I have to say, listen to my confession, listen to my feelings, listen to my serenade, then you would know that I love you beyond imagination and possibility.

NOW OR NEVER

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Jose Mari Hall Lanuza
IV - Enrico Fermi


“If you love someone, you say it, you say it right then, out loud. aOtherwise, the moment just passes you by.”

Dermont Mulroney sure had it right.

Almost all of us, if not all, had at least once experienced fear of saying what we feel inside. And why would we not? We are only humans, capable of being afraid, capable of being hurt. There is always something that holds us back from the great joy of having nothing to hide. Rejection, judgment, failure and the like, make us cower in defeat. And yes, I know that telling the truth is easier said than done. But just like what we all know, the first step is always the hardest. Mustering up the courage to do what we must do is always the hardest. But we should not let our fears incapacitate us forever. We will go nowhere if we let fear rule over us.

When it comes to telling the truth about love, another moment of delay just means another moment of potential happiness wasted. We may or may not get the happy ending we all so religiously dream about, but that is a risk that we have to take. It is like an unspoken contract that we signed in the name of love. It always is the case. You cannot expect love to be like a world full of rainbows and butterflies. There is a hard road that should be traversed before we reach paradise. Because love and hurt coexist; one cannot be without the other. One who fails to realize this can never get out of his shell and say those magical words.

Are you too stupid to not realize that pain is inevitable? That no matter how far you run or how hard you try to hide, you will still get hurt? That love is merciful; it rewards those who take the difficult step to reach it. It may not be in the form you wish it to be, but a reward is surely there for you. You just have to be brave enough to claim it, to own it. You just have to get all the strength you need. It might not be that easy, but it surely is not impossible either. It just takes a little more determination and courage to take that great leap of faith, uncertain if someone will be there to break your fall. Sometimes, that is the only thing we can do: jump, without assurances.

So, are you still not convinced? Well, you better be convinced soon. Realize that the world will not stop moving just for you, Know that people will keep on moving forward, whether you want them to or not. Wake up to the cold reality that time passes, and it is not that hard for a person to get left behind. You will only be left behind because of your fears. And when you realize that the world has moved on , and yet you are still here, it may already be too late for you to catch up. Do what you have to do right away, before it is too late. Say what you have to. Realize what you need to. Do what you have to do, before the chance slips out of your hands.

“I love you” is so hard to say, is it not? But no matter how hard, you should say it now, while there is still a chance. It is now or never, my friend. Now or never.

“If you love someone, you say it, you say it right then, out loud. Otherwise, the moment just passes you by.”

Sunday, September 21, 2008

THE NOTEBOOK

UNEDITED SAMPLE FEATURES ARTICLE
By Marian Denise Glipo Basallote
IV-Madame Marie Curie


“The Notebook” is one of my all-time favorite movies because it has the capability of deeply touching my heart. It depicted a great love story that had surpassed the ordeals of time. The movie involved the characters namely Allie Hamilton and Noah Calhoun, who fell in love with each other. However, Allie’s parents disapproved of their relationship and eventually, the two young lovers were separated from each other. Several years passed by and Allie had never heard a single thing about Noah. But, the truth is, Noah wrote 365 letters, one letter a day for a year. He stopped writing after a year since he had never gotten a response from Allie. Allie became engaged to a handsome young soldier named Lon.

In a local newspaper years later, a picture of Noah, who was standing in front of a fully-restored, 200 year-old house, caught Allie's eye. Noah spoke of his plans of buying and renovating that house back then. Allie got too overwhelmed after seeing and knowing that his plans did happen. With the quirk of fate, Allie and Noah met each other again. They had a lot of catching up to do. But, their love for each other has always stayed alive. Their love for each other grew even deeper and stronger. Allie eventually discovered that she never received Noah’s letters before because her mother was keeping all of them.

Since Allie’s business with Lon has not yet been fixed, she had to make a decision between her fiancé, Lon, and her true love, Noah. In the end, she realized that she needed Noah in her life. She returned to him and they spent the rest of their days with each other. Allie, however, acquired an Alzheimer's disease that made her forget about everything that had happened. Noah constantly read a notebook, which contained every detail of their love story, to Allie. The notebook was actually written by Allie herself. At one night, Noah sneaked into Allie's room and they died together peacefully in their sleep.

In this story, the disapproval of Allie’s parents of their relationship was the evident reason why Allie and Noah had to part ways. They shared a forbidden love and thus, both characters suffered greatly. Since they were so young then, they did not have enough courage to fight for their feelings. They were helpless, indeed. With the passing of time, both of them were not able to keep in touch with each other. As a result, they got used to living in separate and different worlds. However, the flame in their hearts never died. Even with the test of time, their love for each other remained firm and steadfast. Even if nobody wanted them for each other, they still spent a lifetime together.

The power of love could do great miracles. Love undeniably triumphs over everything.

GRADE CONSCIOUSNESS?

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Jon Bon Jovi Endaya Timones
IV-Albert Einstein


Grade Consciousness or “G.C.” is a term used to describe people who were good in almost every subject. It may also be used to refer to people whose attitudes are very sensitive when it comes to their grades. For example, if a teacher mistakenly checked a G.C’s paper, the student will immediately report this to the principal without first consulting the concerned teacher or the adviser.

How does being a G.C. benefit a student? This question can be commonly heard to people who are not aware that such a term exists. Being a G.C. contributes to a big change in a student’s life. It helps an individual prepare himself for the future, college for example. It helps them to be independent. By being a G.C., you motivate yourself to achieve a higher grade; therefore you are setting a high standard for yourself. And by setting a high standard for yourself, your outlook in life becomes more positive and you become optimistic. Your parents will also be proud of you because you are trying your best to achieve high grades as they wanted it.

But not at all times being a G.C. is good. Sometimes it also has its side effects. For example, if your studying very hard and you have a classmate that you know is also doing well in your class asks you to teach him some lesson that he doesn’t understand. In your part, this will be your chance to have an edge over him so you will not teach him. You will pretend that you also don’t get it but in fact, you already mastered it. In this situation, you became selfish. Your health may also be affected by being G.C. Sometimes you can not eat three times a day due to overwhelming loads. Some of them take only a few minutes but because you want high grades, you put a lot of decorations to it that it takes you one hour to finish one. Since those materials don’t come free, you also need to buy them, which is another bad thing.

If I were to describe myself, I am not G.C. but I am not also lazy. I just fulfill the requirements that my teacher asks from me and I do not do things beyond that. I do not want to compete with them because I know my capacities. I know up to how much I can do well in class and I know where I need to study. As long as we did our best, no matter what the result is, we should all be satisfied with it and don’t go any further.

AT THE NEST OF AN EAGLE

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Jon Bon Jovi Endaya Timones
IV-Albert Einstein


Almost a month and a half after the strenuous University of the Philippines College Admission Test, another trial is to be faced by the students wishing to have a good future in college. Students must muster up all their knowledge for they will be facing the Ateneo College Entrance Test. A test which, if passed, entitles a student a privilege in studying in one of the country’s most respected school, and one of the best in Asia.

I arrived two hours before the required time, and to my surprise, there was no traffic. As we drive going to the Grade School Building, we passed by the Ateneo Blue Eagles Gymnasium. Just by seeing the logo, I can sense an intense feeling running through my veins. I can’t believe that I was staring at one of Philippines’ best team in basketball. Being a basketball enthusiast, it is a great honor for me to see such a gymnasium. As we arrived at the venue, I can feel no pressure for the atmosphere was so quiet. An hour later, several students went passing by. At first I thought they were Atenistas, but I guess I’m wrong. They are my co-examinees talking to their schoolmates, probably. I was just out of luck because I have no schoolmate who’s going to take the test at the same time.

After the stressful test, I was again alone. But instead of being sad for my isolation, I felt alive because of the surroundings that I can see. Fresh, green leaves, no sign of pollution, and a small eagle statue scattered almost everywhere. Just seeing these statues makes you feel that you are an Atenista.

When I reached our car, I again saw the gymnasium, but this time, I felt a different feeling. The sense of excitement was gone and was replaced by a sense of goodbye. Goodbye for now, at least, because sooner or later, I might be an Atenista and join the hundreds of students fighting for the blue and white banner. Or if not, still, I’m going to meet that Eagle logo, but not on the same side.

2046

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Christine Joy Ombania de Asis
IV - Madame Marie Curie


I never knew that comic books and bubble gum pink looked good together. That was my first thought when I saw my hastily thrown underwear covering your much coveted Marvel collection. Spiderman was lost behind a pink printed geisha.

I will not dare be an innocent girl and ask where I am. Because I know perfectly well whose room this is. I will not cry bellow over your bloody sheet. I have seen more blood when I slashed my wrist not a week ago.

Your room used to be a Mecca of adolescence. Girlie magazines. Game consoles. Matchbox cars. I never knew that it could be room 2046. Remember Tony Leung and Ziyi Zhang? Although I must admit, ours is sweaty and painful.

But this was bound to happen. I saw it between the miniscule spaces between us every time we walk together. I felt it during the stolen glances and nonchalant brush in the cheek. But why must we do it this Sunday morning?

I could try to be the usual bitch that everybody thinks of me and say that it all meant nothing to me. I will brew my patented smirk whenever we have to think about it again. I could even light a cigarette as I say to you, “I just lied on the bed.”

Lied. That is what I did when you asked me if we were still the same star lovers. An hour on bed did not make you God. Sure, I was a forgotten pagan and saw that there was something most divine in feeling your hipbones and seeing you naked.

Lied. I lied on your bed and I was pretty sure that the pent-up girl in me was left crucified on your bed, suffering from our sins. No, I do not believe in hell and Jesus and divinity. I just felt that we should have done it for love. At least, you should have.

Maybe the blood in your bed was my tears. Who would know? You were busy reading long lost scrolls in my skin. Did you find what you were looking for? I was sure that I died that night and left with you my whole being. You will be my keeper.

You think that you know everything about me now, down to the black mark in my inner thigh that you laughed loudly about. But have you seen my eyes lately? They are the only ones who truly know everything.

I did it with you and you alone. We got lost in the games we used to play back then. But this time, I did not cry when you took my favorite toy. This time, I let you hold it. Maybe, you can have it forever. Just put it in the glass cabinet. It gets dust easily.

IN SEARCH OF SIGNS

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Christine Joy Ombania de Asis
IV - Madame Marie Curie


We may think at times that the only thing life offers us tomorrow, is to repeat everything we did today. But if we pay close attention, we will see that no two days are alike. Each morning brings a hidden blessing; a blessing which is unique to that day, and which cannot be kept or re-used. If we do not use this miracle today, it will be lost.

This miracle is in the small things of daily life; we must live in the understanding that at every moment there is a way out of each problem, the way of finding that which is missing, the right clue to the decision which must be taken in order to change our entire future.

But how to find the courage for this? As I see it, God speaks to us through signs. It is an individual language which requires faith and discipline in order to be fully absorbed.
For example, Saint Augustine was converted in this way. For years he sought - in various philosophical schools - an answer to the meaning of life, until one afternoon, in the garden of his house in Milan, as he reflected on the failure of his search, he heard a child in the street: "Take up and read! Take up and read!"

Although he had always been governed by logic, he decided - in an impulse - to open the first book which came to hand. It was the Bible, and he read part of St. Paul which contained the answers he sought. From then on, Augustine's logic made way for faith to take part in his life, and he went on to become one of the Church's greatest theologians.

The monks of the desert used to say it was important to allow angels to act. Because of this, they occasionally did absurd things - such as talk to flowers or laugh without a reason. The alchemists followed the "signs of God"; clues which often made no sense, but which always lead somewhere.
"Modern man tried to eliminate life's uncertainties and doubts. And in doing so he left his soul dying of hunger; the soul feeds off mysteries" - says the dean of Saint Francis Cathedral.

There is a meditation exercise which consists of adding - generally for ten minutes a day - the reasons for each of our actions. For example: "I now read the newspaper to keep myself informed. I now think of such-and-such a person, because the subject I read about lead me to do so. I walked to the door, because I am going out". And so forth.

Buddha called this "conscious attention". When we see ourselves repeating our ordinary routine, we realize how much wealth surrounds our life. We understand each step, each attitude. We discover important things, and useless thoughts.

At the end of a week - discipline is always fundamental - we are more conscious of our faults and distractions, but we also understand that, at times, there was no reason to act the way we did, that we followed our impulses, our intuition; and now we begin to understand this silent language which God uses in order to show us the true path. Call it intuition, signs, instinct, coincidence, any name will do - what matters is that through "conscious attention" we realize that we are often guided to the right decision.

And this makes us stronger and more confident.

TODAY

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Christine Joy Ombania de Asis
IV - Madame Marie Curie


"Why do it today if we have tomorrow?" -Squidward

"We do it today because today is yesterday's tomorrow!" -Spongebob

I remembered these lines last night when I was watching my favorite show, Spongebob Squarepants, and I could not help but to reflect on it over and over again.

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One of these days is YESTERDAY with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. YESTERDAY has passed forever beyond your control.

All the money in the world cannot bring back YESTERDAY. We cannot undo a single act we performed; we cannot erase a single word we said. YESTERDAY IS GONE.

The other day we should not worry about is TOMORROW with its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and poor performance. TOMORROW is also beyond our immediate control.

TOMORROW'S sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds - but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in TOMORROW, for it is yet unborn.

This leaves only one day - TODAY. Any man can fight the battles of just one day. It is only when you add the burdens of those two awful eternities - YESTERDAY and TOMORROW - that we break down.

It is not the experience of TODAY that drives men mad - it is remorse or bitterness for something which happened YESTERDAY and the dread of what TOMORROW many bring.

Let us, therefore, live but one day at a time.

And take into comprehension that every second counts.

THAT IS WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTILCE
By Rayalyn Perlada Mongaya
IV - Enrico Fermi


“A friend who helps out when we are in trouble is a true friend—unlike others who disappear when trouble arises.“

Friends play an important role in a person’s life. They encourage when one is sad, they entertain when one is lonesome, and they listen when one has problems. Friends that grew up with would share the happiness and sadness one might has. However, friends that grew up with might not always be the best friends because they could faking it or been concealing some secrets. So, it is very important for one to recognize all the friends s/he has because good friends are hard to find. Good friends should not be measured only base on the time spent together. With good friends, one is able to have a more meaningful life. It is very difficult to have a definition of a good friend for everyone to agree upon. Since everyone has different personalities, friends one looks for could be very different. Usually when problems arise, people will most likely go to their friends for help. There is a friend that is very honest and would share almost everything; meanwhile, on the other hand, there is a friend that is very dishonest. With no doubts, one would not desire to have a blabbermouth person as a friend; except one wants to spread rumors around or wants to find out other people’s secrets. With good friends, people would have higher self-esteem, confidence and motivation. Usually, best friends are people that understand each other clearly. One would choose to share his/her secrets with the honest person. A good friend would listen and try to understand the issue that took place and is willing to lend a helping hand at any time. Also, friends should also be good listeners. At lease once in a person’s life, one would encounter a friend that likes to share secrets that belong to others with his/her friends.

Loyal is one of the main qualities one looks for when searching for friends. Friends have good communication and are willing to share both the good and bad times. So, it would be most comfortable to tell secrets to someone that is trustworthy. Teachers and parents are the second or third resource they go to. Trusts are gain by having trustworthy friends. Her friends should encourage her to continue to try and to think and act positively.

Friendship is not a state of mind, it is an act. It is something you do, it is not about whether you are good or not, it is not a reflection of you, it is a balanced relationship between people. That does not mean it is always balanced at every moment. Sometimes you “need a friend” and other times it is the other way. It is a trust that is returned.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

BE THE BEST OF WHATEVER YOU ARE

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By
Bernadette Bunao Orgen
IV -Michael Faraday


I have always been on the head of the line. I am recognized for being the person with the least height among the class, or perhaps, among the batch. I am identified by my classmates for not having the capacity to erase the writings on the upper part of the board. I have always been like that because I am small.

When I began entering school, I found no problem regarding being the smallest in the class. I was even treated like a baby by my classmates then. They cared for me a lot, and they would never let anyone make me cry. I was so thankful for that, so what I did in return was to do good in school and to help them whenever they had problems with our lessons. My classmates trusted me, and they elected me as the president of the class. I would always lead them to order. I would always initiate in making our classroom clean. I maintained peace in our class by fixing misunderstandings between some of my classmates. I could say that I was able to do my job properly and that my classmates were not wrong in choosing me as their leader even if I seem not to take my responsibilities well enough because of my height.

Until I became a high school student. I was surprised and amazed at seeing my classmates who are like "giants". They are very much taller compared to me. I seem like an ant whenever I go near them. I also have classmates who are not so tall, but still, their heights are greater than mine. At first, I did not care much at all.

As time went by, most of my classmates became closer to me. We would laugh at each other without being hurt since we always knew that we are just having fun. They would always tease me because of my being small. I never kept hurt feelings because I knew that they never mean to hurt me. But, jokes have limitations. Sometimes, I bear with them, but there are moments when I feel like I wanted to cry. Many things were kept behind my mind whenever I lose emotional control. I wanted to ask them. Was it my fault that I became an ant in the group of giants? Was it my desire being such? I felt so pathetic at times. I wanted to cry, but I never wanted to show them my tears. I just kept my emotions strong. I kept hiding my feelings, and I never shared them to anybody.

I felt pity to myself. It was as if I wished to be small. Do they know that if there were only a chance for me to choose, I would wish to be taller so that they would accept me as to who I am. Because, it was as if they despise me for lacking height. I knew that these are just silly thoughts in my mind, but I cannot help myself but to think that these things are true.

Until one day, as I was browsing my old elementary books, I happened to see the page where the poem "Be The Best of Whatever You Are" by Douglas Malloch was written. It goes like this.

If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill, be a scrub in the valley...
It isn't by size that you win or you fail-
Be the best of whatever you are.

I may be small. I may not be as tall as my classmates. But I can also do what they can do. My height is not a problem. I do not feel bitter anymore. In fact, I am happy for I am what I am now. Whatever happens, I will just be the best of whatever I am.

DIFFERENT FLAVORS OF FRIENDS

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Rayalyn Perlada Mongaya
IV -Enrico Fermi


Ever since I was a child, my grandmother raised me to recognize and appreciate various
kinds of friends. There are three different kinds of friends in this life. I classify them according to how well I know them and how well they know me. We encounter each of them everyday, whether in school, home, or at the gym. However, we rarely spend much time actually
thinking about and classifying these people. First, there are the "pest friends"- general
acquaintances. Next, there are "guest friends"- social partners. Lastly, we have "best
friends"- our true friends.

The first type of friend is simply an acquaintance. This means that you basically only know their name. You might not even remember what they look like if you go away for a short vacation. Usually, you meet these type of friends in school, at work, on the bus, in the gym, or anywhere else you might be. You normally would not mind having a cup of coffee with them, but if anything else came up, you usually would have no problem parting company.

You normally don't miss them when they are elsewhere. It is also this type of friends who give you the most amount of aggravation. Since most of the time you are placed in a position where you have to act friendly, such as school or work, you would not normally tell an acquaintance when he or she is doing something aggravating, such as tapping the fingers an a table or chewing gum loudly. This is why I call them "pest friends." The second category of friends I call "social partners."

This is because they are closer than acquaintances, but no where near as close as a true friend. Social partners are usually acquaintances who evolve into "guest friends" through increased extracurricular activities. You know their name, a little of what they like or dislike, a little of their family history, and usually have several things in common. As the saying goes, "Birds of a
feather flock together," so too the social partners have to have several things in common
with you. No one is going to want to spend any more time than necessary with somebody completely opposite and aggravating to him. Keep in mind, though, that the biggest thing that distinguishes a "best friend" from a "guest friend" is the fact that "guess friends" usually don�t converse about anything substantial or deep, such as their innermost desires and fears. Usually, "guest friends" toy to keep the topic of conversation happy and light. They would not open up to you how they are really feeling. They are still preoccupied with "saving face."

You still do enjoy hanging out with them. But when the going gets tough, they are not there
for you. The last type of friend is the "best friend." Normally, you know them the longest.
You probably grew up together as children. He or she knows everything about you. Likewise,
you know everything about him or her. They are basically like family. You would have no
problem if they spent the night at your house. You know each others quirks and habits and can
always tell when there is something wrong. You would not hesitate to share your deepest
feelings or thoughts with them. "A true friend will see you through when others see that you
are through." A true friend has no problem correcting you when you are wrong, or being stern
with you when you are out of line. Likewise, a true friend will love you like a member of his
own family. He will always be there for you. They are not perfect, but at least they will
always look out for you and never do anything intentionally to hurt you.

On a final note, I would like to take some time to say that we should always remember
keep in mind what kind of a friend we are to other people. We are all surrounded by pest,
guest, and best friends. We should always strive to be the best friends, that we can be.
Also, as the saying goes, " You can't use your friends and have them too." We should appreciate
and value all friendships that come into our lives, no matter how deep or superficial. We
should always remember that all best friends started out as just acquaintances.

GREEN EYED MOSTER

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Karenina Isabel Apilado Lampa
IV - Michael Faraday


You think you are all great and powerful, huh? Do you honestly think that you would affect me even the slightest bit. Oh please, I am so beyond that. Go bug someone else, why don’t you? Your time is like, so wasted with me.

So I am going to close my eyes, and when I open it, you better not be there. One, two-

What? You’re still there. How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t give a-

Oh. So he’s right there, is he not? See? I do not care at all if that flirt is eyeing him with an unbelievable amount of longing. She really is THAT desperate. All that is left for her to do is to throw herself upon him. It is absolutely sick and disgusting. Whatever happened to the pure innocence of the race that used to be girls?

How I wish I could take her neck and twist it with- Oh. Oh. So it is your doing! See? I controlled myself. You have no effect on me whatsoever. No. Zero. So can you please leave me alone now?

Ah. I know that girl clad in stilettos. The one walking toward him, right? Yeah. She is absolutely stunning. Care for a piece of trivia? He actually dated her for the longest span of time. One year, two years, no big deal. I have known people who dated for like, a million years. They did not end up with each other. Funnily enough, they ended up hating each other’s guts.

But, you have a point. She is absolutely to die for. If I had been a guy, I would kill for her. But as things happen, I am no man. Therefore, I’d rather kill her-

What am I saying? I do not care if she goes back together with him. That would be a nice sight to see, of course. Love once gone, love once mended. Oh, I feel like crying in this sappy love story. Yeah. They would go well with each other.

See? For the nth time, I do not care if all girls eye him. It is so not his fault that he attracts attention. Some people are born that way, and you cannot blame him-

For the love of all that is holy...Is that middle-aged woman staring at him? Seriously? Is she not like, married or something? Where is the justice in the world? This is a crime! An outrage! Is there not a law that states the age brackets of who people should eye? Now,I HAVE seen everything. I so need to erase that from my memory. It was horrifying...terrifying...uhh, what’s another word that rhymes with that?

Why can these people not just look away for something new? Why does it have to be my guy? It is honestly irritating to see ALL of them flirt shamelessly with him.

Oh...it is all your doing, is it not? Stupid, green-eyed monster. You make things so much more complicated than it is. Why can you not go bother someone else? Why does it always have to be me?

“You’re talking to yourself again.” A voice interrupted my train of thoughts and I blinked to get my bearings back. He was there, standing beside me, sporting a smile reserved only for me.

“What? No. No. I was just thinking.”

Well, what else matters? All those other girls could drown in their own envy. He was mine. No one else’s.

A PERFECT GUY

UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Karenina Isabel Apilado Lampa
IV - Michael Faraday


Through all the years, I’ve never thought I’d meet the perfect guy. I always thought that books somehow described the protagonists to be somewhat a little too overboard. But when I finally crossed his path, I knew then and there that miracles still do happen.

I met my perfect guy.

He was terribly gorgeous. No, that’s an understatement. He’s got the looks which could launch a thousand ships. No originality? Oh fine. Well, you get my point. He’s absolutely worth dying for. But, that doesn’t even compensate for what he is inside.

When I first met him, I thought he’d be that stuck-up, rich, spoiled brat who’s an only child of the rich family in town. I’ve always held the principle that rich people all possessed the same attitude. They’d be know-it-all’s and they’d all think they’re above everyone just because they had riches untold. It wasn’t until I met him that I realized how shallow my thinking was. Because whatever I thought he would be, he was exactly just the opposite.

He would stand in front of a gun for you. Well sure, it didn’t happen yet, but someday, it might! But still, he always made people feel good about themselves. He saw the beauty in people that they don’t see for themselves. He had a radiant, happy glow that would influence the others. He would get out of his car and let the old woman ride in it instead, which replaces and totally shadows the kind act of boy scouts as they accompany the old woman crossing the road.

He was unique. He’s just, dreamy. He was way too humble for someone who had so much to boast of. I mean, I’ve seen many people arrogantly shove their fame in front of their faces, screaming for attention. But if you would actually compare what they’ve got to what this perfect guy has, it’s not even close. No.

And don’t even get me started on how he treats his girl. It’s absolutely so sweet. Every month, they’d go out and celebrate just whatever, and he doesn’t even bother with the most expensive restaurants. Instead, he’d go out of his way to arrange the most romantic dates in different set-ups such as beaches and candle-lit dinners on rooftops.

He always made sure that the girl felt loved. If ever he wasn’t there with her, he’d shower her with the most beautiful of, not roses or flowers, but handwritten letters. Like, think about it. Others go on typing, thinking of the waste of time it would be to personalize a letter to someone important. But this guy, he definitely knows how to treasure the most important things in life.

Aah...The joys of having the perfect guy. I dream of being his someday...

“I’m really sorry if I’m late. Come on then, I have the most wonderful surprise for you.”

I opened my eyes. There he is. Oh right, I totally forgot.

I could dream of being his over and over again. But then again, why keep on dreaming when it's happening in reality?

I stood up from the couch and grabbed my bag.

"I'm coming. I'm coming. Don't spoil the surprise!"

I’m his. And, he was mine.