It was a story of a young man who was about to get an arranged marriage to a fine young lady when he accidentally put the ring in the finger of a corpse. The corpse was a bride and mistook the accident as a wedding vow for her. So he brought the man – Victor – to the land of the dead. Corpse bride has this animation and the feels that really captivates my heart. I can relate to the young lady – Victoria. Grew up with strict parents, must be obedient, do things really fine and modest. "Why this movie?" Asked Chris. We're sitting a meter apart from each other. The blanket was that huge for us to sit in that distance and even has a place for all the foods. "Why ask me to watch a movie?" He shrugged and drank another bottle of San Miguel flavored beer. Movie theaters aren't my thing. Whenever there are films that I want to watch, I would just wait for it to be released on televisions or online platforms where I will still pay. I went to bars more than cinemas. I love to be alone, wa

It was freshman week. A week where all the first year students could get to know each other, attend different activities prepared by the higher year, and familiarize themselves in the campus. Sidesea University is the largest among all the colleges in the City of Ariel but has the lowest number of students due to hard admissions. Students shall take an entrance examination first to know whether they could enter the University or not, there are special cases – of course, which really usually happens – for students who have connections. Connections like powerful businessmen, teachers, admins, and facilitators inside the school, and government officials at Ariel. School started three days ago and I haven’t adjusted to the environment yet. It’s like I am always lost. Lost in a sense that I am having a hard time not to get lost. And another lost in a sense that I don’t know what I am doing, if the course that I took would be manageable enough for me to pass. People around me often say

Chris caught us in that situation. He looked at us for a second and then walked inside without minding us, putting a tray with food that I supposed he bought outside. It felt like my parents caught me crying and I would have to hide and easily wipe away my tears so that we would not talk about it. Patricia and I wiped our tears, “are you sure he’s just your boss?” She giggled and whispered to my ears as she sat down on the bed beside me. Of course Patricia and I were talking about boys sometimes – mostly her – that’s one thing that she influenced on me. I became vocal about the guy I like but was still shy most of the time. “Ikaw ha. You wanted good guys with good looks and good grades,” pang-aasar niya nang malaman niya ‘yung tungkol sa lalake na nagustuhan ko nu’n sa kolehiyo. But she’s uncertain about what is happening at home. I am sure she has an idea but she chose not to ask. Hindi siya kailanman nangialam tungkol sa bagay na ‘yon hangga’t hindi ako nagsasabi, nagtatanon

Life is like a rollercoaster ride. The thrills. The ups and downs. Nakakahilo. Minsan masusuka ka. But rollercoaster rides have different builds, mine had been down for a long time and in a constant 360 degree turn. Paikot-ikot. It’s like a journey using public transportation. You’ll have people at the beginning of the journey, some of them will leave you eventually, some will stay for a moment then still leave you after. By the end of your own ride, you’ll leave the vehicle because you’re at the destination you wanted – leaving some people behind that were physically there on your own journey. It has ups and downs like a beating heart on a lifeline. Because if it is straight, it only means one thing – death. Ako ang naunang sumuko sa titigan naming dalawa dahil sa pagpunas ko sa sarili kong luha. I turned my back to him but he grabbed both of my arms forcing me to face him. He stared at me and then without a word, he hugged me. I was stunned by his random actions. Sabagay pa

My mom said that hair is a staple for being a professional model and beauty queen. She told me that either you're bald or you keep your hair long. She said that the hair is essential to be kept and taken care of because it is our crowning glory. Someone’s appearance can possibly be changed for better or to worse depending on the looks of their hair. I never thought that cutting your hair and styling it the way it did not used to look like, would feel this empowering. I tilted my head and even turned around, feeling the looks of my hair. Madam Vannie and Chris were staring at me but I don’t care about what they are thinking right now. All I know is I love my look and I love this strange feeling inside me. “It suits you.” Commented by Chris. I bit the insides of my cheeks to stop myself from smiling. Chris talked with madam Vannie while I was sitting pretty at the waiting area. I was humming random Rivermaya songs, tapping my fingers on the chair, while watching my swinging feet.