My Last Words

As I lay down here on the ground, shot down by the guwardiya sibil, I just want to say these few words...

MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS!

-Pepe
(Justin Tung, 073545)

Influenza

There is currently a new strain of virus that has been causing quite a stir in the medical field. And guess what, my classmates (and I) suspect that I have it. We, soon-to-be doctors, were taught by our epidemiology professors that it is called the influenza virus. It is apparently highly contagious since almost a quarter of our class is already affected. What is interesting yet equally fearsome about the virus is that it can easily mutate. Meaning, immunity to one strain does not guarantee you immunity to another newer strain. Right now, I am having a high fever and my body, especially my lower back is aching. I always feel so tired and my head feels heavy that I am pinned on my bed most of the time. I feel dizzy every time I sit or stand up. Even my eyes ache when I move them. I also have sore throat which causes me to lose my appetite.

The symptoms caused by flu perfectly match what I am feeling and it is very likely that I caught one. I already went to a doctor and he took a sample of my blood to test and confirm it. Once confirmed, he will give me antiviral medicine so as to cure my illness. He said that I will be well in a week or two if I stick with his prescription. I really hate getting sick because I just cannot do anything productive, no matter how I try. My body would just give up. I am also on a self-quarantine so I cannot talk to my friends without going closer than 2 meters, more or less. Now that would be a bit awkward. The climate here in Europe certainly does not help as well. The cold penetrates my joints and I am having chills. During these times when I am ill, I especially miss my mother looking after and taking care of me. How I wish I could go home now.

-Pepe (Cabrera, Paulo 060521)

Pabiglang pagsugod ng pagbabago (ambush makeover): pepe

Barong, pomada, bayong at salawal na gawa sa rattan; sawang sawa na ko sa aking pananamit! Araw araw na lang ito ang aking ayos! Pag gising sa umaga magpapalit ng salawal at magsusuot ng bagong camisa de chino.. Ayoko na ng ganito.. Panahon na para magbago ako.. Umpisahan ko sa buhok.. Imbis na hawiin pakanan, aking papatayuin ito na tila nahanginan ng malakas na hangin. Pag dating naman sa damit, papalitan ko na ang aking barong. Magsusuot na ako ng mas makabagong damit. Nais ko subukan ang mga damit na gawa sa balat ng crocodile o sa balat ng ahas! Para sa aking pantalon magsusuot ako ng mga mas masisikip para mas macho at mas matipuno ako tingnan. Sa sapatos naman, magsusuot ako ng mga matitingkad na kulay para maging kakaiba ako. At magsusuot na din ako ng salawal na gawa sa cotton para hindi na masakit sa singit! Sigurado ako na pagaagawan nanaman ako ng mga kababaihan dahil sa bagong istilo ng aking pananamit!

-pepe
(popo mamaril 073907)

Experiments and Other Beings

Lately I’ve been having dreams about various creatures that have been experimented upon. It seems that all those lessons that had me dissecting dead bodies have affected me more than I thought they would. I don’t seem to be as bothered as I thought I would though. In fact, I find myself getting inspired by those dreams.

It would be interesting to write a story involving experimented beings. They would have their own lives, and they’d communicate and interact with humans. Their nature, however, will prevent some people from treating them equally. Distrust and fear will permeate the otherwise peaceful atmosphere, and some will plot to eradicate them. This, in turn, will cause resentment among the experimented ones. They will find themselves getting angry at humans for experimenting on them, giving them life then trying to kill them. Some would try to make a compromise, while the more hostile ones would begin their violence against the other.

As for the ending, I think it would be better to leave it open to interpretation.

I also want to write something related to the sun and the moon. I have always wondered if there is life in them. If humans could go there, would they see anything interesting? Is there anything similar to the things here on earth? Would they be more primitive or more advanced compared to us?

Perhaps I should merge the two ideas. I am not certain how much time I still have to write those stories. There is the possibility that I might not be able to finish them since the Spaniards have been trying to capture me. If I decide to do so, I’ll have to think of a way to make them go well together so that it would not turn into an incomprehensible piece that has too many ideas in it.

-Pepe

(Lexie Dizon, 071185)

Wedding Preparations

Today, I get married to the one woman I love, Marie Josephine Leopoldine Bracken -- or simply, Josephine. Because the church has denied our application for a marriage license (probably because of my involvement with the revolution), my fiance and I have decided to have a civil wedding instead.

Definitely, preparing for a civil wedding is less taxing than a church wedding. For one, it has less requirements and prerequisites (such as having a banquet, marriage license obtained from the church, and of course, ninongs and ninangs). In turn, it just requires a court official to formally announce the union of us both.

I truly am happy that I'm getting married my love, Josephine (who is of Irish descent) before anything happens to me; because as all of you know, those Spanish bastards want me dead.

-Pepe
(Justin Tung 073545)

To Kill or not to Kill: Elias or Ibarra?

Today, I was trying to finish the novel I’ve been trying to write for quite a long time now. It’s funny, I’ve never really taken this long in writing masterpieces but there’s just something inside me that makes me want to make this flawless. A word misplaced can trigger a new revolution. It must be perfect.

I’m actually having problems with the ending. I don’t know who should die. Of course, it’s already a given that someone always dies in novels. It’s dramatic, what else can I say? Other than the added effect, I’ve been thinking of the last message my novel will convey. I believe that the ending will have the most lasting effect on my readers, which is why I am trying my best to hone it to be just right.

I think I’m actually going to go with the death of Elias. I do not want to give revolutionists the encouragement they need to start another bloodshed. I believe education is the only way to free us from our close-mindedness. After all, we are not ready to live on our own. We still need Mother Spain to guide us. Elias is reckless and violent. I think his death will suggest the failure of revolution, that there is no use fighting.

Or perhaps I should go with Ibarra? His death might actually put some sense into the minds of my countrymen. However, I believe that the whole story revolves around him. If I plan to make a sequel to this novel, then I must not destroy the character who made it possible.

There are so many story plots going through my mind right now and I really can’t decide. The thought of killing them both even comes to mind. But that would be absurd, of course. This is a novel, not a killing spree. I’m leaning more on the death of Elias, though. I think it plays a more integral role in shaping the minds of my readers. I just hope that they do get the message I am trying to put across.

-Pepe
(Nicole Anne Araos, 070238)

Paciencia, Mi amigo

"Many things can happen at this very moment. Words of gratitude uttered, tears shed and comments of pure speechlessness. All I can truly say is addressed to the people of my nation, the Filipinos. To my friends, comrades, family and fellowmen; do not despair in the face of hardship instead hold on to the hope we all have. Like any other, I am a man of action, I take it upon myself to address the hardships of reality but I am also a man of peace and rationality. Taking up arms does not solve anything, I fight with my quill. It is my wish that you understand the meaning of my words. Be patient, land of my birth, No hay mal que dure cien años 

(the longest night will have an end.) El sol se levantará mañana y quién sabe lo que traerá la marea? (The sun will rise tomorrow and who knows what will bring the tide.)  We must never forget our motherland, and never let her forget the hearts that beat for her."

Pepe 

Isabelle Ocier

072487  

Can't Take My Eyes Off You

I'm not just a revolutionary, but also a romantic. In every story, the love between a hero and his damsel can stir up hearts as much as the most poetic string of words. That being said, my current project is still missing that certain romantic flair that would add fuel to the fire of my vision.

I have not encountered much trouble envisioning the hero of my story. Truth be told, I need only to take a moment and reflect on my life to know what he is going to be like. In search for his female counterpart, I figured that I would utilize the same method and go over the several women that have been part of my life.

Now you might be fairly surprised but I am actually not so bad with the ladies. There was Nellie, Gertrude, Josephine and I'm pretty sure there was someone named Suzanne. However, after going through these women, I realized that not one of them fitted the image that I was looking for. After pondering for a while, the answer popped in my head. It should've been obvious but there has been a lot of things swirling around my head, but the answer was clear.

I had known Leonor Rivera for quite a long time and there was something about her that sets her apart from the rest. Of all my women, she was the only one able to keep my eyes from straying to other dames. My hero needed someone like that, someone who possesses that same uncanny ability to stick around a man's thoughts with just one look. The way a man is with his woman reflects how he is with his country. And so my hero will love his woman with loyalty and sacrifice, just like how he will love his country.

-Pepe

(Gregory Lewis Choa, 070758)

Makapag bagbag damdaming pamagat

Ilang gabi ko na ito pinagiisipan. Hindi ako makatulog. Hindi din makasubo. Araw-araw itong bumabagabag sa aking isipan at kahit anong malalalim na pagninilay ang aking gawin, tila hindi pa din mahanap ang ninanais. Kahit anong kalkal ang aking gawin kahit sa pinakasingit na ng aking utak, wala, wala pa din. Napakahirap makapagisip ng isang pamagat para sa aking nobela. Napakaraming mga kaisipan ang pumapasok sa aking utak. Napakaraming mga bagay ang aking dapat pagtuunan ng pansin. Kung gagawa ako ng pamagat, dapat makakatulong ito sa pag akit ng mga mambabasa. Hmmmm. Kung Kagat ng Laman kaya ang aking ipamagat? Nako hindi maari. Baka pagkamalan na isang malaswang babasahin ang aking Nobela. Dapat din sa pamagat pa lang matanto na ng mga mambabasa kung tungkol saan ang nobela. Kung Maria Clara, Ika'y Aking Papanikin kaya? Masyadong mahaba at hindi na nasama ang mga ibang aspeto ng nobela. ARGH!!! Napakahirap talagang magisip ng pamagat! Paano kaya naisip ng aking mga katotong sila Juan Luna at Marcy del Pilar ang pamagat ng kanilang mga sariling obra? Isa itong malalim na palaisipan............... Aba teka! Tungkol sa pag-ibig ang aking nobela. At sa isang pagnanasa ng Pari sa isang maganda at mabangong dalagita.... Hmmmmm! Alam ko na!!! Bawal hawakan bawal hawakan bawal hawakan!!! Tumpak!!! Tatawagin ko na Noli me Tangere ang aking nobela. Saktong sakto ang pamagat na ito. May halong misteryo ang pamagat kaya maakit ang mga mambabasa at pamagat pa lang may ideya na ang mga mambabasa kung tungkol saan ito. Mahusay mahusay ka talaga Pepe!!! At napakagwapo at matipuno mo pa! siguradong bebenta ang aking nolbelang ito!!!


-pepe
(popo mamaril 073907)

MANNYLA

"Our group decided to choose the name Mannyla, which is a play of words between Manny and Manila. Manny Pacquiao is seen as the pride of the country, and the entire nation unites whenever he has a fight. His many victories not only bring Glory to our country but he never fails to bring every Filipino together whenever he has a match. Becoming a legend in his own time, each fight he has championed has inspired us to use him as as the symbol of Philippine unity in creating the new name and flag. Manila, on the other hand, is the national capital of the country."