Pen Is Mightier Than A Word Processor

TRENCH

2010-02-04T05:03:00.000-08:00

The radio crackled, 'Greetings.' said the voice. ''I am captain Cruz of the Manila Military Squad. If anyone is out there, we still have hope on this derelict planet. We managed to survive and we have a safe place here for you, waiting. If you are listening, know that we will find you and will continue searching no matter what the cost.' the captain severed the line ceremoniously. She stared at the radio's screen hoping someone, anyone out there would respond. The minutes passed like eternity but the wave signal didn't twitch. Nothing. Not that she was expecting any.

The captain slid the radio back to the holster on her hip. The last light of day was a slit on the horizon, slowly setting down to its cradle in the west. A tinge of red and orange in the bare afternoon sky. All around her, dust were gathered and blown by the easterly winds, softly brushing the her hair. She stood, albeit desolate, on the edge of the Philippine trench. To her sides stretched the big crack of earth extending north and south, slithering through the ground, hollow and treacherous. She gazed at the view for a moment letting all her worries go then pulled on her helmet and started stretching her arms and legs. She felt the radiation building up in the atmosphere brought about by the wind as the anti-rad poles started to faintly glow. Anyone who's right in the mind wouldn't stay topsoil after dark, she thought. To her front, the deepest point of the trench, The Galathea, beckoning with deep dark echoes. Captain Cruz stepped back hard on her right foot, sprang and dived down. She crossed her arms tight, chin tucked to her chest. She Kicked both feet, giving herself extra push for speed as the G-force tugged her vertically into the cavernous pit, a powerful magnetic force pulling her down. Every bit of her skin and muscle rattled as she was falling. It was a long stretch. About a thousand fathoms down to her destination with speed that's off the chart. At the very precise moment and calculation, captain Cruz spread her arms and legs. Her specially designed military retrieval suit blobbed to her sides catching the wind. It harnessed the downdraft and raggedly slowed her downfall. "The famous virtruvian stop,' she thought, from the ancient masterpiece. She hovered with her steady descent staring in the darkness around her. In minutes, the city's landing sites and dock ports were visible. She adjusted her direction to East tier 1 deck of the military wing. Below her, the glo-stripped landing was deserted, with the exception of a patrol who controlled the in and out traffic of the officers and shuttles. The landing was a thick platform of iron ore precariously constructed to the wall of the trench. From above they looked like steps down the pit of Galathea. Her feet landed the x spot with a thump. 'Sweet' she muttered to herself. She was the last officer the patrol was expecting for the day. On the landing's wall side, the cave opened its steel mouth with a hiss, stood the entrance to East of Modern Manila.

The titanium walls of entry way curved to the ceiling and was only lit by purple glo-strips on the ground, giving it a look and feel of a tunnel from outside. Captain Cruz removed her head gear, her hair flowing as they untangled, and started to head for the entryway.

'A little late today, huh? Any news topsoil?' asked the patrol.

'Not even a twitch on my radar. The radiation's gone crazy lately.' she said stepping in to the tunnel.

'I wonder if there's even a soul out there. Oh well. I'll see you tomorrow, Captain.' he said and prepared to move to the next tier.

The walkway narrowed to a smaller metal door that opened as she neared it. The entry to the city followed stringent security measures including anti-rad detector and spray and identity scanner. The small square room was made of thicker titanium alloy from floor to ceiling. Green lasers began scanning the captain from head to toe and a beep signaled complete. 'Welcome captain Maya Cruz.' said an automated voice basing her identity from transmission of Xxx. A nano-bio chip invented by Dr. Xxx hundreds of millennia ago.

Xxx was a human miracle. After birth, a nano-chip containing vital information is injected to the bloodstream of the infant directing it to the xxx artery. Once it reaches the heart and sticks to the wall, doctors would only need to activate the switch and the chip will come to life living off of the sugar in the blood. Once scanned, the chip transmits the baby's identity, parents' name, date of birth as well as DNA patterns. The xxx became one of the most famous medical breakthrough in the century of its launch. The chip serves as a human bio analyzer and indicator. The microscopic chip generates analysis on blood pressure, sugar level, bone density, eyesight grade and biorhythms among others. This prevented sickness and even monitored possible heart attacks as well as observe how certain virus triggers and affects human system thus, avoiding outbreaks by quick medicine formulation. This tremendously increased average human lifespan up to 100 years. And even after death, forensics use the chip to identify the reason of death, which eased crime investigation. Sadly, in military, the chip can also indicate loss of a soldier on the field.

Captain Cruz joined her team in the barracks.

The Day I Said I Love You

2010-01-31T00:59:00.000-08:00

It's our 3rd year anniversary this 4th and I just wanted to recall how it happened...

I awoke wrapped in his arms. It was a warm afternoon as the sun slowly crept its way to rest in the horizon. I looked at him looking at me. His eyes, they were solemn and honest. He smiled as his fingertips caressed my face. I closed my eyes and pulled him closer to feel his heart beat. I felt it shouting my name but only I can hear it. It was like a silent dream of unspoken happiness. We didn't need a word, we understood each other that way, the kind of silence that makes the heart at peace. Like home, I felt safe.
Then softly I said "I Love You." I knew it was the right moment.
He pulled back with surprise on his face and asked. "What did you say?"
"Nothing," I said as I smiled and covered myself with pillow. I though I was too cheesy.
He pushed the pillow away and said "No you said something." Oh how his eyes pierced me!
"I said I Love You." I told him looking him in the eye.
A smile, I have never seen before, brightened his face. It was heartwarming.
"I Love You too," he said and he kissed me tenderly.
It was our first exchange of I Love Yous after weeks of dating. All along we knew we already love each but somehow afraid of saying it, but it can't be helped. And that's when our story started...

Nuh-kuh-kuh-lokang Skeydyul

2010-01-29T02:17:00.000-08:00

What if your boss' schedule is like this?

WAKE UP

Prepare power outfit for the day
Come in to work
Check email (make sure I reply to the bosses first so they’ll think I’m working hard) – 15 minutes
Walk the floor – 5 minutes
Yosi break

LOG-OUT

LOG-IN - 2^nd shift aka. Starbucks

Power coffee with officemates – 1 hour
Extended power coffee and chit chat – 1 hour
Yosi break

LOG OUT

LOG-IN - 3^rd shift aka. McDo

Eat galore! Happy Fiesta! – 1 hour
Food digestion while chit chatting – 1 hour
Yosi break

LOG OUT

LOG-IN – back to work

Check email and attend meetings – 1 hour
Compose messages and updates – 1 hour
Send the updates (no need for a meeting, they know how to read) – 15 minutes

LOG-OUT

LOG-IN – 4^th shift aka. Hacienda (restaurant)

Eat galore! Happy Fiesta 2! – 1 hour
OT in Hacienda with office mates– 30 minutes

LOG-OUT

LOG-IN – back to work

Send last emails
Smile – I’m paid

GO HOME

My Powerful Resignation Letter to BBB (Brainless Bitch Boss)

2010-01-29T01:15:00.000-08:00

The longest resignation letter I have ever created...

Ms. (insert name of Brainless Bitch Boss),

I would like to render my immediate resignation instead of waiting until the last date of my initial resignation, due to your EXPLICIT INSULT OF MY POSITION as the Operations Manager of (insert account name), the Fort site.I understand that you have the position and power to do things at your level and I know that I have been through the ‘Pussy Cat Dolls Concert’ issue recently, but I am very disappointed with how unbearable your treatment is towards me. I have replied to my citation which seems to me is more of a trick, especially my leave request, to find out means and ways to terminate me.

Firstly, you placed my direct report, (insert Team Manager's name), under preventive suspension without my knowledge or without even coursing through me how to go with the issue. As the manager of (insert name), I believe I have the right to know and I am the first person that you should talk to if there are issues that need to be addressed especially if it will include HR in the process. Instead, you just came in last Monday, asked for my TM’s coaching logs out of the blue and invited MJ for administrative hearing and placed him on suspension WITHOUT my presence or knowledge prior.

And secondly, I came back from my rest day and I suddenly lost access to POD, internet and remote network access. Upon verification with IT, these accesses were deactivated as per your direct order. As an Operations Manager of the site, I believe I have the right to know why these accesses were deactivated. Last Monday, I asked that the POD (internal IM) be activated but suddenly, I got this email from you saying not to activate it until further notice, without even talking to me to explain the reason why. You didn’t know that I am included in the IT distro. Tuesday, I was trying to access internet to Google pictures for upcoming contests a just to find out it was deactivated and that you have ordered for the restriction of internet access. Last Friday, I needed to remote access my pc outside the office because, I want to be with the agents instead of staying in my office where I sit alone and is too far from my people, to find out that remote access was deactivated for all (insert account name) support and management team as per IT. As a manager, you know that directions like these should be communicated to everyone. And as the center manager of (insert account name) the Fort, I have the right to be aware of these directions. When I tried to check any email, there was none. I was not copied in the email sent to IT for these accesses to be deactivated. There was no communication whatsoever as to what’s the purpose to deactivate it or what’s the gain. I feel that this is very unbecoming of a manager in your position.

I would’ve loved to stay but with all these reasons, I am no longer confident that my stay with (company name) will be productive and successful as I have pictured it out and I feel that if I stay, you will find reasons to put me down.

Sincerely,
JM Libero
Operations Manager
(insert account name)

Fire! Fire! Fail!

2010-01-29T00:56:00.000-08:00

Nagising ako one afternoon to find out that my Landlady was installing Fire Extinguisher. Apparently, may memo syang nareceive about Apartment Builing mandate na dapat may extinguisher and fire exit. After the noise of installation, I went out to check it. I was like... WTF? malamang makakatulong sya pag may sunog. Una, parang ang tangkad ko para maabot sya pag may sunog. Pangalawa, nakachain and lock sya, baka bago ko pa matanggal ang lock, sunog na akiz. LoLz

Babala: Wag Bibili ng White na Kotse

2010-01-29T00:03:00.000-08:00

Papunta akong Megamall nung makita ko to. 2 cars, same model, same make, same color, same pez ng drivers (pangit) LoL. 1 is taxi the other is private car. Kaya kung bibili kayo ng kotse, make sure it's not the type na gagawing taxi, definitely not white. :P

A Movie Of Street Children In My Mind

2009-10-12T21:29:00.000-07:00

Last night, I headed to Cubao to see a free indie film show. It was early evening and the weather was stunning. A fine Saturday indeed. No rush hour, just people rushing with their errands. I was an hour behind the screening time and worried sick I'd miss a good film. I did my best to travel fast as I can but unfortunately, I have yet to wait for my first pay check so I took a jeepney over the comfort of a cab and there I was, fifteen minutes to my destination. The vehicles slowly approached a one way signed street leading to Araneta Center. The traffic was starting to build up and so was my anticipation.

As we slowly threaded the street, we passed by a dump of garbage on a corner of an unlit alley. There were kids working through the scraps while some were running around bare footed. A sickly little kid then shouted "Heto may mga kok-in-kan dito" waving an empty can of soda for the rest to see. The group gathered around him immediately and helped go through the rubbish looking for other things that might be of value. As I watched them get their hands filthy, a bullet of pain shot deep into my heart, a picture of poverty playing in front of me. Like the film I was expecting to see that night, the scene had me searching for words. I was speechless.

A flash of my childhood years came rushing swiftly in my mind, a movie of a distant memory, and season of school activities and days of endless laughter with my playmates. Happy days they were. As a child growing in a rural environment, I never worried of anything except the dreaded school in the morning playtime in the afternoon till I was exaggeratedly tired. It was all that kept me busy then, while here, right in my face, a validation of a sordid truth that a lot of children nowadays work through scraps for a living. Never as carefree as the children of the past generations used to be. I watched as they walked away towards the darkness. Their merriment over the collected treasures made me feel sad and wonder what future lies ahead of them.

Then I asked myself of what social responsibilities I have to these children? As heartbreaking as it is to admit, I don't really know. If I give those children a peso each, then that means I have to give a peso to every child I see on the streets. If I share with them a food or drink, what of their meal tomorrow? If I donate to an orphanage, then how about these homeless children who need the money now more than them or anyone else? I wanted to help but I know it’s not going to be enough. It was a shattering thought. I wanted to slap their parents for giving birth to them only to suffer poverty and endure the harsh realities of the world. I wanted to blame them. How could they? Then again, who am I to judge when I haven't lived their life? It must've been difficult for them too.

I've heard of stories of parents their kind trying to work hard or get a job but because of their social standing, they are often mistreated. It does happen. Let's face it. The fact is; their children are most affected by this social class stereotyping. They are forced to labour at an early age or abandoned on the streets like kitten with nothing but the will to survive. Now who wouldn't feel for them? They are caught in a situation they have no control of and there's nothing even I can do about it. But I worry not only for them but for the future. If the children of today carry on growing in this fashion, then I doubt that the great grand children of our great grand children will have a future at all. I can only imagine.

Like most of us do, I pushed the picture deep into the recesses of my mind, stared past the cars ahead, and tried to move on with my life. I closed my eyes as the jeepney started to travel. Suddenly, the night wasn't stunning anymore. I was disgusted with myself. Deep within me, I felt empty.

I Want To Be A Call Center Agent

2009-10-07T20:35:00.000-07:00

This idea came out when I realized that when a child of a call center agent reads a book about professions, or of what they want to be in the future, call center agent is not one to be seen in it. Not a popular job.
Working in the BPO industry made me understand the hardships of parenting. I have agents and colleagues who have kids and have shared they experiences to me. How working at night makes it difficult to leave home when their kids need bedtime stories. In this story, Lisa, a child to BPO agent parents, journeys to a discovery of the life and work in the call center industry.

The night was cold and the moon was full.
It was one of the nights Lisa dreaded.
She was wide awake but her mom and dad aren't home.
Lisa wanted her bedtime story but she knows she won't have one.
Not tonight.
"Mom and Dad work at night," Lisa said.
She then decided to count sheeps, like she always does.
"One sheep jumping over the moon. Two sheeps jumping over the moon. Three sheeps jumping over the moon."
On and on she wnet until she fell into a deep sleep.

The smell of breakfast cooking in the kitchen woke Lisa up the next morning.
"Mom and Dad are home," she told herself.
"Good morning." Lisa greeted everyone as she climed down the stairs.
"Good morning," they replied.
Mom helped Lisa dress up and prepare for school while dad cooked their hearty breakfast.
Dad cooked bacon and eggs.
"I love bacon and egg!" exclaimed Lisa.

There were days when Lisa eats only with her Lola for her mom and dad are still at work.
But today, they are home early.
The four of them will eat breakfast together.
Lola, mom, dad and Lisa.
It was a good morning indeed.
"Mama, what's your work?" Lisa asked mom when she finished her breakfast.
Mom smiled, "I am a call center agent like your dad," she said.
"What do you do at work?" she inquired.
"We help people over the phone," dad answered.
"Oh, that doesn't sound interesting," Lisa muttered.
Lola, dad and mom laughed.
Mom kissed Lisa on the cheek.
It was time for school.

Lisa scribbled on her notepad on her way to school.

Call Center Agent
1. Works at night.
2. Helps people over the phone.
3.

She kept her notebook back to her bag.

to be continued...

In My Life Movie Review

2009-10-07T20:08:00.000-07:00

In My Life Movie Review

Kapapanood ko lang ng In My Life. The talk of town gay movie of Vilma, John Lloyd and Luis. I don't usually write movie reviews. Nood nood lang. My friends and I talk about it, yes, but we leave the 'blogging' part to our mareng Rai. He's good at it. He has this habit of making fun of the movies we watch and comment up to the smallest detail of technicalities. Mga panlalait reviews kumbaga like the last movie he watched and blogged, Harry Potter and the Half-Gallon of Grape Juice (yung ininom ni Dumbledore) Hahaha.

Check nyo to: http://sungka.wordpress.com/ (Magpromote muna tayez ng site).

Going back to the movie. I'll try not to reveal everything, in case may di pa nakakapanood.

Characters:

1. John Lloyd Cruz.
2. John Lloyd Cruz.
3. John Lloys Cruz.
Hahahaha. Kidding. But yeah, mahal ko na si John Lloyd. Very good acting. Hindi pilit. Two thumbs up.
*hugs hugs hugs*

2. Vilma is.... well, Vilma. LoLz. It's refreshing to see her in the character she played. The drama scenes were tear jerker. Her acting, though, is almost the same as all her other drama scenes. Sige, watch kayo ng Anak and the likes, cut the drama part na talak sya ng talak ng mga sacrifices nya. Cut nyo drama talak part nya dito and compare nyo. Pero mahal ko din sya. She's my mom's fave by the way.

3. Luis, Luis, Luis. Hindi po dahil bakla, eh kailangang ipit na ipit lagi ang katawan pag nagsasalita.He speaks good english, Conyo conyo, so yung part na yun became natural to him.

4. Vice Ganda was so funny. Parang sa comedy bar lang ang mga linya.

5. Rafael Rossel's accent was so irritating. Manong nagtaglish nalang. Nakakabwisit.

6. GF ni Rafael (forgot her name, ayokong isearch bakit ba?) did her part naman sa supporting role.

7. Others like yung mga anak ni Vilma and Tirso and mga Onaks (Kano), etc. were ok. Kuya Cris and Ate Judith, nakakaloka scenes nyo. Kakatuwa to see you in the movie.

Now on the technical aspect:

- Bakit pag US or abroad (I'm talking in general Pinoy movies) eh laging soft/frosted yung aura ng pagshoot? I mean yung parang malabo effect. Dahil ba abroad di na pwedeng malinaw ang kuha?
- I would've loved it if walang masyadong make up si ate V. Natural look lang.
- Madaming shots na dito lang sa Pinas. Low budget?
- Isa lang nakita kong cute sa gay bar, yung ex ni Luis. Other than him, wala na.
- Pagkasagasa wala man lang dugo sa lips ni Luis. Dapat meron yun eh. The impact was so strong. They could've done better.
- Ang yuck nung stage ng ballroom hall. Hahaha.
- Lastly, the kissing scene was disappointing. It was only once and Luis could've done better. (it seemed to me he was the one holding back) Parang nahihiya eh.
- I cried a lot. I haven't cried this much since Magnifico. (Pero syempre drum drum ang sa magnifico)
- I love the unexpected twist.
- The sagasa effect was good. Parang yung sa Mean Girls.
- I so love the sampalan scene. Napa ako. *clap clap clap*
- The scripts/lines sa drama scenes were modernized but still sounded good. Like yung mga shet shet ni ate V.
- There was no kissing scene (yung laplapan) or sex scene (or chupaan - bastusan na! hahaha), yet it was still a gay movie. Showed the pros and cons and lifestyle of a modern gay guy. Di naman dahil bakla eh dapat laging may kemehan diba? Sana lang na build up pa yung love nila sa movie.

The title 'In My Life' ay galing sa love song (Like most of Pinoy movies now) sung by Sarah Geronimo na obviously, same title "In My Life".

The movie wasn't just about gayness and relationships. It also showed the struggles of a mother, pain of a child and meeting parents' expectations and Filipino's life abroad.

Ibibigay ko na sa kanila. Although there were very obvious technicalities, overall, I'd say it was a good movie and I recommend it.

Moral Lesson: STOP, LOOK and LISTEN bago Tumawid. Hahaha.

In case I missed anything, comment lang kayo. Hehe. :P

ONDOY: A Letter To My Countrymen

2009-10-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

I wrote this last Saturday using my phone before going to bed but due to my schedule, I didn't get to post it.

ONDOY: A Letter To My Countrymen
By: JM Libero

It has been a drastic week since typhoon Ondoy wrecked Manila. The City I have learned to love for taking care of me in my 10 years of stay in its arms. A week of emptiness and loss. Days of tears and grieves. Hours of cries for help. Minutes of frightened hearts and seconds of death. It was excruciating for me to see the city and its people drown under the forces of nature. A devastation as Ondoy dropped its billions and billions of teardrops into the city and left thousands of victims on its wake. This will be a week that Manila will never forget. A sinister mark in our history.

As we painstakingly try to move on with our daily lives, of waking in the morning to comfortably sleeping at night under our warm blankets, it is more than hard to imagine how the lives of these poor victims were changed by a twist of catastrophic event. The lost of family. Homelessness. Where do they begin after such a horrible experience? How do they move on?

Lend me a little of your time and walk through the bits and pieces to understand what makes this a learning event, not just to the victims but to everyone in our society.

Whenever there’s an incoming storm, Manilenos would always only worry about heavy traffic on the city streets. We shrug off the weather forecasts thinking it will only affect the province anyway, and as far as we’re concerned, it’s not accurate. We’d like to think that no such thing as chest-deep flood exists. It doesn’t happen here, at least not in our generation. If it does, only the always-flooded-areas like Navotas and Malabon come to mind. And it is quiet understandable. I, too, am guilty of it. But this time it’s not the case. We were utterly mistaken.

With Ondoy’s aftermath comes the realization of the fact that “anything CAN and WILL happen.” Imagine the unimaginable. An eye opener simply put. The lucid questions in mind and should be studied, not just by the government but by every Filipino, are: What really happened? What went wrong? Who made the mistake? Was it PAGASA for always giving vague forecasts not realizing high tide and heavy rain may possibly cause river overflow and flood? (The irony of its name. Yes I am not a fan of Walang PAGASA) Was it the local government units for not preparing their constituents? Was it Malacanang for the corruption of funds that should’ve been used by Filipinos? Was it Gloria for signing the approval of ‘Balikatan Forces’ first (to make us think they’re doing something) instead of the ones Filipinos badly need and for her going out public from her plush comfort only for photo shoots wearing her shining shimmering coat and boots? Or was it us? Yes us, for the damage we’ve done to Mother Nature. Or perhaps it was just totally unexpected? Or it could be everything. Why do I blame? Simply because it’s part of the ‘moving on’ process. Some will say that now is not the time to point fingers, but know that sometimes you have to have someone to blame. Someone to be mad at because it is a step forward, psychologically, following grief and pain. Then we move on to the next question: What do we do next? How do we stand up after this? A question that seldom gets easily answered.

It is heartwarming to say that we did not let our fellow Filipinos, the victims, get stuck in the “What now?” phase. We shed them light. Everyone pulled together in one way or another without the government’s help. It is true that the government was inefficient during the calamity. It wasn’t them who made the rescue operations successful and I dare you contest that. The government wasn’t there to govern. Our leaders weren’t there to lead. Instead, private sectors, corporations, organizations, schools, NGOs and individuals generously contributed to the mass scheme of helping the victims. Radio and TV Stations helped broadcast updates and news feeds. People moved victims to evacuation centers. Religious sectors prayed for everyone’s safety. Doctors and psychologists went out and cured the sick. Foods, clothes and medicines were collected and packed by hardworking volunteers. People helped deliver and distribute relief goods to evacuation centers. Car companies lent 4x4s. Artists sang for a cause and helped boost morale. People swam the muddy flood waters and rescued. Filipinos all over the country and abroad sent their assistance. Neighbors helped neighbors. Parents carried their children. Siblings comforted each other. Everyone exerted effort and lent a hand. To everyone who did, I salute you. It is more than appreciated and this is what a true Filipino should be doing.

Sadly, there were those who took advantage of the situation for their personal gain. Politicians who had their pictures and names labeled on the water bottles and donation boxes, personalities helping only when someone is taking pictures, others broadcasting how much they donated, officers hoarding relief goods keeping it only for themselves and their families, and someone even tried to commit fraud through a bank account. Unforgivable! For now, whatever your intentions are, we can only let it pass. Helping the victims of Ondoy is far more important than anything. Time is of the essence. We need all the donations and help we can get.

There are still hundreds of traumatized and stranded victims out there, in pain, but we are not stopping. There’s still so much work to do. And so far, we’ve done a good job as a country. We are Filipinos. Ondoy can’t easily bring us down and any other Ondoy cannot because we will be prepared for it. Our faith as a nation is unwavering.

My next challenge to you my fellow countrymen is how we stand up and face the world after Ondoy. Will we have our heads up and proudly say “See? We made it!” or will we go begging for help like what they expect us to?

It’s been a week since typhoon Ondoy made its landfall.

What have you learned?

How did you make a difference?

Firts Attempt To Write

2009-09-22T06:18:00.000-07:00

This is from my Facebook notes posted last July 26th where I first attempted to write. Obviously very ugly.

**********

I've been planning to write my own novel but I am not confident with my writing skills.
I have some stories in my mind waiting to be told but I'm having a hard time putting them to writing.
You see, I have memory gap and try as I might want to widen my vocabulary, its proves to be difficult for me. LoLz.
This is a draft of the first chapter of my story. I write whenever I'm in the mood. No plot whatsoever. I just go with the flow.

This is unedited and untitled.

Please take time to read it and post your comments and critisisms. I badly need it.
I need to know whether I need to continue writing or just find other things to keep me busy. :P

Looking forward to your comments.

Thanks!

Chapter One: Untitled

Inigo held on to his ring, blankly running his fingers around its golden smooth surface. The ring was too big to fit any of his fingers so he decided to use it as a pendant to his leather necklace. As a gift from his grandfather, he swore to never let it go as it is his only memento of him.

He stands desolately in the middle of the mourning crowd. The villagers, all milling about, were looking down the pit. All looking down to his grandfather, who now lies peacefully, as if only sleeping, in his casket.

Amang. That’s what he calls him.

Amongst the crowd are Amang’s childhood friends, the sons of the founders of their village who long since have passed away, looking miserable. Their cloaks sodden wet by the steady downpour of rain. Ancient and wrinkled, they all stood from their beds of death and marched to see the last of him. Notwithstanding the drizzling rain that turned the well-worn road muddy, they walked Amang to his grave, silently weeping. Each one of them holding their rings, the sign of their unending friendship. Unknowingly to them, is the same ring Inigo is now holding.

It was difficult to guess what time it was that afternoon. The day was gloomy. They've never seen the sky as dark. It had been raining for days since Amang passed away as if the heavens mourned of his death.

Inigo’s face was unreadable. Despite the villagers’ sobs around him, Inigo didn’t seem to be carried away. He was resolute to never show his emotion. His father, who solemnly stands behind him pulled him closer, as if to remind him that he was there with him and he need not be afraid. Only he knows he is more than afraid.

Father knows. Thought Inigo.

Never had Inigo imagine the fate his Amang will have to suffer. He has seen it all in his dreams, so as all his other dreams that came true. I was as vivid as the reality that now lies in front of him.

Morbid.

Amang was killed by a bruja. He told himself gravely.

It was the nightmare he will never forget.

Inigo held the ring tighter.