Crossing Rivers, Surmounting Mountains: Dansoy, The Boy from JAS

RM and I hunched over our laptops that settled nicely on counter height while we sat on high chairs abreast of each other. The setting: a voguish, dimly lit coffee shop in downtown General Santos City, dubbed the Tuna Capital of the Philippines. The place’s ambience, sparse confines, 24-hour service, and unlimited free Wi-Fi were …

Remembering Ennio

The first time I heard the music of Ennio Morricone was about eight or seven years ago in the movie "La leggenda del pianista sull'oceano" or The Legend of 1900 of Italian filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore. The story was about a talented pianist who lived all his life in the sea and on a single boat. …

A Breath of Fresh Air: Coo in the time of COVID

Ollie and Allie were born on Thursday, June 11, 2020. Their arrival was as unexpected as when we first knew of their existence. It was back in late December, just before the turn of the decade, when I found out I was about to become a dad. A new wind was blowing across the globe. …

An egg’s demise

The other night, a pot of water was boiling on the stove. In it were about a dozen pieces of eggs. I was hungry after a long bout of writing and a few eggs would do. They were native chicken eggs, as I could tell from their light brownish color through the bubbling, steaming water. …

The Ones left behind

One early evening, as I was paying for items at the convenience store an old woman just went straight up and washed her hands at the employee's sink behind the counter. This surprised the crew who were working at the store threw confused stares at each other. Not that it wasn't allowed, apparently, but she …

Under Control: How I took my first step in adulting

Three days ago, I finally got what I’ve been plotting for so long: a bank account and consequently, an ATM card. Besides that I felt that it was cool and satisfying to the ego, I assumed that it would assist in managing my expenses and help me save some money. It felt like a badge…

Accidents

A few days ago, I almost got involved in a tragic accident: a group of pedestrians blindly crossed the street and I nearly ran them over. I pulled on the brakes hard which made me lose my balance and caused me to fall. For some unknown reason, right in that moment of despair and desperation, …

Wowa

When I was finally admitted to Law School, a day after classes officially started, I did not expect that the very woman, the college secretariat, who reprimanded me for enrolling late would later introduce herself as our Shari'ah Professor. "My name is Isnira Arap Baginda. I am fifty-six years old. I am a Tausug. Single …

Letter of an Essayist to a Lawyer

I WASN'T PLEASED when the MLAT results first came out. My name wasn't there. I wasn't any more pleased when I read that it was for the Marawi and Iligan Campus only, which, for me, provided a little repose, however temporary. The result for the GenSan campus was meant to be released at a later …

Entry for the Annual Graduation Essay Writing Competition

I wasn't meant to be here. I should be somewhere in Manila, tapping the time away on a piano, or in Mactan, accumulating Flight hours. I enrolled in the AB English program because my parents said so--as a prep course for law school, they said. Not exactly against my will but I'd rather do the …