As the first episode of the Philippines Graphic Literary Workshop (PGLW) slowly came to its conclusion on February 28, we knew that we had one more thing that we can offer our bright young fellows: a starting platform for their creative endeavors. Here, we present one of their final outputs from the workshop. We also asked them to provide an artwork that they think best represents their stories. Read on.
The warm light of the sunset embraces us. I look around and see the sea of people dancing, drowning in the music and soaked in the raging waters. While I stay from far away, hiding — afraid that they might see me.
Iyana pokes my arm. “Want to go for a swim?” She asked me, while extending her right hand. I gently shake my head. “I’m scared,” I tell her, while carving my name in the sand.
She laughs. “That’s so ironic,” she said, while caressing her foot, wounded from the shoe that never quite fit her.
“Ocean.” She calls out my name.
The sea breeze blows towards us. I look at her. “So, what do we now? ”
She looks straight ahead and tilts her head, thinking. Iyana stands up and takes off her bright yellow shoe. “Come Shoemantha, be free from the grips of my callused foot,” she exclaimed, throwing her shoe on the grains of the sand. Iyana pokes me. “Tag, you’re it.” And then she ran.
I go after her. We ran and ran, until our lungs ran dry. I drop into the ground, panting — no longer caring from the waves of judgemental eyes that gazes upon us.
Now, we’re free.
The cold water embraces me. Suddenly, the vast mysterious sea no longer scares me. A warm force pulls me closer. It caresses my back, wiping off any amount of worry that I have.
“Don’t be afraid.”
I open my eyes. I see her.
Her porcelain skin. Her long dark hair. Her green scaly tail.
She looks marvelous.
“I’m not,” I tell her. “Not anymore,” I say as I put my hands behind her nape and let the taste of sea salt marinate in my mouth.
Si Zyanne Margarette Alzola ay isang mag-aaral sa UP Diliman na kumukuha ng kursong BA Film. Bata pa lamang siya ay kinahiligan niya na ang pagsusulat at pagbabasa ng iba’t ibang akda: mapa-tula, man ito o mga kwento sa Wattpad- sinusubukan niyang hasain ang kaniyang abilidad sa iba’t ibang larangan ng pagsusulat. Nagkaroon din siya ng pagsasanay sa pagsulat para sa Campus Press, kung saan siya’y lumaban sa Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) at Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC).
