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.
Three more stations before I see you go, I remember the first time both our space black eyes collided like rocks in the universe where there was no light for warmth, in the city I long deemed rotting in lovelessness. While I first thought that this very train brings its passengers to their destination, that one dawn I did not feel I had to leave this train for it already brought me to someone else. You were two big leaps away from me, but as I looked everywhere, it was every inch of this wagon that we own for ourselves. I was thinking back then, if I could own something in this material world, I would buy this wagon we are in right now and the gas for it to run endlessly. There was so much space for seating, but we were both standing from the ends of this wagon. But if I could have the courage to ask you, will you join me as we make the city lights that pass through the train windows feel as if we waltz our feet across this venture. But then, a voice called you, then a tunnel opened, and you took your leave.
Two more stations before I see you go, I guess the universe was letting me see the peep hole to the light of warmth or this city convincing me that there was love seeding to grow. We met again. There were other people in the wagon I wished we owned but it didn’t matter, for I was now sitting beside you. I could now tell about how your eyebrows are thick enough that I can hide there when the world ends, your monolid eyes feel like they can cut through my soul if by chance you glance upon me, and your lips are just enough to make the pigment of mine red too. But the closest I can get to heaven is not by death, but by the friction from the fabric that covers our legs glued side by side. When I checked the train windows, there were less city lights that I could ask you for our dance. Instead, there was a glimpse of morning, peaking through the dark blue skies. But it doesn’t get any less romantic, for I see your face illuminated favored by the divine light. Until the station has called you again. As soon as you left, something felt different, my hands suddenly… felt lighter. I wonder if your hands were on top of mine the whole time? I wonder if you actually told me that you alight in Ortigas station as you worked there nine-to-five?
One more station before I see you go, it seems that I couldn’t get past riding this train without bringing your weight to mine. This wagon has more people squeezed into us like bursting balloons about to pop. But I see them as nothing more than witnesses to the love we swore to each other. It was a sanctuary as it pits our bodies together, brushing your coat to my sheer clothing. I push my body into you deliberately, and I can feel the resistance but the care to not bring us down together. There were no more city lights that passed through us. Only the sunrise about to break in a few more stations. And I wish I could share this sight with you so I can now see your amazing face illuminated at its best.
But I know that the next station is where I see you go. For you have a life to live by the time you step out of this wagon. Forgive me for my worldly delights, but I now fantasize beyond these moving walls if there is a concept of us when I step out of this door too.
“I broke things off with her.” I heard him say. I smiled. A voice was heard. The train stopped for the station he was supposed to leave. Once again, our space black eyes collided like rocks in the universe where there was no light for warmth, still in the city that rots in lovelessness.
Ciro Quiapos is a student-leader and a graduating Bachelor of Arts in Film student at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Throughout their undergraduate stay, they have led and co-created several projects ranging from university-based initiatives to Metro Manila–wide productions, overseeing a team of more than 100 collaborators. Beyond the university, Ciro has worked with various brands for writing, stage management, hosting, and film production. In their spare time, they watch films and continue developing screenplays.
