The dawn had barely broken, the rooster was still asleep, and stillness enveloped the sleepy village of Casanayan. There was no moonbeam for now since it was a new moon, so the room, carrying the scent of aged wood and memories, was wrapped...
He arrived a couple of hours early before the appointed hour. Earlier, he took the first plane to his province at five in the morning and was at the island airport an hour later. He rented a van to take him to his...
I sit ugly, like a duck waiting to exhale, in a crowded jeepney on the way to somewhere that seems like nowhere on a morning like this. The old car is at the shop undergoing check-up after wading (Inay, sinking) through floods the...
Eden Reyes Blanco sifted listlessly through the manila envelope of documents labeled Fairview House which her secretary had brought to her. She was having her glutathione drip in her dressing room. Although she co-owned the chain of La Eleganza Wellness and Enhancement Centers,...
I am Issa—the one and only. My parents named me Juan, which in English sounds like “one.” In Tagalog, “one” is isa, just like my name. Well, sort of—it’s Issa, pronounced, Ee-sah.
In my language, we don’t say “she” or “he,” we say...
Saturday. The afternoon’s stifling heat is rising in waves. Rogie crosses the road and pushes the gate of the compound of Dr Rieu’s residence. Rogie notices some village chiefs treating themselves with soft drinks. After the usual welcome by their candidate for town...
This is a story about a story. It was told to me in a whisper by a friend who was once part of the story. He is older now, and his face is lined with all sorts of discoveries and disappointments. His hair has turned grey and now, he spends most of his time shaking his head while reading a book or mumbling to himself or both. This story he cannot remember anymore or even that, once, he was part of it himself.
STATEMENT OF RICARDO ATIENZA, M.D
IN THE MATTER OF: Events surrounding the shooting, and breaking and entering at the residence of Dr. Armando Y. Acosta,...
Was it the embarrassing blunders she committed that made her unattractive to Tad? Was it her mysterious asthma attacks? What successful man would want...