MY PEN IS GUILTY

My Pen Is Guilty

by Bannie Bandibas

I got up and fixed myself,
First morning of vacation on summer.
I stared at my bookshelf
And at a vase with one flower.
My hands suddenly moved,
reached my pen then uncovered.

Wait, can we take a break,
Just for this summer time?
Can I have a rest to take
And command this brain not to spill rhyme?
Can ideas be slowly shoved
So that I cannot commit another crime?

But I can't help myself not to write,
It's like my purpose and destiny.
I write and write on black or white,
Even things only hearts could see.
I kill emotions and take someone's life,
I stab readers with those words that flee.

I am a writer but sometimes I don't want to be,
'Cause I always bleed truth without mercy.

Yes, I am
And my pen is guilty.
Forgive me
For being me.

My Pen is Guilty | April 7, 2022 | Cogito Literary Journal and Salamindanaw (2019) | Bannie Bandibas

WELDED SHELVES

Welded Shelves

by Bannie Bandibas

Ever since, library became the heart of learning and educational institutions for it contains the basic instruments of knowledge, which we call books. Even before, in the informal way of teaching, a room or place is also constructed where stone tablets and paper scrolls are stored.

As time goes by, many changes happened in some aspect of learning process specially in the technology they are using. From the old writtings in tablets and scrolls to today's digital and virtual presentations of knowledges, a reason why a library, as being the storekeeper of these learnings, should also change physically.

An innovative learning area is better to be constructed in this generation to keep and still promote learning especially reading. Knowledge and facts written on books should not stay in books but also in electronic books and any digital platforms which acquire faster and real-time connectivity. For the reason of getting the attention and make this generation's learner's interests still be caught to keep on learning.

Institutions should weld timely changes and must not stick to the traditional kind of library. Shelves should not only be made from woods but also with modern technology. As some of there attention ate fixed on gadgets, why not used these as a tool for collecting knowledge, which is easier and faster than scanning books. It gives the younger students more sense of getting involved in learning in today's time.

Welded Shelves | April 7, 2022 | Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges -Gensan | National Book Month 2020 - Essay | Partisipante | Bannie Bandibas

TECHNOLOGY

"TECHNOLOGY FOR BUILDING SUSTAINABLE PROGRESSION, NOT FOR CAUSING INSUFFERABLE REGRESSION."

*certificate/s of recognition - 3rd/certificate at the bottom*

September 27, 2019 | Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges | SciMath Day 2019 - Slogan Making Contest | Third Placer | Bannie Bandibas | Rikem Rodrigo

HINDI PULA, PUTI, O BUGHAW

Hindi Pula, Puti, o Bughaw

ni Bannie Bandibas

Tatlong kulay,
hitik sa simbolismo't may kan'ya-kan'yang kahulugan.
Mga kulay na sa unang tingin, isang bagay ang agad nabubuo sa isipan—
ang watawat ng Pilipinas kong mahal.

Aking mahal—
ngunit simula nang matutong mahalin ang iba'y
nakalimutan nang mahalin ang sarili.
Sariling bayan na ipinaglaban ng mga bayani.

Rizal, Bonifacio, Luna—
nabigyan ba ng hustisya ang pagtanggi nila sa mga umalipin sa atin noon?
Lapu-lapu, Sacay, at tapang ng iba pang mandirigma'y nasayang nga lang ba
pagkat nagpasakop pa rin naman tayo, hinayaang dukutin ang mga puso?

Nasilaw sa kasikatan at tukso ng dayuhan,
kinalimutan ang dugong nananalaytay sa katawan—
naakit sa kinang ng kutis ng ibang lahi,
ikinahihiya ang pagiging kayumanggi at pango.

Ako ay Pilipino—
ikinalulungkot ko ang pagkamatay ng mga tradisyon at kultura ng ating lahi.
Nakatayo sa harap ng posteng pula,
hinihintay ang muli niyang pag-akyat.

Napayuko 'pagkat di ko matanggap ang nangyayari at nakikita—
Hindi pula, puti o bughaw ng watawat ng Pilipinas kong mahal ang aking
nasisilayan
kundi ibang kulay sa mga mata ng mga Pilipinong nakalimot o sinadyang kalimutan ang sariling bansa
at piniling maging dayuhan.

Hindi Pula, Puti, o Bughaw | September 8, 2019 | Akademyang Pampanitikan | Bannie Bandibas