A REVIEW ON: KALIMUDAN—LITERARY WORKS FROM SULATAN KUDARAT

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by John Gied Calpotura

—Shoebox, there's a figure of innocence greatly affected by greed and pride. Currently happening. I commend the storytelling of this piece.

—10:33 AM, the "what if" story with bitterness of coffee.

—Sugercoat, ang mapaklang aftertaste ng magic sugar.

by Bryant Lee Niervo Morales

—Bahaghari, the title and first line gave a hint that's why I wasn't surprised, overdosed with words and lines, spoonfeeding. I like it being creative and poetic but this might not be a prose but a wordy/data bombarded story.

by Mariz Leona

—First Aid, good story and use of language, lines catches emotion, and best narration. A realization was brought and justified by the whole piece.

by Mark Vincent M. Lao

—A Walk on the Ramp, there's a better title somewhere but a good essay with a lesson to keep.

by Kiel Mark C. Guerrero

—Barya 'Yan, great word play, and story flow with the rhymes is good to read.

by Grace N. Aprosta

—Anak, salamat sa paggamit ng lokal na linggwahe na siya ring nabigyang buhay sa pamamagitan ng isang mahusay na katha.

by Precy Kaye E. Distor

—I and You, you and me against boundaries, creates harmony.

by Gerald Galindez

—San Gerardo and the Exocoetidae, I have read this piece from his other zine: very creative and metaphorical.

by Gerlie M. Cariño

—Tsuper ng Buhay Ko, a letter.

by John Dominic Arellano

—Hide and Seek, I think I have read this one too: creepy and still curious about the back story.

by Mary Antonette P. Fuentes

—Dark Adaptations, I pictured cats' eyes.

by Yumi Ilagan

—Mother Kept Me Awake, the very emotion driven piece, nabigyan ng hustisya ang titulo and creative af.

by Florence Diane D. Samson

—Astral Demis, alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.

by Irish Shari Berbano

—Why I Hate the Moon, nadamay pa ang buwang walang kasalanan.

A REVIEW ON: LIFE CYCLE OF A BUTTERFLY

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Life Cycle of a Butterfly - Carlou Barroca Espedillon.

Never jud ako nadis-appoint sa mga purchase ko kay Kuya Carlou. Every piece he creates are all worth to read jud always.

This is the first I bought a book from him because I was hesitant back them to buy the Takoyaki Boys for the reason that, other than being broke unemployed graduate without graduation, I might can't easilly grasp his literary works specially they're almost written in English...

But here I am enjoying LCOAB na binili pa sa Philippine Book Festival last August, 2023 held at SMX Lanang. Dinayo ko pa talaga sa Davao na mas malapit man si Sarangani pero joke, I had the chance to buy it sa isang event on MSU months before PBF kaso naubusan ako ng kopya so I bought another local writer friend's book instead. It may look like wala akong choice but t'was a choice I didn't regret to choose. Kahit gina-bash siya sa iban dinha na feeling entitled (chesmes), I would say that it was the first novel closest to my heart.

Anyways, balik sa LCOAB. Indeed, it is a life cycle not only of a Butterfly but every living being. From an egg to the crumbling of those beautiful wings—from birth to death but some are without worthwhile life. I am always amazed by how CBE tell stories, from the first paragraph to the bomb end. Daw pirme gakarabuto akong mind ug dughan reading piece by piece, kay tanan best and what I love most—some are relatable and nostalgic maong lingaw kaayo basahon.

If I were to choose 5 among these best pieces na bet ko maging short film, here they are: STORIES FROM A MURDERER, DIFFERENT FACES OF MAN, LAST HOURS OF A ROBOT, THREE BLIND PEOPLE A TRAVELER MET ON THE ROAD, and I WAS HUNGRY AND THE NOBLEMAN GAVE ME FOOD. 

If you want to inquire about the availability of the books, leave a message to Carlou Barroca Espedillon's social media accounts and page.

—Banuy

A REVIEW ON: LUWAL | HATI

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Luwal | Hati, mga tula ni Agatha Palencia-Bagares.

The only chapbook I bought last August, 2023 in Philippine Book Festival held at SMX Lanang. As I was buying this, ang nasa utak ko ay para ito sa mga nanay. Kept on my shelf until I had time this year to read at hindi ako nagkamali dahil para nga talaga ito sa mga nanay as the author qouted: alay sa mga nanay... Pero napagtanto ko pagkatapos manamnam ang mga tula—hindi lang ito para sa mga nanay.

Para rin ito sa mga magiging nanay, naging nanay, muling gustong magdalang-tao at sa kailanma'y hindi na makabubuo. Ang karanasan ni Bb. Agatha ay magiging aral para sa hindi pa dumarating na sakuna, dilim, o kalungkutan na siya ring magiging ilaw. May mga payo para sa nais na sumubok ulit at pangako para sa (mga) bunga nito.

Ako, bilang asawa (bana), ay nagkaroon ng kaliwanagan at insights sa kung ano ang nangyayari sa isipan ng isang ina habang nagbubuntis at pagkatapos. Matagal na akong nakabasa ng mga artikulo ngunit mas may tatak talaga ang malikhaing paglalahad at nasa anyo ng literatura na naeengganyo akong basahin. Alay rin pala ito sa amin.

I have no idea if available pa ba ito o kung magpo-produce pa ang author but you may browse her social media accounts for ways to inquire.

—Banuy

OCTOBER 10, 2023 CROSMAKAARAWAN 4

October 10, 2023

LEA R. DELICANA

(Accounting Supervisor)

A REVIEW ON: LINYA, THE SPACE IN BETWEEN | ZINE

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A zine produced at the time of early pandemic. Matagal ko nang nabasa ang likhang ito at ang muling pagsilip dito ay pagbabaliktanaw. Tracing back the situations spilled from the pitcher of a disaster that made humans got really drunked. Parang alak na gumuguhit sa lalamunan na ininom kinagabihan, lumabo ang paningin, napagod, nagpainit sa lamig ng lumuhang maulap na kalangitan at sa paggising sa umaga ay nag-iwan ng sakit sa ulo. Ngayo'y naglalakbay tayo sa mahaba-habang siyam na buwan hanggang tuluyang maisilang ang bagong nilalang, bagong sarili, bagong pagkatao, bagong pamayanan, bagong tahanan, at bagong pananaw sa buhay... Lahat ay bago dahil di na natin maibabalik ang dati, ang tanging magagawa na lamang ay magmuni-muni sa isang malungkot na bahagi ng ating buhay at magluksa sa mga alaala.

—Banuy

A REVIEW ON: STORMS IN OUR MIND | ZINE

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Gaya ng mga isla sa Pilipinas, marami-rami rin ang mga bagyong dumadalaw sa ating isipan. May iba't ibang bilis, bugso ng hangin, tagal ng pananatili at laki ng iniiwang pinsala—mga bagyong tinatawag nating karanasan. Ngunit hindi gaya ng bagyong pisikal na mapangwasak, ang mga delubyo sa kaisipan ay minsan rin mapanghilom. Natatabunan ng mga lupang inanod ng baha ang mga butas na matagal-tagal ring hindi maisarado, naipatumba ang mga istrakturang nakaharang sa dahang tinatahak, nililipad ang mga bubong ng tahanang madilim na kailanma'y di nagkaroon ng kaliwanagan, nagsulputan ang mga lihim na nailibing at ang mga bagay na matagal nang hinahanap, at nadiskubre ang pagkakaisa ng mga hinuha upang magkaroon ng kapanatagan.

Personal ang atake ng mga piyesa, hahayaan kong ikaw mismo ang makadiskubre ng makatatama sa 'yo.

Kung nais n'yo pong magkaroon ng kopya, magpadala lamang ng mensahe kay Bb. Dawn Sinangote.

—Banuy

A REVIEW ON: 11:11 | ZINE

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What is your wish?

To Nancy: What ifs are beautiful, finding the way to its resolution is an adventure you might want to take—finding out an answer to a question and knowing you're right all this time feels like cloud 9. But buts lingering behind every what ifs are skillful thieves, be careful not to make them have you stolen.

To Allynna: You are blessed to have an unbothered family that offers their hands willingly, you are not and will never be a burden with love. Insecurities are like rotten banana peelings, mix them with the soil you are planted in—let your sprout peek and grow.

To Carl: As a person older than you, I have been with so many contracts and ties of deep friendships before that was suddenly cut. Please take heart and have might to walk again, people may come and go but everything that was taken will soon be filled. Tho soon may not be an exact time and date, surely, an airplane doesn't always fly—it will take its time to land to Another LLANd. Hopeful.

To Joash: You are understood, maybe not by everyone but the most important that should understand your situation is you. Listen and read your self, everything will just be light—backpacked, hand carried or in a suitcase. 

To Marlyn: Process are done before a bread becomes a bread. A bag of flour will be mixed with egg, margarine butter and kilos of water so it will strengthen and can be shaped, right amount of seasonings of trials and humps to taste, and cooked under a heart on fire to have it ready to be served. You are a delicacy valued by experience.

To Kristine: Pressure makes diamonds. Live and exist.

To Nash: Being grateful to a societal norm is still a gratefulness that is worth gold. Thank you for reminding us.

To Patrick: There's a creeping wholeness in between brokenness, you just have to figure it out while walking to a journey of longings and more longings to come. If the moment will come that you will no longer feel the missing and no more asking of being filled, that is the day you are reborn.

To Rusalita: Unfortunately, we doesn't have the right to choose on that. You won't remember your past life anyway, a hundred percent of living will turn into zero again and again and again.

To Aiza: We doesn't always allowed to have our comforts specially on moments living can't participate. Life's cruel, requires you to always make it get involved even it breaks or smash you into pieces and doesn't mind the fixing. You are your own mechanic.

To Michael: YOLO. You always have the choice, you've aged enough.

To Angel: You can answer a how by finding out first the why.

So now, what is your wish?

I wish for these artists well-being and will leave the ever-motivating word, padayon.

—Banuy 

A REVIEW ON: GINAPASAYA MO AKO AND OTHER POEMS | ZINE

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Ginapasaya mo ako...

Unang piyesa pa lang, gipangiti na ako and as I've read everything—my soul was filled but at the same time was hungry for more. Nabasa ko na siguro lahat ng zine na published ni Sir Gik and always lang ako ginapabilib sa mga piyesa niya. Valuable context presented in a unique way. Napaisip tuloy ako kung kailan magkakaroon o magkakaroon pa ba ako ng sariling tatak sa istilo ng pagsulat gaya ni Sir Gik. Sana. Puhon.

I commend Kabacan Blues, ang pinakanagpasaya sa akin. I am craving for more of this man's masterpieces. Tunay gid na legendary.

Kung gusto n'yo ng kopya, contact Candle L. Egg and Tridax Zines on facebook to avail.

—Banuy

A REVIEW ON: I, ALONE AND OTHER POEMS | ZINE

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    1 of the 4 zines bought at Philippine Book Festival Davao last August 19, 2023.

    Kung tama ang pagkaalala, ito ang unang zine ni Sir G!K and written in english. He shared na he felt not so good with this, I somewhat agree kasi masyadong maingay na hindi ko marining ang boses ni Sir. Hindi ko ma-recognize na siya ang sumulat, siguro sa language, pero there's a taste of Sir G!K's weirdness sa mga piyesa.

    I, alone... Didn't made me feel alone kasi may kasama akong maging alone. Like the cliche line: alone but not lonely. The pieces' stories are saddening tho. Hindi ko masyadong ma-explain ang feeling... Basta.

    If you want to have a copy of this zine, contact Candle L. Egg on Facebook of Tridax Zines.

—Banuy

A REVIEW ON: GUSTO KO MAGLANGI SA IMOHA | ZINE

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This is the first time na may nag-abang na famous author/writer sa mema kong review kaya hindi ko siya pwedeng i-fail. Kapag hindi to naging maayos, parang dinisappoint ko ang buong panulaan. Pero biro lang kasi sino at ano ba naman itong mga salita ko para abangan, hindi ito 1 week run ng slumdunk tapos tatawid pa ng next week na maraming nais na subayabayan. Gusto ko lang maging emosyonal, I mean, I am happy and you know I clap my hands to the mema reviewer I was before and by then. Punta na tayo sa review kasi ang moment na ito ay hindi akin.

There's no need na siguro what "langi" is kay trending ito ngayon. Makare-relate ang mga pre-adulting, on-going ang adulting, at mga gusto lang kauyabon who would read this zine. Just like Cheri's first solo/personal zine, hangad, maka-trigger ng curiosity. When it first came out publicly, it drew my attention and wanted to buy a copy at Philippine Book Festival 2023 last August 18-20, 2023.

Short trivia lang: I purchased both of her zines at book festivals held in Davao this year, pero the second zine is a digital copy kasi sold-out agad at first day. Congratulations.

Back to the review, this work is very timely for young adults, young professionals, and the likes. I can mention several friends who always langi and this work is a good read. I watched some of the pieces read or performed by Cheri at Barangay Glamang Literary Open Mic Night last August 26, 2023, before I run through them with my copy. The zine broadens my idea of what is "langi" is that helped me understood what my friends are getting through, poor little creatures who needs warmth on the coldest of nights, a light that guides their way along the dark roads to romance, and mending for the broken future they once built with someone. Wala po akong pinapatamaan...

Let's talk about pieces inside but this will be a general impression. These pieces are different from her first zine but It takes me back to the feeling when I first read Cheri though it's a turn around of that piece (that is also present in this zine, famous written and performed piece of the author). Contradicting themes but shots same cut of tequila on the throat na may cough with phlegm. Hindi mo alam kung gagamutin o mas magkaka-infection ka, hindi ko masabi kasi I was once done "maglangi" and if was still at that moment is gusto ko ba gumaling o namnamin ko yong kirot, sakit, at kati kasi naga-enjoy ako. Cheri's pieces are always been ngilngig and at the same time calming. Kung nasa "langi" stage ka, this zine is a strike of reality but also a comfort kasi feeling mo hindi ka mag-isa.

Additional pieces, hindi na lang ako mag-say kasi bet ko kayo na mag-discover sa voice ni Ms. KC Bago and mag-convert na agad kayo as fan of her empire.

This zine is available on prints and digital, send a direct message to Ms. Kyle Cherifaith Bago on her social medias to inquire and know where and how to have a copy.

--Banuy