Alyssa Agadulin

PORTFOLIO Alai Agadulin Writer | Editor | Translator-| - Table of Contents English Articles I. Children’s Nonfiction Children’s Nonfiction Children’s Nonfiction II. Niche Article/Ghostwriting How Do We Recognize Colors? What Do We Mean By 3D? Where Did the Worst Disasters in the Philippines Take Place? The Perfect Lumen Count For Your Garden – My Researched Answer 2 3 Bása, batà! Mga Lambing, Payo, at Salawikain “Nay, Tay, Ganoon Po Ba Iyon?” Nakita Mo Na Ba si Mang Larry?: Ang Dekano ng mga Komikerong Filipino 9 10 12 Dusts – Chapter 1 14 4 6 Filipino Articles III. Blog article IV. Picture book back article Picture book back article V. Retrospective exhibit write-up 13 English Fiction Young Adult Speculative Fiction 1|Page How do we recognize colors? In reality, every color we see is just an illusion created by light and our eyes. We do not actually see colors. But with the help of the light that reflects on every object, everything we see becomes colorful. We recognize colors through the light reflected by the objects around us. As our eyes absorb this reflected light, it is then changed into neural signals which our brain interprets as color images. Our eyes have photo receivers called cones and rods. These photo receivers are the reasons why we can see these light waves. These light waves are the only electromagnetic waves visible to the naked eyes. The cones are the photo receivers that work well in bright light. Although they are less sensitive to light, they can see sharp images and can easily adapt even in the brightest of lights without causing the eyes to saturate. Because of the presence of light in most places, the cones are the overworked photo receivers. These cones have three types of pigments that can easily distinguish colors by absorbing them. Blue light is absorbed by cynolabe, green light is absorbed by chlorolabe, and red light is absorbed by erythrolabe. Because of these cones and their pigments, it has become easier for humans to identify and name colors (See “How did colors get their names?”). The rods, on the other hand, are the reason why we can see in the dark. However, rods react slowly and are more sensitive to light. Thus, when they are exposed to light, the eyes saturate easily. The pigment that can be found in these rods—called rhodopsin or visual purple—makes it possible for our eyes to see shades of gray in dim light. Light has different wavelengths which appear to our eyes as different colors. Wavelength is the distance from one point of a wave of light to the next point. For example, when a ray of sun passes through a banana leaf, the leaf reflects the light which appears to us as the color green, while it absorbs other colors. This means that it reflects a longer wavelength representing the green color. Regardless of the number of colors that we can see and identify, there are still many wavelengths that our eyes cannot see. Based on the electromagnetic spectrum, these wavelengths are classified by scientists as the wavelength energies that are either too short or too long to be seen. These are commonly known as ultraviolet light and infrared light. The ultraviolet light is too short for the naked eye to see, while infrared light is too long for our eyes to detect. The existence of ultraviolet light was discovered through the sunburn we get from too much exposure to the sun. This means that the human skin is sensitive to ultraviolet light. Infrared light on the other hand, was discovered when scientists paid attention to the unseen heat energy that humans feel from being too close to fire. Did you know? As opposed to the age-old beliefs that babies cannot see anything during their first or second month, studies show that infants can see contrasting patterns like black-and-white patterns. Further studies add that as early as their first month, they can also recognize milder shades of gray. In addition, studies done at the University of California reveal that infants around two weeks old can actually see colors. They can even differentiate the colors red and green regardless of their brightness. Agadulin, Alai. “How do we recognize colors?” In 100 Questions Filipino Kids Ask Volume 2, 170–171. Quezon City: Adarna House, Inc., 2011. 2|Page What do we mean by 3D? 3D, in general, stands for a picture with three dimensions. Compared to the basic shapes we draw on a piece of paper, also known as 2D, 3D pictures have more details and perspective. Usually, the images or illustrations we see have 2D features. This means that we can only see the obvious details such as the height and width of these images. On the other hand, an image with 3D features shows us not only its height and width, but also the depth of the said image. Drawing a square and drawing a cube are two different ways of presenting an image. The image of a square is simple and flat. On the other hand, the image of a cube shows us more than just the typical square. We can see the cube’s top and side views. The image gives us depth—another feature aside from height and weight. Three factors make 3D images look more realistic: color, texture, and the amount of light the images reflect. Technology today provides us with easier means in creating 3D images. In fact, most movies can now be viewed in 3D theaters. To appreciate the 3D experience, cinemas provide viewers with 3D glasses equipped with polarized lenses. The screen has two different views or images displayed by two synchronized projectors. Each of these images has a different polarization. The 3D glasses that we wear separate these two images, allowing only one image into each eye. This is made possible by the different polarization the 3D glasses have. Did you know?  The first full-length film with 3D features was made in 1922, entitled The Power of Love.  The 36th Metro Manila Film Festival in 2010 paved the way for the Philippine’s first full-length film that features Computer-Generated Imagery Animation in 3D: RPG Metanoia by Thaumatrope Animation and Ambient Media, with Louie Suarez at the helm.  In mathematics, the three dimensions of space are: length, width, and height.  In 1907, mathematician Hermann Minkowski proposed a fourth dimension: space-time. Spacetime was a combination of time and the three dimensions. Of space. He based his proposal on his observation led to the further study of geometry having four dimensions or more! Agadulin, Alai. “What do we mean by 3D?” In 100 Questions Filipino Kids Ask Volume 2, 28. Quezon City: Adarna House, Inc., 2011. 3|Page Where did the worst disaster in the Philippines take place? If disaster is defined in terms of the number of casualties, the worst disaster was the earthquake and tsunami that hit the 700 km Moro Gulf coastline on August 16, 1976. The disaster affected seven provinces and three cities in Regions IX, XI, and XII. According to reports, there were about 8,000 who died or went missing, about 10,000 were injured, and about 90,000 lost their homes. The seven provinces and three cities were Basilan, Pagadian City, Sulu, Zamboanga City, and Zamboanga del Sur from Region IX; South Cotabato from Region XI; and Cotabato City, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat, from Region XII. More than a hundred barangays and municipalities from these places were greatly affected by the earthquake and tsunami. It was midnight of August 16 when residents from these provinces and cities experienced for a few minutes the earthquake with a measured magnitude between 7.9 to 8.2. Soon after, the residents heard what sounded like a loud, simultaneous crash of huge vehicles or very heavy rainfall. To their surprise, instead of seeing drops of water falling from the sky, they saw the sea waves forming a giant wall, and in no time, the tsunami washed down everything that once stood. The Moro Gulf is the most tsunami-prone area in the Philippines. This may be attributed to the frequency of earthquakes hitting the areas near the gulf. At least one earthquake a month hits these areas during the first and second quarters of 2011. Most were noted to have the magnitude of below 5.0, although two incidents were higher than magnitude 6. Worst typhoons and floods Ormoc, Leyte was struck by Typhoon Uring (Thelma) on November 5, 1991. The province suffered greatly from the typhoon which left an estimated number of 6,000 people dead and 50,000 wrecked homes, three days after its landfall. The casualties were due to the nonstop downpour of rain that resulted in landslides in the said area. Although regarded as a “weak” typhoon with maximum winds measuring at 95 kilometers per hour, Typhoon Thelma was named by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) as one of the ten worst storms of the twentieth century. From November 14 to December 4 of 2004, Typhoon Unding (Muifa), Tropical Storm Violeta (Merbok), Tropical Depression Winnie, and Typhoon Yoyong (Nanmadol) simultaneously hit the Philippines, particularly the Cordillera Region, and Central and Southern Luzon. Almost 3,000,000 people were affected, leaving about 1,060 deaths and 1,023 injured. On September 24 until October 10, 2009, Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) and Typhoon Pepeng (Parma) simultaneously stormed the Philippines. Almost 2,000,000 families were affected, leaving 929 dead victims, while 84 were reported missing, and 736 sustained injuries. On December 17, 2011, Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi) hit 7 southern regions in the Philippines. A total of 114,228 families (724,729 people) were affected—more than 1,200 died and around 4,600 sustained injuries. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management lost count on persons missing due to the typhoon. Worst volcanic eruption On June 15, 1991, after almost a year of grumblings and earthquakes, Mount Pinatubo erupted. This eruption was considered the second largest volcanic eruption in the century. The volcano threw up 20 million tons of ash and rock in the atmosphere, which went up to more than 20 kilometers (12 miles) 4|Page high. The eruption also left some depressing news: volcanic deposits which measured up to 200 meters (660 feet) in thickness; 800 dead and 100,000 homeless; ash could that covered the skies from Southeast Asia to Central Africa; a temporary drop of temperature (about -17.2° Celsius) around the world for two years; and volcanic deposits that had the temperature of 482.2° Celsius until 1996. Experts believe that this may keep this temperature for decades, and turn into dangerous lahar mudflow during the rainy season. Worst mudslides On July 10, 2000, after the twin typhoons Ditang (Kirogi) and Edeng (Kai-Tak) simultaneously stormed the Philippines, one of the most tragic disasters happened at the Payatas dumpsite in Quezon City when the mountains of trash collapsed and buried around 300–500 people that lived there. On the morning of February 17, 2006, about 1,000 people—including 250 children and seven teachers who were holding classes—were buried alive when mudslides came crashing down, destroying the mountain village, Guisaugon in Southern Leyte. Only one child and a woman were rescued from the 10– meter mud. The landslide occurred ten days after heavy rains struck the area. Residents and scientists believed that illegal logging also worsened the mudslides, but the local government belied the speculations, saying that coconut trees are actually vulnerable to such landslides because of their shallow roots. Did You Know?    The Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, or CRED, ranked the Philippines as the 2nd in the top ten list of countries severely affected by natural disasters in 2009. China topped the said list. Also in the same year, Citizen’s Disaster Response Center (CDRC) released a report from CRED showing the list of countries usually hit by natural disasters. The Philippines was 1 st on this list with 26 natural disasters in 2008. The United Nations conducted a study, again in 2009, on the capacity of the 10 countries from Southeast Asia to cope with disasters. The Philippines ranked 7 th in that study. Agadulin, Alai. “Where did the worst disaster in the Philippines take place?” In 100 Questions Filipino Kids Ask Volume 2, 132–133. Quezon City: Adarna House, Inc., 2011. 5|Page The Perfect Lumen Count For Your Garden – My Researched Answer You recently worked on the landscaping of your garden, and in broad daylight, everything looks great. But when it starts to get dark, and you turn on your outdoor lights, you realize the lighting doesn’t give justice to your landscaping. This is where knowing about lumens in lighting comes in handy. It’s not merely just about lighting up your garden, but it’s about highlighting and adding depth to your landscape. Here’s a good starter’s guide for lumen count for your garden. For smaller gardens, 100 to 300 lumens of lighting will be enough. For vast gardens, the lighting can go somewhere between 600 up to 1,800 lumens. You also need to consider the lumens for the lighting on the path, patio, and walls, which can be somewhere between 50 to 200 lumens. It’s never too late to fix the lighting in your garden. However, it would help if you also considered other factors for light fixtures, such as the ambiance, the overall look of the landscape, and how it may seem from a distance. Here in this article, I’ll guide you through choosing the perfect lumen count for your outdoor lighting without sacrificing the garden’s vibe nor your friendship with your neighbors. Lumens for Your Garden Landscape Garden landscaping is one feature in any property that you can’t help but admire. It would be great if you could look out at your garden and enjoy the view even during nighttime and regardless of the season. Proper lumen lighting strategically placed in your garden landscape will help bring out a different vibe in your yard. Gentle Lighting for Smaller Gardens For a garden that is about 1,000 square feet or less, it’s ideal to use lighting with around 100 to 300 lumens. It’s ideal to think of a type of lighting that is functional and will highlight the beauty of your garden without taking up so much of your ground space. A great candidate for that is the spotlight. Small garden spotlights can be strategically placed across your garden, adjusting the head to focus on the parts that need illumination. Highlight your favorite garden features, be it an aged tree, a colorful shrubbery, or the freshly trimmed grass. Having around two to five spotlights is good enough. 100 lumens is considered to be equivalent to 20 watts, which is bright enough to illuminate a specific spot and its surroundings without drowning your space with too much light. One great spotlight to check out is the Mini 50X Solar-Powered LED Spotlight. You get two spotlights, each with 80 to 120 lumens, for only $39.99. Well-placed Lighting for Larger Gardens Having a more extensive garden means having more room for landscaping. You can add more plants or decorative pieces to your yard. But the same principle applies when it comes to landscape lighting. Highlight the best parts or your favorite spots in your garden. For vast gardens, it’s recommended to use around 600 to 1,800 lumens. There’s no need for you to put too many lights across your garden. Inground lighting with around 600 to 800 lumens will look great in your garden. It will not only illuminate the surroundings, but it will also create silhouettes when placed beside trees, shrubs, or huge garden ornaments. It’s also a good source of lighting for pathways. Just make sure it’s strategically placed not to blind any passersby. One great inground lighting is something like the Flat Top LED Well Light by Hinkley that sells for $209. 6|Page Post lights are staples when it comes to outdoor lighting. Placing a post light in certain parts of your garden invokes a feeling of safety that it feels inviting to stay on that spot. It’s a great source of light that can blend well with its surroundings, and if you’re willing to spend on a luxurious post light, check out the 900-dollar Hubbardton Forge Loft Outdoor Post Light. Perfect Lumens for the Surroundings Now that you’ve managed to provide lighting to highlight your favorite parts of the garden, it’s time to create ambient lighting to amp up the vibe of your landscaping. Ideally, ambient lighting can be somewhere between 20 to 300 lumens on smaller gardens and 50 to 700 lumens on bigger gardens. Remember, the goal is to create a vibe to your house’s overall look and not drown it with too much lighting. Fairy Lights Leading to Your Doorsteps One great ambient lighting idea is a series of path lights. While most path lights look like a shorter version of post lights called bollard lights, other path lights are designed to look like vintage lanterns, while some are more ornamental, like colorful flower lights. From afar, these ambient light fixtures are almost reminiscent of the illuminating forest spirits we see in movies and read about in stories. Now, you might wonder if it’s still wise to add path lights if you already have spotlights in your garden. Path lights are supposed to illuminate the walkway. You can place them in areas in your garden that might need extra attention. Some examples are the steps to your patio, the end of your driveway, or a decorative rock where you can sit and bask in the ambiance. For a modern look, there’s something like the Quad LED Path Light by WAC Lighting that costs only $179.95. If you want a vintage feel to your path lights, the Sunklly Waterproof LED Outdoor Candle Lantern retails for around $35.99, will be a great choice. For a quirkier option, check out the TONULAX Solar Lights Outdoor, with prices ranging from $14 to $21. A Patio That’s Inviting and Warm One favorite spot in a garden is the patio, so it’s essential to decorate it with a warm and inviting vibe. Amp up your deck by using ambient string lights that will go well with a comfortable feel. Here’s one by Brightech Ambience Pro – Waterproof Solar LED Outdoor String Lights that’s only $39.99. Another option is to use an outdoor chandelier to add a bit more sophistication to your patio. One excellent choice is Hinkley’s Carson Outdoor Chandelier that retails from $649 to $2,398. The Perfect Wall Lighting Another great way to add personality to your house’s look is to add wall lighting that can be about 50 to 190 lumens. Hardscape and deck lighting graze the wall with soft light, creating a depth to its surroundings, especially if the wall of your house or garden is textured or decked with wall plants. There are many options for hardscape and deck lighting, depending on how big you want each light to be. One is WAC Lighting’s Hardscape Strip Light that retails from $70.79 to $129.50. Deck lighting like the Sonic LED Step Light by Kuzco Lighting will also give you the same grazing effect, only smaller and softer. Lighting Up Your Garden Without Dimming Friendships and Finances I’m sure you’re all pumped up and excited to start working on your garden’s landscape lighting. Preparing a rough design of your landscape lighting is a significant first step. When doing so, consider how your lighting will affect your neighborhood. You wouldn’t want your light to disrupt the spaces between you 7|Page and your neighbors. Take a step back and look at your house from a distance, perhaps from a block or two away. Remember, what you want is to create a vibe or add depth to your garden, and not make your house stand out from all the lights shining across it. Check Out Dimming Outdoor Lights One option in shopping for outdoor lighting is to look for dimmable outdoor lights. While you can go ahead and get lights with lower lumen counts, it’s also great if you can find lighting that has this function, so you can easily adjust its brightness depending on the occasion. There are dimmable wall lights like an outdoor flush mount, post lights, and not only dimmable but also color-changing string lights that range from $25 up to $400. Don’t Break the Bank: Consider Solar Lighting I wouldn’t be surprised if you end up seeing solar lighting options while you’re shopping. It’s the best in the market because it’s efficient and environment friendly. You won’t need to worry about soaring electricity bills because the electricity source to light up your garden will also come from your garden! As for aesthetics, there are outdoor lights that have individual panels on them, like this 18-dollar SUNNEST Solar Outdoor Lights that automatically recharge during daytime and turn on at nighttime, perfect as path lights. Another great option is a wall light like this Home Zone Security Solar Wall Lantern Lights that retails for $39.99. Conclusion Finding the perfect lumens for your garden lighting is an excellent way to up your landscape lighting game. While it’s ideal to consider the light fixture design in landscaping, it’s more important to consider the right lumen count needed for any space—lower lumens go well with more intimate spaces. In comparison, higher lumens are better for larger areas. While an ample amount of lighting serves its purpose by illuminating its surroundings, knowing how to maximize that amount of brightness can help create a warm and inviting feel in your garden without breaking the bank. Agadulin, Alai. “The Perfect Lumen Count For Your Garden – My Researched Answer” In Houshia. November 5, 2020. Accessed February 21, 2021. https://houshia.com/the-perfect-lumen-count-for-yourgarden/. 8|Page Bása, batà! Mahilig ka nga magbasa, pero bakit ang anak/kapatid/estudyante mo ay hindi? Marami na kasing paraan upang malibang ang mga bata. Mayroong TV, computer, video games, at iba pa. Pagdating naman sa pag-aaral, parang kinakabisado na lang nila at hindi iniintindi nang mabuti ang babasahin. Kaya naman hindi sila lubusang nasisiyahan sa pagbabasa. May mga tinukoy na mungkahi si Dr. Nina Lim-Yuson, isang eksperto sa edukasyon, para mahikayat ang mga batang magbasa. Sabi niya, sa simula ay dapat makuha ang atensiyon ng mga bata sa pamamagitan ng pag-iisip ng bagay o paksang makakapukaw ng pagkamausisa ng mga bata. Kasunod na nito ang pagkasabik nilang matuto tungkol sa bagay o paksang iyon, kaya naman walang humpay na silang magtatanong tungkol dito. Kailangang may tiyaga at pasensiya tayong sagutin ang kanilang mga tanong sa abot ng ating makakakaya. Paano kung maubusan na tayo ng sagot? Isa na ito sa maraming pagkakataong magbuklat ng libro sa harap nila. Sa simula, maaaring parang tumutulong lamang tayong maghanap ng sagot, ngunit diyan na magsisimula ang panibagong oryentasyon ng bata sa gamit ng libro. Kapag paulit-ulit pa itong ginawa, tiyak na sa susunod ay sila na mismo ang magbubuklat ng libro upang magbasa. Kung lahat siguro ng mga magulang, ate, kuya, at guro ay magpapamalas ng kanilang hilig sa pagbabasa, marami nang bata ang mahihikayat gumaya! Agadulin, Alai. “Bása, batà!” In Adarna House Wordpress. March 30, 2012. Accessed February 19, 2021. https://adarnahouse.wordpress.com/2012/03/30/basa-bata/. 9|Page Mga Lambing, Payo, at Salawikain Hindi na bago sa ating pandinig ang mga lambing at payong walang sawang sinasabi ni Lolo Ding sa kaniyang mga apo. Ang mga pangaral at payo ng mga nakatatanda ang ilan lamang sa pamanang maiiwan nila sa kabataan. Sadyang mayaman ang kultura at panitikang Filipino sa mga pangaral at payong tulad ng mga nabanggit sa ating kuwento. Noon unang panahon, ang mga pangaral ay nakapaloob sa mga kuwento na inaawit o binibigkas ng mga nakatatanda. Sa ganitong paraan naipasa ng ating mga ninuno ang mga pangaral na ito. Hindi naglaon, maging sa panitikan ay ginamit na rin ang mga pangaral na ito. Ang mga ito ay tinatawag na kasabihan o salawikain. Ang salawikain ay binubuo ng mga pangungusap na may aral o nagsasabi ng katotohanan. Kadalasan, ang salawikain ay may tugma o tila isang maikling tula na ginagamit sa pagsulat. Ilan sa mga halimbawa ng salawikain ay: Nasa Diyos ang awa, Nasa tao ang gawa. Tagalog So ilmo na masindao, So kai-noranti na maliboteng. Meranao Ilaw ang karunungan Ulap ang kamangmangan. Tagalog Ang matuod nga kaisog, Makita sa paglikaw sa kaaway. Hiligaynon Ang umiilag sa kaaway, Ay siyang tantong matapang. Tagalog Sa saday mina guican An dacula. Bikol Ang lahat ng bagay 10 | P a g e Ay nagsisimula sa maliliit. Tagalog An tao nga sumatan Waraw bo-ot nga tinipigan. Waray Ang maniwala sa sabi-sabi Ay walang bait sa sarili. Tagalog Bibliyograpiya ng mga salawikain: Eugenio, Damiana L., ed. Philippine Folk Literature Series Volume VI: The Proverbs. Quezon City: The University of the Philippines Press, 2002. Agadulin, Alai. “Mga Lambing, Payo, at Salawikain.” Mga Lambing ni Lolo Ding. Michael M. Coroza. Quezon City: Adarna House, Inc., 2012. 11 | P a g e “Nay, Tay, Ganoon Po Ba Iyon?” Madalas nating marinig ang mga batang nagtatanong ng “bakit?” “ano?” “sino?” “saan?” “kailan?” “paano?” at maging “hindi nga?” nang paulit-ulit. Kung hindi man sila puro tanong, puro naman sila laro. Kutkot dito, kalat doon. Talon dito, tago roon. Pulot dito, pitas doon. Hindi mapakali at hindi mapirmi! Ayon kay Dr. Nina Lim-Yuson, isang eksperto sa edukasyon, likas sa mga bata ang maging mausisa. Ito ang paraan nila upang mas maitindihan ang kanilang paligid. Mahilig silang magtanong nang paulit-ulit o hindi kaya ay magkalikot ng kung ano-ano. Sa ganitong mga paraan nila napagtatanto ang kanilang mga katanungan. Dagdag pa ni Dr. Yuson, ang mga batang nasa edad 3 hanggang 7 ay likas na egocentric o makasarili. Mas madali nilang makita ang maaaring maging epekto ng isang pangyayari sa kanila o sa kanilang paligid. Hindi pa nila pansin ang mga bagay na walang kinalaman sa kanila o mga detalyeng hindi naman nila naiintindihan. Nakatuon lamang ang kanilang pansin sa mga bagay na madali nilang nakikita at nakikilala. Mas madali rin para sa kanila ang mag-fokus sa isang ideya lamang. At dahil nga rito, hindi nila naiisip ang maaaring maging bunga ng kanilang gagawin, maliban na lamang kung maranasan na nila ito. Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon, dapat ang magulang ay may mahabang pasensiya upang masagot ang mga paulit-ulit na tanong ng mga bata, gayundin ang malawak na pag-unawa upang masuportahan ang mga mumunting pakikipagsapalaran ng mga paslit bilang paraan ng kanilang pagkatuto. Kailangang hayaan na malayang makapag-isip at makakilos ang mga bata. Mahalaga na maranasan nila ang layang magawa at masubok ang iba’t ibang bagay. Sa ganitong paraan matututuhan ng mga bata ang tungkol sa malawak na mundong naghihintay sa kanila. Bibliyograpiya: Lim-Yuson, Nina, Ph.D., Building Bridges: Learning and Growing Up with Your Kids. Pasig City: Anvil Publishing, Inc., 2000. Agadulin, Alai. “’Nay, ’Tay, Ganoon Po Ba Iyon?” Naaay! Taaay!. Kristine M. Canon. Quezon City: Adarna House, Inc., 2013. 12 | P a g e Nakita Mo Na Ba si Mang Larry?: Ang Dekano ng mga Komikerong Filipino Sa loob ng mahigit 50 taon, daan-daang tauhan ang binigyang-buhay ng Dekano ng mga Komikero, si Ginoong Lauro “Mang Larry” Zarate Alcala. Mahigit tatlong henerasyon ang nakakikilala sa kaniyang estilo sa pagguhit at mga pinasikat na bida sa komiks tulad nina Asiong Aksaya, Mang Ambo, Siopawman, Congressman Kalog, Islaw Palitaw, Kalabog en Bosyo, at marami pang iba. Pero si Mang Larry pa rin ang pinakasikat sa lahat. Dahil pagkatapos matawa ng mga mambabasa sa iba’t ibang kuwentong makikita nila sa isang pahina ng Slice of Life linggo-linggo sa mga pahayagang Weekend, Sunday Tribune, Sunday Times, at Philippine Star, si Mang Larry naman ang hahanapin nila sa iba’t ibang larawang nakaguhit sa kaniyang mga komiks. Kung mayroon sigurong isang tanong na nakakabit sa pangalan niya, ito ay ang: “Nakita mo na ba si Mang Larry?” Para sa nakararami, si Mang Larry ang isa sa pinakamahusay at pinakamasipag na komikero ng kaniyang panahon. Nailimbag sa mahigit 20 pahayagan ang kaniyang mga obra. Isa rin siyang propesor ng sining sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas. Naging tagapagtatag at pinuno ng mga samahang may layong paigtingin ang sining ng komiks at panitikan sa bansa tulad ng Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas at Philippine Board on Books for Young People. Para siyang detektib sa husay niyang sumipat ng kaniyang paligid, madali niyang nakita ang nakatutuwa sa mga simpleng bagay na inilapat niya sa papel upang salaminin ang humor sa buhay ng mga Filipino. At tila gusto rin niyang maging mahusay ang mambabasa sa pagmamasid, hindi lang para mahanap ang mga bagay na nakatago tulad ng kaniyang imahen, kundi upang makita rin nito ang buhay kung paano ito nakita ni Mang Larry: simple, nakatatawa, at punô ng buhay. Higit pa sa mga ito si Mang Larry para sa kaniyang pamilya. Isa siyang mapagmahal na asawa, mabait at mapagkalingang ama, masayahin at malambing na lolo. Hanggang ngayon, patuloy niya tayong kinikiliti sa kaniyang mga naiwang sining. Mga munting larawang ipinakikita sa atin ang buhay at katauhang kilalang-kilala nating lahat—ang pagiging Filipino. Write-up for the “Gunita’t Guhit: Pagbabalik-tanaw sa 31 Taon ng PBBY-Alcala Prize at Sining ni Larry Alcala” retrospective exhibit hosted by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY), held at the Corredor Gallery of the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts. 13 | P a g e Dusts 1 – Glimpses She only intended to take a quick glance at the jars displayed on the shelves. But once more, she was drawn to the dancing weak light from the small sun roof illuminating the dusty room. She felt a sharp pain in her hand as she realized she was clutching the door handle with all her might. The pain sent her back to her senses. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that she’d only take a glimpse—afraid of a nonexistent rule she was about to break. The door made a loud creak as she pushed it wider. She instantly looked up at the nearest shelves that housed hundreds of jars. Each jar looked unique. Each differed in shape and size. Yet all of them contained sands and ashes of different colors and quantities. Sands and ashes that danced to the rhythm no one else heard, moving and flowing in their own way, ready to take away anyone who stared and bury them deep in their depthless movement. She took another deep breath. She noticed that the newer shelves were now almost full of jars. She needed a new set of shelves ordered soon. She had to force her eyes shut as she closed the dank door, its hinges creaking as if protesting. *** Her hand ached as she rested her elegant pen on its stand. Her eyes focused on the elaborate details that carved and formed the glass pen. She stretched her fingers to relax her delicate hand. These fingers gently creased the folds of the paper that bore her longhand. She picked it up and gave it a thought. With all the technology, she could not understand why hand-written memories amounted so much more than the digital ones. ‘They’re just memories, anyway,’ she thought. And the one she just immortalized through pen and ink was worth—she was certain—more than enough for her to avail of another expensive service of physical enhancement. Feeling sated with how she saw, in her head, her younger-looking self, she threw the paper in her purse and walked out of the room; her expensive heels clicking loudly. *** He looked at her with his kind eyes which were met by her sweet smile. When he didn’t accept the rusty gold pocket watch she was handing out to him, she shrugged her small shoulders and tossed it carelessly inside his small bag. Then, she rushed outside to her playmates, picking up pieces of fallen leaves and twigs on the ground to use them as pretend ingredients for a sinigang or prito. He stared after her, now with a kind smile on his face. He felt bad and grateful at the same time. He never thought it was possible to feel two different things altogether, but he was certain he was experiencing both at that moment. When he saw her laughing merrily with her playmates, he tore away his eyes from her and stared at the contents of his small bag. Inside it was the rusted gold pocket watch, an unused bottle opener keychain, and a pretty wooden payneta. These may not seem like they’re worth much, but they’re enough for whatever they’re worth trading for. He went out of their home, bid the little girl and her playmates farewell, and walked toward the stretch of the road, the trinkets in his bag jingling—muffled yet cheerful. 14 | P a g e