Authors: Rhamcess Pearl Caldoza | Shekinah Moreno | Rihana Eri Salinas | Mary Allyson Matutino | Caryll Louise Cheng | Bryan Bugas | Xergio Jose Barriga | Efren Joross Jusa | Jamil Mabandis | Lourd Jomel Eduarte
YamDag is a Creative Writing 100 project by Group 1 of First Year BA English (Creative Writing) students under the instruction of Professor Jhoanna Lynn Cruz, PhD. YamDag stands for Young Authors' Metaphors and Digital Anthology Gallery. It was named as such as to reflect the collection of our works in our creative writing course as denoted by "Digital Anthology Gallery." Meanwhile, the "Young Authors' Metaphors," is a representation of our current budding state as authors and passion for writing shown through one of our favorite figures of speech: metaphors.
Yamdag serves as our creative outlet. A time capsule-themed gallery to rewind the memories of our respective lives, the food of our childhood or a scene from our past. Yamdag offers a variety of selection, like a hopeful letter to someone from a certain point of view—a writing that knows no limits.
Yamdag (Young Authors’ Metaphors and Digital Anthology Gallery) is a web-based platform that archives, presents, and celebrates the collection of the written works of certain CW100 authors throughout the semester. However, it is not merely an archive, it is a home for our creations to live on beyond the classroom. It is a space where we can see our journey and evolution as writers in the making. It is an avenue where our voices can be heard and our stories can be shared.
Here, you are invited to immerse yourselves into the diverse creations of our very talented writers, ranging from poetry and playwriting to fiction and food essays. So, what are you waiting for? Come and explore the gallery! And who knows, you might find something here that resonates deeply with you!
"Always remember to smile."
Xergio started to write because he was bored and wanted to try something new. He ended up loving it and now aims to write stories that bring a smile to people's faces.
"Just do your best, and God will do the rest."
We do things because we have the urge to feel them—we smile, we are comforted, we envision beyond. Bryan felt this with writing, and he dreams of becoming a writer who creates not out of force, but because he feels the absolute need to write—with comfort, passion, and heart.
"Carpe Diem."
She started writing when she realized that writing could be a platform for her two favorite things, for change; to be the voice of those who can't, and to relive moments of her life from childhood to teen years that hold dear to her, or even the ones that were once a nightmare. Writing became an outlet for her emotions and empathy.
"Memento Vivere."
Growing up surrounded by books, movies, shows, and songs, she learned early that words, when used right, could rearrange a person's heart. Now, she aims to craft works as vivid and moving as the media that shaped her. After all, every writer starts as a reader, and Caryll has always been both.
"It All Begins When The Stars Align."
He never predicted that writing would be a path for him. Who dreams of studying the stars, had his dreams redirected by the thing he strived to take. For plans took a turn, may the fate of his world unfolds on his grasps.
"All is well"
He started writing due to his growing interest in good stories. He aspires to one day write good stories that leave an impression.
"Wa Billahi Taufiq Wal Hidaya"
He writes out of a deep sense of responsibility to preserve the voices and experiences of his people. He seeks to make sense of the world he’s growing into and to capture thoughts and feelings that are too big for him alone. His work has also appeared in the Bangsamoro Literary Review.
"If it's meant to be, it will be, "
Ally began writing when she realized she couldn't control the universe, shaping her own perfect world through words. With a mind full of ideas and a voice that often feels too quiet, writing became the space where she could finally be heard.
“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
She started writing when she realized that she needed writing skills in order to become a good comic artist.
“Whatever you do in life, make sure it makes you happy.”
Rihana started writing back in elementary purely just for fun, and she never expected to reclaim her lost hobby in college. Now, she finds writing as a space for growth and telling stories.