Write On! Philippines 2020 Winners

Princes Ann Ojario, Palinpinon Elementary School

Grade 6 - First Place

Prompt 2: Everything you touch turns to candy.

“Think before you help”

One fine morning, I woke up extra early because I want to do work before mom and dad wakes up. When I jump out of bed, I fell down because of excitement. When I touched my blanket to fold it, it turned into a big gigantic candy, I said “wow so cool and also yummy and tasty.” I rushed to my mom and dad’s room to tell them what happened. “What! That’s impossible Princes, you know that you are born to be normal not having candy power!” mom said to me. It was so strange to me but I don’t mind it anyway.

Every time I touch something turns into candy. I was so happy because every time the things turn to candies, I ate it. “Yum! Yum, this strange but yummy candy things are so good. I am 100% positive that I can make all things into candies. I’m sure that mom and dad will now believe me about turning things into candies” I said to my self. I was very happy that I was carried away. I didn’t mind about other people who hates candies.

One afternoon mom asked me something, “Princes, is it true that you turned all things into candies?” Then I answered “Yes, huh what a relief. Now you believe me, FINALLY!!” I shouted really loud that everyone heard me but mom and dad looked outside the window and nod their heads. “Darling Princes, I know that you have so much fun turning things into candies but what is in your mind today? Why did you turn the things of others into candies but not yours?” dad asked me. “Well, I just wanted to help people dad!” I replied. “Honey, I know that but why didn’t you turn your things into candies? Don’t you love candies?” mom asked carefully. “Mom, Dad, I don’t want to turn my things into candies because I love them, you give them to me, you buy it for me, you make sure that this things will be nice so that I would love it, I don’t want to waste them," I told them while crying with tears. “Princes, listen to us, before you turn your things or other things into candies, you must think first if it is good or bad to other people. Don’t cry because we know that you want to help people but next time think first okay?” Mom told and I was touched of what she said and also daddy.

I hug mom and dad because you know why? They explained to me that sometimes kindness can be turned into a big problem. Mom wiped my face so that I don’t have tears anymore but they have it. “Mom and Dad please don’t cry it’s all gonna be okay!” I told them to stop crying and then they stop. Suddenly I saw sunlight and a way to get out from the problem. So I told Mom and Dad that let’s go out of here. Then I woke up because that was all just a dream. My dream was telling me something that even if you want to help, think before you help, get it think before you help. Hahaha! Well whatever that is, that was just like a moral lesson. I jump out of bed and enjoy the day.

Karlyn Lorenzo, Ivisan Elementary School

Grade 6 - Third Place

Prompt 1: You wake up and everyone in your family but you are animals.

One day, my family and I planned to go to the zoo but when we arrived my mom and dad talked with a stranger and I heard what they’re talking about so I continued listening. The stranger said that we have to be aware on this zoo cause it’s no ordinary zoo, it’s a magical zoo. It’s just an accident that I eavesdropped to them, but I’m not a small girl at all so I didn’t mind. First, we went at the lion’s cage, we saw a lot of lions in there and the cage was very big, my father loved to watch them roaring. After that, my big sister asked our parents if we can go to the field with the horse, and they agreed. Each of us had a trip with the horses. And so on, after we rode the horses, we went inside the Zoo café cause my little sister is excited to see the rabbits after we take a lunch. After that we went to a place where there was lots of trees, and there we saw hundreds of birds but there’s only one that caught the eye of my mother, it’s the parrot, well, she loves it. And we arrived home for sleep cause all of us was tired.

At the morning, I woke up with all of the noises I heard outside of my room. Hmmm… Who could that be?

And I was shocked when I saw my PARENTS TURNED INTO ANIMALS even my little sister. “What is happening?! I asked myself. And I remembered what the stranger said, so I went to the zoo by myself and left my family at home but before I go, I locked the door. So I asked for help and find the stranger if he was still there and a minute later, I found him and told him that he have to go to our house. When we arrived, the stranger took something in his bag and let my family drink the syrup. My little sister is now a human from a rabbit, my big sister is now a human from a horse and my mom wasn’t a parrot anymore and then my dad is not a lion cause all of them turned into their favorite pets. And I hugged them saying thank you to the stranger about what happened. And from now on, we just go rarely to the zoo.

Sherlyn Sarmiento, Pamukid National High School

Grade 7 - Second Place

Prompt 1: You are pulling water from your well and you find a baby dinosaur in your bucket.

Once upon a time, there was an old man living a shack in the forest. His name is Alex. He was alone. He never give help on one another. He never feel happy living alone. He always survive the day by hunting wild animals, and picking fruits from the trees.

One day, while Alex was pulling the water from the deep well, he heard a baby crying from the well. He ignore that sound and he was shocked when he find a cute baby dinosaur. He picked the baby dinosaur from his old bucket and suddenly, he put it into the ground, and he continue his work. When Alex was going to leave, the baby dinosaur follow him. He tried to push the dinosaur away but then the dinosaur still following Alex, he beg the dinosaur with a little madness. “Stop following me, baby dinosaur.” He said. When was going to walk again with his bucket, the dinosaur speak. “Mama, mama.” Alex got mad and he said “I’m not your mother. If you want to see your Mom, stay on your place and wait for your mother until she back.” Alex walked away. He was not so far from the baby but he hears the baby crying. He get so confused by leaving the baby dinosaur alone. “I pity the dinosaur, his mother was not there, Arrgh! Alex, you must find that baby and care for it for a while” he said to himself. When he get back from the place where he saw the dinosaur, he said “Okay. Follow me then, I’ll take care for you for a while until your mother finds you.” The baby dinosaur feels happy from what he heard. The dinosaur follows Alex until they reached Alex’s house.” I’m so sorry because that shack is my house. Ugly, old, and little the wind blows, it can be destroy,” Alex said. The dinosaur felt pity to Alex. “So, I have rules for you baby dinosaur. First of all, you must wait for me here when I am going to leave, don’t enter my house, because what I’ve said before it is destroyed already, and last but not the least, be kind to me.” The baby dinosaur replied “Yes Mama.”

Alex takes care of the baby dinosaur. He finds their meal while finding the baby dinosaur’s mother. Alex feels that the baby dinosaur is like his child. They play together and get bond of each other. They become so close. Until one day, Alex finally found the dinosaur’s mother. “I have something to tell you” he said to the dinosaur. “I already found your mother.” He speaks with a crying voice. “I know it is hard for me to give you, but I’m not your real parents. It’s hard for me to let you go but please be with your mother now.” The dinosaur hugged Alex while Alex’s tears flows like a falls. The dinosaur approach “Thank you your care Alex. I really appreciate your efforts. Sorry because I’m so very noisy but I’m happy because I met you.” The dinosaur whispered to Alex. “Thank you because you find my real family. Someday, I’ll be back and we will continue our play.” Then the dinosaur smiled “I have to go. My mother is waiting for me.” Alex continue to cry. “Bye I’ll miss you so much.” And that day, Alex gets back from his dark and lonely life.

Vaughn Emmery Tulao, Josephine F. Khonghun Special Education Center

Grade 8 - First Place

Prompt 1: You open an old book and out comes….

Living in a state of dysphoria was never easy. Growing up despised by people, growing up abandoned, as if darkness embraced your once colorful world. If possible, the young woman would like to escape the mundane world she’s facing alone.

Under the black sky painted with scintillated points, there’s a girl standing in front of an exquisite building. The said place was so mesmerizing making the girl lost her ability to move her gaze, thus, her blooming curiosity made her enter.

The scent of old books greeted the girl as she went inside, it was amazing, it was beautiful. Her eyes observed the books on the shelves, then, her gaze landed on the last shelf on her left. For some unknown reason, she slowly walked towards to the shelf which caught her attention.

Her fingertips gently traced the books aligned on the shelf, “beautiful” she said softly. One of the books are chocolate-colored and the sides are gold color, the young woman noticed how stunning the book was, so she carefully took it.

She sat down on the wooden floor and opened the book with a glee plastered on her face. The first page was so unexpected which made the girl squint her eyes out of confusion. “You will never walk alone.” That’s the line written on the first page.

The she turned to the next page. It was a poem, she know that behind every line, there;s an untold story. Her curiosity once again flourished so she said the words written out loud, wanting to discover its meaning.

“Fireflies glimmering

Moonlight dancing

Ecstatic memories

I kept reminiscing

Time flies so fast

Let me return to the past

No separation, no goodbyes

No grief, no one dies”

The written poem made the girls’s heart happy somehow, she adored how it was written and she – “thank you, for freeing me” a voice suddenly interrupted the girl’s thoughts. Her eyes went big since she was so sure that she’s the only one in the majestic library.

“Who are you?!” the girl asked, frightened after turning around to see where the deep voice came from. What greeted her was a human, a male. A male with a glamorous face, which made the girl unable to avert her gaze. The man looked like he was in his 20s, he looks young but his handsome face is undeniable.

He tittered, “you freed me, thank you, I’m glad.” The girl went silent for a minute, trying to organize her thoughts. Then, the young man continued, “that poem…I created that during the time I was living in this world.” What he said made the girl wonder, and so, she asked “d-does that mean you are already dead?”

The man panicked, “But you don’t need to be afraid of me, Iwon’t harm you. I just wanna thank you for freeing my soul.” The girl finally calmed down, she didn’t reply anything but she turned the page to page 3 to see what’s written there. There, it was stated that this place are filled with books where in every book there’s a soul waiting to be freed by reading the words out loud, which what exactly the girl did earlier.

The girl continued to turn the page, there it was said that the man in front of him died during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. “I should’ve enjoyed my life more, I should’ve said everything I want to say. Now, all I have is regrets.” The man spoke as his eyes glistened. The girl stayed quiet and just listened to the man.

“I still have a lot of things I want to do. I envy you, you’re still alive, you can still have the chance to experience what ecstasy feels like, you shall not waste what God offered you, he offered you a life where you may not always be happy, but there’s a time that you will.” His words hit the girl hard. She had always thought that living is such a painful thing, but realizing that other people desires to live but cannot anymore, she realized that her life is important. It’s a treasure.

A single tear slid down on her check as the man started to fade. After all, he’s nothing but a soul. At that moment she shouted with all her might, “thank you!”

Starting from now on, she will choose to see the beauty of life and will try to be strong to overcome all her problems. Because he is right.

She will never walk alone.

Gabrielle Dawn Cadullo, Sapian National High School

Grade 8 - Third Place

Prompt 2: You were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I got out of work late. It was 9:57 pm and I feel every part of my body cramped up with pain and numbness as I get on the train finally feeling the sense of relief of going back to my apartment. I have working overtime but my boss is so cranky and I always wanted a promotion to be the new CEO so I have no choice. There was no one on the train other than myself so I decided to take a nap for a few minutes until I wake up arriving at my destination since my workplace was 2 hours away from my apartment. I drifted into sleep as I finally felt peace and quiet for a few minutes.

I woke up to a sound of a loud thud, of which I felt a sense of shock that caused me to jump. I was still on the train yet, there is a man sitting on the opposite direction of me, wearing a formal suit and somehow have his hair neatly fixed. This is exactly what I want to be in the future, someone who looks like they have the perfect life, who is powerful and successful.

He slowly opens his eyes and the first thing I noticed was the red flare flashing in his left eye. Then he greets me with a smile and his eyes narrowing along with his expression. His left eye, who looks robotic and cybernetic, really caught my attention. And the weird thing is, he has the similar features as me! More importantly, how and when did he get here?!

“You look just exactly just like me 10 years ago” he exclaimed. “Not until my life got ruined, I wish I could go back and tell my past self to chang” he said.

“Who are you?! You look like you don’t belong here” I said. “Henry Smith.” Wow, he even has the same name as me. “C-can I see your phone calendar?” I asked while I stuttered for a bit, this is not what I think it is.

“Year 2030 huh…” I uttered. “Oh, so I knew this would work” he says. “Aren’t you tired of overworking yourself everyday? Sometimes you need to take a break and enjoy the real world, do the things you relly want” he added. “What do you know about my life?! This is what I want! To have the perfect life! Everyone wants that, and you should mind your own business, I don’t care whether you’re from the future!” I yelled at him, or myself rather angrily.

“This isn’t what you want, look at what it turned you into” he points at his left eye. “You never cared about yourself and acted like a working robot in society that you, yourself…” he points at me “Literally turned into one…Please, I am giving you the chance to change the future. Is this what you really want?” those works struck me hard, like something got out and felt like I had a slight grasp of freedom. That’s right, I wanted to have a normal like where I could enjoy myself, to feel happiness and peace of mind, do photography and finding soulmate that I could spend my happiness with.

I stood there shocked for a few seconds. The man in front of me puts his hand down. I was so shocked that I couldn’t say anything to him except for a simple “Thank you.” He realized what I thought and have me a warm and welcoming smile of feeling proud and relieved. Then a few seconds later, I can feel myself drifting back into sleep.

I woke up again but without the man in front of me anymore and the train finally stops, indicating that I have already arrived at my destination. I walked home to my apartment while putting my things aside and my coat in the hanging rack. I didn’t plop myself on the bed like usual. Instead, I took out my camera that I have bought but never used a year ago, a pen and paper as I sat down, writing my letter of resignation.

Romel Eulalio, Tanque National High School

Grade 9 - Second Place

Prompt 2: You are becoming more suspicious that your English teacher is actually an alien from another planet.

Danny is becoming more suspicious that his English teacher named Ludzak is an alien. On his first day at school, he was confused by his teacher’s name, Ludzak is just an unusual name. He has a hobby of watching alien documentaries in MeTube that’s why he know what aliens is.

After a few weeks, her teacher Ludzak got mad at their section, being the class president, he is in-charge of depending his fellow classmates. Their argument with Miss Ludzak is going very critical and he is confident of winning it not until her eyes got completely white. He was horrified so much that he was outbalanced and fell off the floor. He was sure that his classmates saw it also, but he needs more evidences to prove that Miss Ludzak (or whatever) is an alien from another planet.

After that, several weeks later, he was confined in a hospital because of dengue. While on the hospital, his classmated texted him that they would go visit him there. He also texted them back that they can visit him in the hospital because he also misses them. An hour late, there was a knock on the door. His mom then quickly opened it and to his surprise, it is his English teacher, Miss Ludzak.

She then greeted his mother and then hugged her while looking to him and showing a pair of sharp bloody teeth, he then remembered that his classmates texted him that they will visit him, but they didn’t. He started to mentally panic. What if his friends got killed or feasted by this alien disguised as a teacher. He then asked his mother to not leave him. His mother told him why, he then listened to them (he didn’t answered his mother’s question because he didn’t hear it). He heard Miss Ludzak said to his mother that Danny got a very hot argument with her, but he was outbalanced and fell to the floor. She also said that Danny is a kid with a potential, that he is smart and good in Math and Science subject, but deep down he knows that he is not good at that subjects and she is just sugarcoating him.

After a few hours, he heard his teacher left and her mother then talked to him. He was asked why did he got into an argument with his teacher. He then shouted at her saying that the words she threw (his teacher) was just unjust. His mother then got mad at him, he scolded him very bad that he couldn’t say a word to defend his side. His mother then walked out the room and leaves him alone.

After a few minutes, he felt that the floor is shaking and then the lights was turned off. The electricity was out and the machines that was supporting him that time was also out. He then felt dizzy but he manages to look over the window, he was horrified of what he say, a giant UFO is floating, he can see aliens around with laser pistols and ray guns shooting down the citizens of earth. He can hear screams of people being shot alive. There was no mercy, but what horrified him the most is that he saw Miss Ludzak walking toward the UFO while carrying his mom. He wants to shout but there was no words coming out, he wants to fight but he is too weak. He then fell to the floor and was out of consciousness. He thought that it was over, but he then was awakened by a sound of a human. A familiar voice talking with manly voice. The room is very dark and lonely. He then realized the voice is coming from his mother. He heard them saying “Doctor what can we do? How can we save my child?” she then started crying. “Be confident Mrs. Donald, we can save your child from drug addiction, but it will take 5 years to treat him, are you going to wait?” answered the doctor. “I can wait doctor, but please do your very best to fix him,” said his mother.

The flashbacks then attacked his brain, with his tears flowing down. “Hey Danny, we’re bestfriends, right? If we are to take this drugs, it will take your pain away caused by the death of your father.” “Danny! Danny! Danny!! Take it Danny, it is not dangerous and it won’t affect your body, After this, you will feel no pain.”

He then burst into tears, his mother then quickly hugged him and also cried. “I’m sorry mom” he said while tears are falling from his eyes. “We will survive this, Danny. You will live a happy life after this, you don’t deserve this” his mother assured. He then hugged his mother, cried and cried until he fell asleep again.

5 years later, he is looking very healthy, with a bright smile and a fine hair. He quickly hugged his mother, “Congratulations Fanny, you made it” mother said. “It won’t be nothing without this book, Mom” showing a bible while talking to his mother.

“Congratulations Danny” a familiar voice came in. It was his English teacher, Luza. She wasn’t an alien, he is just in influence of hallucinogens that time. The aliens isn’t real after all, it was the effects of it.

“He was finally over it.”

Kristine Babera, Josephine F. Khonghun Special Education Center

Grade 10 - First Place

Prompt 2: You have just received a strange letter. The sender claims to be you, 20 years in the future.

Have you ever asked yourself why you have to do all things to please everyone around you? Because I have. Everyday, every minute, every second, I asked myself why? Why do I have to do this? I have to be a proper lady, I have to be a lady. I have to be a good daughter, the best one. I have to be an honor student, the one with no grade lower than 90. I have to live to the fullest, but am I really living?

I can't seem to be happy. I smile and yes, I absolutely laugh but I feel this empty void inside me. Everything I do is just routinary. I have to wear this mask to hide myself, to his the true me. Not the one they see. I conceal the weak, fragile and even suicidal "me" so they would see the proper lady, the good daughter, the honor student they expect me to be. But I'm not happy with this.

I was snapped at my thoughts when my mom knocked my bedroom door. I quickly wiped my tears, cleared my mind as if I'm not having a mental breakdown a minute ago. I opened the door and did not open the lights so she would not see my puffy eyes.

"My dear, someone left this letter in the mailbox. It is addressed to you," she said. Confusion and curiosity entered my head. Who would write a letter to me?

"It must be an admirer," she said teasingly.

"Mom, no. I will obey your order that I will not get into a relationship until I graduate college." See, the good daughter side I show her.

"Okay, okay. I admit defeat. I am so lucky to have you as my daughter." Yeah mom, you are so lucky to have me as you daughter but little did you know, I lost myself trying to prove myself to you.

I closed the door as she walk away and turned on the light to read this letter.

"To Primrose Levi"
Wow, it really is addressed to me. I thought mom was just kidding. I opened the letter without expecting what would happen next. It says:

"Having suicidal thoughts? I would not try to stop you, but keep in mind, I tell you this, you are just in the middle of the storm. Soon, you'll find your rainbow. :)"

This letter gave me goosebumps. Who would send this trash of encouragement to me? I remember I did not sign up for that encouragement club at school. I immediately put that letter on the trash can. I cannot carry anymore burden.

The next day, as I am leaving the house to go to school, something extraordinary happened. Who would have thought that the mailbox would magically glow? Maybe I need professional help. I cannot let this ruin the image I have built.

Unconsciously, I approached the mailbox and opened it. A letter is inside. Whom is it addressed to? Me, I quickly opened the letter and it says:

"Why are you so afraid to tear that image down? It brought no good to you. Listen to me, Primrose. Everybody is ready to accept you. Everyone including mom. They know you are having a hard time. Believe me for I am you 20 years in the future."

I do not believe you. I will not let anyone stand in my way, even if it means myself. I will not put this mask down. This is who they love, this is who they accept. This is what they want me to be. I have to be this. I have to. So they would accept me, love me.

I have to defend myself from this, so I did what I have to do. I grabbed a pen and a paper and did the most craziest thing in my life. I'm going to write a letter.

"To Primrose Levi, 20 years later,

Don't stop me if you know me well. You know how hard it is. You know what I am going through. So why would you let me stop? Why? So please, don't. I won't listen to you. I won't so stop."

I put the letter in the mailbox. I would not expect a reply. Why am I doing this? How silly of me. I'm literally going crazy.

After that I did not get a reply. How crazy of me to think it is time. Even after 20 years, I did not get a reply. I am still not happy pretending. I am still not happy. Mom died 15 years ago because of an accident. I haven't finished college because of that. I became a trash. I have no reason to keep going but I'm still breathing. I'm still breathing to live with guilt, guilt of not showing my true self. My true self I lost because of this mask. I am wondering maybe, just maybe, if I have listened to that letter, maybe I would be happy. Maybe I found my own rainbow. But still, here I am, after 20 years, in the middle of the storm.

Precious Ann Juliano, Josephine F. Khonghun Special Education Center

Grade 10 - Third Place

Prompt 1: You point out a strange looking house in your neighborhood. Your friends say they don’t see anything.

I'm lost.

I'm scared.

I knew it.

No one can save me now.

I try to calm myself but I failed. My hands are shaking and my heart won't stop beating fast.

I keep looking outside the window. Hoping that it could calm down my nerves but no. The only thing that matter to me is to escape. To find someone who can save me.

I don't mean to see it. I really don't But they won't listen to me. And now my friends are nagging me. Asking me everything.

But I should have known better than that. They are just curious but they do not care. They just want information by not going to help me. They want to know but don't believe me.

Why me? For all the people, why am I the only one who can see it? Why not them? Why not?

My tears won't stop falling as I sit down on the floor. And now I can't escape this place. The place I pointed out to my friends but they do not see it. They don't believe it.

I'm lost.

I'm scared.

I knew it.

No one can save me now.

No one can save me in the dark. No one can understand me.

But then I must be strong. I inhaled deeply and started to walk towards the door. The moment I step outside, I saw my friends. They stared at me and started running while screaming. I look down and stared at my feet. I saw a broken glass and watch my reflection through it.

I am crying but slowly my face started smiling and laughing. I close my eyes and stared at the broken glass again. There I saw my left eye crying continuously while my right eye is smiling.

I tried to fight it but then she is strong. The half of me is strong. She control me every time and won't let me escape in that house. And my friends won't see it. They won't believe me.

But now I tried to show them. But they ran away. I guess it's really hard to accept me. I slowly walk toward the house as she started consuming me. And now I'm back inside the house.

And here, I am home.

Jordania Abu Najem, Sapian National High School

Grade 11 - Second Place

Prompt 1: You're sitting in front of a criminal, having a conversation. Things are not the way you expect them to be.

Sitting in front of a criminal has never been in my mind, not until now. My eyes watered as I stared at the man in front of me. He is wearing a dirty while t-shirt with balck old pedal shorts while not wearing any shoes nor slippers. Blood are slowly flowing out form his wounds in the face due to the forceful ways of the police. His nails in his foot are all bloody because of running away barefoot. The eyes of the man sitting in front of me were lifeless, and I can’t help but cried silently. Murderous stares from all the people in this building are all focused in one direction. Disgusted and anger are maybe what’s in their heart. The man in surprisingly quite for a criminal but unusually, I can feel the rage form his fists cause he is gripping it very hard, like he is holding something back. One police officer interviewed him, and all his response was “you have got it all wrong!”, he shouted at first that surprised us but not me. He repeated those words 100 times and more, until he can only whisper and mutter it in his own. But I can hear his words clearly and loudly, like I know what those words mean.

He seems like he had gone crazy and still muttering something in his breath. My tears dried up and my head is aching because of this situation. This man had probably done nothing wrong and maybe he did. One police officer shouted at me “Police Office Nakahara, what are you doing?” is what he said. I am a police and was in charge of the criminal case of this man. I am supposed to lock his hands in a handcuff in case something might go wrong but I can’t seem to collect my mind and control myself. This is the worst, happening in my life, probably. The man started crying and I cried as well. The man later on starts laughing but I am still crying and I can not laugh like he is. The man licks the blood flowing from his face and starts talking to himself. And I laugh. He is incredibly a multi-tasking man. He can cry, laugh and act at the same time. I can’t do this anymore so I slapped my face very hard and take action.

I successful get his attention by the word “Hey, Dad!” that I’d said. He looked at me calmly and he starts acting normal. He is not saying anything but I can see the joy in his eyes. I’ve not seen him for more than 2 years cause he is in his medication in the mental hospital. He had not graduated as policeman as he dreams that’s why I pursued police officer cause it was his greatest wish for me and for himself. I am happy that I succeeded being a police officer. But arresting your own mentally illed father is the worst case I have done and gone through as a police office. He was discharge quickly because of his condition and the thing he have done is all a misunderstanding since he is only giving a child a mouth to mouth (CPR) cause the child drown in the river, he rescued her and people think he raped the young girl. Luckily, there is a witness who clarified all of the misunderstanding. I hugged and kissed my father as he got in the ambulance, he escape from the hospital and he is not going back. The man sitting in front of me, mistakenly for being a criminal is my own father.

Roe Ann Bangquiao Watson, Lazi National Agricultural School

Grade 12 - First Place

Prompt 1: I forgot to turn my robot off before I left.

Dane lives on his own. He came from a wealthy family and decided to become independent. He lives in a condominium near his prestigious school. Dane owned a robot cat whom his parents gave when he decided to leave their house. His robot cat is named Katie. Every time he turn on his robot cat, it will greet him good morning. Katie always helps Dane to make his works easier and faster. Whenever he's busy doing his homeworks, Katie serves him snacks to eat. Before going to bed, Dane always turn off Katie to avoid chaos in the house.

One day, Dane received a call from a friend asking him to meet her. At the same time he had a lot of things to do. He decided to let Katie help him in order for him to finish his works faster and meet her friend at exact time. When he turned on Katie, he noticed something in this robot. He saw lights near the stomach of the cat but he didn't do anything about it. He asked the cat to help him clean the house. He rested for a while before going to meet his friend. Dane hurried to the bathroom to take a shower and went to the kitchen to eat lunch. When it is about time, he hurriedly get his bag forgetting to turn off his robot who is hiding on the table.

Dane was able to meet her friend and dine at a restaurant. On the other hand, Katie was left at home becoming violent because of some defections. The robot always says good afternoon and laugh out loud. It also went all over the house laughing and destroying everything.

On the same afternoon, Dane's grandmother visits him. She knocked and knocked the door but no one answers her. She decided to get the keys and insert them to the knob. When the door opens, all she hears is a tremendous laugh causing her to stop back near the stairway. The laugh because nearer and nearer, then suddenly a cat is fast approaching her giving her a shock and fell down the stairway. An accident happened, Dane's grandmother was killed after falling from the stairway.

When Dane arrives home, he noticed an ambulance and police cars in front of his house. He saw his grandmother carried by the nurses. He hurriedly went to them and ask what happened but he didn't get an answer. They went to the hospital but it was too late, he found out that his grandmother died an hour ago. He went back to his house and found out the destruction happened and his robot cat lying on a corner. He hurriedly went to his room and open his laptop to look on the CCTV footage. Only then, he realized that he forgot to turn off his robot before leaving. Even though it's hard for him, he surrendered his robot to the police and blame himself for the incident that happened. His parent went to Dane's and approaches him. They also told him that it was an accident and he's not the one to blame. His parents decided to take Dane back to their house until he fully recovered on the trauma that the incident causes.

After one month, Dane opened his eyes to the truth and decided not to blame himself again. He visits his grandmother's grave and asks forgiveness. He promised to live his life and finish studies as what he promised her.

Ana Mai Dela Rosa, Sapian National High School

Grade 12 - Third Place

Prompt 1: I forgot to turn my robot off before I left.

Au To Matic

“Au make sure that you will sleep early with Matic”

“Yes Mom”

“Don’t forget to turn off Matic”

“Kay Mom”

After that scenario with Mom, I am now heading to my bedroom with Matic. Matic is like a copy of himanperson, she also possess my personality and characteristic. We have the same likes, hobbies and many more. Since I was young Matic was also there. My mom always wanted me to play with Matic instead of playing with those street children. Since then my Mom told me to care of my self. She’s treating me like a fragile glass that anytime will be broken. I can see now Matic entering our room, because we are also sharing the same room since then. Matic go first to our bed because I am the one who will turn off the light. I see a light in Matic body. It was color red then becomes yellow. It is so familiar it is like my tattoo at my stomach part. But because of tiredness and exhausted I don’t mind it. I go to sleep without minding that I forgot to turn off Matic.

Kringgg! Kringgg! Kringgg!!!

“Au wake up it’s already 7:30, you’re late you have a quiz in you first period class right? Come on wake up. You need to hurry.

“Oh my ghadd mom, seriously? Why didn’t you try to wake me up? At 6:00 am? Ghaad! I am late, I must hurry now!”

“Bye Mom”

“Goodbye Au, take care”

I got to go hurry. I am now running with my full speed when I step on Ahhhh! What’s this! I am falling!!! Ahhh! Help me!! Mom!! What’s this? A portal? Where I am going! Nooo!!! I must be calm! I must close my eyes that when I open it everything will be alright. But when I open my eyes I can see Matic! Doing myghadd what’s happening to her? She’s asleep and became me? What? Matic was now like me? What’s happening! I can now see Mom, hugging Matic! Wait I must go out here! Mom that was not me! It’s Matic Mommm!! I shouted loudly but she can’t hear me! I see now Matic going out to our house. Enjoying now my life. She’s playing with my friends, hugging Mom freely, enjoying my Dad’s company and advices. She’s now like me.

I look at to the place where I am now it’s like a jail but it also looks like a library. I go to the dark part of the library when a book catch my attention. It is lightning and have a drawing like wait? It’s like the tattoo at my stomach and also the tattoo I see to Matic when she’s at my bed. I got to curious so I picke it, it opens immediately, with a quotes at is first page saying “Don’t forget to turn her off because if you will, she will take your palce, and you will take her place.” A bang! hit me I forgot to turn off Matic when I go to sleep and before I leave the house. Is it already happening? Is this true? I am now like Matic, taking her place, while she was taking my place? Nooo! What is this book? A curse? What’s the title of the book. Au-To-Matic. I am now Matic at the same Automatic just like a robot. I close my eyes reminiscing those memory with my family and life before. I am now leaving in a book entitle “Au-To-Matic.”

Jhon Anthony Licudine, University of Northern Philippines

University 1 - Second Place

Prompt 1: At the end of the story they realized that they were the villain.

Our Silenced Ballads

It starts to rain. The lightning flashes its magnificent might. Then thunder echoed in my ears. But it took seconds before I heard its rumbling. I am hearing the past.

Our ballad. A History. The night is cold and serene. Souls seem fine and have their own way or connection. I gaze at the night sky, I know you are looking too. The kilometers separating us is never a hindrance, a bearable gap. The stars are in bloom. The moon uniting us. You tell me about your happiness. The day your eyes spotted mine. How you navigated my character. How i felt that same overflowing joy. How your have bursted into different colors, a glorious supernova. And now, we are talking about our chapters. How our lives emerged from each story we have. That without every circumstance, we will never know about ourselves being conquerors. Yes, Earth continuously rotating - time being ignored. Because we are launching deeper. Such moments make us more worth keeping. Smiles and laughters make us value each other more. the cosmos fascinated on how we were molded through. Star by star, it is our infinite moment. Star by star, everything contributes to the constellation of us.

The Present. A Reality. Everything illuminates. The night sky is deceiving. Betelgeuse in Orion is about a hundred light years away. If it exploded tomorrow, we wouldn't know about it for centuries. Because as we look up, we see the past. The night sky lures me to look up, letting me use the past. Our past written in the vast sky. Oh, how I love our past. Memories which keep on haunting me. Just look up and appreciate the old us - our silenced ballads. Unfortunately, things will stay like this. Future is of no hope to be told. Our future chained on how things were.

The fault. A Realization. How I wish for that day to be rewinded. I remember how the river flowed from your eyes. What, remembering it gives me guilt, a feeling or remorse. I will never free myself from that memory. I will just say this. I am sorry for not hearing your explanation. For not knowing your side. I am sorry for I let you cry in the middle of a storm. I apologize for letting you go. It is my fault. Realizing now that I am the antagonist. An unexpected villain. A cold-hearted villain.

A meteorite passes by,

With its tail of fire,

The heart which grew cold,

Screams with pain and desire,

"ignite me."