Language Matters: Stories and Observations
Issa This is not the story of how I fell in love with Cebu nor a list of all stereotypes about Cebuanos or Cebu-based people. It’s about the language observations of…
story
Say More, Sailor
“Come, I’ll drop you off,” Khaled insisted. “No, Julie’s taking a cab with me. I’ll drop her off on my way to Abu Dhabi,” Zi replied for me. “Are you…
Cycling Story
Well-built, genial, and hardworking, Mandie immediately got Lisa’s attention. He came in one morning at the bakery to ease her uncle’s heavy load. Lisa grew fonder of Mandie when he…
Disfigured
With the pristine sights of green fields, refreshing whizz of winds, chantings of rushing waters, and everything around shaded by sunset, Lisa never felt a slight weariness walking home. “Heavenly”,…
The Spelling Bee
As big, wide eyes focused on Lisa, she marveled at those tiny creatures glued to branches of trees in the wooded spot where their jeepney passed by. She hoped to…
Zest for School
At the crack of each dawn, Lisa hurriedly gets out of bed and goes to her aunt’s bakery shop tagging along two of her younger siblings to help out. Filing…
The Mossy Ground
“What happened to your face?” her Aunt Carol asked. “It’s nothing. I just bumped into something,” Lisa nonchalantly answered. Her bluish-black left cheek was due to Ritch’s punch when she…
Settling In
“Is she your only daughter? Ms. Vargas asked. Why would she think I’m an only child? Lisa thought. Now, she had regrets seeing how distressed her mom was having to…
The Irresistible Dip
“Wow, Ever (Gotesco Mall)!” a four-year old girl gushed as her eyes sparkled widely (wildly). They were about to board Princess Paradise, a ship mistaken for a shopping mall by…
Neither Glam nor Gold
Early in life, Lisa has realized that if a person can’t be gorgeous, she should at least strive to be smart. She rationalizes, “what’s the point of being skinny and…