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Our Hideaway

Life and Death

Have you ever wondered what it would be like spending life with the dead and yet being unafraid?

Friend to the mourners

I know a man who lives just like that most of the time. His name is Kalis. He’s a friend to embalmers, to those who arrange flowers for funerals and to newly-bereaved families. His town folks know him well even though he’s seldom seen on festive occasions such as weddings and birthdays. Ask anyone where he is and the answer will always be the same: ‘Kung saan merong patay, siguradong nandoon yan!’ And what is he doing? Chances are, you’ll find him helping the mourning family, doing errands, teasing the teenage boys or being teased by them, talking about things that would make your head spin in confusion and making you laugh. Kalis, who has a mental disability, could drive you crazy at times.

A Step Forward

By Apryl Gretchen Cofin

When I was young, my mom brought me to Mass every Sunday, though I didn’t know what was going on. During my elementary days, I sometimes felt forced by her to go. Because Mom was a catechist I felt very ashamed if we, her own family, didn’t attend any church activities.  Maybe that’s why I went every Sunday without conviction and didn’t pray sincerely.

Our Hideaway is a venue for the youth to express themselves and to share with our readers their mind, their heart and their soul.

WHAT YOU ARE IS WHAT YOU WERE

  By Ann-Ann Gerong

People say that what you are now is what you were before. Based on experiences that molded me and influenced my behavior, I agree.

How I knew Lolo

One of my memorable experiences was when I was still a little child. We were living with my grandparents. I’ve lots of fond memories especially from the time when my grandfather was still alive. He was my ever-dearest grandfather, especially since he was the only one I knew. My maternal grandfather died when my mother was still in college. My grandfather’s name was Rafael or ‘Paeng’ to relatives and his many close friends, mostly teachers and men in politics. He was a man of integrity whom many went to for advice. He was retired and in his late 80s when I became old enough to know him.

My Angel of Humility

By Gregorio Pelaez III

The moment I began to change emotionally and mentally I knew that the point of my life I’d been waiting for so long had finally arrived.  My expectation that being a teenager would be the greatest part of living turned out to be wrong.

CHRIST AS THE YARDSTICK

By Rebecca C. Costales 

One of my friends came for a visit and, over lunch, we talked about our lives.  He mentioned that people at his office didn’t seem to know right from wrong. In truth, we live in an age where people’s concept of rightness is based on ‘Everyone’s doing it, so it must be right.’ 

A venue for the youth to express themselves and to share with our readers their mind, their heart and their soul. We are inviting you – students and young professionals – to drop by Our Hideaway and let us know how you are doing.

CONVERSATIONS WITH KAYE

By Stephen V Tabal

One Sunday in April 2001, I encountered Kaye (not her real name). To my surprise, I realized we’d already met during a youth camp conducted by Youth for Christ. YFC is a group of young Christians who aim to be role models for their peers. At first I had negative vibrations about Kaye because she was so restless and full of bad words every time she spoke. But I was struck by the mystery that lay beneath her eyes.

First impressions don’t last

Months later our paths crossed again in a fellowship in the YFC and we had a chance to chat and share part of our lives. That simple chat was just the beginning of deeper conversations each time we met. One time as we shared, I touched on the topic of family; Kaye suddenly went completely silent and then the tears came. I couldn’t believe that this friend of mine was from a broken family.

Her own story

At a young age she was brought by her mom from one relative to another. Her mom didn’t want to take care of her daughter and finally left Kaye with a close relative in Lanao del Norte. Kaye learned her ABC’s and grew up, not in her mother’s arms, but in those of her tito and tita. The shocking thing is that until now, 19 long years, she hasn’t seen her father. But the good news is that her mother is just 60 kilometers away. However, when they first met again a few years ago, Kaye was just a high school student and not yet ready to face her mom. So it resulted in a telenovela-like scene, her mom calling her ‘anak’ and Kaye denying the existence of her long lost mom.

A
venue for the youth to express themselves and to share with our readers their
mind, their heart and their soul. We are inviting you – students and young
professionals – to drop by Our Hideaway and let us know how you are
doing.

Windows of Opportunity

By Lovelette B. Gonzaga

The sky was bright that Sunday afternoon as I was lying on our roof facing the beautiful velvet blue sky God was sharing with me. The leaves of the mahogany tree swayed to the rhythm of the gentle breeze that caressed my sleepy and stressful face. All this beauty unfolding before my eyes was enough to cheer me up and make me feel relaxed despite problems disturbing my brain.

Unwanted visitor

A young woman together with a man and a classmate from my high school days came to the house looking for me. Grandma yelled, ‘Candy, someone’s looking for you downstairs.’ At first I pretended that I didn’t hear and closed my eyes. But when Grandma continued calling and searching for me I ran down the stairs trying to hide from her. The three visitors had come to ask my help by inviting me to join their Choral Ministry, as they really needed a soprano.

A venue for the youth to express themselves and to share with our readers their mind, their heart and their soul. We are inviting you – students and young professionals – to drop by Our Hideaway and let us know how you are doing.

Former Atheist

By John Marc Acut

Almost everyday a classmate or a friend would drop by and casually say, ‘You are an "atheist" right? Why the sudden change? This going to Mass and all seems so bizarre for you.’ In reply, I would give my usual smile and start my story…

Upon my entrance to the teenage world, I faced so many troubles. Aside from being so many, they were also very heavy. They included a 75 in my Integrated Algebra, a broken heart and classmates who did not accept me as one of their own. It all came so suddenly that my emotional defenses weren’t able to help much.

A venue for the youth to express themselves and to share
with our readers their mind, their heart and their soul. We are inviting you –
students and young professionals – to drop by Our Hideaway
and let us know how you are doing.

Valuables

By Francis John Chua

I was in grade four when I first gained a sense of personhood, with my own thoughts and understanding, making my own decisions. That’s when I started to realize that everyone’s life, including mine, has value and significance. It was a real pleasure for me to converse with others, young or old, especially if I discovered that they had achieved something in life. I journeyed through those years grateful that I was surrounded by persons I valued and appreciated.

A venue for the youth to express themselves and to share with our readers their mind, their heart and their soul. We are inviting you – students and young professionals – to drop by Our Hideaway and let us know how you are doing.

Embarrassed

By Jun Daryl Zamora

A funny thing happened to me one afternoon in school. I was doing my usual school-garden work when my father, who is a teacher in our school, summoned me to do an errand.

While walking I was complaining. I had a headache and a cough at the time. My steps were heavy and my thoughts were as gray as the sky. But then I saw something that stirred my interest – the white-washed rocks that served as a boundary between an okra patch and the pathway. I knew it was unbecoming for a third year high school student like me to walk on them, doing his best not to lose his balance and fall, but I risked my poise in doing it anyway. At first I was really at ease. Then I stepped on an unsteady rock. It was round and it started to roll back and forth! Quickly I sought my balance, flinging my arms in the air. I knew there were people around me, and I was desperate not to fall! But…BLAG!

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