"Let's move on to feature writing," said Sir Von, a professional English literature teacher.
Siya ang isa pa naming guest speaker. Actually, natapos naman na ni Kuya Josiah ipaliwanag lahat sa amin. But madami pa kasing oras kaya nag-lecture na rin si Sir Von sa amin.
"Sino naman sainyo ang magaling sumulat gamit ang mga mabulaklak na salita?" Nakangiti niyang sambit.
My eyes landed on Ma'am Tine; she proudly raised her hand and pointed to Ligaya.
Nakita kong hindi alam ni Ligaya kung saan niya ibabaling ang tingin niya dahil napalingon sakaniya lahat. She just awkwardly smiled.
I took a heavy sigh and looked away when she glanced at me. Nahihiya parin talaga ako sa ginawa ko kahapon; feel ko namumukhaan niya ako.
Napailing ako onti at tumingin ulit kay Sir Von. It's our last day today, and bukas i a-announce kung sino-sino ang mga may award.
I am not expecting to get any awards; I am okay with having the opportunity to learn about writing. Bonus pa na nandito 'yung taong hinahangaan ko. Panalo na ako doon pa lang.
"In feature, dapat tittle pa lang nang-iindak na." Panimula ni Sir Von, while he was explaining about the structure of feature writing and the qualities of a feature writer. I felt a soft hand tap my shoulder.
Napalunok ako nang makita ko siya. Si Ligaya na nasa likod ko, ngumiti siya sa akin at bumulong.
"Hi, can I sit here? Bakante ba 'to?" Malumanay niyang tanong sabay turo sa isang monoblock na nasa tabi ko.
"Sure. Wala naman pong nakaupo diyan."
"Thank you," ngumiti ulit siya sa'kin at naupo sa tabi ko.
I wanted to talk to her, to say sorry about yesterday, pero nadadaga na naman ako.
I squished my hands. 'Tsaka ko sinubukang makinig sa discussion.
"Feature writers have more freedom to use their own voice and incorporate their own personal experiences. They can also include more sources, background, and context."
Pasimple ko siyang ninakawan ng tingin. She's taking down notes; sa ilang araw na discussion, ay ngayon ko lang siya nakitang nagseryosong makinig.
Yukong-yuko siya habang nagsusulat, natatakpan din ng bangs niya ang mata niya. She tied her shoulder-length hair into two cute pigtails; hindi siya mukhang mas matanda sa akin ng dalawang taon.
She looks younger than her age.
I can't barely focus on the discussion. Though medyo madami naman akong napulot na aral, hirap na hirap parin akong magpigil ng ngiti. Hindi ko puwedeng ilaglag ang sarili ko, mamaya makita pa niya ako baka sabihin pa niya na may tama ako sa utak o hindi naman, isipin niyang pinagtatawanan ko siya. May atraso pa naman ako sakaniya.
Sir Von's was about to end, but he still want us to write a feature article about our province's famous and breath-taking Santa Maria Bridge.
Napakunot tuloy ako ng noo. I don't know any facts about it; all I know is that it has an aesthetic design and is a new bridge that is seen as helping boost tourism in our province.
Never mind, kaya ko naman siguro.
Lumingon ako kay Ligaya nang tumayo siya at kinuha ang bag niya. Tinignan niya muna ako bago siya nag-paalam.
"Balik na ako sa table namin." She smiled, and I was caught off guard.
Ito minsan ang kinaiinisan ko sa sarili ko, ang dami-dami kong puwedeng isagot o gustong sabihin sakaniya, but I can't put it into words. Kapag nandiyan na siya, blanko na ulit 'yung utak ko.
I just realized na hindi ko manlang siya nginitian pabalik nong nginitian niya ako.
I turned back to look at her. Kauasap niya si Ma'am Tine, may sinasabi siya sakaniya at puro tango lang ang sagot sakaniya ni Ligaya.
I hope she's not thinking na dinededma ko siya.
Napabuntong hininga na lang din ako at nag-ayos na ng gamit para makakakain na ng lunch. Kailangan ko pang magbasa about our topic in the feature article, na ipapasa namin mamaya.
Hindi na ako sumabay sa iba kong kaklase, sa labas daw kasi sila kakain e wala akong dalang extra money.
Mag-isa akong lumabas sa Gabaldon, palakad-lakad lang ako sa gilid, and doing some research about Santa Maria Bridge, napatigil lang ako nang may narinig akong tumatakbo papalapit sa puwesto ko.
Naramdaman kong huminto, 'yung kaninang tumatakbo sa likod ko. I removed the other earphones on my right ear and turned around.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil nakita ko si Ligaya, hingal na hingal ito at nakahawak pa sa dibdib niya.
"Hey, you."
I blinked and looked around. "Who?"
"You," turo nito sa'kin.
"Me?" paninigurado ko.
Tumawa siya ng mahina. "Yes, you're AJ, right?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
What is happening? Babawian niya ba ako sa ginawa ko kagabi?
"Great. Well, hi AJ. Ikaw ba ang feature writer ng juniors in Filipino?" Hindi mawala-wala ang ngiti sa mga labi niya.
Ikalma mo, please.
"Ako nga, why?" I smiled back.
I think I am doing a good job of acting cool. Okay, AJ, let's keep it cool.
"Ma'am Roxy mentioned you to me. After this workshop, they'll group each one of us in our assigned position. For us to have a one-on-one review, I am going to be the feature writer in English. I just wanted to update you agad para makilala na rin kita and para hindi ka mahiya sa'kin."
Nahihiya akong tumango-tango at ngumiti. The fact that she approached me makes my heart explode.
"Okay. I can't wait to work with you."
Nakangiti lang siya habang nakatingin sa'kin.
"Same here. Anyways, I'll go now. I apologize for interrupting you."
"No biggies, thank you," I said, smiling.
She waved at me at tuluyan ng lumabas ng gate.
"Yes, yes, yes!" sa sobrang tuwa ko ay pinagsusuntok ko ang hangin.
Grabeng Ligaya 'to.
***
"Ladies and gentlemen, gather around!"
Sabay-sabay kaming nagsitayuan at nagpalakpakan. Sir Patrick later thanked us and told us to sit down again.
He cleared his throat. "I am thrilled to stand before you today to announce the award in this outstanding field. As we all know, journalism plays a crucial role in our society, shedding light on important stories, holding power accountable, and giving voice to the voiceless.
"Before we unveil the name of the deserving winner, let us take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work and dedication by all the participants.
"Now, without further ado, let us turn our attention to the individual who has risen above the rest, capturing our attention with their exceptional storytelling, investigative prowess, and unwavering dedication to truth."
Binuksan niya ang hawak niyang envelope. Natawa na lang ako sa reaction ng mga kaklase ko dahil naghawakan sila ng kamay, miss universe ang peg.
"I will be first announcing who got third place, next is second place, and lastly first place. Let's start in News Writing Filipino."
Sir Patrick announced the winners; the seniors got third place. Then we took second and first place, while in News Writing English, seniors took first place. Sunod-sunod nang ina-announce ni Sir Patrick ang mga nanalo at halos nag papasa-pasahan lang kami ng panalo.
I got second place in sports writing, which I didn't expect. I also saw Ligaya's clapping while I was receiving my certificate and medal; it made me feel ecstatic.
Panghuling tinawag kung sino ang mga nanalo sa kategoryang Feature Writing.
Keira tapped my back. "Goodluck!"
I just gave her a smile.
"Wow, may namumuro sa feature writers ah." Sabi ni Sir Patrick, sabay-sabay na tinuro ng seniors si Ligaya.
Kumunot ang noo niya sa mga ito at sinenyasan silang tumigil. Napangiti ako; she's so humble. Halata namang siya na 'yon e.
Nakuha ng kaklase kong si Denise ang third place; we congratulate her, of course.
"And second place for feature writing in Filipino, tumayo ka na diyan, Ms. AJ Uy!"
Nagulat ako nang marinig ko ang pangalan ko. Tinulak-tulak pa ako nila Keira, kaya napakamot ako ng ulo at tumayo na lang.
Sinamahan ako ni Ma'am Roxy sa harap at saka sinabitan ng medalya.
"Congratulations, dear AJ," said Ma'am Roxy.
"Thank you, Ma'am."
My classmate cheered for me: "BAKA SI PRESIDENT 'YAN!"
Napangiwi ako dahil nakita kong tinignan sila ni Ligaya. I saw her chuckling.
I felt shy. Well, I am always shy.
Bumalik na lang ako agad sa upuan ko para patigilin sila. "Stop it, you guys."
Sunundot-sundot nina Val, Keira, at Aya ang tagirlan ko, dahil do'n ay napilitan akong lumipat ng pwesto habang umiiling-iling. Gustong-gusto talaga nila akong asarin.
I didn't notice na magkatapat pala kami ni Ligaya. Napansin ko lang siya nang magsalita siya.
"Congrats,"
"Thanks. Congrats also, in advance."
Pagkatapos kong sabihin 'yon ay ngumiti siya sa'kin, kaya ngumiti na lang din ako pabalik. I don't want to be awkward; na makita niyang naiilang ako sakaniya.
"Now I am proud to announce that the first-place winner for feature writing in the Filipino and English categories is,"
Tinambol ng mga participants ang kanilang mga lamesa to make a sound of drumrolls. Natawa naman ang mga coaches.
"Ms. Ligaya Calaberia! Give her a round of applause, please!"
Lumingon ako kay Ligaya. She was on her phone and not paying attention to what was going on. Nilapitan siya ni Ate Monica, at sinabi sakaniya na siya ang nanalo.
She slowly stooped up, obviously hesitating. Masayang-masaya naman siyang nilapitan ni Ma'am Tine, and she invited Ligaya to go in front.
Everyone applauded her, and I was just behind, silently admiring her. Bago kami matapos, they assigned two students give an appreciation message.
Our representative is Kelzie, our SSG President; he's really great with when it comes to public speaking. Medyo malaki nga lang ang ulo, pero may ipagmamayabang naman talaga siya. Hakot award na naman din siya sa naganap na workshop, gaya ni Ligaya.
Tumayo si Kelzie, 'yung tayong parang isang presidente ng bansa. He delivered her message flawlessly, and kitang-kita naman na natutuwa si Ma'am Roxy.
Pagkatapos niya ay nakangisi siyang bumalik sa upuan niya. "Easy,"
Nakita kong umiba ang timpla ng mukha ng mga kaklase ko, kaya napailing na lang ako.
Maya-maya lang sumunod na ang representative ng seniors. Who else would we expect? It's Ligaya.
She stood beautifully in front of the crowd. Kita mo talagang sanay na sanay na siyang ma-expose in public.
Unlike Kelzie, wala siyang kahit na anong hawak na papel sa kamay niya. Tahimik ang paligid at lahat kami ay naghihintay na magsalita siya.
She grabbed the microphone and took a deep breath. "I actually didn't prepare anything. So, this will be just quick."
I moved my chair forward so I could have a better view of her.
"This journalism workshop has been a transformative journey, one that has shaped not only my skills but also my understanding of the power we hold as storytellers in this ever-evolving world.
"As students, we are the eager minds, the seekers of knowledge, and the torchbearers of change. Throughout this experience, we have been granted a precious gift: the opportunity to delve into the intricacies of journalism, to learn from seasoned professionals, and to cultivate the seeds of our journalistic dreams.
"I express my deepest gratitude to our guests, Mr. Josiah Enriquez and Sir Von Galleo, whose guidance and expertise have shaped us into the journalists we aspire to be.
"To our exceptional coaches, thank you for your guidance, mentorship, and believing in our abilities. Lastly, to my fellow participants, just keep creating, for within the depths of your creativity lies a universe waiting to be explored.
"Thank you, and may the spirit of journalism guide us on our noble quest for truth."
Malakas na nagpalakpakan ang mga tao sa loob ng Gabaldon. Even our guest speaker ay nakita kong napabilib sakaniya. To think na hindi pa niya pinaghandaan 'yon, ang galing niya.
Ligaya casually sat back and immediately put her certificates and medals inside her bag. I don't know if it's just me, but she seems unhappy about it.
"AJ halika dali, picture tayo!"
Hindi na ako nakaangal pa ng hatakin nila ako. We took a photo together with Kuya Josiah and Sir Von.
Pagkatapos no'n ay lumapit sa amin ang seniors at binati kami. We congratulated them also, and I noticed that Ligaya wasn't with them. I looked around, and I saw her looking at her co-seniors. Na parang hinihintay niya silang matapos makipagusap sa amin mga juniors.
Bigla akong kinabahan ng ilipat niya ang tingin niya sa'kin. Nang matugma ang mga mata namin ay ako na lang ang agad na umiwas ng tingin.
I can still feel her stare at me, so I looked at her again just to be sure. At nagkataong nakatayo na siya sa harapan ko nang ginawa ko'yon.
Mabuti na lang, I still managed to calm myself.
"Hi, can I ask you a favor?" she stated calmly.
"Sure, what is it?" Agad kong sagot sakaniya, kahit sobra nang kumakalabog ang loob-looban ko.
"May meeting pa kasi tayo by pairs mamaya, uhm, I really need to go e. I just wanna know kung ayos lang sa'yo na mauna na muna ako?"
"It's alright. Balitaan na lang kita about sa kung anong pag-uusapan sa meeting."
Malawak siyang napangiti. "Yes, please, message me."
I blinked for a second, trying to process what she said. This may be a good time to get to know her more.
"Copy,"
"Thank you! I'll send you the handouts," she said, smiling before going outside.
You're very welcome, Ligaya.
A/N: Any thoughts about Ligaya?