lavi

Slow updates. Running out of ink.

Let us not romanticize resiliency — we should keep demanding for accountability! 
          
          Walang sawa ang pagboses nating mga Pilipino pero patuloy ang pagtakip ng tainga ng mga gahaman na politiko. Hindi sapat ang simpatya, ang panonood, at pagsasabi ng salitang 'sorry' mula sa mga buwaya — kailangan natin ng aksiyon mula sa mga nakaupo. Sa dami ng perang binulsa mula sa kaban ng bayan, dapat lang na mamamayan niyo rin ang makinabang dito dahil nanggaling 'yan sa dugo, pawis, at luha ng bawat Pilipino na nagsikap upang maitaguyod ang araw-araw na buhay. 
          
          Manatili tayong galit. Patuloy tayong bumoses. Hindi ito pagsuko kundi isang pagtindig. 
          
          Sa ngayon, tayo-tayo ang hahawak sa kamay ng bawat isa. Sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo, my heart aches for all of you. Please, let us include them in our prayers. Sa mga posible ring tamaan ng susunod na bagyo, manatiling ligtas, and stay prepared. 
          
          Sana bukas humupa na. Sana bukas may aksiyon na. Sana bukas pakinggan na tayo.
          
          Stay safe, everyone!

It has already been a month since I started writing Cien and Yel; a month of leaving a piece of me in their story. 
          
          They weren't read by many, but I am, and always will be full of love for writing them, for making their voices heard. 
          
          Almost of Yesterday still has so many stories to share, lessons to learn, and journeys to explore that will not solely be felt but also—hopefully—will make you feel heard and seen. 
          
          To all people who stood strong and tough, who have been having a hard time seeking for help—it's okay to be vulnerable. Do not stop your almosts—almost letting all the heavyweights out, almost breaking down in front of loved ones, and almost ripping the strong facade that hinders you to be open—even just for once, let them. You don't have to hold it all together. Today, you let it all breathe and leave the heaviness of yesterday behind.
          
          Your mental health matters.
          
          As I unfold the lives of my first love, Cien and Yel, may you find your way to them. Words may fail me sometimes, but I will always leave yesterday behind and find my way back to them. To write them, and to make their world worth living. With luck, someday, my story will reach the hearts of many.
          
          With love, 
          lavi