Voices of Change II

By Althea E. Encinares, Myra Angela Esmeña and Marie Carlene Escauriaga

This collection of poems, essays, and short stories delves

deep into the human experience of love, empathy, dialogue,

resilience, adaptation, and inspiration. Each piece offers a unique

perspective on these fundamental themes, exploring the highs

and lows that define our lives. From the raw and vulnerable

expl

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Feb 5, 2024
• ISBN: 9789360499679

Book preview

Voices of Change

Volume II

Althea E. Encinares, Myra Angela Esmeña, Marie Carlene Escauriaga, Jonnel Lustestica, Errol Jade R. Malazo, Shane Francis Ferreras, Darios John E. Antonio, Timothy E. Bigueras, Jamir John M. Nuñez

Ukiyoto Publishing

All global publishing rights are held by

Ukiyoto Publishing

Published in 2024

Content Copyright © Tirso Gamba

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated, without the publisher’s prior consent, in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published.

www.ukiyoto.com

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the creation of Voices of Change Volume II with the deepest gratitude and appreciation.

First of all, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Sir Tirso H. Gamba for his invaluable guidance and support during our writing career. We are motivated to pursue greatness in all we do by his unshakable commitment to his craft.

We would also like to thank our proofreaders, who have worked tirelessly to ensure the quality of this book. Their creative input, attention to detail, and unwavering dedication have been invaluable in making this project possible.

We express our sincere gratitude to our friends and family members, who have provided us with constant support, encouragement, and motivation during this journey. Their unwavering belief in us has been the driving force behind the successful completion of this book.

Lastly, we would like to express our gratitude to all the readers who have chosen to embark on this journey with us. Your interest and enthusiasm for Voices of Change Volume II have been truly humbling, and we hope these poems, essays, and short stories convey a lasting message of hope, faith, love, and inspiration that leaves an unforgettable impact on your hearts.

Happy reading!

The Authors

January 2024

Foreword

In Voices of Change Volume II, another collection of poems, essays, and short stories, the authors make their voices louder to raise awareness about issues, emotions, feelings, and thoughts that have been largely ignored. By giving voice to a variety of lived experiences, the authors create a space for love, empathy, dialogue, resilience, adaptation, inspiration, and understanding.

In the collections of poems, the authors explore themes that touch on the concepts of guardian angels watching over us, the idea of living peacefully and being content with what we know, being curious but never taking risks. The feeling of love without freedom. In the poems Camouflage, Masquerade World, and Pontius Pilates, the author would like to shout that love, kindness, and understanding can change, influence, and affect the world. In the next succeeding poems, the author has the feeling of living in fantasy but being forced to face the reality of his own existence. The feelings of loneliness, uncertainty, and worry are acknowledged and confronted with words that offer support and hope.

In the collection of essays, the authors look back on how they survived and became resilient individuals during the pandemic. Chaos in Harmony is about how a youth overcame unexpected circumstances. It is an essay associated with musical metaphors that embody the ideals of resilience and strength. In Life in a Chaotic World, this essay brings inspiration to future generations who are experiencing way worse than the author did. The author’s advice is to take heart and believe in the boundless power that dwells within his soul. In After All, We Are Filipinos, the author advises us to prepare for and embrace the journey ahead, whether it’s exciting or mundane, and believe that we can have the strength to overcome any disturbance, rise victorious from the darkness, and make a great impact for the sake of humanity. Moreover, it reminds us of the goodness of Bayanihan, as it runs in our blood as Filipinos and spreads the kindness of God. These essays, even though the pandemic is simply now a history, will give inspiration even beyond.

For the short stories, Pointe of View reminds us that we should find within us who we truly are so that we can show others the best in us. In Luna and Sol: The Legend of the Ethereal Skies, the author would like to send the message of sacrifices for the common good, even if without realizing that one is subject to one-sided love. Moreover, it also emphasizes greed as one of the fundamentals of negativity and love as the basic source of change among the vast majority of people. Furthermore, the story tells about how the sun came to be and how the moon, as lonely as it is, was when the sun was still nowhere in existence.

Come along with us on this path to self-discovery and rekindled faith. I hope these poems, essays, and short stories encourage you to examine yourself closely and recognize their literary value. Together, let's explore life's wonders and never lose sight of literature's ability to effect change through poems, essays, and short stories.

Enjoy your reading!

Tirso H. Gamba

Creative Writing/

Nonfiction Teacher

January 2024

Contents

Poems by Althea E. Encinares

The Guardian

Monster

Poems by Myra Angela Esmeña

The Danger of Reality

Loneliness

Admiration

Poems by Marie Carlene Escauriaga

HIM

MISERY

Poems by Jonnel Lustestica

Camouflage

Masquerade World

Pontius Pilates

Poems by Errol Jade R. Malazo

The Chronicles of Juanito Alfonso

CHAINS PAINTED IN RED

I HAVE LOST SOMEONE

Poems by Shane Francis Ferreras

The Garden of Crimson Lies

A Land of Fantasy

Only You Know

Essay by Darios John E. Antonio

Chaos in Harmony

Essay by Timothy E. Bigueras

Life in A Chaotic World

Essay by Errol Jade R. Malazo

After All, We Are Filipinos.

Jamir John E. Nuñez

POINT OF VIEW

Short Story by Errol Jade Malazo

The Chronicles of Luna and Sol: The Legend of the Ethereal Skies

About the Authors

About the Mentor

Poems

For

All

Ages

Poems by

Althea E. Encinares

The Guardian

There, I stood as you opened your sky-blue eyes.

I watched and listened as you had your very first cry.

In your mother’s arms, I peacefully lay as I stood nearby.

Watching and waiting as time passes by

I am your guardian, from birth ‘til the day you die.

The days passed by, and you grew stronger.

Your tiny little legs, longer and longer

Crawling, walking, and then running faster and faster

Looking for a mother