Nothing Lasts


Ang bituon mo
ginasilip sa ngit-ngit—
akong kahayag.

Sa'yong pag-ibig
ako'y nahuhulog na—
aray! Huhuhu.

Magkinaunsa, Kinausa


Magkinaunsa, kinausa.

(Whatever happens, we stay as one.)

Unusual Case of Pregnancy


IT was when she heard about ‘Nong Cayog that Dr. Janet Ypil, an obstetrician, once again felt hopeful that she did not have to stay barren her entire life.
            It was her friend Hanilyn who told her about him. When Hanilyn went to her for an ultrasound, Dr. Ypil could just laugh in disbelief. A year ago, Hanilyn was infertile too and Dr. Ypil’s four years in medical school told her she was not mistaken, but right on the screen was an image of a developing male fetus she was conceiving.
            “I went to ‘Nong Cayog,” said Hanilyn. “He’s an albularyo.”
            “Albularyo?” Dr. Ypil asked.
            She had tried everything. At least everything obstetricians like her do not normally try. She had taken fertility drugs, hoping everything was caused by hormonal problems. She had gone to several chapels kneeling and praying in front of the icons of different saints. She had forced herself to dance during an infertility festival in Obando. But nothing happened. She was still barren. They could’ve opted for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injections if only it were not too expensive. But she had never consulted an albularyo before.

© The Panagtagbo. Base codes by Fearne. Tweaks by AMC