Echoes of Our Firsts

 

- how do you forget someone who let you experience those first times in your life?

- the answer is - you will never forget them.

Forgetting someone who gifted you those unforgettable "firsts"—first love, first heartbreak, first glimpse of the world in a new light—is nearly impossible. Their influence lingers in the layers of who you are, imprinted in the quiet corners of your memory, always there like a soft echo. And that’s okay. You carry pieces of them with you not as a burden, but as reminders of how you once felt alive, open, and unafraid to experience something entirely new. Holding on to those memories doesn’t prevent you from moving forward; instead, it gives depth to the person you’re becoming.

"Some people leave, but the feeling they gave you stays—proof that some moments are timeless.

Perhaps that’s why they say first love never dies."

@elsays_

Pieces Kept, Forgiveness Left Unsaid

 

"Sometimes, I hate myself for having a heart that easily forgives other people," Mira whispered, glancing at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes held the weight of every hurt she'd ever brushed aside, every sorry she'd accepted without question.

A loud ping broke her thoughts—a message from Leo. Another apology. She felt the familiar tug in her chest, a reflex to smooth things over, to make peace. But this time, the words stuck in her throat, heavy and unspoken.

When will I learn how to say no?

She closed her eyes, forcing herself to breathe through the ache.
It wasn’t that she didn’t love people or want to give them chances; she just wondered when she’d finally give herself a chance to be whole without handing out pieces of herself to those who didn't deserve them.

Tonight, she left the message unread. And though it felt like a small step, her heart, for once, felt a little bit lighter.

@elsays_

My Last Act of Love is to Not Let You Go

                                       why does love's final act always seem to be letting go?

I wonder why love’s final act always seems to be letting go. Cuz it’s been months since you left, yet the memories of us still echo in my heart. Don’t get me wrong. I tried and I am still trying to move forward, but it feels like you’re carved into my soul, like you’ll always be a part of me.

Letting you go isn’t easy. It feels like every day, in small ways, I have to let you go again — by letting our memories fade little by little. But my last act of love for you is to keep you close in my prayers.

My conversations with God have become a time to speak to Him about you. It’s like a sacred space where I tell God just how much I miss you, how my love is still here, even though it hurts. It’s like a quiet time with God just to talk about you and this empty space you’ve left behind.

There are days I slip into those prayers a whispered hope that you might think of me too, that maybe you remember our moments and miss me even for a heartbeat. But I know that’s selfish, so I simply say, “Ikaw na po ang bahala.” I place my longing in God’s hands, trusting that what’s meant to be will be.

But mostly...

I pray for you — for your dreams, for every goal you chase with that same spark I’ve always admired. I pray for your happiness, even if it means finding someone who isn’t me.

The universe knows how deeply I miss you. And even as I try to let you go, I keep loving you in the only way I know how: by continuing to include you in my prayers.

My last act of love is to hold you close in these quiet moments with God

@elsays_

VIDEO PRESENTATION: FRANCISCO SIONIL JOSE

A short video about the works and awards of the National Artist F. Sionil Jose

 

DIGITAL SCRAPBOOK: FRANCISCO SIONIL JOSE

Francisco Sionil Jose

A Scrapbook Entry about the Bibliography of Francisco Sionil Jose and some of his works.

BOOK REVIEW: THE RAIN IN ESPAÑA

 

Title: The Rain in España

Author: 4reuminct

Date Published: Mid - 2021

Book Review

I vividly remember how this book inspired me to chase my dream first and prioritize my career over love. I read this book way back year 2020, during pandemic era. It is the first book in the University Series written by Gwy Saludes also known as 4reuminct. It has 37 chapters in total, including the prologue and the epilogue, and now, it has a movie adaptation under the network of Viva One, directed by Theodore Boborol. Some artists are Heaven Peralejo as Luna and Marco Gallo as Kalix. 

Just like what I have said, the reason why it became one of my favorite books is that, it will not just teach you about love, but it will make you realize the value of friendship and family. It will teach you to follow your own path, and to not let anyone dictate or control you over something. With that, here are some of the few parts of the story that struck me the most:

• First is when Kalix and Luna met again after 10 years of no contact because of their bad breakup. In this chapter, Kalix's point of view is shown. He explains his side to Luna and Luna finds out that all this time, she thought that Kalix cheated on her, but it was all a misunderstanding. This is one of my favorite parts since this chapter serves us a lesson that communication and comprehension are the key factors, in, order for a relationship to work - may it be in a  romantic relationship, or friendship. 
• Secondly, since Kalix is studying Legal Management, Luna, don't want Kalix to lose his principles so she prays that when Kalix becomes a successful lawyer, may he not lose his dignity and moral principle. This part struck me the most since it shows how much care Luna has for Kalix. 

On the other hand, here are some of my least favorite parts of the stories, for some reason.

• First is when Kierra, the cousin of Luna, got hospitalized since her manipulative boyfriend beat her up. It was one of the heaviest chapters since it affected Luna's grades and lifestyle big time. Luna got stressed and overwhelmed since she's the one, taking care of Kierra. The reason why it is one of my least favorite parts is that every time I read this chapter once again, I can't help but to cry like a river. 

To sum it all up, If I were to rate this story, I would give it a solid 8/10. The flow of the story is good and it leaves a great impact on the readers, but for me, the story is a little bit cliche and it is almost the same with some other wattpad books I have read before. But overall, I would still recommend this book to others. 

FLASH FICTION: IN THE MIDST OF THE CROWD

 

"In the Midst of the Crowd"

Amidst the sea of faces in that airport, her eyes searched him in the sea of all the passengers. As she was about to give up, a magical feeling drew her gaze to his, realizing he had been watching her all along. In that odd moment, amidst the chaos crowd, their invisible string finally intertwined.