FORWARD Publications

[LITERARY]

The Wake
by invidia

No one mentions his name anymore. Not out of anger, but out of fatigue.

He left without closing the door, without a word, only the sound of drawers being emptied at dawn.

He left without turning off the lights, and somehow, they’ve stayed on ever since.

He left like an unfixable crack in the floor, a wound the rest of us learned to walk around.

The house just… paused, waiting for a sound that never came back.

Mother began setting the table for five instead of six, but still bought enough rice for six.

Father stopped laughing at dinner.
My brother learned to swallow his sentiments.
My sister learned to measure silence before speaking.
And I learned how to disappear without moving.

People spoke of his brilliance in the past tense, even when the candles were still burning on the night he disappeared.

Nobody ever said “gone,” only softer words that meant the same thing.

They said he was meant for something greater, because gifted ones always outgrow small rooms.

They said it kindly, as if that made the rest of us fortunate to stay behind and inherit what he abandoned.

Sometimes I wonder if brilliance burns through families like fire—leaving behind the careful and the breakable, an apology for the loss of something precious.

There are traces of him still:
his golden medals nailed crooked to the wall,
his accomplishments written on old school newspapers,
his photographs turned face down in the attic.

His potential is a relic now, worshiped in silence but never dusted.

Father never says it aloud, but I think he blames himself for building the stage too early.
Mother blames the world.
And the rest of us learned to perform on command without wanting too much.

I sweep the same corner every Sunday, where the light hits the floor like a question no one answers.

Oftentimes I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and see the outline of his face on mine—like the house still remembers who it was truly built for.

They say he carried the family’s future.
After all, he was the young master.
But when he left, the burden didn’t vanish.

It only slid downward; onto smaller shoulders, thinner wrists, steadier smiles.

In his wake, the rest of us had to reflect, pretending we were whole.

Sometimes, I dream of him standing in the hallway, untouched by time. He looks at me the way a thunderstorm watches the shore.

And I wake wondering whether he ever meant to leave or if the house simply forgot to be a home.

Illustration by Khen Fernandez | FORWARD Staff Artist

Jaguars seize 63-61 thriller against Fighting Maroons

The USJ-R Jaguars roared back from defeat, clawing a 63-61 win over the University of the Philippines-Cebu (UPC) Fighting Maroons in the Cesafi Season ‘25 Men’s Basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum on Tuesday, October 28.

Both teams opened the game with strong defense and a seesaw exchange of points before the Jaguars prevailed in the closing seconds of the initial quarter, 17-14.

The Jaguars maintained a slim edge throughout the second quarter, entering halftime with a one-point margin, 29-28.

Coming out of the break, the Jaguars tightened their offense and sank multiple three-pointers, which augmented their advantage to 51-43.

However, the Fighting Maroons mounted a valiant position in the final quarter, cushioning and even taking the lead in the last two minutes of the game.

Refusing to yield, the Jaguars tied the score at 61-61 before Fritz Gonzales delivered the dagger with a clutch, game-winning shot that sealed the victory for USJ-R.

He was later named “Player of the Game” after tallying 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals.

Meanwhile, Jaguars’ coach Julius Cadavis shared that he trusted his players to execute during the crucial moments of the match.

“They played their defense maong naka-convert pa mi last second,” he said.

Looking ahead, Cadavis emphasized focusing on the team’s efficiency and ex*****on.

“Sa next game kay dapat namo i-improve among mga percentage [sa] shooting ug sa decision-making,” he added.

With this victory, the Jaguars now hold a 4-4 win-loss record and are set to face defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers on November 8 at the same venue.

via Kristian John Wahing | FORWARD Probationary Writer

Photos Courtesy: Rheiz Janae Montecillo | FORWARD Probationary Artist

[JOSENIANS MOVING FORWARD]

The Call Amidst the Chaos
by Sharry Cuizon | FORWARD Staff Writer & Khara Angelique Davis | FORWARD Probationary Writer

The fragrance of fresh roses, the luminous glow of candles, and the aroma of incense smoke reminds us that October not only commemorates the importance of mental health, it also honors the Blessed Virgin Mary.

First-year BA Communication student Elias Marco Codilla, sought sanctuary in the arms of the Blessed Mother by serving as a Secretary of Cofradia del Nuestra Señora del Carmen, La Limpia, and a Social Media Coordinator of the Sanctuario del Carmen-Recoletos—all while conquering his unspoken battles.

First Mystery

Marco’s path to Christ stemmed from his awe of the beauty and piety practiced by the people around him since he was a child, along with the activities of his former local parish in the National Shrine of Saint Joseph, Centro, Mandaue City.

When they moved towns, he became an altar server at San Isidro Labrador Parish, Maya Daanbantayan, Cebu.

“Before, I was just joining in the life of the Parish for no clear reason, until I grew older, my intentions were purified. I have realized [what] motivates me in serving the Church is the reward, not from this world, but from Heaven,” he recalled.

Aside from being a secretary and a social media coordinator, Marco also served in parishes in and out of Cebu Province in the field of liturgical arts and social media communication.

According to him, the genuine joy in serving is surreal and different from other tangible forms of happiness.

“Despite the exhaustion along the way, there is this sense of fulfillment because of the thought that [everyone gained something] beyond the physical aspect, ” he added.

Second Mystery

As human beings, there will always be a point where all hope is forlorn, and Marco is no exception to that.

Aside from the Triune God, he also expressed his veneration to Mother Mary, Nuestra Señora del Carmen, his patroness and refuge in trying times.

“They saved me from my near-death experience after having my first seizure episode in 2019,” Marco shared.

The ultimate test of faith for Marco was experiencing a seizure due to academic stress.

He admitted feeling helpless as he was sent to the hospital.

Blessedly, there were no abnormalities found in his brain, and he was discharged the day before the feast of Nuestra Señora de la Salud—the patron for the sick and their caregivers.

Third Mystery

Following the hurdles he faced, Marco began to question God’s love, to which he confessed that it is normal in his mortal frailty.

“I guess there are times that I really questioned why He placed me in such a disposition that is really painful,” he said.

Amidst his confusion, it was prayers that kept him afloat.

The Rosary to him is more than just a “repetitive” form of prayer.

It served as his spiritual direction in times when he was trying to uncover the mystery life holds.

In honor of his vow since 2022, the very same year he was diagnosed with seizure disorder, Marco has made it a tradition to pray the novena every October in honor of Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario de La Naval de Manila.

Fourth Mystery

With his deep devotion to the Virgin Mary, Marco is often told that the Church will always wait for him, and so he should always prioritize his studies.

He admitted it became a struggle to juggle both, but he eventually learned to manage without losing sight of his devotion.

“Balance is essential because I believe that the ability of both studying and working in the life of the Church is already a big grace,” he explained.

In times of desolation, the immense love of God and the gentleness of the Blessed Mother’s love became his solace.

Fifth Mystery

To Marco, faith itself is a journey—something neither spontaneous nor forced.

Each prayer bead he holds reminds him of how fear gradually turned into surrender to God’s plans.

“God’s love is immeasurable, unfathomable, and something beyond words can explain. His love is always evident in my daily life, through his Most Sacred Heart. It is in His Heart where we can find comfort and reassurance,” he stated.

The Almighty’s mysterious ways may be too intricate for Marco’s temporal being, yet to him, it is the Blessed Mother’s warmth that allows him to persevere—even in moments when the chaos comes not from the outside, but from within.

Visuals by Heron Augustus Flores | FORWARD Staff Artist