Contributors (Issue 12)

Sheilfa B. Alojamiento began writing for Moro Kurier and National Midweek. She took up AB Political Science in Mindanao State University in Marawi, finished AB English in Silliman University in Dumaguete. She taught at Mindanao State University in Patikul, Sulu, and Notre Dame of Jolo College.

Razul A. Ariz of Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, is an Ilocano-Maguindanaon visual artist, writer, layout editor, and self-taught translator and lexicographer dedicated to documenting and mainstreaming his native language and biodiversity through his social media advocacy page, Magindaknown. His translation works have also been featured on his social media platforms, including Kampilan, a youth organization he co-founded in their locality. Among his translated works are “Nalúgën a Papanúk” (“Caged Bird”) by Maya Angelou, “Su Mangúda a Dátu” (“The Little Prince”) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and selected poems by Robert Frost, Rudyard Kipling, Fadwa Tuqan, and Hanan Mikha’il Ashrawi. His piece “Mapya pën Silan” was published in Bangsamoro Literary Review in 2024. His works revolved around the themes of personal journey, faith, liberation, and freedom. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies from Mindanao State University – General Santos and a Diploma in Women, Peace and Security from Mindanao State University – Maguindanao. A peace advocate and development worker, he currently works with a local non-government organization in Cotabato City, supporting projects that uphold the rights of Bangsamoro women.

Meizan Badrudin is a creative nonfiction writer from Cotabato City, Philippines. She is the author of the Polymath Project Book Series and a contributor to Philippine Daily Inquirer Young Blood. Her work explores themes of faith, healthcare, education, mental health, and the lived experiences of marginalized communities. She aspires to pursue medicine and continue telling stories that illuminate the dignity, resilience, and humanity found in everyday lives.

Yassin Guro Hadji Basher, born in Lumba-Bayabao, Lanao del Sur, is a graduate of mindanao State University. He is a writer and a public servant. 

Mirra-Edora Esmael is a faculty member of the Department of Literary and Cultural Studies of MSU-TCTO. She writes short stories, and creative nonfiction exploring womanhood, culture, faith, memory, and decolonial identity within the Philippine south. She was a fellow at the 2nd Maas Kamlon Writers Workshop and a participant at the 1st GAD Moro Women Writeshop of MSU-IIT. Her dream is to write an epic fantasy novel.

Jamil Mabandis is an aspiring Bangsamoro writer from Cotabato City, currently pursuing a BA English (Creative Writing) at the University of the Philippines Mindanao. Driven by a deep responsibility to preserve the voices and experiences of his people, he writes to navigate the world he is inheriting and to capture emotions too vast to hold alone. He envisions a prosperous, peaceful Bangsamoro land rooted in freedom and justice, alongside a healthy planet that safeguards all creatures. His work has appeared in the Bangsamoro Literary Review, Dagmay, SunStar Davao, and Liwayway Magazine.

Neshrin M. Macabago is a young writer from Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur whose works are mainly focus on womanhood, and it is evident in her debut work “A Daughter-In-Law” that was featured in the 8th edition of BLR. She loves to write stories that are culturally embedded and are inspired from real-life events, and she’s also into writing poetry. Her passion in writing started when she was 12, viewing it as her way of expressing her unsaid thoughts, feelings, and her creative imagination. Ms. Macabago earned a degree in Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies at Mindanao State University – Marawi, with a Latin Honor.

Norhana Maguid is a language educator and cultural advocate, a graduate of the Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in English, and the Master of Arts in English Language Teaching at Mindanao State University-Maguindanao. She is an active contributor to the arts and education communities in the Bangsamoro region.

Aida Marohom-Manda is a Filipino language educator, an Associate Professor, and a distinguished faculty member of the Mindanao State University – Integrated Laboratory School with more than two decades of extensive experience in teaching ang academic service. She holds a PhD in Filipino, which she completed at MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology. Her dedication to education continues to inspire both learners and colleagues in the academic community.

Aaqilah S. Mangarun is a BS Biology (Major in Animal Biology) graduate from Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology. Her works have been featured in online literary journals and local publications, such as the Manila Bulletin, Transit Dialog, panitikan.ph, and Bangsamoro Literary Review. She was a fellow at the Paradox Philippine Speculative Fiction Writing Workshop in 2025.

Al Jhamier U. Mosib, with the pen name Multilingual Snake, is a 21 years-old Moro writer, and student-linguist from Banisilan, Cotabato Province. He is currently taking Bachelor of Arts in English Language (BAEL) at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM). He speaks nine languages in total. He is also a fellow of SOX Writers Workshop 2025 and the Inaugural Bangsamoro Writers Workshop in Cotabato City. Some of his works were published under the Bangsamoro Literary Review, Dagmay, and Cotabato Literary Circle’s Zines.

Gonaranao B. Musor is a diplomat and writer currently based in Jakarta and previously posted in Cairo, Kuala Lumpur, Doha, and Singapore. He has written for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler, GMA News Online, Bangsamoro Literary Review, and was the former editor of the now defunct www.bangsamoro.com. His work was also featured in the anthologies “Children of the Ever-Changing Moon: Essays by Young Moro Writers” (2007) and “Get Luckier: An Anthology of Philippine and Singapore Writings II” (2022). He recently co-edited the book “The Frontiers of Foreign Policy: Essays on Philippine Soft Power” (2024). He holds BA Psychology (Cum Laude) and MA Communication degrees from UP Diliman.

Gamson Jr Mawallil Quijano of Sūlū is a registered Radiologic Technologist based in Doha, Qatar and a contributor to MindaNews through “Tausūg in Doha.” His literary and creative works have appeared in various journals and publications.

Noor Mohammad Saada is an introvert, outlier and quinquagenarian Moro of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, born in Sulu, grew up in Tawi-Tawi, studied in Zamboanga City, and worked in Davao City, Cotabato City, Makati City, and Basilan. He brings with him more than two decades of professional work in school health and nutrition, human resources management, management information systems, education management, education in minority and equity contexts, education in fragility, cultural sensitivity, peace education, and donor-funded project development. He is a widower, father of two children, and now works in a local government unit, and part-time as a lecturer in a graduate school.

Masasalamin sa mga akda ni Almayrah A. Tiburon ang pagpapaunlad at pagsusulong ng wika at kulturang Meranaw. Siya ay propesor sa Departamento ng Filipino At Iba Pang Wika sa Mindanao State University (MSU) – Main Campus, Lungsod Marawi. Bilang isang manunulat, nakilala siya sa kanyang mga librong tulad ng “Salamin At Iba Pang Panglaw”, “Thotholan: Mga Alamat at Pabulang Meranaw”, at iba pang libro. Marami na rin siyang naisulat na mga tula, mga sanaysay, at mga maikling kwento. Ang obra maestra niyang kwento ay ang “Katao” gayundin ang kwentong “Langilaw” na naisalin sa iba’t ibang wika. Ginawaran siya ng prestihiyosong “Gawad Kampeon ng Wika 2024” ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino bilang pagkilala sa kanyang natatanging kontribusyon sa pagpapayabong ng wika at kulturang Meranaw.

Singanin nu Pamusungan and Other Poems

Jamil Mabandis

(poetry in Maguindanaon with English translation by the author)

Singanin nu Pamusungan

Di pakapangimbenal su ginawa
Kanu taginepen a bimaba
Lu ebpun kanu mga gabun
A dinemegka kanu leka a ngala.

Sabap seka i ulak nu atay
A minetu sa limu
A nagumbus sa bulawan
A minunga sa sigay.

Sigay a ‘kena pakadulat
Ka sigay a malanat
A mana pasidaw
A pakatana ku ginawa.

Seka su inigkahanda nu Tuhan,
Singanin nu pamusungan.
A lu natun kanu pageletan
Nu taginepen endu tademan.

Na sa uman kutika
A pembalingan kanu itungan.
Sangat a di gapangimbenalan
A niya ka kanu adapan.

Sabap seka i katumanan
Nu langun a singanin
Nu nyaba pamusungan.

 

My Heart’s Desire

My own self can hardly believe
That a dream has descended
From the clouds
And found its rest in your name.

For you are the flower of the liver
Grown from kindness
Bearing fruit of gold
And sprouted with light.

A light that does not wound
But lingers gently
Like a lullaby
That quiets the restless heart.

You are what the Divine has destined,
The longing my heart once held
Now found somewhere
Between dream and memory.

And in every moment
My mind returns to this
A quiet disbelief
That you stand before me.

For you are the fulfillment
Of every dream
My heart has ever known.

 

Na u Mauma Su Gay

Na u mawma su gay
A itagak aku nengka
Na lu aku nengka
Itabun ku dedsan nu lagat.

Ka lu ku ba inipamula
Su langun nu tademan.
Endu kagagasan nu
Bagel su lidu nu ginawa.

Na u mawma su gay
A itagak ako nengka
Na lu aku nengka
Itabun ku kapedsedep nu senang.

Ka tu ba i kutika
A matana su sambel
A pakadtiyakap ku badan
A pakalimpang kanu ginawa.

Na u mawma su gay
A itagak aku nengka
Na lu aku nengka
Itabun ku limu nu magabi.

Ka lu ba su ulan-ulan
A sindaw nu pamikiran
Endu mailay ku su mga bitun
A nakakineg ku mga singanin.

Na u mawma su kutika
A dumadsang su ulan
Na pandaya ka saki
Ka endu di nilan gailay.

Su mga lu a minigis
Sa kaleges nu kaludan
A tanda nu lilini
A di den kambalingan

 

When the Day Comes

When the day comes
That you leave me
Leave me by the sea
On a quiet shore.

There I planted
All of our memories
So the waves can pass through
And slowly ease the weight in me.

When the day comes
That you leave me
Leave me
In the setting sun.

Because it will be the time
That the wind becomes gentle
That will care for my soul
And will entertain me.

When the day comes
That you leave me
Leave me
In the night.

Because the moon is there
That will enlighten my mind
So that I can see the stars
That listened to all of my wishes.

And when the time
The rain falls
Just let me
So, they can’t see.

My tears flowing
Falling as quickly as the far sea.
A sign of a love
That can never be brought back.

 

Unong

Nailay ku seka
Kanu masla a katri.
Bagiga. Bangalingkakep.

Nabulig su mga suled nengka
Kanu kaudtatan nu igan.
Bamagulyang.

Sabap sa nauma den
Su gay a ipegkagilek ku.
Gay a kapebpitas nengka sa laki.

Linemudsu sa kinabatya ku paraman
Sangat a lidu sa ginawa
A di masaupama.

Minigis su lu
Sa mana kaleges
Nu kaludan.

Linemengis.
Mana natagak a manuk
A bagu namitas.

Mana madsugat a mamayug
A di mataw medtas
Kanu lalan.

Nakatundug su kina ligu sa leka
Nu mga matana a lima.

Ugayd na ya ku da tika,
Na kinailay ku kanu
Maputi a ginis.

Ginis a ipegkalimbos kanu
Matenggaw a lawas nengka.

Ginis a dala suga nin.
Tanda nu kapedtangka nengka,
Taman sa taman.

 

Burial Shroud

I saw you
Upon the wide bed.
Lying still. Your hands gently clasped.

Your siblings gathered
At the end of the bed.
Weeping.

For the day had come
The day I feared the most.
The day you departed from me.

It began with the reading of the Holy Book.
My heart, overcome with a grief
Too deep to explain.

Tears fell
As swiftly as the rushing current
Of a distant river.

I cried aloud
Like newly hatched chick,
Left behind.

Like a little child
Who does not know yet
How to cross the road alone.

Then, came the bathing of your body
By the gentle hands.

But what I could not bear,
Was when I saw
The white cloth.

The cloth that would wrap
Your cold body.

A cloth without design.
The final mark of your leaving me
For a lifetime.

Kapangiginawa Ko

Yassin Guro Hadji Basher

Ska’e pkababaya’an ak’n,
So langon a galbek ka,
So langon a parangai nga,
So langon a paraheyasan ka.
Ska’e unga o puso ak’n,
So kalilintad o pamekeran ak’n,
So katatakna o puso ak’n,
So warna o kawyag-uyag ak’n.
Ska’e da lawan n’yan rk’n,
So bangsa na matag bangsa,
So tamok na matag tamok,
So kataid na matag kataid,
Ska’e ipgaget o puso ak’n,
So sowara akn na sii rkabo,
So pamekeran akn na sii rkabo, ll
So salimpokaw akn na sii rkabo.
Ska’e da lawan niyan,
Ska’e da toonanon,
Ska’e da laged iyan,
Ska’ da taman niyan.
Ska’e ladyawan,
Ska’e parawaten,
Ska’e di biyaten,
Ska’e bolawan.

 

English Translation by the Author

My love

You are the one I love,
All that you do,
All your essence and character,
All your beauty and splendor.
You are the essence of my heart,
The profound peace of my mind,
The quiet tranquility of my spirit,
The vibrant color of my existence.
You are the strength of my heart,
My voice is dedicated to you,
My thoughts are focused on you,
My every waking moment is for you.
You are the strength of my heart,
My voice is dedicated to you,
My thoughts are focused on you,
My every waking moment is for you.
You are without comparison,
You are utterly unique,
You are unmatched in form,
Your greatness has no end.
You are a guiding light/ideal,
You are the standard to follow,
You are everlasting/immutable,
You are precious gold.

 

 

Tahimik na Palahaw

Norhana Maguid

Mula sa ibayo may huwad na pag-asa,
Bulawan a pedtinang sa mga mata
Inagos ng dagat, kinang ng araw at tala
Inipailay kanu mga Moro a manguda

 Paanyayang paglaban para sa bansa
Di mapaulipen sa madakel a banyaga
Balot man takot at lubhang pangamba
Minayun, mimbag’l endu midsapa

Sa lupa ng Corregidor dumampi ang mga paa
Su mga kangudan lu den ba mindal’pa
Bagsik ng alon di nila alintana
Timigk’l sa tar’m para kanu dal’pa 

Lumipas kayraming mga tala
Dala pun ganggula tidtu a naangga
Ang tanong ng marami’y, “Ano ba? Ano ba?”
“Mana kami bilanggo, ngin i ad’n siya?”

Isang gabing umawit ang mga bala
Bamedtulog silan, p’bpipireng i mga mata
Mga hagulgol ng pusong may kaba
Inimatayan silan, La’natallah!

Nakatakas mula sa pulang alon isang kaluluwa
Kalibut’ngan i gailay sa ‘mbala-bala
Sugatan man sa tuhod at may dugong sariwa
Napauma sa tudtol a di masaupama

Mga along tahimik pumalahaw ng sadya
Tudtol a masakit, di den silan p’nggaga
Sugatang puso at pulang mga luha
“Matu tanu! Di tanu mapandaya!”

Sumiklab na nga ang madugong umaga
Di den mapadapat, itind’g su agama
Ang lahing Bangsamoro – makikibaka
Babay endu mama taman na makagaga

Sa aming diwa di mawawala
Masakit a natala ‘ndu mga nanggula
Mga buhay na naglaho at pangalang binura
Tad’man sa pamusungan su gay nu Jabidah.

 

English translation by the author

Silent Cry

From distant shores, a false hope came:
a glint of gold that burned the eyes,
borne by the sea, lit by sun and star,
and shown to the Moro youth.

Urging them to fight for the land they loved,
to stand against ruthless colonizers.
Though wrapped in fear and uncertainty,
they swore as one, and answered the plea.

On the soil of Corregidor, they landed,
embraced a stranger shore.
The waves were alien, the dangers unknown;
they held back their tears for home.

Stars set and rose again,
yet nothing came.
They began to wonder: ”What is this?
Have we become prisoners, suddenly, haven’t we
?”

Then, one grim night, the bullets sang
their bitter melody to the sleeping ones,
to the tightly sealed eyes,
to the silent cries of frightened hearts,
slaughtered by the cursed ones of Allah.

One soul fled through the sea of blood,
met the dark shadows that closed in.
He crawled, bloodied at the knees,
and his message brought a pain beyond words.

The silent waves cried out at last—
the story too cruel, too heavy to hold.
Wounded hearts bled tears of rage:
This is not right! Let us rise and fight!

A blood-soaked morning broke upon them:
they would endure no more.
The Bangsamoro rose for their rights:
men and women, all who could.

And in our minds, it shall never fade:
the pain we bore, the things we saw,
the wasted lives, the erased names:
a remembrance carved in our hearts,
the day of Jabidah.

 

Calocan East: Dalawang Tula

Aida Marohom-Manda 

Nang Magkakuwentuhan

Sa ilalim ng mapusyaw na ilaw sa Calocan East
Sinabayan namin ng kwentuhan ang gabing tahimik
May kani-kaniyang pwesto sa kusinang pang-outdoor
Seryosong nakikinig sa tsikahang hindi maputol-putol.

Sa isang natatanging panahon ng Hunyo uno
May mga karanasang nanumbalik, ikinuwento
Nakatatawa, nakagagalit, nakalalamang ang mapuso
Isang pagkakataong sa isip at puso’y tumatak, tumimo

Nabulabog ang buwan, sa kwentong may halakhakan
Kaya’t itinago nito ang ningning sa kalawakan
Nagkanlong siya sa ulap, sa kwentong may kalungkutan
Ngunit hagalpaka’y una sa samu’t saring kabaliwan.

Nang dumako itong kuwento sa usaping mag-asawa
Di maiwasang maiinis sa kapilas na kumaliwa
Maging ang bubuyog sa kuwentuha’y nakipiyesta
Paikot-ikot, bumubulong sa mga ilawang kakaiba.

Di pa man naghatinggabi, si Romer ay sumuko na
Nagpayakap na rin kaming dalawa sa kumot ni Edna
Pumuwesto naman sa kama sina Salma at Johaira
Sa higaa’y nagpatuloy ang kwentuhang inumaga na.

Maglaho man ang gabi, mga bituin ma’y mapawi
Ang mga kwentong mapuso, maaalala’t mananatili
Sa aming isip at puso maging sa buwang piping saksi
Mga aral na naikintal nawa’y maging gabay lagi’t lagi
 

Ang Puno sa Calocan East

Mabuway na ang dati’y matikas na puno
kayumangging sanga’y may
mumunting luntiang nakakunyapit
sa ilalim nito’y balag ng halamang ligaw, nakakapit.

Ang mga sangang idinuduyan ng hangin
ay may kilyawang pares na magkaulayaw
ang dulo ng mga sanga ay isinasayaw at
nagtatampisaw sa init ng araw.

Mandi’y mabuway na’y malayang tumatanggap
ng ilang panauhing kailangan ng kanyang lingap
kahit panandalian lang, mga sanga’y pahingahan
nilang mga naliligaw at kailangan ng tahanan.

Iyan siya, isang puno
pansinin-dili ay matatag pa ring nakatayo
sa gitna man ng ulan, unos, at bagyo
naging mabuway man ang mga sanga nito
nangalagas na rin pati mga dahong kulay ginto
siya’y patuloy na sandalan at pahingahan
nilang kailangan ng lingap at masisilungan
lilingap at pinupunan ang kakulangan ng karamihan.
Iyan siya, isang punong
mabuway ma’t matanda na
ang pagsisilbi sa iba ay walang kapara.