TAYO Literary Magazine"For our culture, by our culture."tayoliterarymag@gmail.com
Second Issue
“Pinay, Household Service Worker” a poem
Share “Pinay, Household Service Worker” by Emeniano Acain Somoza, Jr. (Because nothing will prepare you for the sorrow of watching a shadow swallow the heart of your trembling dream.) Tell me how this hearting can leave you shaking each time you see her: culture-scar(r)ed
“Why I Raise the Curve” a poem by Albert Ong
Share “Why I Raise the Curve” by Albert Ong Crickets chirp and make love while my pen scurries along paper jotting words and numbers, the cup of tea Mom prepared still untouched.
“Paper Memories” a poem by Mark Chinen
Share “Paper Memories” by Mark Chinen Dear Sadie, how ya doing baby? The hill’s lonely without ya, but I’m still blazing hazy And lately I think I’m gonna start back school again Maybe even pick up that paper and pen Just wanted to check in and see how’s the city treating ya I know you [...]
“Jules” a short story by Samantha Tetangco
Share “Jules” by Samantha Tetangco Jules has eyes that speak what her mouth never does and you love her, or at least you think you might. There is something about her that makes you feel calm. You met her at a party, one of those out-of-control-wake-up-the-next-morning-and-don’t-remember-a-thing-but-ask-your-friends-if-you-did-anything-stupid kind of parties. She was holding up the wall [...]
“Most American” a short story by Cynthia Vasallo
Share “Most American” by Cynthia Vasallo Kuya and I used to love playing this game called Most American. We started playing when we first came to the US—my brother was almost nine that year and I was six. Because we were the only players, we made up all the rules as we went along. There [...]
“Burn Scar” a short story by Justin Pansacola
Share “Burn Scar” by Justin Pansacola Philip, as he was now known, didn’t like to think too hard about his situation. It wasn’t that he was dumb, far from it. It’s just that he had learned throughout his life, with each painful retreat and violent experience, that it was best to leave things be and [...]
“Simbahan” by Robert Aquino Dollesin
Share “Simbahan” by Robert Aquino Dollesin During the Grandfather‘s service the boy shuffled his feet and studied the grief-stretched faces of everyone around him. Standing next to his mother, he felt no emotion. Nothing. Not the slightest sense of bereavement. Once the slings had been hoisted, the boy’s mother took his hand and they fell in [...]
“Simon Says” by Sean Labrador y Manzano
Share “Simon Says” by Sean Labrador y Manzano Pokai Bay is for locals, desolate on weekends. It is West of Pearl Harbor meaning West of Honolulu meaning West of tourism and service industry expectations. Meaning West of circling for vacant parking. West of the hawkers merchandising relics. Meaning tour busses dare not stop here. Pokai [...]
“Limahong’s 3000″ by Sean Labrador y Manzano
Share “Limahong’s 3000″ by Sean Labrador y Manzano “I am not Chinese!” The pirate ambition aside, he barely passes the “look test,” that residue of fair Guangdong or Fukien almost prevents his passage. Apong Pio is not exactly my grandfather. He is the only “grandfather” I know. Pio is my grandfather’s youngest brother, exported to [...]
“Wearing Tsinelas” an essay by Francesca Gacho
Share “Wearing Tsinelas” by Francesca Gacho Native Americans have the moccasins. The cowboys have the boots. For Filipinos, we have the tsinelas. The word tsinelas is derived from the Spanish word “chinela” meaning slippers or sandals. Tsinelas are humble things. Often referred to as “flip-flops,” “sandals,” or “zories,” tsinelas are basic footwear made of leather [...]
“A Twisted New Thread” an essay by Cynthia Vasallo
Share “A Twisted New Thread” by Cynthia Vasallo In trying to tell me their story, the only thing my parents could agree on was that they both had a strong difference of opinion. According to my father, he always knew which direction he wanted to go. It wasn’t a difficult decision for him to leave [...]
“Flowers, etc.” an essay by Bonne Marie Bautista
Share “Flowers, etc.” by Bonne Marie Bautista I was told that when I was a toddler, my feet never touched the floor. The firstborn child, niece, granddaughter, the first Bautista born in America, my aunts, uncles and grandfather fought over me. I lived in their arms, my chubby cheeks rosy from being pinched and kissed. [...]
“Filipino at Heart” a poem by Karl Salting
Share Filipino at Heart by Karl Salting From one Filipino to another You’ll understand me completely Culture and tradition live on deep within me Like a mother’s touch through the first stages of futility One never forgets, we all learn humility
“Ravel” a poem by Eileen Regullano
Share Ravel by Eileen Regullano This stream of consciousness is beautiful. It is inexplicable. This stream of consciousness flows through the air, winding its way along the valleys, mountains and plains.
“Language First, Food Last” by Joy Regullano
Share Language First, Food Last, an essay by Joy Regullano On Saturday afternoons, we would eat salted dried fish so crisp you can eat the bones. The smell of tuyo was so strong my dad had to fry it outside. I loved the little dilis that I could scoop into my mouth and eat with [...]
“Here’s Where the Story Ends” by Leanna Lagpacan
Share “Here’s Where the Story Ends” a painting by Leanna Lagpacan
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