Categories
Creative Writings Poem

Childhood Trauma

 

I’ve learned in this short story

that pain is a painting

Once stroked, it will last to stain

Create a masterpiece titled “Incision of the Insane”

 

Back when I was “Too Young”

Strokes of words made their mark on me

Not knowing

that tainted me with impurities called “Trauma”

 

Thought it would be gone eventually

But the stain never comes out

Even with the worlds-best whitener

and even then, I’ve lived with it this far

I will have to live with it a thousand more

 

Author: Gregorius Beryl S.S.

Editor: Sitti Aminah Intan Utami, Vonna Meisya Saputra

Illustrator: Betsy Mariana Agoha

Categories
Creative Writings Poem

Moving On

 

This feeling of warmth soothes me,

Every time I pass by this tree,

Memories of joy fills me,

Your kind smile ensures me that we will be together.

 

The air was soothing with nostalgia,

How did I miss this feeling of joy?

That feeling of calmness, being with you

Your spirit shatters the void that surrounds us.

 

You fell gracefully from heaven

Lending me your hand like an angel

Your presence grants me peace

The one that I truly loved

 

I wish I could turn back time

The mistakes that I anguish

The choices that I regretted

It was I who drove us apart

 

Though you’re always beside me,

I tarnished those moments

No smiles, only sadness, I convey to you

It seems you’ve grown weary of my antics

 

I wish I could fix it

I hoped that I could help you too

I regretted my choices

but sadly, I’m only human

 

Now I stand by the tree

That brings me joy and dread

Standing here, reminiscing about the past

Wishing it were but a dream

 

But I’ve learned to let it go

And move on from the past.

 

To forge a better future

From the gleaming past that haunts me

I hope you are happy wherever you are

Because I’m grateful for those moments

 

Author: Putu Beryl Putra Widyadhana

Editor: Nanda Pratama Putera Tomasila, Vonna Meisya Saputra (QC)

Illustrator: Kenar Syalaisha Kanayana

Categories
Creative Writings Poem

A Bittersweet Goodbye

As the season changes, and the moments flow

I find you in the shadows.

I recall all your kindness,

Where our heart used to glow.

 

I find your twinkling smile and tears,

The sweetest smile of yours 

That I can’t bear.

 

Unfamiliar steps have carried us away.

I’m about to let go of that long night.

Hope we can find our way.

After one last hug, I’ll release the rope

That bind us to the memories we strove.

 

Goodbye, for now,

Beshine under the moonlight 

Nostalgia lingers a bittersweet delight.

 

Author: Erica Rafaella

Editor: Desca Geovani Kristi, Ruth Tirza Arina (QC)

Illustrator: Betsy Mariana Agoha

Categories
Creative Writings Features

The Guilt: A Short Movie at the Screening Premiere by String Movie Maniacs

(Question and answer session with the director, writers, cast, and crews of the The Guilt short movie. Photo taken on August 18, 2023 by Dulce.)

The short movie The Guilt premiere screening was held on 18 August 2023. This movie was produced by String Movie Maniacs (SMM) and was directed by Ruth Loemaria. The Guilt tells the story of two best friends, Alice and Max, who have their own problems yet make bad decisions for them in the end.

There are some moral messages that Ruth and everyone involved in this movie want to convey. “Through this movie, we want to convey a message to not self-blame, and also try to communicate your problem with those close to you to avoid miscommunication, as happened to Alice and Max in this movie.” She then added, “If a friend of ours tells their story and needs help, listen to them and do not underestimate the problem.”

Ruth states, “The process of making this movie was quite facile.” She said the process went smoothly because of the dedicated cast, crews, and all parties involved. Although the film-making process went smoothly and took around two to three months, some problems appeared during pre- and post-production. “Most of our problems happened when we shot in open spaces, especially during street scenes because many vehicles or people were passing by while filming, so we had to cut many times.”

Apart from the producer, the cast and crew also had several problems. According to Carmelia Maria Widyandari, who played Alice, she had experienced constraints as an actress. “My problem happened during the screaming scene that had to be repeated many times due to external problems, and I felt bad enough for disturbing the locals if I kept screaming.” The crew who took part stated that they also encountered problems when their recording tool kept beeping, and he also had mood swings when editing the film that he needed more time to edit.

As one of UKPS String Movie Maniacs’ projects, The Guilt will be shown at the Potluck Party event to attract the interest of new English Letters students as SMM’s prospective members. Apart from that, this short movie is expected to be included in three film festivals in Yogyakarta, which are the Jogja Film Academy and Seoul Screening, which have been included in community forums, and at a film festival held by ISI (Institut Seni Indonesia) Yogyakarta. The Guilt has entered the submission process to participate in the Jogja Film Academy Festival.

 

 

Journalist: Dulce Cicilia Sariri

Editor: Yohana Satvika Wahyuveda, Ruth Tirza Arina (QC)

Reporter: Valentina Pascalia

Categories
Creative Writings Poem

Either Way, I’m a Star

Clumsy, clumsy me

for what I used to be.

I’m a jester in a circus of life.

Unaware of reality

So gullible

So naïve.

 

I traced back to my past.

Looking at how funny I am

to trust whoever nears me.

 

Fancy, fancy me.

I’m the main course of a ballet show, or so I thought.

 

I looked back then, I knew

My friend isn’t with me, nor for me.

They’re just there

Waiting me fall

Watching me fall.

 

I used to think that I’m a star

of, at least, a fancy ballet show.

But in reality,

I’m a mere jester in a circus

Whom they wait in line to see, 

falling.

 

Either way, I’m a star,

The fallen star to be seen

And to entertain.

 

Author: Valentina Pascalia

Editor: Desca Geovani Kristi, Ruth Tirza Arina (QC)

Illustrator: Kenar Syalaisha Kanayana

Categories
Current News

13th Global Leadership Program: Empowering Young Leaders to Build Sustainable Future

(All the delegates and team of GLP 2023 (taken by: Lin Che Chi, documentation section of GLP 2023))

Taiwan hosted the 13th Global Leadership Program from August 20 to August 26, 2023. The 2023 Global Leadership Program raises significant concerns regarding the ocean and sustainability. The delegates were encouraged to engage in conversations and learn as a group on how to address one of the most crucial aspects of existence—primarily the oceans, which are beginning to get polluted.

The Global Leadership Program is a yearly no-credit course offered by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities – Asia Pacific (AJCU-AP). Sanata Dharma University from Indonesia, Fu Jen Catholic University from Taiwan, Sogang University from South Korea, Sophia University from Japan, and Ateneo de Manila University from the Philippines are the five Jesuit universities that have joined this program. With an emphasis on emerging global concerns, GLP allows students to enhance their international and interdisciplinary leadership skills. “Our Blue Planet – Ocean and Sustainability” was the 13th Global Leadership Program’s subject and focal point. 

The week-long Global Leadership program is conducted. GLP’s implementation focuses on a number of key goals, including the development of Ignatian leadership through lectures, presentations, fieldwork, and cultural performances. The entire delegation from each university left for Taiwan on August 20 and the program’s activities began on August 21 with the opening ceremony and program introduction. Dr. Hung-Chun Liu’s keynote address covered the transnational exchange program for marine education and ocean sustainability as the activities progressed.

(Erica Rafaella, one of the delegates of Sanata Dharma University, was doing the presentation (taken by: Chen Mark, documentation section of GLP 2023))

Following the keynote address, each university’s delegation will provide a report on the country in line with the subject. Each university sent six delegates, divided into three teams based on three sub-themes: 1. Ocean and Environmental Protection; 2. Ocean and Indigenous People; and 3. Ocean and Migration. To discuss the sub-theme, all of the delegates engaged in pair discussions. 

The delegates from each country were then divided and required to join friends from other nations who shared the same sub-theme. On August 22, according to their sub-theme, delegates then go on separate field trips. The day after the first field trip on August 23, the presentations were delivered, and the delegates from the three sub-themes learned from one another. 

The cultural exchange was one of the activities that came after the presentation. Each delegate should exhibit their particular culture. The closing ceremony occurred that day, and all delegates received certificates afterward. 

(All the delegates and team of GLP 2023 at Farewell Dinner (taken by: the restaurant’s staff))

“Since this is my first time representing the college while traveling abroad, I am so proud. The activities held there were really well-planned. We learned, got lectures, gave presentations, and created projects out of sea waste, and also the knowledge I got there was amazing and had a positive impact on my life and those of my friends,” said Merry Christiana, the team leader of Sanata Dharma delegates. 

The “Ocean & Sustainability” theme of the 2023 Global Leadership Program introduces their participants on how to address global issues. Furthermore, delegates took part in a DIY project using sea waste that is anticipated to reduce waste sustainably.

Velisita Depista, one of the delegates of Sanata Dharma, said that it was a pleasure getting to know other university delegates and learning about other perspectives and cultures. Global Leadership Program taught commitment and duty to the student representatives who represent Sanata Dharma University. GLP was only held for one week, but it was an extraordinary experience that will not be forgotten.

On August 25, together, the delegates took a field trip to Heping Island Park. The delegates then went sightseeing at several spots. A farewell dinner brought the event to a close. The delegates split up on the seventh day to return to their countries. 

 

Journalist: Erica Rafaella

Editor: Desca Geovani Kristi & Ruth Tirza Arina

Categories
Current News

Journalispeak 2023 Guides Young Writers Against Clickbait and Misinformation

Mr. Simon Arsa Manggala (Vice Head of the English Letters Department) & Dulce Cicilia Sariri (Master of Ceremony) on the stage of Journalispeak 2023 taken by Erica Rafaella

September 23, 2023 – The annual Journalispeak has finally returned in 2023, with this year’s topic being “Beyond Clickbait: Countering Misinformation Through Responsible Journalism.” This year’s Journalispeak aims to teach young and upcoming journalists to understand the dangers within the world of clickbaiting and how it can misinform people around them.

Not only that, Journalispeak 2023 discussed some interesting matters that are currently circulating in the world of journalism and the consequences of clickbaiting. With the media constantly battling each other to get more clicks per rate on their pages, more media are mass-producing inaccurate information that may have consequences for those who read the article and digest the information.

Journalispeak 2023 answered the questions and even provided theories on why clickbait is getting more common in today’s era. 

Many participants were interested in the topic of this year’s Journalispeak. Some participants asked questions such as “How can I identify clickbait easily?” “Will my boss realize that I have made clickbait in my article?” and “What consequences will people receive upon breaking the rules and committing clickbait?”

Gregorius Beryl (Chairperson of Journalispeak 2023) is giving the certificate of appreciation to Mr. Ahmad Mustaqim (Honored Guest of Journalispeak 2023) in the Journalispeak 2023 stage. Picture taken by Erica Rafaella

An interview was also conducted, and we asked the Chairperson of Journalispeak 2023, Gregorius Beryl, some of his thoughts regarding this year’s event. One important question we asked was about this year’s theme and why it was chosen for this year. He explained: “We chose this topic because, in the digital age, there is lots of misinformation being spread through the internet. So, we decide to use this as the topic is that we, as journalists, have a grasp on what kinds of clickbait are and go back to the basics of becoming a responsible journalist.”

 

Journalist: Putu Beryl Putra Widyadhana

Editor: Nanda Pratama Putera Tomasila, Vonna Meisya Saputra (QC)

Categories
Creative Writings Poem

Hiraeth

 

For my years away from home

To settle down the pilgrimage

To bloom like a hyacinth

In one big breath

 

My heart is prepared to go home

Step one foot onto the terrace

For I have been caught by my mother’s eye

Who greeted me with a big smile

 

My memories burst along with the dust

Under the moonlight

Singing the hymn, reminiscent

That I can finally place myself in her seat

 

 

Author: Dulce Cicilia Sariri

Editor: Yohana Satvika Wahyuveda, Ruth Tirza Arina (QC)

Illustrator: Ajeng Suci Hati

 

Categories
Creative Writings Poem

Fourteen

 

If you swipe the calendar

Roll the dice to 18 – 3 – 18

Cut its day’s wrist, there you’ll find

the fourteen-year-old version of me

cursing for another living year

 

Be not surprised by my purple thorns

the thoughts of death had grown

into a monument of piled masks

Spell the mantra every reveal, still

 

My villain regenerated

as it reflected resistance

to the last page

 

Switch my body night

Paint my heart obscure

Scar my skin slanted red

The devil hid me and had fused

 

confused me about my identity.

 

 

Author: Agnes Seraphine

Editor: Sitti Aminah Intan Utami, Vonna Meisya Saputra (QC)

Illustrator: Angelita Dayang Diva

Categories
Creative Writings Poem

Ashes of Desire

 

Do you feel comfortable beneath the wet soil in your backyard?

Clammy hands dig deep into the grainy and muddy soil,

worms slithered on your fingers,

and nails painted with ashes.

If I had never met you in August’s gloomy grey, 

I wouldn’t have buried three crows beneath the pine tree.

Do you remember the time when I put you in a fragile glass bottle made from our memories?

Memories of your eyes locked into mine for the first time,

Memories of gentle eyes hidden behind thin glasses,

Memories of your blue shirt,

Memories of your sweet smile towards me,

Memories of your chest falling up and down while you slept on the bench,

phone held tightly to your chest after you called your childhood sweetheart.

I remember the vast, hollow night skies shimmered with thousands of fireworks,

and we danced beneath the fiery fireworks until the somber sky rolled up and took you away from me.

If I had never met you, the smear of red from my lipstick on your lips wouldn’t be fading away in the rain.

Do you feel comfortable knowing how much I love you?

Although I know your heart always longed for the other dove to fly.

Do you feel comfortable beneath the scythe that lies snugly on your neck?

I got hooked on the desire,

the adrenaline,

the greed,

the carnality,

of ending our passion and turning it into ashes. 

 

 

Author: Kenar Syalaisha Kanayana

Editor: Nanda Pratama Putera Tomasila, Vonna Meisya Saputra (QC)

Illustrator: Angelita Dayang Diva