Silakbo Submissions

Tanglaw ng Claret is officially accepting submissions for SILAKBO: The Revolution of Love. All members of the Claret High School community (students, faculty, staff, alumni) are encouraged to submit works. The deadline of submissions is on January 29, 2017. Below are the guidelines for submission.

WHAT IS SILAKBO?

Love has no boundaries. It knows no age, no gender, no religion, no disease or sickness. It comes at the right time, never too early nor too late. It is patient. It is kind. It never fails. And most of all, it is at its core, unconditional.

At this time when the idea of love has become a much too romanticized one, it seems relevant to consider that love is even deeper and more diverse than what most people see it. It can occur and work everywhere, even in places and through people we didn’t expect it to do so. Indeed it works in mysterious ways; in ways that sometimes our superficial minds cannot grasp or think of right away.

In its latest endeavor, Tanglaw ng Claret, as an organization that sees journalism and the arts as a way of bringing humanity together despite our differences, seeks to explore the full spectrum of love, from life’s first cry to the very last breath.

You may choose to submit the following types of works:

Prose

Poetry

Art

Photographs

Videos

Music and Audio (Covers or Own Compositions)

These are the themes covered in the publication:

THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE

This section is all about the beginning of life and of love -- birth. It aims to show the birth of a human being, or even of an animal, or a plant, or a flower, as a triumphant event wherein love manifests itself. It aims to show and express that birth is a powerful symbol of defiance against the perils and shadows of the world, and that it is a symbol of a new hope and life for the world. Submissions may include accounts about the reactions of parents upon learning that they are to have a child and the process they underwent to take care of the child in the womb. Submissions may also include accounts about birth, particularly those that are notable for the difficulty of delivering the baby and sustaining his/her life (i.e. C-section, premature births, incubated babies, etc.). This section is not also limited to stories of humanity but it may also include stories of humanity co-existing with nature, so entries may be about the birth of animals too.

I AM LOVED

This section is about growing in the love of parents and guardians, or about feeling the love and care from sons and/or daughters. This section highlights empowerment and self-confidence as a result of being treated as valuable. It may include stories of how a person has grown from an infant, to a child, and to who he/she is now today. This is also a section dedicated to children with special needs (i.e. ADHD, Autism, Down syndrome, etc.), orphaned children, abused children, and other children who seem to be cast out of society or are not given enough attention and the love they truly deserve. Accounts about these children would be highly appreciated.

YOUNG LOVE

This section is dedicated to showing the deep feelings that young people feel as their bodies and views on the world change as an effect of hormonal changes and growth. This explores the romantic side of love, including infatuations, hidden feelings, puppy love, crushes, and proms. It aims to show the feeling of how it is to have a crush or deep infatuation toward someone. It includes sweet fantasies and daydreams. It may also include accounts of couples/friends/others as they reminisce the moments of their childhood or their young love.

BROKEN

This section is dedicated to showing the sad side of life and love. It aims to express that suffering and pain are inevitable parts of life and that each and every person has to go through this to grow stronger and more mature. It also aims to express that in suffering, no one is alone and there is perhaps someone else who is going through the same hurt. It serves as a platform for people to just write about the saddest experiences they have had in life, including heartbreak, being rejected by someone, not achieving a dream or a goal, not passing an exam, and even losing someone too early in life. Submissions may include works written from the point of view of the one who rejected, or the one who got rejected. In this section, contributors are encouraged to just pour out their grief and their pain as they express themselves and try to lift the burden off through literature, arts, and music.

CARRY ON

This section highlights rising up again after the fall. It shows the human spirit as indomitable and strong, undaunted by the challenges that continually rise. It shows the human person as an entity and body who is willing to start all over, to believe in himself/herself, to love himself/herself, and to stand again on his/her own feet. This also highlights people helping each other out especially in times of grief and hardships. It is dedicated to showing that there is always hope after the fall and amidst the dark, that hope exists where there is life, and that life exists where there is love. Submissions may also include stories of finding faith and refuge in the Divine (i.e. God, Buddha, Allah, etc.).

LOVE WINS

This last section is perhaps the most definitive part of SILAKBO. It aims to express that love triumphs over hate and hopelessness. In this celebration of diversity, SILAKBO finds its foundations and its core -- expressing the notion that love manifests itself always regardless of the situation. Love exists amidst differences in religion, beliefs, gender, walks of life, color of skin and race, and many other aspects of life. This sections aims to use the gifts of literature, art, and music as means of bridging humanity together. It seeks to break down our barriers and to empower each and every member of society. It highlights acceptance without inhibitions and borders, from parents accepting their children for whoever they may be, to partners accepting the differences of each other and even to the elderly accepting the fact that they are getting old and that that must not be enough reason for love to be forgotten. It includes different stories of couples, friends, groups, professionals, and others. Submissions may include accounts of how people can co-exist with each other, how people help each other grow, how enemies can reconcile, and how misunderstandings can be settled. It includes stories of achievements and triumphs after failure. For example, it may include the story of someone, or a group of people who had to go through lots of challenges and struggles before attaining victory. It also includes stories of teachers helping their students no matter what happens, doctors helping their patients, volunteers aiding those who need assistance, and other acts of kindness and mercy. Submissions can also include stories of couples who have made it in love even through their old years. Also, entries about keeping the love for someone even after death are also included.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS - WRITTEN WORKS

All who wish to submit written works are required to submit them in a .DOCX file (Microsoft Word) and are to provide the following information:

For students:

- Name, Grade and Section, Type of Work (Prose or Poetry), Section in which work is appropriate*, Title of Work

For teachers and staff:

- Name, Department, Type of Work (Prose or Poetry), Section in which work is appropriate*, Title of Work

For alumni:

- Name, Year/Letter of Batch, Present School/University, Type of Work (Prose or Poetry), Section in which work is appropriate*, Title of Work

*Choosing a section will not guarantee that the submission will be featured in the section. It will undergo assessment by the editors and will be put under the section where it is most appropriate.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS - ART AND PHOTOS

All who wish to submit artworks and photos are required to submit them in a .JPEG format or in hardcopy to any Tanglaw Editorial Board member. The same format for the contributor’s information will also be observed.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS - VIDEOS

For those who wish to submit videos, spoken word poetry is highly encouraged and will be highly appreciated. Foul language is prohibited and must be avoided. If a video contains profanities, certain parts will be censored, yet if it contains content that is too explicit, it will not be accepted. Videos may also include animation, dance videos (group) , film, and clips related to the sections as explained above. These entries may be sent through email in .mp4 format or .avi format, with the same format for the contributor’s information. In the event that the email may not be able to accommodate sending the file due to size, entries can be submitted through USB to any Tanglaw Editorial Board member. Make sure that a paper containing the Name of Owner and Name of File is attached to the USB.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS - MUSIC

For those who wish to submit music and audio, covers (instrumentals, vocals, etc.) of love songs will be accepted. Original compositions will also be highly appreciated. Foul language is prohibited and must be avoided. If a song or audio file contains profanities, certain parts will be censored, yet if it contains content that is too explicit, it will not be accepted. These entries may be sent through email in .mp3 format, with the same format for the contributor’s information. In the event that the email may not be able to accommodate sending the file due to size, entries can be submitted through USB to any Tanglaw Editorial Board member. Make sure that a paper containing the Name of Owner and Name of File is attached to the USB.

Entries may be in Filipino or English and sent to silakbo.tanglaw@gmail.com.

Please do note that submission does not guarantee appearance of entry in the physical publication and/or the online posts.

As we all take part in this endeavor, we all find that more than looking at our differences as things that would slow us down, we see these as things that make us strong and make life on earth more vibrant and lively than it can ever be. As we brave the waters and take part in this revolution of love, we reignite our connections, reinforce our bonds, and embrace our diversity and unity as one loving human race. With this movement, we bridge our gaps and help in creating a world where life and love is for all, as it should be.

This project marks a turning point in Claretian journalism, creativity, artistry, and journalism, and everyone is invited to share in this ambition. Today, we embrace humanity. Today, we make love win. Thank you and God bless!

CARITAS CHRISTI URGET NOS!

#Silakbo