School Librarian in Action

I’ve been thinking about grace a lot lately, in the context of fangirling in general and in light of Hobi’s Hope on the Stage concert tour; how people describe it, claim it, and carry it.

After J-Hope’s HOTS concert, I saw fans say they were “blessed by the universe,” “sumakses”, Lady Luck smiled at them, and that it was “grace” that led them to be there. And truly, witnessing a moment like that, to breathe the same air as someone you’ve loved and followed through years of growth, pain, the uncertainty of military service and silence, is a blessing. I won’t deny that.

But it got me thinking about grace that isn’t just about being chosen. It’s also about how we show up and who we show up for.

Many of us stood in long, glitching lines. We clicked and waited. We wept after losing tickets we fought for honestly. We faced scams and scalpers, unfair systems, and the silence of those in power and with leadership positions in fanbases who could’ve helped, but didn’t. Still, we stayed. We cheered from the sidelines. We held the light for Team Loob and Team Labas.

So when joy is posted like a trophy, when it flexes without honoring the ones still grieving missed chances, it doesn’t feel like grace. It feels like erasure and exclusion.

And maybe that’s what hurts most: that while ARMYs were expectant, hoping their peers, leaders and friends in the fanbases would carry the banner of loyalty through BTS’ enlistment, some chose to stay quiet. Then came back only when the music and lights returned, claiming fate and favor. As if the hard part never happened.

This isn’t to shame joy. Joy is sacred. But real joy remembers. It honors the community that held the silence, the ones who kept the faith, and the ones who never stopped loving even when there was nothing to gain.

So no, I’m not bitter. I’m just present. I see the gaps. I remember the waiting.

And I’m writing this not to take anyone’s happiness away, but to ask: can we hold joy and accountability in the same hand?

Because I believe grace isn’t just about being there. It’s about how you get there. And what you do with the light once it’s yours.

With love and fire,

Tita Zee

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Reading Halfway: Wayang Alimagnum

Dumating last week ang press kit ng Wayang Alimagnum, ang bagong aklat ni Joel Jacob Donato Ching. Published ito ng Adarna House at si Ian Sta. Maria ang nag-drawing. Ang daming freebies!

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A post shared by Zarah Gagatiga (@zarahgeeh)

Nasa Chapter 11 pa lang ako pero, aliw na aliw na ako kay Waya pati na sa mga ali-mech-sag sa paligsahan ng Lakapati. Na-imagine ko ang ingay, tunog at hitsura ng mga ito habang nagtatrabaho sa pitak ng palayan. Sana magkaroon ng animated version kase, visually worthy na makita ang mga mechs bilang karakter na extension ng mga natatanging tauhan.

Nagustuhan ko din ang relayson ni Waya sa madrasta niya. Hindi ma-drama! How refreshing! Bukod dito, natakam ako sa pagpapakilala at pag-describe ng mga pagkain. Oo, @chimeracupkeyk, naglaway ako sa nilupak!

Higit sa lahat, hindi ko bet ang steampunk. But this one is an exception.

Tatapusin ko muna ang aklat para mas ma-articulate ko kung bakit.