Yesterday, a high school student approached me and said, "After reading your poem, I told my mom that I want to make this world a better place to live in, especially for those who are being persecuted and ostracized." I didn't know what to tell him. It took a while before I replied and said, "I also felt that way after reading Ladlad."

Allow me to thank everyone who made my little success possible...

First of all, to the Almighty Father for giving me strength, knowledge and wisdom. To mama and papa, thank you for understanding and loving your prodigal son. To Vincent, Nicole, Justin and the rest of the family, thank you for the support (however begrudgingly). To my three beautiful "sisters," Lorraine, Marianne, and Carla, thank you for making my college life exciting and fun! To Durgy, thank you for the trust and the encouragement. To my Masscom friends: Galee, Claire, Ken, Das, Donna, Candace, Ray and the rest of the gang, thank you for laughing at my jokes. To my Agape family, thank you for guiding me when I go astray. To my pals whom I haven't seen for along time: Christine, Honey, Brenda, Joy, June, Yangan and Neil, thank you for believing in what I can do (and I did). To Rose Jean, thank you for listening to my stories (I'm sorry I wasn't there when I know you needed me).

For GEN XY, we can get through this...

I would also like to thank my literary influences: Nick Joaquin, Krip Yuson, Sawi Aquino, Gemino Abad, Danton Remoto, J. Neil Garcia, Bobby Flores-Villasis, Ernesto Superal Yee, Angelo Saurez, Ian Casocot and Niccolo Vitug. Without your works I would not know how to write a poem.

Finally, for S, they said, "What we have lost may never be returned to us." I don't believe them...

About that high school student, that didn't really happen...