Aceley Elle V. Pasa is a Senior High School student from Zamboanga City, Philippines. Her hometown has always been her comfort place but dreams of traveling to another space. Her interest in business has led her to pursue Accountancy in college after she graduates. She loves filipino foods especially "lechon," "adobo," "menudo," and "halo-halo". As a homie person, watching anime has always been her hobby whenever time allows her to. In school, she is a copyreader in the Catalyst club and has copy read a few articles and captions. She is an inactive WriteGirl member. She hasn't been in many competitions before so this is the first time her work will ever be published.
How long have you been writing? What was the first piece you ever wrote (outside of school assignments)that you felt satisfied, possibly thrilled, with?
Aceley Elle Pasa: The first poetry I ever wrote is “Ventured into an Unknown Realm." I can say it was average for my initial writing, but I wouldn’t know that I was fully satisfied with that piece, however, I am grateful that I began writing because I have a hard time expressing myself.This piece inspired me to improve what I lacked as a writer even though I’m not at that point yet.
Is creative writing taught at your school? If so, what’s that instruction like?
Aceley Elle Pasa: No, sadly it isn’t taught at our school and I wish it was.
What is school like in the Philippines? What's a typical school day like in Philippines? A typical school year?
Aceley Elle Pasa: As a Grade 12 student studying Accountancy, Business, and Management, it helps me understand how businesses operate and how to manage finances effectively. Our teachers encourage us to think critically and apply our learning to real-world situations. Our day starts around 7:30 AM and ends at 2:45 PM since it’s our 2nd semester, but, a regular schedule typically ends at 5:00 PM.I would say that studying here is quite exhausting because before in our regular schedule, there were at least 8-10 subjects in a day. However, we also get to experience fun activities like Foundation Day, “Palaro,” Entrepreneurship Fair, Pageants, and more.
How many genres or kinds of writing do you like to write?
Aceley Elle Pasa: I am more into fiction, fantasy, short stories, and poetry because I am an idealistic person. However, I am also open to exploring non-fiction, it depends on my mood and interest at the moment.
Who is your favorite author right now and why?
Aceley Elle Pasa: My favorite author right now is Taylor Swift, who is mostly known as a songwriter and poet. I admire her for her incredible storytelling ability and the emotions she conveys in her lyrics. Each of her songs feels like a mini-story, showing her relationships and personal experiences.
Do you ever encounter writing blocks?
Aceley Elle Pasa: Every time. Whenever I have a new idea to write, I often lose motivation before I even start writing it down.
Tell us about how the poem/creative nonfiction/short story about to be published in Issue 8 came about.
Aceley Elle Pasa: As you all know, I wrote “One Touch Away” in the form of poetry. This poem is written in free verse, without a consistent rhyme scheme or meter as I’d like to express them freely. It expresses deep feelings of loneliness and the longing for connection but it’s not possible, instead, these were found in the digital world of characters the speaker felt comfortable with. It paints a somber picture of isolation, using imagery like "cold winds" and"hollow space" to convey the speaker's emotional state. The speaker's search for solace in virtual friendships resonates with me, as I often turn to online interactions to fill the void when I'm feeling isolated. While these digital connections provide a sense of warmth and companionship, the speaker can’t help but feel the weight of their limitations. The speaker yearns for the genuine comfort of real, physical relationships and the support of family.
What are you most looking forward to as a person or as a writer in 2025?
Aceley Elle Pasa: I look forward to experiencing new things and to learn more. Each experience helps me grow and inspires my creativity. As a writer, I want to dive into new projects. I want to explore different genres, like short stories and poetry and finally work on something that’s been on my mind while improving my writing style.
"1031211" by Biblioteca Rector Machado y Nuñez is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.
