The entire staff of Daily Tribune, the fastest-growing news organization, celebrated Halloween yesterday — a yearly affair — with much fervor.

Aside from the fun and entertainment, the event sparked the literary fervor  of the company’s personnel. 

A costume party turned into an artistic release, highlighted by the creativity of the getups and the social commentary they conveyed. One example was Toby Magsaysay, who dressed as Jason Voorhees — the immortal villain from Friday the 13th—to symbolize the never-dying corruption in the country.

Daily Tribune’s executive director for events and promotions Chingkee Mangcucang composed a poem depicting the sad state of the poor who are the most affected by irregularities in government:

Tama na ang parusa

Ako’y dukhang magsasaka.

Pawis at dugo, hindi iniinda

Kayod na, pag gising sa umaga,

Dapit hapon, takipsilim na ay nasa bukid pa,

May lupa, may pananim,

Ngunit lubhang naninimdim,

Bukirin ay baha, pananim di maipunla.

Pamilya ay gutom,

Bahay na tagpi-tagpi, nilamon ng daluyong.

Tama na, tama na,

Pag-asa ba’y natatanaw pa,

Salamat pala kay Aling Rita,

Pagkat ako’y may nasusuot pa,

Daily Tribune, without fear, without favor.

Ikay na nga ba ang pag-asa na nagmumulat sa mga mata?

Daily Tribune simulan mo!

Kami ay tatalima sa iyo.

Enough with punishment

I am a poor farmer.

Sweat and blood, I do not mind.

I toil as soon as I wake in th e morning,

By dusk and nightfall, I’m still in the fields.

I have land, I have crops,

Yet I am deeply troubled.

The fields are flooded, the crops cannot be planted.

My family is hungry,

Our patched-up home swallowed by the flood.

Enough, enough —

Is there still hope in sight?

Thanks be to Aling Rita,

For at least I still have something to wear.

Daily Tribune — without fear, without favor.

Are you truly the hope that opens our eyes?

Daily Tribune, take the lead

We shall follow you.