Sta. CruzThe day before the weddingIn the midst of a bustling street, a chaotic scene unfolded as his son engaged in a violent shootout. The air was thick with tension and fear as gunshots echoed through the urban landscape. Panicked pedestrians scattered in all directions, seeking safety in the chaos. The sound of tires screeching and alarms blaring only added to the mayhem that engulfed the street. Law enforcement swiftly arrived, attempting to diffuse the situation and restore order later on. Madalas namang huli ang pagdating ng mga ito, sa pelikula man o totoong buhay. Tinulungan ng mga ito si Teo na duguan. Iyon ang nakita niya nang mapanood ang video mula sa restaurant. They had cameras all over the place at maging sa alley kung saan napuruhan ang anak niya. Teo has always been the weak one between his sons. Kaya nga ang panganay na anak lagi ang inaatasan niya ng mga gawain, at hinahayaan si Teo na gawin ang mga gusto nito. Katulad na lang ng pagkahumaling nito sa anak ni O
FLASHBACK "Rosanna, ikaw na!" sigaw sa kaniya ng isang bading na crew. Mahirap lang s'ya at umeekstra sa mga shooting— pelikula man o drama series sa TV. Isa s'ya sa mga nangangarap na aasenso at makaaahon sa hirap. Patay na ang mga magulang niya at dahil hindi naman sila mayaman, kahit second year college ay hindi niya natapos. Mabuti na lang at mahilig s'yang manood ng mga Hollywood movies sa TV ng kapitbahay nila kaya natuto s'ya ng tamang bigkas at kilos. Kayang kaya niyang umastang mayaman kahit na mas mahirap pa s'ya sa daga. Kaya kahit malayo itong Davao, nang alukin s'ya na gumanap bilang diwata sa ilog ay pumayag s'ya. With the kind of face she has and the body she possess, walang tatanggi sa alindog niya. Ganoon pa man ay hindi s'ya mabigyan ng magandang break. Hindi iisang beses s'yang ibinuyo ng mga kasama na makipagsabayan sa mga bagong artista— ibig sabihin ay kailangan niyang sumiping sa direktor para makuha ang pinakamagandang role. Pero hindi niya kaya. Ayaw niya.
PRESENT TIMEAt the airport washroom, she engaged in a heated argument with Iris. The atmosphere was charged with tension as both individuals were visibly upset. Their exchange of words echoed through the confined space, drawing the attention of those nearby. Despite the commotion, it was important to maintain a professional demeanor and ensure the situation was handled with utmost care."I won't beg you if your father's life is not on the line." Kinuha niya ang cellphone at ipinakita ang litrato ni Octavio kay Iris. "Tingnan mo s'ya at saka ka magdesisyon na hindi ka sasama sa akin. Ayaw ko ng gulo. Ayaw ko rin humingi ng kahit ano sa 'yo. Pero sa oras na ito, ikaw lang ang makapagsasalba sa buhay niya. So I am begging you now." But Iris stood firm. She had to resort to plan B. Mabilis na kumilos ang isang babae na nagpapanggap bilang ground stewardess at tinakpan ng panyo ang ilong ni Iris. Nawalan ito ng malay at inupo nila sa wheelchair bago tuluyang matumba sa sahig.Nakita niya
While the doctor was taking out the bullet from his abdomen, unti-unti s'yang hinila ng antok. His friends were present at sa isang private clinic s'ya dinala ng mga ito. Narinig niyang isang resident ang nag-asikaso kay Estefan kaya kahit paano ay nabawasan ang pag-aalala niya sa kaibigan. When he woke up, kaagad ang pagsigid ng kirot sa bandang t'yan niya nang subukan niyang bumangon. Wala s'ya bahay niya, pero nang makita niya si Lucian na tulog sa silya ay alam niyang nasa bahay s'ya nito. "Hey. How are you feeling?" Tulog manok ito kahit noon pa. Kaunting kaluskos, gising kaagad. Living life on the fast lane and running a syndicate for years taught him that. "Fine. How long was I out? Where's Iris?" Tumayo si Lucian at tinulungan s'ya na maglagay ng unan ng likod. He doesn't want to lay flat. Pakiramdam niya ay umuuga ang paligid niya.Tumingin ito sa relo at nagbilang. "About four hours. The doctor gave you something for the pain. He said it will make you sleepy pero hindi na
“Calm down, Tor. She’s going to be fine.” Ale tapped his shoulder. Kanina pa siya hindi mapakali. Abot kamay na niya si Iris, pero kailangan nilang magplano ng maayos. One wrong move and Iris could be gone forever. Lucian just finished setting up their gadgets. He has been talking to his wife this whole time and making sure all the connections are good to go. Seeing the support he has around him is overwhelming.“Tor, it’s all set up. You can make a call whenever you’re ready." The goal is for the governor to say yes to meet in a neutral ground. Mas madali nilang maililigtas si Iris kung wala ito sa basement. Tumayo s'ya at pumwesto sa harap ng computer. "Are you ready, Tor? I will connect you to his phone. He can't track you," said Georgina. He was using the earpiece at pakinig niya ang sinasabi nito. "Yes, I am." A few seconds later, the governor picked up. "You have something that is mine." "And you have something that is mine as well. What are we going to do about that, Salva
Nagising s'ya nang marinig ang pagbukas ng pinto. Sa amoy pa lang ng pabango nito alam niyang ang gobernador ang dumating. It was one of those Brut fragrance for men. She doesn't particularly like it. Masangsang ang amoy nito para sa kaniya. But some people are stuck in a particular year at siguro noong panahon ni Gov ay ito ang sikat kaya nakasanayan na niya. "You're awake." "What do you want?" Tumayo s'ya pero nanatili sa sulok. Wala s'yang makita na kahit ano'ng pwedeng ihampas dito kung sakaling manakit. She has seen him mad at his men. At noong minsan ay sa isang katulong na nagkamaling matabig ang mainit na kape. Napaso ang gobernador sa kamay. He used that same hand to slap the woman twice. Namaga ang mukha nito at putok ang labi. "I just want to let you know that I am meeting your husband a few minutes from now. He wants to do a trade." Nakasilip siya ng munting pag-asa na makauuwi na siya sa piling ni Salvo. Hindi niya gustong sumama kay Rosanna kahit nakita niyang dugua
The governor won't even get a quarter of his money, but he would received some. It was one of their plans. Ipinakita kaagad nito ang totoong kulay nang hingin niyang ipakita si Iris. Hindi pa rin maiwasan na hindi s'ya mag-alala para sa asawa. He sent some of his men to the resort to retrieve Iris dahil malakas ang kutob niyang hindi ito isasama ng matanda sa Kopiat. Si Lucian ang naglead ng operasyon na 'yon at dito siya. Ale and Estefan went stayed with him at ang kasama ni Lucian ay si Kons. "Where's the rest of it?!" sigaw ng gobernador sa kaniya nang nasa speedboat na ito. "Give me back my money!" "You didn't complete your end of the bargain. Wait for my next call or you won't see the rest of it." Iyon ay kung may ititira pa s'ya sa pera nito. Kapag nabawi niya si Iris ay siya mismo ang dudurog sa matanda sa kulungan na kasasadlakan nito. They parted ways at walang nagbuwis ng buhay ngayon sa isla. Each of them want something and until then, they will try and scam each other. U
Hindi niya magawang alisin ang mga mata kay Iris sa takot na maglaho itong bigla sa harapan niya. Just when he was losing hope of finding his wife, an angel was sent to them. Hindi niya alam kung angkop ang salitang 'yon sa matandang lalaki na nasa baba at kasalukuyang kausap nina Lucian, pero nang sabihin nito na nasa sasakyan si Iris ay kaagad s'yang bumaba at pinuntahan ang asawa. He was told that she had to be sedated dahil walang tigil ito sa pag-iyak. He didn't care if Aldo was lying or not, or if he came to kill him. Somehow, he knew Aldo wouldn't be stupid enough to attack them at Albarracin. Ale and Estefan stayed with Iris in the bedroom. Bumaba s'ya para kausapin si Aldo. Gusto niyang itanong kung paanong napunta rito ang asawa niya at ano ang connection nito sa gobernador. Lucian and the other guys excused themselves, pero tanaw niya ang mga ito. Si Aldo ay isa lang ang kasama sa loob ng bahay. The rest stayed in their vehicles. Marami rin itong tauhan. "Nice place you h
A few days later... Situated at the outskirts of the city, the old abandoned factory stands as a silent testament to its former industrial glory. Once a bustling hub of activity, its vast structure now exudes an eerie sense of desolation and decay. The weathered brick walls, cracked windows, and overgrown vegetation portray a scene frozen in time. Inside, the once-thriving machines remain motionless, covered in layers of dust and rust. The absence of workers and the echoing emptiness contribute to the sense of abandonment that permeates the atmosphere. The factory's dilapidated state creates a haunting backdrop, inviting curiosity and contemplation about its storied past. Sa gitna ay dalawang pirasong 6x6x10 wood post. Mistula itong malaking ekis at nakatali roon ang gobernador. Nakataas ang dalawang kamay at magkahiwalay ang dalawang binti. "Ahh!" hiyaw nito nang buhusan ng napakalamig na tubig. The bucket was full of ice at dahil malamig ang klima sa Tagaytay ay hindi nito maiwas
Hindi niya magawang alisin ang mga mata kay Iris sa takot na maglaho itong bigla sa harapan niya. Just when he was losing hope of finding his wife, an angel was sent to them. Hindi niya alam kung angkop ang salitang 'yon sa matandang lalaki na nasa baba at kasalukuyang kausap nina Lucian, pero nang sabihin nito na nasa sasakyan si Iris ay kaagad s'yang bumaba at pinuntahan ang asawa. He was told that she had to be sedated dahil walang tigil ito sa pag-iyak. He didn't care if Aldo was lying or not, or if he came to kill him. Somehow, he knew Aldo wouldn't be stupid enough to attack them at Albarracin. Ale and Estefan stayed with Iris in the bedroom. Bumaba s'ya para kausapin si Aldo. Gusto niyang itanong kung paanong napunta rito ang asawa niya at ano ang connection nito sa gobernador. Lucian and the other guys excused themselves, pero tanaw niya ang mga ito. Si Aldo ay isa lang ang kasama sa loob ng bahay. The rest stayed in their vehicles. Marami rin itong tauhan. "Nice place you h
The governor won't even get a quarter of his money, but he would received some. It was one of their plans. Ipinakita kaagad nito ang totoong kulay nang hingin niyang ipakita si Iris. Hindi pa rin maiwasan na hindi s'ya mag-alala para sa asawa. He sent some of his men to the resort to retrieve Iris dahil malakas ang kutob niyang hindi ito isasama ng matanda sa Kopiat. Si Lucian ang naglead ng operasyon na 'yon at dito siya. Ale and Estefan went stayed with him at ang kasama ni Lucian ay si Kons. "Where's the rest of it?!" sigaw ng gobernador sa kaniya nang nasa speedboat na ito. "Give me back my money!" "You didn't complete your end of the bargain. Wait for my next call or you won't see the rest of it." Iyon ay kung may ititira pa s'ya sa pera nito. Kapag nabawi niya si Iris ay siya mismo ang dudurog sa matanda sa kulungan na kasasadlakan nito. They parted ways at walang nagbuwis ng buhay ngayon sa isla. Each of them want something and until then, they will try and scam each other. U
Nagising s'ya nang marinig ang pagbukas ng pinto. Sa amoy pa lang ng pabango nito alam niyang ang gobernador ang dumating. It was one of those Brut fragrance for men. She doesn't particularly like it. Masangsang ang amoy nito para sa kaniya. But some people are stuck in a particular year at siguro noong panahon ni Gov ay ito ang sikat kaya nakasanayan na niya. "You're awake." "What do you want?" Tumayo s'ya pero nanatili sa sulok. Wala s'yang makita na kahit ano'ng pwedeng ihampas dito kung sakaling manakit. She has seen him mad at his men. At noong minsan ay sa isang katulong na nagkamaling matabig ang mainit na kape. Napaso ang gobernador sa kamay. He used that same hand to slap the woman twice. Namaga ang mukha nito at putok ang labi. "I just want to let you know that I am meeting your husband a few minutes from now. He wants to do a trade." Nakasilip siya ng munting pag-asa na makauuwi na siya sa piling ni Salvo. Hindi niya gustong sumama kay Rosanna kahit nakita niyang dugua
“Calm down, Tor. She’s going to be fine.” Ale tapped his shoulder. Kanina pa siya hindi mapakali. Abot kamay na niya si Iris, pero kailangan nilang magplano ng maayos. One wrong move and Iris could be gone forever. Lucian just finished setting up their gadgets. He has been talking to his wife this whole time and making sure all the connections are good to go. Seeing the support he has around him is overwhelming.“Tor, it’s all set up. You can make a call whenever you’re ready." The goal is for the governor to say yes to meet in a neutral ground. Mas madali nilang maililigtas si Iris kung wala ito sa basement. Tumayo s'ya at pumwesto sa harap ng computer. "Are you ready, Tor? I will connect you to his phone. He can't track you," said Georgina. He was using the earpiece at pakinig niya ang sinasabi nito. "Yes, I am." A few seconds later, the governor picked up. "You have something that is mine." "And you have something that is mine as well. What are we going to do about that, Salva
While the doctor was taking out the bullet from his abdomen, unti-unti s'yang hinila ng antok. His friends were present at sa isang private clinic s'ya dinala ng mga ito. Narinig niyang isang resident ang nag-asikaso kay Estefan kaya kahit paano ay nabawasan ang pag-aalala niya sa kaibigan. When he woke up, kaagad ang pagsigid ng kirot sa bandang t'yan niya nang subukan niyang bumangon. Wala s'ya bahay niya, pero nang makita niya si Lucian na tulog sa silya ay alam niyang nasa bahay s'ya nito. "Hey. How are you feeling?" Tulog manok ito kahit noon pa. Kaunting kaluskos, gising kaagad. Living life on the fast lane and running a syndicate for years taught him that. "Fine. How long was I out? Where's Iris?" Tumayo si Lucian at tinulungan s'ya na maglagay ng unan ng likod. He doesn't want to lay flat. Pakiramdam niya ay umuuga ang paligid niya.Tumingin ito sa relo at nagbilang. "About four hours. The doctor gave you something for the pain. He said it will make you sleepy pero hindi na
PRESENT TIMEAt the airport washroom, she engaged in a heated argument with Iris. The atmosphere was charged with tension as both individuals were visibly upset. Their exchange of words echoed through the confined space, drawing the attention of those nearby. Despite the commotion, it was important to maintain a professional demeanor and ensure the situation was handled with utmost care."I won't beg you if your father's life is not on the line." Kinuha niya ang cellphone at ipinakita ang litrato ni Octavio kay Iris. "Tingnan mo s'ya at saka ka magdesisyon na hindi ka sasama sa akin. Ayaw ko ng gulo. Ayaw ko rin humingi ng kahit ano sa 'yo. Pero sa oras na ito, ikaw lang ang makapagsasalba sa buhay niya. So I am begging you now." But Iris stood firm. She had to resort to plan B. Mabilis na kumilos ang isang babae na nagpapanggap bilang ground stewardess at tinakpan ng panyo ang ilong ni Iris. Nawalan ito ng malay at inupo nila sa wheelchair bago tuluyang matumba sa sahig.Nakita niya
FLASHBACK "Rosanna, ikaw na!" sigaw sa kaniya ng isang bading na crew. Mahirap lang s'ya at umeekstra sa mga shooting— pelikula man o drama series sa TV. Isa s'ya sa mga nangangarap na aasenso at makaaahon sa hirap. Patay na ang mga magulang niya at dahil hindi naman sila mayaman, kahit second year college ay hindi niya natapos. Mabuti na lang at mahilig s'yang manood ng mga Hollywood movies sa TV ng kapitbahay nila kaya natuto s'ya ng tamang bigkas at kilos. Kayang kaya niyang umastang mayaman kahit na mas mahirap pa s'ya sa daga. Kaya kahit malayo itong Davao, nang alukin s'ya na gumanap bilang diwata sa ilog ay pumayag s'ya. With the kind of face she has and the body she possess, walang tatanggi sa alindog niya. Ganoon pa man ay hindi s'ya mabigyan ng magandang break. Hindi iisang beses s'yang ibinuyo ng mga kasama na makipagsabayan sa mga bagong artista— ibig sabihin ay kailangan niyang sumiping sa direktor para makuha ang pinakamagandang role. Pero hindi niya kaya. Ayaw niya.
Sta. CruzThe day before the weddingIn the midst of a bustling street, a chaotic scene unfolded as his son engaged in a violent shootout. The air was thick with tension and fear as gunshots echoed through the urban landscape. Panicked pedestrians scattered in all directions, seeking safety in the chaos. The sound of tires screeching and alarms blaring only added to the mayhem that engulfed the street. Law enforcement swiftly arrived, attempting to diffuse the situation and restore order later on. Madalas namang huli ang pagdating ng mga ito, sa pelikula man o totoong buhay. Tinulungan ng mga ito si Teo na duguan. Iyon ang nakita niya nang mapanood ang video mula sa restaurant. They had cameras all over the place at maging sa alley kung saan napuruhan ang anak niya. Teo has always been the weak one between his sons. Kaya nga ang panganay na anak lagi ang inaatasan niya ng mga gawain, at hinahayaan si Teo na gawin ang mga gusto nito. Katulad na lang ng pagkahumaling nito sa anak ni O