1900, December 30, 19:59

The tension in the air was palpable as the clock ticked closer to the stroke of midnight. In a dimly lit room, a man clad in military attire listened intently as a messenger delivered urgent news from Quezon.

"Sir, a report came from Quezon," the messenger announced, his voice tinged with urgency as he saluted the man.

"Say it," the man commanded, his eyes narrowing in anticipation.

"The report said that the American Commanders including Dewey, McGregor, Pariston, and Doffy were successfully assassinated by Team Zero. The provinces of Pampanga, Cavite, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Bulacan, and Tarlac have also launched their counterattack. After five hours, they will be able to successfully gain control of their own region."

A wave of mixed emotions washed over the man as he processed the information. Victory and relief mingled with sorrow and apprehension, knowing that the path ahead would be fraught with danger and uncertainty.

"Now, we will march to the main camp in Intramuros," he declared, his voice steady and resolute. It was time to take the fight to the heart of the enemy's stronghold, to strike a decisive blow that would shake the foundations of their oppressive regime.

As night fell and the streets echoed with the sound of gunfire and cannon blasts, the Filipino people braced themselves for the inevitable conflict that lay ahead. In the darkness, fear and uncertainty loomed large, but so too did the flicker of hope – hope for a brighter tomorrow, free from the yoke of foreign domination.

For the Filipino people, accustomed to the sounds of oppression and conflict, these ominous symphonies had become an all too familiar soundtrack to their daily lives.

Huddled in their homes, civilians could only wait in fear and anticipation, their hearts heavy with uncertainty for what the dawn might bring. Each explosion, each gunshot, served as a grim reminder of the harsh reality they faced – a reality defined by struggle, sacrifice, and the unyielding pursuit of freedom.

But as the hours passed and the chaos slowly began to subside, a tentative calm settled over the city. The once deafening roar of battle gave way to an eerie silence, broken only by the distant sounds of victory cries and jubilant cheers.

Slowly, cautiously, the civilians emerged from their homes, their eyes scanning the streets for signs of danger. What they found, however, was not the scene of destruction and despair they had feared, but rather a sight that filled their hearts with hope and relief.

For there, marching proudly through the streets of Manila, were the soldiers of the Filipino resistance – their faces alight with joy, their voices raised in triumphant celebration. In that moment, the weight of oppression that had long burdened the Filipino people was lifted, replaced by a sense of liberation and newfound hope.

As the soldiers passed by, their smiles contagious and their spirits high, the civilians couldn't help but join in their jubilation. For on this historic day, January 1, 1901, the United States of America had been dealt a decisive blow – their forces vanquished, their grip on the Philippines loosened.

In the faces of the soldiers and the cheers of the civilians, there was a shared sense of victory – a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Maharlikan people and their unwavering resolve to fight for their freedom.

And as they looked to the future with renewed optimism, they knew that while the road ahead would be long and challenging, they would face it together, united in their quest for a brighter tomorrow. For on this day, in the face of adversity and against all odds, the Filipino spirit had prevailed, proving once and for all that freedom could never be silenced.

10 Days later | January 10,1901

The sun hung high in the sky, casting its golden rays down upon the bustling plaza where tens of thousands of Maharlikan citizens had gathered. Excitement and anticipation filled the air, palpable as the throngs of people eagerly awaited the historic moment that was about to unfold before their eyes.

In the distance, a procession of soldiers marched in perfect unison, their footsteps echoing off the cobblestone streets as they made their way towards the center of the plaza. Each soldier was adorned in the crisp uniform of the Armed Forces of the Maharlikan, their chests swelling with pride as they carried a pole topped with a flag that billowed proudly in the wind.

The flag itself was a sight to behold – a vibrant tapestry of colors and symbols that spoke to the rich heritage and unwavering spirit of the Maharlikan people. At its center was the familiar sun that adorned the modern Philippine flag, but with a twist – a cross above it and a crescent below, representing the dominant religions of Catholicism and Islam.

As the soldiers reached the heart of the plaza, a hush fell over the crowd, anticipation building to a fever pitch as they awaited the words of their leader. Standing tall and resolute upon the platform, Shino, the Supremo of the newly declared Maharlikan Federation, addressed the gathered masses with a voice that rang out clear and strong.

"Under the guide of the cross and the crescent, under the blood of our brothers and sisters, under the dreams of our ancestors, the years of colonial oppression are over," he declared, his words echoing across the plaza with a sense of solemnity and purpose. "I now declare the Maharlikan as our nation's name, signifying our independence and national integrity."

A roar of applause erupted from the crowd, the sound echoing off the surrounding buildings as the people cheered and waved flags in jubilant celebration. For many, this moment marked the culmination of years of struggle and sacrifice – a testament to the resilience and determination of the Maharlikan people in the face of adversity.

But Shino was not finished yet. With unwavering resolve, he continued to address the crowd, outlining the government system that would guide their fledgling nation into the future.

"Our state shall be governed by the Supremo, who shall serve as both the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the army," he proclaimed, his voice ringing with authority. "The Supremo shall possess executive powers, with the ability to implement and bypass senate voting up to five times during their administration. Their term shall last for ten years, with the option for an additional five years if re-elected."

As murmurs of approval rippled through the crowd, Shino went on to outline the role of the Senate – a body of elected representatives tasked with making and suggesting laws, bills, treaties, and regulations for the nation. Senators would serve for five years, with the possibility of an additional two years if re-elected.

But Shino didn't stop there. With a firm resolve, he announced a mandatory requirement for all men aged 17 to join the reserve army for at least three years, instilling in them the necessity to protect and defend their homeland should the need arise. Additionally, he extended an invitation to women to voluntarily join the reserve medical team, recognizing their invaluable contributions to the health and well-being of the nation.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, signaling the end of the day's festivities, Shino convened a meeting with representatives from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and Sabah. Together, they would chart the course for the future of the Maharlikan Federation, forging a path towards prosperity, peace, and unity for generations to come.

[The flag symbolize the sovereignty of the Maharlikan which will enhance patriotism, and strenghten the belongingness of the Maharlikan citizens to its nation. The blue in the flag signify the Peace, Freedom, and Hope. Red signify War, Pride and Love. Moreover, the triangle symbolize Justice and the White color for Purity. The Sun for Independence, the Cross above the Sun and the Crescent belows it symbolize the dominant religion Catholic and Muslim.]

As Shino stood before the gathered crowd, his voice rang out clear and authoritative, each word carrying the weight of the future of the Maharlikan Federation. Around him, thousands of citizens listened intently, their eyes fixed on their leader as he outlined the rules, laws, and regulations that would govern their newly independent nation.

"First and foremost," Shino began, his voice unwavering, "we must uphold the fundamental principles of human rights. Everyone is equal before the law, and everyone has the right to live. No one shall be deprived of their life without due process, and everyone has the right to defend themselves against aggression. Furthermore, every citizen has the right to quality education, ensuring that no one is left behind in our pursuit of progress and prosperity."

A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd as Shino continued to outline the rights and freedoms that would be enshrined in the new constitution. But it was when he turned his attention to the topic of religion that tensions began to rise.

"In matters of religion," Shino declared, "everyone has the right to worship their Lord according to their beliefs. No one shall be discriminated against, insulted, or subjected to violence because of their religion. Furthermore, there shall be a strict separation of the State and the Church, ensuring that religion does not interfere with the affairs of government."

As Shino spoke these words, he could sense the unease among the crowd, particularly from representatives of the Catholic and Muslim communities. He knew that his stance on religion would be met with resistance, but he also knew that it was necessary for the long-term stability and prosperity of the nation.

"Finally," Shino continued, "we must establish strict criteria for those seeking positions of power within our government. Candidates for the position of Supremo must have served in the Armed Forces of the Maharlikan for at least five years and have experience as a Senator for at least five years. Similarly, candidates for Senator must have served in the AFM for at least three years and obtained a Maharlikan Political License."

As Shino concluded his speech, he could feel the weight of the decisions he had just made bearing down on him. He knew that his words would spark controversy and dissent, but he also knew that they were necessary steps towards building a strong, stable, and prosperous nation.

In the days that followed, Shino's reforms were met with both praise and criticism. The Catholic and Muslim communities voiced their concerns, arguing that the separation of church and state threatened their religious freedoms. But Shino remained steadfast in his conviction, believing that a secular government was the only path to true equality and justice for all citizens.

As tensions simmered and tempers flared, Shino knew that he would need to tread carefully in the days and weeks ahead. Civil unrest loomed on the horizon, and the fate of the Maharlikan Federation hung in the balance.

But Shino was not one to back down from a challenge. With unwavering determination and a steadfast belief in the righteousness of his cause, he forged ahead, confident that he was leading his nation towards a brighter future.

In the end, history would judge Shino's actions, and whether they were the catalyst for lasting peace and prosperity or the seeds of division and discord remained to be seen. But for now, all eyes were on the Supremo, as he stood at the helm of a nation on the brink of greatness.