You took my heart away when my whole world was grey. You gave me everything and a little bit more. And when it's cold at night and you sleep by my side. You become the meaning of my life - YouYou Take My Heart Away, Michael Learns to Rock
***
"GOOD Day, students of St. Jdue Academy! Today, the annual debate competition is being held at our school. Earlier while the program had not yet started. The two teams have drawn lots on which side they are on each topic." Nag palakpakan ang mga estudyanteng nanunuod. "For our first topic. Should Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGO operate in our country? Ms. Agustin's team is on the Negative side and Mr. Diokno's team is on the affirmative side."
Erick and Dalia walk towards the podium, standing in opposite corners, showing their different stand in the debate.
"Ms. Agustin pulled out the negative, while Mr. Diokno drew the affirmative side. Ms. Agustin, your 1 minute starts now." Ms. Santos said as she was the facilitator of the debate.
"We, on the negative side don't believe that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGO are illegal and should never be operating on the Philippine shore. More than the truth that they are scamming people as their business, they are also owning lands and businesses that should be for the Filipinos. What can we gain from POGO? The Bureau of Internal Revenue also said POGOS doesn't pay the right taxes. If the government is not profiting from something as big as this, what is the sense of letting them establish a business on our soil? And if the government is not benefiting from this, what more are the ordinary citizens? The Bureau of Immigration also reports that there are lots of undocumented, just Chinese, but foreigners working on POGOs based on the raid they did on one of the POGO hubs. The reports also show that some of them are fugitives or criminals. This is a threat to our safety."
"I beg to disagree with your statement, Ms. Agustin," Erick said, which made Dalia raise her eyebrows.
"We, on the affirmative side, believe that POGO benefits our country and our countrymen and should continue operating. For instance, they are creating jobs. Not all POGOs are hiring foreign or Chinese nationals, almost half of their employees are Filipinos. Jobs that support their families and our economy. Plus, not all POGOs owned the lands they occupied, there are papers stating that the majority of the POGO compound is rented from Filipinos. That's hitting two birds with one stone: Kumikita ang ating kapwa pilipino habang kumikita din ang gobyerno through real estate rental income tax. According to the law, resident residents should pay 25% of real estate income tax while 35% for non-resident aliens or foreigners. It contradicts what Ms. Agustin has said that we don't benefit from POGOs at all." Sagot naman ni Erick na may pag ngisi pa.
Kung may itatas pa ang kilay ni Dalia ay siguro nagawa na niya. This man in front of her is always testing her patience, lagi siyang naaasar kahit sa presensya lang nito. Now he is trying her patience in front of their school mates, faculty, and friends.
But she's Dalia Marie Agustin, the eldest children of Carlito and Charity Agustin. She will not back down! Lalo na kung laban lang sa lalaking ito!
"So if we base our thinking on your reasoning, Mr. Diokno. Papayag tayong mag-operate ang POGO sa bansa natin dahil kumikita naman tayo? That mindset is also the reason why first world countries are exploiting third world countries like us dahil porket kumikita naman tayo ay okay na, sapat na. But in reality, we could earn more. Let me counter your statement about POGOs creating jobs. With Mr. Molecules's documentary titled: POGOs in the Philippines. He interviewed 2 Filipinos who used to work at one of the POGO hubs in a province. They specifically said that they were beaten physically by their Chinese supervisor kung hindi nila ma-meet ang quota nila for that week. And they are also held captive inside the POGO facility against their own will. That's two criminal cases already. Physical injury and illegal detention. Pero may kaso bang nangyari? The POGO are also using the slow justice system in our country to their benefit. The majority of the Filipinos who are working on POGO are janitorial or housekeeping. This contradicts what Mr. Diokno said: that we earn through real estate rental income tax. According to the BIR, POGO companies are forging documents and naming them under Filipinos to reduce the tax. Adding another case that should be filed against them." Dalia said as she was emphasizing his false reasoning.
"But they are still creating jobs, which run the economy, that we benefit from," Erick said arrogantly because he was still right though Dalia was pointing out that he was wrong.
Some of the audience laugh with him. At kilala ni Dalia kung sino ang pinaka malakas ang tawa sa mga ito. Ang mga kaibigan nito.
Well, technically, he is right. Though illegal and unethical, POGOs are still creating jobs for Filipinos. They are hiring Filipinos, the majority for the cleaning and housekeeping jobs. And a job is still a job.
Kung may itatas pa ang kilay niya ay siguro aabot na iyon sa bubong ng auditorium. With the way he thinks and talk, hindi makapaniwala si Dalia na isa sa anak ni Atty. Lorenzo Diokno at Atty. Louise Diokno ang lalaking nasa harapan.
Dalia can't help but wonder what happen to him, the youngest among the Diokno siblings. Okay naman ang mga kapatid nito. Notably, all of them are expected to follow their parents footsteps. Ito lang bunso nila ang naiba, nahulog siguro sa kuna noong bata.
Erick faced and smiled at her. Hindi pa ito nakuntento at kinindatan pa siya nito. Their schoolmates who are watching the debate saw what he did kaya tinukso sila ng mga ito. At nanag lumakas ang panunukso ng mga ito sa kanila, Erick has this youthful smile in his face. Kung normal lang siyang babae kagaya ng karamihan sa kanilang mga kaklase, they will definitely fall with his charms and charisma. But not her, not Dalia Marie Agustin. Kilalang kilala niya ang binata.
Dalia just rolled her eyes at him. Kung wala lang teacher at hindi sila nasa stage ay kanina pa niya ito binato ng sapatos sa inis! At imbis na tumigil ang binata ay tuluyan na itong tumawa.
"What's funny, Mr. Diokno?" Masungit na tanong ni Ms. Santos dito dahil sa pagtawa niya.
"Nothing, ma'am." Sagot nito at muling humarap sa unahan.
~~
The debate ended with an expected result. Dalia's team won!
"Iba ka talaga, Dalia! You manage to hold them, especially Erick, in a chokehold." Abby, one of her debate mates, told her.
They are walking on their way to their classroom. The awarding will be at the end of the foundation day. And as of now, they will enjoy the festive. After all, this will be their last foundation for they are all graduating.
"Totoo! I am intimidated whenever he opens his thoughts during debates. Feeling ko kasi wala akong masasabi. Some people might think that he is spouting nonsense, but realistically speaking, tama ang sinasabi niya." Grace, one of her debate made said. She's wearing thick glasses, one of those people who you will immediately think na subsob sa pag-aaral.
"You should never be intimidated with how he answer, always hold on your ground. That is one of Erick's way, intimidating his opponents. Kapag nagpatalo ka sa intimidation niya, wala ka na talagang masasabi." Sagot niya sa mga ito.
"Kaya nga ikaw lagi ang pinatatapat namin sa kanya, kasi kayang kaya mo yung intimidating powers niya! Hindi ka man lang naapektuhan sa kanya."
Dalia smirked. Bakit naman siya maapektuhan dito? He's nothing for her.
Their group are happily chatting on the hallway on their way to their classroom when she heard a group of boys talking. At hindi niya mapigilang huminto at pakinggan ang pinag uusapan ng mga ito ng marinig ang kanyang pangalan.
Her debate mates are walking ahead of her kaya hindi napansin ng mga ito na tumigil siya sandali.
~~
"Once again, natalo ka nanaman ni Dalia, Erick! You are a whimped kapag siya ang kalaban mo!" One of his friend said to Erick. Pagkatapos ay sabay sabay ang mga ito ng nagsitawa.
"Hindi effective sa kanya ang charms mo, Erick. Lagi ka niyang nilalampaso."
Erick laughs while shaking his head.
"Pinagbibigyan ko lang, alam niyo naman, babae. Baka mamaya umiyak. And as a man, I have a soft spot with lady's crying. I love to comfort them, pero ayokong nagco-comfort ng babaeng umiiyak na ako din ang may dahilan. It's against my principles." Natatawa pang sabi nito sa mga kaibigan.
Dalia can't help but see red when she heard what he said. Pinagbigyan lang siya? She could sweep his ass on the floor if she wanted to, nagpigil lang siya dahil ayaw niya itong masyadong mapahiya! Ang lakas pa ng loog nitong sabihing pinagbigyan lang siya nito!
"Excuse me, Mr. Diokno." Dalia can't stop herself from butting in, tutal ay siya naman ang pinag uusapan ng mga ito.
The three idiots stopped walking and looked at her. They are usually four but she doesn't want to know and she's not interested. She crossed her arms on her chest and looked at him from head to foot.
"Masyadong mataas ang bilib mo sa sarili mo if you are seeing me as something as a mere lady na iiyak if I lose. You have never won any battle against me, ano iyon, sa lahat ng pagkakataon pinagbigyan mo lang ako?" She can't help but raise her voice a little. Some of the students that are walking turn their heads on them.
"H-Hindi naman sa g-ganoo. What I mean is…"
"I don't have time to listen to your excuses." Dalia cut him. It was nonsense to hear his excuses for his incompetence.
"There's nothing special about you, Diokno. The only good thing about you is your surname, remove that and you are a nobody! You are nothing but a disgrace to that surname! Next time, be a worthy opponent!" Sabi niya bago ito tuluyang tinalikuran at iniwan mga gulat na gulat sa sinabi niya.
"That's… that's below the belt." His friend, Clyde said.
Erick just stared at the back of the brave girl. Her long black hair bounced with her every move. He can't help but admire her, even though she keeps stepping on his ego.
"Bilib din ako sayo, Erick. Hindi mo pinapatulan iyong si Dalia kahit na most of the time below the belt na ang sinasabi niya sayo." Marco said while shaking his head.
"Hindi ko din alam kung bakit ang laki ng galit niya sayo. Ano ba kasi ang ginawa mo?" Clyde asked him.
Erick just shake his head para maalis ang isipan sa likuran ng babaeng kanilang pinag uusapan. He can't help but follow her every move.
"Hindi ko din alam. Ipinanganak ata iyong may sama na agad ng loob sa akin." He said while laughing, although he also wondered why the girl was always hot-headed towards him.
"Baka naman may gusto sayo?" Marco said that made him and Clyde turn their heads on his.
Clyde gave their friend a little jab.
"Wag kang maingay, baka marinig ka! Sigurado bukas ikaw naman ang pag-iinitan ni Dalia."
"Anong gagawin niya? Hahamunin ng debate? Wala siyang mapapala sa akin! Yes, your honor agad ang isasagot ko sa kanya!" Marco said laughing.
Not long after, the three of them laugh their hearts off, trying to forget his embarrassment earlier.
***
TIME flies so fast. They are down in the last 2 quarters before their high school graduation.
As part of their college preparation, their school organized a career orientation for incoming college freshmen. It was to help them choose a career path if they were still undecided. Hindi na sana a-attend si Dalia dito for she is 100% sure about the path she wanted to take, but as the president of the Student Organization, she's the one in charge of the program.
"Good Morning, we are gathered here today Seniors to talk about your plans and career. We asked some alumni from different fields to help you if you are still undecided."
Their school invited alumni from different fields to explain how their careers work. There are medical fields, from business, media, judiciary, and the field of engineering.
Once they are done narrating how their career works, students could ask questions on things they want to make things clear. After that, the teachers ask some of the students in their desired field to enter.
"Erick, what course will you take in college?"
His group of friends, consisting of Marco, Clyde, and Sean cheers for him. Erick stands up and answers his adviser.
"Medicine, Ms."
Nagulat ang kanilang adviser sa sinagot nito.
"Medicine? Pero nasa field ng law ang buong pamilya mo."
Erick rubs his nape, finding the question a little bit hard to answer. How can he explain to them that it's his dream and he doesn't want to follow his parents' and siblings' path? That he is Erick, not his parents nor his siblings.
"Your parents know you want to study medicine, Erick?"
"Of course, Ms." Though he still doesn't open this to his parents, alam naman niyang papayag naman ang mga ito. "My parents are supportive of whatever decision we make for ourselves. It just so happened that my other siblings wanted to follow the same path they took. But for me, I have an eye for medicine." Sagot niya dito.
Their adviser nodded and understood what he wanted.
"Dalia," Their adviser called her name. "what course will you take in college?"
She held her head high before answering.
"Political Science, Ms."
Their adviser looks at her so proudly.
"Are you planning to take the political scene, Dalia? Like Clyde?" She refers to Clyde, one of Erick's friends, who came from a political clan and expected to be a politician like some of his family members. Ito ang nakalaban niya last student government election, he's good, his platform was flawless, it's just that students of St. Jude the Apostle favor her more.
She shook her head.
"No, Ms." She answered honestly. "Lawyer Ms. I wanted to be a lawyer."
The whole auditorium doesn't react because they already expected to hear those answers from her. She's great academically and a great leader. Hindi na nagulat ang mga ito na gusto niyang maging abugado.
"As expected with you, Dalia. Though hindi naman na kami nagulat. Kahit anong field naman ang kunin mo we know you will excel." She looks at them. "To batch 20XX, I know you will excel in whatever field you are taking. Make us proud!" They all clapped their hands, manifesting that their dreams would come true someday.
Dalia's talking to her classmate on her side, oblivious to the pair of eyes looking at her.