Chapter I: Proloo
Benigno Victor De Vera sits on the porch of their modest home, his calloused hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. The early morning sun filters through the narrow streets of their barangay, illuminating the cracked paint of their wooden walls. His wife, Ma. Christine De Vera, hums softly as she tends to the small patch of vegetables in the backyard. Despite the house's age and the family's modest means, warmth and love radiate within its walls. Their pride and joy, Reginald Francis De Vera—or Regie, as they fondly call him—steps into the small kitchen, still groggy from last night's late study session. At 18, Regie carries himself with a maturity that belies his age. Tall and lanky, with his father's sharp features and his mother's soft eyes, he's known in their neighborhood as the kid who always has a book under his arm and a polite smile for everyone."Good morning, anak," Ma. Christine greets him, sliding a plate of fried rice and eggs onto the table."Did you sleep well?" Regie nods, forcing a smile."Medyo, Ma. Pero ang daming gagawin sa school. Class projects, reports, tapos nagre-review pa rin ako for the scholarship.""Ang sipag mo talaga, anak," Benigno chimes in from the doorway, pride evident in his voice."Pero tandaan mo, huwag mong pabayaan ang kalusugan mo. What's the use of achievements kung masisira naman ang katawan mo?" Regie chuckles lightly."Kaya nga po nagb-breakfast, di ba?" Despite their financial struggles, the De Vera family has always prioritized their son's education. Regie grew up surrounded by their unwavering support, their love acting as a cushion during hard times. In return, he adored them fiercely, helping out whenever he could. As a kid, he never complained about wearing hand-me-downs or sharing a single television set with the neighbors. For him, his family was his world. But things began to change when he turned 18."Regie," Ma. Christine says one evening, her tone unusually firm. She stands in the small living room, hands on her hips. Beside her, Benigno nods solemnly."Your father and I have been talking. Since you're now an adult, it's only right na may disiplina ka rin sa bahay." Regie looks up from his notebook, confused."What do you mean, Ma?""Alam naming malapit ka lang sa school," Benigno interjects."Pero late ka na masyado umuwi minsan. If you're coming home past nine, you need to set aside some of your allowance for the tricycle fare. Ayaw naming naglalakad ka nang dis-oras ng gabi." Regie blinks, processing the request."Pero Pa, you know that's almost seventy percent of my daily allowance. Paano naman ako makakain ng maayos sa school?" Benigno's brow furrows."Then you have to budget better. Hindi pwedeng palaging sagad ang gastos mo. We're already doing what we can to support you." Frustration bubbles in Regie's chest, but he swallows it down."I'm not wasting money, Pa. Most of my allowance goes to food or photocopying notes. Hindi ko na nga minsan pinapansin ang cravings ko sa cafeteria para makatipid.""Regie," Ma. Christine cuts in gently,"this is for your safety. You're our only son. Gusto lang namin na siguradong makakauwi ka ng maayos." Over the next few weeks, the tension builds. Regie tries to explain his situation—his allowance is barely enough for school expenses, much less unexpected fares—but his parents remain unmoved. Without a scholarship yet approved, he feels trapped. Adding to the weight is his role as class president. As much as he loves leading his classmates, the endless responsibilities leave him drained. Planning group activities, mediating disputes, and ensuring everyone submits their work on time—it's exhausting. On top of that, his professors expect nothing less than excellence from him, given his position."Regie, the library committee needs a head volunteer," one of his professors announces during a Monday lecture."I'd like you to consider it." Regie forces a polite smile, nodding as the rest of the class murmurs in approval. Deep inside, he feels like screaming. He can barely keep up with his current workload. Now, they want him to take on more? At home, the situation isn't much better. Every day feels like walking on eggshells. Regie doesn't want to disappoint his parents, but he also feels the strain of their expectations. One evening, he sits at the small study table in his room, staring blankly at his notes."Okay ka lang, anak?" Ma. Christine peeks through the door, her concern evident. Regie sighs."Ma, I'm trying. Pero ang hirap. Minsan gusto ko na lang bumitaw." Her face softens, but she doesn't step inside."Alam namin na mahirap, Regie. Pero tiwala kami sa'yo. Kaya mo 'yan." He nods, forcing another smile, but inside, he feels the pressure mounting. On campus, his friends notice the change in him."Pare, ang tahimik mo lately," his best friend, Marco, says as they sit under the shade of a narra tree."Dati ikaw ang clown ng barkada. Ngayon, parang ang bigat-bigat ng mundo mo." Regie chuckles weakly."College life, pre. Iba talaga.""Class president ka pa kasi," another friend, Jona, teases."Sabi ko sa'yo noon, huwag mo nang tanggapin. Ikaw rin, na-stress tuloy.""Eh sino bang gagawa, ikaw?" Regie fires back playfully, though the weariness in his tone is hard to miss. Deep down, Regie knows his friends are right. The combined weight of his responsibilities at home and school is starting to take a toll on him. He just doesn't know how much longer he can carry it. Regie's friends do their best to lighten the mood. Marco brings out a pack of snacks, offering them around like they're a rare delicacy."Kain tayo, mga pare. Regie, ikaw na mauna. Para naman sumaya ka.""Salamat," Regie says with a small smile, taking a piece of the chicharon. The crunch momentarily distracts him from his thoughts, and he feels a flicker of gratitude for his friends. They've always been there for him, even when things got tough. Jona nudges him playfully."O, Regie, may chismis ako. Alam mo ba, si Ma'am Santos, crush daw ni Sir Dela Cruz?" Regie can't help but chuckle."Grabe kayo. Pati ba naman si Ma'am at si Sir, binibigyan niyo ng love team?""Eh kasi, ang obvious kaya!" Marco quips, gesturing dramatically."Lagi silang magkausap sa faculty room. Tapos last time, sabay silang lumabas ng campus. May dalang milk tea si Ma'am, tapos si Sir may extra straw!" The group bursts into laughter, and for a moment, Regie feels the weight on his chest lighten. But the moment is cut short when a shadow looms over them."Excuse me, kuya," says Alex, one of Regie's officers in the class council. Alex is a second-year student with a sharp tongue and an air of self-importance that often grates on Regie."Anong kailangan, Alex?" Regie asks, his smile fading as he straightens up."Class budget, kuya," Alex says bluntly."You haven't signed the papers yet for the upcoming fundraiser. Sabi nila, baka ma-delay na naman ang plans mo." Regie's jaw tightens. He knows Alex has a knack for stirring the pot, often finding ways to criticize his leadership."I told you I'll handle it by Friday. That's still on schedule.""Eh kasi, kuya," Alex continues, his tone dripping with faux innocence,"some of the officers are wondering if... baka kulang ka sa oras or energy na para dito." The words sting more than they should. Regie's friends exchange uneasy glances, sensing the tension. Marco opens his mouth to say something, but Regie raises a hand to stop him."Alex," Regie says evenly, though his voice has an edge."Tell the officers they don't have to worry. Everything will be settled before the deadline. You can go now." Alex shrugs, smirking."Sige po, kuya. Just doing my job." He saunters off, leaving an air of smugness in his wake."Anong problema no'n?" Marco blurts out as soon as Alex is out of earshot."Ang yabang, ah!""Hayaan mo na," Regie mutters, though his clenched fists tell a different story."Pare, hindi ka dapat nagpapalamang sa gano'n," Jona says firmly."Class president ka. Ba't parang gusto ka pa niyang tapakan?" Regie sighs, running a hand through his hair."Alam ko. Pero kapag pinatulan ko, I'll look like the bad guy. And besides, wala naman akong proof." Still, the seed of doubt has been planted. Over the next few days, Regie starts noticing little things—side comments during meetings, subtle looks exchanged between Alex and a few other officers. It feels like Alex is trying to rally the others against him, undermining his authority bit by bit. One afternoon, during a council meeting, the tension reaches its peak."Kuya Regie," Alex says, raising his hand."I think it would be better if we let someone else handle the budget for this month. Baka mas mabilis ang proseso." Regie looks up from his notes, his eyes narrowing."Are you saying I'm not doing my job, Alex?""Hindi naman po sa gano'n," Alex replies, feigning politeness."Pero napapansin lang namin na... medyo busy kayo lately. We're just thinking of what's best for the class." The other officers exchange uneasy glances, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden confrontation. Regie's stomach twists. He knows Alex is testing him, trying to provoke a reaction."Alex," he says, keeping his voice calm but firm,"if there's a problem with how I'm handling things, you can bring it up privately. But making these comments in front of everyone isn't helpful." Alex shrugs, unbothered."Noted, kuya." After the meeting, Regie lingers in the empty classroom, his head in his hands. The stress of balancing his responsibilities at home and school is becoming unbearable. And now, with Alex seemingly working against him, he feels more isolated than ever. Marco finds him there, slumping into the chair next to him."Bro, okay ka lang?" Regie shakes his head."Hindi ko na alam, pre. Parang lahat ng ginagawa ko, laging may mali. I'm trying so hard to hold everything together, pero parang unti-unti akong nauubos." Marco claps a hand on his shoulder."Pare, hindi ka nag-iisa. We've got your back. Huwag kang magpapadala kay Alex. Ang dami mong ginagawa, pero hindi ibig sabihin na wala kang nagagawa nang tama." Regie looks at his friend, a flicker of gratitude in his tired eyes."Thanks, Marco. Seryoso, hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko kung wala kayo." Marco grins."Siyempre, ano pa bang silbi namin?" That night, as Regie lies in bed, he stares at the ceiling, his mind swirling with doubts and frustrations. His parents' high expectations, his classmates' demands, and Alex's veiled challenges all weigh heavily on him. For the first time, he wonders if he's really cut out for the role of class president—or for any of the responsibilities thrust upon him. And yet, deep down, a small voice urges him not to give up.