“Tayong mga Pilipino ay may likas na kasipagan at talino.” (We Filipinos have an inherent industriousness and intelligence.)

- Manuel L. Quezon

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[Capítulo Siete: La Mujer (The Woman)]

MARIANNE received assistance from the elderly woman I had noticed earlier, while Señor Emilio carefully carried her to the designated spot.

"Ella estará bien. Tandang Sora es una gran sanadora aquí (She will be alright. Elder Sora is a great healer here)," a voice reassured me as I waited outside the room where she was being treated.

As I scanned my surroundings, my attention was captivated by another young Filipina - simple, adorned with a dazzling smile and gleaming brown eyes. She wore a cream-colored Filipino dress, her hair neatly tied into a bun.

"Supongo que eres nuevo aquí, ¿eh? (I guess you're new here, huh?)" she continued.

"Opo, Señorita (Yes, Miss)," I replied.

"Ako nga pala si Clara. Kasama ako sa mga mujer na nakakita sa inyo sa may ilog (My name is Clara. I'm one of the ladies who saw you in the river), " she spoke.

I conveyed my gratitude with a simple nod, offering a genuine smile in response to her comforting assurance. "Alam kong maaaring naguguluhan ko sa aking sinabi kaya sasabihin ko na lamang sa Espanyol (I know I might be confusing with what I'm saying, so I'll just say it in Spanish)," she added. Mi nombre es Clara del Rosario. Estuve con las mujer que te vieron en el río (My name is Clara del Rosario. I was with the ladies who saw you in the river)."

My heart was filled with delight. Finally, I started to feel comfort.

"Gracias (Thank you), Señorita," I spoke with a smile.

"Quizás ya tengas hambre. Ven a cenar con nosotros afuera (Maybe you're already hungry. Come and dine with us outside)," she replied.

I poised to take a step forward when the sound of approaching footsteps reached us. "O, Primo (Hey, cousin)!" Señor Emilio entered the same area of the house, his voice resonating through the space.

Supported by the two figures, we stepped into the outdoor area, embraced by a gathering of people in unassuming attire. The darkness shrouded the surroundings, yet the contrast of my black coat and trousers heightened my visibility. A palpable awareness settled in – the spotlight of attention cast upon me in that fleeting moment.

"Iyan ba ay isang bagong miyembro (Is he a new member)?" I overheard one person inquire of another.

"Mukhang mayaman ang isang iyan, a (That lad seems to be rich, eh)," the other one spoke. "Sana naman ay hindi siya mag-astang Señorito rito (I hope he'll not act as a prince here)."

Some of the onlookers scrutinized my movements as I endeavored to keep pace with Señor Emilio. A sense of displacement crept into my thoughts; I was acutely aware that, in their eyes, I stood out as the one who didn't quite belong.

"Come, Primo (Eat, Cousin)," Mr. Jacinto beckoned, guiding us toward a freshly prepared meal. A group of Filipinos gathered around us.

We settled on the ground alongside others, each of us handed a wooden bowl. The meal arrived – a newly-cooked rice and a fried fish.

As I gazed at the fish before me, it felt as though it were scrutinizing me in return. Never before had I found myself in such a peculiar situation.

"Come, Señor (Eat, Sir)..." urged the woman, still unfamiliar with my name.

"Soy Lee (I'm Lee)..." I began, only to be halted by the recollection that I had adopted a different name to conceal my identity. "Soy Joaquín García (I'm Joaquin Garcia)," I clarified.

"Un placer conocerte, Joaquín García. Ahora, saboreemos este momento (It's nice to meet you, Joaquin Garcia. Now, let us savor this moment)," she responded, her warm smile reappearing.

"Clara, maaari bang tulungan mo muna ako (Clara, can you help me for a moment)?" an older lady intervened, her expression reflecting concern. "Hindi ko kasi mawari kung ano ang sinasabi ng mujer na bago nating kasapi (I can't quite understand what the new member is saying)."

"Ganoon po ba (Is that so, Ma'am)?" she asked.

"Hindi rin siya nakikinig sa aking payo (She doesn't listen to my advice as well)," the older lady continued.

"Joaquín, adios (Joaquin, bye)," she greeted me with urgency before fading into the crowd of armed men.

I lingered in my spot, observing how the others around me consumed their meals. Sensing scrutiny, I decided to shed my coat, revealing a white long-sleeved polo underneath.

"먹자Meogja (Let's eat)!" I uttered to myself, taking my initial bite of rice and fish with the aid of my bare hands.

Following the swift dinner, the women reclaimed the bowls. My hands retained traces of dirt, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there might be remnants on my face.

"Mari-" I attempted to call for my translator, but the realization struck that she was still in the process of recovering.

With no one in immediate sight, I discreetly maneuvered around, searching for a water source to cleanse my face and, hopefully, quench my thirst.

"Nakita mo ba ang Supremo (Did you see the Supremo)?" I jumped as one of the men intercepted my path.

"Uhhh..." I faltered, rendered speechless. I couldn't comprehend his question, but silence might lead to expulsion from the group.

"Nakita mo ba si Andres (Did you see Andres)? Nais ko lamang siyang makausap (I just want to talk to him)," he elaborated.

His sentence extended beyond my understanding. How could I decipher such a complex question?

"Uhhh..."

After a few moments of silence, he finally stepped aside, placing his hand on my shoulder briefly.

"Marahil ay hindi ka nakapagsasalita (I think you can't talk)," he spoke with a smile. "Matapang ka, kapatid (Your brave, brother). Pagpalain ka nawa ng Panginoon sa iyong katatagan (May the Lord God bless you for your valor)."

With that, he left me with a tap from his hand. Surveying my surroundings, I spotted a nearby river and hurried toward it, cleansing my hands in the clear waters.

"Finally!" I beamed.

About to rejoin the others, my attention was captivated by the full moon. "I wonder who that mysterious girl was," I whispered to myself.

Taking a moment of silence to appreciate the moon's beauty, the tranquility mirrored a place I once knew.

The image of the lady I had encountered lingered in my mind. She differed from the others, exuding a comforting aura.

As people scattered, likely seeking a place to sleep, I returned to the house where I had initially awakened.

"Where is that Marianne girl anyway? Did she die already?" I mused softly, careful not to reveal my true language. "Is she still asleep?"

The lullabies of the surroundings – the chirping crickets, the croaking frog, and the soft murmurs of people – filled the air. My eyes prepared to bid good night as I gradually drifted away.

If this is just a dream, perhaps I don't want to come back yet.

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