The atrocity at NAIA, despite Mr. Victorialuna's manipulation, gets big buzz with every Filipino. Rich or poor, employed or jobless, young and old. Everybody spreads the news like wildfire, made even faster by mass media, cellphones, and the Internet.
The next day, all of the media organizations carry that event as its headline.
Phil. Daily Inquirer: Massacre at airport (Subtitle: Two teen stars killed; 13 captured)
The Phil. Star: Ex-love team killed at NAIA (Subtitle: 13 Japanese captured)
TV Patrol (ABS-CBN), 24 Oras (GMA), News Beat (Net 25), Sentro (ABC-5): Headline: Two teen stars were killed yesterday at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at the hands of Mr. Melficio Victorialuna, the head of the Commission on Higher Education. They are identified as John Pratts and Heart Evangelista. The two tried to stop Mr. Victorialuna's capture of thirteen Japanese teenagers at the airport. Later, the National Bureau of Investigation found out that the head has an immense hatred of all things Japanese due to World War II, hence his actions. The thirteen persons, who were sent to an undisclosed place by Victorialuna, are identified as the following.
1. Hiroyuki Fujita
2. Akari Kamigishi
3. Shiho Nagaoka
4. Masashi Sato
5. Serika Kurusugawa
6. Ayaka Kurusugawa
7. Aoi Matsubara
8. Kotone Himekawa
9. Lemmy Miyauchi
10. Rio Hinayama
11. Tomoko Hoshina
12. Multi (HMX-12)
13. Serio (HMX-13)
Some days later...
Just as the nation is preoccupied with the jueteng (an illegal numbers game) scandals and the wiretapped conversation wherein Pres. Arroyo allegedly cheated in the 2004 elections, something more explosive hits Filipino airwaves. It is a live broadcast of the Abu Sayyaf taking Hiroyuki and co. hostage. The broadcast looks like something out of Al-Jazeera because of Islamic banners adorning the Abu Sayyaf's hideout, with the unlucky thirteen being blindfolded plus lots of guns pointed at them.
Some moments later, a member pulls out a scroll and reads aloud the message. "Because of our mysterious benefactor, those thirteen infidels are now in our hands. We will take them hostage for thirty days; and afterwards, we will kill them. So if anyone dares to fight us to save those fools, then do so. We will have your heads, too! This will be a lesson to foreigners who are willing to abuse our country. In the name of Allah, we will win! Allahu akbar! (God is great!)"
That broadcast makes the people more jittery and itching to condemn Mr. Victorialuna even more, knowing that he joined forces with the Abu Sayyaf to achieve his goal.
In the days that follow...
The pro-adminstration and pro-opposition forces formally decide to set aside their differences to condemn in unison the atrocity at NAIA and to voice their sympathy to the victims of intolerance. In a matter of hours, they hit every hotspot in Metro Manila via their string of rallies and protests. EDSA, Mendiola, the Bonifacio Monument, Luneta, Welcome Rotonda, you name it, they're at it. Lots of banners accompany their unified condemnation. Here are some samples.
Condemn this atrocity to heart! ---Kilusang Mayo Uno / Bayan Muna / Gabriela
Victorialuna resign! ---League of Filipino Students / ANAKBAYAN / National Union of Students of the Philippines
Justice for John and Heart! ---Pratts and Evangelista Fan Club
Kick that fool out of CHED! (Sipain ang gunggong na ito palabas ng CHED!) ---People's Movement Against Poverty
Minna daisuki "To Heart" desu! ---The Ren'ai Games and Visual Novels Alliance of the Philippines
Hiroyuki, Akari, and co., you are not alone! ---Kasangga ni Gloria
This is a disgrace to both the Philippines and Japan! ---The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
As night dawns, more and more people heed the calls of sympathy and decide to join the rallies. The total number of rallyists number twenty million, a big one compared to EDSA I and II combined. Part of the reason can be traced to the multitudes who participated in the burial of Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin earlier.
Furthermore, if EDSA I had "Magkaisa" and EDSA II had "Heal Our Land", the song "Wag Kang Mag-Alala" quickly becomes the protesters' theme song.
Chorus:
Wag kang mag-alala,
hindi ako mawawala
Wag kang mag-alala,
palagi mo akong kasama
Sa paglipas ng panahon
wag natin iwan ang kahapon
Kay sarap balik-balikan
ang ating napagdaanan
Hindi mawawala ang ating mga alaala
Palagi kong dala hanggang sa ating pagtanda
(Repeat Chorus)
Natatandaan mo pa ba
nu'ng una tayong nagkakilala
medyo bata pa tayo noon pero
kung iisipin gano'n pa rin ngayon
nasa puso pa rin kita,
hindi ka na mabubura
Pangako sa iyo,
sasama ako sa'n man patungo
(Repeat Chorus)
Kahit parang wala na tayong dadaanan pa
at kahit na parang hindi na tayo magsasama
hindi mo lang alam hindi kita pababayaan
asahan mong hindi kita iiwan kailanman
(Repeat Chorus)
Palagi mo akong kasama.
hindi ako mawawala...
hindi ako mawawala...
(English translation)
Chorus:
Don't worry
I won't disappear
Don't worry
You will always be with me
As time passes
We musn't leave the past behind
It's so fun to reminisce
The times that we have passed
Our memories won't be lost
I will carry them until we grow old
(Repeat Chorus)
Do you still remember when we've first met?
We were still kids, but
Come to think of it, it's still the same today
You are still in my heart; you won't be erased
My promise to you, I'll follow you wherever you go
(Repeat Chorus)
Though it seems that we won't have any more roads to walk
and though it seems that we won't be together anymore
You just don't know that I won't ignore you
Rest assured that I won't leave you forever
(Repeat Chorus)
You will always be with me.
I won't disappear...
I won't disappear...
Meanwhile...
Mr. Victorialuna immediately knows what is going on. And he is disgusted at the unity that is portrayed at the rallies.
"Those people who sympathize with those betrayers of the nation do not deserve to be called Filipinos! They are NOT Filipinos! And furthermore, they united to get me out! What were they sniffing? clears throat For times like this, I have a plan B."
What's his plan B? A forbidden spell. Here's his chant.
"Kapangyarihan ng kadiliman, bigyan mo ako ng pagkakataon para manaig ang pagkakahati-hati ng mga taong gustong magbagsak sa akin! (Power of darkness, please give me the chance to let division prevail among those who want to bring me down!) Merpa yorleth qualgias amonra shilakbou klaatu! Spell of Ultimate Hatred, come forth!"
In a matter of seconds, dark clouds rise forth at the top of the rally sites. The people wonder for a moment, but then, their eyes now glow a bloody crimson.
"Those opposition war freaks are here, too? How am I supposed to kick Victorialuna out with them stinking up the air?"
"Hey! You pro-Arroyo dogs will never be worthy of makin' permanent change!"
"If we won't solve it with idle banter..."
"We'll just fight each other to see who's boss!"
And with those words, the pro-administration and pro-opposition forces now try to obliterate each other using every means possible. Rocks, stones, banners, everything that can be picked up and heaved or thrown. In a matter of minutes, the streets are dyed with the blood of unfortunate casualties.
Wait, there's more. The leaders of the pro-administration and pro-opposition forces are magically transported to EDSA Shrine. There, they face off.
Sandra Cam and Samuel Ong: We whistleblowers will ensure that you filthy liars won't prevail!
Cong. Joey Salceda: Filthy liars? Do you think that everyone who's siding with PGMA is on the devil's side? Emotion-driven infidels!
Cong. Francis Escudero: We, the bastions of truth, will do everything to remove any roadblocks to exposing the truth! We are fighting for the truth!
Ignacio Bunye: As Her Majesty's spokesman, I'm not hiding anything for that matter. You are just shouting out.
Rez Cortez: Then we'll just settle it with a fight! Once you dogs are gone, that President Evil will be next on our menu!
Speaker Jose de Venecia: Really? Huh? Will I laugh? Don't say that you're Korean because you can do taekwondo! Don't mess with the Congress, 'cause we're the type that won't back out!
Archbishop Oscar Cruz: All your stolen votes and jueteng money are belong to us! You are on the way to destruction! Ha ha ha!
The rest of the pro-administration and pro-opposition leaders: GRRRR! KILL! KILL! KILL!
After that squabbling, they now involve themselves in a bloodfest.
Furthermore, the members of the Cabinet also fight each other. More specifically, the ones who revoked their positions and are calling for Pres. Arroyo's resignation versus the ones who still remain loyal to her. Their brawl happens somewhere near Welcome Rotonda.
And the worst-case scenario as a result of those dark clouds is happening, too. President Arroyo and Susan Roces, the women who are the symbols of the now-opposing forces, suddenly appear on the rooftop of Malacanang Palace. They exchange glaring stares against a thunderstorm backdrop before busting out their pent-up fury.
The president says, "So, the desperate widow has appeared in front of me."
Mrs. Roces answers, "And you, the mother of all liars and plunderers, is in front of me, too."
"Why do you make sweeping comments on me and my family? It's disgusting to hear from your rotten mouth even though I apologized for my lapse in judgment."
"I'm saying it again and again. I won't accept your sorry. You and your aliies will not only be consumed in the flames of hell, but also subject to never-ending condemnation from the struggling masses!"
"You're really going too offensive, Mrs. Desperate Widow. While I try to get back my lost credibility, you use every means to discredit me. What a shame."
"YOU WILL BE DEFEATED! SCORNED! BY THE TRUE FILIPINOS! THE MASSES!"
"Enough of your useless babbling." Pres. Arroyo then raises her right hand. "Brute force and emotion-driven mob rule must not prevail. Respect the rule of law. For those reasons, I invoke the power of the Wizard!"
Mrs. Roces also raises her right hand. "In the name of my disgraced husband, Fernando Poe, Jr., I will vanquish you with all my strength! For that reason, I invoke the power of the Knight!"
The two women are transformed into powerful combatants, ready to blast each other with their skills. They both say, "Let's start!"
"Heaven's Drive!"
"Two-Hand Quicken!"
"Jupitel Thunder!"
"Spear Quicken!"
"Storm Gust!"
"Spear Boomerang!"
"Lord of Vermillion!"
"Magnum Break!"
"Meteor Storm!"
"Bowling Bash!"
Those skills they bust out literally destroy the surface of Malacanang. And the two still keep on fighting, like an endless PVP duel.
And as expected, Mr. Victorialuna is happy at the bloodshed that he orchestrated.
"Bwahahahahaha! The price of unity is death! They deserve to die! Someday, when those locusts are gone, I will establish a transition revolutionary junta where I, and only I, can rule with an iron fist! This is to ensure that more betrayers and Japanese worms alike do not prevail! Bwahahahahaha! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!"
Over the next few days, this grim sight of bloodshed hurts the entire country more than a kick in the nuts. The peso-dollar rate tumbles to a record low of Php75, and the stock market suffers more. Investors are fleeing, and work and school days are interrupted.
Now, let's set our sight to Hero and Sandara. They are lovelorn due to their separation (Sandara went back to Korea shortly before Hiroyuki and co.'s arrival) when they hear of the grim news.
At the Angeles residence...
Hero's mom: Why are you sad, my son? Our legal dispute against Cristy Fermin is over, but why?
Hero: Not only am I sad because Sandara's not with me, but because of the bloody civil war happening here in Metro Manila.
Hero's mom: Bloody civil war?
Hero: The pro-adminstration and pro-opposition people are killing each other literally, mom. And it's the result of their endless bickering.
Hero's mom: Oh, dearie me... (faints)
Hero: Mom? Mom? Are you OK?
At the Park residence...
Sandara: As I've expected... a great danger came... I feel sorry for the poor Filipinos... dragged into this political upheaval... So what will I do? Go back? I... wanted... to... see... Hero... again...
Sandara's dad: Sandy, why are you muttering in front of the TV? (sets his sights on the TV) Oh, great spirits! A tremendous civil war in the Philippines? (faces Sandara) Listen, if you value your life very much, don't go back to the Philippines again! You might be killed in the mess that they have made!
Sandara: I won't, Father! I've loved the Philippines very much the same way those Filipinos loved me, so I must do something to pay back the kindness! I must save them from the abysmal downward spiral that they are heading for!
Sandara's dad: (sighs) I revoke what I've said. You've grown into a fine woman. You are now fighting for what is right. So, hail forth as an ambassador of goodwill and fight for truth, justice, and equality. I won't stop you.
Sandara: Why thank you, dad! (hugs him)
Two days later...
Hero, sensing that Sandara will go back to the Philippines, goes to NAIA alone. And his hunch finally comes true.
Hero: S... Sandy!
Sandara: Oh, Hero!
They quickly approach each other, ending in a slow-mo of them hugging each other. They also shed some tears of joy.
Hero: Thank God, you're back!
Sandara: Same goes for me.
Hero: I bet that you've heard of the bloodshed plauging our country, right?
Sandara: Right. That's why I came back. To save this country that I regard as my second home.
Hero: You are not alone. I'm also fighting for that purpose. Let's fight together.
Together, they immediately board a taxi heading for EDSA. Upon their arrival at EDSA, they cannot believe what they are seeing.
Sandara: No... this can't be...
Hero: Fighting each other because of rotten politics...
Sandara: What'll we do now?
Hero: We must convince them to stop their brutality! (breathes heavily and shouts) ALL OF YOU! STOP THAT NONSENSE BRAWLING! DO YOU THINK YOU CAN GET FAR BY OBLITERATING YOUR SUPPOSED-TO-BE POLITICAL ENEMIES?
But the people who are fighting, being provoked by Hero's shout, set their sights on the pair. Their eyes still emit that crimson glare.
Fighting protester 1: What! You got an issue with that?
Sandara: Look, it's me, Sandara Park! Can't you all recognize me?
Fighting protester 2: No! I don't know you! And I suspect that you're on the enemy's side! DIE! DIE! DIE!
A bunch of protesters then charge wildly at the pair, ready to attack.
Hero: Our plan isn't working! Run for our lives!
The pair runs to get away from the marauding protesters until they find an abandoned shack somewhere near Camp Aguinaldo.
Sandara: Whew. I think that they won't see us.
Hero: Hey, Sandy. Do you also know the incident wherein thirteen Japanese are captured and our buddies, John and Heart, are killed?
Sandara: What? That's brutal!
Hero: I've heard that those thirteen were sent to Basilan. We must save them, because I feel that they are innocent.
Sandara: I agree.
Hero: From now on, we devise a final approach: rescue them and convince them to fight as vigilantes. Only then the complete healing of this ugly and beautiful country will happen. We'll defeat the root cause of this mess. This is called... the Star-Encircled Dragon Quest!
Sandara: Right on! Rock on!