The sunrise moved its cycle but I cannot sleep; took a hot bath, made a strong coffee, and listen to mellow music in my collection. My mind kept wandering from many different topics and angles. I could not decipher what I felt, or what I was thinking at that time. I doubted my true wisdom on how to balanced things into proper perspectives. I wanted to go to the Philippines now, to solve my hunches and doubts. Is it Danielle Gustilo, talking over the phone with Ryan Mallari? How come and why? Besides, I missed my best friend Edward Ramirez in Bacolod City. He's financially stable now with his fast-food business and his son Ronnie Ramirez was just promoted recently. He's leveling up his life more than me. How about my life now?I cried silently in my room and self-pity engulfed my loneliness inside my heart. I enjoyed my nightlife here in Dubai, but my true life was nothing compared to Edward Ramirez. My ego was intact with me like the water in the ocean deep. My family was damaged beca
The next day, we roamed around the Baclaran area to find an apartment for rent. We found one along Santa Rita Street and we transferred at once along with Mike Luna's family. We worked together and bought all the household equipment, utensils, furniture, beddings, and food. The apartment was huge enough for us and the Luna family that we incorporated our resources to go on with our lives.One day, Ayah Isabel wanted to talk to me personally she invited me to a restaurant. We sat down, and ordered some food and drink. She started to cry and looked at me in the eyes."What's the matter? Don't cry, tell me what's on your mind Ayah, I'm here to listen....""Marco, I'll tell you everything, what's going on while you're not here...but I believed that I've done everything that I could do...""Okay go on...I'm here to listen...go on....""When you left us, it was very hard for me to balance my new life with our children. For the first few months, you've sent money and I received it, after tha
It was ...In the year 1987 on November 4, when we left the Bantayan Island going to Cebu Airport, then, to Manila, Philippines.We left the Bantayan Island by boat going to Cebu International Airport, but along the way, I still recalled the history of this island. The provincial capital Cebu was an important port known to Europeans with the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. Its bustling port, protected by outlying Mactan island, handles most interisland commodities and was second only to Manila in International trade. Already a thriving port when Ferdinand Magellan arrived in 1521. The Spanish made their first Philippine settlements on Cebu. Was it in my blood... Spanish blood?Edward purchased two airplane tickets scheduled for the evening going to Manila. We settled in a Filipino restaurant and ate some of our favorite Filipino foods; bulalo, Kare-Kare, kilawin, sinugba na Bangus, and fresh fruits."Edward, it's too heavy for me....can you cut some of the orders?""Marco, no p
We headed to Greenhills Shopping Center and observed the mansion house near it, where Danielle's staying. The house has a perimeter fence made of wood and hollow blocks, guarded and, had beautiful exterior designs.Mike Luna used a binocular to observe the house's surroundings and its activities. He spotted a lady, dressed in white who helped the boy carry his things going to the wooden chalet. Another woman in uniform was behind them with the baby's stroller, and a beautiful lady looking at where the two were going."Marco, Edward, look at this..." Mike gave the binoculars to me."Yes, a boy of seven-year-old with a maid....and a baby in a stroller...Danielle...you bitch!" I said while using binoculars."Marc, behave...cool...we'll follow our plans tomorrow, and not now...okay?" Edward warned me."Edward, Mike....quick, they're going out...."We hurriedly ride in the car and positioned ourselves to wait along the street where Danielle's car will pass by. My calculation gave us the ed
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), a branch of the Philippine government had a database of all Filipino citizens with legal cases or not and were recording Filipinos with criminal and civil cases; and other cases under their jurisdiction. Filing for passports and other government entities required this NBI clearance for the purpose of good standing as a Filipino citizen. It's situated along Taft Avenue corner United Nations Avenue that we parked the car in front of the building near the avenue.A crowd of people was forming the multitude of lines to get the clearance; more fixers were roaming around for getting paid transactions just for easy and quick release of the clearances. I had to hire one for us to do the job, and after ten minutes, Mike got hold of his NBI clearance without hardship.We traveled from United Nations Avenue going to Libertad Street near the US Embassy for Mike's passport. Again, the same volume of people was queuing the lines for this purpose. We prepa
It was in...The year 1988 January 7 – When I transferred to Al Ain, the United Arab Emirates as my new job assignment.I traveled for almost five hours by taxi cab going to Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Al-Ain was small in area and population compared to Dubai; a quiet and remote area within the emirates but rich with beautiful sceneries and places. And, locals said, the place where the Head of State was born.When I arrived, I went upstairs to my room on the second floor where I cleaned, arranged, and decorated my new habitat. I visited the store, greeted the staff, and posted a notice on the bulletin board for a store meeting the next day. I was able to talk to one of the staff about the store's condition and management. Also, I observed that I was the first Filipino to work in the Al Ain branch. The more I wanted to know about the business and people of Al Ain, the more I missed the Dubai environment.I accepted my fate totally to enable me to function properly with my job, and th
After a minute, Roger was back with my suitcase and sports bag. We took off his pants and cleaned his bottom with my T-shirt through the penlight between my teeth, threw the bloodied shirt, and change to a new one. We tried to put on the pants and helped him stand. We went outside to the roadside and waited for a vehicle to pass by. I observed the place again; it was a remote area in the desert but along the highway. I thought that we had a chance to get a ride up to Dubai City. We waited for almost half an hour when a vehicle appeared from our view. Roger held Arnold in his arms while I positioned and gave a sign to the approaching vehicle."Sir, we're heading to Dubai for an emergency purpose.....can you accommodate us, please? I said to the Indian guy on the wheel."Yes of course.""Wait sir, I'll help my companion at the back."After a minute, I went back to the front seat near the driver. He speeded up the highway and thanked the Almighty for saving us. While traveling along the
After the show, some guests were dancing on the dance floor where I spotted Danielle Gustilo and Ryan Mallari. I controlled my anger that Vivian noticed it and asked, "What's the matter, Marco?""Those people....they're bad...looks at them!""Ryan and the woman wearing apple green dress?""Yes.""Ryan's our friend, isn't it?""Yes....before, but now, I have to do what I can do...""Glenda's around here too?""No, he's only using her.....I think."I saw Ryan go to the comfort room where I stood instantly, and followed him while Vivian was behind me. When he was inside the comfort room, I entered, punched him continuously and he hit me back. We fought each other hand-to-hand when suddenly the two CIDs wearing casual clothing halted us. We were brought to the patrol car and detained at Murraqabat Police Station. We're inside the prison cell with the other four detainees without saying a word to each other.The next morning around ten in the morning, Ronnie and Roger visited me at the Pol