DAMIEN MENDEZ

I was mortified when I heard that my grandparents are back from their trip. Nawalan ako ng gana at pati sa pag eensayo wala na rin. To think that it's been a while since I saw their judgemental eyes reassured me, maybe they're nice to me this time, maybe they don't act like I don't belong to the Mendez clan.

"Gago, that won't happen. You're a mistake after all." Sabi ko sa sarili ko. My entire existantance is a mistake.

"Hey, Mendez. You okay?" Jonah called out. Tinignan ko siya, it pains me to smile while I'm no condition to but I have to, this problem is my problem.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I said, reassuring him. Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay, in response tinaasan ko din siya ng kilay.

****

The program was starting. Usually in programs I wasn't this nervous, this paranoid. Pero nung nalaman ko na puputa ang mga demonyong iyon, hindi na ako makapakali. Everything and everyone bothered me, even my barkada.

"Hey, alam kung may pinoproblema ka Mendez." Biglang sinabi ni Chloe. She playfully pinched my cheek.

"I really can't hide it, can't I? Garcia." Tanong ko.

"Nope. But I know that you can overcome it. I know you can! GGF kita eh, hahaha."

"Immong mama GGF."

"Guys, gather around please." Pakiusap ni Hazel, she proposed a prayer, parang naging habbit na namin ang mag dasal pago umapak sa entablado, it was just calming to talk to God for a few seconds.

"1! 2! 3!... DRACARYS!"

****

"Thank you Grade 8 students that was a spectacular performance." The MC said, nanginginig na ako sa nerbyos, akala ko pa naman confident na ako sa harap ng mga tao.

"Let us welcome... The Grade 9 students!" The MC introduced, nag hiyawan na ang mga kaklase namin at ang kaklase sa ibang section. Nang makita ko silang naghihiyawan, gumaan ang pakiramdam ko. Seeing them made me confident...

"Ohh! Ummm... Cge po." I heard the MC said. She took the mic and walked towards the center of the stage.

"Le'vioureans arise! Nandito na si Mr Don Alexander Mendez III and his beautiful wife Donia Maria Mahalia Mendez."

My jaw dropped nung makita ko silang naglalakad sa patungo sa pwesto nila. Parang bang nawalan ako ng buhay at gana. Those devil incarnates are going to be the death of me.

"Damien, relax. Alam kung kabado kana. Just pretend they're not here." Payo ni Chloe. Bumuntung hininga nalang ako at sinabayan ang ka grupo ko patungo sa entablado.

"Let's give a round of applause for the Grade 9 students!" The MC announced. I took a huge deep gulp, and begged my luck to not screw this day up.

"Come on Mendez, you can do it. Kakayanin mo to." I said to myself. The song started, I can feel my heart beat starting to slowdown. I remembered a technique my dad taught me when I was little.

Close your eyes and count to three

1

While you're counting, visualize what're you suppose to do. Your task, your challenge, and most importantly your fear.

2

Then think of all you've been through. All those times that you overcome your fear, overcome your weakness, your limits. You have come so far. Why are you afraid and hesitating now?

3

This is just one of those obstacles that you can overcome. You just need to have a leap of faith on yourself. No one is holding you back, you're the one holding yourself back. It's time to cut those chains loose... And fly.

(A/N: The following scene of this story contains a singing presentation scene with lyrics and specific tones/beats of music. Use your imagination and visualize what is happening 💜)

Eyy Ey Ey!

Eyy Ey Ey!

We started the performance, tinignan ko ang mga judges na nakaupo sa gilid. They looked so intimidating. I looked down on the ground trying not to get scared by their poker face and intimidating aura.

Hey yow Hellvanians Wazzup!

Chloe declared to the audience, that was her first solo on this performance. I placed her hand behind her and motioned us to repeat what she said earlier.

Hey yow Hellvanians Wazzup!

We followed. She glanced quickly and smiled. She was happy that, so far, our performance is not falling apart.

Eyy Ey Ey

Eyy Ey Ey

Chloe jumped off the stage and landed safely on the ground. We quickly followed her and scattered as we realize what's about to happen. We formed half circle and faced the judges head on. I smile as I see our classmates and batch mates cheering and screaming at the top of their lungs. I prepare myself for the next song and my solo act.

(Beat/Tone of "Set it all free" From the animated movie SING!) (Try to sing it 😂)

Driven by inner strength union of desire,

They both offered themselves to the service.

I started to sing, I could feel my hand shaking and my legs melting in fear. I took a quick deep breath and continued.

Of the Lord in twofold way of contemplation.

I sang, I paused for a second and wait for my team to repeat the last word I just sang earlier.

CONTEMPLATION!

I smile as I heard their voices. Akala ko nakalimotan nila.

And action.

I sang and paused again. I was relieved soon after, my solo part was over and it was now someone's turn. Nasayahan lang ako na walang nangyaring o nagawa akong kahihiyan.

Their lives centered in daily Holy Eucharist.

Nourished by the filial devotion to the

I looked at the person singing, nagulat ako ng makita ko si Katrina Amodous Boiser Mendel. The only female transferee student in our classroom. She was quiet at first just like any other transferee during their first to second week in a different school but she later opened up to us and she got immediately recruited by Shalalats. Hindi ko alam na marunong pala siyang kumanta. It's a shame na nahihiya pa siya sa amin, ang ganda pa naman ng boses niya.

Blessed Mother

Blessed Mother

We were about to hit the pre-chorus so we quickly shifted and moved towards our next position on the choreography. Dahil mabilisan ang pagkilos namin nadulas si Catriona habang tumaktabo siya, nakita ito ni Hazel at imbis na tulongin siya, tumawa si Hazel na parang demonyo.

Pre Cho:

(Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel)

Habang kumakanta kami ng pre-chorus, nag lakad kami ng parang mga modelo patungo sa mga judges. It worked kasi nag bago ang mga mukha nila, from poker face kanina to amazed facial expression ngayon. We stopped mid walking for dramatic effect, I heard a sweet and epic sound of the drums played by Ronnie Autida Meroda, our secret drum master.

Chorus: (A/N: This part of the song is really epic😂)

Dionisia Talampaz

Was born on March 12,1691,

And Cecilia Rosa Talampaz

On July 16, 1693.

In Calumpit Bulcan Philippines,

From the union of Don Andres Talampaz ,

And Doña Isabel Pamintuan!

And Doña Isabel Pamintuan!

Everyone started to cheer as we sing the chorus. Para na ngang mawawalan ng boses ang mga tao specifically our classmates and batch mates sa lakas ng kanilang pag sigaw. We paused and then we bow down, signaling to the audience and the judges that our performance was over. Extremely happy and proud to our performance we exited the stage and congratulated ourselves as we enter the backstage.