I'm a woman who was born ready in life. And nothing nor no one can ever make my knees tremble, but only God.

I’m a woman who’s always thirsty of learning and doing new things in life. And no one can stop me from doing it, not the breeze of the wind, not the dazzling light of the sun, not the shaking ground, nor the tragedies in life.

Because I will always stand firm against everything, against everyone.

Hindi ang kahit anumang uri ng trahedya ang pipigil sa kagustuhan kong tumulong at sumagip ng buhay.

Napamura ako sa isipan ko matapos makita ang dalawang piloto na nakayuko, wari silang natutulog. Patuloy pa rin ang pag-andar ng eroplano ngunit sa pagkakataong ito ay hindi na ito lumilipad pataas kung hindi ay bumubulusok na pababa.

“Sir wake up!” Sinubukan ko silang gisingin ngunit walang epekto, it seems like they’re glued on their sleep.

Shit!

Pilit ko na lang binuhat ang katawan ng isang piloto na s’yang may hawak sa main control nang pagpapatakbo ng eroplano. Napakabigat n’ya lalo’t tulog o kung mas mabuting sabihin ay walang malay.

Inumpisahan ko nang kalikutin ang mga button at pilit itinataas ang lipad ng eroplano.

I’m not new on making an airplane fly, I once did it when I was still training on Military Air Force but unfortunately, I ended up in ground army and resigning on it later.

Gamit ang buong lakas ko ay sinubukan kong kontrolin ang takbo ng eroplano. Maging ang kakaunti kong kaalaman tungkol sa pagpapalipad nito ay pilit kong pinapalawak sa pagkakataong ito.

Hindi madali ang paliparin ang eroplano ng mag-isa. Gaya ng dapat ay kailangan ko ng isang piloto na nagko-control sa isang control system. Pero wala na akong oras pa na gisingin ang mga pilotong ito. Every second now matters, for the lives of the people inside this plane depends on it.

Kaya sinubukan kong itulin ang takbo ng eroplano kahit pa paikot-ikot na ito.

Damn!

Bakit ba kasi nawalan ng malay ang mga pilotong ito? I really want to give them a death punch when they wake up, they’re so irresponsible!

Nabuhayan ako ng pag-asa matapos makita sa monitor na papalapit na kami sa airport. Mabuti na lang at hindi ganoon kalayo ang airport ng Manila mula sa Cebu. At kahit papaano ay nagpapasalamat ako na kaunting kilometro na lang mula sa airport ng Manila nang piniling mawalan ng malay ng mga pilotong ito.

I’m still trying to control the flight of the plane, even tho it’s hard. But I was left with no choice, I was stuck between the choices of I’ll try to save the people inside this plane no matter how hard it is, or I’ll let us taste the cruelty of the air.

But as a woman with principles, as a woman who vowed for survival, there’s no damn way of me surrendering in this fight. I won’t fvckin’ let myself be a victim of tragedy again, neither to see how cruel life is.

“Roger, this is Mayora Hezekeiah de Lara, a resigned Lieutenant in Philippine Army, now flying with the Cebu pacific plane. We’ll going on an emergency landing, give us some space to land safely,” I uttered in the radio while I’m still on the verge of controlling the plane.

Hindi ko ito pwedeng ilapag sa isang karagatan dahil siguradong may masasaktan at mamamatay. I know in myself that I can handle this,  that we will land safely. Not the cruelty of the air will beat me. Not anyone, not anything in this life.

“I repeat this is Mayora Hezekeiah, currently flying with the Cebu Pacific’s plane. We’ll going on an emergency landing, give us some space to land safely,” pag-uulit ko nang wala man lang sumagot sa ‘kin sa kabilang linya.

“Roger. This is Chief Plascon speaking. Where’s the pilot?” biglang sagot ng isang baritonong boses sa kabilang linya.

Sa wakas!

But is this how stupid people really are? Didn’t he hear the word ‘emergency landing’ ? That he’s still bothering to ask for the pilot?

“I repeat we’re going on an emergency landing, please give us some space to land safely. Over,” I again said firmly not minding his stupid question. Agad ko nang pinutol ang linya, sapat ng alam nilang papalapag kami.

Muli ko nang itinuon ang atensyon ko sa pagkontrol sa lipad ng eroplano. Pinagpapawisan man ay hindi ko binibitawan ang control wheel nito. Kahit papaano ay unti-unti namang tumulin ang lipad ng eroplano. Sapat na para magkaroon ng mas malaking tyansa na makakalapag kami nang maayos.

From my location, I can now barely see the runway of the plane’s port, habang wala akong ibang naririnig kung hindi ang presyor ng hangin, kahit pa nakasuot ako ng headphones.

“Flight attendants, prepare for landing please,” I uttered while still trying to make a safety landing. Ramdam ko na ang pagbulusok ng eroplano pababa, maging ang unahang pagtulo ng pawis ko.

Nangangamba akong baka hindi ko makayanang kontrolin ang eroplanong ito. Kaya buong lakas kong hinila ang metal na magpapa-angat sa lipad ng eroplano. Namamasa ang mga kamay ko sa pawis ngunit sinisigurado kong hindi ko ito mabibitawan.

Medyo malabo ang daan sa la-lapagan namin dahil natatabunan na rin ng iilang hamog ang windshield ng Eroplano.

But while I am still struggling to control the plane to have a safety landing. I suddenly noticed a red cloth waving in front of our way, it was like it’s guiding our path on where we should land. Kaya muli kong hinila paitaas ang metal nang unti-unti nang tumuntong ang gulong ng eroplano sa sementong runway.

Hanggang sa tuluyan na ngang tumuntong ang gulong ng eroplano at ngayon ang problema ko naman ay kung paano ito patitigilin. The friction is not enough to stop the plane. I’m still trying with all my might to brake it. Napakabilis nang takbo nito at kahit ang disc brake nito ay hindi na gumagana.

Shit!

Kung hindi kami magka-crash sa ere ay malamang dito naman sa lupa.

Lalo pa akong nataranta matapos makitang babangga na kami sa border kapag hindi huminto ang eroplano sa lalong madaling panahon.

Oh God please help us.

Rinig ko ang matinis na tunog mula sa palahaw ng gulong ng eroplano sa sementong runway. Samantalang tila unti-unti ay kumakapit na ang brake, kaya lalo ko pang idiniin ang pag-apak dito.

Kumagat ka!

Ilang metro na lang ang layo namin sa border at tiyak na babangga na ito kapag hindi ko napahinto ang bwesit na eroplanong ito.

What the fvck is wrong with the brakes of this damn plane!?

“The plane’s disc brake was loosened. Over,” wika ko sa kabilang linya ng radyo.

“Roger, follow the red cloth it’ll lead you to an open area,” wika ng baritonong boses sa kabilang linya.

“Roger.” I answered in conserve, then turned my way to follow the red cloth carried by a car.

While I was going after it, I’m still trying to press the brake, hoping that it’ll miraculously occur.

I saw a silver lining when we reached the open area. It’s still a runway, but it seems like it’s under construction.
Walang ibang tao at walang ibang harang sa daanan, marahil ay sapat na ang haba nito para tuluyan nang kumagat ang brake ng eroplanong ito.

While I was still trying to press the disc brake, I was surprised when I heard sounds of helicopters. Then after seconds, I saw two helicopters above us.

“This is pilot Ferrer of helicopter one, trying to connect to the pilot of Cebu Pacific’s plane. Over,” rinig kong wika sa kabilang linya ng radyo.

“Roger, this is Mayora Hezekeiah de Lara connected to the two pilots of the helicopters,” I uttered with a hint of smile.

“Roger. Hold the disc brake Mayora, we’ll give force to stop the plane,” wika nung isa. Sinunod ko ang sinabi nila, panay lang ang apak ko sa disc brake kaya kahit naka headphone ako ay rinig ko ang palahaw nito. Ngunit unti-unti ay pahina na nang pahina ang takbo ng eroplano, hanggang sa tuluyan na nga itong tumigil.

“Goodness sake!” I exclaimed vigorously, and immediately took the headphones off while fanning myself to breath some air.

Thank God!

Rinig ko naman ang sigawan ng saya sa kabilang linya ng radyo. Agad na lumapit ang ilang crew ng airport at inalayan ang mga pasahero paibaba. Habang nanatili muna ako ng ilang segundo sa loob ng cabin.

Gusto kong bugbugin ang dalawang pilotong hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring malay hanggang sa magising sila. Pero mas nangibabaw sa ‘kin ang tuwa at nagawa ko na namang makapagligtas ng buhay.

I didn’t just save the people inside this plane, I saved my dreams too. ‘Cause what will happen with those dreams of mine if I lost in this battle?

I heave a deep sigh and a smile escaped from my lips. I decided to walk out from the cabin and leave those two unconscious pilots over there, I’ll let the airport’s crew carry them. I’m still a little bit annoyed by their irresponsibility.

My eyes widened in shock the moment I stoop out in the airgate. Bunch of people, even the crews, pilots, and the airport’s staffs are lined straightly giving me a salute with smiles on their faces.

Lalo pa akong nagulat matapos silang magpares-pares at binuo ang salitang nagbigay ng labis na tuwa sa sistema ko.

‘You’re a hero’

Gusto kong maiyak sa tuwa matapos mabasa ang binuo nilang mga letra at salita. The feeling was so overwhelming.

Isang lalaking medyo may katandaan ngunit nanatili pa rin ang tikas sa katawan, ang lumapit sa ‘kin. Ayon sa uniporme n’ya ay nasisiguro kong s’ya ang superior ng mga piloto rito. Ang s'ya ring sumagot sa radyo kanina.

My heart banged when he gave me a salute with a saccharine smile on his face.

“You deserve this salute courageous woman. Thank you so much Mayora for saving this people,” even his words melt my heart. I saluted back at him full of determination.

“It’s my honor sir!” Ngumiti s’ya sa ‘kin bago ibaba ang kamay niya. Kaya’t ganoon din ang ginawa ko.

I heave a deep sigh of relief when I saw Zalysha’s face and even my companions in the partylist. They are all smiling on me, being proud evident on it.

May mga taong isa-isang lumapit sa ‘kin, bata, matanda, lalake, at babae. May iba sa kanila ang umiiyak pa, marahil ay naroon pa rin sa kanila ang takot sa nangyari kanina. I was caught off guard when a little girl suddenly hugged me so tight.

“Thank you so much po,” she said in her very sweet tone. I folded my knees to face her and cup her face.

“It’s my honor dear,” I replied. I saw how a saccharine smile was immediately painted in her lips, then she hugged my neck so tight. Natawa na lang ako sa isipan ko dahil sa sobrang higpit nang pagkakayapos n’ya ay nahihirapan na ‘kong huminga.

“Anastasiah, you’re choking her!” natatawang saway sa kan’ya ng isang babae na sa tingin ko ay kan’yang ina. Bumitiw sa ‘kin ang bata ngunit ikinagulat ko ang sunod nitong ginawa. She gave me a smack on my cheeks then smile sweetly after.

“You’re indeed a hero po,” she added. Sunod na lumapit sa ‘kin ang mga kalalakihan at mga kababaihan. They all give me a very sweet smile. And I was astonished when they individually give me a flower.

“For the most courageous woman I’ve ever seen,” wika nung isang lalake sabay abot sa ‘kin ng isang kulay pulang Rosas.

“For the dauntless woman,” wika naman nung isang babae sabay abot sa ‘kin ng isang piraso ng Sunflower.

“For the hands of humanity,” humanity?

“For the voice of change,” Change?

I continued questioning the compliments they're giving to me. Even the titles that they're calling me. Do I really deserve it? All of it?

Seeing the people walking towards me with a sweet smile on their faces are indeed overwhelming.

“For the epitome of a survivor.”

“For the woman beyond beauty,” the guy winked at me.

I just did what I need to do, tumulong lang naman ako pero hindi ko inaasahang ganitong saya ang ibabalik ng mga taong natulungan ko.

“Para sa isang mahabaging binibini.”

“For the philantrophic woman.”

“For the woman of modern hero,” isang matandang babae ang huling nagbigay sa ‘kin ng bulaklak. Nginitian n’ya ‘ko dahilan para lumitaw ang kulubot n’yang biloy at maningkit ang kulubot n’ya ring balat sa may gilid ng kaniyang mga mata.

“Nawa’y marami ka pang matulungan hija,” dagdag n’ya pa sabay himas sa pisngi ko. Ngumiti ako sa kan’ya maging sa mga taong nakapalibot sa ‘min ngayon.

Higit dalawang-daan ka tao ang narito — higit dalawang-daan ka buhay ang nailigtas ko.

“Thank you so much Mayora!” They all shouted. I genuinely smiled at them.

“It’s my honor to extend my hand to those people who needs it!” I answered in a shout with full of courage and determination.

Matapos iyon ay lumapit sa ‘kin si Mr. Guanzon at ang mga kasama ko sa partido. “We are so proud of you,” Mr Guanzon said full of sincerity while tapping my shoulder. While the others nodded at me with a smile.

I was astounded when Mr Guanzon and Zalysha held both of my hands. And extended theirs to hold the hands of my fellow candidates. They raised all of our hands in the air and shouted vigorously.

“For Presidency!”

“For change!” Sigaw nila. Gusto kong ibaba ang kamay ko at nakakahiya ang ginagawa nila. Kinakabahan akong baka isipin ng mga taong ginawa ko lamang ang bagay na iyon para sa ikagaganda ng pangalan ko. Pero noong nakita ko ang mga ngiti nila at mga pagtango nila bilang pagsang-ayon, ay nawala ang kaba kong iyon.

“Mayora de Lara for change!” Everyone shouted back and I just can’t help but to smile in so much joy. I never imagine this kind of scenario in my life. But I admit it was damn pleasingly overwhelming.

Now, this is the thing in helping. Though you are not expecting some return, but it is willfully given to you, and you will just stand in awe for how beautiful it is.

|End of chapter 9|
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