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The Castillians' Verdict

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TATLONG BESES lang nagiging maingay ang airconditioned na gymnasium sa loob ng Castillo High.

The first would be intramurals season, where every class would cheer for their section at the top of their lungs. Kahit na paos ay palakasan pa rin ng sigawan saka pag-palo sa mga drums ang mga estudyante tuwing nakaka-score ang mga players ng klase nila — kahit ano pang sports man 'yan.

Second would be the year-end activities, such as the announcement of the Writers' Schism winners, recognition rites, and graduation ceremonies. There's also the special mention of other academic activities too, like the launching for Buwan ng Wika, English Week, Nutrition Month and so on.

But the third event that really rocks up the place is during student elections season, especially on the day of the meeting de avance.

"CASTILLIANS! ARE. YOU. READYYYYY?!" Geoff Peralta, a cheeky-looking member of the student-based Committee on Elections (COMELEC), howled into his microphone. Agad na naghiyawan ang mga estudyante, some chanting their bets.

Para tuloy boxing match ang gaganapin at hindi meeting de avance.

"Ayan kitang-kita naman Web na super ready na silang makilala ang four different parties who want to serve the student body!" Umika Bayani, Geoff's co-host and fellow member of the COMELEC, joined in with an equal amount of energy.

Habang nagpatuloy ang introduction at starting program ng meeting de avance, ay nakapatong na ang laptop ni Elysia sa kaniyang mga tuhod, at mabilis na nagta-type dito para i-ready ang pag-sulat ng mga importanteng detalye na gaganapin.

Her hair was up in her signature bun, and her eyebrows were creased in concentration.

There was a kick of relentless drive that coursed throughout her spine down to her fingers as she typed away, noting the program floe and the name of the hosts. Ito kasi ang unang onsite coverage ng dalaga sa political beat. The new environment from the usual academics beat gave her a serotonin boost that made her both excited and pressured.

She wasn't to going to let herself mess it up.

Sa harapan ng stage makikita ng dalaga ang kaniyang kaibigan na si Ashley, taking quick snaps here and there all while fiddling with her camera. Madalas ay hindi ito nagtatagal sa isang spot at umiikot-ikot para makahanap ng banner photo-worthy na angle.

Elysia couldn't help but smile. The campus journalists were back to work, alright.

"Bago tayo pumunta sa pinakahinihintay na debate, stances, at syempre, ang question and answer from our students and esteemed panelists, hayaan muna nating i-present ng bawat party ang kanilang mga candidates at platforms, one last time!" Geoff grinned into the microphone, holding his script cards in one hand.

"Tama ka diyan Web! Kaya naman to start, let's give the platform first to the—drumroll please—DIWA party!"

Agad na nagsimula ang malakas na pagpalo sa mga drums at kantahan habang paakyat sa stage ang mga estudyanteng naka-green na t-shirt. Dala-dala nila ang kanilang mga props tulad ng balloons at banner na naglalaman ng kanilang party name at logo. Some Castillians jumped from their seats and started cheering for the party.

"Ah, the one led by Keira Suarez," Elysia mumbled to herself, noting in her document the first party to present its platforms. To her, kahit na ang presidente ng DIWA party ay ang marikit at mahinhin na twelfth grade na si Hanna Dapinig, 'di hamak na mas mukhang leader ng grupo si Keira, from the confidence that she exudes, and the way she acts.

If anything, Elysia assumed na last minute addition lamang si Hannah sa party, with the way she smiled and clapped hesitantly.

"Hmm," Elysia hummed to herself, watching both the president and vice president internal of the DIWA party as they sang their jingles. I can pitch this to special reports section and investigate the formation of the DIWA party.

Her thoughts were interrupted though nang ipakita ng party ang kanilang mga platforms sa student body.

"Personally as a student, I know that the start of the school years can be so tough. Kaya we decided, if in the chance that we would win, to host a student-wide mental health seminar by May to help fellow Castillians transition from their vacation to academic mode," pagpapaliwanag ni Keira habang nakita.

This made Elysia frown deeply, which she immediately changed by massaging her face.

Hindi dapat nagpapakita ng emotions ang campus journalist. she told herself. But inside, the young Arcedes girl couldn't help but wonder if this was the DIWA party's response to last year's incident of a senior committing suicide at the start of the school year — an incident that the school administration immediately buried.

Keira then went on, presenting a Castillian dance by December, an interesting out-of-town field trip in January, and a year-ender concert featuring Ylando City's most popular bands.

"Talk about events organizer," Elysia muttered to herself before resuming her work.

Sumunod na rin ang Democratic party sa pagpapakilala ng kanilang mga candidates at platforms, donning their infamous red outfits and props.

Halos parehas sa DIWA party ang platforms nila, ang kinaibahan lang ay may usual na Earth Day celebration at Valentines Day festival ang platforms nila. Napasayaw rin sa harapan ng wala sa oras ang kanilang muse and concert na talaga namang nagpalakas sa hiyawan ng Castillians.

After the Democratic party was the Enzo Marasigan-led Liberal party who had yellow ribbons tied around their hands and yellow paint on their cheeks. Kumpara sa naunang dalawang party ay mas flimsy ang mga kanta at sayaw ng mga candidates.

But by the time Enzo had grabbed the microphone and started presenting their platforms, the school girls went wild.

"Holy shit," Elysia chuckled under her breath as she typed away on her laptop. After years of being a campus journalist, she knew that Enzo, apart from Rein Maccio, was one of the many popular figures in school who attracted the most ladies — but she didn't realize it was this bad.

Pag-angat ng ulo ng dalaga ay saglit na nagtama ang mga mata nito sa tingin ni Enzo habang nagsasalita.

"While concerts and events are enjoyable for the student body, we'd like to do a more practical approach — an approach na mas makakatulong sa mga Castillians," he said straight to the point in his usual, deep baritone voice that had even the freshman girls beside Elysia giggle uncontrollably.

Agad na iniwas ng dalaga ang tingin to glance at the freshman girls before looking back at work.

"First is, we'd like to make the vending pad machines in the girls' bathrooms free," Yenna Alonzo, the party's vice president external, announced as soon as Enzo passed the microphone to her.

"Finally, some good stuff," Elysia huffed, entering the key words into her keyboard.

The platforms of the Liberal party were twice the number of the platforms of both the DIWA and Democratic parties combined, that Elysia could feel her fingers tiring by the time their party was almost done.

"Lastly, our party would like to offer free scholarships from students who applied in Castillo High needing financial assistance. While Castillo High is a prestigious academy that was solely made for the more privileged classes, we believe that talented and brilliant students from other classes and sectors deserve the chance to enter the academe as well," Enzo said, causing the gymnasium to quiet down into hushed conversations.

Dahil dito ay napaangat muli ang ulo ni Elysia. She once again caught the eye of the student council president himself.

"We then end our platforms in the month of May where we will be celebrating world press freedom day by honoring our different student publications. That is all. We hope that you consider our platforms by voting for my fellow candidates and electing me as the president for this academic year. Salamat, Castillians!" Enzo smiled before handing the microphone back to the hosts.

Napakurap ang dalaga sa binata bago tinignan muli ang kaniyang laptop habang paakyat na sa stage ang huling party na makikipagsapalaran, ang Yugto party.

For a moment, na-confuse na ang dalaga kung anong angle para sa event ang gagawin niya para sa article.

The meeting de avance dragged on into the debate and showing of stances on different social issues affecting Castillians.

Nang magsisimula na ang question and answer portion ay agad pumila ang isang babaeng ngumunguya ng bubble gum. She had one hand on her hips as she waited for the COMELEC members to set up the microphone stand where the students and faculty could ask questions to the candidates.

"Not Emerie Castrana again," Ashley, who decided to take a few minutes of break, remarked as she sat down the vacant sit on Elysia's right.

"Tell me about it. Diba siya rin yung makulit from last year na hindi na tinigilan yung mga candidates?" Elysia groaned, craning her neck to see the other students who had lined up behind Emerie.

"Maybe she wants to be headlined in the Castillian Gazette again for good measure," ngiti ni Ashley bago tumayo ulit para mag-picture.

As the two girls predicted, Emerie Louise Castrana did not come to play.

"Hi everyone," Emerie smiled cheekily into the microphone while chewing before looking straight at the stage where all the candidates were seated. "And hello to our candidates who I hope have what it takes to actually make this school a better place."

The young girl then grinned sarcastically to the candidates who shifted uneasily in their seats. "Okay sige wag na natin pahabain 'to."

She then cleared her throat dramatically and pushed her thin, long, chestnut brown hair behind her shoulder. Her full bangs framed her face as she eyed the candidates. 

"You know, sobrang nakaka-touch 'yung mga platforms niyo and all with the concerts, events and whatnot, but I'm going to ask a question that really matters."

"Oh good grief," Elysia exhaled, her fingers hovering above her keyboard as she waited for Emerie to ask the first question.

"To the presidents of each party, I want to know your plans for the animation community in this school which no one seems to acknowledge," she raised an eyebrow, causing some of the candidates to groan out loud. "Sure, helping with scholarships are cool and all, but..."

Si Enzo ang unang nagsalita. "I don't think that's a question suitable for the meeting de avance Miss Castrana, especially since your concern can be directed to the Office of the Student Affairs which handles the official clubs and organizations in the academe. If you want an animation club, go file for one in the OSA."

"I've tried that," Emerie snapped.

"I'm not stupid enough not to talk to the OSA, Mr. Marasigan," irap ng dalaga. "Apparently, the OSA has ignored my request for an official petition multiple times, so I'm here, imploring you, the future candidates of the student government, to request the OSA to allow new clubs instead of renewing already existing but dying organizations in this academe. Is that too hard to ask for—"

"Alright, that's enough Miss Castrana," Professor Simon Zaldiga, the senior high school discipline officer, huffed out of the blue holding Emerie by the shoulder and immediately escorting away.

"Hey!" Reklamo ni Emerie as she tried to run back to the microphone, only to be stopped by the professor. "I have a right to my speech!"

And just like that, Ashley captured a great banner photo for another Emerie Castrana-headlined article.

---

"Oh you've got her alright Ash," tawa ni Elysia as the two friends studied the photos that Ashley had taken for the meeting de avance.

"All in the day's work as a photojournalist," the dark blue-haired grinned as both of them walked down the hallway of the senior high school building. It was already afternoon, and the campus was still high on energy after the morning's meeting de avance.

"Alam mo Ash, pwede ka mag-apply for photo editor," sambit ni Elysia sa kaibigan na natawa.

"Pag-isipan ko pa. Ang bilis tumambak ng mga gawain sa acads eh. Oh kaming STEM lang ba 'yon?" reklamo ni Ashley.

"Marami na rin kaming readings sa HUMSS pero bahala na. Mag-iinterview pa ako ng candidates para matapos na 'tong article," the spectacled girl said, branching off from her friend to head towards Enzo's office.

"Sige good luck beh, see you sa dorm mamaya ha! Sana makalabas ka pa diyan kay Enzo ng buhay," halakhak ng kaibigan bago umalis.

Nakangiting umiling lamang ang dalaga bago kumatok sa opisina ng student council president.

"Come in," Enzo's voice said, and Elysia opened the door to see him in his usual seat behind his desk, forehead furrowed as he stared at his laptop.

"Hi," the girl said, stepping inside. "I'm currently writing an article for the Gazette about the meeting de avance. Are you free for an ambushed interv—"

"Sit," Enzo said immediately, not looking up as he opened a drawer and pulled out what seemed several files of paper.

Sumunod naman ang dalaga at umupo sa harapan ng lamesa, the same chair she sat in last week when she interviewed the president over the DIWA party's platforms that made it into the CASTilliAns VOTE special issue of the Gazette containing all the running candidates' profiles and their party's platforms.

Today was the second time she'd be interviewing the president.

"So, Elysia right?" Enzo finally said, looking up to meet her gaze — an ability that still astounds Elysia. Sobrang lalim kasi makatingin ang binata sa kaniya, very different from the other interviewees she had talked in the past when she was still in the academics beat.

"Yes, I'm a news writer from The Castillian Gazette if you remem—"

"I remember," Enzo interrupted. There was a paused silence between them, air thick with tension as the two stared at one another.

"I think I can remember a pretty face," he nodded with a small smile that made Elysia's face burn quickly.

"I don't think it's ethical to be flirting with the campus journalist when you're still the deputy president, Mr. Marasigan," sambit ng dalaga, trying to look unaffected but failing.

"That's true," tango nanaman ng binata. "But I'm also trying to get ahead of that same pretty campus journalist who might write an opinion column about me the same way her colleague did."

He then showed a page from the second edition of the special CASTilliAn VOTE issue by the Gazette which showed the following headline:

"The determination of an underdog"
by Stephen Padilla

Below the headline was a banner photo of Keira Suarez talking to her fellow DIWA candidates.

"I don't know who writes opinion columns in the Gazette exactly, but if you came here to offer me the promise of good PR through a well-written article about my presidency and the party that I'm under with in exchange for money, then you can leave," dire-diretsong sabi ng binata bago ni-roll ang dyaryo at saka binalik sa drawer nito.

Elysia was stunned.

"Excuse me," she stuttered. "I'm not here to write an opinion article about you para manalo ka in exchange for MONEY. How low do you think of me??"

"Well it seemed like your colleague struck that kind of deal with Keira Suarez, so gusto lang kitang pangunahan as a writer from the same publication. Mahirap na. Mukha man akong trapo, pero 'di ako corrupt," he said dryly.

"First of all—let me clear this up—hindi ko 'yan basta colleague, that's our features editor. Us writers can't write opinion-editorial columns, mga editors at members ng editorial board lang ang pwede. And, second, pwede ba? I would never, in my entire life, sell my values nor my words for something as trivial as monetary compensation," Elysia snapped, glaring at Enzo who stared at her quietly.

"What?!" Inis na sambit ng dalaga nang hindi sumagot ito.

After a minute, the president smiled.

"Then I applaud you for being a better journalist then your editor," Enzo finally said, leaning back in his chair and pressing the fingertips of both palms together. "I'm glad to know there are still other students who share my same values."

He then leaned forward, making Elysia blink away the irritation into confusion.

"Go ahead. You were going to interview me?" Enzo grinned.

---

"Grade 11 - Temperance, you may now enter the computer laboratory to cast your votes," a member of the COMELEC said as they inked the fingertips of the grade eleven students.

"May the best candidate win Enzo," Keira appeared out of nowhere, standing beside Enzo in line as she gave him a smile.

The young man simply ignored her, trying to stop himself from scowling as they inched inside the room.

"I'll be honored to work with you one way or another," dagdag ng dalaga, stretching out a hand for him to shake.

Saglit na tinignan ng binata ang kamay nito bago kinuwha at kinamay.

"Likewise," he said dryly before stepping away.

---

The afternoon rush inside the campus was a mix of thrill, excitement and anticipation as students waited for the official digital counting of the votes.

Marami nang students ang nakaabang sa Castillian Centrum, kung saan pinopost ang mga important announcements, club recruitments, and other school-wide notices.

"Make sure to be the first one to congratulate Enzo so that he'd stop give you stare death threats," Sera remarked to Jarrell who was standing beside him, giving him a nudge of her elbow.

"Para namang magiging effective 'yon," busangot ng binata.

Just then, Abigail Sampaloc, the afro-haired COMELEC president, arrived with the list of official winners in her hand. Her face was unreadable and a hushed murmur silenced the awaiting crowd.

Elysia Arcedes almost slammed the door to the Gazette's office with a copy of the list of winners in her hand, personally given by Sampaloc herself.

"I've got it," she announced to the rest of the staffers in the office who immediately swarmed her like bees.

Nang ipinost ng dalaga ang winner sa corkboard ng meeting room ay samu't-saring mga reaction ang nagmula sa mga writers, artists, at photographers ng student publication.

"Marasigan wins again!"

"Quick, Nikka i-post na ang pubmat sa official pages natin!"

"Mukhang halos DIWA party ang nanalo."

"Keira Suarez has finally come full circle trying to beat Enzo," a familiar voice said, the only voice that Elysia focused on as she zoned out all the other reactions.

Hindi mapigilan ng dalaga na mapatingin sa kaniyang news editor na binabasa pa rin ang buong listahan. There was something different in the way she looked at her superior now — a kind of mixed perspective that differed from her earlier admiration for the senior.

Ibinalin ni Elysia ang kaniyang tingin. She wondered how much Stephen received from Keira, and wondered what prompted her to push with the transaction in the first place — if what Enzo had said was correct at all.

For a moment, napatingin ang dalaga sa buong opisina. In her more than four years of being in the organization, ngayon lang siya nagkaroon ng kakaibang perspektibo sa mundong ginagalawan niya.

Most of the time, their seniors would preach about serving the public, especially the student body; always reminding everyone to adhere to the truth and not let their biases get in the way.

But now, Elysia wondered if this was all some kind of idealized act — wondered if they were all indeed honest to the craft of journalism, or just echoing the ethics of objectivity without actually practicing it.

In the sea of the staffers, she suddenly felt alienated, realizing that she really didn't truly know anyone in the organization.

Elysia stared at the new list of officers with a newfound purpose. She could only hope she was a better journalist than she was a better writer.

---

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