Of Wit and War.

The sun hung lazily in the sky, golden light peeking through the thick foliage surrounding their mountain home. The morning air was crisp, filled with the scent of damp earth and the faintest hint of herbs drying in the clinic downstairs. It was the weekend, which meant [Name] could sleep in as long as she wanted. But as soon as she woke up, devoured her breakfast, brushed her teeth, and took a quick bath, her feet immediately took her down the wooden stairs, past the family altar, and straight to her father's clinic.

Mùchén's clinic was alive with soft murmurs, the clinking of ceramic jars, and the rustling of dried leaves as patients came and went. The place smelled of medicinal roots, eucalyptus, and the slight bitterness of brewing tonics. [Name] had helped in the clinic since she was little—not because she had to, but because she wanted to. Her father had always encouraged her curiosity, allowing her small responsibilities that grew as she did. Now, at almost twelve years old, she could sort through ingredients with practiced efficiency, measuring precise amounts of dried banaba leaves, ginseng, or crushed ginger.

"巴，你需要我— (Ba, do you need me to—)"

"我已經將今天的處方藥草擺好了 (I already set aside the herbs for today's prescriptions)," Mùchén called from across the room, where he was grinding something with a mortar and pestle. His bright, luminescent eyes flicked toward her, a smile playing at his lips. "但是，如果您能幫助組織新的貨物，我將不勝感激。 (But if you can help organize the new shipments, I'd appreciate it)."

[Name] grinned. "開始啦! (On it!)"

She eagerly rushed to the wooden shelves where rows of neatly labeled apothecary jars sat. Her hands worked with precision, grouping ingredients by use—pain relief, fever reducers, energy restoratives. Her father's teachings had been drilled into her from an early age, and she had grown up understanding responsibility. Whether it was sweeping the floor, chopping firewood, or keeping ledgers for her mother, [Name] never hesitated to help.

After finishing her task, she dusted off her hands and turned to Mùchén. "老竇 (Papa), is Mama home yet?"

Mùchén chuckled as he poured a freshly brewed tonic into a small vial. "Not yet, little one. But knowing her, she's already speed-running her meetings just to get back home to us."

[Name] sighed. Cecelia had been away for business, and while her father's presence was warm and constant, she missed her mother's firm but loving guidance. The warehouse, once small, had now grown into something enormous, and she had become the sole supplier of enchanted goods for all of Mindanao. It meant long hours, late nights, and business trips, but Cecelia always made sure to teach [Name] something every time she was home—whether it was basic accounting or how to properly handle suppliers.

Since Cecelia wasn't home yet, [Name] decided to check in on her warehouse just in case. But as soon as she reached the large wooden doors, she knew—no trace of her mother's presence. She pouted, kicking at the ground, before she got an idea.

"Ba! Can I go out to play?" she called as she rushed back into the clinic.

Mùchén, now tending to a patient, raised a brow. "Where?"

"Just around the barangay! I promise I won't go too far!"

"Be back before sundown."

She was already running off before he could add more rules.

The barangay was alive with energy, people bustling about with festival preparations. Stalls were being set up for the night market, colorful banderitas fluttered in the wind, and the rhythmic pounding of mortar and pestle echoed as vendors prepared rice cakes and sweets. Levitating spells carried decorations between rooftops, and charms were whispered over food to keep it fresh longer.

[Name] spotted her playmates near the central plaza, where a group of kids had gathered for a game of tag.

"[Name]!" A tall, lanky boy with curly hair waved her over. It was Kaloy, her closest friend and probably the fastest runner in the whole barangay. "You're late! We already started!"

A small girl with dark curls, Bituin, grinned at her, hands on her hips. "Too busy with herbs again?"

"I was helping Ba," [Name] shot back playfully. "But I'm here now. Who's it?"

"Me!" A boy named Toto immediately lunged at them, and the game exploded into motion.

The children scattered, their laughter filling the air. But this wasn't an ordinary game of tag. No—these kids had been raised in a world where magic was as natural as breathing.

Bituin, giggling mischievously, stomped on the ground, and thick vines curled up to slow Kaloy down. "Not fair!" he shouted, leaping over them.

"Everything's fair if you don't get caught!" she teased, dashing away.

[Name] ducked behind a fruit stall just as Toto sent a gust of wind in her direction. She threw up her arms, and her anting-anting glowed faintly, forming a shimmering shield that deflected the wind harmlessly.

"You're cheating!" Toto whined.

"You just have bad aim!" she cackled before sprinting off.

They ran through the streets, weaving between workers and vendors. A kapre sitting near a construction site rumbled with laughter as they zipped past.

"Hoy, slow down! You'll trip and scrape your knees!" an old man scolded from his sari-sari store, but the kids just waved at him and kept running.

They passed a carinderia, where a tikbalang errand boy was flirting with a dishwasher, oblivious to everything else.

"Uy, focus on your work, not your love life!" Kaloy shouted at him, and the dishwasher cackled while the tikbalang scowled.

As they raced through the streets, they caught sight of a group of teenage girls practicing an old rain-summoning dance. With each step, droplets of water shimmered in the air, making their movements even more mesmerizing. The festival was almost here, and everyone was preparing in their way.

[Name] felt free, the cool mountain air rushing past her as she ran. This was home—the place where magic wasn't something to be hidden or controlled but something that simply was.

And she loved every bit of it.

Her feet barely touched the earth as she darted between spell-tossing playmates and leafy projectiles, her lungs filled with the crisp scent of pine and burnt rice husks from a distant kitchen. The world around her pulsed with life—raw, enchanted, and familiar. This wasn’t just a playground. It was her entire universe stitched together by laughter, spells, and soil.

As the game stretched on, the warm afternoon sun cast golden light through the dense trees lining the barangay plaza. The scent of freshly grilled banana cue wafted from a nearby food stall, mixing with the aroma of burning incense from an offering table. The laughter of children echoed through the air, blending with the rhythmic clatter of construction work and the occasional gust of wind from a passing elemental spirit. 

Kaloy had just barely dodged another attempt from Toto to tag him when two new figures ran up to the group.

“Oi! You all started without us?”

It was Ligaya and Enzo, siblings who lived closer to the riverbank. Ligaya was a wiry girl with sharp eyes, always the strategist, while Enzo, her younger brother, was an easygoing prankster. The two were inseparable, often moving as one during games, making them a fearsome duo.

Bituin smirked, brushing dirt from her knees. “You snooze, you lose. We’ve been playing for ages already!”

Ligaya rolled her eyes. “We had to finish chores first. Some of us help our families.”

Enzo stuck out his tongue. “And some of us just take forever to sweep leaves.”

Ligaya gave him a shove before turning back to the group. “Alright, alright, who’s ‘it’?”

Toto, still panting, jabbed a thumb at himself. “Me.”

Ligaya and Enzo shared a glance, then—

“Takbo! (Run!)”

They bolted before Toto could even take a step toward them.

The game erupted into chaos again.

This time, Ligaya’s strategy came into play. She ducked into the shadows of a nearby bamboo grove, waiting like a predator. Enzo, on the other hand, relied on pure speed, weaving through the adults setting up for the festival.

[Name] dodged behind a wooden cart filled with woven baskets, heart pounding. Toto was closing in fast, and she needed to think quickly. She glanced at a pile of fallen tanglad (lemongrass) stalks nearby, an idea sparking in her mind.

She flicked her fingers, channeling a tiny thread of magic. The stalks lifted slightly, releasing a strong citrusy scent, before suddenly launching forward—not to trip Toto, but to tangle around Kaloy, who had been planning to run past her as a shield.

Kaloy yelped, stumbling, and Toto lunged forward with a victorious grin.

“Gotcha!”

Kaloy groaned. “That’s dirty, [Name]!”

She just laughed, already darting away before Kaloy could retaliate.

“Oi, oi, oi!” A loud voice rang out as they zipped past a fruit stall. Manang Cora, the vendor, flapped a rag at them. “Don’t knock over my mangoes, you little gremlins!”

“Sorry po, Manang!” Ligaya called out, barely missing a basket of lanzones as she leaped over it.

From the corner of her eye, [Name] noticed Enzo using a spell—just a small wind charm—to give himself a speed boost. She grinned. If he was going to cheat a little, then so could she.

She reached into the small pouch tied to her waist and pulled out a tiny, enchanted sigay shell. Holding it tightly, she whispered a quick command. The shell pulsed with warmth before releasing a burst of air that pushed her forward like an invisible hand giving her a shove.

“Hoy! No using charms!” Toto yelled, but he was laughing.

“You started it!” [Name] shot back, breezing past him.

As the game stretched on, they weaved through the bustling streets, past a group of elders gossiping on woven mats, past young girls braiding each other’s hair, and past a man hammering at a wooden frame for a new stall.

The entire barangay was alive, vibrant, and full of magic—not just the kind that came from spells, but the kind that came from shared laughter, from the unspoken understanding between neighbors, from the way the setting sun painted everything in hues of gold and orange.

The sound of laughter and quick footsteps echoed through the streets, but [Name] barely heard them over the pounding of her own heart. Kaloy was gaining on her, his breathless determination making it clear that she was his next target. She had to think fast.

As she ran past the festival performers, an idea struck her. Without missing a beat, she veered towards a group of dancers preparing for Sayaw sa Bangko. (It's a traditional dance, where you dance on a bench.)

“Manang!” she called out to one of the older women adjusting her shawl. “Pahiram po! (Let me borrow po!)”

The woman grinned, clearly amused by the little girl’s antics, and draped the shawl around [Name]’s shoulders without hesitation. In the same motion, she bent down, setting delicate candle-lit glasses onto small plates. The soft golden light flickered as the dancers stepped onto the narrow wooden benches, their movements as fluid as waves in the ocean.

With a deep breath, [Name] took her chance.

She jumped up, landing lightly on the first bench, her feet finding balance instantly. She twirled the shawl around her shoulders, moving in sync with the dancers as they transitioned into Pandanggo sa Ilaw, the delicate candle dance. The flickering flames cast long shadows on her face, making her seem almost ethereal as she spun with practiced ease.

Kaloy, still on the ground, let out a frustrated groan. “Hoy! That’s cheating!”

She stuck her tongue out at him. “Sali ka kung kaya mo! (Join if you can!)”

Kaloy narrowed his eyes. Challenge accepted.

With a huff, he grabbed the hand of one of the young boys helping move the benches. “Tulungan mo ako umakyat! (Help me climb up!)”

The boy smirked but gave him a hand, hoisting him up onto the nearest bench. The moment Kaloy was steady, the boys moving the benches took it as an extra challenge—adjusting the rhythm of the dance, shifting the benches slightly in time with the music, making both [Name] and Kaloy struggle to keep their balance.

“Pota naman, pati kayong lahat kalaban ko? (All I could say is pota is a slur... So it's like, "A fu- even all of you are my enemies now too?" Except pota isn't fkcu)” Kaloy grumbled, wobbling as he tried to inch closer to [Name].

“Mahiya ka naman, Kaloy! (Have some shame, Kaloy!)” One of the dancers teases his older sister, who exclaims in her high voice. “Ang pangit mong tingnan, galaw mo parang pato! ("You look ugly, waddling like a duck.” But it could also go as, "You look so ugly, you're moving like a duck!")"

Laughter erupted from the crowd, but Kaloy was determined.

[Name] giggled as she dodged his hand, stepping nimbly across the benches, her movements graceful and light. The rhythm of the dance guided her steps as if the music itself was on her side. Every time Kaloy lunged, she spun, the shawl flaring out around her like the wings of a butterfly.

Kaloy, however, was stubborn. If she was going to escape by blending into the crowd, he would just have to play by her rules.

With newfound determination, he followed her lead, mimicking the movements of the dancers—clumsy at first, but quickly finding his rhythm. The dancers, delighted by the unexpected addition to their performance, cheered him on, clapping in rhythm to encourage him.

The benches wobbled beneath them, the candle flames flickering dangerously close to spilling wax, but neither [Name] nor Kaloy stopped. It had turned into a duel of balance and speed, of wits and footwork.

Then—Kaloy lunged just as the boys shifted the benches again.

“Ay, gago! (Could mean asshole, crazy, or fool.)” he yelped as he almost lost his footing.

[Name] burst into laughter, but, in that moment of distraction, Kaloy took his chance. He reached out, fingers barely grazing her wrist—

“Huli ka! (Caught you!)”

A loud cheer erupted from the onlookers as Kaloy victoriously raised his arms. [Name] groaned but laughed anyway, accepting her fate.

As the music continued, they both hopped off the benches, and [Name] playfully adjusted the shawl around her shoulders before returning it to the manang who had lent it to her.

“Salamat po!” she said cheerfully, bowing her head with gratitude.

The old woman chuckled, patting her shoulder. “Magaling kang sumayaw, hija. Masyado ka lang madaya! (You're great at dancing, dear. You're just too much of a cheater!)”

The kids laughed as they ran off once again, the game far from over. The festival was just beginning, and so was the endless joy of childhood.

But even joy has its limits, and magic couldn't quite soothe aching muscles. The game had gone on for long enough. They were all panting, drenched in sweat, and their legs ached from running and dodging spells. One by one, they collapsed onto the cobblestone path, laughing between heavy breaths.

“Tama na, ayoko na!  (Enough, I don't want to play anymore!)” Toto groaned, stretching his arms over his head as he lay sprawled on the ground. “Mamatay ako sa pagod bago pa magsimula ‘yung piyesta. (I'll die out of exhaustion before the fiesta would even start!)”

“Same.” Ligaya sighed, plopping down beside her brother and fanning herself with her hand.

Kaloy, who had dramatically flopped onto his stomach, groaned into the dirt. “Ang init! Bakit ko ba naisipang tumakbo nang ganito kaaga? (It's so hot! Why did I even think about running this early in the morning?)”

“Ikaw kasi ang nagpahabol sa amin eh! (You're the one who made us chase you!)” Bituin teased, poking Kaloy’s side with her toe.

“Eh kayo namang lahat pumayag! (You guys agreed to!)” Kaloy shot back, rolling over to glare at them.

[Name] giggled, brushing sweat from her forehead. “Tara, lakad-lakad na lang muna tayo. (Let's go; we'll just walk around for now.)”

There were no arguments. The whole group instinctively reached for each other’s hands as they started to walk, a tangled mix of fingers gripping onto friends as they wove through the streets, moving slowly to let their tired bodies recover.

As they walked, the pre-festival preparations surrounded them. Smoke curled up from vendors grilling skewers of pork and chicken along the street. Colorful banderitas flapped overhead as witches on brooms adjusted them in mid-air. Carpenters enchanted wooden stalls to set themselves up, and seamstresses embroidered talismans onto banners that would later be hung around the plaza for good luck.

The Makiling siblings—Ligaya and Enzo—were the ones to bring up the ever-familiar topic first.

“Pauwi na raw si Tatay galing Maynila, (Father's going back home from Maynila,)” Ligaya said, kicking a small rock along the path. “Daming dinalang bagong pananim para sa farm namin. (He brought plenty of new crops for our farm.)”

“Saan na naman siya nag-seminar? (Where did he attend seminar this time?)” asked Bituin, glancing at her.

“UP Los Baños pa rin. ‘Yung usual nilang agricultural studies kasama yung mga diwata at duwende na partners nila doon, (Still UP Los Baños. The usual agricultural studies they have with their diwata and duwende partners over there.)” Ligaya answered, smiling proudly. “Lahat ng farm namin may kasamang nature spirits kaya mas maganda ang ani. (All our farmlands have nature spirits along with them; that's why our harvests are beautiful.”

Enzo puffed his chest out a little. “Sabi nga ni Tatay, isa kami sa pinaka-successful na enchanted farms sa buong Mindanao! (Father even stated that we are one of the most successful enchanted farms in the whole Mindanao!)”

Kaloy whistled. “Sarap siguro ng kita niyo niyan. (It could translate to: "Your earnings must be fruitful” or "Your harvests must be delicious.")"

“Okay lang, (Its okay,)” Ligaya shrugged. “Minsan bumabaha ng saging at mangga, nakakasawa rin. (Sometimes we just drown in mangoes and bananas that it gets sickening.)”

They all laughed at that.

Toto grinned. “Eh si Nanay naman, bagong batch ng gamot ‘yung tinatapos. Lahat sa barangay health center nakaabang na. Sabi ni Tatay, baka kunin na siyang consultant ng City Hall para sa mga herbal medicine programs nila. (As for Mom, she's finishing a new batch of medicine. Everyone at the barangay health center is already waiting. Dad said that maybe City Hall will hire her as a consultant for their herbal medicine programs.)”

“Talaga? (Really?)” [Name] asked, her eyes wide. “Siya na ‘yung gagawa ng formulas? (She makes all those formulas herself?)”

Toto nodded enthusiastically. “Oo! Ang galing niya kaya! Pati mga aswang at duwende sa kabilang bayan pumupunta sa kanya para sa mga gamot nila! (Yeah! Mom's so good at it! Even the aswangs and duwendes from the other town go to her to get medicated!)”

Bituin chuckled. “Sabi nga ng Nanay ko, ‘yung mga aswang minsan mas matino pa kesa sa normal na pasyente. (Mom even said once, that the aswangs are more well-behaved patients than normal patients.)”

Kaloy snickered. “Eh kasi naman, ‘pag mga pasyente natin, matigas ulo! Sabihin nang bawal ang baboy sa high blood, ayan pa rin, sisig at chicharon! ”

They all laughed in agreement.

“Kaya nga sa clinic ni Papa, mahigpit sila dun eh,” [Name] chimed in. “Ang daming pasyente na nagtatampo kasi bawal ‘yung gusto nilang kainin.”

Bituin gave her a teasing grin. “So ibig sabihin, gusto mong maging doktor rin balang araw?”

[Name] hesitated for a second before shrugging. “Ewan ko pa. Gusto ko ng maraming bagay eh.”

Enzo nudged her playfully. “‘Wag kang mag-alala, marami pa tayong oras para mag-decide. Kahit si Kuya hindi pa sure kung gusto niyang magtuloy sa farm namin o maging engineer. Ako nga, gusto ko lang maging piloto ng eroplano.”

Ligaya raised an eyebrow. “Kahit marunong ka nang lumipad gamit magic?”

“Eh kasi gusto ko ng eroplano na sobrang laki!” Enzo grinned. “Gusto ko sakay lahat ng pamilya natin!”

They all giggled at that, imagining the chaos of fitting all their families into a single plane.

Then Kaloy perked up. “Speaking of future stuff, natapos niyo na ba ‘yung project natin?”

A groan rippled through the group.

“Huwag mo ngang ipaalala!” Toto whined, rubbing his temples.

Bituin sighed dramatically. “‘Yung sa amin, kulang pa ng mga research materials. Buti na lang si Manang may mga luma pang libro.”

[Name] crossed her arms. “‘Yung akin, okay naman. Ang problema lang, hindi ko pa natatapos ‘yung written report.”

“Eh ano ba ‘yung project natin?” Ligaya asked, looking around.

Kaloy listed them off. “Kami ni [Name], research project sa Philippine Mythology—per batch kasi kami eh. Toto at Enzo, science project ‘yun sa enchanted plants. Bituin, ‘yung cultural dance performance.”

“Aba, buti pa kayo may projects na magaganda!” Ligaya pouted. “Ako, essay lang tungkol sa ‘importance of cooperation in the community.’ Bakit ganun ka-boring?!”

They all burst out laughing, teasing Ligaya about her ‘boring’ project, before they continued walking.

The sun was high, the streets lively, and even though they were still catching their breath from their game, they knew the day was just beginning.

-

As they wandered through the lively streets, their hands still loosely linked, the conversation drifted from school projects to something far more amusing—marriage.

It started when Bituin giggled and nudged [Name] with her elbow. “Alam mo, ang sweet talaga ng parents mo.”

[Name] raised an eyebrow, confused. “Ha? Bakit?”

Ligaya grinned. “Kasi kahit ilang taon na silang kasal, parang nagliligawan pa rin! Laging magkahawak-kamay! Tapos si Tito Mùchén, palaging may dalang bulaklak para kay Tita Cecelia.”

Kaloy snorted. “Pati pag-aaway nila, parang sa teleserye! Hindi ‘yung matinding sigawan, kundi ‘yung tahimik tapos biglang lalambingin ng isa ‘yung isa, tapos ayun, magyayakapan na lang.”

“At ‘yung mga kindatan nila, nakakailang minsan ha!” Enzo added, making gagging noises, which earned him a playful shove from [Name].

Toto puffed his chest out smugly. “Talo kayo diyan! ‘Yung Tatay ko, kahit pagod na pagod galing sa trabaho, naghaharana pa rin kay Nanay! Akala mo nasa ligawan stage pa rin sila!”

Everyone burst into laughter.

“Totoo?!” Ligaya gasped, clapping her hands together.

Toto nodded enthusiastically. “Oo! Bawat uwi ni Tatay, kahit hindi marunong kumanta, hahawak siya ng walis tingting o kahit anong mahawakan niyang mahaba at magpapanggap na gitara tapos kakantahan si Nanay!”

“Ano namang kanta?” [Name] asked, grinning.

Toto cleared his throat dramatically before breaking into an exaggerated, off-key version of “O Ilaw.”

"O Ilaw! Sa gabi'y nagpapaliwanag!”

They all burst out laughing again, Kaloy clutching his stomach as he bent over.

“Tapos anong ginagawa ng Nanay mo?” Enzo asked, still chuckling.

Toto grinned. “Depende sa mood niya! Minsan tatawa lang at babatukan si Tatay. Minsan naman, sasabayan niya tapos magyayakapan pa sila sa sala! Grabe sila, parang walang anak na nanonood!”

“Nakakakilig pero nakakailang rin!” Ligaya groaned playfully, shaking her head. “Ganyan din kaya tayo paglaki natin?”

[Name] tilted her head. “Siguro… kung ganun ‘yung taong mapapangasawa natin.”

Bituin clasped her hands together dramatically. “Gusto ko ‘yung parang sa fairytale! ‘Yung hinahabol ako sa ulan, tapos yayakapin ako bigla!”

Kaloy made fake gagging noises. “Nako, Bituin, sana ‘yung mapangasawa mo mahilig sa ganyan din. Pero kung ako, ayoko ng masyadong cheesy.”

“Talaga?” Enzo smirked. “Eh bakit ‘pag nakakakita ka ng mag-jowa sa plaza, ang tagal mong nakatitig?”

Kaloy’s ears turned red. “Hoy! Hindi ako natitig! Naaaliw lang!”

[Name] giggled, shaking her head. “Parang gusto mo rin ng sweet na asawa ah.”

Kaloy quickly changed the subject. “Eh ikaw, [Name]? Gusto mo rin ba ng romantic?”

[Name] thought about it for a moment before shrugging. “Hindi ko pa alam. Pero gusto ko ‘yung masaya lang, ‘yung hindi mahirap mahalin. Kahit hindi laging may bulaklak o kanta, basta nararamdaman ko na mahalaga ako.”

The group fell silent for a moment, taking in her words. Then, Ligaya sighed dreamily. “Ang saya siguro ‘pag natagpuan na natin ‘yung tamang tao. ‘Yung katulad ng parents natin, na kahit matagal na silang magkasama, mahal pa rin nila ang isa’t isa.”

“Oo nga!” Bituin agreed. “Sana ganun din tayo balang araw.”

As they strolled through the festival preparations, they continued to laugh and tease each other about their future partners, imagining ridiculous scenarios of love letters delivered by enchanted birds, grand magical proposals, and romantic duels fought over them. Even though they were still young, the warmth of their families’ love surrounded them, shaping their ideas of what love could be—something tender, enduring, and filled with joy.

(Romanticism is a very vital element in the Philippines, so yeah, I add it quite a lot.)

As their laughter died down, a different sensation crept into their bodies—hunger.

Ligaya’s stomach growled loudly, making everyone pause. She blinked, then wrapped her arms around her belly with an exaggerated groan. “Ay, gutom na ako!”

Kaloy snickered. “Mukhang hindi lang ikaw, Ligaya. Parang may asong nagugutom sa tiyan mo.”

Ligaya gasped and smacked his arm. “Bastos! Parang hindi ka rin gutom!”

As if on cue, Kaloy’s stomach let out a deep rumble. The group burst into laughter, and this time, even Kaloy couldn’t deny it.

“Tara na nga, kain na tayo!” Toto declared, already scanning the nearby food stalls. “Ang daming nagtitinda, ang daming amoy masarap, pero bakit parang lalo lang akong nagugutom sa dami ng pagpipilian?”

Enzo inhaled deeply, closing his eyes. “Amoy niyo ‘yun? Parang may nag-iihaw ng manok! Ang bango!”

Bituin clapped her hands excitedly. “At may nagtitinda ng bibingka! Alam kong bagong luto kasi ang init-init pa ng kawayan!”

[Name] grinned. “At eto naman si Toto, siguradong hahanapin ‘yung may sabaw. Hindi ba palagi kang may dalang kutsara sa bulsa mo?”

Toto dramatically pulled a spoon from his pocket and waved it proudly. “Handa ako sa lahat ng oras! Kahit may laban sa pagkain, hindi ako matatalo!”

“Ano bang gusto niyong kainin? Naguguluhan ako sa dami ng pagpipilian,” Ligaya said, holding her head as if she were solving a difficult problem.

Kaloy raised his hands. “Ako, simple lang. Basta marami at hindi mahal!”

“So basically kahit ano?” [Name] teased.

Kaloy nodded. “Oo! Kahit nga ‘yung libre, basta may pagkain, masaya na ako!”

“Palamunin ka pala, eh!” Bituin laughed, shaking her head.

Toto sighed dramatically. “Ang saya sana kung pwede tayong pumunta sa bahay ng isa sa atin, tapos sabay-sabay tayong kumain. Pero malapit lang naman bahay mo, diba, [Name]?”

[Name] smirked. “At bakit parang gusto mong lumamon sa amin?”

Toto shrugged. “Malay mo, may nilutong masarap si Tito Mùchén!”

Ligaya’s eyes sparkled at the mention of [Name]’s father. “Oo nga! Si Tito Mùchén magaling magluto! Kahit anong lutuin niya, parang may special na lasa!”

[Name] chuckled. “Pasensya na, pero ang tatay ko ay nasa clinic pa. Baka mamaya pa siya makakauwi at makapagluto.”

Enzo groaned. “So ibig sabihin, kailangan nating bumili ng pagkain?”

“Oo, pero may solusyon ako!” Bituin said, dramatically raising a finger. “Hati-hati tayo sa bibilhin! Para mas marami tayong matikman!”

Everyone murmured in agreement, their eyes already darting toward the various food stalls lined up around the plaza. The sizzling sound of barbecue, the warm scent of fresh bread, the sweet aroma of caramelized bananas—it was almost too much to bear.

Kaloy dramatically clutched his stomach. “Kung hindi tayo gagalaw ngayon, baka himatayin ako sa gutom!”

[Name] rolled her eyes. “Exaggeration na naman!”

“Hindi! Hindi ito biro, [Name]! Gutom na gutom na ako, parang naririnig ko na ‘yung pagkain na tinatawag ang pangalan ko!”

Bituin smirked. “O baka naman gutom lang ‘yung utak mo kaya iniisip mong may boses ‘yung pagkain?”

Kaloy gasped. “Ay, Bituin! Ang hapdi naman ng insulto mo!”

Ligaya giggled. “Tara na nga bago pa tayo matunaw sa gutom!”

And just like that, they made their way to the nearest food stalls, their playful bickering and laughter mixing with the festive sounds of the pre-celebration.  As they wove through the crowded food stalls, the air was thick with the mouthwatering scent of grilled meats, fried delicacies, and the tangy kick of various vinegars. Their stomachs growled in anticipation as they stopped at the first stall selling brightly colored orange kwek-kwek.

“Okay, okay, anong trip niyo?” [Name] asked, already picking out a few pieces for herself.

Kaloy grabbed a skewer of kwek-kwek and held it up like a trophy. “Walang arte-arte! Diretso kain lang!” He dipped his skewer into plain vinegar before taking a big bite.

Bituin, who was beside him, wrinkled her nose. “Buti ka pa, kaya mong kainin nang walang sauce. Ako, gusto ko ‘yung may maraming suka tuba!” She took her skewer and drowned it in the dark, potent vinegar, her eyes lighting up from the sharp taste.

Enzo, on the other hand, peered at [Name]’s plate with curiosity. “Anong nilagay mo diyan?”

“Pipino, guso, tapos maraming kamatis (Cucumber, seaweed grapes, and then lots of tomatoes), [Name] said proudly, scooping up a bite with her fork. “Masarap ‘to, promise. (It's delicious, promise.)”

Toto eyed it skeptically. “Parang salad na may kwek-kwek. Hindi ba weird ang alat ng seaweed sa itlog? (It's like you're talking about a salad with side kwek-kwek. Won't the saltiness be weird with the quail egg?)”

“Mas weird ‘yung plain lang! Masyadong mamantika, yuk. (The plain ones are weirder! Too oily, eugh,” she shot back playfully before taking a big bite.

Enzo hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. “Sige nga, subukan ko. (Alright, I'll try some.)” He took a piece from her plate, making sure to get a bit of everything—kwek-kwek, seaweed, cucumber, and tomato. As soon as he took a bite, his eyes widened. “Uy... Ayos nga! Medyo lasang tempura ‘yung balanse ng alat-asim! (Hey... It is good! It tastes slightly like tempura with that balance of salty-sour it has!”

Kaloy snorted. “’Wag mo lang masyadong purihin, baka singilin ka ni Sol sa bawat subo! (Don't praise it so much, Sol might charge you for each bite you took!)”

They all laughed before moving on to the next stall—balut. The vendor grinned as they approached, already knowing that this was always a moment of debate among the kids.

“O, sino ang kakain ng balut?  (Who here eats balut?)” the vendor asked, lifting the steaming basket of eggs.

[Name] eagerly picked one up. “Isa lang, tapos maraming asin! (I'll just have one, with lots of salt!)” She expertly cracked the shell and peeled it carefully, exposing the soup inside. Without hesitation, she lifted it to her lips and drank the warm, flavorful broth. She sighed in satisfaction. “Ito talaga ‘yung pinaka-masarap na parte ng balut! (This part of the balut is the most flavorful!)”

Ligaya cringed, shaking her head. “Hindi ko kaya! ‘Yung sisiw, hindi ko talaga kaya makita! (I don't think I can handle that! The duck embryo, I can't really handle looking at it!)”

“Kaya nga pipiliin mo ‘yung walang buo pa! (That's why I only pick the egg with no formation yet!)” Toto said, cracking his own egg. “Ako, penoy lang. Walang sisiw, walang problems. (Me, just penoy. No embryo, no problems.)”

Bituin stuck out her tongue. “Kahit penoy, hindi ko rin kaya! Parang ambigat sa tiyan! (Even penoy, I can't take it! It feels heavy on the stomach!)”

Kaloy, meanwhile, had already taken a big bite out of his. “Wag kayong oa! Ang lambot kaya ng laman! Lagyan mo lang ng maraming asin, tapos huwag mo nang tingnan! ("Don't be so oa! The meat is so tender! Just add a lot of salt, and then don't look at it!” OA is a Filipino slang term that commonly means "overacting" or being excessively dramatic or flamboyant. It can also be used to indicate someone is being overly dramatic or exaggerated in their behavior.)

[Name] chuckled as she popped the last of her balut into her mouth, savoring the salty richness of the egg. “Hindi ko gets kung bakit hindi niyo gusto. Mas malasa pa ‘to kaysa sa ibang itlog! (I don't get why you guys don't like it. It's even tastier than other eggs!)”

They continued their food crawl, moving next to the isawan, where the smell of grilled chicken intestines, feet, and other skewered meats filled the air.

“Ayan! Eto talaga ang paborito ko! (There! This one is my absolute favorite!)” [Name] said excitedly as she ordered Isaw and Adidas. She dunked her isaw into a bowl of suka tuba filled with sliced chilies and onions, making sure it was drenched before taking a bite. “Ang anghang! Pero ang sarap! (It's spicy! But it's so delicious!)”

Toto eyed her warily. “Grabe ka sa sili! Hindi ba parang sunog na ‘yung dila mo? (You are a beast when it comes to chili! Doesn't your tongue feel like it's getting burned?)”

[Name] grinned. “Mas masarap ‘pag maanghang! Try mo! (It's tastier when it's spicy! Try it!)”

Kaloy dipped his skewer into the vinegar but was careful to avoid too much chili. “Ayoko nung sobrang anghang, pero ‘yung suka tuba ang solid. Ang tapang! Parang lumalaban sa bibig mo! (I don't like it when it's too spicy, but the vinegar is solid. It's so strong! It's like fighting in your mouth!)”

Enzo, on the other hand, avoided anything that involved chicken necks. “Basta ako, kahit ano, huwag lang ‘yung may leeg. Hindi ko talaga kaya! (But for me, I can't eat anything, just not anything that has to do with necks. I really can't fathom it!)”

[Name] hummed, nodding rapidly in agreement as she spoke between each sip of the balut. "So true! I'm not picky or anything, but leeg is just so..." Both Enzo and [Name] shuddered at the thought.

Bituin giggled. “So pwede niyong kainin ‘yung paa pero hindi leeg? (So you guys can eat feet but not neck?)”

“Oo! Mas gusto ko ‘yung Adidas kaysa leeg! Mas chewy, mas masarap! (Yes! I prefer Adidas to the neck! Chewier, tastier!” [Name] agreed, happily chewing on her grilled chicken feet.

After finishing their food, the group patted their stomachs in contentment. They stood momentarily, letting their meals settle, before Kaloy stretched his arms and let out a dramatic sigh, “Ahhh, busog! Pero parang gusto ko pa rin ng matamis! (Ahhh, I'm full! But I still feel like I want something sweet!)”

Ligaya nodded in agreement. “Oo nga, dapat panghimagas naman! (Yes, maybe dessert this time!)”

Bituin grinned mischievously. “Alam ko na kung saan tayo pupunta… (I know exactly where we should go next!)”

With excitement buzzing between them again, the group set off toward the next set of stalls, ready for their next round of food adventures. The excited hum of the festival crowd swelled as the food-eating competition was announced. Long tables were set up under a tent, filled with plates upon plates of classic Filipino dishes—pancit, lumpia, puto, bibingka, grilled meats, and a massive bilao of rice.

“O, sino ang malalakas kumain diyan? (O, Which one of you can eat fiercely here?)” the announcer bellowed, waving a hand over the eager crowd. “Ang mananalo, may libreng pagkain sa kahit anong stall sa buong festival! (The winner, can have free food in any stall in the whole festival!)”

That was all the motivation [Name] and the others needed.

“Libre?! (Free?!)” Kaloy’s eyes sparkled with determination. “Kahit talo ako, sulit na ‘to! (Even if I lose, this could still be worth it!)”

“Hoy, hindi tayo magpapatalo! (Hey, we shouldn't lose!)” Toto grinned, already rolling up his sleeves. “’Wag mong kalimutan, ako ‘yung pinakamatakaw sa ating lahat! (Don't forget I'm the most gluttonous out of all of us!)”

“Tingnan natin! (Let's see about that!)” [Name] shot back, cracking her knuckles as if preparing for a battle.

Enzo gave a confident smirk but didn’t say much. Instead, he just took his seat and observed the plates before him, analyzing the best way to tackle the challenge.

Bituin, ever quiet, took a seat as well, though she didn’t exude the same energy as the others. She simply folded her hands on the table, waiting for the contest to begin.

Ligaya, on the other hand, shook her head, taking a step back. “Pass ako dito… ayoko magmukhang patay-gutom. (I'll pass... I don't want to look like a big back.)”

Kaloy nudged her. “Eh, pagkain naman ‘to! Dapat enjoy lang! (It's just food! You should just enoy it!)”

She crossed her arms. “Enjoy ko na lang manood. Hindi ko kailangan ng competition para malaman kong matakaw kayo. (I'll just enjoy watching. I don't need a competition to prove how gluttonous you all can be.)”

With that, the contestants settled into their seats, and the announcer lifted a small flag. “Handa na ba kayo?! (Are you all ready?!)”

The crowd roared.

“Sa tatlo… dalawa… isa… KAIN! (In three... two... one... EAT!)”

Immediately, Toto attacked his food like he had been starved for days, shoveling rice and meat into his mouth as if inhaling air. There was no hesitation, no strategy—just sheer, unfiltered hunger.

“Teka, Toto, baka malunod ka! ("Wait. Toto, you'll drown!" She means, like, drowning in food, enough to make you choke.)” [Name] managed to say through a mouthful of pancit.

Kaloy, on the other hand, started strong—too strong. He grabbed a lumpia and stuffed it whole into his mouth, but his chewing slowed almost instantly. “Mmm…” His face turned slightly red, but he refused to admit defeat. “K-kayang-kaya…  (C-Can- Can...)”

Enzo, in contrast, took his time, starting slow with small, calculated bites. The others were too focused on their plates to notice that he was figuring out his perfect rhythm.

[Name] was eating at a steady pace, moving quickly but still tasting her food. She was determined to at least place in the top three.

Beside her, Bituin was eerily quiet. She didn’t rush, didn’t force herself—but somehow, her plate kept emptying at a decent pace.

The announcer watched in amusement. “Grabe, si Toto, parang hindi na kailangang nguyain! (Look at Toto go, it's almost like he doesn't need to chew!)”

Indeed, Toto’s plate was already half empty while the others were barely halfway through.

Kaloy, now visibly struggling, forced down another bite. “K-kayang-kaya pa… (C-Can- Can do it...)”

“Mukha ka nang uhaw, gusto mo ng tubig? (You look thirsty; want some water?)” [Name] teased him, only for Kaloy to shake his head furiously.

Then, suddenly, Enzo picked up speed. His slow and steady start had finally found momentum, and once he figured out the right pace, he became unstoppable. One plate after another, he devoured his food methodically, overtaking Kaloy and Bituin with ease.

[Name] saw him creeping up in the rankings and narrowed her eyes. “Oh, hindi ka na mabagal ngayon, ha! (Oh, you're not as slow now, ah!)”

Enzo smirked mid-bite. “May strategy ako. (I have a strategy.)”

As the final seconds of the contest approached, the crowd cheered louder.

Toto, still maintaining his monstrous lead, let out a victorious burp and slammed his empty plate down.

“Panalo ka na, gago! (You already won, asshole!)” Kaloy groaned, leaning back in defeat.

[Name] finished her last bite just as the final call was made. The results were clear—

1st place: Toto, the ultimate food-inhaling machine.
2nd place: [Name], who kept up well but just couldn’t outpace Toto’s lack of chewing.
3rd place: Enzo, whose methodical strategy almost gave him a shot at second place.
4th place: Bituin, who ate silently but steadily.
5th place: Kaloy, who had the confidence but not the stomach for the challenge.

Kaloy wiped his mouth dramatically. “Akala ko talaga ako ‘yung kakain ng pinakamarami… pero mali pala ako… (I really thought I would be eating the most... but I was wrong...)”

Ligaya, watching from the sidelines, rolled her eyes. “Mali ka talaga, gago. (You are so wrong about it, asshole.)”

The crowd laughed as the winners were awarded food stall vouchers. Despite the competition, there was no bitterness—only the shared joy of a full stomach and good fun.

As they left the competition area, Toto stretched his arms and let out another satisfied sigh. “Aah, ang sarap! Pero parang gusto ko pa rin ng panghimagas… (Aah, so yummy! But I still want some dessert...”

Bituin, finally breaking her silence, spoke in a deadpan voice. “Ikaw lang ang nakakalamon ng ganyan tapos gusto mo pa ng panghimagas. (You're the only person that can gobble up a lot but still wants dessert after.)”

The group laughed as they strolled toward the next set of stalls, still buzzing from the fun of the contest.