Chapter 3
A week had passed since the incident, and the Rivamonte family finally sat down for a much-needed discussion. They gathered in the master bedroom where Francisco, weakened from his latest chemotherapy session, lay in bed. Grace, his wife, sat beside him, her hand resting gently on his. Around the room, Mia’s siblings filled the space: Vivienne, the eldest, quiet but observant, Gabrielle, the fiery middle child, and Adrien, the calm youngest.
The atmosphere was tense, but it wasn’t just about the recent incident—it was about the family’s future. The meeting wasn’t solely about reprimanding Gabrielle; there was an underlying current of understanding. Grace, though visibly concerned, recognized that prohibiting her daughter from seeing Justine wasn’t the solution.
“Alam kong mabait na bata yan si Justine,” Grace said gently, “Tsaka mula pagkabata palang magkaibigan na kayo. Alam ko rin na hindi lahat kasalanan niya.” Grace’s gaze lingered on her daughter Gabrielle, implying that it was likely Gab who had pulled Justine into the situation. Gabrielle looked down, clearly guilty.
Francisco nodded in agreement, his eyes tired but firm. “Hindi ka namin pinagbabawalan anak” he said, his voice weak but resolute. “Naiintindihan namin kung bakit ka lumabas noong gabing iyon. Pero hindi na ito maulit. Kailangan ko ang kooperasyon ng lahat sa panahong ito. Para sa kapakanan ng pamilya. Nagkaka intindihan ba tayo?”
“Yes dad” Gabrielle murmured, guilt evident in her expression, but relief washed over her as she realized they didn’t blame her entirely. Still, there were rules to follow. “Stay low for now,” Francisco instructed, his tone softer. “Huwag na tayong magbigay ng dagdag na dahilan para magka issue.”
The family nodded in silent agreement, knowing better than to defy their parents at this critical juncture.
After the discussion, Grace dismissed Adrien and Gabrielle, asking them to step out so the adults could continue their conversation. The two younger siblings hugged and kissed their parents before leaving the room. Once they were alone, Grace turned to Vivienne and said, “Call Jovy and Mike. We need to discuss the elections.”
Vivienne set up her laptop, initiating the Zoom meeting with Jovy, Francisco’s chief of staff, and Mike, the campaign consultant. The atmosphere shifted from familial to professional, the weight of the Rivamonte dynasty pressing heavily into the room.
Vivienne, always the practical one, spoke first. “Yen, ano desisyon mo?” Her voice was calm but direct.
Mia took a deep breath, her gaze meeting her fathers. In that moment, the love and respect between them were palpable. She finally spoke, her voice steady. “Tatakbo ako. But only on my terms.”
Francisco’s eyes softened as he listened, his pride still evident despite his weakened state.
“Hindi ko gusto si Ramil Hidalgo bilang running mate ko,” Mia continued, her tone firm. “He doesn’t share my vision. Masyado nang outdated ang values niya and I can’t align myself with someone whose agenda doesn’t reflect what Valencia needs now.”
Grace nodded in agreement. “May naiisiip ka bang iba para sa posisyon?” Her voice was gentle but curious.
Mia hesitated for a moment before answering. “Yana Aragon.” The name was out before she could second-guess herself. “She believes in unity, in progress, and ang pinaka importante sa lahat, she shares my vision for the future.”
There was silence for a few beats before Vivienne spoke again. “Yana? You sure?”
“I’m sure,” Mia said, her voice steady but carrying an undertone of urgency. Her gaze swept the room, seeking conviction in their eyes. “She’s not just a friend—she’s someone who understands what we’re fighting for and is very capable.”
“I agree,” Jovy chimed in, leaning forward to emphasize his point. “Yana is a strong candidate. Malinis ang record niya… her track record in volunteerism and philanthropy speaks volumes. She has an untarnished image and maimpluwensiya ang family niya.
Mike nodded slowly but interjected, his tone measured. “I get it, and those are solid reasons. But let’s not overlook the obvious. Aside sa wala siyang political background, her family has remained neutral all these years. Kahit gaano pa kayo kalapit ni Yana, Mia, this wont work unless her family is willing to back her. Without their support, we’re setting ourselves up for failure.”
Vivienne crossed her arms, her brow furrowed. “Sir Mike has a point. Malabo nga na sumuporta ang pamilya ni Yana, especially since tatakbong mayor si Tito Freddy. Kontra kay Maco.”
The mention of Maco shifted the energy in the room. Grace raised an eyebrow, catching on to the implications. “Maco? So it’s confirmed na tatakbo siya?”
“Yes, Mom,” Vivienne replied, her tone clipped. “Confirmed na, according to a trusted source.”
A heavy silence fell over the group as the weight of the revelation sank in. Mia broke it with a sigh, her voice tinged with frustration. “That is why we shouldn’t field a candidate in the city. Kung tatakbo si Tito Fred at sasali rin si Maco, mahahati ang boto. Magiging pabor kay Diaz pag nagkataon. We can’t risk letting UVP gain control of the city.”
Vivienne took a moment to absorb Mia’s point, then nodded reluctantly. “Mhmmm. As much as I hate to admit it, I’d rather see a Villareal win over Diaz any day. At least with them, we know what we’re dealing with. Lesser evil.”
“Dad?” Mia asked, her voice steady but expectant, waiting for her father’s response. The room was thick with anticipation, all eyes on Francisco as the family patriarch prepared to weigh in. His decision would ultimately determine their next move.
Francisco looked at Grace, and they shared a look that said everything without words. It was a risky decision—something out of the ordinary. But Francisco knew how determined Mia was. They had raised her to think for herself and follow her gut. And honestly, it was obvious—Mia wouldn’t go for it if it wasn’t Yana.
After a heavy pause, Francisco’s voice broke the silence, calm but resolute. “I trust you,” he said, his tone carrying the weight of both caution and confidence.
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze unwavering. “Kakausapin ko ang Tito Freddy mo. You focus on getting Yana on board.”
Mia held his gaze, her expression firm with determinatin. “Ako na bahala dad.”
Francisco’s approval left a fire burning in Mia’s chest—a mixture of relief and determination. But the hardest part was yet to come. Convincing Yana wouldn’t be easy. Despite their close friendship, asking Yana to step into the political battlefield was a monumental request.
The next morning, Mia found herself standing outside a quaint café tucked in a quiet corner of Valencia. It was their usual spot—a place where heavy conversations always seemed lighter, thanks to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the gentle hum of life outside the glass windows.
Yana was already seated at their favorite table by the window, her sketchbook open, a pencil gliding effortlessly across the page. She looked serene, focused, completely unaware of the storm about to break.
Mia inhaled deeply, clutching the strap of her bag as if it were her anchor. This wasn’t just about friendship; it was about trust, legacy, and the future of Valencia. She straightened her posture and walked toward Yana, the sound of her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor.
Yana looked up and smiled warmly when she saw Mia, closing her sketchbook. “Hi! Aga mo ah.”
Mia pulled out the chair across from her, sitting down with a calm she didn’t quite feel. She returned the smile, though hers was tinged with something heavier. “Hi. Salamat sa pag meet sakin today. I need to talk to you about something important.”
Yana raised a brow, curiosity flickering across her face. “You’ve got that serious look again. Whats up?”
Mia took a steadying breath, her gaze unwavering as she began. “I’ve made up my mind, Yana. I accepted my dad’s request. Tatakbo akong Governor.”
Yana’s eyes widened in surprise, her pencil still in mid-air. “Wow. That’s... huge, Mia. Are you sure about this?”
Mia nodded, her voice steady but tinged with urgency. “Yeah, I am.” She paused, her gaze momentarily dropping to her hands before meeting Yana’s eyes. “Alam ko iniisip mo—na siguro guilt lang sa Daddy ko ang nagtutulak sa akin na gawin to. But it’s not that.”
Yana nodded in agreement “Mhmm…”
Mia took a deep breath, her tone shifting from hesitant to resolute. “Napag-isipan ko na to nang mabuti. If I keep waiting for someone else to step up, someone who shares my values, it might never happen. Hindi naman pwedeng puro na lang ako reklamo sa sistema habang nasa gilid. Kung gusto ko ng pagbabago, dapat willing din akong maging parte ng solusyon.”
Mia’s gaze darkened slightly as she leaned closer. “At hindi lang to tungkol sa pamilya ko o sa responsibilidad. Yana, may mas malaki tayong kalaban. Ang UVP—they’re not what they seem. They present themselves as champions of change, pero alam mo, alam natin kung sino talaga sila. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Unti-unti na nilang kinukuha ang Valencia, at kung hindi tayo kikilos, baka tuluyan na nilang makuha ang kontrol.”
Yana was lost in thought, knowing deep down that Mia was right.
Mia’s voice dropped lower, carrying an edge of urgency. “There’s a deeper game at play here. The UVP isn’t acting alone— puppets lang sila. They’re backed by corporations na ang gusto lang ay gamitin ang Valencia para sa pansarili nilang interes. Ang resources natin, ang mga tao natin, they’ll exploit everything. Hindi ko kayang tumayo na lang sa gilid at manood habang sinisira nila ang lahat.”
Her eyes filled with quiet determination. “And if I don’t take this chance, sino ang gagawa? Yung mga tao na ang iniisip lang ay kapangyarihan? Yung mga tinitingnan lang ang politika bilang laro? Hindi ko pwedeng hayaan na sila ang maghari. Kaya kahit mahirap, kahit nakakatakot, alam kong kailangan kong subukan. Para sa kanila. Para sa Valencia.”
Yana stared at Mia, momentarily speechless. “Grabe, Mia. That was… ikaw na talaga! Kung di lang kita kilala, kuha mo na ko dun sa speech mo. Galing mo dun” she said, her tone laced with humor to mask her growing apprehension.
Mia allowed a faint smile but quickly sobered. “Seryoso to, Yana.” Her gaze softened, yet her resolve remained. “Kaya ako nandito. I’m running because I realized I can do something about it. And I want you to run with me, Yana. As my Vice Governor.”
Yana blinked, leaning back slightly in her chair. “Ha? Teka lang. What? Me? Vice Governor? Bakit ako?” she asked, her bafflement evident.
Mia leaned forward, reaching for Yana’s hand. Her voice softened, carrying an earnest weight. “Kasi kailangan kita. I need someone I trust, someone who shares my vision. Yana, ikaw ’yung taong ’yon. You’ve shown through your advocacy and volunteer work na you care deeply about the same things I do. Hindi lang ito dahil capable ka—pero ikaw talaga ang perfect partner for this. If magkasama tayo, we can broaden our reach, fight for justice, and make a real difference.”
She hesitated, then added, “And honestly, ikaw lang ang logical choice. Yung kandidato na gusto nilang ipares sakin? He don’t align with my values. I need someone who truly understands what we’re fighting for. Someone who’s in it for the right reasons.”
Yana took a long, deep breath, clearly overwhelmed. She reached for her coffee, taking an exaggeratedly long sip. “Grabe namang offer ’yan. Akala ko magkakape lang tayo, biglang Vice Governor na. Pwede bang mag-SK kagawad muna?” she quipped, her lips quirking into a teasing smile.
“Yana naman eh seryoso nga kasi” Mia’s tone was playful, trying to sound annoyed, but the soft look on her face said otherwise.
“Oo seryos na, seryos na Gov” Yana replied, chuckling as she tried to lighten the mood.
Mia shook her head, her tone becoming firm and impassioned. “This isn’t just about holding office or winning an election. It’s about proving na posible pa rin ang mamuno nang may integridad at prinsipyo. Na kaya pa rin nating ipaglaban ang tama. Pero hindi ko to kaya mag-isa Yana.”
Yana tilted her head, skepticism evident in her expression. “And you think I’m that person? Tsaka Mia, we’re still in our mid 20’s. Aren’t we too young for this?”
“Bata nga tayo,” Mia admitted, her conviction unwavering. “Pero ibig sabihin din noon, fresh minds tayo. Mas may lakas, mas may energy, mas kaya pang tumayo sa ganitong laban. Yana, at such young age you’ve already built programs that work. Nasa ground ka, making a difference. Pareho tayo ng paniniwala—na ang gobyerno dapat naglilingkod, hindi lang namumuno. Being young is not a weakness. It’s our edge. Tayo ang kinabukasan, at ngayon na ang panahon para patunayan yon.
Yana’s brows furrowed, her pencil now resting on the table. “Mia, I appreciate that you see me that way. Pero hindi ko kailangan ng posisyon sa politika para makatulong. I’m already making a difference in my own way. Why would I need to step into politics for that?”
“Because we can do more together,” Mia said, her tone passionate. “Look, I get where you’re coming from. Pero we’re not just fighting for individual causes here—lumalaban tayo for systemic change. You’ve seen the gaps, Yana. You’ve fought against them. With you as my partner, we can lead and influence on a level that neither of us can achieve alone. We’ll be stronger together.”
Yana opened her mouth to respond, but Mia pressed on, her voice softening but staying resolute. “And let’s be real about something else—our winnability. Ikaw ang perfect running mate, Yana. Yung track record mo, yung advocacy mo, yung reputation mo—they’re unmatched. Tsaka ang ganda mo pa! Walang sinabi si Catriona sayo. Kung sumali ka lang sa Miss Universe baka mag surrender kaagad ibang bansa”
“Wow ha pagandahan pala to” Yana teased, laughing lightly.
“Ay kung pagandahan lang, sure win na tayo!” Mia joked back, both of them sharing a quick laugh.
“Boang!” Yana retorted, shaking her head.
But Mia’s tone quickly shifted back to serious. “De pero seryoso, Yana. You come from one of the most influential families in Valencia. Kahit neutral sila sa politika, ikaw, iba ka. People already look up to you. Kapag magkasama tayo, we’re not just aiming to win—we’re aiming to lead with purpose.”
Yana hesitated, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of her sketchbook as she mulled over Mia’s words. “That’s… a lot to think about, Mia. Hindi ko kayang sagutin to agad. I need time. Pwede ba yun?”
“Of course,” Mia said softly, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “Take all the time you need. Pero tandaan mo, Yana—I wouldn’t be asking you if I didn’t truly believe in you.”
Yana smiled softly, though uncertainty still lingered in her eyes. “Thanks, Mia. I’ll think about it.”
Mia raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Oo, pero sana mabilis ka mag-isip, ha? Hindi to parang thesis na due next semester.”
Yana grinned, tilting her head. “Thesis? Akala ko naman take-home exam lang. Relax ka lang, Mia, ako pa ba? Magla-laminate pa ako ng answer sheet ko.”
Mia let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “Yana, seryoso ako! Kung pwede lang hindi kita bigyan ng deadline, pero alam mo namang may campaign calendar tayo, di ba?”
Yana shrugged playfully. “Sige, sige. I’ll think fast. Pero wag mo kong gulatin kung may reminder ka na with matching countdown timer!”
Mia chuckled. “No pressure Yana. Sendan kita ng mga gentle reminder”
Yana laughed, leaning back in her seat. “Grabe ka! O sige na, noted na yung ‘gentle reminder’ mo. Pero wag masyadong gentle, baka matulugan ko.”
They both laughed, the tension easing between them as they sipped their coffee. But beneath the humor, the gravity of Mia’s proposal lingered in the air—a seed planted, waiting to grow.