One day in your life, there will be butterflies in your stomach. You have to be prepared, when it happened.
#2: Changing Thy Names
"What if I love them? I'm not a heart of stone! What if we become close with... perhaps Basilio? What if I care for him because he has a tragic life. SupposeI treat him like he's my little brother, what if ---"
"Oh come on. You know what I meant. You can't fall in love ROMANTICALLY," he warned, "most importantly, do not fall in love with Juan Crisostomo Ibarra."
I laughed at him after he said those words and I clapped.
"That's absurd! How can I fall in love here? I know they're just fictional characters. Another thing, I'm not easy to fall in love with. I'm Manuela Carie Flores the most famous Filipina in the world."
He stared blankly at me—as if he doesn't give an eff with my words.
"Now that you understand, I'll let you know what happened to the previous intruders who tried to change the story--"
"Intruders?" I cut him off.
"Intruders are the people who enter in Noli Me Tangere, because their mission is to change the story. Like you, you are also an intruder. Unfortunately, no one has succeeded yet. Now if you could please don't speak first," he said seriously and glared at me. "Shut up."
So strict!
"Let's start with Regenio Realonda, a farmer. He was a related by blood to Jose Rizal, but he did not know him personally. The doors of Noli Me Tangere first opened in 1896, when Regenio cried so heart, they give him the chance to change the ending."
It made me think so deeply. Usually as celebrities, we don't really exercise our brains about anything, we're just focus on our scripts or work, but this time I'm super exercising it! I still have responsibilities in our school, plus I have this now.
"He played as Juan Crisostomo Ibarra. In the beginning he gradually changed the story but in the end he was killed. Because of the change in the story, it will also change the character's behavior and some circumstances. In the case of Regenio, Elias betrayed him because he was so angry at him. It's because Regenio is an arrogant man, very different to the real Crisostomo."
I couldn't help but laugh. That's a very tragic story! Because of Regenio's arrogance, he was killed here in the story. Mr. Librarian glanced at me, so I stopped laughing.
"Don't laugh at that. I told you, this is dangerous for you to do this because the outcome of the story will also be based on your attitude."
I nodded. Earlier, I was so confident that I will complete this mission, and I will succeed, but right now, I am not so sure...
"Next was the doctor, Dr. Carlos Valenzuela in 1920. He acted as Padre Damaso and his mission was to change his character, and make him a good man. In the beginning he succeeded but failed because--"
"Because of traitor again?" He gave me a tiger look.
"Didn't I tell you to shut up? Just listen!" I nodded and acted like I zipped my lips. "Eventually the crimes of Padre Damaso came out, which is the tragi c fate of Rafael Ibarra. He could not afford to pay for the sins he did not do, so he admitted that he was not Padre Damaso and said that their world is just a fiction. First rule, Manuela. They are not allowed to tell the truth. No one believed Carlos so he was accused of being insane and scheduled to be killed but before he was killed, he had returned to the real world. The second intruder also failed."
My head hurts while he continue sharing! Don't they have brain cells? Why did they forget the rules?!
"The third intruder was William Dela Tina, a teacher. He also wanted to change the story, and he shed a lot of tears. The door of Noli Me Tangere reopened in 1965. He played Elias and he made a mistake when he saved the life of Juan Crisostomo, at the end of the story. No matter how much he wanted to help Crisostomo he shouldn't forgot the rules. He died—which he shouldn't.
"Are they stupid? Why did they forget—"
"Fourth intruder, Jerome Perez. A student in 1999," he told me and widen his eyes at me. "Don't react first. Just listen. I should be the one to speak—not you. Going back, he was the youngest to intrude here at the age of fifteen, and play the role of Basilio. That's why he was scared when they accused him and Crispin of being a thief. He lost his goal of changing the story and said this wasn't the real world... Like Dr. Carlos, he broke the first law. So I am warning you, be careful."
"Whatever happens, I should go back safe and sound," I reminded myself. I face the open window. "Okay. So please, trust me. I'm the best so—!"
When I faced, him he disappeared just like bubbles. Is he bubbles? Or is he Glinda from the Wicked?
"Hello? Are you there? Mr. Librarian? Shookt! I forgot to ask his name!" I stomp in annoyance.
Many have been intruder but no one have succeeded, and I can say that it will be me. Just watch and learn from the legendary Manuela Carrie!
"BINIBINING Maria Clara, you're awake. Do you want to get dressed?" One of the maids asked, which I think is a minor.
"Bitch! Do I look naked?" I looked at myself from head to toe and laughed. Her eyes widened at what I said and she immediately knelt down and apologized. "Hey! What the freak are you doing? I'm not mad, I'm just kidding! And it's just my expression!"
Of course, I'm in a different time, and people don't have a sense of humor here. Also they are too serious too. Maybe she was surprised by my attitude, well they will be really surprised because the first thing I will change in this story is the most cliche character of Maria Clara.
"I'm hungry. Please call Captain Tiago—my Father hahaha. Why did I forgot he's my father?" I laughed awkwardly. My God, Manuela! Your mouth! It was full of surprises.
"Ma'am, Captain Tiago's order is for you to get dressed because there's a big event later." Madame, the first woman I met, retturned and she's with another woman, but that woman is more beautiful than her and is well dressed as well.
"You're right there, Marites. Just a little patient you'll see the gentleman you love," she said teasingly. Oh my! Why she is creating an issue!
"Oh Isabel, my beloved cousin. Don't tease my little sugarplum. You'd better cook tinola for our dinner," a gentleman said suddenly walked up to me.
The maids bowed to him so I thought maybe he was Captain Tiago or Father.
So Aunt Isabel was in front of me. Wow "aunt"? Are you her niece, gurl?
But then, I realized, the start of Noli Me Tangere was that Maria Clara is in kumbento or church with the nuns, and she will be late, right? Why did it changed already—even without I wasn't trying yet?
Well, maybe, Mr. Librarian changed it so that I will be able to meet Captain Tiago and Aunt Isabel.
"Daughter! I know you're beautiful but I want you to prepare for tonight's event. It will be a glamorous night. Especially since Crisostomo is here," Capt. said with a smile. I just nodded at him.
Why does it seem like it's not in the novel? Even the 'sugarplum' endearment he had earlier, it seems like Captain Tiago doesn't call Maria Clara like that, does he? Well maybe this is part of Maria Clara's story.
Well, not everything was written in the novel, just like how not all history was written in real life.
I'm Maria Clara here, and after all, Noli Me Tangere was not all about Maria Clara. It's about ... uhm ... it's about the torture of the Filipinos by the Spaniards. If it was just a story by Maria Clara, the title would have been, 'The Gorgeous Maria Clara.'
"Maria Clara?" Captain Tiago and Aunt Isabel said in chorus. Are they choir? My senses went back.
"What are you thinking?" Aunt Isabel asked
"I am thinking of..." I'm not really comfortable that they call me Maria Clara because I'm super opposite of her character. I'm very liberated person! "Just call me MC. As in Emceee."
It's a good thing that Maria Clara's initials are also MC, so that could be my nickname. Captain Tiago and Aunt Isabel looked at each other. As well as the maids here who seemed shocked about what I said. As if nicknames are not a thing here, hello?
"Oh, because Maria Clara is too long. Just call me by initials. M for Maria and C for Clara. MC! pronounced as Emcee!" I still smile to convince them.
I'm not sure if I am good at comvincing, because I'm not good at anything. I am just pro at modeling, acting, socializing and judging other people's life. Hehe.
I'm really nervous here because what if they'll guess that I am not Maria Clara. Go Emcee, you can speak straight and comfortably. Captain Tiago smiled with eyes widened.
"Where did you learned that Maria Clara? That's a good idea we can call you easier but surprisingly, where did you learned that?"
"At school."
Their eyes widened, some of them smirked, which is Aunt and the Captain. They gave me 'what-are-you-talking-about' look.
"Emcee, you don't go to school, but it's good thing you know that stuff," Aunt said.
Oh yeah, how come I forgot? I am in 19th century Philippines, and only boys are studying and then girls are just at home, cleaning, cooking and so on. Tss. Unfair!
Yes I do the cooking, yes I do the cleaning!~
"Then call me CT. Letter C for Captain and letter T for Tiago," the maid and Aunt Isabel smiled. I guess I was the only one who laughed.
It's ugly! CT? The pronunciation is 'City' HAHAHA are you City, Captain Tiago? City of gamblers yieee.
I really didn't think Noli Me Tangere brought me good vibes. Because when I read this? I just cried, as if there would be no tomorrow.
"Then I'm AI, abbreviated for Aunt Isabel," she said smiling but I laughed.
Believe me, Auntie. You wouldn't like to be called AI. What are you, an Artificial Intelligence?
Anyway, I didn't say anything because I don't want to be killjoy. I didn't think that they will also have they own nicknames. I keep on laughing like there's no tomorrow. It's like I'm over the moon.
Wait, why is my happiness shallow? I'm going to get dressed, maybe Crisostomo is handsome.
-
I'm done getting dressed and I can say my outfit is elegant—just like me. This is the expensive outfit these days. The extravagantness of my outfit as well as my hair? Perfecta! My hair is bun and it has pearls, around.
Maria Clara was really lucky that I played her role. They play Classical music, I just don't know what the title, but I know it's Beethoven.
You didn't expect that I know Beethovenx right? Ha! I listened to our Music teacher!
After that, the music suddenly stopped, I also looked at the staff here and they also stopped. Time seems to have stopped. Suddenly someone walked in front of me. Mr. Librarian!
"The next thing you will witness is the beginning of Noli Me Tangere. Congratulations on your first change and that is the change of your name. May your success continue," he didn't even smile and just looked seriously and stoic.
"Isn't the first scene that Juan Crisostomo and Maria Clara won't meet yet? Can I change that? I want to see myself the fight between the two priests, right? Because of the chair?" He nodded at me.
"You will actually meet him now because I am the one who changed the specific scene. You should have come late and Aunt Isabel would have picked you up in the convent, but what I did was you arrived at this place yesterday. Just remember you know that with each change of scenes, the ensuing event and the related of that scene will change."
"Copy, Mr. Librarian!" I said smiling. He changed the first scene for me. When I was about to ask his name, he disappeared right away. Rude librarian! Leaving without saying good byes. He disappeared like a bubble again.
The time resumes and Beethoven's song played again. The helpers were also talking here and suddenly I heard the voice of Captain Tiago or CT.
"My beloved amigos and amigas, thank you very much for attending on my little gathering. I called you because there is a very important person I would like to introduce to you. He is the son of a friend of ours who already passed away, the son of Don Rafael Ibarra, Don Crisostomo Ibarra from Europe," captain Tiago announced.
He was next to the stairs, and from the stairs the star of Noli Me Tangere slowly climbed, and I remember that I cried a lot because of the misery he suffered.
[PLAY THE SONG "SA ISANG SULYAP MO" BY: 143, meaning IN YOUR ONE GLANCE]
(Bakit kapag tumitingin ka natutunaw ako🎶
Bakit kapag lumalapit ka kumakabog ang puso ko🎶
Bakit kapag nandito ka sumasaya araw ko🎶
Lahat ng bagay sa mundo parang walang gulo🎶=
Why when you look I melt
Why when you approach my heart beats
Why when you are here my day is happy
Everything in the world seems to be peaceful)
It was as if it slowed all around when he climbed up. I thought Mr. Librarian is here again but no. It's just Crisostomo but my world is really in slow motion. As Jose Rizal described, he is a handsome man.
[Bakit kapag nakikita ka parang nasa ulap ako🎶
Bakit kapag kausap kita nauutal-utal sayo🎶
Bakit kapag nandito ka nababaliw ako🎶
Nababaliw sa tuwa ang puso ko (ang puso ko)🎶=
why when you look like I'm in a cloud
why when I talk to you I stutter to you
why when you're here I go crazy
why heart goes crazy with joy (my heart)]
His hair is black and he combed it well like he was a good boy. His hair is not long and public school teachers will like his hair because it is short. Don't they blood get high when the boys have long hair?
(Sa isang sulyap mo ay nabihag ako para bang himala🎶 ang lahat ng ito🎶
Sa isang sulyap mo nabighani ako nabalot ng pag-asa🎶 ang puso🎶
Sa isang sulyap mo nalaman ang totoo ang sarap🎶 mabuhay punung-puno ng kulay🎶
Sa isang sulyap mo ayos na ako sa isang sulyap mo🎶 napa-ibig ako🎶=
At a glance I was captivated as if it were all a miracle
At a glance you fascinated me wrapped in hope the heart At a glance you know the truth of the pleasure of living full of color
At a glance, I'm fine. At a glance, you love me so much)
And that's it! Perfecta! He looked at me. His eyes are dark brown. I'm crying because why did his life became messy like that? He doesn't deserve that kind of life! His eyebrow? The thickness is like Zaijan Jaranilla, Santino? Filipino Actor.
(Bakit kapag kasama kita ang mundo ko'y nag-iiba🎶
Bakit kapag kapiling kita ang puso ko'y sumusigla🎶=
Why when I'm with you my world changes 🎶
why when I'm with you my heart is excited)
Wait! Why am I intimidated? I am Manuela Carie Flores! He should be the one to be intimidated because I'm the supermodel here! I am the most famous Filipina, and not to mention but I was also the most beautiful celebrity last year! Before I study.
(Sa isang sulyap mo ay nabihag ako para bang himala ang lahat ng ito
Sa isang sulyap mo nabighani ako nabalot ng pag-asa ang puso
Sa isang sulyap mo nalaman ang totoo ang sarap mabuhay punung-puno ng kulay
Sa isang sulyap mo ayos na ako sa isang sulyap mo napa-ibig ako
Sa isang sulyap mo ay nabihag ako para bang himala ang lahat ng ito
Sa isang sulyap mo nabighani ako nabalot ng pag-asa ang puso
Sa isang sulyap mo nalaman ang totoo ang sarap mabuhay punung-puno ng kulay
Sa isang sulyap mo ayos na ako sa isang sulyap mo napa-ibig ako
Sa isang sulyap mo ayos na ako
Sa isang sulyap mo napa-ibig ako=
At a glance I was captivated as if it were all a miracle
At a glance you fascinated me wrapped in hope the heart At a glance you know the truth of the pleasure of living full of color
At a glance, I'm fine.
At a glance, you love me so much
At a glance I was captivated as if it were all a miracle
At a glance you fascinated me wrapped in hope the heart At a glance you know the truth of the pleasure of living full of color
At a glance, I'm fine.
At a glance, you love me so much At a glance I'm fine
At a glance you love me so much)
"Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, it's so nice to be here. I am Juan Crisostomo Ibarra. Pleasure to meet all of you."
#