Chapter LVII: Naagom nga Dagdaga (Landgrabbed)
Far beyond the sight of the living world, beyond clouds, beyond time, and beyond the limitations of earthly life, the old Banggai House stands once more in all its former glory. The wooden floors shine, the capiz windows are spotless, and the walls are strong and proud. No termites crawl through the beams, no storms threaten the roof, and no greed touches its foundations. It looks exactly as it did when Melo and Tory first built it with their own hands and sacrifices.
Inside the spacious living room, several familiar faces gather. Mercy sits quietly on one side of the sofa. Restituto leans comfortably against a chair. Lucio and Balbino are discussing old stories. Escolastica listens while occasionally laughing at their memories.
Meanwhile, Melo sits calmly on the large wooden sofa, looking as dignified as ever. The atmosphere is peaceful, until Tory enters the room carrying something large beneath her arm.
"Melo," she says proudly. "Kitam daytoy ah. (Look what I got here.)"
Everyone turns toward her. Tory carefully places a rolled paper on the center table. Then as she slowly unrolls it, a map appears. It's a detailed map of Guardino. Immediately, everyone's attention focuses on it. Melo adjusts his glasses.
"Ah."
His eyes brighten.
"The properties."
The map contains markings, boundaries, lots, and titles accumulated throughout decades of hard work. Tory points proudly at various locations.
"There."
"And there."
"And there."
Mercy leans forward. Lucio whistles softly.
"There were more properties than I remembered."
Tory smiles.
"Your father never stopped working."
Melo chuckles.
"Neither did you."
Then his finger stops at a particular area. A large green section hidden within a vast forest near a resort area, a lot of ten hectares. It's a massive piece of land. Mercy immediately recognizes it. Her eyes widen.
"The ten hectares."
Melo nods.
"Yes."
The room falls silent. Even in heaven, the property remains important.
"This one was intended for you," Melo says.
Mercy slowly nods as she knows what it is. The land is meant to benefit the descendants fairly. Not one person nor one branch but all of them. Every cousin, and every rightful heir, except one middle branch, and that is Junior. Tory folds her arms.
"He was never supposed to take everything. Naagom unay ti Loco. (That idiot is too greedy.)"
The others quietly agree.
Back in the living world, however, things are far more complicated. The sun rises over Guardino. Max steps out of a government office carrying folders, and beside him is Meric. The two have spent days moving from agency to agency. They go through municipal offices, records offices, and survey departments.
And now, they go to the DENR. The process is exhausting but necessary. The ten-hectare property needs proper verification. Inside the DENR office, stacks of documents cover the table. Employees move about carrying folders and maps. Meric watches as Max carefully studies the records.
At first, everything appears normal. Then Max stops and his eyebrows slowly rise. Meric notices immediately.
"What is it, Uncle?"
Max does not answer. Instead, he hands her the document. Meric reads. Her face loses color.
"What?"
Meric feels a cold sensation crawl down her spine.
"This can't be right."
Max remains silent.
"Didiay ngarud, balbalatong etoy. (That's right, this is a bunch of baloney.)"
Because deep down, he already suspects something very wrong.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Guardino, Elric is inside his farm office reviewing documents. His phone suddenly rings, and he answers casually. Then his expression changes. His eyes widen, and the color drains from his face.
"What?"
He stands immediately. His nephew across the room looks confused. Elric slowly lowers the phone. For several seconds, he cannot speak because what he just hears confirms everyone's fears. Something is seriously wrong with the property records.
A few days later, a small group arrives at a three-story building. Meric, Elric, Jing, Glen, and Max goes through a hallway. The group stops in front of a door. Max knocks.
Moments later, the door opens, and a middle-aged man appears. He looks confused.
"Yes? Anya didiay? (What is it?)"
Max smiles politely.
"May we speak with you, Mr. Antolin?"
The man hesitates, then steps aside.
Inside, they begin discussing the land records, maps, titles, and ownership documents. They discuss one after another. The conversation grows increasingly uncomfortable because every questionable document somehow points toward the same person, and it's Junior. Properties that should have remained under collective inheritance now show his name, such as the Banggai House, and several lots, even the valuable ten-hectare property. Mr. Antolin attempts explanations, more and a lot of excuses..
Eventually, it becomes clear that he is siding with Junior. At one point, he even appears willing to distort information. Max notices, so does Jing and Meric. The meeting ends with tension filling the room. Nobody leaves satisfied, not even Mr. Antolin.
The very next day, Max decides enough is enough. He travels directly to Banggai. The old roads feel familiar yet he just got back from Los Zapateros again going back and forth from Los Zapateros to Metro Hermosa and going back and forth once more. However, his purpose today is entirely different.
When he arrives, Junior and Zenaida are there, the confrontation begins immediately. At first, both act innocent, confused, and unaware.
"What documents?"
"What titles?"
"What are you talking about?"
Then Max places the papers before them. Silence abruptly erupts as they see the documents. The expressions on their faces change instantly. Neither can answer, explain, or deny the evidence. For the first time, they appear trapped by truth.
The following days become busy as meetings occur constantly, and phone calls never stop. Max coordinates with his nephews and nieces. Al becomes involved. Meric helps organize documents. Strategies are discussed, and evidence is reviewed. The family slowly prepares to expose everything.
Then another complication arises. Helen arrives with new information. She quietly informs them that Junior has connections. Particularly with members of law enforcement. According to her, he maintains close friendships with influential figures.
The news concerns everyone, yet the situation worsens because shortly afterward, Helen herself begins arguing with Jing. The disagreement starts small then grows into issues branching to money, responsibilities, old resentment, and past sacrifices. All the issues buried beneath years of family relationships suddenly resurface. Voices rise and accusations fly. By the end, Helen sides with Junior. Jing watches in disappointment. Not anger, yet disappointment lingers. The kind that hurts more.
Meanwhile, Max and one nephew travel to visit Rogie. The house sits in another section of Banggai. As they approach, an unpleasant smell fills the air. The property appears neglected yet his Rogie's children are taking care of it and the atmosphere feels heavy.
When Rogie emerges, Max barely recognizes him. His appearance has changed drastically. His clothing is unkempt, his odor is overwhelming, and his posture is defeated like a man who has slowly withdrawn from the world. The conversation begins awkwardly. Eventually Max discusses the dispute. All regarding the lots, documents, and the police station meeting. .
At first Rogie only asks about money, and nothing else but money. Max sighs then lends him some. Afterward, Rogie's attitude changes slowly and gradually. Eventually he agrees to cooperate. For once, he no longer stands beside Junior.
One week later, everyone gathers at Guardino Police Station. The atmosphere is very tense. Junior arrives, and the cousins arrive. Max arrives yet no Rogie but the latter is in support for them, at least he has money like giving an arcade machine with lots of tokens to play. The Chief of Police serves as arbiter. The discussion begins formally. Max presents the history, inheritance, intended distribution, and the rights of every child and grandchild of the late Don Melo. He explains patiently, carefully, and clearly. Then he reaches the heart of the matter.
"Junior wants everything."
The room becomes quiet. Junior immediately denies it. He denies the documents. He denies the claims, and the existence of nieces and nephews deserving shares. But every statement collides directly with the evidence. The papers say otherwise, so as the records and facts.
Backing Junior up is like his son, yet the devil lured a kid with a devil. Junior's bodyguard, a traffic enforcer, attempts defending him. The man speaks passionately as if defending a father and defending a hero. Yet his words fail against documentation.
Then something unexpected happens. The Chief of Police sides with Max and not Junior. Junior's expression changes immediately. The Chief continues speaking, explaining, clarifying, and establishing facts. Junior repeatedly attempts interruptions, but the Chief refuses to stop. The room watches.
Finally, frustration wins. Junior abruptly stands without waiting, listening, and respect, he walks out. The door closes behind him. Silence follows, then relief.
Outside the station, the cousins gather. The atmosphere feels lighter. Not victorious, but hopeful. Someone mentions the bodyguard. Another mentions the rumors surrounding gifts and favors. Then someone remarks that the Chief ultimately chooses what is right. And for once, truth prevails, the ten-hectare property is finally credited properly.
At last that the years of uncertainty begin clearing. Only one challenge remains, and that is finding buyers.
Time moves forward. Soon October arrives then its final days. All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day approaches. Another year and another remembrance.
The family prepares. Jonn drives the car, Rico rides with him, and Mark sits quietly beside them. Meanwhile, Meric and Ben travel by motorcycle. The roads toward Pampantoc are familiar. The cemetery grows busier as they approach. Families gather everywhere. Flowers, candles, prayers, and memories, fill the empty graves with the scent everlasting than a laundry detergent.
The family walks among the panchongs, and eventually they reach the resting places of MaryJane, Zedric, Pantaleon Uy, Regina Quadro and finally, Mercy. Candles are lit, flowers are arranged, and prayers are whispered. Nobody rushes nor wants to. They simply stay together, remembering, and laughing occasionally. They share stories.
The living see only one another, but unseen by mortal eyes, the place is far from empty. Mercy stands beside them, smiling gently. Zedric and MaryJane remain nearby like protective angels. Above the panchongs sit Raffy and Reina, the beloved dogs watch peacefully.
Many other spirits gather quietly such as family, ancestors, and loved ones. An invisible reunion via a special day for them all. A crowd unseen yet touched by the memories and treasured words of those who passed away. Yet deeply present.
Mark unknowingly sits only feet away from them, Meric wipes a tear, and Ben places another candle. Jonn bows his head, Rico remains silent, and Mercy watches all of them. Not with sadness but with pride because despite the disputes. Despite the losses, greed, and death, the family continues together.
And beneath the soft glow of cemetery candles, among the prayers carried by the evening wind, both the living and the departed share one thing and that is love, a bond stronger than inheritance and stronger than conflict. And it's stronger even than death itself.