Maria Pilipinas (Super Short Story)

Short Story

I have a fairly odd name, Maria Pilipinas. I used to live in New York because it is where my father lives. My father is an American while my mother is a Filipina. My mother and I moved here in Manila, Philippines to take care of my ill grandmother. I was never familiar with filipino culture, tradition, and history because I was never interested in it. I was quite contented with my liberated lifestyle in New York. Besides knowing some Tagalog and filipino delicacies, I know little to no more about Philippines.

And right now, here I am, slouching on my chair while barely listening to the discussions about life and works of Jose Rizal, the Philippines' national hero. I am a college student here in University of St. Tomas

I can't stop my eyes from closing and I finally gave in. There I found my self on a prison cell. It's so dark and this prison cell doesn't look anything similar to today's prison cell in the Philippines. I know because Filipino movies and teleseryes say so.

"how odd, where am I? ", I thought. This is so weird. A minute ago, I was in the classroom, fighting so hard not to sleep. I know I slept but if this is a dream, this is just so weird. Because why prison cell? Do I unconsciously thought that I'm going to be imprisoned?

I turned around and wandered around until I found a lamp. It's in a table with a young man who seems like he is writing something.

He looked familiar. So familiar that it seems like I have seen him just a few minutes ago. Is he my classmate? If he is, why is he writing in a prison cell? Is my dream about my classmate and I being imprisoned?

The young man looked up and the lamp lighted the man's face and I was so shock with who I thought he looked like. He looked like Jose Rizal! The Philippines' national hero and the man who was being discussed in our class just a moment ago.

The man looked bewildered with my appearance but I must say, I may be as bewildered as he is. Howcome someone could look so similar to him?! Or is he the same person? Because it could be possible because this is just dream right? But could it be possible that I am entirely aware of this dream? I'm very much conscious, shouldn't I be waking up by now?!

He looked at me and notice that my uniform states the name of my school. He is very much surprised but he then realized where I may have came from.

"Pilipino mula hinaharap?", he asked

"Opo", I replied though hesitant. I may know little to nothing about Filipino culture and tradition but atleast I know this very beautiful culture of saying "opo" as respect to elders.

"ikaw pala ang pinaka-huling bisita ko?", I stayed silent because I don't know what to answer, and I actually don't understand. Why am I his last visitor? He may have noticed my confused face.

"Sumusulat ako ng tula, Mi Ultimo Adios, My Last Farewell sa Ingles." with that, I now quite understand what he meant by me, being his very last visitor. Maybe this is his last hours. Midnight before he will be executed.

I know that he will be executed because of fighting for our country's freedom. Will it be soon? Will it be tomorrow?

Our conversation didn't last and he continued writing while I stand there, still bewildered.

I blinked my eye and the next thing I knew, it's now morning and I'm outside right now instead of being inside the prison cell. The tension was so heavy in the environment. I noticed a firing squad surrounding the young man that I have met a moment ago.

I panicked as I realized what was happening. I know that I only have a limited knowledge about the Philippines' history but during the time I have spent here in this country, I know about this little and special event. While I was mentally panicking, I heard the young man stated the words, " consummatum est" and then I heard a gunshot. I may not know Spanish or Latin but I know those words meant "it is finished" because it was the same words that Jesus Christ uttered from the cross.

I was in daze and generally shocked. I blinked and when I opened my eyes I am at the classroom again. I'm still in daze while staring at my professor's powerpoint presentation with a picture of Dr. Jose Rizal surrounded by the firing squad.

"Ms. Sanchez, it seems like you enjoy sleeping in my class. I know you came from a foreign country, May I know your thoughts about Dr. Jose Rizal's life?", my professor asked. I don't know if he genuinely want to know my thoughts or he's just mad so he wanted to embarass me. Either way, I've been awoken with that sleep.

"I think Dr. Jose Rizal is truly admirable. Despite being imprisoned and being executed, he still standed with his belief that Filipinos deserve freedom. I admire his strong will. I also admire that during his last hours, he chose to read the bible and in his last words, he chose to state the phrase, "consummatum est", which were the same phrase that Jesus Christ uttered from the cross. I admire that the books he wrote became the first step for our country's freedom. Although I grew up from a different country and I know only little knowledge about Philippines, I admired everything that this country's heroes have done to fight for this country's freedom. It is indeed admirable and I have great respect for each and everyone who chose to fight for freedom. And I hope that this country continue to have the freedom that every people deserve, and I hope that each and everyone of us chooses to fight for our rights and our voices. " I said.

My professor seemed to be surprised to know these informations despite always sleeping on his class. I smiled and sat down, ignoring my classmates surprised looks because their classmate who was always sleeping in class and who grew up in New York City at that, have given them these answers and thoughts, which they never expected.