Hello, Ligaya (Sining Series #1)

Chapter 01

"Bigyan naman natin ng masigabong palak-pakan ang ating makabagong National Artist, none other than... Inang Ligaya Santiago."

Ngiti ang isinukli ni Ligaya sa bawat palak-pakan na sumalubong sa kaniya sa pag akyat sa entablado. Hinawakan nito ng mahigpit ang scarf niyang nakabalot sa leeg, doon ay inabot ng maugat at bahagyang nanginginig niyang kamay ang mikropono.

"Kamusta kayong lahat." Panimula niya at inayos ang salamin.

"So, Inang Ligaya. We just want to ask you how is your journey on becoming a national artist. Maybe you could say something to inspire all the aspiring artist out there who are in the midst of losing their motivation and dream."

Pinasalubungan niya ng ngiti ang nagtanong sa mga manonood.

Pinagdikit ang labi habang dinadama ang mga ala-ala ng kabataan niya. A trip to memory lane, she thought.

"Alam niyo, una pa lamang naitanim na sa akin ang pagmamahal sa sining ng aking ama. Pinaghawakan ko iyon hanggang sa makarating ako sa kung nasaan ako ngayon. Sinubok ng panahon, pinadapa ng agos ng buhay. Ngunit may nakapagsabi sa akin na... Ang sining ang pumili sa 'yo kaya ka nandirito... nasa iyo kung pipiliin mo rin siya."

"Sino po ang nakapagsabi sa inyo, Inang?" Tanong ng isang dalaga na mukhang galing pa sa graduation ng kaniyang unibersidad at dumiretso lamang sa event. Nakakabit pa ang sablay nito.

"Decades ago, a person taught me something... too bad he's not here... pero siya ang pinaka malakas na taong nakilala ko. If you think you have seen the toughest spirit in this field, you haven't seen Caiden." Mahina itong ngumisi kasabay ng pagtili ng mga alagad ng sining.

"But where is he now?"

Decades ago.
He was there.
Joaquin.

"Balita ko triple win ka nitong mga nakaraang araw?" Panimula ni Benjamin. Naglilinga-linga pa ito na tila may hinihintay.

"Yeah, I have nothing to do, so..." Tipid na tugon ni Joaquin habang nilalaro ang susi sa kaniyang kanang kamay. Nasa parking ng unibersidad ang dalawa na ngayon lamang ito pumasok, dalawang klase na ang nakaraan.

"Joaquin, I think you should lay low for a bit. Midterm is approaching. You don't wanna disappoint your ever perfect lolo." Pagbiro ni Benjamin, sabay itong nagtawanan dahil doon. Benjamin, among Joaquin's friends he is the most grade conscious. The Dad of the group. Same as Joaquin they both tried to take the art program, but unfortunate events turned the table when Benjamin's family didn't end up supporting him. Joaquin took the course alone.

"I thought you stopped racing?" Tanong ni Benjamin habang pinagmamasdan ang relo sa kaniyang braso.

"Well, do you want me to go back to drinking instead?" Joaquin sarcastically said while wiggling both of his proud brows.

The nation's top Bachelor under his grandfather's business name, Joaquin got used to the attention he's getting. A drag racer and an art prodigy, shaped by his reputation, he can do whatever he wants.

The perfect grandson of Santiagos always got Zera, his cousin whom he decided to entrust his life with, always got his back.

"Liv, messaged me. Nandoon na raw prof namin. Let's go. Tahimik na raw sa building niyo." In Benjamin's signal, both of them left the parking lot running. Nang makarating ang mga ito sa main building ng kolehiyo ay siya na silang naghiwalay.