BPH UNTOLD: BACKSTAGE SECRETS

《SECRET # 6: MY BROTHER IS MY RIVAL》

Time passed by like a blur. A week had already gone by since the boys' first day at High Hopes Academy. And this only meant one thing: the scorechart will now be updated for the first time, as a summary for their week-long performances in their different classes.

Andy and Dae entered their homeroom, both feeling queasy. They saw Fourth's name flashing repeatedly on the LED screen, with five stars beside it.

"Well done Murillo," Director Salvador greeted Fourth, who was seated at the far end, his head bowed down.

He looked up. "Thank you po," he said timidly.

Suddenly, the LED display screen went off. A smirking Thirdy Murillo had deliberately unplugged the wirings.

"Murillo!" Dir. Salvador exclaimed.

Fourth jumped from his seat. It was a moment later that he realized she meant Thirdy.

"Why? Masyado nang masakit sa mata," Thirdy said.

"Sit down!"

"Fine," he said, walking towards his seat half-heartedly. He slumped beside his best bud, a tall and lanky guy with messy curls.

"Now that everyone has finally settled down, let me explain what you saw earlier. Murillo, Fourth Murillo," she added, "has received five stars for his individual performances last week. Siya lang ang nakakuha ng highest score. Kaya, kindly give him a round of applause."

There was clapping of hands from everyone, except from Thirdy, of course. A loud "whoooo" was also heard from a cheerful Anthon.

"For everyone's information, the number of stars means the following:

five stars: far exceeds standards
four: exceeds standards
three: meets standards
two: does not meet standards
one: fail."

"So far exceeds ka pala bro? Grabe ka!" Andy remarked, looking at Fourth in awe and disbelief. He only smiled back shyly.

"But, I'm quite glad that the lowest just got three stars. This only means that you are a good batch, Hopefuls. And panigurado, mahihirapan kaming mga instructors n'yo to decide...so.."

"We have agreed," she continued, "to divide you into four groups this week. This will also test your chemistry with your co-Hopefuls."

Excitement elicited from the Hopefuls-some were already ecstatic with who their bandmates would be.

Andy and Dae shared a high-five. "At least sure ball na magkasama tayo," Dae winked. "Bigyan kaya natin pangalan tandem natin? Diba uso yun?"

"Ano naman?" Andy asked.

"Andy plus Daeniel. AnDae."

Andy pushed him hard, laughing as he did so. "Kadiri!"

"Di kaya!"

"Alam ko na. Two Little Pigs?"

"Ewan ko sa'yo."

Dir. Salvador's voice interrupted them. "Okay, you may now sit with your bandmates and prepare for the presentation. Good luck."

"Ha? Ayan kasi di ka nakikinig! Sino ang ka-grupo natin?" Andy asked annoyingly.

"Hey guys!" It was the shorter of the twin brothers. "Pinagsama tayo ni Ms. Salvador. We're XSquared by the way. I'm Xander, and here's my twin, Xavier."

"Hey," Xavier said dryly.

"Oh hello sa inyo! Kami naman ang Two Little Pigs. Ngayon lang namin naisip!" Dae said proudly. Andy hit him again.