Three Stars and Eight Rays of the Sun

Prologo

"Mr. Valentino Acosta," the professor blurted out my name. Everyone turned their heads and their stares betrayed my whole existence. I can hear murmurs and whispers. Icy glares in every corner of the room staring at me. Tension was definitely thick in the air, filled with voices with heavy controversy. I just felt the burden upon me.

"Ikaw na raw, Acosta..." my seatmate smiling at me trying to make me comfortable in this worst situation.

I'm still not used to it. This life of an instant celebrity. The suddenly drastic change of treatment of people gives me a hard time to live as a normal person. I'm hoping that the parentage result will be out one of these days, I just want to end this nonsense adversity of mine. Until now I still don't get the idea on what's happening and why many people questioned my true identity and existence. I don't want this kind of life. I just want to be normal again, just a nobody.

Before I move, I took a glimpse to the mirror windows of the room just to check the Katipuneros, they are specialized soldiers from Malacañan Palace. They were assigned by The Palace to protect me in case of emergency, or if I have any chance or attempt to escape. Dalawang buwan na mula nang maging ganito ang sitwasyon ko. Kahit saan ako pumunta nandoon din sila. It seems I have a chain around my neck since the beginning of this controversy. I don't have a freaking freedom anymore.

I laid off my eyes to them behind the transparent glass window but I regret my actions immediately as I saw the Katipuneros staring at me too. Seeing their robotic helmet mask gives me chills. I cut my eyes to them as fast as I can and gasped heavily.

I compose myself, I hold the paper on my left hand while making my right hand into fist. I stand up on my trembling feet, every moves that I did has an equivalent booming noises that always caught the attention of everybody. Conversations paused as I walked past to them. They snapped their heads at me, as if their curiosity about me was becoming greater and greater.

"Ma-magandang umaga po," I rattled, looking at everyone in the eye while I'm standing in front of the whole class.

"Magandang umaga, Mr. Acosta," the professor began. "I heard that you passed the transfer admission test of Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Congratulations for that! Kailan mo balak lumipat?"

There were whispers among the class.

"Thank you, Sir. As soon as possible po sana, baka next semester po."

"Good. So, are you ready? What is your hypothesis about our class discussion last meeting? Did you find any interesting facts about old legends and myths? What's your source for writing that?" the professor asked me directly while pointing his finger at the papers on my hand.

"I decided to write a literary piece, actually this was tightly inspired by the story that my mother used to tell me when I was a child. And I admire the lore of this story so much, that's why I decided to put it on my term papers." I shot back. The room is so silent that it make heart pounding so fast. Plus, everyone's eyes are on me. This was like an interrogation, and I hate it.

"A literary piece? Good, I'm very excited to hear it from you. I know that your writing skills is quiet impressive--I saw your articles and columns in our student publication, and all of them were interesting and well-written. Simulan mo na, the floor is yours hijo."

I nodded my head in acknowledgement. I looked over the crowd to see their curious look. I exhaled, and start to speak...

"NOONG UNANG PANAHON, isang takipsilim. Daang libong taon na ang nakakalipas bago pa pinamunuan ng mga Rajah at Datu ang mga lupain. Isang malaking anyong lupa ang nagbubukod tangi sa arkipelago ng daigdig. Isang malayang lupain na walang pangalan. Mayaman sa kultura at kabihasnan. Sinisikatan ng hari ng araw at dyosa ng buwan.