One Last Raindrop

NEVADA DIOR DEL VALLE (SIMULA)

Hindi tulad ng araw na sa umaga lamang makikita ang liwanag. Hindi rin tulad ng mga bituin na tanging sa dilim lamang makikita ang kinang. At hindi rin tulad ng buwan na tanging sa gabi lamang makikita ang ganda.

Ego Omnia, I am everything.

I am Nevada Dior Del Valle. I am not born to blend in because I am born to stand out. As the heiress of my family's hospital, I have been living under the pressure of my parents. I always need to be the top or the number one because for them, being second is the greatest insult that our family could ever achieve.

"Democracy is what are national heroes had fought for. It will be an insult for them to have such a policy in where they will prevent people from having freedom of speech. If we will have a rule that prevents people in our country from speaking up, then this country is not democratic at all. Politicians are scared to be criticized that's why they are hiding under the law," I answered and I can see my opponent nodding. Is that her answer? Nods?

"People these days are abusing the benefits of having the freedom of speech. We, Filipinos, are brave to let out words because of that freedom, but we are afraid to stand up for those words. In short, people these days don't have the balls. They are speaking up to hook up some attention so that people will side with them, but those people can't even stand on their own as they speak up. You have the freedom of speech but not the balls for it."

I scoffed; I crossed my arms as I looked around the people in our classroom. We are the highest section in our strand. I looked at my two friends who are in my group, they were cheering for me as I represent our group.

"Is it really the speakers who don't have the balls? Or the people who implemented that law? Why be scared of the idea of freedom of speech when you know yourself that as one of the country's leaders, you are doing well? You know politicians fear educated people, that is why they are implementing that law. Taking the voice of the people. Even the dogs know when to bark when they are not treated well, so why shut the people of the country? Public speakers don't speak for themselves but for the hundred and eight million Filipinos."

I smiled as I watched my groupmates shouting and clapping after my answer. Mina and Stacey were shouting for my name and saying that I am their best friend.

"The problem here is the abuse of freedom. People these days often say more lies rather than truths. Even the bible says that—"

"Since when did the bible become a part of the debate?" I scoffed as I brushed my hair while looking at her. "Base your knowledge on yourself and not on the bible. You should've brought a nun as my opponent."

"Okay that's enough, Dior and Clea."

"Just another statement to end the debate, Ma'am," I said and she nodded as an approval then I faced Clea, as our classmates watched us facing each other. "Hindi mo ba alam na kaya ligtas ang mga tahimik ay dahil sa mga sumisigaw? We owe our democracy to our national heroes, so don't let politicians who didn't even study political science take that away."

Clea smiled at me, and we both shook hands. This is just a debate and nothing personal. I sat beside Stacey and Mina; they were smiling widely at me.

"Alam mo kung ikaw kalaban ko sa debate, sasabunutan na lang agad kita," natatawang wika ni Mina. Ako naman ay tinitingnan ang sarili ko sa salamin.

"I have nothing against bibles but using the words of God to win a debate is absurd," I said as I crossed my legs.

"Baka naubusan na lang ng sasabihin," komento naman ni Stacey habang inaayos ang kaniyang buhok. "Saka ano ka ba! You did very well! Nevada Dior yata 'to, oh!"