The two arrived at Barrio Pagsangahan.
"What took you so long?" Gabriela asked Elias and Andres.
"Something happened in the Cabezera ... sorry were late." Andres
The group started their afternoon break. Andres asked Moises if he can talk to him in private.
"Tatay may I talk to you for a while." Andres
"You're already talking to me." Moises
"I mean can I talk to you in private." Andres
"Bueno, What's your problem Andres." Moises
The two distance themselves away from their friends and talk heart to heart.
"Back in Cabezera, I saw El Tigre and the Bandidos, who are they Tatay??" Andres
"I don't know what you're talking about?" Moises
"The people who came inside our house with you having a loud conversation." Andres
"Ahhh ... That people, They sell Carabaos." Moises
"Don't play me for a fool Tatay, Please tell me who they are ... Give me some peace of mind PLEASE." Andres
"Bueno, you're old enough to know. But don't tell this to your Nanay It will scare the hell out of her." Moises
"I promise Tatay ... with my life." Andres
"When I was young I never had a family, I was living in an Orphanage taken care by Western Christian Missionaries. Many of us are children from people who died and fought in the revolutions. We were like brothers in that institution. To make ends meet We planted crops in some of the plantations of Compradors and Landowners for our daily needs." Moises
"When we were about seventeen & eighteen years of age, One of the friends of the missionaries gave some Wine and Gin as an exchange for the crops. Eight of us stole that Gin went to the river and drink ourselves to sleep. The missionary got pissed and branded our group as GIN-U-WINE BROTHERS." Moises
"We doubled our efforts to increase production and kept some crops from the missionary to buy ourselves some gin. Eight of us really had a good time and we're still responsible to do our duties and chores in that institution." Moises
"One time the Gobernadorcillo (governor) and Guardia Civil raided the orphanage. They accused the missionary of harbouring fugitives from the law and government spies said members of revolutionary group visits the institution. The Gobernadorcillo gathered the children and line up the missionaries in front of the crying orphans." Moises
"Guardia Civil fired their rifles and executed the missionaries while the innocent children were looking." Moises
"They locked all windows and doors and leaving us inside then burned the building. Inside the burning building we heard guns shooting, when it stopped some men entered inside to rescue us. It was a group of rebels, parents who visited some of their children." Moises
"The Missionaries were all dead the building destroyed and all the kids were scattered. Some become child laborers of Compradors other were blessed ... they were adopted by rich kind childless landowners." Moises
"Eight of us made a pact that we will stay together no matter what happens. The GIN-U-WINE BROTHERS against the world." Moises
"We travel the archipelago joining a group of pirates, stealing & robbing ships in the seas. Meeting different kinds of people, Rebels Warriors, Foreign soldiers and Traders. There's was a ship in Cebu that we stole loaded with rifles and ammunitions. The Pirates gave us one rifle each and taught us to use it safely and responsibly. We had fun with the guns Assembling & Dismantling the parts, Playing with bullets Shooting fishes in the seas." Moises
"The Pirate became our family & the Ship became our home. Travelling the sea was boring, Our games to keep us occupied was hand to hand combat and creating weapons from any available materials." Moises
"Some members of the Pirates are Timawas (Moorish tribe – free men class) Catholic converted Moro warriors (Moorish tribal warriors). They train us how to fight with our hands & feet, Bolos, Arrows and knives. They told us not to rely always with guns because bullets are hard to find and expensive. We really enjoyed it because we were bored and young eager to learn everything." Moises
"We also learn to write and speak Spanish. One of the pirates there was a former Friar in Laguna who escaped prosecution against Spain. The ship wasn't just a home it was also our school. Everything has its price, Our pirate group became famous. They called us PIRATA DEL TIGRE (tiger pirates). The Spanish Navy searched and hunted us." Moises
"Somewhere in the Sibuyan Sea late in the night. All eight of us GIN-U-WINE BROS. were fast asleep, tired and exhausted after cleaning all areas of the ship. Suddenly an explosion from afar woke us up. Seconds later a cannonball hit us directly in the starboard damaging the ship." Moises
"We only have one cannon but the second cannonball shot the middle of the ship hitting our only weapon. Captain Isagani Gonzales ordered to the other pirates." Moises
"GATHER ALL THE YOUNG MEN PUT THEM IN THE BOAT WITH SUPPLIES, DRAW THE BOAT DOWN IN THE WATER AND LET THEM ROW TO SAFETY!!" Capt. Isagani Gonzales
All of us argued with the captain
"NO! WE FIGHT WITH YOU! WE WILL GIVE OUR LIVES TO YOU AND ALL OUR BROTHERS IN THIS SHIP! WE ALL DIE TOGETHER!!!!" Gin-u-wine Brothers
The moro pirates and friar forced us all in the boat, gave us lots of foods and draw the boat down.
"TAKE CARE MY YOUNG BROTHERS, ROW TO SAFETY!" Moro pirate
"NO!! WE WILL DEFEND YOU, YOU ALL OUR FAMILY! DON'T DO THIS! LET US FIGHT FOR YOU!" Gin-u-wine Brothers
The pirate cut the rope and turned his back on us. Two more cannonball hit the tail of the ship, All of us row for our lives to a safe far distance, We saw our ship burning slowly sinking. Crying & Shouting while seeing our home going down the sea.
YOU ARE READING
1890s CRADLE OF HEROES (DUYAN KA NG MAGITING) BOOK 1
ActionA historical fiction set in 1890s Spanish Colonial Philippines few years before the 1898 Revolution. The period where no clear law enforcement and protection service was delivered to the public especially to the peasants living in the far flung prov...
