"FLY ME TO THE MOON" Second Series

Disclaimer:

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, places, events and incidents are either the product  of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely councidental.

Synopsis:

From the ravages of extreme poverty, disasters, and nearly losing hope.

Out of life's hardship,  a dream germinated...

How sacrifices,  loneliness, losing a family and creation of new family relationships from friends, united to be a blessing and make a real difference in life.

🌕 53. GOLDEN FRUITS INCORPORATED

The farm became a company. It is a family of farmers, people who care for each other, a company that all employees think it is their own company. They love it, they protect it, they defend it and they do what they can for its interest. Because the company's interest is their interest. So every plant, every animal, every machine, every employee is given respect and care that the quality of this farm produce is known and certified "Organic".

Tony and Paulo arrived in Manila. Juan and Ruthie fetched them.

As they meet at the airport, they hug, they cry as if they have not seen for a long time. No, they cry because they are not complete. They always feel there is a vacuum empty, the space of Mama Martha in their hearts.

They eat in a Korean restaurant where they eat with Jacky.

Ruthie video call Jacky who is in the library of Tokyo Medical and Dental University. 

" Hello Ruthie, I can not talk loud, I'm in the library." Jacky waved to Tony, Paulo, and a flying kiss to Juan. 

"I miss that restaurant. I love kimchi and Sushi. So you are all together, I wish I can go there but my schedule will not permit, I miss you guys. Pray for me, I'll be reporting and have the  simulation in the surgery room." Jacky said.

"We will pray for you. We know you can do it, Jacky, God bless you" Tony said.

"Thank you, Father!" Jacky said.

"I love to hear that. In God's time, it will be official. I'm proud of you Jacky. I thank Martha for finding you for Juan. But I know, God can use you to find Martha, when the time comes." Tony said with tears of joy.

"Bye, for now, I'm going to the room now!" Jacky waved.

All of them waved.

After eating, they went to the Uptown Condominium, Ruthie was the driver, Juan was in the back seat with Tony, Paulo was in the front seat. Tony and Paulo's turn to be amazed at the tall buildings, and when they arrived and park, Tony can not believe that they can live in this kind of house different from the farm nipa house they lived for years. They went up using the elevator, and it's their first time for Tony and Paulo to be in a tall building and they will live on the 30th floor. The elevator door opened. 

They walk in the clean hall then Ruthie tried to open the door with her keys, and as they opened the door, Tony and Paulo can't believe their eyes, a balcony with glass walls, you can see the view of the city outside, the view is very beautiful, and they sat on the sofa. They toured their unit, they look and study every corner, every appliance, every cabinet, every decoration, every plant. 

"What do you want to change here Dad? Do you want to change the decorations, the settings, anything you prefer." Juan asked.

"Juan, This is more than I expect. Still, we lack somebody. I wish your Mom is here with us." Tony sighed.

"Hello Rose, I'm happy with the performance of your team. We are up and the good timing of the demand for our products is increasing.  We are now shipping 19 tons of fruits and vegetables per month for local nationwide. Now we will start to have our export to Japan 2 tons this week. Pray that our quality will pass their stringent standards. Send me the files of our employees and their contribution to this success, let's give them a surprise bonus and awards." Tony said to Rose Zabala in the farm office.

"Thank you boss Tony, you have really made the company of loving people that all are giving their best. We have a problem with the attendance of an employee here but that is understandable, his wife is sick he needs to take care of their children." Rose reported.

"This is an opportunity to show we care. Check what is the problem of his wife, and the underlying circumstances, send to me immediately" Tony said.

Rose found out that his wife has newly discovered forgetfulness that it gradually worsens that she can not function well at home. Tony observes that with Martha before, she often forgets before she went back to Japan. I suspect that it is Alzheimer's. 

"Try to do anything to help the family," Tony instructed Rose.

"Yes, boss," Rose said.

There is a complaint about a day delay in delivery, in Cebu.

Tony called the Courier in charge of the delivery. He then instructed Rose to have at least two days advance ship out from the farm so to compensate for the delays of travel and shipping schedules that it will arrive just in time or advance for one day than late.

"People are the most important and priority asset of the company. They are the reason we make the business to create jobs, make them happy working for their company and making them happy with their salary, and making the customers happy about the quality of the products produce." 

Tony is planning to make a planning workshop and team-building outing for the team after the export office and all the procedural systems are in place. He wants a Vision and Mission to be shared by all the employees who will work for it. It must be a collaboration and a consensus of what Goldenfruits Inc. will function and develop as a company.

"Dad I'm thinking, Let's go to Japan. Let's make it a surprise to the Yamadachi family, and at the same time a multipurpose trip. We will work out to meet Mother who does not remember us, improve your relationship with your Japanese market, and help those who are victims of Alzheimer's before our school will start. What do you think?" Juan telling Tony?

"That's a good idea. Let's prepare for that, we had our passports, we will work out how we can have a tourist visa without informing the Yamadachi family. If that is not possible then we will inform only one and secret to others. I think we will also bring Rose with us for the Maketa Foundation." Tony said.

"Yehey! We will go to Japan!" Ruthie shouted as she overheard the conversation.

Paul, run to the living room and look at them and smiled to think he can visit Japan and make paintings there.

"We had also an additional patient for Alzheimer's Rose reported to me and we are helping them we will include them in our agenda for the foundation," Tony said.

"Dad, I and Ruthie will survey hospitals and relatives of all our employees if they have love ones who have Alzheimer's, so we can have a number of cases to bring, I'll find doctors here who specialize in Alzheimer's or had patients who had cases of it," Juan added.

"I'll ask in Goldenfruits employees about that. Ok, this is a good plan. Let's pray for that and let's do our assignments so we can help many as we can" Tony said.

"Time to eat! I made a Philly Cheesesteak Omelet, Puto maya, (a type of rice cake which originated from Cebu, is made of glutinous rice, fresh ginger, and sweetened milk) and sikwate(chocolate tablea and brown sugar in hot water)." Ruthie calling them in their bar type table in the kitchen.

They went there and ate smiling as they look far beyond the glass walls that you can see the beautiful view of Makati.

"Hello,  Jacky, I have my first job, I had been hired by Dad as her temporary Secretary. I'm so happy, I just worry when classes start, I can not help him here. Anyway, we are eating now putomaya and sikwate, so you remember these foods?" Ruthie in a video call.

"Yes, I remember that Juan and I also had lapaz bachoy, lumi, and pancit palabok, He would bring me to the market and I tasted those foods very yummy," Jacky said.

Tony, Paulo, and Juan waved at her on the phone camera.

"I miss you guys," Jacky said.

"Oh yes! before I can forget. Juan, do you remember our friend Elena? She is there in Manila working in a department store or a Mall I think, she graduated from a secretarial course." Jacky added.

"If we can contact her, I will hire her as a secretary," Tony said.

"Yes, I remember her, in your apartment, send Dad her number so he can interview her if she is interested," Juan said.

"Sure, I contact her in her messenger, I'll send it right away."

"Bye Jacky, I'll wash the plates," Ruthie said.

They all waved.

Jacky remembered all the beautiful memories in the Philippines especially the times she would lean on Juan's arms or shoulder, she yearns for his nearness physically. She just sighs and imagines as she goes back to concentrate on her book in surgery.

Her first surgery was hard, pressured and her hands shake as she holds the scalpel. But later she gets used to it and is now one of the trusted assistants of the famous surgeon in Tokyo.

🌕 54. SMOKEY MOUNTAIN

Toot...

Ruthie received a text from Jacky.

"Elena 0932 *** ***7" 

Ruthie sends the number to Tony her father.

Tony had hired a contractor to fix his office of 50 square meters space. It is adjacent only to their house. 

He will hire a messenger-driver, a janitor and laundry in charge, a cook and garden in charge, an encoder and call center agent, a liaison officer(to coordinate the farm, the couriers and the buyer) and a secretary to assist him to make the export department of Goldenfruits Inc succeed.

Tony made a hiring announcement through the internet.

Tony called the number of Elena.

Ring...

"Hello, who is this?"

"Hello, is Elena there?" Tony asked.

"I just picked this cell phone in the road in Tondo." A man said.

"Can we meet you, she is our friend and we want to know where she is," Tony said.

Tony called Juan.

"Elena's cell phone was seen in Tondo, Manila can you assist me, let's met this guy who found her phone. "

"OK, Dad. Let's meet in Tondo Convenience Store." Juan said.

Juan ride his bike and went to the store.

Tony was calling the cell phone of Elena for the meetup.

Before Juan went to the area, he contacted Jacky if she can contact Elena in her messenger account. Elena doesn't see the post or reply. So they contact Aling Lina the mother of Elena. She gets the address of Elena's Aunt and they are calling all who knows Elena if someone has known her location. It seems she is confirmed lost.

Tony has reacquired the cell phone of Elena, he paid the man with two thousand pesos as a reward.

Where is Elena? 19 years old. He called four hospitals and there was none.

He tried also some of the funeral homes, but no Elena Rodriguez. 

He gets a list of all the hospitals

Tony filed a report to the police and it was recorded in the blotter.

Juan then went home and called all hospitals if there was a patient names Elena Rodriguez. He started with Tondo Medical Center, Ospital ng Tondo, Mary Johnston Hospital, then at San Lazaro Hospital there was an Elena Rodriguez confined for stab wound just yesterday. She is scheduled for operation today but with no guardian identified she has just said her name, age, and collapsed and was at ICU.

Juan informed Tony his father and they race to the hospital.

She was in the ICU, Juan talked to the doctors what is her status. She must be operated now, and Thirty thousand pesos is the downpayment.

Juan signed the papers and gave his credit card for the down payment.

Tony arrived and was relieved that she be operated.

Jacky video called. 

"What's her status, Juan?" Jacky asked.

"She is still unconscious, she is now going to the operating room," Juan said.

"Why?" Jacky crying.

After thirty minutes the operation was finished, then she went back to the ICU to recover.

The whole operation cost was One hundred thousand was charged to Juan's credit card.

Tony and Juan went to the address given where Elena's Aunt was living in Tondo. 

They located it and find her in the squatters area, they found some old people. Aling Lorna, Elena's Aunt was shocked, she cried, she thought Elena was in her lady coworker because if they will get home late, she would sleep there. They went to her coworker but she said she did go with her, she prepared and went to a department store to buy new clothes for her interview in her new work.

"She must have been informed by Jacky about her new job," Juan said.

"Her Aunt is already there in the hospital," Tony said.

"Hello, Aling Lina, She was already operated, and she is recovering in the hospital. Let's pray for her fast recovery. Don't worry about the expenses, God will provide. When she wakes up we can get a possible lead who did this to her. Her Aunt is now taking care of her. OK. Welcome. Bye." Juan in a phone call.

Is Tondo a dangerous place?

Let's start here with our mission.

Juan went to visit Alex Rollo in his secret safehouse. His family is here. Merlyn welcome him in the house and Alex embraced him as he entered the room.

"Boss I came here because a friend from General Santos was stabbed in Tondo. There are areas there that are living in the garbage area. The slums are getting so dirty physically and spiritually. I want this to be a special project on how we can help transform the place and the people who are there to be God-loving, God-fearing people. This is hard and needs a lot of sacrifices, but I want to start somewhere but how?" Juan said.

"Then let's pray first and ask God what to do. I have been reading the Bible a month already Juan and I want to share this in line with what you said now. Luke 4:18-19: "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME BECAUSE HE HATH ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR; HE HATH SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED, TO PREACH DELIVERANCE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERING OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET AT LIBERTY THEM THAT ARE BRUISED, TO PREACH THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD." Alex Rollo reading the verse.

"Let's find out what is Tondo's problem, then apply that verse as our guide to help them? I believe that is what you are talking about Boss." Juan said.

"Yes, I think. I have lived for money, for pleasure, and for fame in the past, but I'm not truly happy, there is something in this Jesus business that I can not understand but I feel the joy to fulfill loving and caring for others that I don't care before. I discover that making others happy in Jesus is a real joy. I shared this with my wife and to my kids, and they say they are happier with me now than before. Let's make this project for the Lord! Yes, I may sound corny but I mean it." Alex said.

"Thanks, Boss, We are making this project organize if it's OK with you to let us meet again and plan this so we can make our first move," Juan said.

"Count me in!" Alex said.

Juan said his goodbyes and went home happy.

Juan had not slept with praying, and the goal and inspiration from what Alex had said stick in his mind, he finds a place to meet tomorrow from the Internet.

"Hello, Juan, you are still online, what's up my love? What is bothering you?" Jacky in a video call from Japan.

"I'm really touched by what Boss Rollo said, and by what happened to Elena. I have seen the place in Tondo, they are really hard up, the desperately poor are struggling and fighting to live. I can see a big difference now in Boss Alex, he gave me a verse, that will guide us in our new quest to obey Jesus in this verse. Luk 4:18-19: "The Holy Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He anointed me [i.e., specially chose me] to preach good news to poor people. He has sent me to proclaim freedom to those who are captives [i.e., to sin]; recovery of sight to the [spiritually as well as physically] blind; to set free those who are oppressed [i.e., by Satan] and to proclaim the year of the Lord's acceptance [i.e., the time when people would become His obedient followers]." Juan said.

"Whatever the plan to help the poor, I'm in. Especially after I'm already a doctor, I'll be on your side to obey Christ, I'll support you if that is your ministry." Jacky said.

They prayed in the video call and went to sleep.

Shobe shabu shabu located in Herbosa Corner Matiisin Street, Tondo, Manila.

The first meeting of "Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan" (KALAHI), this will be a private foundation to help the poor.

Juan opened the meeting with a prayer then a study about Tondo.

"Tondo has 40,000 people living in hell like situation who have no accessible freshwater nor proper sewage. They are still waiting for the housing and jobs promised by an endless line of politicians. 

How the hell can we Filipinos allow this squalor to be so invisible to us? It's 20 kilometers from Makati, which makes me feel guilty. Let's revisit the Smokey Mountain and make it a new dream.

"Let's start with a small significant move. Let's know them first by going to their level, surveys, studies, and activities that we can talk to and really feel and see what they are in and what hinders them. Let's find out what's our enemy against poverty and hopelessness."Alex said.

"I suggest let's organize this, I nominate Alex to be our chairman," Tony said.

"I second the nomination," Paulo said.

"Is there an opposition? being None, I gave the floor to our Chairman" Juan said.

Everybody clapped.

"Thank you for your trust in this job. I now donate ten million as a starting fund for our foundation and I request Juan to register our foundation, and we will adopt the name suggested "Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan" (KALAHI)." Alex said.

"I will make a free Art workshop, I will coordinate with the Life Project Youth Foundation in CP Garcia to be the venue," Paulo said.

"I will lead Alzheimer's survey," Ruthie said.

"I will Coordinate with the Local Government and the Barangay officials," Juan said.

"I will try to give business packages selling fruits and vegetables, and create a talipapa that they can do business," Tony said.

"That's a good suggestion, I will see how can we supply them with fish products," Ely said in Video conference Zoom.

"I'll see also how they can have grocery items to sell," Luz said in Zoom.

"I will tell Jacky about what we have discussed, she is still at school and she has her second surgery of a little girl who has appendicitis. Let's include it in our prayers." Luz said.

"OK, we are now with items in our hands. We will study these proposals individually for its feasibility and in the process see what may hinder us and how we can make it a reality in the fastest way. We will also coordinate with Pastors that can help us in the spiritual aspect that will give the real transformation through Christ alone. Give your proposal time table, submit to me is we can implement it soonest." Alex said.

They prayed. Juan remembered the day that they had nothing to eat and how a dream germinated from those sufferings.

They adjourned full of emotion and they can't wait to start this new journey of love.

🌕 55. TOKYO CONNECTION

Broom...

Juan is driving fast, Jacky is arriving from Japan.

Tik tok tik...

She is already at the International Airport. Jacky is really fond of surprises.

Juan arrived at the airport and she is standing in the entrance waiting for him with her luggage at her side.

Juan hurriedly gets her luggage but Jacky grabbed his hand and pull him and embraced him. "I missed you so much."

Juan embraced her too and said, "I'm glad you're here." Juan said.

He put the luggage in the back of the Nissan Terra and they went to the hospital. Juan wants to eat first, but Jacky insisted to see Elena first.

Jacky opened the door of the recovery room and Elena was sitting already being fed by her Aunt. Jacky smiled and hold Juan in the arm and they went near her bed. Elena smiled and nodded.

"I'm so grateful for your help Juan, thanks, Jacky." Elena with tears.

"I'm happy that you are recovering my friend. I and Juan had many memories with you. We felt you as part of our family. Get well fast, you have a high paying job waiting for you in Makati." Jacky said.

Juan nodded.

They talked with her Aunt, and food delivered ordered online by Jacky, they ate at the hospital with Elena. "She is recovering fast, said the doctors," Elena's Aunt said.

"I have here a bag full of goods for you Elena. I will be back to Japan also today, I will have a practice surgery, I will assist in heart surgery with my famous professor tomorrow. This will be the hardest and nerve-wracking experience for me." Jacky said.

"I believe in you my friend, You can be the best surgeon," Elena said.

Jacky embraced Elena and went out of the hospital with Juan.

Jacky then went to the airport and Juan bade her goodbye.

Juan embraced her and kiss her in the forehead. 

"Thank you, Juan," Jacky said.

"For what?"Juan asked.

" For taking care of our friend," Jacky said.

"That's nothing," Juan said.

"I know you did it for me." Jacky thinking.

Jacky waved and turned back to go to the plane.

"See you soon" Juan whispered to himself.

After one week, Elena reported to her new office in Makati, the Goldenfruits Inc. Export Office as Tony's secretary.

After one week of training and actual hands-on Elena shipped her first export products to Japan and Singapore.

"Yehey! Our visa for Japan were all approved!" Ruthie jumping and shouting.

Paulo was also jumping, "Yehey!" 

He then prepared his painting brushes, paints, and canvases.

This trip was postponed because of the visa and by Elena's surgery. Now it will become a reality.

"There is a problem with the shipment in Japan, I must see it there personally," Tony said.

" When Dad?" Paulo asked.

"Tomorrow," Tony said.

"What?" Ruthie and Paulo in the chorus.

"Yes, I have informed Juan already. Pack up just a few clothes, we will travel lightweight, we will leave tomorrow." Tony said.

Juan arrived. Ruthie and Paulo greeted Juan excitedly and informed him of their instant trip tomorrow. 

"Are you both sure?" Juan said.

"You are not excited?" Ruthie asked him.

"Excited? Here are our tickets!" Juan said.

"Hahaha! you got us! Jacky will be surprised! Ruthie said.

Early in the International Airport four of them excitedly went on board the Japan Airlines going to Tokyo International Airport. Juan, Paulo, and Ruthie went to the Nuova Restaurant by taxi to wait for Jacky. While Tony directly went to Tokyo Port to meet the courier and the buyer through a taxi...

Juan called Jacky through messenger. 

" Hello, Why you are not opening your camera?" Jacky said.

"I have a new haircut I don't want you to see it yet hehe." Juan made an alibi.

"I just finished my class and going home now, I'm on the train now," Jacky said.

"Ok see you soon," Juan said.

"What see me soon?" Jacky asked.

"Yes, I mean in the video call," Juan said.

"Hahaha, you are funny," Jacky said and put off the call.

"Hey, why I'm hearing Japanese sounds it must be here in the train" Telling herself.

Juan went to the Roppongi-itchome train station and wait for her beside a mini stall or automatic kiosk that you just insert money and press a button. Juan had secretly put a GPS monitoring in Jacky's phone for emergency purposes that she can be located in the Philippines. He will use it today to find Jacky in this thousand of people in the station.

Juan glanced in his smartphone and see that Jacky is still on the train in the GPS. The train halted and all the passengers hastily are getting off the train.

He sees the dot on the map leaving the train and now is going to his direction.

Juan's heart is racing. Is he so excited, or afraid that Jacky could have a boyfriend here in Japan and he will see them both holding hands disembark the train? "What am I thinking? Jacky will not do that!" Juan smiled and did not entertain bad thoughts. 

But honestly, he was scared and is feeling strange in this new and strange place.

Then the dot on the screen is about ten meters from him and he saw Jacky with a man in her side, "Is that the man?" Juan said to himself. But there are also other men on her other side and in her back. That is just another passenger. "Why I'm so stupid today!" Juan then sees Jacky in his front, shocked.

She can't move, "Are you really here?" Jacky can not believe her eyes.

Juan as if they are alone in the train station, embraced her. Jacky with tears, "I'm so happy that you are here Juan!" Jacky whispered to him.

"Let's go! I know a restaurant. Grabbed Jacky in the hand and they stopped a taxi and went to Nuovo restaurant.

In the taxi, Jacky is embracing the arms of Juan as if it is a fulfilled dream for her. When she gets out of the taxi, she was more surprised that Paulo and Ruthie were on the table waiting for her at Nuova Restaurant.

She can't control herself to run inside and embraced both Paulo and Ruthie crying.

"You are not happy to see us? Hahaha! We got your sister. This is my happiest moment to visit you here, don't cry." Ruthie said.

"This is tears of so much joy to be with you all," Jacky said.

"Your Dad was left in the Philippines?" Jacky asked.

They all nodded. They agreed to make it as another surprise.

They ordered seafood Ramen for Paulo, Sriracha Beef Ramen for Juan, Spicy Chicken Ramen for Ruthie, and Braised Pork Ramen for Jacky.

They also tasted Wagyu beef made into tender steak cubes, flame-grilled to perfection, and glazed with sweet and smoky Japanese Unagi sauce.

Sushi a delicious Kani crabsticks paired with fresh mangoes, wrapped in a sushi roll with Japanese sushi rice and nori, and drizzled with the new Spicy Aligue Mayo plus tempura crumbs and onion leeks!

They had pineapple juice.

After eating they walk to Maison Landmaine, Tokyo, Minato City, Azabudai, 3 Chome−1−5. They sit outside the bakery. They occupied the four rattan chairs with two small round tables and a white umbrella that cover them in the setting sun. 

Jacky ordered caffe latte for four and a tray of bread.

Juan checked Tokyo on the internet:

"Tokyo is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Japan. Formerly known as Edo, it was a small fishing village that became the center of Tokugawa Ieyasu's government in the 16th century.

In 1868 it became the official capital of Japan and renamed as Tokyo, and since then it has been rebuilt after being hit by disasters as well as devastated by war.

In 1964 the summer Olympics were held in Tokyo, and in 2020 the Olympics are coming back once again to one of the greatest and most prominent cities in the world. By the late 1970s, the metropolitan area population reached eleven million, and today nearly forty million people live here."

They chatted, laugh, joke around tease and you can see the smiles.

"Let's surprise Dad and Mom when they come home," Jacky said.

Juan said, "We just walk going to your home."

"Yes, it's only forty-five meters from here," Jacky said.

They arrived in the Pacific residence, Azabu,  Minato, Kanto region, Japan. A very cozy and beautiful home.

Juan, Ruthie, and Paulo imagined how their mother lived in this place before.

Jacky said this is our second home. "We will visit our first home where Nanny Martha lived with us."

Then there are steps outside the door of the condominium, someone is typing the pin code of the door. When the door opened.

All of them were surprised. 

"Hahaha!" 

Because Ely, Tony, and Luz went inside at the same time.

"Hahaha I want to surprise you both but instead we were surprised, especially me hahaha, because these jokers said Daddy Tony is left in the Philippines!" Jacky said.

"God bless you, child," Tony said.

Juan, Ruthie, and Paulo and Jacky get their hands and put in their foreheads as a Filipino gesture of respect.

"Let's celebrate! Ely said.

"I'll order some food," Luz said.

"Hahaha! I was really surprised." Ruthie said.

"Me too..." Jacky called them and toured them to their home. She let them enter her room. Paulo was so happy to see his paintings and sketches we're in the room and also in the living room. 

Juan just looks but he can imagine his mother. I must see Mom before we go home.

Ely and Tony are talking about their plans.

Both of them solved the problem with the buyer and gained the trust and will order more next week and every week.

They also went to the Maketa Foundation office and made an appointment with Maketa Tamashi Takuma.

🌕 56. MEMORY MAY FAIL BUT LOVE MAY NOT

Maketa is making efforts to allocate funds of the foundation to make the Philippine branch start. He accepted the appointment of Ely Yamadachi to meet him, to facilitate the foundation's preparation.

Maketa instructed Emica, her personal assistant, and executive secretary to meet Ely and his group first because she may be late. She needs to talk to her father Katsuo regarding the fund allocation that will be presented to the board.

As scheduled they will meet at the Palace Hotel Tokyo Busines Center two hours from now.  Ely suggested that they will walk so they can see the way of going there and see some beautiful sights in Tokyo. They can reach the hotel by one o'clock then.

Everyone agreed.

They start walking at Gaien Higashi-dori street then passed Azabu Elementary School, Nicholas Pizza House, Uchibori-dori Street. They toured the Imperial Palace, Kokyo Gaien National Garden, Wadakura Fountain Park, then they arrived at the Palace Hotel Tokyo almost two hours of slow walking and sightseeing. 

The Tira family is excited and scared of what will happen when they meet. Will Martha recognize them? Will she accept them? What if she doesn't? Many questions in their minds.

Now they are here. Ely said this is the best hotel in Tokyo, the most expensive and luxurious one.

They went in and Ms. Emica greeted them and guide them to the Business Center.

Emica ordered Caffe Latte for each of them and Mineral Water.

Ma'am Maketa will arrive later. She instructed me to initially talk about the possibility of helping the Alzheimer's victims in the Philippines.

These are the lists of documents she is asking.

Juan, Ruthie, and Paulo toured the Palace Hotel Tokyo. They see the beautiful Ballroom, They look at Banquet hall, they sat in its cozy chairs, read and peek at all the newspapers in the lobby, they ask questions about the hotel in the front desk, and bought some souvenirs in the gift shop they also explore in the Grocery and convenience store, they waited to be called from the Reception Hall.

Maketa arrived and see them from the adjacent room and her heart raced as she observed them. She can not remember them, but she feels who are these people why she felt she know them but where and who are they, she can not remember. Are they my enemies? Am I afraid of them?

She decided not to meet them yet, instead, she went to the Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital for a check-up because her blood pressure went up due to mixed emotions that she doesn't know why. It just happened that Jacky was assigned by her professor to take her blood pressure using the sphygmomanometer. Jacky then went in and get her blood pressure, she is lying in the bed, she did not recognize her. After she noted the values, 150/90 she wrote it in the paper and she glances her name, Maketa Tamashi Takuma. She sits again beside her and touched her hand. Maketa opened her eyes and she looked at her. "I recognize you, you are that beautiful queen of the school, am I right?"

Jacky nodded.

"Thanks for taking care of me. How is my blood pressure? I have seen people in the hotel today that my heart reacted and I can not understand but I don't recognize them or remember if I know them. I just don't feel comfortable." Maketa said.

"Then I suggest that you try to know them Maam, maybe you know them," Jacky said.

"Ma'am, can I talk to you when you're free? I'm Jacky Yamadachi, this is my number(she gave her a piece of paper), you may call me anytime you have questions about your health for free." Jacky said while preparing for another patient to see for her rounds.

Jacky video called Juan.

"Juan, your mother is here in the hospital because her blood pressure went up. She said she has seen people that her heart race but she does not know them, that's the reason her blood pressure went up a bit. Did she see you there?" Jacky asked.

"I don't know? I did not see her here." Juan replied.

After for a while, Emica informed them that Maketa was in the hospital for a check-up so their meeting was rescheduled after two days.

They were offered dinner but Tony said they will just be back after two days. 

"Can I ask for the foundation papers and contact information? Tony asked.

"Yes, I will print a brochure we usually give for our sponsors," Erica said.

Emica take a picture of them and gave the printed brochure. They then get out of the hotel.

They walked to the Hotoria Square sad and see the birds in the birdhouses, they find a square to sit.

Jacky arrived called by Ely.

She felt the sad emotion in the air. She is sad too.

She went to Juan and sit beside him.

"I was the one that takes her BP. I talked to her. Here, I secretly steal a photo of her." Jacky let Juan see the picture.

Tony, Ruthie, Paulo went near Juan and they look at the picture on the cell phone.

Tears flowing from their eyes as they see their Mom laying in the hospital bed.

They can't stop but sobbing and crying as if somebody died.

Ely and Jacky also with tears try to comfort them, Jacky embraces Juan and pats his back.

Maketa on the other hand talks to his father Katsuo regarding the incident in the hotel. Her mother Ichika convinced her to see them.

"Ok, we will invite them for dinner at your office. as you said after two days, then let's see. Who knows they know something about you." Ichika said.

"I agree, Maketa, who knows this is the opportunity to know your past life and we can help them. Always remember no matter what is in the past, our love for you as our true child will never change." Katsuo said.

Luz arrived and see them all silent and sad. But when Juan sees her, he gets the hands of Luz and puts it in his forehead. And all the children including Jacky did like Juan, a sign of Filipino respect.

"Ok, I invite you all, let's go to Ameyoko Center, let's eat and shop. Let's buy something for Martha. Let's pray that we can finally meet her this Friday." Luz said smiling.

Ely and Jacky agreed. 

They walk for ten minutes from Hotoria Plaza to Takebashi train station. They arrived at Nihombashi station. They drink some soda from an automatic kiosk that you just insert money and punch in the switch of your desired drink. Then they transferred to a new train going to Ueno-hirokoji station.

"You know it's about a year already I think that we went here again. I'm thankful for your visit, we are touring our city again with new memories." Luz said.

They arrived at Ameyoko.

"Our game today is to find an object that we will buy individually that will remind you personally of Nanny Martha." Jacky trying to change the mood.

"Game! Paulo said.

They start to shop and window shop the amazing stores of Ameyoko.

They spread out Ruthie and Paulo partnered.

Juan and Jacky went their way, Ely, Luz, and Tony went to the fish market to visit their buyers of fish products and introduced Tony to their friends there.

Ruthie excitedly pulls Paulo to enter Niki no Kashi. They see the 1st and 2nd floors are stacked with an impressive array of candy and snacks, and also region-specific snacks such as Kit Kats from different regions throughout Japan can all be bought in this one spot.

Ruthie bought different kinds of Kitkat. While Paulo bought some souvenirs, Kororo, Umaibo, and Oyatsu Calpas.

Jacky went to Champ de Herbe Ueno Store, Juan just joining her. This store is for lady's beauty products, the room has bright interiors and clear displays lined with featured products, Besides cosmetics, there are also budget-sized products that you can buy as gifts. Ruthie bought a panda stuff toy.

Juan entered the Freak Market, Ueno Ameyoko he had seen the largest Japanese Pattern wear and Sukajan specialty store it was founded for 30 years freak market according to Jacky. Juan bought a Japanese casual wear of Japanese pattern that is best for a souvenir.

Tony invited them to the Fruit Skewers. He found out that some of the fruits were from the farm of Goldenfruits incorporated. He called them one by one. Ely was so happy to see that some of the Goldenfruits Inc. cartons of fruits we're seen in the store. Ely talked to the store manager and owner and introduced Tony and was the interpreter for him. The owner invited them in and gave them their specialties for them to taste-free.

Juan, Jacky, Paulo, Ruthie enjoyed the fresh fruits in skewers.

Ely said "The owner is happy and satisfied with the organic fruits from the Philippines. He will order for more and was happy that he met the owner of the Goldenfruits Inc. The fruits have helped his business grow." Ely interpreted the Japanese owner's story.

Maketa was resting in her room. She ponders why she felt that way of seeing the man and the adult children.

"I can never remember them. Lord if they are related to me please let me know it in a way that I will be convinced that they are the one. I don't want to be hurt or hurt Katsuo and Ichika.

"I will investigate their lives in advance. I want to know in what way they are related to me. Are they my friends, relatives, classmate, workmate, or enemy, etc. I must know." Maketa said.

She called Emica to come to her room.

Emica bowing. 

"Bring me the files that you get from the meeting," Maketa said.

Emica brought her the folder and went out.

She looked at it, she read every detail, but she can't remember anything related to her. In the back of the papers, she gets the picture printed by Emica from her cell phone.

"She looked at it and her mind can't remember but her heart is somewhat missing them, that tears roll in her eyes when she saw Ruthie. When she sees Paulo, she cried. My mind may forget them but my heart knows them.

" Please Lord if these people are important to me then, reveal it in a way that I can convince my failing mind." Makita crying.

🌕 57. COMPLETE THE PUZZLE

"Tokyo will be evening 3 hours from now. Let's go to Tokyo Tower." Ely said.

Juan reading portions of the Wikipedia.

Japan Radio Tower(Tokyo Tower) is a communications and observation tower. At 332.9 meters (1,092 ft), it is the second-tallest structure in Japan. The structure is an Eiffel Tower-inspired lattice tower that is painted white and international orange to comply with air safety regulations. Over 150 million people have visited the tower in total since its opening in late 1958. Tower attendance had been steadily declining until it bottomed out at 2.3 million in 2000. Since then, attendance has been rising, and it has recently been attracting approximately 3 million visitors per year.

From Ameyoko Center Building they went to Naka-okachimachi train station train ride then switched to another train at  Ningyocho station train ride again to Daimon train station then the third train to Akabanebashi train station then they walk to the Tokyo Tower.

They first enjoy the FootTown located in the base of the tower is a 4-story building. The first floor includes the Aquarium Gallery, They like pretty fish, big eels and long-necked turtles, they loved it, They observe and concern a bit about the size of some of the tanks but as they have never kept fish then they have no idea. The fish seemed active and content! And some were totally different from anything they have ever seen. They perceived they feed the sand eels and the spitty fish at 4.30 pm. 

There is a reception hall, the 400-person-capacity "Tower Restaurant", a FamilyMart convenience store, and a souvenir shop. This floor's main attractions, however, are the three elevators that serve as a direct ride to the Main Observatory. The second floor is primarily a food and shopping area. In addition to the five standalone restaurants, the second floor's food court consists of four restaurants, including a McDonald's and they ate pizza hurriedly at Pizza-La to see more of what is here.

They see the Guinness World Records Museum Tokyo on the third floor, a museum that houses life-size figures, photo panels and memorabilia depicting interesting records that have been authenticated by the Guinness Book. Paulo enjoyed the Wax Museum, which was opened in 1970, displays wax figures imported from London where they were made. The figures on display range from pop culture icons such as The Beatles to religious figures such as Jesus Christ. A hologram gallery named the Gallery DeLuxe, a lounge, and a few specialty stores are also located on this floor. Paulo also loved the Trick Art Gallery which is located on the building's fourth and final floor. This gallery displays optical illusions, including paintings and objects that visitors can interact with. Paulo gets new ideas and inspiration for painting.

On the roof of the FootTown building is a small amusement park that contains several small rides and hosts live performances for children.

They use the roof to access the tower's outside stairwell. At approximately 660 steps, the stairwell is an alternative to the tower's elevators and leads directly to the Main Observatory.

There is the virtual guide that speaks to you your location based on the tower. Many languages offered! It tells you the history and information at the places you're looking at.

They paid the ¥3000 each for the big tour. It was worth it.

After going to the top by elevator, we come down by walking down the stairs instead of the elevator. It's enjoyable to be "exposed" outside! It feels like you're a part of history!

They went on an extremely clear day and we were able to see all the way to Mt. Fuji.

They watch as the sunset and the darkness takes over, then Tokyo Tower lights illuminated the tower in different colors at night.

It was an amazing experience. They were never able to eat much except the pizza because we really don't want to stop looking at the views. They have stayed for about four hours in this tower before we decided to go home at about nine-thirty in the evening.

In the other hand, Maketa decided instead of two days as what she said that they will meet, she called Emica to set an appointment with Ely Yamadachi and his companions tomorrow. Emica tried to contact Ely but his cellphone is off, his cellphone battery is fully discharged. Emica texted but it was not yet opened by Ely.

They all silently prayed all night to unload the emotions to God until they slept, tired by the tour and the mix emotion of joy and sadness. Ruthie slept in Jacky's room, while Juan, Paulo, and Tony are in the large guest room.

Tok tok tok!

Early in the morning, a knock in the guest room. Tony opened the door, "Good morning!" Tony greeted Ely with a bow. 

"Tony, Ms. Emica had several missed calls and a text last night while my cell phone was off and charging. She said that we will meet Maketa Tamashi Takuma this afternoon at 1:00 PM." Ely is saying excitedly.

Everybody wakes up.

"Wow, this is good news. Let's prepare early." Juan said.

Tony called his Secretary that he will not report to the office today. He called His boss and asked for an emergency leave.

Luz also called her office, that she can not report.

Jacky has surgery to observe and participate. She can join later this afternoon.

They all had some exercises in the treadmill and dumbbells of the fitness gym of Ely. Luz served Coffee and made a putomaya and omelets. Everyone is excited. Paulo made some sketches about the tower, Ruthie is practicing what to say and wrap her gift for her mother.

Jacky wishes them that all will go well. She went to the hospital, Juan walked with her to the train station.

"I'm excited and anxious about this meeting. I have prayed last night that this will happen and it is a surprising answer to prayers. God is good!" Jacky said holding his arms.

"All the time!" Juan replied.

At ten o'clock everybody was ready, with their gifts and they are dressed as if to take a family portrait. Ely and Luz were decided that they will use their car.

Maketa in her room was also anxious and can not explain what she feels. She is dressed in her suit and Jacket.

Katsuo called her out, Ichika prepared their breakfast with Vegan Avocado-Tofu Toast, Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl, and adult milk.

"I'm excited about this meeting. We just based this with your intuition. Katsuo will do the investigation while I do is to find out what is your relationship with them. I am just puzzled because they don't claim anything so far that they know you, it just happened that they appeared here?" Ichika said.

"If they know you, why they did not look for you? I mean, if they are for example your family or relatives, what efforts did they do to find you? We will find out soon." Katsuo said.

"Ok, it's eleven o'clock let's go.

Maketa was silent. She does not know what to feel, what to say, or what to do.

Nobody doesn't want to eat their lunch, they are all focussed on this event. They went to the Palace Hotel Tokyo by Ely's 2020 Honda Odyssey 2.4 EX-V Navi CVT, pearl white car.

Katsuo, Ichika, and Maketa arrived in their limousine. Their assistants are tailing them like a VIP.

They have prepared a private but elegant room to do the meetup.

Being one of the stockholders of the hotel, She has a suite room converted to a private office of Maketa.

It has a conference room spacious for 12 people to have a meeting.

It is an elegant office with a secret room to nap if need be.

It has a spacious balcony, entirely separated living areas from the club deluxe king room, which was converted to an office, with a Balcony room.

Decorated in a cool mix of muted gold and creams accented by soft greens and a deep lavender, they also have spacious walk-in wardrobes and bathrooms with separate tubs and showers ensconced in large, walk-in marble & glass enclosures. 

From its southwest-facing perch, the Park Suite offers 180° views of the Imperial Palace Gardens, Wadakura Fountain, and the Tokyo skyline stretching all the way from Marunouchi in the east to Shinjuku in the west.

Fully loaded with technology.

52-inch LCD TVs in the living room and in the conference room. 16-inch LCD TV in the bathroom, Blu-ray / DVD / CD player, M's brand speaker system, BANG & OLUFSEN, Bose Soundlink Mini Bluetooth speaker, Multi-language TV channels, Built-in international power socket, Multi-functional VoIP telephone and voicemail, Complimentary high-speed wired and wireless Internet access.

The Yamadachi and Tira are in the hotel lounge sitting anxiously, waiting to be called.

 

Emica came from the elevator, approached Ely, and after the greetings, they were requested to the elevator going to the 21st floor, which is the office.

They walk to the door, Emica opened it and they stand in awe for the extraordinary office they have seen. They were guided by Emica to the conference room. The table is full of food and hotel staff arranging and doing it's final touch as they were let to sit down in individual chairs. Then Katsuo, Ichika went inside first and greeted them they bow, handshake, and introduce their names.

Then Maketa came inside.

All look at her, at a moment...

The Tira family can not stop their tears from looking at her. They have seen their lost Mother, Wife that it seems she rose from the dead.

They want to embrace her, Tony is already sobbing. Paulo and Juan are robbing his back also in tears.

Ruthie can not be stopped, she runs sobbing, embraced her Mom.

Ely and Luz also are in tears.

Katsuo was infected with the emotions in tears also, tried to speak. " What does this mean?" He said.

Ichika doesn't know what to say.

Maketa did not stop Ruthie. She also embraced her and said, "Do I know you, child?"

Ely in Japanese explained.

"You are Martha..." 

"We looked for you for years. Initially, we thought you were already dead. But there was a time that I saw you in a train station but I'm already inside the train, I saw you again in a meeting in a hotel but when I finished you were already gone. During the beauty contest of my child, you were the one who gave her the sash and crown. They have seen you on their cell phones because I video it live, and they are crying in the Philippines because they recognize you in the video. We can not just approach you because of your status now.

"But I don't remember anything," Maketa said.

Jacky entered the room who was called by Luz from school.

"I remember you, the queen of the TMDU beauty pageant, and my doctor," Maketa said.

Jacky embraced her and said, "So you remember this video?"

Jacky opened her cell phone and show the video taken by Ely when she was still a baby.

Maketa ordered Emica to connect it to the TV through the cast screen. They all see, a younger Maketa holding and caring for the baby, and Luz feeding the baby. 

In that instant, a flash of memory came back, the hostage drama and Maketa sobbed. "Yes, I remember that."

Jacky said: "That is me! The baby!"

Katsuo and Ichika in tears were so happy that they could find now the lost pieces of the puzzle about their adopted child their only heir, Maketa Tamashi Takuma, who is Martha Tiro.

🌕 58. REMEMBERING

"Family and friendships are two of the greatest facilitators of happiness." –John C. Maxwell

Juan is writing it on his phone to post with their picture in Japan.

Now they are here in this huge house of Katsuo and Ichika Takuma for their Mom Martha Tira who was named Maketa Tamashi Takuma.

Ruthie remembers yesterday that they meet her mother as Maketa Tamashi Takuma, and even they were forgotten, she feels in her heart that we are her family. Alzheimer's has miraculously made it what they are now.

Paulo made a portrait of that afternoon. How they talk reminding her mother of the past and how she became Maketa from Martha, but in their discussion, they are putting the pieces together to complete the clear picture that everything became clear to Maketa that she is Martha.

This is portions of what happened yesterday:

Tony reminded Martha of all her sacrifices and by going back to Japan. He also talks about how Ely, Luz, Joel, and Jacky had been part of their lives because of her, how they have been a big help in their setting up a business that is growing.

Juan reminded her of the hardship they had as the typhoon destroys their rice field. Juan said it's different now. The new farm bought by her became a big food corporation exporting even here in Japan.

Ruthie told her mother that she is starting to study in college. She told her that Juan was now a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and is taking the board and also will be studying in the law proper.

They continued chatting in Maketa's office in the Palace Hotel Tokyo, Katsuo and Ichika were hearing all the truth. Then he said to confirm everything, without a doubt, he made them have the DNA test that afternoon. He called the DNA testing in charge of the Tokyo Medical and Dental University to get their samples and they have the samples checked and next week the result will be released.

They start to eat and tell stories that Maketa is forming her lost past slowly like puzzles that are being matched and complete the picture or her and her lost family.

Maketa now embraced them all, they cried, they express their emotions of missing her these years that Ruthie was just about ten years old Paulo twelve, and Juan is fourteen when she was lost in Japan.

Katsuo and Ichika invited them all in their house to sleep that night.

We are not prepared for these. But if you insist, we will go home for a while ang get some clothes, we will be reporting for work tomorrow, then The Tira family can remain for a while if you want because they are staying with us as of the moment. "Ely said.

"OK, I will let you home then Emica will fetch you. You may bring your car, Ely if you prefer but we can fetch you also. Katsuo said.

"Ok, sir," Ely said. 

Maketa did not allow Ruthie and Paulo to go with them she let them stay with her.

Tony, Ely, Luz, Juan, and Jacky were allowed to go to get some clothes for the night.

As they ride the car from the Palace Hotel Tokyo, Juan who is familiar with intelligence and monitoring and observed that they are being tailed by a car then as they are near their home another car tailed them. He suspects they are being studied. But he did not say this to his father or to Jacky or to Ely and Luz.

Juan gets some clothes for Ruthie and Paulo, for him from their Travel bag and transferred to his backpack. He brings his laptop and he went down and installed some wireless solar powered camera near the gate and in the outside of their house and also in the back of the house.

Ely went to the car and all of them get in the car and they drove to Maketa's place.

Before they arrived, Paulo showed his paintings to her mother. Maketa kissed him and said you are so talented my son. Katsuo was amazed by his talent. 

"What if we will make a gallery here in Japan?" Katsuo thinks.

"Mother, he painted the official portrait of the President of the Philippines." Ruthie proudly said.

"Wow! Really? Maketa said. 

"Mother I will tell you a secret," Ruthie said.

"Because of you, Jacky went to study in the Philippines to find you. Not knowing that Juan was her classmate in high school in General Santos City. Later they found out that both of them know you." Ruthie narrated what happened. 

"Is that not easy because of Juan's surname?" Maketa said.

"Did you also forgot that the spelling of the surname of Kuya (elder) Juan is 'Tera' not 'Tira' with an 'i'? Because of the mistake of the midwife in the form and in the birth certificate and you have not checked it. Maybe that delayed them to find out that he is your son." Ruthie said.

"Is that so?" Maketa said.

"Mother, later their feelings developed as friends but as the school year-end is coming they found out they can't live without their relationship move up to a new level, and now, they are engaged," Ruthie said.

"I'm happy for them. You know, when I see my picture in the video holding Jacky, it seems it is a switch that reminds me of the past." Maketa said.

"Mom, I had an idea, I will show you my photo album and I will show you your pictures on Facebook," Ruthie said.

"That's a good idea. Let's do it!" Maketa said.

Ely and the company arrived. Emica let them follow her car to the house.

Katsuo and Ichika welcome them and let them in, and called her house assistant to show them their rooms. We will have dinner after, we will wait for you here.

The house is huge and beautifully decorated, a luxury house for the rich.

They had dinner. 

"This is a feast!" Paulo whispered to Ruthie.

"Our kitchen chef prepared this especially for you all" Ichika said smiling.

Katsuo leads the prayer.

The chef serves them,

CHICKEN-NOMIYAKI

 Crunchy Big Chicken Katsu topped with a Japanese Okonomiyaki pancake, tonkatsu sauce, Japanese mayo, tempura crumbs, and onion leeks for a one-of-a-king Japanese experience.

PRAWN TEMPURA PLATTER

A classic Japanese favorite. Crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside, Prawn Tempura is served with tempura sauce.

BEEF MISONO PLATTER

A platter of the famous and flavorful Beef Misono with a side of vegetable misono, topped with red pickled radish.

YAKISOBA

A party must-have, you will surely enjoy this traditional Japanese noodle dish.

SERVINGS OF RICE

A good serving of rice to satisfy the Filipino's rice appetite!

CUPS OF SIGNATURE RED ICED TEA

Glasses of our refreshing Signature Red Iced Tea.

After eating, they went to the living room to chat.

Ruthie said, "If it OK for you all, I will present some pictures in my album and in my cellphone."

Katsuo smiled, "That would be an excellent child. Please do it." 

Ruthie while in the room awhile ago, she took a picture of all the pictures in her photo album using her cellphone camera and some pictures from the Facebook she downloaded.

Then she connected it to the 52 inches Smart TV in the living room through the cast screen feature.

The screen was so clear, then she touched the picture gallery in her phone and the first picture that appeared is Martha(Maketa) in their first farm with Tony, Juan in her side embracing her and holding Ruthie in her arms, and Paulo holding her skirt. The farmhouse in the background is newly destroyed by a typhoon.

Katsuo's tear fell to see Maketa look so poor and thin and wearing a dress that seems a rug, but it is very clear that is Maketa.

The second picture shows Maketa with all of them sitting in their bamboo floor with plates on the floor eating corn rice and dried fish happily eating with all of them smiling and having jokes as they eat. Tony and Martha(Maketa) sitting beside each other, then Juan, Paulo eating while Ruthie being hand feed by Martha.

Maketa was silent, but her tears are flowing as the pictures, goes to show one by one, her memories are going back one by one. 

All of them in tears of the hard life reality, of suffering, of sacrifices and now they are in Japan.

God has a plan of all the sufferings, and the pain, everything that happened. What is that verse Maketa?"  Ichika said.

"Romans 8:28, that is my Mom's favorite verse. All things will work out together for good, to them that love God."  Juan said.

After Ruthie's presentation, Maketa stands and embraced her husband, then Ruthie, and Juan, and Paulo joined.

They then went to their respective rooms.

During the night, they prayed, thanking God, that they found their Mom.

Ely and Luz with Jacky in one room that looks like a suite room. This is huge, I love the curtains.

Juan, Paulo, and Tony in one room that is like a suite room also.  Juan opened his laptop and check his emails, his online cameras in their condominium in Makati, Philippines.

Ruthie was invited by Maketa to sleep with her.

Katsuo and Ichika talked in their room. "You know my love, I feel this family business is a blessing to us. I thank God for the day that we found Maketa in that morning in the market" Katsuo said.

"Yes, its time that we tell them also how we found her tomorrow," Ichika said.

"Yes, together with the DNA result that will be released tomorrow," Katsuo said.

🌕 59. NEGATIVE RESULT

Ting dong!

Katsuo opened the door and received the envelope from the messenger. His informed by this delivery ahead.

They just finished breakfast. They were served with: a variety of Rice balls with pickled plum or tuna, with seaweed wrap or enoki mushrooms, chicken, or even cheese. Gluten free tempora of shrimps, peas, zucchini, and eggplant, daikon and carrot salad, chawanmushi, and fruits of papaya, melon, and apples and green tea.

Katsuo invited them in the living room, he said: "I have here is the DNA result. I will not open it. I will accept you as Maketa's family without this."

Silence.

"Please open it we want to know the truth," Tony said.

Maketa said, "If my father said so, I'm happy with it."

"I suggest we open it so that the truth has no loose ends. We need to accept the hard truth and decide later." Juan said.

"Well then, Let's open it," Katsuo said.

Katsuo's hands are shaking as he is opening the well-sealed DNA result.

Ichika get the scissors and gave to him, he cut the edge of the envelope and get the five result, will he read the first result?

Katsuo desire to find the truth, but this few days, he was also in love with this family, that he doesn't want to break it up again if the result is negative. They all feel in a dilemma to open it or not.

Now, he takes a deep breath, and read it.

"NEGATIVE" Not related in any way.

Maketa, Ichika cried.

Ruthie sadly pat their back.

Jacky comforted Juan and embraced him.

Ely and Luz can not believe what they hear.

Katsuo can not see the paper because of his tears flowing. He put the papers on the table.

Then a long crying, then silence with sobbing. Nobody can move, the sadness is unbearable that even the employees looking are also crying.

This is the mourning that happened in this house with no dead person.

Then the silence was broken.

"No, that is not true! Ely cried.

" What do you mean? Luz asked him.

"Are you saying the laboratory result was altered? Katsuo asked.

" They can not do that, Dad!" Jacky defended her school.

"I will fire them if they do that!" Maketa said.

"I will not just fire them but imprisonment will be their reward!" Katsuo said with voice rising.

"That first document could be Tony's result. He is not related to Martha genetically. Ely said in Japanese.

Katsuo wipes his tears and tries to look again. "Yes, it's Tony's result."

A hush descended on them.

He hurriedly checks the next paper and it was Ruthie's result. He flips the paper and it says, POSITIVE, They are related.

Ruthie jump, Yehey! and embrace her mother Martha.

Juan and Paulo also are Positive, they had a group hug. And Tony joined them.

Katsuo and Ichika joined them also. They had a long hug, with tears, they cried. Then...

The cries turned to smile and laughter.

"Let's celebrate," Ichika shouted.

All their employees clapped. Ely, Luz, and Jacky clapped with tears.

The long search is now finally fulfilled.

Katsuo called his lawyers for a scheduled meeting.

"I'm sorry Tony that I did not remember you. I'm already seeing you blurry but I'm confident that your love and what you have done to our children is proof of your love. You have raised them well and I'm thankful that you all have found me." Martha said.

"Let's start again, let's make a new life with our children," Tony said.

"Let's explore Tokyo. Ely, Luz, and Jacky, we want you to join us" Katsuo said.

"We can join you this weekend, sir" Luz said.

"I suggest that you file a leave in your companies for one month if possible, we will tour not only Tokyo. If they will not approve, tell me, I will talk to the owners. If they will ever fire you, 

I can install you to positions that will be greater than what you have now." Katsuo said with authority.

"We will sir," Ely said.

"When will your classes start? Maketa asked Jacky. 

" Next month Mother, the three of us," Jacky answered. 

"That's good, we have time to bond," Ichika said.

Juan is controlling the agency by phone, email, and video calls. He has projects on his mind and he is getting many ideas and technology here in Japan. He always talks to his boss Alex Rollo. Alex is so happy with the news of finding Martha.

Tony is exporting tons of fruits and vegetables locally in the Philippines and to Japan through his trusted officers and staff of Goldenfruits Inc.

Katsuo finds everything about them through his paid detectives. The reports are all satisfactory. He is happy that Maketa's family is a real Christian family.

"I have the reports of my detectives to find anything about you all.  They are satisfactory. Please understand that I did this to protect Maketa. Now, I have no worries." Katsuo said.

Katsuo gathered them in the small conference room in his house only high executives of the Takuma empire can enter that room.

These are suggestions :

" Tony, you can expand your business here in Japan, not only in Tokyo but to other regions as well" 

"Ely we can make our new company that you can be the President if you want with Luz as your CEO."

"Juan, after you finish your law in the Philippines, you can study International law here in Japan."

"Paulo we can build a Gallery for your paintings in the Philippines and Japan."

"Ruthie can head a business here after you finished your business administration course."

"Jacky has a great future in TMDU, I'm one of the major stockholders of that university and hospital."

Those are future possibilities that we can work out as we go.

So I want you to give me one proposal each that we can do those directions and we will study it and see how we can implement it the best as we can.

Everybody is happy to hear it. 

Now we will start with the family tour.

🌕 60. WHAT'S IN A NAME

Katsuo meets his lawyers to make a legal move to identify Maketa Tamashi Takuma and Martha Tira as the same person.

"She must be identified as Maketa or Martha for the record refers to the same person," Katsuo said.

The lawyers issued affidavits, and request a court order given the circumstances of Alzheimer's that she was given a name to be identified which were approved legally, now that she is identified from her previous name by her family, so the court was requested to make a statement that Maketa and Martha is the same person, that is the move being done in the process.

In the other hand, The Yamadachi family made their schedules open, Ely formally request a leave of absence for twenty days but are on call as approved by his boss, Luz was not approved but Katsuo called the owner of her company and she was approved but in the bases that she can be called during an emergency. Jacky arranged her schedules with the school as directed by Maketa.

Juan made some visits with the motorcycle manufacturers and ask to be a marketing arm in the Philippines with electric motorcycles in the big bike category and other motorcycles. He has plans to sell and make installment plans for guards to own a big bike.

When they are all in the Takuma Big house as it is called, they are prepared for what will be the plan of Katsuo.

Katsuo was also busy making plans for the introduction of Maketa's family to the Takuma empire of businesses as a celebration for their reunion.

Katsuo arrived.

"Let's go to Tokyo Medical and Dental Hospital. All of you must have an executive check-up first then let's have lunch at Tonkatsu Hamakatsu it's near the hospital.

" Shall we bring cars, sir?" Ely asked.

"No, let's fly there. Let's go!" Katsuo said smiling as if commanding his troops happily.

Takatakatakatak! Takatakatakatak

The sound of rotor blades and engines.

"I want you to meet our pilot, Captain Munakata," Katsuo said.

"Wow! I can ride a helicopter?" Ruthie said in a whisper.

"We are going to my school with this?" Jacky saying to Juan.

"Now I will see my love's school, I'll see if there are many handsome doctors there," Juan whispered teasing Jacky.

Jacky pinches his side. "For me, the most handsome is, who is mine in my heart!" 

Everyone who heard did thumps up sign.

Jacky calls Martha(Maketa) as Nanny M. now she calls her Nanay M. Martha loved it.

Juan, Paulo, and Ruthie call her Mama.

Tony call her Love.

Ely and Luz call her Maketa. They prefer her Japanese name.

Katsuo and Ichika call her Maketa.

All the rest call her Madam M.

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet." Quote from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Yes, Mother has two names. But she is one and the same to us." Juan said.

Another car arrived. Juan called Joel and informed Katsuo who wants to be called GrandDad that the brother of Jacky will join the ride.

"GrandDad Katsuo, this is Joel the elder son of Ely and Luz and the elder brother of Jacky." Juan introduced Joel.

Joel bowed and said their Japanese greetings.

Katsuo bowed and made a handshake and said come aboard.

They went inside the helicopter.

They flew to the hospital. The helicopter landed in the roof helipad.

They all went down and they went to the executive check-up desk. Jacky guided them in the process. Katsuo insisted that Jacky will also undergo the executive checkup.

Ichika knows that Katsuo is preparing them for an important preparation for the future.

Only Katsuo, Ichika, and Maketa were the ones who did not take the executive checkup, they just had a recent check-up.

It is a whole day check-up. During the lunch break, the hospital cars bring them to the Tonkatsu Hamakatsu, just near the hospital, pass the river Kanda beside the Ringer Hut restaurant.

Tonkatsu is a fried-pork cutlet. It has crispy shards that cover all of the juicy meats, served with crunchy cabbage, sour pickles, and choice of misos and choice of rice. Mix and grind sesame seeds with your choice of mild or spicy sauce. They enjoyed the food.

"What do you do Joel? I think Jacky mentioned that you are in the military?" Katsuo asked.

"Yes sir, I'm in the anti-terrorist special forces," Joel said.

"That's good to know," Katsuo said.

"He was the hero of the US embassy terror attack," Juan said.

"Hey, are you the guy that was featured on the TV? Yes, I can see your profile. They just cover the full face, I believe for your safety and security. Wow! You are good. But it could have caused your death. I salute you" Katsuo said.

"I'm proud of our heroes here in Japan, and it's an honor to have you and be part of our family. Ichika said proudly.

After their lunch, the hospital cars, fetch them to finish their executive checkup. They are treated like VIPs. Jacky feels the strange feeling of how to be treated as VIP from being a student in this university hospital.

Jacky was checked by some of her professors. Her professors treat her differently now. She just smiles and greets them with respect as a student, she does not want to be treated as a special patient but the professor/doctors insisted because they don't want to offend their bosses Katsuo and Maketa.

After the Checkup, the helicopter landed at Asaka Shouting Range, Oizumigakuencho, Nerima-ku, Tokyo

Katsuo asks Joel to lecture on gun basics and Juan was asked to assist in the demonstration of techniques in maneuver and gun techniques.

They tried the 9mm and .45 Cal pistols. All of them were shooting. They also used the M4, the Uzi, and lastly the Sniper rifles.

At first, they feel nervous but as they had shot about 1,000 bullets, they had been accustomed to it and the feel gives confidence that on an emergency that their lives be in danger, they can defend themselves in the case and that is the objective of Katsuo.

" This makes me scared at first but now I feel addicted to shooting," Ruthie said.

End of the afternoon, the helicopter was ordered to land near the tower.

 Nearly evening, they spent it watching the beauty of 

the city from above, which at night becomes an endless carpet of lights and colors. 

They went to the elegant Tokyo Sky Tree, with its 634 meters height, which is lighted with hundreds of pattern combinations and colors, becoming the symbol of Tokyo.

With respect to the red Tokyo Tower which they had visited already, the higher Sky Tree offers a 360° view along with shopping experience inside the Tokyo Solamachi Mall that stands at its feet.

Follow the directions to Tokyo Sky Tree exit to reach the ground floor (1F) and begin your exploration inside this fresh looking Solamachi shopping center: use this floor guide to reach your favorite shop.

On East Yard 1F, they visit Shotengai Shopping Street, a long gallery of 35 small food shops that resembles a street of Edo period. They tried one of the many treats and snacks that will be offered by kind orders, eat a slice of fluffy cheesecake at the famous Cheese Garden Little pastry shop, and buy delicious Tokyo Banana at "The First Tree".

They step out onto Solamachi Square to take pictures of the fully lit tower from below and they check out the Sky Tree Shop to buy souvenirs of the evening.

On the opposite side of the Shopping Street, Juan and Jacky take escalators at Solami Zaka Square (you can reach it through the romantic walkway along Sumida river) to reach Ghibli Store, where Tororo greets inside his scenic shop.

They gather from Zaka square they access the 4F East Yard by escalators and start their first shopping among souvenirs and gadgets at Pokemon Center, at Nano Block store while Ruthie, Jacky, and Martha went to the Japanese fashion clothes at 2F & 3F. Solami Zaka Square overlooks the main entrance of Tokyo Sky Tree. They buy their ticket, they take one of the four elevators (every elevator resembles a season) and reach the panoramic deck in just 50 seconds!

They enjoyed a breathtaking view of Tokyo at night, from the Sumida River with its illuminated bridges to the bright red Tokyo Tower.

The Tower last entrance is at 21, but the tower is open until 22. To call the day, they had dinner at one of the many delicious restaurants on Solamachi's 6F, like Rokurinsha, the tsukemen heaven!

"Tsukemen is a ramen dish in Japanese cuisine consisting of noodles which are eaten after being dipped in a separate bowl of soup or broth," Ichika said reading from her cell phone.

As they were eating, Maketa asked Tony about Rose. 

"Rose Zabala is a classmate and close friend of Jacky and Juan. I and Ely recommended your foundation to ask for help because Rose mother was also an Alzheimer's victim and died already. Rose wants to help children with Alzheimer's and she heard about the neighbor of our employee had a problem with his studies because of her mother who had an Alzheimer's, so when we see you in the video during the pageant, we research about you and with the help of the Yamadachi family, we made the request of Rose to reach you, that's why we are here to confirm that it is really you or just a similar face with a different name." Tony explained.

🌕 61. THE GALLERY

Katsuo in the Balcony alone, He read the results of the executive checkup then he felt sad.

The Medical result of the executive check-up was kept secret by Katsuo.

"I'll reveal it later if need be. But I have to help Maketa to hasten his Alzheimer's Project. It must be the priority now." Katsuo said to himself.

Maketa entered the balcony and bowed.

"Father, I want to go to the Philippines when we are finished here so I can have a structure of trusted people there to help us with the Alzheimer's foundation," Maketa said.

"Sure, my child. That is my priority now, to help your research and project in the Philippines." Katsuo said.

"Thank you father," Maketa said.

"Your welcome my child," Katsuo said.

When Maketa left to prepare for their trip to Yodobashi Camera store. 

Katsuo wants to cry. But he held it so others can not discern his emotions.

Then, they ride the limousine to Akihabara. 

Yodobashi Camera Store is a complete electronic store. It has everything you'd expect, from cameras to computers to video games, and tons more, like restaurants, batting cages, and souvenir heated toilet seats! It is a coliseum for electronics. Juan bought some electronic stuff that he said he can't find in the Philippines for monitoring. The first floor is Cell Phones, Computers, Tablet Accessories, Memory Counter, Apple Store.

He bought some computer accessories for CCTV and databases. The second floor is PC Parts, PC Software, PC Accessories, PC Books, Printers, Fax Machines and Phones, Digital Writing Goods, Suitcases.

"I can buy many things here," Juan said as they arrived on the third floor.  Film Cameras, Digital Cameras, Video Cameras, Watches, Brand Goods, Film, Camera Accessories, Cosmetics, Watch Repair, Souvenir Corner, Tourist Corner. He bought some wireless CCTV cameras which are so tiny and solar-powered but have high megapixel cameras.

The fifth floor is full of Japanese clothing, traditional sculptures and artwork, fake swords, and anything else you think of when you think of Japan, this is a great place to grab a couple of gifts for friends and family.

The sixth floor is like a microcosm of Akihabara with all the great games, models, figures, and gumball machines (gachagacha), but also has bikes, music, and even musical instruments!

On the seventh floor, Ichika told them to buy suits, tie for the men, and dress for the ladies for formal wear to be used for their family portraits to be taken tomorrow. This floor has Various Shops (Bookstore, Music Store, Glasses, Formal Wear, Handbags, etc)

On the eight floors, they ordered delicious foods some traditional Japanese and Italian dishes.  There's something here for everyone so even if you don't have any other reason to come to Yodobashi, you might want to just come for the food!

Inside there is a golf store with all the latest golfing gear, and they head outside to the roof and were taught to golf by Katsuo and Ely in the double-decker driving range. Luz, Jacky, and Ruthie had played hitting of a baseball bat in the batting cages next to golf. They had sweated after and they decided to freshen up and wear the new clothes they just bought here.  

Paulo who has a dream to have an art gallery in the Philippines is being convinced by Katsuo Takuma to build also one in Japan. He accompanied Paulo to the Mori Art Museum which is located in Mori Tower. It is 52 floors high, with express elevators, extraordinary panoramic views of Tokyo and beyond are sure to amaze all who see them. Popular city attractions like Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba, Ebisu Gardens, Yoyogi Park, Aoyama Cemetery, and Tokyo Skytree are all visible. The Mori Art Museum is also incorporated in the Observatory ticket. It is an excellent place to stop off and appreciate some of the contemporary art that Tokyo has to offer. For those interested, they offer a tour that takes tourists to the tower and the art museum. If nothing else, the dashing Roppongi Hills community is certain to wow and amuse all who visit.

Paulo was amazed and made a quick painting of the buildings below that Katsuo was so awestruck and determined that the galleries must be built also soon.

He called the chief engineer of his real estate maintenance and construction company to have a meeting of the details of the project. He is busy thinking and making notes of what he has in mind to do.

When they arrived home, Paulo gave the paintings he made while Katsuo was sitting in a table thinking in the Mori Art Museum. He painted Katsuo secretly. Katsuo was so surprised that he hugs Paulo. This is amazing. You can paint it quickly but the details are so clear.

Paulo doesn't talk so much, but his painting vividly portrays his clear message recorded in every stroke his brush, pencil, or any instrument he uses.

Katsuo even cried seeing Paulo's album of poor children and families ravaged by Typhoons like the Tira family have experienced before. Children of Tondo, The first meeting of  "Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan" (KALAHI Foundation), The people victims of Alzheimer's a The family activities and some are already sketches here in Japan.

"When the heart is touched and inspired by God through the hearts of people who love God, that seed will grow to touch more people's hearts" Juan's post in his Social media account.

Juan is daily reading and analyzing the reports of the guard supervisors from the field. There are activities that are observed by Juan to indicate a problem that may occur soon in Manila, Activities that drugs and rape are occurring and the way it is done has a trace signature that is common to him. He decided to continue the observation and he made reports to the intelligence community that will be relayed to the top management of the police.

There was an encrypted message sent to him by a private detective that there are plans that a group is planning to kidnap as a business in Manila. There was a report that Rojack was seen in Manila. But it needs confirmation. These drug lords and criminals are suspected to have escaped from Mindanao and transferred to Manila.

Juan called his Boss, Alex Rollo to be aware of the information. Alex thanked him and alerted all concerned of the possibility and asked to monitor for confirmation. He feels the danger of his family and others if the information is true.

Maketa is also excited to go to the Philippines sooner.

Katsuo was being convinced to go with Maketa to the Philippines by Ichika.

Katsuo is determined to finish his plans here in Tokyo before they will go to the Philippines. He was already interested.

The Yamadachi family is also making plans to go with them to the Philippines if the plan will be final. Joel reported to his post in the Marines special anti-terrorist forces.

Maketa called Rose through Tony and interviewed her.

"Hello Rose, I'm happy that I hear from you. I have heard already about you from Jacky and Juan and from Tony. I also want to know if you are interested to help me through the foundation, we will start the operation to help those who have confirmed Alzheimer's in the Philippines. I'm excited to go there to meet you and start the planning and implementation soonest, so just hang on there, we will be coming soon." Maketa said.

"I'm happy to hear from you, at last, Madam M. Hope to see you soon," Rose said while in the office on the farm finishing a report to be emailed to Tony.

"Life's emotions are portrayed and captured on the canvass. Yes,  A picture speaks a thousand words, may the message of the need for love and understanding be perceived and replied with action" Paulo's painting quotes.

🌕 62. FAMILY PORTRAIT

"Family is not by blood but by portrait" From the TV series "It's OK to not to be OK."

They have been watching this on Netflix.

Katsuo and Ichika hired the best photographer Kaoru Shibahara to take their family portrait.

This is one of the happiest reunions that we have. We must capture the moment, to be remembered.

Katsuo, Ichika, Tony, Martha(Maketa), Juan, Jacky, Paulo, Joel, Ruthie, Ely, and Luz.

"I never thought I could have a big family as these" Katsuo said happily.

Two countries merge.

Katsuo reads in Wikipedia.

The Philippines is comprised of about 7,641 islands that are broadly categorized under three main geographical divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. Many different islands but considered one. There are approximately more than 175 languages and dialects in the Philippines which form part of the regional languages group.

Juan also reads in Wikipedia.

Japan is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and comprises an archipelago of 6,852 islands covering 377,975 square kilometers (145,937 sq mi); its five main islands, from north to south, are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa. Tokyo is the country's capital and largest city; other major cities include Osaka and Nagoya.

Two countries to be a family by heart.

They had pictures in different parts of the house and even outside.

Katsuo also requested Paulo to paint a family portrait.

Paulo happily complied.

For one hour of standing and sitting. Paulo made the sketches then started painting, strokes, mix, brush, and color blending, he requested a mirror to painting himself to be included in the portrait.

Their background was first started with blue, green, red, orange, brown, then their faces started to surface, their skin texture, color, and veins are being formed, the wrinkles, the dimples, the smiles of joy, the hair, the moles,  every detail of the suit, the dress, the skirt, every fold, and creases are there beautifully portrayed. The emotions in the faces and body movement are seen with these six feet by ten feet canvass.

After the final touches, he put the names and date in small letters in the right corner of the canvass then he finished it to dry. 

"You can rest for a while, but nobody will look first," Paulo said.

Juan ordered snacks through Rakuten Delivery, Pizza, French fries, hamburger, a basket of fruits, and pineapple juice for 15 persons. They ate and after an hour.

Katsuo was busy giving instructions to his heads of office regarding the Celebration and introduction of the family to the Takuma empire.

There is someone calling Jacky on the phone, she does not know the number, so she does not mind it. Then the phone would ring for twenty times as a missed call. She does not give her number to anyone except for family members and selected staff in the hospital to call her on an emergency only, these people's number is identified in her cell phone. It is unlikely for her to be called by anybody she does not identify with a name on the cell phone.

Juan and Jacky were enjoying the view outside the big house and chatting when the phone vibrates and when Jacky checked, the unknown number. 

"I have can't understand who gave my number to anybody unidentified by me to call me," Jacky said.

"Then ask him or her," Juan said.

"If he calls again, you answer him or her and ask where he or she get my number. Jacky said.

" Ok,"  Juan said.

Just for a thirty-minute interval,  the phone rang again.

Jacky gave the phone to Juan.

"Hello?  Juan answered the phone of Jacky.

"Moshi moshi! Is Jacky there?"  A man's voice as if flirting.

"Where did you get this number?"

"I asked for it in the hospital, can I talk to her? She's my friend." Man on the phone.

"Who is this please?" Juan asked.

"I'm the son of her patient Aoki. Is Jacky there?" Man on the phone.

Juan mute the phone" Jacky he said he is the son of your patient Aoki."

I don't talk to my patient's children and if he has an inquiry he can ask the nurse and, it's the nurse that answers and they will ask me if there are things they don't understand.

"She is busy as of now, she may visit your patient in the hospital soon. If you have questions you may ask your nurse." Juan said.

"No, no, I want to talk to her." The man was a bit angry.

"Sorry sir, but she is not available now, I will hang now," Juan said.

"I want to talk to her now, or she will be sorry!" Man on the phone threatened.

Juan hanged the phone and blocked the caller.

"I think this is a persistent admirer of yours.

 Jacky was a little anxious.

Juan opened it to all of them.

Then Maketa called the hospital, and ask for all the information about Aoki if there is a patient in that name.

Lately, many doctors are trying to win Jacky. They are taking chances to get the attention of Jacky. There are also businessmen who wants to be involved with her life. But this stalker is determined.

Ely and Luz called Joel about the incident.

"Prevention is better than we will have a bigger problem later," Katsuo said.

"Attention everyone, we will now see if what our portrait looks like," Paulo called them.

Everyone gathered and Paulo takes off the white cover, and all we're amazed!"

"Wow! you made it like we are alive! Jacky said.

Katsuo changed the one million dollar painting in the living room with this family portrait.

"Now we are a real family!" Katsuo said smiling.

Tomorrow I have arranged a Corporate meeting with all the heads, managers, lawyers of our corporations, and friends, we will have a simple celebration and I will introduce the Takuma family. The press will be there.

Let's all prepare for these.

Then everybody was excited.

The Yamadachi family with Juan went to their home to check the house and prepare for the event.

Juan and Jacky went to the Tokyo Medical and Dental Hospital, they used the car of Jacky, Jacky was the one driving.

"It's a good day, I appreciate God's hand on the sufferings of the past, now it is the surprise that God gave to us to be a family of different mothers, and nationality but united in heart," Jacky said.

"Yes, it's really amazing" Juan said.

Screech...  

Jacky instantly hit the brake, the car swerves to avoid collision to the car who blocked them in the front.

"Dock!" Juan shouted.

Bullets broke the windshield.

A man smashed the window, opened the door, and grabbed Jacky by cutting the seat belt. Juan fast dialed Katsuo's number and left the phone in his seat connected and hold Jacky to pull her from the man with the one hand, and the other hand to unlock the seat belt, but another man from his side of the door smashed the window and punched Juan in the back of his head with a gun. Juan seems to collapse but he managed to kick the opened side door with the broken window glass and the gun of the man fall in his legs. he picked it and shoot the man on his side and he was a headshot.

Jacky was taken by the other man, Juan tried to shoot the man grabbing Jacky but he covered in Jacky's body.

Juan shoot the tire of the car who blocked them instead so that they can't escape with Jacky, then he transferred to the driver seat and drive the car of Jacky at high speed and hit three men who are shooting him. 

Another car arrived get the man who hostage Jacky and they leave to escape. Juan kicked the broken windshield, and drive following the car who abducted Jacky. 

Katsuo is shouting in the phone, "what is happening?"

Juan touches the speakerphone icon of the phone in the car seat while driving.

"Jacky was abducted. Our car was bullet-ridden, and I have no windshield. I'm driving following the car that took Jacky. If you can, please get my GPS location and locate me. I don't know where I am and I need to get Jacky." Juan said.

Katsuo quickly called the Police.

He hurriedly called the IT to locate the number of Juan's cell phone to locate his location.

Tony called Ely.

Katsuo, called the Pilot to start the helicopter. Maketa went with him. They went on the air. Called the IT if they have the location of Juan in GPS.

Ely called Joel. "Your sister was abducted by the terrorist," Ely said.

Joel then asked clearance from the HQ to operate.

Then he was given the Go! His problem is to know the location.

Joel called Juan but it was busy then it rang. "Juan, where are you?"

"I don't know yet. I passed a gasoline station, Eneos, and a sign Ball Park. It seems like a baseball field. I'm losing them. " Juan said.

"I get your location now. Thanks. I'm now boarding a helicopter. Hang on brother, we will reinforce you." Joel said.

"All units stand by and ready for deployment!" Joel on the radio.

Juan was still in the abductor's tail. But he was being chased by a van and is shooting on him. the back windshield was already broken by bullets. Juan's head is bleeding.

🌕 63. JACKY'S LOVER

Before the abduction, Aoki is a patient in the Tokyo Medical and Dental Hospital.

Maketa received a report sent to her smartphone by the hospital that she was  

admitted for high blood pressure and heart disease. Jacky was assigned as her student doctor. She has a son that is always there and when she was released, she was admitted again with the same cause eight times this month but was always released. The nurse in charge senses that she was forced to be admitted not for the disease but for some other reason and they suspect that the man was in love with Jacky.

Juan's car broke down and he had to stop, then he grabbed his cell phone and the gun then ran to a building as the van stopped and shoot him, but his quick move saved him.

A helicopter was on the air shooting at the van. The van still managed to run. Joel ordered the helicopter to land and Joel called Juan through a megaphone. "Juan this is Joel come to the helicopter." 

Juan ran to the helicopter.

They quickly take off and Juan looks to the direction of the car that abducted Jacky.

But they can't find it.

They may be in hiding now. Let's go back to the HQ for a meeting.

Juan asked Joel if they can pass as Katsuo's house, he needs to get His Laptop to trace Jacky's phone.

Joel proceeds to Katsuo's house the Takuma big house.

They landed in the vacant helipad. With surprised guards of the Takuma estate but when they were identified, they relaxed.

Juan hurriedly went to his room and get his laptop, charger, and went quickly to the helicopter.

They headed to the Marines Anti-terrorism Headquarters.

While flying, Juan opened his laptop, checked Jacky's location in the cellphone, which fell in the abductor's car unnoticed. He remotely opened the phone and get the GPS coordinates. 

Maketa called Juan.

"Juan, this man according to the hospital is using her mother's disease to make contact with Jacky. This man admitted his mother to the hospital eight times this month with the same high blood and heart disease complaint but was always released and they get back again. This man is a stalker and is interested in Jacky."

"We will find them, mother," Juan said.

Katsuo gets Maketa's phone, "Juan this man is a Yakuza. He is dangerous and well connected. Be careful.

Joel also heard the information on the speakerphone.

They landed in the headquarters.

They went right away to the control room.

Joel then gets a satellite view of the coordinates in a building.

Near Otaku Chidoricho Station. They cordoned the roads in this area.

They put their mobile central control van in the Chidori Ryokuchi Children's Park.

Joel coordinated with the Police. Joel, aware that this Yakuza is well prepared, sends his men in plain clothes to go near the area. Joel leads his men, with snipers set in the adjacent roofs and Juan was in the mobile control van looking at the monitors. Joel went inside the building and the car was there but Jacky was not there. Only the old woman and her maid. Joel asked the woman where is his son, Joel identified her as the mother of Taro known as a Yakuza leader.

His mother was attached also to Jacky and don't want her to be hurt so she requests her maid to leave them alone. Then she confided their two hideouts. "She said I'm dying and old, I want to do this as my last good work. I love my son and I want him to change. He is obsessed with Jacky. Get him but if possible that you can get him alive and let him pay for his sins, do it fast. I want that girl to be saved." Aoki said.

Joel nodded and promised that he will do as she wished.

He went out and ordered a change in locations. Juan heard and seen in the monitor what transpired and the conversation of Joel with Aoki in the camera of Joel.

Taro had many girl victims. But this is his worse. Because he boldly abducted her.

Joel ordered that they divide the troops to the two locations. One will be the main force, the other will be the scouting force to check if the package (Jacky) is there.

One of the safehouses was said to be near Tokyo Kasei Gakuin University The main force was to be deployed here. With the confirmation from satellite images, that Jacky was hidden in this location.

The Marine scout squad and the police will be deployed here near Tamagawa Central Park.

Juan was only to monitor in the mobile

control room because he is not authorized to use a gun except on emergency self-defense.

Joel leads the main force and the second force were under his instructions.

They used two armored amphibious vehicles. Joel ordered the plainclothes to be there first to assess the area and if they can find and locate where is the package. Snipers were deployed in the adjacent buildings or in trees.

The plainclothes intelligence found a boy buying numerous mineral water and some bandages. He was followed and he was going to the suspected location. He was stopped and asked how many were inside. The boy is not answering, so the agent attached to the boy a camera that he does not know and released. And the video he was carrying in the boy's jacket has seen the room where Jacky was sitting in a chair with mouth taped, hands and feet taped.

The police had made a contact, the kidnappers are demanding one million dollars. 

Katsuo was informed. Luz was already crying.

Katsuo raised the money.

Friends and banks released loans to add for the cash he has.

Then when the location was confirmed, the second safe house was bombed by jet fighters to ashes killed 45 criminals.

The first safehouse was cordoned. Taro was sexually harassing Jacky. He is cursing when Jacky resists and he is starting hurting her. A report was given to him that the other safehouse was bombed as seen on TV.

Then sounds were heard. Gunshots.

They all scurried and get their machine guns, they are not aware that they were already surrounded. They did not expect that a force like this was waiting for their move.

When everybody is busy, Jacky reaches for her small nail cutter in her front pocket she usually brings going to the hospital. she used the small knife of it and slowly cut her hands loose and cut the tape in her feet. The gun sounds were getting noisier.

She takes the tape in her mouth and slowly went out of the room and hid in a closet, then after a while, she went out slowly she saw the boy killed and another man with a gun in his hand lying in his blood. Jacky took the gun and look at the magazine and checked the bullets, it is full. She tried to go to the garage and find a car. She tried to find the key. But there is none.

The police arrived from the first safe house, all the forces are concentrated here where Taro is located, all cameras also from the satellite and from the snipers' telescope with cam. The gunfight was fierce Joel personally killed about eight members of the Yakuza. They can not bomb the area because of Jacky. They have no choice but to attack slowly by person. Joel commanded the Armored vehicle to go inside the building. Juan and the police consultant were confused about why they were not using Jacky as a hostage. Juan was now anxious. Is Jacky still alive? 

Joel now entered the area. A squad is with him, everyone is now pinned down in his location. The Yakuza has machine guns. They are waiting that the machine guns change magazine for them to maneuver.

The smoke is covering them from the snipers. But the SWAT arrived with the thermal imaging optics attached in their sniper rifles that can see beyond the smoke. And they fell one by one headshot.

Taro now has organized his men to resist the surprise attack of the military. They have flashbangs, grenades, and had booby traps set up around the safe house.

Some police died because of the booby traps with grenades.

Everyone is careful with doors, with floors if there are strings that will be tripped off that bombs will explode.

Joel decided to stop entering the building. We need a bomb expert to detect booby traps.

Taro was now so angry to know that Jacky escaped from the room and killed three of her captors.

He thought that she was already with the police, so he has no choice to surrender or to die. He knows that they will send airstrikes as they did with the other safe house.

There are no movements on both sides for a while.

Jacky was hiding in the garage. There are four cars there. She, one by one looks for keys to start the car.

Juan and Joel are talking if where is Jacky. They are anxious why there is no sign of her.

Joel decided to talk to Taro in the megaphone.

"Taro, You must surrender now, you are surrounded. Surrender your hostage and we will spare you. I want to see that your hostage is still alive. I will give you 5 minutes, if not we will bomb the area." Joel said.

Jacky heard this. She is worried if Joel thought She is dead and they bomb the area she will also die.

Taro did not reply.

Jacky thought she must vacate the garage. so she searches each car for keys, but there is none.

Taro commanded his men to find Jacky, they have no leverage now.

Jacky searched for the last car and she found an old cell phone. she tried to open it but it has a password. But as she navigates, she found out that she can make an emergency call to the police free without opening the cell phone's main menu. She presses the emergency number. "Hello, this is the Tokyo police what's your emergency?"  Police on the phone.

"I'm Jacky Yamadachi, I'm kidnapped, I don't know where I am,  police are surrounding the area, but I'm hiding here in the garage with four cars, I have escaped my captors, I have heard my brother Captain Joel Yamadachi may bomb this area please inform him I'm alive," Jacky said nervously.

Before the Kidnapping, Taro wants to date Jacky. She brought her flowers, every day that they are in the hospital, but Jacky just put it in the garbage can. Taro also tried to convince Jacky to take care of his mother in their home, but Jacky refused. Taro also sends food for her from expensive restaurants but She gave it to the nurses.

Juan found this information as Maketa told her of her interview with the nurses and other doctors regarding Jacky and the patient Aoki. They went to the hospital by helicopter.

"He was madly in love with Jacky," Juan said.

The police call center dispatch and connect Jacky to Joel. 

"Hello? Jacky?" Joel said on the phone.

"Hello brother, I'm here in the garage with four cars, I found this old phone here, the battery is so low it may die soon. Save me here. Tell Juan I'm fine, I just need to get out of here. I want to tell you..." Jacky said then the phone went off.

"Jacky!" Joel said.

"All units, listen, the SWAT clears the booby traps in the front use bombproof outfit for protection. Go!"  Joel on the radio.

Joel in a megaphone.

"Taro, if you surrender now, I assure you to bring you alive as I promised your mother. But if you refuse, then we will bomb the area. I'll count to ten.

One, Two, three, four, 

Taro is now in hesitation to surrender? He looked at his remaining men, they are willing to die, but he knows they have families also. He thinks of his old dying mother. He is now making a decision nobody expects, he decided to surrender.

" I surrender!" Taro coming out with hands in the air with eighty of his remaining force.

"Alert, be prepared of surprises if there be any," Joel said on the radio.

He called for a prison bus, it arrived.

Then he gets and list of all the who surrender and surrendered guns. Taro was then asked, where is Jacky? He does not know.

Joel tied Taro's hands and bring him back saying where is your garage. He guided Joel to the garage and called Jacky. "Jacky, get out now you are now safe," Joel said.

Jacky comes out slowly with a gun in her hand. Jacky embraces Joel.

Taro head down just went out with them, silent.

Jacky went ahead and look for Juan.

Juan in the monitor is crying as he sees Jacky alive. He went out hurriedly from the control monitoring van and run to embrace Jacky. Both in tears, can't comprehend the mixed emotions.

"I thought you were already dead," Juan said.

"Me too," Jacky said.

🌕 64. VENGEANCE IS MINE

"A Yakuza leader was captured after the kidnapping and hostage drama that killed 6 police and agents." A portion of the TV News.

Jacky was sent to Tokyo Medical and Dental Hospital for medical attention and went to the Big home through the helicopter. Ely, Luz, and Juan accompanied her. They landed and they were welcomed by Ruthie, Paulo, Tony, Maketa, Ichiko, and Katsuo.

"We will not postpone the Celebration and the Takuma Big Meeting tomorrow. Continue to prepare, we have many things to be thankful and to celebrate." Katsuo said.

Joel was congratulated by his superiors and the Police take over, over the litigation, and all of the Taro group were imprisoned.

"We have to eat first, and then let's rest early." Katsuo relieved that the day ended with everyone safe.

The day of the celebration has come. Everyone is busy. The meeting will be held at the Palace Hotel Tokyo.

The Aoi function room was prepared.

It is the main ballroom of the hotel and flourish a 7-meter tall by 22-meter (22 x 72 feet) wide window looking out on to Wadakura moat and the Imperial Palace plaza beyond.

Tables were prepared with plates and glassware and bouquets of flowers every meter of the table covered with a white cloth.

The room is elegantly illuminated by its 18 individual chandeliers, its three built-in projection screens which, when side-by-side, span the width of the ballroom's wall of windows.

The vast space effortlessly impresses audiences with  Sophisticated projection, lighting, and sound systems as well as impeccable service add the final touch.

They start to put the food, the drinks and the Lechon(roasted pig from the Philippines), it is a buffet.

Then the music was playing.

The decoration and the message were saying "Celebration of a family". The large family painting of Paulo was in the center of the wall in the stage. The cameras were focused on the painting.

Mostly the same people who attended when Maketa was introduced. They are well dressed. The lawyers, the head of every company and head of departments, some politicians, military generals, business partners, and press.

The program started with a word of prayer from an invited Pastor Shinji Amara.

Then Katsuo called each of the Takuma family.

" Riches is only temporary. When our life ends, what legacy we leave that aid others in their need, how we bless others especially our family, friends, and the less fortunate, Joy is real when we cause others to be happy. Family is not based only on blood but on the hearts that unselfishly care for others. Every business is for the benefit of the employees, every income goes back to the people in taxes and in bonuses. We plant, we harvest and we plant again."

They had a family picture taken. Then they chatted and being introduced to every visitor. 

The food was prayed for and then everyone starts to get their food and songs were given live by singers to entertain.

"The party was so wonderful" Katsuo relaxed when all his visitors had left.

The Generals who attended the party wants to severely punish the Taro yakuza group involved in the kidnapping and hostage of Jacky. 

The prosecutors want to give the severe penalty that is available under the law.

Juan and Jacky were chatting on the balcony of the Big house. Under the lights of the full moon.

Juan remembered what the mother of Taro Aoki said to Joel.

"Jacky, Mrs. Aoki wants her son to change that is her wish, that is the reason she discloses the address of the two safehouses of the  Yakuza to Joel, If she did not divulge it, we may not have saved you on time," Juan said. 

"What is your plan?" Jacky asked.

"Let's visit her. Find out what she needs,  how we can help her. I feel it is because of her, that you are alive now. Let's pay evil with good" Juan said.

"Are you sure? If that is what Jesus wants." Jacky said.

"Yes. I believe that is what Jesus wants" Juan replied.

"Grace is a favor you give to those who do not deserve it," Juan said.

Jacky embraced him and said: "Vengeance is mine says the Lord, I'm proud of you." 

Juan called Joel where is the address of Aoki. Joel said it's in the address that you gave that the cell phone of Jacky was last indicated from GPS.

"Why? Joel asked.

" We will retrieve the cell phone. We forgot to get it. Thanks, Brother" Juan said.

Juan and Jacky went to the address. They brought fruits, bread, and some groceries.

They knock at the door. "Who is this?" The maid asked. "I'm the doctor of Aoki" Jacky replied. The door opened, they thought they were sent by Taro. Jacky and Juan went beside her bed. She was shocked who were her visitors. "Please sorry, forgive me for my son's sins. She said crying.

" We have some fruits, bread, and some groceries and some medicines you need," Jacky said.

Juan talked to her about the forgiveness of Jesus and he taught us to forgive and if you believe him as your Savior after you are repenting and acknowledging your sins, He can save and forgive you now. Jacky interpreted it in Japanese.

"I want that," Aoki said and accepted Christ as Savior. Jacky said, "Here is my number, if you have problems go to the hospital, we will take care of you".

" I never expected to be forgiven, thanks, I feel a thorn was taken from me. I don't expect that you can forgive Taro, he has done a horrible sin that causes death to others. I don't know if he has a chance to change. Aoki saying with tears.

The news about the visit was monitored by Joel, He can't believe what he heard from the intelligence report.

The news reached Katsuo. He also can't believe it.

Taro still has connections and has people in the outside that was not involved in the hostage. The news was fast to reach him about the visit. 

Taro was called because he has visitors. Taro was sent to the visitor's cube and he faced Juan who he does not know. He wondered who was this man. Then Juan called Jacky. Taro was shocked and ashamed that he does not want to look up to them. He was shocked and can't explain his emotions. He lived a life for years without conscience, he believed that being kind being forgiving is a weakness that can be abused and he hates it. The once proud, a living king of the crime world, is now in a situation that as a sheep is silent. He never cried before nor shed a tear. He was being feared by almost everyone. But now he never expects this would happen just because of this girl he wants to lustfully consume to feed his flesh. Now his lust was lost, his pride was dissolved. He was even now amazed that the people he wants to hurt is being good to her mother. What in the world happened?

Juan gave him a reading material, titled "How the criminal in the death penalty was convicted, forgiven and justified"

Taro silently accepted it and just said. "Thank you for your kindness to my mother, sorry for all the suffering and trouble I cause you all" and he cried and smiled as a sign he was happy of their visit he asked to be excused. He went back to his cell.

The reading material is about the criminal in the cross with Jesus Christ.

Luke 23:39-43: "Then one of the criminals, who were hanging [on a cross also] spoke abusively to Him, saying, "Are you not the Christ [i.e., God's specially chosen one]? [If you are], then save yourself and us." But the other criminal spoke harshly to the first one, saying, "Do you not even have any fear of God [left], since you [too] are experiencing the same sentence of condemnation? And for us, it is truly a just sentence, for we are getting back what we deserve for our actions, but this man has not done anything wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember [to be merciful to] me when you come into your kingdom." Then Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise [Note: This is a place in God's presence, referred to as "the third heaven" (II Cor. 12:2-4), and where overcomers will be able to eat from "the tree of life" (Rev. 2:7)]."

Juan and Jacky went home happy, no anger, no grudge, or hate.

Because the government prioritizes this case the hearing was scheduled fast.

In the court, Taro was silent, he has faced many cases in the past and he let his money move, he is confident and never repentant. But in this case, he is like a sheep, silent, humbly pleaded guilty and would accept what punishment he deserved, he never asks for leniency.

When Juan was asked to witness how Jacky was abducted and how he tried to pursue them to rescue Jacky, he asks for leniency at the end of his speech.

The defendant's attorney was shocked and  Taro also can't believe what he heard.

When Jacky was requested to sit in the witness stand to tell of everything she experienced, she said, I hate what he has done for me, and he may deserve death, but God is merciful and can forgive sinners, we visit her mother who is the cause why I was rescued, and we visited the defendant, and we feel the change in attitude from his previous cases, which we studied. I believe that he is repentant now. I ask for the court's leniency. I believe the Bible that states "vengeance is mine saith the Lord".

Taro cried, sobbing, his body is moving not because of the possible punishment he will have but because it is unbelievable for him to hear from the people he hurt.

Even the court became emotional. Then it was granted. The minimum penalty was given to him. The defendant lawyer can not believe that the prosecution is the one seeking the leniency, this is the first time he had a case like this. And he sees the difference it affected his client.

Juan will continue to monitor Taro and help him to fully change and be transformed by God's grace.

" This is a case of amazing grace that the prosecution was the one pushing for leniency of the Yakuza leader that is seen repentant, an unbelievable event never been seen before..." TV report.

Katsuo now understands. He felt also the beauty and the good feeling to forgive the worst sinner, "That could be God's feeling when He has forgiven me".

🌕 65. PROPOSAL

Katsuo decided to rewind at Wakasu Park. He prepared the four RUV(Recreational Utility Vehicle) Motorhomes. He let his mechanic and his chef ensure that it is fully loaded with food, and camping gears, fishing gears, and the fourth RUV will be the support RUV four all-female bodyguards, and one female chef and one female driver.

"We will plan our trip to the Philippines at Wakasu Park," Katsuo said.

"Wow! Love it!" Ruthie said.

The four RUV now travel to the campsite.

The amazing Tokyo gate bridge while looking at the sun as it begins to set. They prepared some charcoal to roast some pork belly, tuna belly, and beefsteak.

Juan and Jacky went in the edge of the park and went fishing... as they wait for a bite of the bait, they talk.

"You are now a celebrity Jacky. You are now being pursued by men." Juan said teasing her.

"Let them be. They just get tired. What if, we get married before we finish schooling?" We already finished college, we are already in our doctoral and you in your law proper. What do you think?" Jacky said.

"We may, but are you really ready? Will you not regret it afterward? Will you have time to sacrifice for marriage to work? Will you not be tired of me and lose interest later?" Juan said.

"I will regret it if I lost you," Jacky said.

"I will give you more time. Anyway, we are still seeing each other, our parents approved our relationship. We will be busy in our studies and let's test it these last years of our studies, then we can focus on our work." Then, let's see?" Juan said.

"What test do you still need? We have so many life and death test and we pass." Jacky said.

"Who knows you may want somebody better or more handsome than me," Juan said.

"You're crazy!" Jacky said.

"Who knows, you still may want something before you settle down," Juan said.

"I don't know about you, I want to settle down as fast as I could, hehe I want to be in your arms, Juan!" Jacky teasing him.

"Hey! Is Japan just so near to you?" Juan said. 

"I can go to the Philippines every week," Jacky said.

"I don't want a weekly marriage Jacky, I want you to be with me every day when we are married," Juan said.

Jacky keeps silent.

Paulo and Ruthie played volleyball games.

While Katsuo, Ely, and Tony played golf. Luz, Ichika, and Maketa played badminton.

Everybody is now relaxing after an enjoyable game. They sit in their folding chairs around a campfire with the clear sky and watch the stars and the moon shining differently in Tokyo or in General Santos or in Makati.

The food was served, they prayed and they enjoy eating while heating a hotdog or bacon and some pineapple roasted in the campfire. 

"What a lovely night! God had been good to us." Katsuo said.

Jacky sang a song with Ruthie, Juan played the guitar, and Jacky played the Recorder(plastic flute) and Ruthie in the harmonica during an adlib Paulo in the beatbox. They sang "Fly me to the moon".

Katsuo then stand and said let's have some serious talk for a while about our plans for the next days. Everyone gets nearer and the meeting started.

" First of all, What should be our name-calling. I want to be called by Tony, Maketa, Ely, and Luz as Father or Dad. Maketa is my legal daughter through adoption. And because you are all related to her, so you all are brothers and sisters from my perspective. Maketa and Tony are husband and wife, Ely and Luz will be in-laws because of Juan and Jacky. So it completes the family. Juan, Jacky, Paulo, Joel, and Ruthie may call me Grand Dad or Grand Pa. Same with Ichika, you may call her Mom or Mother, GrandMa. This is only for you. I consider our family. We have no children by blood. We have no close relatives all are dead during the war or because of old age. So I thank God that we met Maketa, then you all are a blessing to us."

" Secondly, I want to support the Alzheimers project and research. 

"We are getting old, me and Ichika, I know Juan and Jacky are engaged. If you have plans to settle down, then just tell me. Let's have a talk about your marriage if you wish, so we can prepare and make it the best wedding." Katsuo said.

"Grandpa, thanks for bringing us here in this beautiful place," Ruthie said.

"I hope you love it," Katsuo said, happy to be called Grandpa.

"Ruthie, do you like to study here in Japan? Talk to your Dad and Mom first, if they approve, I can enroll you here."  Katsuo said.

"Another thing, I have heard that Taro, donated blood to a prison guard who was nearly killed by a convict who went amok. There was an observation that many women were released from Yakuza prostitution dens. This man is being transformed?" Katsuo said.

" I will visit him one of these days before going back to the Philippines," Juan said.

They enjoyed the night, the songs, the stories, the memories, they even talk about the sufferings of the past and what transpired those long years that they have been separated from Martha. There are still many things that they want to talk about but, they fall asleep, outside their RUV's in sleeping bags around the campfire that lasted until five o'clock in the morning. Then when they feel the cold, they wake up to see the sunrise, lit the campfire again, made coffee, and the stories, laughter, and barbecue started again with marshmallows, hot dogs, bacon, and bread in skewers.

The air so cool, so fresh, the sound of the breeze, the moving leaves of the grass, the crackling sound of the fire, the foggy mist, the romantic mood of the cold environment makes it so good to embrace someone.

Jacky finds Juan who is facing the sun as it rises and he has seen him reading his Bible, and is praying. She made her devotional and listen to the Bible through her cell phone being read and made some prayers. Then she went to Juan's side. Juan shared verses of what he read this morning.

Eph 5:22-24: "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything."

Then ask Jacky, "What do you think?"

"Well, I want to follow that and obey that. How can I do that?" Jacky asked.

"What do you mean?" Juan asked.

"I'm not yet married," Jacky said smiling.

"If you want then let's marry?" Juan said.

"Is that a proposal?" Jacky asked.

"I don't have a ring yet" Juan joked.

"I don't need a ring, I need you!" Jacky said.

"Let's pray about it for a while, then let's decide," Juan said.

"How long is for a while?" Jacky said.

"One year?" Juan teasing her.

"That long?" Jacky asked.

"Is that too long?" Juan said.

"Let's ask Dad and Mom. You will formally go to our house and ask for my hand, is not that Filipino culture?" Jacky asked.

"Who told you that?"Juan asked.

"Our classmates in highschool. The man with his parents goes to the woman's house to ask for the daughter's hand and bring food. Then when they agree, they set the date, and then they will prepare for the wedding." Jacky said.

"You must cut wood for fire, get water from the pool and do hard work to be approved," Jacky added.

"You know many things about that? Ok, I will start to cut wood and where will I get water? From the faucet?" Juan said.

Both of them laugh.

Jacky holds him in his arm. "The best thing in my life is to be with you."

🌕 66. THE FLIGHT

"Take your seats we will take off" 

The chartered jet plane going to Manila International Airport.

Last Thursday, they visit Taro and they had a good conversation. They talk about her mother to be transferred to the KatIchiKeta Takuma Home the home for those who have Alzheimer's funded by the Maketa foundation and this is an exception as requested by Maketa herself. Then they visit Taro's mother and she agreed to stay at the foundation's home to be taken care of.

Ely and Luz can not join this flight but they will after one week. Juan and Jacky will join but they are not yet at the airport. The plane will take off after 30 minutes.

"We will be late! She is still in surgery about to finish. Ok, she is here now. we will go." Juan said answering her mother on the phone.

"Sorry, there was an accident, a bus with students, I was assigned for emergency surgery of a wound in the abdomen," Jacky said.

"How was the surgery? Let's go?" Juan said.

"It's been hard I almost lost him but it went well. Let's go! Jacky said and hurriedly went to the helicopter and they were delivered to the airport.

They reach the airport and the jet was newly started. They went aboard and they were requested by a stewardess to sit and to lock their seatbelt.

The engine started to have thrust and the plane moved forward. Just a few seconds they are already in the air.

" How's my doctor?" Katsuo asked.

"I'm fine Grandpa it's been tough, I almost lost my patient but it went well,"  Jacky said.

"Good, who care for coffee or soda?" Katsuo said.

" I'm hungry," Jacky said.

"Give her some food, I think we have some food box," Ichika said.

The Stewardess served them some food. The plane has some turbulence.

Then they see the beautiful sea below, with small islands. The plane landed. 

"This is a beautiful day" Maketa said.

"Yes my dear! Icheka said.

Three cars were waiting, Alex Rollo welcomed them and after the greetings, hugs, and handshakes, they were escorted to the Uptown Condominium in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, MM.

"Welcome home Boss!" Elena bowing to Tony and the group.

"Thank you, Elena, please order for us some food let it be delivered here, and we will have a short meeting later my "pasalubong(bring home gifts)" are in the luggage, tell the others, it was marked with your names," Tony said.

Tony said, "Ok, we will introduce everyone" 

"I am Katsuo Takuma, and this is my wife, Ichika we were the long lost Grandparents" Everybody bowed.

This is my newly found wife Martha and she is also named Maketa Takuma. This is Alex Rollo, a family, and a friend.

The food arrived, and they sit in the living room and some in the dining table. They sang "I'm so glad, I'm a part of the family of God, I've been washed in the Fountain filled with His blood, Join heirs with Jesus, as we travel this life, I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God. Then, Juan asked Alex to pray and they eat "pancit sa bilao", siopao, and leche flan as dessert.

Tony met his export team, introduced Maketa formally, and he congratulated the team for the sales when he was gone. He called Rose and they talk when they will be in Mindanao. Get some orders for export and said she will be interviewed by Maketa soon.

Alex and Katsuo talked about the KALAHI foundation and the possible joined operation to help those with Alzheimer's and the poor of Tondo and other parts of the nation.

Juan and Jacky in the balcony are talking about the possibility of arranging her training and medical internship at Saint Luke Hospital and Makati Medical Hospital. If approved, one week here two straight in Japan and one week here again every month.

Ruthie went to her school, bought her books and school needs.

Ichika and Paulo were talking about the design of the gallery they will build in Manila.

Maketa arranged a meeting that afternoon with some hospitals regarding her foundation, research about Alzheimer's. She is looking for a tie-up regarding her research and how Alzheimer's can be controlled or suspend its effects on memory.

" I appreciate your place here in the Philippines. You have a good office and staff Tony. I can see your talent and skill on people and management." Katsuo said.

"Thanks, Father," Tony said.

"You know I'm happy hearing that from you all, I love to be a real part of this family business." Katsuo smiling.

They opened their luggage and gave their souvenir gifts and then they rested early. 

Tony and Juan prepared some food. They cooked pork adobo, Native chicken tinola with unripe papaya fruit, malungay, and green pepper. They had fresh pineapple sliced, sweet red watermelon, and grapes. They had relyenong bangus(stuffed milkfish), tuna kinilaw, and malasugi(sailfish) sashimi and rice cooked with pandan leaves.

They all loved the dish but Katsuo, Ichika ate more, and Maketa remembered the tastes, smell of this food from the past that her tears fell, happy that her memory is getting clearer. The new medicine given to her by her Alzheimers researchers is probably working.

The next day, they are traveling by plane to General Santos City. 

As they arrived, the van, Tony rented were waiting. Tony drives the van. They went to the farm.

The farm was so clean when they arrived. The guest house was ready, Tony bring Katsuo, and Ichika to stay there. 

"Wow, this is a wonderful place! Is that mangoes? I love that. This is paradise"Katsuo said.

Ichika and Maketa went to the hut near the pond.

Tony checked the goat which was butchered and cooked as kalderetang kambing(Goat cooked in sauce), Roasted native chicken and ripe mangoes, rambotan, and Dorian. 

Juan prepared the campfire.

They ate with banana leaves heated in the fire as the table cloth of the table made of bamboo.

Sliced tomatoes, cucumber, radish, and sliced carrots with mayonnaise as the vegetables in the sidings.

Then Tony called the staff in the office to join them. They prayed for the food.

" Everyone, dig in!" Tony said.

Another introduction, and the first time Maketa and Rose meet. Maketa introduced her to Katsuo and Ichika. then they talked and eat. They all appreciate the food. Katsuo and Ichika loved the new experiences on the farm.

The office staff went home, Rose who was living in the staff house remained. Jacky and Rose chatted and they are mature in some areas but still like high school in dealing with each other. They joke around and tease each other.

In Japan, Tony and Martha had some hesitations to act as real husband and wife, they feel awkward with each other. But this time, Maketa(Martha) sat so close to Tony, they seem like new lovers. As if they just newly met. But this time, Martha's memories of her loving and caring husband is returning back, that she kissed him like it's her first time.

They flew to the moon that night.

🌕 67. LOVE THE SECOND TIME

Toktogaok!

Ruthie early in the morning threw some corn seeds to the chickens. She talks to them and they gather as if they understand what she's saying.

The sunrise creating a golden orange color in the pond.

Jacky and Juan are casting their hooks with worm baits. Ruthie gets her first tilapia. Juan gets a mudfish. They are laughing.

Tony served hot chocolate with goats milk and putomaya(sticky rice with coconut milk and ginger with added salt and sugar). "I love this food and drink," Ichika said. Katsuo did a thumbs up. "That's just the appetizer, the breakfast is still being cooked by Juan and Jacky outside," Tony said.

Juan and Jacky had caught about five kilos of fish. They cleaned it, marinated it with kalamansi(small green lemons), toyo(soy sauce), salt, black pepper, and garlic then grilled it in the campfire area. The mudfish was cooked by Juan in coconut milk, with spices. They cooled coconut juice. With the putomaya and chocolate with goat's milk made their breakfast.

Tony said let's start our breakfast. Maketa was still in the room. She does not want to come out yet.

 

Juan read a chapter in the Psalms.

Psalms 23:1-6: "(A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Then Juan prayed for the food and thank God for the new day.

Everyone started eating, they love the food.

Ichika heard Maketa crying, she went to her room. Maketa has seen her old bag, and she had seen her album with her pictures from childhood, their wedding, the time that the children were still young, the old farmhouse, the destroyed rice field by the typhoon Juan which were the name of Juan was taken. She went out and told all the stories of every picture. Then they continued to talk about the past as she was also eating, Ruthie continued some of the stories. There were times that Katsuo would feel the emotions that he also shed tears as to how the sacrifices in the past molded them now. Then the happy moments. While Paulo has already made three paintings from what is happening.

Tony was also silently sobbing to remember that past. Maketa went in her side and embraced him. "Thank you, Lord! I finally find myself, my family and now I have additional families that love me." Martha said. Both Tony and Martha are now crying, they kissed. Everyone is also crying with them. Crying because they are happy.

Tony and Martha are now as if they are teenagers that are just newly married or on a honeymoon. Tony is now fifty, while Martha is forty-five. But their hearts are young.

Juan and Jacky were also happy to see them like that.

Tony toured them to the farm and to all the farms under a lease with different fruits and organic vegetables. The washing and packing area. They see all the processes up to the arrangement of the products inside the container until being closed.

Juan and Jacky went to the city to buy some things and bought some dried fish, and some sauces and some ingredients that are not available on the farm. They visit the old high school where both of them graduated. They met some teachers and gave some gifts from Japan. Jacky checked some of the teachers and made some lectures about health as requested.

Melchor who had a fight with Juan before is now the head of security of the school. They talked and embraced.

Katsuo and Ichika were on honeymoon in the pond, they enjoyed fishing, from time to time they call or be called on the phone.

Tony and Maketa were dating in the office, in the field and in they visited some common friends and they bring some gifts. They also meet all the farmers. When Juan and Jacky arrived they made a medical mission, Jacky was checking up all of them, from father, mother and all the children. Juan is listing all the medicines they need. Juan gave them vitamins from Japan from the Maketa foundation. Then Maketa and Rose visited those who have Alzheimer's and Tony was their driver. Maketa then gave application papers to the families who have candidates for foundation help. They have fourteen candidates. Rose was selected to be the liaison officer of the Maketa foundation above her job in the Goldenfruits Inc.

"Tony, did you remember, that this is the place that we first separated? We rode a jeepney going to the airport. I now remember it." Maketa said.

"So your memory is really coming back. Do you remember our first kiss?" Tony teasing her.

She pinched his back. "Yes, why? you want a second first?" Maketa said.

"What second first?" Tony asked.

"Our second kiss but first because it will be the first kiss that I now almost remember everything again," Maketa said.

After the work, they let everybody go home, but they checked in at Greenleaf Hotel and they had again the honeymoon for almost ten years that they were separated when Martha was lost.

Then in the house, Juan was texted by Tony that they can not go home, but the same text was sent to Katsuo.

Juan and Jacky prepared the food, she prepared ramen, sushi, and Juan three roasted crispy pork belly. Cavendish Banana, santol(cottonfruit), ripe babana(soursop), and mangosteen were the fruits served. They had their supper without Tony and Maketa.

"Don't look for Tony and Maketa, your daughter has just get married again tonight" Katsuo said to Ichika.

"What?" Ichika smiled.

🌕 68. COMPLETE REUNION

Broom...

A car arrived. Ely and Luz just arrived from the airport. Everybody welcomed them with hugs greetings and they were invited inside the Guesthouse where they gather in the living room. The table is full of fruits and newly cooked kutchinta(It is made from a mixture of tapioca or rice flour, brown sugar, and lye, enhanced with yellow food coloring or annatto extract, and steamed in small ramekins).

"Let's have a reunion," Maketa said.

"That's a good idea," Katsuo said.

"Let's do it on the beach!"Juan suggested. 

"What about in Gumasa? I heard that is a good beach in Glan, Sarangani Province." Jacky said.

"Then let's try that!" Ely said.

"OK, let's pack up and go. we will bring some food. Juan and I will roast a small pig there. We will bring the Bongo truck, the van, and one motorcycle." Tony said.

"It was 75 kilometers from the farm. One hour and thirty minutes without stopping. We need to pass Glan public market to buy some spices and seafood, like shells, I want you to taste the "Imbao" (Mangrove clam) for our soup. Seaweeds salad, like "Lato"(sea grapes).

And the "Lukot"." Tony said.

"What is lukot Dad? Ruthie asked.

"I tell you later," Tony said.

After buying every food and spices they need, including two sacks of charcoal for roasting and grilling,  they started to drive going up to the hilly terrain of going to Gumasa from Glan then going down to the Isla Jardin Del Mar. They paid the entrance fee of Seventy Pesos per person and parked the cars. Unloaded the things to the Beach huts and started preparing the food. Maketa, Ichika, Jacky, and Ruthie prepared the seafood and the Imbao soap. While the boys butchered the pig and started roasting it to be a Lechon.

They talked, sing, and joke around as they cooked and prepared the food. Then after two hours, the food was ready. They arranged the table and put the whole pig lechon with its crispy skin. They had some Imbao soap with pechay (Bok choy) and spices, many fruits and the seafood salads of lato and lukot. They prayed and started eating. Everybody is hungry and they enjoyed all the food. And only the lechon has leftovers, all the kinds of seafood were gone.

All commented that the "Lukot" is the most special second to the Imbao soap.

Ruthie followed up the question what is the lukot?

Tony said, "Why not ask Google?" 

Everybody laughs. Ruthie then searched it. "sea cucumber poop?"

"What, we ate the poop? but it tastes good!" Katsuo said.

Hahahaha! Everybody laughs.

"No, it is a SEA HARE SECRETIONS and it has a string of eggs of the hare inside it. So it's actually not poop, it's more like caviar instead. Tony said.

"Everybody laughs again. I will still eat it even if it's really a poop!" Ely said.

"I will too," Katsuo said.

"Hahaha, It's really funny to realize you enjoyed eating poop! Jacky said.

"Let's start swimming!" Juan shouted.

They get their snorkels and swimming gears, they explore the corals and the different colored fish.

Katsuo, Ely, and Tony ride the jet ski back and forth which they rented.

After the sea activities, the girls had a beach volleyball while some of the boys throw the beach frisbee to each other.  Then they transferred to the dartboard, and table tennis. 

They break and have some snacks of cakes, donuts, and self-made sandwiches of fruit jam, peanut butter, liver spread or chicken mayonnaise, and tuna mayonnaise. They had cans of pineapple juice, Kali, and soda for drinks.

They arranged around the campfire place hammocks tied in the coconut trees around the campfire.

Tony cooked the leftover Lechon (roasted pig) into a lechon paksiw(The pork is sauteed in onion, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorn and the cooked in liver sauce, vinegar).

They cooked some rice and prepared some fruit salad of canned pineapple, grated buko meat, apples, seedless grapes, papaya, the sweet corn kernels, lakatan banana, nata de coco, cream, condensed milk, and chopped cheese.

"I'm so happy today that we had this reunion not only as a family but as a company that will help give hope to those who we can help. We may not help all men, but even just some that we can truly help and make a difference in their lives. We may face many difficult situations or we may have many challenges but tonight we will make it a resolve that we will do all we can do to make our dreams and goals for others. God has blessed with so many things especially with the memories that we may lose to Alzheimer's but we fought and we regained it. We will also help others. That we can make beautiful memories, that when we die, we die victorious and accomplished what God purpose on us." Maketa said.

"Amen!" Luz said and embraced Maketa.

"Let's do it! Katsuo said.

They sing some songs and played the dart.

Then they prayed and eat.

Juan asked Jacky, "If ever we have the wedding, where do you want to do it?" 

"Anywhere!" Jacky said.

They went home early, they had roasted and boiled sweet corn, with butter spread. Coffee and scrambled eggs, bacon, and Biko(sticky rice with coconut milk and caramelized sugar).

Katsuo then leads the group, they checked a land for the KatIchiKeta Takuma Home. They found a one-hectare land, Maketa liked it. They purchased it.

Katsuo then asked Juan to find a surveyor, so that the building could be conceptualized and if approved then the building will start. There will be rooms, staff rooms, top of the line advanced research laboratory, kitchen and mess hall, activity rooms and the surrounding will be developed into a beautiful garden park. The next step will be hiring and training people from therapists, caregivers, nurses, doctors, scientists, and support staff.

When the hiring is accomplished, team building and training, and seminars to have a comprehensive therapy for the patients will be conducted.

 

🌕 69. PAULO'S DREAM FULFILLED 

Paulo's dream is a gallery that the building is unique. It is an art in itself.

He draws and painted how it will look like. It is a four-story building built in a mountain made of solid limestone, you can see the city lights at night and the sea at day. It will be a tourist attraction and destination. It can be seen in the city as an icon.

Paulo, who has down syndrome is an inspiration to have leveled up and never quit on his dream when he has all the reason and excuse not to succeed.

They need to go to Manila to find a land area that will be approved for this project.

The KatIchiKeta Takuma Home Gensan was started to be constructed after much conference call with the engineers and architects. Juan was the Purchasing Manager of all materials.

Rose started sorting people with Alzheimer's for prioritization and for their levels of the disease. They already started hiring psychiatric doctors, medical doctors, and neuro doctors and scientists, researchers for the project.

Paulo packed all paintings, drawings, and sketches for the Makati Gallery. 

Katsuo ordered tickets for Manila. They arrived in Manila on a rainy day.

Juan and Paulo suggested if they can't find a land what about a condo converted into a gallery for the meantime? They tried in Greenbelt which is a shopping mall located at Ayala Center, Makati, Metro Manila, which is just near Glorietta and SM Makati. 

One floor would be enough. It could be almost the same price as buying land. They arranged to have different entry and exit lounge that it will not disrupt other condo tenants of the gallery visitors.

They submitted the proposal to Katsuo, he visits the area, studied the location and the foot travel from the mall. He asks the architects to make interior and exterior decoration.

Then he released the fund for the gallery.

Paulo was so happy. He painted new paintings regarding national and international interests.

Paintings were mixed or segregated according to the type of painting techniques. Oil painting, Watercolor painting, Pastel painting, Acrylic painting, Digital painting, Ink wash Painting or Literati painting - Chinese black ink, Hot wax painting or Encaustic painting, Spray Painting, Fresco secco paintings - wall painting technique, Gouache - opaque watercolor medium, Enamel paintings, Tempera paintings (are very long-lasting) and, Sand Painting.

The gallery will be a combination of Paulo's paintings and other artists, that will pass his standards.

While the one thousand square meters of the floor area of the condominium is being renovated and furnished for a world-class gallery, Paulo was to tour galleries around the Philippines and around the world for three months with Ichika.

Katsuo managed the renovation using materials from abroad especially from Japan.

"I invest in these projects, not for money but for humanity and for God," Katsuo said.

Paulo will have a staff to help him with the maintenance, the selling, and the scheduling of painting showcases. There are those to be sold, there are those that must remain forever in this gallery.

Paulo was given the authorization to make replicas of famous paintings, including those of Fernando Amorsolo (1892-1972), José Joya (1931-1995), Ang Kiukok (1935-2005). Paulo decided to make his own using their techniques and inspiration.

He invited famous artists to display their works in his gallery. Paulo and Katsuo agreed to have an auction hall, where at scheduled events, paintings will be sold for bidders worldwide.

After four months, the gallery was complete, and the paintings were now on display.

The next is the promotion and program for the potential artists.

Famous artists were invited to grace the launching of the Gallery.

Like Benedicto Cabrera (1942), Kidlat Tahimik (1942), and Agnes Arellano (1949).

Paulo promoted and made a program to produce local amateur painters and artists. He invited the children and teens of Tondo, supported and assisted by "Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan" (KALAHI). They conducted the workshop seminar of potential artists at Life Project 4 Youth Foundation, Tondo. One hundred twenty three attended the workshop, Paulo was so happy, he ordered them to be feed with Jollibee Super Meal(Chicken joy, Spaghetti, Burger steak, rice, and a dessert of coke float, and peach mango pie each participant with bottomless cold ice tea.

Paulo provided them free materials, from canvass and all the brushes, pencils, paints. They started with the initial basic painting with those who can submit a good painting will have one sack rice, and groceries, and one thousand pesos. Consolation prizes are half-sack rice and groceries. It was all given to them after the workshop.

There were thirty who made it to the second level.

They were to submit a short story of their life, with their biodata with their picture. A photographer is taking their pictures with their work. Those who can not write were interviewed by the staff and they filled their requirements.

They were all toured to the new Gallery. They were the first visitors to the gallery. They were all given new Tshirts with the gallery logo and saying "Art is my life", the second level group was given the materials to make their final painting. They were given props of fruits, plants, or anything they want to paint. The theme of the contest is "hope". While those who are waiting toured all the rooms to see all the artworks in the gallery. They were given Quarter pounder and Milk tea Mcfloat each.

" Wow! This is amazing! Paulo was amazed by the paintings.

All the paintings were good, they will be displayed during the launch. with the name, picture, and biodata and story of the participant painter.

The thirty were all given one sack rice, groceries, and One Thousand pesos.

"Ok listen up, Out of those on the consolation will have a wild card, that I may consider for the contest on the launching, the thirty will all participate, and you will have a live one-hour painting contest during that time. the President of the Philippines will be attending, all the famous artists here and abroad will attend and buyers will also be here. Your work may make money at that time. Who knows? Now, Bring the materials that you have used, put your names in your materials because that is yours now. Now, you will be given invitations to attend that special occasion. All of you will be given  a suit, pants, shoes, dress to the ladies to attend that occasion." Paulo said.

"Yehey!" the participants jumped in joy.

🌕 70. ROCKET LAUNCH

Weeee... weeee... Tooot... tooot...

"The President has arrived! Everybody, please settle down, we will start for a few minutes." The emcee announced.

"Thanks for gracing this event Mr. President" Paulo greeted him and introduced his family.

Men in black in every corner can be seen, they have that curled wires at the back if their ears and they whisper from time to time as if speaking to their shirts. 

The one hundred twenty three participants in the workshop were all present, ninety-five boys and twenty-eight girls. They were not expecting to see the President in person. They sit in awe. They feel they are VIP in their new suits with the tie, and new pants and shoes made to order to their exact size given to them three days before the event. The girls in Sunday's best dress are so elegant. They sit as if they are graduating. Some parents are present in their humble dress, in jeans or an ordinary t-shirt and ukay-ukay pants(relief goods dress). 

Some politicians, artists, and famous painters were present also like Benedicto Cabrera, Kidlat Tahimik, and Agnes Arellano among others.

Paulo gave the opening remarks.

"This is a dream, that God allowed being a reality. In the farm of Olympug, General Santos City,(the light focused on a painting depicting the poor farm with the Tira family in farm clothes with a dilapidated house in the background), a life full of suffering, hunger and hopelessness, came to a dream to this family. I was born with this defect of down syndrome and autism. I have my own world mostly with my self. But this hardship forced me to try to paint, my mind focuses on the subject and the paint as I mix it in advance is preparing how will be the outcome. There are so many people I would thank, my family, Tony, Martha, Juan, Ruthie, Ely, Luz, Joel, Jacky and especially Katsuo and Ichika, thank you and you have a part on this success. 

This family supports me, and I pass my support to inspire and help these amazing artists of Tondo. I thank the KALAHI foundation lead by Alex Rollo and the Maketa Foundation for their assistance.

Lastly, I thank all the famous artists who are here from local and abroad. Everyone knows you, and ladies and gentlemen it is an honor, please stand as we honor this great father of our nation, the President of the Philippines." Paulo ended his speech and everyone stand and clapped.

The President cut the ribbon assisted by Katsuo, Ichika, Tony, and Maketa from the door and all the press take a picture of it, when the ribbon was cut, the name of the gallery which was covered by a white veil, fell down and exposed the name, "Gallerias Mama Martha".

Everyone clapped.

The President had a speech supporting the gallery, thanked Paulo for painting his official portrait. And is willing to sit for one hour to be painted by the artists present instead of the model in the program for the live contest.

Everyone clapped in a standing ovation.

The food was served and the contest began after everyone had eaten, painting the president as he sits in his chair.

The guests and the visitors went around to see all the wonderful works of art. The Tondo participants who were the finalists started their work live and can be seen on the TV channel as the press cover the event. They have only one hour to make this painting. The price is ten thousand pesos, a scholarship for the tenth placer, and one thousand is added for the ninth placer with the scholarship, up to the first place with the nineteen thousand with scholarship, the Champion, had a twenty thousand, scholarship and a painting contract with the gallery. The consolation prizes were scholarship to all the finalists and five thousand to each of them.

After one hour, a room was opened exposing the food for the buffet, chairs were rearranged and the new paintings of the contestants were displayed. The famous artists, Benedicto Cabrera, Kidlat Tahimik, and Agnes Arellano with the President and Katsuo were to judge the winners.

The paintings depicted the President in many different angles, they are all amazing, the judges had difficulty deciding who will win this contest.

Before the result was given. A special song was given by Joni Faith "Jesus take the wheel" 

...Fifty miles to go, and she was running low on faith and gasoline

It'd been a long hard year

She had a lot on her mind, and she didn't pay attention

She was going way too fast

Before she knew it she was spinning on a thin black sheet of glass

She saw both their lives flash before her eyes

She didn't even have time to cry

She was so scared

She threw her hands up in the air

Jesus, take the wheel

Take it from my hands

'Cause I can't do this on my own

I'm letting go

So give me one more chance

And save me from this road I'm on

Jesus, take the wheel...

A message "Man, God's masterpiece" was given by the invited Pastor, Pastor Manny Garcia from the Bicol Region was given based on Ps 8:4-6: "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:" He also speaks of man's disobedience, God's justice and God's love that will recreate man spiritually if he responds to God's love and gift, who is Jesus Christ, the Savior.

The prayer for the blessing of the Gallery was done, everybody standing and prayed silently then Pastor Manny prayed.

Then after for a while the result was given, Donny Mesa won the championship. They were called one by one and they had a picture with the President holding their painting. And their life stories were read. They were given also their prizes. Their life stories were so inspiring that there were those who shed tears with their stories.

Then the next was featuring the best story with the painting, it was selected by the staff from those who have not been part of the finalists.

Lovely, twelve years old who painted in the workshop a beautiful flower planted in the boots thrown in the garbage, the background is all kinds of garbage like in the Smoke Mountain and out of it, a beautiful flower, with vibrant colors emerged. It was not selected in the finalists for some reason. But the story of her life made it more colorful.

The Paulo and the family cried reading her story. 

She is an orphan, her father was killed in a landslide of garbage that when his body was retrieved he was already dead with an open abdomen. Her mother died of appendicitis, she did not go to the hospital because she has no money, they all died when she was six. She lived alone collecting garbage for five months and selling it. She has no relatives to take care of her. At seven she was attempted to be r*ped, abused, she escaped, she went back to the smokey mountain, to survive she ate pagpag(food like fried chicken, hamburger leftover from restaurants that was thrown in the garbage that they just blow the dirt away or wipe it and eat it as their food). She was now with a friend of her mother who adopted her as their child, she has never been to school because of poverty, she knows how to write and read taught by her foster mother, who loved her as her own child. But her story was written by a staff who interviewed her. She learns to draw using charcoal drawing on carton boxes. She happens to hear about the workshop, she was being discouraged by her friends that it is a waste of time. But her foster mother encouraged her to go. 

Paulo called Lovely Geveron and gave her the Twenty thousand Pesos, a scholarship, and called her foster parent,    Arlie Brillante to receive the plaque of appreciation and a cash gift of twenty thousand pesos for taking care of Lovely as her own.

Many stories of sad experiences, some are funny but are fighting poverty headlong by hard work. There are stories of how politician failed their promises and how some politicians also made a difference although limited to their term of office but the message is clear, there are children, struggling to live, abused sometimes, and are wondering what future awaits them.

"Paulo's program does not stop here, this children will all be monitored, assisted and will be given a chance, to have the leverage to succeed if they use it wisely and have that faith in their hearts that they can make a difference, we can help them make that difference," Juan said in his closing statement.

The guests are now gathered, before the dinner, there is an auction of the children's paintings which were transferred to elegant frames with pictures and stories at the back of the paintings. They are now for bidding. The flower of Lovely became worth fifty thousand pesos bought by an owner of fast-food chains.

The paintings of the first to the tenth placer became worth ten to forty thousand pesos.

The one hundred twenty-three paintings of all the participants were all sold, the lowest was eight thousand pesos.

Some paintings of Paulo was sold for two hundred thousand pesos, one of his paintings about the farm was sold for one million and one hundred thousand pesos. Four people bid for it for one million pesos.

The children's painting which was sold, the payments were given to them in cash.

The President was so happy, he stayed the whole time of the event and want to buy a painting of Paulo about Tondo. Paulo said "Mr. President, I will give it to you free, I will just ask for your support for our project of our foundation KALAHI to help some that we can to make a difference.

" I will, that is not a promise to be failed but a commitment even after my term, I will help anything possible," The President said.

The president grant five million pesos for the KALAHI foundation, some of the millionaires gave a million. All the donations totaled to thirty million pesos that night.

Alex was so happy, and Katsuo didn't expect that this will happen.

"My child who was teased and despised in his childhood because of his condition with down syndrome and autism made a rocket launch to the moon tonight, praise God, His works are amazing! Martha said embracing his son Paulo.

🌕 71. SCHOOL BLUES

Katsuo, Ichika, Ely, Luz, and Jacky went home to Japan. They need to do some important things there. They left happy and blessed. Tony, Martha, Juan, Paulo, and Ruthie send them off at the airport.

"We will see each other again soon," Maketa said to her loving parents Katsuo and Ichika. 

"Yes, tonight!" Katsuo smiling.

"You will be back tonight Grandpa? Well, there's no doubt that you have a personal jet plane" Ruthie said excitedly.

"Yes, in a video call! Katsuo and Ichika laughing.

" Hahaha! You got me, Grandpa!" Ruthie said.

"Your promise?" Ichika said pointing to Ruthie.

"Yes, Grandma, I will transfer to Japan soonest" Ruthie replied.

They embraced with everyone before boarding the plane.

"We will buy some groceries and some food?"Martha said.

"Ok we will pass by the grocery store"

The cart was full of groceries and foodstuffs. They now went home.

"Tomorrow is the first day in school," Ruthie said.

The class of Juan is only in the afternoon, it will start at one and end at six. During the morning, He will be with Alex, to meet and plan for the agency. When Juan went home, the attitude of the guard supervisors changes, they heard about what happened in Japan. Maybe Alex gave them the story. He felt they respect him now not like before that they don't know him. 

The first class meeting started by introducing themselves. Many are head of the office of private and government offices. Many also are fresh graduates from college and they had good family support. Some of his classmates are married while others are still single. Juan is both a fresh graduate from mechanical engineering and a head of office in the Rollo Security and Detection Agency. The age varies from twenty-two years old to fifty or more. Their law professor is a practicing lawyer. "In this room, you are all equal. I'm the only adult here. Now if I call your name you stand, don't ever sit until I'm satisfied with your answer. And if you don't get it, others may answer that, but you don't dare sit until it is answered right. Copy guys?

" Yes Sir" Class in chorus.

We will play Russian Roulette. I will shuffle the class cards, and I call your name, you stand and let's do the procedure I said a while ago. Ready?

Law Professor Robles shuffles the cards and lets a classmate pick one. 

"Roger Villaluna, define felony"Professor said.

" Felony is the transgression of the law?" Roger said.

"Are you answering or asking me?" Professor said.

"Answering Sir!" Roger said.

"Stand, another guy, Marco Rivera" Professor said.

Marco stand a bit shaking and said "I have not studied it yet, sir, I will try to find out next time" 

"Will somebody gets it, or everybody will stand up, until the time we finish this class?"

Juan hurriedly read the criminal law pdf file in his cell phone and memorize it.

Three more classmates stand, then his name was called.

"Acts and omissions punishable by law are felonies. Felonies are committed not only by means of deceit but also by means of fault. Sir!" Juan answered in a military fashion.

"Ok, good! All of you sit down. Study chapter one, from article three to ten, we will have a short quiz tomorrow. Read five cases and give me a brief of those cases. It must have a: Title and Citation, Facts of the Case, Issues, Decisions (Holdings), Reasoning (Rationale), Separate Opinions, and Analysis.

Bzzzzzzzzz. (bell ringing)

"Class dismiss," Professor said.

Juan ride his big bike and went home. That class is only a warning, now we just don't study, we also must pass the psychological warfare of being a lawyer. How to be calm in a very pressured discussions, whose death or freedom or imprisonment of the client hangs. How t answer with certainty and to think sharply.

It seems studying law is also to be in the shoes of the criminal and to be in the shoes of the judge. You need to feel these different worlds and see how a court plays its part to find the answers to human involvement in every legal procedure.

When he arrived home, everybody is asleep he thinks. Then Ruthie opened her door, she is still studying. They get some coffee and start to talk. "How's your first day?" Juan asked.

"Its a hell of a day, Kuya(Elder)!" Ruthie said.

"Hello, how are you? I miss you. (Pause) How's your first day in class?" Jacky asked in a video call.

"It's weird, this is my first time like the panel interview? Can you imagine, we went back to kindergarten, hahaha, Its really funny. We had a Russian Roulette." Juan said.

"It's tough ha? Well, when you became used to it, You will just smile those kinds of situation, I tell you, it's like my first hands-on surgery, I can't move for a few seconds, my hands are shaking, I can't think straight, I tried to think happy thoughts and guess what is it?" Jacky said.

"What?" Juan asked.

"I think of you kissing me," Jacky said.

"Wow! I heard that. I had also a culture shock today. Well, it's really hard to adjust to an environment that you have no real friends yet, or I need to be used to it also, to adapt fast and survive. Many of my classmates are still in highschool mentality, Ruthie said.

Second day in school. 

Ruthie had made friends, perfected her first quiz in algebra, Elected President of her class, Selected as the leader in their project, and impressed her professor in biology for memorizing the binomial nomenclature and the scientific classification of man.

What is the scientific classification of man?" Biology Professor said.

"Kingdom:Animalia; Phylum:Chordata; Class:Mammalia; Order:Primates; Suborder:Haplorhini; Infraorder:Simiiformes; Family:Hominidae; Subfamily:Homininae; Tribe:Hominini; Genus:Homo; Species:Homo sapiens" Ruthie answered.

"Very good, I never expect someone in your class can memorize that, very impressive." Biology Professor said.

Ruthie in her mind, "She does not know that I was the one who made a presentation of that report in high school and I memorized it up to now."

After class, Juan arrived with his big bike and fetch her to the Goldenfruits Inc. export office. They had some snacks of fresh fruits. Lanzones and grapes.

"Hello, Dad? College is tough but I think I can manage." Ruthie sad. 

"That's every start of everything, it may start tough but if you persist and prove your inner strength, it is a test of how determined you are," Tony said.

"Listen to your Dad! Have you already had some snacks? I have made Dorian ice cream here, who want some?" Martha said.

"Me!" Chorus of all who were there including the staff.

"OK this, This two-gallon ice cream is more than enough. Get you coffee cups and spoons, here is the scoop" Martha said.

 

 Then Juan went to the school library to chat with some classmates.

Then some students are talking about Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. "Do you want to join the fraternity, Juan?" A classmate asked.

"What benefits will I get?" Juan asked.

Member Benefits. We offer discounts on test prep including the bar exam and LSAT, travel, fitness, CLEs, office supplies, professional attire, and more. ...

Online Store. Shop for officially licensed P.A.D. ...

Pay Dues. Alumni dues are paid annually and go back into P.A.D. ...

Resources & Policies.

"I'll think about it," Juan said.

🌕 72. SCHOLARS

Paulo was busy with his newly hired staff helping and assisting the scholars of the gallery. The KALAHI foundation supported the project. One hundred twenty three scholars. 

"What shall I do with these scholars to start with? I wish I can bring them initially to one school that has elementary to college curriculum. Lord help me." Paulo said with tears in his eyes.

"There is a school in Tondo, we will buy that school, and enroll all your scholars there. Regela Angel School, is an active and accredited school with the Deped and Higher Education. We can talk to the owners, I think they will be happy to have us and we can be of help with them. We can retain them as administrators to run the school, Ok let us set the meeting with them now." Alex Rollo said.

"Thanks, Uncle Rollo!" Paulo said.

Alex smiled he loved to hear the sound to be called uncle of the great painter.

Alex made a conference call to all the KALAHI foundation board members. I called this meeting to propose to buy out a school the Regela Angel School of Tondo, to accommodate our scholars and help them from elementary to college with this school. I open this for discussion so we can decide. Paulo's staff have made a research about the school, it's confirmed they have an accreditation with the Deped and higher education regarding their nursery to college courses offered. They are a small school, we can infuse capital to improve it and help change it to be a model school of our foundation. we may call it KALAHI foundation University. I have talked to the owner and he has agreed for the meeting this noon, so I need your authorization before I go" Alex Rollo said.

"I agree, let's find out more. Have a visit, and if the administration is good retain them, and slowly we may do changes to make it better." Katsuo said as a new member of the board.

Tony and Maketa agreed also. Everybody then agreed.

The Meeting with the owners went well, they are actually hard up with funds and the tuition of the students is decreasing because most of the students are poor and many quit. Alex proposed an eighty percent share of the school will be buying out and twenty percent will be retained with the original owner and they will also retain the administration of the school under the KALAHI foundation board and the owner will have one vote in the foundation. The KALAHI FOUNDATION is the major owner of the school. The owner agreed with the agreement, Alex let the foundation lawyers made the papers. "Let's have the signing of the papers two days from now.

The signing of the contracts and all legal documents were done at Bulalord Manila, Lakandula Street, Tondo, Metro Manila. All the board members were there Except all who are in Japan.

The enrollment of all scholars was done. Ten Million were allocated, rooms were renovated, a new building was planned to be built soon to a new block adjacent to the school, bought by the foundation.

The scholars were so happy and those students who quit due to financial shortage but consistent students and with a good average were visited their addresses were encouraged to return and enroll and were offered jobs in the school. Many working scholars help with the manning the lack of staff. They became all-around workers working happily. Maketa infused to the KALAHI FOUNDATION twenty million for the education of the children of Alzheimer's victims.

"Thank God for this great blessing, I thought I can't finish my college. God is good. I'm enrolled, I am a student worker with allowance and books. Love this" A scholar wrote and put it in the suggestion box, many put thanking the school instead of suggestions. These were read during the first school administration meeting with the KALAHI foundation board members.

The groundbreaking ceremony of the newly acquired nine thousand square meters lot for the new school building was attended by Katsuo, Ichika, Ely, Luz, and Jacky from Japan. They were just to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, accompanied by one engineer and one architect. Katsuo used his private jet plane. Japan to the Philippines was just a few minutes away.

The tent, podium, shovels, hard hats, umbrellas, and a container full of soil, just in case of rain. The chairs, tables, trash bins, and food service are all ready.

The staff of the Goldenfruits Inc., Paulo's gallery staff, and the school staff and faculty served as greeters and hosts to guide and the guests to their seats. 

The emcee announced that the program will start for a few minutes. A singer sang a song of thanksgiving. 

The visitors from the local government, media men in every corner with their cameras, few senators, and congressmen were present and a representative of the President attended. They were given a fact sheet. 

They hold their shovels and make a hole to bury the time capsule. Speeches were said, a beautiful choir was sung by the students,  and a message from the Word of God was given by Pastor Edwin Jardenel. Prayer for blessings was said and prayer balloons were let loose to fly. 

Many students were jumping for joy, they made a synchronized wave of hands that they did during a festival show, they won the presentation contest in the city. They did it again, they did the pyramid and the chants and the cheering jumps and acrobats. They did the presentation that won a contest simultaneously. They had a good leader that made it happen again. All the visitors video it, others made it live in social media. Their adviser said their performance here is more with emotion and energy than in the contest. It went viral with thirty thousand viewers just in thirty minutes.

"This is a good start Paulo," Juan said.

"Paulo! Paulo! Paulo!"

"Our Hero!"

The students shouted in unison repeatedly. 

A placard was raised by the students. "Paulo, God bless you and your family, Thank you!"

The new building was built. The modern design and art in collaboration with the architects of Takuma business empire and Paulo. As the school building is being started, the walls were first finished. twelve feet high. The more or less one hundred students requested put in the suggestion box that they paint the walls outside and inside.

The school board granted and it was assigned per painter a twelve by twelve feet wall for the one hundred forty students. The Gallery will shoulder the materials.

Different stories of beautiful hope in the background of garbage are prominent in the paintings. There is a painting of a beautiful girl graduating in college. The background was dead flowers, rotten fried chicken, rotten hamburgers, dead grass, and trees. 

"It was a painting of hope by Lovely!" Paulo said.

🌕 73. ALZHEIMER'S HAVEN

"Who are you, do I know you?"

"I'm Rebecca, your daughter" 

"I can not remember I have a daughter named Rebecca. Who am I?" 

"You are Christina, my mother."

"Christina? Wow! That's a good name."

After 30 minutes.

"Sorry, May I know your name?"

"I'm Rebecca, your daughter" 

"Who is Christina? Is it you or me?"

These are the usual conversations with Alzheimer's patients.

The doctor said: "Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.

" Doc, what's the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia?"

"Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer's is a specific disease. Dementia is not." Doctor Emma Ruba said.

"Dementia describes a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, reasoning, or other thinking skills. Many different types of dementia exist, and many conditions cause it. Mixed dementia is a condition in which brain changes of more than one type of dementia occur simultaneously. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases.

Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is caused by damage to brain cells that affects their ability to communicate, which can affect thinking, behavior, and feelings." Doctor Emma said.

"While Alzheimer's is a degenerative brain disease that is caused by complex brain changes following cell damage. It leads to dementia symptoms that gradually worsen over time. The most common early symptom of Alzheimer's is trouble remembering new information because the disease typically impacts the part of the brain associated with learning first.

As Alzheimer's advances, symptoms get more severe and include disorientation, confusion, and behavior changes. Eventually, speaking, swallowing, and walking becomes difficult." There is no cure of the moment, but research is continuously done to find a procedure, drug, or therapy that may delay and help in recovering lost memory. We are fighting against losing hope." Doctor Emma said.

Jacky arrived from Japan, it's a  weekend, Juan fetched her with his  Yamaha YZF R3 300, Jacky has a backpack only. Juan gave her a helmet with Bluetooth that they can communicate helmet to helmet. From the airport, Juan went to Tagaytay. They found one hectare of land for thirty million pesos when they tour near the Sky Home hotel.

Juan called her mother, Martha.

" Mother, there is an available lot here in Tagaytay one hectare it is offered Fifty million pesos I tried to negotiate and the owner agrees for thirty million pesos. What do you think? I will give you the coordinates. Here, this is the coordinates 14°05′59.97″N 120°56′56.07″E."

Martha texted his father, 

"Father, Juan found in Tagaytay a one-hectare lot for the KatIchiKeta Takuma Home. Here is the coordinates 14°05′59.97″N 120°56′56.07″E.  Please reply if what is your opinion."

  

Juan and Jacky toured Tagaytay.

They went to Sky ranch, they had horse riding first, then they tried almost all the rides. They tried the bump car, Jacky's smile was never lost from her beautiful face, she is like a child in her twenty-two years old body. Ever time their cars bump each other, laughter as they race and bump and she will chase Juan's car and they will try to escape from each other. The cool breeze would let her free hair fly that makes her so pretty. Jacky's heart is more beautiful, how she cares, how she thinks of other's benefit. She is one of the most pursued by single suitors. But her commitment and her heart are only one for one man. Juan had seen many beautiful ladies, intelligent ladies, sophisticated ladies, famous ladies, wealthy ladies, but there is only one Jacky, that pure free spirit, that will fight and survive all, she has that fear and love for God. She has always had a childlike faith, but mature and never gullible with the foolishness of the flesh and its consequences.

Juan invited her to try the drop tower. She is afraid of heights but because of Juan, she tried. Juan was more scared than her. Juan shouted louder than her. They both laugh. "I will never ride that again, hahaha!" Juan said.

Next was the log coaster, They enjoyed it, Juan's arm went red because of Jackys hold every time she is scared.

Safari splash, riding in a boat decorated like a log or it's like a car in water with its tires in the side. They were wet, it is good they were given yellow raincoats. It is a roller coaster in water, you slide down with water splashing.

Lastly, they had the zip line then they bought two double cheeseburgers with sides and drinks in Tokyo Tokyo, then they tried the Sky Eye Ferris wheel a two hundred seven feet in height, with thirty-two gondolas. It is a ten-minute ride inside an air-conditioned gondola, you can see the Taal Lake, the view is amazing, at night, the frames have thousands of lights synchronized with different colors.

They intend to eat their food as they sit looking at the view, but Jacky is so talkative and she always gets Juan's attention on what she sees. They laugh and talk and imagine, Japan has many beautiful views, Juan asked, "What is different here than in Japan?" 

"Honestly, I can not just enjoy or appreciate more if you are not with me, period, I will even feel guilty if I will enjoy it and you are not there," Jacky said.

They went out of the gondola after ten minutes then they sit somewhere and ate their food they are holding.

Juan put his hand to Jacky's shoulders and said "Jacky same with me. Life will be somewhat not so beautiful without you. So we must live longer, right? Let's pray to God about it."

Katsuo called, "Juan, it seems that is a good place. I will be there tomorrow. Let's lock that property"

"Yes, Grandpa," Juan said.

Juan and Jacky went home and They were welcomed by Tony. Jacky and Juan put Tony's hands in their foreheads, Martha went out and embraced them both. 

"We have already eaten, Dad and Mom, we will just be here in the balcony," Juan said.

"Your grandpa was happy of your find, he will be here tomorrow," Martha said.

"That's how powerful he is. He is investing now in your projects and helping people. I can never imagine how God made these things happen." Juan said.

"Alzheimer's haven, son, we have the genes, we help others but we also help ourselves. We help our kind. Who will understand those who have this kind of disease? But Katsuo and Ichika have none of this. But their hearts are surprisingly with us. There are no strings attached to our relationships. They can leave us alone anytime, but they didn't. That's like the kind of heart with you Jacky and your parents, I'm so amazed how you find Juan, how our families even without me, have been bonded, not just because of your relationship but your family really made the effort to find me. I was so touched to realize that." Martha with teary eyes.

Jacky embraced her. "You had made a difference in my life when you lived that life and introduce Jesus as Savior to me at my young age. I have been longing that kind of attachment, that kind of selfless gesture that does not expect a return but is giving that love and care."

"We can preserve that kind of feeling and love when we can help these helpless people who do not remember their loveones, everything good or bad can be forgotten. They definitely can't repay us. This Alzheimer's haven is a haven of love." Martha(Maketa) said.

🌕 74. KATICHIKETA TAKUMA HOME

"This will be the third home for Alzheimer's patients." Katsuo talking to his engineer, and architect.

They arrived at the airport. Juan and Maketa fetched them with their Nissan Terra. They start to travel to Tagaytay, just after forty-five minutes, Katsuo felt the cool environment, then he saw someplace where the lake is seen, then when they arrived at the Sky Hotel, Juan called the owner. They are in their seventies, they greet and bowed, handshake with each other, then they sit. They talk for a while, introduced themselves, they ask what's the plan for the land.

"It will be used as a home for the aged. But this facility will focus on those who have Alzheimer's." Martha said.

"Wow! a charity project? I can give it for twenty Million, what do you think honey?" Turning at her old wife who just nods and smile. 

"We will sell the land because we will migrate to Canada. My children are there, we have twenty acres of land there, we don't need much money and honestly, we will die soon. So I'm happy that we can help your project" A straight forward answer by the wife.

"That's good of you, we don't intend to buy this prime land so cheap that you may regret later or your children will accuse us of abusing you," Katsuo said.

"No, no, no, our children have received their shares of our estate. I have given them so much already that they will not care if we give this land away. But we are Ok with the thirty Million, we will accept that and the ten million will have a different paper as a donation to your project. I believe you also need funds for building the facilities. Who knows we will stay at this facility someday? Or visit this facility someday. So please, accept it for those with Alzheimer's. Thirteen of my friends died with that disease that's why we know." Mr. Albert Cruz said.

Katsuo told the lawyer to prepare the papers.

Then their conversation went deeper, Katsuo found out that Mr. Albert was a retired Pilot and her wife, Sophia was a businesswoman. Their children were only two all were married and all are working in Canada. They had five grandchildren.

"I'm just curious if you don't mind, may I ask are you related to each other?" Albert asked.

"Yes, she is my child, Maketa, these two are my grandchildren, referring to Juan and Jacky. These are my employees." Katsuo said.

"Tagaytay is a beautiful place, but I need to leave it for our children and grandchildren. So we will visit you here if God will still permit." Albert said.

"Honey, why not invite them to our house. so they can see the place." Sophia said.

"Yes, that's a good idea. While waiting for the papers to sign, let's go to the place, it's a walking distance actually. Albert said.

They walk from the Sky home hotel. 

"Wow! this is the best!"Jacky said. 

"I love it here! Maketa said.

They were offered chocolate from their cocoa plants. They enjoyed the view, the cool air, the Taal view.

"We will leave next month to Canada. I hope to see before we leave." Albert said.

"We will schedule staying here next week. Our surveyor will survey with our engineer and architect for the plan of the facility. We will start the building soonest, but before that, we will have groundbreaking.

The lawyer arrived, they signed the papers, and the cheque was given, the lawyer will process the transfer of title to Maketa foundation.

They stayed for a while, and they went outside holding hands they start to pray,  Katsuo leads the prayer. 

"Father, creator of heaven and earth, we adore you, we worship you.

We thank you for this place that you grant to be a blessing to those poor souls that needs your help. We pray you to give us the wisdom of how we can maximize the resources to glorify you. In Jesus Name, Amen." Katsuo opened his eyes and Albert and Sophia said, "Amen".

"Wow, Praise God, I was not wrong to feel that you had a heart because you had a God," Albert said.

I want to know, how millionaires like you have a God? Sophia said.

"I'm not a typical religious type, I once just don't care about religion, in my country most are Budda or other else. What changes my mind is my child's life, Maketa, how she lived, pray, and have faith that even the dirtiest can be clean brand new. If you let that God person in your life. I hesitated, then I was convinced, and I never regretted it. Me and my wife, have learned to love what she loved. We tried it, tasted it and liked it. Jesus can give you real peace, love, and hope that this world can never give. I don't preach, I just honestly give you my experience." Katsuo said.

"Me, I realized my many sins and I want forgiveness, peace, and that joy not dependent on things but with or without them I'm happy. I see this on her. She is poor before, but she is full of joy, peace,  and as if she lacks nothing. With or without things, she is the same, she helps, she comforts, and she loved us. I want that freedom. If I lost everything, yes eventually, when I die but still I have peace, I'm happy. Jesus alone had given me real satisfaction. I want to do that to others also." Ichika explained her experience also.

"I have been searching for that a long time ago, but no one guides me how," Albert said.

"Jesus is a person, He is God who became man, for the main reason that he must die. Death is the payment for sin. The sin that makes us guilty and ashamed. Jesus takes our place, He died that the justice of sin is paid. He lived again so that we can live forever with Him, we like Him will be alive again because we are forgiven, the Bible said, I have it here in my phone, in John 1:12 "But as many as received Him, He gave power(or right)to be His child. Can you believe that?" Juan said.

"Ok I want that, how about you honey?" Albert said.

"I have been reading the Bible, but It made clearer to me to receive Him, it is by faith, right? I want that too." Sophia said.

"Then tell Him, pray to Him that you believe Him, you accept you are a sinner who needs Him as Savior, that you repent of that sin, now receive Him by faith. Can you do that?" Martha said.

"Yes!' Albert said and Sophia nodded.

"Ok, pray to Him personally, I'll guide you. Pray with me, Father, I'm sorry, I'm a sinner, Thank you for paying for my sin by your death, save me, I believe and receive you Jesus as my Savior. Amen," Katsuo prayed while Albert and Sophia joined the prayer.

They embrace and handshake, "We are now a family in Jesus." Jacky said.

"Thanks for all of you. I want to say, I'm so happy and we can help also your foundation and volunteer if the need and the capability arise. Be assured of that. We will not hold you long, Thanks" Albert said.

"I'm so happy today. This project has made me more accomplished and contented than all the business transactions I've done for the business before. Thank you, Jesus." Katsuo walking to the car and waved to the couple.

"This home will be the legacy that even if everyone forgets because of the disease, the feeling of joy in Christ can never be forgotten. I see that in Maketa before." Ichika said.

🌕 75. STALKER

 Crushes, admiration are normal experiences but stalking and kidnapping are not normal.

 Ruthie is being pursued stealthily.

A crush is a word used to portray the special feelings you have for another person, a classmate, or friend that you really like.

Like bodies grow as we get older, so do our emotions. They develop and mature as we become preteens, teenagers, and adults. 

Noticing your first crush is an exciting period in life because you're starting to comprehend how it feels to like another person — a lot!

Sometimes, feelings for a crush can be confusing because they're new to you and you aren't certain how to act. You could have varied feelings. When you notice your crush, a part of you might feel uncomfortable and you might want to flee away and hide. Another part of you might visualize your crush noticing you and sharing similar feelings.

Crushes are a slight bit like the romantic love adults feel toward one another. And in a way, a crush can enable us to think about the type of person that we like to love when we grow up. They help us realize which qualities we notice and like in another person — and maybe a few that we don't like.

It means they have a sick sexual fantasy about you. In their eyes? You are his property, he owns you and looks at you as an object of his desire, it's the idea of you. He craves you all to himself in his mind the world he's living in only comprises of you and him, nobody else. He will do whatever it takes to accomplish what he wants with you.

He knows when Ruthie's home, when She's not, who visits her at school, what time they leave and he use to know when she was alone, he's been known to appear out of nowhere when she's at the supermarket the first time she thought to herself; 'how did he know I was at the convenience store at that particular time'? How? How did he know what time I would be there for him to appear? It's not like I told him. My guess was that he studied my routines of what time I left the condo, knew exactly what time I would be at the mall and what mall it was." Ruthie thinks. She knew then, this guy was stalking her. She knew whatever plan he had in mind wasn't good he's out to hurt her sexually, which means he's a predatory stalker his foremost goal is sexually attack her. The first time she noticed him watching her as she enters the condo she thought, "there's something not right with him'. 

She talked to Juan about this. Juan put a GPS monitoring gadget on her and emergency panic button in her pen in case she needs help. She was also given a pepper spray that looks like a lipstick, A taser that looks like a flashlight. 

" You need to learn some defensive martial arts," Juan said.

"I will teach Ruthie next week," Jacky said.

Juan studied all the CCTV footage and Juan had developed a program and a system to synchronize and attach to his system all CCTV that uses the internet. He had used all the gadgets and hardware he bought from Japan.

Then He hired Robert Del Fierro, the boyfriend of Rose Zabala, which has proven his integrity and loyalty as his IT staff to monitor sensitive objectives that he wants to be monitored. His mother, who has Alzheimer's are now being taken care of the Maketa foundation.

Juan, instead of jogging in the treadmill and work out in his personal little gym in the condo, enrolled in the mix martial arts.

Mixed martial arts (MMA), is a hybrid combat sport incorporating techniques from boxing, wrestling, judo, jujitsu, karate, Muay Thai (Thai boxing), and other disciplines.

He approached Kevin "The Silencer" Belingon to be his trainer. They met in Hill Station, Casa Vallejo, Upper Session Rd, Baguio, with Edward "Landslide" Folayang both were Champions. They arranged the schedule and the venue, in Elite Boxing and Muay Thai Gym, 5th Floor Planters Products Building 106 Esteban Esteban St, corner V.A. Rufino St, Makati. The schedule was once a week every Saturday afternoon from five to nine, Juan takes care of their hotel and P5,000 per week, a three months provisionary contract. 

Juan who is five feet and ten inches tall, medium built were trained by the best fighters, transformed to develop the physical discipline in martial arts, He experienced sparring the best fighters and was considered a potential champion if he will join tournaments. "He was being courted and encouraged, but Juan just wants it for personal protection and physical fitness. His training was even confidential and never recorded in the gym. He just rented the gym for five thousand per month for sixteen hours with his own trainer and coach. First two months with Kevin and the last month with Edward.

Robert identified the stalker. He was a former student of De La Salle University, He is a member of a gang. He has many reported cases of sexual assault. He wants to grab Ruthie so many times but because of Juan's presence every time he fetches her going to school, and going home, he did not get an opportunity.

Juan wants to trap him so he will pay for his previous cases and prevent him from hurting Ruthie and others in the future. Juan coordinated with the police, the agency guards in the area. He trained the guards as force multipliers like in General Santos City to help prevent crimes.

Ruthie walked from the School Gate 2 North, along Taft Avenue, then turned right to A. Estrada Street there is a man tailing her, walking fast. Ruthie is being instructed through a Bluetooth earphone, then the man tried to overtake her. But Ruthie is fast and he realizes that he was compromised made a sign to the car parked facing Ruthie. Two cars moved, one is a van, and they stopped in her side to grab her, Ruthie ran as fast as she could, the plainclothes police tried to stop the pursuing three men to grab Ruthie. The remaining men in the van open fire with a shotgun, one of the police was hit, Ruthie crawled. Three police cars appeared to stop the van and the other car, gunfight sounded.

One of the men grabbed Ruthie as a hostage everybody was frozen. Then the police cars moved away. They got Ruthie.

Elado Tabon, was identified by the police as the leader of the Bahala na Gang branch in the area.

Juan rides his big bike, he chases the escaping car and deployed one armored car with four police snipers and six SAF(Special Action Force) provided by headquarters through radio.

" Eagle1, the object is traversing Roxas Boulevard going to Kawit, Cavite," Robert said on the radio.

Juan thought it would be a simple arrest but it became complicated.

The enemy used all its resources to get Ruthie. This is now not simple stalking, but a kidnap for ransom situation. The police used one helicopter and a stopping force. 

Juan does not want to risk Ruthie. He was now near the suspect's cars. He did not move so close to being identified but he guided the helicopter, and the stopping force to stop them before they reach Kawit, Cavite. The cars were stopped at the Kawit interchange. Four police cars surprised them blocking the road instantly. Then the armored car with snipers positioned the SAF maneuvered. Juan from the bike approached them to swap with Ruthie, he takes his pistol and throws it and his knife he throws also slowly going near them and he saw, Ruthie, taped mouth and hands. The police tried to stop Juan, but he did not listen. He said to the kidnappers, "Release the girl and take me instead" 

"Don't move closer!" Elado said.

"I'm unarmed, I will just check if the hostage is Ok," Juan said.

Elado grabs Ruthie outside the van and points a gun in her head. Then he shouted to the police, don't come closer! He told one of the men to approach Juan and add him as a hostage, the man went closer to Juan with his uzi. Juan whispered to Ruthie on the radio that she could listen in her Bluetooth earphone that she will drop as dead to her right. Juan shout the sign "Please!" 

Ruthie as if she fainted being pointed with a gun, drop to her right, Juan then punch the man and grab the uzi and shoot Elado and use his newly acquired skill in mix martial arts to grapple the man near him by locking his hands at his back and use his body as a shield as bullets were fired to him. Juan fired back and the snipers fired and Juan dropped to cover Ruthie. Juan then gets his smoke grenade and throw it that smoke covered them as he carries Ruthie out of danger. One of the cars moved to escape but the blocking force rain them with fire and they stopped dead.

Juan takes the tape out of Ruthie's mount and hands, embrace her and said "Sorry, you had been in harm's way", Ruthie just nod and ride in his big bike and they get out as fast as he could from the danger zone to a nearby clinic for their small wounds and bruises. Tony and Martha arrived and embraced them both. Alex also arrived. They went home afterward.

"There was a hostage drama that occurred at Roxas Boulevard going to Cavite, at Kawit interchange..." TV news as Juan is resting in the balcony thinking, He never expected that it will end that way.

🌕 76. REVENGE

"I suggest that Ruthie will transfer here in Japan if OK with you all. I was shocked by what happened. The gang may take revenge, so if possible, let's avoid the worse" Katsuo said in tears.

"Ruthie, thank God you are now safe," Jacky said.

Tony and Martha don't know what to do. They will miss her, but her safety is also very important. "What do you think Ruthie?" Tony asked.

"Anywhere! I'll obey you Pa and Ma." Ruthie said in tears.

Juan just keep silent, He still can not move on of the thought if something happens to her sister.

Ruthie embraced him and said "It's not your fault Kuya(Elder), it's good that they can not do it to others. They had many victims already and they can not do anything against them. Thanks for being there for me." Ruthie said.

"I will suffer missing you sister, just be safe. Grandpa will bring you here always, every week if possible." Juan said.

"The world is not getting better, it's getting dirtier and dangerous. Only the salt gives it taste and purpose, those people who love mercy, justice, and Christ." Ruthie said.

"Ok, let's do it for now until it cools down. We will get your papers, you fly tomorrow, Ruthie." Tony said.

"Right away Dad?" Ruthie said.

"The soonest the better," Martha said.

"Ticket was bought online. Schedule to fetch her at Haneda airport, Tokyo was arranged. She will live in the Takuma big house.

Early in the morning, they went to the airport, Tony drive the car, Martha and Juan are giving their last-minute instructions, they embrace, and Ruthie vanished with the plane. They went home at the condo. Juan went to the agency office and check some reports about the kidnapping. He gets the names of the dead gang members. One is familiar, but he can't remember why, and where.

After finishing his checking and reporting, he gave some instructions through phone and radio.

His cellphone rang and Robert informed him that there are armed men, not guards going to the agency office right now.

Juan made silent gestures they all know as the silent commands. They arm themselves and reinforced the door. Then just a few seconds. Gunfire rang and bullets were stitching the door and the table put there.  If not for the five minutes warning from Robert, monitoring anything more or less one hundred meter radius from the facility. Many would have died.

Two of the employees were hostages now,  Then Juan decided to show up, and they release them, and they take Juan.

Juan was tortured. His face was bruised with the punches while being held by three men. His body was also battered being hit by M16 rifle's but. Then his face was covered by a black thick cloth to blindfold him and he was thrown inside the car's trunk. They traveled for about thirty minutes. Then he was taken from the trunk and brought inside a warehouse. He can not see anything and he does not know where he is. He was made to sit in a metal chair and his hands were tied in the hand rest and his feet were tied in the foot of the chair with duct tape. 

" Take his blindfold" Commanded a man.

Juan adjusted his eyes to the light, and then he sees the man in front of him. It was Rojack the leader of the drug operations of Luzon.

"You killed Stephen Aquino. Now I will kill you" Rojack said.

"Then what are you waiting for?" Juan said.

"No, not so fast, I want it to be slow. Hahaha!" Rojack said.

Then he gets a knife and tries to frighten him. But Juan was looking for an opportunity to escape. 

"What do you want from me?" Juan said. 

I want you dead. I will avenge the more or less 200 of my men you killed in General Santos City." Rojack said.

"I was not the one who killed them. It was the military!" Juan said.

"But I know it is you who tipped them. Rojack said.

In the Office at the Condo, Robert has the GPS of Juan through his stainless steel necklace and he can see the place now through the drone flying above the warehouse. 

The police were in their way. But when they arrived, they are friends of Rojack. They were on his payroll. They gather around and Rojack punches Juan and he said, If not from the Bahala na gang, I will not know that you are already here in Manila, I see you in the news.

" Why is the Bahala na gang your friends?" Juan asked.

"Friends, hahaha, I will kill them all" Rojack said.

Then a smoke grenade was thrown. A car hit the door open and started shooting. Juan who fell down with the chair was hit in the arm. The tape was torn and his left hand in blood was freed, in pain, he tried to free his other arm. The shooting was ongoing and you can't see a thing because of the smoke and everyone is coughing.  Juan also tried to free his feet, then he felt a man dead in his side. He felt the gun in the dead man's hand and take it. He crawled away in a corner and fell as if dead. His shirt is red with the blood on the floor when he crawled and from his wounded arm. Rojack escaped, two of the policemen were killed and four of Rojacks men. The car who attacked just throw a smoke grenade, shoot with their machine guns and escape. It was an ambush. Juan does not know who they are. It is just a coincidence that saved his life. It could be enemy also of Rojack because if it is the Police, they should have stayed and they did not kill the two police who were there, though they are paid by this drug lord.

Alex arrives, and some police, Juan was sent to the hospital, he stayed for a week to let the wounds and bruises heal.

"Boss, Rojack is here," Juan said.

"What, meaning when he escaped from Mindanao, he went here," Alex said.

"This is a blessing in disguise that he appears so we can get him out of his cave," Juan said.

🌕 77. JAPAN TRAINING

Ruthie was enrolled at WASEDA BUSINESS SCHOOL, Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN, one of the top universities in Japan.

Jacky was the one fetching her most of the time, it is only about ten minutes ride by car. 

Katsuo, hired a teacher to tutor Ruthie in Japanese language and customs. Both Jacky and Ruthie were also having karate and judo training as their exercise twice a week. They visit Joel in the Marines barracks and they also were given shooting training in the shooting range.

Katsuo and Ichika treat Ruthie like their real granddaughter. They always bond, go somewhere and they had always fun, both of them were happy that Ruthie was with them. Especially that Maketa is almost always in the Philippines now. She's although always have one week every month to meet his people monthly in Tokyo. That is the time that She meet Ruthie and Jacky. 

Jacky is also weekly checking on the health of Katsuo and Ichika. She is their favorite doctor.

Ruthie had a problem with language at the start of her studies. Later, she became fluent in the Japanese language, that she had Japanese suitors but Katsuo is strict, and Ruthie intended to marry a Filipino man. 

Both Jacky and Ruthie had many suitors that they can not just walk around without bodyguards. "There is the disadvantage to having beautiful granddaughters," Katsuo said.

When Jacky and Ruthie visit in the Katsuo office, all the employees could not resist looking at them, and bow when they pass, it's not only because of Katsuo but because they are already like a celebrity in Tokyo.

Ruthie also is a good singer. She sings in some of the restaurants of the Takuma business. Many times that they clapped with a standing ovation. Any new pictures and videos on social media have thousands of likes.

"Hello, Ruthie-san!" 

"Hello, you are working here?" Ruthie said.

"Yes, I manage the janitorial services here." 

"You are familiar, but I'm not sure where did I meet you," Ruthie said.

"Actually, I'm a scholar of the Takuma, my parents were friends, we were classmates at Waseda Business School, in one subject, I think English." 

"Is that so, good to see you, I'll go ahead" Jackie said.

"Sure, nice to see you too." 

"Who was that guy?" Jacky asked.

"He was my classmate in English at Waseda," Ruthie said.

"He is working here?" Jacky said 

"Who is working here?"Katsuo asked.

"Hello, ojii-chan(grandpa), my classmate in English at Waseda is working here," Ruthie said.

"Who?" Katsuo said.

"I did not ask his name, I forgot to ask him also, actually he is familiar but I forgot what subject we were classmates, and he reminded me. He is your scholar Grandpa." Ruthie said.

"That could be Kosei Yamada-san, he is my friend's son. He is good." Katsuo said closing the folders with papers he just finished signing.

"We are here just to check if your Ok Grandpa" Ruthie said.

"I'm happy that you visit me here, how's school? "Katsuo asked while calling her secretary to send some snacks.

"We will be having our marketing project. Anyway, Grandpa, I need your help from feasibility study to market concept, to marketing trial." Ruthie said while helping the secretary preparing the snacks and juice.

"What's your initial plan? What business do you intend?" Jacky said.

"What about fashion, beauty products, apparel, or sports along those lines," Ruthie said.

"I think that's good, I want to be part of that, who knows we can produce a good business out of it!" Jacky said 

" Wow! Thanks, Sissy, love that!" Ruthie is so excited and holds Jacky's hands.

"Ok submit to me your proposal and feasibility study, who knows I will give you your initial capital!" Katsuo smiling.

"Yehey! Thank you, Grandpa, Give me five days, I need to do some survey, study, and monitoring of existing businesses related to this, and what we can modify or innovate." Ruthie embraced Katsuo.

"Don't do that alone without a companion. Ask your mother if she has available staff to help you" Katsuo said.

"I'll call her tonight Grandpa!" Ruthie said.

At the house, before going to bed, she called her mother. Maketa's staff are all busy because of the ongoing construction in General Santos City and Tagaytay KatIchiKeta Takuma Homes for those with Alzheimer's, they are all in surveys and busy with the hiring of personnel and monitoring and training of caregivers and staff of all the homes.

"I can't give you one now Ruthie, they have much work in the deadline, we may hire a new one to assist you, but ask your Grandpa if who he can recommend," Maketa said.

"Ok Mother," Ruthie said then the video call ended and she continues to work on her laptop.

Katsuo promised to send someone to assist her.

Then at school, she is preparing her questionnaires and survey form. She is in the library. Then Katsuo called her to meet her assistant in the canteen, he is holding a map and a red envelope. She went to the canteen, she looked around, and she did not see anyone new in the school. She knew almost everybody and familiar they have familiar faces. Where is she?

"Hello, Miss!" Someone is calling.

"Hello, you are the one at Grandpa's office? Right? I did not get your name yesterday" Ruthie said.

"I'm sorry, I'm Kosei Yamada" Kosei said.

"So you are, I'm looking for a girl to assist me that Grandpa sends, do you know her? Is she here?" Ruthie said.

"A girl? I don't know a girl but I was the one send by Boss Katsuo-sensei" Kosei said confused and smiling.

"What? you are?" Surprised and shyly smiled.

"Wait a minute," Ruthie said and call Katsuo.

" Grandpa, you send a guy to assist me, I thought, you will send me a girl," Ruthie said surprised.

"I trust that guy Ruthie, and he knows Tokyo more than anybody, and you will be safe with him in case some yakuza or bad guys make a false move, he knows what to do. Just tell him what to do, actually, he has the same project like yours, if it is allowed, you can have a joint project." Katsuo said smiling, amused of Ruthie's surprise.

After five days they have finished the proposal and feasibility study. Ruthie will focus on beauty products, fashion, while Kosei will focus on sports products, survival gears, and camping accessories.

Jacky was their adviser. They want to have a name for their business. 

"What about "Jacky's Rose" because Ruthie is "Ruusu" in Japanese" Ruthie said.

"I like that!" Jacky said.

During the survey and monitoring activities, Ruthie shyly appreciates Kosei's protective acts and help in the research. Kosei makes sure that Ruthie is well taken care of.

🌕 78. STORM COMING

"Necessity is the mother of invention"

"A need or problem encourages creative efforts to meet the need or solve the problem," by Plato. Juan read a Facebook post.

Jacky arrived visiting Juan in the hospital, Martha was sitting beside his bed. She has flowers in her hands, she is crying when she sees him.

"Why are you crying, I'm still alive," Juan smiling.

"They destroyed your beautiful face, we are not yet married, that's why I cried," Jacky joking but in tears.

"Hahaha!" Juan laugh.

"I promise you, this will be the last time that they can ever touch me or my family, the law will punish them," Juan said.

Juan was studying the angle of the quarrel between the drug lords and the Bahala na gang. He is contemplating that these two groups will clash and finish each other, he wants to help how will that happen safely and that only a small percentage of them will survive.

Juan trained and organized the agency guards and detectives, he incentivizes like any information about the Rojack group and the Bahala na gang is given grocery goods, gift certificates, family outing expenses.

Juan also made a deep connection with the Police, PDEA(drug enforcement), and NBI(investigation). The connection that has the President's consent, that Generals are conscious.

Juan's problem is because he is exposed. His cover is limited. Rojack knows him, they have an idea of his techniques in General Santos City. His problem, how can he surprise his enemies. So he thinks there is another way, I will try to penetrate the Bahala na gang.

Juan is struggling with his study of law and fighting for his safety.  He needs to come up with a strategy to neutralize or limit the attacks of his enemies.

He concentrated his efforts on his CCTV, drone remote control, and autopilot features to watch the sky and satellite connection to control the area to watch during emergencies. He is planning to make his own communication and monitoring satellites that can give a live feed of images to tract criminals and how to save victims. The satellite that can connect to the internet in 200GPS and can make a wifi connection that can cover the whole country.

His problem is resources, finances, and the time needed to finish and test the project.

Every morning, he uses an undercover personality to enter and make a contact with the Bahala na gang without being identified by the enemy.

Former Police inspector Renato Villo was already on parole, "Hello Sir Villo how are you?" Juan said.

"I'm Ok, thank you for your help to my family while I was in prison, and for the money you send me, I'm in parole now and I'm starting a business and it is working well so far. I called because I heard about you being tortured by Rojack and his group. I contacted my friends there in Luzon and they gave me the coordinates of Rojacks safehouse, the problem, we don't know if there's a mole in the police force there, so you can't just move safely." Villo said.

"Have you heard the Bahala na gang? How can I access this gang? Juan said.

" Ok, I will find out, who has ideas about that and I will call you again.

Juan used the cover of a Taho vendor to roam around near the area where the Bahala na gang is rampant. He made friends and heard many stories and sort what is true and what is not, and heard about a girl that is being courted by the leader of the gang. Juan made contact with this girl working in a restaurant. He changed cover as a construction worker and went to eat in this restaurant daily. Juan made the construction work as his workout daily. He befriended the girl, researched her and she has cousins in Romblon that she never had contact from childhood. Then Juan said "I'm your cousin from your Aunt Elma. I'm Sonny. Did you remember?"  

"What? Why did you not told me earlier?" Roxanne said.

"I just tried if you can remember me," Juan said.

 How can I? I was there about six years old"  Roxanne said.

She embraced him. 

"It's good that you are here. You are working in that construction? You can transfer here in the restaurant, we need a dishwasher and assistant cook, this not so heavy than there in the construction, I will recommend you to Sir Morgan. Roxanne said.

" Wow, are you sure? Can I work only in the morning? He can pay me half only because I need to work also every afternoon selling Taho and learning taekwondo. Is that OK?

Every night his body aches for the manual labor, studies, and this undercover activity.

Juan discovered Elado Tabon, Ruthie's stalker is now courting and stalking Roxanne. Roxanne is a real Filipina beauty. She has long straight black hair, pretty face, light brown complexion, she has a beautiful smile and heart. She is the assistant manager of the restaurant near the construction site, named Aling Lita Foodtrip, it cooks authentic Filipino food as if you are just at your home and at a fiesta.

Elado was challenged on Roxanne, she is hard to get type. She can't kidnap her because the incident with Ruthie is still fresh and the police are still hot with it. He is not so open and careful with his movements. In other words, they are cooling down for a bit.

Elado went to the restaurant that afternoon with some guys to visit Roxanne. Juan is in the kitchen, washing plates. He get to the counter when he heard Elado. "Sonny, this is Elado. Elado my cousin from Romblon." Roxanne said.

"Nice to meet you Sonny" Elado said and offered a handshake.

"Are you courting my cousin? Are you not a punk with those bodyguards? You are in a gang?" Juan said as if as Sonny.

"No, no, they are my business associates. we are here to have some snacks." Elado surprised by Juans burst.

It seems Elado wants to win him over also did not react negatively. He told his bodyguards to sit down and ordered food and drinks. Juan went back to wash the plates.

Elado was calm. But inside is like a bomb that wants to explode, but he controlled it.

Juan then went out to bring their drinks and said, "Sorry for what I said, I don't just any guy to court my cousin, she is special in our family." Juan said.

Elado nodded, smiled, and said, "I understand. By the way, I want to be your friend"

Juan now offered a handshake. They handshake.

Juan called Robert to coordinate with PDEA, they will execute oplan Pasok. The plan to penetrate the organization in his signal.

One month, of working in the restaurant, going to school, study and making friends with Elado and his gang. Elado invited Juan to his group. Juan declined. 

One day, Juan and Roxanne were invited by Elado in his hideout, they had a party. Juan was there eating with them then the PDEA entered surprising everybody. shooting Juan covered Elado and Roxanne and the PDEA sharpshooter shoots him. Elado and Roxanne and some of his gang escaped. 

Juan was sent to the hospital by the PDEA. "You must rescue Sonny(Juan)!" Roxanne said.

"I will, he saved my life," Elado said.

Elado ambushed the hospital with his remaining force near the city. They get Juan and bring him to the safe house. Juan was already operated with his wound in the abdomen, the sharpshooter knows where to shoot him that is not so dangerous.

Juan went out of the safe house and went back to work in the restaurant with light jobs like cleaning the tables. Roxanne can't convince him to rest. Roxanne is worried about Juan(Sonny).

Juan continued to study and to work. His wound is healing, nobody in the house even Jacky has no idea of what happened.

Rojack spotted Juan walking going to work in the restaurant he tried to stop him, it just happened that some of Elado's gang were there, they protected Juan, a shootout happened. Juan was rescued. 

Juan started to convince Elado to finish Rojack. Elado who had a history of fighting for territory planned to attack Rojack before but because of lack of information where is Rojacks safehouse they waited to have that information from their gang members network.

Juan said I will find some of Rojack's friends and let them tell us where is their hideout.

Juan already knows where is Rojack's hideout.

Robert informed Juan that Rojack attack again the Rollo agency office, they killed two of his men and they captured one. Juan instructed them to bring that captured man riding a car going to Cavite. Juan tipped Elado that a friend said a red car was Rojacks men going to Cavite. Elado set up an ambush. But he is doubting how Juan gets the tip, they captured the Rojacks man, but the two escaped wounded. They just survived because the police arrived.

Elado then asked Rojacks man where is their hideout? Juan shoots the man in the legs. If you will not talk in ten seconds another leg will be lost. "One, two, three, four...

" I can write a map. Get a paper I will write it." The man cried.

"Give him a paper and a pen!" Elado said freeing his hands but his feet were tied together and his waist was tied to the chair.

He draws a map indicating the location. Juan identified it to be correct in his research and Robert's information.

They planned a full-force attack to eliminate The drug Lord and get his territory. Juan is thinking to finish Rojack and to capture Elado to prison. But it seems it is impossible.

🌕 79. STORM SIGNAL

It's raining as if crying for the coming storm.

Maketa observed Juan have some wounds. "Jacky when are you coming? I think Juan needs you" Jacky is not available, so she sends it as a voice message.

Juan was taking his antibiotics and cleaning his wounds. Maketa has seen the garbage can with the cotton soak in blood.

Still, Juan goes to law school and work. There was a time that Juan collapsed because of over fatigue, Roxanne put him to a bed in the back of the restaurant, and cleaned his wound and let him sleep.

He wakes up the next morning. His cellphone has so many missed calls and texts. Robert arrived at the restaurant looking for him. 

"Is Sonny here? I am his friend I have been looking for him, he said he is working here." Robert said.

Roxanne guides him to Juan(Sonny). I need to bring him to the hospital, and he brought Juan to a taxi and they went to the hospital. He was checked and advised to rest for three days. Juan called Tony, Maketa to see his video sent to their emails. They looked at it and it was explained there that he was in a confidential mission with the PDEA to get Rojack.

Juan is in pain now, he is suffering from 

his bullet wound. He went to sleep, Jacky arrived and take care of him. She has seen his video sent to her by Maketa. Roxanne arrived and bring food and take care of him. Jacky introduced her self as his doctor. Roxanne cleaned his wound and cleaned his face and his body with a lukewarm face towel and changed his clothes. Jacky was feeling jealous. When Roxanne went home, Jacky was not smiling and she said, "Who is Roxanne?" 

"She is my cousin from Romblon," Juan said.

"Have you been to Romblon?" Jacky said a bit angry.

"No, this is just a cover," Juan said.

"Humph! Cover?" Jacky said annoyed.

"You're jealous?" Juan said.

"No, I'm very jealous!" Jacky said.

"But this is just a cover!" Juan said.

"What if you will develop for her?" Jacky said.

"Hey! don't you trust me?" Juan said.

"I trust you, but I don't trust her," Jacky said.

"Don't worry Jacky, just for a few days this will end. the plans are set for execution." Juan said.

Jacky just silently cried and said " Juan be sure to be alive when this is finished," Jacky said.

Rojack was tipped by his paid police who overheard some information about the raid. But he does not know the date when. Elado also has heard stories about that but with no date yet. It is Juan who will set the date. Juan was an important informant not an employee of PDEA but a volunteer asset confirmed by the President of the Philippines.

Robert made an advance information gathering of the hideouts of Rojack and Elado. Rojack planned to attack Elado three days from now, while Elado planned to attack Rojack two days from now. It means Elado will attack first. The PDEA and the police are on standby to capture them.

Two days Juan is feeling better, physically, but Jacky was not talking to him now, she is angry.

Elado in the full force of eighty gangsters surrounded the compound of Rojack who had ninety-six people with high powered guns, at the cover of the night, they attacked silently. 

Kashack! Sounds of guns being cocked.

Juan was with the PDEA. They had one helicopter on stand by, ten snipers, and one hundred personnel who are already in the vicinity as garbage collectors, street sweepers, ice cream vendors, popcorn vendors, etc. They are all with an earpiece and waiting for instructions.

They reported the movements of the Bahala na gang and its reinforcements.

Robert reported in his satellite and drones the movements inside the compound. Then the defensive shot by Rojack's men to the attackers started. Rojack who plan to attack tomorrow was ready but was surprised by the sudden attack now. Maneuvers and different kinds of gun sounds were heard. PDEA did not move yet.

Juan and Elado had built some trust with each other. Juan had given him a map from Robert the details of Rojacks hideout. This information had made Rojack's men panic as they can not ambush Elado's gang. Rojack was wounded And his men were defeated. The PDEA come in from the scene and fired to Rojack and Elado's men. Juan captured Elado, who was so surprised to see Juan is full battle gear and surrendered to him. Only six were captured with him. Rojack escaped. PDEA was surprised how Rojack escaped when all his men were killed by Elado's men and some by the PDEA.  Sixty million worth of Shabu and other drugs were confiscated and one hundred sixty high powered guns were recovered and fifty million pesos in cash that remained but an insider said who is wounded said there are two bags with twenty million pesos each was not there.

Juan doubts that there is a mole in the PDEA paid at the last minute with millions. He thinks Rojack could have been in one of the cars of PDEA. He instructed Robert that if there is a car that will go separate from the group as they return to barracks must be monitored.

Juan requested the PDEA head for a request that all go direct to barracks for debriefing.

As they go, one PDEA car turned to the left. Robert informed Juan. Juan asked the PDEA commander to tail that car by the helicopter. As they arrived at the top of the car, the commander through the megaphone called the car to stop immediately. But the car continued so the helicopter machine gun shoot the car and the engine explodes the driver was killed a PDEA agent they found one bag full of money at the trunk but he is alone. They get some things in the car as evidence. It was found out that hairs in a comb had a match with Rojack at the DNA test later.

Roxanne was visited by Juan and Jacky and debriefed her of the truth. Roxanne was thankful and said, how is Elado? You can visit both of you here anytime, my feelings for you as my favorite cousin does not change. Juan did not answer, then she turn to Jacky, "Yes, we will" Jacky said. Juan said Elado could be converted to a state witness if Rojack is captured. There was information that he could have escaped to the Visayas alone.

🌕 80. LEVEL UP

Juan built and established a machine works company he named it "Takuma Machine Works" that can make anything, mechanical. He had passed the Mechanical Engineering board and intends to invent or incorporate technology, hardware, and software for the development of security, monitoring, and data gathering.

His studies in law made him understand how justice works in the Philippines. Time flies so fast.

Regela Angel School's name was changed to Tondo Angels University. It is a modern and well-equipped university. Many of the scholars are now teachers of the University. Pastor Edwin Jardenel, scheduled every class to have values formation and gospel message every week, five pastors with salaries are with the guidance counselors to help students cope with every problem not only in school but even in their personal lives, three suicides were prevented, drug-free school, no gangs, bullying have developed inside the school that had a good security program, from CCTV's and balanced activities for personal development and how to be productive with practical and technical knowledge.

KatIchiKeta Takuma Home has three homes in the Philippines, General Santos City, Cebu, and Tagaytay. One in Japan. It serves One hundred fifty-seven Alzheimer's patients.

They also established a chain of hotels, apartments, and restaurants called "Tamashi Homes Inc." - your home away from home. and the "Tamashi Tokyo" restaurant. They have branches in Mindanao at Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, Butuan City, Surigao City, Davao City, General Santos City City, Koronadal City, Cotabato City, and Zamboanga City. The Visayas branches at Cebu City, Dumaguete City, Iloilo City. In Luzon has twenty branches. These establishments are also a real estate business.

In the Rollo Security and Detection Agency, Juan is forty percent owner while Alex Rollo is sixty percent of the agency shares. Alex Rollo is the Chairman of the Board, while Juan is the CEO that runs the national operations. Alex Rollo is now busy with the KALAHI foundation, helping the poor stand on their own, many new guards and detectives are KALAHI beneficiaries.

 Goldenfruits Inc. had expanded its operations, it has farms in South Cotabato, Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan, Baguio, ten large farms in Cordillera. They are exporting fruits and vegetables to Japan, Dubai, London, U.S.A.

Ruthie had graduated from her Business Administration course in Japan. Jacky graduated in her medicine, passed the board, now a resident doctor of Tokyo Medical and Dental Hospital, Jacky is the leader in surgery and being groomed to be the Chairman of the hospital and the University. Jacky and Ruthie also manage their joint business, Jacky's Rose, a fashion and beauty company. Juan finished his law, now is reviewing for the BAR examination. Paulo's Gallery is earning not only locally but also abroad.

Alex's family were transferred to Japan, Maketa helped them to have a visa. Alex decided, so he can move and help more without worry that his family is in danger.

Juan had upgraded the capability of the agency's guards and detectives with training and support to send guards to college. He wants all guards must finish college and leave the agency so he can hire new ones and many can study for college. He gave big bikes with 600CC engines from Japan to all the supervisors by paying their down payment and fifty percent of the monthly payments. He wins the loyalty and love of all the guards. New guards and those who have served without legal or administrative problems who are not under provisionary contracts were given down payment for Yamaha sniper 150 bikes. They have team building and shooting contest every six months. All guards work only five days a week, there are relievers especially those who are schooling work only Saturdays and Sundays but they report for sixteen hours straight. They have daily devotional reading and hearing God's word and new updates of their operations. They have caught sixty thieves this month, ten bank hold uppers killed and eight bank holdups prevented, twenty houses protected from armed robbers, and caught thirty-five criminals doing sabotage and inside jobs against their companies. They are the well paid and after sought security agency. All guards are blackbelt in Taekwondo, Karate, or Jodo after one year.

Juan made a project of profiling all politicians, Police, Military, lawyers, prosecutors, judges, government officials, All who have cases in the Supreme Court. He has a database system of their profiles and is updated every three months. He hired four IT, One computer engineer, for the data and monitoring of the major cities. He develops a face recognition application that can be installed in airports, seaports, bus, train terminals, and in malls, public places. Every major street has CCTV and those private CCTV that is connected to the internet was connected to the system. This room is confidential and no man can enter except authorized personnel only. Juan will be buying the fastest computer processors with the highest RAM and thousands of terabytes. Juan has acquired two private rescue helicopters,  three SHERP rescue all-terrain vehicles, and a personal jet plane that he knows to fly.

Juan's law graduation was attended by everyone in the Takuma empire. Tony and Martha(Maketa), was so happy, Katsuo and Ichika, and Joel had garlands in their hands, Paulo was sketching the event, Ruthie was the one who cut his hair and put some makeup to make him look like a celebrity. Ely, Luz, and Jacky were there excited looking at him. Their dreams are being fulfilled. Many graduate students from Tondo Angel University are there, giving there support, Alex Rollo was there also with his family from Japan. All the Guard Supervisors and detectives were there. After the ceremony, Everybody was invited to a thanksgiving party in Makati, many in tears listen as Martha told the story from the farm that they almost all died in hunger, how they crawl to survive, how God used people to be part of their lives, like Ely, Luz, and Jacky, then Katsuo, Ichika. We have proved that family is not only by blood but by heart. Katsuo also talks about How they found Maketa, how Juan had helped so many people, and now that he graduated from the law, we pray that he will excel in the  BAR examination.

Then they had some songs by professional singers, then Pastor Joel Nepomuceno was requested to pray for the food. The food is a buffet of Asian, Western, and European food. They had started eating and the music was so good.

Juan then stands and gets the microphone and sing...

"Fly Me to the moon

Let me play among the stars

Let me see what spring is like

On a Jupiter and Mars

In other words, hold my hand

In other words, baby, kiss me..."

She called Jacky in front to sing with him...

They repeat the song... they had duet...

"Fly me to the moon

Let me play among the stars

Let me see what spring is like

On a, Jupiter and Mars

In other words, hold my hand

In other words, baby, kiss me.."

Juan then kneeled down with a diamond ring in his hand, everyone was shocked. 

What's happening?

"Jacky, will you marry me?" Juan said.

Jacky never expected it, that as promised, he will marry her after graduation.

Everybody clapped, standing ovation, and Tony, Maketa, Ely, Luz, Katsuo, Ichika, Paulo, Ruthie, Joel surrounded them with tears and hugs...

Tony then talked about how Juan and Jacky meet and know each other in school. Many of their high school classmates like Rose, shouted That's true! The exciting events, the life and death situations, the people touched, and the promised to be pure until marriage.

"Before their marriage, we are already a family. Now, that relationship will level up!" Joel said.

🌕 81. TUGAYA MISSION HOUSE

Clink! Maketa put down her teacup, she has deep thoughts about this article she is reading in her tablet.

According to PSA(Philippine Statistics Authority), the Proportion of Poor Filipinos was Estimated at 16.6 Percent in 2018. The full-year 2018 poverty incidence among the population or the proportion of poor Filipinos whose per capita income is not sufficient to meet their basic food and non-food needs were estimated at 16.6 percent. This translates to 17.6 million...

According to the results of the First Quarter 2019, Social Weather Survey conducted from March 28 to 31, there were 38% or an estimated 9.5 million families who considered themselves poor. Rappler reports.

Maketa felt sad reading these facts. If only we can help even just a fraction of these people. Let's start with the Ultra poor.

Ultra-poverty is an inability to meet even the barest of basic needs. The ultra-poor are typically food insecure, have few or no assets, lack education, and suffer from poor health.

 

The vast majority of ultra-poor households are headed by women. Ultra poor women tend to be the victims of social exclusion and lack self-confidence or opportunities to build the skills and resilience necessary to plan their own futures.

 

Often chronic and intergenerational, ultra-poverty creates a trap that is incredibly difficult for women and their families to escape. Traditional microfinance institutions do not reach out to the ultra-poor due to the very high level of accompaniment required to help them ascend from ultra-poverty. According to Fonkoze.

Prov 14:31: "He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor."

Maketa realizes that to honor God is to be merciful to the poor.

Before my Alzheimer's take my memory, I will use my resources to help some ultra-poor families.

2Cor 8:9: "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes, he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich."

Jesus is the greatest example of caring for a poor sinner like me, I will also help some poor like how God helped me.

"I will travel to these poor provinces of the Philippines and find some families to help or a whole community," Maketa said to Tony.

"I will go with you," Tony said.

"No! I'll go alone, we need somebody here in our base, I'll call you if I need some reinforcement." Maketa said.

"Ok, just be safe," Tony said.

Maketa brings her staff and they fly to Maria Cristina Airport using her private jet plane.

They rented a house in Tinago Bel-Air Subdivision as their staff house and office. They studied the area. One of her staff was a resident of Lanao Del Sur before during her younger years, She is Erum Puti, she has mentioned that many students from Lanao Del Sur need help for their studies, although they have scholarships, their families are so poor. Their target is the Lanao Del Sur residents students studying at PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL-CENTRAL MINDANAO CAMPUS

Nangka, Balo-i, Lanao del Norte. They coordinated with the school administration, They surveyed all the students by giving the Medical and Dental Checkup, Maketa hired doctors and nurses of a three day medical and dental mission to the school.

The Maketa foundation strategy is first to secure the studies of those who come from poor families of Lanao Del Sur that they can all make it. Then they will reach out to their families through these students.

Erum Puti is the leader of this program under Maketa.

They had forty five students who qualified, twenty with ultra-poor parents. They were surveyed at their houses and they were given training on health, and income-generating activities, weaving of Malong, a tube skirt, it has a geometric or okir designs.

They toured the area and established a network of people that will help each other in the course of time to help other people also. Instead of fighting, they create, and Maketa foundation will promote and sell them locally and to the world. The communities were organized in such a way to ensure their continued existence and will thrive to support them until they will escape the traps of extreme poverty. 

They established the Tugaya Mission house located in the lakeshore community in Lanao Del Sur inhabited by Maranao craftsmen and artisans of various pursuits. They specialize in some forms of arts or crafts that are part of traditional Maranao culture: back-strap loom weaving, tapestry weaving, and other kinds of handmade textile manufacture; foundry casting of various forms of brass or bronze vessels, instruments, and decorative items; wood-carving and mother-of-pearl inlay work; metalwork and silver- and gold-smiting – all of which utilize the traditional Maranao form of decoration. The supply of raw materials was opened and marketing was done. Maketa bought the products and made a boutique in Japan, in Makati,  and plans to export it to Europe and the USA.

Grants were given to deserving families and cooperatives that are formed by these families as a support group.

After three months, Maketa bought Malongs, Brass work of world-class quality, chests, gong, tapestries, swords, brass jars, and many designs for one million pesos to add capital to the community and it will be a sample for the world to see the excellent crafts of the Philippines.

Maketa lived with them for one month. She who was a survivor of being poor knows how to live in poor conditions. They know her and she knew them all by name, she had slept in their houses, eat with them, cried with them in those who died while she was there, and learned to work with them as one of them. She was respected and honored in that small community of people who think that she is an angel that visits them to free them from the worst poverty. The Tugaya Mission House, hired a doctor and nurses with a contract for one year, with a salary equal to those in the cities to serve the community's health.

Five months, Maketa went back to Makati, but the Tugaya Mission House continued its programs to touch people's lives.

🌕 82. REACHING OUT

We should not forget the pain we had in the past, for the sake of those who are still there struggling with the same pain of poverty not only physically or financially, but spiritually.

Love is not only for one kind of person but for all kinds of language. "Love in any language" a song that reminds us of how we can unite in that common thing.

"Je t'aime

Te amo

Aishiteru

Ani ohevet othka, I love you

The sounds are all as different

As the lands from which they came

And though our words are all unique

Our hearts are still the same

Love in any language, straight from the heart

Pulls us all together, never apart

And once we learn to speak it, all the world will hear

Love in any language, fluently spoken here."

Maketa loves this song. She sings this with Ruthie, and sometimes with Jacky or both. 

"We teach the young our differences

Yet look how we're the same

We love to laugh, to dream our dreams

We know the sting of pain

From Leningrad to Lexington

The farmer loves his land

And daddies all get misty-eyed

To give their daughter's hand

Oh, maybe when we realize

How much there is to share

We'll find too much in common

To pretend it isn't there

Love in any language, straight from the heart

Pulls us all together, never apart

And once we learn to speak it, all the world will hear

Love in any language, fluently spoken here"

Yes, we have that in our hearts, if we can only express that also in action. We are being seen in action by the world but God sees our hearts, our motives, our intention, what moves us, and God judges us with that and rewards us with that. This is what Maketa thinks and she has that as her guide to help others.

Tugaya Mission House was intended to be a short term project just to bring the poor to their feet and that they grow as people capable of helping themselves and helping others. Taguya people succeeded but they don't want to close the mission house, they continue it, they funded it, and they will help more people by Maketa's legacy. It reached other provinces with their initiative. Maketa continued to support them with marketing, and promotions.

"I'm proud of your accomplishments in Tugaya, Lanao del Sur. People's letters are not stopping to thank you, from students to old folks and even from community leaders." Tony kissed her.

"I'm going to Jolo, Sulu, as my next project." Maketa preparing for the trip.

"Is that not a dangerous place to go? we here bombs and war there." Tony a bit worried.

"We will be careful. We have the Mayor's permission and support. God will protect us." Maketa said.

"I will go with you this time," Tony said.

"You just visit me in Zamboanga when we are finished with the set up there, "Maketa said.

Maketa and her staff arrived at Jolo Airport. They rented a place near the airport, at Judge Garcia Street as their staff house and office base.

The target community is Barangay Simbahan with seven hundred thirty-four households in Pangutaran Island.

Maketa Googled  products from Sulu:

Pis Siyabit or Pis Syabit is the prized handwoven cloth of the Tausugs of Sulu. Usually used as head covering, it is made from cotton or silk, square in shape, and provided with geometric patterns. It can also be worn on the shoulder, knotted around the hilt of the sword, or tied around the head among the Tausug men. Pis Siyabit is usually seen being worn during weddings and other Tausug occasions as a symbol of colorful history and rank. In modern times, pis siyabit is also used to decorate households such as frames, curtains, and giveaways.

Community: Tausug

Origin: Sulu Archipelago

The Tausug women are experts in tapestry weaving and embroidery, while men do the large hanings in appliqué. They specialize in the production of pis syabit (headscarf) and kambot/kandit.

The pis syabit is traditionally worn by men and warriors. A most complicated design technique, the pis syabit tapestry weaving of Tausug has no preset pattern sticks or pre-designed warp yarns into which the weaver inserts the desert yarn. 

The weaver has to clearly imagine the pattern in her mind as she inserts one colored weft yarn one at a time to fill up the space in the warp, in a sequence her mind only knows. The weaver creates a perfectly symmetrical composition of squares and Xs with hooks, and in seven to eight colors. 

How to reach this island?

Pangutaran Island can be reached by a 3-hour motorized boat ride from Jolo Pier, Jolo, Sulu. Pangutaran Municipality comprises of two (2) islands, Pangutaran and Panducan Islands. There are 12 barangays in Pangutaran Island while four (4) are in Panducan Island.  

The Internet makes things easy in some ways, but it's still good to meet real people with real problems and real joy. Maketa now misses her family.

She made a video call in their family group chat.

 Everybody is online now at 6:30 PM.

" Hello, Dad, Mom, Tony, Jacky, Juan, Luz, Joel, Ely, Ruthie. (Waving)Where's Paulo?" Maketa said.

"He is still painting,  Paulo, come here, man!" Tony called.

"Hi, sorry Mom, I just finished. I miss you, Mom!" Paulo said.

"Are you safe there child?" Katsuo said.

"Yes, father, I'm just fine. How is Ruthie there?" Maketa asked.

"I'm fine Mama, our business is going strong," Ruthie said.

"Wow, good to hear that," Maketa said.

" I called because I miss you all" Maketa said.

"We will go to Pangutaran, Sulu tomorrow. We will ride a motorized boat for three hours. Pray for us, that we can help this community" Maketa said.

The pump boat is their ride. They rented two pump boats to carry three staff and extra luggage because there is no electricity there, they also bring a generator and solar power supply.

Maketa had approval from the Municipal Mayor and Barangay Officials to conduct a survey on children's health and the business potential of the community.

Maketa hired a doctor, a dentist, and two nurses from Jolo and Zamboanga.

"Mother I want also to go there at Pangutaran, Sulu. We have no class for one week because of a school intramurals, I will bring some solar power so we can set up a satellite link for your internet there because your signal is not good." Juan said.

"Be careful son! I'll be happy to have you here" Maketa said.

The Medical and Dental mission was started with the help of some Pastors of Jolo, they help in the spiritual needs.

Juan arrived amazed by the experience. The pump boat ride was exciting, he sees various kind of dolphins, stingrays, turtles, they passed some fishermen catching giant squids. Squids as big as two to three feet. The clear water in some parts makes the colorful coral so clear. Juan was accompanied by a Tausog guard of the Rollo agency, he knows the place and the language.

Juan observed that Pangutaran is progressing. They had now a Diesel Power Plant providing electricity. Their roads are cemented on major roads.

They had a District Hospital, they had a National High School, it is an updated school with a new covered court, sets of computers. Many students are excelling in sports and academics. it is a beautiful place if peaceful people. 

They had also good leaders, that bring development.

As he traveled by Motorcycle and toured the area, with his guard friend Abdul, he observed that Pangutaran had beautiful white beaches. Boats lined in the shores,   they are producing the best kind of dried fish in volume. 

The Pangutaran language and people:

The Sama is a maritime people, with fishing being their major economic activity. They also engage in seafaring trade and some farming. Throughout much of the area, copra (dried coconut meat yielding coconut oil) is the major cash crop. However, copra holdings are small, and most families are unable to support themselves entirely from copra sales. Thus, trade also occupies a central place in Sama society. Maritime groups were historically valued for their navigational skills as seafarers and suppliers of dried fish, trepang (sea cucumbers), pearls, pearl shells, and other items.

Households are grouped into larger units called tumpuks (clusters), which are located near one another and are related by close kinship ties. Within the village, one household head is acknowledged as the tumpuk spokesman. In some instances, the tumpuks coincide with the parishes, whose members belong to a single mosque.

Fishing, boat building, and ironworking are primarily male occupations, while weaving mats and marketing pottery are jobs for women. Both men and women engage in farming and trade. The Sama is known for its traditional dances, songs, percussion and xylophone music, dyed mats and food covers, and wood carvings.

"It's good to see you, Juan! Thank God you had safe travel" Maketa said.

"Mom, this is a beautiful place. I heard Malikut Island is a beautiful white sand beach. Let's go there before I go home." Juan said.

"Let's do that. We will visit the Pangutaran National High School and find some qualified scholars there that we can bring to Tondo Angel University when they graduate in high school. Let's make a free medical and dental mission."Maketa said.

"Ok, I will just set up the solar panels in the roof and the satellite dish for our internet," Juan said.

"Ok that's good, and we will have a meeting before we met Mr. Amar Taludjog, the Principal," Maketa said.

They went to the National High School and met the principal, they bring food and let all the teachers eat with them. The Mayor also arrived. They enjoyed the meeting and Maketa had given new two fifty inches Smart TV to the school received by the Mayor and School Principal for the Conference room of the school instead of a projector. She declared her intention of giving free medical and dental services to the students and teachers and will do some interviews and surveys to find out what is needed and appropriate help for the community.

After the meeting, they invited Maketa's group for a tour and they decided to bring her to the white sands of Malikut Island.

"Wow! truly this is white sand, not yellowish, but really white, and the water is very clean" Juan said.

Ten teachers went with them, four ladies and six men. Maketa had bought a goat that the staff cooked and grilled some. They had the best party. friendship was developed and Maketa won their hearts by her sincere intentions to reach out and help.

"Jacky, did you see the beautiful white beach here in Pangutaran, Sulu?" Juan said in his satellite phone.

"Wow, it's really beautiful, I want to go there too. And the ladies are also beautiful, what do you think Juan?" Jacky teasing him.

"Yes, but you are more beautiful," Juan said.

"Yea, hahaha! Be safe there. I will have surgery going, I will prepare, miss you" Jacky said.

"Ok, I will send you videos of the place later. Love you" Juan replied.

🌕 83. MISUNDERTANDING

The Medical and Dental Mission was successful, about three hundred students and family members were checked, given medicine, and had their teeth cleaned and some extraction was done. Four more doctors and four dentists from the district hospital were hired for the event.

There were some who were discovered with symptoms of developing a critical condition that was brought to the Pangutaran District Hospital for further treatment. Maketa was happy, and they had their data of the community survey from the health center, and Barangay. They just need to sort out who they will focus the help of the Maketa foundation.

Maketa also asked the help of the Mayor to gather all the weavers, fishermen, and farmers for consultation, training, and seminars regarding their craft. Maketa invited their experts in the weaving, and the BFAR(Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) to help the fishermen. The Philippine Coconut Authority(PCA) was also invited. Their fare and accommodation were shouldered by the foundation.

The foundation was intended to be self-funded by the Takuma business empire but many wealthy philanthropists insisted to donate large sums of money to her programs which Maketa is hands-on in reaching out to those communities that are the poorest and need assistance to stand in their own.

The Maketa staff was so busy with coming up with the sorting and evaluation of the surveys, to know who to help, and what help is matched to their needs.

Maketa donated to their joint cooperative ten new pump boats with advanced weather, navigation, and fishing technology. Fish drying facility, and Coconut drying, and Oil extraction of virgin oil technology. The weavers and metal works were given new raw materials and weaving machines to give more skilled weavers to train others and produce more products that can be marketed and promoted worldwide.

Students who are truly poor are given scholarships and help them up to finish college.  

Spiritual health was also important to Maketa. They were never forced to join or transfer religion but they were taught how Christ can change men as new individuals.

The activities of helping were the story roaming around about the Maketa foundation, these stories went viral in the area. Many were happy but there are those who are doubtful and have prejudices. They want to drive Maketa away, they just wait for an opportunity.

Juan went home happy and continued with his BAR review and work. He is also studying his Bible and studying how can man escape the punishment of sin.

He is thinking deeply about the reality of life.

We are true as a man a natural sinner. We lie, we lust, we covet things, we pull down people, we hypocritically criticize others as if we are perfect, we want to be on top of others always, we just being positive focus on our goodness, but we are in need of somebody to save us from our sins that we just want to forget.

Mama told me when I was in grade six before she went to Japan, Christ died because of me. I don't understand that, but it always goes back to me, He died for me. But why? Why death? Why somebody must die for me?

It is a million questions for me. Then I found out that He is claimed to be God. Is it possible for God to be a human being? Immortal to clothe mortality? What could be the reason for such humility that you will leave your glory and glorious place for somebody like me?

It is unbelievable? Or just an amazing thought. What a nobleman, a royalty will humbly level down to a slave, to love, care, and to die to save such a slave?

Is there another option, for man to be forgiven or be saved without death?

Then when Mom went to Japan to work as a servant or caregiver I get the meaning of sacrifice, Mom doesn't want to leave us but she did it to support us. We don't want her to go but we may die of hunger if she didn't. We sometimes got overwhelmed by problems that we need someone to help us.

Misunderstanding God's Word is a dangerous status of thinking. I get what these verses meant now.

Phil 2:8-11: "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

So is He truly God? why would the Father be glorified when we confess Him to be Lord? Why would God the Father allow Him to be knelt down and bowed down, not only of humans but also of those in heaven? Name above every name? Highly exalted?

This verse comes to my mind.

Phil 2:5-6: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:"

Being in the form of God, meaning He is God, He does not need to rob or to usurp God of His godhead.

Mama really wants us to enjoy the truth as it is. She has said that we need to accept truth as it is even if we don't understand it fully. Now I mean, I don't understand much but I understand love, sacrifice, humility, forgiveness and to satisfy justice, he paid it by taking the blame, the punishment, the cruel death for criminals. Why? That's the time everything got clearer.

It's like how our brave soldiers who are loyal to their calling. The only difference is they kill to save others, but in that process, they are also killed. But there are real heroes that even they will drop to cover a bomb with their bodies to let others live. That is unselfish kind.

Sometimes we don't understand why people die for a country, for their families, for humanity. Is it not crazy? 

But if there where no one to do it, we may be extinct now?

🌕 84. DANGER

The Pangutaran Mission house was going well, many products were produced for the promotion and marketing sample. Maketa bought the first produced from the weavers, Metalworks, dried fish and pearls. about ten container van loads were produced that cost One Million for the Maketa foundation. Then they were organized as a cooperative like the Tugaya Mission House, It reached them six months in Pangutaran. 

Maketa brought the goods in ferry boats to Jolo Sulu, then to Zamboanga, but the Staff in Jolo were kidnapped. They were three personnel, two males and one female. Maketa must save them no matter what.

"Juan, my staff in Jolo were kidnapped. They are to be rescued by the police and military?" Maketa said.

"I will talk to some Officials and to Malacañang Mother. I will be there tomorrow." Juan said.

He was authorized to go to Jolo with some of his special units of Guards and SAF.  Robert's talents and monitoring capabilities will play to guide them where to find enemies.

Juan has tagged all personnel in Jolo and Pangutaran. All can be monitored through GPS, from their clothes, watch, cellphones, and shoes, this was a proactive move when things like this happen.

When Juan reached Zamboanga through the military helicopter, she meets Maketa.

"Mother, Thank God you are safe," Juan said.

"It's just timing that we have left just about an hour that we are on the air that they were attacked in the office if we had been late, I could be one of the victims. We must save them, Juan." Maketa said.

Robert reported to Juan that the GPS was traced and the kidnapped were in a boat which went to Pangutaran then just for three hours they went back but they landed in Patikul, Sulu.

Juan now who was authorized by the

President, coordinated with the SAP command. He had told the  SAF commanders that he tagged the kidnapped and gave them the GPS coordinates. Then the operation was planned.

It was revealed from the translation of the communications heard in the monitoring gadgets installed with the kidnapped, that it was some relatives in Pangutaran that incited the attacks, this could be those who doubt or has prejudices against the Maketa foundation. This could be a religious motivated attack.

When Robert confirmed their location, SAF sends the team near the area. It is a night operation. The kidnapped were in one place, in one room. 

Juan with his eight-man special team, ride the Maketa jet plane and was inserted by parachute at the buildings.

Two of the snipers transferred to other buildings through rappelling, one prepared his sniper rifle. Juan and four of his men joined the SAF to extract the victims. The SAF cut the electric current that caused a blackout then they used night vision and thermal sights to see and engage the enemy. It started silently, then when the enemy was alerted by the movements and killed companions, they returned fire that alerted the whole town.

Ratatatatat... Boom! Bang bang bang, tsog tsog tsog!"

Guns were so loud like new years eve. But because of the blackness of the night, limited visibility made the enemy desperate and panicked, and there were times that they killed each other. Juan and the four guards secured the three victims, the lady is half-naked, she was given a jacket, the two have bloody faces and bodies. If the team has been late they were killed already. After the victims were secured outside the room, Juan, hurl his two teargas grenades and went out. The gunfight between the SAF, the reinforcement of the military, went until morning until all that have guns were neutralized in the area.

Juan brought the victims to Zamboanga and they were treated there in the hospital.

The Jolo office was closed and transferred to Zamboanga. But the Pangutaran operations continued.

Maketa told the Cooperative Manager and the Principal of Pangutaran National High School, "I will not withdraw my support and commitment with you and the community, I just ask you that please protect my people there. They are there to help." Maketa said.

"We are thankful, for your help. we identified those individuals who incited the kidnapping, they were punished. They were rejected by the leaders here when they bring the kidnapped here. We can not just save them at that time because there will be bloodshed. But it was decided that we will protect you and your people here. You have done much for us here. Sorry for what happened, we are thankful that they were safe" The leader of the Simbahan, Pangutaran Mission House.

The products of Pangutaran were transferred to ten container vans and were shipped to Manila.

The victims were now all physically Ok, they were debriefed and had a stress therapy. They were happy that they are still alive and did not regret that they have helped in the program. They were sent to Makati to rest for a while and to be with their families.

"Mom never quitted with helping the poor. No one can stop her. No danger can discourage her. She will win evil with good. That's the principle of her Jesus, that she will follow voluntarily." Juan said to Jacky in the video call.

"My Nanny, my second Mom Martha or Maketa, that's who she is. Her heart is full of Jesus, and that is so contagious, it contaminated everyone who knows her" Jacky said with tears of joy.

When Maketa arrived at Makati, they had a reunion.

Everyone was there, they shared experiences, their joys, their struggles, their victories and they thank God for everything. Because every experience made them strong and made them see the contrast of everything. 

You appreciate white because of black, you appreciate light because of darkness, and sugar and salt, well good or bad give meaning and test which side we take in life, we sow what we reap.

We sow good we harvest good, though sometimes there are tares, but that's life.

"What is important, we know what is our objective, our motivation and we don't quit in the middle of the game even it's risky or dangerous," Maketa said.

🌕 85. UNDESERVED

Who is poor?

The government considers a Filipino family poor if monthly earnings are less than the poverty threshold.  The poverty threshold for a family of 5 was at P5,458 per month to meet basic food in 2012.

The same family required only P1,681 in 2006 and P2,042 in 2009 to leave the ranks of the poor.

If non-food needs -- such as clothing, housing, transportation, health, and education expenses, and others are added to the threshold, in 2012 went up to P7,821 earnings a month.

Maketa is interested in Kiamba, Sarangani as the next destination to help. She researched it and found out these facts about this beautiful place.

The Municipality of Kiamba is located in the western Section of the Province of Sarangani. It is a coastal town located in the north of the Celebes Sea. It is positioned at 05 degrees 59 min. north and longitude 124 degrees 37 east. It has a 38 kilometers stretch of regular coastline. It is bounded by the north by the Municipality of T'boli with thick and unspoiled mountain ranges heavy with vegetation; on the south by the Celebes Sea; on the east by the Municipality of Maasim with Taluk River serving as the natural boundary, and on the west by the Municipality of Maitum bounded with Pangi River.

But because that is the hometown of our Boxing Champ's wife, she believes they can help the area. So she researched other areas to help.

Juan was having difficulty with his review. Jacky is encouraging him. 

"Hey! Cheer up, sometimes the harder it gets, the harder you fight! There are things that we need to do it alone, like studying, appreciation of the lessons, and understanding the reasons can not be spoon feed. There are things we can not buy like wisdom, I'll pray that God will give us that" Jacky said.

"I know that actually, that is the hard part, you can not force understanding in a short period of time. So I may not understand everything, but I will memorize it just for now without understanding it then, later, I may see the wisdom behind these laws." Juan said.

"That could be a good strategy," Jacky said.

"What you need now is focus, my love, I think," Jacky said.

"When are you coming? Juan asked.

" I'll find a way. I may be there soon when my schedule becomes final, I'm also reviewing some new cases of diseases"  Jacky said.

"Ok, Doc!" Juan said.

"Why, you miss me?" Jacky asked.

"The doorbell, I'll see who's there," Jacky said.

"Hahaha, you send me flowers? Thank you, my love, I'm surprised!" Jacky said smelling the roses. 

"I can not remember when I send you flowers, so I do it now," Juan said.

That was Floribunda, Hybrid tea, Grandiflora, and Miniatures kind of roses arranged in a beautiful manner of Ikebana.

"I have your flowers here dried and preserved in my books," Jacky said.

"We should have a meeting about our marriage, when can we do it?"Juan said.

" Well, when can you come here in Tokyo," Jacky said. 

"Let's do it, I will just surprise you!" Juan said.

Jacky smiled and said good night.

The next day, After his BAR review, he visits the prison and meets Elado. Elado was surprised. "What are you doing here?" Elado said.

"I just want to see you. I have something to give you to read."Juan said.

If you just want to see how I suffer, enjoy it, I deserve it I think. Elado said.

"No, no, that is not my intention, I wish I can help you here a bit. Receive these, my advance Christmas gifts." Juan said.

The New Bilibid Prison. The facility is famous for its severe conditions and overcrowding of its poorer inmates, while more affluent prisoners enjoy luxuries such as airconditioned rooms, jacuzzies, and strip bars, as revealed in several police raids in previous years. All the luxuries were destroyed, and Elado's assets were taken from him.

"Ok, Thanks for the soap, and other groceries. I appreciate it." Elado said.

"I will be back again, just read what I give you," Juan said.

"You know, I really wonder why you are helping me here. I don't even deserve to be visited by you, but you are here." Elado said.

Elado felt sorry and guilty of all his bad decisions, he has murdered many and destroyed many by the drugs and by the prostitution, they operate.

Elado does not know that Ruthie is Juan's sister.

"Well, I just pass to you how I was helped also. How I was forgiven, How I was changed. I hope you get that also" Juan said.

"I have done so many evil things that I may qualify for the death sentence. I don't expect to be forgiven by you and others that I have destroyed. Sometimes I just want to die easy. I tell you this so you will hate me more because that is the truth" Elado said.

Juan realizes that Elado accepts the responsibility of what he has done, he sees his sincerity of being sorry for the evil he has done. Juan thinks, "I will help this man to have a chance to do what is right and what is good in his remaining life.

" Juan, can I ask you something?" Elado said.

"Ok," Juan replied.

"There is a family that I killed all her parents and her brothers because they had reported us to the police. I heard she is in the orphanage. She does not know that I was the one who killed her parents, I want to pay for my sins, I want you to help her for me. She is Myla Cervantes, please find her and help her. I will repay you" Elado said.

"Why what's the change of heart Elado? Ok, I will find her out" Juan said.

"I'm tired of being evil, I think. How about you, why you are here?" Elado said.

"Well just giving back the unmerited favor I have received by giving you the same favor," Juan said.

Juan thinks of "Grace" which means, unmerited favor. Favor is given for a wretched sinner like me that deserves to die, but given this favor not by works but by believing that Christ the Savior can save an ungodly person like the criminal in the cross with Him. He accepts and recognizes his sinfulness and believed Christ that he requested Him to remember him in Christ's paradise. Jesus said, "You will be with me in paradise!"

🌕 86. BAR EXAM

Ruthie got angry. Hearing about Elado.

"Kuya(Elder) Juan, why in all the world you tried to help that bastard that tried to kidnap me and r*pe me?" 

"You won't understand it if you will not listen," Juan said.

" Ok, let me understand," Ruthie said.

"He is now suffering for his sins, he is now paying not only of what he did to you but for countless others also. What we should do as followers of Christ is to see how we can win evil with good. This is not just a verse to memorize or to post in FB or to decorate as a poster, but a real command and real people to benefit from God's grace. I'm not freeing him from prison, I'm trying to free his soul from sin. Did you remember the thief or the criminal in the cross? Think how Christ saved him because he repented, by acknowledging his sins, and by believing when he said, Remember me when you go to paradise. Who knows God will save a criminal again this time?" Juan said.

"Sorry, I did not see it that way, but now I see what you mean," Ruthie said.

"When you become a lawyer, you are a lawyer with justice and mercy at the same time," Jacky said who heard their conversation on the phone during their video call.

"Yes, Kuya(Elder) a different kind of brand of a lawyer," Ruthie said.

"I don't pass my mock exams, I'm doubling the time of the study, reading and I even had to have a vacation leave in the Security Agency to focus on reading and reviewing.

" Dad Tony and Mama Martha is doing all for me now so I can focus, I had taken memory capsules to help me memorize," Juan said.

Preparing for the Bar examination is so burdensome emotionally, physically, mentally, and psychologically. It is mentally and emotionally depleting. You'd not know what to do so you can accomplish reading and reviewing everything. The huge amount of data and input you'd have to assimilate is occasionally too much for you to deal with. At some periods you get depressed because you think that no matter how hard you review, still, it seems that your endeavors are not yet sufficient to be able to pass the Bar exam. Many times you'd understand that nothing of what you read is actually being absorbed and stored in your memory. All these can make you go crazy if you'd stress yourself too greatly. You'd be stressed out. To retain your mental state, you'd have to find a moment to loosen up and have fun. It is unthinkable to study straight for 10 hours or 24 hours. You need to hang back at times and relax. When I was studying, I play computer games, call Jacky, to relax.

A Bar reviewee would obtain and collect so numerous materials during his review, books, reviewers, memory aids, and all kinds of materials. The amount of materials to look over is so enormous and massive. You'd not have sufficient time going over all of them, no matter how much you'd wish to do so. You really have to select which materials to review. Sometimes, reading so numerous materials can only confuse you. In reality, during the pre-week, one would not have adequate time to read a lot of materials. So, during the review, I need only to chose two materials for every subject, one book, and one reviewer or memory aid. I mastered these two materials. Although sometimes I had qualms if these two are adequate, I just had to believe my decision. And I was not disappointed because sticking to two materials per subject helped me to be more familiar with the materials and enabled me to answer faster during the Mock Bar exam.

I ask my friend lawyers, professors how the actual examination goes. These are what they told me and read to me. these facts.

The difficulty of the recent bar examinations, compared to exams of the past, can be attributed to the following factors:

The growing volume of the Philippine case and statutory laws is unprecedented. Laws, jurisprudence, and legal doctrines of the past constitute only a small fraction of contemporary Philippine legal materials, which are increasing on a daily basis.

The 75% passing average with no grade lower than 50% in any subject is already fixed by law. Actual candidates who scored 74.99% in the general average were not admitted to the practice of law unless they retake the bar exams.

The Three-Failure Rule is now in place. Candidates who have failed the bar exams for three times are not permitted to take another bar exam until they re-enroll and pass regular fourth-year review classes and attend a pre-bar review course in an approved law school.

The Five-Strike Rule is implemented since 2005. The rule limits to five the number of times a candidate may take the Bar exams. The rule disqualifies a candidate after failing in three examinations. However, he is permitted to take fourth and fifth examinations if he successfully completes a one-year refresher course for each examination.

Bar examinations are conducted during all four Sundays of the month of November. Two bar subjects shall be taken every week, one is scheduled in the morning while another is in the afternoon. The examination covers the following topics and their associated subtopic, popularly known as the bar subjects:

First Week - Political Law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Law on Public Officers, Election Law, Local Government Code, Public International Law, Labor Law, Labor Standards, Labor Relations, Social Legislation.

Second Week - Civil Law, Persons and Family Relations, Property, Obligations and Contracts, Sales, Succession, Lease, Agency and Partnership, Trusts, Credit Transactions, Land Title and Deeds, Torts and Damages, Taxation, General Principles, National Taxation, Local Taxation, Tariff and Customs Code, Judicial Remedies (Revised Rules of the Court of Tax Appeals.

Third Week - Mercantile Laws, Letters of Credit, Warehouse Receipts Law, Trust Receipts Law, Negotiable Instruments Law, Insurance Code, Transportation Law, Corporation Law, Securities Regulation Code, Banking Laws, Special Commercial Laws, Intellectual Property Law, Criminal Law, Revised Penal Code, Special Penal Laws.

Fourth Week - Remedial Law, Rules on Civil Procedure, Rules on Special Proceedings, Rules on Criminal Procedure, Rules on Evidence, Legal and Judicial Ethics, Practice of Law, Code of Professional Responsibility, Code of Judicial Conduct, Practical Exercises.

In the last pre-week, I read a little and sleep, wake up, read a little and sleep.

I jog, I do some mixed martial arts exercises for an hour to be physically fit and had well-balanced food.

I prepared what is needed during the examination. I have a checklist to be sure.

I prepared my motorbike for transportation during the examination.

I planned the contents of my bag ready. I get my color-coded building assignment cards and notice of admission or permit (which must be worn on the exam day), pen, food, water, and other personal matters. It is mandatory for examinees to use only transparent or see-through bags, zip-lock bags, and purses during the bar examinations per Bar Matter No. 2819. 

Then first Sunday, second Sunday, Third Sunday, and the fourth Sunday.

Before all these, I funded and donated to all Fraternities and Sororities twenty thousand pesos for the snacks and food during the last week of preparations. I am welcome to all the fraternities although I'm not a regular member. But my name is recorded in their minds and hearts that all my school mates and classmates are my brothers and sisters in law. I'm neutral to all.

In the same manner secretly, the benefits of their members, I also enjoy. Not only from one fraternity but from all including those who have no fraternity. I organized those who have no fraternity from all sections, funded it with Thirty thousand pesos, and like the fraternities, I ask the help of those Juniors, sophomores, or freshman to voluntarily help. They carry the school name to help our BAR examinees. 

"Why you fund those activities from your pocket?" Tony asked.

"Dad, that is an investment of friendship, that we sow now, and let it grow, someday expectedly or not, we will reap it. Money can be used for evil, but we can use it for good and God's glory.

🌕 87. WAITING

You've taken the bar exam and are waiting for results. No sweat, right?

Ten weeks of waiting, more than two months.

Many law students find that waiting for bar results is actually more difficult than studying for the bar. Why? The stress and doubt over my performance are enough to keep me up at night! 

What should I do now? First, I need to make plans. If I pass and what if I did not. I'll prepare for my marriage to pass or fail.

"What are you doing now," Jacky in Video call.

"I'm thinking of you, and what to do while waiting," Juan said.

"Wow, go here!" Jacky said.

"I'll arrange it right away," Juan said.

Juan called Tony and Martha of going to Japan to arrange and plan for the marriage.

Tony bought tickets for him, Martha, Paulo, and Juan. He instructed all his managers and lead persons about his going to Japan protocols in the office.

Juan called Alex, and He extended his leave for another month. Buy Alex did not agree. He said to take full control of the agency wherever you are. You can call and be called anytime. All our lives depend on your decisions. I'm focusing now on the KALAHI FOUNDATION. I enjoy helping people. Just take it easy, you have organized it efficiently and you just decide on most critical issues and you can be online twenty-four hours so no problem. Anyway, you already finished the BAR exams so, what's the problem?

Juan had a motorbike trip with the guard and detection supervisors. They brought there big bikes. They visit the KatIchiKeta Takuma Home Tagaytay branch. They visit the patients and entertained them with songs, food, and hugs, and walking with them. They also enjoyed the near Taal trails and enjoy the scenery. Juan encouraged and treat these leaders as family. They also have that family feeling even if they leave the agency, after finishing college through the agency's scholarship and job. Even those who have done wrong feel that they are loved and they have consequences but they were not left just to be destroyed, they were given second chances, there were cases that a guard was imprisoned but they were helped even in prison. Many have really been changed especially those who have accepted the Lord Jesus as Savior. They said they had been a miracle that a former criminal becomes a loving father, a loyal husband or wife, a real friend that you can trust anytime. Many guards are not in government offices, in the military, in the police, and many have been supervisors and managers in companies. The culture, the work ethic, the attitudes, the brand of the Rollo Agency. They went home, full of love, and they expressed this to their families. The big motorbike is a symbol of their big hearts. Those who will leave were emotional, if not only for greater opportunities and challenges which the agency is encouraging them to take, they don't want to leave. Many who leave, and had realized they want it more in the agency, went back until they retire.

 

The Tira family is now on board the plane going to Japan.

They brought food, fruits, and gifts, in a container van. Katsuo, Ichika, and Ruthie were early in the Airport to welcome them. Jacky, Ely, Luz, and Joel also arrived. They waited but the plane was delayed, there was a typhoon. They prayed in the airport.

Katsuo, excited and want to have an idea what is the process from courtship to marriage in the Philippine culture. He researched on the internet, he Googled it.

These are what he found out:

Evident in courtship in the Philippines is the practice of singing romantic love songs, reciting poems, writing letters, and gift-giving. This respect extends to the Filipina's family members. The proper rules and standards in traditional Filipino courtship are set by Philippine society.

Often, a Filipino male suitor expresses his interest to a woman in a discreet and friendly manner in order to avoid being perceived as very "presumptuous or aggressive" or arrogant. Although having a series of friendly dates is the normal starting point in the Filipino way of courting, this may also begin through the process of "teasing", a process of "pairing off" a potential teenage or adult couple. The teasing is done by peers or friends of the couple being matched. The teasing practice assists in discerning the actual feelings of the male and the female involved. Traditionally, a Filipino woman is "shy and secretive" about her feelings for a suitor. On the other hand, the Filipino man fears rejection by a woman and would like to avoid losing face and embarrassment. This teasing phase actually helps in circumventing such an embarrassing predicament because formal courtship has not yet officially started. Furthermore, this "testing phase" also helps a man who could be "torpe", a Filipino term for a suitor who is shy, "stupid", and feels cowardly, and is innocent and naïve in how to court a woman. However, this type of admirer could overcome his shyness and naivety by asking for the help of a "tulay" (Filipino for "Bridge", whose role is similar to that of the Wingman in Western Cultures), typically a mutual friend of both the suitor and the admired, or a close friend of both families. The "human bridge" acts as the suitor's communicator. Through this "human-bridge", the bachelor can also ask permission to visit the woman at home from the bachelorette's father. As a norm, the couple will not be left alone with each other during this first home visit, because formal introductions to family members are done, which may be performed by the "tulay". Informal conversation also takes place.

During this preliminary evaluation period, the Filipino woman will either deny her feelings (or the absence of feelings for the suitor) and avoids her admirer, or does not become angry because of the teasing and encourages the suitor instead. The suitor stops the courtship if he is quite sure that the woman does not reciprocate. But once the female encourages the suitor to continue, the "teasing stage" comes to a close and a "serious stage" of Philippine courtship begins. It is within this stage where the couple engages in a series of group dates, chaperoned dates, or private dates. The couple, later on, decides to come out into the open and reveals the status of their relationship to family members, relatives, and friends. The serious suitor or boyfriend visits the family of the woman he admires/courts or girlfriend in order to formally introduce himself, particularly to the lady's parents. Bringing gifts or pasalubong (which may include flowers, cards, or letters, and the like) are also typical. Courting a woman in the Philippines is described as a courtship that also includes courting the woman's family. The actual boyfriend-girlfriend relationship may also result from such formal visits. In the past, particularly in a rural courtship setting, a Filipino man, accompanied by friends, would engage in serenading the woman he adores at night. This serenading practice was an influence adopted by the Filipinos from the Spaniards.

During the courtship process, a traditional Filipina is expected to play "hard to get", to act as if not interested, to be not flirty, and show utmost restraint, modesty, shyness, good upbringing, be well-mannered, demure, and reserved despite having great feelings for her admirer; a behavior culturally considered appropriate while being courted. This behavior serves as a tool in measuring the admirer's sincerity and seriousness. The woman can also have as many suitors, from which she could choose the man that she finally would want to date. Dating couples are expected to be conservative and not perform public displays of affection for each other. Traditionally, some courtship may last a number of years before the Filipino woman accepts her suitor as a boyfriend. Conservativeness, together with repressing emotions and affection, was inherited by the Filipino woman from the colonial period under the Spaniards, a characteristic referred to as the Maria Clara attitude.

After the girlfriend-boyfriend stage, engagement and marriage follow. With regards to the engagement and pre-marriage stages, Filipino tradition dictates that the man and his parents perform the pamamanhikan or pamanhikan (literally, a Tagalog word that means "to go up the stairs of the house" of the girlfriend and her parents; pamamanhikan is known as tampa or danon to the Ilocanos, as pasaguli to the Palaweños, and as kapamalai to the Maranaos). This is where and when the man and his parents formally ask the lady's hand and blessings from her parents in order to marry. This is when the formal introduction of the man's parents and woman's parents happens. Apart from presents, the Cebuano version of the pamamanhikan includes bringing in musicians. After setting the date of the wedding and the dowry, the couple is considered officially engaged. The dowry, as a norm in the Philippines, is provided by the groom's family. For the Filipino people, marriage is a union of two families, not just of two persons. Therefore, marrying well "enhances the good name" of both families.

Katsuo and Ichika was amazed of how they were involved in this significant family event.

The Tira arrived at last.

🌕 88. FILIPINO HERITAGE

Juan expresses his heritage as a Filipino.

I'm a Pinoy so I do what Pinoys do. We ask for blessings from our elders called "mano"(we put the back of the hands of our Elders in our forehead as a sign of respect).

A few of the most familiar words for exhibiting respect in a Filipino household are po and opo. Both mean "yes" in a respectful way, rather than just saying oo, or yes normally.

For a truer perception of how to use po and opo and to comprehend the distinction between the two, look at the illustrations below.

Po is used to indicate respect when speaking or called by somebody older or a someone with authority. Also, use po when saying salamat, or "thank you". If you are called by someone senior to you (such as your mom, dad, uncle, auntie, or an elderly neighbor), you should answer po.

"I like that," Katsuo said.

Ichika nodded.

Katsuo also shared the Japanese bow. 

In Japan, these are the dos and don'ts of bowing or Ojigi.

DO: If you are a man, you can keep your hands on the side of your body or keep your hands together in front of you. If you are a woman, you should keep your hands together in front of you. 

DO: In a business context with foreigners, most Japanese people will shake hands with them and bow slightly at the same time. You will give an excellent impression to your business partner if you do the same.

DO: Say your greetings after you bow. This proper manner is called gosen-gorei in Japanese. However, many people actually bow while speaking!

DON'T: Curve your back. Keep it straight as a mark of respect.

DON'T: Join your palms in front of your chest to greet! This is a common mistake among foreigners visiting Japan for the first time. This kind of greeting is used in other countries, like in Thailand, for example. In Japan, this is mainly seen in places of worship.

Now, let us get to the trickier part. There are various sorts of ojigi that are used depending on the situation. There are actually five ways to bow, but today, we will see the three main ones used when standing.

1. Eshaku: It is a slight bow with an angle of about 15 degrees.

Example: In the case of passing your neighbor on the street, or when you pass a client or your superior in the hallway.

2. Keirei: It is used most often in business, with a bow of about 30 degrees.

Example: When you visit your client's company, gain a new client, or greet someone new. It is also used to express gratitude; for instance, if someone returns your wallet that you dropped on the street.

3. Saikeirei: It is the deepest of the three bows, at about 45 degrees.

You may not have an opportunity to use this bow daily.

This bow is for indicating your sincere apology or respect toward a person, so it will look awkward if you use this bow on everyone you encounter. 

Example: In the case of you causing trouble for, let us say… the president of a company.

"Ojigi" situations:

1.To your boss and/or colleagues upon arriving or leaving office.

2.To customers welcoming or seeing off.

3. When visiting and leaving customers at their homes or offices.

4. At the beginning and the end of a class at the elementary and middle schools.

5. When receiving a commendation.

6. When entering other's house, room or office.

7. When introducing yourself at the first encounter.

8. When happen to meet your acquaintance on the street or at a restaurant.

9. When presenting yourself in front of an esteemed person.

10. At the beginning of a martial art tournament or a ball game, to your opponents.

11. At the beginning and the end of your speech, to the audience.

12. When requesting something, to your counterpart.

13. When you want to show gratitude.

14. When you want to apologize.

" Good to know the technical and the meaning of the bow Grandpa, I now understand it more deeply," Ruthie said.

The whole day everybody is busy. Juan is busy doing many things in Jacky's house as part of the Filipino courtship.

Paninilbihan" (Servitude) is a Filipino tradition usually done during courtship and before "pamamanhikan" in the old days. Paninilbihan is performed by the soon-to-be-groom by doing household chores such as "pagsisibak" (chopping firewood), "pag-iigib" (fetching water), and many more. The Filipino elders say it's a way for the groom to show that he is a responsible man. Some say paninilbihan is a dying tradition, I would say it is not since men subconsciously practice this tradition through modernized chores such as car and electrical repairs for their girlfriends and many other "modern" chores. 

"Juan had done that to me many times already, and he even almost give his life for me, and also has saved my life on many occasions," Jacky said.

Ely and Luz concurred.

Juan then asks for blessings from Ely and Luz by bringing their hands to his forehead, one by one. Then he bowed to them. He then asked for Jacky's hands for marriage. 

Although Ely and Luz already agreed to their relationship, it is a family ceremonial thing, Ely and Luz get Jacky and give her hands to Juan. Then they hug each other.

It is not yet the actual marriage but both the Yamadachi and Tira family are in tears.

Katsuo said: I will cover the venue here in Japan and in the Philippines.

Tony said: we will cover the suits and dress of the couple and all of us including the bride's maids and best men.

Ely said: We will cover the food and the drinks here in Japan.

"I think some of the details, we will discuss on additional meetings for these as we go along," Katsuo said.

As of now, we will enjoy the food and we will open the gifts we bring. Martha said.

🌕 89. READY FOR MARRIAGE?

"Marriage is not a 50-50 proposition. It's all in. 100%-100%. Anyone who will be short will be filled in by the other. It is not a trial and error. It is a commitment to love until the end," Ichika said to Juan and Jacky.

"Thanks for the advice Grandma," Jacky said.

"Ichika is a good marriage counselor," Katsuo said.

Ichika continued her marriage counseling.

Answer this question. 

What is Love?

1. Love is a feeling you feel when you get a feeling you've never felt before. 

2. To love somebody is not just a strong feeling—it is a decision. It is a judgment. It is a promise.

3. Love is an unconditional commitment to an imperfect person.

 

"All of the above?" Juan said.

"Correct!" Ichika said.

Katsuo reading a book about love.

Marriage Needs Three Types of Love

1. Eros—seeks sensual expression—romantic; sexual

2. Philia—a friendship which includes companionship, communication, and 

 cooperation.

3. Agape—unconditional, self-giving, forgiving

Agape love is not just something that happens; it is something you make happen.

Agape love is kind, sympathetic, thoughtful, and sensitive to the needs of the 

other.

Both of you must make a quality decision to embrace all three of these in order to have a good, happy marriage.

Your love will either live or die. What kills love?

1. A failure to spend time alone together doing things you both enjoy.

2. A failure to reinforce appropriate behavior in each other. For example: smiling, complementing, spending time together alone, showing compassion.

 Another question.

What do you expect from marriage?

Every person who marries enters the marriage relationship with certain expectations. 

These expectations come from many sources such as parents, values, society, books, speakers, our own ideas, etc. For example, a husband might expect his wife to be at the door when he arrives home, to always be at home and never work, and to have sex with him whenever he wants to. A wife might expect her husband to go to her parent's house with her wherever she goes, to be the spiritual leader in their home, and to spend Saturdays at home and not hang out with the guys. These expectations must be agreed upon, because failed expectations, is one of the main cause of disappointment and causes misunderstandings and fightings.

What are your individual goals and both as a couple must also be discussed upon.

Less than three percent (3%) of married couples have set goals for their marriage. Goals are vital, for unless you have something in mind that you want to work toward or achieve, 

you will not get very far. "Where there is no vision (goal), the people perish…." 

Proverbs 29:18.

How to help each other fulfill each other's needs.

One of the motivating factors for marriage is the fulfillment of needs in one's life. In marriage counseling, we find that one of the major complaints couples bring in is that of not having their needs met. Often, one partner is attempting to meet the needs of the 

other but he does not always know what the needs are and/or does not know exactly how to meet them. Thus, it is important for a married person to define his needs specifically and then indicate how he would like his partner to respond in order to meet these needs.

1. Physical

2. Emotional

3. Social and Intellectual

4. Spiritual

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS THAT MUST BE AGREED AND TALK ABOUT. 

WHAT ABOUT…?

a. Where are you going to live?

b. What about work…will you both work…for how long?

c. What about churches…will you both attend the same church?

d. What about children…how many...when…birth control?

e. What about school…do you have any plans for furthering your education?

By reason of your new marriage, you will become an in-law and you also gain in-laws. 

The questions below are designed to assist you in your effort to establish a wholesome 

relationship with your future in-laws.

First, discuss their present parental relationships.

1. Are both parents alive?

2. How was your childhood relationship with your parents? (Example: Did they 

raise you?)

3. How is your present relationship with your parents?

4. How do your parents feel about your plans for marriage?

5. How do you think your in-laws view you?

6. What would you consider to be interference by your in-laws?

7. Describe how and where you would like to spend your first Thanksgiving & 

Christmas.

8. What does leaving mother/ father mean to you? What do you think it involves?

We have noted down all this and we will take them one by one, these are an eye opener. 

"Yea I agree," Tony said.

All nodded.

Joel, Ruthie, Paulo also nodded. They are learning.

Elena called Tony about a concern in the office, Tony received the call in speakerphone.

"Hello, Boss Tony, Our shipment to the US was delayed because of the plane had canceled flight, should I call the buyer of the delay, or you will be the one to call?" Elena said.

Joel had meet Elena in the Philippines during their visit there. But they have not talked yet personally. 

He remembered her when they bump accidentally in the office door because Elena went out in a rush and Joel was going inside carrying a carton of fruits. All the fruits scattered inside the office. Both of them pick up all the fruits laughing.

"I like her voice," Joel said to himself smiling.

"What are you smiling at Bro?" Jacky asked.

"Nothing, I just remembered something funny," Joel said.

"I love funny stories, what's that? Jacky asked.

" It's nothing" Joel insisted.

"Oh, come on, share with me Brother. Is that a secret?" Jacky teasing him.

"It's about Elena," Joel said.

"You know Elena? She's my best friend. What is funny about her? Your crush?" Jacky teasing him the more.

"Haha we accidentally bump in the office and all the fruits I'm carrying scattered on the office floor. We pick them all laughing" Joel said.

"Hahaha! Funny" Jacky said.

"You know, Brother, She is a good girl responsible and mature. She has a beautiful voice and she's a typical Filipina beauty. Straight long hair, shy a bit but she's a talker when you are already close" Jacky said.

"Yea I agree, good voice, she sang one time and she has a talent," Joel said.

"I miss her, I'll call her tomorrow," Jacky said.

"Say my regards to her" Joel said.

"Sure, yes, my Brother has a crush now!" Jacky said.

Joel just smiled.

🌕 90. WEDDING GOALS

Juan and Jacky were sent by Katsuo to attend a seminar on Kaizen. Juan and Jacky invited Ruthie and Paulo to join with them. Katsuo agreed and four of them were sent to Palace Hotel Tokyo together with the young executives of the Takuma empire. The seminar's topic that day is OGSM. 

It is an acronym for Objectives, Goals, Strategies, Measures. It is a planning tool. It's a way of defining what you want to achieve, and how you will get there. The model divides your aims into broad objectives, fixed and measurable goals, strategies to guide your actions, and measures to give you a direct way of monitoring your progress. 

Objectives refer to your vision for what you need to achieve in the long term, taking into account your fundamental principles and mission statement.

Goals are about specific long-term targets aligned with your objectives, which should be measurable and will often have a financial basis.

Strategies are the ways you will deploy resources to achieve your goals. Measures are the things you will monitor to judge whether your strategies are working.

Overall, all stages of the model need to be strategically aligned, so that all your efforts feedback to your overall objectives for success.

After the seminar, they ate and make some new friends, socialize and learn and heard things about the business. Actually, Katsuo let them attend this seminar to know the people they will lead someday in the Takuma empire.

They met intelligent people and they discussed with them business concepts and problems in the workplace.

They had some workshops to simulate real problems in the workplace and what to do to solve them.

Juan made a personal OGSM for the moment his BAR exam result is released, he has the plan of what to do.

He made an OGSM to practice what he learned.

O-bjective: To Marry Jacky

G-oal: After a year on June 5.

S1-trategy: Prepare all wedding needs and materials.

S2-trategy: Accomplish all documents, marriage license, and requirements.

S3-trategy: Invite all family, relatives, and friends.

M1-easurement: Check all facilities, decorations, souvenirs, clothes, wedding materials, cake, doves, rings, Bible, candles, flowers, bouquet, venue, documentation(pictures, video photo booth), practice roles in the wedding. 

This must be measured in percentage of accomplishment.

M2-easurement: All legal and required documents, seminars, must be finished.

M3-easurement: Invitation card finished and distributed to all target visitors.

Another dream, he will build a Call Center Agency, A product testing facility, and an international law firm.

He is planning also to study International laws. According to its definition, in its broadest sense, international law provides normative guidelines as well as methods, mechanisms, and a common conceptual language to international actors—i.e., primarily sovereign states but also increasingly international organizations and some individuals. The range of subjects and actors directly concerned with international law has widened considerably, moving beyond the classical questions of war, peace, and diplomacy to include human rights, economic and trade issues, space law, and international organizations. Although international law is a legal order and not an ethical one, it has been influenced significantly by ethical principles and concerns, particularly in the sphere of human rights.

There are many ways that we can help, opportunities to make what we can do to make our world a better world that will give hope to this deteriorating world.

After the seminar, they went to the Sky Tree to eat in the Sky Restaurant at 634 meters above the ground.

"What things do you think we will start first in planning our wedding? Jacky asks leaning in Juan.

" Let's start with the budget," Juan said.

"I have made a budget in percentage. Reception: 40%, Honeymoon: 14.5%, Photography and videography: 10.5%, Wedding attire: 7%, Engagement rings and wedding bands: 6%, Flowers: 5%, Music: 5%, Invitations: 2%, Miscellaneous: 10%. It's here in my notes," Jacky showed the notes.

I want that we will not make expenses just by buying things. I want it to give jobs or pay local talents and pay them premium. For example, my gown, I will find a local gown maker, better if it is a relative or friend, discuss with them what I want and the price they will ask I will pay it double during payment. Instead of visitors bringing gifts, We will give gifts to our visitors. Especially in the Philippines, We will invite the poorest friends, and give them gifts like big appliances and business packages. What do you think?" Jacky said.

"I love you, Jacky! They will be surprised" Juan said.

"We will have two weddings. Here in Japan and in the Philippines. First here in Japan, then after a day in the Philippines. In the Philippines, I want it to be on the island that all visitors must stay two days and one night. It must be a vacation for them by family, all expenses paid by us. Then our gifts for them will be delivered to their homes." Jacky said.

"Misibis Bay Resort, Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay, What do you think?" Juan said.

"Let me see? Wow! It's nice! I love it!" Jacky said.

"I want this to be different, I want to give those who can not afford to have this vacation can have that opportunity to experience the best experience of their lives. We will give them the free fare, dress, and vacation at this wedding. If possible, husband and wife invitation as if they won a trip for two vacations with this" jacky added.

"I'll allocate three million but I will have two million reserve funds. We will have a visitor selection process, we will give our prospective visitors questionnaires, they must be willing to give the measurement of their suit or dress, must stay at least two days and one night or additional days for the travel for those who are far. Must be willing to fly by plane. They may enjoy the resort for at least one day before the wedding and after the wedding" Juan said.

I'll find friends who are good at music, good at singing, instruments and pay them for their talents. 

"We will use products from the Pangutaran Mission House weaving products, and also from Tugaya Mission House products," Juan said.

"We will have some guard's supervisors to give us a saber arch in the wedding in which sabers or swords are used to salute a newly married couple. The bride and groom pass under an honorary arch of sabers, typically when exiting the building in which the wedding ceremony took place. The tradition is in use worldwide. This is their request" Juan said.

"For our bridesmaids, Ruthie will be our maid of honor, who will be his partner?" Jacky asked.

"What about Kosei Yamada-san, he is courting Ruthie for about a year or so?"  Juan said.

"Yes, that is a good idea," Jacky said.

"My best man is Joel and Paulo. I can not think who will be their partners yet" Juan said.

" Joel will have Elena! And Paulo, my classmate doctor who loves his paintings" Jacky said.

"I'm excited about this! Hahaha many surprises for them and let's make the wedding be a big blessing for our loved ones" Juan said.

"Robert and Rose will light our candles. I think they will marry ahead of us. What do you think is our gift for them? Jacky said.

"We will award them with a house and lot from Camella Homes," Juan said.

"Seriously? House and Lot?" Jacky asked.

"Why? Their loyalty and friendship deserve such a surprise" Juan said.

"I agree! I love you, Juan," Jacky said.

🌕 91. SEX SIN

"Is sex sin?"

Jacky reading the answer.org article on sex.

 In the proper setting, sex is not a sin. In fact, sex is God's idea. In Matthew 19:4-6, Jesus states with godly authority, "At the beginning, the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." The creation account is thus the foundation for the institution of marriage, which was validated by the Creator Himself and established to be a lifelong union between one man and one woman.

The very fact that God created humanity as "male and female" reveals that we are created as sexual beings. And God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" cannot be fulfilled without sex (Genesis 1:28). Sex is a God-given mandate, so there is no way that sex is a sin if done with one's lifelong marriage partner of the opposite sex.

The word sex is not found in the Bible. The numerous mentions of the word in society, and the world's tendency to sneer, have given the word a certain amount of notoriety. But God never intended it to be a dirty word.

The Song of Solomon follows a loving relationship between a husband and his wife through the betrothal period, wedding night, and beyond. The description of the husband and wife's pleasure in chapter 4 is discreet yet unmistakable in its meaning. That description is followed in 5:3 with God's approval: "Eat, friends, and drink; drink your fill of love."

It is only outside of marriage that sex is sinful. God made it very certain that the marriage bed must be kept pure (Hebrews 13:4). Sexual activity outside of marriage is called fornication. First Corinthians 6:9-10 says, "Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men . . . will inherit the kingdom of God" Engaging in sex without the benefit of marriage is immoral, and "it is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality" (1 Thessalonians 4:3; cf. 1 Corinthians 6:18).

If the Bible's message on abstaining from sex until married were upheld, there would be far fewer sexually transmitted diseases, far fewer abortions, far fewer unwanted pregnancies, and far fewer children growing up without both parents in their lives. Abstinence saves lives, protects babies, gives sexual relations the proper value, and, most importantly, honors God.

In no way is sex between a husband and wife a sin. Rather, it is a beautiful expression of love, trust, sharing, and unity. Sex is God's gift to a married couple for pleasure and procreation.

Juan also read a testimony of those who experienced premarital sex.

"I developed Self-destructive behavior.  As a Christian, when you engage in premarital sex, you are consciously sinning against God.  This can lead to a continuous cycle of self-destruction.  You acquire low self-esteem, low self-worth, and diminished expectations of yourself.  In many cases, the damage that comes from giving a holy thing (your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit) to an unholy cause, (physical gratification outside of marriage) will usher to feelings of emptiness, humiliation, and confusion.  You start to question everything about yourself and the world, as you know it. Like Adam and Eve you recognize your nakedness before God, and because you are not prepared to deal with it at such an early age, you plunge into an abyss of self-loathing and destructive behavior.  Many students' grades decline and they lose interest in things that they once enjoyed after having sex.  I remember suffering super insecure about almost everything after I had sex.  If I felt doubtful about it before sex, it was only worsened afterward.  Here is a poem I wrote in college after breaking up with my boyfriend.  I had lost my true self while living a life of compromise and people-pleasing.  I found myself in the center of an Identity Crisis."

Juan made a letter to Jacky after he read many effects of pre-marital sex:

Dear Jacky,

Then it is a good decision that we both made a PURITY PROMISE in the presence of God, our parents, friends, and had a purity ring to remind us to sacrifice and to wait until marriage. 

It preserved the thrill, the excitement of that first experience without guilt, without the bad effects, and without the lasting regret that many experienced. Yes, they may recover from it by the grace of God, but the scars of it are there in their minds.

It is hard especially that both of us are young, you are beautiful, and is close emotionally and physically, our relationship is approved by both our parents, all around us had sex in gestures, in language, in jokes, and many give us the motive that they want us, is a temptation to gratify the fleshly desires which are inherent in our human body. We have the greatest tendency to fall, but others have done it, many have succeeded, we also can, by God's grace.

Yes, I feel horny at times when I'm with you. I fight it with my respect for you. I admit there were times I am tempted to go beyond, but I think, we are near our marriage, let's hold on for a little while, we can have what we want physically, unlimited joy with you.

Thanks for our love, it is God's gift to us.

Love you,

Juan

Juan sends this to her email.

Jacky replied to the email.

Dear Juan,

Sorry for sometimes I tease you when I am with you. I sometimes also admit I wish you will kiss me longer not like your usual kiss in my forehead. But I know there will be a time for that. 

Sometimes I am tempted to let you see my body, but I know you will have me whole when we are married.

Love is not based on physical attractions alone we may lose it when we get old, it is in our commitment to love as husband and wife when we are already there.

Thank you for you, our parents who taught us to be strong, to be a person of character that can control and discipline our bodies of instincts and lust. Especially to God whom we trust.

Yes, I am willing to wait for a little while, we will walk that center aisle to promise to God and everybody that we will love, respect, and support each other, in richer or poorer, in sickness or in health, till death do us part.

Loves you always,

Jacky

🌕 92. WHAT IF?

"If we will be poor for any reason, will you still love me?" Jacky asked Juan.

"In any situation, I will continue to love you," Juan said.

"If I will have an accident and my face was distorted that I will look like a monster will you still love me?" Juan's turn to ask.

"Even if you look like a monster, I will still love you, because you are you," Jacky said.

"When in marriage you will find many disagreeable things about me?" Juan asked.

"These are stupid questions, but I will answer it because it's you asking," Jacky said.

Both of them laugh and they embraced. 

During a conference meeting at Zoom online,

Robert inserted asking for a little time to talk, Tony agreed, and Robert announced that he will marry Rose April. Rose smiled and everybody clapped and cheered. Alex said: I will donate five lechons(roasted pig), Tony said:  I will donate fruits and flowers, Juan said: "I will donate their honeymoon venue, Katsuo said: "I will donate the wedding venue, Maketa said, " I will donate a two buffet before and after marriage. Jacky said: " I will donate The wedding dress of both and their entourage of maids and men," Ely said: "We will donate for their video and photographs package".

Everybody clapped and cheered again, Robert and Rose in tears thanking everyone and they see everything is covered, They will just make their invitations and souvenirs for their wedding.

After the meeting, Juan shared a Marriage article he read about being ready for Marriage for Robert and Rose, he sent via email and CC Jacky.

 

1. You Love Yourself

Aaaand we're back with another cliché, but it's the gospel truth: You can't be happy with someone else until you're 100 percent happy with yourself. Sure, you can ask for your partner's support when you're upset, but as marriage coach Lesli Doares, author of Blueprint For A Lasting Marriage, says, "Being married is about joining two lives together, not giving up one. Being content in your own skin means you won't be looking to your partner to fill voids in your life."

"Love your neighbors as yourself"

2. You Start Seriously Relating to Love Songs You Once Called "Silly"

Oh, man. You used to make fun of those mushy-gushy ballads that described physical aching when a lover was away. But all of a sudden, bae takes a business trip and your chest is heavy, your insides are squirming, and you just cried at a gum commercial. Oof.

3. You're Not Still Searching for a Better, Better Half

This feels like a no-brainer, but please tell us you've deleted the dating apps, and ceased all communication with the cutie at the dog park if you're considering "for better or for worse" with someone else. Speaking of better, instead of secretly wondering if he/she is the best you can do, focus on making your relationship the BEST it can be. (Spoiler: If you decide to get married, you'll do this for the rest of your life.)

4. You've Got More Than Your Significant Other on Your Side

Nobody knows you better than your friends and family, so if they're telling you this is the finish line—GREAT! But if they're bringing up red flags about you-know-who, it might be time to pump the brakes and address those concerns.

5. You Kinda Feel Like Superheroes Together

Whether it's tag-teaming a grocery list or assembling a particularly devilish piece of Ikea furniture, if there are moments when your dynamic duo could take on the world, this is a good sign. Peak coupledom is all about teamwork and creative problem-solving. If you're always ready to save the day together, then you can start thinking about save-the-dates.

6. You Have No Problem Apologizing

Everyone effs up at some point, so if you're taking on forever with someone, you must have the ability to look that partner in the face and say, "My bad." And it has to be sincere!

7. You Don't Threaten to Leave When Discussions Get Heated

If something in your kitchen catches on fire, the absolute worst thing to do would be running out of the house, right? If your romantic counterpart is avoiding difficult discussions or throwing out menacing ultimatums, that should sound some alarms. Marriage is about working as a team to put out the flames when they arise. There's a reason firefighters are sexy.

8. You Can Discuss Exes Drama-Free (Okay, With Minimal Drama)

Speaking of fiery conversation topics...We know ex-talk can bring up some icky memories, but it's important to confirm that the person you're with 1) is completely over any old flames and 2) learned from his/her previous relationships. Too many "crazy exes" might indicate the problem may actually lie with the accuser.

9. You Recognize Effort is Mandatory

Everyone loves to say that true love is effortless. That's bull. Maybe the affection is easy at times and the wanting to work on your problems is natural, but the actual relationship work itself is just that—WORK. Make that distinction upfront, and be sure you and your partner don't have any delusions about "rainbows and butterflies."

10. You've Perfected the Maintenance Text

Now for some good news about the above-mentioned effort: It doesn't have to be exhausting all the time. An indication that you and your (maybe!) future fiancé understand the thoughtfulness required for spousehood is "the maintenance text." A maintenance text is not meant for information swapping. Rather, it just says, "Hi, this thing reminded me of you and I care enough about making you smile to let you know." The best ones involve inside jokes or hilarious GIFs.

11. You're Financially Stable(ish)

Oh, gross. We're talking about money. Alas, it's one of the top reasons couples report bickering with their partners. While you obviously don't have to be Bill Gates–rich to get married, you do have to be fiscally responsible as a pair, and that means being able to openly communicate about all your joint and personal #MoneyMoves.

 What To Do If Your Partner Is Bad With Money

12. You're Willing to Participate in Each Other's Hobbies (Even if They Suck)

You never fancied yourself a fly fisher. But, if you went out and bought waders and a rod just because so-and-so loves steamed trout, you're in deep, friend—and we don't just mean in a cold river here.

13. You Don't Need Other People or Inanimate Objects to Have a Good Time

If you can't hang out alone sans Netflix or iPhones, then do you really have a connection beyond a joint appreciation for WiFi?

14. You Don't Set Tests (Read: Traps) for One Another

"Why didn't you text back within seven minutes?" "What if I take a mold of your thumbprint in your sleep and use it to unlock your iPhone? Will you have texted a super good-looking human who wasn't me in the past 240 threads?" Giving your partner "chances" that are actually booby traps reveals there's deep insecurity surrounding this relationship, and it's not ready for aisle talk yet. (Though, we do recommend regular talk ASAP.)

🌕 93. YAKUZA R*PIST

Juan visits the prison in Japan, He went to visit Taro Aoki, the yakuza who kidnapped and tried to r*pe Jacky before.

Juan who was famous because of that hostage and rescue operation with Joel to save Jacky from Taro was welcomed by the Warden in his office.

"I'm glad you came to visit us here. Your prisoner is not a yakuza already. He is a changed man. He is still feared here inside but he solved many problems here than all of us combined. Six months after he entered here, the prison changed drastically, crimes inside minimized to a minimum. Our performance also as prison guards had improved and I had to kick out twenty guards to maintain the peace, corruption sometimes makes it here worse" Warden said.

The warden asked for a picture with Juan and they had dinner. After that, he went to see Taro.

Juan requested to talk to Taro privately. The warden gave them time to talk in the canteen mess hall. It was closed and only Juan and Taro were put inside.

Taro was surprised to see Juan. He was expecting a lawyer or the warden.

He embraced Juan and cried. Taro never cried ever before. But this time, he did.

"I read the book you gave and the Bible also. I realized its truth and believed it. I struggled a lot to obey it as I understood it. The book is a clear guide and the Bible had touched my life for the first time ever in my life that it gave me direction, I felt forgiven, loved, and renewed. Thanks for this. I never expect that the people I hurt the most will be the people to care to save me from my misery and to introduce Jesus to me" Taro said.

"I'm so happy but there are more who are happy. Your mother is happy. Read this verse" Juan opened his New Testament Bible in his pocket and read a verse.

Luke 15:10: "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

"If you get out of here, what are your plans?" Juan said.

"I don't know yet. How can I atone for the sins I have done? Taro said.

" Don't think of the past, we can not do anything from it. What you can do is for now and the future. Try to make plans and share it with me, who knows I can contribute to it, or help in some ways, I can," Juan said.

"Can you print more of the books you gave me, and Bibles, I will distribute it here,"  Taro said.

"That is what you want? Ok, I will do it, tell me how many?" Juan said.

"Start with one hundred, I will send you money for it," Taro said.

"No! I will finance it," Juan said.

"Please, let me contribute to it. At least, I can also have a part to that endeavor" Taro said.

"If you have anything to request to me, please tell me through the warden, he will contact me. I will also tell him about this, I will go for now and God bless." Juan said.

"Goodbye, and thank you so much," Taro said.

Juan went to Takuma empire building, the business center of Katsuo. When he entered the entrance hall, people recognize him and bow as he passed, and the guard and Secretary called Katsuo that he is here. Katsuo told him to go to the ninth floor. He entered the elevator and press the ninth floor button, it required a passcode and his iris scan, then it moved but the elevator went down below the ground floor. As he entered the glass door, Katsuo was in his glass office with monitor screens and communication instruments. As he approached the door it automatically opened. 

"Hello Grandpa, I just visited the prison and I talked to Taro," Juan said.

"Yes I heard from the warden," Katsuo said.

"The warden called you about it?" Juan asked.

"Yes we are friends and I have told him to monitor Taro, that's why he informed me of your visit," Katsuo said.

"He requested me to print the book I gave him about Christian life and growth, and Bibles in Japanese, I need a printer for these," Juan said.

"I have the best printer that can print it. How many are you planning to print?" Katsuo asked.

"I will start with two hundred pieces and when I confirm the number of prisoners, I will add some more," Juan answered.

"That's good, at least we can see good changes in our prisons," Katsuo said.

"Yes, and I plan also to do this in the Philippines," Juan said.

"Well, if that is your desire, I can send you printers like of what we had here," Katsuo said.

"Thanks in advance, Grandpa! Thanks for your generous support!" Juan said.

"I do it for God, and it is a joy that I can help, anything like this for the gospel, just inform me, I'm happy to be of help," Katsuo said.

"Yes, people are bad, but there are those who realize that God loves them when there are those who will get out of their comfort zone or their box, to reach out for unlovable people and find out that they can be touched by God's love also.

"Yes, being a Christian needs to go the extra mile, the other cheek, to give the unexpected, to love the enemy who does not deserve it, that is God's grace. That amazing grace that we practice, can touch the worst enemy by God's grace. There are those who don't agree and hate what we believe and what we do, they call as foolish and stupid. But we continue, because what is stupid for the world can make a difference when it is God's work and man respond to it positively," Juan said.

The Holy Writings said Juan read:

1 Corinthians 1:18-21: "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God. For it is written, I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND WILL BRING TO NOTHING THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRUDENT. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."

🌕 94. EYE IN THE SKY

Radio: "There is a 10-90(crime in progress) in V. Mapa, 2nd Street, Santa Mesa, W. General Merchandise." an Agency guard reported.

This report was relayed to the police station by Robert. The police car who responded was tagged and the escaping hold uppers' car was also tagged for monitoring in the Makati office. Robert coordinates with the police and gives the direction of the escaping allege criminals. Because of the exact location of the escaping car the police intercepted them and captured them, there are times that the criminals will fight back that may cause their deaths and some times police officers get hurt also.

The comprehensive  CCTV monitoring system and the initial reports of guards in the ground really help crime prevention and arrest of criminals. This technology is useful but the effects of these, is beneficial if the handlers or operators of these are helping justice, but if this technology can be obtained by criminals, this is very dangerous. That is why although they have the authority to monitor the CCTV, they made this technology highly confidential. The whole system was with the use of CCTV in the streets, offices, public places, public transportations, airports, seaports, buses, malls, markets, grocery stores, gasoline stations, police stations. This also includes Satellite cameras, drones, and specifically installed wireless cameras that can be accessed through a secure encrypted internet connection. The communication was also secured encrypted phones. All guards, detectives, and private investigators can make an instant report through their radio or phone and the Agency can help monitor and coordinate with the trusted government agencies. The agency has drone remote pilots, that can send drones to monitor specific objectives.

Many crimes were prevented and many crimes were solved because of the help of the technology that resulted in many saved lives from criminals.

This facility is separate from the Rollo agency. No guards know about these facilities and the capability. They just think it is by luck, or by chance that the crimes were solved.

Because of the good performance of the guards, the rate of the Rollo Security Agency is higher and is paid with a higher salary rate. Banks, Commercial establishments, Subdivisions, Condominiums, Government and Private offices, prefer their services. All agency personnel is highly motivated by the best practices, training, brotherhood relationships, and high discipline. Also the perks and extra incentives like the opportunity to finish college, health insurance, scholarship of children, and the performance bonuses and rewards. Yearly awards and legal assistance during controversies.

Robert is the head of the Confidential Monitoring Office, It is called the Central Communications Office. The outside world knows them as Tira Call Center Agency. They are direct reporting to Juan. The call center caters clients from the USA, Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Bahrain, and Dubai. This secret capability includes the satellite, CCTV, drones, and land crawlers which is the eye and ears of CCO.

The main specific focus is to protect the businesses related to Juan's interest. It includes Goldenfruits Inc. The Maketa Foundation, The Katichiketa Takuma Home, and other business interests like the newly established by Ruthie and Jacky, the "Jacky's rose" beauty products. The Takuma businesses in the Philippines and the Rollo Security and Detection Agency managed by Juan. Special assignment to help in preventing crime and protection of a specific person or persons as authorized by Juan alone.

The wedding of Robert Del Fierro and Rose Zabala was already finalized.

This marriage was supported and will strengthen the organization and the family.

The venue was sponsored by Katsuo, in Greenleaf Hotel General Santos City. Initially, Katsuo suggested in Makati. He suggested the Oxford Suites Makati. Rose begged him that she wished it in General Santos City, so her friends and Robert also can surely attend. So Katsuo agreed and they get the most expensive package for the venue it includes everything they need in the venue, including a food buffet, flowers, decorations, room for two nights, a limousine for the bride's car, and the wedding venue for six hours including the exclusive swimming pool for the day. The five lechons of Alex were divided into three locations one was delivered to Robert's home, another one to Rose apartment, and three to the venue. Additional flowers were decorated in the aisles going to the stage and the stage edging was covered with different white flowers.

Some of the committed support was converted to cash given to Rose. All the bridal dress, suits for the men, and for the bride's maid were sponsored by Jacky. The photo ops and the start to finish video and photographs were sponsored by Ely. Maketa sponsored the buffet at Rose apartment for her relatives and friends the next day after the wedding. Another buffet for Robert's house for his relatives and friends three hours after Rose buffet was delivered. The minister who officiates the marriage was the Pastor in the farm. Pastor Lemuel Orongan received One hundred thousand cash and one million checks for the church given by Juan confidentially.

After the wedding ceremony where Juan was the best man and Jacky was the maid of honor, they already feel what is it to be married. It was a blessed day for everybody. Rose in tears, thank everyone during the reception, In the opening of gifts, they had a complete home appliances package, from Smart TV to refrigerator, to aircon, to living room set, dining set, washing to drying set, kitchen stove with oven and wares, to audio-video entertainment set. The last they opened is the smallest, brown envelopes from Juan and Jacky.

Everybody was anxious and excited to know what's inside that envelope.

Robert slowly opened it. He guesses it to be a wedding greeting card with a check? Rose guess it is a gift certificate.

Then when they opened it, inside is a white envelope.

Everybody laughs.

Robert opened again the white envelope, then there is a red envelope.

Everybody was wild now with laughter and cheers. Juan and Jacky were silent smiling.

"What kind of joke is this?" Rose smiling. Everybody now is silent.

Rose opened the red envelope, and it contains an owners copy of a house and lot from Camella.

Robert and Rose can not speak, they were dumbfounded by the gift, they shed tears and embrace each other.

Rose's cousin read the contents and everybody was jumping in surprise. They said "Sanaol!" (We wish everyone will have that!)

🌕 95. CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

Rose was transferred to the Makati Office after their marriage, She was promoted the Goldenfruits Inc. Export Promotion and Marketing Head as her designation. She must travel to the U.S. and Europe as directed by Tony to promote and develop markets for the company. Robert developed the sophisticated monitoring and data processing and filing of all information in the database of CCO. They are making a dry-run of profiling specific people and testing the capability of eavesdropping, suspected criminal activities, profiling their modos operande, their whereabouts, connections, connivance, and possible attacks or sabotage. All are being directed by Juan.

The Calling Center is composed of one thousand call center agents catering International BPO needs from selling, technical support, follow up and payment reminders, medical transcription and medical records filing, monitoring of shipments, credit card assistance, emergency assistance, police dispatch, marketing promotions, online teaching, and 24hours hotlines of big companies.

But there is a special and confidential room with only twenty people and headed by Robert that are located in a soundproof and isolated room that has forty monitors, ten big monitors and is connected with the fastest internet, satellite communications, and monitoring cameras from the sky, It can fly ten drones from the ten pilots. This is the confidential group. Their cover is call center agents but they are the skilled hackers and IT personnel. The objective is to assist the guards and the police in crime prevention and protection of our people before a crime happens. All the agency personnel was required by Juan to have a two-way radio aside from the cellular phones, the supervisors and detectives have a tiny two-way radio with wireless connection in the Bluetooth earphones. This frequency channel is encrypted that only agency members can access, a new technology. This frequency is licensed in the Department of Telecommunications with Juan.

A call center agent was complained that he is scamming four individuals of cheap products purchased in a volume that never came, He was to be arrested. The report reached Robert and was reported to Juan. Juan interviewed the call center agent. He claims that he is a victim of an identity thief. Juan asked Robert to investigate and find out who is using his identity. Robert found out that he is telling the truth. A trap was set to capture this criminal. With the help of the police and NBI(National Bureau of Investigation), the identity thief was captured. All the victims made a formal complaint against the scammer and the victim was relieved.

The container van which arrived from an international boat from China was suspected to have drugs put in the motorcycle's seat. The problem which container van. Juan called a meeting to come up with strategies and protocols in monitoring, reporting, and confirming information. They plan how the troop movements, blocking, and reinforcements are conducted when the containers are identified and the drug syndicate tries to withdraw the vans. The police were given the command to inspect with the custom police. Juan overheard the conversation of two police. Juan asked Robert if it can be located in which containers have a motorcycle. The Police General named Director Shaundrey heard that the Rollo Security and Detection Agency is good in its detective jobs. He called the agency, Robert received the call and transferred the call to Juan who is the CEO of the agency. They agreed to meet in his office. Juan went with Alex who is also a friend of the General. They talked and the general want this case to be solved as fast as it can. His problem, his detectives are already known, he needs someone who could work as an undercover. There is an intelligence fund he can use for that purpose. They arranged the authorization, the reporting, and the specific orders. Juan agrees with a per contract mission. The first mission is to detect and identify the container with the motorcycles with multimillion dollars worth of drugs.

They signed the contract, Juan was given two pistols, and three rifles, and the agent identification and metal badge. He was also authorized to have five sub-agents to assist him.

He chooses Robert del Fierro, as the first sub-agent under him. They started to work on the container van. Juan asked the Customs, for the declaration of contents of all the vans that arrived recently. They went to the pier to check and they discretely put wireless cameras in all the entrance and exits of all the warehouses that have container vans. 

For one week of surveillance and seeking relevant information about motorcycles arriving from abroad. They had fifty-seven suspected containers with motorcycles in the range of dates that arrived.

They get the help of the customs to inspect all the containers and the suspected container vans list shortened to fifteen considering the kind of motorcycles. The suspected motorcycles were 600cc big bikes. One night six cars with armed men were captured by the wireless CCTV cameras who withdraw two container vans from a warehouse. Juan was immediately informed by Robert. Juan alerted the trusted SAF(Special Action Force). The question in Juan's mind is who authorized them to enter the port with arms and why they can withdraw container vans at midnight. Definitely, there is corruption and connivance with criminals. Juan ordered to block all roads from the warehouse. Robert alerted Juan that he monitored another five trucks with armed men going to the roadblock, he suspects that it is reinforcement. Juan then asked for two armored cars from the agency and one SAF armored vehicle. But before the armored cars arrived, the cars and vans from the warehouse arrived and were being stopped by the roadblock and police cars, but they run over the roadblock and started shooting at the police cars and policemen shoot back. Guns sounded as the police cars were being full of bullet holes. 

Kaboom! Boom! Boom! Brrrrt.

A grenade launcher sends grenades that explode in the police cars and the blocking force. This may have been proactively planned but sometimes unexpected problems may arise. The timely arrival of the armored cars prevented the vans to move from the barricade. They are now fighting for their lives. The reinforcement of the suspected drug lords did not continue but tried to escape then they were identified, they were cornered by the armored vehicle and shooting for thirty minutes with so much damage on both sides. Two groups in two locations are shooting with the military and police. Four police were fatally wounded, while twenty-five has minor wounds. In the drug syndicate, Forty-seven wounded and 16 dead. 

Juan was wounded in his arm by the grenade launcher blast. "I was deaf for a minute when the grenade launcher exploded, then I see my arm bleeding, shrapnel may have flown and got me. We were sent to the hospital, after my wounds were bandaged, I went back to the location and we inspected the motorcycles in the van and the dogs found the drugs beneath the chair of the motorcycle embedded in the chair foam. It was estimated the volume may sell to twenty million pesos. The identified leader was one of the dead. They found other lead to major groups and individuals who are involved in drug selling" Juan reported to HQ.

This case will lead to many persons implicated and suspected, when we can gather strong evidence, we can accomplish much.

🌕 96. BAR RESULT

Waiting is now at an end.

"Juan, Congratulations!" Jacky is shouting happily in the Video call.

Juan was newly awakened from his nap because of two nights' lack of sleep investigating a new case of drug-related deaths.

"What? I passed, thank God" Juan replied.

"I will be there! Tomorrow!" Jacky said.

Juan met his lawyer friends and visited their law firms. He went to the Supreme Court.

"I forgot to see my BAR result, I just got excited, at least they said I passed," Juan said to his friend.

"You are the top four, Congratulations!" Atty. Faldaz said.

"Is that true? You know I never look at the report that I passed and what ranking I have in the BAR, because, I'm afraid that I have failed, I'm stressed to repeat the examination, and I was thankful that I heard that I passed, Atty. Faldaz, I'm happy to hear it from you," Juan said.

"Hahaha, you are not confident, but you top the examination? you are just humble Juan," Atty. Faldaz said.

" I'll take my leave Atty. See you soon!" Juan said.

Juan went home to the Makati Condo. In going there he was thinking, what is happening here, why there are so many new cars in the parking area of the condo? What is happening? He checked the monitoring app he created that he can access the CCTV data of the Central Communications Office. He checked the videos one hour ago in the car as it park. He sees many people going to their condo unit. 

"I know these people, I think they will surprise me. Hahaha, I need to pretend that I was so surprised," Juan said to himself.

Juan went out of the car and ride the elevator going to their unit. As if he does not know, he keys the PIN of the door and the iris scanner and face detection and the door opened. 

"SURPRISE! CONGRATULATIONS ATTY. JUAN TERA!" Chorus of friends, with graffiti.

Juan pretended that he was so surprised and thank everyone. Robert knows that Juan just pretended to be surprised, smiled.

"Boss, congratulations!" Robert said.

When Katsuo, Ichika, Ely, Luz, Ruthie, and Jacky came in, Juan was truly surprised. He did not cover to check in the videos the hours ahead, he just saw the one hour before the event.

He hugged everyone, and he kissed Jacky in the forehead.

"Why in the forehead?" Atty. Matthew asked.

"I reserved it at the wedding, Hahaha" Juan said.

"Congratulations, My love, our prayers have been answered. May many be saved from injustice and their souls also from hell. Both of us have that common objective to free men from evil and should know the gospel, our work will have a new phase now," Jacky said.

"Let's get married next month!" Juan said.

"What? Yes!" Jacky said excitedly.

They did not yet announce it until they did ask approval from their parents.

"Juan, there are unusual killings, and drug activities happening, I feel the mode of operation is like the style of Rojack, let's just be careful, congratulations!" Alex Rollo said.

"Yes, boss! I'll check that out," Juan said.

"Let the party begin," Tony said.

A buffet was prepared, and all get some food and the drinks of special hot and cold coffee, different kinds of natural juices. Professional singers sang mellow songs as they eat.

Government officials arrived, General Shaundrey and the head of NBI, attended. A representative of the President arrived and give him a personal message. Many Lawyers arrive later, invited by Juan. He invited the top fifty lawyers in the BAR examination.

Juan created strong friendships and connections between lawyers during his student days, he is planning to attract the best lawyers to his planned law firm. He strategically made a profile of the old and new lawyers, he is making the list of the lawyers he will hire to his law firm. He will start to court the BAR top notchers, the well experienced in every specialization of the law.

Juan will select the kind of cases he will handle, from criminal or civil cases. It could be Tort claims, Breach of contract claims, Equitable Claims, Landlord/tenant issues, Family Cases, Marriage Dissolution, Paternity and Child Custody, Protection Orders Against Domestic Violence, etc.

"I will rent an office for you son," Tony said.

"Let's talk about that Dad," Juan said.

"Juan, I'm so happy about this. I want you to be in Japan next week, I want you to meet my company lawyers and also have the knowledge in Japanese laws and ask for how to be qualified in taking the Japanese BAR examination. I need you to be familiar with how to help our family company in Japan. All of you will inherit it, I want you all to be prepared in the future" Katsuo said and Ichika nodding.

"Yes, Grandpa, I will do it for you," Juan said.

Robert called: " Boss, there are questionable people outside the condo with cars and there are three people I suspect have bad intentions in the elevator. I send a blocking force, just be informed"

Juan then locked the Condo unit that nobody can come in and out. He requested everybody to sit down." Hello, everyone, we had a special dessert to be served, we request everyone to sit down, I take this time to thank you for celebrating with us," Juan said so people will not panic in case something will happen, he requested the singers to sing and Juan had the volume of the music louder. Juan then identified the suspects and guards approached the cars but the cars moved, a guard supervisor used his big bike and tried to tail the cars. Robert used the motorcycle camera of the guard supervisor, his call sign is Falcon1. Robert checked the car plate numbers and the three cars are owned by a Zigfred Katong.

The three-person were captured by blocking guards as they went out from the elevator. Three 9mm pistols and three knives were taken from them and five grenades from the bag of the alleged leader. They were interrogated by Juan. Juan called General Shaundrey and transferred them to his custody. The police will interrogate them and file cases to them.

Robert researched the name of the owner of the cars if what is their activities. Five detectives were checking all information about this man and what possible plans they are up to.

🌕 97. INTELLIGENCE TEAM

Juan and Jacky went to Tagaytay to talk about the plans for the wedding. They used the motorcycle. They eat and sit in the open cottage and they finalized the sponsors for their wedding. 

Joel and Elena agreed to be partners in the wedding, Kosei Yamada-san and Ruthie also, Paulo and Dr. Casie Tamora were happy, Robert and Rose for the candle. The rest of the plans are all ready. The final schedule now is to be set. Juan and Jacky want that the whole family will decide for the final date.

Tony and Martha were dating, they were visiting Paulo's gallery. Paulo toured them and explain some paintings. They were laughing and enjoying the moments of memories with the paintings. All of them also cried of the paintings when Martha was lost. Paulo painted her on the farm, with all of them and the hardships and hunger in the background. The portrayal of deep suffering and sadness. Paintings of the happy moments as a complete family, paintings of Juan, and Jacky that brought a light of hope to the family. Paintings of love, adventures in Japan, adventures, and bear death challenges. The portrait of the new Takuma family. 

Katsuo, Ichika, and Ruthie were in Japan with Ely and Luz, only Jacky is in the Philippines planning and preparing their wedding.

Tony brought them to the Grand Hyatt Manila to eat, he called Juan to bring Jacky with him, to have dinner.

Juan has seen the beauty of Grand Hyatt Manila, he told Jacky, "I will buy a flat in this place".

Jacky appreciates the place also. The status symbol of the tallest building in the country.

After the dinner, Juan asked the management if they can ask to tour the whole building.  They were permitted as a prospective customer.

Tony said, they will go to Tondo after to finally check the Tondo Angels University expansion and scholarship programs. The school is now a gaining school, it is now regarded as one of the most advanced and updated schools of the country. Many of its first batch scholars who graduated, are now working in big companies and some are in government, some are high ranking officials in some local governments, and others are in the military. All of them donate to the scholarship fund of the school. That is one of the reasons that the school is gaining. Two of the buildings were donated by the one hundred first scholars to honor Paulo of his first painting workshop that started their escape from extreme poverty to where they are now. They contributed for two years and it reached twenty million pesos. The KALAHI FOUNDATION doubled it by donating another twenty million pesos. The names of the first scholars were written as donors with KALAHI, it was called the Paulo Tira buildings.

Alex requested that Tony and Martha to have the final check of everything before it will be implemented. After they finished the checking they headed home.

" Eagle1, this is black raven, we are suspecting armed men inside three vans, they are parked in three access roads going to the Makati condo, over" Robert on the radio.

"Black Raven, Inform the SAF(Special Action Force)and alert our strike team on standby, Over" Juan replied.

The agency is expecting an attack from the information of the captured prisoners in the BAR exam celebration attempted attack by armed men. They have not given who their Boss is but much information is indicating that an organized crime syndicate is in operation and targeting Juan and the family.

Tony and Martha did not go home as advised by Juan to prevent an ambush. Paulo was advised not to home yet till advised also.

"Who are these targeting me?" Juan went to the Central Communications Office. He studied the CCTV footage and look for clues. 

"We can use the face recognition software, but who are we looking for?" Juan asked himself.

"Robert, can you put on a tag for face recognition all faces of our previous enemies suspected dead or alive who knows, we can get a hit near us," Juan said.

"Yes, Boss," Robert said. 

The parked vans with armed men moved when the police are coming and they were being pursued.

Juan, send three drones being controlled remotely by pilots in the office, their target is to attach a GPS with camera monitoring magnetic chip on the roof of the vans. Juan used the smallest, fastest drone that can not be noticed by anybody flying. Just for twenty minutes, the van was tagged anywhere it goes. The police lost them afterward but CCO still monitor their location and the four cameras are giving feedback of the video feed from the roof of the vans.

"Ok let's make them think that we don't know where they are now. Focus on them and get significant information and make a profile all faces connected with the van and identify them, I hope we can identify where the trail leads us," Juan gives an order.

"Boss, an unidentified persons attack the agency, They were all dead," Robert said.

"What? Have we not proactively predicted this? I think we need an intelligence network that before any attacks planned against us can be identified," Juan said.

"Call a meeting tomorrow, we need to have a plan to create an agency intelligence network 9:00 A.M. please relay only to the concerned I listed," Juan said.

All detectives, private investigators, and supervisors were informed of the closed-door confidential meeting with Alex and Juan.

"The need arises that we must have advance information of potential threats against us so we can proactively prevent death and damage to our agency and families," Alex said.

"Yes Boss, we have now a more professional and with high capability enemy that we don't identify yet who they are, we just see the symptoms but we don't know the motive and the root cause of this problem why it seems it is targeting us," Juan said.

"Robert, put our men in red alert, I still don't know what may happen next. We are still in the defensive mode of an unidentified enemy," Juan said.

Juan then sees in the monitor that Tony and Martha was abducted outside of the hotel. Merlyn Rollo also was abducted in a grocery store. Juan sends the strike team but they were already taken.

🌕 98. ABDUCTION

Juan was furious. Alex was crying as he sees his wife in the CCTV footage taken inside the van.

The strike team arrived in the scene but too late to stop the escaping vans with the kidnapped victims.

The CCTV captured the vans, Robert ordered someone to focus on the two vans that abducted Tony and Martha, another was assigned to focus on the van that kidnapped Marlyn Rollo. Juan let five of the drones tag the van and monitor where the vans are going. The strike team of ten cars is pursuing the vans, five was pursuing the vans of Tony and Martha, five cars pursuing the van of Marlyn. These vans were different from the vans which are tagged parking with armed men near the Makati Condo.  

"The strike team following the vans were ambushed by a different group, that could be a blocking force of these criminals," Robert said.

"These criminals are well organized, but the striking team killed them all, the striking team had ten fatalities and we lost the vans," Juan said angrily.

After the kidnapping, silence... No trace of the kidnappers. Juan was waiting for calls, but nothing,  three days passed,  but no contact of the three kidnapped.

Juan realizes that he must develop a more efficient way to proactively detect danger and threats before it can do damage. He asked a close meeting to evaluate all their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities to develop and enhance, and what are the threats to the system.

"I think we need a strike team that has aerial capabilities, we need to develop armed drones like the US. We need helicopters and we need a fast armored vehicle that can sustain if ambushed," Juan said.

Juan asked for an appointment with the President for consultation. Senators and Lawmakers must have laws to authorize fast and efficient capability to fight well organized and capable criminals. Juan made connections with lawmakers and the Highest police ranks.

Katsuo and Ichika were crying, Ruthie and Jacky talked about how to comfort the old grandparents.

Ely and Luz talked to Joel about what happened.

Juan asked Katsuo they will buy four helicopters for the strike team, it will be registered as rescue helicopters. Two will be given to the police to operate and the other two will be operated by the agency. These helicopters were all under the authority of Juan as part of the intelligence authorized by the President.

"Juan, we will postpone our marriage until Dad Tony and Mom Martha are found, I can not celebrate with this kind of situation," Jacky said.

Juan was sad and determined to rescue them.

Juan made a meeting with the Chambers of Commerce of the Japanese, Chinese, and the local that these issues of security must be solved by united effort. Tony and Martha had many big contributions in the chambers that they had a strong influence.

The graduates of the Tondo Angel University scholars made a secret commitment to help solve the problem. The only strange thing is the silence of the kidnappers. Are the victims still alive?

This is the reality that money can not solve everything, and even if we have everything we have, without important people that we love are absent, it is hard to enjoy things.

Prayers are requested and sent to all churches.

Juan cried in his room, prayed for about two hours, fasted, and ask God for wisdom.

General Shaundrey called. He is combing the Metropolitan the President gave him the marching order to find them and rescue them as soon as possible.

Juan thinks they are not here in Luzon. Because if they are here they could gave been seen somewhere. 

Juan called the branches of the agency in the Visayas and Mindanao. Juan secretly gave a reward system of authentic information about who can give the location of the victims.

Juan raised two hundred million pesos in case there will be a ransom demand. 

One month passed. Juan finished his requirements and take the oath as a lawyer. He started accepting cases. His first civil case were regarding big companies fighting for contracts and real estate conflicts. He won five cases just in one month. He gains fame. His secret is fast and reliable information and looking for documentary evidence.

Still no sign of Tony, Martha, and Merlyn. Juan is focusing on the lead of those who were imprisoned due to stalking with guns in the Condo, He thinks they are a diversion so that they can do the kidnapping.

"What have we got to this lead?" Juan asked Robert.

"Boss, they are careful, I send information that those who can give correct information of the victims will receive a reward of one hundred thousand pesos," Robert said.

"That's good, let's see if this they can not be lured to give us a hint," Juan said.

Juan started his law firm. He is negotiating a flat in the Grand Hyatt Manila. He rented big office space on 10th floor PBCom Tower, Ayala Avenue, Makati. The Tera Law firm is now open. Juan had hired twenty lawyers from the top twenty of the BAR exams, but his personal secretary is just a passer, not part of the top five hundred. Atty. Matthew asked, "Why you hired me, I'm not a top notcher of any exams?"Matthew asked.

" Well your only qualification is I know you from the start, we had so many fights and arguments but you never leave me," Juan said.

"Okey now you are my Boss, so I can not fight back now!" Matthew said.

"You should not, hahaha," Juan laughing.

Juan bought ten armored vests jacket for the big bikers composed by the supervisors and the guard strike team.

They trained all their skills in motorcycles. They are preparing for the worst to come.

Robert alerted Juan and the strike team about the movement of the tagged vans. They are moving towards the police precinct armed with gatling guns. The strike team used the big bikes and the armored vests they have newly acquired uzi machine guns to shoot while riding. They tried to stop the vans but they did not stop, so they pursue them. Jan asked authorization to shoot, the police headquarters gave a go!

"All falcons, this is Eagle1 we have a green light, search and destroy the tagged vans" Juan on the radio.

Falcon5 shoot the tires with his UZI and the car capsized and killed all of them. The other van went faster and falcon1 shoot but he shot back by the gatling gun, if not of the armored vest his dead, his bike was destroyed.  Falcon2 and 3 sprayed their UZIs and they stopped. Their driver was dead and they are all wounded. Juan asked Falcon 3 and 6 to interrogate the wounded before giving them to the police.

Falcon 6 who has been imprisoned and was proven not guilty but experienced torture and learned how to get answers. He used his knowledge and get information about the kidnapping.

🌕 99. FIRST CRIMINAL CASE

Oath-taking, where you are required to take an Oath of Office by signing your name in the Supreme Court's Roll of Attorneys. All the Justices of the Supreme Court formally acknowledge each of the newly appointed lawyers.

After the oath-taking, Juan started his law firm. It started with lawyers, then with a good office, then connections, then cases to win. His first cases are a dozen civil cases, his first criminal case is about prosecuting those wounded in the van accused of crimes against the state. They were convicted by killing thirteen policemen, and thirty individuals with witnesses and their confessions.

Cases were now filing, he needs to delegate cases to the newly hired lawyers. They had a meeting and Juan delegate cases to the twenty lawyers. They discuss the pieces of evidence and the strategies in looking and seeking pieces of evidence, the expected counter, and all the information about the cases. Juan said the first cases now are critical for the firm they will just accept cases that they know will win.

Criminal cases stem from violations of penal statutes or laws that impose penalties for their violation. The principal penal statute in the Philippines is the Revised Penal Code, which defines various conducts or activities as crimes and provides penalties for their commission. Examples of crimes are murder, theft, robbery, swindling, arson, rebellion, slander, rape, etc. There are also laws being passed by Congress from time to time, violations of which can result in criminal cases, such as laws against possessing unlicensed firearms or issuing worthless checks. These are called special criminal laws.

Civil cases, on the other hand, are caused not by conduct prohibited by law, but personal dealings which give rise to certain obligations, such as entering into a contract or performing acts which result in damages (injuries or financial loss) to another. Examples are non-payment of indebtedness or rents, failure to deliver ordered goods or delivering defective ones, rendering defective service, negligently causing injuries to another or his property, etc.

Katsuo funded the renovation of Juan's office, his architect and engineers made it a state of the art with advanced technology in communication, audio-video advanced technology for conference, meeting, and entertainment. It has the best computer network system and database system of filing and processing of client profiles, pieces of evidence and it has a connection with the courts, police, autopsy centers, hospitals, prisons, crime laboratories, DNA testings are conducted fast and systematize. Video analysis, fingerprint analysis, ballistic analysis, chemical analysis, and identification are efficient and fast.

"Juan, what can we do now, how can we rescue Dad Tony and Mom Martha if we don't know where they are? I think this is not ransom, this is revenge," Jacky said.

"I will look at that angle Jacky. Let's pray that Mom and Dad can survive this." Juan said.

Juan thinks deeply. If they are not in Luzon then they could be in the Visayas. What if Jacky is right and this is Rojack's doing?

"Tag Rojack's pictures in the face recognition app, I have a doubt that this kidnapping may be related to Rojack," Juan said to Robert on the phone. 

Juan continues to go to court to defend his clients, the first twenty lawyers of the firm made the fastest and efficient winnings. The Tera law firm's goal is to have the fastest justice as long as the pieces of evidence are available.

All the detectives are mobilized to find Tony, Martha, and Merlyn. All clues and possible leads are being tracked.

"They are can not be very careful, that we can not find a trace," Juan said.

The days, became weeks, became months. Every day Juan was crying secretly about his parents.

The Takuma, Tira, and Yamadachi family are forcing themselves to move on.

Katsuo's health is affected. He is now always praying for the rescue. 

The Tera law firm provides services in immigration law and services; mergers and acquisitions; pharmaceutical advertising, shipping, International arbitration, tax, merger control, lending and secured finance, cartels, employment, and labor law, litigation, intellectual property, and technology. It continuously hires the best new BAR top notchers. Big companies are satisfied with their fast and efficient services, it is a growing new firm.

Tony had made friends with one of their captors and lend him a cell phone when other guards are not around. He is finding the opportunity to call Juan.

Then one night, when everyone is asleep Tony called about past midnight. Juan's phone is vibrating. Juan was asleep then he awakened. He checks the phone and receives the call. "Hello, is this Juan?" Tony whispering. "Hello, Dad? where are you?" Juan answered. "Yes, we don't know where we are, but we are fine. Hello, I heard they will kill us next week,  I don't know how you can find us." Tony said. Then Juan heard someone shouted, "Who you are calling?" Juan heard Tony, being beaten then the call ended.

Juan passed the connected call for tracing. Then he traced the cell phone location. It leads to the Visayas but before it can get the exact GPS coordinates the sim was destroyed.

It is clear that they are in the Visayas. Juan stopped all operations in Luzon, he sent all detectives to all the islands of Visayas. Some in Cebu and all the cities and municipalities on the island. In Leyte, Iloilo, Negros, Bohol, and other islands.

"We are like looking for a needle in the haystack," Juan said.

The detectives in the Visayas were sent to attach the solar wireless cameras that can connect to the internet via a VPN, it is about a thousand to be located to major streets, airports, seaports, terminals, supermarkets, malls, pharmacies, convenience stores, police stations, hospitals, clinics, electric offices, water offices and internet offices.

Juan opened a Tera law firm in Cebu as a branch. He sends Atty. Matthew to set it up and hire lawyers to the firm. It will also handle cases in the Visayas.

Juan bought a helicopter for interisland visits and inspection. He went to Cebu.

Jacky arrived at Cebu City.

🌕 100. MERCY

Man who is mercilessly killing, kidnapping, hurting others without reason but money, drugs, and just a trip? These people must face Justice and must be punished.

Juan and Jacky opened the Tera Law firm office in a rented space at  Raddisson Blu Cebu. Atty. Matthew presented the ten newly hired lawyers who were top twenty of the BAR examinations in different years. Juan has a small private conference room and office that is soundproof and can only be opened when Juan is in Cebu, a different audio-visual room for presentation and lawyers meeting.

They had a little launching of the firm, with food, and prayers, with a short talk with Pastor Joe Bernardo. The buffet food from the hotel is superb. Juan and Jacky are just trying to smile but in spite of this success, they are still sad with their parents still had not been rescued from their captors.

The message is about "Mercy". Grace is getting what you do not deserve. While Mercy is not getting what you do deserve.

The text verse is in Psalms 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

The word "mercy" is found 276x in 261 verses in the Bible; the word "mercies" is found 44x in 44 verses, while the word "merciful" is found 40x in 36 verses but we will look at enough to cause us to praise the name of the Lord! God's Mercy Is Everlasting - Psalms 100:5  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Titus 3:4-6: "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;"

The message strikes the hearts to have mercy as we are all sinners.

"I feel in mixed emotions to be angry and to be merciful. Both are not wrong, because we can be angry and not sin. But to be merciful is hard when you are hurt and injustice is being done to you continuously. 

Jacky applied to Cebu Doctors Hospital as an on-call surgeon and has rented a check-up clinic inside the Ayala Center Cebu.

Robert called. He sends the data and all information in the encrypted line. "What is this?" Juan asked.

He opened the file and He had seen Rojack and with his fifteen bodyguards getting out of the hospital with a patient.

"Did we identify the patient? What hospital was this?" Juan asked.

"It is in the Cebu Doctors Hospital," Robert said.

Juan called Jacky and she went to the hospital, and she finds out that Tony was hospitalized for High blood pressure. She finds out the contact data pictured it and sends it to Juan.

The date of the hospitalization was just two days. Juan then ordered to focus review of all CCTV footage near the hospital, we must find the car used and get all the faces of all the bodyguards and all that seems to be involved with the kidnappers. Jacky discreetly talked to the doctor who checked Tony and found out that he is already fine, no bruises, no sign of physical abuse. She cried after learning. "Where is Mom Martha?" Jacky asked.

After the faces of all who were with Rojack were tagged in the system the application showed the identity in many areas in Cebu. They did a profile analysis, find the car plate numbers owner with the Land Transportation Office, then they traced them to be in a warehouse.

A rescue operation was planned with the  Police Special Action Force, The Elite guards as a force multiplier and they had a simulation practice, Juan will be in the aerial support. 

They are waiting for the go signal from the Police Headquarters.

Jacky called Katsuo, Ruthie, and Ely about the plan and they prayed.

"Do you want them all dead sir?" The SAF commander asked.

"No, They have taken care of my father by risking to bring him to the hospital, I will have mercy upon them. Don't kill them except if your lives are at stake, capture them so we could bring them to justice," Juan said.

Before the operation, most of the detectives were already saturating the area with covers as a garbage collector, balot vendor, street food vendor, and electricity employee.

 

"Eagle1, This is the overlord, you have a green light! over!"

The operation started. Juan had already set up with the SAF a closed van with the monitors of the operation, General Sandag was in Command of the SAF and all allied forces. Juan went to the helicopter and went to the Cebu Doctors Hospital and take Jacky with him.

The kidnappers were surprised and the gunfight started at about six-thirty, the SAF used night vision, all who are outside the warehouse with guns were dead by the snipers. Inside the warehouse, the elite guards identified Tony, and rescued him but Martha was not there. Tony said she was in a different warehouse. Tony was airlifted to safety and the kidnappers were asked to surrender. No one surrendered, only four wounded were capture out of the fifty fighters. Eight were wounded of the SAF, Six died, two SAF, and four elite guards.

Tony was so happy to see Jacky and Juan. Jacky checked him and he is fine. But they are all sad because Martha was not there.

"Where is Mom?" Juan asked.

Tony said Martha and Merlyn were in a different warehouse.

Alex Rollo arrived and they had a sad meeting. They honored the heroes. and Juan gave aside from what the government gave he gave One hundred thousand for each family of the SAF and the elite guards. Each elite guard who died received one million pesos from their insurance with the agency.

"Robert let's find the second warehouse fast, I'm afraid if they will kill Mom and Merlyn if they know what happened," Juan said.

🌕101. HOPELESS

We have combed all areas of the island of Cebu but no sign of Martha, Merlyn, and Rojack. All warehouses were raided and inspected but nothing was found.

"Where in the world did they keep my Mom?" Juan said.

Alex was crying secretly for his wife. He felt hopeless.

Juan comforted him. "Boss we will find them!" Juan said.

"I just overheard that they are in a different location, but I don't know if it is also a warehouse. I think what they mean is a separate island because they rode a pump boat, yes I heard the word pump boat, that is what they used to escape from Luzon." Tony said.

" Let's monitor the coastlines near the warehouse, our target now is pump boats. Let the detectives have some vacation that needs a pump boat ride, who knows we can get a lead. Some will try pump boats going inter-island!" Juan said.

Rojack is getting stronger and has the technology, he has the capability to supply Visayas and Mindanao with drugs.

One of the wounded kidnappers was in critical condition in Cebu Doctors Hospital, Jacky decided to do the operation. She has the best qualifications and experience. She was allowed to do the surgery.

"GSW chest unable to breathe from a collapsed lung," A nurse said.

In the operating room, an anesthesiologist and Jacky as the surgeon will direct his care in conjunction with the OR nurses. The anesthesiologist will be responsible for keeping him alive during this very crucial period. They will insert a breathing tube, manage the status of his breathing, and make sure to treat any potentially fatal acidosis. He or she will administer life-saving medications, fluids, and transfuse blood as necessary. Electrolytes, body temperature, blood loss, urine output, and cardiac output must all be monitored closely as changes can occur quickly within seconds to minutes, and can be fatal. Often patients are too unstable to withstand even small amounts of anesthesia, and awareness or some level of consciousness under anesthesia is more common in trauma surgery than any other type of surgery.

While this is occurring, Jacky will work quickly to identify and treat the injury, especially if the gunshot wound has induced life-threatening bleeding. Jacky must often deal with numerous injuries at the same time, in the setting of serious trauma and bleeding. This is a great challenge as identifying important anatomy becomes very hard when bullets change the appearance of normal tissues and organs. Jacky may repair the wound but often complete resolution is impossible at the time of initial surgery. He may have tubes coming out of his chest and/or abdomen. Many times the abdomen is left wide open with a large midline incision padded with gauze and plastic wrapping to keep the intestines from protruding.

The surgery was successful and the patient was in the ICU to recover.

After two days, the patient was transferred to a recovery room. He can talk and is thankful that he survived. Jacky visited him and he expressed his thanks to his beautiful doctor. Jacky smiled and comforted him that he will recover. 

"You will recover but you will also go to jail after," Jacky said.

"Who paid for my bills here Doc?" Marlon asked.

"Why you asked?" Jacky said.

"I want to thank him. I don't deserve to be helped because I am a criminal, but why did he save me?"  Marlon said.

"Tell it to him when you meet him. Rest so you will recover fast," Jacky said.

Jacky informed Juan about their conversation, Juan was happy, he sees this criminal is not hopeless, he is like the criminal on the cross with Jesus, he can be also in paradise if he will believe in Christ as Savior.

Luk 23:39-43: "Then one of the criminals, who were hanging [on a cross also] spoke abusively to Him, saying, "Are you not the Christ [i.e., God's specially chosen one]? [If you are], then save yourself and us." But the other criminal spoke harshly to the first one, saying, "Do you not even have any fear of God [left], since you [too] are experiencing the same sentence of condemnation? And for us, it is truly a just sentence, for we are getting back what we deserve for our actions, but this man has not done anything wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember [to be merciful to] me when you come into your kingdom." Then Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise [Note: This is a place in God's presence, referred to as "the third heaven" (II Cor. 12:2-4).

The next day, Juan visited Marlon Rivera. He went there in his side and stand looking to him for a while Jacky is assisting to clean his wounds. After it was dressed and he is to rest. Jacky said, "Marlon, met your sponsor,  Atty. Juan Tera".

Marlon knows who he was. Marlon was close to Rojack, he is one of his trusted friends and was the one in charge of Tony's captivity and hospitalization.

" What? but I'm an enemy! Why did you save me? and paid for my bills?" Marlon asked.

Juan looked at him seriously, and said "What would Jesus do, Jesus said Love your enemies." 

"Is that real? I can not believe it! Thank you, and he cried. I already accepted that I will die that night. But when I wake up I'm already done and recovering, I can not believe that you will do this kindness to me. Then you truly believe Jesus is for real?" Marlon asked in tears.

There was a knock in the door, the guard opened, and said, his wife boss? Juan signaled to let her in.

Both of them in tears and their little daughter about six years old called him, "Papa!" Helen cried: "Marlon I came here to get you from the morgue but they said, you are alive." 

"They saved me!" Marlon pointed to them.

Helen kneeled and thank them "I know Marlon does not deserve this from you, and we thank you all from this grace. We will do anything to pay you back someday!" Helen said.

"Don't think of the repayment, we don't require it, as we obey Jesus, we just hope that both of you will also obey Him" Juan said.

"Marlon and Helen embraced with their baby and said, "I will, we will!" Marlon said.

🌕 102. INCOMPLETE REUNION

After months passed, Jacky went back to Japan to finish her heart specialization, and because everyone is busy, Ely and Luz planned a family gathering.

A Tuna Festival is being held in General Santos City the Tuna Capital of the Philippines every first week of September. Interested parties all over the World attend the Tuna Festival to update and present their products, goods, and services. Not only Food Companies are attending this festival, all related to fishing, shipbuilding and accessories, food processing and buyers gather around with the government agencies and approving agencies of countries that import Tuna products. 

Mr. Ely Yamadachi, CEO of Japan Tuna Plant will attend with her family. Luz was excited to see the Philippines again, she is excited to attend the Tuna Festival but there is a special reason that they attended and visit the country. Dr. Jacky Yamadachi wants to see her Nanny when she was young. Her Nanny from the Philippines who saved her from the hands of a thief who hostage her in their house before.

They arranged a reunion in Sarangani Highlands Restaurant. But they have a problem.

Martha was still at large.

"Let's try to find information from the government agencies", Luz answered.

 "I'll try if I can find some information in the social media", Jacky went to her laptop. But they could not find anything that knows or lead to Nanny Martha yet.

"Is Mommy Martha still alive?" Jacky sobbed.

Jacky who graduated from Medicine became a heart specialist. She's on leave just to join this special travel for her. 

"Try to contact Juan, Paulo, and Ruthie, they are all here in the Philippines," Luz said.

" I don't want to talk to Juan. We had a misunderstanding. He has changed. He forgot about me and is so busy with his international cases... He can't find his own mother... It's already months..." Jacky is starting to cry. Then dialed her Cellphone.

Hello, Tera Law Office? Can I talk to Atty. Juan Tera? This is Dr. Yamadachi.

"Speaking" Man in the other line.

 

"Hello, Attorney? How are you? Can we meet here and in General Santos City?" 

Jacky called in the Landline to Tera Law Firm.

" Is this Jacky? In General Santos City? Well yes, Doctor, I will cancel all my schedules and delegate some cases to my colleagues. I'll be there. I'll book a ticket now." Sorry, for not contacting you, I'm ashamed that I can't find my mother up to now. We'll talk more tomorrow." Juan said.

"OK..." Click...

"Hello Ruthie, how are you, my sister?" Jacky called.

" Wow! Is this Jacky?  I want to see you. I will tell you many things... Kuya has a lead on Mom, Marlon is talking and he wants to help to rescue Mother!" Ruthie replied.

" Juan said he will come here tomorrow. Tell him that you will come with Paulo." Jacky said.

" What? I will demand it! Hahaha! I miss you, Jacky. Hope to see you soon. Hope that we talk about the grandest wedding ever!" Ruthie said.

" See you... I miss you too" Jacky replied.

Mechanical Engineer-International Lawyer Atty. Juan Tera. Living in one of the best condominiums in Makati, President, and CEO of Tera Law Firm, one of the rising law firm with businesses owned and managed.

and...

Doctor Jacky Yamadachi, Heart Specialist, University of Tokyo Hospital.

" This is a reunion and a meeting with the mission to find Martha Tira," Ely said to Luz.

"Yes because I will never marry until Mommy Martha is found," Jacky said with determination.

Marlon had a heart to heart talk with Juan. He already gave the address where Martha and Merlyn were kept but Rojack transferred right away after he heard what happened to the warehouse. Marlon said he does not want to let Martha and Merlyn go. He was fond of them actually, Martha is determined to win Rojack to the Lord. I can see it, because even what harsh words and cruelty, Martha never retaliated and even saved Rojack from death two times. I can see changes from Rojack lately, he asked us to take care of Tony and Martha and Merlyn. Though they are still captives, yet his treatment changed. Even our operations changed. Rojack now is stopping drug operations. He even diverted to legal activities and businesses but our problem is those who oppose change, and the police chasing us. I don't know how this will end, but I know, he will free Martha and Merlyn. Actually, they can escape anytime if they want. But because they promised to help Rojack put up a ministry to the poor, and when this is finished, They will be free from the promise. That's the last of what I know.

Juan cried, telling his father."Dad, we will go to General Santos for our family reunion, and we will discuss this information, God is good and has good plans from this tragedies".

Katsuo, Ichika, and Joel arrived from the private jet of the Takuma empire at General Santos International Airport.

Tony, Juan, Paulo, and Ruthy from the private helicopter arrived at the venue. Sarangani Highlands. They rented a closed conference room and they had an audiovisual equipment a buffet in the evening, breakfast and they will have a tour at noon.

The meeting started with crying, praying, and worship.

Then they chatted until they got hungry, they eat. They talked as a family. 

"What are the pending businesses of the family?"

"Mommy Martha's return, Juan and Jacky's wedding," Ruthie said.

"Mommy Martha is in the unknown community in the Visayas setting up a ministry for the poor, a project of Rojack," Juan said.

"What?" A chorus reply.

"We are now looking for that ministry to surface. So we can get her with Merlyn or wait when they will be released" Juan said.

"I don't understand!" Katsuo said.

"Yes, it seems impossible! But nothing is impossible with God. To let you understand, I will show you my interview with Marlon one of the trusted friends of Rojack.

Juan showed the video of the heart to heart talk with Marlon.

🌕 103. CRIMINAL MINDS

"Money is the root of all evil?" Rojack said.

"No, that is wrong!" Martha said.

"I thought that is what is said in the Bible?" Rojack asked for clarification.

The Bible said is: "1Tim 6:10: "For, loving money is a source of all kinds of evil, [and] some people who crave it have been led astray from the faith, and have stabbed themselves [in the heart] with many sorrows."

"Loving money! you will compromise for money, murder for money, lie for money, destroy people, and hurt people for money is the root of all evil. That love for money makes nobody safe. Love for money is the start and end of criminal minds," Martha said.

"Yea, I think you are right, I have loved it more than my life, my family," Rojack said.

"Now, I see the end of this, I think you opened my eyes to see this line of thinking and truth. Now, in little ways, I can compensate my wrongs by starting a new way, of instead hurting people, we will do good. Your Jesus thing is really foolish in my old way of thinking, but when I observed how you live it, and see you happy and contented of it, I think that is more than what I got from money. I want to try it, but regardless of the outcome, I'm happy that finally, I have done things without thinking about what money I will gain but how much joy I can give. I now see that money can be used not to destroy and hurt but to help and bless instead." Rojack said.

They started their project in Cabilao Island of Bohol.

The island, part of the Municipality of Loon, has five barangays (Cabacongan, Cambaquiz, Looc, Pantudlan, and Talisay), and has a total population of 4,663 people, who primarily depend on fishing and agriculture, as well as tourism.

Let's start by creating a cooperative. Rojack will use a cover, He will be known as RobinHood Estolano. He talks to Mayor Peter of Loon as an investor. He asked for help to find a cooperative that could make products that could be sold to the world. Mayor Peter introduced a dying cooperative of weavers, the Cabilao Weavers Cooperative.

Robin(Rojack) met the Manager, President, and the board of directors of the Cooperative. He invested one million for the raw materials, He bought twenty hectares of land to plant more Romblon Palm, Cassava and develop and trained farmers.

With the guidance of Martha, they made a good start. The cooperative became alive. They start to weave mats, baskets, other handicrafts from bamboo, rattan, baliw, nito, sig‑id, sagisi, and other materials in some upland barangays. Merlyn is the trainer on how to manage the finances with her accounting knowledge as a Commerce graduate.

Rojack hid all the guns and burned twenty million worth of Shabu and heroin.

The remaining one hundred sixty strong people of Rojack scattered throughout Bohol, he met for the last time. "I want to free you all, go back to your families and do some business, I want you all to start a new life. I gave you all an envelope as a farewell startup, All the sins you have done in the past, is on me. They received their envelopes. They hug each one, cried, and with tears said their goodbyes. Some left and some said they will remain to help in the new project and be a member of the cooperative. 

"Wow! I cannot believe this, Thank you, Lord! Thanks, Boss Rojack, this is one hundred thousand pesos, I promise, I will use this to start a business" Ramon said.

Martha sends a letter for the first time to Tony, Katsuo & Ichika, Juan & Jacky, Ruthie, Paulo, and to Ely & Luz.

Forty of Rojacks men remained and been a member of the cooperative.

They build a new cooperative building a large weaving area, a warehouse, an office and a display store, a large conference room for training, and for meetings.

Two hectares were converted for a subdivision for the cooperative members. Robin developed it with a two-room double stories houses. The two hundred members including the forty of his men who remained were accommodated. The new office building of the cooperative was situated near the gate. After three months, the buildings and houses were finished. During the launching and thanksgiving, Mayor Peter of Loon Municipality thank the new cooperative with the new name of "Robinhood Mission House Cooperative". The members transferred to their new homes. The houses will be paid in installments with the ten percent of their earnings in the cooperative, the payment becomes part of the capital of the cooperative. They had a scheduled election, all the new officers were from previous men of Rojack, and the previous President and Manager became their adviser.

Rojack bought the first one million of their products and send it to be sold to Maketa Foundation who sells it to the world with the other products of other Maketa Mission houses.

The Robin Hood Mission House Cooperative sponsored a medical and dental mission to the whole island for one week. Ten doctors and five dentists and Martha asked Pastor Booc to lead the soul winning. Rojack accepted the Lord and most or all of the members were receptive and trusted Jesus as Savior.

When everything, was settled, Rojack told Martha and Merlyn that they are now free.

Martha and Merlyn decided to stay for a little while, to finish organizing the children's ministry and requested Rojack for them a chapel and a school for nursery, kinder, and a daycare for the children of the working mothers of the cooperative. Rojack was happy and asked Pastor Booc to make it his mission work, the land, the chapel, and the children's classroom buildings will in the name of the church. They started it and Rojack made it fast that the cooperative men made the carpentry for free. After it was finished, Pastor Booc made the first worship service, and Three hundred were enrolled in the school, and they hired ten teachers and Pastor Booc is the Director.

The school was funded with one million pesos for its operations funded by Rojack, and the low tuition fees will sustain its operations to continue.

Rojack made his farewell in tears. He will visit his family and his old mother. The community made a plaque of appreciation for him. They were so thankful for his achievements and help.

Rojack with Martha and Merlyn and twenty of his trusted men went to Cebu riding a pump boat to meet his men in Cebu and free them from the criminal life to start a new life.

🌕 104. LOVE LETTERS

One year when Martha and Merlyn were kidnapped. Katsuo proposed that they will have another family meeting and reunion. Everyone agreed, and it was scheduled next week.

The Tera Law firm is now a large and stable law firm with 300 lawyers nationwide, with its central office is situated on the 10th floor PBCom Tower, Ayala Avenue, Makati.

Juan also acquired a new flat on the 65th floor of the Grand Hyatt Manila, 66 floors- which is 318 meters tall. The highest in the Philippines

Tera Law firm has the most advanced computer, with database and processing machines, connected to the crime laboratories, medical technology laboratories, autopsy laboratories, and other related evidence preservation and determination such as DNA,  finger, and handprints, ballistic, and gun prints identification.

Juan's Audi e-Tron, the new electric sports car, was just burned lately by Rojack's men as he supposed, as he was ambushed. His new Audi e-tron will be replaced next week.

He is just using his new motorcycle, Yamaha YZF-R6 is one of the most advanced supersport machines ever built. Aerodynamic MotoGP styling wraps up an incredibly intelligent racing machine, complete with ABS brakes, top-shelf suspension, and a full suite of electronic rider aids.

Paulo is busy with his Gallery, his paintings now are sad pictures, praying people, and children in need.

Ruthie is continuing her study for her masteral degree with Asian Institute of Management – Washington SyCip Graduate School of Business.

Juan just received from his client Richard Tan the remaining 1.8 million pesos share and another three million from another company for a real estate transaction.

The reunion was held at the Grand Hyatt Manila. From the airport, Katsuo, Ichika, Ely, Luz, Joel, and Jacky arrived with the private jet. Juan fetches them as the pilot of the helicopter from the airport and they landed in the helipad of the Grand Hyatt Manila. 

The meeting was in Juan's flat, the hotel served the buffet of Japanese and Filipino food. They started the meeting with prayers. 

Katsuo said, " before I die, I hope, Martha is already home" 

They all cried.

Ruthie then called Juan. "There is a letter, addressed to you from the Robinhood Mission House, Cabilao Island, Loon, Bohol" 

"When did this letter came?"Juan asked.

" Just today, when you went to the airport, the postmaster called actually because the letter returned and he knew you, he called the office, and I gave this new address," Ruthie said.

He opened the thick envelope. 

"Hey! Everybody listen, this is a letter from Mama Martha!" Juan said.

"What! addressed to whom?" Tony said.

"This one to you Dad,( He gave the letter to Tony), this one to Grandpa(He gave it to Katsuo), for Dad Ely(He gave it to Ely), for Paulo, Ruthie, and mine," Juan said.

"Nothing for me?" Jacky asked.

Here with me is Mama Martha's letter to us:

"Juan and Jacky, Don't worry, I'm fine and I'm going home soon, I know you have made a final date on June 5 and it is weeks from this writing for your wedding. Make it happen as scheduled. I may be home at that time. But no matter what, it is my prayer and wishes that your wedding will continue that date with or without me. I cannot give many details, I'm just finishing a project for God, pray for me, God willing, I can go home safe. Miss you both and I love you. Your Mom, Martha." Juan is reading in tears.

Katsuo in tears, "She said, we must move on, continue what was planned. Juan and Jacky, what is your decision?" 

"We will obey her wish," Jacky said.

The wedding was planned and the preparation was continued. Martha instructed them to go on as if she is present.

Instead of that, we will do the first wedding in Japan, why not we do it here in the Philippines first and the second reception and marriage vows are in Japan? Tony asked.

Everyone agreed.

Robert had received a report that the group of Rojack is divided into factions now, they are fighting for territory and are working against each other and are going in opposite directions. Marlon has reported ti Juan that there are former members of the group from Bohol that said Rojack has freed them to start a new life.

Rojack arrived in Cebu with Martha and Merlyn. They are housed in an old big house. Rojack called a meeting of all the members of his group including the factions. They still feared Rojack and they went to attend.

He said, he is tired already of hurting other people and destroying the youth with drugs. I will disband our group and I will give you something to start a new life. You still have the chance to change and be a good citizen and you don't need to be afraid and always on the run. I will take responsibility for all your sins as your leader. Now those who want a new life come and get your farewell gifts. 

Some started coming, and get their envelope, but a group of addicts get their guns and started shooting. The loyal forty who came from Bohol, shoot about sixteen of them dead. Rojack was hit bit only a scratch. 

"I'm sorry for those who want to have it all. Now, who wants to get their envelopes let's continue." Rojack said.

Then they all get their envelopes of one hundred thousand pesos each.

He gave the forty each with envelopes and said, Let's get out of here.

As they went out, they were ambushed by those who want to get more, they know that there are still millions with Rojack. But Rojack had already through the cooperative, had deposited the money in different accounts, and he has just a few million in cash for his personal operations.

A gunfight that attracted the police was now uncontrollable. 

"Martha, this is the result of the love of money. I can now see the truth that these people are bot loyal to me but to money and they only fear me but would betray me in times like this" Rojack said. The gunfight killed all the rebel groups against Rojack but five of his loyal group died in the fight. They escaped and went to another safe house. He called Marlon.

Marlon went to see him secretly. Marlon is under protection as a witness against the drug suppliers and laboratories.

They hugged when they see each other.

"Boss, what is your plan?" Marlon asked.

"I will surrender and pay for my sins," Rojack said.

"I can arrange that. what if you be a state witness against the drug suppliers and drug laboratories?" Marlon asked.

"I'm willing," Rojack said.

Then I will arrange a safe passage for you.

"Bring Martha and Merlyn with you, they are free already," Rojack said.

"Yes, Boss!" Marlon brings Martha and Merlyn to his van and they went to his safe house. He called Juan.

"Juan, Martha, and Merlyn is with me now, Rojack wants to be a state witness against drug suppliers and laboratories, is that possible?" Marlon said.

"I will go there now. I will do what can be done to do it" Juan said.

🌕 105. SURVIVED

The whole family went to fetch Martha and Merlyn in the safehouse of Marlon through the helicopter. 

It was an emotional moment of hugging, crying, and rejoicing. Tony and Martha hugged a little longer and both of them are wet with tears. Katsuo and Ichika were smiling, no so much talking. They went on board the helicopter and they went straight to the Cebu Doctors Hospital. Alex arrived later from Manila.

Jacky checks them both and they were fine. After the medical checks, they went to the hotel, and there they had the talks, the eating, and rest.

The police arrived, and Juan escorted Martha and Merlyn to the Police Headquarters for the debriefing. General Shaundrey was happy to hear that the kidnapped were safe and returned alive for about a year.

Juan talks to the General of the proposal of Rojack to be a state witness. The General will meet Rojack, he will surrender. Martha and Merlyn were the mediators and Juan brought him to the General. They talked for hours, and Rojack was detained in the police safe house.

They returned to the hotel then tomorrow all of them will be back in Manila. Alex arrived and she gets Merlyn and they talked in their room.

At Makati, they arranged a celebration for the return of Martha and Merlyn.

Juan courted Jacky with the date of their wedding, now that Martha is home because that is her condition that she will marry when she returns.

Juan asked her if she wants the wedding to be transferred to El Nido, Palawan.

Jacky agreed.

"Is twenty-five thousand per night per person is so high a price in that resort?" Jacky asked.

"Don't worry, I will buy the majority share of that resort" Juan said.

The Thanksgiving celebration was attended by government officials, politicians, representatives of the President, businessmen, and friends from Japan with Katsuo.

Speeches, songs, buffet, and a message from Pastor Abner Tuazon about Martha's life verse, Romans 8:28: " All things work together for good to them that love God" 

God used the kidnapping a crime that transformed the kidnappers to see God's goodness in how we react as Christians to the tragedies, in spite of the challenges, when we maintain our faith and the goal of winning evil with good succeeds.

Alex also made an emotional speech thanking God, he thought he will not see his wife again alive, this is a miracle, he said.

All attest to it. The surrender of  Rojack, the transformation from being a criminal to make a significant help to the poor in Bohol, and to transform allege criminals as good citizens is a big achievement that is now a media trending topic. What is shocking to the world is the lawyer of Rojack for leniency is the son of the kidnap victim, Juan Tera, and his 300 lawyers firm. 

The President, who wants the drug war win, approved that Rojack will be the state witness against drug suppliers and illegal drug laboratories nationwide.

"I want to make an announcement, I thank God that He finally answered our prayers about the return of Mama safely, and also that my wedding will now be finally celebrated this June 5. Everyone is welcome at your own expense for the night at their rate of twenty-five thousand per person for one night at the venue in El Nido, Palawan. I can only take care of the expense of my family and the entourage. Sorry for those who can not afford, you can just attend the live video here in Grand Hyatt Manila with the 100 inches Smart TV and the buffet here in this venue. My staff will cater to all visitors here. If you want to attend in El Nido, please make reservations ahead. Thank you and God bless" Juan said.

Katsuo and his Japanese friends want to attend in El Nido, they are twenty-eight Japanese Millionaires and Billionaires. All of them agreed to donate one million pesos each for the wedding. They secretly give the checks to Juan. They said, this is our donation and gift, aside from this, we will pay our accommodation in El Nido resort, we will ask for reservations now on June 5. Juan was so happy. Katsuo then proposed they may not do another marriage event in Japan if all his friends who they will invite in Japan will also go to El Nido.

After Thanksgiving, for two days they arranged everything in the office and in the business, the family decided to rest for a while, Katsuo invited them all to Japan.

The private jet was loaded and they arrived in Japan. Maketa(Martha) then had a meeting with the Maketa foundation staff, they all cried, hugged her and the foundation get stronger and the foundation fund gets bigger from the business and donations. The products from the mission house were all sold with more than a thousand times the prices because of high price bidders. Unique native products with some creativity became a hit in decorations and household antiques. Hotels, restaurants' demand for the materials made the price higher. The mission houses send their regards hearing of her release from the kidnappers and are thankful for the continued sale of their products in volume. They reported that their lives are now progressing, they can now afford to send their children to school and they can buy things in their houses. They expand and help more, creating jobs that help the community be self-reliant.

Maketa doubled the order of products by container vans filled with high-quality products from the mission houses.

Juan ordered Japanese quality appliances, motorcycles, for gifts during the wedding. He filled two container vans to be delivered to Manila and the other to General Santos City.

Katsuo brought them to Tokyo Skytree at 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-8634, Japan. It is a 29-floor broadcasting and observation tower.

They ate at Skytree Restaurant 634.  It is a restaurant located at 345 meters aboveground, in a comfortable atmosphere, they enjoy the most wonderful time with a breath-taking magnificent view.

On a fine day, without so many clouds, they can see Mt.Fuji in a distant view.

They enjoyed chatting about all that happened in the year until till night, the nocturnal landscape decorated by thousands of light treats their eyes.

Tony and Martha ordered Tasu 3,025 yen (Zeisakomi)>Nagasaki beef sirloin Poiret, tarragon source, autumn vegetables and served with Tokyo salad

Pan-Fried "Nagasaki Beef Sirloin" Estragon Sauce, With Autumn Vegetables And "TOKYO Salad".

Katsuo, Ichika, and Ruthie ordered Tasu4,840 yen (Zeisakomi)>Yamagata of cattle fillet Poare tarragon source

autumn vegetables and served with Tokyo salad.

Juan and Jacky ordered Pan-Fried "Yamagata Beef Tenderloin" Estragon Sauce With Autumn Vegetables And "TOKYO Salad.

Paulo, Joel, Ely, and Luz ordered Roasted Challandais duck Raspberry flavored gastrique sauce Red wine marinated Chrysanthemum, and Fig with

sweet and sour chrysanthemums and figs pickled in red wine.

" We survived this year and God is good!" Katsuo said.

"All the time!" a chorus from all of them.

🌕106. WEDDING PREPARATION

"Jacky, see your wedding gown design." A small fashion designer stall, but Jacky see her talent in designing and in sewing is excellent. Jacky made a proposal. 

"Fely, I have a proposal for you. I have a beauty and fashion company. I will hire you as my chief designer if it is Okey with you?" Jacky asked her.

"Cheif designer? What does that mean?" Fely asked.

"You are a chief, means you are the head of a department, and that is responsible for designing and sewing that approved designs. I pay you with the managerial rate of salary with perks. Then when our business succeed, we will branch out and I will give you shares of the company to be part owner, what do you think?" Jacky said.

"I love it!" Fely Pagsuguiron said.

"Then you are hired. This is the address in Makati, you can report tomorrow and let us talk of specifics, bring your wedding dress design. You can bring also your trusted dressmakers and other personnel. I will interview them and we can start the operation.

Jacky wants to help these small businesses to grow, they need help. It's a win-win, They will be part owner of Jacky's Rose Inc. it will be beauty products with exclusive soap, shampoo, lotions, hair care, make up set, all safe and natural ingredients that will have a real beauty effect. It will also have the medical side, like plastic surgery and skin correction surgeries to help make the skin beautiful even without makeup. It will cater to the celebrity world.

Juan bought forty-five percent of the stocks of El Nido Resort where the wedding will be held.

Jacky met all the program directors, the venue in charge in El Nido they discuss the details of the program, the wedding ceremony, the reception, the gift-giving, and the outing like boating, swimming, and other activities in El Nido. 

The wedding dress was super, and all the dresses and suits of the men. Fely was happy because, in Jacky's Rose Inc., she can do her creativity and artistic genius without limitation in materials and machinery to do it. Ruthie the CEO of the company is happy with Fely's talent that gives the company a high-end and leveled up quality.

They also talked about the security details and the protocols in case of an emergency. I want an efficient, safe, and proactive event that anything that may happen, from the best to the worse we know what to do and we are capable to handle it.

One week before the event the arrangements, decorations, audio, and video equipment are all figured out.  The logistics, transportations, and communications are prepared. All the food and the buffet menus are all listed and ready. This is a once in a lifetime event guys let's do our best! Jacky said.

"I have personally sent the wedding invitations and called all the invited guests for our wedding. There will be a live simultaneously in four places with buffet, one in Lanao del Sur, one in Greenleaf Hotel, General Santos City, one in Grand Hyatt Hotel, one in Pangutaran, Sulu," Juan calling Jacky in the phone.

Juan arrived. He hugged Jacky.  Now that everything is in place and ready. Let's forget about it for a while. Let's have some time for ourselves, let's have a family dinner tonight.

Juan and Jacky confirmed the guests that they need to buy the plane tickets, and arrange the transportation, the wedding will be after lunch, about two o'clock, then it will end about one and a half hour,  then the snack, followed by the reception program, the giving of surprise gifts, the buffet dinner then they can do what they want and enjoy the twenty-five thousand per night per person room for the night. Then they have one day to enjoy El Nido the next day, the transportation will leave about five PM, and the plane will depart at six PM. They will be in their homes at about eight or nine o'clock.

After the Family dinner, Juan and Jacky went out with the motorcycle. They went to Luneta Park to visit Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine hero.

They sat near the fountain and listen to the music which is "Fly me to the moon".

What do you mean by "Fly me to the moon, Jacky?" Juan asked.

"It means, you will bring me to a place like the moon?" Jacky said leaning on his shoulder.

"Why, what does it mean to you?" Jacky asked.

The mellow song sings in the Luneta sound system.

"Fly me to the moon

Let me play among the stars

Let me see what spring is like

On a, Jupiter and Mars

In other words, hold my hand

In other words, baby, kiss me"

The water dance with the timing of the song with its lights changing in rhythm.

Juan bought some sweet corn and they ate sitting in the grass, they rented a plastic mat to sit on.

"Hey, you forgot my question?" Jacky followed up.

"What was that?" Juan asked.

"What does " Fly me to the moon" mean to you?" Jacky repeated the question.

"Okey, It means, you are in my arms," Juan said.

"Then, how will that jibe with flying to the moon Attorney? Jacky teasing him.

" Flying to the moon means I will bring your senses somewhere beautiful like this place, I guess?" Juan said.

"Are you not talking sensual ideas?" Jacky said.

"What? are you not dirty-minded Doctor?"Juan said.

Both of them laugh. 

" You are giving double meaning to the song?" Juan said.

"Hahaha just in a few days we will be as one" Jacky said teasing him.

"We still have our purity rings, and by God's grace have waited this long," Juan said.

"We experienced many tests and temptations, along the way and we are near the flying thing," Jacky said.

Both of them laugh.

"Let's go home before something bad will happen, hahaha!" Juan teasing her.

Juan and Jacky holding hands went to the parked motorcycle, both of them wear their helmets and drove to Makati.