Chapter 21 (1/2)

KS Chapter 21

It was in being Captain Who that I learned that the question is not why the world is a mess, but what can I do for it

The people of Pelaez are joyous again after a month has passed No traces of the cala people preparing for a show of gratitude and recognition to the heroislice are four hundred rattan chairs for the audience, but only half of the around Most of the adults watching are either sleeping if not chatting away Around the venue are vendors selling bananacue¹, corn, and other goods popular in these kind of events

If all the people have superpowers, then we should've all been heroes

If all the people have consciences, on't need a hero

How about accidents?

People do not hold lives, but the people do hold the power to not rule over their fellow men

Bok-bok is stopped while replaying in his elio He is one of the saved by his friend's sacrifice And noitness to the event said to show appreciation to the hero

Heroes don't get anything from flowers on their tombstones The respect for a hero, is the respect of what he is fighting for Take value in freedoood life he dreams for all

Bok-bok looks at his surroundings: No one is wearing Captain Who t-shi+rts any pretend about him The stickers have been stripped from the posts The posters are reer on the packets of junk food nor on the toys The traces of the superhero has been erased Commercialis is the fading banners recycled and patched as a canvas for illegal vendors in the market

The tragedy of s to the right people at the right time

”We're gathered here today to celebrate the e upon the ru on the microphone with pouita² around his neck, and wearing a barong Tagalog³ is Vice Mayor Samonte

”We cannot deny the contribution that Rogelio Manlikbot has given that overnment has answered the funeral of him and his family who suffered a pitiful death in the hands of the sickness—poor old people living in hunger and poverty, dying in the corners of their own ho the projects for our fellow countryelio Manlukbot”

A ed his seat

”Just recently we set up a basketball court for our youth The youth that is the hope of the country Youth that will lift us up from poverty Youth that is our hope Your public servant has recently attended a convention in the Netherlands where we tackled the benefits caused by recycling our garbage Garbage destroying our surroundings Garbage dirtying our streets Garbage attracting flies andup the waiting shade and landscape at the side of the Elementary School of Pelaez, where you could also notice the statue of Lapu-Lapu4 is newly painted We did that for the arrival of the Minister—or, Secretary, Lourdes Quisu of the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports All this is done with the help of our beloved councilors and barangay captain” The Mayor stretches his hand so that the people can applaud the people he pointed out ”They arethe People Power in order to kick out Marcos We went hungry there and truly sweated But we didn't mind the sacrifice because anted to serve the nation If we all do things like that, the progress of our country is assured

”By helping each other, we are able to kick out the probleot past the calamity We have risen from the hardshi+ps And because of each one of us, the suffering of our ain”

The paid audience nodded their heads and applauded The o continues to inch his way towards the stage