1 A Fateful Encounter
In the heart of Metro Manila, where the air buzzes with the relentless pursuit of survival, lived Piolo, an 18-year-old with dreams larger than the cramped, bustling streets he called home. Despite his modest stature, Piolo possessed a spirit that refused to be quenched by the harsh realities of his world. Raised in the city's underbelly, he was no stranger to chaos, yet it was his resolve to rise above it that set him apart.
On an afternoon that seemed no different from the rest, Piolo found himself questioning the heavens, his voice lost amidst the cacophony of city life. "Why must life be this relentless test of endurance?" he wondered aloud, his frustrations echoing off the indifferent concrete. Little did he know, this moment of despair would mark the beginning of an extraordinary journey.
As if in response to his plea, a mysterious voice whispered, promising a future where he would ascend beyond his current plight. The source remained unseen, but the message ignited a flicker of hope within Piolo. Before he could ponder the voice's origins, a cry for help pierced the usual din of the city.
A woman, in distress, chased by a shadowy figure—a thief clutching her stolen belongings. Without a moment's hesitation, Piolo sprang into action. Barefoot and unarmed, he chased the assailant through the labyrinthine alleys of Manila, driven by a sense of justice that had always governed his actions.
The chase was frantic, a dance of desperation and determination. Bystanders watched, yet none intervened, leaving Piolo alone in his pursuit. Finally, at a dead end, the confrontation reached its peak. The thief, cornered and desperate, brandished a knife, but Piolo stood undeterred, fueled by righteousness and the adrenaline of the chase.
The fight that ensued was a testament to Piolo's courage. He dodged and weaved, his body moving with a precision he never knew he possessed. Just as victory seemed within reach, a sudden flash of lightning illuminated the scene, casting long shadows on the ground. In that brief distraction, the thief lunged, plunging the knife into Piolo's flesh.
As blood stained the ground, Piolo's thoughts raced to his family, his dreams, and the life he feared he might never see realized. The world seemed to slow, his vision fading, but then, amidst the pain and darkness, another flash of lightning, accompanied by a voice, "This is not the end, but the beginning of your true journey."
