“… after telling me everything, I’d say you’re a great person—a true hero—in your own little way…”
Excerpts and quotes from Orange ❗ NOTE: The following text content below may contain story spoilers.
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Orange. The color of sunset. One moment here, next moment gone. Just like that. Just like us.
So there I was, on vacation mandated by the Philippine Senate. Dad always took his work home and thought I was part of his Third World Republic.
I pictured the farmers who tilled the rich green fields of Ilocos, the Cordilleras looming behind them. I thought of fishermen who pushed their small bangkas to the sea, and how they’d pull in their nets at sunset, rich with the ocean’s yield. I heard the laughter of children as they ran around the poblacion’s little park, their eyes sparkling with carefree innocence. I smiled at these thoughts, and once more, I thanked God for taking me home.
Indeed, I’d make them proud.
I was going to be their finest daughter.
Good and right wasn’t tolerated in the Third World. It was either shot down and buried, or exported and lost overseas.
Ironically, some other two-faced senator with this little knife then guts old Julius Caesar and kills him… Well—so much for power.
‘Help them’—and I’ll be the hope and promise of the fucking Third World.
Our country is broken, but it’s still beautiful. I hope you get to know it someday.
But if I kissed you on the lips right now, wouldn’t this little shell mean so much more?
They’re not rich; in fact, they’re quite poor. But Cris—they’re not helpless. Look at their family. See how much their children already achieved.
And then, I thought of Manila, where skyscrapers brushed the heavens—and around them lay a massive sea of rusty roofs, squat homes, and run-down shanties.
And as the poor slept within their squalid, wretched shacks, the rich drank to the future, to success, to our nation’s progress.
My prayers to God—my Dearest Friend—were like conversations. I spoke to Him in my mind, and He answered me through my thoughts and feelings.
Others thought rich people had it all. But maybe if you looked closer, it could be several of those wealthy folks were actually some of the saddest people on Earth.
I had no real friends, no one to really talk to. And then, I meet a girl from some far-flung province and I tell her everything.
I then stepped out to the balcony where we watched the sunset, recalling that as day gave way to night, I realized this girl was my only real friend. She was my best friend.
I hoped one day he would find it in his heart to forgive me. I pray one day I found it in my heart to forgive myself.
Papa God? Please—help me unlearn my capacity to hate. Teach me now how to truly love.
I sighed, turned to the window, and gazed at the Makati skyline. Dark clouds loomed above as city lights gathered below like fallen stars.
Fine! Then let’s call them the ‘Estranged Dollar-earning Heroes of the Philippine Republic.’ Or would you rather just call them maids!
What if those investors are just a bunch of cash-loaded egos who don’t really care about what’s going on in the everyday trenches? They’re like, ‘Stow it, CEO! Spare us those daily operational dramas, all those frickin’ details! Just give us the goddamned profit margin!
I don’t care what others say—I am so proud of you. They don’t know you. But I do. From five summers back, remember? And now—how can I not be so proud to see what a wonderful person you’ve finally become.
I wanted him to succeed, because he was a good person, an honest man who’d work hard and do his very best. And he genuinely cared about the trenches, the employees, the small, everyday people. So many would follow him. I would follow him! He deserved to win! I wanted him to win!
And as these vivid memories played in my mind, I looked upon the candle’s little flame—defiant of all the darkness surrounding it—and I remembered the very words He told me so many years ago…
God and I have a personal relationship. I talk to Him as a friend, just like I’m talking to you right now.
I could still recall that night—the scent of the ocean, waves upon the shore, countless stars upon the summer evening sky—and I remembered what she told me. “… The smallest things are actually the most significant…”
… All because of one person who believed in me, specifically at a time I absolutely did not believe in myself. She told me, “Don’t be afraid. I believe in you. I will always believe in you. So reach out into the world ahead of us, and then dream—and live.
Even today, as all signs, including you, pointed to ‘No’, I brushed it all aside and still believed in YES.
I believe in God. And I will always believe in you, too. I don’t know where such faith will take me. I just know it will take me to someplace very good.
Orange © Philippines NLP copyright under the author’s registered name