“... With the help of Senator Martin La Guardia, I was able to graduate and give my family a good life.” Kuya Art smiled broadly, and at his side was the silly smiling Senator. The Senator gently tapped my brother on the shoulder.

Just a few seconds later, someone shouted "CUT!", And the Senator immediately walked away from Kuya. A man walked towards him and handed him alcohol. But, the Senator shook his head.

My eyes rolled because of that. So plastic! I know he wanted to take that alcohol and pour it into his hand but of course, there were many pairs of eyes watching him so he would not do it.

"Oh? I thought you weren't coming here?" Kuya asked when he got close to me.

"I don't really have a plan but Taal and I are hungry. It's already 1:30 but we haven't eaten yet," I complained. "And what do you mean the family was given a good life? You just graduated but our life is not good. If life is good—"

I didn’t finish what I was about to say when he covered my mouth.

"Don't be so loud, Tala," he said. "And wait a minute, I haven't gotten my paycheck yet. "

I glanced at him after removing his hand from over my lips. I wonder, why is he still collaborating with these people? He is no longer paid well, and his goodwill is being used. Also, I've pushed him to audition or apply to more well-known companies on multiple occasions, but he refuses. He said he didn't want to leave us, me and our little sister, with our drunkard mother and narcotic father.

Kuya has desired to be an actor for a long time; he works as an extra in films that aren't successful, so he only receives a few thousand at the end. He also appears in numerous commercials and political ads, including Senator Martin La Guardia's.

Kuya Art is known as the Face of the Shanty in Shantytown, where we currently reside. It's difficult to admit, but my older brother is attractive

as are we, his lovely siblings

, and he also has a killer figure, so it's no surprise that many ladies are vying for his attention.

However, he only wants one, which is terrible for them. The granddaughter of the Senator he's campaigning for.

"Arthuro."

I wasn't the one who was called, but I did follow Kuya Art's gaze to the approaching elderly man in a colorful attire.

Senator Martin Guevara La Guardia.

According to the stories I've heard, he, too, grew up in poverty as a Shantytown local and persevered in his education until he became wealthy. But there's something more on my mind: the Senator's wife, Eleanora Mondejar, comes from a wealthy family. I believe he was able to escape poverty because of his wife, rather than because he worked hard in school.

He expressed his gratitude by saying, "Thank you for accepting my offer and assisting my campaign." Kuya instantly reached for his palm as he extended it.

"It's all right, Senator," Kuya said solemnly, "and you're no different from me." The Senator laughed.

"I am aware of that." The Senator stated. "Tala, I haven't seen you in a long time," he said as his gaze fell on me.

Of course. We only meet during campaign time, when you need us, but after that, we are no longer in the picture.

I wanted to say, but I didn't want Kuya to be furious with me, so I opted to smile. "I'm sorry, Senator, but I'm not actually available now. I'm quite busy with things."

Kuya's faint pressure on me is palpable because he knew I was doing nothing. I don't have work. I don't study, either.

Although I was offered a scholarship, I declined since I could not afford to earn good marks. Kuya and Taal are the only ones who are intelligent, whereas I... can only give my brother a headache.

"How old are you again?" The Senator asked.

"I'm twenty-one years old, Senator."

" Are you studying?"

I shook my head.

"If you had persevered, hija, you would have been in your third year of college; don't you want to finish your studies?"

Kuya's elbow struck my side once more as I shook. He appears to be instructing me on how to rethink my response.

I regained my composure and said, "It was just a joke. Of course, I'd like to, but for the time being, I'd rather work and save first."

It's just that no one wants to hire me for the positions I apply for.

"And what work are you doing now?" he asked with malice in his voice. And I can't blame him for undermining my work because I know he won't get it. Or, if he did understand, I could tell he was still judging me.

I just replied, "A job that pays enough money to buy food."

Senator was supposed to speak but Kuya stepped in. "May I have my paycheck now, Senator? Taal is already hungry."

Senator nodded and called one of his staff. The staff gave Kuya one… two… three… four, five, six… seven thousand!

Before we finally left the studio that the Senator had hired to shoot, Kuya politely thanked the Senator and his team. On our way home, we stopped at a fast food restaurant. Some even posed for a photo with Kuya.

When we returned home, the weeping Taal welcomed us. She was sitting on a wooden chair, embracing both of her knees. I dashed across the room to console her.

"Why?" I worriedly asked our younger sister. When she heard my question, she fell into tears. I became even more concerned. "What's the matter, Taal?"

"Baby," Kuya said in a gentle tone. "Kuya and Ate are here. What's wrong, huh?"

Kuya Art gently pulled our sister in front of him. He tucked the hairs that covered Taal's face behind her ear and wiped away her tears, which were still streaming down her cheeks.

"I'm very hungry... I'm so hungry, Kuya," Taal answered. I bit my lower lip to keep the tears at bay.

Kuya asked me, faintly but firmly, "Didn't you leave food for Taal, Talitha?" His gaze was fixed on Taal.

"I left bread for her before I left, Kuya. I'm sorry, I don't have money to buy her food, and I can't borrow food from Apo Marta's store due to our father's debt."

I can literally hear Kuya gnashing his teeth with utmost control as he closes his eyes firmly. Before opening his eyes, he took a deep breath.

He showed the plastic he was carrying to Taal. "Do you see this, baby? You're going to eat, okay? We're going to eat," he said.

I looked up and blinked many times.

I will not cry. I don't want to cry.

I walked to the kitchen after leaving the two in the living room. I got an utensil and a plate. It was only while I was holding the plate when I noticed my hand trembling. My stomach started to boil, and my knees began to wobble.

But, I didn’t pay attention to that. I don't want to worsen Kuya's concerns.

"Kuya, bring Taal here. Let's eat," I said. The three of us sat down at the table for a while. After that, I first bathed my seven -year -old sister and then put her to sleep on a mat covered only with a thin blanket.

It's two o'clock in the afternoon, and I'm not sure whether I should put her to bed or allow her to stay awake. But, before I could make a decision, I heard her faint snoring.

"Tala." Kuya yelled out. His head slipped through the door of Taal and I's chamber, which was a curtain. "Here's 2,000 pesos; don't tell our parents I gave you money; I'll take care of them. That's only for you and Taal."

"Thank you, Kuya," I replied faintly as I accepted what he handed me. I'm not sure if it made it to his ears or if I was the only one who heard what I said.

"If you buy stuff or food, put them in your cupboard or somewhere else where our parents can't see them," he said. I gave a thumbs up.

It's not because we don't want to give our parents anything, but because Dad and Mom have a tendency of selling anything they can find around the house to fund their addiction. When they have money, they are generous... Only to friends. Because when fortune comes their way, they forget about us, their children. They only remember us when they run out of money.

That's when I have the distinct impression that they only gave birth to us so that someone could work and give them money.

Later that day, Kuya told me to go to the convenience store and buy ice cream. I protested, but because I also craved ice cream, I obliged.

The convenience store was a long way from our house. I rode Kuya's bike that Senator's granddaughter had given him. While biking, I came upon a group of people who had flocked to the side of the road. Benten and his friends.

"Good evening, Tala!" exclaimed one of them. I recognize him, but I'm not sure what his name is.

I simply nodded to acknowledge him.

"Snob," Benten mumbled, but it still reached my precious ears.

I'm particularly impolite, especially when it comes to a jerk like them. And excuse me! Despite the fact that I was a squatter and our surroundings were disgusting, I was physically clean and fresh. One more thing: Kuya was able to slowly rebuild our home. If it was only rusted iron patched together back then, it's now hollow bricks!

I instantly pressed the brake handle as soon as I exited Shantytown. There are three lamp posts at a distance from each other I will pass through. And in the third lamp post, I could see a man standing under it. He was facing my direction, but because I was in the dark, I couldn't tell if he could see me.

Ice cream is a delicious treat. Taal is a sucker for ice cream.

I said to myself before continuing to pedal. I tried not to stare at the man because I was nervous.

Who in their right mind would stand under a pole at such a time and seem to be waiting for a person he could victimize?

I was about to pass through the man when I heard his baritone yet familiar voice. "Hey, miss."

•••