| I may be the only girl in four siblings but I was | | | | striking air was decayed by bad complexion, stiff |
| trained by everyone around me to be | | | | stance and tired eyes. I never thought that small |
| independent. Unlike other "princesses" in other | | | | reunion would be something I'll never forget for |
| families, I was brought up not to act like a damsel | | | | the rest of my life. I had to admit, for a moment |
| in distress instead, I was taught to fight and stand | | | | there I became soft. |
| up for myself. You see, my father is an officer | | | | On my brother's last year in the academe, their |
| from the Air Force but since I grew up in a | | | | upper classmen who graduated the previous year |
| military base, it was no biggie for me. The sight of | | | | was sent to a rescue mission on the Muslim battle |
| soldiers marching around carrying M16s is a sight | | | | fields down south. I heard about how my brother |
| that I've grown quite accustomed to for more | | | | and his classmates needed to suppress their grief |
| than 20 years of my life. | | | | for comrades who lost their lives in the bloody |
| My father would always brag about what a hero | | | | battle. The wake of strangers' corpse |
| he was back during the dictatorship era of our | | | | broadcasted on the television was suddenly |
| country. He said he was part of the first group of | | | | enough to make me turn on the showers to |
| soldiers who went against the oppressive | | | | conceal the sound of my grief. So much for the |
| government of the martial law years in the mid | | | | tough little girl who tried hard not to shed tears all |
| 80's. Hearing that story over and over again | | | | these years. |
| never tire me; it makes me smile whenever I see | | | | Until now, I still fear the possibility of my brother |
| my father's enthusiasm in retelling his heroic tale. | | | | being sent to a worthless battle. Years of |
| But back then, I never really appreciated it as | | | | enduring severe rules and rigorous training may |
| much as I adored the gallant fictitious Greek and | | | | come to waste. It makes me feel outrage at the |
| Roman epic heroes. | | | | thought that people tarnish the name of military |
| Years before my father resigned from the force, | | | | schools by branding all the students as law |
| my eldest brother decided to try his luck in the | | | | breakers and delinquents because I know for a |
| military academy. Everybody was ecstatic when | | | | fact that one of these men may be the next |
| he made it in. Two months after he got into the | | | | person to use his body to shield a comrade from |
| academy, we were given a chance to visit him | | | | a bullet and to fight a causeless war. Now more |
| for their Incorporation day. The moment I finally | | | | than I ever, I'm proud of my father and brother |
| saw him, I wasn't really sure if it was my brother | | | | for braving the odds. |
| I was staring at. He looked so much different, his | | | | |