Chapter 10 || Gamaliel

Philippines, 1962

THE Luneta National Park in Ermita, Manila was nearly deserted, except for the Philippine Marine Corps' Marine Security and Escort Group that was assigned for the security of the Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal's monument and remains.

The evening was damp and moist, and many of the passersby had long gone back to their homes by now.

As Gamaliel walked down the pathway towards the area of his meeting, he realized that this park was indeed secured. A perfect spot for a rendezvous.

A safe park is a safe place, he mused in his head.

He didn't know who he was meeting with tonight. Louise had slipped a piece of paper in his chest pocket two days ago when they visited him in the ancestral house. After they left, he locked the library and sat on the abandoned sofa in order to read it.

The note was brief and straight to the point. It said, "Luneta National Park, west side. Monday, 7 p.m. Wear a white scarf. The contact will say, 'Rebellion will soon arise after the death of Rizal' for identification. Destroy this note after reading."

Gamaliel read and familiarized the code before he folded the paper all the while digging for the cigarette lighter in a drawer under the table in front of him. Flicking it on and positioning the flame under the paper, he watched as the fire licked the paper until it turned nothing but ashes. He then tossed the remaining burning paper into the ash tray.

The chief inspector hadn't agreed to Louise, Anthony, and Elias' idea of escaping, yet, but they knew he wouldn't turn them down, either. Gamaliel knew, without having to know firsthand, that the Vega couple had been communicating and closely tied with the secret organizations that supports those rebellion against General Bermonte's rule in both PDEA and military ranks. He heard little things about these secret organizations from here and there. One of the little things was that these secret organizations were ran by elite families gathered together. Those oppressed by the drug syndicates for years.

Gamaliel gripped the white scarf that was wrapped around his neck and took a deep cold breath. As the man continued on to the path of the west side, he saw another man coming towards him.

The lights shone upon him and Gamaliel saw him vividly. He was tall and robust, dressed in simple clothes and a bonnet that passed as a civilian. He came around one of the MSEG without them recognizing him, and yet he was oddly familiar to Gamaliel. As they neared each other, Gamaliel was dismayed.

The man was the young Prince Felipe of Spain, Divina's husband. Although he only met Felipe not more than five times, Gamaliel was close with the lad. However, the last person he wanted to face right now when he's in this delicate meet up was an old friend who will engage him in a conversation and, in the worst case scenario, scare off his contact.

Gamaliel felt trapped and the only way to get out is to greet Felipe who was already a few feet in front of him and then bid goodbye. He might as well change course and walk for a few meters away and then go back after Felipe will be out of sight.

A minute later, Felipe and Gamaliel exchanged warm greetings together. Felipe pulled out a rolled tobacco which he procured from a high end tobacco manufacturer and Gamaliel lit his cigarette lighter. And then in Felipe's Spanish accent, he recited, "Rebellion will soon arise after the death of Rizal."

Gamaliel wasn't sure if he had heard it correctly and he stood in front of Felipe, looking dumbfounded, nonetheless.

"Vamos a caminar," Felipe invited and in a swift motion he turned, walking in a different direction.

Gamaliel recovered his wits and followed after Felipe. "You're my contact?" he asked in a silent disbelief.

Felipe nodded his head. "Si. I told Louise and Antonio not to tell you so you cannot expect me."

"But you were not in the party," Gamaliel's voice trailed off.

Felipe gave him a rueful smile. "Old friend, that is because General Bermonte and his men will become more suspicious of my presence. And so I let Divina take off without me from Spain."

"I understand now." Gamaliel let out a relieved smile. "You are a smart man, mi amigo."

Felipe grinned at him in response before he turned serious. "Due to my connection to the Spanish throne, I can neither support you upfront nor allow you to live in Spain. But I can give you all a visa to enter any parts of Europe as you like."

Gamaliel nodded his head. "I understand that."

Changing the subject back to the main topic, Felipe asked, "Have you any idea which country you might be able to go to?"

Gamaliel sighed. "My brother, Mark travelled from London. But he wasn't able to contact our relatives there. Perhaps, London will be the best place to go to for now."

Felipe agreed. "It is the best chance for you, I believe. London is a beautiful place. I will pull all strings on my end."

"I know you will do your best. When will we be able to leave for Paris?"

"I dare not give a specific date. But as far as I knew my contact will be able to pull this off by the end of the month."

"That would be good enough."

"These immigration papers you need are for you, Amara, Bernie, Maeve, and your mother. And Jane. Am I correct?"

"Yes." Then remembering something, he asked, "Upon entering Europe, can the family name change without a trial?"

Felipe frowned. "Perdoneme, amigo. It is beyond my contact's capability to pull off."

Gamaliel didn't respond but he nodded to show he understood.

"Divina told me you and Amara will come to dinner on Wednesday. Bring your passports with you. My contact will need them for the entry visas and immigration documents. I will take them from you at some point in the evening."

Gamaliel nodded. "Can I tell Amara, at least?"

"Si. But please warn her not to share it with the others outside of your family. The less people to know, the safer it is for me, Divina and the others."

Gamaliel paused from walking and turned to Felipe. "I and Amara will be discreet, Felipe. Do not worry. Just tell me how much your contact will need. Money is not a problem for me."

"Yo sé eso, Gamaliel. I also know that they will figure out you will leave the country thruogh your bank statements." Felipe gave him a raised eyebrow. "I hope you took the the chance of making arrangements to transfer some to a different account."

Gamaliel nodded. "I had wired Mark and the children's international accounts, at the very least."

"But not enough, I must presume. I will have to suggest that Amara withdraw some of her money and throw of a party or two for our friends. The excess shall be kept hidden."

"I will," Gamaliel promised.

Felipe took a deep breath. "Good. For now, we shall separate our ways. I will see you at the dinner with our family. And when we do, I expect not to discuss about this."

Gamaliel agreed, "Absolutely not."

"Once I have the documents, Divina will arrange a plane for you. Louise and Antonio will lead you to the next plan. Take what you only need."

Gamaliel sighed and offered a hand with Felipe. "There's no words or gift I can think of to express how thankful I am, Felipe, for what you are doing for us."

There was a great sorrow in Felipe's gentle face as he sighed and thrust his hand out. "You don't have to thank me, Gammy. I am glad to help an old friend like you. And for once after your inauguration, I am glad that you are finally leaving."

Gamaliel took his hand, grasping it tightly. "Thank you once again. I will never forget this as long as I live. You and Divina are true friends."

When Felipe had gone away and out of his sight, Gamaliel turned to the monument which was not far from him. The monument of Dr. Jose Rizal was standing proudly along with the three martyred Filipino priests, Gomburza.

A symbol of the freedom Dr. Rizal longed for. A freedom which he bled in his books and ignited the will of fire within the Filipinos.

The wind blew harshly against his body and he had to hug his own self. "Was this the freedom you longed for?" he asked, staring at the side viewed statue of the country's national hero.

Mi Ultimo Adios.... My Final Farewell.

He couldn't forget the poem this man of great patriotism, one of his last works. He couldn't forget the second verse of the poem. It was the only verse he relate to right now.

"En campos de batalla, luchando con delirio

Otros te dan sus vidas sin dudas, sin pesar;

El sitio nada importa, ciprés, laurel ó lirio,

Cadalso ó campo abierto, combate ó cruel martirio,

Lo mismo es si lo piden la patria y el hogar."

A tear escaped from the side of his eyes and he wiped it using the white scarf that wrapped around his neck. He walked away from the monument, away from the park... away from the freedom he so sought after when he pledged his life for the country.

"On the field of battle, 'mid the frenzy of fight,

Others have given their lives, without doubt or heed;

The place matters not-cypress or laurel or lily white,

Scaffold or open plain, combat or martyrdom's plight,

T'is ever the same, to serve our home and country's need."