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It was a quiet evening in late 2016. Brenda and I were sitting in the living room after putting Josh to bed. She had been unusually quiet all day. Finally, she stood up and went to the old wooden cabinet. She took out a small, worn envelope that looked like it had been hidden for many years.
Franz, may ipapakita ako sa’yo, she said softly. Matagal ko na itong iniingatan. Galing pa sa lola ko.
She handed me the envelope. Inside was an old black-and-white photo of two young women who looked almost identical — twin sisters. One had the gentle eyes and quiet strength that reminded me so much of Brenda. The other had a slightly more melancholic expression.
Si Lola Luisa ‘yan, Brenda whispered, pointing to the woman on the left. At ‘yung katabi niya… si Lola Cecilia, ang kambal niya. Sila ang magkapatid na nagsimula ng lahat.
I stared at the photo. Suddenly, something clicked.
Ahh kaya pala Cecilia tawag sa'yo nung matandang babae sa Baclaran kasi may twin sister si Cecilia, si lola Luisa mo, akala nya ikaw si Cecilia.
Brenda nodded.
Si Lola Luisa ang nagtago ng tunay na libro. Si Herminia ang nagnakaw nito kay Ricardo Sr. at ibinigay kay Lola Luisa para itago.
The pieces were slowly coming together. The old woman in Baclaran had mistaken Brenda for Cecilia because of the strong resemblance to her twin sister Luisa. The photo of the twin sisters was not just a family keepsake. It was a warning.
Brenda held my hand tightly.
Franz, natatakot ako. Pero kailangan nating hanapin at sunugin ang libro. Para sa atin ni Josh. Para sa future natin.
I pulled her closer.
Gagawin natin ang lahat Bru.
→ story continues in Chapter 7 Live on July 17!
That night, as I lay in bed, the image of the twin sisters stayed in my mind, their eyes looking straight into my soul. My heart ached with the weight of generations before us. I will do whatever it takes — no matter how painful or how long — to finish this task for our family’s future and lasting peace. We have carried this curse long enough.
Updated July 15, 2026 from original post date October 13, 2011.
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