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The old book from Lola Luisa became our nightly ritual. Every evening after dinner, we would gather around the dining table. Mommy Brenda would carefully turn the brittle pages while Papa Franz explained what he understood. Bernadeth listened with wide eyes, asking questions nonstop. I mostly stayed quiet, absorbing everything.
One night, Mommy Brenda read aloud the full story written on the early pages. It was the origin of everything.
In 1907, in a small town outside Manila, lived twin sisters — Cecilia and Luisa. Cecilia fell deeply in love with a man named Enrico. They planned to marry. But Ricardo Sr., a powerful and jealous landowner, wanted Cecilia for himself. When she refused him, he became furious.
One fateful night in the cemetery (Campo Santo), Ricardo Sr. followed Cecilia and Enrico. In a fit of rage, he killed Enrico. Before he died Enrico cursed Ricardo and his bloodline, Cecilia promised that Enrico will be her forever love. Cecilia, who was already carrying Enrico’s child (Miguel), was forced to marry Ricardo Sr. to protect her unborn baby.
She gave birth to Miguel. Later, she also had Ricardo Jr. with Ricardo Sr. The pain, betrayal, and anger from that night created a powerful curse that followed Miguel’s lineage — the line that produced both Rich and Franz.
Bernadeth:
Kaya pala si Miguel ang may sumpa? Kasi siya ang anak ni Enrico? Bernadeth’s voice was soft but serious.
Brenda:
Oo. At dahil si Miguel ang ama ni Rich at ni Franz, ang sumpa ay dumating sa kanila. Kaya namatay si Rich nang mabuntis ako. Kaya namatay din si Myra nang mabuntis siya kay Michelle anak nila ni Franz. Mommy Brenda nodded.
Franz:
At kung hindi namin sinunog ‘yung duplicate book noon, baka hindi ka pa ipinanganak, Bernadeth. Papa Franz added quietly.
I looked at my little sister. At ten years old, she was carrying a story much bigger than herself.
Josh:
Bebe, ngayon alam na natin ang simula. Ang tanong lang, paano natin ito tatapusin? I asked her.
Bernadeth:
Kailangan nating hanapin ang paraan, Kuya. Para hindi na ulit mangyari sa susunod na henerasyon. She held the old book tightly.
As I lay in bed that night, the weight of 1907 felt heavier than ever. The love story that started with Cecilia and Enrico had rippled through time and touched every one of us. → story concludes in Chapter 8 Live on August 30!
Curses are not just words spoken in anger. They are chains of pain passed from one generation to another — until someone finds the courage to break them completely. And right now, that someone might just be my brave little sister Bernadeth.
— Josh
Updated August 26, 2026 from original written date August 8, 2020.
