Chapter 23: Face-Off: Triangle Vs Sunny

Nakatatlong cup na ako ng kape at hindi ako mapalagay. Puto, mali yata na kape ang pinili kong inumin dahil mas lalo lamang akong nininerbiyos.

Ilang minuto na lamang ay magsisimula na ang unang face-off ngayong araw. Hindi ko maiwasang mainis. Akala ko ay unang sasalang sina Trench at Triangle ngunit mas mauuna pala ako laban kay Triangle.

The rule is that the first to file will be the first match ngunit dahil dalawang match si Triangle at lalaban siya sa may hawak ng 1st spot which is Trench kaya kailangan niya munang pangalagaan ang kanyang pwesto bilang 2nd sa Royals.

That's why the first match is mine. Kinakabahan ako habang paulit-ulit na tiningnan ang presentation ko. Yes, wala akong panama kay Triangle when it comes to engineering, robotics etc. Pero kaya ko (or at least I think that I can) na lumaban sa paraang alam ko. Through agriculture and animal science.

Nasa backstage ako ng hall kung saan mangyayari ang face-off at naririnig ko ang mga yabag ng mga taong gustong makita ang unang face-off para sa quarter na 'to. I sighed heavily at napasimangot nang maalala ko ang narinig kong usapan ng ilang seniors kanina.

"Ang lakas talaga ng loob ng Sunny na 'yan! Anong panama niya sa isang Grande?"

"Magtsi-cheat ulit 'yan!"

"Hindi naman siya kasingtalino ni Jean-Claude pero ang taas ng kumpiyansa sa sarili!"

I shook my head and remove all those thoughts. Alam ko! Inisip ko na rin ang mga iyon but what can I do?! I already squeezed myself in this mess at ako lamang din ang makakahanap ng paraan upang makawala rito.

But I don't want to give up that easily. Kahit paano ay iniisip ko na may edge din naman ako sa face-off na 'to. Triangle's interests is in engineering and machinery. Sabi nga ni Gon dati, the Capital favors research na tungkol sa agriculture at food production. Iyon din ang rason kung bakit naging bahagi ng Royals si Brenda dati.

So I might have a chance to win. Maybe makukuha ko ang boto ng mga alumni sa pamamagitan ng animal science research ko. Tiyak kong gagamitin na naman ni Tatsulok ang kaalaman niya sa aircrafts, bullet trains at kung ano pang gadget.

"Are you ready?"

Napatingin ako kay Trench na nakatayo sa may pinto. Few month ago, I remember standing in this same room pero si Gon ang kasama ko. I'm up to the same face-off challenge and Pentagon was there to support me. Ngayon? S Trench ang nakasama ko. Tinulungan niya ako sa mga gagawin sa researh ko but all ideas were mine. Ayaw kong umasa sa kanya. Hindi naman siya nagpumilit na gamitin ang mga ideya niya but he gave me useful insights and observations kaya kahit papaano ay parang may sense ang inihanda ko.

"Kaya ko ba si Tatsulok?" tanong ko.

Trench looked at me without anything in his eyes. Nakakainis nga eh. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang iniisip niya sa mga sandaling 'to. He step towards me at hinawakan ang kamay ko. Bahagya niya iyong pinisil. "You can do it."

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga bago tumayo at ngumiti sa kanya. Bumitiw ako mula sa pagkakahawak niya at bahagyang tiningnan ang kumpol ng mga taong naghihintay na magsimula ang face-off.

The crowd began cheering at tanda iyon na magsisimula na ang face-off. Mas lalo lamang lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko but I set aside my fear. Bahagya akong sumilip sa mesa ng mga alumni. Lima ang alumni na magiging judge ngayon and unfortunately, Miss Venna isn't one of them.

Jean-Claude's presence doesn't guarantee that his vote will be mine. Hello? Kailan ba niya binigay ang boto niya para sa akin? Isang beses lang at noong siya pa ang kalaban ko. Feeling ko nga mas lalo lamang akong matatalo kung isa siya sa mga judges eh.

Bionic arm is one of the judges again ngunit gaya ng napatunayan ko, he's not into the person but the idea. Akala ko ay paborito niya ako ngunit noong huling face-off ay hindi ako ang ibinoto niya. Isa rin sa mga judges si Armstrong and the other two are not familiar to me.

Kanina pa nagsasalita ang nasa harapan at ilang sandali na lamang ay nagsigawan na ang mga estudyante.

"Let's give it up to our first challenger who wants to claim the second spot, Sonia Gallego!"

Gaya ng inaasahan ko, walang cheering na para sa akin mula sa crowd. Ay, meron pero iilan lang at sure ako na sina Suri lamang iyon. Sa isang sulok naman ay panay rin ang sigaw ni KL at may dala pang banner na may nakasulat na GO MYLABS! GO MYLABS! GO SEXY SEXY MYLABS. Puto, ako ang nahihiya sa banner niya! Sana lang huwag niyang isigaw iyon kasabay ng paggiling!

Umakyat ako sa stage at mas nilakasan ang loob ko. The pressure is taking over me and this feels like the very first time. Nang makita kong nakatayo sa gilid ng stage si Trench at bahagyang tumango sa akin ay nabuhayan ako ng loob.

Unfortunately, it suddenly vanished when I saw Triangle, sitting in front of the stage with his legs crossed. Nakakainis lang! Puto! Naghahabulan na ang mga daga sa dibdib ko tapos siya chill-chill lang?!

The robot on the stage made a signal na ipi-play na ang presentation ko kaya muli akong humugot ng malalim na buntong hininga.

"Good morning Academians," bati ko. What do I expect? Syempre, walang sasagot. "I'm Sunny Gallego and please look forward to my presentation." Ilang sandali lamang ay nagplay na iyon sa malaking screen sa harap at maging sa ibang screen sa bawat sulok ng hall.

"My research is mainly focused on animal science and meat production," panimula ko. "I haven't given up with my previous research gaya ng unang naibahagi ko noong nakaraang face-off. I want to produce a genetically hybrid species that will produce meat, especially the ones that are abundant in the environment."

Pictures flashed on the screen. Larawan iyon ng mga hayop na sagana sa kagubatan pero tinuturing na wild animals at treat pa sa buhay ng mga tao lalo na sa mga nakatira sa 5th ward na kung saan mas malapit sa malawak na gubat bago ang boundary ng Capital at Tussah. Mayroon ding mga kuneho at iba pang hayop.

"I know everyone knows that we need to cut back on meat and other dairy product para na rin sa mundo but with my research, we don't have to do this cut back but we can still save the planet. Animals to be used are abundant so we can reduce environmental impacts. Gaya halimbawa ng baka. Beef maybe one of the best meat we can have but we should be aware that cows chew grubs and burp greenhouse gasses-- thus producing risky effect on the planet. Global warming is no joke at base sa latest news, it has worsen and the Capital is facing the threat of rising sea level because of global warming."

The slides showed possible scenarios of what happen kapag patuloy na nasira ang ozone layer dahil sa global warming at manaka-nakang sinulyapan ko ang mga judges. They looked interested and they even nodded na para bang uma-agree sila sa mga sinasabi ko.

"We cannot just change how cows burp and manipulating their food will take a long process so sa halip na mas paramihin ang baka and other livestock for meat consumption, I think we can use animals that are already abundant and produce more palatable meat out of them."

"My proposal will be like this, find animals that are abundant, halimbawa, wild rabbits. Wild rabbits are rapidly increasing so they are ideal for this research. Rabbit meat is low in cholesterol, rich in protein and good for people who have health conditions. Through bio engineering, we will make hybrids of rabbits and pigs so that it will be in large quantities."

Mas lalo akong ginanahan sa pagsasalita lalo na nang mapansin ang interes hindi lamang ng panel kundi maging ang spectators. It was a relief. I continued with my presentation, giving them an insight of how this proposal will affect everyone in the Capital. Nagbigay rin ako ng comparative analysis at iba pa.

I ended my 5-minutes presentation with a big smile. "Through my research, we will have a sustainable meat production."

Nabalot ng palakpakan ang buong hall at tila gustong maiyak. Sa unang pagkakataon ay tila nagustuhan ng lahat ang ginawa ko. I was beyond proud and happy. Hindi ko pa rin tiyak kong mananalo ako pero puto, sa palakpak at ngiti pa lamang nila puto, parang nagchampion na ako. What's even surprising is that Jean-Claude put down his pen to clap for me.

"Thank you so much Miss Gallego, let's proceed to the presentation of the incumbent 2nd in the Royal Spot, Triangle Grande Bermudo!"

Nagpalakpakan ang mga nasa hall nang umakyat sa stage si Tatsulok. He displayed a serious face as he waited for his presentation to project on the screens. Pumwesto na rin ako sa harap to have a better view of his research.

"I know everyone will think that today's match will be different since I and the previous presenter have different line of interests," panimula ni Tatsulok. Ayaw kong sirain ang mood ko but the way he said 'previous presenter' ay sadyang nakakasira ng mood. Puto, alam niya ang pangalan ko kahit na madalas dati ay tinatawag niya akong Pancake!

"I like doing research if it's about aircraft, shuttles and theory of machines but I want to try something new and adjust to my opponent so I made a presentation about animal science."

Halos mabuwal ako sa kinauupuan ko. I never expected this! Gumawa siya ng research tungkol sa livestock and animal science?! I was so confident na hindi iyon ang gagawin niya.

"We all know that everyone in the ecosystem has an essential role and if one will be missing, there will be imbalance. I came up with a research about meat production also, given na tayong mga taga-Capital ay nangangailangan ng karne. Meat is one of our essential food but how about those people who doesn't want to sacrifice killing a single animal just to have meat for consumption?" wika ni Tatsulok.

His presentation showed some emotion-appealing photos and videos of animal cruelty lalo na sa tuwing kinakatay ang mga hayop. Spectators began to frown and showed sympathy as they watched Triangle's presentation. Puto, he was using emotion too much to appeal everyone for his presentation! Kahit ako!

Naglakad siya sa bawat sulok ng stage na para bang komportableng-komportable siya. "What I wanted to do is that aside from lab-grown meats, I want to produce meat through agricultural infrastructure. Yes, I agree with the previous presenter that cows are one of the major source of methane in the atmosphere--"

I cringed again. Previous Presenter. So my name now is Previous Presenter, pusangina ka Tatsulok.

"Greenhouse gasses are dangerous so we only need a small number of livestock to grow, collect stem cells from them for a certain time, then mass replicate those stem cells using our state of the art bioreactor and other machines, to produce meat fibers or clumps from those cells. Through the help of our scientists and researchers, we will develop this meat in a way that it will taste like a natural one."

He showed a thorough analysis and nutrition facts at sa bawat minutong dumadaan ay mas lalong nakakalimutan ng lahat ang research ko! Everyone was hooked with Triangle's!

He ended his presentation with a smile. "Please look forward for the a Capital in which meat will be abundant without sacrificing any animal. Thank you."

Muling nabalot ng palakpakan ang buong hall. Lahat ng nakaupo sa panel ay tuwang-tuwa at bilib na bilib sa pinagsasabi niya. May standing ovation pa mula sa mga spectators. I hate to admit it but I was also convinced by his research. Puto, I underestimated this polygon. Smart people are flexible at kung saang field mo man ilagay ay may panlaban. So this is what Gon's talking about when he said that Triangle is the smartest among TTP cousins.

Nang tinawag ako sa stage para sa ilang katanungan ay parang gusto kong umatras. Puto, mapapahiya ko na naman ang sarili ko but it's better to stand up there kaysa sa mabahag ang buntot. Ako ang naghamon, I have to remind that to myself.

Nanginginig ang mga tuhod na umakyat ako at sinagot ang katanungan ng mga nagtanong. Triangle also gave sensible and fluent answer samantalang ako ay nangangatal lalo na dahil iniisip ko na nasa tabi ko lang si Tatsulok. I still haven't forgot his rejection! At isumpa ko na rin sa sarili ko na mas gugustuhin ko pa ang kalbong gaya ni Coco kaysa sa kanya!

The Q and A portion ended smoothly at mas lalong trumiple ang kaba ko nang deliberation na ng panel at botohan. Unang nagsalita ang isa sa mga alumni na hindi ko kilala.

"Both researches are promising but I give my vote for Mr. Triangle Grande Bermudo."

Pilit na ngumiti pa rin ako kahit na ang sakit sa loob ko. But I cannot blame such alumni for choosing Triangle.

"My vote is for Triangle Grande Bermudo," sabi naman ng isa pang judge na hindi man lamang nag-abalang magpaliwanag.

Armstrong was up next. Nakakailang nga dahil madalas sa training ko lang naman siya nakikita, hindi naman niya siguro kami sisigawan dito diba?

"Gallego's research is very creative," panimula ni Armstrong at tinago ko ang pagngiti. In fairness, he's not shouting numbers of push ups and crunches today. Kahit nakakainis siya madalas, natutuwa rin naman ako sa kanya minsan. "But my vote will be for Triangle who wanted meat manufacturing to be done efficiently."

Puto! Puto! Puto! Ang dami pang sinabi, kay Tatsulok din pala ang boto. Kinagat ko na lamang ang labi ko. Pusangina, talo na ako. 3/5 na ang boto kay Tatsulok kaya wala ng pag-asa na manalo ako pero pusangina, pwede ba kahit isang boto man lang? I want to save my pride here!

Next up si Bionic arm so was looking at his paper with his forehead creased. "This is a tough decision for me," sabi niya at tiningnan kaming dalawa ni Triangle. "I still cannot decide which one will receive my vote dahil pantay lamang ang impression ko sa presentation ninyong dalawa."

Hay, that's a relief! Thanks Bionic Arm!

"But since the others already voted for Triangle, my vote will also be for Triangle," pagpapatuloy ni Bionic Arm. Alam kong namumula sa inis ang mukha ko sa mga sandaling ito pero pinigilan kong ngumiwi o gumawa ng anumang reaksyon. Puto ka Bionic arm! Porket 'yong tatlo kay Tatsulok na, pati ba naman ikaw?! Bandwagon! Pwe!

Gusto ko nang umalis at takasan ang kahihiyan sa mga sandaling ito pero nanatili lang ako sa kinatatayuan. Parang ang duwag ko naman kung basta-basta na lamang akong aalis. Jean-Claude looked at us and glanced at his paper, reading his deliberation.

"Both are promising and very interesting," Jean-Claude said. "but I'm more convinced with Triangle's presentation. My vote is for him."

5-0 score was displayed on the large screen in favor of Triangle. Ilang beses akong napakurap habang dina-digest sa utak ang nangyari.

5-0.

5 votes for Triangle.

0 for me.

Puto. I'm a loser.

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