CHAPTER 1

The afternoon sun glared brightly at Tagaytay’s Picnic Grove. Families were taking advantage of the April weather, and Tagaytay seemed to offer the perfect solace. Perched above Taal Lake, the humid air of the city made it a perfect resort town.

Yet amid the merrymaking, a figure sat alone in one corner of the park. Van Louelle Pojas, one of the Philippines’ renowned singers/ actors impatiently tapped on the picnic table. After emerging from the reality show Pinoy Dream Academy two years ago, Van’s life has been somewhat a dream. He became one of the hottest singers in the land–having albums that achieved mulit-platinum success. What followed was an acting career that had him pitted against some of the country’s premiere actresses.

Today was actually a taping day for his upcoming teleserye, I Can’t Fight This Feeling. But a text message early this morning roused him from sleep: BRO, WE NEED TO TALK, IMPORTANT. PICNIC GROVE 5PM. An excuse was made immediately to the director and production manager, and off he was to Tagaytay.

Lighting another cigarette, he waited impatiently. God, what’s taking him so long, he thought. From the corner of his eye, he noticed a figure coming closer. Thinking it was one of those asking for his autograph, he decided to ignore the figure first.

“I thought you did not smoke?” A familiar voice asked. Van turned to see his friend Hansen Nichols approaching him. He let out a coy smile.

“Work’s too stressful. Helps me cope.” He said as he took a puff and threw away the half-finished cigarette. “You haven’t changed.”

Hansen nodded in recognition. At 26, Hansen was one of Van’s contemporaries from Pinoy Dream Academy. Upon coming out of the reality show, he too had a promising singing career, but a botched thyroid operation damaged his vocal chords and left him unable to sing ever again.

He found solace in a foundation helping children with cancer- a cause his fellow scholars have been more than eager to help. Just last month, Sen and Van’s fellow contestant Laarni Losala put up a benefit concert to help a child from Shariff Kabunsuan suffering from thyroid cancer.

The two embraced, like brothers who have not seen each other for a long time. After all, that was what they viewed each other-brothers.

“What is it that we have to talk about?” Van asked as he sat down on the bench. Sen sat down on the opposite bench and looked at Van. His thoughts were flying, as if grasping for the right word to say. He took a deep breath.

“Cris is pregnant.”