Gimugna sa AIPublished on: Jun 20, 2026, 10:10 am
By Ronie Abenir Palanas, Masbate
In a mountain range covered with large trees and morning mist, Andres, a young soldier assigned to a military camp in the southern part of Negros province, lived. He was faithful to his duty and believed that through service, he could help protect the people.
On the other side of the mountains, there was Lira, a member of the New People's Army. Since childhood, she had witnessed the hardships of her community and believed that through armed struggle, she could change the system she thought oppressed the poor.
They had different principles. They were enemies when it came to ideology. But no one knew that fate had its own plans.
It all started one rainy afternoon. Lira was separated from her group during a movement. While crossing a stream, she slipped and fell on a sharp rock. Andres was also passing by, patrolling alone to check the area. When he saw Lira, he did not immediately recognize who she was. He saw only a person in need of help. “Are you hurt?” he asked gently.
Lira hesitated. She knew the man was a soldier. But in her condition, she had no choice. Andres helped her sit up and treated her wound using the first aid kit he carried.
“Outside this forest, we won’t see each other again,” Lira said as she prepared to leave. Andres smiled. “Maybe.”
But they did not know that this was not the end.
A few weeks later, they met again in an old, abandoned chapel. They recognized each other. Andres knew Lira was an NPA member. Lira knew the man was a soldier.
They talked about their dreams. About their families. About the things they loved before they were drawn into the war. With each meeting, they grew closer. It happened in secret.
Sometimes by the stream. Sometimes in the old chapel. Sometimes under the large balete tree where no one passed.
Despite their differences, they found a truth deeper than politics and weapons—they both longed for a peaceful future.
“I want the day to come when we no longer have to hide,” Andres said one night. “I want that too,” Lira replied. “But not yet.”
Their secret continued for over a year.
But like all secrets, the day came when it could no longer be hidden.
One dawn, Andres's camp received information that a rebel group was camping in the nearby mountains. At the same time, Lira's group also received news that a military operation was heading their way.
Neither of them knew that their units were heading toward a direct confrontation. As the sun rose, the first gunshot erupted.
Andres heard his officer's orders. Lira also heard their commander's voice. As the battle raged, Andres saw a familiar figure on the other side of the forest.
Lira.
The world stopped for a moment. They looked at each other amid the smoke and chaos. No words could be spoken. They knew that one wrong move could be the end of everything.
Suddenly, a loud explosion occurred near Lira. She fell to the ground. Andres did not hesitate.
He ran toward her. “Lira!” he shouted.
Some soldiers and rebels saw this. They were all confused as to why a soldier crossed the line of fire to help a rebel. Andres cradled Lira while bullets rained around them.
“Why?” the woman asked weakly. “Because you are more important than all of this.”
Lira fell silent.
For the first time in many years, her tears fell.
At that moment, a temporary ceasefire requested by local leaders to rescue the wounded came into effect.
After the incident, their comrades learned about their relationship. Many opposed it. Many also did not understand.
But there were a few who saw something they had forgotten due to the long conflict—that even amidst ideology and war, everyone is still human.
