Chapter XIX: Milagroso
At the Vigan Cathedral, Benigno and Christine kneel before the Retablo of Señor Nazareno and the Santo Sepulcro, which is the northern altar of the Cathedral. The ornate carvings around the retablo glimmer faintly in the dim light of the Cathedral, exuding a solemn and sacred aura. With hands clasped tightly, they pour their hearts out in silent prayer, seeking clarity and strength amidst the turmoil in their lives.
As they continue their prayer, a ray of sunlight pierces through the stained glass window near the retablo. The intricate designs of the glass project vibrant colors onto the ivory image of Santo Sepulcro, illuminating the figure encased within.
Christine gasps softly, her eyes widening.
"Benigno, tingnan mo…" she whispers, her voice trembling.
The ray of light intensifies, its glow seemingly alive as it dances across the figure of the Santo Sepulcro. Slowly, the eyes of the image begin to move. Christine clutches Benigno's arm tightly as the figure stirs, its movements fluid yet ethereal.
Benigno stammers,
"Christine… anong nangyayari?"
Before their eyes, the figure of the Santo Sepulcro rises from its resting position. The surrounding glass remains intact, untouched by the movement. The figure steps forward, becoming more lifelike with every step, as though shedding its inanimate form.
The couple stares in disbelief, a mix of fear and awe coursing through them. Christine's hands tremble as she instinctively clings to Benigno for support.
The figure, now standing before them with a radiant presence, speaks in a calm yet powerful voice.
"Huwag kayong matakot."
The couple freezes, their breath caught in their throats.
"Ito si Jesus, ang inyong Panginoon, na nagsasalita sa pamamagitan ng imahe," the Santo Sepulcro continues, its voice imbued with an otherworldly authority.
Benigno and Christine, overwhelmed by the divine presence, immediately fall to their knees. Tears stream down Christine's face as she bows her head low, her voice quivering.
"Panginoon, patawarin mo kami kung kami'y nagdududa. Ano po ang ibig sabihin ng lahat ng ito?"
Benigno, still stunned, manages to stutter,
"Panginoon, anong nais Niyo pong iparating sa amin?"
The Santo Sepulcro gazes at them with compassion, its movements slow and deliberate. The light around it pulses gently, casting an otherworldly glow over the retablo and the couple.
The figure of Jesus, speaking through the Santo Sepulcro, moves closer to Christine and Benigno, His presence commanding yet full of compassion. The couple remains kneeling, their hearts pounding in awe and trepidation.
"Ipinadala Ako ng Ama upang ipakita sa inyo ang katotohanan," Jesus begins, His voice calm yet firm. "Nakita Ko ang lahat—mula pa sa inyong pamumuhay sa Maynila, hanggang sa inyong pagdating dito sa Ilocos. At nakita Ko rin si Regie."
At the mention of Regie, Christine and Benigno exchange uneasy glances. A pang of guilt stirs within them.
"Si Regie… binalewala ninyo nang walang malinaw na dahilan," Jesus continues. "Bakit ninyo siya itinakwil?"
Benigno attempts to explain, his voice shaky.
"Panginoon, hindi namin intensyon na saktan siya. Gusto lang naming maitama ang landas niya"
"Ganoon din ako, Panginoon," Christine interjects.
"Gusto naming matutunan niya ang responsibilidad."
Jesus raises His hand, silencing them.
"Sapat na. Hayaan ninyong ipakita Ko sa inyo ang hindi ninyo nakita."
Suddenly, the Cathedral dissolves into an ethereal glow. Christine and Benigno find themselves standing in a different realm, one resembling a memory from years ago. They are in a modest room where Regie sits at a desk, engrossed in writing a novel. A younger Benigno bursts into the room, his tone stern.
"Ano ba itong ginagawa mo, Regie?" Benigno demands, glaring at the manuscript in Regie's hands.
Regie smiles sheepishly, explaining,
"Tay, sinusubukan ko pong magsulat ng kuwento. Ito po ang pangarap ko…"
Benigno interrupts him, his voice sharp.
"Pangarap? Regie, magiging sanitary engineer ka! Ano'ng kinalaman ng pagsusulat diyan? Sayang lang ang oras mo."
The smile fades from Regie's face as disappointment and shame cloud his expression. He bows his head, silently returning to his writing. The scene fades.
Before Christine and Benigno can process what they've witnessed, the surroundings shift again. They are now in their old living room in Manila. Regie writes a thesis on a notebook while looking up references and sources on the laptop, also trying to check in if A younger Christine berates Regie.
"Bakit hindi ka pa tapos sa mga gawaing bahay?!" Christine snaps, crossing her arms.
"Alam mo bang ako na naman ang mag-aalaga sa lahat ng ito?!"
Regie looks up from his desk, where he is painstakingly working on a school project.
"Ma, kailangan ko pong ipasa ito bukas. Kapag natapos ko po ito, gagawin ko ang mga gawaing bahay—"
"Nandiyan ka na naman! Hindi sapat ang mga dahilan mo!" Christine retorts, her tone harsh.
"Responsibilidad mo ito, hindi puro dahilan!"
The scene fades once more, and Christine and Benigno are left speechless, their guilt heavy.
Jesus's voice cuts through the silence.
"Ano ang nararamdaman ninyo sa inyong nakita?"
The couple hesitates, unable to find the words to express the pain and regret surging through them.
"Hindi niyo nakita ang pagmamahal at pagsisikap ni Regie," Jesus continues, His voice tinged with sorrow.
"Ginawa niya ang lahat para sa inyo. Wala siyang bisyo. Ngunit sa kabila nito, itinaboy ninyo siya."
The surroundings shift again. This time, they see Regie wandering the streets, his clothes tattered, his face hollow with exhaustion.
Christine gasps, tears streaming down her face.
"Panginoon, bakit… bakit hindi namin ito nakita noon?"
Regie trudges through different towns, rejected and mocked by strangers. Eventually, he reaches Vigan, his steps weary yet determined.
Benigno clenches his fists, his voice cracking.
"Hindi namin alam… Panginoon, patawad… patawad sa lahat ng nagawa namin sa kanya."
Jesus looks at them with compassion, yet His words are firm.
"Ito ang hindi ninyo nakita noon. Sa kabila ng lahat ng hirap, nagpatuloy si Regie. At ngayon, may pagkakataon kayong itama ang inyong pagkakamali."
Christine collapses into Benigno's arms, sobbing. The couple is left in agony, the weight of their actions finally settling on their hearts.