The following are character descriptions in the modern era. All of the following are events based on the history of the past decades, from the year 2000 to the present, and hopefully, everything will be resolved in the future, just like what will happen in my novel.
Lt. Arvin Dela Cruz – The Modern Soldier
Descendant of Rafael dela Cruz, Arvin Dela Cruz is a young officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, born into a modest family where service to the country was taught as the highest calling. From his father, a veteran, he inherited discipline and courage, and from his mother, compassion and humility. Unlike warriors of the past who fought against colonizers, Arvin's battlefield is modern: terrorism, insurgency, and humanitarian crises.
He is often torn between two worlds—his duty to protect the nation and his longing to be present for his family. His story reveals the unseen struggles of the modern soldier: sleepless nights in the field, doubts about political decisions, and the heavy weight of leading men into danger.
Despite hardships, Arvin's strength lies not only in his combat skills but in his humanity. He comforts civilians displaced by conflict, carries children out of disaster zones, and reminds his men that compassion is as important as bravery.
Arvin embodies the soldier who fights not for glory, but for the people whose voices are often drowned out by politics. In his journey, readers see that the Filipino soldier is more than a fighter—he is a protector, a leader, and ultimately, a human being with a heart that beats for his country.
Engr. Maria Isabel Santos – The Inventor
Maria Isabel Santos grew up in the countryside, raised by parents who taught her that education was the path to changing lives. Even as a child, she was fascinated by how things worked. She dismantled old radios, fixed broken fans, and sketched machines she dreamed of building. Against the odds, she earned an engineering degree and dedicated her career to creating affordable, practical inventions for poor communities.
Her focus is on renewable energy and disaster-resilient housing—solutions that directly address the Philippines' struggles with blackouts, typhoons, and poverty. Yet Maria's path is never easy. She battles corruption, lack of funding, and people who dismiss her because she is young and a woman. Despite this, she persists, believing innovation is useless unless it reaches those who need it most.
Her chapters show a different kind of battle—the war against ignorance, bureaucracy, and complacency. Her creations light homes in far-flung villages, bring water to drought-stricken fields, and give hope to families who have lost everything.
Through Maria, readers see the brilliance and resilience of Filipinos in science and technology. She represents the belief that heroes are not only found on battlefields, but also in laboratories, classrooms, and workshops where ideas become tools of survival and hope.
Dr. Ramon Ilagan – The Scientist
Ramon Ilagan is a dedicated medical researcher who grew up in Manila, watching his neighborhood fall victim to disease outbreaks. From an early age, he saw how the poor suffered most when medicine was scarce. This memory fueled his decision to become a scientist—not for fame, but to save lives.
Throughout the story, Ramon works tirelessly in labs and hospitals, often sacrificing his health, time, and relationships. When epidemics strike the nation, he becomes one of the few willing to face the unknown, testing treatments and pushing for better health systems. His work is not glamorous—long nights, endless experiments, and heartbreaking failures—but he never gives up.
Ramon's story reflects the sacrifices of Filipino doctors and researchers, many of whom remain unrecognized despite saving countless lives. He embodies resilience and duty, even when political systems fail to support his work. His greatest victory is not a breakthrough drug, but the countless lives he protects by sharing knowledge, developing affordable solutions, and mentoring younger scientists.
Through him, the novel highlights the truth that battles are not only fought with guns and bullets. Some of the most important wars are fought in laboratories and hospitals, where people like Ramon stand between humanity and disaster.
Ana Reyes – The Activist
Ana Reyes is a millennial who grew up in a digital world. She is intelligent, outspoken, and unafraid to confront authority. Inspired by stories of past heroes, she realizes that her generation's battlefield is different—it is fought through information, awareness, and peaceful resistance.
Ana uses social media as her weapon, exposing corruption, defending the marginalized, and rallying people to demand accountability. She leads student movements, organizes community projects, and speaks out against injustices many prefer to ignore. Because of this, she is often targeted, criticized, and even threatened. Yet her courage lies in her refusal to be silenced.
Her story shows the rise of the modern activist—someone who does not carry guns but wields influence with words, ideas, and unity. Ana also embodies the youth's role in shaping the nation, bridging the sacrifices of the past with the dreams of the future.
She is not perfect—sometimes too idealistic, often doubting herself—but it is her flaws that make her relatable. She represents millions of Filipinos who want change but fear speaking up. By following Ana's journey, readers see how courage begins with one voice daring to rise above the noise, inspiring others to follow.
General Ernesto Villanueva – The Old Guard
Ernesto Villanueva is a retired general who lived through Martial Law and the turbulent decades that followed. In his younger years, he followed orders unquestioningly, believing discipline and obedience were the ultimate duty of a soldier. But as time passed, he saw the human cost of blind loyalty—families torn apart, freedoms suppressed, and lives lost.
Now older and carrying the weight of regret, Ernesto acts as a mentor to younger soldiers like Lt. Arvin. He teaches them lessons learned from both victories and mistakes. His role is not to fight battles anymore, but to ensure the next generation does not repeat the errors of the past.
Ernesto's chapters give a reflective voice to the novel. He represents the bridge between eras—someone who understands the cost of conflict but also believes in redemption and reform. His wisdom tempers youthful fire, reminding readers that true strength comes not only from courage but also from restraint and foresight.
Through him, the story emphasizes that history's lessons must be remembered if the future is to be brighter. Ernesto shows that even those who once erred can still choose to guide others toward peace, justice, and integrity.
The Anonymous Citizen – The People's Voice
This "character" is not one person, but the collective voice of the Filipino people. Farmers, fishermen, overseas workers, teachers, nurses, street vendors, drivers—all appear as narrators in different parts of the modern arc, sharing their lives and struggles.
Through their eyes, readers see how national conflicts ripple into daily existence: a farmer losing crops to typhoons, a fisherman displaced by foreign vessels, an OFW longing to return home, or a teacher striving to educate despite scarce resources.
The Anonymous Citizen gives the story authenticity. It ensures that history is not told only by leaders, soldiers, or scientists, but also by those whose quiet resilience sustains the nation. They represent the true foundation of the Philippines—the ordinary people whose sacrifices and goodness often go unnoticed.
By weaving their voices throughout the modern arc, the novel reminds readers that the nation's heart does not beat in palaces or military bases alone, but in every home, classroom, rice field, and fishing boat across the land.