“You’ve Earned Your Share, Marina.”

From the novel, Twin Sisters in Colonial Philippines — A Journey of One Soul (Netflix Series 2027). History Fiction. Author: Vee David

Intramuros, Manila – 17 July 1924

It was a day unfamiliar, yet not entirely unexpected. Marina Takemoto stood at the edge of the balcony, her hands resting on the stone balustrade as she gazed over the sprawling walled city of Manila. She had blossomed into a striking beauty, her features a reflection of her Japanese heritage and the resilience that came with years of struggle and triumph. Her almond-shaped eyes, dark and deep, seemed to carry the weight of both her past and the hopes for her future. Her smooth skin, warmed by the Manila sun, carried a soft golden hue, and her long black hair, always impeccably tied back in a simple knot, framed her delicate face with effortless grace, unmistakably Japanesque.

Marina's beauty was both in her appearance, and in the way she moved—confident, yet humble. She walked with a purpose that had been sharpened by her experience as a migrant worker in a foreign land, and by the expectations placed upon her. Her frequent mannerisms—touching her lower lip in thought, slightly tilting her head when listening intently, or clasping her hands together gently in front of her when nervous—only added to her charm.

Fluent now in Spanish, English, Tagalog, and her native Japanese, Marina had become an invaluable asset in Manila’s elite circles. Every time she spoke, she flowed seamlessly between languages, her words polished, her tones adapting to the company she kept. It was Manuel Quezon himself who had made this possible. He had invested in her education, sparing no expense to ensure she became proficient in the languages she would need to navigate the growing economy of the Philippines. And Marina had worked tirelessly to meet his expectations.

"You’re progressing faster than I imagined," Quezon had told her one evening, his voice pulsating with pride as they sat on the veranda of his Marikina estate. The sun had begun to set, casting long shadows over the golf course below, where Quezon often took Marina to discuss business. "I knew you’d be an asset, but you’ve far exceeded my hopes, Marina."

His words filled her with a mixture of pride and relief, but also pressure. She could not afford to fail—not with everything Quezon had done for her. When his posting in the US had expired and he returned to Manila, he had taken her under his wings in earnest. Together with Olivia Rodriguez, his sharp and efficient secretary, Quezon began taking Marina to his meetings, social gatherings, and even his golf swings. It wasn’t long before the wealthiest businessmen of Manila, men like Don Vicente Madrigal and Don Andres Soriano, began gravitating toward her, eager to leverage her unique access to Japan, a country rapidly rising as a global power.

"Marina, join us tomorrow at the club," Quezon had said one afternoon after a business luncheon. "It’s time you meet some of the larger players in the sugar and abaca industries. They’re eager to work with Japan."

"They’re all in the Rotary Club of Manila,” he said, bristling, as blue smoke coiled up from his freshly-lit Alhambra cigar—its roasting aroma wafting through the air.

She had nodded, swallowing the nerves that bubbled up within her. Each meeting, each introduction, was a test—a chance to prove that Quezon’s investment had paid off. And with every handshake, every polite bow, and every carefully constructed sentence, Marina could feel herself becoming an integral part of Quezon’s sphere of influence.

“She’s indispensable," Quezon would say proudly to his associates, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Japan may be rising, but thanks to Marina, we’re already ahead of our rivals.” The wealthy class began to take notice of Marina, recognizing her as Quezon’s protégée. She was invited to events, business dinners, and private gatherings, where her fluency in multiple languages and her understanding of both Filipino and Japanese cultures set her apart. Men like Madrigal and Soriano viewed her as the bridge between the Philippines and Japan, and they weren’t wrong. Quezon’s investment in her had indeed paid off.

As Marina’s role deepened, Quezon ensured she was well-compensated. It began with small amounts, enough to keep her comfortable, but as her involvement in high-stakes negotiations grew, so did her earnings. One evening, after successfully closing a deal with Japanese traders, Quezon handed her an envelope, his eyes gleaming with approval. "You’ve earned your share, Marina," he said. "You’ve done more than just assist—you’ve made these deals happen."

Marina hesitated, her fingers brushing the edges of the envelope. The weight of it was unfamiliar but exhilarating. "Thank you, Don Manuel," she replied softly, bowing her head in gratitude. But inside, she was already calculating how to put this money to good use.

That night, she confided in Olivia, who had become her closest confidante and mentor. Olivia had taken Marina under her wing as well, teaching her the finer points of business and navigating Manila’s complex social landscape. “What will you do with it, Marina?” Olivia had asked, her voice calm but full of wisdom. “This is just the beginning. You’ve got the world at your feet now.”

"I don’t know," Marina admitted, her brows furrowing. "I’m not interested in luxuries, but I want to make smart investments. I want to build something."

"Something that multiplies by itself," she added, her eyes brimming with foresight. “Without much effort,” she interjected before Olivia could move her lips.

“Then don’t wait. Start now.” Olivia’s eyes had glimmered with pride, her hand resting gently on Marina’s arm. “Invest wisely, and don’t be afraid to take risks. With Quezon’s guidance and mine, you can’t go wrong.”

And so, Marina took the leap. She avoided the trappings of wealth—the luxurious clothes, the extravagant parties—and instead poured her money into land deals. It was a decision that would eventually pay off tenfold. Together with Olivia, she invested in what would later become the famous Tokyo Bazaar on Escolta, a bustling marketplace that catered to both Filipino and Japanese clientele. The Bazaar was a reflection of Marina herself—a blend of cultures, a place where two worlds collided and thrived.

The owners offered Marina a few shares at rock-bottom prices, hoping to cash in on her connection with Quezon. She suggested a few innovations, like serving free kakigori (flavored shaved ice) on Sundays and opening a small Japanese restaurant in the adjacent space inside. The owners took the bait. The Tokyo Bazaar quickly became an instant success, with its customers doubling in the first week. Its stalls were lined with silks, pottery, and other Japanese goods that had become highly sought after in Manila. Marina suggested that the Bazaar focus on selling hard-to-find Japanese goods—leading to exclusive contracts with Japanese manufacturers.

Her wise investments paid off, but she never allowed herself to grow complacent. She continued working closely with Quezon, attending meetings, negotiating deals, and ensuring that both her reputation—and his—remained untarnished.

But amidst all the success, there was one piece of her life that remained incomplete. Her thoughts often drifted to Mariko, her twin sister, who had been lost to her all those years ago. Where are you, Mariko? she would think during quiet moments, her heart heavy with the weight of the unknown. She had confided in Olivia about her missing twin sister last seen in Shanghai, but she had never mentioned it to Quezon. Not yet. She couldn’t ask for his help until she was absolutely certain she had proven her worth. One night, she promised herself: One day, I’ll ask him for his help, and we’ll find Mariko together.

For now, Marina focused on her work, determined to meet Quezon’s expectations and secure her place in Manila’s elite circles. But no matter how much success she found, the longing for her twin sister never faded. It was a quiet ache that followed her everywhere, a reminder that even in triumph, there were still pieces of her that remained lost.

The night sky over Intramuros deepened with even more piercing silence—not a hiss from the shimmering stars.

Vee David, Prisoner of Literature, Writer-by-the-sea. Monday, 30 September 2024, Miyazaki, Japan