The Crown Prince (Reino de Filipinas Series)

Chapter 5.

GEN'S POV

"GEN!!!" Matinis na tili ni Mama mula sa hagdan ng bahay namin.

Kasalukuyan akong nasa kwarto ko at nag lilinis ng marinig ko ang boses na iyon ni Mama. Lumabas ako ng kwarto't bumaba sa sala ng bahay namin.

"Ma 'yung boses mo." Saway ko sa kanya.

Di ako nito pinansin, parang bata 'tong patalon-talon at niyakap pa ko nang makalapit na ko sa kanya.

"Gen, congrats!Tanggap ka na sa palacio," masayang sabi niya sa 'kin at ipinakita ang papel na kanina pa nito hawak.

"Oh my God!" Di makapaniwalang nasabi ko.

Kinuha ko kay Mama ang sobre at binasa iyon. Puno ng kaba ang dibdib ko habang pinapsadahan ng mga mata ng nakasulat sa papel.It's from the palace. The words were screaming at me. I am officially hired as Royal Aide. I jumped in so much glee while my parents were staring at me with big smiles on their faces.

Gosh. Who would have thought na after ng kagagahan ko'y mahahawakan ko ang pinakamimithi kong appointment letter? I did it! After a week of agony, here it is.

"Congratulations, anak," ani Papa saka ko niyakap.

"Thanks, Pa. I need to call Donna." Nagmamadali akong bumalik sa kwarto ko para kunin ang phone ko.

Hindi ko pa nada-dial ang number ni Bakla'y tumunog na ang phone ko, sinagot ko agad iyon at narinig ko ang masiglang boses ni Donna.

"I'm in!!!"

"OMG,Bakla! Ako din," abot tengang sagot ko sa kanya.

Kahit di ko siya kaharap, alam kong 'di rin mawala ang ngiti sa labi ng kaibigan dahil sa balita. Matagal ng pangarap ni Donna ang makapag trabaho sa palacio at ganoon din ako.

"Shocks, I'm extremely happy and excited."

"Me too. Ang lakas natin kay G."

"Sabi sa'yo eh. Makukuha tayo lalo ka na. Ang lakas kaya ng kapit mo sa palasyo, duh."

I let out an exasperated sigh. Here we go again, naisaloob-loob ko.

"Dons, let's stop that outrageous dream of yours, pwede? Una, madilim noong nangyari ang mukbang na tinutukoy mo. Pangalawa, he's just sporting that smile 'cause I am a clown. Literal na engot. So no. I am not buying your idea now, bakla."

May pait akong na-feel sa dibdib ko habang sinasabi ang mga 'yon. Nagpapaka totoo lang naman ako.

"Kung may isang bagay ang tunatak sa isip n'ya, that's me being clumsy. Twice. First, that coffee accident then recently my stupid final interview. That's it, okay?"

"Christ. Ang nega mo, Gen. Okay, bahala ka kung anong gusto mong isipin, ganoon din ako. Basta masaya tayo now dahil dito sa news. Ayos na ko don."

"That I can accept," nakangiting umupo ako sa dulo ng kama ko. "Kelan mo pala balak mag pack?"

"Later after kong ibalita dito sa bahay na lalayas na ang panganay nila," may bahod ng lungkot na ani to.

"O siya, tinatawag kasi ako ni Liezel. Talk to you later."

"Okay. Bye."

Nakangting tiningnan ko ang letter of appointment na hawak ko at binasa iyon. May pitong araw pa 'ko bago pormal na mag simula bilang Royal Aide. Sa Communications and Information kami pareho ni Donna na-assign, related kasi sa course ko at sa dati kong trabaho ang departamenong iyon. I will be handling content and social media accounts for the Royal Family. Ngayon pa lang ay super excited na ko pero di ko maiwasang di malungkot, working for the Royals means I will be away from home. It's one of the conditions on the contract.

The Crown has staff houses provided for all of its employees and since I'm officially appointed as one of those, next week I'm going to start living independently and leave our home.

The thought made my mood somber but I pushed it away. For now, I will enjoy every second I have with my parents. Nakakalungkot man pero napagusapan na namin ng mga magulang ko ang bagay na 'to. Solong anak ako kaya alam kong sobrang hirap sa kanila na sumang ayon sa kagustuhan ko. That's why I made a promise to them, all of my weekends are for them. Dalwang araw kasi ang off na binibigay sa mga empleyado sa palacio.

I sigh.Kinuha ko ang laptop ko at binuksan iyon. Nakalagay kasi sa hawak kong sulat na may ipinadalang email sa kin at kailangan ko daw basahin at aralin iyon.

I went to my inbox and I saw an email labeled 'PALACE PROTOCOLS'. Quickly, I clicked the file and downloaded it since it's in a pdf format. Upon opening it I was bombarded by a long list of do's and don'ts for us- the staff.

Buti pa si Lord, sampo lang ang utos.Hast!

Napa ngisi ako sa naisip. The Royal family and the household or commonly known as Casa Royal de Filipinas are known to have strict protocols. Since I will be employed, my full cooperation is demanded. Holding the gadget, I flopped on my bed and started scanning the long list of so-called Protocols.

Kinusot ko ang mga mata kong napagod sa kakatingin sa screen. Di ko na tinapos pa ang ibang mga nakalista sa sobrang dami non di ko din naman makakabisa lahat sa isang upuan lang. I'll just print the file and read it once I'm inside the palace. Sa dami noon, hindi namna siguro sila nag e-expect na makabisado ko ang mga 'yon sa loob ng isang ara lang, hindi ba?

Bumangon ako't itinabi ko iyon, itutuloy ko na lang ang naantala kong ginagawa kanina. Mag sisimula na lang akong mag ayos ng mga gamit na dadalhin ko sa palacio. Ayoko kasing mag-cram at malamang na marami akong makakalimutan kapag nagkataon.

New work for you, Gen.

I pulled the largest luggage I owned na binili ko pa noong sale sa SM three years ago at inilapag iyon sa ibabaw ng kama ko. Ilang sagit pa, abala na ko sa pag paroo't parito sa loob ng maliit kong kwarto, hawak ang mga damit na alam kong kakailanganin ko sa pagtira sa palasyo.

Habang nag liligpit ako ng mga gamit kong nakakalat sa ibabaw ng study table, napansin ko ang maliit na kahon. Kinuha ko iyon at napangiti nang wala sa oras. Hindi ko maiwasang maalala ang ngiti ni Prince Liam noong final interview ko. It was short, fleeting yet genuine.

May kung anong bagay ang ginising sa loob ko ang ngiting 'yon. Kilig at pag asa. I know I'm a fool to think that he recognized me, it's too dark and our chance encounter was short. But in the deepest of my heart, andon ang piping panalangin na sana...sana ang ngiting 'yon ay 'di lang dala ng kagagahan ko nang araw na 'yon.

Grabbing the expensive pendant, I shook my head and proceed with my task. A girl can dream but it should also be realistic and attainable, and my thoughts certainly aren't.

THE CONTRACT

17 Feb 2020

To: Ms. Maria Genessia C. Rodriguez

Re: Employment Offer for Royal Aide Position

Dear Ms. Rodriguez,

We are pleased to inform you that you passed your interview and we are hereby offering you employment on a contract basis for the position of a Royal Aide to the Crown. The terms and conditions of your employment are as follows:

Day of Commencement

You are expected to report to your duties as from 24th February 2020. Your contract is based on a period of one (1) year after which we may renew it based on your performance and mutual agreement.

1. Reporting

You will report to your immediate supervisor on the said date. You are required to comply with the Crown's and Communications Office's rules and regulations at all given times and should always act in a manner that protects the Crown's interest.

2. Allocated Place of Work

You will be based at the Central Palace Office in Intramuros, Manila.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

Your roles and responsibilities are outlined in the job description which is an extension of this contract. Your signature will imply that you fully agree with all the terms and conditions laid out in this contract.

4. Monthly Salary

You are entitled to a monthly compensation amounting to Php 32,000.00 which will be subject to all statutory and company deductions with regards to the law.

5. Working Hours

Your working hours shall be from 9 a.m to 6 p.m (Monday-Friday). However, you may also be required to avail yourself of these stipulated hours if the need arises.

6. Leave

6.1 Vacation

You will be entitled to 21 working days of leave at full pay. However, the leave days should only be taken at a time most suitable for both you and your respective department.

6.2 Sick Leave

You are entitled to up to twenty-four (24) working days of sick leave at full pay.

7. Termination

This contract can be terminated:

By either party given a prior 30 working days written notice failure to which a compensation equivalent to a month's salary will be awarded.

Or,

By the Employer on account of redundancyetrenchment as per the law.

8. Amendment and Enforcement

Any alterations or amendments to this contract shall be duly communicated in writing taking into consideration both the employer's and employee's views.

Congratulations on your appointment and welcome to the Palace. We look forward to years of fruitful cooperation and success. We wish you the best of luck in your new post.

Sincerely,

Happy Dy- Sunga

Human Resource Manager

Casa Royal de Filipinas

ROYAL STAFF/ AIDE ETIQUETTE & PROTOCOLS

DO's

1. Greetings

- Everyone must Bow or Galang (head only) to any Royal Family member.

2. Titles and Proper Presentation

Here are the proper way to address the Royal Family;

*King- Your Majesty/ Sire; His Majesty the King when introduced.

*Queen- Your Majesty; Her Majesty the Queen when introduced.

* Crown Prince- Your Royal Highness; His Royal Highness Heir Apparent when introduced.

*Prince/ Princess- Your Highness; His/Her Royal Highness Prince/Princess when introduced.

3. Proper way of addressing the Royal Family when speaking to them during a meeting.

*On meeting or presentation to the King and Princes;

- Use the right greetings. On presentation or meeting to the King, the correct address is Your Majesty and subsequently Sir. This also applies to the Royal Princes.

*On meeting or presentation to the King and Princes;

- Use the right greetings. On presentation or meeting to the Queen, the correct address is Your Majesty and subsequently Maam. This also applies to the Royal Princess and Princess Consorts.

4. BE EARLY ALWAYS.

- ALL STAFF or AIDES must arrive 20 minutes before a Royal arrives.

5. Take the Royal Family Member's lead.

-Anyone is expected to stand if the King remains seated.

6. The seat at the center will always be granted to the King or any member of the Royal Family.

7. In the presence of the Royal/s, you can only sit after all of them are seated. Or, remain standing still and in position unless you are instructed otherwise.

8. Form semi-circles.

-If presented to His Majesty at any Royal meeting or event you will be marshaled into a series of semi-circles. Be patient and wait for your turn.

9. Always be presentable when meeting the Royals. Wear proper uniforms for specific occasions. Kindly refer to the end page to be guided.

10. Be there but not there.

-When seeing a Royal approaching, you must disappear into the background. Your presence should be neither be seen nor heard.

DON'Ts

1. No one is allowed to touch any member of the Royal Family unless they are permitted to.

-Shake their hands if and only if they've offered it to you personally.

2. Don't talk unless spoken to.

3. Don't leave the room before any Royals.

-Staff/Aide should never leave an event or meeting before any Royal Family member unless permission has been granted to you.

4. Don't turn your back to any Royal Family member.

5.NO TAKING OF PICTURES WITH THEM.

6. Asking personal questions is PROHIBITED.

7. NO AUTOGRAPHS.

-Asking for autographs or any form is PROHIBITED. Anyone who'll be caught doing this will be automatically terminated.

8. No wearing of strong or overpowering scent.