A Hidden Life

The First Time My Hidden Life Was Uncovered

The Villamayors, being close and kind to Yaya Laura, agreed when my father had enrolled me as Evangela Guerrero at Convento de Santa Clara y el Colegio, an exclusive school for girls run by Franciscan nuns. They said that it was one way of thanking Yaya Laura's loyal service --- sending her "niece" to school. 

 I couldn't believe it at first. I took the admission test and interview and passed both stages. What was important was I would have a comfortable life at the Zona and I'm going to a private school.

However, I didn't know that the term "temporarily" would extend until my senior high school years. When I became friends with the Vixens, they didn't know that I was pretending to be a maid in my father's household.

During our senior high school days, we were required to re-submit our birth and baptismal certificate. According to Sister Corazon, our principal, it was their way of verifying our legal name so as not to be a hassle when we go to college and start working professionally. 

One day, Sister Corazon called me at her office.

"Evangela," she said. "May I know your real name?" 

"Evangela Guerrero, Sister," I answered.

"Then why is it that your birth certificate indicates Evangela Guerrero Villamayor?" 

"My father..." I replied but paused for a long time, thinking of what to say.

"Tell your father to come over here," she said.

So when my father came to speak with Sister Corazon, he admitted that I was his illegitimate daughter and we had to pretend that I was Yaya Laura's niece. 

Sister Corazon looked at me with concern. After the meeting, she told me that she would change my record to Villamayor but I could still use Guerrero. She even told me that it would still remain a secret between the three of us.