The Legacy of Santiago

Santiago "Santi" Domingo stood at the edge of the grand balcony of the family’s private estate, overlooking the glittering lights of Manila Bay. His fingers traced the cool surface of the railing as he stared out into the sprawling skyline, the soft hum of the city below seeming like a distant echo. The city was alive, pulsing with energy, a city that had watched the rise of the Domingo empire from humble beginnings to untouchable heights. It was a city that, much like him, could never be satisfied—always yearning for more. As the eldest son of Don Samuel Domingo, the patriarch of the family, Santi had been groomed for this life. From the moment he could understand the weight of his last name, he knew what was expected of him: to lead, to conquer, to make sure that the legacy his father had built continued without faltering. Santi had always been the perfect heir, the one who seemed to embody all the qualities needed to manage a multi-billion empire. He was sharp, composed, strategic, and unyielding—traits that made him respected in the boardroom, feared by rivals, and admired by his family. But despite his perfection on paper, Santi could never shake the feeling of emptiness that followed him everywhere. The constant pressure to live up to his father’s expectations was a burden he wore silently, never allowing the cracks to show. To the outside world, he was the definition of success—an accomplished CEO, the next in line to inherit the family business—but behind closed doors, he felt like nothing more than a man in a gilded cage. “Are you coming, Kuya?” The voice snapped Santi out of his thoughts. He turned to see his younger brother, Salvador, standing in the doorway, his trademark smirk on his face. Salvador, called Sal, with his unruly curls and casual demeanor, was the antithesis of everything Santi had become. Where Santi was always meticulously put together, Sal was unpredictable, often disregarding the formalities of the family business to focus on his own innovations and passions. But despite their differences, Santi had always admired Sal’s ability to remain true to himself in a world that demanded conformity. “Of course,” Santi replied with a small, strained smile. “I’ll be there in a moment.” Sal raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on Santi for a beat longer than usual. “You’ve been standing there for the last ten minutes, staring out into the horizon like it’s going to give you the answers you need. You okay?” Santi’s smile faltered, but he quickly masked it with his usual stoic expression. “Just thinking about the future, Sal. The board meeting tonight.” Sal chuckled, stepping into the room and leaning against the door frame. “The future? Kuya, you’ve been ‘thinking about the future’ since I can remember. Maybe it’s time you stop thinking and start living. You’ve got everything you could ever want. Why not enjoy it?” Santi sighed, turning back to the balcony. The night air was cool, and for a moment, he allowed himself to close his eyes, imagining a life without the endless responsibilities, the meetings, the constant pressure to prove himself worthy. But that was a fantasy—a fleeting thought that could never be realized. He opened his eyes and met his brother’s gaze. “You don’t understand. You’ve never had to bear the weight of this family’s expectations. The empire… it’s not just a business, Sal. It’s my inheritance. It’s my duty.” Sal snorted, a playful yet knowing smile tugging at his lips. “Duty? Kuya, you’ve been carrying that duty on your shoulders for so long, that you’ve forgotten how to be yourself. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone.” Before Sant could respond, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glancing at the message that flashed across the screen. It was from his father, Don Samuel: The board meeting starts at 8. Be there on time, Santiago. We need to discuss the next phase of expansion. I expect you to be prepared. Santi’s stomach tightened at the message, a familiar wave of anxiety washing over him. He couldn’t help but feel like every decision, and every move he made was scrutinized under the sharp eye of his father. “I’ll be downstairs in a few,” Santi said, his voice low as he turned toward Sal. “Tell the others I’ll join them shortly.” Sal didn’t press further. He simply nodded and left, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. Santi stood in the stillness of the room, his gaze drifting back to the city below. His father had always been a figure of authority, a man whose expectations shaped every aspect of Santi’s life. Don Samuel had built an empire, and now it was up to Santi to ensure its future. But at what cost? The thought of taking the reins from his father filled him with both pride and trepidation. The legacy that came with the name Domingo was a powerful one, but it was also a burden. Santi had no choice but to take his place at the head of the empire, but deep down, he wondered if there was more to life than business deals and boardroom strategies. Could he ever be more than just the perfect heir? His father’s voice echoed in his mind, reminding him of the values he had instilled in his children: loyalty, duty, strength. Those were the traits that mattered. Love, emotion, personal desires—those were distractions. And so, Santi had pushed aside his own dreams and ambitions for the sake of the family, focusing all his energy on his role as the future leader of the Domingo empire. But what if there was more? What if there was something else—something, or someone, that could show him a different way to live, to love, to be free? Santi shook his head, trying to dispel the thought. It was an impossible dream, a fleeting fantasy that had no place in the cold reality of his world. He was the heir, the chosen one, and that was his purpose. Sighing deeply, he walked toward the door and made his way downstairs to the family’s grand dining room. As he entered, the familiar faces of his brothers greeted him. Sebastian the one next to Santi whom they call "Baste", the marine biologist and environmental advocate who struggles to reconcile his environmental activism with the family's business ventures; Samuel or Sammy, the "techpreneur" whose expertise creates ground-breaking apps; Sandro a world-renowned architect; and Sal, the youngest brother, a professional athlete turned sports mogul. They were all gathered around the table, preparing for the meeting with their father. Each brother lost in their thoughts. Santi took his seat at the head of the table, where his father would soon join them. As the family settled into place, the conversation turned to business, as it always did. “We need to discuss the next phase of expansion,” Don Samuel said, his voice booming as he entered the room. “The international market is ripe for our brands. I expect each of you to present your ideas tonight.” Santi straightened in his chair, ready to step into his role. His brothers, each in their own way, had contributed to the family’s wealth and power, but it was Santi who would ultimately steer them forward. As the eldest, the heir, the one entrusted with the legacy of the Domingo name, it was his responsibility to guide them into the future. And yet, as he listened to his father’s words, the weight of his inheritance felt heavier than ever.