Eruditio

Juan Luna and Antonio Luna, two big names in Philippine History, both these people contributed a lot of things for their country, both became ilustrados (erudites, enlightened ones) that spent most of their time in Spain trying to appeal for independence and reform through peaceful means. Juan Luna is a renowned painter during his peak years, He was the painter of one of Renaldo's favorite painting in his past life, the "Spoliarium". He is also one of those people who were with Rizal and other compatriots who became activists in Spain for Philippine Independence, they appealed to the Spanish Monarchy through the use of pens and not swords, although everything was for naught, they were smart yet naive at the same time, who in their right mind would give up a colony that can generate them millions and millions of active and running currency?! Renaldo thought.

Not saying that the Philippine Revolution is a work of genius though, it was a disaster, it was not an army, it was just an organized mob that were armed to the teeth that's why it failed, and it failed miserably, being sold by the Spaniards to a stronger powerhouse, each and everyone of them thought that the United States army that came were just there for display, they were terribly wrong and I plan to change that, I won't let history repeat itself for I am going to liberate my country using my knowledge of the future events that will happen, I will take matters into my own hands and I will succeed in which they failed.

Renaldo, still reeling from shock remembered things about Antonio Luna though, also an Ilustrado and someone who appealed for reforms, He's also a renowned researcher as he published a scientific study about malaria, disease similar to dengue. This study became widely accepted internationally in the science community and earned the praise of many. There are a lot more of his achievements in the scientific community but Renaldo isn't very clear about those other topics.

One thing that he remembers about Antonio though is he became one of the greatest generals of the Philippine Republic despite him not winning any battles, he was still regarded as such, because he held his own against the Americans, a powerhouse better equipped and better organized than Spain's detachment in the Philippines, Antonio gave the Americans one hell of a fight, if not for the betrayal of his own countrymen, Antonio could've accomplished his plans of luring the americans towards the jungles and committing guerilla warfare against them which the filipinos are known for.

Renaldo thought that both brothers are very important in Philippine History, and are very smart people that he can use for his cause, there are cons on them though as both are known as people with some questionable mental health, Juan killed his own wife because of jealousy and a fit of rage, he was released on the account that he was considered as "mentally unstable" while his brother, Antonio on the other hand is known by other people as also someone with anger management issues, someone trigger happy. He is also someone who doesn't think about the consequences when he's angry as seen when he was captured by the Spaniards because of the Katipunan members who snitched on him, so in a fit of rage, he snitched on them back, even saying that while he is also a member of the revolution, those people he snitched on are guiltier than he is, Although he redeemed himself by coming back to the Revolution and fighting the Americans wholeheartedly and with renewed vigor.

Renaldo is now weighing the cons if recruiting them is worth it or not but decided that he must at least befriend them for the time being, because although they might develop into such people in the future, Renaldo as someone who came from a distant time can polish them into people who can control their rage and as such remove the cons and just enjoy the victory of the pros.

Renaldo snapped out of his inner monologue as he also introduced himself to Antonio.

"Sorry for the late introduction but I'm Renaldo, Renaldo Melchor, son of Mauricio and Marilou Melchor, Our first meeting might be quite bad because I earned the ire of your brother and I kinda became an ass at first but I hope to atone for my misgivings Antonio. said Renaldo as he smiled and shook the hands of Antonio as a sign of peace."

Antonio, clearly overjoyed by the thoughts of having someone to talk to took Renaldo's hand to shake it and said:

"Don't worry about my brother! He might be that way at times but he is still someone who is kindhearted, he'll come back in a few minutes once he cooled himself, you might not know it but my brother also loves books! He even have that same book you are reading a while ago in our house, he told me that it is one of the best books that he's read and a very informative book that might help him understand more on how to become successful in the future!"

Renaldo chuckled, thinking about how Juan will become someone who loves painting and politics just nodded and said;

"No doubt about that! I sense and smell the same thing about him, we are people who are alike in a lot of things, all three of us are someday going to become people who are respected by many, you should also read this book as this might help you more than reading those religious scriptures"

Antonio, baffled by Renaldo's words at first but then felt a bit offended by his second remarks frowned a bit but still maintained decorum and asked Renaldo:

"What do you mean? I understand a bit about your first sentence as it might be some kind of courtesy but seriously? You look down on religious scriptures? Are you a heretic?!"

Renaldo was shocked by Antonio's reply but kept his calm and said;

"No, I'm not a heretic and I don't look down on the religious texts, it's just that there's this saying about God that a friar once told me, he said, Man proposes and God disposes, a line which gave me a lot of insight, it means that while God blesses us and keeps on watching us, we also need to toil on what we want to happen, on our goals and our agenda"

Antonio was taken aback by such wisdom , he was also enlightened by Renaldo's words and immediately thought that the kid in front of him is someone really smart so he said;

"Forgive me Renaldo for misunderstanding your intentions and your words, but be careful next time about talking about these things to other people, as it can be misunderstood by them, you might even be labeled for a heretic, the friars are scary people you know, I once saw them lead those guardia civil to kill someone they labeled as a heretic in bagumbayan when I was there with my family"

Renaldo shivered and angered at the thought of filipinos being executed so he grimly nodded, as the friars are mentioned, they were one of the main reasons filipinos were executed, especially those Spanish friars who treated us as barbarians and heretics and wantonly executed a lot of us just because we breathe the same air as them.

~Behind the doorway to the asotea, Juan was secretly eavesdropping on the two kid's conversation, when he heard of Renaldo's words, he instantly became enlightened as this was one of the bottlenecks of his philosophy class with his Maestro, he immediately decided to come back and try to make amends with this seemingly smart and mature kid as he removed his former haughtiness and decided to be humble~

Little did he know, there was a mosquito beside him that acts as Renaldo's eyes and ears, Renaldo's animals are everywhere in fact, as there's also a lizard at the ceiling.

Renaldo was informed by his animals since a while ago about Juan's eavesdropping, it is the reason why he said those words, to exactly enlighten both brothers as to influence them a bit in their endeavors for the future.