My name, Hiyas, means "treasure, jewel" in Filipino. My dad told me that. He always says, "You are my Hiyas." I'm originally from the Philippines, though I barely know my culture. Anyway… my dad, Jul Corazon, is a CEO who owns oil companies around the world. My mom, Faith, passed away when I was born.
I was born with Alpha‑1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AAT), a rare genetic disorder that causes severe lung problems in premature babies. Yep, I was premature. When I was born, doctors said I wouldn't survive, which is why my dad is completely overprotective of me. This disease left me with serious lung complications, so I have trouble breathing. But thanks to medical advances, I manage with purified human AAT therapy.
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— Why is no one saying anything? Dad, what's going on? Mom!
— I stayed away because I went to the Philippines.
— Wow! Cool!!! Mom, you knew?
— Yes, sweetie.
— Me too.
Wait… I'm the only one not in the loop? My dad knows I love my home country. I've dreamed of going there since I was little, even if all I know in Tagalog is "Kumusta po kayo" (how are you?).
— What?
— Actually, I didn't go to the UAE, I went to the Philippines.
— You lied?
— If I had told you, you would have wanted to follow me… and I had too much to do to take care of you.
— Yes, honey…
Is my dad hiding something from me? Why? I have my medicine—I can take care of myself!
— I'm fine, Dad. I can manage on my own, as long as I take my medicine.
— That's not enough, sweetie.
— What do you mean?
— Never mind, Hiyas.
— Uh… honey, so you said the company headquarters will now be in the Philippines?
— Yeah. And I have to stay there.
Stay there?? Did I hear that right?
Yay! We're moving to the Philippines!
— Awesome, we're moving!!!
— Huh? — said Grandma, surprised.
— Not at all. I'll go and come back at the end of every month.
No no no, not that! God, please… a miracle!
— Won't that be tiring?
— Yes, but I don't want you to come there.
Why? What is my dad hiding? Anyway, I'll do whatever it takes. I'll discover my roots, go to school like other kids, and live a normal life. Promise of Aaliyah Hiyas Corazon.
— Jul, I think you should go with your family. Family should always stay together. If it's divided, it will cause problems.
Oh oh oh, thank you, Grandma! I owe you a gift!
— But mother-in-law, Sorayah also has her life here.
I forgot to mention, Mom Sorayah has her own cosmetics brand (SHC: S for Sorayah, H for Hiyas, C for Coleman). But the coolest thing? She always makes time for me. Sometimes I feel like my mom Faith lives in her.
— It's okay, sweetie. And it won't change anything if I'm there. We can go.
— Please, Dad, say yes! Say yes! Say yes! Come on, Sige na, please! — I say with puppy-dog eyes.
— You learned a new Tagalog word? — he says, surprised.
— Your daughter is amazing. — says Grandma.
— Hm… okay.
— Yaaayyyyy!!!