Congressman Dimagiba was not used to losing.
"I want that video taken down!" he shouted at his staff. "Copyright claim! Defamation! Something!"
"We can't, sir. It's protected speech. And she has 10 million views."
"I don't care! Find something on her! Anything!"
His staff exchanged glances. "Sir, she's a 173-year-old Manananggal who pays taxes and volunteers at a community center. The worst thing we've found is that one time she accidentally ordered the wrong blood type and had to return it."
"THAT'S NOT SCANDAL!"
Meanwhile, Glad's counter-campaign was gaining momentum.
Rigen built a website: CreaturesAreFilipinosToo.com
Colene produced daily videos featuring human-creature friendships.
Tita Hanya transformed her chismis page into a political advocacy platform (while still posting occasional chismis, because old habits die hard).
And the creature community mobilized like never before.
"We have kapres willing to speak at press conferences," Ben reported. "Duwende offering testimony about land rights. Even a group of tiyanak who want to hold a 'cry-in' at Congress."
"A cry-in?"
"They'll cry outside the building. Very loudly. Very persistently. Like human babies, but scarier."
Glad considered this. "That's... actually genius."
The tide of public opinion was clearly shifting. Polls showed 67% of Filipinos opposed the Dimagiba bill. Editorials condemned it as discriminatory. Even some of Dimagiba's own party members distanced themselves.
But Dimagiba wasn't finished.
"My sources tell me," he announced at a rally, "that these creatures are hiding something. Something dangerous. And I have proof."
He held up a folder—the same folder Anino had seen Marikit hide.
Glad's blood ran cold.
"How did he get that?" Ariel whispered, watching the rally on TV.
"I don't know. But we need to find out."
She called Kim immediately. "That folder. The one Marikit had. It's now with Dimagiba."
Kim gasped. "That means—"
"Marikit is working with him. Or sold him information. Either way, we're in trouble."
"What's in the folder?"
"I don't know. But we need to find out before he goes public."
That night, Anino went hunting.
Not for prey—for answers.
And somewhere in the shadows of Dumaguete, Marikit smiled.
Her plan was working perfectly.