“Ibigay sa amin ang inyong pera,” (give me your money), demanded Carlito, whose patience was growing thin. Already beaten and bruised Manny spat on him still refusing to give in to his demands. Through his bloodied and broken lip he said,
“Makikita mo may pumatay sa akin unang, “(you’ll have to kill me first you pig.) “Kukunin ko sa iyo ng isang huling pagkakataon na release sa amin, (I’ll give you one last chance to let us go.)
A bloodied Tom had to admire his friends’ mettle and started to laugh, which was met with another blow to the back. The boys were broken and powerless to defend themselves. Carlito had enough. Just as he raised his club to savagely bash in Manny’s defiant skull and finish the job, the other gang members slowly began dropping their clubs. Looking up some of the boys made the sign of the cross as they all slowly retreated in fear. Their actions made Carlito angrier until he turned his head to see what the others already knew.
Standing at the only entrance to the alley was the imposing figure of Father Ayaso. It wasn’t only his rosary beads or black cassock and cape that frighten them. It was the long portion of lead pipe glistening in his massive right hand. The light cast by the setting sun behind Father Ayaso gave the illusion of a mighty avenging angel and soon all of the gang members except Carlito crossed themselves again in fright and horror.
It ended quickly. With the speed and agility of a mother lioness protecting her young Father Ayaso came at them. The thugs quickly released their victims and Manny and Tom fell to the ground. There was no physical way the gang was going to get past the enormous priest. As they rushed him in an attempt to escape each fell to the ground with blows of his mighty swift arm. From their view lying on the street a beaten and weakened Manny and Tom witness Father Ayaso put down each and every member of the gang with precision and skill. Not one was left standing as they are writhing and moaning in pain on the blood drenched dirt. Father Ayaso quickly ran to Manny and Tom and helped the boys to their feet.
“Maaari mong lakad?” (can you walk my son?) he said.
“Oo, kagalang-galang ang ama,” (yes Reverend Father) replied Manny.
“Tom, kumuha sa kanya sa bahay,” (take him home), said the priest.
Father Ayaso stayed behind and tended to the wounded thugs. And in a strong gravelly voice that echoed throughout the alley, dispensed a stern lecture on reconsidering the temptation of their evil ways or suffer more pain from Hell’s fire.