Chapter 33: The Gulf War Aftermath

It was in the year 1991 February 15 when the deadline for withdrawal had been set by the United National Security Council.

I remained in Dubai for my usual job, monitored the news headlines, and occasional night outings, and continued the manpower business. The news coming from the Philippines and the local dailies were buried deep in my heart while continuing to follow its development.

The forces of a multinational coalition led by the United States compelled Iraq to withdraw its occupation forces from neighboring Kuwait. Iraq had illegally invaded and occupied Kuwait on August 2, 1990, and on January 15, 1991, the deadline for withdrawal had been set by United Nations Security Council. Iraq accused Kuwait of conducting "economic warfare against it by overproducing oil and thereby pushing down petroleum prices. When faced with international demands for withdrawal, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein tried to elicit Arab support by offering to pull out if Israel would withdraw its forces from the territories it occupied during the Six-Day War (1967). His efforts to portray himself as the champion of the Palestinians drew little support other than the Palestinians themselves, who later found their cause injured by the support they gave Saddam Hussein.

Shortly after the invasion, U.S. naval, air, and ground forces were dispatched to Saudi Arabia, initially as a defensive force. US President George Bush constructed a diverse international coalition and repeatedly sought UN mandates for action against Iraq. Trade embargoes were imposed and enforced by naval forces.

Resolutions later passed by the Security Council authorized the use of "any means necessary to bring about the withdrawal of Iraqi troops." President Bush also obtained authorization from Congress to use force, although many urged that sanctions be given time to take effect.

The forces arrayed against Iraq, commanded by US General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, included combat units from 28 nations, including the United States, Saudi Arabia

Egypt, Britain, Syria, and France, and noncombat units from several others; Germany and, Japan prohibited by their constitutions from deploying armed forces outside their territory, pledged billions of dollars in financial underwriting for the operation.

The war code-named Operation Desert Storm began on January 16 with massive allied air attacks on Iraqi military targets. The allies quickly gained air superiority; many Iraqi planes were flown to Iran (neutral in the conflict) to escape destruction. Iraq launched Scud missiles against Israel in a vain effort to split the coalition by presenting the war as an Arab-Israeli conflict.

The ground phase of the war, initiated when Saddam Hussein ignored a February 23 US deadline to begin large-scale withdrawal, lasted only 100 hours. Arab troops launched a two-pronged frontal assault on Kuwait; recapturing Kuwait City on February 26, while US and European forces swept westward into Iraq, cutting off Iraqi avenues of retreat. Iraq's defeat was decisive.

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It was in the year 1991 February 26 when the deadline for withdrawal had been set by the United National Security Council.

Allied military operations were suspended at midnight on February 27. The Security Council on April 3 imposed stiff and unprecedented conditions for a formal end of the hostilities. The United Nations mandated the destruction of Iraq's nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons capabilities.

In the aftermath of the war, Saddam Hussein remained in power and was able to crush two major internal rebellions – the Shiites in southern Iraq and the Kurds in the north. The coalition declined to intervene.

The war was notable for the prominent role played by high-technology weapons. Hundreds of Kuwait oil wells were set ablaze by retreating Iraqi forces and millions of oil were deliberately spilled in the Gulf.

It was in the year 1991 from February 26 onwards that Dubai started its developments. The expatriate workforce in the United Arab Emirates especially Dubai, continued to show the usual brisk business because the foreign people were still around. Danielle instantly arrived in Dubai to ironed-out other important business transactions.

Dubai was gearing to be the hub of tourist attractions and the business acumen of international organizations. Notable was the appearance of women from the part of Russia. They invaded the nightlife of the Dubai scene which constituted more tourist visitors around the Gulf.

Manpower businesses were thriving permanently so Danielle bought a personal visa for me, a service car, and a flat for me at Salahuddin Street near Al Guhrair Center. I resigned from my job in the food industry and managed to put up my food business concept that thrived permanently. For a short period of time, I opened another two fast food stores around Dubai constructed in strategic locations.

I joined every Filipino organization to market the manpower and food businesses. It took some time to form the targeted network of people that cared to trust what I had in mind. It was such a good move for me that I uplifted the image of my company into successful endeavors.

Danielle Gustilo supported me in every endeavor I made and our relationship blossomed into permanent daily living in Dubai. We carried our lives with different perspectives but more in spearheading into the future. I opened my own two manpower agencies that I planned to unify the two businesses in the future. My transactions were mine alone Danielle did not question them. For legal purposes, I documented all my dealings with government authorities and their regulations were followed.

Starting from the onset of the Gulf War, I had communicated with Ayah Isabel every week that I had knowledge of their activities. The children were growing tremendously as Ayah told me; the same with Marco Junior and Shaira Rose in Bacolod City.

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It was in the year 1993 May, when I went to the Philippines for vacation.

The rigors of my daily life in Dubai contributed much to my desire to have a break from my usual work. The improvements of my food business really spearheaded tremendously with my hands-on style of management and the new innovations for manpower business too.

After completing some important matters with my businesses, I purchased a round-trip ticket going to the Philippines. Danielle was very glad that I had to take my break and visit our children in Bacolod City.

I arrived in the Philippines with a high spirit anticipating the happy and contented families I had. Before, I felt differently when I traveled coming from Dubai, but now it's totally different. Ayah Isabel and Bryan welcomed me to the airport where we headed directly to our house in Bacoor, Cavite. I hugged my five children and gave them time for them after I arrived. The happiness that I felt really conformed to my deepest desire for them. "Ayah, where's Lina?" I asked her.

"It's two months now that she left us, told me to go to Imus, Cavite."

"How is she?"

"Mike did not send money for her."

"You helped her?"

"Yes, but I think she missed her husband." I kept my silence on this matter, and continued to talk to Ayah Isabel, "How's the children's education?"

"Good, they're improving through the help of their tutor."

"How's the status of our bank accounts here in the Philippines?"

"Still growing, remember, you're transferring money every month?"

"Ohhh, yes, I forgot."

We had to go to Barrio Tuyom, your place, for some important matter together with the children, Bryan and his family.

We prepared instantly for the things to be brought, bought plane tickets; rent a ten-seater van going to Barrio Tuyom. My heart kept on pounding when we arrived at Ayah's house before. The owner told us that they bought the house in 1988. I asked if we can tour around the interior of the house which he permitted us instantly. The house had the same structure but was different in decors and arrangement.

"Actually, I'm selling this house...if you want...we can finalize it now...." The owner said while we finished touring the interior of the house. His words were like a thousand dreams able to collide with reality.

"Yes, please..," I answered him directly.

Next, we went to the chapel guardian and asked about our marriage contract. "Yes, have a seat please Mr. Fernando, Ayah, and Bryan."

"Okay, Father."

"I still remember that incident a long time ago. Your parents and brother were killed. Also, I remember you, Ayah, and Bryan. The thing is that the marriage was not fully solemnized but I kept the records. I can help you with this one for a week's time."

"Yes Father, please we can wait. If you need something I can help you," I answered instantly without soliciting Ayah and Bryan's opinions.

"Mr. Fernando, only, I have to go to the town of Cauayan proper for the formalization of this marriage contract."

"You need help Father?" I asked.

"No, I can manage, just wait here in Tuyom. Do you have a house to stay?"

"Yes, Father, the same house of my parents," Ayah answered.

We stayed for about three hours at the chapel office while the owner of the house removed and transferred their belongings. Bryan hired some laborers to repair the old house while we bought household stuff in Kabankalan. I rented a truck to deliver all the items that we purchased to the supermarket and got a permit for electricity.

Our first night of stay in the old house was a moment of truth for me to realize the living conditions in the barrio with my family. Everything was temporarily used by our children who, for the first time adapted to this temporary life. I never imagined that I can retrace my yesteryears with the advent of knowing what was in store for me while chasing my dreams.

Happily contented with the new environment while waiting for some important documents, I asked Bryan to find a trusted caretaker of the house while we were here in Tuyom. We went to the coconut plantation near the beach together with the children. Grilled some fish, eat ripe mangoes, collected seashells, and totally enjoyed the coolness of the shoreline. Deep inside, I can still remember vividly the time when we left this place.

"Ayah, do you remember the time....." My words were lost in the vastness of the sea.

"Yes Marco, it's inside of me that cannot be forgotten...," her tears started to flow.

"Mommy, are you crying?" Anne asked her mother.

"Why mommy's crying Daddy?" Kent asked me.

"Anne, Kent, this is the place where Mommy's met Daddy!" I answered.

"How beautiful Mommy...Daddy!" Anne said.

"It's like paradise, same in the movie!" Kent shouted.

"Okay kids... let's go....it's time to play in the sand!"

We played with the kids at the place where we washed ourselves after the killings. I searched the heels of Ayah's sandals in the sand.

"Daddy, what are you searching for....a big shell?" Anne asked me.

"Yes, the mermaid left it here a long time ago."

"Daddy...let's go to the water...let's swim!"

"Okay, but be careful Anne...Kent...don't ever go beyond the shore!"

"Yes, Daddy...yeheeey!"

I watched them play on the shore while Ayah watched the three children in a cottage made of coconut palm leaves. Bryan was grilling fish, hot dogs, and vegetables. I'd got the two little kids from Ayah which made four of them play in the sand. The children enjoyed it so much for the whole morning and ate our grilled foods with cold beverages.

The first time I ever played with them on the beach they had a sad story about a long time ago. I never thought in my whole life, that I can enjoy the feeling of fatherhood along

this shoreline.

It was dark when we returned to the house Ayah washed them all with shampoo and bath soap. They were just enjoying their innocence of what was going on with their parents. The electricity was installed and household equipment was plugged in. We arranged the house decors similar to the one when I first enter this house. Ayah only looked at me with disbelief.

"Marco, you're still reliving the past."

"Yes Ayah, I loved that way, I mean the decors and curtains...remember here on this room when I planted a seed on you?"

"Yes Marco, I remember it all...that I love you."

"Where are the children?"

"They're with Bryan.... in the cottage at the garden."

"Can we do it again here, love?"

"Marco, you have five kids now."

"Doesn't matter...can we add more?"

"Let's put the children to sleep first..."

"Okay...yes!"

Again, the desire for Ayah was made stronger when the environment called for my body to respond to her. Bryan and Ayah put the children on their beds while I imagined her in advance. I reminisced the time when we were together in the past; differentiate it, which one was better than the other.

We brought the comforter, pillows, and bed sheet to the cottage. The moonbeam lights the darkness of the night. It gave our souls to collide with each other.

"Marco...you gave me the best...for a long time."

"I love you Ayah Isabel...."

"I love you too Marco, until death."

We slept in the cottage so that no other souls saw our union. Some of the Tuyom residents were approaching us for a possible job abroad and I collected their CVs with contact numbers.

Two weeks had passed since we received the marriage document, left the house to our caretaker, and went our way as I thought at that moment.

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