Chapter Text
Why is Maharlika a good country to travel to? (And maybe the best country to settle down to in the future)
by: Jhoanna Christine B. Robles
Background on Maharlika
[1] Maharlika is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia comprising of 7600 islands, as of 2024. 2500 of these islands are inhabited by the Binaybayon people- the residents of the country. Another 2500-3000 islands are owned by the monarchy and are protected by the royal laws. These islands provide the country’s mineral and natural resources that are used for exportation. The rest of the islands were either unnamed, or disputed between neighboring countries.
[2] With its lush greeneries and crystal blue waters, Maharlika is known as the Pearl of the Orient Seas. It is home to thousands of endemic species of animals and plants - some of which are exported by the country to its neighboring countries or to the world. Second to China as Asia's biggest exporter, Maharlika exports range from natural resources to oils and mostly these days, technological advances.
[3] Maharlika focuses on always improving its tourism to show the world how welcome everyone is to the country. As the second most powerful passport in the world and can travel visa-free to 192 locations, BInaybayon people are also encouraged to visit other places to see what more can Kalikasan offer. Foreigners are welcome to the country, its capital city and the largest city in the entire country - Manila, offers different districts that specialize in different areas: commerce, food, industry, businesses, music and entertainment, and many more!
[4] Maharlika is headed by a monarchy that stretches back to the Conquest of Spice Island, a failed expedition by Spain that ended in the death of all 250 men boarded on the ship. The first recorded ruler of the country is named Yabong, with a title of Maginoo - similar to that of a King in the United Kingdom. The current monarch is the fifth dynasty after successfully overthrowing the cruel dynasty of Malago whose last Maginoo - Usbong led the country to a state of famine and drought. He has an illegitimate firstborn son with a daughter of a farmer, apparently known as Ani named Tagumpay that incited a coup and challenged his position with the one who was able to talk to nature and win her favor would be hailed as victor and take the throne.
[5] The Binaybayon people believed in the power of nature as a religion, similar to that of Paganism; and with that comes the belief that a person who can effectively lead the country is a person who can tame the wrath of Kalikasan , the principal deity and believed to be responsible for all the good and bad things that happen to the country. Usbong accepted the challenge of Tagumpay and told him his plan to stay in the palace, praying everyday for water and growth of crops behind the golden foundations of his residence. Meanwhile, Tagumpay started a journey throughout the entire country by first trekking to the Pantaron mountain range in Mindanao, then Panay mountain range in Visayas, then Sierra Madre mountain range in Luzon; he believed that by unifying the forces of nature on all the places he went to, he will be able to get to the good side of Kalikasan and bring forth years of good weather and bountiful harvest. Tagumpay’s last stop was praying to the open Laguna de Bay before sailing to Manila Bay through the Pasig River. He cried when reached the Malago Palace, then situated in the heart of Manila and fortified with thick walls. As he met his father again, he summoned to the sky for Kalikasan’s blessing and to everybody’s surprise, the heaviest rain dropped down and it stormed in the whole country for three days straight - formally naming him the victor of the challenge. Despite being a ruler with an iron fist, Usbong accepted his defeat and gave his throne to Tagumpay instead of giving it to his legitimate firstborn daughter, Sibol. Tagumpay’s reign started the what is now called Karangyaan Dynasty.
About the Karangyaan Dynasty
[1] Currently, Maharlika is headed by Maginoo Rangya, who ascended to the throne in the year 1995. Upon ascension, he changed the name of the country to Maharlika - formerly Mayabong. Maharlika later became the name of his firstborn daughter and announced as heir to the throne when she became 18 years old in 2020, Karangyaan Maharlika Yabong (Karangyaan is a term used to give honor to the royal family, especially to the future monarchy. It was also used by the former Maginoo Yabong, Maginoo Rangya’s father - formerly Karangyaan Rangya.) In his reign, Maginoo Rangya proved how effective of a leader he is; in a span of 6 years after his ascension, he was able to revolutionize agriculture and fisheries of the country - increasing the harvest by 200%. By the year 2010, Maharlika became the country with the 5th highest GDP in the world, and it stayed the same since. Despite being a country governed by laws relating to nature, Maharlika was never scientifically and technologically behind; the country is 7th in the International Innovation Index and as of 2020, Japan and the United States have a strong connection with Maharlika in terms of technological projects.
[2] Karangyaan Maharlika, was an exemplar since she was a child. She excelled in science and technology, as well as in arts and creatives. She graduated with a double degree of BS Molecular Biology and BS Creative Arts in Maharlika Royal University - a school for the elites and the top 1% of the country, and a sister university to Maharlika State University - a school for the people with tuition fee waived by the monarchy for its residents. Currently, Karangyaan Maharlika is staying in the Maharlika Palace for her royal duties and activities - serving in the military after getting a title of Kadete Royale (similar to Sergeant in the US Army ranking), and actively volunteering for royal activities in place of Maginoo Rangya, who prefers to stay in the palace these days.
[3] The royal family is described as tightly-bound, loving to each other, and has an evident love for the country. Karangyaan Maharlika’s mother and partner of the Maginoo - Karangyaan Mayumi, is described (by the heir herself in an exclusive interview by Maharlika News) as a soft and loving mother and someone who supported her at every action. As the heir narrated, Maginoo Rangya and Karangyaan Mayumi met, fell in-love and were married immediately in 2000 at the cultural palace in Karangyaan Estate, Cebu. It took two years before they were blessed with a child; and in May 27, 2002, Karangyaan Maharlika Yabong (full name: Karangyaan Maharlika Yabong Rangya) was born while they were travelling for a community visit in Batangas. Karangyaan Maharlika mentioned this story to describe how her father never left her mother in times of need. While growing up, his father chose their childhood home as his main residence, even if the capital city of the country was in Manila, Luzon.
Maharlika, its people - Binaybayon and their culture
[1] As previously mentioned, Maharlika’s residents are called the Binaybayon people. This term was first used in the first dynasty - during Maginoo Yabong’s reign, to denote the people that know how to write in Baybayin - the country’s national writing system besides its romanized version, and know how to speak in Binaybay - the country’s national spoken language.
[2] The Binaybayon people strongly believe in the power of nature to give and to take back what is given. It is forbidden to cut down trees anywhere in the country without a special license given by the monarchy (The license isn’t really a license to cut down the tree but a ticket to mobilize a group of men that specializes in relocation of natural resources.). Illegal mining, deforestation, and improper urban planning that can lead to destruction of natural resources are all punishable by the royal laws. These laws ensure that nature is heavily protected by the rulers. A national week of celebration in April every year - which coincides with World Earth Day, is a yearly tradition by the royal family. During this period, the royal family prays to nature for five hours every day - giving thanks to Kalikasan while asking favors for her to continue blessing the country with her powers by offering the best harvest of the season. Binaybayon people are encouraged to pray and give offerings with the royal family.
[3] The people have a high regard for preserving culture. Babaylans, are considered leaders in each city of Maharlika (may be compared to that of Mayors in different countries) and closely linked to the Maginoo; with every Babaylan having roots that date back to Maginoo Yabong, all of them are considered to be of royal lineage. The Babaylans pass their title to someone who shares the same ideals with them.
[4] Gender doesn’t matter in Maharlika! Everyone is given the same opportunity and those in the higher positions that tend to show indifference towards this notion is frowned upon and may be reported. Although a person is identified as either Babayi (Female) or Lalake (Male) at birth, it doesn’t matter when they grow up because everyone is already considered Binaybayon (a gender-neutral term for a resident). Maharlika was also the first country in Asia to formalize same-sex unions. There were no laws before it was enacted in 2001 after the Netherlands, but it was long accepted as a form of marriage because couples only need to promise to Kalikasan and perform a marriage ritual to be considered married. In connection to this, LGBTQIA+ people (known as Binabaye in Maharlika) are generally accepted in the country and laws that protect them (especially to discrimination by foreigners) have long been passed about the same time of formalization of same-sex unions.
[5] People in Maharlika are mostly educated, with a 99.97% literacy rate - the country focuses and allocates a massive budget each year to continuously improve its education system. In addition to that, the monarchy provides academic subsidies and free tuition for everyone who can’t provide for themselves. Maharlika is also home to seven Nobel Prize in Physics winners, three Nobel Prize in Chemistry winners, five Nobel Prize in Medicine winners, three Nobel Prize in Literature winners, and the latest was a Nobel Peace Prize given to a journalist that covered the longstanding tension between Maharlika and China.
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