Gabriel sat quietly at the dinner table as his family celebrated Raphael's latest academic award. His mother beamed with pride, his father clapped Raphael's back, and little Michael performed a silly dance that made everyone laugh. No one noticed when Gabriel slipped away from the table, feeling as transparent as the glass of water he left behind.

The Invisible Boy

That night, unable to sleep, Gabriel climbed onto the roof through his bedroom window. The Manila sky was unusually clear, with stars twinkling like diamonds on black velvet. Gabriel felt a strange connection to one particularly bright star that seemed hidden behind others until you looked at just the right angle. He stayed there until dawn, feeling for the first time that something was calling to him alone.

A Night of Stars

Over the next months, Gabriel saved his allowance to buy a small telescope. He borrowed astronomy books from the library and studied star charts while his brothers slept. His grades in science began to improve dramatically, though few noticed amid Raphael's university accomplishments. Gabriel didn't mind the lack of attention anymore; he had found something that was just his own.

The Secret Pursuit

When Gabriel's science teacher announced an astronomy competition, he entered his research on a peculiar star pattern he had been tracking. The judges were astonished by his detailed observations of what appeared to be a previously undocumented celestial anomaly. When Gabriel won first place, his family finally saw him—truly saw him—standing in his own light rather than in his brothers' shadows. "Some stars," his father said with tears in his eyes, "shine so quietly you almost miss their brilliance."

The Hidden Star Revealed

A quiet, thoughtful teenage boy with a slender build, often wearing simple casual clothes. His expression is usually contemplative, with observant eyes that reflect his newfound passion for astronomy.

Gabriel

A confident young man with a polished appearance, often dressed in smart casual attire befitting a university student. He carries himself with the assured posture of someone accustomed to success.

Raphael

An energetic young boy with a mischievous smile and playful demeanor. Often in motion, with bright eyes and clothes that might show signs of his latest adventure.

Michael

A caring woman with warm features, typically dressed in practical yet presentable attire suitable for managing a busy household with three sons.

Mother

A hardworking man with weathered hands and kind eyes, dressed in comfortable clothes that reflect his practical nature. His face shows both the stress of providing for his family and the pride he takes in his sons.

Father

The Hidden Star
In the bustling Celestino family household, there were three sons: Raphael, the oldest, who dazzled everyone with his academic brilliance; Gabriel, the middle child, who often felt invisible; and Michael, the youngest, who charmed everyone with his mischievous smile.
Raphael was the family's pride and joy, having earned a spot at the University of the Philippines - Los Baños, one of the most prestigious universities in the Philippines. Relatives would visit just to hear about his latest achievements, and parents in the neighborhood would tell their children, "Why can't you be more like Raphael Celestino?"
Gabriel, meanwhile, attended the local high school – perfectly adequate but nothing special. He was a quiet boy with ordinary grades in his early years and no particular hobby that made adults pause and say, "Wow!" When guests visited, conversations revolved around Raphael's academic excellence or Michael's adorable antics, while Gabriel stood in the shadows, feeling like a tree in a forest—present but unnoticed.
"Being in the middle is like being stuck in invisible ink," Gabriel wrote in his journal one night. "Everyone knows you're there, but they can't quite see you."

