NOVEL NEXT Chapter 174: Foundations in Motion
Thursday – 7:00 AM | Quezon City, MRT-7 North Avenue Terminal Site
The rising sun cast long shadows across the newly-cleared site of the North Avenue terminal, where fresh concrete had just been poured. Workers in high-visibility vests moved with measured urgency, guided by supervisors clutching blueprints and digital tablets. The rhythmic thump of pile drivers echoed across the construction zone, signaling not just the start of a new day—but the rebirth of a project once thought doomed by red tape.
Matthew Borja stood a few meters from the boundary, hard hat in hand, flanked by Angel and two site engineers. It had been only three weeks since the landmark partnership with San Miguel Corporation was formalized, but already the difference was visible. Delays had been eliminated. Permits expedited. Equipment delivered ahead of schedule. And most importantly, the people had started to believe.
Angel pointed to the far end of the site. "The column foundations for the next three stations—North Avenue, Quezon Memorial Circle, and Philcoa—are all scheduled to start within the next 48 hours. Logistics has secured uninterrupted material delivery for the next two weeks."
Matthew gave a small nod, his eyes fixed on the rising steel structure ahead. "It's strange seeing it actually move. After years of just hearing excuses."
"We're making up for lost time," Angel said. "But the pressure's mounting. Media crews are stationed outside the site, hoping for footage of you doing another groundbreaking."
He smirked. "No more silver shovels. Let's show them welders and workers instead."
The team laughed lightly, then moved on to inspect the staging area. Dozens of steel girders lay in neat stacks, labeled and categorized with precision. Sentinel's insistence on efficiency had brought Japanese discipline to the build—something the workers appreciated.
—
9:30 AM | MRT-7 Commonwealth Station
Across town, at the site of the future Commonwealth Station, another flurry of activity unfolded. This stretch of the line had once been infamous for right-of-way issues. But thanks to the public trust earned by the Aurora Line project, local landowners had been far more willing to negotiate fair terms this time around.
In a makeshift viewing booth overlooking the site, Matthew met with Ramon Ang and a group of government observers from the Department of Transportation.
A large monitor displayed real-time updates: drone surveillance feeds, station blueprints, and 3D projections of future transit routes. The atmosphere was tense—but hopeful.
One official spoke up. "Mr. Borja, I have to admit. I was skeptical. But seeing this… the progress is undeniable."
Ramon Ang smiled and gestured toward Matthew. "This is what happens when vision meets execution. We're not just pouring concrete—we're laying the foundation for a more mobile future."
Matthew turned to the official. "The public needs to see that this isn't just another vanity project. That's why we're publishing every expense, every milestone. No hidden costs. No shell companies. Just work."
The official scribbled something into a notepad. "You'll have our cooperation. As long as this remains transparent, you won't hear objections from our side."
Matthew nodded. "That's all we ask."
—
1:45 PM | Sentinel BioTech HQ, Manila
Back at headquarters, the war room was alive with screens and voices. Updates poured in from construction teams across the entire MRT-7 stretch—from Quezon City down to San Jose del Monte in Bulacan. Timelines were green across the board. For the first time in years, progress was ahead of schedule.
Angel returned from her third site visit of the day and collapsed into the chair across from Matthew's desk.
"They're calling this the 'Borja Bypass,'" she said, half-laughing. "Social media is all over it. People are using it as a shorthand for any government project that gets done efficiently."
Matthew raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure if that's flattering or deeply concerning."
"Both," she said, sipping from her water bottle. "But the sentiment's real. People are starting to believe that change doesn't have to wait for the next election. It can come from willpower."
A notification blinked on Matthew's screen. A new headline from The Philippine Star read:
"MRT-7 Reborn: Matthew Borja's Private-Public Model May Change Infrastructure Forever"
He leaned back and exhaled. "They're going to come after us harder now."
"They already are," Angel said, tapping her tablet. "We intercepted two separate smear campaigns from political operatives trying to frame this as a corporate land-grab."
Matthew frowned. "Release the community development plans. Let's show them the job numbers. Station-by-station employment projections. Vendor slots. Housing allowances for displaced residents."
Angel was already typing. "You know this would be easier if you just played the political game a little."
He shook his head. "That game has too many losers. I'd rather play this one."
—
3:00 PM | Barangay Hall, San Jose del Monte
At the edge of the MRT-7 route's northern reach, a public meeting had drawn dozens of residents into a local basketball court turned forum space. Workers, farmers, students—they all gathered to hear about how the project would impact their lives.
Representatives from Sentinel BioTech's community engagement team stood at the front, answering questions and addressing concerns.
A local sari-sari store owner raised her hand. "Is it true we'll get relocation help if our house is affected?"
"Yes," the lead rep replied. "And not just relocation. We're offering job training and guaranteed vendor slots in the new station plaza."
Another man asked, "And our kids? Will there be scholarships?"
Angel had insisted on that point personally.
"Yes. Scholarships are being coordinated with private education partners. We want the children of affected families to benefit long-term, not just during construction."
The room murmured with approval. For the first time, the promises didn't sound like empty political platitudes.
—
6:30 PM | Sentinel BioTech Rooftop
The city shimmered beneath the dusk. The orange glow of construction floodlights now dotted the skyline in places that had been forgotten for years.
Matthew and Angel stood side by side, watching it all from above.
"You know," she said, "at some point we'll have to think about what happens after MRT-7. People will expect more."
Matthew nodded slowly. "That's the idea. Once they see this work, once it's real… maybe they'll believe that progress doesn't have to be so slow. That it can happen in their lifetime."
Angel turned toward him. "You ready for what comes next?"
He didn't answer immediately. Then, with quiet confidence, he said, "Let's finish this track first. Then we lay down the next."
And with that, the two of them turned back to the glowing city—one built on promise, now rising on rails.
The work was just beginning. But the country was moving again.