[Saint X]

Spoiler for Philippine Representative 1: Maria Antonia Estevez:

Name: Maria Antonia Estevez
Nickname/s: Maria, Antonine
Age: 16
Home Country: Philippines
IS Unit: Adarna, Model Number 214
Affiliation: Vice-President of Class 1-3. A probationary rookie junior member of [IS-TEST], the IS Testers and Ensurers of Safety Troupe by default- due to the status of her IS, an Elite Group of IS pilots that use Experimental, Test and Demonstrator IS units regularly. They ensure any IS Equalizer or Module is fit for use by any IS. In Maria’s case, they provide supplemental IS training in the use of her unit, just in case she decides to fully join the group. In return she gains access to modules and equalizers that were tested and deemed safe.

Note: Laura and Ceclia are not members of IS-TEST, despite having “Experimental Third Generation Units”, as their units now only need actual combat data from the field- but their modules and equalizers- yes even Laura’s shoulder cannon and Cecilia’s bits passed by IS-TEST for evaluation and preliminary testing- or at least their prototypes.

Personality:

Originally outgoing, her immersion into a new country- not to mention the new experiences and such, had changed her personality a bit- to a somewhat dulled and tough cookie. She has acquired the deadpan way of speaking-especially in class and much more so in the field, whether it is testing or a match. She tries to be as less noticeable as possible and is somewhat afraid of speaking out- lest her words be “used against her”. But then with the right manners and method of talking to her, she would be a great friend and ally to those that do respect her.

Spoiler for About:

A girl of average height with short brown hair and equally brown eyes and what could be an embodiment of the ideal Philippine Maiden- “Maria Clara”; Maria, as she prefers to be called, is the latest in the line of National Representatives coming from the small archipelago nation. Youngest Daughter of a mere farmer, she was instilled with the values of hard work, often helping out in the paddies before going to school. Anything related from anything outside the town was only relayed by TV, Radio and sometimes, the Internet- and so things like IS are only known from time to time- either from these media or from people that come from the city/abroad. And such, things like IS never really were on her mind.

But as fate would have it, she would be thrust deep into the IS scene. An Examination Group from the Presidential Office of IS Representation came to her town looking for applicants for the National IS Representation Exam, one of the most extensive and detailed searches of IS pilots in Southeast Asia. She was supposed to not bother if not for her friends, who pushed her along the application line and kept her there- as typical groupie behaviour would have. But among them, only Maria had the potential- in fact; out of all the eligible females in town, Maria had trumped all of them- even the examiners were surprised- and not only was her potential great- they had found out that she was about to join a provincial pageant on the route for the Ms. Teen Philippines Circuit. And with those 2 major qualifications, Maria now on her way to the Capital, Manila for the exam proper- the whole town practically thew a party for her before she left- with well wishes from everyone, including her parents.

Going to Manila was one of her many firsts in this first trip out of town. But then after the delight of sightseeing, the real business of the Representation Exam was carried out- which was part IS proficiency/beauty check/IQ check all rolled into one. Maria quickly decimated other aspirants- until she met Elena Zobel-Lopez-Tan, second in line to the extensive Zobel-Lopez-Tan Commercial Complex- one of the largest commercial groups in Asia and hardcore IS fan.

It was the final test- the finalist elimination, which was broadcast live on TV. The 4-part test, which was composed of a mini-beauty pageant, IQ quiz bee, IS proficiency demonstration (aka “defeat the instructor”, courtesy of the IS Academy) and the final elimination match, managed to put the two on even ground- so it was up to the final match to decide the representation. The rules were simple really- use your IS Academy-provided Training unit to defeat the enemy and gain the spot- and these two girls only had a few minutes of IS training- from the instructors they had later defeated. The battle lasted for an hour until Maria scored a damaging hit, securing her place as the National Representative.

After being titled by none other than the President, she returned home to resume her now stirred life- and to finish off the last weeks of the school year before the new IS Academy school year begins. And soon after, she once again bade farewell- after the customary party, to study in the Prestigious Academy for the next three years- which unfortunately, was also the same school year where Ichika Orimura started studying.

Let’s hope she keeps her sanity intact.

Spoiler for About the Philippine Representation:

Being the Philippine Representative is not all glamour, as national pride rests upon her shoulders. She, like all previous Representative IS pilots, have the following privileges:

During Term:
- Status of Government Official. This includes 2 vehicles, one with a Number 6 Protocol Plate and one Government (Red) Plate- strictly for business only.
- A Base Salary Grade of 31, which is valued about PHP 40,000 a month during her term as representative. Senators, Congressmen, and Associated Supreme Court Justices usually get this kind of base salary.
- Travel across National Borders is free. Travel on the National Airlines is all expenses paid during term.
- Honorary Rank of Major. No IS pilot has ever joined the Military or the Police though.
- Many others

After Term / Irrevocable unless ordered:
- A Monthly Allowance of PHP 10,000 a month.
- An after term pension of PHP 30,000 a month.
- 75% discount on Airfare on National Airlines.
- College Scholarship including secondary courses.
- Sure Employment in the IS Technology Field- if the pilot decides.
- Many others

But with such perks, there is great responsibility- The constant requirement of reporting to the office is one of them, as well as making a Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Network (SALN)- as with all government officials.