The Dumaguete field office of the Department of Supernatural Affairs was hidden in plain sight—a small, unremarkable building near the public market that everyone assumed was a water district office.
Glad arrived with Kim, Rigen, and Anino (who refused to be left behind). Ariel met them outside, having already registered years ago.
"You'll be fine," he assured her. "Director Salvador is intense but fair. Just don't mention the 1887 incident."
"What 1887 incident?"
"The one you told me about. With the Spanish friar."
"That was self-defense!"
"Tell that to his ghost. He haunts the Department archives, apparently."
Inside, the office was aggressively normal. Fluorescent lights. Filling cabinets. A receptionist who looked up and smiled like she dealt with supernatural creatures every day (she did).
"Gladys Samotiloy? Director will see you now. Fourth door on the left. Mind the aswang in accounting—she's having a bad century."
They walked through corridors lined with photos—creatures of every description shaking hands with human officials. A kapre with Quezon. A manananggal with Marcos Sr. (pre-Martial Law, when things were "less complicated").
Director Emilia Salvador's office was at the end, door open, waiting.
She was a small woman in her sixties, with sharp eyes and a warm smile. "Ms. Samotiloy! Come in, come in. I've been following your story with great interest."
"You have?"
"Every creature's story interests me. Yours especially." She gestured to chairs. "Please, sit. Can I offer you something? Blood? Coffee? Blood coffee?"
"I'm good, thank you."
Director Salvador nodded, making notes. "Let's get straight to business. Registration involves three steps: verification, documentation, and orientation. Verification first—can you prove you're a Manananggal?"
Glad blinked. "I have wings?"
"I need more than visual confirmation. We've had humans try to register before. Costumes, special effects, one very dedicated fan who surgically attached bat wings." The Director shuddered. "That was a mess."
"What kind of proof do you need?"
"A demonstration. Controlled environment. Full separation, wing extension, the works." She smiled. "We have a room for it. Very private. Very secure."
Thirty minutes later, Glad stood in a sterile white room, preparing to separate in front of government officials for the first time in her existence.
"Ready?" Kim asked through an intercom.
"No."
"Too late. They're watching."
Glad took a deep breath and let the separation happen.
Her upper torso lifted away, wings unfurling, intestines trailing. She hovered there, feeling exposed and powerful simultaneously.
On the other side of the glass, Director Salvador nodded approvingly. "That's her. Real as real gets. Welcome to the Department, Ms. Samotiloy."
When Glad reattached and rejoined them, the Director handed her a folder.
"Your registration is complete. You're now officially recognized by the Republic of the Philippines as a supernatural citizen. Here's your ID card, your benefits guide, and a list of approved blood banks."
Glad held the ID like it was made of gold.
Gladys Samotiloy
Species: Manananggal
Status: Registered Supernatural Citizen
*ID #: MS-173-2024*
"I'm official," she whispered.
"You're official," Kim confirmed.
"And I have to pay taxes now."
"Technically, you've always had to pay taxes. This just makes it legal."
Glad looked at Anino, who was examining the ID with mild interest.
"Well," she said, "I guess I'm really here now."
Anino yawned.
He'd known that all along.