The date today is June 30, 1997.
Today, Great Britain's colonial government ends in Hong Kong.
Tomorrow, July 1,
Great Britain's flag will be put out one last time in Hong Kong
and the said city will be formally returned to China.
Meanwhile, economic experts are bothered with the alleged exodus
of Filipino-Chinese business communities in Mindanao.
They are said to be moving out of the economic centers
in the cities and towns in the provinces of Mindanao
because the kidnappings there have reached epidemic proportions.
According to a big businessman based in Davao City,
we won't say his name for protection,
if the government won't be able to assure the security of the citizens,
especially to businessmen like them,
they will either transfer to Manila or other cities where they are safe.
According to him, most Filipino-Chinese business communities
in the provinces of Davao, North Cotabato, South Cotabato...
Horacia, you didn't join us earlier for breakfast.
I'm not hungry. My stomach's aching lately.
are affected by these unstoppable kidnappings.
I'll take care of that. What's your planting system?
Just put it like this. Three inches apart.
If they can't move out of fear, they will just transfer.
According to the reports of the Philippine National Police
published the other day in newspapers,
reported kidnappings now in 1997
are triple times than the previous year, 1996.
- Mia! - Yes, ma'am?
- Have your kids eaten? - Yes, ma'am.
How do you convert this sentence to past tense?
“Nestor is crossing the street.”
- Mia? - “Nestor crossed the street.”
Correct.
Let's use the same sentence and convert it to future tense.
- Teresa? - It's hard, Aunt Horacia.
“Nestor will cross the street.”
That's right. Very good!
Who will now read this story?
Petra.
“The Tower of Black,” a story by Bahagharing Timog.
“I live in a room without mirrors,
barely having windows, barely has air.
There is a square window with three openings
and has jalousies and a screen attached to it
which you cannot open because of the smoke, dust and mosquitoes.
The screen already has holes.
There are passages for the mice in the corners.
And those crevices which continuously let loose
proud and disrespectful cockroaches.
There is a small square where the A/C unit used to be,
now covered by duct-taped cardboard on the wall.
Images are struggling in the corners of this room
like souls trying to get loose
when the dying earth
is gasping for some air and filthy with humidity.”
- It's horrifying! - Quiet!
- Do you have fairy tales? - Shut up!
“There is this fire in his consciousness;
is this part of his livid dream?
Is his sanity losing its grip?
Is his consciousness finally letting go from the free world?
And if this drives him to insanity,
he would rather stay there for all eternity.
But how?
How about those apologies waiting to be granted?
What about those days begging for truth to be exposed?
He realizes that this alone will cleanse his soul.
This alone...”
“This alone...”
Please continue, Aunt Petra.
Please continue.
“This alone will save his very soul.
This alone...”
Why did you stop?
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God,
pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God,
pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God,
pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
When you combine two elements of hydrogen and one element of oxygen,
the result is what you call “water”
or H20.
There. Remember that.
Yes, ma'am.
Let's see. What are the components of water?
Two elements of hydrogen and one element of oxygen.
Great!
- What is the English of “water”? - Water.
Okay, then. Let's do this some other day.
It's time to sleep.
Thank you, Aunt Horacia.
My child learns a lot from you, Horacia.
Horacia is a Grade Three teacher; a real teacher before she got here.
It's been a long time now.
It's been, how many years now?
I'm almost here for 30 years.
I've forgotten how to make a lesson plan.
We don't lose the person we used to be, right?
Everything gets lost.
Nothing stays. Everything gets lost.
Let's not fool ourselves, fuck.
“How many steps are there going to heaven?” the child asked.
How does she answer these kinds of questions?
How does one answer the question of a child who has no knowledge about life?
How does one respond to a question which really has no answer?
She instead looked for phrases
which she thinks might fill in the lack of explanation.
“If you will be good, my child...
the steps going to heaven are shorter.”
“If you'll be bad, you'll never get there,” she explains.
“I will be good, Mama,
but if I see Papa hurts you,
I get mad.”
“I want to hurt him too, the way he does with you,” the child replied.
She was surprised with her child's answer...
but was even more surprised when he said:
“Ma, let's go up to heaven.
I don't want to be here anymore.”
“It's not yet time, my child,” she said.
She got even more surprised with his next question:
“When do we go up to heaven?”
Anastacio Lim's mother was begging for the kidnappers to talk to them.
There's a threat they will behead Anastacio
if they learn that we are involved.
That's the voice of Colonel Teofila Trinidad.
Thank you.
From today's headlines of major newspapers in the country today.
According to the Philippine National Police,
there have been 97 reported kidnappings
for the first six months of this year alone.
Triple times than the previous year, 1996.
The overall total of ransoms given to kidnappers
have reached 310 million pesos.
Businessmen, rich people, Filipino-Chinese and tourists
are the usual victims of kidnappings.
I have a gift for you.
What is it?
Petra!
- What's wrong? - You're like my mother, Horacia.
You're a good person. Not like me, an evil one.
Horacia Somorostro, come with us.
- Why? - Warden will talk to you.
Congratulations, Horacia!
Why?
Start packing up. You are now free!
Why?
Your case!
My case?
Petra Navacan is the killer.
She's the killer?
She's the one who killed Nenita Cristosanto!
She confessed to the crime!
We will give you a copy of her confession. It's called a transcription.
How did...?
How did it...?
Horacia!
- Where's she? - Over there.
So, you've packed your bags now?
What are your plans now?
Will you seek a lawyer's help?
I'll be asking a favor from you.
Sure!
What is it?
I won't press charges yet.
Sure! Just tell me when you're ready.
As much as possible, no one knows about this.
From my kin,
to the kin of...
of the mastermind Petra was talking about.
Even to Petra's kin.
Of course, I understand.
It's for your own safety.
Sure.
I'll tell you when I'm ready.
Okay, then.
Let's keep in touch.
We will support you.
Thanks.
Too bad though.
We will lose a teacher and a storyteller.
Everyone will miss you.
Also...
I'm sorry.
Thirty years!
Imagine, you stayed for 30 years here?
I'm really, really sorry.
Warden...
If possible, no one gets to know about my release.
Horacia...
we're friends, okay?
Trust me on this.
- Where's the bus going to Balanga? - Just head straight, ma'am!
Thank you, sir.
Get inside now!
Balanga! Balanga! Balanga!
Ma'am, you can get inside now.
Ma'am, get inside.
Bus is leaving now! Balanga!
Bus is leaving now!
Leaving now!
Hello?
Who are you, ma'am?
Where is...?
Yes, ma'am?
Oh! You are... You're Miss Horacia, right?
I'm Old Intong's daughter, your former caretaker.
- Where are...? - Come inside, ma'am.
All I know is that, Miss Minerva is in La Union.
I have her address with me and phone number as well.
Big brother Junior, meanwhile, I don't have news about him.
All I know is that, ma'am,
Minerva is always looking for him.
She's always searching.
And sir...
sir Redentor...
he has-
he has long died.
Son, I repeat.
Don't tell anyone that we have a visitor, okay?
- Yes, Mom. - Good.
Careful when crossing the street!
- Patria, let's talk. - Ma'am?
Why. Ma'am?
Come, Patria. Sit down.
When is your husband coming home?
He comes home every month from mining in Benguet.
He just left the other day.
When he comes home, tell him to sell this land.
But, ma'am, this is yours!
Ma'am, Minerva and Junior will come back here.
No one will be back here anymore.
Sell this land.
Here's the land title.
No, ma'am, it's too much...
- Here's the letter. - I'm just a caretaker, ma'am.
It's called an authorization letter.
When your husband comes,
go to a lawyer and have him make an affidavit.
Get the trustworthy kind, okay?
If you have problems...
here's Minerva's number.
Call her.
This land's price is high by now.
You can start anew.
Thank you very much, ma'am!
- Good afternoon. May I use your phone? - Yes, yes.
Hello, Minerva?
It's your mom.
This is your mom!
I'm free now.
Yes, it's true!
I'm here in La Union.
I'm at the Trinity Lodging House. Room 212.
Please come see me, my child.
I'll leave the door open. Just go inside.
Mom?
Everything turned out to be Rodrigo Trinidad's doing.
Who is Rodrigo Trinidad, Mom?
He's my ex-boyfriend.
Before I met Redentor, your dad...
Rodrigo wanted revenge.
He couldn't accept that...
I married your father.
Rodrigo came from a rich and powerful family.
Petra was convicted for a different crime.
She befriended me and she became a close friend.
One day...
she told me everything in a letter.
She also confessed.
She asked for my forgiveness.
Out of desperation with their poverty...
Petra agreed to kill and...
she blamed me for it.
The day I left the correctional...
she committed suicide.
This is her confession.
Read it along with Warden's letter.
I'll read this later, Mom.
Will we press charges against that Rodrigo?
No. No.
Why not?
Minerva, I need to see your big brother Junior first.
I need to move. I have money!
I sold some of our stuff.
Minerva, please give me more money.
I need to move. I need to see your brother.
I did all that I could, Mom.
I already hired a lot of people to look for my big brother.
I had placed ads in newspapers, radio networks-nothing happened.
It seems like he doesn't want to show up.
He was last seen in Manila.
In Quiapo, Taft, Avenida...
None.
I'm not even sure if he's alive.
Mom?
Please, stay.
Mom.
Some other time.
I'll look for your brother first.
I can't go with you, then. The kids... Your grandkids.
Don't worry, I'll do it.
Mom...
I'm sorry, Mom.
I'm sorry we never visited you.
Forgive me...
I understand.
I know you believed I did it.
No, Mom, I never believed it.
I'm really sorry.
Minerva...
Promise me that no one will know of my release.
That we've seen each other.
None of our family, or our friends should know.
None of your friends should know, or even your husband. Ask him.
No one must know.
Minerva, my child...
You were just seven years old when I got jailed.
Each day and each night...
for 30 years inside the jail...
you were on my mind;
you, your brother and your father.
My child...
Stop! Where are you going? That's the car entrance!
Sorry, sir. I didn't know.
Who was that?
Don't mind that.
Just another hobo.
How much?
You got two each, right? That's 48.
You got change for 50?
Here.
Balut-selling has been the family's business ever since.
Sol also ended up doing this. A job passed on to me.
I'll be lucky soon. Who knows?
It's just a matter of luck. Right?
Am I right?
Of course.
I mean, fuck.
I don't want to be forever unlucky!
Fuck them! Fuck them! Fuck them!
That's one huge house, right?
- Which one? - Over there!
That one?
That belongs to the Trinidad family! They're one of the richest people here.
They own hotels, resorts and many other businesses.
They own lands.
They're one of the kings here!
That red gate over there? That belongs to the Uy family!
They are Chinese businessmen.
That one over there is Delos Santos.
They're also kings! They're politicians!
They're into gambling business.
And drugs!
I'll go ahead.
Have you seen Rodrigo yet?
Trinidad?
Once in a while. Of course, when they get out of their house, they're in their cars.
Those people do not even step foot here.
They're always with their security guards. No one ever gets near them.
I only get to be in that gate when the guards buy balut from me.
They have plenty of guards there.
Even his children have guards. Lots!
Because, you know, kidnappings are rampant lately.
Dangerous!
One time, I saw them at the cathedral, attending mass.
You know, these rich people are the ones closest to the priests and the church.
They're giving the biggest donations, of course!
Wind's getting cold. Looks like it'll rain.
Know what? Sometimes, I question him.
I said...
“Are you really fair and just?
Because if you are,
why did you make me poor?
Why did you make me ugly?”
But I believe in him, huh.
I do believe in him.
I really do believe in him.
One time...
I challenged him.
My child got sick!
What I did was, I looked for the steepest hill by the river and climbed it!
And then I told him, “Hey!
I will jump down!
And if I do, you will heal my child!”
I did jump!
When I got home, I saw my child waiting for me-smiling.
That's why I believe in miracles.
I believe in God.
And you, Renata? Do you believe in God?
I'll just roam around and sell. Not many sales here.
I'll return later.
Balut!
Are you able to sit up?
I saw you fall down.
That's why I rushed to help.
No other people around too.
Where am I?
You fell down earlier.
Wait up.
I'll get a tricycle. Where do you live?
- You want me to take you to the hospital? - No need, ma'am.
No need, ma'am.
I can do it, ma'am.
Thank you.
You're feverish.
You have a fever!
Had a few drinks.
You have blood on your arms.
Just a few scratches...
This is normal.
I have epilepsy.
Epilepsy?
I am epileptic.
What will happen now?
Does this happen often?
Not really.
There's medicine for this.
It just happens.
I'm just used to this.
It's always like this.
I fall down.
I have seizures.
Then I wake up.
Where are you from?
I'll bring you to your house.
I'll get a tricycle.
No need, ma'am.
I can do this.
Thanks.
Here.
Wear my jacket.
No need, ma'am.
Take it. It's yours.
Wear it now.
Are you okay now?
Yes...
Thank you, ma'am.
Okay.
Take care.
Here.
- I can't take this, ma'am. - Some money for your food.
Thanks, ma'am.
Bye.
- Are you open now? - Wait up.
Mang Intong! Do we have food to serve?
Almost done.
Please do take a seat first, sir. Please wait.
Wait, sir.
Mang Intong, can you do that quick? We already have a customer!
Coming!
Hey! Hey, miss!
You can't sleep here inside the church.
It's prohibited.
But if Father is here, he allows me to sleep here.
Anywhere inside here!
Father is nice!
He said,
“This is your house, Mameng!”
But some others?
The caretakers?
They don't allow me. They are demons!
God's house is everyone's house.
Take this food!
Thank you.
You're here again to steal the candles! Out!
- I'm praying! - You're not! Go away!
- You're disturbing people here. Out! - You're a demon!
- Don't push me! Ouch! - Out! Out!
I'll burn your face! Demon!
- Don't come back here. Go! Out! - Ugly! You're ugly! Demon!
- Demon! - Out!
I'll pray for you!
Demon.
- Don't ever come back here! - Ugly!
- Bitch. Don't come back! - Santa Santita!
♪ In the old church ♪
♪ I have seen ♪
♪ Two lovers ♪
♪ Reciting vows ♪
♪ They kneel ♪
♪ In front of the altar ♪
♪ With a dagger ♪
♪ In each hand ♪
♪ My only wish ♪
♪ ls when I die ♪
♪ Please do come see ♪
♪ My lonesome grave ♪
♪ Should you hear ♪
♪ Cries and wails ♪
♪ It's just to remind you ♪
♪ Of the vow we once made ♪
Thanks for this!
You look like you have lots of money.
Not much. Just enough.
Thank you!
If you need more money, I can give you some.
You want to eat?
Sure! Sure!
Wait for me while I go buy food.
Mameng, do you know the people who go to mass at the cathedral?
All of them.
I know every one of them.
Do you know Rodrigo Trinidad?
Yes.
He's nice.
He gives me money.
But his guards shoo me away.
His guards are demons!
What time does he go to church?
Who?
Rodrigo Trinidad.
Sundays.
First mass at 5:00 a.m.
And then...
He will return by 7:00 a.m. with his family.
Mayor Tiburcio,
he attends the second mass.
He's got plenty of guards!
Governor Montes, he goes in the afternoon.
Plenty of guards too!
Mameng?
Don't tell anyone that I've asked you those questions, okay?
Sure!
You're no stranger to me.
You're nice!
Don't tell anyone, okay?
Here! This is where Rodrigo Trinidad sits.
I wait for him there.
He'll go near me and give me money,
but his guards shoo me away.
They are demons!
Mayor Tiburcio sits here.
Plenty of guards!
They are all demons!
This is where Governor Montes sits.
Plenty of guards. They are demons!
This is Mr. Chua's place.
Plenty of guards. They are demons.
This is Ma'am Sheryl's place.
Plenty of guards. They are demons!
They are children of Satan! Demons!
Barbara sits there!
She also has companions, mostly family.
Children of demons as well.
Children of the devil!
Satan's children!
Parishioners here are all demons!
Even the son of the owner of the steel company
on this street-
he sits here!
Even his brothers are demons!
All are Satan's children.
Friends of Satan.
Demons, demons, demons! Everyone who sits here!
I have penoy here, try this also.
It's still hot. Here's some salt.
We've been looking for that!
- Salt? - Here.
Here, just try some.
I'll go eat with you.
Know what?
This balut, they're thinking...
that the chick is the healthiest part.
Truth is...
I believe the most nutritious part is the kidney!
The kidney here? Try biting it.
- It's hard, right? - Delicious.
Fuck you for this darkness! It's so dark!
I have no sales because there's no light!
I wonder when the lights will come back.
It's been a while now.
Motherfucker.
Zero sales because of you!
No wonder a lot left this place already.
It's so dark!
Heard they'd demolish this place soon!
What about those who are living there?
Where will they go? Where will they live?
Such a pity!
This job of mine is dangerous, you know that?
One time, there were drunkards.
They pulled this prank on me.
They ate all my balut eggs!
They refused to pay me.
I asked them for their payment, they refused.
I wanted to fight with them!
Then... I wasn't able to do it as there were three of them!
I couldn't do it by myself.
You couldn't beat those three? Just three?
That's easy.
Braggart.
I love my life.
I take care of myself for my four kids and my wife.
Even though I'm just like this.
Punch me.
What?
Go ahead and punch me!
So you'll know you can fight those three especially if they're drunk!
Go ahead!
Fuck, I don't want to! You're old now!
You might get injured. Sorry, ma'am. No.
I might be charged.
It's hard to be jailed! It's hard to be inside!
You got jailed?
Yes.
I was young then.
That's why it was a short stay.
We were raped. Me and my friends.
We robbed, that's why.
Nasty. My butt hurt!
I became a sex slave.
I was their slave!
Good thing I was freed.
Motherfucking, son-of-a-bitch assholes.
Come with me. Let's go to some other street.
Can't sell here.
Pal!
Let's go, pal!
Hunchback, can we have some?
Credit? No way.
Balut!
Balut?
Got a light?
Did you see that?
One-of-a-kind!
Fabulous!
Attractive!
- Thank you! - Thank you, ma'am!
- Miss, can I have more viand? - Wait up, ma'am.
Viand or soup?
Yes, ma'am.
Nena?
Wait a while, ma'am.
Yes, ma'am?
- I'll just go somewhere. - Sure, ma'am!
It's true then.
It is true!
Fuck! The light of the world has returned!
Look at this, fellas!
There's light now! It has returned!
- They remembered you! - True!
Amazing!
Hey!
- Balut? - Thanks, sir. Still full.
All right. I'll be just here. Guys, balut?
You might be hungry!
I got plenty here, still hot!
One balut, please.
Good thing light has returned here.
Yes, sir.
How much?
Seven pesos, sir.
Fuck, is it him?
It's him!
Hey there!
Have you seen that?
I noticed that. Good!
Indeed it is.
I told them God remembered them.
And the other gods.
You know what, friend?
Some miracle happened.
One god actually went down here and came out!
Rodrigo Trinidad!
Yes!
You know why it's a miracle? He doesn't get out of his house!
He won't go out without guards!
He went down here and bought balut from me.
Isn't that a miracle, friend?
Amazing, isn't it?
Hunchback.
You sure he went down here?
Yes, my friend. I saw it!
Thought I was just dreaming but when I looked-
it's him, indeed!
He was right there, looking at me, and bought balut from me.
Our country is currently in the midst of a very violent period.
So many kidnappings are happening on our islands.
According to a military officer,
it has reached epidemic proportions.
That is why most of us are engulfed with fear.
Almost all of the sectors of our community are affected,
especially the business sector.
The most affected is-
the Filipino-Chinese community.
They're usually the target of the kidnappers.
Now, what do these happenings mean?
What can we do as citizens...
and as part of the Christian community?
Or just as a human being?
With the first question of what can we do as Filipinos...
we just have to be responsible.
That's the right answer,
that's the simplest answer.
Meaning,
we should take our nation's condition into consideration,
and everyone's condition.
Let's not just think of ourselves.
Let us not allow fear or violence
to overcome our nation.
God bless you!
God bless, my child.
Hey...
Father!
We'll go ahead.
God bless, my child.
Go straight home.
That news I heard was terrible, friend!
Heard it on the radio at the store.
Kidnappings again! There are always kidnappings!
What happened was-
two sisters were picked up and kidnapped at the mall.
Unbelievable! Who would have thought?
This happened in broad daylight! And then the other one...
was found on a cliff, dead.
Then the other one hasn't been found till now.
Sure those two were raped.
So many are being kidnapped!
They don't fear anyone now!
Even in broad daylight, at the mall!
- They'll be abducted at that time! - What the fuck? You're so stupid!
- What have I done to you? - You are ever useless!
Ouch! You dummy.
Son-of-a-bitch!
- Asshole. - Fuck you!
Mind your own life!
They're always like that.
I don't meddle.
Might do me harm.
There's a cracked egg here, want some?
Here, take this.
There's light, yes, but there are no customers.
Hey.
What are you searching for?
I'm looking for the taro Manong Teroy gave me earlier.
Here you go!
Let's cook this so we'll have something to eat.
That's big. You can use it as baseball.
Don't bother.
I'm still full. I'll just sleep.
The rain has stopped.
Damn it.
Rain has stopped but it's almost dawn.
No customers.
No chance of getting sales. Bad luck, damn.
You poor thing.
You'll have your chance.
That ain't a good joke, friend!
How can I still have sales? Tell me how.
Give them one each. I'll pay for it.
Silly.
What did you just say?
Give balut to each one of them. I'll take care of the payment.
For real?
Silly.
You look like you're joking, fuck!
- Trying to fool me, huh? - I'm not kidding.
- You got money? - Yes!
- I might end up not earning anything. - I won in a gambling spree.
I'm loaded, friend.
Go give them one now.
The rain has done me good!
That's awesome!
I'll get sales because of the rain.
Thanks.
Hey!
Wake up, kids. Wake up! Quick!
Wait!
- Line up. One by one. - I have a gift for you.
Why are you laughing?
How did you know? Sure I'm giving this to you?
- Yes, sir. - How did you know?
She's the one who gave you these! That's Ma'am Renata!
Say, “Thank you, Auntie.” Say it!
Thank you, Auntie!
- You are welcome. - Thank you, ma'am.
- Say, “Thank you, ma'am!” - Thank you, ma'am!
Here's another one. All for free!
So...
thank you, dear friend.
You're one good soul.
You're one-of-a-kind.
I'll make it up to you someday.
No problem.
Let's go to the eatery! My treat!
No, thanks. Next time.
I'm still full. Thank you.
- I'm going. - Bye!
Take care!
Hello? Minerva?
It's your mom.
I'm sorry if this call is late.
What?
Are you sure?
The stuff they've seen bear his name.
His real name was on the bag he usually carries with him.
Big brother became a scavenger.
A pauper!
Mom, I feel bad for my brother!
Stop crying.
Minerva!
Balut!
Friend, can I buy some?
Friend! How are you?
You're like Batman, huh?
Shows up from the dark, gets lost in the dark too.
I really am a creature of the dark.
Vampire?
Aswang? Owl?
Vapor?
Or perhaps...
a firefly!
Shining and sparkling!
Want some balut? My treat! My turn to treat you.
No, thanks. I'm still full.
Know what?
I was threatened.
Last Monday. A gun was aimed at me.
Gun aimed at you?
Gun?
In the temple.
A .38 gun.
They took all my earnings.
Good thing my life was spared.
Thought I'd be dead.
Pretend to aim a gun at my temple using your finger.
Ouch!
That hurts!
Amazing!
Where'd you learn that? Amazing!
That's easy. I can teach you.
Where did you learn that?
In the dark.
Someone taught me how.
Hello!
Leticia!
Miss Leticia!
- Hey, Mameng! - Miss Leticia!
Good thing you remembered where my house is!
Plenty of demons! Child demons!
Come inside!
- Leticia! - Come in!
Come!
Stand still, don't move.
Gracious! You haven't taken a bath for so long!
So much oil in your hair!
Stay put.
You feel nice?
You'll feel fresh later.
So much oil in your hair...
Sorry...
Nice!
It's big, per area.
- For living things. - Right, right, right.
So, that's how rich it is.
It's mostly diverse...
That's where they go.
But the land might be different for you.
I'll take care of it, Father. Don't worry.
But what's happening there...
And a lot of tourists go there.
Grandpa!
Hello!
God bless, God bless.
Why, sir?
- Thank you, ma'am! - Return tomorrow.
We'll have new dishes.
Sir, your change.
Thanks, miss.
Thanks, ma'am!
How much, miss?
- Fifteen pesos! - Okay, ma'am.
Nena?
- Can I have more sinigang? - Sure, ma'am.
Ma'am Renata?
Our store's getting stronger. You might want to expand.
This is enough.
Not hard.
Easy to maintain.
Won't be a hassle to us both.
I'm just thinking of the potential.
A lot of my friends want to work for you.
Don't worry, I'll think about it.
I'll go ahead, Nena. Ma'am.
Take care!
Mang Intong, here's money for market tomorrow.
Add some more dinuguan.
- No problem. - Take care!
- Let's go? - Sure, ma'am.
Let's go.
Mameng?
You're quiet.
Want me to sell that?
Balut!
Selling balut doesn't suit you, Renata.
Should selling balut suit its seller?
Not really.
You're not a balut-seller.
Your shouting's that of a fisherman or a dispatcher's.
It's fishy. It's different.
Only a balut-seller can do that shout.
Got that?
Pretenders will be caught.
But if the pretending is good?
I don't know.
But I can tell who's pretending.
Want to have some coffee?
Later.
My youngest is sick.
His fever isn't going down.
Brought him to the center but we're told we should bring him to the hospital.
They told us, a doctor should see him to be sure.
We've no money.
Here.
Bring your child to the hospital.
Which heaven did you come from, my friend?
Which heaven?
Go ahead, save your kid.
Every minute is precious.
Go ahead. Leave your balut. I'll sell it.
Don't worry.
Your sales will be my down payment for your help.
- No need to pay me. - Thanks!
Friend!
Got a favor to ask you.
But it's not an exchange for the help I gave you.
What is it, my friend?
I'm looking for a gun. I want to buy one. You know where to buy one?
Even just a locally-made gun, as long as it's working.
A gun?
- Why? - Nothing.
For my protection.
It's dangerous these days.
I know a place.
Thanks.
My son has Hepatitis B.
He got it from the filthy place where he eats.
That's dangerous!
Yes. But it can be treated immediately.
He just has to take some medicine, but he should not miss taking it.
Hunchback, come!
Let's go!
Planning to hit someone?
No.
Just for my protection.
Fuck you.
Fuck you!
♪ In the old church ♪
♪ I have seen ♪
♪ Two lovers reciting vows ♪
♪ In the old church ♪
♪ I have seen ♪
- ♪ Two lovers ♪ - Mameng!
♪ Reciting vows ♪
Come inside.
♪ They are kneeling ♪
There are plenty of demons, Miss Leticia.
Plenty of them.
Mameng!
- Mameng! - Plenty of demons!
Plenty of demons!
Demons!
Oh, my God!
Wait!
Wait, you're still weak. Let me help you.
Come here.
Wait.
Over here.
Should I bring him to the hospital?
His head and other parts of his body
must be X-rayed soon.
This is to check
if there are blood clots and broken bones.
What happened?
They pulled a prank on me...
this group of handsome guys.
They're so good-looking, my beauty can't resist them.
Now this guy...
he took it hard on me.
He raped me.
When I fought back...
they all ganged up on me.
Ugly!
I thought I'd die.
I have seen a lot of stars.
Where do you live?
Do you have relatives? I will call them.
I'm not from here, ma'am.
You're not from here?
I wanted a place where...
nobody knows me.
Where I'm a stranger.
That's why I'm here.
Where are you from?
Eat some more.
I'll eat later, ma'am.
Don't be stubborn. Eat some more.
Later, please.
If you feel dizzy or your head aches,
let me know.
The doctor said I should have your body X-rayed.
He also said...
you should tell him the history of your epilepsy.
He said, we should report what happened to you.
No, ma'am.
Hollanda.
They've done you wrong.
Would have been better if they finished me off.
Oh, child. Don't say that...
That's enough.
Don't be like that.
Stop crying now.
Hush.
Thank you, ma'am.
You are so kind to me.
Father, I will tell you a story.
I've got things to confess.
When was the last time you confessed?
A long time ago.
I'm sorry.
Let's go to the confession room.
Or let's just do it here.
It's just the same.
I'll just tell you.
Father,
the person you knew as Rodrigo?
I'm listening.
That's not me.
It's my disguise.
A pretense.
I hurt a lot of people, Father.
I wrecked lots of lives.
I knew I hurt all those people but...
why can't I be a good person, Father?
Why can't I fight this hell inside me?
Why does evil always overcome my soul?
I don't know why I'm filled with so much hatred.
I can't resist it no matter what I do.
It's different inside me.
I can't fight it.
It's like I have an animal within me.
Do you ever feel sorry for the things you've done?
I do.
And I don't.
There are times when I'm sorry for the things I've done.
But there are times when I feel I've done the right thing.
I'm happy I've destroyed the life of this person whom I hated so much.
Listen.
If you have time...
let's head to the confession room.
Tell me all the details.
Just give the details.
Tell me the names, when did it happen, what are the events...
You won't spare anything. Don't hide anything.
It might help.
Father...
do you think there is a God?
I have faith.
I can see God in everyone.
With babies...
with lost people, with criminals, with the poor.
Where is he, Father?
Find him. You're the one who can answer that.
I can only be here to guide you.
Everything will be fine. I'll go ahead.
“Find him.”
Find him.
This community used to be big.
But when the hospital closed, a lot of people left.
They lost interest.
I remember having plenty of friends here.
- My father and I used to sell balut here. - Fuck you!
Fuck!
Fuck, come back here!
Don't! Don't!
Fuck you! You don't deserve to live!
Enough! Enough!
Leave me alone!
- No shame! - That's enough!
Let's go! She might die!
- Let's go! - Still alive, huh? Fuck you!
Let's go!
Let's go.
Fuck you!
You deserve that, dumb shit!
Does it hurt? Yes?
It hurts, ma'am.
Hang on. We really have to do this.
Wait, ma'am.
It hurts...
We have to do this.
Hang on.
That's enough, ma'am.
Hollanda?
Don't move. I'll call an ambulance.
Ma,
Mang Intong said he can't report for work this coming Sunday.
- Why? - His eldest will get married.
- Is it true? - Yes, ma'am.
Tell Mang Intong, I'll send over a roasted pig.
Really, ma'am?
Mang Intong will be very grateful.
He is actually inviting you to come.
I can't go. You know why.
- How's the homosexual doing? - He's in the clinic.
I'll have him released. He's getting stronger.
He's lucky to have found someone like you.
Your kindness is extraordinary.
If it weren't for you, he might be found floating at the pier.
Pitiful!
Wonder where'd he come from?
He won't say.
Only thing he said was, he's not from here.
Be cautious, ma'am.
You don't know him well.
He looks nice.
It's just strange where he came from.
It really is strange.
Who in his right mind would be loitering in the middle of the night?
And look at his clothes!
Goes to show,
he's really looking for trouble and now, you're involved, ma'am.
This will do, ma'am. Would you like to eat?
No, I'm still full.
- I'll put the food on the table. - Go ahead.
I'll help you.
Here, ma'am.
My right shoulder hurts.
I'll wash it gently.
Got punched really bad.
Hang on.
I'll wash this, okay?
It's still swollen.
Can you wash your butt hole?
I'll try.
I can't...
We have to do this so it won't get infected.
- Want me to do it? - Wait, ma'am.
Okay.
Can we do it with just water?
Take it easy.
Watch your step, okay? You can do it.
Go ahead.
There.
Okay.
- Does it still hurt? - Yes.
Just a few more steps.
Good job.
The doctor said,
I should make you drink alcohol so your blood will circulate well.
Just a little.
Thank you, ma'am.
Let me ask you.
How did you know where I live?
I'm sorry, ma'am.
One night, when I was roaming around...
I saw you.
I followed you.
Drink that up.
Okay, ma'am.
I went here to die.
That's the truth.
My life's pointless now.
It's like...
I'm a burden to my family.
I think...
they're even ashamed of me.
That's why...
I came up with this decision.
Because...
I have fear in God...
and I'm afraid to commit suicide.
I told myself...
I'll just slowly kill myself.
Slowly.
I'll torture myself.
Until everything ends.
I looked at the map of the Philippines.
My finger pointed me towards this city.
I told myself, “There.”
“That's where my life will end.”
In a place where no one knows me.
I'll be wild.
I'll have fun.
Nonstop sex.
I'll keep doing blow jobs.
Until I just rot in the streets.
Until...
Until such time happens-
just like in the movies.
The end.
The truth, ma'am...
what happened to me is my fault.
I angered those cutie pies so...
they kept on playing with me.
Forget about it.
You have to recover, Hollanda.
I told myself...
I will go to this island so no one else gets involved.
And then, this.
I got you involved.
It's nothing.
Don't worry about me.
I'm embarrassed, ma'am.
I'm such a bitch.
I am useless.
Why didn't those guys kill me instead?
You have to get well.
You got to be strong.
So you can go home.
Where?
Where is it, ma'am?
Let's just drink.
- Let's finish this, ma'am. - Give that to me.
- Why not, ma'am? - The doctor said-
- There are few drinks left. - Just drink a little.
- Let's drink more of this, ma'am. Please? - I gave you enough.
Enough, Hollanda.
Don't be stubborn!
I want to get drunk.
Enough.
Please, ma'am. Just a little.
Stop it!
Hollanda.
Enough!
We have to follow your doctor's orders.
You have to get well, Hollanda.
Your name is beautiful.
Hollanda.
My mommy...
when she was pregnant...
she made the globe spin.
Then pointed at it.
There!
Map of Holland, so my beauty became Hollanda!
Beautiful.
Beautiful name.
Off to bed now. You're not supposed to stay up late.
Let's go.
Hold on to me.
- Okay, ma'am. - Okay.
I will forward your question to our guest, Dr. Laura Dingras.
- Standby. - You can now walk!
Meanwhile, let's go back to our discourse on the unabated
- spate of kidnappings in our midst. - No more pain?
It feels like my butt has been circumcised.
Be careful now.
experiencing a pattern, so to speak.
And unfortunately, it's a pattern of violence.
Very barbaric. Very primal.
I agree, Doctor. It's terrifying!
It's like the ones behind all these are no longer human.
You know, one expert I've read in one of the papers.
He said, it's a continuum.
There seems to be a connection to some incidents. For example,
the very recent murder of Gianni Versace happened a day before
the abduction and rape of the Chiong sisters here in the Philippines.
- Yes, it's a pattern and a continuum. - One more?
- The kidnappings, alone. Wow. - It's hot!
How do you explain all of that?
It's like a frenzy. There is a wave.
That's right, Doctor.
In fact, Philippines has become the kidnapping capital of Asia.
Practice more!
Wait, Doctor, there's a news flash.
Oh, my God!
Oh, my God, such sad news!
Mother Theresa of India has just died.
Sources have yet to reveal the cause.
Let's standby for some additional feed from news bureaus.
I repeat. Such sad news!
Mother Theresa passed away.
Our deep apologies again to our guest, Dr. Laura Dingras.
Fifteen pesos total.
You still have five pesos.
Wait.
Thanks as well.
Hey!
Friend!
You fell asleep!
With the frogs' noise, you're still able to sleep!
You seem to be sleepy.
Want to have coffee?
No.
Thanks.
I'm going.
No, please!
Fuck you, Hunchback. Why are you following me?
That place where we hang out?
The one where I always sell balut?
That's where he was killed.
It was nighttime.
We were together and we earned big.
We were attacked.
Bad move. We fought back.
They repeatedly hit my father.
He fell down.
Then they beat me next.
I also fell.
I lost consciousness and when I woke up,
my father was dead.
That's why I'm always here.
I know they'll come back.
I still remember their faces.
That was long past.
- Maybe... - They will return.
I'm sure, no matter how long, that day will come when we'll meet again.
Won't forget those fucking bastards.
I will wait for them here.
“The never ending summer has a meaning,”
she told herself.
How do you escape humidity?
He can no longer say
what he wants to say.
His shortcomings won't be filled in.
There's no longer time.
There's no longer a chance.
None.
If he can only go back in time...
given a chance,
even just for a while,
he will give up everything.
He will turn his back on everything.
He will forget the present.
But there's none.
Everything is gone.
♪ Is this the little girl I carried? ♪
♪ Is this the little boy at play? ♪
♪ I don't remember growing older ♪
♪ When did they? ♪
♪ Sunrise ♪
♪ Sunset ♪
♪ Sunrise ♪
♪ Sunset ♪
Wonderful!
Again.
♪ Is this the little girl I carried? ♪
♪ Is this the little boy at play? ♪
Nice!
♪ I don't remember growing older ♪
♪ When did they? ♪
♪ Sunrise, sunset ♪
You are amazing!
Hello! Thank you very much!
I'm Hollanda Pebrero, from Matnog, Samar, Philippines!
And now-
presenting to you...
the Carla Fellini Cultural Dancers of the Philippines!
Go, Carla!
Take a bow!
Oops!
Nice one!
Now what?
You want some prize?
I miss Japan, ma'am.
I keep going back there.
But...
because of my sickness, they rejected me.
- Hollanda? - Ma'am?
Because you are amazing...
I'll give you... guess what?
Ma'am, please.
Don't make me hope.
- We're going to drink? - Yes, we will drink.
Really?
Sing once more.
Sing.
- What song do you want? - Some other song.
“Somewhere.”
“Somewhere”?
- “Over the Rainbow”? - No!
The one from the West Side Story.
♪ There's a place for us ♪
♪ Somewhere a place for us ♪
♪ Peace and quiet and open air ♪
♪ Wait for us, somewhere ♪
♪ Somewhere ♪
♪ There's a time for us ♪
♪ Someday a time for us ♪
♪ Time together with time to spare ♪
♪ Time to share ♪
♪ Time to care ♪
♪ Someday ♪
♪ Somewhere ♪
♪ We'll find a new way of living ♪
♪ We'll find a way of forgiving ♪
Some other song, ma'am, please?
That song suits us.
Donna Cruz.
Sure.
Sure, but I don't know any song from her.
Nice!
♪ My heart keeps beating fast ♪
Keep drinking.
I want to tell you something, Hollanda.
I want to thank you.
I should be the one thanking you.
You don't know me.
No, you don't.
Because if you do, you'll be scared of me.
Look.
Look at this.
I came from the correctional.
There!
At that cursed place!
I stayed there for 30 years.
Jailed.
For 30 years.
I know, ma'am.
What did you say?
I read your case.
You've read it?
Motherfucking meddler!
You've read it?
Fuck you, meddler!
Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am!
Don't shoot, ma'am!
You fooled me!
I'm sorry.
I had been caught off-guard.
It's my fault, ma'am.
I meddled with your stuff.
I'm really sorry, ma'am.
It's embarrassing.
Forget about it.
That's why I don't drink. I tend to forget.
The one you've read?
It's Petra's confession.
She's my longtime friend.
I didn't know that...
she was the one who committed the crime they were accusing me of.
Rodrigo Trinidad is the mastermind.
He's my ex-boyfriend.
My kids were young when it happened.
Know what?
If you had not arrived at that door...
that night...
I was on my way to the church to kill Rodrigo.
Fuck, if you hadn't come? That beast would have been dead by now.
Thank you...
Thank you for coming.
Thank you.
I didn't become a criminal.
I wasn't able to kill him.
Is Rodrigo Trinidad still on this island, ma'am?
Hollanda?
♪ Circling, circling, round and round ♪
♪ Assignment, assignment, boxing match ♪
♪ There goes Froggy ♪
♪ And he won't spare anyone ♪
♪ So move now or the next Froggy will be ♪
Froggy!
There is one, huh?
But it's just us!
It's crazy!
Sisters,
I quit.
I'm leaving Cavite!
It just reminds me of him!
You always got problems!
He used me!
I'm just a production design to him!
Correct! That's the “I-shall-never-return” drama!
Leave Cavite to him and yours will be...
The island without God!
- Good evening. - Good evening, ma'am!
Have you seen Hollanda?
Hollanda?
Ladies and gentlemen,
the Carla Fellini Cultural Dancers of the Philippines!
Miss Hollanda from Matnog, Samar!
♪ Sunrise, sunset ♪
Good evening, ladies.
- Good evening! - Hi!
- Hi. - Harry!
Have you seen Hollanda? This lady is looking for her.
No.
I'm fucking tired of my life, man.
It's a fucking nightmare!
Snob!
I'm out!
What a snob!
Madam, it's been a long while since he's been here.
He might be raped.
He prefers to be alone.
He prefers the dark corners of the city; his beauty's that of a mouse!
Really?
- We're sorry, ma'am. - Thank you.
Mouse!
Mother is so pitiful.
Might be her mom!
- Or grandma! - Concerned with the mouse!
Friend!
You look very tired!
You want some balut?
No, thanks.
Looks like the bourgeoisie are having a party.
No, friend.
Mr. Rodrigo Trinidad...
was killed.
What?
Killed...
by some gay in the cathedral!
Remember that gay who danced in front of us?
He's the one!
I'm Celina Talavisan.
I'm your lawyer.
Don't worry.
This is pro bono work.
No need to pay for anything.
I'm here to help you.
I'll make sure I'll act upon all those things done to you.
I've also requested for a doctor to check your condition.
No need, ma'am.
I will tell you your rights.
Be cautious with what you will tell the investigator, okay?
Anything you say will be used against you.
My name is...
My name is Rolando Baldemoran.
Thirty-six years old.
I'm from Matnog, Samar.
Last Sunday...
September 14...
I killed Rodrigo Trinidad.
I killed him as an act of gratitude...
to that only person...
who showed me kindness.
And who is this person?
A kind-hearted person.
The only person who showed me pure kindness.
Who is this person?
That land is ours!
We are begging the authorities.
Let us respect the rights of the people living in this community.
- Let us not destroy their homes! - Yes!
They will lose their homes! I repeat:
It is a right to have your own house!
The people here have long fought the government
for their right to own this land where their houses stand.
This had been denied!
This was once a public land!
The people here struggled to get a title for this land
which they think is rightfully theirs.
Only the rich and the powerful have been given land titles.
The rich and the famous.
We are begging you to stop the demolition!
We are begging!
Where else will they go?
Stop the demolition!
“The Tower of Black,” a story by Bahagharing Timog.
“I live in a room without mirrors...
barely having windows...
barely has air.
There is a square window with three openings...
and has jalousies and a screen attached to it...
which you cannot open
because of the smoke, dust and mosquitoes.
The screen already has holes.
There are passages for the mice in the corners.
And those crevices which continuously let loose
proud and disrespectful cockroaches.
There is a small square...
where the A/C unit used to be...
now covered by duct-taped cardboard on the wall.
Images are struggling in the corners of this room...
like...
souls trying to get loose...
when the dying earth...
is gasping for some air and filthy with humidity.
There is this fire in his consciousness.
Is this part of his livid dream?
Is his sanity losing its grip?
Is his consciousness finally letting go from the free world?
And if this drives him to insanity...
he would rather stay there for all eternity.
But how?
How about those apologies waiting to be granted?
What about those days begging...
for truth to be exposed?
He realizes that this alone will cleanse his soul.
This alone would save his very soul.
And in a snap...
he realizes, this is his only chance left.
It's time for him to withdraw. Time for him to break free.
It's time for freedom.
He mustered all his strength...
from the depths of his soul...
and all that's left of it and opened up the door.
He closed his eyes momentarily with the initial sound of light.
The blowing wind tried to knock him down.
He held as tight as he could...
to what's left of all his hopes inside his heart.
Then he opens his eyes once more.”
Good-bye, everyone.
We might no longer see each other.
Where are you going?
To Manila. I'll go look for someone.
Be good, okay?
Yes, ma'am.
Taba.
I'm sorry for what happened.
Forget about it.
I'll go ahead.
Please tell Hunchback,
I already left.
Take care!
Is it cooked already?
Over there.
That woman over there, she threw these.
The woman did that.
Pitiful.
She looked tired. What a pity.
Hey! Come back here!
Papers.
A woman spread them there.
What's written on the paper?
Someone's missing.
Once upon a time,
there was an aspiration;
an aspiration which stayed in a dream;
a dream which stayed in a hidden world;
a world likened to a fortress;
a fortress which will never crumble;
a fortress which has a door that she was never able to open.
Once upon a time,
she created an aspiration;
an aspiration which turned into a dream;
a dream taken away by the sky.
Once upon a time...