SINE CABOLOAN
the independent cinema of Pangasinan
Scripts
ANACBANUA (The Child of the Sun) Characters: The Poet – a young man in his mid-thirties The Muse – a young beautiful woman in her twenties A Seven-Year Old Child – a boy who is the Poet’s alter ego Ritual Leader – an old woman in her sixties Prayer Leaders ( old women ) Children A Fisherman Guests in a child’s seventh birthday party SEQ1. EXT. SEA.DAY. A small motorized boat is plying the tranquil waters of a river. A man in his mid-thirties, THE POET has died and his body lies in a small motorized boat manned by A FISHERMAN and a grieving young lady, THE MUSE. The Poet’s head is adorned with a crown of golden laurel leaves. The boat reaches the open sea. The boat stops at the middle of the calm sea. The Muse watches as the fisherman slowly drop the Poet’s body to the sea laying it to eternal rest. The fisherman and the Muse watch as the waters eventually consume the remains of the Poet. MUSE ( In Pangasinan language as a Voice Over) Long live the Poet who makes the sea, the air, the land, and the soul fertile with his art. SEQ. 2. EXT. ANCESTRAL HOUSE. DAY. The Poet is at the portal of a big old ancestral house. There is nobody around and he decides to enter. SEQ.3. INT.ANCESTRAL HOUSE.DAY. The Poet ascends the grand stairs leading to the main hall of the house. The Poet arrives at the main hall. He begins to examine the objects around him. There seems to be nobody around the main hall. The Poet enters the dining hall. He examines the objects around him. The Poet enters a hallway and looks at the bedrooms he passes by. There is nobody around the hallway. The Poet approaches the door of one of the bedrooms in the hallway. He sees a SEVEN- YEAR OLD CHILD in his best clothes grooming himself in front of a big mirror. The Poet enters the room and stands beside the child who is oblivious to his presence. When the child finishes grooming himself, he picks up a bunch of fresh flowers from the small table and walks outside of the room. The Poet follows the child as he walks to the hallway. SEQ.4. INT.MAIN HALL.DAY. The Child is reading a banner on the wall saying, “Happy Seventh Birthday! Long Live! From Mama and Papa.” The Muse who is the Child’s mother greets and embraces him. Family members also greet the Child. The Child pays his respects to the elderly family members who have come to his birthday. Several children who are his friends greet him. The Child also pays his respects to the PRAYER LEADERS composed mostly of elderly women and the RITUAL LEADER, an old woman, who will perform the cumpleanyo ritual for him. The Child walks to the decorated altar and looks at the icons representing the Sagrada Familia. He goes near the image of Our Lady of Manaoag and offers the flowers he has brought with him. He closes his eyes and dedicates a short prayer for the Lady. SEQ. 5. INT. MAIN HALL.DAY. The Poet oblivious to all the people around him is watching the preliminaries of the solemn celebration. In a few moments, the ritual leader starts the cumpleanyo, a Pangasinan ritual celebrated on the occasion of a child’s seventh birthday. The Muse lights the candles in the altar while the ritual leader wakens the Child from his prayer. The old woman brings the Child to a chair made as a throne placed at the center of the main hall near the altar. In a few moments, the ritual leader and the prayer leaders start to sing the Rosario Cantada. The Poet sees how the prayers dedicated to the Sagrada Familia and the Our Lady of Manaoag in the altar are directed to the Child celebrating his seventh birthday. In a few moments, the ritual leader starts to chant a prayer in verse. The other elderly women chant short responses to her. The Poet watches as the ritual leader starts to make benediction ( bendisyon ) to the Child wishing he lives a long full life and become successful and fruitful in his lifetime. The ritual leader and the old women start to sing the Salve Regina. All the other people in the main hall follow. The two other prayers leaders goes to the Child and places a prince’s crown on his head. The Poet becomes the Child crowned by the old women with a crown of golden laurel leaves. The old women place a golden cape on the Child’s back. They they hand to him a golden scepter. The old women place a golden cape on the Poet’s back and hands him a golden scepter. The ritual leader and the old women start to throw flowers to the Child while they continue singing the Salve Regina. The other people in the hall follow throwing money and flowers to the Child as they continue to sing the Salve Regina. The Child becomes the Poet who receives the affirmation from the entire cumpleanyo ritual for a longer and fruitful life. The people around the Poet continue throwing flowers and money at him as they sing the Salve Regina. SEQ. 6. EXT. A DESERTED BEACH.DUSK. The sea is raging. SEQ. 7. INT. ANCESTRAL HOUSE.NIGHT. The wind enters the old ancestral house through its doors and windows. The wind enters the bedroom through several windows and inside, the Muse, naked, is standing in front of the big mirror looking at herself distraught. On the bed, the Poet , also naked, is facing the other side of the wall pretending to be asleep but feeling the Muse’s presence. Earlier, the Muse had decided to leave the Poet for an undisclosed reason. In a few moments, the Muse wears a dress. Then she quickly packs a few clothes in a bag. In a few moments, she walks towards the door and takes a final look at the Poet. Though not looking at her, the Poet becomes fully aware as the Muse leaves the bed room door. The Muse reaches the front door of the old house and pauses for a few moments. The Poet hears the main door closing. He covers his face with a white blanket. The Muse walks away into the dark night. The Poet weeps behind the white blanket. The wind enters the windows and doors of the old house as the Poet continues to weep. SEQ.8. EXT. A SEA PORT. DAY. The Muse is watching the strong waves of the sea. She removes her shoes and leaves her bag to the shore. She walks towards the raging sea openly embracing it. SEQ. 9. EXT. A BEACH. DAY. The Seven-Year Old Child is running on the shore. He is holding a fresh white flower by his hand. He stops when he sees the body of the Muse lying unconscious on the shore. He kneels and gently touches the Muse’s face. He places the white flower in her ear. The Child places his ear on the Muse’s chest to feel if she is breathing. The Child whispers something in the Muse’s ear. In a few moments, the Muse opens her eyes and smiles to the Child. The Child smiles in return. SEQ.10. INT. ANCESTRAL HOUSE.NIGHT. The doors and the windows of the house are all closed. It is dark inside the main hall and only a faint light coming from outside illuminates a lone figure seated on a rocking chair. The Poet, visibly weak and emaciated, is staring wearily into the darkness lost in his thoughts. A long silence. Suddenly, the Poet hears the main door open. He stirs from his deadly stupor. From the darkness of the stairs emerges the Muse. The Poet sees the Muse switch on the lamps in the living room one by one which eventually illuminated the main hall. One by one the Muse gently opens the closed windows in the main hall allowing the night wind to enter the house. The curtains and the chimes flutter in the wind. The Muse stands in a corner of the main hall looking at the Poet. The Poet rises from his seat and slowly approaches the Muse. He takes her hand and kisses it. Shedding tears of happiness, the Poet kneels in front of the Muse. He takes one of her foot and kisses it lovingly. SEQ. 11.INT. BED ROOM. NIGHT. Moths are attracted to the bulb of a table lamp inside the bed room. The Muse is peacefully sleeping in the bed beside the Poet who is restless and unable to sleep. The Poet walks out of the bed into the hallway of the old ancestral house. SEQ. 12. INT. BASEMENT. NIGHT. The Poet descends the grand stairs of the old house. The Poet enters the basement and opens a room full of old objects. He begins searching for an object. He clears several objects from a heap. In a few moments, he finds a big wooden cross amongst the pile. He continues clearing the heap. He wipes the cross with a piece of cloth until it becomes clean. He stops and becomes visibly delighted to see the image of the newly-cleaned cross. SEQ.13. EXT. AN OPEN GROUND.DAY. The Seven-Year Old Child is running. He joins a crowd composed of SCHOOL CHILDREN. The Child sees The Poet pass by carrying the big wooden cross by his shoulders. The poet is wearing a crown of golden laurel leaves. The children are amused by the sight of the Poet carrying the wooden cross by his shoulders. The Poet continues walking and is followed by the other children. The Seven-Year Old Child decides to join the Poet’s procession. He rushes to join the retinue. SEQ.14. EXT. MUNICIPAL TOWN HALL.DAY. The Poet carrying the wooden cross passes by the municipal town hall. He is followed by the Seven- Year Old Child and a few other children. Bystanders are amazed by the sight. SEQ. 15. EXT.TOWN PLAZA.DAY. The Poet carrying the cross passes by the town plaza. He is followed by the Seven- Year Old Child and a few other children. Bystanders are amazed by the sight. SEQ. 16. EXT. OUR LADY OF MANAOAG CHURCH.DAY. The Poet carrying the wooden cross passes in front of the Our Lady of Manaoag Church. He is followed by the Seven-Year Old Child and a few other children. Bystanders and pilgrims are amazed by the sight. SEQ. 17. EXT. MARKET.DAY. The Poet carrying the cross passes by the town’s busy market with the Seven-Year Old Child and few children following him. Bystanders smile at the unusual sight of the Poet carrying a big wooden cross. People inside their vehicles stop to look at the Poet. People inside the buses look at the Poet. SEQ. 18. EXT. GATE OF A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL. DAY. The Poet carrying the wooden cross pass by the gate of a public high school. He is followed by the Seven-Year Old Child and a few children. High school students going out of the school’s premises for their lunch break look at the Poet. They are amused by his sight. The Poet continues walking a few paces but stops in a few moments. He lays the cross on the side and sits down to rest. A small crowd of high school students gathers around the Poet watching him. The Muse emerges amongst the crowd that has formed around the Poet and goes beside him. She hands the Poet a bottle of water and helps the Poet drink it. In a few moments, the Muse wipes the Poet’s body and face with a small white towel she has brought. The small crowd of students continue looking at the Poet. SEQ.19. EXT. A ROAD.DAY. In the hot mid-day sun, the Child is leading the way as the Poet carrying the cross walks through a deserted concrete road. The Muse is walking by his side. SEQ. 20. EXT. OLD RAILROAD TRACKS.DAY. With the Child leading the way, the Poet carrying the wooden cross pass along the old iron tracks of the historic Manila-Dagupan Railroad. The Muse is walking by the Poet’s side ready to assist him. Residents of the houses along the tracks have come out to watch the unusual sight and they are amused. SEQ. 21. EXT. A HIGHWAY. DAY. The Poet carrying the wooden cross , the Child, and the Muse pass by a group of cattle caravans moving on the road. The people inside the cattle caravans stop and come out to see the Poet. They approach the Poet and shake hands with him. SEQ. 22. EXT. PUBLIC CEMETERY. DAY. The Poet carrying the cross, the Muse and the Child approaches the public cemetery. They cross paths with a funeral procession attended by many people. The people look at the Poet and his retinue. SEQ. 23. EXT. ROAD. DAY. The Poet carrying the cross, the Muse and the Child pass by a group of farmers tending their field near the road. The farmers stop to wave and smile at the Poet and his retinue. SEQ. 24. EXT. ROAD. DAY. The Poet carrying the cross, the Muse and the Child pass by a cluster of houses along the road in a barrio. The residents of the houses along with their barking dogs greet the Poet who had passed along. SEQ. 25.EXT.ROAD.DAY. The Poet carrying the cross, the Muse and the Child pass by a family laying rice grains to dry on the concrete road. The family members pause to greet the Poet and his retinue. SEQ. 26. EXT. PANGASINAN PROVINCIAL CAPITOL BUILDING. DAY. With the Child leading the way and the Muse walking beside him, the Poet carrying the wooden cross passes by the Pangasinan Provincial Capitol Building in Lingayen. Bystanders look at an unusual sight. SEQ. 27. EXT. A ROAD. DAY. The Poet carrying the cross,the Child and the Muse pass by workers constructing a concrete road. The men wave and smile to the Poet and his retinue. SEQ. 28. EXT. GATE OF A PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.DAY. With the Muse and the Child leading the way, the Poet carrying the cross approaches the gate of a public elementary school where the children are going out of the school’s premises on their way home. The children gather around the Poet who has stopped in front of a food stall in front of the school to buy a drink. The school children are amused at the sight of the Poet carrying a big wooden cross by his shoulders. SEQ. 29. EXT. BRIDGE. DAY. With the Child leading the way and the Muse walking by his side, the Poet carrying a wooden cross pass by a bridge overlooking the great Agno River. SEQ.30. EXT. A BARRIO. DAY. Residents living in the homes beside the Agno River have come out to see the Poet carrying the cross and his retinue as they pass by. SEQ. 31. EXT. THE BANKS OF THE AGNO RIVER.DAY. The Poet has laid the wooden cross in a corner and is now resting together with the Muse and the Child under a tree beside the Agno River. SEQ. 32. EXT. HIGHWAY.DAY. With the Child leading the way, the Poet carrying the wooden cross pass by a fastfood store along the highway. A few bystanders look at them and are amused. SEQ. 33. EXT. AN INTERSECTION.DAY. With the Child leading the way, the Poet carrying the wooden cross pass by a busy intersection in downtown Dagupan City. Bystanders and people inside the vehicles stop to look at the unusual sight. SEQ. 34. EXT. STREET.DAY. With the Child leading the way, the Poet carrying the wooden cross pass by a mall. The people in the vicinity stop to look at the Poet and the Child. SEQ. 35. EXT. A WHARF. DAY. The Poet carrying the cross and the Child who is leading the way pass by a wharf in the Pantal River in Dagupan City. They are greeted by the fishermen and the fish vendors in the area. SEQ.36. EXT. A COASTAL COMMUNITY.DAY. The Poet carrying the cross and the Child who is leading the way pass by the houses in a poor coastal community. They are greeted by the people who have come out of their homes to see an unusual sight. SEQ. 37. EXT. A WHARF. DAY. The Poet carrying the cross and the Child who is leading the way pass by a wharf in Lucap, Alaminos City overlooking the Hundred Islands National Park. People including tourists stop to look at an unusual sight. SEQ. 38. EXT. ROOFTOP.DAY. On the rooftop of a building overlooking the entire town, The Poet is crucified on the wooden cross he has carried. The children are staring at the Poet who is tied to the cross. The Muse watching the Poet is very distraught. The Child is holding a white dove by his hands while watching the Poet. The Poet looks up to the afternoon sun and slowly becomes unconscious. The Child releases the white dove who flies to the sky. SEQ. 39. INT. BEDROOM.NIGHT. The Poet is typing a Pangasinan-language poem (anlong) on his laptop. On the background, we see the Muse sleeping peacefully on the bed. The Poet stops typing. He walks out of the bedroom. SEQ. 40. INT. BEDROOM.NIGHT. The Poet enters another room and sees the Child peacefully sleeping. The Poet goes to the Child and sits beside him. The Poet watches the child breathe. SEQ. 41. EXT.CATHOLIC CHURCH.DAY. It is dusk. The bells are ringing. The Child and the Poet are walking out of the church after hearing the dawn mass. The Poet and the Child are both wearing white ritual clothes. The Poet is holding a small wooden cross. SEQ. 42. EXT.RICE FIELD. DAY. It is early in the morning. The Child and the Poet are walking in rice paddies that are fully watered and ready for transplanting. The Poet and the Child walk to the center of the watered rice field. After a few moments, The Poet hands the small wooden cross to the Child and starts to recite the “ Manisia Ak ” ( I Believe in God). When the Poet reaches the lines “ …Nen Inmulin binmilay…” ( . . .he rose again. . . ), he gets the cross from the Child and then thrusts it to the earth. The Poet continues the prayer. In a few moments, the Child watches as the Poet run all around the entire area of the wet fields to be transplanted with young rice stalks. The Poet is reciting secret prayers (oraciones) while running around the field. The Poet runs around the paddies several times and he continues to recite the secret prayers (oraciones). The Child watches as the Poet walks to the center of the watered rice fields and begins to roll over the muddy earth continuously for a few minutes. The Poet finally stops rolling over the wet field. He lies motionless on the earth with his whole body covered with mud. Farmers carrying young rice stalks to be transplanted to the field arrive solemnly. They approach the wet fields and paddies where the Poet has remained lying motionless. The farmers start to transplant the rice. The Poet still lying on the mud watches intently. The Child walks to him and helps him rise. The Poet and the Child watches as the farmers continue transplanting the young rice stalks to the wet fields and paddies. The Poet had just performed the manegkal, a Pangasinan fertility ritual made to ensure the Gods render the land bountiful with harvest. End. MALINAC LAY LABI ( A Calm Night )
Characters:
Carlito – 30 years old ; a struggling independent filmmaker
and college teacher
Lina – 30 years old ; Carlito’s ex-girlfriend and childhood sweetheart ; a balikbayan from
Mercy – 37 years old ; balikbayan ; a nurse in
Gihun – 55 years old ; Lina’s Korean husband
Siling – 65 years old ; Carlito’s mother ; a traditional healer
Fely - 65 years old ; Mercy’s mother ; a balikbayan from
* Balikbayan is a term which means a Filipino who has lived and worked abroad for a long time and who has returned to the motherland (
Sequence 1. Int. Bus. Night.
A YOUNG MAN in his thirties is inside a bus. He is seated just beside the open window. The wind blows on his face as the bus strides along the highway. He is melancholy yet lucid. He is at the crossroads , on the verge of a major decision that would change the course of his life.
The bus stops at a busy intersection in
A YOUNG MAN alights the bus. The man recognizes the newly- arrived passenger who goes to a vacant seat just across him.
YOUNG MAN
Oy ! Pare ! Daniel !
YOUNG MAN
Oy! Carlito !
CARLITO
Kumusta ? Iner sa nanlapuan mo ?
Where have you come from ?
Diyad opisina. Mantratrabaho ak diya ed Coca-Cola diya ed Tarlac. Pasempet ak la ed Bayambang. Wadman so asawak tan anakok. Sika ey ? Iner sa kulan mo natan ?
From the office. I work in Coca-Cola here in Tarlac. I am on my way home to Bayambang. My wife and my kids are there. And you ? Where do you work now ?
CARLITO
Mambabangat ak diya ed kolehiyo , diya ed PUP. Bakas nen amak nabwas sikaton simempet ak.
I am a college teacher , in PUP. It is my father’s first year death anniversary rites tomorrow so I am coming home.
CUT TO
The bus strides along the highway. A silence.
CARLITO
Kumusta la ray arum ya kaklase tayo nen high school ?
Have you heard any news from any of our high school classmates ?
DANIEL
Limad binyag na kumadwan anak ko nen fiesta’y Bayambang si cesar tan Jason tan si Lisa. Ninong tan ninang ira.
Cesar, Jason and Lisa were the godparents of my second baby in last year’s town fiesta.
CARLITO
Maong met akapantuluyan kayo nen Celia.
Good thing you and Celia ended up together.
DANIEL
Abalang ko met agka mi makapantuluyan. Kasi pankagraduate ko ed kolehiyo , nantrabaho ak diya ed
I initially thought we wouldn’t end up together. Upon graduating in college , I worked in
CARLITO
Maong ta akakar ka ed
Good thing for you you have come to
DANIEL
Akatipun ak met na daiset. Man-aaplay ak lamet. Ompawil ak ayan January. Ompan diya ed Qatar. Duwara lay anakok. Mairap so panagbilay diya ed bansa tayo.
I was able to save a little. I am applying again. I am returning this January. It might be in Qatar. I have two kids to feed. Life is hard in our country today.
A silence.
DANIEL
Sika ey? Anggapo ni asawam ? Anto lay agawa ed sikayo nen Lina ? Abalang mi mankatuluyan kayon duwa .
And you ? Do you have a wife ? What happened to you and Lina ? We all thought you would end up together.
Carlito gives a sad smile.
Seq. 2. Ext. Street. Night.
The bus stops at the town proper of Bayambang ( Pangasinan ). Daniel and Carlito go down. They bid each other farewell.
CUT TO
It is late at night.Cralito walks the street of the poblacion ( town proper) going to his old house.
Sequence 3. Int. House. Night.
Carlito enters an old house. Everyone is asleep.
He enters his mother’s bedroom. He sits on a chair beside his mother who is asleep. He watches his mother for some time.
The mother awakens. Carlito takes the hand of his mother and pays his respects.
SILING
( Coughing )
Kakasabim ?
You just arrived ?
CARLITO
On.
Yes.
SILING
Angan ka la ?
Have you eaten already ?
CARLITO
Angan ak la nen niman ed terminal diyad Tarlac.
I have eaten at the terminal in Tarlac.
SILING
( Coughing )
Gabay mon ipetangan taka’y inselar.
You want that I reheat the fish soup ?
CARLITO
Andila. Ipainawa yo la ta okok ki lan okok. ( A pause ) Abayag la tay okok yo?
No. Continue your sleep because your cough is getting worst. How long have you been sick ?
SILING
Sakey bulan la ya. Agko naipatambal ta anggapo’y pampaduktor ko.
One month already. I have no money to go to the doctor.
A silence.
CARLITO
Pasensya ki la ta ngalngali angga ak makapanpawit na pampatambal yo. Melmelag so suweldok diyad panagbangat. Diyad panagbilay ko ed Manila kulang ni may susuwelduen ko.
I am very sorry I was not able to send money for your medication. I am earning a small salary from my work as a teacher. It is barely enough to support my living in Manila.
SILING
Mantatambal ak pero say sarili’k ya laman agko napaabig. Ay , onaakulaw ak la. No ompatay ak , ampay mantuloy ayan a gagawen ko. Amanak ni ya ed baem. Iratay agagim , walalay kaasawan da tan aanak da. Anggapo kuno’y panaon dan mantambal. ( A pause ) Sika anako , sika so gabay kon manpatuloy ya’y panagtambal ed pamilya tayo.
I am a healer but I can barely cure myself. I am getting old. When I leave this world, who will continue the healing. I have inherited this from your grandmother. Your brother and sisters do not have the time for this work because they already have their kids and husbands to take care of. I want you to continue our family tradition.
A silence.
CARLITO
Gabay ko Inang balet aga ak ni preparado natan. Dakel ni gabay kon gawaen ed bilay ko. Pulyan yo, agka yo manpapaga , ta no ompatey kayo, siak so mantuloy na panagatambal ed pamilya tayo.
I would love to mother but I am not yet prepared this time. I have so many things I wish to do in my life. Don’t you worry mother. When you die , I will continue your work.
SILING
Angapo ni planom ya mangasawa ? Mantirentay ono anyos ka la anggapo ni asawam. Ontataken ka la anako.
Don’t you have marriage plans ? You are turning thirty one but still don’t have a wife. You are getting old my son.
A silence. Carlito smiles.
CARLITO
Pulyan yo, kabongon yo nabwas, nanengneng yo may asawaen ko.
Don’t you worry. When you wake up tomorrow morning , you will see my future wife.
Siling smiles.
Sequence 4. Int. House. Day.
Carlito is looking at his old high school pictures. We see him with his childhood sweetheart LINA.
A knock is heard on the gate. He opens the gate and talks to a WOMAN. The woman is with an OLD WOMAN who is inside the car.
WOMAN
Siak si Mercy. Kaibak si Inak , si Fely. Wadtan si Bai Siling ? Gabay nen inak ya mampatambal ed sikato. Inrekomenda na sakey kabaleyan tayo ed California , si Laki Ruding Junio si Bai Siling. Imabig si Laki Ruding nen semempet dia nen December. Wadtan ira ?
I am Mercy. I am with my mother , Fely. Is Bai Siling here right now ? My mother wishes to be healed by her. A townmate living in California , Laki Ruding Junio , recommended Bai Siling. He was finally cured of his ailment when he went home last December. Is she here ?
CARLITO
Tawagen ko ra magano ta manluluto ira.
I will call her. She is cooking our meal.
CUT TO
Siling is under a trance while performing a healing ritual to Fely. She is being assited by RITA , her eldest daughter ,and Carlito, who assist her with the ritual paraphernalia. Rita’s TWO CHILDREN are also watching along with Mercy.
CUT TO
The healing ritual is almost done. Siling performs hilot to Fely.
Carlito and Mercy are outside the verandah of the house . Carlito brings out a packet of cigerette and offers to Mercy who takes one. Carlito lights Mercy’s and then his own. A silence.
MERCY
Antoy ibabangat mo ed kolehiyo?
What do you teach in college ?
CARLITO
Literature. Sikayo ? Antoy trabaho yo ed Califonia ?
And you ? What is your work in California ?
MERCY
Sakey ak ya nurse. Nan-leave ak ta gabay kon ibaan ya mampatambal si Mamang. Tan gabay ko met ya nanengneng iray arom ya kaanak mi diya ed Bayambang. Abaybayag ko la ran angga anengneng. Masulok ya duwamplon taon . Bakasyon yo natan ?
I am a nurse. I went on leave because I want to accompany my ailing mother. I also wanted to see again my relatives here in Bayambang. I haven’t seen them for a very long time. About twenty years. Are you on vacation now ?
CARLITO
On. Anggapo’y klase no summer diya ed eskuwelaan mi. Kapigan so insabi yo ed Bayambang ? Maong met ta agyo ni alingwanan so panagsalitay Pangasinan.
Yes. We don’t have summer classes in my university. When did you arrive here in Bayambang? Good thing you still know how to speak fluently in Pangasinan.
MERCY
Nen Huwebes labat ni. No mantungtong kami ed abong ed California Pangasinan so gagamiten mi. Iray kaanakan ko ya binmaleg ed Amerika mansasalita met na Pangasinan. ( A pause) Ka-batch mo si Rosario Galsim nen high school.
We arrived last Thursday. When we talk in our house in California we speak in Pangasinan. My nephews who were raised in the States speak fluently our native language. Is Rosario Galsim your batchmate ?
CARLITO
On. Classmate kami manlapud elementary angga ed highschool. Iner la so kulan to natan ? Anggapo lay balita mi ed sikato.
Yes. We were classmates from elementary till high school. Where is she now? We have no news about her .
MERCY
San kapinsan kami. Akakar la ed California so aateng tan agagi to. Wadman met la. Akaasaway Pilipino met. Mantratrabaho met ya nurse diman.
We are cousins. Her parents and brothers and sisters are now living in California. She is living there already with her Filipipino husband She is also working as a nurse.
Sequence 5. Int. Church. Day.
Carlito is seated inside the church quietly looking at the altar. He is deep in his thoughts. He is melancholy yet lucid.
Mercy goes out of the convent and goes to the seats in the church. She sees Carlito and approaches him. She sits beside him.
A long silence.
MERCY
Kumusta ka la ?
How are you ?
CARLITO
Ompapasyal. Akin akakar ka diya?
Just hanging out. Why are you here ?
MERCY
Mankukumpisal si Mamang ed pari. Inibaan ko ra.
Mamang is making a confession. I accompanied her.
A silence.
CARLITO
Nen ogaw ak ni , lanang ak ya oola ed simbaan no maermen ak. Nansilbi ak met ya sacristan diya ed pari .
When I was small , I always hang out in the church whenever I am sad. I used to be a sacristan when I was small.
A silence.
MERCY
Dia ed Amerika, lanang kamin mimimisa nen Mamang. Diad simbaan lanang ya makakapanenengnneg ira’y kabaleyan tayo.
Mamang and I always go to mass in America. Many of our townmates meet in the church.
A silence.
MERCY
Nen high school ak , inawit nen Rosario iray classmate to ed elementary dia ed abong. Nanggalaw iray basketball ed compound na kaabungan mi. Nanpasnok si Inak ta walay limabot ya bola ed loob na abong tan abetag may eskaparate me. Nen dinago mi ramay kaklase nen Rosario, walay sakey ya ogaw ya inturo dan sikatoy nantupak na bola. Natatandaan ko la. Sika may ogaw ya nantupak na bola ed loob na abong mi. Kalupam. Sika man, anto?
I remember , when I was in high school , Rosario brought her classmates in elementary to our place. They played basketball in the compound. My mother was angry because the ball went right in to our house breaking the glass in our drawers. My mother gathered all the children who were there and a few of the children were blaming one of the boys to have thrown the ball. I remember. You look like the boy who had thrown the ball in our house. Is it you ?
Carlito laughs at the incident.
CARLITO
Kasebeg ko may sakay ya kaklse me , si Malvar . Inanguban to si – amay crush ko . Ed pasnok ko ed sikato , nen mangaggalaw kami basketball , intupak ko may bola ed sikato. Limabot diya ed abong yo. Pasensya ki la ed siak.
I am angry to my classmate , Malvar. He kissed – my crush. Furious , while playing basketball , I thrown the ball at him. Unfortunately , it went inside your house and broke your cabinets. I am so sorry.
MERCY
( Smiling )
Asompal la man. Mataken ka la natan.
Forget about it. You are now a grown-up man.
A long silence.
Seq. 6. Int. Bar. Night.
A sultry chanteuse is singing the Pangasinan folk love song “ Malinac La’y Labi ” over the standing microphone.
Mercy and Paulito are drinking wine in a classy bar in Dagupan City.
Seq. 7. Ext. Street.Day.
The music continues.
Mercy drives Carlito in her motorcycle all over town. They seem to be enjoying each other’s company.
Seq. 8. Int. Restaurant.Night.
The music continues.
Mercy and Carlito are having dinner in a restaurant in Dagupan City.
Seq. 9. Int. Church. Day.
The music continues.
Carlito lights a candle infront of the altar of The Lady of Our Perpetual Help as Mercy watches over.
Seq. 10. Ext. Hills. Day.
The music continues.
Mercy and Carlito drive to a vantage point away from the poblacion (town center ).
CUT TO
In the rolling hills , Carlito smokes marijuana together with Mercy. They watch the poblacion bathing in the last rays of the sun. Mercy embraces Carlito but the young man remains passive and distant.
Seq. 11. Ext. House. Night.
Late at night , Mercy drives by Siling’s house.
Hearing a vehicle has stopped infront of their house, Carlito awakens and goes out of the house. He sees Mercy waiting in her motorcycle.
CARLITO
Akin ? Lablabi la.
What’s wrong? It is already late.
MERCY
Gabay ta kan nanengneng.
I wanted to see you.
A long silence.
Mercy kisses Carlito who is initially unresponsive.
Seq.12. Int. House. Night.
Mercy and Carlito are making love.
CUT TO
The two are done. Carlito goes out to the veranda of Mercy’s second floor room to breathe the night air. He smokes marijuana. Mercy enters the bathroom and showers.
CUT TO
In the middle of Carlito’s reverie , he receives a call in his cellular phone. It is Lina , his ex-girlfriend / childhood sweetheart.
CARLITO
Hello ?
LINA
( Offscreen)
Carlito? Kumusta ka la ?
CARLITO
Wadya ak ed Bayambang . Iner so kulan mo natan ?
I am here in Bayambang. Where are you now ?
LINA
Wadya ak ed Korea. Diya ed Pusan. Kaibak so asawak. ( A pause ) Walay ibagak. Mansasakit so asawak natan. Nila mi la so amin ya doktor diya balet agni imabig. Gabay kon onsempet ditan ed Bayambang ayan ontombok ya bulan piyano ipatambal kendi inam. Konpiyansa ak ya onabig so asawak no ipatambal ko kendi Bai Siling ta apaabig da si amak. Nayarin ipatanir mo kami manlapud airport kasabi mi angga ed abong mi ed Bayambang. Iarkilaan mo ak na luganan ditan tan i-drive mo kami pasempet . Natatakot ak ya mankontrata na agko kabat ta say kapinsan kon si Michelle a-holdap nen semempet nanlapu ed Japan. Nanarkila ra na luganan tan driver ya agda kabat. Tulungan mo ak Carlito.
I am here in Korea. In Pusan. I am with my husband. Let me tell you something. My husband is very sick. We consulted all doctors here but still he is not cured. I want to go home in Bayambang next month to have him healed by your mother. I am confident he will be cured for Bai Siling has healed my father. Can you drive us from the airport to our house in Bayambang when we come there ? Rent us a van there and drive us home. I am afraid to hire a driver who is a stranger. My cousin Michelle was robbed when she got home from Japan. She hired a van and a driver , a stranger , to drive them home from the airport to Bayambang. Help me Carlito.
CARLITO
Sige. Arkilaen ko may van to may sakey ya kaarok. Siyak la so man-drive ed sikayo pasempet.
Okay. I will hire the van of a friend. I will drive you home.
LINA
Salamat. Tawagan ta ka la lamet nabwas ta piyan pantungtungan ta no panon kon ipawit may kuwarta ya pan-arkila na luluganan.
Thanks. I will call you tomorrow. I will discuss how I will send the money to use in hiring a vehicle.
CARLITO
Bye.
When he drops the phone, Carlito is suddenly overwhelmed by an ocean of emotions. Mercy enters from the shower and looks at Carlito. She senses something is wrong. A silence.
MERCY
Akin ? Antoy agawa ?
What happened ?
CARLITO
Walay kaarok ya onsempet diya ed Bayambang . Pitoy taon to la ed Korea.
A good friend of mine is going home to Bayambang. She has been away , in Korea , for seven years.
Carlito does not give any further details to Mercy. A long silence. Carlito looks outside of the house.
Seq. 13. Int. House. Night.
Carlito, Mercy , Siling , and Carlito’s brother and two sisters including their husband and wives and his nephews : Rita and her two kids , TESSIE and her husband EULITO and their son NOEL , ROLAND and his wife MYLA who is pregnant plus another NEPHEW , are having dinner in Siling’s house. Siling’s family is getting to know Mercy. The atmosphere is light.
SILING
Nen ankekelag ni iraya si Tessie , Rita , Roland tan Carlito , man-iiba ran san-anagi ya manlakoy maruya diya ra ed kaabongan. Balet aya si Roland tan si Carlito , kasumpal dan manlako ed ngarem, mankupit iray salapi tan mitatsingan lara ed saray arom ya kagalawan da. Atawir da ed ama da so inkasugarol da.
When Tessie , Rita , Roland and Carlito were children , the go together selling maruya among the neighbors. But Roland and Carlito , when they were done in the selling in the afternoon , they would steal fifty centavos and play tatsing with the other boys. They have inherited this kind of vice from their late father.
They laugh.
CUT TO
The family is done with dinner. Only Siling and Mercy are left on the dining table. The others have gone to the sala to watch television. Siling starts to pile up the plates.
MERCY
Ibaan ta kayo.
I will help you.
SILING
Andi anako. Siyak la diay akaoley. Laka la ed sala tan manbantay ka la na tv.
Please don’t bother. I’ll take care of them. Go to the sala and watch tv with them.
Siling continues piling the plates and starts to wash them. Mercy sits on a chair in the dining area watching Siling do her chore. A silence.
SILING
( To Mercy )
Si Carlito labat lay anggapo ni asawa to ed sikadan sanaagi. Amin ira asakbay ya angasawa. Sikato labat so soltero ni angga ed natan. ( A pause ) Walay inaro to nen saman. Lina so ngaran to. Kaogawan to , kaklase to manlapud elementary angga ed highschool. Abayag iran san-inaro. Nan-abroad si Lina, lima ed Korea . Nan-aragal si Carlito , apatira , limaran taon. Agla nananap na arom ya bii. Sakey agew , Naantaan mi ya angasawa lay Koreano si Lina. Manlapud saman , lanang ya maermen si Carlito.
Only Carlito remains single among my children. All of them have married early. He used to have a fiancée. Her name is Lina. They grew-up together. They were classmates from elementary till high school. They were sweethearts for a long time. Then Lina went abroad , to Korea. Carlito waited for four , five years. he didn’t set eyes on any other woman. One day, we learned that Lina married a Korean. From then on , my Carlito is always sad.
A silence. Siling sits on a chair and comes face to face with Mercy.
SILING
Inarom si Carlito ?
Do you love Carlito ?
MERCY
On.
I do.
SILING
Asikasom ya moong so anak ko. Paliket mo ta abaybayag lan maermen so bilay to.
Take very good care of him. Make him happy again because he has been lonely for a long time.
MERCY
On.
I will.
Seq. 14. Int. House.Night.
Carlito and Mercy just finished making love. Mercy embraces Carlito.
MERCY
Ompawil kami la nen Mamang ed Amerika kasabi Hunyo.
Mamang and I will fly back to America this June.
A long silence.
CARLITO
Anto natan ?
What now ?
MERCY
Gabay kon naantaan na anto sa planom para ed sikatan duwa .
I want to know what is your plan for the two of us.
A long silence. Carlito remains thinking.
CUT TO
Mercy is inside the bathroom. She washes her face with water, then looks at herself in the mirror with uncertainty. A long silence.
All of a sudden, Carlito enters and looks at Mercy. A silence.
CARLITO
Mampakasal ta bago kayo onalis.
We will get married before you leave.
A silence. Then Mercy smiles.
Seq. 15. Int. Vehicle. Night.
Carlito is driving a van carrying Lina and her Korean husband Gihun. The couple just arrived in Manila and now on their way to Lina’s family in Pangasinan.
CARLITO
Pigaran oras si biyahe ?
How long is the trip ?
LINA
Manlapud Pusan to Seoul , sakey oras diyad eroplano. Manlapud Seoul angga ed MIA , apatira.
From Pusan to Seoul , one hour by plane. From Seoul to MIA , four hours.
CUT TO
LINA
Kumusta ka la ? Kumusta sa panagbangat mo ?
How are you ? How is your teaching ?
CARLITO
Imales ak la ed government school . Dati wadya ak ed private school , diya ed FEU. Antoy trabaho na asawam ?
I have transferred to a government school. I used to teach in a private school, in the FEU. What does your husband do ?
LINA
Scientist.
Lina explains something in Korean to her husband.
CUT TO
A silence.
LINA
Nan-email ed siyak si Cesar. Engaged ka la kuno. Manpakasal ka kuno ayan Mayo.
Cesar sent me an e-mail. He said you are engaged and is getting married this May.
CARLITO
On. Mangasawa ak la. Imbitado kayo nen Gihun diya ed kasal ko.
I am getting married. You and Gihun are invited to my wedding.
A silence.
The van moves on.
Seq. 16. Int. House. Night.
Siling performs a traditional healing ritual for Gihun. Rita and Carlito are assisting Siling with the ritual paraphernalia.
Siling is now in a trance. Lina , Rita’s two kids and Mercy are watching the performance.
CUT TO
The healing ritual is almost over. Siling performs hilot on Gihun. Mercy and Lina are outside of the verandah of the house. Lina and Mercy meet for the first time. They strike a friendship. Mercy lights a cigarette and they talk.
MERCY
Siak si Mercy. Sika si Lina ?
I am Mercy. Are you Lina ?
LINA
On. Sikayo so asawaen nen Carlito?
Yes. And you are the future wife of Carlito ?
MERCY
On.
Yes.
A silence. They smile at each other.
MERCY
Kunusta so biyahe kalabyan?
How was the trip last night ?
LINA
Ayos labat. Kampante ak ta si Carlito so nanpatanir ed sikami pasempet ed Bayambang. Balikbayan met kyo ?
It is fine. I felt safe because it is Carlito who drove us home to Bayambang. Are you also balikbayan like us ?
MERCY
On. Balo man- ambelat agew wadya kami la ed Manila. Nanlapo kami ed California nen Mamang ko.
Yes. We arrived in Manila before Holy Week. My mother and I came all the way from California.
Seq. 17. Int. House. Day.
Carlito performs traditional pamamanhikan ( bethrotal ) to Mercy’s family. He is accompanied by Siling and his brother and sisters. Marriage plans are set by the two parties.
Seq. 18. Int. Church. Day.
Lina is kneeled praying quietly.
She stands and walks to the altar of Our Lady of Perpetual Help on the corner. She lights a candle and starts to pray quietly.
She turns her gaze to the church seats and sees Carlito seated. She finishes her prayer and then walks to him.
She sits beside him. A long silence.
CARLITO
Akin mo ak intelak ?
Why did you leave me ?
LINA
Kailangan ko’y mantrabaho para ed aateng tan agagik. Lanang ko lan ibabaga ya ed sika nen saman.
I have to work for my family. I have always told you this in the past.
CARLITO
Akin angasawa kay arum ?
Why did you marry another man ?
Lina unable to find answer to Carlito’s questions breaks down and cry silently. A silence.
CARLITO
Pawil ka la ed siak.
Come back to me.
LINA
Aga nayari. Inkasal kami la nen Gihun.
That is impossible. Gihun and I are already married.
CARLITO
Natatalusan ko.
I understand.
A silence.
CARLITO
Tundaan ko la’y panag-gawa na pelikula. Lalo ak labat ya mani-irap. Gabay ko’y mas mainawa tan maalwas ya panagbilay.
I am abandoning filmmaking. I felt that my life has become more miserable. I want a better life than the one I have right now.
Carlito brings out a min-divi tape from his pocket and shows it to Lina.
CARLITO
Nanenengneng mo ya ? Aya so saksakey ya original copy na utit ya short film ya ginawak nen katantaon. Burado la ed computer ko may pelikula. Aya labat lay kopya. No nabalang ya , anggapo la may pelikula. Amin ya atipon ko agastos ko ed sayan pelikula. Analo na award ya’y pelikula diya ed Manila tan diyad arom ya bansa.
Do you see this ? This is the only remaining copy of the last short film I made last year. I deleted the film in my computer files. This is the only copy left. If this tape is gone , the film is lost forever. All my savings and earnings I have invested in making this film. This work has won awards in Manila and other countries.
A silence. Carlito walks to the corridor. He drops the tape on the floor and then steps on it with his two feet until it is pounded to pieces.
Lina is not surprised to see this outburst from Carlito.
Seq. 19. Int. Church. Day.
Mercy and Carlito are being married in the town’s Catholic church but the groom’s mind is somewhere else.
Seq. 20. Ext. House. Day.
Gihun and Lina bid farewell to Siling , Carlito and Mercy. Rita , Tessie and Siling’s other grandchildren who are outside the house are watching the couple about to leave.
LINA
( To Carlito )
Agka manpapaga ta kaanakan ko so mandrive ed sikami diya ed airport.
Don’t you worry because a nephew of mine is driving us to the airport.
LINA
( To Siling )
Tiya , ompawil kami ayan Agosto o Setyembre. Mas mabayag so bakasyon midya. Mas mabayag tayon makapan-iiba. Awat yo ya.
Auntie, we will come back around August or September. We will have a longer vacation by then. We can be together much longer. Take this.
Mercy hands an envelope containing money.
SILING
Salamat.
LINA
( To Mercy )
Asikasom si Carlito. Good luck.
Take good care of Carlito.
Gihun also bids farewell to everybody. Then Lina and Gihun go inside the van and leaves.
Seq. 21. Int. Building. Day.
Mercy opens the door. The newly-married couple enters a newly –furnished condominium unit. Carlito walks to the window and sees Manila’s skyline.
CARLITO
( To Mercy )
Masanting yay asaliw mon apartment.
This apartment looks good.
CUT TO
Mercy arranging clothes in the bed room of the condominium unit. Carlito hangs a large framed photograph of himself on the summit of a mountain on the newly-painted walls in the living room .
Seq. 22. Int. Apartment. Night.
Carlito is cold and unresponsive to Mercy inside the bedroom during lovemaking. His mind is somewhere else.
Seq. 23. Int. Restaurant. Day.
Carlito is arguing with a STAFF in a fast food chain. He almost beats the man to death.
CARLITO
Alam mo pare , dapat matuto kayong respetuhin ang mga kustomer n’yo. Dapat di n’yo kinukuha ang tray habang di pa sila tapos kumain. Wala ka bang pinag-aralan , hah? Common sense lang naman ah. Hah. Tanga ka ba ! Tang ina ka, ah !
MERCY
Carlito , duga la ! Pulyan mo la ! Agto ginagala !
Stop it ! Leave him alone ! He didn’t mean it !
SECURITY GUARDS and the STORE MANAGER finally apprehend Carlito. Mercy is shocked seeing this revelation of her husband’s violent nature.
Seq. 24. Int. Vehicle. Day.
Carlito and Mercy are seated on a van together with Fely and the other relatives of Mercy. The van is heading to Alaminos , Pangasinan where the family will have a vacation in the Hundred Islands National Park.
Seq. 25. Ext. Beach. Day.
Mercy is looking for Carlito who is not in the cottage while Mercy’s family is happily singing melancholy Philippine love songs in the videoke.
She walks to the beach and sees her husband under a shade looking sadly into the late afternoon sea.
CUT TO
Carlito , Mercy , Fely and Mercy’s relatives are inside a motorized banca plying the waters of the national park.
Mercy sees Carlito pensive and looking blankly into the clear waters as the mtorized banca strides along. Mercy embraces Carlito.
MERCY
Ayos ka labat ?
Are you okay ?
Carlito nods and smiles.
Seq. 26.Int. Apartment. Night.
In the living room , Carlito and Mecry are watching Wong Kar Wai’s In The Mood for Love on television when Carlito’s cell phone rings.
CARLITO
Hello. Lina-
From the sofa , Carlito stands and walks to the windows.
LINA
( Offscreen )
Wadya kami la. Kakasabi mi labat nen niman. Aka-check-in kami natan ed Manila Hotel. Iner so kulan yo natan ?
We’re back. We have just arrived. We’ve checked in at the Manila Hotel. Where are you now ?
CARLITO
Wadya kami ed condo unit ya asaliw nen Mecry diya ed Roxas Boulevard.
We are here in the condo unit Mercy has bought in Roxas Boulevard.
LINA
Wala’y gawaen yo nen Mercy nabwas. Pasyal tayo.
Are you doing something tomorrow ? Let us go out.
CARLITO
Anggapo. No gabay mo man-dinner tayo nabwas diya ed apartment mi. Sikami nen Mercy so manluto.
If you want , let us eat dinner in our apartment tomorrow night. Mercy and I will cook.
Carlito hangs the phone. He turns to Mercy who was listening to the phone conversation. Mercy notices the excitement in Carlito’s face.
Seq. 27. Int. Apartment. Night.
Mercy enters with the dessert. Carlito, Gijun and Lina are done eatingtheir meal. Carlito is narrating a Pangasinan folktale to Gihun. Carlito is very animated and at his best elements.
CARLITO
There was once a couple who never had a child. Everyday and every night , they prayed hard and pleaded to God to give them at least one child. Their prayers were heard, and their plea granted. An angel was sent to them and he said, “ You will have a child, and you will name her Ilang. However when she grows up to be a woman, you should always bear in mind that she should not be touched by any man.” ( A pause )After some months had passed , the old woman conceived, and later she gave birth to a baby girl. As the angel have instructed them, the couple named their child Ilang. She grew up to be very beautiful so that many men wanted to court her. Because of their fear that Ilang might be touched by a man, the parents never allowed their child to face her suitors. She had to stay in her room all the time and was not allowed to go out. These restrictions made her cry and cry , for she wanted to be like other girls who could walk around like an ordinary person. ( A pause ) One day her parents went somewhere and she was left alone. She was instructed as usual not to leave her room. At dusk, her parents had not yet arrived. However, instead of worrying she was even delighted. She said, “Perhaps they will not arrive yet. I will go down for a while and I will return immediately.” ( A pause ) Ilang went down the house and happily picked flowers in their garden. All of a sudden, she noticed a creaking sound behind her. She turned around and saw a very handsome man at her back. “ Let me help you ,Ilang,” the man said. Ilang did not answer him because of fear. It was her first time to be alone with a man other than her father. She did not know what to do. “ Ilang,” the man spoke again, “ I love you.” His words puzzled Ilang. The more she did not know what to do. She feared her parents would arrive any moment now, and they would see her talking with a man. She decide to run and leave the man. When she was about to go , the man grasped her hand and repeated the words, “ I love you ,Ilang.” ( A pause ) As the man said the words over again, he felt that something had happened. Ilang had mysteriously disappeared! “ Ilang ! Ilang !” he cried. But no one answered. He went around the garden to look for her. He went around until he returned to the place where Ilang had stood when he held her hand. On that very spot, the man saw a plant. He was astonished because he knew that that plant wasn’t there when he tried to talk to Ilang. He was sure about it. Just as Ilang had mysteriously disappeared , the plant mysteriously appeared.
( A pause ) The man visited the plant day after day, and soon he noticed its rapid growth. One morning, when he visited the plant again, he noticed that it was already bearing flowers , and the flowers were very fragrant. The man picked one flower and smelled it. He was reminded of Ilang. “Ilang ! Ilang!” he exclaimed, “ now that I could never find you, I shall call this plant Ilang-Ilang to remind me of you always. I’ll never forget you as long as this plant leaves.”
A silence.
CARLITO
That is the Origin of the Ilang Ilang. It is a folk tale my late grandmother Abing used to tell my brothers and sisters before we go to sleep when were still kids.
Gihun claps his hand.
GIHUN
Beautiful story. And you are a wonderful actor.
Carlito walks to the small altar in the living room and gets the ilang- ilang flowers that adorn the statues of the saints.
CARLITO
Thank you. This is the ilang –ilang flower. ( Smelling it ) Its fragrance is magical.
He gives the flowers to Gihun who smells it.
CUT TO
Gihun is now telling a story. Mercy sees Carlito staring longingly at Lina. Carlito sees Mercy catching him staring longingly at Lina and they come to an understanding. Lina listens intently to her husband’s story.
GIHUN
My father , Kiyung , served the Japanese Army during World War II and he fought alongside with them here in the Northern Philippines. When the war was ending , he became a deserter. He was in hiding for a long time and a kindhearted family in a town in the province of Pangasinan took him and fed him. He said they were simple and poor farmers. ( A pause ) After the war , he went back to South Korea and started a business and married and had a family. He died in 1996. His last wish before he died is I search for the kindhearted family who took care of him. He ask me to help them and give them money. He left me an old photograph of that family and the name of the community. ( A pause ) I went to the Philippines in 1997 to fulfill my father’s last wishes. I began searching for the family but did not find them. I came back in 1998 and 1999 and stayed longer but still failed. When I came back to Pusan in 2000, I met a Filipino who came from the province where my father stayed during the war. And that is Lina.
CUT TO
Mercy wipes her face with towel in the comfort room. Then she looks at herself in the mirror with uncertainty and remorse. She looks towards the direction of the living room where she sees Carlito animatedly showing a set of old photos to Lina. Gihun is looking at the hanged photograph of Carlito on the wall. She comes to them.
GIHUN
Carlito , where is this place ?
CARLITO
It is the summit of Mt. Pulag in Kabayan , Benguet. It is a popular hiking destination in the Northern Philippines. It is very accessible to tourists. I went on an expedition with a group two years ago.
GIHUN
You are above the clouds.
CARLITO
Yes. Mt. Pulag is the highest mountain in the Northern Philippines. It is a sacred mountain among the indigenous peoples who live there.
GIHUN
I see. Before I got sick , the last mountain I visited was in Tibet . I wonder if the four of us can visit Mt. Pulag soon.
Seq. 28. Int. Church. Day.
Lina is praying quietly.
CUT TO
She stands and walks to an altar. She lights a candle.
All of a sudden , she sees a figure approaching. It is Carlito.
Carlito reaches the altar.
LINA
Akin lanang ka ontotombuk ed siak ?
Why are you always following me ?
CARLITO
Lanang ta kan nanenengneng ed kugip mo.
I always see you in my dreams.
A silence.
Seq. 29. Int. Motel. Day.
Carlito and Lina have just finished making love in a room. A silence.
CARLITO
Inaro ta ka angga ed natan.
I still love you , until now.
LINA
Tundaan mo la so panangarum ed siak. Malukon ak natan. Aya so onaan ya anak mi nen Gihun.
You have to stop loving me. I am already pregnant. It is my first child with Gihun.
A silence.
CARLITO
Inaro mo ak ni ?
Do you still love me ?
LINA
On. Balet inarok met so asawak.
Yes. But I also love my husband.
Carlito walks to the window , opens it and starts to smoke pot. Lina comes to him. Carlito makes Lina inhale some smoke. She coughs.
CUT TO
With a few clothes on , they are ascending the stairs of the fire exit of the motel and are climbing to the rooftop.
LINA
Iner so laan ta?
Where are we going ?
CARLITO
Diya ed tagey.
Upstairs.
LINA
Ompan manpasnok ira.
They might catch us here.
CARLITO
Agka manpapaga ta kaiba mo ak.
Don’t you fear because I am with you.
CUT TO
They are now at the rooftop of the motel.
Dangerous play. Carlito walks to the edge of the building.
CARLITO
( To the wind )
“Ilang! Ilang !”
Lina panics and pleads to him.
LINA
Pawil ka lad diya Carlito ompan napelag ka ditan !
Come back here Carlito or else you’ll fall down !
Carlito laughs at Lina.
LINA
Gala la , Carlito!
Come here , Carlito !
He starts to simulate jumping. Lina becomes more hysterical.
LINA
Carlito , antoy nagagawa ed sika ? Gala la diya.
What is happening to you ? Please come here.
CARLITO
“Ilang ! Ilang !”
Seq. 30. Int. Van. Day.
Inside a van , Mercy sees Lina and Carlito go out of the motel.
Seq. 31. Int.Building. Night.
Carlito enters the condominium unit and sees Mercy waiting for him. Mercy is very composed yet troubled.
MERCY
Iner si nilam ?
Where have you been ?
CARLITO
Diya ed CCP. Wala’y sinaliw kon libro.
At the CCP. I bought a book.
A silence.
MERCY
Anengneng ta ka natan ya ngarem ed Mabini. Kaibam si Lina.
I saw you this afternoon at Mabini. You are with Lina.
A silence. Carlito sees an opened envelope with the logo of the US Embassy.
CARLITO
Anto ya ? Akin abukasan la.
What is this ? Why is it opened ?
MERCY
Simulat so US Embassy ed siak piyano ipakabat ya say aplikasyon mo na visa tan immigration naaprubahan la.
The US Embassy wrote to inform me that your application for visa and immigration has been finally approved.
CUT TO
Mercy and Carlito are seated on the sofa. They are on the middle of a very important talk. A long silence.
CARLITO
Inar-arok si Lina.
I love Lina so much.
Another silence. Mercy do not show her emotions infront of Carlito. Then she walks out of the living room.
Seq. 32. Int. Vehicle. Day.
Carlito, Mercy, Lina and Gihun are inside a bus travelling to Kabayan, Benguet – the jump-off point to Mt. Pulag. We see the other passengers which includes the Kalanguya and Ibaloi indigenous peoples of Benguet.
Seq. 33. Ext. Mossy Forest. Day.
Mercy, Lina , Gihun and Carlito are now ascending the mossy forest trail of Mt. Pulag together with TWO IBALOI guides.
Seq.34. Ext. Mossy Forest. Day.
They arrive at their campsite in the late afternoon and immediately pitch their tents.
CUT TO
They cook their dinner. The atmosphere is light.
The other groups of mountaineers from Manila are also preparing dinner in the campsite.
CUT TO
The two couples along with their two local guides are having a fun time while eating their dinner.
CARLITO
( To Gihun )
We will wake up at 4:30 am tomorrow. Then we will hike for thirty minutes to the summit to see the sunrise.
Seq. 35. Ext. Dwarf Bamboo Forest. Day.
It is very early in the morning. The two couples along with their two local guides and other mountaineers are ascending the summit to witness the sunrise.
Seq. 36. Ext. Summit. Day.
The two couples are watching the glorious sunrise along with the other climbers. A sea of clouds isolate the small patch of the summit from the rest of the world. The summit is literally above the clouds.
Carlito smokes pot and shares it to Gihun , Lina and Mercy.
Soon , they start to take photographs of themselves and the view along with the other climbers. Everyone is ecstatic.
Seq. 37. Ext. Dwarf Bamboo Forest. Day.
The two couples are descending the dwarf bamboo forest near the summit along with their two Ibaloi guides. Gihun and Carlito are trailing behind. They are sharing stories to each other as they descend the summit. They laugh and are amused with each other’s stories.
CUT TO
The two women and their two Ibaloi guides decide to walk ahead to the campsite leaving the two men behind the trail.
LINA
( To Carlito)
Unona kami la. Kaiba mi la si Tonio tan Fred.
We will go ahead. Tonio and Fred will be with us.
Lina speaks to Gihun in Korean.
CARLITO
Sige. Amtak so trail papawil ed campsite.
Go. I know the trail back to our campsite.
Seq. 38. Ext. Dwarf Bamboo Forest. Day.
Gihun and Carlito are descending the dwarf bamboo forest trail.
CUT TO
Gihun and Carlito are taking a short break from their descent. They drink water from their canisters. A silence.
GIHUN
My friend , why do you climb mountains ?
CARLITO
I am at my best elements when I climb mountains.
GIHUN
I feel the same way as you do when I am in the mountains. I grew up in a mountain village in Korea so when I moved to the city I always feel that I have this spiritual connection with mountains.
CUT TO
The two men continue their descent.
CUT TO
The two men take another short rest along the dwarf bamboo forest trail.
CUT TO
Carlito is walking alone in the trail gradually transforming into a transcendent being.
CUT TO
Gihun is walking alone in the dwarf bamboo forest trail.
CUT TO
A beast-like Carlito is walking briskly along the dwarf bamboo forest trail.
CUT TO
Carlito , the transcendent being , is running in the dwarf bamboo trail carrying a big stone. He is rushing towards the unsuspecting Gihun. With all his might , Carlito thrushes the stone on Gihun’s head. Carlito kills Gihun.
Seq. 39. Ext. Mossy Forest. Day.
It is more than an hour since the two women came to the campsite but still their husbands have not yet arrived.
LINA
Masulok lan sakey oras anggapo nira. Anto la kasi agawa ed sikada?
It is almost an hour and they have not yet arrived. What happened to them?
MERCY
Man-iistoryaan ira nen niman sikaton umpan abayagan ira ed panag-akar.
They were telling stories when we left them so their descent was slow.
A silence.
LINA
Ompawil ak. Abeten ko ra ed dalan. Ompan walay aliwan agawa ed sikada. Mankebyew so pagew ko. Diya ki la nen Tonio. Bantayan yo so gamit. Ompawil kami nen Fred.
I will go back. I will meet them on the trail. I feel something wrong has happened to them. My heart beats uneasily. You stay here with Tonio. Look over our things. Fred and I will go back.
Seq. 40. Ext. Dwarf Bamboo Forest . Day.
Lina is walking on the dwarf bamboo forest trail with the Ibaloi guide Fred.
CUT TO
Lina and Fred continue walking on the dwarf bamboo forest trail.
CUT TO
The two continue their ascent.
CUT TO
Along the trail, Lina sees Carlito bloodied all over his body, standing beside her dead husband. Lina rushes to her husband.
She embraces Gihun and weeps quietly. A silence.
She turns to Carlito and understands what happened. She embraces him lovingly.
