"The Man In Selya's Life ("The Man In Her Life")" "Boy, where have you been?" "I've looked everywhere for you." "It's time to eat." "As if you don't know my job." "You know I'm transferred place to place all the time." "Because everytime you leave, months pass before you return." "I always come back." "I wouldn't let you know where I lodge if I have no intentions of coming back." "Bobby, let's get married first." "You're full of shit." "My students won't respect me if I start to show and I have no husband!" "If you are respected, then the government would pay you more." "It's an upfront to my aunts." "They took me in." "Sent me to school." "Since I was orphaned." "Go ahead." "Obsess over marriage." "And that uncle of yours" "I'm sure he'll be happy." "He might even screw you!" "This makes the world go round." "So don't talk like you're special." "What are you" "Make me more angry and you won't count just months before you see me again!" "Someone saw you!" "She's cheating on you!" "Idiot!" "Why do you listen to them?" "Sonuva bitch!" "Selya!" "Aren't you supposed to be in school?" "Why are you here?" "I'm going ahead, Uncle." "You have one week to read "Florante At Laura."" "Explain to me why this masterwork from Balagtas is more than a love story." "You're in trouble!" "The teacher's furious!" "Don't wait for me." "Join Selya." "Me and Tinay are hurrying to catch the last movie screening." "(Muffled cries)" "Let's eat." "I'm not hungry." "Don't waste your tears over Bobby." "He's not a good person." "I heard many women are going to his house." "Chasing after him." "Do you want to be one of them?" "Your aunt isn't here!" "Gone to the movies!" "No one will know!" "It will be our secret!" "Go ahead!" "Come near me and I'll scream!" "I was just tempted." "It won't happen again." "Selya!" "Your aunt will wonder if you disappear." "Have mercy on me!" "I'll be damned." "Please don't leave." "Selya!" "Wait!" "Wait!" "I saw them again last night." "Once this scandal is publicized, they'll close the school!" "Lady Belen is all gossip!" "No proof!" "My husband saw it all." "Tell him!" "The man leaves at sunrise." "Not just a few times." "Almost every night!" "Excuse me." "Do you know this address?" "(Murmurs) Dressed so fancy in the middle of the day" "Straight." "Left on the 3rd corner." "Straight." "Right on the 4th corner." "Beside the biggest house on the road." "Why?" "What do you want from Mother Piling?" "Thank you very much." "She'll tell Ramon about you." "Your son will get kicked out of school!" "What's so funny?" "Mother Piling, what's this story about 4 of our borders next door?" "I sent them away." "They're not following our rules." "Gambling, drinking, stealing!" "What do you expect me to do when they bother the others?" "Ma, you're being too strict." "May I ask if you have a tenant here named" "Miss!" "What happened to her?" "Miss!" "Let me help you." "I'll take this!" "Women are always after those medical sales agents!" "And they abandon their obligations." "You know Bobby?" "Where is he?" "When will he be back?" "Did he leave a message for me in case I come?" "Let me go!" "I wonder where I can stay..." "This is a boarding house." "Can I" "We don't accept female boarders!" "Mother Piling, prepare a room for Miss" "Selya." "Selya De Castro." "My name is Ramon Torres." "This boarding house is mine and also the house in front." "That's Carding." "I'm Carlo Santos." "Let me get that for you." "Take care of her." "The things that enter your head!" "You're so foolish!" "The entire town can smell it." "Don't deny it." "You may not know." "But it's impossible you have no doubts." "Get the hell outta here!" "Nosy bitch!" "I'm going out to ask around." "Don't be late." "I won't wait to open the door for you!" "Yes, ma'm." "Check" "mate!" "I bought those in Manila." "You took the time." "It's no bother for the family one loves." "Bread!" "Hot bread!" "This isn't enough" "Ramon has a name and reputation to protect." "End your maliciousness!" "Do it!" "Bread!" "So very hot!" "Delicious in your mouth!" "For those who crave!" "For those who like it!" "Here." "She had books in her luggage." "A bookreader or an intellectual." "The type your mother and father would be happy with." "I spoke with someone from System Labs last night." "No idea when Bobby will return." "I can't stay a month or a year here." "My savings will run out." "I have no one to return to because" "I have no work." "I've left my teaching job." "You're a school teacher?" "Wait!" "Where do you teach?" "How long?" "Elementary?" "High school?" "Why?" "Come!" "Get dressed!" "Wait, Mother Piling!" "We have no time to lose!" "I know what I'm doing." "Trust me." "Oh, I pray so well!" "All my prayers are answered." "Here!" "A decent dress." "This will suit you." "No school accepts a new teacher in the middle of the year!" "And I don't have my transcript." "If you stay, you can wait for Bobby." "Here's Mrs. Lazaro's replacement." "She's worried about her transcript." "I told her it's no problem." "She'll start as a substitute." "It's perfect!" "Okay, okay." "She and I will talk about this now." "Mother Piling really likes you." "She was raised by my parents." "They sent her to school." "Now that I'm an orphan, she thinks she' my mother." "Mrs. Lazaro's substitute is on a bereavement leave." "I handled her class." "It's difficult to teach-- and run the school at the same time!" "I'm happy that you're here." "Don't rejoice too much yet, okay?" "I don't know if I can do this." "It's my first time to handle high school." "Good morning, Mr. Torres!" "Good morning, class." "We have a new teacher." "Please welcome Miss Castro." "Selya De Castro." "Good morning, Miss De Castro!" "Likewise." "I have no lesson plan." "But we won't waste our time." "I want to get to know you all." "You've gone overboard." "Have you no shame?" "It's important to me that you marry." "If your parents were alive, this is what they'll want, too!" "I owe them too much to just abandon you." "I've done everything for your family." "I'll help those here who are in need!" "It will all go to waste if you have no heir!" "I see that Selya is wounded." "Wounded and looking for love!" "You know what I am!" "The rumors are spreading." "But Selya has no idea about you!" "If she asks, I'll cover for you." "Do you want all this to turn to nothing?" "What kind of a student are you?" "You are our hope." "Yet you make trouble, you sonuva bitch!" "My son gets caught smoking and I'm summoned?" "As if this is the biggest outrage going on here?" "You can't discipline the students, and now you bother their parents!" "Do you think we have time for this?" "We have livelihoods to attend to!" "If I can't stop my students, then they might as well buy from me." "They get better quality candy from me." "That's why I sell pencils and pens in class, too." "Quality." "It's not the money." "Why would I want loose change?" "They can't suspend you!" "We'll fight back!" "I'm going to get them!" "Specially your faggot school principal!" "He better watch out!" "I'm going to gather evidence." "I know how to use a camera." "I'm going to send photos to the authorities!" "The school owner will be doing nothing more than knitting!" "Please!" "I'll do this." "You've already brought the food." "It would be an abuse for you to clean, too." "Children, finish up." "Don't waste it." "Where did Carding go?" "The next region." "To find work." "I don't know." "He wouldn't say if you two were having a problem." "I'll go ahead." "Uncle Ramon is leaving." "Hurry and kiss him goodbye." "That's mine!" "Go play outside." "I'll tell father on you!" "Father!" "Thank you for all of this." "You're welcome." "Why haven't you visited me?" "Are you hiding from me?" "No." "I have no reason" "Don't lie." "Your wife told me you've gone off to find work." "You can't do heavy labor." "Your lung problem might come back." "You've never done that before" "Are you leaving me?" "Why are you so insistent?" "Is Mother Piling telling you to stay away?" "I can make my own decisions." "No one tells me what to do." "I want to have a wife and kids." "Someone to grow old with." "Don't worry over me." "Who will take care of you when time comes?" "Mother Piling?" "She'll be bones and you'll still be alive!" "Old and alone." "Why don't you admit that it's the rumors?" "!" "Carding!" "Carding!" "Uncle, Mother Piling, thanks." "You take care." "Please hand him this month's income from the rentals." "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!" "Selya!" "What happened to you?" "Ramon!" "Selya, hurry!" "Help me, Selya!" "Ramon!" "Ramon!" "Let's get him inside." "What happened to this boy?" "Ramon, what happened?" "You can do this better than I can." "Take care of him!" "I'll take care of your students." "Mother Piling!" "Don't worry!" "I'll be back." "I'll send medicine." "You can do this!" "Please tell him I dropped by to visit." "I won't be visiting soon." "I found a job in Manila." "Take care of him." "Hot bread!" "Thieves!" "Give those back!" "Carding came to visit you." "He said it will be some time before he returns." "He has a job in Manila." "I've read that already." "Me too." "Who took care of my plants?" "I did." "That used to be Carding's responsibility." "Was he your employee?" "Tell me your story." "My life is sad." "We're two of a kind then." "Mother Piling, tell Selya to take care of me, too!" "Stick that bread up your ass!" "This terrible town is all gossip!" "Emong The Bread Vendor is spreading rumors you sleep here!" "I'm not affected by gossip." "Let's get married!" "How can you marry a girl who can't cook?" "I'm not kidding." "You're under emotion." "I'm not even even 2 months here." "You don't know me well enough." "You've told me a lot." "Your secrets." "Including your uncle." "And Bobby." "And what do I know about you except that you're a loner?" "You've been silent these past few days." "He's single and kind." "You both like to read." "Mother Piling, would you please leave us alone?" "Please excuse me." "Let her go." "She needs time to think." "But she has to know the truth about me!" "I'll tell her" "It has to come from me." "I'll go on ahead." "You boarders!" "Who said you can drink here?" "This isn't your house!" "Stop this immediately!" "We'll just finish this round" "Wretches!" "Do you still love him?" "I've been here long." "I've spoken to so many of his officemates." "He probably knows I'm here." "But not a word from him." "Choose Ramon." "What kind of man are you looking?" "Like them?" "Someone like Bobby?" "(Drunken singing)" "Santa Monica is really beautiful." "No wonder your parents didn't want to live in Manila." "You've followed in their footsteps." "Selya" "Mother Piling is right." "What am I really after in life?" "What do I want in a man?" "Not them, Ramon." "Not those who are gone in my life." "I will marry you." "Selya, I'm different" "I know!" "That quality is what I'm looking for." "What if she finds out about me and Carding?" "She'll be repulsed!" "That's impossible!" "I've already told her." "She didn't react." "She was fine with it." "A woman like her is rare." "If I were you, I'd do it." "Sweetheart!" "Why haven't you come back sooner?" "I've waited so long!" "I have a new boy for you." "Let me find him." "I'll introduce him to you." "I know you won't be disappointed!" "My God!" "He's huge!" "You!" "Perform well!" "Sir!" "Please don't tell my parents!" "They'll kill me!" "How can you marry Mister Torres?" "Who will wear the gown?" "You have time for gossip and no time to police your child?" "He hasn't come to school in a long time!" "See that?" "She was speechless!" "Notices other people but not her own family!" "Unbelievable!" "You toss your dirt onto others!" "In the name of the Father..." "Submit to each other as a sign respect for Christ." "Woman, submit to your husband as you submit to God..." "Sister sent this for Miss De Castro." "Okay, thanks." "Wow." "Lots of gifts." "Don't bother to shine your shoes, man." "You're not invited!" "Maybe he has a date with Mother Piling!" "Who got married?" "Presently getting married." "It's Selya." "The school teacher." "Hey man, don't go in there!" "Long live the newly-weds!" "Look!" "How sweet of them!" "Look at Mr. Torres!" "His wife is so pretty!" "Maybe Ramon wants the lipstick!" "Their honeymoon will be no more than a pillow fight!" "What's wrong?" "You're probably just tired." "Let's sleep." "You've been here for so long and up to now you can't follow the rules." "You ride out all night and wake me up to open the door!" "I hung out outside hoping to be invited to the wedding feast!" "My eyes popped out and still no one asked me in!" "Mister Puringao" "She came here for me!" "I'm the reason she's here." "I'm going to take her back from that faggot!" "Go find another place to live!" "Only one week married and your face is so long." "None of your business." "I'm staying at the Burgos house." "Mother Piling drove me out of her rundown house!" "Selya doesn't care which hell you stay in!" "Get lost!" "You didn't even tell me." "What else are you hiding?" "Selya, you're already married." "To a husband who doesn't touch me?" "He finds me disgusting in bed." "Like I have a disease." "I don't know!" "What's worrying you?" "Nothing!" "You don't have to leave." "If you need money" "I can support your family." "Don't humiliate me." "You've helped us enough." "I'll suffer without you." "I can't do it!" "I don't want other people to malign and insult you." "I can't pretend and let them do that." "Think of your name and reputation." "I have a wife and I'm married!" "What more do you want me to do?" "Carding, I'm suffering!" "What are you doing!" "Just one kiss!" "One embrace!" "No!" "You animals!" "You lied to me!" "Animals!" "Abnormals!" "You wretch!" "I only came to say goodbye!" "I love Ramon!" "I have to see him even for a moment before I go!" "What do you know about love?" "You only want money!" "Security!" "I thought you knew!" "The entire town does and I'm the last one to know." "Don't!" "You disgust me!" "Carding is gone." "I'll never see him." "There's only you and me now." "Let's finish this." "Give me a child." "Where will you get the child?" "From out of the ground?" "You used me to protect your reputation." "You're going to regret this." "You said that she knew." "She was fine with it." "No issue." "She understands." "Why did you lie?" "I thought if you got married and coupled it would all be fixed." "You'll be well!" "I'm not sick, Mother Piling!" "This isn't a disease!" "Come!" "Let us pray so it will vanish!" "I'm going crazy thinking of how to win you back." "Then you come charging." "Wait." "We're not done yet." "I'll be back." "We'll meet more often." "And the faggot?" "You knew?" "Of course." "Didn't you?" "Exit here so one will see you." "I prefer that they gossip about us." "Where have you been?" "Let's eat." "I'm full." "But I won't tell you what I ate." "You might just want it, too." "Life is sweet when you have no husband!" "Look!" "She's riding his motorbike!" "Have mercy on Ramon!" "He's the butt of all jokes!" "I'm in this predicament because of you." "Leave me alone." "Your students?" "How can they respect you?" "If we are respected, then the government would pay us more." "Do you know who said that first?" "Lover boy!" "I don't want to teach anymore." "But I will still get my salary." "What for is Mr. Principal my husband?" "The highly regarded Profesora Ramona To" "That's not Bobby's child." "It's mine." "He will carry my name." "I will love him and he will inherit the school." "All that I own." "Don't be a martyr." "His true father will take responsibility." "Take me away from here." "I don't want to see Ramon." "I have no face to show him." "You don't have to marry me." "Just be this child's father." "Okay." "We will leave." "Wait for me in front of your house tonight." "Hot bread!" "Someone saw him leave last night." "Liar!" "You're deceiving me again." "I'm here." "I won't abandon you." "I only ask one thing." "Let's be friends." "For the child's sake." "For our future baby." "Bread!" "Why did you give my son a failing mark in class?" "Can we still talk about this?" "In my office." "But no promises." "Do you think I won't make a scene?" "My neighbors will back me up!" "What scene do you intend to make?" "That child Are you sure it's yours?" "Your baby looks just like his father!" "The shape of his face, his lips-- his chin, everything!" "You know who is his true father." "It's Ramon!" "My grandson is so cute!" "Don't touch him." "I washed my hands." "So handsome, looks just like you!" "So strong!" "He's trying to get up!" "My grandson is so cute!" "Your hands!" "I washed it." "Don't be so sensitive." "Come on!" "What is the child's name?" "Ramon Torres Jr!" "Ramon Torres Jr, I hereby baptize you in the name of the Father..." "He's teething again." "I can make him stop crying." "No, a sick child always wants his mother." "Isn't that right, Ramoncito?" "So you've started smoking." "Since when?" "You?" "When did your life improve?" "Who'se the matron you conned?" "I worked overseas." "I've left System Labs." "I have my own business now." "This isn't enough to pay for your sins." "Don't tell you're satisfied with Ramon." "What's it to you if I am?" "Impossible!" "What are you doing" "You didn't even stand up for me then." "Don't return and make me a plaything." "Ramon is kind." "Live with him then." "But we're still on." "Dream on if you think I'll change." "It's not my thing." "This is just what I'm after in life." "Mommy!" "Mommy!" "Let's play!" "Mommy, who's that with you?" "Papi!" "Baby!" "Come here!" "How's my baby?" "Did you enjoy it?" "Yes." "But the rocks were sharp." "Really?" "Yes." "How are you?" "You left this behind." "I brought it back so I can" "So I can" "Papi, who is he?" "A friend of your mother's." "Let's go inside." "Mother Piling, prepare some refreshments for the guest." "If you have something to say, hurry up." "I have things to do." "Don't rush at me with your anger." "You just said earlier that you can never change." "It's only now I've seen my son." "He's handsome." "Looks like me!" "Papa, why?" "Nothing." "The story is good." "I still have a lot more I want to read to you." "A lot more to tell." "Not only now." "But until you grow up." "Bobby!" "What" "Where are you taking me?" "I can't face Ramon anymore." "I'm here." "I'll get you and my son." "We'll talk to a lawyer." "I won't repeat my past failures." "I'll make it up to you." "Ramon will have a hard time with me." "I'm a different kind of enemy." "I can't allow it." "Ramoncito is mine." "I know I don't deserve to stay in this house." "But I can't leave my child behind." "That man disappeared just like that." "Didn't even peek after you gave birth." "How can I entrust my son to him?" "You are not his true father." "Coffee?" "I have no obligation to explain my whereabouts in the past." "The lawyer says I have a right to my son." "Which cheap school did your lawyer go to?" "Why doesn't he know that I am the legal father of the child in question?" "Ramoncito was born during her mother's marriage to me-- living together under one roof." "Living together but not having sex!" "I can prove it!" "Cream or sugar?" "Bobby, that's enough." "Anyone here can testify." "The entire town knows that the child is yours." "How?" "What proof do you have other than gossip?" "Ramon used to have a relationship with another man back then." "Carding!" "He sleeps here almost every night." "He leaves at sunrise." "Sir!" "We accept!" "Get us as witnesses!" "We won't ask for money!" "If ever, just loose change." "Sir, please." "We accept." "Sir!" "We accept!" "At no cost!" "Sir, we accept!" "Get us as witnesses!" "Mother, father!" "That's enough!" "Are you stupid?" "We'll make money here!" "They gave you failing marks!" "This is my revenge!" "I myself will testify." "I know Mister Torres is gay." "I saw him at the gay bar in town before the wedding." "You're a waiter in a gay bar?" "I'm not a waiter." "I'm the star!" "I'm a male prostitute!" "You animal!" "You didn't finish school because of your pranks!" "We're all vendors!" "And what do you sell?" "Enough!" "He's your son!" "Son, quick!" "Run away!" "Testify in court that it's not possible Ramon is the father of the child." "You will have all of that." "I am not a traitorous friend." "Don't make me laugh." "The town of Santa Monica knows your true relationship with Ramon." "Your asking me to sell out the person who taught me to read and write?" "Who taught me how to eat with a spoon and fork?" "Who gave my first pair of shoes?" "You want me to sell my manhood?" "A real man has character." "Faces his responsibilities." "Doesn't run away." "Does not hurt others even if in pain." "That is Ramon." "So am I." "He can't give me what I need." "Is that all that matters to you?" "I'm sick." "My lungs are gone." "But I still have principles." "It's not true I'm only after security." "You're really a faggot." "You talk too much!" "Let's go!" "Give him to me!" "You have to kill me first before you can have him!" "Faggot, are you going to step aside or not?" "Choose!" "The boy or me!" "You agree to leave our son behind?" "I'll give you more children!" "Selya, wait!" "What if Ramoncito looks for you?" "What if he gets sick?" "He has to go with you." "Wait for him here." "See how easy it is to scare that faggot?" "I just pulled you and he caved." "I'm still the winner." "Shut up!" "Let's go." "Sonuva bitch!" "Enough!" "Let's go!" "Before I get pissed and kill someone." "You don't have what it takes!" "You've run away too many times." "Coward!" "Don't be stupid!" "Not again." "I've had enough." "It's clear to me what a true man is" "Can he give you what your body wants?" "You are only lust." "I don't want to grow old with you." "Thank you." "It's a greater gratitude to have you as Ramoncito's father." "What about you?" "The body grows old and its desires pass." "But we are in harmony." "Friends." "I planned to see you earlier than this." "But he didn't want to bother you." "The children?" "At my parents." "So they wouldn't catch the disease." "I'll leave you alone for now." "How did you find out?" "Thank you." "You did more for me." "Some people are unbelievable!" "They even go to church." "My wife has accepted what I am." "I have no secrets from her nor she to me." "When our son grows up, we will tell him the truth." "More than that, we will teach him self-respect." "And respect for others!" "Did you hear that, Belen?" "It's like you got slapped." "You animal!" "Because you're also dirty!" "Malicious!" "You take after your father!" "You wretch!" "Why are you blaming me?" "Your big mouth is why this boy's fucked up!" "Fuck you!" "You're scum!" "Stand aside, everyone." "You vile scum!" "I don't need you here!" "Your son has failed because of you." "Get lost!" "Leave this place!" "I really plan to leave you!" "Fuck you!" "Big brother!" "Come, Ramoncito!" "Let's do some painting!" "Oh!" "Come!" "Hurry!" "This English translation (C) 2004 Raul Quiambao" "All this is for You, Lord Jesus."