"Mom, I need some new sneakers." "Do you only know how to ask for stuff?" "We talked about this the other day." "First tend to your boxers." "Hang on." "Careful!" "We still haven't finished our rice!" "I'm full." "Hurry, Yuri." "We have to go, John-John and I." "Dado, talk to your son." "I can't get through to him." "John-John woke up." "Do you have to do that now?" "Help me with the linen or I'll remember it!" "I'm going already." "Why do you look at me like that?" "You told me you're leaving, right?" "You're not stuck here." "But what do you have to do now?" "My kid's already gotten up." "Why are you crying?" "Who broke my sandal?" "~ Yuri, did you break my sandal?" "~ No, Dad." "Stop crying, baby --- we're going to play." "We'll go to your brother Gerald." "My poor child...don't cry any more, we're going to play." "We're going to buy something to eat." "Where's your brother Gerald?" "Yuri, you were already in the bazaar." "Can you calm down, please?" "The kid woke up." "Go, go!" "How smart you are?" "He's had a piss." "Give him to me." "Look what you did!" "I'm soaked!" "Hang on, mama will dry you off." "Thelma, have you seen my trowel?" "You've been looking for it since this morning!" "It was just there." "Where could it be?" "Has Elmo been by here?" "Don't go drinking again." "Bianca made it clear that that's got to stop!" "And who is she?" "I forgot what I wanted to say." "Your buddy Elmo..." "Tell him that the foreman says there will be no more recruits." "There might even be layoffs tomorrow." "You know what?" "Cora and her husband have fostered another boy." "Where are my tools?" "Are you sure you haven't seen my trowel?" "Dado, give me a break." "You're repeating yourself." "I know." "Where did Gerald leave it?" "Here." "~ Why are you so late?" "~ The druggist opened late." "Gerald, have you seen my trowel?" "You already asked me this morning." "God knows where it is." "~ Did you break my sandal?" "~ Are you accusing your own child?" "Come on, Mom, I was outside." "Where are the diapers?" "Crap, I lost them." "What's that?" "Nothing." "Let's go, onto the table." "Don't sit down." "Let's see to the diapers." "I'm going back to the shop." "Dado, your towel is in the bathroom." "I'm going to take a shower." "Let's eat." "This looks good!" "You want some rice?" "Fish?" "Gerald!" "Hi, Miss Bianca." "Are you going to work?" "No, I'm going to get diapers for John-John." "~ Is your mom there?" "~ Yeah, she's home." "Good, go buy the diapers." "Nida!" "Hi." "You never stop playing cards." "I'll stand in for Cora while she tends... to the baby." "Come with me, Francis." "What's with the crying?" "He's wet --- that's why he's crying." "He shouldn't have diarrhea." "I'm out of diapers and I'm broke." "Why didn't you call me?" "I wasn't warned." "Get up and take your baby." "Come on, get up!" "Are you going for a walk?" "Where to?" "To the grocery." "He sure is a boy." "Your neck is dark." "Be careful, this filth is deadly." "Look at the princelings and princesses taking the air." "Hello, Miss Bianca." "Hi, Michael." "Wow!" "What a wolverine you are!" "Does he have any teeth yet?" "Have you had him vaccinated?" "~ Yes, last week." "~ Very good." "But, what a wolverine!" "How lucky!" "And you, how are things?" "Watch as he smiles." "Do you know already know how to greet someone?" "Take it, take it." "He's shy." "Carmen, your son's dying from lack of sleep and still you sit here and chat!" "He's dirty." "Wash him." "Come on, see that he gets washed." "Let's go!" "Is today washing day or what?" "Don't scatter the water." "Are you pregnant again?" "You've got enough kids to fill a football team." "Including the referee!" "Isn't it against the rules to drain clothing?" "Thanks for the shower." "Is anyone there?" "Can you hear me?" "Good morning." "~ How fetching you are!" "~ Thanks." "How flattering!" "Why are you crying?" "Miss Bianca is here." "So why cry?" "Why is he half naked?" "I'm going to take a shower." "What's this?" "Give it to Mom." "He doesn't want it let loose." "Why are you in such a bad humor?" "He's been like that since this morning." "What's weighing on him?" "He's being spruced up for his new parents." "~ Is that today?" "~ I thought it would be Thursday." "Today is Thursday." "~ I told you that last week." "~ Yeah, I know that." "Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are staying in the Hotel Shangri-La." "The adoption is confirmed." "Mr. Maglanqui had already talked about that." "I thought it was all set." "Yes, but this isn't all that easy." "We've been caring for him for three years." "John-John may not be able to take part in the U.N. Celebration Day at school." "But that would cost us Mr. Philippines!" "~ "Mr. Philippines"?" "~ Yes." "But he's too mixed-race for that." "What can we do?" "They already picked him!" "Say "watch"." "When you get big, you'll have a watch." "Why is he Mr. Philippines?" "What kind of costume should he wear?" "~ Where'd you find that?" "~ With John-John's toys." "Oh, no, he's had a piss." "This morning will never end!" "There's water in the bathroom." "I can iron your shirt." "Don't worry, mine's already clean." "Dado!" "Yuri!" "Find your dad and give him lunch." "Dad!" "How's it going?" "Why aren't you growing?" "Open your eyes." "~ What's that stain?" "~ No idea." "Not a stain, but I smell something." "Is it true you really don't want a blouse?" "I have to go, give me a kiss." "~ Take this, Mom." "~ Put it there." "I have to go to the office --- see you later." "About Esther, strictly between you and me..." "What?" "She's searching out the biological mother of her son... without the authorization of the office." "Is she for real?" "Couldn't they lose their fostering license?" "I see." "Keep this under the rose, you understand?" "I'll see you later." "I'm going back to the office." "Go eat and give me him." "We're going to eat a bit of that soup, OK?" "Are you hungry?" "Mom, the next time, could we foster a baby girl?" "Where's Yuri?" "He hasn't eaten yet." "He'd be on the roof." "Yuri, come eat!" "Lift your leg." "Turn around." "Go play somewhere else!" "Close your eyes." "Let's look at your nose." "Is that cold?" "Hands up." "There's lots of chocolate in there!" "Excuse me --- did that hurt you?" "Hang on, dearest, I'm going for a towel." "Come here!" "Now you're all filthy again." "Do you want to play basketball?" "When you grow a bit." "Your feet are grubby." "~ Elsa, how's it going?" "~ Fine." "I'll bring you your plate later." "Hi." "Where are you off to?" "Kindergarten." "John-John is Mr. Philippines." "But it's too early for an ice cream." "I want one." "What if the costume gets stained?" "I told him to be careful with the shirt." "Where's your brother?" "Over there, on the roof." "Yuri!" "Why aren't you in school?" "Your brother's already late." "Sonia, should I add a little roasted corn?" "~ Are you pregnant?" "~ Of course not!" "What's happening with Shaider?" "His wife Skinny has left..." "I'm tired of their fights." "Maybe she's in Emi's house." "When you're broke, you can't go far." "Shaider, go on home." "You can't drink that in front of my shop." "It's what I've always said: "We have to pay our debts!"" "But she does." "She makes a little money go a long way." "And when she was short, she'd talk it over with Shaider." "And now look at him:" "lost without a wife." "Now the Hindus come to collect but they've got nothing." "That's why I always pay my debts straightaway." "Shaider, what's your problem?" "None of your business!" "Push off!" "Get off my property." "Get stuffed, it's none of your concern." "Go on, get lost!" "~ This is your house?" "~ Yes!" "I'm having a drink." "What's the problem there?" "Drink in your own house!" "I'm going --- my kids are calling me." "Idiot!" "Whore!" "Josie, I just finished the comics." "Come by the house to pick them up whenever you want." "I'm already finished with mine." "Then we can swap." "How big he is!" "He's grown so much!" "Shaider!" "Have you found a new place?" "Was it you who threw that?" "~ You're not going to the Foundation?" "~ I went yesterday." "Very well." "Hold on, John-John." "Mom, the Hindus." "Quickly, step on it!" "Since my Tin-Tin didn't win... the teacher is going to hear from me." "Mr. Philippines is crying." "What's wrong?" "Mrs. Maglanqui,... if you can't calm your son, take him outside." "I'm sorry." "He's having an asthma attack." "You had a problem?" "You don't feel well..." "Thanks." "He's on the verge of an asthma attack." "Don't mind the teacher." "I know her --- it's menopause." "My stepmother was the same --- always in a bad mood." "Don't smoke here." "Don't you see he has asthma?" "Are you still mad at Nato?" "Shirley has arrived from Okinawa." "Are you serious?" "When?" "Last week." "Now what?" "She tried to kidnap Tin-Tin." "You don't say!" "It's the fault of that idiot." "I hope he breaks a leg." "How come?" "Nato never listens." "I told him to keep an eye on the baby." "Shirley grabbed the child and hasn't been back." "I warned her that she could be charged with kidnapping." "I have a cousin who's a lawyer." "But Shirley, she's Tin-Tin's mother." "So what?" "Nato is his father." "And how did she find them?" "She traced the mobile phone --- it was in Cagayan." "Cagayan de Oro?" "That's pretty far off." "In the Cagayan valley." "She's a Tuguegaraon." "It sure is far..." "I thought Shirley and Nato had separated." "Yeah, but she's trying to lure him back and he's taken the hook." "In fact, I thought they took the kid to Japan." "You wouldn't allow that, right?" "Don't get worked up, but you know me..." "You got scared when Dado threatened you with that dirty great knife..." "He warned to me that you were a criminal." "And if there are problems, Shirley could obtain legal custody of Tin-Tin." "She is the mother." "Over my dead body." "That's English, right?" "I like that!" "This is a fight to the death." "Look, the king has awakened." "It hasn't finished yet?" "What do you think?" "Shirley's invited us to breakfast." "No." "She only wants to risk Tin-Tin being seen in the commercial district." "No." "Don't be nervous." "It's you who makes me nervous." "Calm down." "They're going to present the prizes!" "Take a photo of us." "Look." "Your brother won first prize at school!" ""The most handsome country" for Mr. Philippines." "What a prize you are!" "Let's get you undressed so we can eat." "Your brother made the meal." "~ Are you hungry?" "~ Yes." "How good it smells!" "I want some of that." "Your brother made this." "Are you hungry?" "It's good, eh?" "Come on, let's go." "What do you want to put on?" "The sash." "No, that was for the competition." "Let me smell you." "Oh, no, that sucks..." "You've gotten all grubby." "Come on." "It's the wrong way around." "The arm-hole." "Very good, that's right." "Thanks, Mom." "How bright you are!" "I'm not going to put you back into diapers." "You're already a big man!" "And now the shoes." "Very good!" "Give them to me." "Now the other one." "Mom, I want to put the other one on." "OK, you can put it on." "Where are we going?" "To the office." "Come along." "Let's go." "Quickly!" "Hello." "How are you?" "How big you've grown." "How are you and your wife?" "Come on." "It's is if I'm part of the family." "A kiss on the neck and she forgives me." "Hi!" "You've brought the child!" "How is he?" "He wants to piss." "Take him to the bathroom." "Thelma, I'd like you to meet Carla." "Hi, this is the boy." "Charmaine is her second foster child." "It's always so exciting... when one of the children is given in adoption." "She's one of them." "Once the child has been delivered,... she can claim another baby." "Let's listen to her:..." "Charmaine is a good girl." "She carries herself well." "Please, take good care of her." "Nothing more." "Your brother has helped you take care of the child." "You're fortunate to have your brother with you." "Here's a child of 11 months who was raised by his grandmother." "What are your plans?" "We want to bring her to the countryside." "His grandfather will want to see him first." "But what's the problem?" "He's scared of his father." "Yes, Carla?" "He's afraid his father will reject him." "But in truth, we expect one look at his grandson to change his mind." "~ And you, are you always so angry?" "~ No." "I was like her." "I got pregnant very young." "My dad threatened Dado." "But he forgot his anger when he saw his oldest grandson Gerald." "Like dad." "Are you from House Nazareth?" "Yes." "A friend introduced me to Miss Bianca." "You're into the second month of pregnancy." "Your friend has already seen her?" "No, he's a sailor." "He's at sea." "~ Do you mean Charlie?" "~ Yes." "Your eyes glisten when you mention Charlie." "Why not ask for a transfer to St. Lloilo's?" "It would be best for the child, being raised in the countryside." "You made a mistake, but we won't abandon you." "They'll have to tighten their belts." "And Charlie promised me he'd be back." "I've had enough of Charlie." "Here, take him." "Have you got everything?" "Where's his yellow T-shirt?" "I think I left it in the house." "I'll send it to you." "It was a present from Charlie." "And these are the provisions for Jeepney trip." "If you have any problems, call me." "Carla, I hope things go well." "Take care." "Come on or the show won't start." "I won't cry." "We're leaving." "Goodbye." "Goodbye, little one." "You forgot something." "Don't worry." "I have a new baby for you." "The daughter of a Philippine girl and a Lebanese." "Perfect!" "I can also take care of the father." "Idiot!" "How many novels do you read...?" "You're laughing, but you have tears in your eyes." "Thelma, I have to talk with you." "Mr. Stewart has called." "They can't come." "Mrs. Stewart has twisted her ankle." "So then the meeting is canceled?" "No, we'll meet them in Makati." "First, we'll go to the orphanage..." "I'll show you your new foster son." "Why do you want adopt?" "He's Stephen, right?" "Come on, we'll check on that." "Do you remember me?" "I'm your mother, Thelma." "Go away!" "Don't be scared, we're from the Foundation." "I dealt with him before his adoption." "Why should I believe you're not kidnappers!" "Believe that we're kidnappers." "Alms." "For piety." "Thank you." "Thelma, we mustn't give them anything." "The poor girl." "They usually use their kids for begging." "No one begs for a career." "They have no choice." "That's life." "There are more poor than rich folks." "Even the poor have to learn how to better their lot in life." "They shouldn't rely on handouts." "It's already green." "You'll love the children we're going to show you." "They're adorable." "~ Really?" "~ Yeah, I swear!" "There was a river here." "You like rivers, right?" "No, we'll take the baby to Makati." "Are you listening to me?" "Was that today?" "I forgot." "Sorry --- I told Lisa that I'd see you on Sunday." "Could you buy some crayons for Zack, please?" "Hi, Orly." "It's me, Bianca." "Can we come in?" "Sure." "Mom, I'll be waiting outside." "What do you want here?" "Good day, Sister." "I'm here with Thelma." "Mrs. Quijano isn't here anymore?" "She asked for a transfer to Batasan to be closer to her husband." "They got married?" "At 50 years old?" "!" "45..." "Better late than never." "Hi, Sister Diana." "How are you?" "I remember this child." "He's from this orphanage." "His name's John-John." "How big and handsome he is!" "I see he's a half-breed." "This is Thelma." "She minds John-John." "I agree." "How are you?" "Well, and you?" "Thanks for taking such good care of John-John." "Foster families are a great help for us." "The children grow up in a family environment." "You'll see how well!" "He once tried to hide in a shoe box." "He was successful." "He wasn't moved from the cradle because he was so small and fragile." "Look at him now!" "He's going to be adopted." "Do they live here or abroad?" "Overseas." "An American couple from San Francisco." "What brings you here?" "I have come to show her the twins to replace John-John." "Well, I won't keep you." "Go ahead." "Delighted to see you again and congratulations for John-John." "Thank you, Sister." "Thelma, here." "~ Miss Bianca!" "~ Hey, kids!" "Goodbye!" "Do you want to play?" "I'm tired." "What?" "He said he's tired." "Hi, Paulina, Olga." "Go with Thelma." "How's the practice?" "We still have two weeks." "And has that been enough?" "No." "How handsome!" "What's your name?" "Tell her: "My name's John-John."" "These are the twins." "They're beautiful, eh?" "Some wings and they could pass for angels." "This one seems a bit chubbier." "Is that the one left at the Chinese Hospital?" "~ Yes." "~ When did he arrive?" "Yesterday afternoon." "He was premature." "He was on an incubator for two weeks." "His mother abandoned him." "And his grandfather is his daddy." "He's been assigned to Mrs. Medina." "You'll be left with the twins." "Thelma?" "Why not stop crying?" "Look how the baby's crying." "The other one's about to wake up." "Toward Makati, if you'd be so kind." "Take the Makati exit, please." "He's gone to sleep." "He didn't fill his diaper." "Hi, Carlo." "Can you turn down the radio a bit?" "Why are you bothering me again?" "I know, but I've already explained it to you." "For all you know, it's also your daughter." "Can I talk with Kat?" "Hey, baby!" "What are you up to today?" "Did you sleep well?" "Why are you sad?" "Do you want me to sing for you?" "¤ I love you and you love me. ¤" "¤ We are happy family. ¤" "Let's eat the snack your Dad made." "Yeah, I've been busy." "Go ahead and eat." "Who was that?" "Your husband?" "Yeah." "Anyone want some candy?" "What a huge boy!" "Mom, I'll wait for you here." "No, come with us." "This is the house of your new Mama and Papa." "Look at how big and beautiful it is!" "Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are waiting for us.." "Just a second, please." "Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are waiting for you is suite 1409." "~ 1409." "Thank you." "~ It's nothing." "Look and see whether he likes that." "Say "Thank you"." "Say "Thank you"." "You should put a bandage on that leg." "Yes, the leaves of the Jatropha will deal with the pain." "It's OK, Thelma." "Mom's going to the bathroom." "You, you stay here." "Check it out." "It's a magnificent view, isn't it, Miss Bianca?" "All the lights..." "It's OK, eh?" "You're happy?" "Tell them what he like to eat." "John-John likes to eat..." "You explain, Thelma." "Fish." "Your sons are very handsome." "Don't you need a babysitter?" "He said that he would note that you like what you do." "~ I'm sorry, sir." "~ That'll need cleaning." "Why did you piss on him?" "I drank a lot of water." "Why did you do it?" "Why didn't you tell me?" "Come on, go on in here." "I think I broke it." "Oh, no!" "Miss Bianca!" "Help, please." "What happened?" "You're soaked." "But that's a shower." "I'm sorry, dearest." "You should have done it here." "Take the towel." "You don't have to take a shower to get cleaned up." "Can you use the towel?" "You feeling better?" "Do you need another towel?" "No, thanks." "Have you already eaten?" "I forgot to give you your fees for the month." "Sign the receipt, please." "Stash it in the bag." "Let's go." "I have to stop by the office." "He's asleep." "Let's go." "Don't make a scene." "Yuri is waiting outside." "He's got other children to play with." "I'm going." "You leave too." "OK..." "You're ready." "~ Yuri's still outside?" "~Yes." "Here, a little more for the taxi." "Thank you, Miss Bianca." "Against the chance of doing something else, will you keep on being a foster mother?" "Yes --- it's all that I can do." "In December, you'll be receiving another award." "I hope so." "Goodbye." "Don't waste too much time." "Yes, follow me." "Thank you, Miss Bianca." "I don't accept tips." "I hope everything's OK." "Thank you, sir." "I believe we'll go this way." "Where are you going, Mom?" "It's that way to the commercial district." "~ Over there." "~ We can't go." "How did we come in?" "This way?" "No, that goes to the parking garage." "Why go there?" "Why are you getting angry with me?" "Mom, there's nothing there." "Where do you want to go?" "I don't know!" "That's enough, Mom." "Stop, please..." "~ Where are you going?" "~ I'm getting this for the child." "Stop, please!" "I have to get it for him." "He won't be back, Mom." "I won't be able to sleep without him." "~ Mom, he's already gone." "~ Don't bother me." "Mom." "Don't go back, Mom." "It won't work." "It's over." "Let's go."