"Hello ..." "Manang... where is Hannah?" "She's not answering my calls." "What time did she leave?" "Okay." "Please text me when she comes home." "Or tell her to text me" "Or call me." "That girl!" "What's your food?" "Go to the rmarket." "Okay." "Okay." "Bye." " Carity of the poor?" " No." "God bless you." "Charity for the poor." "Lady, charity for the poor." "Even coins?" "It's okey." "God bless you." "Charity for the poor." "For the poor." "Sir... for the poor." "Charity for the poor." "Can we ask for little money?" " Sorry, the owner is not here." " Thank you, Ma'am." "God bless you." "Sir acarity of the poor?" "To help the needy." "Ma'am, maybe you have coins for the poor?" " Sorry, I hdon't have coins." " It's okay, Ma'am." "Help those in need." "Excuse me, Ma'am." "Maybe you have coins." "For the poor." "Give her." "Give her." "Charity for the poor." "Charity for the poor." "For the poor, Sir." "Even coins." "Thank you Sir." "God bless you." "Charity for the poor." "Charity for the poor." "Charity for the poor." "Charity for the poor." "Charity for the poor." "Some photo, Sister?" "Save me from this hell." "Sister." "You're not going to pray for me, Sister?" "Please, help me, Sister." "This country is hell, Sister!" "This world is hell, Sister!" "This country is hell, Sister!" "This world is hell, Sister!" "Hello, Manang." "Hello." "Where's Hannah?" "She's not home yet?" "No text from her?" "That Girl." "Please call her friends, Espie and Cristy." "Charity for the poor." "For the poor." "Charity for the poor." "Just a small change, please." "For the poor." "Small change, please for the poor." "For the poor." "Sir, small change for the poor." "I'm sorry." "It's okay." "God bless you." "Charity for the poor." "Charity for the poor." "Hi." "Let me introduce myself." "I'm Danny." "You're new here in Sagada, right?" "How long have you been here?" "Three days." "If I'm not mistaken, with what I'm thinking of..." "Why?" "What's in your mind?" "Well..." "I mean..." "We have the same work." "The difference is that..." "I am the one who I haggles for... for your kind." "I don't like pimps." "All pimps cheat." "They get more money." "Not all cheat." "If you want, I'll do the haggling for you." "My deals are with foreigners." "You can make money easily with them." "I can earn on my own." "You'll earn more with me." "How do you want it shared?" "I'm really sorry." "I don't like pimps." "I can fix problems with the police if they ever happen." "I can take care of herself, man." "Wow!" "Good!" "Okay." "But if... you change your mind." "Danny Boy is just around the corner." "Like what my Australian client said:" "Stick with Danny Boy, baby." "And you'll go places." "Bye." "Two Santol fruit, please." "Please choose." "Thank you." " Ma'am..." " What?" "May a buy a pack of Marlboro Lights." " You're new here, young lady?" " Yes Ma'am." " Where are you from?" " Cabanatuan, Ma'am." "Nueva Ecija province." "I'am renting a room on the 2nd floor of Alapos Inn." "You're really sexi , young lady." "Many men would go crazy for you." "If I'll wear those clothes, my husband would lose his mind." "He's a tripper, you know." "Oh, my God!" "Bye, Ma'am." "Be safe, youg lady." "It's going to rain." "Do we have a deal?" "I have the network now." "Hey, It's good money." "With me, you'll be working full time." "What?" "It's a good deal!" "Alberta!" "You're Alberta, right?" "You're my friend." "My name is not Alberta, Sir." "I'm sorry, but I have a friend who really looks just like you." "Everything." "Exactly the same." "Except for what you're wearing." "Many women look like me." "My face is scattered all over the Philippines." " Let's eat?" " Go ahead." "I've just eaten." "You know what..." "You really look like Alberta Munoz." "What's your name?" "Jenine." "Jenine Salvador." "Jenine?" "Where are you from?" "Cabanatuan." "I'm just visiting here, Sir." "You really look like Alberta Munoz." "If you need me..." "Okay." " Jenine?" " Yes." "Listen." "I'm not a fucking animal... you're crying and I couldn't." "I'm sorry." "In principle, I should not even pay you, because... we didn't anyhing, but..." "I mean ... you understand me?" "I mean the tears." "What is that about?" "What does that mean?" "Are you ashamed of your work?" "Are you unhappy?" "I mean..." "This is what you do right?" "I'm not an animal." "I couldn't." "I'm sorry..." "I'm very upset." "I'm really fuckink pissed off." "I couldn't do it, with you crying." "It's a stupid question." "Who doesn't resent being... a whore." "Maybe we should talk." "I speak your language... or bad English." "I know some words." "I love you." "Kumusta." "What prompted you to take this step?" "Thing?" "Sorry." "Where will you go?" "Give it to her!" "He's ashamed." "Just gbring it to her." "Eat, girls." " You want to order more?" " We're okey." "Kevin." "How's everything?" "Two Japanese women tonight, Sir." " Where safe with that, right?" " Yes, Sir." "Cool." "Oh, come in, come in." "Sit down, sit down." "What do you want?" "Rice wine, vodka, beer, lemon vodka." " Rice wine?" " Rice wine!" "Coming!" "Right." "Here's the best wine in town!" "From Sagata!" "You want to eat?" "We can order anything." "You want to eat?" "You can order anyhing?" "No, no..." " We're fine, we're not hungry." " They are not hungry, of course!" "Are you ready, ready." "The money?" "All right people, just relax." "Sit back and enjoy the show." "Small world, right?" "We always bump into each others." "Sagada is a small town." "One hour of roaming, you've seen the whole place." "That's not true." "Sagada is vast." "There's the forests." "There are caves" "Ricefields... plains..." "There's a lake." "A great hiking area... the people..." "This place is vast, baby." "I'm talking about the town center." "I understand." "You're interest is just the center." "The business center." "Look at my shoes." "You think I can get out of the center with this?" " Hard to walk even in town." " I can see that" "And you?" "Can you still see with those glasses?" "It's dark." "But I like the dark." "All gold come from the dark." "All diamonds come from the darkness." "Human beings come from the dark." "From the darkness of a woman's womb." "All saints come from the darkness of the world." "I love my glasses." "It protects me from the light... the glare..." "But..." "I'm afraid of the light." "And why are you afraid of the light?" "You cannot hide in the light." "In the dark, everyone is equal." "In the darkness everything is easier." "In the dark, you could be seated beside the President of the Philippines... you could grope each other... you could fuck each other... you wouldn't know that she's the president." "And you wouldn't barf." "And she wouldn't know that a pimp is fucking her." "Me?" "I'm afraid of the dark." " The dark is scary." " Wow." "That's a statement come from someone who's hiding in the dark." "I'm working in the dark, not hiding." "I go to the dark because my needed in my work." "And because of the people judgment as well." "They look at me as if I'm not a human being." "I'm also a human being, fuck them!" "And that's where I come from in." "I treat your kind as human beings." "I'm one with you." "Because we are your business." "It's true." "The women is the biggest business in the world." "Yes, it's true." "I know that." "You are the biggest business in the world... not just your body... pantiy, bra, make-up, perfume... fashion... and it doesn't end." "Every day ... there are new products for you." "And the greatest businessmen on earth... are always focused on you." "Question:" "Well, if that's ok with you... why are you like that?" "Why did you enter that kind of life?" "Long story." "Starting from Basilan to Sagada ..." "Long story, dramatic, painful, hard." "What's dramatic?" "What's painful?" "What's hard?" "I grew up... without having a mother and a father." "Trasfering from one relative to another." "In Basilan..." "Zamboanga... it's only now that I get to eat good food." "I was also molested by my uncle when I was a kid." "He socks me in the stomach before he molests me." "Up to now, there's a constant pain in my stomach." "It never went away." "I only have a simple dream in life... that the pain in my stomach vanishes." "The hunger... my uncle's bestiality." "Fuck!" "Now, I've told my life story." "And you, Mr. Pimp... what's your story?" "I'm not a fictionist... but I have just one life story." "I'm looking for someone." "I'm searching for someone that..." "I couldn't find." "When I was small... my mother and I used to beg for alms... in Cubao." "We'd spend all afternoon in Aurora..." "Farmers, Ali Mall." "At Fiesta Carnival." "In front of the cinema houses." "Coronet, Remar, Sampaguita..." "Quezon, Nation, Cinema 21..." "That's were I got to wathc Fernando Poe..." "Lito Lapid..." "Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos..." "Merle Fernandez ... do you know her?" "Chiquito..." "Dolphy..." "Up to now, I kstill return to the corner of Coronet." "That's where my mother left me." "I was lying beside the tin can for alms." "My mother told me ... wait for a while, I'm just going to buy food for us." "And she never came Back." "That's the story of my life." "I'm searching for my mother." "I'm still waiting for her... at Coronet theatre, up to now." "Fuck Cubao!" "Charity for the poor." "For the poor." "Thank you." "Sister, do you think that Charity helps the Filipinos?" "Sister?" "Does charity help?" "You know... charity is an act of God." "An Act of God!" "That's heavy, Sister?" "For me, your charity is only a temporary." "It does not really help alleviate poverty." "You're wrong, it's a sacrifice." "It is not God will answer it." "Man will answer it." "It is just a way of getting to Him." "It go more confusing, Sister..." "Why?" "Do you think that we don't sacrifices?" "In your opinion... we don't sacrifices in our lives?" "Before God they are all equal..." "Why?" "What do we have to repent for?" "What's our sin?" "Sister tell me!" "What is our sin?" "Sister!" "What is our sin?" "Hilarius!" " Do you have another cstick?" " Yes, of course." "This is a donation." "Oh, my God!" "In your opinion... is it an act of God?" "Oh, my God!" "Ma'am?" " One pack of Marlboro Lights again." " Wait for a bit." " Seems like you're eating something good." " Yes." "This is really delicious." "A sardine sandwich!" "Suddenly, I feel hungry." " You want some?" "Come eat!" " No, that's ok." " There's still a lot, eat." " No, nevermind, thank you anyway ..." "Child, don't be shy. come on in!" "There's still a lot." "Come on in!" "There's still a lot." "Have a seat." "There's still a lot of food." "Here." "I'll prepare one for you, ok?" " Just add more sauce if you want." " Delicious." " Do you want softdrink?" " Oh, no, nevermind..." "This is too much already..." "Here." "May I buy three packs of Datu Puti soy sauce." "Here." "Wait for your change." "Eat a lot, young lady." "Thank you!" "I'll just pay for this, Ma'am." "Not, don't bother." "Just eat." "Sardine sandwich is really delicious ... this is my husband's favorite." " Really?" " Yes." "Where is he?" "In Benguet, working in a vegetable farm." "So... you always have a lot of vegetables?" "He doesn't go home that much... he likes to work... because he wants to save money." "Here... have another one." " Sorry." " That's alright" " Don't you want some more?" " That's ok, I'm already full." " Ma'am, I must get going!" "Thanks again." " Ok. take care!" "Take care!" "Just bring the bottle!" "You could return it next time." "Or put it in the curb, or anything!" "Tke care!" "Hey!" "Oh, it' you, Sir." " How are you?" " I'm ok, Sir." "Don't call me Sir..." "I think we're the same age." "By the way, my name's Lauro." "Lauro." "How's business?" "It's ok." "A bit show the last two days." "Aren't you a bit cold?" "It's cold here in Sagada." "I'm used to it." "Jenine..." "Do you do massages?" "Of course, that's part of my services." "Why, do you want a massage?" "Yes." "Just a massage." "My neck's hurting." "Are you an expert?" " How much?" " Three hundred, one hour." "Strictly massage." "With blow job or masturbation, five hundred." "All at way, one thousand." "But I choose my clients." " Of course" "Just a massage." "Can it be on your lodging house?" "No, they do not want me bringing clients there." "Really?" "Ok, just go to Terrence Inn." "Room 36." "What do you prefer?" "Oil or powder?" "Oil is better." "But you're fat, so it's hotter." "It's that ok with you?" "I won't have a massage." "What?" "You're not having a massage?" "What are we gonna do?" "Stand in front of me." "I'll stand in front of you?" "And then?" "Take off your clothes." "I'll take off my clothes?" "Yes." "Am I gonna dance?" "Just take off your clothes." "Here?" "No music?" "All right." "That's enough." " Really?" " Just shut up." "Turn your back." "Face me again." "This is unbelievable." "You really look like Alberta ..." "I can actually say you're Alberta..." "without your clothes." "But because you're ready to strip willingly in front of me..." "You are not Alberta." "Can't believe this." "Put your clothes on." "Now what?" "You're gonna have the massage?" "Take off your clothes." "And lie face downward." "It's ok." "I wan't have a massage." "What are we gonna do?" "I've wasted my time here." "I'll pay." "Double." "I just wanted to know if you're Alberta." "Did you know?" "I've been tailing you for days." "Who is this Alberta?" "Please, tell me her story." "I'm intrigued now." "Alberta's husband, Renato, was my college buddy." "We had a solid group." "We're more than brothers." "We were inseparable." "Rumbles... drinking sprees..." "Until... the bourgeois Alberta become Renato's girlfriend." "Oh, Alberta is from a rich family." "Yes" "Then..." "The two become activists." "You know what's an activist?" "Communist?" "Not all activists are communists." "But Alberta and Renato are socialists." "What's a socialist?" "In a simple explanation..." "It's a belief that everybody's equal." "That a society is really free if there are no rich and poor." "Sounds good." "Continue your Alberta story." "Renato and Alberta became active in the protest actions, rallies..." "Especially Renato." "Then, Renato went underground." "In a encounter in an island in Mindoro, Renato was killed." "His body has never been found." "His comrades. too." "When did this happen?" "Ten years ago." "Or, eleven years ago." "All of Alberta's life has been focused on finding Renato's missing body." "She's searching for it until now?" "It's been a long time." "Many people are like Alberta." "They forever live their lives in purgatory ... until they find the bodies of their missing loved ones." "Why?" "Where are you going?" " Your money." " No, it's ok." "My stomach aches." "Bye." "Alberta..." "Can't take it anymore." "I can't take we're doing." "I can't do it anymore." "I'm going home tomorrow." "Alberta..." "What are you doing?" "You're violating our rule!" "Because of you, I've violated the rule as well." "I came here for you." "If Julian with know about this..." "What's the problem?" "I cannot pretend anymore, Alberta." "Fuck!" "You're not pretending!" "You're a real nun." "Do you believe that I'm a real nun?" "Yes" "So, you're a real prostitute?" "Yes, I'm a prostitute." "I've had sex with two men already." "Fuck!" "You really had sex with them?" "What?" "Do you think what you're doing is right?" "It's a process, right?" "I don't have to rationalized it!" "We've talked about it so many times!" "How many times..." "Julian has explained this process so many times?" "You're not stupid, Rina." "You're very intelligent." "We need to go through this process." "So that we could regain our feelings." "So that we could survive." "So that one day, we could live again." "Tell me..." "You know, we're been doing this for five years." "We're still the same." "That's not changed anything .." "You know, Julian is just fooling us." "We're not really going to be healed." "It's just this theory" "After this, then what?" "When we go back to Manila?" "We are still loneliest people." "The most wrecked The living dead." "It's no true that we'll be cured by this." "This had not cure!" "Don't give up, Rina." "We'll all toghether in this process." "Well make it work." "This is our struggle." "That isn't true." "This is just Julian's theory." "We're his lab rats." "What we're doing is too extreme." "Yu're a prostitute and I'm a nun." "We might get more wrecked rather than cured." "Let's put it this way." "Do you still believe?" "You know what?" "I don't know." "It's been five years." "I have assumed five personas." "Nurse... sales girl... hairdresser..." "Last year, I was a loon." "Now I'am a nun." "Next year, what?" "A massuer?" "Janitress?" "Dancer?" "Until when is this process?" "Let's go back to the start of five years." "Five years ago... you were a goner." "We saved you from committing suicide." "Julian saved you from committing suicide." "You were a goner then, right?" "Admit it." "As with me five years ago, my life had no purpose." "I was iat a dead-end." "I was ready to go." "And Julian, because of his great love of us... he formulated this coping device." "This coping exercise, so that we'll be saved." "It's been five years... and we're still here ... those five years is the prof that this exwrcise helps us." "Julian is committed to this process." "look at how he immerses... himeself in the personasthat he assumers; hardcore!" "One more thing, Alberta." "What if the others in our group discover what we're doing?" "Then we'll tell them the truth." "So... you'll let Hannah go through this process as well?" "I haven't resolved that issue yet." "She's still young." "If she's already in the right age, then what?" "She will decide." "I'll tell her about the process." "Alberta, I don't know right from wrong anymore." "I'm so tired." "I'm caught in a frenzy." "And who isn't?" "Hannah needs me... and I need answers about Renato." "Alberta, last night, I dream about Fidel." "I was walking somewhere with so many people." "I saw him." "In a corner." "What was he doing?" "I couldn't understand him." "I couldn't understand him, Alberta." "He was begging for mercy." "He was begging for mercy." "Subtitles by mombe" "Julian, Julian!" "Please listen." "It's Rina." "Last night, she almost quit!" "I was forced to go to her, and try talk somesense." "I left her at dawn, I don't know if she's already ok." "Julian..." "Julian, please talk to me." "Rina might do something bad ..." "Please me..." "There they are." "They will go all the way in front of you." "But you can't touch them." "They look good." "We only allow three people in the room." "We need to contain it." "You know, we, this is Sagada, It's very strict here.." "What I mean is, it's dangerous, man." "There's a curfew at 9 pm, you have to bring your companion." "Don't worry." "Be careful." "Don't worry." "I understand." "I've been here too many times before." "Hello..." "Alberta who?" "I don't know any Alberta!" "Right?" "Fuck!" "So, do we have a deal?" "(So we agree?" ")" "When?" "Tomorrow at around midnight?" "Good." "Hey, don't forget to bring the money." "I'll see you." "Hey, come here!" "Call up this number." "Tell them to go to Rangers Hotel Room 14." "Tomorrow." "Around midnight." "Tell her that Julian saiys she has to be in a prostitute's outfit." "and Sister Carmela to wear her nun's garb." "Make yourself comfortable." "What do you want?" "Vodka, beer, rice wine?" "Julian..." "Julian?" "There is no Julian here." "My name is Danny." "We're just waiting for another guest." "Julian..." "Who the fuck is Julian?" "I'm not Julian!" "Come in, Sister." "Can I get you something?" "Beer, vodka or rice wine?" "Anything?" "You ladies know each other already?" "So, ladies?" "Relax..." "Tonight you' going to see a live show for free!" "Have fun!" "Stop!" "Did you enjoy it?" "Now, Sister Rina, tell me... can you save the world from sinners like me?" "This woman beside you?" "This couple?" "Hey, hey stop!" "Good morning." "May I ask for some donation for the poor?" "Pardon me, Sister, we don't have anything to offer today." "But if you like, I have fruit and chicken." "You might want to bring some home." "You may take some home." "Don't worry." "You may have a greater need for them." "Nevermind, you need it more." "Sister, it's my first time to see you in Sagada?" "I was just passed by..." "I was going door around to ask for alms for the poor." " Are you with someone?" " I live here alone." "Your children?" "I sent them to my relatives." "The times are just so hard." " And your husband?" " He died three years ago." "The ship where he worked sank." "Ok, I'll go ahead." "But Sister, you might want to bring some fruit and chicken on your way back." "Thank you, and God Bless you." "Alberta, I'm okay." "What's happening to you, young lady." "My stomach hurts." "Let's go inside the house." "Careful." "You sit down." "What happened to you?" "My stomach really hurts." " Maybe yuo are hungry?" " No, I'm not hungry." "When did this start?" "It's been days ..." "Maybe you're so tired." "Or maybe you ate spoiled tood." "I must bring you to the hospital." " I am just fine." " I will just boil some water." "You should drink some coffee, This would ease your stomach." "Maybe, alcohol is better." "You shouldn't drinking, That might bring more pain to your stomach." "Just wait for me." "I will boil you some water." "Wait for a while." "If you wish, I suggest that you go inside the house and rest." "It's important that you lie down." "I'll boil water." "Come." "You lie here." "Come." "For a while." "You take off your clothes." "You are so wet." "Let me help you." "Slowly." "I'll do it." "I will heal you." "I'll get some blanket." "Here, young lady." "Now, lie down." " Yes, I know some spells." " You know some..?" "I'm not a doctor, I am a spiritist." "I can sense something bad." "A spirit of fond of you." "The spiritìs been followed you since you were a kid." "He's human before." "The spirit is strong." "He really likes you." "He's been hurting you." "Don't worry." "I'll give you an amulet." "If the amulet with you, he won't bother you." "Take a rest." "You can sleep now." " You are so beautiful." " Oh, sorry, young lady." "Forgive me." " It's ok, you can have it." " I am ashamed." "You can really have it." "I am going back home tomorrow anyway." "You will leave tomorrow?" "I just planned to stay for a week." "Can I ask instead for a change of clothes going back home?" "I'm sembarrassed." "This is your outfit." "Don't worry, I have many of that." "Thank you, Ma'am." "I feel good." "I slept well." "Yes." "It's about to breack dawn." "Oh, I'll give you the amulet." "Always keep it close." "So the spirit will not bother you." "If you lose it, just come back here." "I'll give you a new one." "You want to have coffee?" "It's ready." "I'll get it." "Let's have coffee." " Here, while it's hot." " Thank you." "You are such a good person." "You opened your doors to a stranger." "I am a stranger." "I'm a prostitute." "You opened your doors." "Others people... they are mean... they spite me." "Young lady, we're all the same." "I don't choose people." "One day." "I will go back to Sagada." "I hope to see you again." "Yes, yes." "Please go back." "Go back I will always be here." "Oh, I will find new a change of clothes, are you sure you want to leave these here?" "You look good." "Thank you." "For a while." "The air is chilly." "The heart is could." "The sky is frail." "The melody faint." "I search for you." "I search, I search." "As night calls... and the heat quenched..." "This the moment seizes..." "And will not part from mind." "The advent of sorrow... brought on by distress..." "Shall stay by me side... a remembrance of your stay." "The air is chilly." "The heart is cold." "The sky is frail." "The melody faint." "I wait for you." "I wait, I wait." "As darkness envelops... as the street calm..." "I turn mi sights ... to the doors of yearning." "And as the advent of sorrow appears... brought on by weakness..." "I will always remember... the reason for your departure." "The air is chilly." "The heart is could." "The sky is frail." "The melody faint." "I search for you." "I search, I search." "Hello..." "Erica..." "Please call Ricardo Hernando." "Tell him... what?" "You are telling me that he doesn't have a phone?" "Landline?" "No landline?" "E-mail?" "He doesn't have email?" "Then draft me a letter and tell him that he should go to my house at 9." "If he doesn't come." "I will throw, his manuscript in the trash bin." "Yes." "I will also finish off his favorite red wine." "Yes." "Write that." "Go to his house." "Ok." "Monday." "Julien..." " How are you?" " I'm good, I'm good." "Here's your favorite red wine." "Wow, cool!" "Thanks, man." "Your place is cool." "You're alone here?" "Yes, I live here alone." "A helper comes and clean the place every Sunday." "And the... supplier of mushrooms and marijuana." "Cool, man." "Sorry, I almost broke a glass." "and I just gor here." "To our health." "By the way, why don't you have a phone nor an e-mail?" "Have you ever heard that James Joyce owned a phone?" "Fuck you, man!" "You're hiding from those pregnant women and from people you owe money." "How much do you already owe me?" "If ever you will publish my book, please do not get from my earnings." " I have two kids in college." " No problem." " Will you publish the book?" " Sure." "I have read your entry in page 57 and I really liked the title ..." "Tell me the synopsis." "I'm not good with synopsis, It's always short." "Make it long." "Why don't you just read the book?" "Surely I will read the book." "I will." "Okay." " What?" " The novel... here it is... is about a... a b-movie director." "Very popular." "He always a lot of work." "In Viva Films, Regal, Star Cinema..." "Octo Arts, Worid Arts, GMA Films, etcetera...." "He always having dinner with Mommy Rose Flaminiano." "The godmothers of his children to different women... are Mother Lily and Charo Santos." "Atty." "Laxa is the principal sponsor of his wedding." "Always with Atty, Laxa's ribbon-cutting ceremonies." "He is king." "King of of the movies." "That's why he has big houses in Alabang... in Davao." "But Director Rambo Paras has a secret." "He's gay." "All the action movies he made... he did only to be close to the macho males of the movies." "But his on true crush is the new action king." "His name is Falcon King." "When he shot his film, the top grosser" ""The King's Last Stand," which starred the king, Falcon King." "He discovered that Falcon King is a closed gay." "And so... the two had secret relations." "Unfortunately, Falcon King died in a car crash." "Director Rambo loses is devastated." "He doesn't to make movies anymore." "Mother Lily begged:" ""Please make another movie."" "But he's actually convinced he's done with the movies." "He went back to school, devoured books, on literature, philosophy, cinema." "He had an awakening." "He realized his sins against culture." "So, he made a documentary abhe role of cinema... of cinema in the history of our country." "He entitled it: "The True History of Philippine Cinema"." "Here, in this documentary... he shoved the magnitude of the sins the movie industry... to what happened to our country." "Why our people have stuned awareness ..." "Why we are a dysfunctional nation." "One of the examples he cited... the movie, "Written by Destiny"." "Remember that movie?" "Marcos movie." "Because of that Ferdinand Edralin Marcos was as elected president of the Philippines." " Fuck!" " See!" "And the same movie industry gave us a president named Joseph Ejercito Estrada." "And not only that, a lot of senators, a lot of political leaders... who does not have any rights to be in office... who doesn't know how to fix the country... who doesn't know anything except how to dress ip well with their barongs... how to collect their pork barrels.." "And... in the documentary, he showed the deep rooted effects of what he called..." ""The Celebrity Syndrome"." "The movie industry is too focuses on entertainment, on star culture... and so, it had a deep effect on the of lackluster attitude of the masses... on the more important issues about the country." "And, more importantly... he attacked the film historians and the film critics because they ae avoiding... thiese discourses about the sins of the movie industry to our country." "The novel of course, revolves around this discourse." "Going back to the story." "In the end, director Rambo comes out of the closet... started wearing women's chlotes, and become a producer of independent films." "He called his production outfit Falcon King Films." "But he still remained true to his promise that he'll... keep the secret of his beloved Falcon." "Well, in a nutshell, the novel is a... discourse on truth and the importance of aesthetic pursuit in cinema." "That's it!" "I'll drink to that, friend!" "Heavy?" "Hilarious, at the same time, poignant." "Come on, it's not hilarious!" "I swear, it's not hilarious." "Read the book first, and give me an honest review." "I will read it, of course!" "Bat will you publish it?" "That's more important to me." "I will have Erica to draft a contract tomorrow." "Ok?" "You'll get your down payament on our contract signing. alright?" "Thank you very much!" "And, one thing..." "One very important thing." "I would insist on having creative control... on the design of the book cover, if that alright?" "Why?" "What do you have in mind?" "A close-up of Chiquito's face." "Why Chiquito?" "Chiquito is the neglected genius of the Phlippine industry." "Chiquito is one of the very first indipendent filmakers in Philippine cinema!" "His Sotang Bastos Productions, his Archer productions... were real independent outfits in the Philippine movie industry." "And Chiquito was a true original and a real revolutionary." " You can quote me on that." " Wow!" "Really?" "I'll drink to that, man!" "Read the book!" "Stop drinking and start reading!" "For a while..." "let's change topic, it is good thing you're here!" "I'm scared of that, man!" "You want shrooms?" "Or... mushrooms?" "Marijuana?" "I'll pass man, my friend." "I'm too vulnerable right now." "Why?" "How is Nida?" " You still with Nida?" " Nida and I are over." "Well, we're struggling to close that chapter..." "I'm with Diana now, man." "You don't know her, right?" "Sorry." "How are, ma'am?" "Well, since then I do not kmow the answer to that." "Well, ok, I will be specific." "How is... the bourgeois public school principal?" "Okay." "The public school system is rotten because the system itself is rotten." "A lot of things need to be fixed." "Bullseye." "That's exactly it." "And what are you doing with the system?" "Well, education is my so-called advocacy, right?" "Specifically, the public school system of our unfortunate country." "The so-called battlefield of my struggle is here." "And I will for the day that you became the Secretary of Education." "Why?" " That's far from happening." "The enemy is big." "I have a lot of detractors." "They say that I'm too young to be principal... that the reforms that I'm introducing are too radical." "I would rather be an obscure teacher but one who fights against the rotten system." "And I know the next line:" "I'll die fighting for the vision of my parents... for the public school system." "Thank you." " I find it funny when we visit each other." "And why?" "When in school, you're in there." "While in your publishing house, I am the one who's there." "Too much work." "This kind of table is too fascist, right?" "Feudal, yes." "But it has its purpose." "Too much complaints from the parents." " And I disturbing you ma'am?" " Of course not." "The great Julian Tomas!" "Novelist, publisher ..." "Please remove the "great"." "I make me sick." " It's a good thing that you cought me." " Why?" "I'll be on-leave a month again." "And Hannah?" "Since we came back from Sagada ..." "I couldn't find her, I haven't talked to her." "It's been almost two months." "Continues that later." "Evaluation time." "Yes." "Finally." "Evaluation time." "I thought we'd never do it." "Question." "Will we also talk about what happened to Rina?" "Let's go, Ma'am." "Subtitles by mombe" "I had too much of sausage and fried rice this morning." "I'm still full." "Or you are just tense about our evaluation." "That as well." "Tell your story Hannah." "I have good news for you." "I donìt know if it is going to be good news." "Oh, my!" "That girl... the maid said that after we left... she brought home a man." "They took the stereo, TV, computer... they took a lot of stuff." "She is missing again." "That's the wole story." "I'll look for her." "I'm scared because the last time that she was missing ... she became a brooker." "I caught at Quezon Avenue, picking up men." "Delirious with fever, coughing like crazy." "Thank fully, she didn't caught AIDS." "Does Hannah have to do with your hooker persona in Sagada?" "Yes." "I want to feel the pain that my daughter is experiencing." "Why did she become a hooker?" "Why do you want to destroy that?" "Did you feel it?" "Definitely." "Horrible." "It's a nightmare." "It was like I was caught in a nightmare." "I was very scared." "It wasn't just physical torture." "It was torture most especially to the soul." "Now I know what the word prostitute mean." "And not just that." "I had an expeience tht I couldn't explain." "You know during the storm?" "When we all sa each other at the ruins?" "When I made up a story about my stomach being in costant pain." "Charity is an act of God." "Well, when we separated ways." "I really had stomach pains." "It was too painful." "Constant pain." "So painfull that I was crawling on the floor on the ground." "And the day tha I'm to leave, I was healed by a spiritualist." "The pain went away." "That I cannot explain." "I had the same experience during our immersion last year." "And in Sagada, I just couldn't figure out." "Kind of... maybe it was part of the process." "My critique is..." "I have to be very honest with you, Julian." "The concerns and fears of Rina, when we were at Sagada... that's what I'm feeling right now." "You're quitting." "No." "The immersion has became too extreme." "Right?" "And yes, and no." "Admit it, even just once." "The immersion that we did in Sagada was too extreme." "Your immersion... wow!" "Your immersion as a pimp was scary." "When I saw the live show... umbelivable!" "I was shocked , even though I was a prostitute." "That was too extreme... our immersion in Sagada." "In my perspective... it was not extreme." "In principle of our process it was not extreme." "Because that was the truth." "That was the truth of the persona that I entered, Alberta." "Truth..." "I know..." "I know, Julian." "My issue is that..." "You could have choosen something more..." " More..." " More time?" "More safe?" "What kind of immersion would that be if... the approach is selective?" "It's hypocritical, right?" "Fake." "Lies will result from it." "There won't be any approximation of truth." "That's wrong." "I don't think the process will be hypocritical, if you'll be selective." "I don't think lies will result from being selective." "I do not think that is wrong." "I experienced truth by being selective... in all the five personas that I entered." "My view is that there is no such thing as selective truth." "The process is compromised." "I disagree." "I not committed in any way the process still selective." "You were selective, while I was not." "End of discourse." "We solve the problem." "You attacked me." "Ift's as if you're saying that there's no truth in immersion I did." "That my immersion was fake." "Being fucked by those men was fake?" "That my being molested be them was fake?" "My God, Julian!" "For one whole week, I was a real prostitute in Sagada!" "Ok, I apologize." "This time the apologies are not enough." "Say that I didn't compromise our process by being selective." "Alberta, there were a lot of lapses." "First, you spoke to Rina." "Second, you called me up." "Fuck mistakes!" " I was still a prostitute then." " But you betrayed the process!" "We both know that Rina is too fragile." "You betrayed the process and you know that it's wrong!" "Your discourse is really something, Julian." "You're cornering me." "I am not cornering you, Alberta." "I betrayed the process... but say that I didn't compromise it by being selective." "Sure." "You did not compromise the process." "Ok." "Thank you." "Excuse me..." "I'll breathe for a while first." " More coffee?" " No I'm ok." "Can we talk about Rina already?" "It's been two months now..." "I loved..." "I love that kid." "I wish he had fought harder..." "It's been five years." "Bye, Julian." "We will talk later." "Hello?" "Espie, hi." "You have news of Hannah?" "Thank you." "Just call me." "Hello..." "Any news of Hannah?" "Is Cristy there?" "Thank you, Hans." "Bye." "I will purse the case against Colonel Peter Agamos." "I know why you're here, Alberta." "I shall not testify anymore." "You know that I have retracted all my statements." "I will not testify anymore." "You were with Fidel when you were abducted by Colonel Agamos' group." "You were all tortured they ran over feet." "They thrown you in the river, and you were believed tto be dead." "I will not testify anymore." "I'm thinking obout my relatives, they will kill all." "Ramon, we need you for this case." "You are the sole witness." "We can nail him down if you just talk." "And who will give protection to my family?" "Alberta, I have four children." "I'm already worthless as it is do I still have to put them in danger?" "Did you know...?" "There were four men who came here one early morning... and pointed a gun at my scull." "We will help you." "I do not ned your help." "Do not you know that you're putting us in danger if they would know about this?" "If you want to help me, leave me alone." "Let me have my peace!" "I'm sorry." "The revolution is dead, Alberta Munoz." "The revolution will not die because of cowards like you, Ramon." "The revolution will die because of burgeois like you, Alberta Munoz!" "This revolution will not die because of the narrow minded likeyou, Ramon!" "The revolution is an illusion, Alberta." "The revolution is an illusion for stupid people like you." "Where is the revolution?" "Where is the nation?" "Look at me." "Look yourself." "In the end, we are all just victims... the only ones who will be left in this wretchedness are victims like us." "What you're saying the thought of a disillusioned person, Ramon." "Disillusion..." "Truth and reality." "I'm someone who has learned to face truth and reality." "I do not believe in this nation anymore." "This nation does not have debt of gratitude." "Do they remember to Renato Munoz, your husband?" "He sacrificed so much, in his writing, in his services." "Until he sacrificed his life." "For what?" "For nothing." "Me..." "Look at me, Alberta." "Where is the nation?" "Why do I like a mouse without shelter?" "Hiding." "Anytime, they can slaughter me, Alberta." "Why?" "This fucking country is gone!" "You are selfish, Ramon." "That's why you've become like that." "Fuck!" "Now I'm one who's selfish?" "!" "It's me?" "!" "Fuck!" "I'm selfish?" "!" "Now, I'm the one who's selfish?" "Ha?" "!" "I'm selfish now?" "Ha?" "!" "Fuck you!" " What's that?" " Maybe a customer." "Taxi driver." "Don"t pick taxi drivers." " Mother, It is not like that..." " Don't shave your..." " Come on, not that..." " Wow, high-end!" " And how were your bookings yesterday?" " There were none!" "Ohn c'mon." "You flirt." " Hannah, just a minute!" " Mother, they're running!" " Wow, what a scene!" " What was that about?" "Hannah, wait up!" "Hannah, my child, let's go." "Let's go home home." "I don't want to!" "Leave ma alone!" "Please, Hannah..." "I don't want to!" "Let's go." "I said I don't want to." " Do you know what you're doing?" " Yes!" "Because it's my life!" "And if you get sick?" "Don't meddle with my life!" "Get out of here!" "Please, Hannah." " Dontt ruin your life, please listen to me." " I don't want to!" "My child, don't ruin your life." "Come, let's go home." "Come, let's go home." "Before I tell her story... apart from what you've already mentioned." "I want you know that is the first time that I would have her go through this." "Those of us who were left by the desaparicidos have a support system." "We have group therapy and psychological support." "Hannah has a theater group." "All the kids of the members of Desaparecidos." "They mount good productions." "They even conduct street plays." "Plays that depict our plight." "So we don't fall short." "I know, Alberta." "I know your situation." "I have other similar cases." "Do not worry." "I can take care of Hannah." "His full name is Maria Hossana Manipon." "Her parents were both activist." "Her mother, Joanna Sepe, was one of my best friends." "Both husband and wife were members of the Bayan." "They were based in Samar." "They were exposing the anomalist of a politician there... who was crunning as congressman... when they were abducted on March 8. 1997." "We know it was part of the gov't' all-out-war... against so-called subversive elements." "That same mounth, my husband had gone missing as well." "Hannah was eight years old when that happened." "I adopted her ..." "Or, she stayed with me." "His relatives cannot stand to take care of her... especially her grandparents and her aunts and uncles." "It pains them to see Hannah..." "For a while, she stayed at the orphanage where I was teaching." "Later, I assumed responsibility for her." "I was her his godmother anyway." "Pitiful.That child is pitful." "You know, that isusually the case..." "with the families of the desparicidos" "Because they have no closure." "You know, according to research... these families often refuse to talk about what they feel... they refuse to talk about what concerns them." "So what's happening... is that they keep in to themselves." "Individual weights, individual baggages... individual sorrows... lose their sense of themselves." "They lose self confidence." "Finally, they are in limbo." "I think Hannah is a classic case, but you know what...?" "I am so amazed by how you handle her." "Especially since I know that your case carries as much weight." "Well, in our case... as her foster parent." "It must be strong... for her." "It's hard." "I'm the one who always... talks to her... who opens up." "Even though I have issues with my husband's disappearance." "Hannah's case is more difficult." "Her mother and father have been missing... her relatives does not want to face her." "All refused..." "Too much denial." " Good morning, Ma'am." " Good morning, Nena?" "Is mama here?" "She is at the back, at the garden." "How have you been?" "It' been a log time since you come here." " You're mama is upsed." " Really?" "Ok, I'll just close the the gate first" "Oh, hello." "I did not know you were here." "I thought you were coming yesterday." "I stayed at the clinic." "How is she?" "She's ok, just resting." "Could selling sessions with the psychiatrist." "I'll by fetching her on Sunday." "Ma, can you go to the house on Sunday?" "There's a small thanksgiving." "Will preparare some food." "No, thank you." "Please , Mama." "I have ill feelings towards child..." "I'm angry about what she did to me." "Ma, please forgive Hannah." "She doesn't know what she's doing." "She doesn't know?" "How many times have's done it to you already?" "The antique that she stole from me... came from your father's collection." "It was a prized antique." "And even if I've located that antique... my anger towards that child won't go away." " She betrayed us?" "!" "That girl?" "!" " Please mom." "We know what Hannah has been through." "Let's just understand her." "Make hannah understand the be trayal that she is doing to us." "We're the taking care of her, and gshe steals from us?" "What kind of values does that child have?" "!" "Hannah's mom and dad has been missing missing for seven years ago." "That's why the child is like that." "I do not know..." "I hope you are right." "It's just that I cannot accept..." "that she steals from us." "Come here..." "help me transfer plants there." " It look ok here." " Yes, but It's better there... the sunlight is better." "Put it here." "There you go." " That one as well." " Where are the roses?" "It's at the balcony." "I transfered it there." "You keep on transfering plants, don't you get tired?" "Oh, it's a good exercise..." "for the body and the mind." "Come, let's have refreshments first." "It's hot." " Mam!" " Oh!" " Where you able to sleep?" " Yes, I slept soundly." "What's that?" "Stuffed milkfish." "Of course, That's your favorite." "Sit." "Eat, ok?" "Can I borrow a car?" "What car?" "The pick-up." "We're going to the beach." "With the driver." "I don't want to drive." "When?" "Next week." "I'll just call." "Why don't you use your car?" "I don't want to drive." "If you're not using it, then sell it!" "Finish that, ok?" "Eat." "Go on." "Still using the mobile phone while eating." "Hello..." "Yes, I am Alberta Munoz." "How is Hannah?" "Kindly tell her that, I'll visit her later." "Go on, eat." "Eat, while it's still hot." "Prioritizing the mobile phone..." "As if it is possible then." " Hello Hannah, where are you going?" " Just there." "Yaya, can you follow Hannah?" "Ok." "What's this?" " Do you think this bites?" " It looks harmless." "Don't bite me, ok?" "Oh my God!" "Hannah, get this." "I was suddenly tickled!" "It's ticklish." "When I was young, our houseboy taught me..." " to tie it with thread." " And then there's the stick." "And then you fly it." "I was a kid then, and every summer... with my cousins." "I can still remember what we used to do." "Make beetles fly at night!" "Do beetles eat hotdogs?" "Try it!" "What kind of fish is that?" "I'm not sure as well." "Mom, can you tell me stories about mommy?" "About your mom..." "Well... you look exactly like her... you're her carbon copy." " Even the nose?" " Yes." "Everything..." "Evebrows... nose... you even have the same teeth!" "You look exactly like her were she's your age." "Your mother... she was so beatiful." "Even when we were in highschool." "We used to get stares from people when we were together... we were inseparable." "I used to the feel, when people would stare at us... why are these two together?" "Because one girl... is tall... beutiful... and she's with someone short." " But it's ok with me." " What's mommy's height?" "She's 5'7." "I'm almost nearing height." "I think that you'll grow taller than her." "When we were in highschool... we liked to hang-out in the local bookstore... before going home." "We were just there, but we coudn't buy books." "I red it..." "If I saw a book that I like..." "I'll read it first... then I'll hide it in the very back." "So that no one can buy it?" "And then I'll really save up for it." "Your mom used to laugh at me... she said that one one else will buy that anyway." "And..." "True enough, when I came back after a week, the book was still there." " We were funny then." " Mommy was right." "We were already know there." " As local by-standers?" " Yes." "So..." "Then... after highschool... college." "We still enrolled in the same university" "Then... just as before, we scouted for the local bookstore." "To hang-out again?" "Well, not anymore." "There are other places to hang-out then." "Which you'll discover once you go to college." "But in college, we... were still sometimes being stared at... only they are going through other things." "I not was like highscool." "So..." "And I remember once." "Your mom and I were walking ... and we both liked him." " We were really funny them." " Love at first sight?" "Well, I don't know about her." "And what did daddy look like when you first saw him?" "He was just sitting under a tree... very cinematic." "He was facing an empty space... and he had with him a portable typewriter." "Typewriters were the norm those days... there were still no... cyber cafes then." "Nor laptops." "He was typing something... that's why I noticed him... yes, because he was under a tree, with a portable typewriter." "Srtaring off into space talking by himself." "Actually, your dad is very scary!" "and he had with him a portable typewriter." "Typewriters were the norm those days..." "And that day it all started At first sight." "And your mom and I were hilarios... we were walking... and we very trying to get his attention." "Seriously!" "We were trying toget his attention." "We'd pretend to pass by... once." "Then, we would peek." "And what was daddy's reaction?" "Stoic?" "Well, your mother to scare me." "No." "He saw your mom at once." "So... she was attractive." "It was not easy to stand up and go to anyone to come forward." "Without then thinking that you're weird." "When you were still a kid..." "I called you, "The Rain Child"" "Everytime there was rain or storm... you'd open the door or the windows." "You stood there." "Waiting." "Looking outside." "Playing." "You kept saying that your father and mother will arrive." "He kept saying that the rain will bring them to our door." "Today, is the 21 st of July, 2008." "I'm reporting from a remote village in Digos, Davao del Sur, in Mindanao." "Two days ago, there were two children, playing in this remote area." "They discovered two human bodies." "As you can see, people are unearting the discovered bodies." "These will be identified by specialists... hope fully in the coming weeks." "Locals believe that these are the remains of Manuel Tirano and Gigi Fernandez." "These two were kidnapped five years ago by the military." "The military denies that they are involved with the kidnapping." "They're listed by the military as cadres of the Communist Party of the Philippines." "This morning, we contacted the family of Tirano in Mandaue, Cebu." "The wife fears that afraid are the remains of her husband." "We also contacted the family of Fernandez." "We can't give more information regarding this." "The family is having difficulty dealing with this." "We hope to be able to give more information." "I'll be on standby." "Ma'am, please excuse us, we'll go ahead." "Happy birthday, Rina." "Rina told me everything, that the three of you had been doing... before she took her own life." "You knew that my child was very weak." "We only wanted to help." "Did you do the right thing?" "The air is chilly." "The heart is cold." "The sky is frail." "The melody faint." "Isearchforyou ." "I search, I search." "As night calls..." "And the heat quenched..." "This the moment seizes..." "And will not part from mind..." "The advent of sorrow..." "Brought on by distress..." "Shall stay by my side..." "A remembrance of your stay." "The air is chilly." "The heart is cold." "The sky is frail." "The melody faint." "I wait for you." "I wait, I wait." "As darkness envelops..." "As the streets calm..." "I turn my sights..." "To the doors of yearning." "And as the advent of sorrow appears..." "A symptom of weakness..." "I will always remember..." "The reason for your departure." "The air is chilly." "The heart is cold." "The sky is frail." "The melody faint." "I search for you." "I search, I search." "Subtitles by mombe" "Espie!" "Where is Hannah?" "Have you seen her?" "How many died?" "Seven." "What's the news?" "The whole island is surrounded by the military." "They said they'll make sure you all die." "They're Watching our village." "Ok then." "Thank you." "Be very careful." "What now?" "The river." "My dear Alberta," "The storm is raging here." "This provides respite from their pursuit of us." "Change for us to rest a little." "Everything is uncertain now." "Death is upon us." "If could come tomorrow." "The day after tomorrow." "I dont't know." "We are ready." "We will die fighting." "In this condition, my thoughts wander." "Why is there so much madness and too much sorrow in this world?" "Is happiness just a concept?" "Is living just a process to measure man's pain?" "Are we ever goig to see each other again?" "I'm not afraid of death." "I'm more afraid that I won't see you again." "Fuck, I can't take this anymore!" "Fuck you all." "What do you think is happening to him?" "Maybe he's just tired." "Hey, I'm here!" "I'm here!" "Come and kill me!" "Fuck!" "I am not hiding this." "Where are you!" "You're all cowards!" "Show yourselves!" "Are the enemies?" "Are they here?" "Fuck you!" "Show yourselves!" "Fuckers!" "Fack you!" "I don't care!" "You don't think!" "All you do is... fuck!" "I now realized the lyrical madness of this struggle." "It is all about sadness." "It is about my sadness." "It is about the sorrow of my people." "I cannot romanticize the futility of it all." "Even the majestic beauty of this island... couldn't provide an answer to this hell." "There is no cure for this sorrow." "Have you seen Julian?" "Have you seen Julian Thomas?" "Angelo?" "Where is Julian?" "The river is long, Alberta Munoz." "Traverse it... up to the Montalban..." "up to the mountain." "He's just around." "And why do you have look for God?" "Julian is not God, Angelo." "You've read his book, right?" "What's written there is the sadness of man." "The sadness of Julian." "The sadness of the world, Alberta." "Angelo, that book is not important." "It's just Julian's world." "Our world, Alberta." "What's in that book is important." "I'm a committed actor because of sadness." "Because of sadness, there is poetry." "Because of sadness there is song." "Because of sadness, there is cinema." "Because of sadness, there is painting... there is the novel." "Isn't that the truth?" "Because of that book," "Julian Thomas is now a god." "All actors, musicians, painters, businessmenand criminals... who now live in this river..." "they believe in him, Alberta." "Julian Thomas is everywhere, Alberta!" "God is everywhere!" "You are not a God, Julian!" "Julian!" "Patricia has long been dead." "I am not Julian." "Subtitles by mombe"