Original subtitles

♪ I am the last mother, ♪

♪ oh dear goddess. ♪

♪ As I depart ♪

♪ from this world where I emerged, ♪

♪ I shall guard that which is mine. ♪

♪ Each time the moon grows full, ♪

♪ my wish awakens again. ♪

♪ This love I've kept flows endless ♪

♪ raging like the current of their lives. ♪

Are you still keeping secrets from me?

I think I'd prefer it if you still did.

Why?

Because for me,

there's something enticing about the things you don't know.

It's like...

like magic.

You won't expect it.

You can't quite explain.

You can't explain it?

Yes, or rather...

You don't understand.

Which is why you can't figure it out.

Which is why you spend more time thinking about it.

Do you think you already know everything about me?

How about you?

Is there anything you haven't told me yet?

Anton!

Can't that wait?

Won't you help me out here first?

Anton!

Where did Deng go?

Wake up, Maria.

The world is waiting for you.

For the brief time that you're here.

Open your eyes.

Are you okay?

You've wandered too far.

Why were you running through the forest?

I was just following the others.

Aren't you being too obedient?

I was told to play.

I didn’t even want to.

Then I'm also telling you now.

You should spend the night here.

This will only get worse,

if you still head back.

What was it again?

Dindo?

Dalo, is your name?

It's Danilo.

Ah... Where did you find Maria?

By the creek.

I was the one who found him.

He was just lying there, like a frog.

Don't mind her.

She's just teasing you.

What about you?

What were you doing there?

Because I heard this chicken crying.

I thought we'd have something to eat.

Turns out, it was just you.

Instead of making fun of him,

why don't you set up a place for Danilo to sleep?

Thank you.

- That good enough for you? - Yes.

I'll be fine here.

Finally.

You're not sleeping yet?

Why waste what little time I have.

What?

What game were you playing earlier?

A game of tag.

How do you play that?

For example, if I'm the one tagged,

and we're playing together,

what I'll try to do is...

I'll chase after you,

then if I managed to tag you,

I'll be the one you'll chase next.

Then if you manage to tag me.

It will be my turn to chase after you again.

Um... Where is Maria?

On the 19th, return here.

Why, what's on the 19th?

Maria!

So you can see her.

Everyone's already calling you a weakling,

and you continue to prove them right.

You too, Celia,

don't encourage that boy.

He should live with his uncle in Bulacan.

So he'd grow a backbone and be a soldier there too.

When their school opens,

that's where I'll take him.

[children playing]

- Tag, you're it! - Tag, you're it!

Tag, you're it!

Ouch.

What are you doing?

Are you scratching it?

Don't worry about it.

Did you fall as well?

Of course not!

I'm not clumsy like you.

What does it look like when the moon isn't full?

You've never seen it?

I used to think it was always a full circle.

Turns out it isn't.

Hmm...

It's like...

Wait, let me check.

It's like...

It's kind of like this.

It gets split?

Not exactly.

It's there, but it seems like you can't see it fully.

Where does the rest of it go?

It just looks like...

it's shrouded in the dark.

Like it's being hid, which is why you can't see it.

Why don't you go out when the moon isn't full

so you can see.

But...

Whenever I come out, it's always like that.

Well...

I think that's alright.

A full moon is more beautiful than all the other phases because

you can see everything.

[chattering]

I have a question here!

Why did he turn to stone?

Come on.

There's still a lot you haven't read.

It's always still that same book.

[muttering]

[playful banter, chattering]

Hey, wait!

It's too early, and you were already out?

Don't tell me you just got home?

Wait just a second!

I'm still talking to you.

You're disrespecting me now?

Take a look at yourself!

Your clothes are all filthy.

Why are you so quiet?

You're quiet as well.

No, I'm not.

How are things at school?

It's okay.

You're barely saying anything.

You haven't even read the last books I've brought you.

You know we're always together.

You see whatever it is I'm reading.

Do you not want to talk to me?

No, I do.

I do, I'm sorry.

I just have a lot on my mind.

Well if there's a lot...

Why don't you want to share them?

It's my father.

He's...

It's almost everyday now that...

something happens between him and my godmother.

What's happening to them?

Well uh,

something happens between them

that should only happen with their spouses.

But they're both married.

Then...

What's the problem if they're doing

what's meant for married people?

No, that's not it...

They're doing it with each other,

not with their spouses.

See my father.

His wife had already passed,

but it's still wrong.

My godmother's husband is still alive. That's why--

What exactly are they doing, why is it wrong?

Just, don't mind it.

It's hard to explain.

But...

If your father is the one doing it.

how could you say that it's wrong?

It's wrong

because it's wrong.

Even if it's him.

He should know that by now.

I will never be like him.

Hey Danilo!

Do you already have a partner for the activity?

Uh...

Aren't you always partners with Louisa?

Ah! No, I said she should be partners with Miriam.

You'll be my partner, okay?

We're partners! Okay!

You know the score I got in math?

for that assignment we had with Mrs. Perez.

You know I got ten over ten.

I bet you're impressed.

What about you? What's your score?

Don't say you got another zero, Danilo.

It's because you like eating eggs too much.

Look what that gets you.

Oh, and that reminds me, we still have a science assignment.

Maybe we should just stop going to school.

Oh, what is it?

Danilo.

I've been talking nonstop over here!

What on earth are you thinking about?

Nothing.

"Nothing."

You're not even saying anything.

It's as if I'm talking to the wind.

"Nothing."

By the way, we should eat my leftovers.

It's a shame if we let it go bad.

And I'll help you with our science assignment,

I'll help you so you won't get another zero.

Alright, let's go, hurry up.

Danilo!

You have a visitor.

What's the name of your teacher now?

Mrs. Perez!

Mrs. Perez? She's still there?

Yes, she's still there!

I've been calling you for ages.

You have a guest.

You shouldn't be rude when you have a visitor.

- Dear, have you already eaten? - Yes I have, thank you!

How did you find out where I live?

Is that the way he speaks to you?

Don't worry, you can complain to me.

That's okay, I'm used to him.

It's why he always gets bullied at school.

I don't mind it.

We'll just head upstairs, Pa,

we just need to finish something for school.

What do we need to finish?

I don't recall there being any homework.

I just said that to get him to stop.

But how did you find out where I live?

I followed you last Wednesday.

Didn't I already drop you home by then?

Yes, you did.

When I turned the corner, I still saw you.

So I followed you.

Why didn't you call me?

You couldn't hear me anyway.

So I didn't bother.

What's that?

Oh!

This is nothing!

Hey!

This is me!

- That's not you! - Wow!

That's not you!

Who are you kidding, this is me.

Look at the jawline.

I'm the only one you talk to anyway.

No you're not.

Come on, no need to be shy.

Do you find me pretty?

No, I don't.

Then why do you keep drawing me?

Here, look.

Look at all these pages.

You kept drawing me over and over.

Don't deny it.

You know...

It's perfectly okay.

You don't look bad.

You're just too shy.

You're blushing, aren't you?

You like me, don't you?

On our anniversary, I'll let you kiss me.

What?

How lucky do you think you are?

What anniversary?

Next year!

What date is it today?

October 18.

Oh look, you even marked the date.

We're dating now?

Why?

You're the one who's going to complain?

I'm already the one making your life easier.

[sighs]

You take too long on your own.

You don't want this?

Come on already.

Let's go, date me.

Do you want some?

I asked if you wanted some.

I haven't seen you in a while.

I'm sorry.

I just had a lot to do.

I've been really busy.

How many months was that?

Isn't that too harsh?

Since when did you start keeping count?

That's not it.

It's nothing.

It's just that before...

It was almost everyday that you were there.

The things you'd bring me would even pile up.

I told you I've just been busy.

And, don't you prefer that?

You had more time to yourself.

I don't have a lot to do anyway.

What about you?

You're not going inside?

It's okay, I might...

be disturbing you and Nay Mel.

Since when were you a bother?

You're really not coming in?

Yes, I have an early day tomorrow.

What exactly is the problem, Danilo?

Whenever you're here, it's like you don't want to be.

Maybe you're only feeling obligated to come.

No, I told you I'm just working on a lot of things.

Why did you bother coming if you didn't have time anyway?

Maybe you're the one who didn't want me to come here.

You don't even realize how long I wait each time.

The way you talk...

It's as if I don't wait for you too, Danilo.

I waited days.

Those were only days for you.

Maria.

I'm just here.

That's why I keep coming back here because I do want to see you.

Do you still want to see me?

Maybe.

It would be easier if when I close my eyes...

I didn't come back.

Don't be sad.

I'll bring you a new book when I return.

You don't have to bring anything.

Do you know what date it is today?

Isn't it still two days away?

It's good enough.

"It's good enough?"

I think you can do more.

You can keep going.

It's okay.

You can keep going.

[chattering]

- Hurry up! - Wait!

I think my underwear got mixed in there.

Idiot!

Maria.

I've been waiting for you!

Danilo?

I didn't see you there!

Hey!

You grew taller!

Really?

Yes!

Around...

about half of a handspan.

Hey, that's quite a lot.

Of course it is,

as long as you're measuring it with

the fingers of a dwarf.

Maria, you're always so mean to me.

Hey.

I'm just joking.

Yes, you really did grow taller.

It won't be long until

we'll be the same height.

I'm thankful that you waited.

I'm sorry.

I'm not doing it on purpose.

For me, it feels like I'm trying to get here as fast as I can.

When I wake...

I'm hoping I get to see you right away.

You should all come.

Let's eat!

Until when are you here in Bicol?

Just this week.

How about Nardo?

Who's going to clean his house?

Someone will help.

Danilo?

By the way, you should all come to the Nambacbulan Festival.

It's very nice, it's an annual thing.

Yes, of course, we'll be there.

Danilo's mother, Consuelo, used to join us.

She never missed a year.

What a handsome young man!

I think Consuelo has brought him before, hasn't she?

Tell your father to come.

His voice is deep, we need him for the "Pag-umaw".

How are you, brother?

I'm doing alright.

We're doing good as well.

How are you going to cope now that Celia's leaving?

I'll be okay, Danilo's there to help.

[background chatter]

Danilo!

[background chatter]

- Danilo, look how you've grown! - Yes.

Danilo.

Are you helping your father around in the house?

Yes, uncle.

He helps when he's not busy with his girlfriend.

Ah!

No, Danilo's a good kid.

Yes, he is.

Well, we should probably eat?

Let's eat.

'Nay.

How are you doing?

Have you gone through all your medicine?

I think you arrived too early.

Maybe you didn't notice.

I've been disoriented lately.

Can I ask who Maria's real mother is?

She's not here.

I never got to meet her, to be honest.

How are you related to her?

I don't even remember.

When I was young,

Maria was already a young woman.

It’s like she only aged two years.

In the span of my whole life.

I’m not sure which great-grandparent of ours

she considered a sibling back when she first came.

All I know is...

All of us here

once lived to be her mother at some point.

However,

there's no one left after me.

I'm the last one.

What's going to happen?

Hey, what's wrong?

You answer your own question.

I just have a lot on my mind.

Who are you thinking about?

Why is it "who?" all of a sudden.

You've been distracted since the other day.

You're really going to pretend with me, Danilo?

I said it's nothing.

You're getting on my nerves, Danilo.

Let's just talk in a few days.

When you're no longer lost in your thoughts.

Anita!

Anita.

I thought you said you were coming yesterday?

Can't this wait, Danilo?

Let's talk at the house.

Okay, when? Should I meet you there?

Yes.

I mean, no.

I'll go to you.

You said the same thing before.

Please don't start, Danilo.

Not here.

Can't you see I'm with other people?

I always give way to you when you need me, don't I?

Fine.

I apologize.

So, what now? Do I wait for you at home?

Yes.

No. I don't know.

I'll just go to you.

Let's go.

Go on ahead.

Those two are cutting classes again.

- Who? - Manuel and Anita.

- Hey, not too loud! - How did you find out?

Not too loud!

[students chattering]

They do look better together.

[students chattering]

Somebody's mad.

Anita!

Is Anita here?

Young man, calm down.

- Calm down! - Anita!

Young man, calm down.

- She's not there. - Anita!

- Aren't you two together at school? - Where is Anita?

Hmm?

Anita!

Maria!

Nay Mel?

I didn't realize you were already there, Maria.

Danilo visited several times.

It's becoming often that you'd miss each other by chance.

How are you feeling?

He says he might move to a different town.

He still doesn't know.

It could be in Manila,

or maybe in Benguet.

He says he still isn't certain.

Just make sure if you see him.

Don't forget to tell him thank you.

Were you able to see a doctor?

Don't mind this.

Don't say that, Nay Mel.

Nay Mel.

Thank you very much for understanding.

I apologize for everything.

You've got a lot of nerve.

You have no...

You're so ungrateful.

I already gave you the freedom

to come and go as you please.

I let you do whatever the hell you want!

You son of a bitch, you look at me.

Look at me, Danilo, you son of a bitch!

What exactly do you want?

Huh?

To live the rest of your life like an animal?

You know...

You lack discipline!

Look at me.

Danilo, how have you been holding up?

I'm doing okay.

You know you inherited your mother's eyes.

Nobody tells me anything much about her.

Really?

But what about you?

Don't you remember anything about her?

How old were you when she...

I was around six, I think.

I was about that age when she passed.

Here, see this?

I remember when I was a kid,

I would tell the story to my classmates

of how I got this after falling from a tree.

You see there was a tree at the back of our house in Banna.

I was hanging from it one day,

because I was reaching for...

for a tin-can that I was playing with.

I can't even...

I can't even remember how I ended up there, but...

I was hanging from a branch, and when I could almost reach it,

like I almost had it in my hands.

When I could almost take it...

The branch broke.

Then, of course I...

I fell down.

I landed awkwardly.

Hence, this...

Does it hurt?

The fall? Or this?

Of course, that was a long time ago.

Now...

Now it's nothing.

But...

When I got married, I went back to that house

because my cousin had been living there since.

Maybe you already know what I wanted to check first.

I snuck to the back of the house.

I went looking for the tree, and when I got there...

There was no tree.

That! That's exactly how I looked back then.

Of course, I had to ask them.

Where's the tree?

Then, they'd tell me there never was one.

I asked because maybe they had already cut it down.

But they insisted there never was a tree.

And...

Even the smallest trace on the soil,

there was none.

I remember everything about what happened.

But the tree disappeared.

Sometimes I even think to myself...

Perhaps it happened in a different place.

But I know it was there.

Because I could remember all the details...

I remember that tree at the back of our house.

I remember how my mother ran out to get to me.

Every bit of it, I remember.

Sometimes I even...

I don't understand, of all the things I've forgotten over the years

I don't know why I can never forget about that tree.

Copra's gone cheap again these days,

we can't move out our stock.

I know Ma, it's been difficult.

It'll be harder for us to move inventory back.

Oh wait, boy!

Come here, I'll introduce you to my daughter.

This is my daughter, Teresita.

This is Danilo, son of a close family friend of mine.

Good day, ma'am.

Therese.

You keep saying 'Therese', you just don't want to be called Teresita.

How's working here so far?

Were you already introduced to the others?

Yes, I was.

It's been good.

I'm getting used to it here.

If you need anything, just talk to us.

You heard her young man, if you ever need anything.

Therese will handle it.

A pleasant evening to you, miss.

I'm right, aren't I?

That's awful.

It's pretty ancient.

Who do you mean by that me?

No, no, no.

I mean did it ever occur to you just how old you are?

Why are you being so rude?

Why? No, you misunderstand me.

All I mean is, it's amazing everything you went through.

You know, I think you might even be older than me now.

No, you are definitely older.

But you've been alive longer than I have.

Why would I count the days that I don't even see?

But those times you have seen.

Those days that you're here.

What can you say about...

about...

about the people.

It feels a lot like

like I'm always being left behind.

Like I'm not part of it whenever they share stories.

Even with you.

It’s like I missed something.

Even if I was just with you the day before.

And then,

whenever anyone would talk.

It's like so much has happened.

Like your days are filled with incident.

But...

But what?

From everything I've seen

with the mothers that Melodia and I shared.

They'd often say...

'This is it!'

'I'm going to the city in order to study.'

'I'm going to be a doctor!'

'I'm off to find a husband!'

'I'm leaving and I'm never coming back!'

But whenever I wake...

They're still there.

Out of the countless things they do when I'm not around...

I don't know why they never go for what they really want.

They would say...

It's because of me.

But...

I've never asked them to do that.

After a few weeks...

Their hair would start to turn white.

They wouldn't notice.

They'll say...

'It's been like that for a while.'

I'll wake up one day.

They'd say their knees are getting weak.

Until...

Nay Mel once told me.

I was cursed to feel every departure.

But what weighs on me more are the hours

that I don't witness.

Time just keeps rushing by faster and faster

and no one else seems to notice.

You know,

you know, sometimes I wonder...

how you see me.

Because

whenever I think of you.

It feels like I've been with you for so long.

We've known each other for a long time.

We've been through so much.

Lately...

I'm no longer sure

if it carries the same weight.

You see, even if

we go through the same experiences when we're together.

It feels like

like the weight is heavier.

Whenever I see you, Danilo,

You know...

You're still the same boy I found by the creek.

Everytime you return.

It's like...

I get to meet different versions of you

even if only a few days had passed.

But I know it's still you.

That's why

whenever you're gone.

Isn't it...

The feeling is the same

to wait and to be left behind.

When will you come back next?

I hope it won't be that long again.

Be careful on your way home, Danilo.

A little over there.

We have to remove it otherwise it would clog again.

I think that does it.

All good.

I should've been the one to do that but alas.

My hand can't do it anymore.

Thank you, son.

Auntie Dolor says,

you should ease up on eating fatty foods.

How is...

How is Dolor doing?

She's doing alright, Pa.

Um... She's been bringing in chickens to add to her farm.

Bring one home for me sometime.

Maybe if...

it gets a little crowded over there.

You can come back and stay here.

I'll drop by to bring eggs every Sunday.

Because...

I might get berated if I brought home a whole chicken.

Will you be home on Sundays?

You said...

It wouldn't be long before you came back again.

It was only a few days this time.

Besides,

I thought you might be angry at me.

How would you know if you're not around to talk to me?

Are you angry at me?

I don't know.

Do you remember when I talked to you about my father?

When I told you that I was angry at him.

You said

what he was doing was wrong.

Well, maybe...

Maybe I have changed.

How so?

The rage I used to feel is different now.

I don't quite understand it anymore.

What changed?

It's harder for me to tell what's right and wrong.

It seems like...

for as long as I've known him.

I only got to know him now.

Or maybe.

I just simply couldn't understand it before.

Does right and wrong ever change?

It doesn't.

However...

When you've made a lot of mistakes.

It's as if

you learn to realize how alike everyone is.

It's similar to what you told me before.

How come people don't go after what they truly want.

What if...

What if what you want

the world won't allow?

What is it you want, Danilo?

Why don't you mingle with the others.

Thank you.

You shouldn't have bothered.

I wasn't hungry yet.

Uh... Can I ask you a question?

What is it?

What's the story behind your necklace?

Ah...

I made it with a childhood friend.

Why not bring her next month?

To Nambacbulan?

Yes.

There's still plenty of time for you two to plan early.

Wait, did you think that was...

It's not like that.

Ah...

But...

You'll still go?

I'm not sure.

I wouldn't know anyone there.

Me!

Me and my mother,

even Kuya Temi, of course.

We always take part in it,

a celebration for the harvest.

You could just come by and eat if you want.

But I think..

it would be better if you come and see it

especially the tradition of 'Pag-umaw.'

They say they do that

to please the deities who guard the river.

You believe in deities?

Depends on who I'm talking to.

And...

I do that because sometimes

I forget how beautiful this world is.

Look around at this forest...

It feels like it can consume us at any moment.

And there's a feast afterwards so it doesn't get dull.

Wait, Therese.

If I do go...

can I ask you for a dance at the feast?

That depends.

You'd best show up first.

Like a painting come to life.

It's as if nothing's changed.

Danilo?

How have you been?

It was only recently that I found out about...

How are you?

Still here.

Nothing's changed, right?

Just, everything.

What about you? How have you been?

Right...

Uh...

I'm married now,

and in a few months, I'll be a father as well.

That's good.

I don't know what else to say.

There really isn't anything I can tell you that you don't already know.

Why did you return here?

I just thought I'd come.

There's a chance this might be.

This might be the last time that I'll be able to come here.

Danilo.

I just have one last request.

What is it?

The moment you walk away...

Promise me that...

you'll never look back.