Original subtitles

Countless released

From some prison cell

From whatever alley

From whatever great void.

A multitude of lives

A multitude of stories

Emerging from a single great moment

(Hope of the Heart)

Our love is like the heaven and earth

Like the union of the mountain and sea.

Too close together to be seen clearly

Drinking bitter tears.

I remember my lifelong love

And how he lay ailing

And how I said that if he ever died

I would quickly follow

Are you reciting again?

"The Gift," by Florentino Collantes

Just sharpening my memory.

Okay.

Later it's my turn to do some sharpening on you.

Don't disappoint me!

Every full moon, when the sky is filled with clouds.

A monster comes.

An ogre?

Yes. Dark, with a horrible face, hairy body, and naked.

You'll hear him coming from his heavy step.

Can he step over this whole house?

Sure.

Can you really see him?

Of course. He only shows himself to me.

Every full moon, I'm the one he always visits.

Come on. I'll show you where he lives.

There. That's where he sits, on the branch of that tree.

Where?

There.

And if I don't obey him, he'll pour dirt.

...all over my food and bed.

I won't be able to eat or sleep.

And he'll cover my body with bumps and boils.

Over here! All over me!

Just so that no one will want me.

Why don't you marry him?

Didn't you say he lives in a castle full of gold and jewels?

Lots of food to eat.

And you'll always have something nice to wear.

I don't want to! I don't want him.

He's big, and ugly.

And he stinks. Like dried-up piss.

I don't want to marry a demon.

I don't want to, either. I want an angel.

Really? What would he look like?

He'll be beautiful.

With wings?

Who's that?

Hey, who are you?

Hey, my baby's still awake?

I can't sleep, Ma.

Come with me.

Little baby spider climbed up the mango tree

Down came the rain, and washed the spider free

Then came the sun, and dried him thoroughly

Little baby spider, happy as can be.

Señora, for you.

Thank you, dear.

Kiss Mama. Behave yourself while I'm not here.

Yes, ma'am.

Ason, please tell Virginia not to tell the child stories.

She was so frightened she peed in our bed last night.

Yes, Mrs. Montilla. I took the mattress outside to dry.

Nena, if you need anything, radio Daddy.

Yes, Ma.

You have gasoline for the generator?

Yes, don't worry about that. Everything's fine.

We have enough people taking care of her.

Let's go.

Yes sir. Goodbye, Señora.

Nena, come down, you might fall!

No! I am the queen.

I won't come down from my castle tower.

My goodness, if you don't come down, I'm coming up.

Go ahead.

You really want to give me a hard time?

Mrs. Ason, look at my kingdom, it's so big!

Look at my soldiers, they're so many.

No one dare attack my kingdom.

Why? Who's going to attack? We have no enemies.

We do too have enemies. Ogres and demons.

You're good. Come, let's go there.

Pardon sir, which way to Langgaman (Ant's Nest) Village?

That way. Go left, then go right.

Go right? Thank you.

Hurry up, it's almost lunch.

Who was that?

Just a friend.

What are they doing here?

Must be looking for something.

Hey, look over there. Jose!

Jose! Why are you sunk so low in water?

Now that Nena's here, you're crouched even lower.

What are you hiding there, Jose?

If the water's clearer, we'd be able to see it!

Maybe it's all grown up now!

What might we see?

Nena's coming closer!

Hey, crouch lower, she might see it!

What is it, Mister Inong? Jose, what is it?

He's crying!

Why is he crying?

He's hurt. Maybe because of you.

He's ashamed because we can see him.

Why?

Because we're women.

Why?

I don't know. When you're both grown up, ask him.

Pa? Who were the soldiers looking for?

They're looking for those who won't follow rules.

Rules?

You know, we're like a kingdom.

The king makes rules that everyone follows.

And the king's soldiers make sure the rules are followed.

Those who don't follow are caught and punished.

They are called the enemies of the kingdom.

Does the king have a lot of enemies?

Yes. Especially if the king is wrong.

Who says if the king is wrong?

No one.

Poor king.

Poor people, you mean.

Why?

If the king is wrong, it's the people who suffer.

Then why not change the king?

We can't. He has a lot of soldiers.

Dad, I'm scared of soldiers.

Many are scared of soldiers.

Some of them, because they are the king soldiers...

...they think they are kings too.

Confirmed, sir.

It's not the NPA [Communist guerilla] asking for money.

Is that what Mr. Nestor says?

Yes sir.

Sir... let's ask for help from the military.

No time. When do we pay them?

Mrs. Ason...

Jose, you're not done eating!

Mrs. Ason, is he mad at me?

No. He's just shy.

He comes over when he's hungry and eats our leftovers.

And he does errands for us.

Like getting those banana leaves for wrapping sticky-rice cakes.

Is he nice?

Oh yes. He brings me things like these flowers.

Smells good. Here.

Smells good! Then why is he like that?

That's how he is.

Because you're the daughter of Señor George.

The spoon in your mouth is made of gold.

They have never even owned a spoon.

Señor, why did you have to make the delivery?

Just wanted to make sure.

Señor, this money will be a big help to our revolution.

What's this?

Are you NPA or just bandits?

Well?

Please, don't!

Nena, where are you going?

Don't go there, you'll see the ogre.

Nanny, look there, it's so bright.

Where?

There. What's that?

Maybe a forest fire.

Or maybe St. Elmo's fire.

St. Elmo?

Yes. A floating ball of fire.

When there's a lot of them it looks like that.

Where would they come from?

I don't know.

But the old ones say they come from under ground.

They are evil spirits looking for food.

You see a lot of them in the forest.

Living near buried treasure.

Jose, where have you been?

From the big house, grandma.

I thought the fire was here.

No, it's far away, at Langgaman Village, I think.

Dad, can I go there?

No. Too dangerous. There are soldiers there.

Another witness missing.

Who's that?

Jose Nabong. The tricycle driver who saw Marissa kidnapped.

How did he vanish?

The mother reported him to the police.

Three days now. Even the tricycle is gone.

Didn't Brother Selyo hide him for protection?

He got tired and left the safe house.

That's what happened to that other witness, what's his name?

Marsyal.

That's the policeman who hid evidence from a crime scene?

Yes. Gone, like a soap bubble.

Those Salazars think they own Iloilo.

Let them try that here in Negros...

...we'll take care of them.

They have the money.

It's those drug lords that should be killed.

I hear that Allan Garcia has a new criminal case.

Where?

In Cebu. Raped the maid.

Is that the Allan who's with the Salazar addict?

Yes, they're both accused.

That's a respectable family in Cebu.

Drug addicts will do anything.

Drugs, that's the real devil.

Nena, are you finished?

Yes, Mrs. Ason.

Jose, come and eat.

This ma'am?

- Yes. - What is it?

Egg pie. It's delicious. Nena brought it.

We've walked so far.

I'll take care of this.

I'm Mr. Montilla.

Those are my men. What do you want with them?

I'm Captain Magat. We're looking for someone.

Go on, get up. You too, kid. Go.

Why is Jose naked?

That's why he's embarrassed when we're here.

Why is he naked?

He's poor, he doesn't have money for clothes.

When you spend half the day underwater, your pants rot.

Is he here?

No sir.

Come on, men.

Damn them.

Where do I put this?

Put it there.

You don't have a lot of potatoes.

I didn't dig them all up. Some were too small.

Leave them, then check if the clothes fit you.

Where, ma'am?

There on the table.

What's this?

Shorts, given by Nena.

Thanks, ma'am.

What doesn't fit, you give to your sister Mimay, okay?

Don't leave yet, here's some food.

Then take this beef stew I'm cooking at the waterfalls.

- The waterfalls? - Yes.

Jose, is that mama's lunch for us?

Yes ma'am.

Nena, let's go and eat.

Nena?

She went to the forest.

Call her and tell her to come eat, she's hungry.

Little baby spider went up the mango tree...

...Down came the rain and washed the spider free

Peek-a-boo!

Couldn't catch me, could you?

Did you see my other playmates?

How many times did I tell her...

...Not to go with that devil because she's too young.

Children! They never listen to their parents!

Mrs. Ason, I'll explain what happened to my daughter.

Ma, what really happened?

Virginia went home to rest, she's sick.

Where is she? Where is Nanny Viring?

Gone home to Cebu, to Mrs. Ason's sister.

Will she die?

Of course not, she just needs treatment.

So we won't catch it too.

If she's well, will she come back?

She can't come back. She might get sick again.

Can ogres go all the way to Cebu?

- Huh? What ogre? - Nothing, Ma.

- What's that again? - Nothing Ma, nothing.

Now that Nanny Viring's gone, you want me.

Stay away. I don't want a demon.

I want an angel.

Ma'am, where are they going?

To town.

Why are they carrying so many things?

Her summer vacation is over. Nena's not coming back.

She's going to live in their house in town.

That's where she'll go studying.

I was caught in the branches of an enormous tree...

...that sought to learn my innermost secrets.

My body was weak from endless trial;

...my heart was dark, my thoughts unholy.

I was imprisoned in a deep cave.

Stone, steel, and firearm were my close guards.

Totally cut off from the world

even inside me my spirit was dead.

From a tiny window I can see

a portion of heaven filled with tears.

A heavy heart jealously counts

each rising of beloved light.

Sharp as lighting is the sentinel's eye

on this door no key can open.

Cries out the prisoner in the cell alongside

Weeping without pause like an animal in a cave.

An entire day is an ordeal

like being dragged along by a bloody foot.

The night is like a mourning veil

that drapes my place of entombment.

Sometimes someone drifts by with unheard tread...

...a heavy chain behind marking his passage.

In the pale daylight they would lay out to dry...

...a thousand shadows left behind by the dark.

Sometimes the night is startled awake...

...by the sound of escape, by the sound of gunfire.

Then the old church bell would toll

Then I would feel my heart swoon

Man and God do not sleep

Not all the time does oppression oppress.

Not all debts are left unpaid.

While there's a people, the nation will strike back...

...and tomorrow, I will see

An unbounded heaven without tears.

The sun of triumph will rise, then.

Freed, I go forth to meet freedom.

Nanny Viring!

How are you, dear?

My God, how you've grown.

What are you doing here?

Waiting for you. Your mother sent me.

So you came back.

I've been working at your mother's bakery two weeks now.

Congratulations, dear, you won the oratorical contest...

How's your son?

I left him in Cebu. I had to go back to work.

You know we don't have any money.

Son of an ogre, right?

Oh, you wicked, wicked child! How are you, dear?

Who gave the order to shoot the demonstrators?

The mayor.

But he's got strong ties with the president.

News is, the mayor's the "no-read, no-write" type

What he wanted was "EVACUATE the area"

But he said instead "ELIMINATE..."

Mama was furious when she learned I was pregnant.

So was your mother.

Boyet is four years old.

Looks just like his father, he's so handsome.

Where's the father anyway?

I looked for him, couldn't find him.

I gave him my Cebu address, but he never wrote...

...or visited me even once.

Who was that?

David. The soldier.

When I got back here in Negros...

...I met one of his friends.

He told me that David died in Mindanao.

They couldn't identify the body because it was chopped up.

Too bad... he was so handsome.

And so sweet.

Did your soldier friend tell you...

...why there are so many of them now in Negros?

Because there are so many NPA terrorists.

Because there are so many suffering.

Step aside!

Stop!

Asshole! Want to fight? Huh?

Resisting, huh?

Please, don't...

Child, may I speak to you?

My name is Aurora, Aurora Padilla.

I don't have a husband.

The military killed him, four years ago.

I'm a nurse over at the next town.

I have a son. My only son.

He's a little older than you, about twenty.

Last Saturday morning, they raided our place.

The military forced everyone outside.

And arrested everyone who had a gun.

I swear to you, my son has no gun.

He's no NPA soldier.

He has many NPA friends, but he's not like that.

They took him away.

I went to their camp

but they wouldn't let me see him.

I stayed outside their camp.

I tried to talk to them.

I want to see my son, but they wouldn't let me.

One night, some bodies were found under the bridge.

I went and identified them.

They were all my neighbors.

I'm so scared.

My son...

Someone told me he's gone from his cell.

I'm scared.

What do you want me to do?

Didn't I see you at the feeding center?

Aren't you the granddaughter of Mrs. Mercedes Gallaga Cruz?

Isn't Mayor Gallaga your uncle?

Maybe you can approach them.

Maybe they can help me.

Please have pity, child, help me.

Someone was thrown off that helicopter!

Tito, my son!

Is she still having bad dreams?

She hasn't had any trouble for a week now.

Good. I was like that during the Japanese Occupation.

I would have nightmares every night.

Especially when the American came in.

I was in Manila with Papa,

...who was at the PGH (Philippine General Hospital).

When the Americans came in the Japanese retreated to Malate.

And burned all the buildings.

When they saw civilians, they shot them. Oh yes!

And when they reach the PGH, they burned that too.

Good thing I was with your Uncle Jaime.

We got Papa out.

I could see the patients inside, unable to move.

The flames slowly eating their flesh.

Five soldiers came in and shot the nurses.

Your Uncle Jaime pushed us down the staircase...

...and jumped out the window.

I pulled Papa out of the building.

Thank goodness, a doctor was there to help us.

We hid in Ateneo University.

After that, I would dream of those patients every night.

Papa couldn't leave me alone. I was so scared.

It was at least a year before my nightmares stop.

But won't let go of their guns.

Finished? Memorized?

Let's try it.

Grandma, the things you added were very good.

I was valedictorian in high school too.

But my father was the one who corrected me.

Let's hear it.

What's that, a real gun?

For hunting birds. Señor gave it to me.

Better put it away. You could get arrested.

And don't go shooting owls, hear?

No sir!

Mama said you'd study in UP (University of the Philippines)...

...in Manila.

Yes, Pa.

What'll you take?

I want to be a lawyer.

You want to be like Grandpa Genio.

I don't want to be a congressman. I can't stand politics.

I want to be a lawyer.

And the family business?

I'll worry about it later. It's not an urgent matter.

Let's greet with heartfelt applause the daughter of George Montilla...

...Princess Nena Montilla!

A difficult task faces this poet this evening...

...have patience with the utterances of mortal lips.

How can people praise a goddess?

How can words be enough?

To what compare the beauty of her eyes?

Brighter than stars, the jewels of an enchantress.

Granted words are less than nothing to thee...

...yet how can a poet do less than praise, effusively?

Roses pale against the tint of your lips;

How to capture your essence?

How can words be enough?

If your smile can inspire a rose to bloom...

...your laugh would result in a deluge of blossoms.

My heart overflows from such prodigious beauty...

...my eyes blinded by an enchantress' glare.

The very image of a goddess revealed to us,

So fated a sensibility! So fortunate a destiny!

How are you?

Good morning, Miss.

Why, Miss?

You're wearing underwear.

Your pardon, Miss...

Wait! Wait!

Weren't you at yesterday's affair?

Nothing to wear. Your pardon, Miss...

Wait. Are you mad at me?

No, Miss.

Why won't you look at me?

Come to the house later. There's a party.

Yes, Miss.

Here, you can share this.

Mrs. Ason. Did Jose come by?

Yes, they've eaten.

This was for them.

- Really? - Where is he?

Outside. I'll call him.

It's okay, it's okay. I'll do it.

All right.

They are good dancers.

They are.

Your head's bowed again.

Are you afraid of me?

Do you know how to dance?

Come, I'll teach you.

Come on!

Closer!

Jose! Jose! Wait!

Where are you going?

George? Why don't you speak to Governor Locsin?

Have the road repaired so you can come here by car.

This way Ma you only visit once in a while.

Why? I'm not too much of a bother!

Okay, Ma, okay.

If I only knew you'd keep Nena away from me.

I'd never have given you this property. And...

Are you sure you won't come with me to town?

Turing's body was found.

Where?

Santa Catalina. That's where they left the corpse.

Who's Turing?

Antonio's second-hand man.

Why was he killed?

NPA was asking for "revolutionary tax."

Those aren't NPA, they're bandits.

Bandits?

There are two groups. One's made up of AWOL soldiers.

The other is people who've left the NPA.

They approach businessmen and the wealthy.

Antonio didn't give money, so they took Turing.

What did Antonio do?

Nothing. Left for Manila.

What of his properties here?

Entrusted to a friend. They burned two hectares one night...

Wait, wait, wait.

I want to recite a poem.

All of you, please listen.

An ant once walked beside a creek

And slipped, and fell in water

It struggled and kicked its tiny feet

but Death only loomed the closer

Beside the creek high up a tree

a bird had built her nest

To the ant below she quickly dropped

a leaf for him to rest.

The ant he chose the tree as home

and called his friends come over

and they went and built a little hill

to guard the nesting mother.

The days were few and quickly passed

When a boy to the woods came walking.

with bow and arrow in his hand

He was out for some big-game hunting.

He set an arrow to his bow

took aim at the bird so helpless

But was startled by a thousand ants in a row

Feasting on his legs so hairless

The bow and arrow dropped in dismay

the bird as quickly flew away

and the boy, fleeing in extremest pain

never to that forest returned again.

What?

Where once stood a former comrade

Let us return here to the way of the knife.

If there are no more guns, human nature will sweeten.

Hot heads will cool quickly

be more understanding, more tolerant

The slightest insult will remain unavenged.

But if there are guns, just a little indulgence

And the air will never clear of their chatter.

Ma, what happened to him?

He's been at it all day.

I don't know what got into his head.

If there are no more guns

There will be no more barriers

The number of bandits will lessen.

But if there are guns

that will not be controlled

peace will not return.

the just will no longer rule

Only guns that will not stop speaking

Who's that?

...Mrs. Ason! Mrs. Ason!

What is it?

There's a big animal in the storeroom!

That's no animal, that's Jose.

What?

What happened?

Jose came here last night. He was very angry.

He wanted Sardo's big machete.

He wanted to kill the soldiers who raided his home.

I called for some men to come help Sardo.

But he was so strong! We couldn't stop him!

So they shut him in there. Locked him in.

When did all this happen?

It was still dark. About four in the morning.

Their house was raided. What happened?

His father was killed.

To look for his elder sister and grandmother

Sardo went to the archbishop to ask for help.

Sardo asked your father. He'll talk with the archbishop.

But there's another problem.

Jose's little sister Mimay... they still haven't found her.

How will he eat?

I don't know. I'm scared to open the door.

He's too strong. I can't handle him.

What if we let him starve?

So he'd weaken a little?

He's too strong, like a water buffalo!

I'll let you out, but you have to promise.

Well?

Sardo radioed in... they found your grandmother.

You have nothing to worry about.

You haven't promised. I can't release you till you promise.

You haven't eaten yet.

Nena's here. Let's go eat together.

Promise you won't run away. Well?

Promise me!

What?

I won't run.

Really?

Yes, ma'am.

What's this? You've jammed the door!

Come on out.

Water, please.

Water... I'll get water.

What are you doing there?

Waiting for you to get up.

Did Papa come back?

Sardo radioed in... they'll be coming later.

Well? Coming?

Where?

Is this your house?

Is anyone in?

Me.

Come in.

What's that?

Wine. Father's coconut wine.

I was so scared that night.

The first time I ever felt so scared.

I woke up when I heard someone shout

I told you to come out of there!

Jose... take care of them.

- Wanna fight? - What?

Wanna fight?

Caught him?

Mimay...

Jose, not me!

Run, Nena.

Leave me here.

Go away!

Rene should be here.

Rene who?

My sparring partner in Davao.

He wasn't hit bad. Why did he die?

Loss of blood. Because the helicopter didn't come on time.

Wasn't your battalion supposed to have four copters for backup?

Sure. Why didn't even one arrive?

They were under repair. Always under repair.

Where do they come from, anyway?

From the Americans.

Boys.

Stay put.

Don't go. I'll be back in a moment.

Be careful with that.

It's easy to know if you're in love.

How?

You always remember him, always think of him.

That so?

If he isn't around, you keep thinking of him.

If he is around you're happy.

That's how I was with David.

Are you in love?

Who?

No one. I want to write a love poem.

Don't think like that, you're only eighteen.

Your mother will...

Good thing we got plane tickets from Ramon...

...otherwise we'd have to leave on Monday.

Who, Ma?

Ramon, the son of Mrs. De Guia.

Fix up and come down. I'll introduce you to him.

Yes, ma'am.

The De Guias are your guests, put on some lipstick.

Purse your lips.

I'm going to UP too.

But I'm graduating next year.

Still, we'll have a year to see each other.

What's your favorite poem?

Poem?

Yes.

I'm not fond of poems.

At the graveside of childhood

in this tract of red-stained and fetid soil

the dying is done.

The final breath was deep

filled with purpose.

Because the heavens do not mourn a man

and begrudge tears to a garden reserved

for standing, stagnating saints.

Orphans begging by the tombstones of cemeteries.

But the dead understand.

Beneath their burial and putrefaction

is mourning and begging.

The returning wind is tired

from carrying leaves and alms.

A few stir among the two tombstones

standing in this tract of red-stained and fetid soil

The fighters were given aid

By both landowners and farmers

But the open land, if left unseeded

Great hunger will the nation suffer.

Hi, Ramon.

Aren't you finished?

Not yet.

Maybe you'd like to take a break, relax a little.

Later. I have to help clean up.

That so? I'll come back.

I can't come, Daddy might get mad if I'm late.

That so? Then it's just us, Nena.

Nena? Who's that?

My classmate, Aunt Nelia.

Okay, you take care of her.

Yes, ma'am.

Why'd you come?

Dad got mad and locked the door.

I couldn't come in.

That so? Might as well sleep over.

Can I?

Sure. Silly of you to ask. Have you eaten?

I've eaten.

You sure?

Yes, I want to finish my studies.

While I'm studying, I don't want a relationship.

I just don't want one. I'm young.

Friends are fine. Anything more, I don't want.

What are you doing there? I've been looking for you.

I thought we were going to watch a movie.

What happened?

Who got you pregnant?

It was Daddy.

How did it happen?

At first, he just touched me.

I didn't mind because he was my father.

Please, don't!

There were only two of us since mother died.

One Christmas, he got drunk, and got me drunk.

That was when he first did it to me.

What did you do?

He was so strong.

Like... like a demon...

Why didn't you tell your aunt?

He scared me.

He said he'd kill himself if anyone found out.

What should I do, Nena?

What should I do?

I'll talk to Aunt Nelia.

She's a lawyer. She'll know what to do.

Go on in.

You! What are you doing?

Sir! But why?

Come with us!

But I'm not doing anything wrong!

At first we thought we'd caught a big fish.

It turned out to be a corpse, tied to a big stone.

A corpse? In the fishpond?

The police said it was the mayor's missing son.

Good evening, señorita.

Good evening.

Why didn't you go back to town?

I missed this old house.

I know.

I'm finished cleaning up. You'll lock up?

Mrs. Ason.

Any news about Jose?

We've heard nothing from him since.

We don't know if he's dead or hiding out.

I see.

Don't stay out too late. Go get some sleep soon.

You're the one following me.

Do... do you have a price on your head?

Who told you that?

Nanny Viring.

She also gives me your poem.

You write beautifully.

Left unblessed

a holy curse

killing this heart

turning it to stone

this sole dwelling of prayers.

A curse.

These are the pensions

The whispers of a former angel

Satan of churches

Ogre of children

Jose of a certain young girl.

You read that too?

Nena, forgive me.

I love you very much.

I didn't want to do this to you.

I didn't want this to happen.

My fear of God isn't dead.

I never wanted to become a demon.

I pray and pray that somehow He forgives me.

I never stop praying.

I never wanted to become a demon.

We've been looking for him for a long time!

Fifty thousand pesos, baby!

You animal!

Animal!

If there are no more guns

There will be no more barriers

The number of bandits lessened.

But if there are guns

That will not be controlled

Peace will not return.

The just will no longer rule

Only guns that will not stop speaking

And in this way will be wasted in splatter

The blood of our fellow brother.

Translated into English by Noel Vera