Original subtitles

The Second World War has long since been over.

It was a nightmare we have all shared.

It would be impossible to count the millions who died,

young and old,

men and women, soldier and civilian,

American and German,

French and English,

Japanese and Filipino,

Jew and Christian.

The agony and suffering these people underwent

is immeasurable.

This is an intimate portrait of people

who were involved in the war

here in the Philippines.

One that hopes to be a timely reminder of terrible events past

and a warning of calamities yet to come.

What is important is that the truth be known

and that we impress in the minds of one and all

what transpired during those three years

when humanity was abandoned by God.

♪ In the beginning ♪

♪ The world and man Was created ♪

♪ Love ♪

♪ Is the reason ♪

♪ Love ♪

♪ Of the Creator ♪

♪ Love ♪

♪ Is the reason ♪

♪ Love ♪

♪ That is pure ♪

♪ And in time ♪

♪ A great madness was born ♪

♪ In the West ♪

♪ The bullets laughed and sang ♪

♪ And the people ♪

♪ Were constantly bathed In blood ♪

♪ In the East ♪

♪ The sun slowly begins To fade ♪

♪ Darkness is waving ♪

♪ Whispering and smiling ♪

♪ Madness is the reason ♪

♪ Madness is the reason ♪

♪ For three years ♪

♪ Our God will not be found ♪

♪ Three years ♪

Good afternoon, Sir. Where's Rosario?

- Isn't she in the classroom? - No, Sir.

Maybe she's in the garden.

Thank you very much, Sir.

Rosario!

What is it?

Are you leaving?

Yes.

I'll pray for you.

Thank you.

I have to go. I'm in a hurry.

Mom, what do you think?

Is it true that the Japanese will invade us?

You're a teacher and you don't know?

Mom, please...

It'll be like hitting a brick wall!

What is Japan going to do against America?

It's so much stronger and bigger.

Don't worry, the Americans won't abandon us.

Neither will God, He won't allow them to invade us.

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Hey ♪

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Dashing through the snow In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Over the fields we go Laughing all the way ♪

♪ Bells on bobtail ring Making spirits bright ♪

♪ What fun it is To ride and sing ♪

♪ A sleighing song tonight ♪

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Hey ♪

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Look at Death ♪

♪ Who smiles at you Ignorant man ♪

♪ Listen as it grows louder ♪

♪ The song of war ♪

The Japanese!

♪ The New Year ♪

♪ Shuts its eyes As it witnesses the horror ♪

♪ Bataan has been laid waste ♪

♪ Corregidor has fallen ♪

Rosario!

Rosario, aren't you leaving?

No, Menang.

Dad said it's even worse in the mountains than here.

But it's dangerous here. The Japanese are in town.

I hear there's no sparing the women,

especially the pretty ones.

They rape them.

And I hear they're slaughtering babies in front of the church.

They toss them up and catch them with their bayonets.

I don't think so. That's just gossip.

If you won't believe me, that's up to you.

God is merciful.

Times like these, there is no God!

The powerful survive, while we end up suffering.

Where are you going, Rosario?

Crispin is here.

Where?

Sion! Crispin is here!

Sion! Come on!

Many died in the journey to Mariveles.

Especially those weakened

by hunger and exhaustion.

The ones sick with malaria and the wounded,

they didn't last long in the tiring journey,

and under the sun's heat.

I saw many get shot.

Stabbed with bayonets.

Skulls crushed.

Bellies slashed open.

Their bodies left along the way like animals.

We couldn't do anything except walk on.

And watch.

Endure.

Good thing you escaped.

Many of us escaped.

Some of our companions were killed.

But most escaped.

What's the news? When is MacArthur coming back?

Maybe it won't take too long.

The word is he's in Australia.

He'll wait there for troops from America.

They'll gather their strength for the counterattack.

I told you the Americans won't forget about us.

It's just Andoy who's got no faith in the Americans.

Of course, they'll protect us.

They're the only ones who can save us.

If they're so strong and wealthy, why did they lose?

Well, of course, it's because they weren't ready.

They were blindsided. Now they're getting ready.

Crispin, what is it?

Nothing, Rosa. Just had trouble breathing.

Forget it. It's all over.

Crispin...

Please stay for a while.

Rest here for as long as you like before you go back.

Paete is far from here.

It'll be good for you.

So that's what it's like, Rosario.

What?

Why don't you answer me?

That's what it's like to kill.

I thought I wouldn't be able to do it.

That's what it's like.

If you see your enemy attacking,

you level the rifle you're holding...

you shut your eyes tight...

Even as your hands shake...

you pull the trigger.

When the gun fires...

you open your eyes

and you see your target tumbling...

His body twisting in pain...

His breathing shallow...

Gradually getting shallower...

Until he stops moving.

You're startled at first.

Your whole body is numb.

Afterwards, you think about it.

And you realize how easy it is to kill.

By the next round...

Both eyes are open.

You aim at the enemy.

You're ready to kill.

Crispin, don't think about that.

- Now that the fighting's over... - It isn't over, Rosario.

What do you plan to do?

Join the guerillas.

What for?

What for?

What do you want me to do?

Let the Japanese come and kill us?

Shoot us? Stab us? Pull out our guts?

I'll kill them! I'll kill them!

Damn them! Damn them all!

I'll kill them!

I'll kill them!

I'll kill them!

One thing I ask of You...

Please take care of Crispin.

Help him forget all the awful memories.

Take away from his heart all the bitterness and anger.

Bring him back to his former self.

If he insists on continuing the fighting in the mountains,

please don't forsake him.

Give him the strength to face any challenge.

And please watch over him because he is a good man.

I love him.

The moon is bright.

Mom is there.

She's busy.

She might see us.

She won't come down.

Don't cry, Rosa.

Don't worry, nothing is going to happen to me.

- There are plenty of us walking. - Be careful, okay?

- Yes, Ma'am. - Be careful.

- Where will you get guns? - We have plenty hidden away.

- Make sure to come back. - Yes, Ma'am.

Take care.

If you're passing by Paete, I have relatives there.

- Yes, Sir. We're leaving. - Okay, Mario. Be careful.

Yes, Sir. You can be sure of that.

See you, Lito.

Dad, what is it?

Don't make a sound.

♪ Leave your soul ♪

♪ To bare and prepare ♪

♪ For you shall experience ♪

♪ An age of warriors ♪

May this war end soon

without harm coming to any of us.

Amen.

Sweet potatoes again? I've been farting all afternoon.

Rascal! I had a hard time digging these up.

Go on, eat up.

Be thankful you have sweet potatoes to eat.

Some people only have grass for dinner.

We're lost.

Do you know the way to Santa Cruz?

"Santa Cruz"? You're really far-off, Sir.

How did you end up here, Sir?

Because, friend, the man we asked

gave us the wrong directions.

Uh...

Take this road to town.

When you reach the church, turn left.

That will take you to the highway.

- You sure? - I would never lie to you, Sir.

- Do you have whiskey? - I'll pay.

Uh... We do, Sir, we do!

What's this?

Coconut wine, Sir. Strong. It's almost pure alcohol, Sir.

I like it. Get me more.

We have no more, Sir. That's it.

If we had more, we'd give it to you.

Bring us two glasses.

Bring us two glasses!

Francis, come here.

This is strong, my friend.

Leave me be.

Go on, drink.

When they bombed us, Sir, all the lanzones fell.

My uncle, Daniel, got so scared...

He forgot all about his wife but was carrying his pig.

And he hid in the shelter with his ass sticking out!

It's true!

Why is your Tagalog so good, Sir?

I was born here.

You're Filipino?

No.

Where are you from, Sir?

From Manila.

My father had a business there.

Before the war.

And this is...

Francis.

My closest friend.

He's a doctor.

He's with me wherever I go.

- He takes care of me. - Masugi.

I know why...

I know why you always want to be with me.

- You love me, don't you? - You're drunk, Masugi.

Come on, it's getting late. Let's go.

We're just going to finish this.

Finish that then leave.

Yes, we're leaving. But before we leave, a kiss.

Dad!

- Please, Sir! - Dad!

That's my daughter!

Andoy! What happened?

Go there! Kneel!

Hurry!

Keep an eye on them.

Keep an eye on them!

Don't!

Have mercy, please don't...

Don't...

Don't...

Don't!

Don't! Please, don't!

Don't!

Don't!

Francis, let's go.

Andoy! Look outside, quick!

Look for Rosario, we'll stay here.

Andoy! Andoy!

Rosario's here!

Mom! Mom! Help me, Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

- Mom! Mom! - Child! What's wrong?

Mom!

- What's wrong? - Mom! Don't leave me!

I'm scared, Mom.

What's happening to you?

You bastard!

Bastard! Animal!

I'll kill you, damn you!

Wait!

- Wait! - I'll kill you!

I'll kill you!

Let me go! You monster!

- You're hurting me! - Good. You still remember me.

Let me go!

I'll let you go, but promise not to hit me, okay?

Monster!

You bastard! Let me go!

Wait!

I brought you a dress.

Are you scared of me?

I'm not scared of you.

Don't be angry.

You can't blame me.

You're beautiful and I was drunk.

I couldn't help myself.

It's a good thing the girls say I'm kind of handsome.

Get away from here!

I don't want to.

If you don't leave,

I'll go to town and report you to the Japanese.

Don't bother.

Our orders are to make friends with you.

What's your name?

None of your business!

You have any food?

I'm hungry.

I'll eat anything.

I'll pay for it.

We have nothing.

We barely have enough ourselves.

Are you hungry?

No.

I'm not hungry.

You know, I'm not a bad person.

Don't worry.

I'll bring rice and canned goods.

Anything I can get out of the camp, I'll bring here.

I don't need your gifts.

I'd rather die than eat anything from you.

We'll see.

Oh, my, Mr. Masugi, you shouldn't have bothered.

This is too much, it's embarrassing.

Thank you very much.

We hope you won't get tired of bringing us food.

We don't need this!

Why are you giving us food?

Rosario, don't!

Take all this and go away!

Take it and leave!

Rosario, don't!

I won't take anything from him.

But we need this.

It's been so long since we've tasted decent food.

Especially rice.

Why do you come here?

Why don't you leave us alone?

What do all these gifts mean?

Why don't you answer?

What do you want?

What's the matter, my friend?

You haven't said a word.

Psst! Hey, Masugi!

What's the matter?

Nothing.

Are you in love?

Careful with that thing.

You'll smash your hand.

Wait!

Wait!

Let me go!

- Ouch! - Come on! Let me go!

Hold on...

I want to talk to you.

Okay, talk. I can't fight you.

Why are you like that?

Why can't you be like your mother or father?

Why? You're asking me why?

I'm pregnant!

Don't touch me!

Rosario, forgive me.

You ruined my life.

I don't think so.

Why?

I'm going to marry you.

You?

Why?

I love you.

Why are you laughing?

Why are you laughing?

And Mary said,

"Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

Be it unto me according to Thy word."

And Mary said,

"Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

Be it unto me according to Thy word."

And in the sixth month,

the angel Gabriel was sent by God

to the city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph,

of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.

The Holy Gospel for this day...

Stop!

Itoy!

Help me! My son's been shot!

Tell everybody to stay!

Everyone needs to stay here.

Only women and children can go!

Only the women and children are allowed to leave.

Hail Mary, full of grace.

The Lord is with you.

Blessed are you amongst women

and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Salute him.

Keep distributing the rice.

You will all have a share, my friends!

We are all compatriots. It's only just!

The nation of Japan is the home of your fellow Asians!

Just remember that!

You will all have a share! Come closer.

You all get a share.

Reject American culture! It is worthless!

Don't worry. I'll take care of him.

Where did you find him?

At the capital. I looked for him.

He's the only one who can help us.

He was honest with me.

Rosario!

Child, forget what happened.

Masugi is a good man.

Any woman would be happy to marry him.

Not me!

Forget all about Crispin. He won't be back.

Who knows, he could be dead.

That could be why it's been a year since he visited us.

He's still alive.

But the Japanese have conquered us.

They can't come down from the mountains.

And the Americans can't come back.

Accept what Masugi has to offer because that's how it should be.

And the newspapers say as much.

Those who wrote that are traitors,

paid by the Japanese!

Why do you hate Masugi so much?

Yes, he forced you.

But he was drunk and he didn't know what he was doing.

And you aren't the only woman to have gone through that.

Your father, Andoy, he was hurt too.

Did you hear anything from us?

He should become a priest.

What's the harm, if he's sorry?

If you love yourselves,

you wouldn't take anything from him.

Don't say that.

It's not just your father and I that have eaten his food.

I've never touched his gifts.

You're lying.

And you know it.

Get in!

Hey, don't ignore me!

I said get in!

Sit beside me.

Come on.

Here.

Your father will be released on Sunday.

O Lord, You hear the cries of Your people.

Listen to what our hearts desire.

Give to us our portion...

of the glorious prize of Your Holiness.

In the Name of Christ our Lord.

And grant us, Lord, life everlasting.

And to receive His light forever.

Children, your father is here!

- Andoy! - Sion!

- Dad! - Rosario!

Move aside.

- Andoy! - Sion!

- Dad! - Rosario! How are you?

Thank God you got out.

Carlito, son...

- Did they hurt you? - Oh, my, no.

It wasn't so bad.

- Let's go. - Anything to eat at home?

Traitor!

Traitor!

Don't dare to pretend!

Your husband is a Japanese! Your husband is a Japanese!

Your husband is a Japanese!

Why only us?

Why only us?

Why only us?

Why?!

- Aren't you afraid? - Of whom?

Of the guerillas. You're alone.

No. I'm used to it.

And I'm not afraid to die.

Why do you love me?

I don't know.

I just know that I love you.

Don't you know that I already have a fiancé?

I know. But if I were him, I wouldn't have left you.

I won't leave you.

Forget him.

Go away, I'm sleepy.

- Rosario... - Go away!

And never come back!

I can't.

You're carrying my child.

Your child?

Both of you.

Wherever you go...

Do you want a son?

Yes.

I want our child to be a boy.

I want to hold his hand... to teach him to walk.

When he grows up, I'll teach him all I know.

I'll teach him how to drive.

To shoot.

He'll study in Tokyo.

Maybe when you see me loving our child...

maybe you'll learn to love me too.

Leave, for goodness' sake.

I'll bring Francis here to examine you.

It won't be necessary.

- But something might happen. - I don't care!

I love you.

Liar...

Liar!

Liar!

You liar!

Liar!

Liar!

Good thing you arrived! Rosario is about to give birth!

Come in and see the child.

Oh, Sion, your grandchild is beautiful!

You're a grandmother!

And you, Lito, are now an uncle!

Good thing our grandchild looks like me.

Looks like you? Can you see that brow and nose?

He looks like me, like his Grandpa!

Flattering himself already!

It just occurred to me, we need to think of a name.

Think of a name? Just name him Andres after me!

Andres? That name stinks! I don't like it.

No way. I want a blue-blooded name.

Why don't you give him a chance?

This is the first time I've seen him like this since...

Since both of his parents died.

After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor,

they were all arrested.

Masugi escaped. He ran to me for help.

I hid him.

I did everything I could

to get his parents out of the City Jail.

But I couldn't do anything.

I received news that they were killed

by their fellow prisoners.

They were killed...

They were killed by Filipinos!

Since then, Masugi changed.

Uh... he joined...

He joined the Japanese.

He keeps telling me that in war,

you mustn't think.

One mustn't fear God.

One can't...

Oh, how do I say this?

Be humane.

They say only animals can survive.

And he was like one.

But when he met you, he changed.

He's turning back

to his old self.

He needs you, Rosario.

He needs your love.

Do you like it?

Do you like it?

What hurts?

I love you.

What?

What hurts?

I love you.

I love you.

Rosario!

- Sion! - Rosario!

- Have you seen her? - No. I haven't seen her!

- Francis! - Where's Rosario?

What if...

Masugi!

She's missing!

- Let's look there! - Wait!

Do you know how to drive?

Rosario!

Thank you.

Thank you.

Let's go home.

Rosario.

Bring the child inside, it's getting late.

Yes, Mom!

Mom!

It's Crispin!

It's Crispin!

Rosario?

Open the door.

Don't be afraid.

Your mother told me everything.

Don't blame me.

No.

I couldn't.

I didn't want you to know.

So I didn't send word to Paete.

I thought you would take revenge.

I don't want you to die.

What else is left for me to do?

Did you have a hard time?

With what?

With giving birth.

Yes.

Where is he?

In Santa Cruz. He's stationed there.

When is the wedding?

On Sunday.

Do you love him?

Crispin...

And now, brothers and sisters,

who are witnesses to this wedding,

I ask that you include this couple in your prayers.

And to accept them in our community.

I ask only that you answer these questions

with full honesty.

Masugi, are you here of your own free will

to be united with this woman

whom you will love and honor as your wife?

Yes.

Rosario, are you here of your own free will

to be united with this man

whom you will love and honor as your husband?

Yes, Father.

Who are you?!

- Mom! Mom! - Don't! Have mercy on us!

Don't! Let me go!

Don't! Have mercy!

Have mercy!

Don't!

Don't!

Don't!

Don't!

We're not informers!

We aren't collaborating with the Japanese!

What sin have we committed against you?

We're all Filipinos. Have mercy on us.

Have mercy! Have mercy on our family!

Mom! Mom!

Have mercy. Have mercy on us.

Have mercy. Have mercy on us!

We never did anything wrong to you.

Have mercy. Please don't kill us!

Andoy!

Andoy!

- Dad! - Andoy!

Andoy!

Andoy! My husband!

- Andoy! - Dad!

Mom!

Mom!

Rosario! Go inside.

Who's that?

Who's there?

What are you doing here?

Leave, Crispin, while I can still restrain myself.

We didn't kill your parents, Rosa.

I had nothing to do with it.

What if you just wanted revenge for what happened to us?

You have such a low opinion of me.

If so, then who? Who killed them?

Who shot at us earlier? Wasn't it people like you?

People who think they're heroes, defenders of the nation!

You're worse than the Japanese!

Because the people you kill are fellow Filipinos!

You're like animals when you're given a gun!

Rosario...

Rosario...

Rosario...

Francis!

Francis!

Masugi...

Crispin is there.

Masugi, he needs medicine.

What medicine?

Crispin, this is Masugi.

You can't stay here.

Once you feel better, you must leave.

Wait.

- Aren't you afraid? - Should I be?

Why didn't you kill me?

Do you need to ask that question?

I didn't think you people also have souls.

Go ahead, shoot me.

You talk as if you've never killed before.

We're just the same!

No! I kill to fight for my country!

Country?

Do you know what you're saying?

What country? You kill for the Americans!

So what?

They'll give us real freedom.

Unlike you people!

We'll never recognize any government you establish!

Everyone who's in position is a collaborator!

And what do you call people

who sell their country to America?

America is not the enemy!

You think America is different from Japan?

Huh?

They're the same!

Because war helps only the rich.

Yes, they're just like the Japanese.

They'll grant freedom on paper

but they'll never let go of the Philippines

because they need this country to control Asia.

If you want real freedom, then fight for yourselves.

And now is the time to do that.

If that's what you believe, why fight for the Japanese?

Do I have a choice?

Yes, come join us.

You think I'd join the people who killed my parents?

My mother was a Filipina but they killed her too.

I never saw their bodies because I was hiding.

I knew they'd kill me too.

Now you're asking me to help you?

Be grateful...

to Rosario.

She's taking too long!

Mm.

Salome! What's going on?

Hurry up!

The milk, come on. Hurry!

Yes, Ma'am, got it!

The Americans are here!

It's the Americans!

They're bombing us!

They're bombing us!

Why? Why are they doing this?

Let's go out!

They're here! Let's go!

Oh, my God!

Come on!

♪ Do not be afraid ♪

♪ Young child The red night is ending ♪

♪ In and around Manila ♪

♪ The American liberators ♪

Where is that?

Manila.

The Americans are bombing it.

Ma'am, where do I put the pot?

Why are you asking me? Just carry it!

Can't you even handle that little thing?

Let's go!

Rosario, bring the baby.

Hurry!

Let's go! Let's leave!

Yes, Ma'am!

Hurry!

Father!

Father!

Something's coming! A Japanese truck!

Masugi!

Francis!

Masugi!

Run!

Go to sleep.

Rosario, it's best that you go to town tomorrow.

Bring our child with you.

Stay there for a while.

And you?

I'll make my way to Banahaw. My companions will be there.

I won't leave you.

What if they find out?

They won't find out. We'll stay here.

Until when?

Who's there?

Who's there?

We must leave.

When I say run, run! Don't look back.

How about you?

I can take care of myself.

Get down!

Run!

Leave me be!

I don't want to live!

Please, let me just die!

It's dangerous for you to stay here.

The guerillas are in town to meet the Americans tomorrow.

You must leave.

Where can I go?

Why not go to Crispin?

He loves you.

He won't abandon you.

Tonight, I'll come with you.

We'll go to Paete.

I'm terrified.

Why not try to pray?

You haven't prayed for a long time.

Is this how it really is?

When a person is hopeless

and they have no one else to turn to, they resort to You.

Then they ask for mercy.

I won't pray for myself. Only for my child.

This prayer is for my child. And if there is a God...

Please, hear me.

Capture her!

Stop it!

How did it come to this?

Three years...

Is there no God?

No, Crispin.

Look at them.

The young man was blinded during the war.

His brother is a cripple. He's like a vegetable.

But why are they here?

Ask yourself. What are they doing here?

God never left.

You are all proof of this.

Like him.

Like you, Rosario and Masugi.

Because in the past three years, love never left your hearts.

And this is what gives us the strength to go on living.

♪ In the beginning ♪

♪ The world and man Were created ♪

♪ Love ♪

♪ Is the reason ♪

♪ Love ♪

♪ Of the Creator ♪

♪ Love ♪

♪ Is the reason ♪

♪ Love ♪

♪ That is pure ♪

♪ This hate ♪

♪ War has placed in our hearts ♪

♪ Love was planted ♪

♪ In the chests Of the innocent ♪

♪ The pain and suffering ♪

♪ Were made worse ♪

♪ And finally ♪

♪ The red sun ♪

♪ Has set in the East ♪

♪ Love ♪

♪ Is the reason ♪

♪ Love ♪

♪ Is the reason ♪

♪ After three years ♪

♪ Our God has returned ♪

♪ Three years ♪

♪ Love ♪

♪ That is pure ♪

♪ Love ♪

♪ That is pure ♪