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Balamban, Cebu, Philippines
It was written in the unfinished diary of the late Dr. Jose Rizal that a man of strength and wisdom from a royal lineage in Visayas would rise in the future to liberate the Philippines from the bondage of poverty and foreign domination. His name would be known as... Bernardo Carpio!

Saturday, July 18, 2015

KAPEROSA: ANG UNGO SA FORT SAN PEDRO









KAPEROSA
Ang Ungo Sa Fort San Pedro

A HORROR-COMEDY SHORT FILM


SCENE 1. EXTERIOR, DARK ROAD, NIGHT.

FROILAN
(VOICE OVER)
Motoo ba ka nga dunay langit? Motoo ba ka ug ikaduhang kinabuhi? Motoo ba ka nga dunay second chance? Mao ni ang nahitabo naku…

Deep breathing of a person can be heard in the background. Running feet in slippers can be seen on the screen.

SCENE 2. EXTERIOR, MAGELLAN’S PARK, NIGHT. Some teenage kids are building tents while others are singing worship songs, like “The Lord Is My Tower”, synchronized with dancing. And some are doing Bible-sharing.

SCENE 3. EXTERIOR, DARK ROAD, NIGHT. FROILAN, a 15-year-old street kid, the one who is wearing slippers, is still running. Two HOODLUMS are chasing him. FROILAN is caught and beaten by the HOODLUMS. Kneeling on the road, FROILAN is crying in tears. A gun is pointed on FROILAN’s forehead.

FROILAN
Sir, malooy mo naku, Sir! Bata pa ko, Sir. Kinse pa ko, Sir. Di pa ko gustong mamatay Sir.

HOODLUM #2
                        Kinse, unya kamao nang mangarnap?

FROILAN
Sir, dili ‘tawn ko dautang taw’, Sir! Aku ra ‘tawn ‘tong gibalhin ang motor, Sir, ky nagbabag sa karsada. Pasaylo-a ‘tawn ko, Sir.

HOODLUM #1
Ato na lang ni siyang i-salvage!

FROILAN
Sir, malooy intawn mo naku! Ayaw ‘tawn, Sir! Dios ko, luwasa intawn ko! Magbag-o na lagi ko sa akong kinabuhi. Dili na ko magpabadlong.

FROILAN closes his eyes as HOODLUM #1 is about to pull the trigger. There is a sudden peal of thunder and lightning hits on the middle of the road just a little distance from behind FROILAN. HOODLUMS’s POV. A middle-aged priest, GABRIEL, rises from the smokes created by the lightning that hit on the road. GABRIEL’S POV. The HOODLUMS run towards the motorcycle. Quickly, they ride on the motorcycle and start it. They are leaving in a rush. BACK TO FROILAN, he is surprised to see the HOODLUMS leaving. He turns around towards the direction of GABRIEL. FROILAN, in tears, embraces GABRIEL.

FROILAN
                        Salamat kaayo, Father! Kon wala pa ka moabot, hayan na-anhing na ko
                        ‘ron.

GABRIEL
Way sapayan. Dali, kuyog ta!

SCENE 4. EXTERIOR, MAGELLAN’S PARK, MIDNIGHT. GABRIEL leads the teenage kids in singing and dancing the action song, “Deep, Deep”. While FROILAN tries to imitate the action, Gwyneth, who looks conservative with her eyeglasses, transfers nearer to him. Seeing this, NAP, a funny gay, stays between them. The jealous HOWARD, a handsome kid but lacks self-esteem who is secretly in love with GWYNETH, walks away from the group. But his nerd-looking best friend, TEDDY, pushes him back to the group. While GERALD, a playboy-type, is dancing between GWYNETH and Elaine. ELAINE, who is sophisticated, is smiling at GERALD. After praise and worship, GABRIEL tells everyone to sleep. GABRIEL has noticed that NAP, GWYNETH, GERALD and ELAINE are looking at each other in a meaningful way as if they are planning something naughty before they go to sleep. But he just keeps his reaction to himself as if telling, “I know what you are doing.” When everybody has fallen asleep, NAP, GWYNETH, GERALD and ELAINE rise up. TEDDY, seeing this, wakes up HOWARD, and they join the group. They wake FROILAN, who is wondering why, and signal him to be silent. They sneak out from the tent and run silently towards the Fort San Pedro. GABRIEL who is awake and just observing what they are doing follow them like a comic stalker.

SCENE 5. EXTERIOR, FORT SAN PEDRO, ESTABLISHING SHOT, MIDNIGHT. NAP, GWYNETH, GERALD, ELAINE, HOWARD, TEDDY and FROILAN run like cats towards the main entrance. FROILAN, who has heard a noise, looks back. The other kids also look back. Swiftly, GABRIEL hides himself behind the wall. When they see nothing, the five teenage kids enter the door way.

SCENE 6. INTERIOR, FORT SAN PEDRO, HALLWAY, MIDNIGHT. The SECURITY GUARD can be seen sleeping at the table near the Reception Area.

FROILAN
                        Mag-unsa man ta nganhi?

ELAINE
                        Mag-witch-hunting ta. Naa kunoy ungo nga nagpuyo dinhi sa
                        Fort San Pedro.

NAP walks like a cat towards the SECURITY GUARD.

GWYNETH
                        Ungo diay? Ingon mga multo?

ELAINE
Dili ordinaryong multo ang nagpuyo nganhi. Ingon sa akong lola, naa kunoy kaperosa nganhi.

GERALD
                        Unsay kaperosa ba?

NAP stretches his hand as if he will touch the front of the SECURITY GUARD.

NAP
Shodi abas oi, mga toyabz,  kay maka-atamz ang guard. Akong signiton ang iyang…

GWYNETH
                        Ang unsa?

NAP suddenly grabs the keys on the waist of the SECURITY GUARD. Then he shows the keys to GWYNETH. The kids run silently towards the rooms. Using the keys, they open the first room and peep in. They hop in to the next room and enter.

SCENE 7. INTERIOR, ROOM, MIDNIGHT. NAP is looking for something in the drawers. INTERCUT. ON THE LEFT, GABRIEL from outside the window, AND ON THE RIGHT, GWYNETH and FROILAN are looking at the painting on the wall. The painting depicts a nun wearing a brown woolen robe, a veil and a wimple (a cloth covering for the neck and the sides of the face) and a habit composed of a robe with broad pleats, a camlet (wool fabric) garment, a domino (a short, sleeveless hooded cape) and a black bonnet. At the bottom of a frame is a plate indicating – MARGARITA ALBA (born on October 31, 1737 – died on October 31, 1758).

SCENE 8. FLASHBACK. INTERIOR, FORT SAN PEDRO, GOBERNADORCILLO’S OFFICE, 18TH CENTURY, DAY. The GOBERNADORCILLO is sitting on a chair which is besides a table where the CUADRILLEROS are talking some business. On the other side of the GOBERNADORCILLO, are CUADRILLEROS’ WIVES -- one is seated on a chair and she is combing the hair of another woman who is sitting on the floor while a third woman is listening to the men talking.  At the doorway stands the TWO CIVIL GUARDS. MARGARITA comes in wearing a Rococo gown.

GUARDIA CIVIL #1
Buen día , mi señora.

SUBTITLE: “Good day, my lady.”

MARGARITA
Necesito una audiencia con el Gobernadorcillo .

SUBTITLE: “I need an audience with the Gobernadorcillo.”

While MARGARITA is talking with the GUARDIA CIVIL #1, the CUADRILLEROS’ WIVES are gossiping.

CUADRILLERO’S WIFE #1
(VOICE OVER)
                        Quién es ella?

SUBTITLE: “Who is she?”

CUADRILLERO’S WIFE #2
(VOICE OVER)
                        Eso es Margarita , la hija de la bruja.

SUBTITLE: “That is Margarita, the daughter of the witch.”

CUADRILLERO’S WIFE #3
(VOICE OVER)
                       Ella es la hija bastarda de don Jaime Alba, un noble de la dinastía Estuardo de Escocia.

SUBTITLE: “She is the bastard daughter of Don Jaime Alba, a noble from the Stuart dynasty of Scotland.”

Passing through the TWO CIVIL GUARDS, MARGARITA enters the room angrily. The GOBERNADORCILLO stands up and takes the hand of MARGARITA to kiss it but MARGARITA pushes his hand away.

MARGARITA
                        ¿Dónde está Gabriel ? ¿Lo mataste? Gabriel ... !

SUBTITLE: “Where is Gabriel? Did you kill him? Gabriel…!”

GOBERNADORCILLO
(sarcastically laughs)
El anciano, Gabriel, ama a la Iglesia más que tú. Ya ha entrado en el sacerdocio.

SUBTITLE: “The old man, Gabriel, loves the Church more than you. He has already entered the priesthood.”

The CUADRILLEROS and the CUADRILLEROS’ WIVES are laughing and gossiping. MARGARITA bursts into tears and runs outside the room.

SCENE 9. INTERIOR, FORT SAN PEDRO, HALLWAY, DAY. GABRIEL, wearing a priestly robe, is walking to the back entrance when he sees MARGARITA coming out from the GOBERNADORCILLO’S OFFICE and runs towards the back entrance.

GABRIEL
                        Margarita…

There is a surprise, excitement, and joy in MARGARITA’s face after seeing GABRIEL. She gladly embraces GABRIEL. She is in tears of joy. 

MARGARITA
                        Gabriel?...  Gabriel…!

GABRIEL
Nakasal na ako sa Santa Iglesia, Margarita! Gimahal ko ikaw. Apan mas gimahal ko ang Santa Iglesia.

MARGARITA
Gimahal ko usab ang Ginoo. Kondili kita magkadayon, hingpit na lang usab akong mag-alagad Kaniya.

SCENE 10. BACK TO INTERIOR, ROOM, MIDNIGHT.  GABRIEL is still looking at the painting from outside the window. Tears are running from his eyes. FROILAN, who is still watching GABRIEL, wonders why he is crying. A black cat, with a loud meow, suddenly jumps at NAP who is searching the drawers. FROILAN’s attention has diverted to the cat.

NAP
                        Ay, iring gilaygit! Ungo nga dakog itlog!

When FROILAN looks back at the direction of the window, GABRIEL is already gone. NAP finds an Ouija board where the cat jumps.

NAP
Unsa man ni? Ouija board! Pero karaan dili parehas atong sa salida nga Ouija Board, triangle. Kini, lingin kinahanglan  pa ug baso.

GWYNETH has found a candle with a holder; HOWARD, a safety match; and TEDDY, a glass.

NAP
Hmmm, mura’g kita na ko ini sa salida nga Spirit of the Glass.

The lights are switched off. A candle being lit, a match stricken and its smoke trapped in the glass which is put over the Ouija board can be seen on the screen. FADE IN TO FROILAN, NAP, GWYNETH, HOWARD, TEDDY, GERALD and ELAINE PLAYING THE “SPIRIT-OF-THE-GLASS” GAME. They utter the chant -- “Spirit of the glass, spirit of the glass… please, come in!”  At first they push the glass with their right second finger touching it. They are laughing as if they are fooling themselves that some spirit is moving the glass but in fact they are manipulating it to move to different letters.

GERALD
This is all fake, I need proof. Is there anyone in here? If anything is in here and not talking, you’re a coward.

ELAINE
                        Tana, Gerald, mangadto ta sa taas. Mas dunay thrill ngadto.

As ELAINE and GERALD have left the room, the other five kids are startled since the glass moves now by its own towards the letters -- Y-A-W-A. Then the lights in the entire fort go off.  They start screaming.

TEDDY
                        Kon tinood ka nga ispirtu, palihuka ning mga butang dinhi!

The chandelier in the room begins to shake violently and the chimes ring like pieces of metal being smashed together. The glass abruptly floats upward and shattered. A black smoke then comes in. The room becomes as cold as ice and the kids are shivering. The horrible stench of death fills the room and the kids cannot stop gagging and coughing.

GWYNETH
                        Kabaho arong patay! Unsa na man ni?

HOWARD
                        Katugnaw. Gwyneth pagaksa ko’g hugot bi.

FROILAN
                        Ayaw na mo sige ug tinonto kay dili na ni duwa-duwa.

NAP throws away the Ouija board. The black smoke spins around the room and turns into a KAPEROSA, a ghost wearing a habit like that of the nun in the painting but its face is like the Halloween’s jack-o’-lantern, a hideous pumpkin lit with flickering fire from within, and its hands are like claws of a barn owl. The KAPEROSA is screaming like a banshee. Black smokes are belching from the bottom of its robe. It is surrounded by a ring of fire and the room becomes so hot. TEDDY hides under the table. HOWARD, FROILAN and GWYNETH run towards the door.

NAP
                        Howard! Froilan! Gwyneth! Ayaw ko ninyo’g biya-i!

GWYNETH
                        Nap…!

HOWARD, FROILAN and GWYNETH go back when they see that NAP cannot move out from his position. NAP is jogging in place and screaming but without voice. He is pointing at his feet. The KAPEROSA swoops down and attacks HOWARD, FROILAN and GWYNETH with its claws. The three kids shout in pain. The KAPEROSA then flies towards NAP. But when it is about to hover over NAP, TEDDY, who has found a fire extinguisher, comes out from under the table and sprays the fire extinguisher at the KAPEROSA. TEDDY is screaming which startles the KAPEROSA for a while. HOWARD, GWYNETH and FROILAN pull NAP but he is stuck and cannot be moved.

HOWARD
                        Teddy, sakto na ‘na! Tabangi mi’g alsa ining Nap!

TEDDY throws the fire extinguisher at the KAPEROSA. Together, HOWARD, GWYNETH, FROILAN, and TEDDY carry NAP towards the door. The KAPEROSA is still following them.

SCENE 11. INTERIOR, HALLWAY, MIDNIGHT. The lights are flickering. A loud peal of thunder is heard on the background. Lightning flashes can be seen from the outside. Heavy rains pour. The wind is blowing towards the inside of the hallway. The SECURITY GUARD is awakened by the gush of the wind. He gets his flashlight on the table and runs towards the entrance door. As he closes the entrance door, HOWARD, GWYNETH, FROILAN, and TEDDY who are carrying NAP enter into the hallway from the museum. They walk fast towards the entrance door. The SECURITY GUARD is startled at first to see them but when he recovers he shouts and runs towards them. HOWARD, GWYNETH, FROILAN and TEDDY have dropped NAP on the floor and run upstairs. NAP shouts in pain but in a comical manner. The SECURITY GUARD grabs the hand of NAP but comically, he is shocked when the KAPIROSA floats from the museum towards them. NAP stands up and runs comically towards the entrance door. When he is about to open the entrance door, NAP looks back. NAP’s POV. The KAPEROSA floats over the SECURITY GUARD. The SECURITY GUARD is enveloped by a thick black smoke and the KAPEROSA is also turning into a smoke. A scream of excruciating pain is heard on the background. When the smoke is gone the KAPEROSA and the SECURITY GUARD are also gone. BACK TO NAP, NAP hurriedly opens the entrance door. As he opens the door, NAP bumps into GABRIEL. NAP screams hysterically.

NAP
                        Ungo! Ungo! Ungo…!

GABRIEL gets a pail of water and pours it on NAP’s head. NAP has awakened from his nostalgia and hugs GABRIEL in fear. GABRIEL signals NAP to go back to the camp as he enters the hallway.

SCENE 12. EXTERIOR, FORT SAN PEDRO, SECOND FLOOR, MIDNIGHT. GERARLD is flirting with ELAINE while the latter is playing hard to get.

GERALD
                        Sige na gud, Elaine. Ayaw na sige ug pakipot ba. Sugta na ko ba.

ELAINE
Pag-sure baya, Gerald. Wa jud koy salig sa imong pagka-playboy. Unsaon na man lang si Maja, si Farina, si Bea, si Sarah ug si Kim?

GERALD
                        Chismis ra lagi na. Sige na, uyab na ta…!

Suddenly, a black smoke comes in and turns into the KAPEROSA. ELAINE, who is facing the direction of the KAPEROSA, is terrified to see it.

ELAINE
                        Gerald…!

GERALD
                        Elaine… Ngano? Sugton na ko nimo?

ELAINE
                        Gerald, kaperosa! Naay kaperosa!

INTERCUT. ON THE LEFT, HOWARD, GWYNETH, FROILAN AND TEDDY entering from the stairs they run towards the first door. on the right, elaine and gerald are running towards the other direction. FADE IN. FROILAN’s hand can be seen twisting the doorknob which is locked on the screen.  CLOSE-UP TO ELAINE AND GERALD’S FACES SCREAMING. The KAPIROSA hovers over ELAINE and GERALD and it turns back into a thick black smoke. The black smoke envelops the two kids who are screaming in excruciating pain. As the black smoke vanishes, the two kids also vanish. FADE IN, HOWARD, GWYNETH, FROILAN and TEDDY run to the second door and it is open. They enter hurriedly and close it.

SCENE 13. INTERIOR, MUSEUM, MIDNIGHT. FROILAN and GWYNETH find a place to hide inside the room. As soon as they hide, HOWARD, GWYNETH, FROILAN and TEDDY see the ghost of the GOBERNADORCILLO pouring liquor on his wine glass and drinks. Then they see the ghost of MARGARITA coming through the locked door. She is wearing the habit like that of the KAPEROSA.
MARGARITA
                        ¿Dónde están los huérfanos?

SUBTITLE: “Where are the orphans?”

The GOBERNADORCILLO bursts into laughter.

GOBERNADORCILLO
Tengo los ahorcaron porque habían robado las existencias de arroz del granero. Servirá como una lección para todos los ladrones como ellos.

SUBTITLE: “I have them hanged because they had stolen the stocks of rice from the granary. It will serve as a lesson for all the thieves like them.”

The GOBERNADORCILLO sarcastically laughs. MARGARITA angrily jobs the GOBERNADORCILLO femininely. He grabs her hands, embraces her, and tries to kiss her. MARGARITA fights back but the GOBERNADORCILLO jobs her stomach. MARGARITA who is unable to endure the pain collapses to the floor. The GOBERNADORCILLO takes off his clothes and rapes MARGARITA. GABRIEL in a priestly robe come in through the locked door and punches the GOBERNADORCILLO on the face. The GOBERNADORCILLO gets his revolver and shoots GABRIEL by the heart. GABRIEL drops dead. FROILAN and GWYNETH are in shock. TEDDY is about to shout out loud but HOWARD abruptly shuts his mouth.  The GOBERNADORCILLO is walking in circles realizing what he has done. But then after getting an idea, the GOBERNADORCILLO puts the revolver on the hand of the unconscious MARGARITA and then he runs through the locked door. MARGARITA has awakened. She is shocked to find the dead body of GABRIEL. She wails so loud. The GOBERNADORCILLO comes back with the TWO CIVIL GUARDS, the CUADRILLEROS and the CUADRILLERO’S WIVES who are all shocked to see the tragic scene.

GOBERNADORCILLO
Ella es un asesino ! Una puta ! Llévala al tribunal !

SUBTITLE: “She is a murderer! A whore! Take her to the tribunal!”

The GOBERNADORCILLO takes the gun from MARGARITA. The TWO CIVIL GUARDS arrest MARGARITA.

GUARDIA CIVIL #2
Date prisa! Levántate!

SUBTITLE: “Hurry up! Stand up!”
GUARDIA CIVIL #1
Lo siento, mi señora . Pero tienes que venir con nosotros.

SUBTITLE: “I am sorry, my lady. But you must come with us.”

The TWO CIVIL GUARDS take MARGARITA outside through the locked door. The GOBERNADORCILLO, together with the CUADRILLEROS and the CUADRILLERO’S WIVES, follows them. TEDDY screaming runs to the door but bangs on it and cries in pain. HOWARD and GWYNETH run to help TEDDY. GWYNETH unlocks the door and after unlocking it she, together with HOWARD and TEDDY, runs outside. FROILAN runs towards GABRIEL and checks on him.

FROILAN
Father! Father Gabriel! Pagmata! Malooy ka, ayaw ko biya-ing mag-inusara! Ikaw ra ang bugtong nakong paglaum!

FROILAN bursts into sobs and cries. GABRIEL is enveloped by light and is awakened.

GABRIEL
Salamat, anak! Tungod sa imong pagmahal, gawasnon na ko gikan sa walay kahumanan ug balik-balik nga kamatayon!

SCENE 14. EXTERIOR, FORT SAN PEDRO, ROOFTOP, DAWN. FROILAN and GABRIEL come out from the museum. Commotions of people shouting can be heard in the background.

CUADRILLERO’S WIFE # 1
(VOICE OVER)
Mátala! Ella es hija de una bruja !

SUBTITLE: “Kill her! She is a daughter of a witch!”

CUADRILLERO’S WIFE #2
(VOICE OVER)
Cuelgue hasta la muerte !

SUBTITLE: “Hang her to death!”

CUADRILLERO #1
(VOICE OVER)
Ella es una puta ! Piedra hasta la muerte !

SUBTITLE: “She is a whore! Stone her to death!”

CUADRILLERO # 2
(VOICE OVER)
¡No! Quemarla en la hoguera ! 

SUBTITLE: “No! Burn her at the stake!”

MARGARITA
Nuestro Padre que mora en los cielos, santificado sea tu nombre. Venga tu reino, hágase tu voluntad.

SUBTITLE: “Our Father who dwells in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done.”

CUADRILLERO’S WIFE #3
(VOICE OVER)
¡Espera! ¡Escucha! Ella está rezando la Oración del Señor. Ella no es una bruja! Establezca su libre!

SUBTITLE: “Wait! Listen! She is praying the Lord's Prayer. She is not a witch! Set her free!”

CUADRILLERO #3
(VOICE OVER)
                        El diablo fue capaz de tomar la apariencia de un ángel. Que nadie se engañe.

SUBTITLE: “The Devil was able to take on the appearance of an angel. Let no one be deceived.”

CUADRILLERO #4
(VOICE OVER)
Mátala!                               

SUBTITLE: “Kill her!”

All the CUADRILLEROS and the CUADRILLEROS’ WIVES are shouting “Mátala!”. GABRIEL, followed by FROILAN, runs towards the edge of the rooftop where the courtyard can be seen. FROILAN’s POV. MARGARITA who is tied on a stake is being burned by the fire while the people -- the CIVIL GUARDS, the CUADRILLEROS and the WOMEN -- around are shouting in mockery. MARGARITA is screaming in excruciating pain. Devilish smile can be seen on the face of the GOBERNADORCILLO.

FROILAN
(VOICE OVER)
Dili aku makatoo sa akong nasaksihan. Ang nangagi misagol sa karon. Ug dili ko makatoo nga adunay mga tawo nga ingon niato kaluog ug ingon ato katig-a ug balati-an. Unsang matanga sila sa pagka-Kristyanos?

GABRIEL
                        Margarita…! Margarita…!

SCENE 15. EXTERIOR, FORT SAN PEDRO, COURTYARD, DAWN. Only ashes are left at the bonfire. The GOBERNADORCILLO, the CUADRILLEROS, the CUADRILLEROS’ WIVES, and the TWO CIVIL GUARDS are still there. Still, there is no remorse in their faces.

FROILAN
(VOICE OVER)
Sa akong nadunggan nga mga istorya, usa ka kabus nga babaylan nga gipaangkan ug Katsila ang inahan ni Margarita. Pero mikalit sila ug kadatu sa dihang namatay ang amahan ni Margarita.

Suddenly smokes appear and transform into MARGARITA’S MOTHER, who is wearing a queenly black gown during the Georgian Era and holding a jack-o’-lantern, comes near to the ashes.

MARGARITA’S MOTHER
                        Margarita, anak!

Everybody is terrified to see MARGARITA’S MOTHER. She picks up the hood, which is part of the nun’s domino, which is left unburned.

MARGARITA’S MOTHER
Kining kapirosa mao ang saksi sa iyang pagsimba sa inyong Diyos pero unsay iyang gidangatan? Kamatayon!

MARGARITA’S MOTHER takes the ashes and throws them at the GOBERNADORCILLO.

MARGARITA’S MOTHER
(VOICE OVER)
Unsaon man nimo kining balay nga bato kon ikaw dili na usa ka tawo? Sukad karon mahimo ka nang usa ka Kaperosa nga maglatagaw niining Fuerte de San Pedro hangtod sa hangtod. Ang tanang tawo nga maigu sa imong anino kan-on sa asu sa daub sa akong anak! Ug walay bisan si kinsa ang pili-on niini, bisan pa ang cuadrilleros ug ang ilang mga asawa!

The GOBERNADORCILLO is transformed into a barn owl. The barn owl flies up and screeches loudly. The jack-o’-lantern is thrown at the head of the owl. She throws the hood at the owl and it transforms into an undamaged nun’s habit which envelops the owl as if its clothes. The owl is screeching much louder. The GOBERNADORCILLO has totally transformed into the KAPEROSA. The KAPEROSA then floats towards the direction of the CUADRILLEROS, the CUADRILLEROS’ WIVES, and the TWO CIVIL GUARDS who are firing at the KAPEROSA in vain.  They are enveloped with black smokes. They scream and wail in excruciating pain.

MARGARITA’S MOTHER
(VOICE OVER)
Bugtong ang hilak ra sa mga inosenteng bata nga imong gisakit ug gipatay ang makaluwas sa imong kalag!

MARGARITA’S MOTHER is enveloped by black smokes and vanished. GWYNETH enters from the back entrance and runs to the courtyard. HOWARD and TEDDY run after her but stop upon seeing the KAPEROSA floating towards GWYNETH. GWYNETH who is very terrified runs around the area screaming for help until she falls near the staircase. The KAPEROSA is about to hover her. FROILAN, who is carrying a Bible, runs downstairs and embraces GWYNETH.

FROILAN
                        Ayaw!

FROILAN opens a page in the Bible. The KAPEROSA, who is floating towards FROILAN and GWYNETH, is screeching loudly. HOWARD and TEDDY kneel down and pray.



FROILAN
(VOICE OVER)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He made me lie down in green pastures: he led me beside the still waters. He restored my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me. You prepared a table before me in the presence of my enemies: you anointed my head with oil; my cup ran over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

GABRIEL, who is holding a cross and a bottle of holy water, runs downstairs. He raises the cross and sprinkles holy water at the KAPEROSA.

GABRIEL
Sa ngalan ni Hesus, gimando-an ko ikaw sa pagpahawa niining lugara ug padayon ngadto sa lugar diin ikaw angayan nga moadto! Pahawa, Satanas!

The KAPEROSA screams loudly. A loud cry of a new-born baby can be heard in the background. The whole body of the KAPIROSA sparks, a-blazed, and burns into ashes. GABRIEL, FROILAN and GWYNETH walk near to the altar where the baby cry is coming. A new-born baby boy, who is lying at the foot of the vacant glass case of the Señor Santo Niño, is smiling at them. FROILAN puts the Bible beside the baby boy. When FROILAN is about to hold and carry the baby it disappears and the image of the Señor Santo Niño is back inside the glass case.

MARGARITA
(VOICE OVER)
                        Gabriel…

GABRIEL looks behind. MARGARITA, who is wearing her rococo gown, is standing near.

MARGARITA
Froilan, daghan kaayong salamat sa imong tabang. Ang imong pagbalik sa Dios, ang imong pagmahal sa imong isig ka-tawo ug ang imong pagpasaylo sa mga tawo nga nakasala kanimo maoy nakapalinggawas kanamo gikan sa gahum sa yawa nga mibilanggo kanamo sulod sa dugay nga panahon.

GABRIEL
                        Tana uban kanamo, Froilan.  Kinahanglan na kitang motabok
                        sa kahayag.

FROILAN is confused.

FLASHBACK TO SCENE 3, CLOSE-UP ON FROILAN’S FACE, NIGHT. A gun is pointed on his forehead. The trigger is pulled. HALF-BODY SHOT. FROILAN’s body falls dead on the road while his soul remains kneeling on the road. DISSOLVE BACK TO FROILAN NEAR THE ALTAR.



FROILAN
(VOICE OVER)
                         Ang kinabuhi diay usa ka tanghaga. Ug ang gahum ug pagmahal
                         sa Dios dili matugkad.

FROILAN goes with MARGARITA and GABRIEL towards the beam of light that is coming from above. GWYNETH is crying and leans on the shoulder of HOWARD while TEDDY winks at him and gives his two thumbs up. Entering from the back entrance, NAP, GERALD and ELAINE, who all have cuts and burns in their skins, run and embrace GWYNETH. The SECURITY GUARD who also enters from the back entrance is amazed to see FROILAN, MARGARITA and GABRIEL enter and vanish through the beam of light.


END






Saturday, October 4, 2014

ATTRIBUTES OF BALAMBAN



BALAMBAN IS NAMED AFTER A FISH OR A BUTTERFLY


“BALANBAN”

The town was used to be referred by most people as “Balanban” instead of “Balamban”. The said attribute was used widely until the early 1980’s. Yet it is still used by some natural-born senior citizens of the town until today. Oral tradition would say that the town got its name from a fish known as “balanban” which is said to be abundant in the town’s coastal seas in the past.1

“Balanban” is a Visayan name for blackbarred halfbeak (Hemiramphus far). It is more commonly known today in Cebu as “suasid” or “sasa”, in Tacloban City as “bugiw”, and in Guimaras as “balitos”. Yet in Iloilo and in some parts of Guimaras, it is still known today as “balanban”.2

Until now, the said Indo-West Pacific fish is commonly found in estuaries of the coastal waters of the town. It is an indicator that Balamban is located in a high island or continental shoreline. It is also an indicator that Balamban’s coastal waters & estuaries are still rich in vegetation and sand flats. 


 “BALAMBAN”

Another fish associated with the name of the town is the flying fish. The flying fish is a common name for all the fish belonging to Exocoetidae, a family of marine fish in the order Beloniformes of class Actinopterygii. There are about 64 species grouped in seven to nine genera. Locally, the common name for the flying fish is “barongoy”. But the local fishermen also assigned different names according to its species like “bangsi”, “serikenyas”, “bakekehon”, “laniw”, and “baro-baro”. “Baro-baro” has an etymological relation with “paru-paro” a Tagalog word for butterfly denoting its ability to flap its fins like that of butterfly wings. 

Coincidentally in Santiago, Isabela (in Luzon), there is a folk dance which is named as “Balamban”. It is the Ibanag term for butterfly. But generally the people of that town used the term to refer the flying fish. The said folk dance either mimics the movements of a butterfly or a flying fish.But a certain respondent reiterated that the dance was named from the fish itself, locally known to them as "balanban" which is still abundant in Cagayan River in Santiago, Isabela. 
  


“ALIBANGBANG”

Most names of animals in Cebuano are prefixed with “ali” which might had a forgotten connection with the Islamic hero “Ali” the legendary original owner of the Excalibur-like double-edged sword “Zulfikar” often associated with the adventures of the Islamic Filipino heroes like Lapu-lapu, Bantugan, Indarapatra & Sulayman, Abu Bakr, and a lot more including another Ali, a descendant of the original Ali, who was said to arrive in Southeast Asia to propagate Islam.

Examples of the animals prefixed with “ali” are “alimango”, “alimasag”, “alimukon”, “alimokoy”, “alitaptap”, and “alibangbang”.

Alibangbang” is a common Visayan term for butterfly aside from “kaba-kaba”. But it is also a local name for various species of butterflyfish like the threadfin butterfly, eastern triangular butterfly, bluelashed butterflyfish, foureye butterflyfish, speckled butterflyfish, redtail butterflyfish, Indian vagabond butterflyfish, saddle butterflyfish, blackwedged butterfly, diagonal butterflyfish, sunburst butterflyfish, lined butterflyfish, raccoon butterflyfish, blackback butterflyfish, atoll butterflyfish, scawled butterflyfish, janpanese butterflyfish, spotfin butterfly, eighband butterflyfish, ornate butterfly, spot-nape butterfly, blueblotch butterflyfish, spotband butterflyfish, mailed butterflyfish, yellowdotted butterflyfish, mirrorbutterflyfish, banded butterflyfish, triangle butterflyfish, chevron butterflyfish, melon butterflyfish, Pacific doublesaddle butterflyfish, teardrop butterflyfish, vagabond butterflyfish, and Chaetodon lunulatus. 4

Yet, the most abundant “alibangbang” fish in Balamban in the past until the late 1970’s was not the marine butterflyfish but the cichlid freshwater fish known as the discus which has also various species. There are three species of the said fish being discovered so far: the common discus, the green discus, and the Heckel discus.

The Heckel Discus, also called the Pompadour Fish, was the first discus discovered. The red form, 'Red Discus or Red Heckel', is considered to be one of the most beautiful of all naturally occurring discuses. These fish have been known since the last century, described in 1840 by Dr. Johann Jacob Heckel. They are easily distinguished from other discus species by three bold vertical bars; one running through the eye, one through the caudal fin, and the most prominent one running down the center of the body.

The Heckel Discus is a peaceful, shy cichlid. They do best in pairs or groups of pairs and should not be kept singly. This specie comes from slightly warmer water than the other discus. They are a more delicate species and are the least popular. Those available are generally wild caught. They are also more difficult to breed. Males breed more easily than females however, so they have been bred with other species.5

In pre-colonial era until the late 1970’s the Heckel Discus was said to be abundant in Combado River which at that time was very wide and very deep that it could be crossed by big water vessels. Most of the old folks would say that Bangbang, a sitio of Barangay Nangka where the original town of Balamban known as Daanglungsod (Old Town) was established during the Spanish Era, was named after the Heckel Discus which was “Alibangbang”. Later on the name was shortened into “Bangbang”. But Daanglungsod was used to be called “Balangbang” after “Bangbang”. And the old name of the original town “Balangbang” (or “Daanglungsod”) was retained as the name of the new town established at Poblacion after the old town submerged in the sea. Later on, the name “Balangbang” was shortened into “Balanban” and was later corrupted into “Balamban”.


BALAMBAN IS NAMED AFTER “BALANGBALANG”

Oral traditions suggested that the town got its name from the Cebuano word “balangbalang”. “Balangbalang” is an act of forming a seat of a chair with linked-crossed arms by two or more persons.

There were two versions of the story.

THE FIRST VERSION OF THE STORY

The first one recounted that when the Spaniards came to the place where the present Balamban poblacion now stands, they found it uninhabited. It was then a vast marsh and mangrove swamp without a living soul. For the people had chosen to live in the interior, beyond the plunder of marauding Moro pirates. When the Spaniards eventually came to the village by what is still known as the Combado River, they found very cooperative inhabitants. Indeed, it was during this visit that Balamban got its name.

It is said when the white visitors came upon the river, they decided to cross to the other side. They expressed this in sign language to the natives who responded by coming together in pairs with linked-crossed arms, forming with them like the seat of a chair. They had each white man sit on their arms as they forged the knee-deep current. While they were carrying the team leader across the fellow asked them the name of the place. Thinking he was asking for the name of the manner they were brought across the river they replied, “Balangbalang” which is the native name for it.1

THE SECOND VERSION OF THE STORY

The second story recounted that when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived at the shores of Villa San Miguel (now known as Cebu City) and bombed the village, the elders decided to keep their 60-year-old queen, Hara Amihan (christened Queen Juana), safe. They fled by way of the rivers which were part of the old route towards the northwest side of the island of Cebu. Their destination was the old Malay trade center now known as Bangbang.

When they came upon the Combado River, they decided to form a bridge by coming together in pairs with linked-crossed arms, forming with them like the seat of a chair, so that the queen could go across to the other side of the river safely without getting wet. The act of the queen crossing a human bridge was commemorated with the phrase, “Gibalangbalang ang hara ngadto sa Bangbang!” (“The queen was carried through linked-crossed arms formed like a seat of chair towards Bangbang!”)

It was said that the old town of Balangbang got its name from the shortened version of the phrase. Later on the said town after the town was transferred to Poblacion was named Daanglungsod (Old Town) and the new town retained the original name of the old town which was “Balangbang” which finally became Balamban.2

BALAMBAN IS NAMED AFTER “BALAMBANG”

It is already widely accepted fact that the Philippines had become part of the Madjapahit Empire of Southeast Asia from pre-colonial era until the latter part of the 16th century A.D. But it was only in the early part of the 16th century A.D. that almost the entire country had been conquered by Sultan Muhammad Bulkeiah (also known as Nakuda Ragam), the last Madjapahit Emperor who transferred the seat of government from the island of Java to the island of Borneo. It is interesting to note that Madura had played a vital role in the downfall of Singhasari kingdom and the rise of the Madjapahit Empire in the latter part of the 13th century A.D. until the latter part of the 16th century A.D. During this period the Malay language was used as the lingua franca of the Madjapahit Empire.1

There were theories that there was an attempt to transfer the seat of the Madjapahit Empire to the island of Cebu, as the new Madura in particular and the new Java in general, in the early part of the 16th century A.D. Thus a Malay settlement was established along the east coast of the island, in Mantawi (now Mandaue) particularly in Kabangkalan. This Malay settlement was extended westward towards northern Cebu via river tributaries beneath the mountains. These settlements were named after its chiefs or elders. Hence there were places along this curve named as Cambinucot (“Kang Binukot” which meant “belonging to Binukot”), Can-irag (“Kang Irag”, “belonging to Irag”), Cantipla (“Kang Tipla”, “belonging to Tipla”), Cambagocboc (“Kang Bagokbok”, “belonging to Bagokbok”), Cansomoroy (“Kang Somoroy”, “belonging to Somoroy”), Cantibas (“Kang Tibas”, “belonging to Tibas”), Cambuhawe (“Kang Buhawe”, “belonging to Buhawe”), and Cantuod (“Kang Tuod”, “belonging to Tuod”). If traveled via land route, the said curve of settlements was the blueprint of the present Cebu Trans-Central Highway.2The said curve of settlements led to another Malay settlement in the northwest coast of the island which was named as “Balambang” now known as Balamban. The national records would affirmed that Balamban was called as “Balambang” until the American period.3

It is interesting to note that there is a place in the east coast of Madura Island, Java which is also called Balambang and in the northwestern coast a place called Bangkalan. “Balambang” is a hatue (male) Malay word synonymous to the bawi (female) Malay word “bangkalan” which both means “to base upon”.4 In the Malay psyche, a hatue word which exists in ordinary speech but generally designated as belonging to the sacred speech of basa sangiang is more important than a bawi word which is specifically found in ceremonies and mythology.5 Based from this perception it could be concluded that Balambang in Madura which was converted from Hindu-Buddhism to Islam was considered more important than Bangkalan in Madura which had retained its religion. It was likewise the same with the case of Balambang and Kabangkalan (Mantawi) in the island of Cebu. From this perspective, Balamban could be a Muslim settlement, which after being conquered by Sultan Muhammad Bulkeiah was used as a naval base in conquering Selurung (Luzon) in the north. This would explain the fact why there is a tribal war dance of victory in the Cordilleras called “Balambang6 and why there is a sitio in Beckel, Benguet called “Balangbang”.

Further on, the said colonization had reached as far as Pangasinan which in fact there is also a municipality there named as Bayambang. The said town according to local legend got its name from the name of a tree called “balambang” which is also called in their dialect as “balangbang”, “kulibangbang”, and “alibangbang”. The said tree grew abundantly in the area in the past. It was used in making pickles and salad. Yet, it is very interesting to note that along its sea-coast there is an existing dialect very much similar to Cebuano language and very much different from Pangasinense and Ilocano languages which are prominently used by the majority around the said province. Since the local were fond in replacing “l” to “y” the place now is called “Bayambang”. Most probably, the said municipality was part of the areas conquered by the Visayans under Sultan Muhammad Bulkeiah (Nakuda Ragam) and perhaps the said municipality like Balamban and the said tree was really named after the original Balambang in Madura, Java. 

The said tree is actually the Bauhinia malabarica. It is locally known as “balambang”, “balangbang”, “kulibangbang”, “alibangbang”, “alambangbang”, “balibamban”, “kalibangbang” and “kalibanbang”. This indigenous & medicinal tree is very common on open, dry slopes in regions subject to a long dry season in Luzon (Ilocos Norte to Laguna). It also occurs in India to Indo-China, Java, and Timor. It is a small-sized but stocky tree reaching a height of 8 to 10 meters, with yellowish-brown, checked bark. The branches are freely rebranched, forming a dense crown, the ultimate ones being smooth. The leaves (broader than long) are 5 to 10 centimeters in length, heart-shaped at the base, and deeply notched at the apex. The flowers are white and rather large. The pods are long, narrow, and flattened, being 20 to 30 centimeters by 1.8 to 2.5 centimeters. There are few sightings of this tree at the riverbank near Tu’tu’ Cliff in Cabagdalan, Balamban, Cebu.