Deliverance

“My life can’t be this eventful. All I wanted was a cigarette,” Paolo said as they escaped towards the dark side streets, his grip tight on Lisa’s wrist.

It was Paolo’s first night as a free man. He wanted to come home to see his mother and his little girl. But he figured they had completely erased him from their memory.

“Eight years and not one visit from them,” he thought as he sealed his plan of just wandering about in the city like tourists do. “Besides, I’d always wanted to get myself that burger. Yeah, that sounds like a plan. Eat, walk, and maybe take some pictures.”

A lot has changed since he last saw this street. His favorite pub has closed down. A barbershop now stands at the vacant lot where he used to smoke up. The flowerbeds are gone.

“Aah! This is getting painful,” he murmured. He turned into an alley before he hit the corner. He didn’t want to see his studio up on the next block where he walked in on his ex-girlfriend with another guy.

He reached for his pocket to get a cigarette. “Served him right, that bastard,” he thought. “Eight years was well-worth the revenge.”

When he realized he didn’t have a lighter, he walked towards a couple to ask for a light. He hasn’t even had the chance to say anything when he noticed that the guy was raping the woman.

“Isn’t this what you wanted?” the guy advanced. “Stop it, Brad! Get your hands off me!” the woman yelled.

In a moment, Paolo’s fist pounded on Brad’s face. As soon as he let go of Lisa, Paolo grabbed her by the wrist and escaped into the dark.

Sabbatical

you never really know how much you've got

Ana – Female, in her mid-20’s. Athletic build. Stress is evident on her face, especially her eyes. She is the breadwinner of her family.

Jenny – Female, in her mid-20’s. Extremely fat and rich.

FADE IN

EXT. OVAL TRACK - Dusk

ANA (voice over)
(Panting Heavily.)

MONTAGE: Long shot of oval track. Heads with hair tied into ponytails. Close up of a pair of designer cross trainers. Runners with earphones. Men stretching. Women sweating heavily.

ANA (V.O.)
San ko kaya huhugutin yung pambili ng Lipitor ni Ma?
Hala, due na pala this week yung upa ng bahay.
Uy, mamayang gabi na pala yung bola nung 6/49.
Akin na yung 140 million nay un. Akin na.
Ba’t ba ang sakit na sa paa nitong sapatos ko?

Cut to: Close up her worn out shoe.

ANA (V.O.)
Ayos. Balak ko pa naman tumakbo ulit bukas.

Ana ogles at the cute soccer player who just passed her.

ANA (V.O.)
Tamo, yan. Sayang kung di ko sya makikita bukas dahil lang nagsasalita na ang sapatos ko.

Montage: Close up of her eyes. Her hands reaching down to her pockets.

Onga pala, nagpapabili pa ng illustration board si Eric.
Ba’t ba naman kasi di pa nya pinagkasya sa allowance nya yung pang project nya e.
Pang mamayang gabi na lang pala yung bigas.
Sana naman mag-date kami ni Eric sa Sabado.
Ano kayang resulta ng blood test ni Papa?

Montage: Jenny downs half a bottle of blue Gatorade. Long shot of oval, Jenny still sitting on the bleachers, clothed in designer sportswear from head to toe.

ANA (V.O.)
Kanina pa yun nagwawarm up ah.
Wow. Magjojogging lang, sosi pa ng outfit.
Kung akin yun, nai-ebay ko na yun para may pambayad na ako sa kuryente.
Lagay ko, “Pre loved, used only twice”.
May bibili kaya nitong jogging pants ko? Bench naman to e.

Cut to: Mid shot of Ana running towards the camera.

ANA (con’t)
Ay shet, kailangan pala tumawag ng tubero.
Buti na lang sweldo na bukas.
At deadline din ng draft na pinapagawa ni Atty. Carasig.
Ayoko pa umuwi.
Gusto ko ng chocolate. Na may hazelnuts.

Cut to: Jenny eating Lindt white chocolate with hazelnuts. Still at the bleachers.

ANA (con’t)
Ba’t kaya di pa tumakbo yung chabelitang yun?
5 na beses ko na sya dinadaanan, nasa bleachers pa rin.
Sana may good news naman bukas sa PTA meeting ni Junjun.
Ano kayang uulamin naming mamaya… Meron na kayang posting tungkol sa….

Cut to: Jenny, with her back to the camera. Looking at Ana, running across the screen.

JENNY (V.O.)
Sana ako na lang yung babaeng yun.
Kung ganun kaliit ang tiyan ko, kanina ko pa naitali yung sintas ko at nasimulan tong diet ko.

Sue's Last Note

Several months after Bill and Sue parted ways, this note was found where they first met. Sue felt that it was just proper to close things where they had started.

She is now happily married to Harry, a gnome from the garden plot located three blocks from where Bill lived.
She says her days as a companion to a traveling gnome are over. She now prefers to stay at home and make batches upon batches of corn muffins.


Sue's Last Note from owee salva on Vimeo.

Beacon

The pitter-patter of her feet,
Echoed along the empty street.
Weaving, ducking, running along,
Comforted by singing her favorite song.

Away from THEIR reach, she must run,
Or THEY'll hide her forever from the sun.
Breathless, frightened but wanting to live,
Thinking of who she had to forgive.

"Mother, mother, why did you lie?
Why did you take what was precious in THEIR eyes?
Now THEY claim me for your sins.
Mother, mother, why did you give in?"

Further along she sought protection,
Not knowing though in which direction.
Hoping to find a miraculous aid,
With the choice that had to be made.

In the system, could she trust?
Would the men she find be just?
Would she knowingly betray her mother?
Aware they might not ever see each other.

Another way must be sought.
I could read what she thought.
In her mind I made aware,
Of how she needed to get there.

She made her way to the door,
Not at all feeling sure.
Was uncertain to go on.
Scared however, that THEY haven't gone.

She didn't notice the light so bright,
It was a blinding color of clear, clear white.
Towards it though, she walked along,
Feeling a sense that she belonged.

The church doors closed behind us both,
As my angel wings upheld the guardians oath.
In the air lingered rose perfume,
And into the light, she was consumed.

Pilipinas Circa 1972

Response to
Freedom: Right or Priviledge?