All language subtitles for Karnal.1983-tt0312863-WD

RSG

When I was a child,

every time I asked my mother where she grew up,

she would tell me, "In Mulawin...

A faraway place.

One more step from there
and you're already in hell."

Mama ran away from Mulawin before I was born,

and she never came back.

But she never forgot the place.

Over and over, while I was growing up...

she would tell me about the events
that took place in Mulawin.

Until every detail,
every face is etched in my memories...

impossible to erase.

Mulawin's population was
a little over five hundred.

There were deaths and births every year,

But the number of people hardly changed
in the past fifty years.

Actually, nothing ever changes in Mulawin.

But according to my mother,
there was a time when the place came to life...

and that was with the arrival of
Narcing and his wife Puring.

Will Puring regret going to that miserable place?

If she had known the dark,
gruesome fate that awaits her,

Would she have turned around and left?

- Hurry!
- Wait a second!

Please come in, Narcing.

Maybe next time.
We have to pay our respects to Papa.

City living changes people.
We can't even invite you in.

I guess you made it big in Manila, Narcing.

Not really, Mister Pekto.

But it's a good thing you returned, Narcing.

Well, yes.

But I'm just here on vacation.

How are you, Suling?

Aren't you going to introduce us
to your companion, Narcing?

Oh, by the way,

This is my wife, Puring.

Mister Pekto,

Rosing,

Suling,

Bino,

and Goryo.

Hmph! He's deaf and mute. Just ignore him.

Is she from Manila?

Yes. Anyway, we have to get going.

Bye.

Narcing!

Doray!

- Doray.
- Brother!

Doray, this is...

What made you decide to return?

You were gone for three years.

And now you're back.

I wrote to you three times,

but you never answered my letters.

Why would I write back to a scoundrel of a son?

Where did you live?

In Manila.

Practically everwhere.

I worked in a distillery
but I got laid off. After that—

I didn't ask you to sit.

After that,

I worked...

in a tobacco company.

I worked in different factories
but nothing came of it.

I came back here...

to seek your help.

And you didn't think of that
before you left for Manila.

I wanted to stand on my own two feet.

So you fell on hard times?

Why so many presents then?

Is this a common practice
among the folks in Manila?

This is...

Puring, my wife.

She was the one who bought all those.

She's a saleslady in Escolta.

Is there something wrong with your eyes?

There used to be, but they're better now.

You had a good life here

and yet you chose to
live like a vagrant in Manila.

- I'll just check on my dish—
- Sit down, Doray!

So she's your wife?

Yes.

This is Puring.

Purita Galvez.

Puring, my father.

When did you get married?

- Papa, maybe they'd like to—
- Shut up, Doray!

Narcing.

Last December.

Our friends shouldered the expenses
since it was Christmas.

What about her family?

She's all alone now.

She's from Manila.

Her parents and siblings died in an accident.

You said she's a saleslady.

Yes.

I've heard all sorts of stories
about the women in Manila.

Why did you marry my son?

I love him.

How old are you?

Eighteen.

You already know what love means at your age?

Age has nothing to do with feelings.

Impertinent.

I'm not used to being answered that way.

Well, you asked a question.

So you learn a lot from being a saleslady.

I was orphaned at a young age

so I was forced to work
and fend for myself early on.

Has Narcing ever told you

that you look so much like her mother?

I never spoiled my children growing up,

and I don't see any reason
why that has to change now.

Narcing...

Yes?

While you're staying here at my house,

you will work in exchange
for your food and lodging.

Yes, Papa.

Sometimes my brother gets away
with being rebellious.

And now he's brought home another rebel.

I just said what was on my mind.

Isn't it a good idea to just keep your thoughts
to yourself at times?

When I was a child, whenever I heard my father
clear his throat outside the room,

I would start shaking.

I didn't see a fearsome man.

What I saw was a lonely man.

My mother.

We're like sisters.

You're like one and the same.

When Mama died, a part of Papa died with her.

He stopped being the town chief.

Our properties were neglected. He became cranky.

Do you think Narcing got attracted to me because—

No. It's just a coincidence.

My brother loved Mama very much...

He and Papa did.

The three of them built a world
that no one else could penetrate.

Not even I.

I bet your clothes are expensive.

If you find something that fits you,
you can have it.

Papa might beat me up.

And Menardo will get mad.

My husband doesn't want me dressing up.

Is it nice in Manila?

It's a happy, wild place.

Actually, I'm already longing to see
the bright lights of Manila.

Ever since I was born,
I have never stepped outside Mulawin.

Take this. You don't have to wear it.

Just keep it.

Thank you... sister.

By the way, don't mingle with the people here.

They loathe us.

Why?

Before Papa stepped down from his post
as town chief, he was very strict.

He caught Mister Pekto swindling money
so he had him fired.

Same thing with Mister Bino.

He was incriminated for
molesting a female student.

Puring, I want you to swear...

that no matter what happens
you will not take another man.

From now until forever,

I swear it.

I want you to make a vow too.

That's not necessary.

I'm not capable of loving another woman.

Let's go to the mango garden.

You know what will happen there.

How vulgar!

They do nothing but hold hands in public.

Oh, Suling.

If I were you I'd forget about Narcing.

We will have many children.

We'll name the girls Purita

and the boys, Narciso.

Why the same names?

So that everywhere they go,

people would know they're our children.

They'll be called the children
of Narcing and Puring.

I didn't go to school.

Papa didn't want me to.

Why?

He said it's useless.

He said I'll just get married anyway.

When Papa forced me to marry Menardo,
Jose drank until he was wasted.

Who's Jose?

My former beau.

Don't tell anyone about this, Puring—

I always dream of Jose. He's still the one
I think of every night before I go to sleep.

Where is he?

At the capital. He's a court clerk.

Why don't you go to him if you still love him?

I can't do that.

Papa will kill me.

Narcing?

Suling. How are you?

Still hoping you'll come back...

Well, I'm back.

...to me.

Huh?

Suling, I didn't promise you anything.

Have you forgotten the storehouse?

We spent an entire afternoon there.

I... I was vulnerable that time.

Mama just died so I was very sad.

I didn't know where to go. You were nice to me...

I was caught in the moment.

I haven't changed.

I don't have feelings for you, Suling.

Is it because I'm older?

I love Puring.

What about back then?

Whatever happened between us in the past,
I don't want to remember it.

Forgive me, Suling.

Ouch.

I really think I'm not cut out
to do housework, Doray.

Because you're in a hurry to learn things.

I like what you said.

I won't forget it, Gusting.

Father, I'll send Doray to
hand you over my donation.

As you wish.

Doray. How are you, dear?

I'm fine, Father.

Puring,

are you happy here in our town?

I don't know yet, Father.

Oh. You don't know yet?

Happiness is not something you get to know...

it is simply felt by a person.

You should be proud to be
part of Gusting's family.

Father...

Right?

Very well, I'd better get going.

Uhm, the donation...

- Don't forget it.
- Don't worry, Father.

I'll walk you to the door.

Oh, Goryo is here.

Doray...

Yes?

Are you sure he's deaf and mute?

Yes. Why do you ask?

The way he looks at all of us...

it's as if he knows what's going to happen.

They say he's been that way
since the townsfolk took him in.

His parents abandoned him
when they discovered his disability.

Everyone here ignores him.

Narcing works almost
the entire week at the capital.

Puring is becoming restless
and is pining for Manila.

What?

When are we going back to Manila?

Why do you ask?

I'm dying of boredom here, Narcing.
I feel like a prisoner!

Maybe next year.

Let's go now.

We cannot.

Why not?

Don't argue with me!

You're afraid, aren't you?

You're afraid to go back to Manila
because you might lose again.

Yes, I'm afraid!

We're not leaving. End of discussion.

Take me with you to the capital.

What are you going to do there?

I want to accomplish something
for myself, Narcing.

I have no use here at home.

That's the role of women.

Just help out Doray around here.

I have no patience for household chores.

Whenever I try to help Doray,
it just takes her longer to finish her chores.

You'll get used to it.

I don't want to. I don't want to be like Doray.

What do you mean by that?

I cannot breathe inside this house, Narcing.

You don't even allow me to go out
except when you're with me.

I feel like a prisoner here!

The bachelors here might take an interest in you.

It's best to avoid temptation.

You don't trust me.

I haven't done anything bad
and yet you're anticipating that I will.

I have things to take care of, Puring.

Let's talk some other time.

I waited three days to talk to you about this.

Why is your time more precious than mine?

I know you're good in business.

You can probably sell practically anything.

You sound like you're planning something, Narcing.

I'm thinking of claiming the land
I will inherit from my father.

I need a startup capital so I can
put up a business in Manila.

Is that so?

Well, Gusting has sold several properties to me.

But do you know that we're still
in bad terms with each other?

I know that.

Never mind. I'll help you.

Thank you, Mister Pekto.

I worked in different factories.

It was like descending a staircase...

But I just kept going down.

Out of hunger,

I agreed to work in a factory where
the workers are treated like animals.

One day my eyes were hit by welding sparks.

I was rushed to the hospital but

the factory management did not pay
for the physical damages.

At that point, I thought of going home.

But I was overcome with shame.

Since then, I hit the streets
then wandered around the city.

It isn't true that the streets of
Manila are lined with gold.

I felt like I was pushed over the edge.

I was in such a desperate state,

that I was close to taking a life just to survive.

Until one day,
I fainted because I hadn't eaten in days...

all I had in my stomach was water.

No hospital would take me in because I wasn't ill.

And then...

I met Puring.

She found me sprawled on the side of a street.

She took care of me,

fed me,

clothed me,

and loved me.

She was the one who suggested that I return
and ask for your forgiveness, Papa.

Narcing, stay for good.

I can't, Papa.

I'm just here to rest.

I got my wings broken when I was in Manila.

But I will go back there... perhaps after a year.

I have to defeat Manila, Papa.

I must accomplish something there.

You're just like your mother.

Your head is full of foolish dreams.

Are you going out, Puring?

No, sir.

I'm just trying to fix myself up.

I don't know what got into Puring's head...

But one morning,

She dressed up as if she was going
to report for her old work as a saleslady.

How very wanton in her ways!

She behaves like Elena.

I bet she's been with several men.

Oh!

I apologize, Mister Bino.

Don't worry about it, Puring.

Where are you headed?

Do you want me to escort you?

Don't be afraid. It's just Goryo.

Bino, Puring, come and join us!

Talia, go get something to drink.

Hey there. Come in, come in. Please come in.

I just had my mangoes harvested.

Please, make yourselves comfortable.
Have a seat.

That's why we're celebrating.
And having a few drinks.

Set it down there.

This is Rosing.

Rosing and her nephews were the ones who
helped me with the harvest.

I'm glad you finally went out, Puring.

What are you talking about, Mister Pekto?

Puring goes out... but only with Narcing.

I know that.

What I mean is,

it's a good thing your civil guard
allowed you to go out.

Goryo! Stop it!

What about Puring? Give one to Puring.

Come on, indulge us, Puring.

I haven't tried beer before.

Don't tell me that you've lived all your life in
Manila and yet you haven't been invited for drinks?

Anyway, have one drink.

For all of us.

Don't force her if she doesn't want to.

Right.

You come on too hard on women

but then you easily give up.

Here, here. Drink up. Drink all of it.

There!

Bottoms up!

All gone.

Narcing!

How dare you humiliate me!

Huh?!

What were you doing at Mister Pekto's?!

What?!

Doray...

How did your mother die?

We don't talk about it outside our family.

But I'm part of your family now.

She killed herself.

What?!

Papa was a jealous husband.

He locked up Mama inside our house for no reason.

My mother rebelled against him...

...she started going out

and made friends with different men.

Ugly rumors began to spread.

One day, out of anger...

My father stripped her naked
and dragged her outside for the public to see.

The next morning we found her dead body.

She hanged herself inside
the basement storage room.

She was wearing a chemise and holding a rosary.

It happened frequently...

Every time Narcing is gripped with jealousy,
he hurts Puring.

Then afterwards he would regret his actions,

and beg for her forgiveness.

Sometimes Narcing acts like a child.

Sometimes he acts like an adult.

Sometimes he's a father to Puring.

Sometimes he's her lover.

Menardo,

Why are there only a few men cutting rice stalks?

I thought they were more than twenty.

I gave instructions to several men.

I don't know why only a few of them showed up.

Tell them I don't want anyone
picking up stalks from the patio.

And they should separate the wet grains!

Yes, Sir.

Okay.

Narcing, you should learn
how to do Menardo's work.

This land will be yours in the future.

I don't fit in this kind of world, Papa.

What a foolish thing to say! You're my heir!

You grew up on this land.
This is where you grew horns!

I've wanted to tell you this for a long time now.

I was hoping I could ask for
my share of the inheritance.

This is actually my purpose
for returning to Mulawin.

What are you talking about?

I already spoke with Mister Pekto.

He's going to help me sell the land
I will inherit from you.

I need a big amount of money for capital.

I'm putting up a business in Manila.

That damn place has caused you enough trouble!
Why can't you get Manila out of your mind?!

That's exactly why I can't get it out of my mind.

I need to redeem myself there.

I was very pleased when you came back.

It felt like the household
came to life once again.

Menardo and Doray are both healthy,

but they can't seem to bear children.

I want you and Puring to have a lot of children.

I want to see my lands
inhabited by my grandchildren.

Please don't leave.

You defied my wishes when you quit school.

And you defied me a second time
when you left for Manila.

So please do this for me now.

Let's make our lands rich and vast.

We will buy back our properties from Pekto.

I haven't spoken to Pekto for a long time,

but I will talk to him now!

Besides,
I was once a good friend to that scoundrel!

I'm really sorry, Papa.

Puring and I...

...we're not right for this place.

Watch your wife closely.

She's behaving more and more like your mother.

Nothing, still?

How could that be?

We've been married a long time,
yet there's nothing?

Are you sure you're not
doing anything to prevent it?

Why would I do that?

It's important for me to have a child.

Puring remembered what her mother told her
when she was a child...

Men grow up, get older, but remain like children.

It is the woman who serve as their mother.

One day the flowers came.

And every day after that, before the Angelus,

flowers were thrown inside her bedroom window.

She tried different strategies
to catch the culprit.

But she never succeeded.

She kept it a secret,

especially from Narcing.

She had a suspect in mind.

Goryo.

She became interested in his life since then.

She believed they share the same fate...

There were both strangers in that place.

They were both sad and alone.

Even when she's beside Narcing,

her thoughts were on Goryo.

She pities him...

for he needs someone who'll take care of him...

...a mother.

A small one?

A wife?

A child!

Many children?

Me?

Well, who told you that
with only a little practice...

that you will be able to speak?

Professor Bino?

Councilor Pekto?

Don't believe them. They're just fooling you.

What kind of a woman are you?!

You've brought me shame!

You fool!

But even if Narcing hurts Puring,

she never confessed anything.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

So many flies.

Puring,

...what happened to your face?

He studies every part of her body...

her eyes,

her cheeks,

her neck,

her hands,

her legs.

He smells her too...

as if he'd be able to see and smell the betrayal.

I'm not asking you to believe me, Narcing.

But keep an eye on Goryo and Puring.

Ever since I was a little girl,
all I ever did was follow Papa's wishes.

I haven't done anything in my life
that he didn't approve of.

Because he's your father.

And at home, he is your god.

Is that what you told my mother,
that's why she killed herself?

What do you mean by that?

Your mother was a bad woman.

She went out with all kinds of men.

When she came to me, I just said it to her face...
the truth about her sins.

I didn't mean to say that, Father.

Your turn, Puring.

No. I've changed my mind.

No, Narcing.
I never saw Puring go to Goryo's place.

The folks here are just turning us
against each other.

Whenever I see you, I realize...

We are both prisoners of a love that's dead.

When Mama died, you died with her.

And when I lost Jose,
I didn't want to live anymore.

Mama can never return to you, Papa.

But Jose is still alive. I can still live.

What about Menardo?

He's a kind man, Papa.

But I can never learn to love him.

Please, Papa. I will go to the capital.
I will find Jose.

If you do that,

it's just as good as killing all of us.

Damn it, Elena.

Why did you leave me?

Where's Narcing?

At the capital, sir.

Oh, Narcing...

He ignores you.

Does he know that it's your birthday tomorrow?

Yes. How did you find out?

Doray told me.

Here.

Here are some of Elena's clothes and jewelry.

Try these on.

Come on, try it on. It's for your birthday.

Elena wore that dress on our last anniversary.

She never wore it again so she could preserve it.

Elena looked just like you.

Papa!

Elena...

Elena...

Papa!

Papa!

Forgive me, Elena.

I want to die now.

I already quit my job at the capital.

Why?

So we can prepare for our return to Manila.

Really?

Thank you, Narcing!

Thank you so much!

I'm still afraid, Puring.

I'm afraid of losing, but...

I have to do this.

I guess I can compare Manila to the way
I regarded my father when I was a child.

Just seeing him then made me wet my pants.

My greatest ambition was to defeat him
in any kind of game,

May it be great or small.

Because he was like a god who has never lost.

After our game,

He'd smile smugly and stand up.

Then he'd raise one hand.

I wanted so badly to bring him down that time.

I wanted to kill him.

I heard Puring and Narcing
are going back to Manila?

Is that true?

Is that true, is that true...

Whatever happened to your
teaching job at the capital?

I'm going to start this semester.

That's why I've been practicing my english.

Make sure the leaves are arranged properly...

What are you doing?!

You're going to puncture the mangoes!

Angko!

Yes?

- Are the mangoes in the baskets of the same size?
- Yes, sir.

Did you remind them about it?

Yes, Sir. Three times.

- Hey, Alo!
- Yes?

Careful when picking mangoes!

Don't let those fall on the ground!

- Yes, Sir.
- They'll be crushed!

Yes, Sir!

Suling!

You can't hear me...

but I want to tell you everything.

But...

Narcing is still the one in my heart.

Listen to the beat of my heart.

Narcing is still the one in here.

But I never fooled you.

I was just lonely that time.

Do you understand me?

You're not angry with me?

What's this?

I can't take this. You need it more than I do.

What are you going to do when we leave?

Papa, enough!

You're hurting me!

Go ahead...

Louder, so the whole town will hear you.

Papa, please stop!

Stay out of this, Doray!

Narcing!

Narcing!

Narcing!

Here!

Here's your good-for-nothing wife!

I caught her with Goryo!

That's not true, Narcing!
You promised you'd listen to me first!

- Are you going to listen to your wife?
- Listen to me first!

I told you before I have a
bad feeling about this woman!

Narcing, if you love me,

you have to trust me!

The whole town is already talking about it

and you still don't believe it!

Is it true, Doray?

It's not true, brother.

Cuckold.

- Narcing!
- Brother, no!

Don't!

Menardo! Menardo!

Stop!

Papa, that's enough!

Get up.

Fight back!

Narcing!

Your father is evil!

Let's leave this place!

He attempted to rape me!

It was a good thing Doray walked in on us!

Papa!

Papa!

Papa!

In keeping with the town's tradition,

Narcing carried his father's coffin
around Mulawin.

In the minds of the townsfolk,

this should've happened sooner...

during Elena's time.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord... and let perpetual
light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Goryo was telling Narcing
that he sinned against him

and he should've been the one he killed.

But Narcing didn't understand.

Narcing,

Forgive me.

Don't ever come back here, Puring.

I will rot here, in jail...

But I hope your soul rots in hell.

Menardo, forgive me.

You didn't do anything wrong, Doray.

Yes I did, Menardo.

Jose has been calling for me.

Do you still love him?

Don't be afraid to tell the truth, Doray.

I am not your father or your brother.

I still love him.

I have no other family, Doray.

Only you.

Let's give ourselves another chance.

Doray...

Why aren't you talking to me?

I regret what happened.

Every night in my sleep,

I still see his decapitated body.

When I came to this place,

I had no other intention...

...but to befriend you all.

I wanted to be beloved by your family.

Doray, please talk to me.

All I can say is that I wish my brother
never brought you here.

Because of what happened,

Doray kicked Puring out of the house.

Until now, I can't believe...

that I was able to do all of this...

What's done is done.

Just forget about it.

I think I read somewhere...

in the Bible, perhaps...

It is the son who will kill the father.

I guess it's a good thing that Talia
and I didn't bear children.

Anyway, I have things to take care of.

Thank you for visiting.

By the way, Doray's here.

She's been waiting for hours.

I don't want to talk to any of them.

She's been coming here for three days.

Every day, at dusk, Puring is there.

Waiting and wishing that one day
Narcing will be released

and will go back to her.

There is ugliness in her heart that is beginning
to show on her face as well.

She has become one of those people
with dead hearts...

people that are still living but are already dead.

More than once, Goryo asked Puring
if she wanted to flee the place,

But Puring refused.

She will stay and wait for Narcing's return.

She believes that he will forgive her someday.

Word got out that Narcing
was restless inside the prison...

because his father's ghost haunts him every night.

Gusting's ghost doesn't utter any word...

It just looks at Narcing with sad eyes,

and then it disappears.

There's nothing I can do, Goryo.

The townsfolk will be angry with me
if I accommodate that woman.

Especially after what she did to Gusting!

Gusting's grandchild?

How sure are you that it's Narcing's baby?

Go away!

How dare you, Goryo!

Don't drag me into your mess!

What is it, Goryo?

Rumors started to spread...

...that Puring's baby was the devil's child.

That it had hair on its face, sharp teeth...

and a pair of horns that grew bigger each day.

Goryo.

Hey, hey, hey. Hey!

Hey, Goryo! Goryo. The two of us, the two of us...

- We just want to help the child.
- Just a moment...

Goryo, hey!

Inside! We just want to go
inside so we can help...

Let's go!

Let's just go back tomorrow!

We will help you!

I wonder what they will call you when you grow up.

Cristina perhaps.

Or Teresa.

But forgive me, my child.

I cannot give you a name right now.

Not even tomorrow...

Not ever.

What church would take you... to be baptized?

It's best not to give you a name at all.

I'd rather that they don't remember you.

Puring's child... that's what they'll call you.

I'd rather they defame my name.

I love you, my child.

You'd be better off dead

than face a grim fate...

People will only fear you

and call you the devil's child.

Some say...

Puring buried her child alive.

Others say...

She suffocated it to death before burying it.

That was when Narcing started planning to escape.

Maybe we should send Puring away.

She's the one who
brought misfortune to this place.

It's our fault too.

How is it our fault?

She gave birth to a monster...

... and killed the monster herself.

It's my fault, Father.

I was the one who informed Mister Gusting.

That's why Narcing ended up killing him.

It all started with me.

If I hadn't thrown those flowers
into Puring's window,

things wouldn't have come to this.

I wasn't a good friend to Gusting.

In that case,

I'm at fault too.

I didn't help Puring deliver the baby.

Excuse me.

Let's not allow these thoughts
to get the best of us.

My god, Father, what's happening to our town?

Sometimes...

There are things we don't understand
from the actions of people

...and the will of God.

And so...

There's nothing left for us to do but to pray

and wait for His forgiveness.

Narcing!

Don't come near me.

What did you do to the baby?

I killed her.

You are so evil.

She's your child, Narcing,

and not another man's.

And I killed her because I love her!

I killed my father because of you!

Narcing!

The constables are after me.

I need to escape.

Goryo, we may never see each other again.

I'll never forget you.

Hurry! We can still catch up!

Esquivel, is there a way here?

- Here!
- Over there!

Come on.

Don't move!

Narcing!

Narcing!

Doray prepared to leave for Manila
to attend to Narcing's remains.

Puring couldn't join her because she was ill.

Menardo wanted to go with her
but Doray refused to bring him along.

She said no one would oversee the fields.

She also said that Rosing will accompany her.

No one ever knew...

not Menardo,

not even Puring...

...what was going through
Doray's mind at the time.

But she never again returned to Mulawin.

After Narcing was buried,

she went to the capital and looked
for her former lover, Jose.

They lived together.

I am...

I am their daughter.

I am writing a book right now...

It's about people's relationships.

Relationships between parents and children,
and among townsfolk.

And last night...

I remembered Mama again.

My mother never had peace.

She was able to flee Mulawin,
but up until her death,

...all she ever talked about was that place.

The things she did...

and the things she wasn't able to do.

It was like...

She was here with us in San Juan,

but it seemed her soul still dwelled among
the troubled souls of Mulawin.

Maybe that's the reason why...

while I was growing up...

...my mother was very strict with me.

"Don't go out."

"Who's that man you're talking to?"

"Come home early."

So in a way, she was never able
to escape from Mulawin.

Even I felt like a prisoner of that place.

I am now living alone.

However...

I can still hear...

I can still feel...

in every corner of this house...

Narcing, Puring...

Elena...

Mama...

and Papa.

Maybe that's why I never married.

The family name must die with me.

I might end up being a tyrant like my grandfather.

The long line of women in our clan

must end with me.

Perhaps in another time or place,

we can all live different lives.

One afternoon, Puring left...

saying she's headed to Manila
to visit Narcing's grave.

She'll be back...

But she never did.

Some claim to have seen her in Manila...

working as a saleslady like she used to.

Others say she took an undignified occupation...

walking the streets of Manila at night,

Speaking in english and flirting with Americans.

But some say she became a nun
so she can atone for her sins.

But the truth is they never saw Puring ever again.