IMOORTALS PRODUCTIONS

BAKUNAWA SA MANAGLAHING TAKNA

A film by JOE BACUS
draft

OCTOBER 2016
I.
We follow SAB as she steps off a habal-habal and maneuvers through the alleys of Barangay
Dikit-Dikit, wearing a red backpack. Residents and passers-by evade her or turn the other way.

We meets a queue of men carrying different sorts of items, from laptops to electric fans. They bid
her hello. She ignores them.

The queue leads to a particular house. She enters the gates and into the dimlit living area. A
woman sits at the table full of money and sachets of meth. Sab waits as a lanky boy hands his
digital camera in exchange with a sachet.

The boy walks out. Sab says hello and takes her backpack off, giving it to the woman. In return,
she hands her a blue backpack.

Without ado, Sab says farewell and walks out the house, meeting the same queue.

She walks further... until she is met by a squad of heavily armed PDEA operatives. They walk
right past each other. Sab turns over her shoulder and smirks, then walks on.

The habal-habal awaits her. She hops back on, and they speed away.

II.
The habal-habal with Sab cruises Cagayan de Oro. They pass by the parks, the Cathedral, and
tear through the narrow streets, and bridges.

They follow the road beside Cagayan River.

OLD LADY (V.O.)

In our place and in our time, the River was our father.
A great, ceaselessly flowing father. We went
to him for our needs, for guidance, and to spend time.

We lived harmoniously together, not one without the other.

That was for a time, as we his children were not proud with needing.
So, corrupted, we corrupted him. We forsook him and
needed other fathers rocks, metal, and gold.

Corrupted, we didnt realize how much power the River

can cast upon us, so he did, with flood and waves.
Everyone I knew perished.

Now we live with each other, begrudgingly.

A father and his children, disheartened by the past,
threatened by the future. Now we defend ourselves
for what he may do again. We never even apologized for
what malice we have caused him.

Now, a barrier stands strong between the father and his children,
in no need of each other anymore.

Whose duty is it to correct the wrongs of the past?

The presents. It is always the presents.

III.
The atmosphere is silent. The afternoon is grey. We slowly course through a vast area of land
beside the Cagayan River. Evidence of previous settlers lie or are half-buried in the ground.

From a wide angle, only a toilet seat can be seen standing all alone in the world.

IV.
Sab enters the backdoor of an establishment, wearing her blue backpack. Crates of beer, both
empty and filled, can be seen piled up as she inches her way through the narrow passageway.
She opens another door a kitchen. Cooks, kitchen helps, and service crew members are busy
being about. One of them eyes her, and he tosses his head towards another door.

Sab enters.

V.
Sab enters a dressing room: women wear their nightgowns and other burlesque gowns, put
make-up on, and flirt with one another. Sab walks up to a lady in her 40s and hands her the
blue backpack.

Then she uses the different door, into a showroom, where men are drunk and drinking.

The music is deafening. Girls are atop the stage, half-naked and slow-dancing on poles. They
seem a bit insecure as some of the men shift their attention to Sab, though of course Sab ignores
these flirtations.

VI.
Sab is in a pisonet cafe; she is browsing surplus laptops on websites.

VII.
Sab waits at a hospital canteen. MERLY, in her 20s, arrives and approaches her. They hug, and
find a seat.

SAB
How much?

MERLY
It would cost around 250,000.

SAB
When did they say it should be?

MERLY
They said it must be within the month.

SAB
I think Id be able to get it. Unless that fucking crook
Vince keeps hacking off portions of my portions.

Merly sighs, placing her hands on Sabs.

MERLY
I know youre tired, Sab. But dont lose hope.

SAB
Thanks again. I have to go now.
I still have to meet Vince.

MERLY
Ill see you later.

Merly plants a kiss on Sabs cheek, and goes. Sab walks the opposite way.

VIII.
Sab and VINCE are at a coconut refreshments stall in the plaza park. The latter sips and hogs
his coconut noisily.

SAB
Vince.

VINCE
Hm?

SAB
I was wondering if you could help me with something.

VINCE
M-hm.

SAB
Do you think I could get an advance from the next job? I desperately need the money.

Vince struggles to speak as he chews on coconut meat.

VINCE
In the first place, you wouldnt be in this job if you werent in desperate need of money. But no.
You cant. Or I doubt you can, at least. The boss still hasnt replied the last time I told him you
desperately needed money.

SAB
The money is for something extremely important.

VINCE
And mine is for my HIV treatments, or for more sluts. But life is full of shit.

Sab is slightly shocked. She doesnt say anything.

VINCE
This coconut stall, though, is an exception to that rule.

Vince takes another scoop in his mouth.

VINCE
The boss will still be in Hong Kong in the next few weeks, but I will remind him for you.

SAB
Thank you.

He slurps some more coconut juice.

IX.
Sab is walking at the Rotunda, and notices a vehicular checkpoint. A herd of motorcycles and
vehicles are being checked

She stays to observe.

X.
A pedicab stops in front of a bakeshop, and Sab boards off, wearing the red backpack. She hands
it to the bakeshop salesperson, and then leaves on the pedicab.

XI.
Sab is at a Dunkin Donuts, sipping from a cup of Icy Choco. Mandy calls again. She rejects it.

A man approaches her table.

MAN
Are you Salud1992?

SAB
Yes. Please. Have a seat, sir.

MAN
Please. Its Rodiell.

SAB
Its nice to meet you, Rodiell.

There is awkwardness between them. They try to find the right words to say, being busy with
glancing about or anything but talking. The man breaks the silence.

RODIELL
So it could be 15,000, right?

Sab makes her disappointed face evident to him.

SAB
Thats too far from 18,000, sir. Lets not do this. I desperately need the money.

RODIELL
16,000?

SAB
Lets not do this.

RODIELL

Id just like to ask for a little favour because I still need to buy some books for my masters. You
know how it is.

SAB
I dont, actually.

RODIELL
Oh, right.

Sab stares at Rodiell, and sighs.

SAB
Alright, 17,000. The other guy asked for the same price.

RODIELL
Great. So may I check it first?

SAB
Sure, sir.

MAN
I implore you. Its Rodiell.

SAB
Sure, Rod.

Sab hands Rodiell the laptop. While he inspects it (theatrically), Sab gets the laptop charger from
her bag and gives it to him.

RODIELL

Here it is, Maam.

Sab takes the money and leaves. Rodiell is confused.

ED arrives and sits in front of him, catching his breath.

RODIELL
Where in the hell have you been?

Ed takes the cup of Icy Choco.

ED
This yours?

RODIELL
No, its the sellers.

Ed takes a sip from it.

XII.
Sab is in her apartment alone, watching static. She browses through the channels but there is no
reception in any. She turns it off and takes all her money out of a bag. She counts them.

The door creaks open. A woman, in her mid-20s and pretty dress, enters.

SAB
Hi, Mandy.

MANDY
Sab. Ive been calling you.

SAB
I know. Im sorry. Its just...

MANDY
I understand.
Im sorry I couldnt visit the hospital, too.
Its new employees at the shop.

SAB
No, its fine. This is enough.

Mandy looks apologetic.

MANDY
You know you dont have to do this.

SAB
You know I have to.

MANDY
I mean you dont have to sell it. I can lend you the money.
I can give it to you.

SAB
I just dont want to owe you anything.

Mandy is evidently hurt by this, but she sighs out the feeling, understanding. She digs in her
pocket and hands Sab a bundle of cash.

SAB
Thanks, Mandy.

MANDY
Would you need anything else?

SAB
This is fine, thanks.

MANDY
If you need anything...

Sab takes the TV herself and brings it outside.

Mandy stands up and leaves. The door slams shut.

Sab is left alone again. She adds the new cash to her money and recounts them.

XIII.
Sab stands at the plaza park, waiting. She texts on her phone. She waits for another hour until
she decides to go home.

XIV
Sab is at the hospital. While walking the corridors, she feels that someone is following her, and
makes efforts to lose whoever or whatever it is.

Her phone rings. An unknown number. She ignores the call. She texts Vince, informing him of
her current dilemma, and that she cannot show up on their meet up.

She bumps into Mandy.

MANDY
Sab? Are you OK?

SAB
Mandy, hey. Im sorry, I just couldnt sleep well last night.

MANDY
I sat in for Merly. She had to buy some medicine at the pharmacy.

SAB
Thank you. I really appreciate what youre doing.

MANDY
Im always here for you, you know that.

Sab doesnt know what to respond with.

MANDY
OK, its better if you went in now. Shes been looking for you since she woke up this morning.

XV.
Sab enters a room at the hospital. An old woman, LOLA EVELYN, lies on the bed, sleeping.
She stares at her for a long moment before walking up to the bed.

Lola Evelyn seems to have felt Sabs presence. She wakes up and looks at her face, trying to smile
despite her weakness.

SAB
Im here, La.

LOLA
Where have you been, Nak? Ive missed you.

SAB
Ive missed you, too. Its just work straining me.
We had a deal that you should be out before Christmas, right?

LOLA
My grandchild. Such a good girl.

Sabs eyes start to well up with tears, but she does her best to conceal it from Lola Evelyn.

LOLA
What about our other deal?

Sab turns confused, then remembers. But she doesnt have anything to say.

LOLA
Youre the only family Ive got left.
My remaining wish is to have someone to further
our line. To leave something good to the world before I do.

SAB
Please dont say that.

LOLA
I mean it. Im tired, and I know youre tired.

Sab has nothing to reply with. There is a knock on the door. The doctor enters and checks Lola
Evelyns vital signs.

THE DOCTOR
Good. Youre here. I have something to discuss with you.
Will you come to the clinic later?

SAB
Oh, okay, Doc. Thank you.

The doctor leaves. Sab looks at Lola Evelyn, who stares back at her, trying a smile.

XVI.
Sab and Mandy walk the corridors of the busy hospital. The former looks sullen, as ever.

MANDY
What did the doctor say?

SAB
Theyre having a hard time trying to figure out how to operate on Lola. They found a lot of
foreign objects in her lungs.

Mandy looks pained.

MANDY
From the flood?

SAB
Yes. They said theyd refer us to the foreign doctors from the typhoon relief operations.

Sab pauses to think.

SAB
Do you know a shop that sells good, cheap phones?

MANDY
I think I know one at the plaza. Why?

SAB
Im selling mine.

They use the elevator down and walk to the entrance. Sab dials a number.

SAB
Sir? So do we have a deal? Or should I call the other guy?

MAN ON THE PHONE

No, Ill take it. Im already here.

SAB
Where?

She sees Ed walking up to her, grinning.

ED
Hi, Sab!

Sab instinctively takes Mandy and kisses her on the lips.

SAB
Ed. Hi. This is Mandy, my partner.

Ed is struck by lightning, fakes a smile, and turns back to Sab.

ED
I need your help.

The three of them share an awkward silence, not knowing what to do next.

XVIII.
Sab and Ed are at a food chain.

SAB
Do you believe this is easy for me?

ED
I love you, but Im committed to my vocation. Im going to be ordained next week. Id just like to
ask forgiveness so I could move on without this burden.

SAB
What? What a great dilemma youre in! Do you even have any idea what happened to me when
you left? All our stuff, with our dreams, were washed away by that fucking flood. I expected you
to be my partner in those trying times, but where were you? You just used me.

ED
I never used you, Sab. That was true, all of it. It was just a mistake I admit when I tested my
priesthood vocation by being in a relationship.

SAB
So I was the biggest mistake, was I?

ED
It wasnt you who was the mistake, but me. I was confused. Its not just a trivial thing I vowed to;
it was God.

SAB
I tried to understand when God destroyed us with that flood, but it would be fair if he also
understood our situation, that you wouldnt continue with your vocation.

Dont make it harder and harder, Ed. Please.

ED
Youre the one making this difficult, Sab. Im getting more confused. Instead of needing you for a
favour...

SAB
Alright. If this is the case, Ill help you if you help me.

ED
Anything.

SAB
Give me a child.

Sabs phone rings.

XIX.

Sab is walking hastily at the plaza, wearing her backpack. She sees a commotion ahead, people
gathering around something. She approaches and cranes her neck over other heads to see.
On the ground lies a decapitated head of a man.

Sab steps back, stunned. She calls someone on her phone.

SAB
Its him.
Okay.

She is walking steadfastly, she is on the phone again.

SAB
Ed, its me. Meet me at the hospital ASAP.

After dropping the call, Sab takes the sim of her phone out and breaks it in two.

XX.
Sab goes home and takes all her spared money.

XXI.
At the hospital room, Sab enters to see Mandy, Merly, Ed, and Lola Evelyn. Sab approaches
Merly and hands her the bag.

SAB
Im leaving that to you for the moment. Please take care of it.

Sab kisses Lola Evelyns forehead.

SAB

La, Im here.

Lola Evelyn smiles. Sab beckons Ed to come near her grandmother. Ed obliges. Mandy observes.

SAB
La, do you remember Ed?

LOLA
Ed, its good youre here. Are you back together?

SAB
Yes, La. Hes been here two months, and its been two months since I got pregnant.

Everybody in the room is shocked, save Lola Evelyn.

LOLA
This is the last great wish I wanted granted.

ED
No problem, La. Ive been abroad working for Sab and us.

LOLA
Take care of my little girl, okay?

Ed nods, Sab is in tears. Lola is struggling to speak.

LOLA
Dont cry, my child. I will rest, but I will always stay with you, in your mind and in your heart.
Just dont forget what I taught you. I trust you will further the family line.

SAB
Yes, La. But please dont go yet.

LOLA
Im tired, Nak.

Sab turns to everyone in the room.

SAB
Please give us time alone.

MANDY
Okay, Sab. Well be at the canteen if anything.

They go out, Sab checks if theyre away and out of earshot before locking the door and going
back to Lola Evelyn.

SAB
Bye, La.

Close up on the water glass on the bedside table shaking, spilling water.

XXII.
Ed sips on his soft drink at the canteen, thoughtful.

XXIII.
Sab, Ed, Mandy, and Merly are at a fresh grave in the cemetery. The group of buriers walks
away soon as Sab hands them their pay.

As they were about to leave, Sabs stomach starts to get painful.

XIV.
Sab is lost in the woods, running. She halts as she sees a mysterious woman lying on the ground
a woman with her face. She is tied, dressed in animal skin clothing but topless.
SAB
Who are you? Me?

WOMAN
I am your grandmother...

The woman with her face speaks a strange tongue but Sab is surprised that she understands every
word of it.

SAB
Why are you tied?

Sab tries to untie her, but the woman resists her.

WOMAN
Dont waste your time. We cant do anything about me.

SAB
I dont understand.

WOMAN
This is the result of treachery, Sab. We knew you arent with child. You lie.

Sab tries to open her mouth to speak but she suddenly cant, tries to move but shes gone stiff.
The woman is approached by two foreign-looking men clad in Conquistador armor, and grabs
her away.

WOMAN
Traitors!

XV.
Sab wakes to a start, catching her breath. She realizes that her bed sheets are drowned in blood
from her nether regions. She screams.

XVI.
Sab and Mandy are at the Doctors clinic.

THE DOCTOR
Im sorry but your case is beyond my knowledge and capacities. Your uterus is retracting. Youre
too young. Are you married? You will surely have trouble getting a child in the future.

I will refer you to the foreign doctors from the relief operations of the flood; theyre willing to
help, especially that you are qualified as an indigenous patient. Get in touch with them.

The doctor wrote on a piece of paper and handed it to them.

SAB
Alright, Doc. Thank you.

XVII.
Ed is at the church. His phone rings.

ED
Sab... Okay, I will be there.

XVIII.
Sab and Mandy are in a different clinic.

NURSE
Hi, maam. Are you the one referred by Doctor Reyes?

MANDY
Yes, maam.

SAB
They said you will be needing this.

Sab gives her her medical records.

XIX.
Sab is lying on an operating table, he nether regions being checked by the foreign doctor.

XXX.
They are back at the nurses table.

NURSE
The doctor said your uterus are changing dramatically. This is his prescription.

SAB
May we speak with him directly?

NURSE
He is very busy right now, but maybe we can ask him later after his duty.

SAB
Do I have a chance bearing a child? Please be frank with me.

NURSE
I really cant give you any diagnosis, but based on what hes written, your case is very strange. So
it would be hard to bear child, to be frank.

If you want to, too, there is another way.

Mandy and Sab look at each other.

XXXI.
Sab and Mandy are at a cafe, each in her head.

MANDY
Im serious. I will be the surrogate mother.

SAB
What will other people say about us?

MANDY
I dont give a damn about them. Youre the most important. The child will be my flesh and
blood, still be our child.

She pauses.

MANDY
And I will be the luckiest lesbian in the world.

Sab laughs for the first time in a long time.

SAB
Youre crazy. But thanks, Mandy. Youre the only one consistent in taking care of me and Lola
since she was found at sea.

MANDY
During your joy, may I be there?

SAB
We dont know for certain. Maybe.

After a while, Sab dials on her phone.

SAB
Ed? Where are you?

XXXII.

Ed is in bed naked with Sab. Mandy joins them. The three of them make love. After a while, the
voice of a crying infant can be heard. An infant materializes between them, crying.

XXXIII.
Sab is staring faraway.

ED
Are you sure about that plan?

SAB

Keep your promise to my grandmother. Youre not a man of your word.

ED
Its not just that. I mean, that kind of operation would cost thousands, if not millions. Are you
sure its just 150K?

SAB
Thats what the nurse told me. I still have all the spared money that was supposed to be for her
operation. Im running out of options. Mandy has volunteered to be the surrogate. I only wait for
you.

ED
I will be busy, were preparing to leave for the ordination.
But where will I go for the operation?

Sab hugs him.

SAB
I will call you.

XXXIV
Sab, Mandy, and the nurse are in a car.

MANDY
Maam, heres the money.

NURSE
I will receive it later, maam. This is just going to be a check up. We still dont have the proper
equipment back at the clinic to have you checked properly. So far, youre healthy, but the
specialist will see you this time.

Sab calls Ed, but he isnt answering.

MANDY
Are you sure hell show up?

SAB
I know him. He keeps his word. Trust me.

MANDY
Just like his word to return for you?

SAB
This is not the same case.
Where will the surrogate father go, maam?

NURSE
He will be fine staying at the clinic. We will be the one to deliver his sperm from there.

Another fit of stomach ache attacks Sab; blood seep through her pants.

NURSE
Dont worry, maam. Were nearing the place. This is military-based so we have complete
equipment. They will immediately aid you when we get there.

Sabs pain heightens ten-folds, she screams.

MANDY
Dont you have anything there for the pain?

The nurse stops the vehicle, steps out to the trunk, and gets a first aid kit. She takes out a syringe
and injects Sab with it. Consequently, Sab calms down, and eventually falls asleep.

Mandy tries to contact Ed, but he still isnt answering.

XXXV.
Sab is back in the forest. Rounds of explosions from bombs can be heard. Gunshots are echoing
about. She sees the same woman with her face.

SAB
La, is that you?

WOMAN
Take cover. Come with me, quick.

The crawl towards and inside a shack; its walls are being torn by bullets.

WOMAN
Open your eyes.

A pair of American soldiers who Sab realizes are the same men posing as foreign doctors of the
relief operations tower over them and grab the woman. They dont notice Sab. She cant move
and speak again.

The soldiers tear the womans clothes apart. Suddenly, Sab is being sucked out of the scene
again, away from the shack with lightning speed. Only the womans screams can be heard.

XXXVI.
Sab wakes up to the image of the two American doctors at work. She turns to her side, and sees
Mandys guts out of her belly.

Sab is awake but she cant move and speak, but her eyes are wide open, in tears.

The doctors are done with Mandy. Their nurses clean up the area and carry Mandys corpse
away.

They prepare a new set of sharp apparatus for Sab. They start slicing her up...

A few incisions after, the wounds start patching themselves up scar-less. Shocked, the doctors,
open her up again, but to no avail. The wounds keep getting healed quickly.

CUT TO:

Blood and flesh fly about the room, splashing the walls with red. One doctors head rolls across
the floor. The other runs in panic. He sees the creatures reflection from a glass window: it retains
the image of a woman, but taller, and has the features of horse and cow, having two sets of wings,
and has white eyes.

It lashes out a huge hand with huge claws across the doctors belly, and his guts spill out.

The security guards barge into the room and fires at the creature with everything they have, but
it doesnt budge. They all run away, chased by the creature.

XXXVII.
The carnage and rampage ceases. Remains of the gore fest paint the room. A river of blood
across the floor divide the room in two. Sab is back in her human form, naked and blood-clad.
She walks over corpses and limbs, and out into the night.

She slowly floats mid-air, until she is flying skyward.

OLD LADY (V.O.)

Our order was formed by the babaylan (shaman) to defend the land from foreign invaders. For
centuries, we served as the silent protectors of the people. We lived harmoniously together, not
one without the other.

The Conquistador conquerors proved to be our downfall, building walls in our nation by the
sword and the word of their gods. They corrupted us from our own kind. Now, a barrier stands
strong between our kind and the people, in no need of each other anymore.

This internal turmoil filled with conspiracies and the ebbing of culture and identity will run
through our veins so long as we don't know who we are and who we're not.
We hide, and we protect still, but never forever.

END