OBA-CHAN no GEISHA (The Lady of Comfort = Ginang ng Aliw)
written 10/30/95
Copyright (C) 1998 Mark Ranel M. Lambo (maramala)
All Rights Reserved.
Part 1
Scene 1
Setting: A tori (gate) of a mountain shrine near Osaka, Japan.
(Kimu and Sabe stand guard at the tori)
Kimu: (stretching out) Aahhh... smell the air, Sabe-chan. Cool and refreshing, isn't it?
Sabe: Hai! (Yes!) It is quite a peaceful day, Kimu. The wind amongst the sakura trees, the birds in the air...
Kimu: A good sign. No troubles, no problems, no worries...
Sabe: A sign of victory in this war. Banzai! (Victory!)
Kimu: It's too bad we couldn't join the fighting, Sabe-chan.
Sabe: (looks around) It's almost dark. It's best we get going. Our replacements will be coming soon.
Kimu: Very well, let's go. Say, Sabe-chan, have you read the latest manga (comics)?..
(A running Tenshi passes by then followed by an angry group of Shinto priest/s.)
Priest: Help! He has stolen the sacred sword SoyoKaze. Stop him! (points at fleeing Tenshi)
Kimu: (surprised) Huh? I didn't know kagenin ninjas still exist. Haven't they been wiped out by Nobunaga centuries ago?
Sabe: I don't care. A thief is still a thief.
(Both Kimu and Sabe chase after Tenshi. Priest/s exit stage.)
Both Kimu and Sabe: (shouting) Stop!
(Tenshi stops, and turns around, his back against the wall. Both Kimu and Sabe approach him cautiously)
Sabe: You. Drop the sword and remove the mask. Now! (points his rifle towards Tenshi)
(A short scuffle ensues between Tenshi and both Kimu and Sabe. We see that Tenshi is a much superior fighter, but luckily Sabe reached his rifle in time and shot Tenshi before Tenshi could have finished Kimu. Tenshi staggers and exits the stage.)
Sabe: (crawling towards Kimu) Are you alright, Kimu?
Kimu: (grimaced) Yes, but Sabe-chan... the ninja has gotten away... we failed.
Sabe: No, my friend. He won't get far. (raises Kimu up)
(Both exit stage)
Scene 2
Setting: Later in the evening, at a pier.
(Tenshi approaches the checkpoint, checking to see if his clothes were in place.)
Soldier: Halt! Who goes there?
Tenshi: (bows) Kumbangla (Good Evening). I am Tenshi, a humble civilian who is to board the ship that sails for the Philippines tonight. Here are my official papers. (gives papers to Soldier)
Soldier: That's funny. There are supposed to be only soldiers on the ship. Hmm... but everything here seems in order. You may pass. (waves Tenshi through checkpoint after taking papers)
Tenshi: Domo arigato gonzaimasu (Thank you very much).
(Tenshi slowly and calmly walks towards center stage, as if being careful not to show that he has been mortally wounded.)
Tenshi: (to audience) I, Tenshi Usui, must not give in. I am mortally wounded and dying, and they will discover me if I seek medical help. But I must not let the sword SoyoKaze fall into the Nazi's hands. (takes out sword and shows it to audience) I must escape and leave my country. (looks back, then he takes out the book in his pocket, saying aloud the title) Nankai-no-Daiharan (Storm over the South Seas). Sayonara (Goodbye), aking mahal na lupang tinubuan.
(Tenshi exits stage)
Scene 3
Setting: The house of the family, in Dolores' bedroom.
(Miling, Dolores' mother, tries to wake up a sleeping Dolores.)
Miling: Gising na, Dolores. Nandito na si Carla naghihintay sa iyo. (shakes Dolores) Dolores! Gising na!
Dolores: (pushes Miling away) Ohhh... Gardo... Uhmmm... inay... Ano?!? (sits up) Na-late ako? Oh, no! Late na ako! Kailangang maghahanda ako na para sa klase, kundi magagalit si Sir Levi na naman...
Carla: Huwag mo abalahin, Dolores. Walang klase ngayon. May giyera kasi, eh.
Angela: (drowsy) Huh? Wuzzat? Anong iniingay diyan? Ginigising ninyo ako tuloy.
Dolores: (confused) Walang klase? Giyera?
Carla: Yeah. Ang mga Hapon ay lumulusob sa ating mahal na inang bayan. (yawns) Frankly, they're stupid; ang mga Joes ay mas malakas at magaling kaysa kanila kahit anong oras at araw.
Miling: Sus, anak, ito ay di-biro. Hindi natin alam ano ang magiging lapalaran ng giyerang ito. Kung mapanganib tayo, ano na? Baka mas malubha ang magiging kapalaran natin kaysa noon.
Angela: Aw, inay. Hindi naman tayo dukha, ah.
Carla: Yes, you are.
Dolores: (looking around) Mom? Nasaan si dad?
Miling: Siya'y umaalis... and sumalo sa away sa Corregidor. (turns away)
Dolores: Siya'y lumakad... na hindi nagpaalam natin?
Miling: Oo... sabi niya... hindi daw matagal. Babalik siya. Sabi niya. Kanyang pinapangako. (sits down and buried her face with her hands, begins to sob)
Dolores: Patawarin mo ako, inay. (comforts Miling)
Miling: (mumbling) Walang anuman iyan, Dolores. Nagdaramdam lang ako sa inyong ama.
Carla: Don't sweat it, Dolores. Your father will be fine. Makikita mo. Everything will be alright.
(Everybody leaves stage)
Part 2
Scene 1
Setting: The city plaza. The Japanese are assembled onstage.
Crier (Tenshi): (shouting) Everybody! Leave your houses and go directly to the plaza. NOW!
(Everybody else enters stage)
Dolores: I wonder what this is all about?
Angela: Where are the Joes?
Miling: Diyos Ko! Mga Hapon!
Crier: I have an announcement to make (faces the crowd gathered before him) Corregidor has fallen. The USAFFE has been defeated. The Philippine government has surrendered to the superior Japanese Imperial Armed Forces. (opens paper) We have a proclamation to make. (Tenshi then reads paper)
Proclamation of General Masaharu Homma
The Japanese Imperial Armed Forces wishes to share the well-beings with the officials and peoples of the native lands. Wait the arrivals of the Japanese troops with confidence and ease.
1. Regardless of the nationality, one is necessary to flee.
2. Making resistance or taking hostile actions against the
Japanese Imperial Armed Forces in any manner, leads the
whole native land into the ashes.
3. No peoples of the native lands are allowed to speak with
the tongue of enemies of Japanese Imperial Armed Forces.
Voice (Extra): Damn Japs! (ad-lib swear words) We will never surrender!
(One of the Japanese soldiers raises his gun and fires towards the masses. The people panics.)
Akuma: Stop! Don't panic! Be still!
(Meekly, the crowd obeyed and quieted down.)
Akuma: I am Colonel Akuma of the Japanese Imperial Army, and from now on, I will be in charge. Do not worry. I will be fair to you all. Clear? Good.
Angela: What happened to the Joes?
(The soldiers raises their guns again, but Colonel Akuma signals them to stop.)
Akuma: Americans? Most who are not soldiers are placed in detention and treated well, while those that resisted us were sent to Bataan for further punishment.
Miling: Everybody, even Filipinos?
Akuma: Everybody. (grim)
Miling: Oh, no...
Dolores: Father...
(Sounds of broken glasses and shattered porcelain are heard as the Japanese soldiers begin to ransack the empty homes.)
Akuma: My first order is that from now onwards, only Japanese can speak the English language. Those who violate this order will be severely reprimanded.
Miling: Oh, no! Ang ating bahay... Ang ating mga gamit...
(The crowd disperses. Colonel Akuma makes a signal to one of the Japanese soldiers beside him, and without a word, the soldier nods and made a motion to the rest of the soldiers. Suddenly, two of the soldiers rush towards the crowd, and starts abducting women. The women protests and screams to no avail. Carla was one of the women grabbed by the soldiers.)
Carla: Dolores! Tulungan mo ako!
Dolores: Carla!
Soldier: (snickering) You want to join her?
Carla: Dolores! Huwag akong kukunin sa kanila!
Dolores: Carla... (bows her head) I'm sorry...
(Dolores exits stage)
Carla: Nooo!
(The laughing soldiers, dragging a protesting Carla exit the stage, leaving Akuma.)
Akuma: (looking around) A good strategic place. General Masaharu Homma will be pleased.
(A Soldier enters the stage and approaches Akuma)
Soldier: Colonel Akuma, sir! (salutes)
Akuma: Mushi-Mushi? (What is it?)
Soldier: A letter, sir, from the Imperial Capital. (gives the letter to Akuma)
Soldier: Ah, I see. Why don't you join your fellow soldiers?
Soldier: (smiling) Arigato! I mean... Hai! (salutes and hurriedly leaves)
Akuma: Hmmm... (opens the letter) What could this be? (reads aloud the contents)
Colonel Akuma
Imperial Forces
Philippines Group
Sir:
The sacred sword SoyoKaze has been stolen. Reports indicate thief and SoyoKaze departed for the Philippines. It is imperative that you find them, and give SoyoKaze to the Nazis. Recover the sword and eliminate the thief.
Imperial Commander
Akuma: So, (crumples the letter) Someone dares disrupt our relationship with Nazi Germany. The traitor! He does not know that this is to ensure mastery over the whole of Asia! He will not live to see the day Japan becomes a world empire! I will succeed, I swear by my sword, BaraKurai!
(Carla's screams are heard from backstage)
Akuma: But that will be for later. For now, I think I'll join my men. (rubbing hands together)
(Akuma exits stage)
Scene 2
Setting: On the outskirts of the city
(Gardo is among a group of Hukbalahaps, rebel soldiers, in a secret meeting. Suddenly a man enters, bringing dire news.)
Man (Ponciano): Mga Kababayan! Nandito ang mga Hapon!
Gardo: Paano sila nakaalam na nandito tayo?
Ponciano: Merong tumataksil sa atin!
(The Japanese soldiers enter stage, and a firefight ensues. The Japanese are winning)
Ponciano: Gardo! Dapat makatakas ka!
Gardo: Paano na ikaw?
Ponciano: Ako ang bahala sa aking sarili. Pumunta ka sa bayan at hahanapin ang ating kaibigang Hapon. Heto ang kuwintas na simbolo niya. Dalian mo na! (gives pendant to Gardo)
Gardo: Ponciano! Hindi kita iiwanan!
Ponciano: Hindi mo iyan problema! Takas ka na, ngayon din!
(Gardo leaves stage)
Ponciano: Sugod, mga kapatid! (raises weapon)
(Both Hukbalahaps and Japanese soldiers, about 3 each side, close in for hand-to-hand fighting, while slowly exiting stage)
Scene 3
Setting: The house of the family, in the sala
(Angela, Miling and Dolores enters stage)
Miling: The house, it's ruined.
Dolores: What a mess.
Angela: It could have been worse. We would have lost our house.
(Gardo enters stage)
Gardo: Magandang hapon po. Huh? Anong nangyari?
Dolores: Gardo! (goes towards Gardo and embraces him)
Gardo: (embraces Dolores) Dolores! Kaytagal tayong hindi nagkikita.
Angela: Hey, Gardo! How are you? It's been a long time.
Gardo: Angela, hindi ba't sinasabi kong huwag magsalita ng Ingles. Mapanganib ka ng ganyan. Mag-Tagalog ka naman minsan.
Angela: Sus, Gardo. Huwag ka lang magseselos sa akin.
Gardo: Hoy, don't give me that American crap again, you...
Dolores: Kumusta na, Gardo?
Gardo: Heto, walang nagbabago. Nami-miss kita, Dolores. (turns away)
Miling: Gardo... Nasaan si Ponciano?
Gardo: Merong... inaaruga sa kabukiran. Baka hindi siya makadadalo daw rito. (looks around) Anong nangyari dito?
Dolores: The Japs... ginagawa nila ito.
Gardo: Ano? (shouts) Magsisisi sila!
Dolores: Huwag, Gardo! Huwag magiisip ng gagawa ng marahas. Baka ano pang mangyayari sa iyo.
Gardo: Dolores... Huwag kang naagbabalisa. Walang masamang mangyayari sa akin. (takes Dolores' hand) Pangako ko.
Dolores: Oh, Gardo... Huwag magpangako ng hindi mo matuparan.
Angela: (interrupting) Ahem. Kung nakalilimutan mo na, Dolores. Meron pa tayong gagawin ngayong gabi. (takes out letter)
Gardo: Ano ba iyan?
(Angela reads letter.)
To All Peoples
From the Japanese Imperial Army
Greetings.
All women are requested to report to the Japanese Headquarters in the evening for summary inspection. Failure to comply merits severe penalty.
Miling: Dolores... Angela... Kailangan mo bang susundin mo ang sinusulat ng mga sundalo? May kutob akong mapanganib kayo...
Dolores: Mom, walang mangyayaring masama sa amin. Pupunta lang kami sa barracks para kami suriin ng mga opisyal ng Hapon. Iyon lamang.
Miling: Ipangako ninyo... na hindi kayo masasaktan.
Angela: O.K.
Gardo: Dolores?
Dolores: Ano, Gardo?
Gardo: Hindi ako makasasama sa iyo, sapagkat baka makilala nila ako. Heto, (gives pendant to Dolores) isusuot mo ito, at maghahanap ka ng isang Hapon na opisyal. Kaibigan namin siya. Baka makatutulong siya sa iyo.
Dolores: Salamat, Gardo. (embraces Gardo)
Angela: Come on. Let's go, Dolores.
Dolores: Oo... Paalam po, inay... Gardo...
Gardo: Paalam, mahal...
Miling: Paalam, Dolores... Angela...
(Dolores and Angela leaves stage)
Gardo: Tayo na, inang. Wala na tayong magagawa pa dito.
Miling: Gardo?
Gardo: Ano po?
Miling: Ipangako mo sa akin na ipangagalagaan mo silang dalawang magkapatid. Hindi ko ito sinasabi sa kanila, ngunit... Baka hindi ako magtagal dito sa mundo.
Gardo: Inang! Huwag kang sasabi ng ganyan!
Miling: Tena, iho.
(Gardo and Miling leaves stage)
Part 3
Scene 1
Setting: In a dark alleyway
(Tenshi enters stage, then is suddenly shot in the arm)
Tenshi: Ugh! What the... The Kempetei!
Soldiers: (offstage) There he is! After him!
(Tenshi runs to the other side, then drops down, exausted)
Soldiers: (offstage) Where are you, you thief!
Tenshi: How did they find me here in the Philippines? Sombody in Japan must have betrayed me! And To think I could pass myself off as Inspector... Must protect Soyokaze... Won't let it fall to their hands...
(Dolores and Angela enters stage)
Dolores: Huh? Ano iyan? Ay! Merong taong nasasaktan doon! (goes towards a prone Tenshi)
Angela: Dolores! Don't get mixed up with Japs!
Dolores: Hindi mo na ba makikita na nasusugatan siya? (to Tenshi) Kumbangla, Omi-chan (Good Evening, Sir). Is there anything I can do for you?
Tenshi: Remarkable. A Filipina who speaks our language well. Do Itashimashite, lie (you're welcome, but no). Alam ko ring magsasalita ng Tagalog. Magandang gabi din sa iyo, Ginang.
Dolores: (awestruck) Ikaw ba ang may-ari ng kuwintas na ito? (gives pendant to Tenshi)
Tenshi: Hai. Aking selyo ito. Subalit wala na akong magagawa para sa inyo, at ako ay agaw-buhay na.
Angela: Tena, Dolores. Baka merong makikita sa atin dito.
Tenshi: Hintay lamang. (gives sword to Dolores) Heto, baka mapakinabangan ninyo ito. Basta huwag lang ninyo ibigay si SoyoKaze sa aking kababayan.
Dolores: Pero... Paano na kayo?
Tenshi: Bahala na, basta nagawa ko na ang aking pakay. Alis na kayo!
Angela: Tena, Dolores!
Dolores: (To Tenshi) Hindi ko pa alam kung ano ang pangalan mo.
Tenshi: Ah, hindi iyan mahalaga. Sayonara, Oba-chan. (Good-bye, Lady).
(Dolores and Angela exits stage as Tenshi recites haikku.)
Tenshi: Life
Gushes down
In drops of warm red
Flowing dark
Life...
(Soldiers, led by Akuma, enter stage.)
Tenshi: Rising
Shining sunbursts
On silk-screen cloth sky
Guiding spirits
Rising...
Akuma: So... the respected inspector... Sempai Tenshi Usui, you are the traitor who stole sacred SoyoKaze. Where is it, dog!
Tenshi: Only he who sees the light shall hold the Gentle Breeze (SoyoKaze). (laughs)
(Akuma then draws his gun and shoots Tenshi. Tenshi dies.)
Akuma: Lying like the samurai dog you are. Men, (addresses soldiers) search the area.
Soldiers: Yes, sir! (salutes)
(Everybody exits stage.)
Scene 2
Setting: In the Japanese headquarters
(Soldiers are onstage, partying with the "comfort women", Carla among them. Akuma is distanced away from the soldiers, deep in thought. Dolores and Angela enter stage.)
Angela: (looks around) What is this place?
Dolores: Tama ang kutob ni mama. (to Angela) Angela, kung ano ang gusto ng mga sundalo, huwag tanggihin mo.
Angela: Opo, ate.
Neko (one of the soldiers): Ah, there you are, you two. (approaches sisters) Finally arrived, eh? You may speak English freely here. You are all given "special treatment".
(The other soldier/s snickers.)
Dolores: Hai! We're here for the inspection. Sempai irrashai masu ka (Where is the inspector?)
(Neko winks to the other soldier/s, and they snicker. Akuma slowly approaches them.)
Neko: Inspection, eh? Well, babe, you're in luck. I, Neko, Private First Class of the Japanese Imperial Army, will...
Akuma: (interrupting) ...kindly step out of the way to let his superior pass. Sumimasen (Excuse me). (pushes Neko away)
Neko: Do itashimashite, Taiso Akuma (You're welcome, Sir Akuma, Sir). Damn...
Akuma: Kungbangla, oba-chan. (bows to Dolores and Angela) You are fortunate that I, commander of the Imperial forces, will personally... (gives both sisters the once-over) inspect you both, and not these minors. Let's see... How about we start with... you (points to Angela).
Dolores: Taiso Akuma, please don't hurt my sister. She's still 18, too young for you. Start with me first instead.
Akuma: Your ne-san (sister), eh? Don't worry, oba-chan... I will be careful with her. (to Angela) Come with me.
Dolores: Oh, no... Angela, punta ka sa kanyo, at huwag tanggihin, para kay inay.
Angela: Dolores...
(Carla approaches Dolores as Akuma and Angela exits stage.)
Carla: Dolores...
Dolores: Carla!
Carla: Dolores? Bakit ka nandito?
Dolores: Wala kaming magagawa... Pinagdadala kami dito. Ikaw?
Carla: You should know already. You let them take me.
Dolores: There was nothing we could do... nothing I could do...
Carla: I know that... Ngunit masakit, Dolores... Kaysakit... Ginagahasa nila ako ng todong-todo, sabay-sabay. (cries on Dolores' shoulder) Masakit...
Dolores: Carla... (embraces Carla) Patawarin mo ako...
Carla: Oo, Dolores. (wipes tears) Teka, sino'ng kasama mo?
Dolores: Si Angela...
Carla: Ano?
(Angela enters stage)
Dolores: Angela! Ano'ng nangyari?
Angela: Ako'y kanyang... kanyang... gina-gina-ga-ga... (cries)
Carla: Don't worry, Angela. You'll get used to it.
Dolores: Carla! How heartless of you!
Carla: Sorry. Nakalimutan kong first time pala niya.
Angela: Oh, yeah. (wipes tears) The Colonel wants you next.
(Everyone exits stage. Pause, to signal the passage of some time, then Akuma and Dolores enters stage.)
Akuma: (fixes own clothes) Can I call you Ressa from now on?
Dolores: Ha-Hai.
Akuma: Ressa, (arranges Dolores' clothes) Ressa. Among the geisha no oba-chan (Ladies of Comfort=whores) I have been with, you are the best.
Dolores: (ashamed) Arigato.
Akuma: Come back tomorrow. We have a lot to discuss about us and your family's... future.
(Dolores turns to leave, but Akuma calls out to her.)
Akuma: And bring your sister along. She's quite luscious as well. So young, so pure, so fresh and sweet...
(Both exits stage)
Scene 3
Setting: Morning, in the house of the family, in the sala
(Miling, Gardo, Angela and Dolores enters stage)
Dolores: Heto, Gardo. Ibinigay sa akin mula sa iyong kaibigang Hapon. (gives sword to Gardo)
Gardo: Isang espada?
Dolores: Mahalaga daw iyan. Huwag daw ito makukuha ng kanyang kababayang Hapones.
Gardo: Nasaan na siya?
Angela: He's probably dead by now.
Miling: Ano'ng nangyayari ninyo na naman?
Angela: Wala... inay. Nothing... happened.
Dolores: Ngunit babalik daw kami ngayong gabi.
Miling: Bakit? Gabing-gabi na naman kayong nag-babalik doon so barracks. Ano ba ang ginagawa ninyo doon, ha? Bakit hindi ninyo masasabi sa akin?
Dolores: Sa ating kinabukasan ang ginagawa namin, inay.
(Everybody exits stage. Dolores and Gardo then enters stage.)
Dolores: Gardo! Bakit mo ako sinusundan?
Gardo: Dolores... hindi ko na matitiis na papayagin kitang pumunta sa mga sundalong Hapon gabing-gabi.
Dolores: Gardo... Konting tiis lamang. Wala tayong makukunan kung maggawa ka ng marahas.
Gardo: Ano ba ang gagawin ko, ha? Sabihin mo sa akin!
Dolores: Gardo... Patawarin mo ako...
Gardo: Pinangangko ko sa iyong ina na ipagtanggol kita kailanman, and iyan ay gagawin ko, kahit pupunta pa ako sa impiyerno!
(Gardo exits stage.)
Dolores: Gardo... Hindi mo alam... Ginawa ko itong lahat para sa ating kinabukasan...
(Dolores exits stage.)
Part 4
Scene 1
Setting: In the streets
(Dolores and Akuma walk together, with Dolores' arms around Akuma's shoulder.)
Akuma: It was a sterling performance, wasn't it, Ressa?
Dolores: Hai, But you shouldn't have brought me there, Taiso Akuma.
Akuma: And why not?
Dolores: I really couldn't tell you...
Akuma: Oh? Don't worry... I am not like the others... you can tell me what is troubling you, Ressa.
Dolores: My mother works there in the theater.
Akuma: Your mother? Impressive. You should be proud.
Dolores: I'm not...
(Miling enters stage)
Miling: Dolores! (shocked)
Dolores: Alam mo na... inay.
Akuma: (surprised) What's going on here?
Miling: Bakit... Bakit mo ginagawa ito?
Dolores: Para ito sa ating kinabukasan, inay.
Miling: Hindi iyan mahalaga sa akin! Basta't makataas-noo ka lamang, anak, maligaya na... (clutches chest) ...ako...
(Miling collapses to the ground. Dolores rushes to her side.)
Akuma: She's fainted. I'll go see what I can do. (exits stage)
Dolores: Mom! Patawarin mo ako!
Miling: Dolores... (closes her eyes)
Dolores: Mom! (bursts into tears)
(Akuma enters stage, along with a couple of soldiers. They lift the still body of Miling and exits stage, leaving Akuma and Dolores together.)
Akuma: She has had a heart attack. So, she's your mother.
Dolores: (wiping off tears) Hai.
Akuma: I'm sorry. Forgive me, my dear. (Kneels down) She must be ashamed of you, Ressa.
Dolores: What are you doing?
Akuma: Will you... marry me? (bows) For your mother's sake.
Dolores: I... I... (turns away)
Akuma: I really do love you... Ressa. (stands)
(Dolores and Akuma exits stage.)
Scene 2-3
Setting: In the Japanese headquarters
(Two of the Japanese soldiers are standing in the middle.)
Neko: Did you hear the news, Baro?
Baro: I didn't know, Neko? What is it?
Neko: I hear that Colonel Akuma is getting married.
Baro: What? (surprised) I don't believe it. So, who's the girl?
Neko: I hear that she was one of our geishas.
Baro: Oh? All of us must have had her by now. She must have been really beautiful to have caught Akuma.
Neko: Great catch. (mischievous grin) Or is that the other way around? Heh, heh. (laughs)
(As Baro and Neko are laughing, Carla and Angela enters stage.)
Carla: At anong nangyari sa iyong ina?
Angela: Wala nila naligtas si inay. Namamatay na siya... nang inaabutan nila... ang ospital. (cries on Carla's shoulder)
Carla: Nakikiramay ako sa iyo, Angela. (pats Angela's head) Magiting at dakila ang iyong ina. Minamahay at inaaruga tayong lahat... Sayang at namamatay siyang hindi niya makikita ang pagkakasal ng kanyang anak.
Angela: Wala na akong pamiliya. Nag-iisa lamang ako ngayon.
Carla: Nandito pa rin ako, Angela. (comforts Angela)
(Akuma and Dolores enters the stage. Both are dressed in wedding attire.)
Akuma: Where's the priest? He should be here by now. (To Dolores) Ressa, I'm so happy that you agreed to marry me. We would go to Japan, and you can meet my folks there in Hiroshima...
Dolores: I'm glad for us... (sighs)
Akuma: (finishes) ...but only after I recover SoyoKaze.
Dolores: SoyoKaze?
Akuma: It was a sacred sword, one of Japan's Imperial treasures. The Japanese Imperial Forces was to present SoyoKaze to Nazi Germany as a sign of alliance and mutual friendship.
Dolores: Oh!
(Ponciano, dressed as a Catholic priest, enters stage)
Akuma: Do you know anything about SoyoKaze, Ressa?
Dolores: I...
Priest (Ponciano): Ahem. I'm here.
Carla: A... Catholic priest? (surprised)
Angela: Gusto ni Dolores na ipakakasal siya sa simbahang Katoliko. Bakit kaya hindi tinanggihan ni Colonel Akuma?
Carla: Baka... iniibig niya si Dolores ng tunay. (thoughtful) Parang kilalang-kilala ko ang paring iyon...
(The ceremonies begin. During the exchange of vows, gunfire is heard backstage.)
Gardo (offstage): Dolores! Nandito ako! Dolores! Hintay!
Dolores: Gardo...
Akuma: What... Men!
Both Soldiers: Hai!
Akuma: Take care of the disturbance, will you? They're disrupting my wedding.
(Neko and Baro exits stage)
Akuma: Now where were we? Oh, yes...
(The wedding continues. The sounds of fighting ceases.)
Priest: If there is anyone present here who believes that this union will not come to pass, speak up now, or forever hold your peace...
(Baro is suddenly thrown onstage. Gardo then enters stage.)
Gardo: (brandishes gun) I do!
Akuma: Huh? (surprised)
Dolores: Gardo!
Akuma: (puzzled) You know this man, Ressa? (looks at Dolores)
Gardo: Hindi dapat matutuloy ang kasal na ito, sapagkat hindi niya mahal ang Hapong iyan! (points at Akuma)
Dolores: Gardo...
Gardo: Alam ko na ang babaing iyan (points at Dolores) ay tanging umiibig sa isang tao lamang. Ako!
Akuma: What is this? (indignant) How dare you disrupt this sacred ceremony! You should be punished! (draws BaraKurai)
Gardo: And you are nothing but a wretched scum, pretending to be a noble soldier. (drops gun) Prepare to die! (draws SoyoKaze)
Akuma: So... ikaw ang tapagmana ni Tenshi. Ngunit ang SoyoKaze ay hindi sumusunod sa isang gaijin (non-Japanese) katulad sa iyo. Kaya mo bang talunin ako?
Gardo: We'll see.
Carla: Huh? Marunong palang magsasalita ng Tagalog ang Hapong ito, ah. Inglis-Inglis pa nga.
(Akuma and Gardo fight it out to the bitter end. In the end, Akuma is victorious. Gardo falls to the ground, and Akuma points his sword at Gardo's throat.)
Dolores: Akuma! Huwag!
Akuma: Ressa... You love him, too? What about my love? Is it all for naught?
Dolores: Hai... Iniibig ko siya. Huwag mo siya patayin.
Akuma: So I see. I will let him go, if...
Dolores: If?
Akuma: ...if you will be my wife.
Gardo: No, Dolores!
Dolores: (hesitates)... yes... I... will...
Gardo: Hindi! Hindi ko papayag! (grabs Akuma's blade and stabs himself)
Dolores: Gardo! (rushes to Gardo's side)
Gardo: Paalam... Dolores... (dies)
Akuma: What a waste. And to think I would have really let him go. Ressa... (touches Ressa's shoulder)
Dolores: Huwag mo akong hipuin! Nagpapayag lang akong ginagawa itong lahat... kahit pakakasal sa iyo para sa kinabukasan namin, at tatakas rin ako ng pagkakataon. Ngayo'y huli na ang lahat... Wala na akong silbing mabubuhay pa. (takes SoyoKaze)
Akuma: No, Ressa!
Dolores: Hanggang sa susunod, mahal. (stabs herself) Hindi tayo magkahiwalay... kahit kamatayan... (lies beside Gardo)
Tenshi: (offstage) Only he who sees the light shall hold SoyoKaze, the Gentle Breeze (laughs).
(Akuma goes to Dolores' side.)
Priest: Hindi ko na kailangan ito. (disrobes to reveal Ponciano)
Carla: Ponciano! (embraces Ponciano)
Ponciano: Carla!
Akuma: Ressa! Ressa! I understand it now, but too late. Nabigo ako. (gets SoyoKaze) There is only one recourse. (raises sword) Kami no Anito (Spirits of our great ancestors), forgive this wretched soul for his failure. May you accept my life as sacrifice for my blemished honor. (slices gut) I... love... you... Ressa... (lies beside Dolores)
Ponciano: Nag-harakiri siya para sa pag-ibig.
Angela: Hindi. Ang kay Dolores ay harakiri. Ang sa kanya ay seppuku. (pick up BaraKurai) This was Akuma's battle sword. BaraKurai, the Dark Rose. How appropriate.
Ponciano: Nais na hiniling ni Gardo na itatago daw ang espadang Hapon, and isasauli lamang ito sa araw ng kapayapaang tunay. (picks up SoyoKaze)
Carla: Susundin ka namin doon sa kabukiran. (to Angela) Tayo na, Angela.
Angela: (turns away) Hindi ako sasama sa inyo.
Ponciano: Bakit?
Angela: (to audience) Ako ay ang Oba-chan no Geisha... ng mga Hapon.
(Carla and Ponciano exits stage. Angela bows, then exits stage.)
-end-
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