Our character is shaped
by our past. However, sometimes it creates our fear and hatred
to the truth. Emotions that push us to leave the past behind
and never revisit it. [pensive music playing] Indang... Hon... are you okay? What is it? Uh... It's nothing. I'm okay. Um... I just... had a bad dream. I'm okay. Let's go back to sleep. I’ll be with you in a while. [Charo] Dear Charo, During those times, I can say that everything
I wished for in life had already been achieved, a decent home
and a good husband. The only thing I was waiting for was a baby
to complete my family. But in my anticipation,
someone else came. And that was a past
I had buried for a long time. [somber music playing] Why did you have
to pick a fight, huh? They say you punched
a kid over there. Oh, you. You're becoming hard headed. Next time,
you should comb your hair so they won't have to tease you. Here is she is now. Wait, why does she look like
that? Why does is she pale? Is she sick? She has diarrhea. Oh, gosh. [clicks tongue]
Okay, let's go here. If the child
is not feeling well, you should tell me immediately because something bad
might happen. You know how it is now. It's a burden to get sick. So, tell me
if someone's not feeling well. [woman coughing] Wait here. Oh... Indang. Indang, have some water. Come on. [grunts] All right. Indang, have some water. Indang, the medicine in the clinic
has already run out. And I think medicine
won't be enough, our local hospital is also full. I'll take you to Manila. I'll ask for help there. You don't need to. Let's just leave it that. She'll just get angry with you. [coughs] I'll be okay soon. It will pass. I just want to rest. [somber music playing] Being poor is not a tragedy,
it's a curse. Just like
that Pinatubo incident. Aetas are roaming the streets,
begging from cars. It's such a shame. [sighs]
But you can't blame them, they were born that way,
scavengers. Mom, just eat. This wine and some pieces
of meat are enough for me. I'm trying to keep my figure. Can you also keep your sanity? It seems like you've had enough. You're saying all sorts
of things, Mom. Why, son? I'm perfectly in tune. Everything I've said
are correct. I can't imagine myself
to be poor. Right, Hasmin? Yes, Mom. But, Mom, your doctor said you should
cut down on your drinking. I know you were born poor,
Hasmin. I didn't mean to offend you. But you've always been a winner. Even if you grew up
in an orphanage, you were self-supporting
in college. With your job, you went from copywriter
to creative director at such a young age. And now, what? You're a housewife to my son. It's such a waste of talent. Mom... you're putting things
on my wife's mind again. What I've said is true. If I were you, I'd leave your husband and go back
to the career I wasted. -Right?
-We've discussed that, Mom. She will stop working
for a while so we can have a baby. Whatever. That's what men always say, so they won't be overshadowed
by their more successful wives. Right, Hasmin? Yes, Mom. You're always agreeing to her. That's why
she's always like this. Ma, I think you have to go home. Okay? Go home now, Mom. -Let's go, let's go.
-Oh. You're really short-tempered. Anyway,
it was such a nice dinner. Okay, let's go, Mom. -Wait, wait. Hold on.
-Let's go-- Bye, Mom. Bye. One more thing, can you imagine me as an Aeta? I'm much too pretty
for that. Right? [chuckles] Bye, Hasmin. Bye, Mom. Tonight, we will show
you the ceaseless damage caused by the lahar
to the lives and properties of our fellow countrymen
in the province of Pampanga... -On June 15, Saturday...
-[knocking on door] Come in... ...the most explosive eruption
of Mt. Pinatubo occurred. It rained ash and rocks, -accompanied by a storm...
-Ma'am, someone is looking for you outside. Who is it? [Hasmin] Rita. -Oh, Hasmin.
-Rita. -How are you?
-I'm fine. How about you? Oh, I have apologize. I haven't picked up
the things you sent. Things are still chaotic
at our place. -It's okay.
-I need to bring your mom to the hospital
because she's sick. Where is she? She's over there. [dramatic music plying] Hasmin. Hasmin! My child! Hasmin, Hasmin... Uh, Rita, um... it's just... Um, I'll just give you
some money. -Take mom to the hospital first.
-Hasmin! Um... take care
of her for now... -Hasmin!
-Call me and let me know which hospital
you're admitting her to. -Hasmin!
-Then... I'll visit you there. Hasmin! Has... Hasmin. Isn't that Hasmin? Uh... Come on, Indang. Doesn't she recognize me? [Rita] It's not that, Indang.
Let's come back later. Is this her house? I'm glad she got lucky. Hasmin! -Is that her husband?
-Let's go. Let's come back later. Hasmin. Who was that? Um... I don't know. Um... just asking for help. They're from Pinatubo. Come on, let's go inside. -[Indang] Hasmin...
-It's delicious. [girl]
I think your mom is calling you. Hasmin, come. Come out for a moment. Come out. Hasmin... Come out. Come here. Hasmin... Come out. Come here. [smooches] You took so long to come out. I'm in a hurry because Mrs. Alitagtag
is waiting for me. But I couldn't sit still because I bought
something for you. Look at this.
Look at what I bought. Oh, it looks good on you, right? Look, the color suits you
because you're so fair skinned. You really take after
your father. But look, look, if I wear it, it doesn't suit me
because I'm so dark. Right? Oh, have you eaten your snacks? Isn't it your recess now? -Have you had your snack?
-Yes. Good. Oh, you have it here. Okay, go ahead and eat. Let me have some, okay? I'm taking this home, okay? There you go. Mom,
maybe you should go home now because they might be waiting
for you there. -By Mrs. Alitagtag?
-Yes. She might scold you. I'm really on my way
to Mrs. Alitagtag because you know her, she can't sit still
if she doesn't give me orders. She wants to make sure
she gets the most out of what she's spending
on your education. So do well. Do well in your studies. You're my only hope. Do well in your studies,
and be good. Yes, Mom. -Okay, I'm leaving now.
-Yes, Indang. Bye, Indang. Hey, Hasmin, your dark-skinned
mother visited you again, huh? [in unison]
Dark-skinned, dark-skinned. Daughter of a dark-skinned. Dark-skinned, dark-skinned.
Daughter of a dark-skinned. Dark-skinned, dark-skinned. Stop teasing Hasmin!
That's enough! Dark-skinned, dark-skinned.
Daughter of a dark-skinned. [Charo] Even as I grew
into a teenager, the ridicule didn't stop. The only difference is that
the mockery wasn't as loud because we were
no longer children. But in their opinion, I was still the daughter
of a dark-skinned, so I grew old alone. My only friend was Rita, who was with me in my problems and defended me against
the insults thrown at me and my mom. Don't forget about me, Hasmin. Behave there. Also, write to me. Even though I can't read,
Rita is here, she will always read
the letters for me. Come visit me here. You'll still visit me, right? [melancholy music playing] Promise me you'll visit, okay? Behave there, dear. Send me a letter, okay? [Charo]
After finishing high school, I decided to go to Manila and never look back
at everything from my past... Hasmin, send me a letter! [Charo]
This past includes my mother. [phone ringing] -Hello.
-[Rita] Hello, Hasmin. Hasmin, it's Rita. Indang's illness
is getting worse, come here. Um, Rita, can't I just
send money there? If you don't come here, the next time you see Indang,
she might be in a coffin. [dramatic music playing] Miss, please buy this basket
and broom. Whatever amount you can give. My child is sick, I need the money
for my child's medicine. I recognize you.
Do you live here before? Yes. I am the daughter
of the dark-skinned. Dark-skinned? Hasmin? Yes, it's me. Rita... Where's Indang? She's over here. She's over at the end. [Hasmin] Indang. Indang. [dramatic music playing] It's me, Hasmin. Hasmin? Hasmin. Is it... is it you? It's really you. Am I just dreaming? No. It's really you. You know, dear, your frequent visits here make me stronger,
my body becomes robust. Haven't you noticed? I'm full of life. That's why... I've been thinking, Indang, maybe it would be better if... I bring you to Manila
so that you're closer to me, and have
a more comfortable life. Really? Are you going
to take me with you? Huh? Uh... Um... what I mean, Indang, is that I'll get you
an apartment in Manila. Indang, I'm sorry. You know
it's not possible, right? That's okay. I just misunderstood it. But forget about that. You said you'll bring me
to Manila. Maybe that's a good idea. Because we'll be closer. We'll see each other more often. Yes. So, next week
when I come back here, I'll bring you to Manila. It seems like
you've gained weight. And you seem pale. Are you pregnant? [pensive music playing] Where have you been? Hon. Uh... Um... I was invited by... my college batch mates. And our talks got so long, and I lost track of time. I'm sorry. Is that so? Hon, would I lie to you? Hm? Okay, I believe you. Come on, let's go to sleep. You go ahead. I'll go to bed in a few. Okay. I'll wait for you. You're so excited, Indang. You know, dear, we haven't seen
each other for ten years, and we've been separated
for that long time. Money is the only reminder that I still have a child. It's like... It's like a blessing
from the gods, the eruption of Pinatubo. Because if not for that, maybe we wouldn't see
each other again. But she won't bring you
to her house. She'll still keep you a secret. One step at a time, dear. Little by little,
she will eventually accept me. [somber music playing] Oh... Why are you crying? It's nothing. I'm just happy for you. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Indang, you take care, okay? Mom... good morning. Have you been
here since earlier? I didn't know
you were coming here today. What's... the problem? You know, Hasmin, with just one look at a woman, I can tell if she has a man or if she's hiding
a secret from her husband. Maybe I've gotten used
to it when I look at a mirror. Eric probably
suspects something. He just doesn't want to ask you, maybe because... of too much respect for you. Every Monday, like today, you disappear. And you come back late at night, and he doesn't know
where you've been. If you ask me,
you're cheating on him. So, I took the initiative
to talk to you. You know, Hasmin, you've become dear to me
as a daughter-in-law. But I don't want my only child
to look like a fool. I'm telling you,
I could kill you. I know you're hiding something. I want to know what that is. [sighs] Indang. -Indang!
-Hasmin, Has... Where's... where's Hasmin? Is she here? Has she arrived? Where is she? Where is she? Oh, Indang,
I said let's go inside. She won't come anymore-- No, no, no. No. Don't say that. She'll come. She'll come. Please... please let me be. She'll come. Please let me be. I'll wait for her here. I'll wait for her here. Please let me be. I'll wait for her here. Mom already told me. I'm sorry. She shouldn't have
told you that. She shouldn't have -talked to you.
-[shushes] I just wanted to surprise you. Yes, you surprised me. I'm going to be a dad. [both chuckles] Hi, baby. Let me listen. Let me listen. There you go. Oh, my. Hi, baby. Hi, baby. Oh, Indang, where are you going? It's Hasmin's birthday today. I'm going to bring this to her. This is what we made. Indang, please don't go. You know, I heard on the radio that on the day she was supposed
to come and fetch me, the road leading here
was filled with lahar. Maybe that's why
she couldn't make it. So, I'm leaving now,
it might get late. Okay? Indang. Please wait for me,
I'll go with you. No, no, I'll go alone. You're needed here. And don't worry,
nothing will happen to me. Okay? All right, I'm leaving. ♪ Happy Birthday to you ♪ ♪ Happy Birthday to you ♪ ♪ Happy Birthday ♪ ♪ Happy Birthday ♪ ♪ Happy Birthday to you ♪ Make a wish. Oh, blow, blow. Go on! There's still plenty
of food here. Help yourself. [Eric] You might
have not look after it. You have to be resourceful.
Hello, hello, hello. Oh, if you want to eat,
just keep eating. You can take out if you want. All right. Of course... I hope so, too. I'll be right over here. Help yourselves. Eat as much as you want. Just put it on the table there. Dear. This is for you. This is what we made. I finished it. I know it's your birthday today. Happy birthday, dear. [dramatic music playing] [Eric in low voice] Hasmin. What's this about? Who was she? I don't know. I... I don't know her. Nanny. Here's some money. Pay her for the basket. Ask her if she has eaten. If she hasn't, let her
in the kitchen and feed her. Hurry. Okay, let's enjoy, let's enjoy. Keep eating.
Please, continue eating. The inside of your house
is really nice. It's so far
from where Indang lives. You've come a long way, Hasmin. It seems like you've forgotten
where you came from. [sighs] Maybe you're forgetting that the reason you're here now is because your mother
chose to be a servant. You're alive right now because
she left your foreigner father just to continue
her pregnancy with you. And this is what
you'll repay her? I love Indang, Rita. I'm not forgetting
my obligation. I send money to her. Money? She doesn't need your money. Your money can't cure
your mother's illness. What is her illness? You, you are the cause
of her illness, Hasmin. Me? How is this my fault? Many people die of loneliness
more than of sickness, and your mother is one of them. You are killing her. What does she need? She needs your love. I love her! I love Indang,
I love her so much! What kind of love is that? What kind of love is that? You have no right
to judge me, Rita. You don't know the hardships
I've went through. It doesn't matter
what you've been through. You have no right
to abandon your mother! You've been living in lies
and pretense for so long. You probably don't even know
what true love is. I hope that when you wake up, it's not too late. [somber music playing] Eric... I hope to see the baby. [dramatic music playing] I don't understand. Explain this to me, Hasmin. I don't have another man,
if that's what you're thinking. Are you insulting me? Then why does the child
look like that? Tell me, Hasmin! That child is the curse
that envelops my identity. That child is the curse... That child is the curse
that flows in my veins. Hasmin... what are you talking about? I'm scared. I was scared, Eric. I was afraid... to tell you my true identity
because you might not accept me. I'm afraid that... if you find out who I really am, where I come from, you might not agree
to mix your blood with the blood of an Aeta. That's it. Now I realize. Despite... However I keep this secret
and cover this up, the truth... will still come out. I grew up... I grew up being jeered at, Eric. That's the reason why... I felt ashamed of my own mother. Yes, Eric. My mother is an Aeta. I am a child of an Aeta. [melancholy music playing] -Sir, can I ask?
-What is it, sir? Where is Indang Obay? Uh, she's inside. -Okay, thank you.
-She's inside. No problem. [dramatic music playing] Close your eyes. Close your eyes! There you go. Baby... Now feel it, the warmth of the baby
you're holding. [light music playing] Feel the life
that came from you, Hasmin. Now tell me, is there any difference? Is there, Hasmin? Hey, where are you going? Uh, Mom, we're going
to pick up Hasmin's mother. Oh... You know, Hasmin, when I see you now, all I see... is a dark-skinned, a lying dark-skinned. You know... Do you know why
I turned out like this? Because of people like you. I regret leaving my real mother
just... just to be like you. -How dare you! Eric--
-Mom, stop it. Mom, I love you, but I also love my wife. I accepted her for who she is and where she came from. I want you to do the same, Mom. Please, don't make me choose, Mom. Let's go. Indang, I'll miss you. Well, you'll visit me,
won't you? Please visit me there. Don't forget about me. Of course, I won't forget you. I love you. I'm just so happy today. I'm really happy. Is this all right?
Does it look good? -Do I look good?
-Yes. You look beautiful
no matter what you wear. Hasmin will be delighted. You know, she really wants
to be with you. Thank you for everything. Thank you. Thank you for everything. I'm just really happy. Oh, Indang, they're here. Hasmin is here. She even brought
your granddaughter, Indang. Indang. -Indang...
-Dear. -Hasmin.
-Indang. Is this my grandchild? Oh... she really takes after me. Oh, so beautiful. Look at her. Thank you so much, Eric. Look, she takes after me. She takes after her grandmother. Look at her. She takes after her grandmother. [all] Bye. [Charo] On that day, Charo, with the tight embrace
of my Indang, I felt true freedom. The freedom
to be a real granddaughter and the freedom
to love my mother who loved me
despite my weaknesses. On that same day,
I also awakened to the truth. The truth that people come
from different races and colors. No matter who you are
or where you come from, we are all equal. Yours truly, Hasmin. No matter how much
we try to escape our past, it will eventually catch up
to us. So instead of hiding
and covering it up, let's accept it
as part of our identity. Because only through this can we achieve true peace
and happiness. This has been Charo Santos. Good evening.
