Who we are as individuals is sometimes dictated not by our
own dreams and decisions, but by the society
surrounding us. A society
that can be judgmental. Tonight, let's witness the story
of siblings who measured their identities based on the sins
of their parents. -Jun-jun!
-Oh? Hey, let's go inside, -I have a new toy.
-Sure! Come on. Mom, can we play inside? Didn't I tell you, I don't want
you playing with him. Why not? He's my friend. Whatever. Jun-jun is not allowed
to play with you. Go home. [Grace] Philip! Why do you look like that? Jun-jun's mom
is always like that. I'm not doing anything. Just ignore her. Smile. Dad is coming home today. -Really?
-Yes. Whoever is last at home
has to do the dishes. Hey, you're cheating. You're such a cheater. You lost, huh. Because you cheated. You ran away quickly,
you didn't say go. -[both] It’s Dad.
-Dad is here. What do you want, Auring? I told you from the start,
my situation won't change. I can't leave them. [both] Dad? Go outside for a bit, your Mom and I
are still talking. What's going on in your mind? You said you'll take care of us. Am I not doing that? Why are they fighting? [Rodrigo] I didn’t promise
anything like that. [Charo] <i>"Dear Charo, our father</i>
<i>was mysterious to us."</i> <i>"We only saw him once a week."</i> <i>"Our mother said</i>
<i>he was assigned far away."</i> <i>"Despite our financial</i>
<i>difficulties,</i> <i>I was happy because our family</i>
<i>was complete."</i> -Uh, how much, Miss?
-[woman] Two pesos. -Ah, just this biscuit then.
-Okay. -Wait a moment.
-Okay. -[woman] Which one?
-[girl] She has no money. [Jenny] What was that? [woman] Order now. What is it? Why, do you have this? Oh, that's a picture of my dad. Your dad? This is my dad! Liar. [mellow music playing] Mommy! Daddy! Oh Jenny, why does your face
look like that? [Rodrigo] What happened, Jenny? [Jenny] Because there's a kid
at school saying you're his dad. Rodrigo? Oh, she's just fooling you,
Jenny. Don't believe her. Come inside. See? You broke something
in here! I don't want you to come back
into our house. -I told you--!
-Let go of my brother. Looks like your mom
didn’t teach you! Don't push people
older than you! -Mom, that's enough.
-Stop bothering me. You have no right
to hurt my sibling. Why are you
still answering back, huh? You're mom really raised you
to be rude! You, both of you! And you! You'll end up
just like your mom! -[Jun-jun] Mom, that's enough.
-[woman] What? Stop it. Getting involved
with a married man! -Ruining families!
-Hey! Don't talk to my children
that way. If you have a grudge against me,
don't take it out on them. Why? It's true, right? -They're your children of sin.
-[Jun-jun] Mom, that's enough... -You've gone too far.
-Mom! Mom! [indistinct clamoring] Mom! That’s enough! [foreboding music playing] Oh friend, what happened?
I heard you got into a fight. It's our gossip-mongers
for neighbors. Anyway, Flor has been
sleeping all day. -[Auring] Thanks, friend.
-[friend] I'll go ahead. Is that true, Mom? [sobs] Does Dad have another family? Are you his mistress? Don't lie. You said he's far away
when he's not here. Turns out, he has another family. They're in a better house, with better things, and a better life. I really don't know
how you found out about this. But remember this. Your dad loves us. Even if... We're just his second family. That's enough, Mom. Grace... [sighs] Dear, it's ready. Eat up. Share this
with each other first. What's left will be
for your sister. I need money
for a school project in English. Can we pay for it next week? We don't have money yet. Mom, where's Dad? When is he coming back? It might take a while before
your dad comes back. Will it take a while or he won't come back? Mom... Didn't you say he loves us? You're lying again. -I'm leaving.
-Grace. [gate clanking] Grace,
is what you told Mom true? That Dad won't come back
anymore? It's been weeks
since he's been home. Why doesn't he like us anymore? Why did he choose them? Because they are his real
family. We're his real family too. We're his real children. Why? Are we not real? You're something else. Yes, but... Mom and Dad aren't married. But Dad... He is married
to the woman living there. So they are the real family. Is Mom a bad woman? Just like Jun-jun's mom said, are we really children of sin? Are we going to hell? We won't go to hell. And... Just ignore the things
they say about us. There's nothing wrong with us.
Remember that. As long as... The both of us
are here for each other. No one gets left behind. Promise, okay? -Promise?
-Yes. Sis, I need new shoes. These are broken already. Well, Mom doesn't have
money anymore. She just borrowed money
for my project. Use rubber cement for now. You don't take care of your
things, look at that. -You're something else.
-[Auring] Come. Come, Ramon. This is where I live. Oh, sit, sit. -[Ramon] Thank you.
-[Auring] Oh, oh, oh my. Oh my goodness. My children. My children. This is Grace, my eldest. Philip, the second one. And this one is Jasmine, my
third. And there's one more,
the youngest, Flor. [Ramon] Ah... Come here. Ask for blessing. God bless you. He's your Uncle Ramon. Oh, look at the things
we bought for you. We bought stuff for you. Oh, Philip, this is for you. Isn't your shoes
already worn out? Now you have new shoes. What will you say to your Uncle
Ramon? [Philip] Thank you. Oh, look, look. Throw that away already. [Ramon] Open it. Let's see. Did you think
I would forget you? Grace, here,
your favorite color. A new blouse. -[Ramon] Does it fit you?
-Thank you. Try it on. [Auring] So, is it pretty? [Philip] And then, Uncle Ramon
said he'll take us to the zoo. We haven't been there yet, Ate. I hope we can go there soon. You know, Philip, You keep mentioning Uncle Ramon, we just met him. Besides... Will he always be here? Yes, he's our new dad, right? Philip, he's not our new dad. We don't have a dad. Well, I want a dad. He will be our new dad. Grace... Your Uncle Ramon will help me in raising you. Isn't he like Dad, Mom? No. Your Uncle Ramon is a good
person. He won't neglect us. [Charo] <i>"Uncle Ramon</i>
<i>moved us to a new house."</i> <i>"I hoped things</i>
<i>would change when he arrived."</i> <i>"That somehow,</i>
<i>our family would be respected."</i> <i>"But like our dad,</i> <i>Uncle Ramon only comes home</i>
<i>when he feels like it."</i> You keep on telling me
about that girl, but until now,
nothing has happened. It's embarrassing. Oh? Auring, your son is shy. [chuckles] Grace, your Uncle Ramon said, you can get fitted
for your graduation clothes. Thank you. [Ramon]
So, what course will you take? I was thinking of Education
to become a teacher. [Jasmine] Ate, why do you
want to be a teacher? Because all teachers
are respected. -[woman] Hey! Get out of there!
-[Auring] What's that? Shameless wench! You witch! You're ruining my family.
Get out of there, face me. -The kids.
-[Rita] Shame on you. Close the window. I'll take everything
my husband gave you. -Close the window.
-Shame on you. [Ramon]
Rita, don't cause a scene here. -I'm calling the cops!
-[Ramon] Come on. Let's go home. [Rita] You! Get out of there! -Wench!
-Let's go home! [Rita] Adulterer! Witch! [Ramon] That's enough. Let's go. -[Rita] Remember this, Auring.
-[Ramon] Come on, come on. Come on! Didn't I tell you
to close this window? -Close it.
-Mom, why? Are you ashamed? If you are, you shouldn’t have
been with a married man again. You shouldn’t have let
your children experience this humiliation. [melancholic music playing] Come here. I talked to Uncle Ramon. He won't be able
to return here for now. He's afraid that his family
might be ruined. He even forbade me
from approaching him. I thought he was
completely different from Dad. We're just afraid to ask Mom because we don't want
to hear the answer. But we knew it all along. He's the same as Dad. Is it really that easy to them? To turn their backs on us
and forget us? Whenever they fear
losing their families, they just set us aside
like trash. [pensive music playing] I have good news for you. You've been accepted for the
scholarship you applied for. [labored giggle] Really? Now you can go to college without worrying about fees. Thank you very much, Father Ben. I thought I wouldn't be able
to continue my studies. You're a good kid. When you were little, you already helped here
in the chapel. I just want to
repay your kindness. Am I still good if... I carry anger inside me? If I blame my mom... For all the mistakes
in our lives? Anger brings nothing good. It will only consume your heart
and soul. It will prevent you from loving
the people around you, the ones who matter to you. I understand how you feel
about your mom, Grace. But she's only human. She makes mistakes. So you need to learn to forgive her shortcomings. Father, I'm trying. But no matter what I do,
I really can't understand her. If only I could forgive her,
but I... I really can't do it. [melancholic music playing] Child, I wanted to talk to you about your college education. You know, your Uncle Ramon
is no longer here. I'll have a hard time supporting you
and your siblings. -I'll find a way for you.
-Don't worry about that. Father Ben helped me
get a scholarship. -Huh?
-I found a way. You might end up finding yourself a new husband so I can go to college. Grace... I am still your mother. I know you don't understand, but I did what I had to do to provide for you
and your siblings. Mom, there are other ways! Instead of ruining
other families. What? Huh? What? I don't have a degree! I didn't study. I don't know anything else when it comes to raising
you all, the four of you. Philip? What happened to you? Why are you so drunk? What are you doing, Philip? You're still young,
and you're already drinking? What's going on in your mind? Are you really going to ask? Don't you get it? It's us who get hurt
with what you're doing! Come on. [sighs] [mellow music playing] There's no problem
with your scholarship as long as
from Monday to Friday, you need to serve
as a student assistant -in our library.
-Thank you. [girl] Isn't she your
illegitimate sister? Do you have to always be
where I am? You really want
to embarrass me, huh? I have the right
to study here too. [Philip] You don't have
a marriage contract with Dad. I need that
for my military enlistment. And both of you need to sign a
waiver for me. I don't want to approach him. Even my military enlistment
will be ruined because of this cursed family. Son, don't talk like that. Don't belittle what I'm doing
to keep this family whole. Is this what you call "whole"? Philip. Grace. [pensive music playing] You're going to be a soldier? I'll leave right after
my high school graduation. The training might be far away. And I might be assigned
far from here. Why do you need to go away? Because Mom won't be able
to send me to college. And I'm not as persistent as you
to get a scholarship. I really want to go away, Ate. I wanna go somewhere
where nobody knows our mom. About our situation. Didn't we say,
"No one gets left behind"? I'll write to you all the time. Promise. [sniffles] [Charo] "<i>Philip left, Charo."</i> <i>"With his departure,</i>
<i>I not only lost a brother,</i> <i>but also a friend."</i> <i>"Our mother seemed</i>
<i>to lose strength to face life,</i> <i>and the responsibility to</i>
<i>support</i> <i>my siblings fell on me."</i> We need to pass a project
in school. -[man] Excuse me.
-Someone's here. -[man] Excuse me.
-What is it? -Is this 9 Caimito Street?
-Yes, it is. Sorry, we need
to cut your electricity because you haven't paid for two
months. Wait. We're going to pay. Sorry, ma'am, just doing my job. Okay, go ahead. Wai-- -[man 1] Okay, we're going now.
-[man 2] Thank you. Grace, what happened? Oh? They cut our electricity. [sighs] Maybe we can ask
your dad for help. We won't do that. I won't beg him. I'll find a way
since I'm used to it. Because since Uncle Ramon left, it seems like
you gave up on the world. You probably forgot
you still have children. [melancholic music playing] [clears throat] Anchovies! Buy anchovies! Miss, anchovies? [Auring] Buy one,
I'll even add one as bonus! Anchovies! Oh, Grace. [coughs] Grace! Oh my god! Grace, wait. Just wait, my dear. [coughs] Just wait. [pants] Grace... Here's my earnings for today. Take it. This might help you. I know you have a
lot of expenses, right? You're about to graduate. Dear, what you're thinking
is wrong. It's your brother Philip... [coughs] And not Ramon, is the reason to lose the strength
to wake up every day. Dear, it's because
I love you both so much. I can't accept
that one of you is leaving me. You're right, dear. I have many reasons
to fight in this life. I shouldn't burden you
with my problems. These problems aren't for you. These problems are mine
as your mother. So from now on, my dear,
I promise you... I promise you, I will make
amends. Huh? [coughs] Mom? If you're not feeling well,
don't work for now. I can handle this, dear. [coughs harder] Mom, what's happening?
Are you okay? Mom, what's going on? -Mom?
-[groans] What hurts, Mom? [pants] Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom! Help us! Mom! Mom. -[Auring groans]
-Mom. Philip? Oh, Ate, why did you call? Mom has ovarian cancer. <i>Stage three.</i> There are tons to do to increase
her chances of recovery. <i>We have medical benefits.</i> I can use that. Can you come home, even just
for a while, to check on Mom? I can't leave here, Ate. Please ask for permission. I'm in the middle
of an operation, Ate. I really can't. You can't, or you don't want to? Alright, Ate. They need me now. Philip, wait. Philip. [busy tone] [phone clanks] What did your brother say? He's in the middle
of an operation. But don't worry,
he'll use his medical benefits. That will help. He'll come home
after his operation. Mom, why didn't you tell us
that you're feeling something? I don't want you to worry. I've been a burden to you
all your lives. Will I be a burden again? You're still our mom. And we will still worry about
you. Okay, Mom. Rest now.
I'll take care of everything. Thank you, Grace. Go on. [Charo<i>] "We brought</i>
<i>our mother home</i> <i>from the hospital after that."</i> <i>"But because of her illness,</i> <i>our situation became even more</i>
<i>difficult."</i> <i>"That pushed me to do something</i> <i>I never thought I would do."</i> -[man] It's not on the list...
-[woman 1] What is this? [woman 2] Sir, I'll pay. Her payment
is not enough because of... Ah, can I talk
to Chief Inspector Bolon? Who are you? I'm Grace.
Tell him, I'm his daughter. Miss, I know his children. So don't fool me. What's your purpose? I'm his daughter. My mom is Aurora. Okay, wait a moment.
Sit down first. [people clamoring] [mellow music playing] [mellow music continues] Please tell him that if he
doesn't want to face me, just say it. Not keep me waiting here
like a fool. [mellow music playing] Next time,
don't come to my office. I don't want a scandal. I'm sorry for the trouble. I really didn't want
to approach you. But I don't have anyone else
to ask for help. My mom has cancer. I'm struggling
to afford her treatment and our siblings' needs. I'm just trying my luck
if you want to help. But don't worry. I won't come to you anymore
so you won't be embarrassed. I'm sorry for the trouble. Wait. [melancholic music playing] That's my last help, okay? I need to prioritize
my legal family. Mom, why aren't you resting yet? Where are they? Oh, they're resting already. Let it be. I feel fine. I actually want to walk around. I feel weaker
when I'm always lying down. Where were you? I approached Dad. I asked for his help. You shouldn't have done that. If I had someone else to turn
to, I wouldn't have gone to him. Why are you getting angry? Weren't you the one who wanted
to ask for his help before? Didn't you also tell me that we
shouldn't beg? You're right. Yes. I'm right. Because earlier,
he made me feel how small I am. How little value I have
in his life. You know... I promised myself before that I will never go to him for
anything. That I will prove to him I can
live without his help. But because of you, I have to swallow all of that,
Mom. Will this shame I'm experiencing
because of you ever stop? [sobs] Mom, it's tiring. [cries] Forgive me, dear. Forgive me for making you
do those things. Forgive me for being weak. You know, dear... I know he was married when I first met him. But I loved him. Even though I knew it was wrong. Because... I wanted to follow my heart. I didn't think... about what kind of life
I could give you. I didn't think... That it's you who will suffer... Because of my feelings. Forgive me, dear. Forgive me. [Charo] <i>"I don't know</i>
<i>if my heart softened</i> <i>because of my mother's illness,</i> <i>the possibility</i>
<i>of losing her from us."</i> <i>"But I couldn't bear my mother</i>
<i>that night, Charo."</i> <i>"For the first time,</i> <i>the anger in my heart began to</i>
<i>subside</i> <i>and was replaced with hope</i> <i>that our relationship</i>
<i>can still be fixed."</i> -[Jasmine] Mom!
-[groans] -Mom!
-Ate! -What happened there?
-I don't know. Mom. Mom. -Mom.
-What happened? You know, Mom,
I have good news for you. I received
the Laurel Excellence Award. I will give a speech
at our graduation. I am so happy for you, dear. You will become a teacher. [coughs] [inhales deeply] You... You and your siblings... Will regain... The respect that was lost
in our family because of me. Grace... I am so proud of you. That's why, Mom,
gather your strength, huh? I want you to be there. To watch me.
Promise me that, okay? [groans silently] Mom. Mom. [groans] [coughs] Mom. It hurts... Grace, Grace. Where is your father? Philip? Philip? Are they coming? I want to talk to them. [screams] Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me. What are you doing here? Our mother's condition
is serious. She wants to talk to Dad. Are you serious?
That won't happen. Do you think I want
to come here? And beg like this? Our mother hasn't asked
anything from him for years. This is the only thing he can
do. So please, have mercy. Dad! Dad, talk to Mom, Dad! Dad, please, do this for her. - Go in.
-[Grace] Dad, please visit Mom. Dad! Dad! Dad, please. Visit Mom. Dad! Dad! Dad! Can I use the phone? Thank you. Hello, is Philip there? Please tell him,
our mother is seriously ill. And if we still matter to him, please tell him to find a way. [melancholic music playing] Father Ben was right before. Anger brings no good. I wasted so much time. So much time was lost. Now that I am ready
to forgive... Now that I am ready to open
my heart again for Mom... You are taking her away from me. I am begging You... Please, not now. Not now. [sobs] [melancholic music playing] [whispers] Mom. Grace. Is Philip there?
Will Philip ever come? No. The last time we talked... It ended in accusations. I wanted to ask... Mom, shh... [Auring] Forgiveness... Please don't speak. Save your strength. Grace... Grace, my child. I know... I know you won't do... The... Wrong things I did... In my life. Because you are not like me. You are strong. Smart. I know... You will do... What is right. Promise me... You will do... What I couldn't do. Restore our family. Mom, I promise. I promise, Mom. I promise. -Promise me, okay.
-Yes. I love you all so much. I love you all very much, dear. We love you so much, Mom. I love you so much. Mom? [groans silently] Mom? Mom! [sobs] Mom... [melancholic music playing] Ate, will Kuya Philip come? I will fulfill my promise
to you, Mom. I will fulfill it. [Charo] <i>"A few weeks later,</i> <i>our father also passed away."</i> [Jasmine]
Why did Dad also die, Ate? They said it was because
of high blood pressure. Ate, why aren't our names there? Even though Dad is already dead, can't we still be considered
as his children? You're illegitimate so it's only
right that you're not there. Jenny. [women chattering] Don't be rude. Bring this over there. I didn't put your names there to avoid scandal. I hope you understand. Thank you for inviting me. [Flor] Kuya? [emotional music playing] -Kuya, I have a question.
-No, me first. Okay, go ahead. Kuya, how many fights
have you had? Oh, so many. -Do you always win?
-Yes, of course. You didn't even visit
Mom's funeral? But you were able
to attend Dad's, right? Like I said, I was in an
operation when Mom died. What you're saying is,
you're punishing her. Even though she's already gone,
you're still doing it. You're belittling her memory
by attending Dad's wake. That person
never valued us ever. Compared to Mom? Yes. But she still did
everything for us. You speak as if
you were never angry at her. Why are you defending her now? Because I was there
when you weren't. I saw how hard it was for her
to get up while thinking of you. Do you know she speaks
of nobody but you? She was looking for you
before she died. She was looking for you,
not Dad, or even Uncle Ramon. Because Philip, you were the
most important man in her life. But where were you
when she needed you? You weren't there. You disappointed her. You left Mom. [melancholic music playing] And you left me. [emotional music playing] I'm sorry
for what I said before, okay? You're right. I punished her. I blamed her for everything
that happened in our lives. I can't forgive her for
the kind of life she gave us. You're right, Philip. It was difficult for us
to accept her mistakes because she was our mother. She was the most
important person in our lives. We held her in high regard. No matter what, what she did
will never be right. But in the end, that's
not what's important. Because she's still our mother. Despite everything, whatever her methods were, we know, we felt her love. Will she forgive me, Ate? Philip, Mom loves you so much. She loves you so much. She doesn't want anything else
but for you to come back. She didn’t wish for anything
else but for us to be complete. And I will fulfill it for her. We will fulfill it as siblings,
right? [emotional music continues] We all have our own stories on how we got
to this important day. Some had it easy, some had it hard. But in the end, what's most important is not
what we achieved but what we went through. Because there, we learned more. There, we were tested more as
individuals. And there, we met the people
who are truly important to us. I dedicate this honor to the
memory of our mother. She's not like most mothers
who are here right now. She didn't have
a high profession. She didn't have a partner
to help support the family. She didn't have a husband who
recognized her. Yes. She made a lot of mistakes. And so many people judged her. Even me. But despite all of that, she was a good mother
because she loved me. She loved me and my siblings. And that's the most
important thing. I offer this success to her and to the only thing I have, to the only thing
I wish to complete, my family. Thank you very much. [applause] [Charo] "<i>We didn't expect it,</i> <i>but we were given</i>
<i>some of our father's</i> <i>leftover benefits</i>
<i>by his first family."</i> <i>"Philip went back</i>
<i>to being a soldier</i> <i>and promised to come home to us</i>
<i>as his family."</i> <i>"I became a teacher</i> <i>and guided Jasmine and Flor</i> <i>to finish their studies and</i>
<i>become teachers as well."</i> <i>"Everyone had a new beginning."</i> <i>"A beginning that was learned</i>
<i>from a mistake."</i> <i>"A beginning</i>
<i>where we can face the world</i> <i>with our heads held high,</i> <i>carrying our promise</i>
<i>to our mother</i> <i>of a united and honest family."</i> <i>"Respectfully, Grace."</i> We don't choose our parents
or the family we belong to. But whatever the situation, even if the life given to us
is not perfect, it's still up to us
to face each day with a positive outlook and determination to live with
honor and free from anger
and resentment brought on
by not being forgiving. That's the only way we can have a happy and
meaningful life. This is Charo Santos. Good evening, <i>Kapamilya.</i>
