It's a parent's responsibility
to love their kids. To be their support and guide in times of weakness and need. Most of the time, it becomes
a life-long vocation for good parents who seem to have
a never-ending source of strength for their children. [indistinct chattering] [Adet sobbing] [crowd murmuring] [woman 1] She doesn't seem
to care. -[woman 2] She's why she died.
-[Adet] Mom... Mom, Mom... Mom, Mom! -Mom! Mom!
-[woman 3] A wayward child. -[woman 2] She's the reason.
-[woman 3] For Sima's death. -[Adet] Mom!
-[murmuring continues] -What a flirt.
-There she goes. -Look at her.
-There she is, look. -Can't even cry.
-Doesn't feel bad for her Mom. -What a flirt!
-Never takes responsibility. [Charo] "If looks and whispers
could kill, I might be the next person
placed inside that casket." [Adet sniffling, crying] Nine, put her picture over here. [woman 4] She won't even cry. You thought I won't find you?
Get out of there. -Mom! Mom!
-[Sima] Get out of there! [grunts] Get out! Our neighbors said you're out
of the top 10, is that true? But Mom, I have
different classmates now. They're smarter than the kids
at my old school. How did that happen?
You always got into the top 10! But now, you suddenly disappear? I'm sure you're doing
something shady. You're doing something, right?
What is it? Tell me! Mom, you can't say that! You don't even go to our school! You never even went to a single
parent-teacher conference! That's why my classmates think
I don't have a mom! [Sima grunts] I didn't raise you just so you
could talk back to me like that! I work hard to give you
a good life only for you
to talk to me this way? You know what?
I should break your horns! -[sobbing] Mom!
-Get down! Get down! -Get down!
-Mom! -You better get down! [grunts]
-Ah! -[broom thuds]
-How dare you talk back! [Charo] "I admit,
I was a wayward kid. But can you blame me? I had a mom who did nothing but highlight my mistakes
and judge me? Oh, dear, if your mom
catches you, you'll surely get into trouble. How can she catch me?
She doesn't even come here. Right? -[chuckles] It's impossible.
-Hey, give me more of that. [girl] Oh, come on. Who knows?
She might drop by, you know. Hey! What? What's up?
What are you peeking at, huh? The teacher is looking for you. So you're just here,
drinking alcohol. -[scoffs]
-Why, did you see anything? -You didn't! What if I kiss you?
-Will you tell on us? -Yes, I will.
-[girl] Wow. So the losers in class
can finally go away. -We're losers? You moron.
-Oh, loser, huh? -Come here!
-You must be crazy! -What now, huh?
-[Nine] Moron! Will you still tell on us? Will you still tell on us?
Will you, huh? Will you? Hey! Stop that fight! All of you, come with me
to the Principal's office! And bring your parents here
first thing tomorrow! Come with me! -Mom!
-You thought I wouldn't find out -about your foolishness, huh?
-[Pau] Stop! -Huh?
-[Adet] Mom! -[Adet, Pau] Mom, stop!
-You thought I won't know, huh? -[Pau] Mom, stop! Mom!
-You shameless kid! -You idiot!
-Cut it out! -Mom, stop! Stop!
-After everything, this is how you repay us? You know, if you think
I'm so worthless, then you
should've just let me be! You already threw me out
before, remember? [sobs] Then just throw me out
again now! Just let me be! You shouldn't have looked
for me! -Mom, stop!
-[Sima] Let me go! [kids] Mom, stop! [Sima] We do everything
just for you! [Pau] Mom, stop! -So you'd have a good future!
-Mom, stop! -But then you do this?
-[Pau, Adet] Mom! -Huh?
-[Pau] Mom, stop. Someday, you'll regret
everything you did! -[Aaron] Mom.
-[Nine] I'm done! -[Nine] Let me go! Let go!
-[Sima] Nine, come here! -Mom, stop!
-Is it not enough? [kids] Mom! -Mom!
-[Adet] Mom, stop! [Sima] You never learn, huh? Let's see if you can still go
out if I cut off all your hair! [Pau] Stop! Stop! Sima! -Let me go!
-[Aaron] Dad! -[Elmer grunts] Sima! Enough!
-[Pau] Mom, stop! -Nine...
-[Nine panting] [Elmer] What are you doing
to your kid? -I hate it here! Move!
-[Adet] Nine! [Nine] Let me go! Mom, stop now. Nine! -[panting]
-What's going on here again? -[lively music playing]
-One, two, three, four. Fix it. That won't earn you money.
Especially you. Shake it harder.
Nine, do it better. Shake it like this! Y-You don't do enough.
Remember the count. Go, shake it harder.
Do it like Rica. See? There. Go, take it, go. There. Get money with it, go.
Ready, girls. Ready. Oh... go. Dance some more, girls.
You! Like this. Go harder. Like that. Oh, come on. -You, do it better.
-[Nine] Um, Allan... I won't take long. I'm sorry. [Allan] Fine, fine.
Cut music, DJ. Cut the music. -[music stops]
-I'm sorry. You know, if you're here
to make me go home, that's not going to happen,
I'm going to Japan. Nine, no. You'll study. I'll put you
in a private school. So you'll get away
from your friends who make you do bad things. I'll get you through it.
Come on, please. Go back home. Oh, come on! Didn't you hear me? I said I'm not going
home anymore. Don't you want that? I'm easing your burdens. And don't worry. I'll pay back all the money
you spent on me someday. I'm going deaf
from all your criticisms. Nine, this life isn't for you. This is how you see me, right? What now? I just fulfilled
your expectations. Go on, go home. Go home! [Adet] Mom... [woman 1] You know,
I feel bad for Sima. How unfortunate. [woman 2] She got pregnant
from different men. -[chattering continues]
-Mom, I want to see grandma. -Mom?
-Oh. Oh! Oh, my. [panting] Mom! Mom! Mom! -Payeng. Payeng, let's go.
-Mom! Come on,
I'll be with you, Payeng. -Come on.
-Mom! -[Ludy] Payeng, come on.
-Mom! [Ludy] I'll be
with you. [sniffling] What? Grandma! Grandma! Grandma! Grandma! -Grandma! Grandma!
-Don't cry, Payeng. [Payeng sobbing] Grandma! Grandma? Grandma? Grandma? Grandma! Why is that still here, huh?
Why didn't you throw that away? -Throw that away!
-[Payeng whimpering] I'm already talking to someone
from Holy Angel Memorial Park for Mom's burial. Holy Angel? Why there?
We don't have much money. Well, where do you want
to bury her, Dad? At a public cemetery? Nine, we don't have
money, remember? I'll find a way.
I'll get a loan or something. So you finally act that way
now that she's dead. -[sighs]
-[item clatters] What did you say? I said mom is gone. No matter what you do,
you're already too late. [Elmer] Hey. That's enough. But Dad, it's true. Mom killed herself because
of the problems you bring! Look who's talking!
You act like the perfect son! Mom died
while still worrying about you! Adet, be careful in sweeping,
mind the buttons. -Okay, Mom.
-Pick them up. All right. [door squeaking] [retching] Are you pregnant? Who's the father now? -[cabinet door opens]
-[glass clinks] I thought he was different. [sighs] I thought... I finally found the guy who... would be a father to my kids. Who'll take responsibility. But he suddenly disappeared when he found out
I was pregnant. -[grunts]
-[glass shattering] Before, you were so proud
of going to Japan. But what happened, huh? You're such an idiot! You never learned! Even if you dance every night
in your club, you can never provide
for your kids! How when you added another one? How can you take care
of that now, huh? When you give birth, we'll put that kid
under your dad's name. The baby
will still call you mom. I don't want the baby to grow up being pitied and judged
by people for not having a mom and a dad
even in the registry. [Elmer] So you'll marry
my daughter. Do you know
that she already has kids? Yes, I know. It's Payeng, right? Adet, take Payeng upstairs. Sure. Payeng. I'm sorry for not telling you. The two others
aren't in my care. They're with their dad. There's two more? But Nine will still take back
her two kids. That's how it should be, right? The mother
shouldn't abandon her kids. You know, Jaime, their brother
is still studying right now. They're waiting
for him to graduate before they can continue
their own studies. Jaime, my point is... we're just poor. But I did everything to love
and take care of my grandkid. Now, if you'll include her
in the family you're making, I hope you can love her
and take care of her like how I did. Because if you can't do that, it's better if you'll just
give her back to me. The shampoo you use smells good. Put it on tight
so it'll look good. Sure. Where are your playmates? [Payeng] They're not here. [Pau] But why?
Where are they? [chuckles] -How pretty...
-Who are your friends? Pau, it's your sister. -What?
-Your sister. -[Payeng] Mom!
-[Pau] Nine. Payeng. Come on.
Let's go over here. Let's go over here. Come on, come on, come on. [grunts] Mom. Why are you letting Pau
bring a boyfriend here at home? You know,
if I was him back then, I'm sure you'd have ran
your mouth by now. Come on, stop meddling
with your brother's business. Your brother has an ambition.
As for you, what happened? What you should be
thinking of right now is how to make sure
your husband won't leave you and how you'd provide
for the three kids you turned your back on. Thank goodness you thought
of visiting Payeng. You know
about my situation, right? [Sima sighs] Here's your polo shirt
for your graduation. Thank you, Mom. Don't you like it? I liked it. It's-It's just that... -Mom, hello.
-[sighs] What's up? Um, I won't be able
to graduate yet. What? But all your fees
are paid. Why aren't you graduating? Tell me why! I-It's because there's... There's still practicum,
and I need to pay for... -There's still so much to pay.
-Practicum? But didn't you go to Manila
for your hotel practicum? Well, what happened? Mom, I'm not taking up
HRM anymore. I shifted to an education course
two years ago. We worked ourselves to the bone
just so you can study. Your two siblings gave way
so you can keep studying. And this is what you'll do? You've been fooling us
for so long! You're on your own.
I won't pay for that. You've made
your decision anyway. -Mom, I'm sorry.
-[footsteps thudding] [Elmer] All right, all right.
I'll come get you. [car engine starting] [car engine revving] [gate clanging] [Nine] Are you two
really like this? You don't act like a couple. He might be doing
something shady. He spends a lot of time
on his phone. Did you just come here
to talk bad about your dad? I'm just worried, Mom.
I went through the same thing. If you want me to believe
that you're really worried, then help your brother
find a job. He's miserable. What a waste. Look at him,
he's just lazing around. Well, it's his fault. He's been acting so mighty
all this time. Now what? Where's the son
you're so proud of? [scoffs] What kind
of older sister are you? You're happy
that your brother is struggling? If you don't want to help him,
then I'll find a way. Mom, it's my brother
who messed up. But why do you
still make me feel that I'm the only bad kid
in this household? [scoffs] Nine, this
isn't a contest. No matter what your siblings do, you can never change the fact
that you're the eldest. You should be their role model.
But what did you do? Did you know
what I went through then? My mom didn't want
to have me educated. But what did I do? I worked as a maid
just so I can study. And then? Did you graduate?
You didn't, remember? You ran away with dad and you let him
get you pregnant. Now what? What makes you different
from me, huh, Mom? I'm bad, but you're not? So you have no right
to force us to do things that you yourself didn't do. You're a failure too, Mom. Say whatever you want to say. But it's never bad for me
to want you to succeed. Even though I myself
wasn't able to. It's part of being a mom, Nine. To want you to fly higher
than how I got to fly. [Nine] You only gave her
problems, too! So you have no right
to talk to me like that! Ever since you got
pregnant, Nine, you were a burden to mom! You could've finished
your studies! [scoffs] You could've
helped mom! You could've sent us
through school! But you didn't. You just added to her problems! If you only straightened up,
everything would've been fine! Misfortune never would've
started in the family! Mom never would've struggled! Then it never would've gotten
this far. Fine then! [sobs] Blame it all on me! Since all of you
blame me anyway, right? It's me!
I'm the one who killed mom! -It's me!
-Nine! -It's me!
-Enough! Enough! All of us killed her! Everyone is to blame! [sobs] It's not because
she struggled to keep us alive, or to fix our problems! She can handle that well! It's what she's been doing
ever since, remember? She never surrendered! She killed herself
because she feels all alone! [Adet, Nine sobbing] -[Adet] Mom, I'm going now.
-[Sima] Oh. -I might be late for work.
-Adet. Take care, okay? Go now. -You might get scolded at work.
-Okay, I'll go. Bye, Mom. [footsteps thudding] Elmer? Where are you going?
You won't work today, right? [stammering] I'm going to drink
with my buddy, George. Oh, is that so? I thought we can all eat
dinner together later. Tomorrow then. -Grandma?
-Yes? Can I go play outside? Of course, Payeng. Just make sure you stay close
where Grandma can see you. -Okay?
-I will. Remember that Grandma
loves you so much, okay? I love you too, Grandma. -Okay, go play now.
-All right. [Adet] She feels worthless. [sobs] That no one
loves her anymore. After all the sacrifices
she made for you, you just forgot
about it all. [sniffles] You can't even visit her
or answer her calls. All of us are to blame. [sobs] We never noticed
what she's going through. [sobs] I never saw it. That's why mom is gone now. She's dead. And we can't do
anything about it anymore. [paper rustling] [inhales, exhales] [Sima] Nine, my dear, forgive me
if I was too cruel to you. If you think
I wasn't a good mom, don't be like me. I wish you can love
and take care of your kids. [sobs] [ringing, vibrating] -Tastes good?
-Why didn't you answer it? It's just mom. She probably wants me
to get the kids, but they're doing fine there. [ringing, vibrating] [ringing stops] [ringing, vibrating] [milk container clatters] Hello, Dad? -[Ludy] Be careful, mister!
-[Elmer] Nine, come home. -[woman] Poor woman!
-[Payeng crying] [Nine] Dad, I know mom
asked you to call me. -[Ludy sobs]
-Your mom is dead. [man] Call an ambulance. [Elmer] She hung herself. Payeng was the one who saw her. [Payeng, Ludy crying] [people murmuring] [Sima] Forgive me, my children. I'm the one who causes
misfortune in your lives. [cries] [Adet] For me,
she was a good mom. I know that in every decision
she makes, she thinks about her kids. Ma, it's time to eat. Go eat without me.
I don't have the appetite. Ma, if Pao can't graduate, I'll finish my studies. Don't worry. I'm saving the money I earn
from the fast food job. I'll study slowly but surely. You don't have to worry
about my college tuition. Adet, I have a request for you. Can we let Aaron study first? You know he's sickly. I'm afraid that he might not be
able to finish his studies. How will he find a decent job? What if he can't start
his own family? He'll grow old alone? Adet, can we help Aaron first? Okay? [Adet] Yes, she's not like
most mothers. She rarely gives praise,
rarely smiles. But I knew she loved us. Hey, Marlene! -Ma!
-Hey, Marlene! -Come out here!
-What? -Face me!
-What? -Ma!
-You broad. -What?
-Face me. -What?
-Mom, stop. What are you saying about Nine? What's wrong, Sima?
Isn't it true? Your eldest daughter is flirty. -How dare you!
-Ma! -You think I'm scared?
-Ma, stop! -What?
-The audacity! You didn't raise her,
so you wouldn't know anything! Oh, really? She's always seen
with different boys. I won't be surprised
if she doesn't finish school and becomes a hostess! How dare you! -Do you want to fight?
-Mom, that's enough! All of my children are smart! Nine is always the top 1
and has honors! Unlike your child
who is probably stupid. Like mother, like child. Stupid! I won't stoop to your level!
You broad! -[Sima] Hey!
-[kids] Ma! Come back here!
I'll smash your face! Let me go! What are you looking at? Go home! The show is over! -That hurt.
-Ma, calm down. Curse them. Kids, you shouldn't be ashamed
of what we did. She's the one who should be
ashamed of herself. Calm down, Ma. Listen to me. You should study well. Do you see that snob's house? It's big and beautiful.
But one day we'll have our own. Even bigger and more beautiful. -Yes.
-That's right. So always remember, while your mother is alive,
no one can oppress you. No one can smear your dignity. Come on, let's eat halo-halo.
I'm so hot-headed right now. -Come on, come on.
-Wow, halo-halo. -Let's go, sister.
-My treat. [laughing] I thought you were brave, Ma. Why did you give up? I was a good daughter, right? I never left you. But why did you leave me? I want to apologize to Mama. Because despite her acceptance and her love, I still failed her. Ma, sorry. Hey, I'm more handsome than
that guy you dated. -I knew you'd say that.
-Hey, it's true. -Right?
-I knew you'd say that. Whatever you say,
whatever you say. Don't you go to work
at that hotel anymore? I'm grinding... You're lucky, Dick. Your mom found work for you.
Right? True, that's what I told him,
too. God, I'm so sick of it.
It's so tiring. That's not what I really wanted. Mama is just forcing
what she wants on me. -My life is mess now.
-Your mama is here. Pao, it's your mama. -It's true.
-She's behind you. It's your mother. I'm sorry. Out of all us siblings, I'm the weakest. I'm sickly. That's why Mama
was so caring for me. But I didn't return
that care to her, all the hard work and sacrifices
she made for me. Ma, Aaron wants to tell you
something. Ma, I tried. But studying isn't for me. But I found a job
at the food court. I'm okay with that. Please let Adet study instead. Ma, I told him he can study,
that he can endure. But... If that's what you want, son. Ma, we only had each other. Why did you leave me? Ma, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Ma, I'm sorry. Ma... I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Mama. Until now, I still can't believe
what my wife did. We knew her to be brave. But the night before she died, I felt that she was so weak, she was so tired of everything
that happened in her life. Why are you still awake? Elmer, what if we take in
our two grandchildren? Sima, their father is with them. But he has a woman now. What if our grandchildren
are being neglected? Let your daughter
make those decisions. This is my fault. If I worked hard, my children and their children
wouldn't live like this. This is my fault. Elmer? Wasn't I raising our kids
correctly? Was I a bad mother? What about you, Elmer? Was I a good wife to you? Sima, wherever you are now, I hope you can find the peace
that I could never give you. Nine? Nine, it's your turn to speak. Nine? It's your turn. Pa, where are you going? If you can still stay here even if this is where your
mother committed suicide, go ahead. But I don't want to. I can't do it. You're going to your woman? It hasn't been a few months yet. Show some respect, Pa. Respect? What do you know
about that word? You can't even give that
to your mama. Until the last night
of her funeral, you didn't even give
your last message. Do you think I didn't want
to say anything for her? I wanted to apologize so bad,
Pa. I wanted to tell her
that she's such a good mother. I was the only one
who didn't see that. But what's the use?
She's gone now. She's gone because of me. She shouldn't have died.
I should be the one to die. Because I'm the bad person!
I'm the bad daughter! I'm so bad. I'm a bad daughter. How will I go on, Miss Ludy? I think about Mama everyday. You know... I ignored all her calls before she committed suicide. She died with resentment
towards me. She believed I didn't love her. If only I was a better daughter, she wouldn't have felt that way. She might still be alive. Shh. It's true, right? You know... The last time
Sima and I talked on this spot, she was just like you. She was blaming herself. Merry Christmas, Sima. Hey, why are you outside? Where are Elmer and the kids? Elmer is drinking
with his friends. Nine passed by for a while. They left one by one. Adet and Paeng are asleep. It's sad, isn't it? Hens are better off. No matter where they go, her chicks always follow her. But me? I can't bring them together. I even pushed them away. Sima... I left my family before because I wanted to prove
I could be successful. But I failed. I even got my
kids into this mess. They lived miserable lives. It was wrong of your mother
to blame herself. But it was even wrong of her to give up. And that's the mistake
you shouldn't repeat. You shouldn't blame yourself
for everything that happened. Instead of blaming yourself, you should rise. Do the important things that
your mother can't do anymore because she gave up. [Payeng]
Grandma, does Mama love me? "Of course, dear." I wish Mama will take me
with her so we can be together again. "Why, aren't you happy
with Grandma?" I'm happy, Grandma. "Don't worry.
You'll be together again soon." "You won't be separated again." Really, Grandma? You promise that, Grandma? But what about you, Grandma? You also left me. Don't you love me anymore? I wish I didn't see you
like that, Grandma. Grandma... Grandma... Dear... Hush now, hush now.. Grandma is resting now
in a place that's far away. Will I see Grandma again
when I die? No, dear. No... No, dear.
We won't see Grandma again. She's sleeping now.
In a faraway place. But Mama is here. I will never leave you. I won't. [Ludy] Hey, Payeng. Your hands are so dirty. Come, let's wash your hands. -Let me do it.
-No, no, no. You siblings stay here. -Are you sure?
-Yes, yes. -Payeng, behave yourself.
-We'll wash her hands. Mama kept telling me that
she'll take care of my kids. I wish I listened to her. If only I was a good mother... Payeng wouldn't have seen her
like that. Payeng didn't have
to experience that. Mama always told me... That it's hard to be
a good parent. But I never listened to her. Because I always thought, what right does she have
to say that? She's not a perfect mother. But, I wasn't a perfect
daughter, either. Sister. I wasn't a perfect son, too. I wasn't a perfect sibling. Sister, I'm sorry. We all had shortcomings. We're not the kind of family
that's always together. We don't tell each other
our problems, our secrets. But I hope we can do that,
bit by bit. I hope we can be more open
to each other. That way,
this won't happen again. Adet. Thank you so much. You took care of Mama. Out of all of us, you were the one
who was always there for her. She depended on you. She loved you. Even if she did that, it doesn't mean
she doesn't love you. I have something
to tell you all. I got a good job. As a supervisor.
It's a regular job. Even if didn't study again, I'll help Adet enroll. I'll fulfill Mama's dreams. Really, brother? Of course. For Mom. -Do it properly.
-Merry Christmas! Brother! -Where's Nine?
-[Adet] What's that? No, she already texted me.
They got stuck in EDSA as usual. -This looks delicious.
-Who cooked all these food? That cake looks delicious. [Adet] I was the one who cooked.
I made your favorite. This is for you. -Oh, thank you.
-Where's Nine? -What could this be?
-[Payeng] Merry Christmas! [kids] Merry Christmas! Hello! -How are you?
-Wow. -Hi, sister.
-Hi, JM! -Hey.
-Hello. Oh, thank you! -Have you eaten yet?
-How are you? -Those are my presents for you.
-Here. That red one is for Pao. -Thank you, sister.
-There. -Thank you.
-You'll like that. I won't forget you, of course. This is for you. -There you go.
-I'll put this away. Uncle, why are you crying? Because, Payeng, I miss Mama. Too bad she couldn't see this. Grandma told us
we shouldn't be sad. Really? She said that? In my dreams. She was smiling. Her eyes were also twinkling. Wait a minute. [Charo] We still miss Mama. But us siblings have
stronger bonds now. We have better lives now. Pao has his own business now. Adet is continuing her studies. Aaron is a company supervisor. I'm still living happily
with Jaime and our children. Sometimes I imagine that Mama
is one of the stars in the sky that is always watching us. And I hope she's pleased
with what she can see. Thank you for your time. Nine. We often forget that our parents
our human, too. They have flaws, and there will be times
when they feel weak. It's our responsibility
as their children to know when it's our turn to give or mothers and fathers
strength and support. This is a responsibility
that should be shouldered with gratitude and love. This is Charo Santos. Good evening, Kapamilya. "ROPE"
