Elle Collado ghost love story script 1

Anim na henerasyon na ng pamilya Collado ang nagdusa sa lagim na pagiging aswang. Anim na henerasyon na ang nagtatago at hindi matahimik para sa susunod pang magiging kabilang ng pamilya at magdudusa ng gaya sa kanila. Gano’n na lamang ang paghahanda nila para sa pagdating na takdang aswang sa ika-anim na henerasyon dahil siya ang inaasahan nila puputol at magpapasa sa ibang pamilya ng kamalasang matagal nang pinagdusahan ng mga Collado.

Si Elena Collado, ang pinakaunang naging aswang sa mga Collado. Ipanasa ito sa kanya ni Phil, and kano na kanyang inibig noong 1880s. Hindi niya alam noon na nasa ilalim ng isang sumpa si Phil, sumpa ng pagiging aswang. Ang sumpang iyon ang tatakbo sa isang tao lamang hanggang sa ikaanim na henerasyon, kung saan dapat na itong maputol at maipasa sa iba. Ang pagiging aswang ay naipapasa sa pinakabagong pinanganak ng sumunod na henerasyon matapos mamatay ang may dala ng sumpa. Pagdating sa ikaanim na henerasyon, kailangang ipasa ng napiling magdala ang sumpa sa bagong silang na sanggol sa pamamagitan ng pagkagat sa pusod nito. Matapos lumabas ang dugo sa pusod ng sanggol na pinagpasahan, ay gumagaling ulit ito ngunit nawawala ang pusod. Kapalit ng pusod ay lumilitaw ang marka ng bilang na isa na ang ibig sabihin ay una sa anim na henerasyon ng pagiging aswang. Kapag namamatay ang mga aswang sa anim na henerasyong iyon, matapos silang ilibing sa lupa, isa sa mga anak nila o pamangkin, ay mangingisay habang namumuo ang marka ng sumunod na numero na ang ibig sabihin ay sa kanila naipamana ang pagiging aswang.

Isa sa mga nagagawa ng mga aswang na ito ay makita din ang mga kapwa nila aswang kahit nasa anyo ng karaniwang tao. Iba kasi ang kulay ng dugo ng mga aswang, kulay abo, at may lumilitaw na anyong tila kaluluwa sa pagitan ng katawan ng tao. Ito naman ay nakikita lang nila kung gusto nila.

---

Nag-aayos na ng gamit si Elle, mamaya kasi ay flight na niya papuntang Manila. Pupunta siya doon upang mag-aral ng kolehiyo. Tinupi na niya ang kanyang mga damit at ipinasok sa maleta. Pati ang mga sapatos niya ay ipinasok sa kanya-kanyang plastic bago i-empake. Nakalagay din sa maleta niya ang isang envelope kung saan ang nilalaman ay ang mga magagandang iginuhit niya mula pagkabata, ang serenang nakalitaw sa dagat, ang flower vase na maraming bulaklak na hango sa flower vase nila sa bahay… Ang flower vase na iyon ay talagang nakakatulog kay Elle kapag may bisita sila sa bahay. Naamoy kasi niya ang sarap ng dugo nito, kaya’t ibinabaling na lamang niya ang pagsinghot sa mga bulaklak. Baka kasi hindi niya mapigilan ang kanyang sarili at bigla niyang sunggaban at kagatin ang kanilang bisita.

Mabel (ina ni Elle) : Anak,  ano’ng petsa na? Kanina ka pa diyan! Malelate ka na sa flight mo.

Elle: Sandali nalang po Nay! Inaayos ko nalang po ang mga libro ko.

Mabel: Grabe ka, pati ba naman yan dadalhin mo pa sa Manila. At teka, iniwan mo pa ditto ang aparador mo. Wala nang laman o! Dalhin mo na rin kaya ‘to!

Elle: Nay, talaga. Siyempre, dapat bitbit ko lahat ng gamit ko, lahat ng dresses ko. Hindi natin alam kung gaano karaming party ang aattenan ko. Alam mo naman ang mga tagaManila pagdating sa pakikipagsocialize. Gusto mo bang jologs ang dating ng unica hija mo, Mother?

Mabel: Nako, anak ha. Baka puro naman party ang atupagin mo doon. Ang pag-aaral mo’ng isipin mo. Maliban doon, marami ka pang ibang mga bagay na dapat pag-ingatan. Walang ibang dapat makaalam. Baka mamaya, mapakawalan mo, ano na ang mangyayari? Anak, mahirap –

Biglang lumungkot ang mukha ni Elle.

Elle: Alam ko po yun, Nay.

Mabel: Anak naman… huwag mo naming ipakita yang malungkot mong mukha sa’kin. Lalo lang ako mag-aalala eh.

Humiga si Elle sa kama at itinabon ang unan sa kanyang mukha.

Mabel: Aba, masyado kang literal ah! (napatawa si mabel)

------

Nang dumating si Elle sa airport, windang na windang siya. First time niya kasi. Ang lamig, ang sarap sa lugar na ‘toh. Sinunod niya ang mga pasaherong nauna kaya hindi naman siya nahalatang promdi at ignorante.

Nang nasa eroplano na siya, mas lalo siyang nawindang. Ang ganda pala sa loob nito. Ang lambot ng upuan, at mas malamig. Kaya lang noong nagsimula nang umandar, nininerbyos siya na para bang hindi niya alam kung ang mga kilos ng eroplano ay normal. At nung nagsimula na itong lumipad, sinabi niya,

Elle: Sana pala, pinagpaabot ko nalang ang gabi. Nalibre pa ako ng pamasahe.

------

Sa wakas, lumapag na rin ang eroplanong sinasakyan ni Elle. Kaunting hintay pa, at nakalabas na rin siya dito. Medyo matagl-tagal lang bago niya nakuha ang mga bagahe niya. Matapos ang ilang hakbang, bumukas ang dalawang higante mga sensor na salamin at nadama niya ang mainit at malagkit na ihip ng hangin. Nakarating na sa Manila si Elle Collado.

Sumakay agad siya ng taxi at ibinagay ang address na paghahatirang sa kanya. Titira si Elle sa tiyang Marina niya. Mabait naman ang tiyang na, yung nga lang madalas na wala sa bahay dahil sa Batangas naman siya lagi. Bihira lang niya bisitahin ang bahay niya sa Sampaloc, Manila kaya malamang madalas mag-iisa lang si Elle habang nag-aaral.

Madilim nan g dumating si Elle sa bahay ng tiyang na. Ang katulong ang nagbukas ng pinto, sabay sabi,

Inday: Ate! Andito na si pamangkin mo!

Marina: Inday, ang ingay mo. Ano pang hinihintay mo, kunin mo na ag maleta ng pamangkin ko at iakyat mo na sa magiging kwarto nya! Elle! Pamangkin, napagod k aba? May miryenda sa taas, kumain ka muna. O, di kaya maghapunan na tayo. Inday! Ihanda mo na ang hapunan. Nagugutom na ang pamangkin ko.

Inday: Ate, ano ba talaga ang gusto mong gawin ko? Dalhin ko mga gamit niya sa kwarto o ipaghanda siya ng pagkain?

Marina: Sumasagot k aba?

Inday: Ate, ikaw dapat ang sumagot. Nagtanong ako eh.

Marina: Inday, pwede ba? Ang kulit mo.

Inday: Opo… Ilalagay ko na po muna mga gamit niya sa taas.

-----

Marina: O hija, kamusta naman ang nanay mo sa probinsya?

Elle: Okay lang po siya tiyang. Ayun, naiiyak nang ihatid ako sa airport.

Marina: Mabel talaga… kahit kailan, emo. Tagal ko nang hindi nakikita ang kapatid kong ‘yon. Miss na miss ko na nga siya eh.

Elle: Malamang miss na miss na rin po niya kayo.

Marina: Elle, lagi kang mag-iingat dito sa Manila. Ibang-iba ang Manila sa probinsya. Hindi moa lam kung sino ang pagkakatiwalaan mo. Kamakailan lang eh may nasaksak diyan sa kanto. Pa’no idinidisplay ang iPhone, tapos nung hiningi ng snatcher, ayaw ibigay. Sinaksak!

Elle: Kawawa naman yun tiyang.

Marina: Eh, talaga! Kaya ikaw, huwag mong ipapakita sa mga maaaring magka-interes, ang mga bagay na hindi mo kayang agawin sa’yo. 

Ryan wait for me

 I was only fifteen years old when I fell in love with Ryan. He is a tall, lean, and charming man with his warm hazel eyes. He is eight years senior from my age. Every afternoon I would look from the window of my room from the second floor to the street. I patiently wait for Ryan to pass by our front yard from his work. He would look at me from the street and we would smile at each other. I know why he always knew I was just right there watching. Back when I was younger and no feelings emerged, I already have the habit of watching from my window every afternoon. Every time I would see Ryan, I would yell his name and he’d look and smile, and that made my day.

                I was young, and immature, and in love. I always dreamed that Ryan would become my husband someday, and that he’d take me as his wife. I always dream about us two, that one day we’ll get married at church and I’ll be walking down the aisle in my white princess wedding gown, and at the altar he’d be standing like he can’t wait to be my husband. We’ll say “I do.” He would kiss me as his bride. We’ll have three kids. One named after him, Ryan. One named after me, Charlet. And the youngest, we’ll name him Jacob.

                And then our kids would grow and we’ll see ourselves in them. We’ll cry at their weddings, not just because we’re giving them away, but that because we see ourselves years back. And then we’d grow old together, rocking our chairs and sitting in the terrace every afternoon, having tea and talking about our younger days. How sweet it is to fancy the life with Ryan, and I’m nothing but a fifteen-year-old.

                Ryan works at the same lumberyard where my Dad works at. My Dad is Ryan’s boss.  Sometimes from school, I would ride my bike to get to daddy’s office, just so I could see Ryan closer. Anyway, Ryan has this pesky 17-year-old best friend who also works at the lumberyard. He’s name’s John. He’s so pesky, he bugs me so well that time is wasted dealing with him instead of being able to flirt Ryan. Yes, John’s vocal about liking me. I bet he’s told Ryan that he likes me. He’s even told my Dad that he would marry me when we grow up. John never fails to give me the nerve.

                Valentine’s Day came and I long await this. I rode my bike to town to buy  the prettiest Valentine’s Day card I’ve been eyeing for since January. I earned for it so I could give it to Ryan. I wrote a letter to it saying,

“Dear Ryan,

                                I love you. When I grow up I want to marry you. Please wait for me.

                                                                                                                                                                Love, Charlet.”

When I arrived at the lumberyard, I  saw Ryan leaving my father’s office and I drove my bike towards him. “Hey, Ryan! I got you something,” I handed the card to him. He read the card as he walked and I pedaled my bike so we could go on together. After reading, he giggled and closed the card. “Why are you laughing? Everything in the card is true, Ryan. I love you. And one day, I will grow up. Just wait for me please. I want to marry you,” I told him. We stopped. “You don’t understand Charlet. You’re only fifteen. I’m twenty three. You’re too young to know things about love. Someday, when you grow up, you’ll get to meet someone you will love same as your age,” he answered. “But you’re the one I want, Ryan, not anybody else.” “I am leaving the lumberyard, Charlet. I’m moving New Jersey with my fiancé.” My world nearly collapsed upon hearing those words. Ryan wiped my tears and comforted me. He told me that someday I would meet the man who would love me forever.

                Years have passed and I turned twenty-five. I was watching from the same window I was watching from ten years ago. My baby from the cradle cried, so I racked the cradle. Not too long, she was fast asleep again. Then, the doorbell rang. I hurried down the stairs to the door, excited, expecting it was my husband. When I opened the door, I saw sweet Ryan of innocent and immature Charlet years back. In his eyes were filled with joy of seeing me. He held my hand and said, “Charlet, I thought I was happy with my fiancé, but your words that day never left me. It’s been ten years now since the day we last saw each other. I realized that it is you who I love. Now, you have grown, and I want to marry you.” My heart stopped, but I need to tell Ryan something. So, I told him, “Yes, I loved you. However, Ryan, you’ve been far away for so long. I have grown. It’s been ten years since you’ve been gone. So, I married your best friend, John.”

Pre-graduation syndrome

This thing happens a few months or weeks, or days before graduation. Graduating students cry, hug their classmates and teacher, and sometimes even the librarian if ever they hang out at the library. Class pictures are taken for yearbooks, and unlike the past years, the whole class don't share in one page any more, each student owns a half or whole page. - The Pre-graduation Syndrome

This happens to everyone who's graduating, except if you're in waiting list for doing something that'd deprive you from "the diploma march." 

For this instance, close your eyes. Okay, you won't be able to read, so just pretend you closed your eyes. Realize, that in a few days, you'll be marching towards your diploma. You're gonna have it in your hands. You'r gonna lay it in your chest and show it to the whole congregation. Then, you're gonna bow down your head. And when you look back at them, you feel like 'wow! school's over.' Pretend your graduating in college, and after all these, you'll never gonna need to stay up late with Google, researching for your term paper. Remember the last subject exam you took before graduation. Did you ever really realized that it would be your last exam as a college student? And then remember the times when you skipped breakfast just so you will not be late and be at school at 7a.m sharp. Remember when you were an incoming freshmen at the university. You were sitting on the bench outside the admission office along with the other applicants. You all just took the entrance exam, and all of you were nervous, not knowing if you're gonna pass or not. Also, at that time, you didn't know if those were the persons who you will be classmates with and now, four years have gone. Open your eyes. Graduation is in your fingertips!

No More Honor

All of a sudden, the news world stopped spinning around more important issues like the Ampatuan massacre, ex-president Gloria Arroyo’s pending cases, and Sendong storm victims. All of a sudden, it rotated around an axis called “Chief Justice Renato Corona Impeachment Trial.” All of us, Filipinos, await for one thing – the verdict for this so-called honorable chief justice, whether or not to impeach.

June 16, 2012 marked one of the heaviest days in the history of Philippine governance, because at this day, the Philippines starts to put on trial for impeachment their honorable Chief Justice, Renato Corona. The first day starts when everybody is in their proper places, everybody rises, the Senate President bangs his gavel, and the trial begins. The complaint for impeachment is filed against Corona upon the grounds of Betrayal of Public Trust, Culpable Violation of the Constitution, and Graft and Corruption.

We all hate injustice in the Philippines and for years, we have tried all our best to get rid of it. This is also the same thing that our President Benigno Aquino III is trying to do, aside from removing people appointed by our ex-president Arroyo, left and right. And these appointed people include Chief Justice Corona. Let us try to think about it. Is it maybe, President Benigno Aquino III believes that removing all officials appointed by the alleged injustice ex-president Arroyo, mean also removing the injustice in our country? For the record, even if it means degrading our country by impeaching a chief justice, by means of using movie actors, undergrad politicians, and senators to judge him.

However, of course, let us also examine the other side of the coin. Chief Justice Corona has indeed committed Betrayal of Public Trust and Culpable Violations of the Constitution by merely not declaring some of his wealth in his SALN. One is his 31 million pesos under BPI and PSBank accounts, even if we forgive his 19 million worth of allegedly undeclared wealth which he claims, belongs to his relatives. As chief justice, his monthly salary is only 46,200 pesos including COLA. How on earth can he beget wealth as big as 31 million in just nearly two years of service as chief justice? Chief Justice Corona served at Development Bank of the Philippines and Commercial Bank of Manila before he became chief justice, but even if he accumulated his wealth before he became chief justice, it is still a violation to the law, given that it is not declared.

The fact that ex-president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed him just days prior to the presidential election in 2010, will never leave your mind without doubt that there is an anomaly about to come or going on. Who president in his or her right mind is going to appoint an official just days before his or her term ends which is a risk, if he or she will not benefit from it? Some of us may try to deny that is merely imagining our ex-president Arroyo breaking the laws behind our backs, but let us look closely on how she was given consent to travel by the Chief Justice amidst the height of her pending cases.

Everything has been laid out to the public. Some understand, while some do not understand the trial as shown in different television interviews by different networks to the masses that watch the impeachment trial.

However, one heavy thing that we would like to ask the higher officials who handles the trial to do, is that if they impeach Renato Corona, they must make sure that there is enough shown evidence to impeach him. It is because, impeaching a Chief Justice is too big of a deal that by it, our country might be degraded thus it might also lose its credibility, and by losing our credibility let us all expect that other countries that support us, may lose their trust and respect. And if they decide not to impeach Corona, they must also make sure that their decision pays.

Nevertheless, we, the Filipinos are neither ignorants nor fools not to see nor touch nor hear the damage and corruptions made by these so-called honorable high officials. For us, we want them, including Chief Justice Renato Corona down.

The Gift of a Sister (I wish I had One)

 You know, I always wished that I had a sister. 

Someone I can share a girly room with. Someone I can share my secrets with. Someone I can swap my clothes with. Someone I can go shopping with. Someone I can make-up after a fight with. Someone I can confide boy problems with. Someone I can just sit down and drink tea with. Someone I can do the grocery with.

It would be so much fun. It would be so special, and if I had a sister right now, I bet my world would have another splash of color. Bu then, I bet it's something that I'm never gonna have. I and my brothers, we're quite grown-ups now to have another sib. I even have a daughter already. 

Of course other people might say it's still possible since we can have friends to consider sisters but what I want is someone to whom I share my own blood that no matter what happens we can't get away with the thing that we're sisters. I've talked to some friends who haves sisters. They say they're a lot tight when it comes to relationships with their girlfriends, but there's no love that can be compared with the love of a sister even if you are not close.

I just wish I had one.