Mrs. M: Last Monday.

New Yorker in Tondo

Scene 1: Tony: I didn’t know it ‘till I read it in the newspaper.

Mrs. M: Visitors, always visitors, nothing but visitors all day long. I’m beginning to Mrs. M: That girl only arrived last Monday and look what happened to me! She
feel like a society matron. dragged me to the parlor. My hair was cut, eyebrows shaved, nails manicured.
And when I’m going to the market, I used lipstick! All my kumara are laughing.
Mrs. M: Tony! I thought you were on the province. People think I’m a loose woman. Because of my age, but I can’t do anything
because it's hard to argue with Kikay. And she insists that I should look like an
Tony: Is that you aling Atang? Americana ..

Mrs. M: of course. It’s I, foolish boy. Why? Tony: You look just wonderful, and where is she now?

Tony: You don' look like Aling Atang. Mrs. M: Who?

Mrs. M: I had a hair cut. Think it's horrible? Tony: Kikay? Is she at home?

Tony: Oh, no, no.. You look just wonderful. Aling Atang for a moment, I thought Mrs. M: She’s still sleeping!
you were Kikay.
Tony: Still sleeping?!
Mrs. M: Oh, you are so palikero as ever, Tony. But come in. Here, sit down. How
is your mother? Mrs. M: She says, in New York , people don’t wake up until 12:00 noon.

Tony: Poor mother. She is homesick for Tondo. She wants to come back here at Tony: It's only 10:00 now.
once.
Mrs. M: Besides, she's busy. Since she came home. Welcome parties here and
Mrs. M: How long have you been away? there. Visitors all day long. She's spinning like a top.

Tony: Only 3 months.. Tony: Well, will you tell her I called to welcome her. And kindly give her these
flowers.
Mrs. M: Only 3 months!!! It's too long for a Tondo native to be away from Tondo.
My poor kumara. She must be bored out there. Mrs. M: But surely you’re not going yet?

Tony: Well, you know, we engineers are always on call. But as soon as I finish
the bridge in Bulacan, we’ll be going here in Tondo.
Mrs. M: Yes, must bring her back as soon as possible. We miss her when we
play mahjong..
Tony: I did want to see Kikay. But if she doesn’t get up at 12 noon
Mrs. M: Wait a minute. I’ll go and wake her up.
Tony: Please don’t bother Aling Atang. I can come back some other time.

Tony: That is what she misses most of all. Mrs. M: Wait right here. She’ll simply be delighted to see her childhood friend.
The flowers are beautiful, how expensive they must be.
Mrs. M: I understand. Once a Tondo girl always a Tondo girl. I wonder if that’s fit
my Kikay because after a year in America , she says she’s not homesick at all.. Tony: Oh, they’re nothing at all Aling Atang.

Tony: When did Kikay arrive Aling Atang? Mrs. M: Oh, Tony..
Tony: Yes Aling Atang?
Totoy: You old son of your father!
Mrs. M: You mustn’t call me “Aling Atang”
Tony: You big carabao!
Tony: Why not?
Totoy: Mayroon ba tayo dyan?
Mrs. M: Kikay says that it's more civilized to call me Mrs. Mendoza.
Tony: You ask me that… and you look like a walking goldmine! How many depots
Tony: Yes aling… I mean, Yes, Mrs. Mendoza.. have you been looting, huh!!??

Mrs. M: Wait a minute and I’ll call Kikay. Totoy: Hey hey!! More slowly there.. It is you the police are looking for.

Tony: Huh!! Tony: Impossible! I’m a reformed character! Come in Totoy

Mrs. M: Oh! And Tony.. Totoy: Okay Tony.

Tony: Yes, Aling…. I mean, Mrs. Mendoza? Tony: Good to see you old pal.. Here, have a smoke.

Mrs. M: You must not call her Kikay. Totoy: I thought you were in the province, partner.

Tony: And what shall I call her? Tony: I am. I just came to say hello to Kikay.

Mrs. M: You must call her Francesca.. Totoy: Tony. I’ve been hearing the most frightful things about that girl.

Tony: Francisca? Tony: So have I.

Mrs. M: Not Francisca.. Fran-CES-ca.. Totoy: People say she has gone crazy.

Tony: But why Francesca? Tony: No, she has only gone New York .

Mrs. M: Because in New York , she says that’s the way they pronounce he name, Totoy: What was she doing in New York anyway?
it sounds like “chi-chi” so Italian, be sure to call her Francesca and not Kikay.
Tony: Oh, studying.
Tony: Yes, Mrs. Mendoza .
Totoy: Studying what?
Mrs. M: Now, wait right here while I call Francesca…. AIE DIOSMIO!!!
Tony: Hair culture and Beauty Science. She got a diploma.
Tony: Never mind Mrs. Mendoza, I’ll answer it.
Totoy: Imagine that! Our dear old Kikay!
Mrs. M: Just tell them to wait, Tony.
Tony: Pardon me, she's not Kikay anymore,.. She's Fran-CeS-ca..
Scene 2:
Totoy: Fran-CeS-ca??
Totoy: Tony!
Tony: Our dear Kikay is now an American.
Tony: Totoy!
Totoy: Don’t make me laugh! Why I knew that girl when she’s still selling rice Nena: Aling Atang, don’t you prepare anything for us. We’re not visitors
cakes.. Puto kayo dyan!! Bili na kayo ng puto mga suki!!
Mrs. M: It's only orange juice. I was preparing some for Kikay.
Tony: Remember when we pushed her into the canal?

Totoy: She chased us around the streets.

Tony: She was dripping with mud! Nena: Well. Tony.

Totoy: Naku! How that girl could fight! Tony: You shouldn’t have come today, Nena.

Scene 3: Nena: Oh, why not?

Nena: Why, Totoy?! Tony: I haven’t talked with Kikay yet.

Totoy: Nena, my own. Nena: Not yet! I thought you said it last night.

Nena: And Tony, too.. What’s all this? A Canto Boy Reunion ? Tony: I lost my nerve.

Totoy: We have come to greet the Lady from New York . Nena: Oh Tony, Tony!

Nena: So have I. Is she at home? Tony: Use your head. Nena it's not easy breaking off his engagement with Kikay
or with the girl for God sake!!
Tony: Aling Atang is trying to wake her up.
Nena: Are you in love with Kikay or with me?
Nana: To wake her up?! Is she still sleeping??
Tony: Of course with you!! I’m engage with you.
Mrs. M: No, she’s awake already. She's dressing. Good morning Nena and Totoy.
Nena: Yes, and with Kikay. Too!
Mrs. M: Well, Totoy? Nena? Why are you staring me like that?
Tony: That was a year ago! Nena, you know how much I love you.
Nena: Is that you Aling Atang?
Nena: How could you ask me if you’re still engage with Kikay!
Totoy: Good God, it is Aling Atang!
Tony: This is what I get from being honest!
Mrs. M: It's Kikay who prefers it.
Nena: Honest? Making me fall for you when you’re inlove and engaged with
Nena: How you used to pinch and pinch me Aling Atang, when I was a li’l girl. Kikay!

Mrs. M: Because you were all naughty, especially you! Always sneaking into our Tony: I thought I didn’t belong to Kikay anymore. It's only a secret engagement
backyard for mangoes anyway. I proposed to her before she left for America . But when she stopped
answering my letters, I considered myself a freeman again.
Totoy: Do you still have that mango tree?
Nena: And so you proposed to me..
Mrs. M: Yes. Come and help me carry something in the kitchen.
Tony: Yes..

Nena: Then, you tell me to keep it a secret!
Tony: Because I found out that Kikay was coming back.
Nena: I’m tired of being secretly engaged to you!
Tony: Just give me a chance to explain to Kikay. Then we’ll tell them.
Nena: Well, you better hurry. I’m getting impatient.
Tony: How can I talk to Kikay?
Nena: Why not?
Tony: Because you’re here and also Totoy. I don’t wanna jilt Kikay infront of
everybody.
Nena: You want Totoy and me to clear out?
Tony: No.. just give me a chance to be alone with Kikay for a moment..
Nena: I’ll take care of Totoy..
Tony: That’s good..
Nena: Just leave it to me..
Scene 4:
Totoy: Puto kayo dyan.. Bili na kayo..
Mrs. M: Here comes Kikay, But she wants to call her Francesca.
Kikay: Oh hello darling people!! Nena my dear…… But how but you’ve become..
and Tony, my little pal… how are you? And Totoy… my raishing! You look
goodness,, you look like a Tondo Super Production in Technicolor!! But sit-down
everybody and let me look at you.. Oh mumsy!!!
Mrs. M: What’s the matter now?
Kikay: How many times I must tell you, never to serve fruit juices in water
glasses?
Mrs. M: I couldn’t find those tall glasses you brought home.
Kikay: Oh, poor li’l mumsy.. she is so clumsy noh? But never mind, don’t break
your heart about it. Here sit down.
Mrs. M: No, I must be going to the market.
Kikay: Oh, don’t forget my celery. I can’t live without it. I’ like a rabbit, munch all
day.
Mrs. M: Well, if you people will excuse me. Tony, remember me to your mother.
Kikay: And remember, a little bloom on the lips, a little bloom on the cheeks. Say
mwah, mwah..
Mrs. M: Do I have to, Kikay?
Kikay: Again mumsy?
Mrs. M: Do I have to paint this old face of mine? Rancesca, what am I going to
do with you?
Kikay: But how dreadfully you put it. Oh mumsy, what am I going to do with you?
Mrs. M: I give up!
Kikay: Poor mumsy. How pathetic!
Nena: Tell us about New York .
Tony: How long did you stay there?
Kikay: 10 months, 4 days, 7 hours and 21 minutes.
Totoy: And she’s still there…. In her dreams…
Kikay: Yes, I feel as if I was still there, as though I had never left it, as though I
lived there all my life. But I look around me and I realized that no, no, I’m not
there. I’m not in New York , I’m at home. But which is home for me, this cannot
be home because here, my heart aches with homesickness..
Nena: I don’t think we ought to be here at all.
Tony: Yes, we shouldn’t disturb her.
Totoy: Let’s all just walk out very, very quietly.
Nena: And leave her alone with her memories.
Tony: Is that girl we used to go swimming with the mud puddles?
Kikay: Ah, New York , my own dear New York ..
Nena: Totoy, will you come with me..
Totoy: To the ends of the earth!
Nena: No darling, just out to our dear little backyard.
Totoy: Oh, the backyards of Tondo, the barong barongs of Mypaho, the streets of Kikay: Tony, you got engaged to a girl named Kikay. Well, that girl doesn’t exist
Sibakong..
Nena: Listen Idiot! Are you coming with me or not??
Totoy: Anywhere dream girl, anywhere at all!!
Scene 5:
Kikay: Apparently, out Totoy still has a most terrific crush on Nena. Do wake up,
Tony. What are you looking so miserable about?
Tony: Kikay, I don’t know how to begin.
Kikay: Just call me Francesca… that’s a good beginning.
Tony: There is something I must tell you… something very important.
Kikay: Oh, Tony, can’t we just forget all about it?
Tony: Forget??
Kikay: That’s the New York way, Tony. Forget, nothing must ever too serious;
nothing must drag on too long. Tonight, give all your heart, tomorrow, forget. And
when you meet again, smile, shake hands… just good sports..
Tony: What are you talking about?
Kikay: Tony, I was only a child at that time.
Tony: When?
Kikay: When you and I got engaged. I’ve changed so much since then, Tony.
Tony: That was only a year ago.
Kikay: To me, it seems a century. So much had happened to me. More can
happen to you in just one year in New York .
Tony: Listen, I don’t want to talk about New York … I want to talk about our
engagement.
Kikay: And that’s what we cannot do Tony. Not anymore.
Tony: Why not?
anymore. She's dead. The person you see before you is Francesca. Don’t you
see, Tony, I’m a stranger to you. I hate to hurt you, but surely you see that there
can be no more talk of an engagement between us. Imagine, a New York Girl,
marrying a Tondo Boy!!! It's so insane!!
Tony: Now look here..
Kikay: I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you, Tony.
Tony: I’m not going to sit here and be insulted.
Kikay: Hush! Tony! Hush! Don’t shout, don’t lose your temper. It's so uncivilized.
People in New York don’t lose their temper.
Tony: What do you want me to do? Smile, say thank you for slapping my face?
Kikay: Yes, Tony. Be a sport, let’s smile and shake hands, and be just friends,
huh?
Tony: If you weren’t a woman, I’d I’d…
Scene 6:
Totoy: Hold it Tony. You must never, never hit a woman.
Nena: What’s all this?
Kikay: Nothing,,, nothing at all..
Totoy: What were you two quarrelling about?
Kikay: We were not quarrelling. Tony and I just decided to be good friends and
nothing more
Nena: Tony, is it true? Nena: You ought to be ashamed of yourself! You’re just being a dog in the
manger!
Tony: Yes!
Kikay: You ought to be ashamed of yourself! Stealing my man behind my back!
Nena: Now, we can tell them!
Nena: What? What did you say!!??
Kikay: Tell us what?
Tony: Totoy, pull them apart!
Totoy: What’s going on here?
Kikay: You keep out of this or I’ll knock your head off!
Nena: Tony and I are engaged!!
Totoy: Naku lumabas din ang pagka Tondo!
Kikay: Engaged!!
Nena: Shameless hussy!!
Totoy: Engaged! Engaged!!
Kikay: Man eater!!
Nena: Yes! We’ve been secretly engaged for a month!
Tony: How dare you suck her??!!
Kikay: A month!? Why you….you…
Nena: She hit me first!
Tony: I did try to tell you Kikay, I was trying to tell you…
Tony: Look what you’ve done to her!
Kikay: You unspeakable cad!!
Nena: Are you trying to defend her? You never defended me!
Nena: Hey, carefully there!! You’re speaking top of my fiancé..
Tony: Shut up!!
Kikay: He’s not your fiancé!
Nena: I hate you! I hate you
Nena: Oh No!! And why not, huh!!??
Tony: Shut up or I’ll bash your mouth off!!
Kikay: Because he was still engaged to me when he got engaged to you!
Totoy: Hey, don’t you talk to Nena that way.
Nena: Well, he's not engaged to you anymore, you just said it yourself.
Tony: You keep out of this!
Kikay: Ah, but I didn’t know about all this..
Nena: He’s more of a gentleman than you are. He defends me!
Tony: Now remember, Kikay… it's so uncivilized to lose one’s temper, People in
New York don’t lose their temper. Totoy: You take your hands off her!

Kikay: I’ve never felt so humiliated in all my life!! You beast, I’ll teach you!! Tony: I told you to keep out of this!

Nena: I told you to leave him alone. He’s my fiancé!! Nena: Oh, Totoy, you’ve save my life

Kikay: And I tell you he's not!! He's engaged to me until I release him… and I Kikay: Tony! Tony, open you eyes!
haven’t release him yet.
Tony: Oh, get away from her!
 way.. Nothing must ever be too serious, nothing must ever drag on too long..
Nena: Take me away from her!
Kikay: Oh Tony Please, please!
Totoy: Are you still engaged to him?
Tony: Besides, there could be no more talk of an engagement between us.
Nena: I hate him! I never want to see him again in my life! Imagine a New York Girl, marrying a Tondo boy!!

Totoy: Good! Come on, and let’s go! Kikay: Oh Tony, I’ve been such a fool.. I’m sorry, Tony..

Tony: Hey! Tony: Well, I’m not! I’m glad I found out what kind of a person you are!

Nena: Don’t you speak to me, you brute! Kikay: Oh Tony, you’re wrong, you’re wrong! I’m not that kind of person at all..

Tony: I wasn’t talking to you! Tony: Oh. “person” is just a relative name, huh!?

Totoy: Don’t you speak to me either! You have insulted the woman I love! Kikay: Yes Tony, that was Francesca saying all that. But Francesca exist no
more, Tony, the girl standing before you now, is Kikay.
Nena: Oh, Totoy, why have you never told me?
Tony: In that silly dress?
Totoy: Well, now you know.
Kikay: Oh this is just a gift wrapping, Tony.
Tony: Congratulations!!!
Tony: Well, well, well..
Nena: Let’s go darling; I don’t want the smell around here.
Kikay: It's true Tony. I’m Kikay….remember me??
Scene 7:
Tony: If I remember it right, I was right, I was engaged to a girl named Kikay.
Tony: Now, you’ve ruined my life! I hope you’re satisfied.
Kikay: Yes, and you’re still engaged to her Tony!
Kikay: I…. have ruined your life??? You…. Ruined mine!!
Tony: Welcome home Kikay!!! How was the trip?
Tony: What you need is a good spanking!
Kikay: Horrible!! I couldn’t wait to get back.
Kikay: Don’t you come near me, you,,, you Canto Boy..
Tony: Like it in New York ?
Tony: Don’t worry, I wouldn’t touch you with my ten foot pole.
Kikay: Uh-uh! Give me a Tondo anytime!
Kikay: And I wouldn’t touch you with my twenty foot pole.
Tony: Why didn’t you answer my letters?
Tony: Just one year in New York and you forgot your old friends.
Kikay: Francesca wouldn’t let me write, Tony.
Kikay: Just one year that I’m in New York … and what did you do? But when we
got engaged, you swore to be true, you promised to wait for me. And I believe Tony: That nasty girl. I’m glad she's dead!
you!! Oh, you’re a fickle, fickle..
Mrs. M: Frances ……. Oh, Tony, are you still here? Francesca, don’t be angry but
Tony: What are you crying about? Be brave…..forget….. That’s the New York I couldn’t find any celery..
Kikay: Oh, never mind, Inay, I hate celery!

Mrs. M: Hate celery? Why? You said, you couldn’t live without it!

Tony: That was Francesca. Aling Atang and Francesca is dead. The girl standing
before you is Kikay!

Mrs. M: But Kikay is Francesca..

Kikay: Oh, no, Inay, I’m not Francesca……I’m Kikay!

Mrs. M: I give up!!

Kikay: That tune! What memories it brings back! I first heard it in New York , at
Eddie Candon’s..

Tony: uh-uh..

Kikay: Sorry darling. May I have this dance with you partner?

Tony: Delighted, madame..