“New Yorker in Tondo

Main Characters
Jose marie grino as tony
Jenilyn maceda as kikay
Jon Michael reobal as totoy
Diane medina as nena

Prologue
At the Club: ( with the loud party music people will start to showdown)
-Shiela’s group Vs Jay jay’s group ( crazy by beyonce)
-Kikay and friends ( new face and love shot)
After ng sayaw babalik sa kanya kanyang pwesto na parang walang nangyari

JEN : Omg ! that was so intense alright lets party! ( habang sumasayaw)
FREYJA: ceska do you realy have to go? ( may hawak na alak )
JEN: oh yes dear I stayed here for almost 2 years I already miss my mom but don’t fret coz im
going to miss you all ( with so arting gesture )
FREJYA: don’t you ever forget me dear!
RENCIE : where is your home again ceska?
JEN: its in tondo manila
RENCIE: Why do you want to go back? Stay here! Stay with us!

FREJYA: Whats the life of a party with out our dear francesca? Right Jamal?

RENCIE: were going to miss you Francesca

JEN: oh that was so touching I will also miss you but for tonight lets just party!
( then after hours of partying )
Jen: wait a minute guys ill just call my mom to announce my flight tomorrow back in the
Philippinnes
* curtains down *
Scene 1: Sa bahay ni tony
Aligaga si nena sa pag aayos ng sarili habang hinihintay na umuwi si tony nang may biglang
kumatok sa pinto
DIANE: si tony na siguro yon (excited na bubuksan ang pinto ) tutugtog ang dangerous women
at sasayaw na parang ina akit si tony
Diane : bebe ko mukang pagod ka ngayon ah gusto mo bang masahiin kita ( habang naka
kandong kay tony)
Jom: oo dami kasing utos nung amo ko sa trabaho ( tonong naiinis pero lalambing nang tumitig
na kay nena)
Diane : kawawa ka naman bebe ko halika na nga don tayo sa kwarto mag kekwentuhan tayo
(tatayo at hahatakin si tony ng dahan dahan papasok sa kwarto) *tutugtog ang chorus ng
kanta*
*curtains down*
Scene 2: Sa bahay ni aling atang/ parlor
*Tondo setup *
( nakaupo habang nag ba browes sa kanyang cellphone )
Kim: teka pano ba to? (mag papaturo sa audience kung pano gamitin ang app na messenger)
Kim: jusme nung panahon namin di naman ganto ka hirap tumawag ngayon may viber
messenger at omeggle ng nauuso eh dati keypad at nokea lang (mag lilitanya tungkol sa mga
kabataan ng biglang tumunog ulet ang app na messenger)
Kim: oh si kikay to ah ( sasagutin ) anak! Kamusta bat napatawag ka
Jen: wazzup mom I called co’z I wanna tell that ill be flying back home tomorrow
Kim: ano! Bukas agad? abay magandang balita yan anak kung ganon kailangan ko na palang
mag handa osha sige ibababa ko na to at tatawagin ko lang sila kumare malamang pati sila ay
matutuwa
Kikay: okay mom see yah mwaah
Kim: mga kapit bahay! mga kapit bahay! ( isisigaw at biglang mag lalabasan ang mga
chismosang kapit bahay)
Sherlie : oh mare anong meron baket sumisigaw ka?
Kim: ang kikay ko mare uuwi na!
Sherlie : si kikay uuwi na?! ( lahat ng kapit bahay ay mag rereact at ipapasa ang chismis sa
buong barangay )
Chumba: si kikay si kikay uuwi na
Ang lahat ay maghanda’t kumilos na
Sasalubungin natin sya ng surpresa
Ang bayan ng tondo’y mag sasaya (2x)

Renzel: biglaan yata mare ?

Kim: oo nga kumare pero sa ngayon ang importante makapaghanda ako sa paguwi ni kikay
,kaya ilabas na ang mga sandok kaldero at kawali nyo ! ( at matataranta ang boung barangay )
*curtains down*
Scene 3: Coming Home
*Background music ( manila girl ) dahan dahang maglalakad si kikay habang dina dama ang
lyrics ng kanta pero sya ay magugulat ng biglang may susulpot sa kanyang likod
( nasa likod si jayjay aarteng zombie sa train to busan/chucky/the killer bride ) at nanakawin ang
maleta
Matutulala lamang si kikay dahil sa gulat at takot nang may biglang dumating para sya ay
tulungan
*background music ( binatang Pilipino ) mag papa pogi habang papalapit kay jayjay para kunin
ang maleta
Kikay : omg what was that he looks so scary ( aarteng takot) thank you so much for helping me
by the way whats your name ? (flirty yung tone ng boses)
Rencie : walang ano man ako nga pala si rencie ( boses ngongo at maagugulat na may halong
pandidiri ang magiging reaksyon ni kikay)
Leenard : si kikay andito na! (isisigaw)
Kikay :hehe sigesige I have to go na my cousin is already here na eh ( mag mamadaling umalis
Rencie ; mapapakamot sa ulo habang nanghihinayang na nakatingin sa papa alis na si kikay
*curtains down*
Scene 4: SA BAHAY NI ALENG ATANG
Continuation of scene 2 (tulong tulong na nag aaayos ang mga magkakapit bahay)
Chismosa 1( habang nag mamanicure) sis ang tagal naman ni kikay excited nako sa chocolates
eh
Chismosa 2: kalma kalang sis maya maya anjan nayan kaya pagandahin mo yang kuko ko baka
mamaya marderin mo na naman
Chismosa 3:(nakikinig sa chismisan at eepal) ayon na nga mga tih , alam nyo naba ang balita si
kikay nakapag abroad lang daw nakalimot ng mag tagalog at eto pa award sya tih mukang NAG
jomowabels na ng afam
Chismosa 1: sis pigilan moko pigilin moko sis paagkaka alam ko dito lang yung usapan oh ditto
lang
Chismosa 2: kalma kalang sis
(pa irap na aalis si chismosa 3)
At biglang darating si tony na may dalang mga bulaklak
Tambay 1: oh tony bihis na bihis ah ganyan ba pag may uuwing jowa galling ibang bansa eh
pano na si …
Jom: g*go wala kana don umalis ka nga sa harap ko bago mo pako mainis
Aalis ang tambay at kakantok sya sa pintuan nila aleng atang
MRS. M: (As she walks toward the door) –Visitors, always visitors. Nothing but visitors all
day long. Naku, I’m beginning to feel like Kris Aquino na !

MRS. M : Oh! Ikaw pala Tony!

TONY : (Startling) –Ikaw na ba iyan Aling Atang?!

MRS. M : ( Laughing) --- Oo naman Iho! Sino bang akala mo? Mukha na ba akong si Sharon
Cuneta?

TONY : Di kasi kita namukhaan aling atang eh!

MRS. M : (shyly touching her boyish bob) – Nagpa salon lang ako, bakit? Pangit ba ang pagkagupit?

TONY : Ay hindi po! (Laughs) Akala ko nga ikaw na si Kikay eh.

MRS. M : (Playfully slapping his cheek) --- Ay nako Tony, napakapalikero mo parin. Iho, Pumasok
ka, anu ka ba naman.

(Enter Singers) “WELCOME WELCOME”

Chumba: Welcome Welcome! Welcome Welcome!

TONY: Sino ba yan sila, aling atang?

MRS.M: Hay nako, ang mga kapitbahay na wannabe singers, hayaan mo lang sila. Kumusta na ba
ang Nanay mo?

TONY : (As he sits down, still holding the bouquet) --- Hayun, Si nanay, namimiss na raw niya ang
Tondo. Gusto niyang bumalik rito

MRS. M : (Standing beside his chair, putting on an apron) – Eh ilang taon ka bang nawala?

TONY : tatlong buwan ho.

MR. M : Tatlong buwan! Kawawa naman si kumare, sigurado akong inip na inip na yon! Di talaga
nagbabago ang mga binondo girls iho.

TONY : Alam niyo naman kaming mga Engineers, kapag may trabaho, kunin agad! May proyekto
ako sa isang tulay sa Bulacan, pero pag natapos na ako, babalik kami agad dito sa Tondo

TONY : (Laughing) --- Namiss na din yan ni nanay

MRS. M : Naiintindihan ko siya Tony! Hinding hindi talaga magiging probinsyana si kumare. Once a
Tondo girl, always a Tondo girl (She
pauses, struck by a thought). Ewan ko lang kung totoo ba iyan. Look at my
Kikay; Nasa america siya ng isang taon, and she says that she
never, never felt homesick at all!

TONY : (Beginning to look nervous again) --- Kailan nga ba siya umuwi Tita? Si Kikay?

MRS. M : kaninang umaga Lang.

TONY : Hindi ko nga agad nalaman na nakadating na pala si Kikay. Nabalitaan ko lang sa mga
chismosa nating kapitbahay eh.

MRS. M : (Plaintively) --- kanina lang siya dumating, Tony and look at what has happened
to me! Nung nakita niya ako, napakagalit niya;Dinala niya ako sa isang beauty shop, and look, look
what she had done to me! My hair is cut, my eyebrows are shaved, my nails are manicured,
and kung pupunta ako sa palengke naka lipstick and make up! Pinagtatawanan ako lahat ng mga
kumare ko! Baka kung anu ano na ang maisip nila sa akin! Pero ano na ang magawa ko? Alam mo
naman tong si Kikay. At sabi niya kailangan ko raw magmukhang amerikana dahil may anak raw
akong americana. Dios mio! Do I look like american to you?

TONY : (Too worried to pay much attention) --- Maganda ka parin Aling Atang, Asan na siya
ngayon?

MRS. M : (who’s rather engrossed in her own troubles too) --- Sino?

TONY : Si Kikay? Nandito ba siya?

MRS. M : (Snorting) --- Oo naman, Hayun, Natutulog pa!

TONY : (Glancing at his watch) ---Natutulog?!

MRS. M : Sabi niya. (fake american accent) New York people do not wake up before twelve o’clock
noon.

TONY : (Glancing at his watch once more) --- Eh mag aalas diyes na ah.

MRS. M : Alam mo naman ang batang yun, pag kadating niya dito, Puro nalang Party, Bar, Brewery,
Metro.Hybrid! Hay nako.

TONY : (Rising disconsolately) --- paki sabihan mo nalang na dumaan ako, at paki bigay nalang din
nito

MRS. M : (Taking the flowers) --- Bakit? Aalis ka na ba agad? Eh kababata mo yun eh! Sandali lang,
gisingin ko lang siya.

TONY : Wag nalang ho Aling atang, babalik nalang po ako sa susunod

MRS. M : (Moving away) --- Hindi, hintayin mo siya diyan. Sigurado akong masiyahan siya na makita
ang kanyang kababata. And she’ll want to thank you in person for these flowers.
Napakaganda naman, Tony…. Mahal siguro ito, ano?

TONY : (Sitting down again) --- Ay, walang anu man po

MRS. M : (Pausing, already at center doorway) --- Oh, Tony …

TONY : ho, Aling Atang?

MRS. M : You mustn’t call me “Aling Atang.”

TONY : Bakit naman ho?

MRS. M : Kikay doesn’t like it. She says I must tell people to call me Mrs. Mendoza. She
says it’s a more civilized form of address. So … and especially in front of

Kikay…. You must call me Mrs. Mendoza.

TONY : Opo, Aling … I, mean yes, Mrs. Mendoza.

MRS. M : (Turning to go) --- Tatawagin ko na si Kikay

TONY : (To himself as he sits down) --- Hah!

MRS. M : (Turning around again) ---- Oh, and Tony …

TONY : (Jumping up again) --- Ano ho, Aling … I mean yes, Mrs. Mendoza.

MRS. M : You must not call Kikay, “Kikay.”

TONY : (Blankly) --- Eh anung tatawagin ko sa kanya?

MRS. M : You must call her Francesca.

TONY : Francisca?

MRS. M : Not Francisca … Fran…CES…ca.

TONY : Franc- Bakit Francesca?

MRS. M : She says that in New York, every body calls her Fran-CES-ca.
Do you know that many people in New York thought she was an Italian…an
Italian from California? Wag mong kalimutan Tony; do not call her Kikay, she
hates that name … call her Fran-CES-ca.

TONY : (Limply, sitting down again) --- Opo, Mrs. Mendoza.

MRS. M : (Turning to go again) – Maghintay ka diyan at tatawagin ko na si Fran-CES-ca.

(Somebody
knocks at the front door. She turns around again.) Aie, Dios mio!

TONY : (Jumping up once again) – Ako na ho ang kukuha

(He goes to open the door.)

MRS. M : (As she exists) --- Sabihin mong mag antay sila iho
(Tony opens door and Totoy steps in. Totoy is the same age as Tony and is more clearly a
Tondo sheik. The one word that could possibly describe his attire is “spooting”. Both boys
extend their arms out wide on beholding each other.)

TOTOY : Tony!

TONY : Totoy! (They pound each other’s bellies.)

TOTOY : Tarantadong Talong!

TONY : Itlog Pula!

TOTOY : Mayroon ba tayo diyan?

TONY : Ikaw pa ang tatanong? Ilang bangko na ba ang na raid mo?

TOTOY : Hoy, hoy, dahan dahan ka Tony, baka ikaw ang nang r-raid ng bangko!

TONY : Impossible! Nagbago na ako, Goodboy na kaya ito.

TOTOY : (Arms around each other’s shoulders, they march across the room) ---
Make way for the Tondo boys … Bang! Bang!

TONY : (Pushing Totoy away and producing a package of cigarettes) Nice! …Oh, Yosi naman diyan.

TOTOY : (Taking a cigarette) – Akala ko ba nasa Bulacan ka?

TONY : Oo nga, Pumunta ako dito para kay Kikay

TOTOY : (As they light cigarette) --- Eh brad, bad news laging naririnig ko sa babaeng yun.

TONY : (Sinking into a chair) --- Ako nga din eh

TOTOY : (Sitting down too) --- sabi pa ng mga kapitbahay, Sisang Baliw na yun

TONY : Galing siya New York eh

TOTOY : Anung Ginawa niya dun?

TONY : Oh, nag aral ng Hair culture and beauty science. May diploma pa!

TOTOY : Naks naman! Haba ng hair naman ni kikay!

TONY : Ah tama, hindi na siya Kikay … she is Fran-CES-ca.

TOTOY : Fran-CES-ca?

TONY : Miss Tondo has become Miss New York.

TOTOY : Kikay, an American? Wag mo nga akong lokohin! Eh kilala na natin yun nung nagbebenta
pa siya ng kakanin eh! (Stands up and imitates a girl puto vendor) --- Puto kayo
diyan … bili na kayo ng puto.

TONY : (Laughing) – Naalala mo ba yung tinulak natin siya sa kanal?

TOTOY : Hahaha! Oo! Naalala ko panga hinabol pa niya tayo hanggang kabilang kanto

TONY : At ang lakas pang sumuntok!

TOTOY : (Fondly) --- Dear old Kikay!

(Knocking at the door. Totoy goes to open it. Enter Nena. Nena is a very well possessed young
lady of 24. )

NENA : Why, it’s Totoy!

TOTOY : (Opening his arms) --- Nena, my loves!

NENA : (Brushing him aside as she walks into the room) – and Tony too! Ano to? Empoy at Bobet
reunion?

TOTOY : (Following behind her) – Nandito kami para kay new yorker

NENA : Ako nga rin, nandito na ba siya?

TONY : Gingising pa siya ni Aling Atang

NENA : Gisingin? Bakit? Nanaghinip pa ba siya?

MRS. M : (Appearing in the center doorway) – Gising na siya, nagbibihis nalang. Good morning,
Nena. Good morning, Totoy.

(Totoy and Nena are staring speechless. Mrs. Mendoza is carrying a vase in which she has
arranged Tony’s flowers. She self-consciously walks into the room and sets the vase on the
table amidst the silence broken only by Totoy’s helpless wolf whistle.)
MRS. M : (Having set the vase on the table) –Well, Totoy? Well, Nena? I said good
morning. Bat ganyan kayo maka tingin?

Chumba: (Singing) Bakit kayo ganyan makatingin, super sexy naman ng ating bituin. Si Aling Atang,
pwede bang patikim

MRS M: Umalis nga kayo dito!

(CHUMBA AND GROUP EXITS)

NENA : Ikaw ba yan Aling Atang?

TOTOY : Anak ng Tortang Talong! Si Aling Atang! (He collapses into a chair)

TONY : To, di na siya si Aling Atang, siya na si Mrs. Mendoza

NENA : (Laughing) – Kinukurot kurot niyo po ako, Aling Atang, nung bata pa ako

MRS. M : You were a very naughty girl, always fighting with Kikay. You were all very
naughty children. (She points at Totoy) – Lalo na itong isang ito, laging nagnanakaw ng mangga sa
aming bakuran

TOTOY : Nariyan pa ba ang Manggahan?

MRS. M : Nandun pa sa likuran.

TOTOY : (Jumping up) – Nena! Pumitas tayo ng Mangga!

MRS.M : Subukan niyo, pipitasin ko rin yang mga tenga niyo , sige!

TOTOY: Joke lang po!

MRS. M : Ah Totoy, samahan mo ako sa kusina

TOTOY : Bakit?! Anung gagawin mo sa akin aling atang?!

MRS. M : Gago, magpapatulong ako magdala ng mga gamit

(Exits Mrs. Mendoza and Totoy. Left alone, Nena and Tony are silent for a moment. Tony
seated; Nena stands behind the sofa.)

NENA : Well, Tony?

TONY : Bat ka pa pumunta Nena?

NENA : Oh, bakit naman hindi?

TONY : Wala ko pa nakausap si Kikay.

NENA : Wala? Akala ko ba sasabihin mo na kung ano ang nangyari kagabi?

TONY : Di ko nakayanan Nena.

NENA : Oh, Tony, Tony!

TONY : (Irritated, imitating her tone) – Oh, Tony, Tony! Gamitin mo nga ang utak mo Nena! Hindi
madaling makipag break sa isang babae na tinanong mo para pakasalan!

NENA : (Belligerently) – Ano ba? Si Kikay o Ako?

Chumba: (Singing) Sinong pipiliin mo? Si Kikay o Ako...

NENA: PWEDE BA?!

(EXITS)

TONY : Ikaw siyempre. Ikaw ang mahal ko Nena

NENA : (Bitterly) –Ako nga ba? At engaged ka kay Kikay?

TONY : Matagal na yun Nena!

NENA : (Flaring up) – Pakshit mo Tony!

TONY : (Jumping up and following her) – Nena, Nena, you know I love you, only you!

NENA : (Whirling around to face him) – Bakit Tony? Bakit Mo ginawang tanungin ako para
pakasalan kita habang engaged ka pa kay Kikay?

TONY : Sana Hindi ko nalang sinabi sayo! Etong mapapala ko sa pagiging honest!

NENA : Honest! You call yourself honest? Getting me to fall in love with you when
you still belonged to Kikay?

TONY : She loved me at my worst. You had me at my best. Pero Binali wala niya lang yun. She
chose to break my heart, Baka kaya tayo iniiwan ng mga mahal natin kasi baka may darating na
mas okay. Yung taong hindi tayo sasaktan at paasahin.

NENA : (Sarcastically) – Kung hindi ka titigil sa One more chance na linyang yan baka ma sapak kita
hanggang mamula yang pisngi mo.

TONY : (Miserably) Sorry.

NENA : At sinabi mo pang secret ang ating engagement?!

TONY : Nalaman ko kasi pagkatapos na darating si Kikay

NENA : Pagod na ako sa mga sikreto Tony! Pagod na pagod na ako!

TONY : Hayaan mo munang kausapin ko si Kikay

NENA : Bilisan mo! Di ako makapag antay

TONY : Pero, paano ko siya makakausap ngayon?

NENA : May problema ba Tony?

TONY : Nandito si Totoy at Ikaw.

NENA : Gusto mo kaming umalis ni Totoy?

TONY : Hindi, hayaan mo lang akong makausap si Kikay ng Mag isa

NENA : Ako nang bahala kay Totoy.

(Totoy appears in the doorway with tray on his head; glasses and a pitcher are on a tray.)

TOTOY : (Sailing in) – Puto kayo diyan, bili na kayo ng puto…!

(Mrs. Mendoza appears in the doorway, carrying a plate of sandwiches.)

MRS. M : Listen everybody…Nandito na si Kikay…pero tawagin niyo siyang Fran-CES-ca.

(She moves away from the doorway and Kikay appears. Kikay is garbed in a trailing gown
trimmed with fur at the neck and hemline. From one hand she dangles a large silk handkerchief
which she keeps waving about as she walks and talks. In the other hand, she carries a very
long cigarette holder with an unlighted cigarette affixed. Kikay’s manner and appearance are
…to use a Hollywood expression …”chi-chi mad.”)

KIKAY : (Having paused a long moment in the doorway, hands uplifted in surprise and
delight) – Oh, hello, hello… you darling, darling people! (She glides into the room. Everybody else is
too astonished to move) Nena, my dear…but how cute
you’ve become! (She kisses Nena)And Tony, my little pal of the valley…how are
you? (She gives her hand to Tony) and Totoy…my, how ravishing you look. (She
walks all around the apprehensive Totoy) goodness, you look like a Tondo super production in
Technicolor! But sit down everybody…do sit down and let me look
at you. (Her three visitors sit down. She sees the tray with the glasses and
pitcher on the table and throws her hands up in amused horror.) Oh, mumsy,
mumsy!

MRS. M : Ano nanaman iha?

KIKAY : How many times must I tell you, mumsy dearest, never, never serve fruit
juice in water glasses!

MRS. M : Hindi ko mahanap yung mga basong gusto mo iha

KIKAY : (Approaching and kissing her mother) – Oh, my poor li’l mumsy…she is
so clumsy, no? But never mind, dearest; don’t break your heart about it.
Here sit down.

MRS. M : hindi, mamamalengke pa ako.

KIKAY : Oh, mumsy, don’t forget my celery. (to her visitors) – I can’t live without
celery. I’m like a rabbit…munch, munch all day.

MRS. M : Oh aalis na ako. Tony, ipa regards mo nalang ako sa mama mo iho okay?

KIKAY : (Gesturing make up) – and remember, mumsy…a little bloom on the lips,
a little bloom on the cheeks.

MRS. M : Oh, Kikay, kailangan pa ba?

KIKAY : Again, mumsy?

MRS. M : (Already in the center doorway) – Kailangan ko pa bang pinturahan tong mukhang to
Fran-CES-ca?

KIKAY : (Breaking into laughter and turning towards the others) – But how dreadfully she
puts it! Oh, mumsy, mumsy…what am I going to do with you?

MRS. M : (As she exits) – Ayoko na! Di ko na to makaya!

KIKAY : (Still laughing) – Poor mumsy, she’s quite a problem. (She waves her cigarette)
Oh, does anybody have a light?

(Totoy jumps up and gives her a light.)

KIKAY : Merci.

TOTOY : Huh? Merci? Si Totoy ito Kikay hindi si Mercy.

KIKAY : I said merci. That means thank you… in French.

TOTOY : (As he sits down) – Merci!

(Kikay poses herself on the arm of the sofa where Nena is sitting and sipping orange juice. The
two boys, also sipping juice and munching sandwiches, occupying the two chairs)

NENA : Kuwento ka naman tungkol sa newyork

KIKAY : (Fervently) – Ah, New York, New York! Are ypu ready for the most exciting, amazing and
romantic story ever?!

Chumba: (ENTERS) Amazing, Exciting, Romantic! (Blows flower petals)

TONY : Gaano ka ba katagal dun?

KIKAY : (In a trance) – 10 months, 4 days, 7 hours and 21 minutes!

TOTOY : (Aside to the others) – Andun pa siya. Actually wala pa siya umalis dun.

KIKAY : (With emotion choking her voice) – Yes, I feel as if I were still there, as though I
had never left it, as though I had lived there all my life. But I look around me (She
bitterly looks around her at the three gaping visitors) and I realize that no, no I’m
not there. I’m not in New York… I’m here, here!

KIKAY : (She rises abruptly and goes to window where she stands looking out) I’m home,
they tell me. Home! But which is home for me? This cannot be home because my
heart aches with home sickness. I feel myself to be an exile…yes, a spiritual
exile. My spirit aches for its true home across the sea. Ah, New York! My own
dear New York! (She is silent a moment, looking across the horizon, her arms
cross over her breast. Her visitors glanced uneasily at each other.)

NENA : (To others) – Sa tingin ko dapat umalis na tayo

TONY : Oo nga baka nakakadisturbo tayo

NENA : (With a languishing gesture) – hayaan natin siyang mag reminisce

TONY : (Glancing at the entranced Kikay) – Yan na ba ang babaeng nakasasama nating mag
swimming sa putikan noon?
TOTOY : (Crossing his arms over his chest) – Ah, New York! My own dear New York!

KIKAY : (Whirling around, enraptured) – Listen…oh listen! Now, in New York, it’s
springtime…it’s spring in New York! The daisies are just appearing in Central
Park and out in Staten Island the grass is green again. (With a little fond laugh)
Oh, we have a funny custom in New York…an old, old and very dear custom.
When spring comes around each year, we New Yorkers, we make a sort of
pilgrimage to an old tree growing down by the Battery. Oh, it’s an old tree. It’s
been growing there ever since New York was New York. And we New Yorkers,
we call it “Our Tree”. Every spring we go down to say hello to it and to watch its
first green leaves coming out. In a way, that tree is our symbol for New
York…undying immortal, forever growing and forever green! (She laughs and makes an apologetic
gesture) But please, please forgive me! Here I am going
sentimental and just mooning away over things you have no idea about. No, you
can’t understand this emotion I feel for our dear old tree over there in New York.

NENA : Naiintindihan kita Kikay! Ganun rin ang nafefeel ko sa ating tree

KIKAY : (Blankly) – Ating tree?

NENA : Ang mango tree natin girl! Naalala ko pa inaakyat natin at pinipitas natin ang mga
manggang hilaw at sina tony ang kumukuha ng mga mangga at kinain natin hanggang sasakit ang
ating mga tiyan!

TOTOY : nahuli nga ako ni aling atang eh! Hinubaran niya pa ako ng shorts!

NENA : Oo nga eh! Tapos tumatakbo ka sa labas ng naka brief habang sinisigaw: “Ibalik mo shorts
ko!”

(They were all shaking with laughter except Kikay who is staring blankly at this.)

KIKAY : Wait laang! Ano ba na tree ang pinag uusapan natin?

NENA : Our mango tree, Kikay. Yung mango tree sa inyong bakuran.

KIKAY : (Flatly) – Oh that tree…

TONY : bakit kikay? Hindi ba parehas ang nararamdaman mo para sa tree natin at sa tree mo sa
new york?
KIKAY : (Tartly) – Of course not! They…they’re completely different! I don’t feel any
emotion for this silly old mango tree. It doesn’t awaken any memories for me at
all!

NENA : (Rising) – Pero para sa amin, napakahalaga ng tree nayun. Lahat ng ka aliwan natin. Lahat
ng memories ng ating childhood Kikay! Ang tree na yun ay ang Symbol ng ating Friendship. TNTK?
Remember?

KIKAY : (Interrupting) – don’t be silly, Nena.

TONY : At ang nag salita!

KIKAY : (In amused despair) – Oh, you people can’t understand at all!

TONY : Of course not. Eh wala pa kami nakapunta sa New York eh.

KIKAY : (Earnestly) –- Exactly! Wala pa kayo naka punta sa Newyork! Our special tree over there is
very different!

KIKAY : It stands for Freedom and for the Manhattan skyline and for the Copacabana and
for Coney Island in summer and for Grant’s Tomb on Riverside Drive and for
Tuesday nights at Eddie Condons with Wild Bill Davidson working on that
trumpet of his and for Saturday nights at Madison Square Garden with the
crowds spilling all over the side walk and for the nickel ferry ride to Staten Island
and for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade down Fifth Avenue and for all (She stops,
overcome with her memories) Oh, it’s impossible to make you see!

TONY : Mas gusto ko parin ang tree natin sa Tondo

TOTOY : I second the motion

NENA : I move to close the nomination!

KIKAY : (Tolerantly, very much the woman of the world) – Oh you funny, funny children!

NENA : Mangungumusta lang ako sa tree namin, gusto mo ba akong samahan Kikay?
KIKAY : (Laughing) – Of course not, child. Do go.

NENA : Eh ikaw totoy?

TOTOY : (Fervently, as he rises) – Of Course my loves! Kahit saan ka man pumunta!

NENA : (In the Kikay manner) – No darling…just out to our dear little backyard.

TOTOY : (Acting up too) – Oh , the backyard of Tondo, the barong-barongs of Maypaho,

the streets of Sibakong…

NENA : (In the center doorway) – Hoy chong sasama ka ba o hindi

TOTOY : (Following her) – Sabi ko nga! Wait!

(Exits Nena and Totoy)

KIKAY : (Sitting down on the sofa) – Si Totoy talaga, hanggang ngayon head over heels parin kay
nena (Tony is silent) Hoy Tony, BV ka? Ano nanaman yang drama mo?

(Tony rises from his chair and sits down beside Kikay on the sofa. He is nervous and cannot
speak. Kikay smilingly gazes at him.)

TONY : (Finally gathering courage) – Kikay…Di ko alam san magsisimula

KIKAY : Just call me Francesca... Okay?

TONY : Meron kasi akong gustong sabihin

KIKAY : Tony, kalimutan na natin yun, matagal na yun. Please?

TONY : Kalimutan?

KIKAY : That’s the New York way, Tony. Kalimutan na natin yung past! Move on! Ano ka ba, dapat
full ng energy at go lang ng go! Enjoy life okay?
TONY : What do you mean Kikay?

KIKAY : Tony, bata pa tayo nun.

TONY : kailan?

KIKAY : Nung na engaged tayo!

TONY : Eh last year lang yun ah.

KIKAY : Para sa akin isang century na! Oh Tony, gusto ko pang magshare about New York, kung
alam mo lang kung gaano ka ganda ang Yankee Stadium! McLaren's Bar! Statue of Liberty! Wow,
kung andun ka Tony, ayaw mo na ding umalis sa sobrang ganda

TONY : Kikay, Kikay! Ayaw kong pag usapan ang newyork okay? Gusto kong pag usapan ay tayo,
ano na ba ang status natin? Tayo pa ba?

KIKAY : Tony please ayaw ko na. Ayaw ko nag pag usapan please, madami pa akong aasikasuhin.

TONY : Ano ba kikay? Tayo pa ba? Yes or No?

KIKAY : Tony.. Mahirap din mag sabi ng No Tony..... Yung babaeng nakilala mo, Si Kikay yun, Ang
babaeng kinakausap mo ngayon ay si Francesca. Ako pa sa iyo Tony, wag ka nang mag muni muni
jan, enjoy Life!~ Pero I imagine mo nga, A new yorker marrying a Tondo Boy! Haha! Nakatatawa!

TONY : (Blazing) – wait lang ha! Dahan dahan lang kikay..

KIKAY : (Very tolerantly) – Sorry kung na hurt kita okay? Hindi ko lang talaga ma imagine na tayong
dalawa..

TONY : (Leaping up) – Hindi ako uupo lang dito at insultohin nang ganun!

KIKAY : Tony! Relax chill! Breathe In.. Breathe out

People in New York don’t lose their temper.

TONY : (Shouting) – Ano ba ang gusto mo!? Maging mag kaibigan lang tayo? Hanggang dun lang?
KIKAY : Yes, Tony. Friends lang okay? Dont worry, madami pang babae jan sa labas. Malay mo,
nariyan lang siya sa Tabi tabi! You know?

TONY : (Waving his fist) – Kung hindi ka babae... sus!

KIKAY : Oh dahan dahan tony, hinding hindi ka susuntok ng babae.

NENA : Ano to? Tony?

KIKAY : Ah nena! Wala to, naguusap lg kami ni Tony

TOTOY : Ano ba naman yang pinag aawayan niyo?

KIKAY : Di kami nag aaway chong! We just decided were good as friends.

NENA : Totoo ba ito?

TONY : (Shouting) – Oo!

NENA : Oh good! Pwede na nating sabihin sa kanila

KIKAY : Sabihin na Alin?!

TOTOY : Anong ibig sabihin niya Tony?

NENA : (Taking Tony’s hand) –Tony and I are engaged.

KIKAY : (Rising) – Engaged!?

TOTOY : (At the same time) – Engaged!?

NENA : Oo! Isang buwan na kaming patagong engaged. In other words, Tony is my Fiancee

KIKAY : A month! (Fiercely, to Tony) – Tony?!

TONY : (Backing off) – Gustong sabihin sayo Kikay.. pero hindi mo ako pinagbigyan.

KIKAY : You Asshole! Ipriprito kita! SINUGBANG KABAYO!

NENA : Hoy Kikay! Dahan dahan ka sa pananalita mo ah! Fiance Ko yan! Akin siya! Akin siya!

KIKAY : Walang Sayo Nena, Akin lang ang Fiance ko!

NENA : Bakit kayo pa ba?!

KIKAY : Engaged pa siya sa akin bago siya naging engaged sayo! Ako Parin ang LEGAL FIANCEE

NENA : Hindi na nga kayo diba? Ikaw pa mismo ang nagsabi

KIKAY : Pero hindi ko ito alam! Hindi ko alam na meron na palang ahas na naglalandi landi sa aking
fiancee habang wala ako! At ikaw! You Bastard! (points at Tony)

TONY : (Backing off some more) – Oh remember kikay, Chill lang diba? Yung mga way ng new
yorker?

KIKAY : I’ve never felt so humiliated in all my life! You sick fuck! Pinahiya mo ako!

NENA : (Blocking her way) – Sabi ko wag mo siyang saktan!

KIKAY : Wag kang pa hero hero jan nena! Akin parin si Tony, wala ko pa siya pinakawalan!

NENA : Mahiya ka naman You’re just being a bitch in the manger!

KIKAY : At ako pa ang mahiya?! stealing my man behind my back!

NENA : (Exploding) – ANO?! ANONG SABI MO?! Walang hiya ka!

TONY : (Keeping a safe distance) – Totoy! Totoy!

KIKAY : (To Totoy, as he approaches) – Ikaw Chong! Wag kang pasali sali dito o babatuhan kita!
TOTOY : Naku, lumabas din and pagka Tondo!

NENA : You Bitch!

KIKAY : Man-eater!

SPECIAL SCENE:

(EXBF PARODY SONG Nea Montalbo and Blessie Buligan- XGF by: Spongecola, Chito Miranda
and Los Magno)

(They grapple and stagger. Tony and Totoy rush forward to separate them and finally
succeeded but not before Kikay has socked Nena. Nena, infuriated, breaks away from Tony…who’s
dragging her away. and pounces on Kikay…whom Totoy is holding. Tony came
running but is too late to prevent Nena from socking Kikay. Kikay sags down in Totoy’s arms.
Tony pulls Nena away.)

TONY : (Furious) – bat mo siya sinaktan!

NENA : What? Siya ang nauna eh!

TONY : Tingnan mo anong ginawa mo!

( Totoy has dropped the knocked-out Kikay on a chair.)

NENA : bat mo siya dinedefend? Bat ka galit sa akin?! TONY!?

TONY : SHUT UP!

NENA : I hate you! I hate you!

TONY : Shut up! Or Ill rip your mouth off!

TOTOY : (Deserting the reviving Kikay) – Hoy Tony! Wag mong salitaan ng ganyan si Nena

TONY : Wag kang makealam dito chong ha, wala kang kinalaman dito
NENA : Buti pa si Totoy, maalahanin sa akin.

TOTOY : (To Tony) – Wag mo nga siyang hawakan!

TONY : Sabi kong wag kang make alam!

(Totoy socks Tony. Tony drops to the floor.)

NENA : (Running to Totoy) – Oh Totoy, you’ve saved my life.

(Meanwhile, Kikay has run to Tony’s side.)

KIKAY : (Kneeling beside Tony) – Tony, Tony … gumising ka!

TONY : (Sitting up and brushing her hands away) – Umalis ka nga

(Kikay rises and haughtily moves away. Tony continues to sit on the floor, in the attitude of
Rodin’s “Thinker”.)

NENA : Totoy, umalis na nga tayo dito

TOTOY : (Pointing to Tony) – Engaged ka pa ba sa kanya?

NENA : Ayaw ko na sa kanya! I hate him! Ayaw ko na siyang makita ever!

TOTOY : Good! Tara na Nena, umalis na tayo

(He takes her arm and propels her to the door.)

TONY : (As they pass him) – Hey!

NENA : (Pausing) – Wag mo nga akong kausapin

TONY : (Still sitting on the floor) – Di ikaw ang kinakausap ko

TOTOY : Wag mo rin akong kausapin! Ininsulto mo ang mahal kong si Nena!
NENA : (Beaming up at him) – Totoy? Mahal mo ako?

TOTOY : (Shyly) – Well... Yes Nena. Im in love you. I know that love is just a shout out unto that void
and oblivion is inevitable, and I am Inlove with you..

NENA: Always?

TOTOY: Always.

TONY : (Still on the floor) – Congratulations!

NENA : (Coldly) – Halika na chong, umalis na tayo dito

(Exit Nena and Totoy. Tony rises and dusts himself. Kikay is on the floor on the other side of the
room, her haughty back to him.)

TONY : Sinira mo na ang buhay ko. Sana masaya ka na.

KIKAY : (Whirling around) – I... have ruined your life? You…have ruined mine!

TONY : (Advancing) – Kailangan mo pa ata ng isang sampal ah.

KIKAY : (Retreating) – Wag mo akong lapitan, kanto boy! Bat mo yun ginawa? I deserve an+

Mmkmm Explanation!

TONY : You demand? Isang taon kang nawala, nakalimutan mo na ang mga kaibigan mo, I deserve
an explanation. I deserve an ACCEPTABLE REASON!

KIKAY : TUMIGIL KA NA SA KAKAGAYA MO SA MGA PINOY FILMS! HINDI KA BAGAY!

Oo nga, One year. Naghintay rin ako Tony, I believed you! And you backstabbed me like a little
bitch! I believed you... (Crying)
TONY : What are you crying about? Be brave…forget…that’s the New York way. Nothing
must ever be too serious, nothing must ever drag on too long…

KIKAY : Oh Tony, I’ve been such a fool! I’m so sorry, Tony!

TONY : Ako hindi! Mabuti nalang nalaman kong anung klaseng tao ka!

KIKAY : (Alarmed, approaching him) – Oh, Tony, you’re wrong, you’re wrong! Hindi ako ganung
klaseng tao, please maniwala ka Tony.

TONY: Nag sasabi ka na ba ng totoo ngayon kikay?

KIKAY : Oo Tony, ang babaeng nakausap mo kanina, Si Francesca yun! Ang Bitchy new yorker! Si
Kikay na ito Tony, Nag balik na si Kikay...

TONY : Kikay? Naka suot ng ganyan?

KIKAY : It’s true, Tony. I’m Kikay…remember me?

TONY : Kung tama ako, I was engaged to a girl named Kikay.

KIKAY : Oo! and you’re still engaged to her, Tony.

TONY : Welcome home, Kikay! Kumusta ang trip?

KIKAY : Nakakaloka! Hindi ako makapa antay na umuwi!

TONY : Nagustuhan mo ba ang Newyork?

KIKAY : Uh-Uh! I love Tondo!

TONY : Bat d ka mag rep sa mga PM ko sa Fb? Tweets ko sa Twitter? Posts ko sa IG?

KIKAY : (After just a wee pause) – Wala ako pina contact ni Francesca sa iyo eh.
TONY : That misty girl. Buti nalang wala na yung babaeng iyon

(Offstage Mrs. Mendoza is heard calling “ Francesca, Francesca.” Tony and Kikay listen, then
burst into laughter.)

MRS. M : (Appearing in doorway) – Frances…Oh, Tony, andito ka pa? Francesca,

don’t be angry but I couldn’t live without it!

TONY : (Moving towards the radio) – Si Francesca ho yun, at Patay na si Francesca. Si Kikay na po
yan Aling Atang

MRS. M : (Dazed) – But Kikay is Francesca…

KIKAY : Oh no, Inay. Hindi ako si Francesca…I’m Kikay!

MRS. M : (After gazing from on to the other, throwing her hands up.) – I GIVE UP!
(Exits)

(Tony and Kikay burst into laughter. They have turned on the radio. It’s playing “Say Something)

TONY: Can I have This Dance?

KIKAY: With Pleasure darling

----End----