LAGUNA UNIVERSITY

Bachelor of Science in Accountancy

A. Y. 2019-2020

THE FLORET ROAD

An Epistolary Romance in Three Acts
Abridgement A
BY DR. JOEM ANTONIO

ARTIEDA, APRILYNNE GIANE A.

BSA – 2B
PROF. NAPOLEON TANLIOCO
Characters:

PEPE-    Male. Jose Rizal as depicted from age 16 in 1877 to age 30 in 1891

TAIMIS-    Female.  Can play all the women linked romantically to Rizal’s life:

        Leonor Rivera (Filipina)

        Suzanne Jacoby (Belgian)

        Nellie Boustead (French)

        Seiko Usui (Japanese)

        Tottie Beckett (English)

EVERYJUAN-    Male. Aside from raising the questions and speculations in the gaps of history,
he can also play Rizal’s friend correspondents:

        Ferdinand Blumentritt

        Antonio Regidor

        Jose “Chenggoy” Cecilio

EVERYMARIA-    Female. Aside from filling in the facts and necessary context, she can also
play Rizal’s family correspondents

        Soledad Rizal

        Narcisa Rizal

        Paciano Rizal

        Teodora Alonzo

Synopsis:

“The Floret Road” was set in 19th century, a period where mobile phone that was used to
communicate easily was not yet invented and the only way to communicate long-distance was
through letter. This kind of limitation put strain on relationships, even in our national hero Jose
Rizal and Leonor Rivera. Adding to that is the opposition of Leonor’s mother to the relationship.
Furthermore, the play is told in reverse chronology. The play begins with showing the deep
sorrow of Jose Rizal when his relationship with Leonor Rivera ends before reminiscing and
exploring the nature of his attachment to her.
[EVERYJUAN and EVERYMARIA enter and watch PEPE enter with a book.]

PEPE:        [Opens the book.] El Filibusterismo. “The Final Chapter.” Only love can bring about
magnificence, only virtue can redeem. Virtue implies sacrifice, and sacrifice, love. [TAIMIS
enters. She has a Hibiscus flower on her hair. She walks to the box behind the frame. PEPE looks
at TAIMIS.] When one fights without understanding, it is better that he should lose. Why should
a wife commit to a husband who cannot love her enough to even die for her?

[Silence. EVERYMARIA goes to the calendar and reveals the title of Act I.]

CALENDAR:        ACT I: TEMPEST AT THE END OF THE ROAD

[EVERYJUAN and EVERYMARIA, in sudden transformation, peek around before becoming

intimately affectionate with each other. PEPE stares at them, then flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        6 JUNE 1890

            JOSE RIZAL to SOLEDAD RIZAL

PEPE:        [brings out a sheet of paper from the box and writes.] Dear Soledad, Sister, I’ve been
told you’ve caused some disturbance in our family. If you have a sweetheart, deal with him
honorably instead of meeting him in secret. Though I do not set myself as a model, all my
relationships with women were honorable. Soledad, when I went back to Calamba in 1887, I
would have gone to Pangasinan, as I had a formal engagement there. But Father’s objection was
enough to stop me. Leonor did the same. [PEPE reaches out to TAIMIS, but hesitates.] The
slightest defiance would have dishonored us and our families. Your brother, Jose.

[EVERYMARIA moves away from EVERYJUAN, leaving him frustrated.]

EVERYJUAN:    [to the audience.] Jose Rizal. National Hero and Fount of All Knowledge.
Quote Rizal, and arguments are invalid. I mean, come on, did he even say that?

EVERYMARIA:    [Points at the calendar.] See the dates and the other data over there? [Points
at PEPE.] Rizal. [Points at herself.] Soledad Rizal. For now. [Points at EVERYJUAN.]
Soledad’s Mystery Lover. For now. [Points at TAIMIS.] Leonor Rivera. Mostly Leonor Rivera.
[Pause.] Verify these yourself after the play if you have doubts. [To the audience.] That goes for
you too.
EVERYJUAN:    Whatever. Rizal was just saying that to get his sister to behave! Look: Seiko
Usui, Gertrude Beckett, Suzanne Jacoby, Nellie Boustead… Besides, Rizal’s love life is just
historical gossip. Who cares? What matters about Rizal is his social relevance; his love for the
Philippines. His novels! His articles! His martyrdom! Why pry into a National Hero’s personal
life and relate it to ours?

[Silence. PEPE and TAIMIS look at each other before staring at EVERYJUAN.]

EVERYMARIA:    Can we really talk about society without talking about the persons that
comprise it? A land without people is no better than a potted plant. 

[EVERYMARIA brings out a potted plant from her box and tosses it to EVERYJUAN.]

EVERYMARIA:    “Pain,” “grief” … Saying these words are easy compared to realities you
need to endure. To take Rizal’s words seriously is to put his life under scrutiny. 

[EVERYJUAN scoffs, then puts a wig and a small hat with a Red Poppy on TAIMIS and
transforms her into SUZANNE JACOBY. TAIMIS flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        ?? AUGUST 1890

        SUZANNE JACOBY to JOSE RIZAL

TAIMIS:        [As SUZANNE JACOBY. Brings out paper and pen and writes.] My dear Mr.
Rizal, we have received your letter and are glad that you did not suffer in your journey. Mr. Leon
asks if you can send him a 20¢ stamp through mail. I’ll repay you with a thousand embraces if
you wish. Signed, Petite Suzanne.

[TAIMIS hands the letter to PEPE who peruses it. TAIMIS goes back to her box]

EVERYMARIA:    You can’t judge a character from a single letter, you know.

[EVERYMARIA removes the SUZANNE JACOBY wig and hat from TAIMIS, then puts on the
Hibiscus flower back on. TAIMIS flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        ?? DECEMBER 1890

            LEONOR RIVERA to JOSE RIZAL

[TAIMIS hands a letter to PEPE but she avoids his gaze and goes back to her old position. PEPE
reads before handing it to EVERYMARIA, who hands it to EVERYJUAN. The letter is blank.]

EVERYMARIA:    Nobody knows exactly what Leonor Rivera wrote to Rizal. But we can
surmise the contents from the responses his friends wrote to him. 

[EVERYJUAN puts on glasses and beard as EVERYMARIA flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        15 FEBRUARY 1890

        FERDINAND BLUMENTRITT to JOSE RIZAL

EVERYJUAN:    [As BLUMENTRITT, brings out a letter and writes.] My Brother, how can a
woman you so honored with love abandon you? But a nobler woman gazes at you lovingly:
[Offers the potted plant to PEPE.] Your Native Land. [PEPE distances himself from
EVERYJUAN.] The Philippines is your princess who waits for you to liberate her from the
dragon. Signed, Ferdinand Blumentritt.

[EVERYJUAN puts the potted plants back.  EVERYMARIA flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        29 MARCH 1891

            JOSE RIZAL to FERDINAND BLUMENTRITT

PEPE:        [Writing, looking at EVERYJUAN.] My Brother, when one’s heart is too bitter it
overflows the soul… Who knows what stupidity I’d do? [Stops writing, brings out a noose.
EVERYMARIA offers him the potted plant. PEPE looks at TAIMIS. TAIMIS puts on a bridal
veil.] My countrymen write to me about their sufferings and assure me they’ll not fear tyranny.
[Picks up the potted plants and is about to smash them.] I wish that a volcano would just erupt
and devour the Philippines. [Puts down potted plants.] I greet you. Signed, Jose Rizal.

[PEPE removes the Hibiscus flower from TAIMIS’s hair, puts the NELLIE BOUSTEAD wig on
her and gives her some Iris flowers. EVERYMARIA flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        ?? APRIL 1891

            NELLIE BOUSTEAD to JOSE RIZAL

TAIMIS:        [As NELLIE BOUSTEAD, writing.] Most Esteemed Rizal, this comes as a
surprise! How do I feel about this? I cannot say until I know if you will embrace Christianity as I
understand it, and as it should be understood. It’s difficult... [PEPE turns and walks toward the
potted plants.] I am willing to wait. Until you comply with my condition, signed, Nellie. 

[PEPE stays where he is, staring at the potted plants. He turns to face TAIMIS and sees her in
her LEONOR RIVERA look. EVERYMARIA flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        23 APRIL 1891

        JOSE RIZAL to FERDINAND BLUMENTRITT

[PEPE brings out a letter and writes. EVERYJUAN looks at PEPE.]

PEPE:        My Brother, the tempest is over. [Looks at TAIMIS, her back turned away from him,
putting on a wedding veil.] My fiancée, faithful to me for eleven years, is marrying an
Englishman. [Pause.] I thought I’d go mad, but I must smile, not cry. [TAIMIS puts the NELLIE
BOUSTEAD wig back on and faces PEPE. PEPE approaches the potted plants and stares at
them.] Perhaps it is time for me to go back to the Philippines and share dangers with my family.
Signed, Rizal.

[PEPE hands the letter to EVERYJUAN. EVERYMARIA flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        24 APRIL 1891

            NELLIE BOUSTEAD to JOSE RIZAL

TAIMIS:        [As NELLIE BOUSTEAD to PEPE.] I understand your desire to leave, to defend
yourself against your enemies. God wants His creatures to work too. What else can I say? I wish
you a happy trip and may the Lord guide your way and give you much blessings. Good bye! But
you must come back. Signed, Nellie.

[PEPE looks at TAIMIS, but then looks away. EVERYJUAN flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        26 APRIL 1891

        FERDINAND BLUMENTRITT to JOSE RIZAL

EVERYJUAN:    [As BLUMENTRITT.] My Brother, I am truly sad you’ve lost your fiancée.
But if she could renounce you, she is just a silly girl who drops a diamond for a pebble. Enough
about your fiancée. I am glad your family is well, but don’t return to Philippines just yet. You are
more useful to your country while you are free. Better times in the Philippines are approaching.
Signed, Ferdinand Blumentritt.

[TAIMIS, still as NELLIE BOUSTEAD, reaches out but PEPE finally turns his back on her.
Silence. TAIMIS recomposes herself and flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        11 MAY 1891

            NELLIE BOUSTEAD to JOSE RIZAL

TAIMIS:        [As NELLIE BOUSTEAD.] I am sorry that you take offense. But I have made
clear my conditions. I will no longer hold my breath. Sincerely, Nellie.

[EVERYMARIA, adjusts to a NARCISA RIZAL costume. As she speaks, TAIMIS puts aside
the NELLIE BOUSTEAD wig and Iris flowers. She reverts to the LEONOR RIVERA look, with
the Hibiscus flower in her hair, her back turned to PEPE.]

EVERYMARIA:    Nellie Boustead was obviously a rebound. As for Suzanne Jacoby, all we
have is that she is clearly attracted to him. No sign he liked her back. But here’s the thing: does
being gentlemanly, courteous, and friendly necessitate to flirting, to leading one on? If it is, then
let all men be boorish to all except their wives. 

PEPE:        If women may only dance with their husbands, then the worst dancers are the most
virtuous.

[EVERYJUAN eyes PEPE skeptically. PEPE walks to the calendar and flips through it.]

CALENDAR:        JOSE RIZAL’S ANNOTATIONS ON ANTONIO MORGA’S

        “LOS SUCESOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS”

EVERYMARIA:    Now let me show you something.

[EVERYMARIA approaches calendar and flips through it. It takes her some pages to find the
date. EVERYJUAN waits impatiently, while PEPE sits down. TAIMIS remains in her position.]

CALENDAR:        27 DECEMBER 1891 

            NARCISA RIZAL to JOSE RIZAL

28 DECEMBER 1891 

JOSE RIZAL to MARIA RIZAL

[EVERYMARIA brings out a pile of letters tied together. She takes a sheet of paper and writes.]

EVERYMARIA:    [As NARCISA RIZAL.] Dear Brother, here are some papers you asked for
that I found in Calamba. Pardon my delay in replying to you.

PEPE:        Dearest Maria, Sister, I’ve been told what you’ve been going through. 

EVERYMARIA:    [As NARCISA RIZAL.] I’m sorry that I have not found a single letter of
Leonor you’ve asked for. Forgive me for my delay. 

PEPE:        Endure the hardships in this life and the next life will have only happiness for you.
Life is short, hardships are fleeting. God be merciful to you all. When there is sadness, there is
happiness. Maria, kisses for your children, signed, Jose.

EVERYMARIA:    [As NARCISA RIZAL.] Aside from not finding Leonor’s letters, my son
Arsenio died September 4 this year. Mother would have already told you about the death of your
godson Franz. Many regards to you and kiss our parents’ hands for us. Your distressed sister who
loves and does not forget you, signed Narcisa.

[Silence. EVERYJUAN takes EVERYMARIA’s letter and then PEPE’s. EVERYJUAN then
puts PEPE’s letter in EVERYMARIA’s box before giving EVERYMARIA’s letter to PEPE.
EVERYMARIA goes to the calendar and flips through it.]

CALENDAR:        ?? AUGUST (or SEPTEMBER) 1893

[TAIMIS puts on a black veil over herself. PEPE approaches and then breaks down.]

EVERYMARIA:    Leonor Rivera died on the 28th of August, 1893. By that time, Rizal was
already exiled in Dapitan; three years since their relationship ended. It’s said that he locked
himself up for days. Based on what we’ve already seen, this is not hard to imagine. And I don’t
think he ever lamented over any other woman this way.

[EVERYMARIA goes to the calendar and reveals the title of Act II.]

CALENDAR:        ACT II: SILENCE AT THE CROSSROADS

EVERYMARIA:    Trivia: Rizal an Leonora Rivera hadn’t seen each other since when Rizal left
for Spain in May 1882. Between 1882 and 1890… that’s eight years of not having seen each
other. [PEPE hands a letter to EVERYJUAN who walks towards TAIMIS. EVERYMARIA
intercepts the letter.] It’s also said that at around 1888, [crumples the letter.] Leonor’s mother
started intercepting Rizal’s letters to Leonor by bribing the postman. [Pause.] How could one
man be struck with such grief over a woman he hasn’t seen for eight years and hasn’t heard from
for two?

[TAIMIS removes the Hibiscus from her hair. She then wears a SEIKO USUI wig and brings out
a big Japanese fan with either a Chrysanthemum or Cherry Blossom design.]

EVERYJUAN:    Why won’t he go for the girls he meets? Leonor didn’t need to know.

PEPE:        All my relationships with women have been dealt with honorably.

EVERYJUAN:    Right, keep telling us that.

EVERYMARIA:    Intimacy is rarely written down in detail. We can only speculate, within what
the facts and contexts can frame them. After all, Rizal’s year-long grief over a woman he hasn’t
seen or heard from in a long while. [flips through the calendar.] Let’s examine Seiko Usui, more
popularly known as O Sei San.

CALENDAR:        13 APRIL 1888

            RIZAL’S TRAVEL JOURNAL

[PEPE brings out a journal and writes on it as TAIMIS faces the audience.]

PEPE:        I like Japan. To think that I have to leave this life for uncertainty. I’ve been offered
an easy way to live, to be loved, esteemed. [To TAIMIS.] Sayonara. To you I dedicate this final
entry in the memoirs of my youth. 

TAIMIS:        [As SEIKO USUI.] Konnichiwa. I, Usui Seiko, am from Chiba. I know some
English and French, as I am an interpreter in the embassy. Yes, brought Mr. Rizal to Ryusenji
temple in Meguro, Tokyo. [Pause.] I died in 1947 at age 80, buried with my husband Alfred
Charlton at Zoshigaya Reien.

PEPE:        No woman like you has loved me better. You’ll never know how you remain in my
memory. Your name lives in my sighs. Your image animates my thoughts. When shall another
divine afternoon in the Meguro temple ever return?

EVERYJUAN:    It’s definite. Rizal liked her. A lot.

EVERYMARIA:    If you will insist on a romance, then the best we can conjure is…

TAIMIS:        [As SEIKO USUI.] Here in Meguro, in Ryusenji Temple, this is a popular site
because of the great lovers Gonpachi and Komurasaki. [As EVERYJUAN and EVERYMARIA
mime the story of Gonpachi and Komurasaki.] Gonpachi was a ronin who became a bandit to
buy Komurasaki’s freedom. He then got caught and was executed. In grief, Komurasaki then
visited Gonpachi’s grave and killed herself there. Beautiful, no? Like Romeo and Juliet?

[EVERYJUAN and EVERYMARIA fall dead. PEPE stares at them and then at TAIMIS.
Silence.]

PEPE:        Yes, beautiful. [Silence.] I wrote a novel.

TAIMIS:        [As SEIKO USUI.] Very nice. Is it in English or in French?

EVERYMARIA:    If you want a relationship to develop, you write to her, not in your diary! 

[TAIMIS reverts back to her LEONOR RIVERA look, brings out a letter, kisses it, then hands it
to EVERYJUAN. PEPE brings out paper as EVERYMARIA flips through the calendar.]
CALENDAR:        12 JUNE 1888

            JOSE RIZAL to RIZAL FAMILY

PEPE:        [as he writes.] My dear family, I’m surprised I’ve received letters from Blumentritt
but no letters from you. [EVERYJUAN goes behind PEPE and crumples the letter.] I can’t guess
why. [Looks at TAIMIS staring back.] London is beautiful. I am now living with a private
family, happy to rent me two rooms.

[TAIMIS removes the Hibiscus flower. She puts on a TOTTIE BECKETT wig and apron with a
rose pattern on it. She brings out a tray with a tea set from her box and serves it to PEPE.]

PEPE:        [writes.] The family I’m with consists of husband, wife and six children. The eldest
daughter, Tottie, sings well. [PEPE looks at TAIMIS, who has already reverted to her LEONOR
RIVERA look.] Please let me know if you have received the letters that I have sent you. Please
write back so that I may not believe that letters get lost. Your son and brother who loves you
dearly, signed, Jose.

EVERYJUAN:    With that kind of loneliness, Rizal should have somehow compensated for that
loneliness. With Tottie Beckett serving Rizal his breakfast in the morning, serving him a cup of
English tea when he comes back from the library for nine months! Don’t tell me nothing
happened between them...

[EVERYJUAN runs to the calendar, flips through it.]

CALENDAR:        12 JUNE 1888 to 19 MARCH 1889

[PEPE finishes his tea, finds a letter on the tray and reads it. TAIMIS speaks out its contents.]

TAIMIS:        [As TOTTIE BECKETT.] You funny little thing. Did you never worry about the
first letter I sent you? I couldn’t help but write to you… 

[PEPE puts the letter aside and brings out a new letter. He flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        19 MARCH 1889

            JOSE RIZAL to ANTONIO REGIDOR

[PEPE then approaches EVERYJUAN and gives him a letter. As EVERYJUAN reads, PEPE
speaks out its contents while looking at TAIMIS, still in TOTTIE BECKETT wig and apron.]

PEPE:        I am leaving the Becketts. I cannot lead her on. I have other ties. I cannot commit the
indignity of placing passion over the virginal love she might offer me.

[PEPE turns his back on the audience. TAIMIS hands PEPE a letter and speaks out the content.]

TAIMIS:        [As TOTTIE BECKETT.] It’s been three weeks. There is not a day that I haven’t
looked for a letter from you and being so disappointed not receiving one. I hope I haven’t
offended you.  [Silence.] I can’t think of what I have done. 

[PEPE sets the letter aside. TAIMIS hastily reverts to LEONOR RIVERA. EVERYJUAN goes
to the calendar and reveals the title of Act III.]

CALENDAR:        ACT III: FLOWERS ON THE ROAD

EVERYJUAN:    What’s with this Leonor Rivera that Rizal would be so hung up over her?

EVERYMARIA:    What matters is that Rizal found Leonor Rivera important enough to disrupt
his life. As to why, it’s near impossible to know. [TAIMIS brings out a small box.] Legend is
that Leonor’s mother had her burn all her letters from Rizal just before her wedding and that
Leonor kept the ashes of those letters until her death. [TAIMIS puts aside the small box and puts
on a wedding veil.] Well, we don’t need their love letters anyway. The grief we saw is enough.
Of course, Leonor Rivera wasn’t just a metaphor for the Philippines.

[TAIMIS brings out a small Philippine flag and uses it to cheer PEPE on.]

PEPE:        I wish that a volcano would just erupt and devour the Philippines.

EVERYMARIA:    We have Rizal’s journals and correspondences regarding Leonor Rivera. Just
keep in mind that the Rizal we are about to see isn’t yet the man in our currency. [Picks up the
potted plants.] Now, he’s just a young boy.
[EVERYMARIA buns up her hair and puts on a male coat. PEPE flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        1 MAY 1882

            JOSE RIZAL’S TRAVEL JOURNAL

PEPE:        [To the audience.] May 1, 1882. How much sacrifice for something so fleeting! The
ship finally weighs anchor. My motherland, my town, I leave you. [Brings out pencil and paper,
and sketches.] I take a pencil and sketch what I can of the Manila shore that disappears to the
distance. [Looks at TAIMIS who remains oblivious to the scene.] Leonores, Dolores, Ursulas,
Felipas, others: other loves will hold your attention and soon you’ll forget this traveler…

[PEPE resumes writing. TAIMIS goes to where PEPE’s box used to be. EVERYJUAN guides
her back to her place. TAIMIS immediately brings out papers and pen and writes voraciously.]

PEPE:        [To TAIMIS.] I’ll return and find myself alone. You who used to smile at me will
save your charms for others, while I chase after vain ideas and illusions…

[EVERYMARIA flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        26 MAY 1882

        PACIANO RIZAL to JOSE RIZAL

EVERYMARIA:    [As PACIANO RIZAL.] Brother, your departure has struck grief to our
parents. Also, rumors about your leaving have spread, but no one could guess the truth. It is said
that you’ll finish your medicine degree in Barcelona, but keep in mind, opportunities for your
greater inclination are in Madrid. Signed, Paciano.

[EVERYJUAN flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        16 SEPTEMBER 1882

        JOSE CECILIO to JOSE RIZAL

EVERYJUAN:    [As JOSE CECILIO.] My friend, Leonor was in a state of shock when she
visited you in Calamba, only to find out that you were gone. She quickly lost mood for
everything. My friend, you must console her. Signed, Chenggoy.

[PEPE goes to the calendar and flips through it.]

CALENDAR:        31 MARCH 1884

        JOSE RIZAL’S TRAVEL JOURNAL

PEPE:        [Writing on his journal.] March 31 1884. [Pause.] Melancholy consumes me. I fear
I’m one passing by a floret road, not touching any flower, hoping to find... what? The road then
becomes bare, and I look into the past with regret.

[PEPE looks at TAIMIS and reaches out to her. EVERYMARIA flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        25 JUNE 1884

        JOSE RIZAL’S SPEECH 

IN HONOR OF JUAN LUNA AND FELIX RESURRECION HIDALGO

[Along with the date, Juan Luna’s “Spoliarium” is shown, with an award ribbon.]

PEPE:        Gentlemen! I take this floor as you’re here to join us in our enthusiasm. Genius has
no country; it is cosmopolitan like space, like life and like God! [EVERYMARIA,
EVERYJUAN, and TAIMIS applaud while getting the audience to applaud.] As a mother
teaches her child her language Spain also teaches her language to the Philippines, despite myopic
midgets who secure their position, without ability to weigh consequences…

[Visibly disturbed. EVERYMARIA removes her male coat, and puts on thickly framed glasses.
She then gives TAIMIS paper and pen. EVERYJUAN flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        11 DECEMBER 1884

        TEODORA ALONSO to JOSE RIZAL (transcribed by LEONOR RIVERA)

 
EVERYMARIA:    [As TEODORA ALONSO, dictating to TAIMIS.] My Son, your beloved is
helping me write this letter. [PEPE looks at EVERYMARIA and TAIMIS.] You don’t know the
sadness I feel, hearing people talking about you. Please, don’t meddle in what will distress me.
[TAIMIS looks at PEPE.]  My son to not fail in your Christian duties; they’re more important
than being exceedingly learned. Your mother embraces you. Teodora Alonso de Rizal.

TAIMIS:        [As LEONOR RIVERA, still writing.] This is a copy of your mother’s letter which
I have made. Pardon my penmanship. Signed, Taimis.

[TAIMIS hands the letter to PEPE and they freeze. EVERYJUAN approaches PEPE and sees
him and TAIMIS looking at each other. He then looks at the letter in her hand.] 

TAIMIS:        [to PEPE.] Why?

[EVERYMARIA picks up the potted plants. PEPE looks at the plants and his gaze follows
EVERYMARIA as she walks across the stage and stands behind TAIMIS. PEPE stares at
TAIMIS and then at the potted plants behind her. PEPE goes to the calendar and flips through it.]

CALENDAR:        18 APRIL 1885

        JOSE CECILIO to JOSE RIZAL

[PEPE hands EVERYJUAN a letter. EVERYJUAN reads it and brings out a sheet.]

EVERYJUAN:    [As JOSE CECILIO, writing.] Esteemed Friend, as regards to your question, if
I were you, I favor Leonor Rivera… [Stops reading the letter.] Fine. Even without her actual
correspondence with Rizal, it’s hard to deny Leonor Rivera is… that special to him. Somehow.
[Pause.] To think he’d lose her in the next five years. That he’d never see her. He doesn’t know
at this time.

EVERYMARIA:    [To the audience.] Facts: Rizal moves on after his heartbreak over Leonor
Rivera. He returns to the Philippines in 1892, gets exiled to Dapitan. In August 1893, Leonor
Rivera dies and it breaks Rizal’s heart again. But that’s okay, because in 1895, he meets
Josephine Bracken. This doesn’t last long. In 1896, Rizal becomes the rallying cry of the
Revolution—whether he liked it or not—and gets executed. [Pause.] Was that cold? Facts are
cold. As you said, all that matters is Rizal as a Filipino citizen.  His personal relationships?
Historical gossip.
EVERYJUAN:    So that’s all Rizal is, then? Without his personal history, his ideals become
nothing more than campaign slogans you can easily find in popular media. As if his very
existence is hinged on his country and nothing else. No human being, none of us, exists for the
sole purpose of being a drone for the nation!

EVERYMARIA:    Listen to yourself. End this properly then. Do the honors.

PEPE:        To fall with head high and serene is not to fall but to triumph. 

[PEPE flips through the calendar.]

CALENDAR:        30 SEPTEMBER 1885

        JOSE CECILIO to JOSE RIZAL

[PEPE hands a letter to EVERYJUAN, who reads it and looks at EVERYMARIA, who hands
EVERYJUAN a sheet of paper to write on. As EVERYJUAN writes, PEPE also is writing.]

EVERYJUAN:    [As JOSE CECILIO, writing.] My Dear Old Friend, [PEPE finishes writing,
kisses the letter, and goes to TAIMIS.] I congratulate you on your selection. [Hesitates.
EVERYJUAN then looks at PEPE and TAIMIS facing each other. Pause. EVERYJUAN
concludes the letter.] In my humble opinion, your decision was a wise one. Signed, Chenggoy.

[TAIMIS takes the letter but PEPE refuses to let go. They both look at each other and smile.
EVERYJUAN puts the letter aside and looks at EVERYMARIA. Both look at the potted plants.
They then look at both PEPE and TAIMIS who are as happy and in love as can be. Silence.]