The Moment is Now, Tomorrow is Lethal

(Gaduko ulo; tikang pero kanang morag naay gapugong)

I cannot walk alone. (Hawid-ulo, lingo-lingo)
... and as I walk (hinay-hinay taas ulo), I must pledge to march ahead. (Taas ulo)

Now is the time to dare to believe! (Atubang audience, siga mata, imposing)
Stop chasing down a daydream! (Raise hand sa audience, kumkom)

Tomorrow is now! This is urgent! (Change voice to young male/female)

You! You and you... you are our founding fathers, our leaders. You are agents. You should
shape the world into a place where ASEAN youths thrive in harmony and peace!

I am your descendant, the future of ASEAN, I deserve epitomes, so radiant that my eyes could
see greener ways ahead!

(Morag gakugos bata)

I thirst for your sweet cajoles! In my lens I see that you
upkeep for each other’s well-being!
(Change mood, morag nakakitag light) Opportunities! Yes, I saw them coming awhile back!
(Morag nangeta) Were they stolen? Where? They’re gone... like bubbles in the air, they slipped
like sand in my hands! (Ningkamot makit-an, hopeless na)

(Palm behind ear)

Did you say something?
(Pikas ear) Wait what? Did you just say, future?
What future that is? (Morag nakichismis)
Come again? Say it!

Ah, constraints?! (Morag sarkastiko)

These are holding us back.
Ah, yes, yes, it’s crystal clear. (Tando-tando)
No, don’t mention it (gesture sa di na ganahan maminaw). I totally got your point!

Haha what? Prosperity? Progress?

Are you telling me now that your poor actions could help us prosper?
Come on, stop joking. (Chuckles)
I am not an idiot !

… together as one? Cease fooling around! (Sarcastic)

I am not a five-year old kid!
ASEAN you said? ASEAN ideals?
I don’t care about it either.
What?
(Morag naay inaudible voice, pilit gipaminaw)
… outward looking? peace? stability? prosperity? Are they ingredients for my porridge?
Come again? (Palm behind ear)

(Sickly voice, luya)

No, I have been sick for years!
I am suffering a malady!

(Hinay tingog, helpless)

There’s no cure!

(Voice to bata)
Nothing is done to make sense of togetherness, of partnership, of dynamic development. I long
for a community of care.

(Voice to sickly man/woman)

Nothing is done to end my agony.
Nothing is done to a blissful abode.
Nothing!

(Condemning, bata)
Listen!
You, honorable leader!
You, my fellow ASEAN youth!
Invigorate yourselves.
Listen!

(Politician)
“Hear my call for a cause, for I will recast before you my expression of unity and identity.”
“Fifty second since the ASEAN founding, and …”

“I say to you today that this momentous camaraderie comes as a blinking starlight of hope to
those who had been scorched in the heat of misery. It came as a joyous daybreak to conclude
the endless nightmare.”

“Behold the ASEAN way! It binds ancient ties, straddling nation, sprint and trade, for this
ASEAN friendship is a perpetual nook, centuries hence.”

(Soldier)
Release the missile!
Further the armory!
(Another soldier)
What? Did Mr. President say that?
... but why?

(Politician)
“There is mutual respect for sovereignty, refusal to internal affairs’ interference, and
commitment to settle international disputes.”

“The flourishing trade between ASEAN countries steadily grows.”

(Sickly OFW)
Go to the mall.
Bring these Dinars.

Right away!

What? Just these?

Good heavens, how could I medicate my cancer with just a small exchange? Huhu,,,

(Politician)
“There should be emphasis on a great value on scientific learning, which is the key to
modernization, power, and true sovereignty.”

(DepEd teacher)
Hey, did you register for a conference?
Yes, very minimal conference fee at Dakak Tai Hall.
Yes, let’s...

(Politician)
“My message is to look forward to more sharing of knowledge, arts and culture.”

(Youth)
Sharing my foot!

(Politician)
“Three decades of diplomatic relations with BD, to spell, 1 January 1984, Philippines has
enjoyed cooperation in various areas thru Agreements and MOUs.

(Ambassador)
Yes, His Excellency, His Majesty.
Let us cheers to that,
... for going an extra mile in a climate of ambition and mutual trust.

(Student)
Oh? Did I hear it right?
May I beg your pardon?
MOU on ICT and Multimedia in 2015?
I can’t feel it!

(As if naay nidukol)

Ouch, ouch!
What?
Was I wrong?

Why should I shut up?

(Politician)
“In this fine day, let me reiterate the friendship visits between Ph and BD and its support for
BD’s ASEAN Chairmanship and the affirmation on reinvigorating engagements in various areas
of cooperation - health, education, further underscoring the deep and enduring friendship.”

(Student leader)
Hey, rethink priorities!
... position yourself for the challenges and opportunities.
Reality check?

(Anti-Politics)
The work of ASEAN leaders is likely to set important benchmarks in this respect.
Right priorities?

(Politician with another Politician in a meeting)

Mr. President.
Yes, Mr. President!
Let’s create the right framework.
... exploiting business opportunities.

(Media, field reporter)

Mr. President, Mr. President, will there be an interaction for continued economic and regulatory
reform?

(Politician)
“We will continue to beat the odds together with the ASEAN leaders.”

(Media, field reporter)

I am sorry Mr. President, will there be initiatives so together, nations prosper? Apologies, this is
not to say “no progress made over the years.”

(Politician)
“We will keep up with the competition in today's globalized world.”

“My fellow ASEANs, the world economy slowdown means series of economic dialogues at the
highest and at the expert level to facilitate the everyday life of people.”

(Media, tv anchor)
This is the CNN news update.

(Ag pareha sa kantang inani)

Pepe, pepe.
Yes papa.
Eating rice.
No papa.
Eating meat?
No papa.
Eating porridge
La, la, la. (Kengkoy)

(Ag sa Pokemon Team Rockets; two voices - male, female)

Prepare for trouble!�... and make it double!

To protect the world from devastation!�To unite all peoples within our nation!
To denounce the evils of care and love!
To reach for the blinking starlight above!
(Idukdok ang fist sa palm sa other hand)
economic take-off at the speed of light!
to uplift the GDP and to reduce plight!

(Youth, Raise hand, morag power rangers)

Rise to the majestic heights of victory with prayers!

(OFW to Youth - Emote morag sa Anak)

Hummmmm, hummmmm,,, hummmmm ~
The fate is in your hands!
conduct your struggles on the warm threshold,
drink from the cup of discipline and optimism.

(Sickly OFW, Kamang as if naa kas lapok)

Where is the stream of flowing happiness?
I thirst! I thirst! I thirst! (Hangad, morag position ni Hesus sa krus pero ga dapa, transition gikan
sa pagkamang position)