TITLE: PROJECT HUMAN RIGHTS: MAY KARAPATAN DIN KAMI

SETTING: SCHOOL. LOGO OF SAN MIGUEL IN THE MIDDLE

CHARACTERS FOR THIS SCENE:

 DIRECTOR: ME
 NARRATOR/GUITARISTA: BRIN
 SINGERS: ALL

DIRECTOR’S INTRO

DIRECTOR ENTERS THE MIDDLE OF THE STAGE, TAKES A BOW, FACES THE
AUDIENCE.

DIRECTOR:
 OHHHH - LAAAA CHIKAAAAA!!!! BUENOS TARDES, EVERYONE! BUENOS DIAS
BUENDIA MAKATI MANILA! BALZAIN TUGUEGARAO!
 WELCOME TO OUR SHORT PRESENTATION ENTITLED: “PROYEKTO DE
DERECHOS HUMANOS: TAMBIEN TENEMOS DERECHOS!”
 IN INGLES: “PROJECT HUMAN RIGHTS: WE HAVE RIGHTS TOO!”
 AND OFCOURSE IN MY BELOVED FILIPINO: PROYEKTO PANGKARAPATANG
PANTAO: MAY KARAPATAN DIN KAMI!
 WE ARE GROUP 6 FROM KOLEHIYO DE SAN MIGUEL AND TONIGHT WE
PRESENT OUR MINI TELENOVELA, SLASH, MASTERPIECE.
 BEFORE WE BEGIN, A FEW REMINDERS:
 SILENCIO! STAY QUIET DURING THE WHOLE PERFORMANCE
 NO SPOILERS! NO CHATS! AND PLEASE: NO TAKING OF PICTURES OF ME
POR FAVOR. MI MANAGER WILL GET ANGRY!

ALL MEMBERS ENTERS THE STAGE, FORMS A SEMI CIRCLE, FACING THE
AUDIENCE, GUITARIST ON THE LEFT SIDE. DIRECTOR THEN FACES THE
MEMBERS

DIRECTOR:
 BUENO, DO NOT FORGET: YOU ARE ALL BEST ACTORS AND BEST ACTRESSES!
BEST MUSIKERO TOO!
 (REPEATS) DO NOT FORGET! MOTIVATION!
 MAS CINCO!!!! (RAISING HIS HAND SHOWING THE NUMBER FIVE!)
 PLUS FIVE MI AMIGO MI AMIGA!

WHEN EVERYONE IS IN POSITION….

DIRECTOR: LIGHTS!!!!! CAMERA!!!! MUSIC MAESTRO!!!!

ALL: SINGS THE INTRO SONG (MAGASIN)

MAGASIN INTRO THEN FADES….. GUITARIST (BRIN) SLOWLY WALKS TO THE

MIDDLE, CONTINUES PLUCKING THE GUITAR TO A SLOW TUNE WHILE THE REST
FADES OUT OF THE STAGE. . . . WHEN THE STAGE IS CLEAR, AND BRIN REACHES
THE MIDDLE, HE THEN STARTS HIS LINE

BRIN:
(WHILE PLUCKING THE GUITAR TO SOME TUNE)
 WELCOME TO KOLEHIYO DE SAN MIGUEL! THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS SCHOOL IN
TOWN. NAG IISA LANG KASI SA BUONG SAN MIGUEL.
 HERE, EVERYONE KNOWS EVERYBODY. AND SOMETIMES, EVERYBODY’S
CHISMIS TOO!
 (LOOKS AT ONE OF THE AUDIENCE AND ANNOUNCES) CRUSH MO SI ANO
DIBA?
 IT’S ALSO THE SCHOOL WHERE THE BEST ACTORS, BEST ACTRESSES AND THE
BEST DIRECTOR ALL GO. BECAUSE EVERYDAY HERE FEELS LIKE A TELENOVELA
DRAMA SERIES.
 THIS PLACE IS FULL OF STORIES: FRIENDSHIPS, HEARTBREAKS… NAG BREAK
SINA…. DREAMS… AND DEADLINES!
 BUT HEY, NOT EVERYTHING HERE IS PERFECT. BEHIND THE SMILES AND
SELFIES, THIS SCHOOL ALSO HAS IT SHARE OF PROBLEMS.
 AND TODAY, WE’LL SHOW YOU THAT SIDE

FIVE CHARACTERS FOR THE BULLYING SCENE ENTERS, TAKES POSITION, AND
FREEZES

BRIN:
 WE WILL SHOW YOU HOW STUDENTS AND TEACHERS FACE REAL ISSUES
 AND HOW THEY MAKE THINGS RIGHT.
(MUSIC FADES, AND BRIN SLOWLY WALKS OUT…)

ACT 1: BULLYING
SCENE 1: HALLWAY CONFRONTATIONS: MALE STUDENTS
SCENE 2: HALLWAY CONFRONTATIONS: FEMALE STUDENTS
SCENE 3: CLASSROOM

CHARACTERS:
MALE STUDENTS
1. VINCE – MAIN BULLY A
2. MARLOWE – PHYSICAL BULLY B
3. BRIN – PASSIVE BULLY C
4. AHREN – VICTIM D
5. PHILDON -VICTIM E

FEMALE STUDENTS
1. DESIRIE – MAIN BULLY
2. CAROL – SIDE KICK BULLY
3. LEONORA – VICTIM

POSITIONS:
MALE BULLIES LEANING ON THE BLACK BOARD, CENTER (LOCKER)
FEMALE BULLIES ON THE LEFT SIDE, GOSSIPING

DIRECTOR:
 ACT 1: VOICES UNHEARD: BULLYING!
 READY… CAMERAS ROLLING….. TAKE 1. … ACTION!!!!

SCENE 1 OF ACT 1: MALE STUDENTS

SETTING: HALLWAY
AHREN AND PHIL WALKS SIDE BY SIDE, CLUTCHING THEIR BOOKS.

VINCE: (GRINNING) WELL, LOOK WHO’S HERE. THE WEAKLINGS HAS ARRIVED!

AHREN: (SOFTLY) PLEASE, JUST LET US THROUGH. WE DON’T WANT ANY TROUBLE
MARLOWE: (VOICE, LOW, THREATENING) TROUBLE’S WHAT YOU BROUGHT HERE,
WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT

BRIN: (SNICKERING) YEAH, YOU DO NOT BELONG WHERE THE STRONG MOVE.

PHILDON: WE’VE DONE NOTHING TO YOU

VINCE: (MOCKING) NOTHING? YOU’RE EASY TARGETS. LIKE RATS WAITING TO BE

CHASED.

AHREN: (TRYING TO STAY CALM) YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO TREAT US LIKE
THIS!

MARLOWE: (GRABS AHREN’S ARM ROUGHLY) RIGHTS? SA HALLWAY NA TO,

WALANG KARAPATAN!

BRIN: OO NGA OO NGA! (GATONG) YOU’RE INVISIBLE HERE!

VINCE: HEY AHREN, YOUR VOICE SQUEAKS LIKE A RAT! IT’S ANNOYING AND
STUCK ON THE SAME TUNE

AHREN: PLEASE STOP, THIS IS NOT FAIR!

MARLOWE: FAIR? YOU WANT FAIR? LIFE ISN’T FAIR!

MARLOWE SHOVES PHIL AGAINST THE LOCKERS. AHREN TRIES TO HELP PHIL BUT
BRIN PUSHES AHREN BACK

PHIL: (VOICE STRAINED OR IN PAIN) WHY ARE YOU SO CRUEL?

VINCE: (LEANING IN CLOSE AND WHISPERS (BUT AUDIBLE) BECAUSE CONTROL

BELONGS TO US!

SOMETHING CATHCES VINCE’S ATTENTION AND HE TELLS HIS CREW

VINCE: COME ON GUYS, I’M TIRED OF THESE RATS.

BULLIES WALKS AWAY CASUALLY TOWARDS THE RIGHT. WHILE AHREN HELPS
PHIL UP THEN THEY QUICKLY EXITS ON THE LEFT

SCENE 2 OF ACT 1 FEMALE STUDENTS

FEMALE BULLIES WALK TOWARDS THE CENTER, STILL GOSSIPING

LEONOR ENTERS FROM THE RIGHT, WALKING QUICKLY, HEAD DOWN
BULLIES THEN STOPS HER

DESIRIE: OH LOOK CAROL, THE PROBINSYANA IS HERE!

CAROL: (LAUGHING) YES GIRL! I THINK SHE CAME FROM THE KABUNDUKAN,
LOOK AT HER SKIN, KUTIS LUPA, AMOY LUPA, MUKHANG LUPA! EWWWW

DESIRIE: HINDI KA NABABAGAY RITO. YOU LOOK SO POOR! YOU LOOK DIRTY! AND
YOU’RE SO PANGET!

DESIRIE THEN PINCHES LEONOR’S ARM

LEONOR: TAMA NA! NASASAKTAN AKO!

CAROL: EWWW. SPEAKING IN TAGALOG. EEEW. ANO BA YAN!

DESIRIE: YOU DON’T BELONG HERE! HWAG KANG MAGPAPAKITA SAKIN OR

BETTER YET, MAG DROP KA NA

LEONOR: ANO PONG NAGAWA KONG KASALANAN SA INYO BUKOD SA NAIINIS

KAYO SA KULAY KO?

DESIRIE: ABA, SUMASAGOT PA. YOU DON’T BELONG HERE! YOUR KULAY DOES
NOT BELONG IN THIS SCHOOL!

CAROL TRIED TO GRAB LEONOR’S ARM BUT LEONOR SLAPPED IT AWAY THEN
RUNS TO THE RIGHT

LEONOR: BAKIT NILA GINAGAWA SA AKING TO??? (EXITS)

SCENE 3 OF ACT 1: IN THE CLASSROOM

SETTING: CLASSROM

SET:
 10 CHAIRS ON THE LEFT SIDE, 2 ROWS, SLIGHTLY FACING AUDIENCE
 TEACHER’S CHAIR ON THE RIGHT (WAG NG TABLE, SPACE CONSUMING)

CHARACTERS
1. MARIELLA = TEACHER
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. = STUDENTS

STUDENTS ARE SITTED.

DIRECTOR: ACT 1, SCENE 3: IN THE CLASSROOM

 READY… CAMERAS ROLLING….. TAKE 1. … ACTION!!!!

MALE BULLIES HAVING FUN; FEMALE BULLIES GOSSIPING AND LAUGHING;

AHREN, PHIL AND LEONORA ARE SITTING ON THE FRONT ROW, LOOKING
BEHIND THEM, NERVOUS AND SOMEWHAT AFRAID.

AFTER A MINUTE, SILENCE FALLS AS TEACHER MARIELLA WALKS IN AND TAKES

HER PLACE NEAR THE BOARD.

MARIELLA: GOOD MORNING CLASS!

STUDENTS: GOOOOD MOOORNING MS MARIELLA!

MARIELLA: OKAY, TODAY WE WILL BE DISCUSSING ABOUT HUMAN ANATOMY,

PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY AND ALGEBRA. FIRST QUESTION: SINO ANG
MAKAKAPAGBIGAY NG HALIMBAWA NG ISANG BAYANI?????

DESIRIE: (RAISES HER HAND) MA’AM, I HAVE A QUESTION!

MARIELLA: YES DESIRIE?

DESIRIE: MAM, WHY DO WE NEED TO ACCEPT SOMEONE POOR LIKE HER (THEN
POINTS AT LEONOR)

EVERYONE TURNS TOWARDS LEONOR. STUDENTS AT THE BACK STANDS UP AND

GAWKS AT LEONOR. LEONOR SLUMPS FROM HER SEAT, SLOWLY BOWING HER
HEAD

MARIELLA: (SMILES AT DES) DES, WAG GANYAN. HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE,
WE ARE ALL EQUALS. LAHAT TAYO, PANTAY PANTAY.

CAROL: BUT MAM, SHE DOES NOT BELONG HERE. SHE CAME FROM THE
KABUNDUKAN. SHE LOOKS LIKE AN AETA TO ME. KULOT, MAITIM AND MABAHO.
SHE’S SO PANGET.

MARIELLA: CAROL! DES! STOP DISCRIMINATING HER RACE! WE WERE ALL BORN
WITH RIGHTS! AND ONE OF THOSE RIGHTS INCLUDE FREEDOM FROM
DISCRIMINATION! PINAGANAK SYANG MAY IBANG LAHI. BUT THAT DOES NOT
MEAN THAT YOU CAN API API HER!

DES: ROLLS HER EYES.

MARIELLA: SIGHS. OKAY CLASS ENOUGH OF THAT. OPEN YOUR BOOKS TO PAGE
ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED. READ UPTO PAGE TWO THOUSAND. STUDY!
I WILL BE GIVING A QUIZ WHEN I COME BACK. LIMANG MINUTO! PUNTA LANG
AKO KAY PRINCIPAL

MARIELLA WALKS OUT. INSTEAD OF STUDYING, THE STUDENTS STARTS TO

GOSSIP.

BRIN WHISPERS TO MARLOWE

BRIN: PUSTA TA, I CAN MAKE PHIL CRY TODAY

VINCE: HEY PHIL, NICE DRESS… DID YOU BUY IT FROM INDAY’S UKAY UKAY?

PHIL STIFFENS BUT DOES NOT ANSWER. OTHER STUDENTS LOOKS AT THEM
MARLOWE NUDGES AHREN WITH HIS FOOT

MARLOWE: ITAPON KO KAYA MGA GAMIT MO? IT LOOKS CHEAP!

AHREN: PLEASE DON’T DO THIS HERE

VINCE: (LEANS CLOSELY TO PHIL AND AHREN) YOU DON’T BELONG HERE WITH US.
NOT HERE, NOT ANYWHERE.

PHIL LEANS TO AHREN

PHIL: SHOULD WE TELL TEACHER MARIELLA?

W
AHREN: (SHAKES HIS HEAD) NO…. MAS MAHIHIRAPAN LANG TYO. THEY WILL SAY
WE’RE LIARS

SUDDENLY MARLOWE KICKS PHIL’S CHAIR. PHIL NEARLY FALLS

MARLOWE: OOOPS! CAREFUL WHERE YOU SIT

BRIN: (SNICKERS) TERRITORYO NAMIN TO BOY!

VINCE: (MENACINGLY) YOU DON’T GET A VOICE HERE. ISANG MALING SALITA,
AND I’LL BEAT YOU UP!

AHREN: (QUIETLY) THIS ISN’T RIGHT.

PHIL: EVERYONE DESERVES TO LEARN WITHOUT FEAR.

MALE BULLIES THEN GATHERS AROUND PHIL AND AHREN SHOUTING

MALE BULLIES SHOUTS: RATS! WEAK! DUWAG! (AT KUNG ANO ANO PA! (BAWAL
MAG MURA)

FEMALE BULLIES GATHER AROUND LEONOR AND SHOUTS AT HER

FEMALE BULLIES: ITA! YUCK! PANGET! DUGYUT! (AT KUNG ANO ANO PA)

TEACHER MARIELLA ENTERS, SHCOKED FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN COMPOSES

HERSELF AND SHOUTS

MARIELLA: STOPPPPP! WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE????

SHE THEN POINTS AT THE BULLIES

MARIELLA: (FIRMLY RAISING HER VOICE SLIGHTLY) VINCE, MARLOWE, BRIN…. “TO
THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE NOW!”

FEMALE BULLIES SLOWLY MOVES BACK TOWARD THEIR SEAT, HEADS BOWED.

MARIELLA THEN TURNS HER ATTENTION TO THE FEMALE BULLIES AND POINTS AT
THEM

MARIELLA: DES, CAROL, I EXPECTED BETTER FROM YOU. YOU’RE JOINING THEM!

BULLIES EXITS TO THE RIGHT.

MARIELLA TURNS TOWARDS THE VICTIMS WHO WERE STILL SITTING.

MARIELLA: ARE YOU HURT? ANY OF YOU GOT HURT?

ALL VICTIMS SHAKES THEIR HEAD.

MARIELLA: YOU SHOULDN’T LET THEM DO THIS TO YOU. ANYWAY, WE WILL

HEAD TO THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE AND TRY TO RESOLVE THIS. THIS HAS GOT TO
STOP. I HAVE TO REPORT THIS TO THE SCHOOL’S CPC. WE DO NOT TOLERATE
BULLIES HERE!

PHIL RAISES HIS HAND AND ASKS A QUESTION

PHIL: MAM, WHAT DOES CPC MEAN?

MARIELLA: WELL, IT THE CHILD PROTECTION COMMITTEE. THEY INVESTIGATE
INCIDENTS OF BULLYING THEN MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO STOP IT. DON’T
WORRY, WHATEVER YOU TELL THEM WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL. THE CPC AND
THE SCHOOL WILL ALWAYS PROTECT YOU.

AHREN: (QUIETLY): MAYBE…. MAYBE IT’S TIME WE SPEAK UP.

LEONOR: YES. NO ONE DESERVES TO BE TREATED LIKE THIS.

MARIELLA THEN WAVES FOR THEM TO JOIN HER

MARIELLA: COME, LETS TALK MORE ABOUT THIS IN THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE.

MARIELLA THEN SHAKES HER HEAD, ASKING HERSELF…

MARIELLA: THIS IS MADNESS. WHAT’S GOING ON???

BRIN ENTERS WITH GUITAR, FOLLOWED BY EVERYONE, FORMING ANOTHER SEMI

CIRCLE. ONCE FORMED, EVERYONE STARTS TO SINGING THE SONG WHAT’S UP (4
NON BLONDES)

ALL:
And I say, hey-ey-ey
Hey-ey-ey
I said "Hey, a-what's going on?"
And I say, hey-ey-ey
Hey-ey-ey
I said "Hey, a-what's going on?"

FADES….. EVERYONE LEAVES EXCEPT FOR BRIN AND SECOND NARRATOR, WHO
BOTH WALKS TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE STAGE. BRIN CONTINUES PLUCKING
THE GUITAR TO SOME TUNE AS BACKGROUND MUSIC
DIRECTOR: NARRATOR, READY KA NA?
 CAMERA ROLLING, TAKE 1 AND ACTION!

2ND NARRATOR: AHREN

AHREN:
 WOW, THAT WAS A SCENE! TELESERYE SA HALLWAY – MAY SIGAWAN,
TAKUTAN AT KONTING PANG ACTION STAR SA LOCKER!
 BUT JOKES ASIDE, BULLYING IS REAL. IT BREAKS CONFIDENCE, SILENCES
VOICES, AND SOMETIMES EVEN MAKES STUDENTS AFRAID TO COME TO
SCHOOL.
 GOOD THING, TEACHER MARIELLA DIDN’T STAY SILENT. SHE ACTED FAST,
SPOKE UP AND NOW SHE’S BRINGING THE ISSUE TO THE CPC: CHILD
PROTECTION COMMITTEE!
 (LEANS CLOSER TO THE AUDIENCE AND WHISPERS) CPC. IT’S NOT CHISMIS
PROTECTION COMMITTEE. IBANG DEPARTMENT YAN.
 NOW, SHE’S READY TO FIGHT FOR HER STUDENT’S RIGHTS. BECAUSE IN
KOLEHIYO GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL, EVERY STUDENT DESERVES RESPECT AND
SAFETY
 PERO TEKA, KALA NYO TAPOS NA? NO NO NO! HINDI PA!
 IF ACT 1 SHOWED US HOW VOICES WERE SILENCED
 ACT 2 WILL SHOW US HOW STUDENTS ARE FIGHTING FOR SOMETHING ELSE:
THE RIGHT TO HEALTH AND DIGNITY
 MGA TUBIG NA MAS MADUMI PA SA KUNSENSYA NG EX MO…. RESTROOMS
THAT ARE SCARIER THAN YOUR PROFESSOR….
 SO SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE SHOW
ACT 2 STUDENT’S RIGHT TO RESPECT, DIGNITY AND HEALTH

CHARACTERS:
1. MARIELLA – TEACHER
2. STUDENTS
 AHREN
 PHIL
 CAROL
 DES
 LEONOR
 VINCE
 MARLOWE
 BRIN

SETTING:
SAME CLASSROOM SETTING. THIS TIME, BULLIES ARE SEATED IN THE FRONT.
VICTIMS AT THE BACK.

DIRECTOR: READY FOR ACT 2. STUDENT’S RIGHT TO RESPECT, DIGNITY AND

HEALTH. LIGHTS, CAMERA, TAKE 1, ACTION!

STUDENTS CHAT. TEACHER ENTERS WITH QUIZ PAPERS.

MARIELLA: QUIET DOWN, CLASS! I’VE CHECKED YOUR QUIZZES. SOME OF YOU
DID GREAT… OTHERS, WELL, PARANG WALANG NATUTUNAN. MARLOWE, YOU
GOT FIVE OUT OF TWENTY. WHAT HAPPENED?

MARLOWE: SORRY MAM. I GOT THIRSTY. I COULDN’T FOCUS. I WENT TO THE

CANTEEN BUT THERE WAS NO WATER AGAIN.

VINCE AND BRIN ARE LAUGHIN WHILE POINTING AT MARLOWE. MARIELLA

SHUFFLES HER PAPERS.

MARIELLA: STOP LAUGHING.. BOTH OF YOU! VINCE YOUR SCORE IS 4 OUT OF 20!
AND YOU BRIN, IF IT WAS NOT FOR THE BONUS, YOU WOULD NOT HAVE SCORED
AT ALL! 1 OVER 20!
VINCE AND BRIN BOWS THEIR HEAD

MARIELLA: YOU HAVE THE GUTS TO BE BULLIES BUT YOU CAN’T EVEN PASS THE
QUIZ! PARANG MAKINA NA WALANG GASOLINA! I SHOULD SEND YOU ALL BACK
TO KINDERGARTEN!

LEONOR: (WHISPERS TO PHIL) HIRAP MAG FOCUS SPECIALLY WHEN YOU CAN
SMELL THE CR FROM HERE.

PHIL RAISES HIS HAND

PHIL: MAM, AM I AUDIBLE? THE TOILETS AND WATER DISPENSERS HAVEN’T BEEN
WORKING PROPERLY.

MARIELLA: (SIGHS THEN LIGHTENS A BIT) I’LL REMIND THE JANITOR LATER AND
REPORT THIS TO THE PRINCIPAL. (SHE THEN HEADS OUT)

DIRECTOR: CUT!

STUDENT THEN REARRANGES THEIR SEATS, CANTEEN STYLE.

DIRECTOR: SCENE 2 OF ACT 2: BREAK TIME AT THE CANTEEN. LIGHTS, CAMERA…

ACCION

SCENE 2 OF ACT 2: BREAK TIME

SOUNDS: BUZZER ANNOUNCING RECESS

STUDENTS PRETENDING EAT FOOD FROM THE CANTEEN

PHIL: UGHHH, PANIS ATA TONG SANDWICH!

AHREN: THE FRIED SIOMAI ARE SO TOUGH. PWEDE PANG FLOOD CONTROL TO.

CAROL: YOU KNOW, THIS ISN’T FUNNY, IT’S UNHEALTHY.

DES: TRUE! WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO CLEAN AND SAFE FOOD.

LEONOR: SHOULD ALSO ADD THE RIGHT TO YUMMY FOOD.

VINCE: WAIT… THAT’S REALLY A RIGHT?

PHIL: YES, IT’S PART OF THE RIGHT TO HEALTH UNDER THE UN CONVENTION ON
THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

BRIN: SO IF WE GET FOOD POISONING, THAT’S A HUMAN RIGHTS CASE?

EVERYONE LAUGHS

MARLOWE: KIDDING ASIDE, WE DESERVE CLEAN FOOD AND SURROUNDINGS

PHIL: AND WE ALSO DESERVE RESPECT. NO ONE SHOULD BE HUMILIATED FOR

MISTAKES

VINCE: YEAH, BEING LAUGHED AT EARLIER REALLY HURT. . .

BRIN: WELL, ATLEAST, WE’RE ALL FRIENDS NOW. THAT TALK WITH THE CPC WAS
REALLY EFFECTIVE. (HIGH FIVES AREN AND PHIL)

CAROL: UGH. ARAW-ARAW NA LANG LIKE THIS. THERE’S NO WATER SA CR. I

CAN’T WASH MY HANDS. I CAN’T EAT WITHOUT WASHING MY HANDS.

LEONOR: YES, KAHIT UNG PALIKURAN HINDI NALILINIS. SIRA PA UNG GRIPO.
NAKAKAAPEKTO SA KALUSUGAN NATIN TO.

DES: PHIL’S RIGHT. THESE ARE PART OF OUR RIGHTS. WE NEED CLEAN WATER,
FACILITIES THAT ARE WORKING.

LEONOR: OO, PARA MAPANATILING MALUSOG TAYO.

CAROL: I THINK WE SHOULD NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

VINCE: HOLD ON TO THAT THOUGHT. LET’S FINISH EATING. OUR BREAKTIME’S

ABOUT TO BE OVER.

SOUNDS: BUZZER ANNOUNCING CLASSES HAS RESUMED

DIRECTOR: CUT! PREPARE THE SET!

MEMBERS REARRANGES THE CHAIR TO DO A CLASSROOM SETTING, THEN TAKES

FORMER SEATS

SCENE 3 OF ACT 2: BACK TO CLASSROOM

PROPS: PREPPARE POSTERS

1. CLEAN WATER = CLEAR MINDS
2. RESPECT IS CONTAGIOUS
3. CLEAN AND RESPECTFUL KOLEHIYO
4. RIGHT TO HEALTH!
5. CLEAN TOILETS!
6. NO HUMILIATION BRUH!
7. DON’T HUMILIATE… EDUCATE!

DIRECTOR: OKAY, SILENCIO! … SILAW, CAMERA… ACCION PUBLICIANA

TEACHER RE-ENTERS, LOOKS THOUGHTFUL

MARIELLA: CLASS, I WANT TO APOLOGIZE. I WAS TOO HARSH EARLIER. DISCIPLINE

SHOULD TEACH, NOT EMBARRASS.

MARLOWE: IT’S ALRIGHT MAM. WHAT MATTER’S IS LEARNING FROM IT

MARIELLA: EXACTLY. LET’S MAKE THE KOLEHIYO HEALTHIER AND RESPECTFUL. AS

A STUDENT, HOW CAN YOU HELP?

DES: WE COULD CREATE A STUDENT RIGHTS COMMITTEE.

PHIL: LET’S LAUNCH A “CLEAN TOILET CHALLENGE.” WHOEVER KEEPS IT CLEAN

THE LONGEST WINS! SECTION VS SECTION.

VINCE: WE CAN ALSO POST REMINDERS: CORRECT, DON’T HUMILIATE!

MARIELLA: I LOVE THAT! YOU’RE TURNING PROBLEMS INTO SOLUTIONS.

CLASS APPLAUDS LIGHTLY

MARIELLA: YOU CAN MAKE ADVOCACY POSTERS AT HOME TONIGHT. THEN

TOMORROW, LET’S ALL POST IT TOGETHER.

BRIN: MAM, THE THING IS, WE ALREADY MADE SOME POSTERS DURING OUR
BREAK TIME.

EVERYONE BRINGS OUT A POSTER AND SHOW THEM TO THE TEACHER.

MARIELLA: WOW! EXCITED LANG HA! OKAY, LET’S POST THEM RIGHT NOW!

STUDENTS STARTS POSTING AND CONGRATULATING ONE ANOTHER.

DES: (RAISES HER HAND THEN SPEAKS TO TEACHER) I WILL FORM THE STUDENT’S
RIGHTS COMMITTEE. (SHE THEN TURNS TO HER CLASSMATES) ALL OF YOU WILL
BE MEMBERS.

CAROL: YES, LET’S MAKE A PROPOSAL AND GIVE IT TO THE PRINCIPAL.

LEONOR: LET’S ENUMERATE OUR RIGHTS AS A STUDENT TO HEALTH AND

DIGNITY.

AHREN: CANTEEN INSPECTIONS!

MARLOWE: MORE WATER DISPENSERS

BRIN: CLEANER RESTROOMS!

MARIELLA: I’M SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU! YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT. WE’LL MAKE
THESE IMPROVEMENTS PART OF OUR SCHOOL PROGRAM!

STUDENTS CHEER SOFTLY AND SHAKE HANDS.

BRIN TAKES THE GUITAR, THE REST FORMS ANOTHER SEMICIRCLE. ONCE IN
POSITION, THEY STARTED SINGING (WALA NA AKONG MAISIP HAHAHA, SUGGEST
KAYO)
EVERYONE EXITS AFTER THE SONG, LEAVING BRIN AND DESIRIE IN THE CENTER.
BRIN CONTINUES PLUCKING TO SOME TUNE. DESIRIE THEN LIFTS A WATER
BOTTLE, USING IT AS HER MICROPHONE

DESIRIE:
 GRABE! ACT 2, WHAT A RIDE! FROM STUDENTS FIGHTING FOR CLEAN
DRINKING WATER TO STANDING UP FOR THEIR DIGNITY, MALUPET! PARANG
MMK.
 BUTI NA LANG OUR BRAVE STUDENTS DIDN’T STOP AT “EWWW, LASANG
KALAWANG!” THEY VOICED OUT THEIR CONCERNS AND MADE THE CR AND
CANTEEN TRENDING SA GROUP CHAT! ANG TATAPANG!
 SO WHILE THEY WERE BUSY FIGHTING FOR THEIR RIGHTS, GUESS WHAT?
 MAY CHISMIS SA FACULTY ROOM!
 BECAUSE UP NEXT, EVEN TEACHERS AREN’T SAFE FROM FAVORITISM, UNFAIR
PROMOTIONS AND CHICHIRYA DISCRIMIANTION.
 GET READY FOR ACT 3: WHEN VOICES RISE!
 OR AS I LIKE TO CALL IT: TI GUBAT DAGITI! MAESTRA KEN MAESTRO! THE
BATTLE OF THE TEACHERS!
DESIRIE SALUTES THE AUDIENCE, THEN EXITS WITH BRIN

DIRECTOR: READY WITH THE PROPS, FIX YOUR MAKEUPS. VAMANOS VAMANOS!
LA PUBLICO ARE WAITING! COSTUMES MI CHICO MI CHICA!

ACT 3: VOICES SILENCED

DR. MARIELLA: KOLEHIYO PRESIDENT

MS. DESIRIE: PRESIDENT OF KOLEHIYO TEACHERS ASSO.
MR. MARLOWE: TEACHER
MR. PHIL: NEWLY PROMOTED TEACHER.
MS LEONOR: NEWLY TRANSFERRED TEACHER FROM MINDANAO
MS CAROL: VETERAN TEACHER
ATTY AHREN: LABOR LAWYER

SCENE 1: FACULTY ROOM

SETTING: FACULTY ROOM

1 TEACHER (MS LEONOR) SITTED, WORKING ON SOME PAPERS.

DIRECTOR: LOOKS LIKE YOU’RE READY. SCENE 1 OF ACT 3: VOICES SILENCED. THE
FACULTY ROOM.
SILENCIO MADLANG PEOPLE. SILAW! CAMERA! ACCION REIVINDICATURA!

MS. CAROL ENTERS THE ROOM, AS IF OPENING A DOOR, THEN SLAMS IT SHUT.
SLAMS HER BAG ON HER DESK INFRONT OF MS LEONOR, THEN TAKES A SEAT.

MS CAROL: I KNEW IT! RIGGED NA NAMAN ANG PROMOTION!

MS LEONOR: (CONCERNED) WHAT HAPPENED MAM CAROL? ISN’T THE

ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY?

MS CAROL: (ROLLS EYES) OH IT WAS ANNOUNCED. AND GUESS WHO? MR

PHILDON LAURENCE! KAKATRANSFER LANG LAST YEAR, PROMOTED AGAD! ME,
FIFTEEN YEARS NA AKO DITO, TEACHER 1 PA DIN! MY POSITIONS COLLECTING
MORE DUST THAN MY GRANDMOTHER’S COFFIN!

MS LEONOR: MAYBE HE’S REALLY QUALIFIED?

MS. CAROL: QUALIFIED? PLEASE. PERFORANCE? MAS MAGALING AKO!

EXPERIENCE? AKO PA DIN! FURHTER STUDIES? PAREHO KAMING MAY MASTERS.
UNG THESIS NGA NYA PENDING PA DIN. LAST WEEK I CAUGHT HIM ASKING CHAT
GPT TO MAKE HIS RRL. HIS ONLY SKILL IS MAG SIPSIP WITH THE PRINCIPAL!

MR. PHIL ENTERS, DANCING, HUMMING A TUNE, EXTREMELY HAPPY HOLDING A

BOX OF PIZZA

MR. PHIL: MAM LEONOR, MAM CAROL! COFFEE BREAK! ESTE… PIZZA TIME!
SIMPLE CELEBRATION LANG. MASTER TEACHER NA AKO. YOU CAN NOW CALL
ME… “MASTER PHIL!”

MS CAROL: (SARCASTIC) WOW CONGRATS! THAT WAS… FAST! WHAT’S YOUR

SECRET? PIZZA WITH EXTRA CHEESE?
MR PHIL: (CHUCKLES) JUST HARD WORK AND PERSEVERANCE! (TURNS TO
LEONOR) BY THE WAY, MAM LEONOR, I HEARD YOU DIDN’T GET THE RESEARCH
COORDINATOR POST? SAYANG!

MS LEONOR: (SMILES SADLY) YES SIR. THE PRINCIPAL SAID I MIGHT NOT”BLEND
IN” WITH OTHER DIVISIONS. THEY WANTED A MORE..”DYUNAMIC PERSONALITY”

MS CAROL: DYNAMIC? OR MAYBE THEY JUST DIDN’T WANT SOMEONE IN HIJAB!

MR PHIL: (LAUGHS AWKWARDLY) OH COME ON, MAM! WE’RE AN EQUAL

SCHOOL! WALANG DISCRIMINATION DITO! (TAKES A BITE FROM AN IMAGINARY
PIZZA)

MS CAROL: (STANDS DRAMATICALLY) EQUAL?? YOU SURE ABOUT THAT, MASTER

PIZZA SUPREME??
YOU GOT PROMOTED NOT BECAUSE YOU’RE BETTER, BUT BECAUSE YOU’RE A
MAN! “WE NEED AN IRON FIST!’ THEY SAID. THAT’S GENDER DISCRIMINATION

MS CAROL: AND THIS,(POINTS TO MAM LEONOR), THIS IS MAM LEONOR!

TOPNOTCHER, VALEDICTORIAN, SMART AND KIND! PERO BAKIT LAGI SYANG DI
SINASAMA SA MEETINGS? BECAUSE SHE’S FROM MINDANAO! BECAUSE SHE’S
MARANAO!

MS. CAROL: AND ME? I CAN’T EVEN HOLD THE MIC SA PRESENTATION! KASI DAW
MAY “YBANAG ACCENT!” ANO TAWAG DUN? ETHNIC DISCRIMINATION!
ANIMABBA!

MR PHIL: (QUIET, GUILTY) I … I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT THAT WAY!

MS CAROL: OFCOURSE YOU DIDN’T. PRIVILEGE IS LIKE AIRCON, YOU DON’T

NOTICE IT WHEN YOU’RE INSIDE, BUT OUTSIDE, WE’RE MELTING!

MS. LEONOR: MR PHIL, HUMAN RIGHTS AREN’T JUST FOR CRIMINALS, THEY’RE
FOR US TOO. “NO PERSON SHALL BE DENIED EQUAL PROTECTION FO THE LAWS.”
PIZZA’S GOOD, BUT FAIRNESS TASTES BETTER.
MS. CAROL: EXACTLY. SPEAKING OF FAIRNESS, IM GOING TO HR. I DESERVE
ANSWERS!

MR PHIL: WAIT MAM CAROL, HAVE SOME PIZZA FIRST!

MS LEONOR: MR PHIL, SOME THINGS CAN’T BE FIXED WITH PIZZA. ESPECIALLY

HUMAN RIGHTS!

LEONOR AND CAROL EXITS THE ROOM. OHIL LOOKS AT HIS PIZZA, SHRUGS, TAKES
THE WHOLE BOX AND LEAVES THE ROOM

DIRECTOR: CUT!
FIX THE STAGE! SET FOR THE NEXT SCENE. VAMANOS! ENTRADA CHICOS!
ENTRADA CHICAS!

ADD TWO MORE CHAIRS, ACTING LIKE THEY ARE DESKS IN A FACULTY ROOM. ALL
FIVE TEACHERS ENTERS AND TAKE THEIR SEATS.

DIRECTOR: SCENE 2 OF ACT 3: FACULTY ROOM RESTRICTION. TAKE 1! ACCION

ILLUMINADA!

MS DES: BEFORE WE ALL GO HOME, WE NEED TO FINALIZE OUR REPORT FOR

TOMORROW’S TEACHER’S ASSOCIATION MEETING. AGENDA INCLUDE DELAYED
SALARIES, UNPAID OVERTIME AND LACK OF TEACHING SUPPLIES.

MS CAROL: INCLUDE MY PLIGHT. I AM BEING DISCRIMINATED FOR BEING A

WOMAN.

MS LEONOR: SAME AS ME. I AM NOT BEING GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR BEING A

MARANAW

MS DES: NOTED ON THAT.

MR MARLOWE: HONESTLY MAM, IT’S BEEN TWO MONTHS SINCE WE GOT OUR
FULL PAY. SOME OF US ARE ALREADY BORROWING JUST TO GET BY
MS DES: I KNOW. I’VE HAD TO USE MY OWN MONEY FOR MATERIALS TOO.
PENTEL PEN AND PAPERS.. OUT OF POCKET AGAIN

MR MARLOWE: WE’VE BEEN STAYING LATE EVERYDAY FOR REPORTS AND

STUDENT CONSULTATIONS, PERO NO OT! WE GIVE ND GIVE, PERO PARANG
INVISIBLE NAMAN TAYO.

MS DES: EXACTLY! THAT’S WHY WE NEED THIS MEETING. KASI PURO TIIS LANG,
NOTHING CHANGES. WE CAN’T FIX WHAT WE DON’T TALK ABOUT.

A NOTIFICATION SOUND – PING! – FROM EVERYONE’S PHONE. MR MARLOWE

TAKES OUT HIS PHONE AND READS FROM IT.

MR. MARLOWE: HALA! “EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, ALL TEACHER’S MEETINGS ARE

SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.” (HE LOOKS UP, THEN AT EVERYONE)
GALING SA ADMIN.

MS DES: SUSPENDED? WHY?! WE’RE NOT RALLYING, WE’RE JUST TRYING TO HELP
THE UNIVERSITY IMPROVE.

MR MARLOWE: THEY SAID UNION GATHERING CAUSE DIVISION.

MS DES: DIVISION? ANG CAUSE NG DIVISION IS YUNG SILENCE! WE’RE NOT

AGAINST ADMIN. ANG HINIHINGI LANG NATIN IS TO BE TREATED FAIRLY! HINDI
NAMAN KRIMEN ANG MAGSABI NG TOTOO DIBA?
SHE LOOKS AROUND. THE OTHER TEACHERS NODDED SLOWLY.

MR MARLOWE: SO… WHAT NOW? SECRET MEETING SA CANTEEN?

MS DES: PWEDE! BASTA MAY KAPE! KASE KUNG WALANG KAPE AT KARAPATAN,
PAANO TAYO MABUBUHAY?

MS CAROL: SAKTO! MR PHIL HAS PIZZA! (SARCASTICALLY)

MR PHIL: TALAGA? THEN GOES BACK TO MARKING PAPERS

DIRECTOR: AND….. CUT! PERPEKTO!!!! LET’S MOVE IT! THIS IS TURNING INTO A
VERY LOOOONG MOVIE PRODUCTION! I’M NOT BEING PAID FOR THIS!

ALL CHAIRS ARE REMOVED EXCEPT FOR ONE, FACING THE AUDENCE. DR
MARIELLA ENTERS. AND TAKES A SEAT.

DIRECTOR: SCENE 3 OF ACT 3. THE KOLEHIYO PRESIDENT. ARE YOU READY

MUCHACHOS AND MUCHAHAS? I DON’T CARE IF YOU’RE NOT. SILAW….
CAMERA…. ACCION PACIFICA!

MS DES AND MR MARLOWE ENTERS. STANDS ON OPPOSITE SIDE OF DR MARIEL

DR MARIEL: WELL WELL WELL. MS DES! AND MR MARLOWE! I HEARD YOU’RE

PLANNING ANOTHER MEETING. I TOLD YOU ALREADY, ALL UNION ACTIVITIES ARE
SUSPENDED.

MS DES: MAM, WE ONLY WANT TO DISCUSS OUR SITUATION. SOME OF US

HAVEN’T BEEN PAID IN WEEKS. WE STAY AFTER CLASS TO FINISH PAPER WORKS,
BUT THERE’S NO OVERTINE PAY. WE EVEN BUY OUR OWN MATERIALS BECAUSE
THE SUPPLY CABINET HAS BEEN EMPTY FOR MONTHS.

DR MARIEL: THE KOLEHIYO IS DOING ITS BEST. EVERYONE’S FACING DIFFICULTIES.

COMPLAINING WON’T HELP ANYONE,

MR MARLOWE: MAM, WE’RE NOT COMPLAINING. GUSTO LANG NAMIN NA

KAMI’Y MAPAKINGGAN. AND THERE’S ALSO THE ISSUE OF DISCRIMINATION WITH
REGARDS TO THE PROMOTION OF MS CAROL. AS WELL AS ALEEGATIONS OF
WITHHOLDING OPPORTUNITIES FROM MS LEONOR JUST BECAUSE SHE IS
MARANAW.
ITS HARD TO TEACH INTEGRITY TO OUR STUDENTS WHEN WE OURSELVES ARE
BEING TREATED UNFAIRLY!

DR MARIEL: YOU WERE HIRED TO TEACH, NOT TO QUESTION THE

ADMINISTRATIONS MANAGEMENT
MS DES: WE LOVE OUR WORK. WE LOVE THE KIDS! BUT DEDICATION CAN’T FEED
FAMILIES OR BUY CHALK AND BOND PAPER. WE ONLY WANT OPEN DIALOGUE,
NOT CONFRONTATION.

DR MARIEL: (SIGHS, THEN IN A THREATENING TONE) IF THIS CONTINUES, SOME

ONRACTS MAY NOT BE RENEWED. TAKE THAT AS ADVISE.

MR MARLOWE: NOTED MAM. PERO SANA HINDI RED FLAG HA?

MS DES: WE’LL KEEP DOING OUR DUTY MAM. BUT WE ALSA HAVE A DUTY TO
SPEAK THE TRUTH.

DIRECTOR: AND CUT! 5 POINTS! 5 POINTS! MAGNIFICO ALL OF YOU!

EVERYONE EXITS. PROPS MEN ADDS 2 CHAIRS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE
CENTER CHAIR (ATTY OFFICE SETTING). ATTY AHREN ENTERS TAKES A SEAT IN THE
CENTER. MS DES AND MR MARLOWE TAKES THE OTHER TWO EMPTY SEAT

DIRECTOR: BUENO,, LAST SCENE, LET’S MAKE THIS PERFECT. JUST A BIT MORE
AND WE’LL GET THAT PLUS FIVE! SILAW, CAMERA, ACCION TESTIFICANDA!

MS DES: ATTY, WE’RE HERE BECAUSE WE DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE.

THE ADMINISTRATION STOPPED OUR ASSOCIATIO MEETINGS AND TOLD US TO
STAY QUIET ABOUT THE PROBLEMS.

ATTY AHREN: YOU DID THE RIGHT THING BY COMING HERE. TANDAAN NYO, AS
TEACHERS , YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE AND RAISE YOUR CONCERNS.
HINDI KAYO PWEDENG PATAHIMIKIN FOR EXERCISING YOUR RIGHTS, KAHIT
SABIHIN PA NILANG LOYALTY DAW ANG ISSUE.

MR MARLOWE: EH ATTY, THEY SAID IF WE CONTINUE, THEY MIGHT NOT RENEW

OUR CONTRACTS. YOU KNOW, “PERFORMANCE EVALUATION KUNO”

ATTY AHREN: AY NAKU, CLASSIC MOVE YAN, INTERFERENCE AND COERCION YAN.
BOTH ARE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE UNDER THE LABOR CODE. DOCUMENT
EVERYTHING. MEMOS, CHAT MESSAGES, EVEN YOUNG MGA SUBTLE “FRIENDLY
REMINDERS.” KEEP RECEIPTS. THEN WE WILL FILE A REPORT TO THE DOLE. WE
WILL ASK FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE.

MS DES: WE JUST WANT PEACE ATTY. WE’RE NOT HERE TO FIGHT. WE JUST
WANT TO TEACH WITHOUT FEAR, AND MAYBE GET PAID ON TIME, KUNG HINDI
HASSLE.

ATTY AHREN: THAT’S FAIR! STILL, SOMETIME YOU NEED TO FIGHT TO GET A FAIRS
SHAKE. AND DON’T FORGET, KUNG MAY RELIGIOUS OR GENDER DISCRIMINATION
SA WORKPLACE, LIKE BEING DENIED OPPORTUNITIES DAHIL MUSLIM AK OR
FEMALE KA, YOU CAN ALSO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE CHR. MAY MAGNA
CARTA FOR WOMEN DIN.

MR MARLOWE: SO MAY LABAN PALA KAMI ATTY. HINDI LANG PALA KAMI
TEMPORARAY FACULTY SA LABAN NG BUHAY?

ATTY AHREN: EXACTLY! REMEMBER SPEAKING UP FOR FAIRNESS ISN’T DEFIANCE.

IT’S COURAGE! HINDI YAN PAGIGING PASAWAY, YAN AY PAGIGING MAKATAO.
STAND TOGETHER AS THE TEACHER’S ASSOCIATION OF KOLEHIYO DE GINEBRA
SAN MIGUEL. KASI LABAN NG TAMA, HINDI KAILANGAN NG MEGA PHONE, BASTA
MAY EBIDENSYA, LAKAS NG LOOB AT NASA PANIG MO ANG BATAS!

MS DES: THANK YOU ATTY. ATLEAST NO, WE KNOW WE’RE NOT PWERLESS, JUST
UNDERPAID.
EVERYONE LAUGHS.

BRIN ENTERS WITH THE GUITAR… FOLLOWED BY EVERYBODY FORMING

ANOTHER SEMICIRCLE FACING THE AUDIENCE. THEY STARTED SINGING…
SOMETHING I DO NOT KNOW (SUGGEST ULIT KAYO.

FINAL NARRATION:
EVERYONE EXITS, LEAVING BRIN AND MARLOWE IN THE CENTER. BRIN
CONTINUES PLAYING SOME TUNE WHILE MARLOWE GIVES THE FINAL
NARRATION

MARLOWE:
- SO… WHAT DID WE LEARN TODAY, MGA KAIBIGAN? KUNG GUSTO MONG
MAGING MASTER TEACHER, HINDI LAGING SAPAT ANG SIPAG AT TALINO…
MINSAN KAILANGAN MO RIN NG LABAN PARA SA KARAPATAN MO!

- AND IF YOU THINK DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE YOU’RE A WOMAN, OR FROM A

PROVINCE, OR WEARING A HIJAB IS GONE, THINK AGAIN! PERO DON’T
WORRY, HINDI KAYO NAG-IISA. MAY BATAS TAYO. DOLE, CHR, MAGNA CARTA
FOR WOMEN… LAHAT YAN, PWEDE MONG LAPITAN.

- ANG LESSON? SPEAK UP. DOCUMENT. FIGHT FAIR. LAUGH A LITTLE. AT HIGIT
SA LAHAT, WAG KANG MAGPAPANIWALA NA PIZZA LANG ANG SAGOT SA
LAHAT. KAHIT MASARAP ANG PIZZA… FAIRNESS TASTES WAY BETTER.

- SO STAND TALL, FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS, AND… MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, BRING
YOUR OWN PIZZA NEXT TIME.

THEN THE DIRECTOR INTRODUCES EVERYBODY ONE BY ONE, AND THE

CHARACTERS THEY PLAYED. THEN EVERYONE, AS ONE, TAKES A BOW

-THE END-
-SA WAKAS-