The Rites of May (Itim)

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In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...

...Who is the flame of truth.

Lord, your children are here before you praying...

...that we be given clear judgement...

...and stable mind to call on your servant...

...to ascertain the truth.

Surround us with your blessings...

...now and forever. Amen.

Come, Spirit of Truth, join us in this occasion.

Come, Spirit of Truth, join us in this occasion.

Good evening to you, my brethren.

Good evening to you, my brethren.

What can I do for you?

We want to know What happened to my daughter Rosa.

We have not seen her for a long time.

Rosa is dead.

But how? Whee is she? Can we talk to her?

Now is not the time.

After four days...

...on Good Friday.

How are you, Bebeng?

You're early.

To avoid the traffic. Is Papa awake?

In his room. Upstairs.

How is he?

Same as usual.

It's alright.

Bebeng, can you prepare some breakfast?

Fresh bread!

Fresh bread!

Papa...

Papa, I have something for you.

Sorry, I only have one cassette.

I'll bring more when I come back.

Do you like it?

I'm on vacation...

...the office is closed.

Since I've got nothing to do in Manila...

...and I've not visited in a while...

...I decided to spend Holy Week here.

Besides, I've...

Eat now.

I have an assignment from our magazine

a photo essay on Holy Week here in San Ildefonso.

I'll travel to Baguio or Bontoc before returning to Manila.

Pa, let's eat.

Pa, how are you?

Why is this house so neglected?

It's normal for a house to get dusty.

Matias, be careful with that!

Stick to cleaning.

I do all the housework while you loaf!

I knew it!

- What's that? - This is for the procession.

Do we still take part in that?

Your late mother wanted us to continue the tradition.

It's almost Good Friday...

...and Matias has to clean the statues for the procession.

The dead's wishes must be granted or they won't have peace.

Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.

...in Iight...in darkness...

...Black...Black...

Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.

...in Iight...in darkness...

...in Iight...in darkness...

Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.

...in darkness...in light... Black...Black...

Bebeng!

Why are you slaughtering a chicken at night?

What could I do? Your chicken got sick!

If I don't kill it now, it'll just go to waste.

But why now?

Do that downstairs.

Why are the windows closed again?

I've told her many times not to close the windows!

Pa, why don't you...?

Pa, aren't you feeling well?

You're late. Where have you been?

I don't know what happened to me, Mother.

And then?

I just found myself in the next town...

...in San Ildefonso.

- And what did you do there? - Nothing.

Don't try to fool me, Teresa.

Why won't you trust your own child?

Don't talk to me that way.

You never trust me like you trusted Rosa.

I told you never to mention her name!

Anyone there?

Bebeng?

Matias, check on the old man. He's acting up again.

What's with you?

What a man!

Miserable life! Blessed with a bum of a husband!

Damn!

He's dry. Why's he groaning?

This old man...

Horny! Like father, like son!

Have mercy on us... in Iight... in darkness...

Black... Black...

Miss! Wait!

I took that last night.

At the prayers. Do you remember?

My name's Jun. What's yours?

Teresa.

Where are you going?

Home.

I'll take you there.

No, thanks. I'm afraid...

Afraid of what people may say?

Not really.

They must be looking for you.

That's right.

Your mother must be worried.

Yes, she's quite strict.

Suspicious, too.

It's just the two of us.

My father's long been dead.

I often think of him.

Are you also close to your father?

- My father's a paralytic. - What happened?

Car accident. Along time ago.

I'm just visiting him...

...and taking photos of Holy Week rituals here...

...for our magazine.

That's my job. I'm a photographer.

Mother, this is Jun.

Sit down, Jun.

I'll get you something to drink.

- What's the meaning of this? - Later, please.

You're with a man you hardly know.

He approached me outside the church...

...and gave me this picture.

Why did he give you this? Who is he?

Let's talk later, Mother.

Have something to eat.

Thanks.

Who's she?

My sister. She used to be a novice.

Where is she now?

She's dead.

How long has she been dead?

I don't know.

I mean we don't know how she died...

...or when.

One day, when we went to the convent to visit her...

...the nuns told us she was missing.

We never found her.

Teresa, I think I better go.

I'll come back another time.

- I'm going, Ma'am. - Goodbye!

Don't mind my mother. She doesn't know you.

It's okay.

I'm so ashamed.

Don't think about it.

Is the picture mine?

- Yes. - Thanks.

Are you going to town tomorrow?

In the afternoon.

- Okay. - Okay, thanks.

What's wrong?

What's the matter with you?

What's with you, Bebeng?

He got to my room and still you didn't hear anything!

Sick people are like that.

He needs to leave his room to get some exercise.

And if he fell down the stairs?

At his age - to fall down the stairs?

Seems like God's punishment for all his womanizing!

Take my first husband. I'm sure he's in hell!

God forgive him for all his sins to me!

Your mother never forgave your father.

Your son-of-a-bitch father...

...pardon me, Jun...

...he was always chasing women.

Your mother changed after your father's accident.

She got depressed.

She never left the house...

...never received visitors...

...never spoke to anybody...

...even to your father.

Of course, your father could no longer speak.

I'm the only one your mother spoke to.

Until she died.

Your father's to blame for everything.

Perhaps...

By the way, Bebeng...

...did you go down to the clinic last night?

What would I do there?

This is a beautiful place.

Yes, and peaceful, too.

A bit far from town.

Not really. I'm used to coming here.

How did you find this place?

I just chanced upon it.

Nice to take pictures here.

Especially at sunset.

Coming with you here may give you the wrong impression.

It won't.