Gluta

Hey, kid!

Kid!

Kid!

Come here.

Why are you in an angel costume?

Are you part of the Nativity?

Yes, ma'am. I'm one of the angels.

You can't be one of the angels.

What? Why?

Have you ever seen a dark-skinned angel?

You're an Aeta.

Aetas don't get to be angels.

Fine, I'll be Mama Mary.

You must be joking.

That's even more absurd.

Mama Mary is fair-skinned.

There are no characters in the Nativity that fits you.

Everyone in the Nativity is fair-skinned.

and there are no Aetas in it.

Yes, there's one!

Huh? Which one?

The animals?

The goat?

The cow?

I think Mama Mary is half-Aeta.

Ugh. Jeez.

Because I saw it on TV that when Jesus grew up

and paraded in Quiapo,

his hair was curly and his skin was so dark!

I'm pretty sure Papa Jesus is an Aeta!

Angel!

Angel!

Angel!

Angel!

Angel!

Come here.

Why?

That's how I want it. We're going to shine, of course!

I'll prove to my third grade Religion teacher

that this Aeta is one of a kind.

Change me.

She shouldn't underestimate me.

Because today, is the most important day.

This is the day that the Lord has made.

If it were a song,

this would be the bridge that flows into the greatest chorus

If this was an airplane, this would be the part where they say

"Fasten your seatbelts!"

If it were a procedure, this would be "Step One".

If it were a shooting affray, this would be the warning shot.

Bang! Bang!

If it were a game, this would be Level One.

And bestie, I assure you

we're going to make it to the Grand Finals!

To the Jackpot round!

Why? Are you going to join a gameshow? Where?

Where's the TV show audition?

Why don't you go audition? Trying to be funny, huh?

Wow… sorry, I didn't know you were being serious!

You always ruin my day, Bestie.

But you won't succeed.

Because today— mark my words...

Today is the beginning of my time

...to shine!

Bestie.

I believe in the saying, 'not all that glitters is gold.'

That's correct!

But bestie, you? Shine? That sounds impossible.

When did lead ever shine?

Whatever. I don't need to hear this.

You're getting on my nerves.

If you don't stop messing with my flow,

these little danglers you have

I'm going to rip them off your head.

Let me do it.

If my calculations are correct,

they will release the results of the student body votations today.

Today we'll find out who will represent

Miss Tourism in the upcoming

Miss University 2021!

Oh shit!

Ouch!

I'm so stupid!

Correct!

Hold this, hold this!

Because of that, we're dropping by the bookstore!

- We're going to buy some cartolina - Okay.

Pentel pens and colored pens.

What else do we need? Write it down!

- Wait.. - Write it down!

Who's our bet this year?

You haven't told me yet! Who is it?

Spill it!

Bestie…

Who are we going to support this year?

Oh!

Who are we going to support—

Son of a bitch!

Is it you, bestie?!

Yes, girl! Yes, it's me, girl!

You…

Lovely said she'll support me.

She'll help me

Lovely?

Yes.

The same girl Bambino is courting?

Bestie. Bestie?

Please. Don't be like this.

Bestie.

What is it?

We've been through a lot together, haven't we?

We've known each other since elementary days.

Everyone who's ever tried to cross you,

your enemies are my enemies.

Yes, what of it?

You'd do the same for me, right?

Bestie.

That's why I'm so grateful for you

because you support me in everything

even when at times you're the only person who understands

That's exactly my point!

If you joined that pageant,

you might...

I might get rained on with insults.

You're so thoughtful, my bestfriend.

Bestie, I'm just thinking of what's best for you!

I get where you're coming from.

But Bestie, like we talked about…

He who looks into the mirror

speaks of the most important things

because it is he who looks closely.

If others don't accept you for who you are,

at least I know who I am.

And they'll have no choice but to accept the truth.

Each one of us is beautiful in our own way.

Exactly right.

Hey.

Uncle!

You girls are going to be late but you'd rather be chatting away!

What are you discussing?

Oh, the seedling! You didn't remind me—

You didn't reminded me...

I'm going to break your faces in that mirror.

What's that you're holding?

What's that you said you were joining?

Angel, in case it slipped your mind,

let me remind you that you get to study here

because I'm working as a janitor here.

So pull yourself together.

Where are you getting the money to join whatever that is?

Uncle, I won't be spending on anything.

I'll take care of everything.

Trust me!

I'm sure you'll take it from your earnings

from your weekend masseuse gig.

Angel, please.

I'm tired of working!

All you gotta do is to focus on your studies!

You can't even do that.

It's a simple wish!

Focus on your studies!

Not join these stupid contests!

Stress!

This is all melting my beautiful face!

Yes! Damn! Gorgeous!

How long will I hide?

How long will I hide in my little cocoon?

When can I show the world

my wings as bright and beautiful as a butterfly?

I'm tired of standing firm.

I'm tired of pretending.

My limbs are getting numb!

But what can I do?

With my doubled curse?

A gay man, and an Aeta on top of that!

I can't fly around freely in the garden

because they think of me as a cockroach!

They loathe me,

they are repulsed by me, sickened by me!

Mirror, mirror,

tell me,

what am I supposed to do?

And shit, my niece is turning into a lady

in this world that frowns upon the ugly,

the different, the unusual.

Where do I, and she

and the rest of us find a place?

Mirror, mirror,

tell me,

when will my special beauty bloom?

Mirror, mirror,

tell me

when will the color black

shine and twinkle?

Mirror, mirror,

don't stare at me,

because like you,

I, too, do not know the answer.

I hope, that each time you drink alcohol,

as you take a puff of your cigarette