Celestina: Burlesk Dancer

Thanks, Tinay.

Eat up, son. I need you to help me.

Yes, Ma.

Joaquin.

Pa!

Is the kite for me?

I got it from Igme.

Shall we let it fly?

Yes, Pa.

- Run! - I want to let go of more string, Pa.

I want it to touch the clouds!

Only an angel can do that son!

- Come on, Pa. - Okay, run!

I hope we catch a big one.

Pa, can you make me a new slingshot?

I'll use a guava tree branch to make you a sturdy one. I got you, son.

Eat right and drink carabao milk every morning to make you stronger.

What do I always tell you?

A real man...

A real man is brave and strong.

Good boy.

Ebony wood is stronger, Pa.

Then ebony it is.

The most important thing is to be a good person, Joaquin.

Weak, or strong,

man, or woman.

Cornelio!

Dolfo.

You sold the only land you inherited.

After you spend it all, what will you sell next? This house?

Cornelio, look at me!

That's all you're good for. Drink. Women.

And when you're loaded, gambling like there's no tomorrow.

You'd bet everything on a cockfight, or a boxing match.

But since you're such a loser, you never win.

Shut it, Tinay!

Why should I?

Does it hurt your ears when you hear the truth?

You're not just a loser, Cornelio. You're a coward!

You never face your problems.

You hide behind your parents' money and now none of it's left, thanks to you.

Don't talk to your son about being brave and strong when you're anything but.

I said, shut up!

You're the useless one around here,

you uneducated piece of trash!

Your tiny parcel of land with 17 mango trees? Worthless!

You got some nerve mouthing off, Celestina.

You were just a singer in a small bar.

I got you out of there, and gave you some dignity.

I'm sorry.

I was wrong.

It's your duty to satisfy me.

Here.

It's great, Pa. Thank you.

Not only that. Here.

Let's shoot it out, Pa.

Next time, okay? My back hurts.

Let me see. Bang!

I'll catch you, Pa.

Pa.

Bang!

Pa!

Pa, we're just playing!

Wake up, Pa.

You scared me.

Go run.

I really got scared.

Good morning, sir.

Wait here.

Ma, I don't want to go.

Come on.

I don't want to leave Pa.

Trust me, Joaquin.

Ma, when are we going home?

Not soon.

But what about Pa?

We left him all alone.

It's not right.

Stop crying.

You need to be brave, Joaquin.

Because I'm a boy?

No. No, son.

Because we're about to start a new life.

We'll face a lot of hardship.

But don't worry.

We'll get through this.

But I need you to be brave.

So I can be braver.

But why did we leave him?

Isn't that wrong?

Joaquin...

We need to do this.

That's newly harvested.

Let's cook it later.

We get one each?

Thank you.

Let's go, son.

Ma'am, is there a job I can do around here?

Sorry dear, there's nothing.

Thanks anyway.

Ma'am can you help me get a job? I'll do anything.

I have nothing either, sorry.

Thank you.

Let's go, son.

Buy some?

Can you tell me where I can find a job?

- Try there. - Thank you.

Let's go.

Fix that.

My name's Ernesto.

You can call me Master Impressario.

Yes, Master Impressario.

You dance?

No, but I can sing.

I need dancers.

What kind of dance?

Burlesque. You know it?

Master Impressario, I need a job. Any job...

We're full.

Go to the market. You can sell fish, or something.

I'm begging you.

You're bugging me.

Come back when you're ready to do burlesque.

Hey Fredo. Don't mess that up!

Get your act together. This is just comedy.

Let's go, son.

You'll get through this.

What's your name?

Joaquin, ma'am.

Who made your mother cry?

He did.

Shall we get back at him?

Yes, ma'am.

Some things scare you only because you haven't tried them yet.

I used to be a dancer.

Not anymore?

I have a lover. He's Japanese.

He doesn't like me dancing in public so I'm doing vaudeville instead.

I need to work. Tomorrow we'll be completely broke.

Dance.

It's a tough pill to swallow, but only at first.

Once you start earning from it, it gets easier.

I'm Rosalinda, by the way.

I'm Tinay.

Don't let Estong intimidate you.

He's all bark, but deep inside, he's a softie.

Come.

Estong!

Hey Rosalinda!

It's "Master Impressario."

Estong sounds more natural, no pretensions.

She's ready to dance.

Is that so?

Listen.

Dancing burlesque is all the rage in Europe.

It's dance as an art form because it comes from the heart. It has soul.

Dance as if your body were possessed by the percussion section of an orchestra.

Your body is one with every beat of every one of those drums.

The sway in your hips shows it.

Rosalinda, it looks like Estong has found your replacement. She's pretty.

Something tells me she has it in her.

And with no clothes on, it'll show even better.

But it doesn't end with your hips, nor with the jiggling of your bosom.

The body must listen to what's in your heart.

Are you starting to feel it?

Is your heart filling up with joy?

Once you can answer yes to these questions, you're ready.

Don't forget the eyes, they talk.

Look at your audience.

Really see them. When they stare back at you,

you have them in the palm of your hand.

They have fallen in love with your dancing.

What's your name?

Celestina.

They call me Tinay.

Celestina... Burlesque Dancer.

The sound of it sparkles!

Let's see you dance.

Show us.

Go on.

Close your eyes.

That's it. Remember the percussion section! Feel it.

There, that's it.

Oh, the chest.

That's it.

A little more tenderness.

More hip.

More. Loosen up some more.

There, keep going!

Good. Good!

Come back later. We'll rehearse. You're in.

She's a dancer, Estong, not a whore.

I know. Geez, Rosalinda.

You can look now.

You can start tonight.

She needs cash upfront.

You're the most generous person I know. It's for her child.

Rosalinda, I know. You know I do.

Okay.

Oh, and no men for now, understood?