The Blood Drinkers (Kulay Dugo ang Gabi)

Death is the final word.

It is the end of life on this Earth

and the soul is released to a higher life.

Under ordinary circumstances,

after the last prayers are said,

the body is laid to a well-deserved rest.

That is how it is under ordinary circumstances.

As I am a priest, it has been my solemn duty

to give the last rights and to ofiiciate at many funerals.

But there is evil in the world.

I had heard and read about vampires

who bring the bodies of the dead back to life

and that these bodies, bereft of souls, become vampires.

Vampires who obtain their horrible nourishment

by drinking the warm blood of human beings.

This evil that there is in the world

had come into our parish,

to spread dread, and terror,

and untimely death in our community.

Who let that light in?

The cross is blinding me!

Increase pressure.

Katrina.

Katrina.

Katrina.

Do you recognize me?

You're well now.

Marco?

She's alive, my daughter's alive.

Silence.

And now she must have her sister's heart.

Charito, what's wrong with your lamp, do you know?

I don't know.

Maybe a shadow over the light?

So that is Katrina's sister.

Yes, but I beg of you, try someone else.

We must have her heart.

Tomorrow.

Gordo.

You'll come here and get her.

Marco?

Don't talk now, my darling.

Just saying your name

gives me comfort.

Makes me strong and alive again.

I'll get you all the blood you need.

You'll be well again.

Marco?

Yes?

Kiss me.

Drive on.

Elias!

Ho there, Elias!

Come here, Elias.

I'm not a ghost, not yet.

I thought I'd come back

and see how you're taking care of my daughter.

Remember, you gave her to us.

Hello, Sela.

I'm not welcome here, I know.

Come inside, Marisa.

Thank you, no.

Where is...

- Charito? - She's not here.

She'll be away all morning.

She went to buy something.

I waited for you to come to the villa.

Not one of you bothered to come.

Didn't you know that I was going to be there?

Well, it's been almost 20 years.

And you never even tried to see us.

You're the one who abandoned her, remember that.

You seem to have forgotten, so let me remind you.

I own the land and the house you live in.

And the girl you call your daughter is mine too,

remember that!

Come on, let's go.

Mommy, Mommy,

have you got any red...

thread?

I shall be waiting for you at the villa tonight.

Let's go.

Who was that?

Her name's Marisa.

She's related to us.

Elias.

Don't be afraid.

For dust thou art,

and to dust thou returnest.

Amen.

Ruben, go with Charito.

- Buenos dias, Padre. - Buenos dias.

May I offer my sympathy, Charito.

Thank you very much, Dofia Marisa.

Dofia?

Don't you know that I'm your Aunt Marisa?

I'm sorry but, you see,

I was only a little baby when you

went away from here, so

I don't remember you.

But that's past, my dear.

We must not be strangers anymore.

I suggest that you come with me, stay a while.

Keep me company at Villa Mierto.

I don't know.

You must do what I ask you to do.

Don't question me, Charito.

A young girl shouldn't be alone.

And I appeal to you, for I too need some company.

You have no one now.

I'll be a mother to you.

Please do this for me.

She's right, you know, people are scared.

Your aunt's very kind,

I think you'll be much better off staying with her.

I'm not really sure

I should leave the old place.

I think we were expecting some paying guests.

You'll come anyway.

Yes, I will.

Come any day.

I'd better help her.

I think that it was at this time

that I had my first premonition

that an evil thing had come to our village.

I did not know then that Marisa was Charito's mother.

There they are.

But something about her actions struck me as odd.

But of course I had no evidence that she was involved

in the three strange deaths.

And to contrary, her offer of shelter to Charito

seemed most considerate.

Good afternoon, I imagine you must be Charito.

- Yes. - That's right.

And I'm Ruben.

And, oh yes, I am Victor de la Cruz.

We have come a long way and

I'm deeply sorry to have heard of your tragedy.

Thank you, Mr. de la Cruz.

My best to accommodate you.

These are my sisters, Maura's convalescing and the doctor

suggested that we arrange to stay at your place.

We appreciate your being so hospitable,

despite your trouble.

I hope we're expected.

This is Maura and little sister Rona.

I certainly hope this isn't too much trouble for you.

I may have to stay with my aunt.

You might not be satisfied.

I am sure it'll be all right.

Perhaps we'll be able to help you.

This place is very beautiful, we love it

and we'll help you all weekend.

The sun is almost ready to set

and we mustn't keep you from your rest.

Well, Ruben, have you any objections?

I presume he's your husband?

No, I'm just a friend.

Ruben, would you help carry the baggage upstairs please?

Just follow us.

Marco,

wake up.

Wake up, Marco.

It will be daylight soon.

The others will be waiting.

Where else but the cemetery?

Marco?

Please, stay with us.

No.

Please, Marco.

It's been a long time.

Charito!

Charito!

Charito!

Daddy?

Mommy?

Not yet, my dear.

Your time will come soon.

Mommy?

They're dead, but they're walking.

Charito!

Charito!

Who were you talking to?

And why do you look so strange?

I'm sure I saw them.

And who was it you saw?

They're walking,

but they're dead.

Your father and your mother?

What is it, Victor?

We're scared.

- She said she saw... - Saw who?

The ghost of her parents.

I'm not crazy, it was them and the man with a whip.

He said he wasn't ready for me yet.

It was terrible.

And it was more terrible

than anything Charito could have imagined.

Fortunately for her, she had found a staunch friend,

a young man of action in Victor,