Third World Romance

Miss, for photocopy.

- How many copies? - Twenty.

Alright.

- Just wait for it. - Okay.

- Do we have more paper? - Yes.

GOVERNMENT AID AT PHASE 6 COURT.

OKAY. I'M ON MY WAY.

Miss, that will do.

- For a while. - Really?

Yeah.

- Are you sure? - Yes, I need it now.

Wait, here's the original.

- Thank you, miss. - Okay.

Shit, is a tikbalang getting married?

- -

Shit! Shit!

No more aid!

- What? They're out?! -

Miss...

- Miss, no more packages? - None. They sent us home.

What? All gone?

You need government aid?

I need it too... and your umbrella.

Let's go!

- Hey! - Miss, what the hell?

Here... Get this...

Hey!

Let's go!

Hurry up!

Tricycle!

Tricycle!

Let's go!

Ouch!

Mister, follow that van!

Go faster!

Ouch!

Mister, what the hell?

- You said to go faster. - And that's my fault?

Just keep following, but don't be obvious.

Don't lose him, but stay close.

Just be subtle.

Just... Just don't...

Why didn't you just get the umbrella?

Sorry.

Sorry. Really sorry.

Mister, go!

Ouch!

Was that my fault again?

The van, miss. It stopped.

Oh.

Pay him.

Pay for the ride.

Come on.

Here.

Mister, thank you.

There.

Alright. We're here.

The van's here.

- Now, you're shy? - Why? Are we close?

I'll just go then.

Wait, hang on.

You need government aid, right?

You said that earlier.

I need it, too.

What's your plan? Steal... I don't want to steal!

Excuse me, we're not stealing.

We're getting what we deserve.

Every Filipino deserves that aid.

That came from our taxes.

Wow, you pay taxes?

Hey! When I can, I buy from the mall.

And during birthdays, we eat at Jollibee .

That has value added tax.

Every little move is taxed.

Only breathing and farting are tax-free these days.

I mean, I'm sure you get taxed, too.

So, we deserve that.

We deserve that aid from the government

with no solid plan about this pandemic.

We deserve this, okay?

- Okay! - Okay, let's go.

My resume!

- How many can you carry? - About six?

Seriously? Get ten!

Ten?

Hey, what are you doing?

- Move faster! - Okay!

- Run! - Let's go!

Hurry!

Where's that coming from?

- He's coming! - Hey!

Your shoes!

- Give that to me! - Stop! Give it back!

Let's go!

- -

Psst.

Psst!

Nice! Couple shirt.

Crazy. Why are you still here?

Seriously?

Just because it's not raining, you don't need me anymore?

Yeah. You should have left.

I still need something from you.

Oh.

- What? - You owe me for the ride.

What? Isn't the government aid enough?

Why? Did you pay for that?

No, right?

Besides, I didn't ask for these.

You didn't ask for it. But you need it.

So, you still owe me.

You really won't give in.

Fine, let's go.

Where?

Since you owe me for the ride, walk with me.

Where do you live?

BF Topman, Phase 11.

Perfect. I'm from Brix Tenement.

Hang on.

Just wear these.

No, never mind. You might charge me.

No, keep them!

Huh? What about you?

Here. I'm working on it.

Hey, stop that!

You might hurt your...

Nah, I can walk with bare feet.

- Huh? - The thing is...

I might avoid COVID,

but get leptospirosis instead.

That bag might tear.

Your feet will get wet.

Don't worry. I got this.

Wear it now.

Fine.

Do I put your shoes in here?

Sure, put it in your bag.

Keep the heel too.

Boom. It's giving Cinderella, right?

Let's go!

You need new copies of your resume.

Huh? I'll just dry this in front of the fan.

Sure. Like it survived the rain?

It's a survivor! With experience!

They want someone with experience, right?

Do you want... ME?

You?

Huh?

M.E. Meal Experience! Eat. Food!

You can't even pay for the ride.

How will you eat?

I'll take two bags. Keep the rest.

Don't rub it in, that you don't need it as much.

I need it too.

But, just a bit?

Is that bad?

Not really.

I just envy those who don't need it as much.

'Cause I need it a lot.

If I don't need it, why would I line up?

- I need it bad, too. - We're about to close.

I mean...

Help me with this.

Compared to others...

Others? You mean me?

- Wait... - No, it's okay. Just finish your noodles.

If you insist on taking two bags, that's okay.

I'll take the rest. I won't refuse blessings.

This will last me a month, maybe two.

Maybe about 28 days,

- or about 23 days. -

Are you guys done? I'm closing now.

- Yes. - Alright.

Miss, can I ask you a favor? Do you have a bag for these?

A big one, please.

- Here. - Yes, perfect!

Here, you can have this.

Oh, thank you.

Thank you, miss.

How many do you have left?

Still enough.

I'll take you home.

Nah, it's out of your way.

That's okay.

You might get caught because of the curfew.

- There's no curfew patrol. - Really?

Besides, they're afraid of me.

Wow, you're the man!

Let me carry those for you.

No, it's okay. You think I'm that weak?

I'm just trying to help.

You might just take these home.

Do you mind if I go ahead?

Sure you can carry those?