Virgin Forest

According to a study published in 2015, 15 billion trees are being cut each year.

This means that since the beginning of human civilization,

only 46 percent of the trees remain worldwide.

In the past five decades,

we’ve seen and felt the effects of deforestation

in different parts of the Philippines.

Putting us in the list of countries

with serious forest degradation in Southeast Asia.

Hon, look at that.

- I have a deadline with my Lumad story. - It’s just interesting. I’m sorry.

Clear!

Whew!

Attaboy!

Roger, keep your eye on that one. Do your job right.

Are our people in the woods doing okay? Is Minda treating our workers right?

They’re doing fine, Mayor.

Hon, I’m in the mayor’s office right now.

I’m sorry hon, but did you see my article on the headline?

I’ve read it, see?

It’s impressive.

Powerful.

I’m so proud of you, congratulations.

Thank you.

How are the kids?

Come here!

Hi Daddy!

Well, I’ll be going to the forest.

There’s no signal there, I won’t be able to call you.

Daddy, you’ll show me the flower?

Of course, I’ll take pictures of the biggest flower in the world.

Once I’m done…

The moment I get a signal, I promise I’ll send you pictures.

Okay? I love you.

- Alright, then. - Bye, please take care.

- Bye, hon! - Goodbye.

Alright, I’ll call you when this is over.

Mr. Francis, the mayor can talk to you now.

Thank you.

- Francis Imperial. - Sir!

Congratulations.

Very nice to meet you, sir.

Same here.

I’ve seen your work, you’re a great photojournalist.

We have a project,

and I’m commissioning you so you can promote our province.

- Sure! - You want to see what it’s about?

I’m excited about it.

This is the Rafflesia.

You know, this is one of a kind.

And it’s the biggest flower in the world.

I’ve also done research on it before I came here.

Good, good!

So let’s push through with the project. By the way, this is Roger.

He’ll accompany you when you go to the mountains.

Believe me, he knows every path and trail there.

Here’s some money for your needs.

Our budget, Mayor. Thank you.

- Thank you, Mayor. - Thank you, too.

- We’ll go ahead. - Alright.

- Are you ready? - Let's go.

- Do your best, okay? - Of course. Thank you, Mayor.

Can we go to my house first, I just need to drop off something?

No problem. Let’s go!

Thank you.

How do you know Mayor?

Well, the Mayor’s office called my publishing company.

I flew here immediately.

You have giant trees here. You really protect your forests?

Yes, no one’s allowed to cut trees here.

I’ll be quick, boss.

Where’s Mom?

You’re angry, I think.

- Yes, I have a reason to be angry. - Your son’s here.

Dad, Mom.

Your father’s wound is not healing.

Dad, it looks drier now.

- Hey! - Look how cranky he is!

You’re so heavy handed.

No, because you're in pain.

Calm down, Mom. You keep arguing with Dad.

Your mom is such a nag.

Grandma.

- Thank you, grandson. - Have you eaten?

This is for you. For expenses.

Manage it well. Don’t spend it all at once.

You take care of everything. I’ll just go somewhere.

Does your son even have something to eat in the house?

- Dad, mom. - Where are you off to now?

I’ll go on a trip, but I’ll be back soon.

Wait, Roger!

It's good that you're here.

Aunt.

- How are you? - Not so good.

Take this.

- Here's your money. - Thank you so much Roger.

Look how happy she is because she has money again.

You take care of my grandkids.

Yes, aunt. Don’t worry about them.

- Thank you. - Return as soon as you can.

Yes, Mom.

Hey! Roger!

Where is my daughter?

What?

- This guy’s crazy! - What did you do with my daughter?

- You son of a bitch! - I don’t know what you’re talking about.

- What happened? - My son is innocent.

- That’s not my problem! - You know what happened to her!

I don’t know what you’re talking about!

Bastard! Where's my daughter?

Francis, I will show you what they’re doing to me.

Enough of that!

- You’ll be punished one day! - This isn’t your turf!

That’s you and your wife’s problem, don’t drag me into it!

Where did you take her?

I know nothing about that!

- I think he’s gone bonkers! - Fuck you!

You try to blame me for your daughter’s actions.

You fuck, you took her!

What was that about?

That’s nothing, don’t worry about it. He's crazy.

I don’t even know what he’s accusing me of.

The people there, they’re all your family?

Yes. The people living in that compound are all my relatives.

You’re the eldest?

Yes.

I have three siblings.

Are they still in school?

Our parents can't afford to send us to school.

I have to find ways for my family to get by every day.

My family rely on me to put food on the table.

May I ask how long have you been doing this job?

- My work? - Yes.

I’ve been doing this my whole life.

It used to be a hobby.

But I started to get paid for what I do.

I met my wife through this job.

Awesome.

Do you have kids, boss?

I have two. Both girls.

Francis, help us.

Save us.

Help us, Francis.

Francis, save us.

Save us.

I’m sorry, boss.

We’ll have to park here because the truck can’t go further in the woods.

We’ll get off here?

Let’s go.

The women in my dream, messed with my mind.

What women?

Don’t tell me you have another girl?

No.

Let’s go. Just follow me.

The view is nice there. I’m sure you'd like to take pictures.

Roger wait, I’ll just take photos.

Are you getting tired?

You silly thing, I know you miss me!

- Gina. - What?

- Hey, come here! - I don’t like you!

- Come! - No!

- Come here! - Help!

- We’ll just play a game! - Let go of me!

Be quiet!

- Let go of me! - Stop shouting!

- No! - It'll be quick.

- We will just play! - Please, no!

Fuck.

- Help! - Gina!

- Help me! - Fuck you, come back here!

- Come here, you bitch! - Help me!

Gina, we will just play here.

Come here, you bitch!

Gina!

Roger, what's that?

Maybe just some hunter. Let's move.

Roger!

- Roger, please help me! - Go away, you crazy bitch!

You stink, bitch!

What the fuck’s that about?

Hey, Roger.

See what you did to your girl?

She’s wandering everywhere.

She's not my girl. You don't know what you're saying.

Let’s go, boss.

Roger, what was that?

That girl, she just went batshit crazy.

That guy, he’s a hunter.

That girl is always wandering here in the forest.

- That guy shouldn't even be hunting here. - I see.

Whatever happens, you won’t leave me?

I won’t abandon you.

You promise to look after me even at work?

Besides you'll like working there.

We’ll cook Pinakbet. I washed them already.

Okay, just put it over there.

Make sure you do your job well, okay?

- Don't let me down. - Of course, just visit me often.

Of course, I'll visit you.

- Madam Minda! - Hey, Roger.

- That looks delicious. - We are cooking Pinakbet.