Kisapmata

This film is based on a true story.

BANCOM AUDIOVISION presents

a film by MIKE DE LEON

BLINK OF AN EYE

cinematography: RODY LACAP

production design: CESAR HERNANDO

music: LORRIE ILUSTRE

sound: RAMON REYES

screenplay: CLODUALDO DEL MUNDO, JR., RAQUEL N. VILLAVICENCIO and MIKE DE LEON

producers: SIMON ONGPIN, MA. ROSARIO N. SANTOS

executive producer: ROLANDO S. ATIENZA

direction: MIKE DE LEON

Sunday, November

Dad, can we talk about--

About what?

About Noel and I.

About who?

Noel, my colleague at the bank.

What about him?

We're getting married.

You're only 25 years young. Why are you in a hurry?

How about the board exam?

I'd never pass the exam.

What kind of answer is that?

I've already thought this through.

I'm pregnant.

For how many months?

Two months already.

Are you sure?

So this is where everything ends up.

What does this Noel Manalansan do?

He's a co-worker in our section.

What does he do?!

Credit Investigator.

Credit Investigator, huh. What is it?!

Can he even support you?

Go to sleep.

Sunday, November

I'm not sure if there are any other fathers out there like Dad

I don't even want to meet one, if there's any.

For how long do I have to endure this house?

How did it happen?

How did what happen?

How did it happen?

How did you get pregnant?

Dad, what kind of question is that?

I took care of you. Watched over you.

- I gave you everything- - Don't you worry, Dad.

Noel's a good person.

Tell Noel that I need to talk to him

I will. Thanks, Dad.

Here's the lady, whose hips are wiggly

Headless, but her mouth's open. Eyeless, but she's blinded by the light.

Do you know the answer to that riddle?

You don't know?

I'm afraid not.

This.

Headless, and all-mouth

It has no eyes, but is afraid of the light.

Ever touched one of these?

Try it.

- What? Are you afraid? - No, sir.

Here, touch it. It's clean.

It's not the same as the ones that grow in your intestines.

You know, once you're retired...

...you still need to get busy.

- How old are you, by the way? - 26.

You're still young. It will be a while before you grow your own worms.

What are you thinking about?

Nothing.

Really?

Maybe you were thinking that I'm going mad because I grow worms.

Not really. I actually read in the paper... that you may earn lots from earthworms.

Oh, your wage will never match.

These cost 30 pesos per kilo.

More expensive than meat.

I earn better here than when I was in police service.

Where do you sell those?

From where are the Manalansans?

We're from Bulacan.

- Are you ready for the married life? - Yes.

I think I'm ready.

Mila and I will sort it out.

You're smaller than my daughter, right?

Why did you do that?

What, sir?

I don't like how you hasten and hurry my daughter.

You're lucky.

Of all of Mila's suitors you are the only one who is invited in this house.

A lot has taken interest to her...

...but no one ever set foot in here.

I thank you for that, sir.

When will your parents meet with us?

It's up to you, sir. Whenever you want.

Mid-November

We thought Noel was an only child.

No, he isn't,

Our eldest, Pete, is currently in Saudi.

What does he do there?

An engineer overseeing a government housing project.

And how was life there?

He said, it's sad but the pay is good.

- I told him... - One more?

No thanks but I'm good with this one.

You know, a lot of prohibitions comes with age

Give Noel some.

- How old are you, by the way? - 51.

You're still young.

I'm six years older than you.

I'm retired for 2 years already, Pasay Police Force.

But, you only look like 40.

Beer helps with it.

And a little exercise.

You don't get much exercise in your line of work, do you?

It is the brain that gets honed in teaching.

- Am I right? - Yes.

About the kids...

Here's the thing. I'm not sure why are they in a hurry.

But, it's already there, there's nothing for us to do.

When do you plan to get married?

We're thinking, maybe December 8.

- What day is it? - A Tuesday, sir.

Why don't you have it on a Sunday?

or a Saturday? Weekdays are difficult.

December 8 is good. Feast of the Immaculate Concep-

cion.

That's the reason why we chose that day.

Alright.

December 8, it is.

Just do it at night.

Just so your workmates could attend.

And also our relatives from the province.

Marriage only happens once...

..so let's not try to make my daughter's marriage embarrassing, am I right, sir?

Take Col. Diaz as your Godfather.

Pasay City Police's Superintendent.

He'd never say no to me.

Also, Ex-Mayor Cristobal, Mila's baptism Godfather.

He'd never refuse too.

- As for the Godmothers-- - My Aunt...

Dr. Celestino from Makati

And also, our boss, Ms. Olivares.

Alright.

- When's the party? - We still haven't planned it yet.

We only plan to invite a few friends and close relatives.

Pick a good place.

It's for dinner.

Don't you worry on what you'd spend.

It only happens once.

And also not to be embarrassing with the relatives.

Can you give out 10,000 pesos?

10,000 pesos?

It's our family's tradition to give out...

.. .sab-ong

Dowry.

What he meant was, the dowry's 10,000 pesos.

If ours is the male, we will be the one giving out.

It just so happen that the bride is ours.

I understand.

Might also be the case with you and Dely before, right?

You know...

It's not me who wanted this.

Please forgive my father's rudeness.

Maybe he just can't accept that I'm getting married.

It's okay. Don't worry.

That's how traditions are.

It's embarrassing.

We're going.

Don't worry. I got this.

Are you mad at me?

Dad, I'm tired.

Did I do something wrong?

It's all for you.

What do you want to happen?

For the marriage of my only daughter to look pitiful?

Don't worry. Noel has already agreed.

We have a saying...

What is precious cannot be easily acquired.

One needs to struggle for it.

Then you should have raised my price!

Why did you only ask for 10,000?

It's not the value of sab-ong that is important.

Then, why do you need to burden Noel?

Where is he going to get that money?

What are they going to say?

You don't understand me.

It's easy to get money.

That's the least of Noel's problem.

Maybe it's a sin...

...but I don't feel any love for my father.

If you've known my father like I did, you will understand.

He's awfully strict.

He always use his only child as reason.

I'm getting married soon, but dad still accompanies me to work.

Once, I intentionally made him wait.

Noel and I got out of the bank late.

Good evening.

I know he was hurt and I was glad.

But he won't let himself be a loser.

As if he does not care of whatever Noel thinks of him.