Mahjong Nights

The person in the viral video is so pitiful.

It’s wrong to steal, but what can the mother do

to feed her children when her husband is sick in a tent somewhere?

Imagine, to go to jail just because of one pack of milk.

Where will a person go,

if they don’t have relatives who can help them here in Manila?

It’s everybody for themselves in this kind of situation.

Because you can’t just ask someone for help.

It’s dangerous, forbidden even, to get involved with someone you know,

and you can’t even go out.

You remember the news,

the wife was sent to the hospital for having severe COVID symptoms,

The husband was on home quarantine and couldn’t visit his wife.

Then when the wife returned home, the husband was dead.

Because there’s no one to check on him.

He just ran out of oxygen, they said.

Their only child also died of COVID two months ago.

Family members are in the province.

This pandemic—there are the obvious effects

like deaths, overcrowded hospitals,

overworked frontliners, unemployment.

Yes, we cope,

but there are a lot of other problems that go unnoticed and unresolved.

A lot of it we just forget until it comes again or it's back in the headlines.

Of course, one issue gives birth to many other problems, and so forth.

This crisis really exposed and magnified

our weaknesses, inefficiencies and the inequalities.

The very basic issues of health, money, work,

food, safety, freedom and justice are all connected.

People go hungry and jeepney drivers beg on the streets.

While in other areas, farm produce is spoiled.

Not everyone was able to receive

monetary assistance, some even die while waiting in line.

When it comes to punishment,

the quarantine violators who are well-connected even get appointed.

But it’s a different matter if the poor is caught.

Now, we see the headlines but what about the problems

that afflict the country in a big way.

The ones we don’t prioritize or often go unreported, especially those

that are exacerbated by the pandemic?

Alexa, come down and help us out.

The increased domestic or sexual abuse cases,

what they call the 'shadow pandemic'

- Actually, even during times of crisis... - Alexa!

Alexa, come on, your godparents are arriving!

- That’s right. - Come down.

There are predators everywhere.

Though we’re said to be a religious country...

I’ve called you a dozen times, you know your godparents are coming.

Alright, alright, I’m here.

Hurry up.

It’s all prepared, I’ll just put them in the pot.

Don’t dawdle, go.

Hey, Wylo!

Esther! We’re near already!

Really? Okay.

I’ll call when I’m in the area, ETA 5 pm.

Heavy traffic at the checkpoint, you know. Okay?

Alright, take care. See you!

Big boy, have you brought the table from the stockroom?

Not yet.

What? Come, I’ll help you get it.

Okay.

I don't know why...

your mom really had to leave us at this time.

Just when we have visitors coming around.

I’m sorry.

Quick, my friends are arriving already.

Yes.

- What took you so long? - I’m sorry.

- I’ll shove your phone down your throat. - Sorry, sir.

Esther!

Alexa!

Big boy!

Finish that, and get the groceries from the car.

Hurry up...

I have somewhere to go.

Have somebody help you.

Alexa.

Tell your mom I’ll be home by evening.

Yes.

Ma’am, careful.

Here it is, Big boy!

Wipe the dust off, alright.

Sure.

The drawers are here, take them too.

-Is it too heavy, Big boy? -I can carry it.

Don’t rush.

Look, here are my friends.

It's Ason and... go ahead, Big boy.

Wait, my bag.

Esther Montes!

Esther, how are you?

I think I’m tearing up!

Me too!

I thought crows would turn white before we see each other again.

How are you?

-Wait... -Why?

Show me your RT-PCR results first.

Okay.

You know what...

Wait...

My opening lines to you were so heartfelt and yours is to demand PCR result?

That’s why I miss you.

Negative.

Negative? Let me see.

Mine?

Yours, Wylo.

And here’s mine.

Negative!

Alright, you can kiss me now.

It’s been so long!

How’s everything?

You’re still fresh-looking, you haven’t changed one bit.

That's true.

The face that refreshes.

How you talk!

Amparo called, said she’s on the way here.

She's on her way.

You know her, she always comes at the end, like a climax.

Acts like a royalty.

So what does that make us, penalty?

It seems so.

So here’s our historical mahjong table!

Finally! This will be fun.

Thank you, Big boy.

We haven’t played for so long!

I’m so excited for your strong explosions.

Save your energy, your battery might run out.

Won’t happen, I’m fully charged and ready for 36 hours nonstop.

Yes!

Your song is ancient.

How young you are!

How about this? Body language, Body language…

Disgusting.

She’s imitating Myrna Castillo.

No, not Myrna Castillo.

Body language- that’s Pia Moran!

Pia Moran!

Body language, body language.

You're so wild!

We’re gross.

How about some coffee first?

Yes, before the earth swallows us up. Let’s have coffee.

Alexa, dear!

Hi, godmother!

Hi Alexa!

Prettier than ever.

Of course.

They’re negative, don’t worry.

Beautiful.

You’re so busy with mahjong, you don’t notice your goddaughter under your noses.

You’re addicts!

Her aura’s different.

No longer like Virgin Mary.

Choose your words wisely.

Stop it, Wylo.

She’s blossomed into a woman, I mean.

Beautiful.

Isn’t she?

Let’s have coffee now.

She can become an actress.

Yes, let her become an actress.

I don’t want her to be an actress.

Why not?

She’s fine as she is. Thank you, dear.

- Oh, the... - Wait.

Anyway, where’s Leo?

As usual, he is managing the business.

We can turn him into an actor if you like.

-I think there’s someone else. -A new one?

I don't know if she'll bring him.

That’s not surprising. I’ll be surprised if there’s no one.

Right.

You’re too much. Let’s not talk about Amparo.

Aren’t you righteous?

Hey.

What is it?

Is that Amparo’s car?

I don’t know but---

That’s her, no one else is expected today.

And we’re gossiping about her.

Speaking of...

What if she’s planted microphones around here?

I don’t think she’ll bother.

That’s her.

She’s the only visitor we’re expecting.

Right.

Is that... oh yeah!

Are you sure it’s her?

That’s Amparo. Come, let’s welcome her.

She hasn’t stepped off the van yet.

Rumor's confirmed.

She’s really taking her time.

Amparo!

It’s really her.

Esther!

PCR?

Wylo Lee!

She's already brandishing her PCR result.