Trek to Talinis

(On stage are EMMAN, POLA, and TIMO. EMMAN and TIMO are each on the sides, and POLA is in the middle-back. These three characters are in certain poses: EMMAN is smoking a cigarette on the left,  TIMO is drinking water to the right, and POLA in the middle-back is picking a flower. The stage has lots of foliage to it, mimicking that of a forest.)

(The tinge of the lights as it slowly open is red so that the overall color scheme of the background is crimson. Smoke comes out from the sides. Tribal drumming is played, and is only stopped after ten seconds when LALAHON enters in a lithe manner, as if floating, like the ethereal goddess that she is, wearing a red flowing gown and a ruby and garnet circlet as her crown.)

LALAHON

(Speaks the moment she gets in the middle of the stage.)

Sukad pa sa sinugdanan sa panahon, gina bantayan nako kamo mga tawo, ug sa pag agi sa mga tu-ig, ga ka minos mo. Karung panahon daghang kagubatan gi hawan, iligal na pagputol ug kahoy, pagmina ug daghan pa.

(Gestures at the three extras.)

Bisag sa ginagmay na bulang, kanang tulo diri. Tan-awa sila, mag-baklay kuno sila pero gabuhat silag ingun-ana.

(LALAHON goes to EMMAN, who is at her left.)

Dili ra sa palibot ang iyahang gi hugaw hugawan, apil na sa iya kaugalingon. Akong gam-on ang hangin dapit niya nipis para maglisod siya ug ginhawa.

(LALAHON lifts EMMAN’s chin.)

Sayang, gwapo pa unta siya. (Let;s go.)

(EMMAN takes a drag of his cigarette as LALAHON says this then freezes again, completely unbothered.)

(LALAHON transfers to TIMO, who is at her right.)

Sa iyahang paglabay ug basura, ako siguraduhon na mapandol siya matag pulo ka minuto. Maoy angay niya.

(The BOY ON THE RIGHT finishes the water and throws the bottle on the ground as LALAHON says this then freezes again.)

(LALAHON moves next to POLA who was in the middle back.)

Ug kining usa na kanunay ga kuha ug bulak para pang-Instagram, ako; pahubagon iya panit kadaputol niya ug bulak. #downtoearth.

(LALAHON gets in the selfie that POLA is taking.)

(POLA smells the flower and takes a selfie with it as LALAHON says this then freezes again, completely unbothered.)

(LALAHON steps forward.) Pero bisag mao ni angay sa mga tawo ug sobra pa para sa ilahang mga nabuhat, mao ra ni ako mahimo, mga binuang ra para silot. Sa pagluya sa ako’ impluwensya, nadala pud ako gahum. Pero mangita ko’g pamaagi para motuo sila nako bisag unsa pa man.

(Light turn off and EMMAN, LALAHON, POLA, and TIMO exit the stage. After five seconds, EMMAN enters wearing outdoor wear.)

(As the normal lights, with no extra tint this time, slowly open back, in the middle of the stage is EMMAN, pacing left to right, right to left as he smokes a cigarette, occasionally checking on his watch as he does so.)

(LALAHON enters from one side and exits to the other, gliding in the back area, blowing EMMAN a kiss that he does not see because he’s at the front portion.)

EMMAN

(Impatient) Late kaayo tung duha.

(Five seconds later, POLA and TIMO in full hiking garb, and holding each other’s hands enter onstage in a rush. EMMAN sees this and flicks away his cigarette.)

TIMO

Sorry we’re late. Eto kaseng si misis ko, nagpabili pa ng Jollibee.

(TIMO hugs POLA’s shoulders, giving it a squeeze.)

Andameng kinain, aakalain mong buntis. Are we finally pregnant ba?

(TIMO puts his head on POLA’s stomach.)

Food baby lang pala. (Laughs)

POLA

(Embarrassed.) Ano ba. Diba nga dapat big breakfast. We’re gonna trek kaya, hindi lang to basta-basta, you know.

EMMAN

Mr. and Mrs. Miranda?

TIMO

I’m Timo. (Daps with EMMAN.)  This is my wife, Pola.

EMMAN

Nice to meet ninyo duha. I’m your man, Emman, inyong guide to mount Talinis

(Points to himself with his two thumbs.)

POLA

Hi Emman. Pasensya ka na that we’re late ha.

EMMAN

Walay problema Mrs Miranda. Na-setback for half an hour, pero dili ra siya big deal. Ang importante is that you two are here already

POLA

Call me ‘Pola’ lang. (Shakes hands with EMMAN.)

TIMO

Drop the ‘po’ den. We might be entering our thirties, but we look like we?re still early on in our twenties.

EMMAN

Orayt, kay humana naman ta with introductions, I’ll brief you two on unsay mahitabo. So, the works: routa, itinerary ug schedule, things to bring, rules and regulations, lingkod ra mo if ganahan mo guys.

(POLA and TIMO situates themselves on some rocks big enough to sit on, placing their backpacks on the ground beside them.)

EMMAN

Since dagko mog pamahaw, I hope na maayo pud inyo sleep kay we’re in for a busy day ahead.

TIMO

(Says to POLA under his breath.) The extra rice and two servings of pancakes you ate are justified.

POLA

(POLA puts a finger over her lips, the signal to be quiet.)

Ssssshhhhh. MMK, Mahal.

TIMO

Ha?

POLA

MMK. Manahimik at Makinig Ka.

EMMAN

Nakasulay na mo ug trek before?

(POLA and TIMO look at each other before shaking their heads.)

TIMO

I used to be from here, but we moved to Manila when I was twelve.

(Points to himself and POLA.)

The two of us, we’re basically city folks. We don’t really get to go to the mountains, beaches, or outdoors very often. Work and all. (Shrugs.)

EMMAN

So Mount Talinis ang pinakaunang trek ninyong duha?

(POLA and TIMO nods their heads.)

TIMO

We’ve been planning this for a while now, as a way to celebrate our eight anniversary. We wanted something different, something we’ve never done before. Trekking Mount Talinis was perfect, exactly what we needed and wanted.

POLA

Correction. I actually didn’t want this. What’s wrong with just eating out? We’ve been doing that these past years. I could?ve gotten us reservations at Nobu.

TIMO

Langga, lagi nalang natin ginagawa yon. We said we’d try something new, diba? We?ve talked about this already.

POLA

Oo na. Still, we flew all the way pa to go pa here. I better not regret it.

EMMAN

Trust me, you wont. Bantugang third wheel pala ako diri apparently. Pero maayo na nagdecide mo na inyu i-celebrate inyo anniversary by trekking, this little adventure will surely have a big effect dili lang sa inyo relationship, but also sa inyo personal selves

POLA

Mount Talinis doesn’t seem very little.

EMMAN

Don’t worry. A lot of people think na duha ra ang routes, but actually lima ang established trails to Mt Talinis. There’s Lunga Route, ang pinakalayo, but passes through a lot of Instagram opportunities like Dakong Sapa, Dakong Datag, Kaipuhan Sulphur, Camp Vendiola, Tutoy Dalaga ug Lake Yagumyum; naa poy Apolong Route ang second pinakalayo, with its difficulty level moderately challenging, maka-agi pod tag attractions like Kaipuhan Sulfur Vents ug Lake Nailig; naay Timbao Route, ang pinakaduol pero pinakalisod pod, ug naay Bongbong Route na mu overlap sa Timbao Route, kini ang second pinakalisod.

TIMO

Wow. Rehearsed. (Laughs.) You’ve probably done this so many times already.

EMMAN

I can’t even count kung ikapila nako gabalik-balik istorya ani sa mga tawo. Its routine naman gud.

POLA

(Overwhelmed.) Please tell me that we’re taking the route that’s pinakamadali naman kahit papano.

EMMAN

Don?t worry. We?ll be using the pinaka dali og pinaka gamit nga agi-anan sa mga bag-uhan. Mao ning gitawag na Bediao Route. From here in Dauin, we’ll pass Narolon Peak and Lake Yagumyum, going down sa Apolong Route sa Valencia.

POLA

How long do you think will it take us para ma-finish?

EMMAN

Depends kung unsa ta kapaspas. Basta mag trek ta for two days and a night.

TIMO

Di pa nga tayo nagsisimula, end na agad? Wag mo muna isipin yon, Langga.  Let’s enjoy Mother Nature.

POLA

Sorry na. (Sarcastically) Sobrang excited lang kasi ako.

EMMAN

(Takes a folded piece of paper from his pocket which he unfolds.)

Next, a list of things na dapat dala nato. Ample amount of clothes, it’s very cold pag-naa na ta sa taas. Tubig; I see na nipalit mo’g usa ka galon. Maayo, but there are also faucets around with water gikan sa suba. First aid kits. Flashlights. Puspuro ug lighter. Food; good options are mga de lata, fruits ug energy bars para snacks. Mugs, plastic plates ug cups. Plastic bag para basura. Tents, alangan, ug sleeping bags. Ga dala ko ug butane stove ug trowel kung kailangan ta malibang.

(During this, EMMAN takes out the contents of his backpack to show POLA and TIMO the contents in his list that he has.)

TIMO

I have speakers with me. Is that okay?

EMMAN

Okay ra man, just not too loud para dili nato madisturbo ang mga animals.

(Folds the paper and puts it back in his jacket pocket.)

One last thing, you’ve probably heard of this already anyways: leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time. Any other questions?

TIMO

How many times have you climbed this mountain exactly?

EMMAN

Di ko ka ingun, I’ve lost track. Akong first was at fifteen. Sobra nag one decade kong ga saka. Needless to say. Masaligan ko ninyo as your guide.

POLA

Besides the creepy crawlies, is there anything else we should be wary about? Gaya ng encantos or malignos?

EMMAN

(Ponders on this.) Personally, dili ko motuo anang mga ingun-ana. I?ve never had any paranormal experience sa pila ka tuig nako’g trekking. But you can just say ?tabi? if makatabang. pretty standard.

TIMO

Wag kang mag-alala, Langga. I’ll protect you. Walang kakain na kapre sayo.

POLA

(Teasing.) Ikaw lang?

EMMAN

(EMMAN clasps his hands together.)

Okay! andam na ta? It’s almost eight-thirty, dapat mag start nata.

POLA

We should pray, it’s imperative, we’re climbing up a mountain after all.

(The three huddles together and a prayer is uttered, led by POLA.

POLA

Lord Jesus, help us to be straightforward like the sky-seeking trees. May our generosity be like the sap which ascends and nourishes. May our soul be clear like the spring water at its origin. May our will be like the faultless granite. May You be always a constant companion throughout our lives. Amen.

(Once they were done, the lights slowly dims as they exit, as if now venturing into Mount Talinis)

(A humongous tree with twisty branches and a veiny trunk is placed in the middle back portion of the stage. After five seconds, lights slowly turn back on as EMMAN, POLA, and TIMO enter the stage. The three of them just walks around throughout the supposed four-hour trek to Lake Yagumyum. While EMMAN is providing facts, POLA and TIMO alternates on listening or taking pictures. Rustling of leaves and animal noises like birds chirping or any other cacophony can be heard slightly throughout this.)

EMMAN

(Labored breathing.) Mount Talinis, also known as Cuernos de Negros or Horns of Negros, with its height of 1,903 meters or 6,243 feet above sea-level, stands as the second highest mountain in the island after Mount Kanlaon.

TIMO

(To POLA.) Mount Kanlaon naman tayo sa susunod.

POLA

Ikaw lang, Mahal, mag-isa ka. (A beat.) Mahal, painom nga ako ng water.

(TIMO hands POLA a bottled water that she empties drinking. POLA gives the empty water bottle back to TIMO who looks around before hurling it far back to the side of the stage.)

EMMAN

Despite its name, Mount Talinis is actually a volcano. Although it?s last eruption is unknown, it is potentially active, forming part of the island’s volcanic belt. Since it’s a volcano, the top soil of its surrounding area is volcanic black, making its grounds fertile to fruits and vegetation, and home to endangered and endemic flowers and animals. (Incessant dry coughing.)

TIMO

I saw pictures online na Mount Talinis? silhouette looks like a pregnant woman.

EMMAN

Wala ko ka-notice ana.

TIMO

In some angles lang.

(TIMO suddenly trips in front of the looming tree, exclaiming as he falls.)

POLA

(Concerned.)  Mahal! (Rushes to TIMO) Okay ka lang? Be careful, please.

(POLA helps TIMO to his feet.)

TIMO

(Laughs it away.) Okay lang ako, Langga. Salamat.

EMMAN

(EMMAN is slightly far off from POLA and TIMO, rushing to them when he looks back, and suddenly notices what was happening behind him.)

Unsay nahitabo? Okay ra mo, Mr. and Mrs Miranda?

TIMO

I?m alright, just got a little off balance is all.

EMMAN

Are you sure? Okay lang na mag-padayon na ta?

TIMO

(Nods his head.) Anyways, where were we? What were we talking about?

POLA

(In a melancholic tone) Buti pa yung mountains, buntis. Ako ? (Looks down, sad.)

TIMO

(TIMO holds Pola by the shoulders.)

Shhhhhhhh. We’ll try again, Langga. We’ll try and try again kahit na singkwenta na tayo.

(POLA and TIMO hug.)

EMMAN

(Notices) So unsay secret sa inyong walo ka tuig na marriage? Dili man gani ko mag dugay sa usa ka relasyon sa usa ka bulan.

TIMO

(Teasingly.) Lots of sex.

(POLA slaps TIMO’s arm in a gentle way.)

And true love talaga.

EMMAN

Wala may bayi nga murag magical enough para nako. Kabalo ka unsa ako gi pasabot? Maghulat nalang ko a little more for her. (Chuckles lightly.)

TIMO

You’ll find her, Emman, or she’ll find you.

POLA

(Whiny) Are we there yet? We’ve been walking for what seems like hours. Ang sakit na ng mga paa ko.

(EMMAN, POLA, and TIMO have been engrossed in conversation that they’ve only realized now that they have just been going around in circles due to a tree being all-too familiar.)

TIMO

Wait a minute. (Stops in the middle of the stage.) We’ve been passing this tree kanina pa, four times already. (Points to the tree.) I remember tripping there.

POLA

You’re right. I remember the rocks around this area even.

TIMO

Emman, are we lost ba? What’s going on?

EMMAN

(Hesitantly.) Murag nawala najod ta …. (Looks around.)

POLA

(Horrified.) Ano?!

EMMAN

Pasensya, Mr. and Mrs. Miranda. (Drops his backpack on the ground.) Mangita sa ko ng posibleng agianan. Pag pundo sa mo diri, mo balik ra ko. Ayaw mo mag-worry.

POLA

(Panicking.) Emman, you can’t just leave us he–

(EMMAN exits, unable to catch what POLA said to him. POLA and TIMO just stare at each other, then POLA sits down.)

POLA

I thought he knew Mount Talinis like the palm of his hand.

TIMO

Give him the benefit of the doubt, Langga.

POLA

How could I? He said na he’s done all this before, multiple times na. He looks so athletic pero nawawalan siya ng hininga agad. To top it off, he’s lost us

TIMO

(TIMO sits down on the ground and pats the area next to him.)

Tabihan mo nalang ako, Ga. Let’s wait here.

(Reluctantly, POLA does as what TIMO said and sat beside him. The two wait, but after ten seconds, TIMO needed to pee.)

TIMO

Langga, nature calls. I’ll just look for a spot that I can pee on.

POLA

Ha? Ba’t lalayo ka pa? There nalang sa tree. It’s big, perfect.

TIMO

But, Ga? that’s a Balete tree.

POLA

So?

TIMO

Diba diyan nakatira ang mga nuno sa punso, duwende? I?ll get cursed if I pee on it.

POLA

You think I’d let you go after telling me that?

TIMO

Langga, please, I really need to pee. Tanghaling tapat pa naman, and I won’t go far.

POLA

(Frustrated.) Bilisan mo, dali!

(TIMO places his backpack near EMMAN?s.)

TIMO

I love you!

(TIMO shouts as he exits, walking in a manner as though he is holding his pee in.)

(POLA, alone on stage, sits down on the ground, and brings together the bags left behind with her. After that, she then notices a bush with bright flowers and starts picking the blooms, making a chain with them. As she picked more, the buzzing of bees can be heard as it got louder as well. POLA swats at the air, as if smiting bees.)

(After five seconds of POLA in distress, the lights flicker as POLA screams. Smoke is permeating from the sides. After another five seconds, the lights will be steady but in the same crimson shade as in the beginning. LALAHON enters the stage and the buzzing and POLA?s screaming stops.)

LALAHON

Nanghinaut ko nga natudlo-an ka ug leksyon sa pagpupo sa ako mga bulak.

(Starts to circle POLA.)

POLA

(POLA, disheveled and shooked, is afraid and backs into the tree behind her.)

Who–who are you?

LALAHON

Dili ka kinahanglan mahadlok. Ako ang galuwas sa imong kinabuhi. Bisan pa nga gipasipad-an tikaw. Gipahunong nako kini, ug mao kana ang mas importante. Igo ra ko nimo pasalamatan

POLA

(Terrified.) Salamat, pero … sino ka?

LALAHON

Sayang na wala ka kaila nako.

(Sad for a moment before composing herself.) 

Ako ang mao sige’g dula-dula nimo ug imo mga kauban. Gina palibot-libot mo nako.Gipugngan nako ang pagginhawa sa inyo magtutultol, nagpadalin-as sa imo bana, ug nagpahadlok nimo gamit mga buyog

POLA

(Raises her voice.) Bakit mo ginagawa to?

LALAHON

Kay makalingaw, kay makalaay dri? Kay kaya nako? (Shrugs) Kay kamo mga tawo angay ni ninyo. Wala ba mo nakahuna-huna pod na basug kamo’y mga sad-an? Panigarilyo, pagsagbot-sagbot, pagpupo

POLA

(Confused.) Ang liliit lang na bagay ng mga yon.

LALAHON

Mga ginagmay na buhat adunay dako nga mga sanputanan. Pasabot nako kamo tanan mga tawo. Inyong pagputol ug kahoy na dili tanuman usob, paghugaw-hugaw sa hangin gamit inyong mga makina ug sakyanan, basura ginalabay sa dagat, ug daghan pa mga sala nahimo batok sa kinaiyahan

POLA

(Raises her voice again.) Why are you taking all this out on me?

LALAHON

(Stops circling POLA, and is now angry.)

(Snaps.) Bantayi imo tono, o gisi-on nako imo dila. Hibal-i kon kinsa ang imong kaistorya. Kamo mga tawo wala na moy respeto namo. Wala na gani mo nakaila namo.

(Softens, and moves forward.)

Usahay ako pud makalimot, nganu pa man kailangan nako pahinumduman akong kaugalingon na ako si Lalahon, diwata sa hagdaw, magbalantay sa mga bulkan, ug anak-babaye sa dumalayon ug dayeg na Kan-laon.

POLA

(POLA is frozen with fear now that she realizes who she is dealing with.)

What do you want with me?

LALAHON

(Ignores POLA’s question.) Sa una, makahimo ko ug kalayo, makakontrolar sa bulkan ug linog, makadesisyom kung maayo ang hagdaw para sa tuig o padal-an nako ug dulon kung dili. Mga tawo sa una tighalad pa ug sakripisyo sa akong pangalan para maalam-alam ko, para ma salbar sila sa mga katalagman. Nakita nimo, kusgan ko sa una, pero karun….dili na nako ma patuo ang mga tawo. Ang henerasyon na motuo pa, hapit na ila oras. Ug kung dili motuo ang mga tawo nako. Mawala nako ang bisag gamay’ng kusog na nabilin pa. Gikan sa pre-kolonyal na diyosa, paingun sa pagkasantos sa mga espanyol, karun modernong sugilanon.

(LALAHON looks at POLA and points to her.)

Gusto nako makuha balik akoang mga gahum. Diri ka mo sulod.

(LALAHON says this hint of desperation in her voice, masked by pride.)

POLA

(Confused.) What can I do for you?

LALAHON

(Approaches POLA.) Yano gayud. Permiro, gusto ko na ampingan nimo ang imohang palibot.  Dili na manigarilyo, dili na magsagbot-sagbot, dili na mamupo ug bulak. Likayi ang pagakig-ambit sa pagihaw sa mga hayop. Bawal ka mugamit ug plastik. Dapat ka mag-recycle. (Pauses.) Ang ikaduha nga butang na gusto nakong buhaton nimo ay ang pagistorya bahin kanamo sa mga tawo. Dili lang ako. Pero apil pod akong amahan, ang kinatas-ang diyos na si Kanlaon. Barangaw, ang diyos sa mga bangaw, Layon Baybay, ang diyosa sa pagtaob. Ang diyos sa panahon, Pahulangkug, ug uban pa. Mao kini ang pangayo nako sa imo.

POLA

(Tentative.) Bakit ako?

LALAHON

Nakadungog ko sa imohang pag ampo adtong si Hesus, kung kinsa man na siya. Abi nako nga og mo tuo ka sa usa ka tawo nga imohang naka sturya, siguradong mo sugot ka nga buhaton ni para nako. Ilabi na nga humana nako og pakita nimo.

POLA

(POLA ponders on LALAHON?s request.)

Hindi mo maintindihan. The country is a Christian nation. it?s normal to pray and preach about Jesus. What’s not normal is talking about a goddess of harvest from Mount Talinis. Who would even believe much less listen? People would think nababaliw na ako if I do that.

LALAHON

(Smugly.) Sige ka, dili na nimo makuha ang inhoyang gusto nga babaying anak nga masundan pod tani og kaluha nga lalaki human sa duha ka tuig.

POLA

(Surprised.) What? How did you?

LALAHON

Wala ba ka naminaw? Ako ang diwata sa hugdaw og nag ingon akong mga pagbati nga dili ka makaanak. Dugay na ang walo ka tuig niya wala pa gihapon. Makatabang ko nimo ana, basta tabangan pod ko nimo.

POLA

(Desperately, happily, as if about to cry.)

I’ll do it! I’ll do what you want!

LALAHON

Maayong desisyon.

(Lights closes then opens again, but this time without the tint anymore.)

(From offstage, EMMAN and TIMO could be heard calling out for POLA in an alarmed way.)

TIMO

Pola! Nasan ka?

EMMAN

Mrs. Miranda! Madungog ra ba mi nimo?

POLA

(Shouting.) Mahal! Nandito ako! Mahal?

(TIMO enters the stage in a hurry. Upon seeing each other, POLA rushes to him and TIMO runs towards her. The two embrace once they got to one another.)

TIMO

(Notices LALAHON then untangles himself from POLA, all the while staring at LALAHON.)

Who?s this?

POLA

(Gestures towards LALAHON.) Mahal, this is the deity of harvest, guardian of volcanoes, and daughter of the Eternal and Exalted Kan-laon, Lalahon.

TIMO

Why do you say that so nonchalantly? Are you seeing what I?m seeing ba? Is this a dream? Di ka nawawala?

POLA

(Confused.) What do you mean, Mahal? Di ako nawawala.

TIMO

We?ve been looking everywhere for you. We thought you wandered off and got lost.

(TIMO checks POLA for any sign of injury or pain.)

Are you alright? Are you hurt?

POLA

(Still confused.) What are you talking about? I was just here, waiting for you to get back from your nature call.

TIMO

I finished well over two hours ago. When I went back, wala ka na, only the bags were there. Emman and I went looking for you after he?s found the trail, but we separated to cover more ground. I was so worried about you.

(TIMO Embraces POLA again.)

Maybe ? maybe you were right. We should’ve just eaten at The City of Dreams. This trip was a disaster.

POLA

(Shakes head.) No, no, don?t say that. The City of Dreams can’t make our dreams come true, but Lalahon can. And I never would?ve been able to meet her if we didn’t go here. Our dreams and wishes would remain that way if we didn’t go here. (Gestures towards LALAHON.) She’s gonna give us children, three of them.

LALAHON

(Nods.) Kung ako ninyo, magsugod namo og himo. Ang mga diwata kay dili magdaot sa ilahang mga saad, akoang tumanon akoa basta kay ikaw pod.

(EMMAN enters the stage, panting.)

EMMAN

Mr. and Mrs. Miranda! Salamat at nakit-an na jud ta mo!

(EMMAN notices LALAHON straight away.)

LALAHON

(LALAHON approaches EMMAN in the lithe manner that she does, then starts circling him like a predator to its prey, tracing EMMAN’s shoulders as she does so. All the while EMMAN follows LALAHON’s gaze, enchanted.)

(Flirty.) Hello, Emman. Nakadungog ko nga dili daw ka mo tuo namo. Tinuod na ba ko karon sa imohang panglantaw? Salamangka na ba ko para nimo? 

TIMO

(Stares in confusion at what’s happening between EMMAN and LALAHON.)

(Slowly.) I don’t understand ? What’s going on?

POLA

(Laughs.) I’ll explain everything later, Mahal. Let’s make babies first. Hali ka na.

(POLA takes TIMO’s hand before running with him gleefully to the exit. Left onstage is EMMAN and LALAHON.)

LALAHON

(Suggestively to EMMAN.) Ganahan ka mo sulod sa akoang gingsakpan?

(EMMAN nods his head, as if in a trance. LALAHON takes his hand and they exit together.)

(The tribal drums from the beginning start playing and continues on even after the lights slowly dims.)

THE END