Metro Manila Page #3

- So, how does it feel?

- Superb.

This is the only thing standing

between your life and mine.

So I would not become

a courier to your wife.

Come, let's have lunch.

Do not worry, it's just chicken.

You don't like it?

I'll just keep it for later.

Then it won't be as good later.

I'll buy one for you again.

Go on, eat it now.

You know, Oca.

Now that we're partners.

We have each other's backs.

Correct?

Whatever you need, boss.

Then punch out my card

later at the office.

Well we might end up in trouble.

Should be okay.

No problem with it.

They never check.

Oca.

I just want to ask you a favor.

Tell me.

You know, Oca.

Besides wifey, I have another chick.

I know, you know,

it's not right, but...

My missis will suspect me

if I come home late, right?

So I need to go to the other one

during my duty.

You understand?

Another order here for Oca!

Oca the farmer!

[chattering]

Are they crybabies?

Might wake up those sleeping.

Apprentices have time cards now?

Ong said to pick you up.

Let's have a drink.

Tuesday night. Boys' night.

I'm out of dough.

It's the bar of my family.

Don't worry.

Get changed.

Let's go together.

Did you fart in my car?

Just what do you have there?

Chicken meal for later.

Well smells like chicken ass.

Oi!

Here's the new one!

Welcome.

Even brought food?

Lots here. Is that chicken?

Get used to them.

We're all like brothers.

Tonight is boys' night!

Once a week we have this.

Nothing else to do but

be happy, and get satisfied!

Oscar, a farmer!

Get the bottle. Get the bottle.

Drink, drink!

- Drink!

- Drink.

No thanks.

- Bridget!

- Bridget.

Bring a couple of shot glasses

for my friends.

Very well.

Oh you.

Fragrant

Smells like melon.

- Just took a bath, eh?

- Here it comes.

When you're in front of me...

Seems like I can't carry both

my wife and my mistress.

Hear this.

When I get older,

I'll become like Ong!

When I was young,

I'm like JJ!

- Go, go.

- This is for you.

- Come on!

- You can do it. It's for you.

- Tonight you are a drinker.

- All right!

Topers! Let's go, topers!

This is for us!

Oscar, it is for you.

- Do it.

- Shot, shot.

I've became a courier three times.

And Biboy was the most difficult.

May he rest in peace.

- One more!

- One more.

One more!

While it's hot.

Who's gonna pour?

- You do it.

- These guys are veterans.

- Look at Oscar.

- Tastes good, eh?

For our new recruit.

For Oca the farmer!

...for good times and bad times.

We know we're busy.

I still have a lot to tell.

I thank my sponsors,

thank you Petit Monde, Sketchers...

and...

Rub your throat.

You'll feel better afterwards.

You've had enough today.

I'm fine, sir.

All right.

Genuine strength

What?

Hangover?

No, sir.

No need to call me "sir."

Wait! Wait!

Hold!

Okay, okay, okay.

Go on, go on, go on.

Our truck is wide,

be careful when turning.

That's it.

Well done.

Thank you, sir.

Nothing else to do but go to Manila

and buy your license.

A black Honda is following us.

Go around the whole block, Oca.

They disappeared.

They must've realized

that we have detected them.

We wouldn't be going around in circles

the whole block for no reason, right?

Was that for real?

Possibly.

Or some crazy kids testing us.

My missis at home cooked food

for our friends. But they couldn't go.

Why not come with your wife.

Dine with us.

Missis dislikes the food

getting spoiled.

But my wife has work today.

Then you should come.

She'd be sad if you wouldn't go.

Okay, sir.

Oscar? Sure you don't want to call your wife?

Come on, summon her here.

She's working, honey.

Well at least take some food.

That's very kind, ma'am.

Don't call me ma'am!

Dora. You call me Dora.

(laughs)

- Oscar?

- No, thank you.

Fancy that.

Only soft drinks for Oca.

- Sure.

- Well, leave that here.

Accompany me outside. Let's smoke at the

balcony for Dora hates it inside. (chuckles)

Beautiful, eh?

All Metro Manila.

I go here when I'm pondering.

You have an enviable life.

Accommodated.

I have to ask you something...

Where do you live actually?

In Tondo.

If the company finds out,

you're fired.

You work as a service courier

for an armored company.

But you're living in a place...

with people involved in crimes.

Ever thought they might

abduct your family?

Then blackmail you.

Force you to rob the company.

I could be collateral damage

because of you, Oca.

You know?

Ever heard the story

of Alfred Santos?

A good man.

Alfred was good.

Trustworthy.

He worked at a small company,

owned by his father.

Their business prospered.

Many were envious.

Especially the competing company.

The employees were threatened.

Thus Alfred had

to close the factory.

Everyday, Alfred crossed paths

with his father's killer.

By coercion, the business went down.

It went bankrupt.

Alfred...

What happened to Alfred?

What happens to a desperate man

in a desperate situation?

Surely ends up with

a desperate decision.

That could cost him his life.

For some reason I feel...

I'm also responsible

for Alfred's death.

Why?

I worked in that factory.

But I went home in my province.

In Banaue.

Instead of...

...defending his family.

Fear got to me first.

Defend their family?

Then die too like them?

Honey, it's late...

Oscar, for your wife.

Thank you, Dora.

- I'm taking Oscar home.

- Very well. Be careful.

Let's go.

That's my corner...

I have something

to show to you first, Oca.

This is what I have told you.

The place for my other woman.

Look, there's a room here.

A shower over there.

My lover doesn't like motels.

She thinks it makes her cheap.

So I rent this weekly.

Cash!

If you want it,

you can have it.

- Are you kidding?

- No.

- Really?

- Yes.

Well?

- We will live here?

- Yes!

The girls will be like crazy!

- Did you put this?

- Yeah, look at it.

Well, we were here.

We were.

Splendid, eh?

Right?

I told you so.

Problem is I can't pay.

Just four days left

until your salary, right?

I have already paid for this week.

As soon as I get paid,

you're the first person I'll look for.

I'll do everything for this.

No problem.

We're partners, Oca.

Partners help each other.

Well, let's get your girls then.

Wait.

They're still grimed and all.

They should be clean and presentable

when they meet you, right?

I understand.

Well one of these days then.

Okay, let's go!

Pa!

Mai:
What are you

doing here?

I've come to fetch you.

Where are we going?

Wow!

It's like the Peninsula Hotel!

- We will live here?

- Indeed.

How is this possible?

My partner is kind.

Look here.

We have running water.

Stop that.

Well, Oca the farmer,

how was your sleep?

Thank you very much all over again.

You've already thanked

me a dozen times.

I'll be able to return

the favor, sir.

Sounds good?

This is what enlivens me.

Without such music, I'm like a corpse

inside this coffin-like vehicle.

This music. This...

cleanses the soul

Our next destination

is not a company.

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