A SHADOW BEHIND THE RAINA Stage Play by Prime A story about an unusual African girl lost in the Philippines. This was just a just-for-fun stage play so I made unusual and a little inappropriate characters. :D
(Christine Joy’s
Point of View) PROLOGUE Scene 1: I’m
Christine Joy Villaceran of South Africa. I’m 14 years old. You’re surprised
that I’m not as black as my fellowmen, right? It’s because even if I’m an
African, I’m using Belo Essentials to nurture my skin with proper care and
love. Anyway, I have a mother; she’s completely different than me in terms of
appearances because she doesn’t like sharing with my Belo Essentials. She’s
using Wang " Wang Coconut Oil so instead of her skin growing beautiful, her
hair takes the beauty and all. Her name is Mommy Jennifer… And I almost forgot
to tell you something about my auntie, she’s Auntie Loremar. She’s so plastic!
She’s acting kind with me when mommy’s around but acts differently when I’m
left with her. In fact, she is the real antagonist of my life... Mommy (J): Joy,
it’s already 9pm. You can sleep now… Auntie (L): Jennifer,
she can still work, and besides, she slept for 3 hours this afternoon right,
Joy? (Eyes widened) Auntie: (evil
smile) you heard her, Jennifer… Mommy: Ok. But Joy, don’t tire yourself
too much. Sleep as soon as 10pm… CJ: Ok,
mommy. Hmmm, I also forgot to tell you that I live with my mother and auntie only… I don’t know if I still have relatives because when I’m home, I don’t like going out since I’m having my skin diet to protect my skin… I don’t expose my skin to sunlight too much! Anyway,
I’ve told you so much already. Now, I have to sleep. Scene 2: As
always, I sleep with my mother. Mommy: Joy, do you still remember “The
Rain Song”? CJ: Yes,
of course mom. You’ve used to sing it beside me when I’m a little child so I could
sleep well… Mommy: Hmmm, it’s been 7 years since I
last sang it beside you, right? CJ: Yes,
mommy… Mommy: Now, you should sleep. Or should
I sing it beside you like the past times so you can sleep well? CJ: Mommy,
I’m not a child anymore… Mommy: Well, you’re maybe mature,
physically. But I know that your mind’s still longing for my lullaby… Scene 3: Morning
came… Well, I prepared myself for school… After
preparing… CJ: Mommy,
I shall go now… I’m running late… Mommy: Ok, take this… (hands money to
Christine Joy) it’s $1200… It’s your allowance for a month in advance… CJ: Thanks,
mom. (beso " beso with her mother) When
I got out, I bumped with my auntie and I saw her secretly taking the money that
fell… CJ: Auntie,
give me that money back… Auntie: No,
Joy. Once I get hold with such things, they’re mine! CJ: But,
it’s my allowance for a month, auntie… Auntie: Well,
it’s sorry for you… ‘Cause this money is mine now! CJ: Auntie,
why are you so plastic? When we’re out of mommy’s sight, why are you hurting
me? Auntie: (gives
Joy a big slap on her face) It’s a matter that only I care about… So, you have
no choice… CJ: Auntie,
give me that money!!! (Pulls Loremar’s hand with an attempt to retrieve the
money) We’re
too noisy when mommy coincidentally exits the house and saw us… Mommy: What’s happening here? Auntie: Uh
" uhmm, (pulls her hand from me) I’m just giving the money to your daughter, it
fell as she ran… CJ: Liar! You’re
attempting to take it away from me, auntie… You want to take that money for
your own convenience, auntie! Auntie: (slaps Joy again) How dare "! Mommy: Loremar, just what do you think
are you doing right now? I
rushed to mommy and hugged her as I begin to cry… CJ: Mommy,
she’s always abusing me especially when you’re not around… Mommy: Loremar, is Joy telling me the
truth? Auntie: Of
course not… (False affection) Joy, why are you lying? Oh, come on… In fact, I
love you so much… CJ: Liar!
I know that you’re just showing mommy your Brightside even though you’re a
demon to me! Auntie: Well,
how dare you tell me something like that! Auntie
rushed to me " maybe to slap me again but mommy was offended and pulled
auntie’s hair… They hurt each other until… Mommy: The proof is within your
actions, Loremar. That you’re abusing my daughter! Auntie: Well,
you don’t care! Auntie
pushed mommy and mommy lost balance. She got her head hit with a hard rock… I
cried, ‘cause I felt that she’s leaving me shortly… Then, it rained… CJ: Mommy!
Don’t leave me yet, mommy! Mommy: Joy, j " just do " don’t forget
“Th " the r " rain song”… Even though I’ll be leaving you, that s " song will
remind you of me a " and so " someday, you’ll be able to find the meaning of
your life in that song… And for me, YOU’RE A SHADOW BEHIND THE RAIN… - LET THE MAIN STORY BEGIN: Scene 4: It’s raining… Shela
was walking around the city when… CJ: Please,
help me… (walking around the street asking some people that ignores her for help) Shela: (heads to CJ) Who
are you? And what help do you need? CJ: Please,
give me what I need… Shela: Well,
what do you need? CJ: Shelter,
Clothes and Food… I’ve been out here for 3 days… Shela: Ok,
ok… Come with me… Shela
took CJ together with her to their house… Scene 5: When
she opened the door… Her children showed respect by doing the traditional
filipino practice “mano”… David: Mama,
sino na naman ba yan? Shela: Hindi
ko pa nga alam yung pangalan niya, eh… Pero kailangan natin siyang tulungan… David: Hindi
mo pa nga pala kilala eh, dinala mo na dito sa bahay… Eh, pa’no kung holdaper
yan? Shela: Sa
itsura niyang ito? Holdaper? CJ: Excuse
me, are you talking about me? Christine: Wow
mama! Englishera pala yan? May " an: Oo
nga naman, big time! Ummm, you can stay here if you want… CJ: Well,
that’s a great offer. Thanks! Shela: Wait;
just where are you from? May " an: Your
face is not familiar to us… Christine: Maybe
you’re from mars? CJ: Of
course not… I’m from Africa… All
of them were surprised… She’s from Africa but it’s not obvious since she don’t
have a black skin… Shela: Well,
how did you manage to come here in the Philippines? CJ: It’s
my own business… Even though you’re kind to me, don’t be too sure that you got
my trust… David: Well,
ikaw yata ang hindi mapapagkatiwalaan… CJ: Are
you saying something? David: It seems like you don’t get
what I mean and you don’t understand our language… Well, good for you, hindi mo
malalaman kung pag " uusapan kita or sisiraan… CJ: Oh well… Shela: David, hindi mo siya dapat
pinagsasalitaan ng ganyan… David: Well, hindi niya naman
naiintindihan, eh… Shela: Kahit na… (David’s Pont of
View) Wow, there’s a new member in the family… Pero hindi ako papayag na magtatagal siya dito! Well, if there’s a bida, there’s a kontrabida! And I’ll take the role of the antagonist… ‘Because I don’t want any termites to join our family… Well, she’s not someone to put your trust on… She’s too secretive… Well, I almost forgot to introduce myself to you… I’m David, 19 years of age… Dalaga na diba? And don’t bother asking me about my last name, many secrets enveloped it and you don’t care about it… Well, let’s go back to the topic I presented, about this African girl… You know, hinala ko lang that she’s lying! I can’t believe that she’s an African even though she’s completely different than other African people… But,
I’ll just let her be… Siguro ganun na talaga ngayon, nagpa lypo siya siguro kay
Tita Vicky Belo… Echos! Hmmm, well I think it’s my own
business to find out what she really is… - Scene 6: Days
passed, and CJ was treated well by the family except David… Later,
she realized that the family she dealt with is trustworthy… Scene 7: One
time… As CJ was left with David… CJ: You
know, I’m an orphan… David: The
hell I care… CJ: Why
are you always like that? You’re not nice to me " not only me, everyone… David: It’s
a matter that only I care about… CJ: Well,
you should share it with us, maybe I could help… David: Masyadong paki " alamera to ah… Pero sige, sasakyan ko nalang… Well, I’m an
orphan too… CJ: Wow!
How true is that? Well, Elder Shela is your mother, how come you’re an orphan? David: Aw! Baka umiyak ako dito pag
pinagpatuloy ko pa… Ummm, Joy, it’s a matter between me and myself… So if you
mind, stop asking me about things like that… CJ: Well, if you would
insist… Scene 8: Broadcaster
1: Partner, it’s surely a great day
today since good news kept on coming… One of those is the alleged guesting of
Japanese Citizens in our talk show… Broadcaster
2: Yes partner, and also, we’ll have
special guests not only Japanese Citizens… Broadcaster
3: Well, let’s just wait for their
arrival so we’d have coverage of the talk show… Broadcaster
4: Ok, and that’s where our news
patrol ends for tonight… The
family of David was watching TV… Marisol: Mama,
project po namin and gumawa ng report about the Japanese Citizens… Nikki: Oo
nga mama, kaya kung pwede po, mag guesting na rin tayo sa talk show… Shela: Sige
ba, kung gusto niyo isama niyo nalang din si CJ… CJ: Are
you talking about me? May " an: Of
course not Joy, we’re just planning to make you a special guest in the talk
show… Christine: Yes,
Joy… Well, we also hope that David would support our decision… David: It’s
a business of yours… So don’t include me in your decision ‘cause I’m not your
controller… (Tries to leave) CJ: David… David: If
you want something, you can talk to Christine, May " an or the twins Marisol
and Nikki… CJ: Well,
that’s not what I meant… I’m just trying to reach out for you… I know you have
some problems… Shela: David,
Joy, stop it… (rushes to David) David: Mama,
‘wag kang maki " alam… Gives
David a big slap on his face… Shela: How
dare you decide for what I’m saying… David: Mama,
totoo naman ah? Aming pagsasagutan 'to… (tries to sound soft) Hindi ka kasali dito… CJ: Elder,
let him express his feelings… I think he has problems… David: So
if I have problems, then what? CJ: David… David
now leaves the house and got out of their house to feel the cool wind… - Scene 9: Then, CJ followed him… She carefully sat
beside him… CJ: David,
do you know “The Rain Song”? David: Well,
what is that for? Is that another hell of a mess again? CJ: For me, it’s not a
mess… It’s our country’s special song… First, it was a poem and was later
developed into a song by the folksmen of Africa… If you would insist, I’d sing
it next to you… David: Go for it… Just don’t think
I’ll be listening all the time… CJ stood… (Entry of the dancers and singers group) They
sang “The Rain Song” while dancing and CJ as the lead vocalist… After the song… (exit of the dancers and singers group)… David: (claps his hand *plastically*)
well, well, well… Impressive, but you don’t get my attention at most times… To
tell you, it’s boring! Just who taught you that song? Why is that song so "? CJ
slapped David on the face… CJ: How
dare you insult what mama taught me… David: (slapped
CJ) and how dare you give me a slap on my face… CJ: (teary
eyed) If you only know what I’ve been through! David: (also
teary eyed) and if you also know how heavy the burden I’m carrying now is! CJ: Well,
tell me about it! (Crying) Why are you always like that? David: Well,
as I kept on telling you, it’s a matter that only I care about… David
then entered their house… His family saw him… Shela: Ano
na naman ba ang nangyari? Tingnan mo umiiyak ka… (Slowly coming near David) David
didn’t answer his mother and ran to his room… - A few days passed… Scene 10: Nikki: Joy,
good luck for the interview… Marisol: Yes, Joy…
Don’t you worry, you’ll be famous after the talk show! CJ: Thank
you, very much sisters… You really treated me as your real sister… May " an: It’s
just because we understand you… Christine: Yeah,
and just don’t mind David… He’s really like that… CJ: I
know, I understand why he’s been like that… Christine: Well… Shela: (rushes)
Joy, you’re being called now… CJ: Ok… Shela: Good
Luck! CJ: Thanks… Scene 11: Meanwhile… Broadcaster 1: Ummm, Mr. Venicer, before we start our interview, how are you? Venicer: Of
course I’m fine! Anyway, thank you for asking me that question… Broadcaster 2: Well, that’s good to hear… Broadcaster 3: Now, could you share to us something about Japan? Venicer: Of
course I may share something… Assistants, Sheila Guilleran and Heshaine Olete,
you know what to do… Heshaine & Sheila: Yes,
Mr. Venicer… Sheila: Ok,
now… One of our country’s best is The Cherry Blossoms… Heshaine: (uses the illustration) before we
came here, we happened to pass by some illustrators… So I’d like to acknowledge
them for drawing this illustration… Please give around of applause to The Local
Illustrators! Venicer: Well, that’s enough… Ok, so can
we proceed? Sheila: Ok…A cherry blossom is
the flower of any of
several trees of genus Prunus, particularly the Japanese Cherry, Prunus
serrulata,
which is sometimes called sakura after the Japanese… Heshaine: Also, many of the varieties that
have been cultivated for ornamental use do not produce fruit. Edible cherries
generally come from cultivars of the related species Prunus
avium and Prunus
cerasus. Venicer: Well, I think my assistants
have already discussed to you things about Cherry Blossoms… Broadcaster
4: Nicely done, Mr. Venicer… Now,
let’s talk about religion… Venicer: Ok, our basic religion as
Japanese, well, as most Japanese are " we live by the teachings and beliefs of
Shintoism… Broadcaster
1: Well, I guess our time’s running
out and we have one more guest left… Broadcaster
2: Ummm, thank you for coming Mr.
Venicer, Sheila Guilleran and Heshaine Olete… Broadcaster
3: It’s nice speaking with you… The
broadcasters shook hands with the Japanese presentors… Venicer: Thank
you… H & S: Arigato
Gozaimasu… The
Japanese presentors left… Broadcaster 4: A new guest will enter our show later after the commercial
break… Scene 12: -COMMERCIAL BREAK- After
the commercial break… Broadcaster 1: Good morning Ms. Christine Joy Villaceran… CJ: Good
morning, too… (Shook hands with the 4 broadcasters) Broadcaster 2: Now, before we start our interview, we’d like to ask “How are
you?” CJ: Of
course I’m fine… Well, thank you for that whelming question… Broadcaster 3: Well, it’s nice knowing that you’re fine… Broadcaster 4: Yeah, so I bet that the flow of the show will go well since
she’s fine… Broadcaster 1: Well, do you feel nervous? CJ: Yes,
I’m a bit nervous… Broadcaster 2: Well, since it’s just a bit, we’ll start the sharing… Broadcaster 3: Go for it, Christine Joy Villaceran… CJ: Ok, I was an African…
I live with my mother and auntie… My mother loves me so much, but my auntie is
too rude with me… One time, as I was walking towards the school, auntie took my
money… It was my one week allowance… I refused to
give it to her so she hurted me… And mommy saw us… She and mommy hurted each
other instead… And then… (almost crying) and then… Scene 13: -FLASHBACK (CJ’s Point of
View)- Auntie: You
killed your own mother Joy! You killed her! CJ: (cries)
it’s you who killed her, auntie! It’s you! Auntie: Well,
if it isn’t because of you, she would’ve been alive until now… CJ: What’s
for Cesar is for Cesar… So, if you hadn’t tried to steal my money, she wouldn’t
have seen us… Auntie: You! Auntie,
while hurting me dragged me and took me to the nearby pier… Auntie: You’re
such a brat, and you shouldn’t live for long! CJ: Auntie,
what are you doing? Auntie: I’m
going to throw you in the water so you’d be drowning to death… CJ: Auntie,
please " no! Auntie
threw me into the water… -END OF FLASHBACK- Scene 14: CJ: Auntie then left
without noticing a ship departing… It was raising its anchor so I managed to
swim towards the ship and climbed through the anchor just in time… The shipmen haven’t
noticed me all the time because I hid behind the luggage… When we reached
Manila de Bay after a few days, I went with the other passengers as they
exited, making me undistinguishable as an unpaid passenger… Broadcaster
4: Ummm, Ms. Christine Joy, how did
you survive for a few days? CJ: I was hiding behind
the luggage, right? One of the luggage was full of deserts so I managed to take
some… Broadcaster
1: Wow! You’re too lucky, Ms.
Christine Joy… CJ: Yes, and I used my
money to support myself for a few days before My false mother, Shela took care
of me… Broadcaster
2: Well, how much is that money, Ms.
Christine Joy? CJ: $100 Mr. / Ms.
Broadcaster... Broadcaster
3: Wow, that money’s too much to
spend... It has a big value! Well, is there any amount left? CJ: Well, it’s my
allowance for one month… And there’s $150 left in me… Broadcaster
4: Hmmm, and what do you plan with
that amount of money? CJ: I’m thinking about it,
now… Broadcaster
1: Well, this show’s full of shocking
revelations and sharing… Broadcaster
2: Yeah, our sharers might have more
to share… Broadcaster
3: Well, as we define time " it’s
running out! Broadcaster
4: So we’d like to thank the
following guests for coming to our show… Broadcaster
1: Mr. Venicer Balaod, Ms. Sheila
Guilleran, Ms. Heshaine Olete and Ms. Christine Joy Villaceran… Broadcaster
2: And I’d also like to thank bench
for our sitting convenience, china for my cellphone and leather for my
underwear… Broadcaster
3: You’re so very too really such an
obscene person! You’re even thanking the provider of your underwear… Broadcaster
4: Stop this nonsense… And also,
postpone the acknowledgement… Ok, thank you for watching our show, our most gracious audience… Scene 15: Meanwhile…
David was watching the TV… (David’s Point of View) I
was touched upon seeing the interview of Christine Joy… I had almost the same
past like she had… Scene 16: -FLASHBACK- I was a little child
back then… I’m 14 years old… My mommy Brynel loves me so much… So do I... She
was lying on her bed when I passed by… She called me… Brynel: David,
alam mo ba ang kantang Saan Darating ang Bukas? David: Bakit
mommy? Brynel: Wala
lang… Naisip ko lang, parang ganyan yung kantang magpapaiyak sa’yo kung wala na
ako… Do
you wonder why mommy said that? It’s because she had a deadly disease, Leukemia
on its worst degree… And the doctor said she can go anytime… David: Mommy
naman… Stop saying that… Magkakasama pa tayo, mabubuhay ka… (Almost crying) Brynel: David,
I’m too weak to keep on living now… It’s better that you’re prepared in case
anything happened... to me… David: Mommy,
I can’t live by myself yet… Masyado pa akong bata… Brynel: Well,
hindi ka magiging bata forever, so you should accept it... David: Mommy,
tell me… (Crying) nararamdaman mo na ba ang pag " alis mo? Brynel: (almost
crying) yes, David… That’s why I’m telling you these things… David: Mommy,
don’t be like that… Brynel: David,
learn to accept… Anyway, time will heal the wounds " David: But
it will take such a large amount of time to heal the wound that you’ll leave
me… Brynel: David… David: Mommy,
I don’t want you to leave… Ikaw nalang ang meron ako… So please… Stay… Di ko namalayan that I fell asleep on the lap of mommy while sitting… Scene 17: When I woke up... David: Mommy…
Mommy… (Crying) Mommy… I
tried to wake mommy up… But she didn’t… She dies while sleeping… And she
purposely did it so I couldn’t notice her leaving… David: Mommy!!!! (Crying) ‘Wag mo
naman akong iwan… ‘Wag namang ganyan… Ang daya mo naman mommy… I thought we’d
leave together someday… Scene 18: After
mommy died, I had no clue about how will I move on and continue my life… So, I
worked as a gay prostitute on the bar nearby the community… I was accepted
then… It
happened that a customer was drunk… Customer 1: More
beer! David: Sir,
you’re drunk now… Maybe, you should stop drinking… He
whacked his hand that threw the bottles of beer on the tray I’m holding… Customer 1: What
do you care about me?! David: Sir,
you should care about your health… Customer 1: My
life’s completely a mess now! So, it would be better if it would end my way! David: Uhhh,
sorry... I
put a bottle of beer on the customer’s table… When
I turned back… Manager: We
need to talk, David… I
followed the manager of the bar to his lodge… Manager: You
know, if you don’t know how to handle customers, you can leave your work now! David: Sir,
I " I’m sorry… Manager: Sorry?
Madadala ba ng sorry ang limang boteng pinabasag mo sa customer? David: Hi
" hindi ko naman ako ang bumasag ng mga bote " Manager: Anong
hindi?! Dahil yan sa katangahan mo! You don’t know how to handle customers… David: Sir,
let me expl " Manager: No
more explanations! You’re fired! Kung tumagal ka dito sa bar ko, malulugi lang
ako… David: Sir,
give me a chance… The
manager left me without hearing my explanation... Scene 19: I
went out and cried and cried… Someone held me from the back… I suddenly stopped
crying… Shela: Are
you ok? Diyan ka ba nagtratrabaho? David: Don’t
you understand what my tears mean? Shela: But
why? You’re too young to be involved in jobs like that? David: Well,
It’s too hard for me to get another job since I’m too young when I became an
orphan… Shela: Huh?
Since when did you become an orphan? David: Last
week, my mother left me when we’re sleeping together… she went to where she
came from… (Almost crying) Shela: (hugs me) you know, we’re
maybe destined to meet… My mother also died early… And now, I have 4 children
with no husband… David: Why is life like this? Why
is it so unfair? Shela: Stop crying… ‘Wag mong
isipin na nag " iisa ka… -END OF FLASHBACK- Scene 20: Then,
she adopted me and for a while I felt happiness. Later, I felt emptiness
because I know that she lives for some things, some people, and those are her
children… But me, I have nothing to live for… I’m just living with this cursed
life of mine… Now,
as I heard Christine Joy’s story… I felt comforted since I knew we had the same
past and we were both 14 years old when we became orphans… Scene 21: (Christine Joy’s Point of View) After
the talk show, we went home and I decided to stay with my false family which
now I treated as my real family… I still kept the $150 that was left with my own... - Scene 22: David: Hi, mama, hi May " an, hi Christine, hi Kambal… And Joy, how’s the show? May " an: Pumuti
yata ang mga uwak sa paligid ah… Christine: Oo
nga naman… Parang umiba yung ihip ng hangin ah… CJ: David,
is that you? David: Why?
Do you think I had left my body and exchanged souls with someone? CJ: You’ve
changed… Marisol: Wow!
Ibig sabihin, hindi na tataray si Ate David… Nikki: Oo
nga… Hindi na tayo magkakagulo katulad ng dati… David: Hey,
hindi kaya… Excuse me, meron pa rin akong a little bit katarayan within myself
no… Shela: David,
ang mahalaga ay maayos na ang pakikitungo mo kay Christine Joy… David: Oo
nga naman… So, beso? David
and Christine Joy did the beso " beso thing… Concluding narrations: (Christine Joy’s Point of View) After
that day, David’s relation with me changed a lot… he became nice and he shared
something about his past when I was left with him… Then I figured out what he
meant when he said “You don’t know how heavy the burden I’m carrying now
is...”Also, I remembered “The Rain Song” and I realized how I relate to the
song… I, as a person who gets my clothes getting wet (my well " being
destructed) remains the same even through the rain and thunder (problems, odds,
challenges and trials) that I faced… Also, I learned a lot from David since he
taught me how to speak their language… You want sample? Salamat, which means thank you in their language… Lastly, as based
on David’s past, I can conclude that he’s “A
SHADOW BEHIND THE RAIN” since he
was different and special in a rainy world that we dealt with… (David’s Point of View) After
that Day, I realized that Christine Joy and I were “SHADOWS BEHIND THE RAIN” that keeps us different and special in the
rainy world that we dealt with… Rain represents the challenges that we
encountered and we, the shadows are the ones being rained with trials and mixed
blessings… Also, I can conclude that Shela, our false mother was a “STRANGER IN THE RAIN” that had sight of
us when we’re completely lost in the midst of the heavy rain… - Last Scene: -3 MONTHS LATER- *singing*
Bakit pa pinagtagpo; pala’y maglalayo
tayo sa ating buhay… David: Mommy? Brynel: Ang araw na kay ganda; Ba’t nang lumisan ka
ay nagdilim ang kulay… (sumulpot mula sa likod) (Entry
of the singers and dancers group while singing) David: Mommy,
ikaw ba yan? David
was seen lying while tears from his eyes kept on coming… Well, it’s obvious
that he’s dreaming… When
he woke up… He
saw his mommy’s apparition as it whispers… “YOU’RE A SHADOW BEHIND THE RAIN” (Singers
and dancers group kept on singing until it ended)
-FIN- ORIGINAL
STORY BY: GEM TOLEDO © 2014 PrimeAuthor's Note
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Added on January 2, 2014 Last Updated on January 4, 2014 Author
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