(nicolas getting ready for school, mae assisting jheric with his breakfast)

Narrator:
Being from a poor household, Nicolas and his family struggle greatly to survive in the slums
of Manila. Despite this, he continued to perform well in school and support his family. He is
in his fourth year of high school and about to advance.

Nicolas:
I'm going to school, mom.

Mae: … (too busy with jheric)

Nicolas:
MA!! Mama!!

Mae:
Ay, sorry nak, i was helping your little brother..

Nicolas:
Can I have my baon now? I’m really late for school.

Mae:
Here.. (gives 50 pesos) this is all I have… I don’t have much left for our dinner sorry nak..

Nicolas:
(furious)
Ma.. How is this supposed to.. Just for the fare to school, and even if I buy food, I won't have
anything left

Mae:
Is there anything I can do?! Do we look rich, do we have money? I don't have a nice job, I go
around outside just to sell things so we can eat every day. Since your father died, we have
fallen into poverty, so don't be stubborn!

Narrator:
It was true that they had nothing else, so when Nicolas left holding only 50 pesos, he had no
choice but to follow.

Nicolas Dayco Gamboa Ryza:

Good Afternoon Mr. Santos

Lester:
Good Afternoon class, before we proceed to our next lesson, let’s have a short recap on
what we tackled at the last meeting. Nicolas?

Nicolas:
…. (refuses to answer)
Ryza:
(whispers)
You can do it, you’re smart right?

Nicolas:
Sir.. I don’t know, I can’t remember

Lester:
What do you mean you don’t remember? I’ve already said since the beginning that don’t
attend my class if you have nothing on your brain! I thought you’re the top student of this
section? I don’t think so anymore. Remain standing Nicolas. Can anyone except Ryza tell
me the answer?

(no one is trying to answer)

Class!? Fine get ½ lengthwise and enumerate all the lessons we’ve tackled since first
quarter.

Narrator:
Nicolas found it difficult to concentrate because of what had happened at their home.
Because of this, and in particular because of the high expectations for Nicolas, their teacher
was upset.

(Gamboa trying to ask Nicolas about the answer)

Nicolas:
I can’t..stop..

Gamboa:
Umayos ka boy if you don't want to be bullied, baka mag sumbong ka pa sa nanay mong
walang kwenta HAHAHAHA!

Dayco Gamboa:
(laughs at joaquin)

Lester:
What’s the noise about? Pass the papers. 5,4,3,2

Narrator:
Ryza sat next to Nicolas as their teacher was checking papers because she was concerned
about Nicolas as he wasn't as engaged and lively in class as before.

Ryza:
Okay ka lang ba? Parang iba ka ngayon ah..

Nicolas:
Okay lang ako, may problema lang talaga hahaha, wag ka nang mag-alala.
Ryza:
I like you..a lot.. Ever since I first saw you in our class.. So pls take care of yourself!

(ryza stands up and goes back to her original seat, habang patayo si ryza hawak ni joaquin
yung arms niya then he let go nung aalis na siya)

Lester:
Okay class i’m done checking your papers, class dismissed, you may take your break,
everyone may leave except Nicolas.

*class leaves*

Nicolas:
Why sir? Is there anything wrong?

Lester:
I've seen that you consistently perform poorly on performance-based tasks and in tests.
Why? What's going on with you? Is everything okay? Fix it, Mr. Nicholas—report card are
coming soon.

Nicolas:
Yes sir, will do..

Narrator:
Nicolas left the classroom disappointed; judging by the amount of money he still has, it
doesn't appear like he will be enjoying lunch today.

(Nicolas looks at his 20 pesos left)

Gamboa:
Pre kumusta ka diyan? Halika sumama ka samin ni dayco para malibang ka naman

Nicolas:
Hindi na..I’m fine here

Gamboa:
DALI NA PAKIPOT PA E!

(pumunta sila sa sulok where they won’t get caught)

(nilabas ang rugby and also cigarette)

Gamboa:
Try mo

Nicolas:
Hindi na, ayoko nan bawal ako

Gamboa:
I-TRY MO LANG WAG KA NANG MAG MATIGAS

Narrator:
Gamboa and dayco are known bullies in their school, that's why nicolas didn't do anything
but obey because of fear

(using gateway drugs with nicolas doing it too)

(dainna walking in the hallway)

Dayco:
UY PRE BILIS DALI MAY TEACHER

Dainna:
EXCUSE ME! ANO YAN MGA BATA KAYO

Nicolas:
UH..M-MAAM ANO PO

Dainna:
All of you to the guidance office!

Narrator:
The parents and adviser of Nicolas, Gamboa, and Dayco were called because they had
been caught using gateway drugs.

Lester:
Ano na naman to Gamboa?!

Dainna:
I spotted these three smoking and using rugby on the school's premises. I've already
reached out to their parents; only Nicolas' mother answered my call.

Lester:
(sighs)

Mae:
Good afternoon ma’am, what’s the problem po?

Dainna:
So your son, nicolas, was caught using gateway drugs together with his friends.

Nicolas:
Ma.. I can explain

(while mae looking at nicolas with a death stare)

Mae:
What can we do po?

Dainna:
Because of this, your son can be expelled from school. Please explain to your son how such
actions might damage his life. When the principle finds out, it's game over for him and his
friends.

Mae:
We’re so sorry po talaga, dont worry ma’am kakausapin ko nalang po ang mga bata.

Lester:
Mother.. Is your family facing any issues? Your son has been acting strangely lately. Please
contact me if I may be of any assistance; I'm always free.

Mae:
Okay lang sir thank you po, masusunod.

(whispers to unay) Halika na umuwi na tayo.

Narrator:
His mother and nicolas have come home from school, nicolas is not in the mood anymore
and..

(mae nicolas jheric eating at the dinner table)

Mae:
About earlier… WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?! ANAK NAMAN..YUNG PAG-AARAL MO..

Nicolas:
ITS NOT MY FAULT, I WAS FORCED TO USE IT!

Mae:
Rason na naman lagi ka nalang may rason

Nicolas:
WHY WON’T YOU BELIEVE ME FOR ONCE?

Mae:
ENOUGH JOAQUIN I’M TIRED OF YOUR EXCUSES

Nicolas:
(slams table)
It’s always jheric.. JHERIC HERE JHERIC THERE.. WHAT ABOUT ME? DO I STILL LIVE
IN YOUR MIND, YOU ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION TO THE YOUNGEST ONE. WHAT
ABOUT WHAT I FEEL? AM I NUMB? AM I A ROBOT? IS IT EASY TO STUDY IN SUCH A
DIFFICULT SITUATION?
Mae:
Hindi mo ako maintindihan anak

Nicolas:
KASI IKAW NAMAN ANG LAGING TAMA SA PAMILYA NA ‘TO DIBA? BAGO MAWALA SI
DADDY YOU IGNORED ALL THAT HE DOES FOR ME, BUT NOW THAT HE'S GONE,
YOU'RE ACTING LIKE THE PERFECT MOTHER.

Mae:
DON’T YOU EVER RAISE YOUR VOICE AT ME NICOLAS, I AM YOUR MOTHER! ALL
I'VE EVER DONE IS WORRY ABOUT YOU, CONDEMN YOU, AND DEFEND YOU, AND
ALL I GET IN RETURN IS THE INSANITY THAT COMES FROM YOU.

(gets annoyed like tumayo sa table then basta haaa waaaa)

HIRAP NA HIRAP? PANO PA AKO? SA TINGIN MO MASAYA AKO? WELL YOUR

FATHER IS DEAD AND I KNOW YOU MISS HIM AND I KNOW YOU’RE IN
PAIN..SANA..sana kaya kong.. (deep breath) ALISIN LAHAT NG SAKIT NA
NARARAMDAMAN MO AT NG KAPATID MO, I WISH I COULD

Nicolas:
Now what.. You want me to drop out of school? The way you did when you were young
that’s why you can’t get a job?

(mae slaps joaquin because of disrespect)

Nicolas:
Fine… (packs things para lumayas)

Mae:
I’m working 8 jobs, making meals for us and keeping everything organized, THAT’S MY
JOB. YOUR JOB IS SCHOOL, WHY CAN’T YOU JUST DO THAT?!

(mae standing speechless while sad)

(joaquin ready to leave)

Mae:
NO YOU’RE NOT LEAVING

Jheric:
Mama..

Mae:
It’s all fine anak

Nicolas:
(drops his things and left the table)
Narrator:
Due of their argument, their family is unsettled, and Nicolas must attend school to prepare
for his exam.

(classroom scene)
(only ryza is present in the room)

Lester:
Good Afternoon Cla- oh where is everyone else? Ryza, do you know where’d they go?

Ryza:
I have no clue sir, but one thing I know Nicolas is on a tough situation right now sir..

(hallway scene)

Narrator:
On the other hand, Joaquin Gamboa and Dayco are cutting classes just for their bad habits.

Gamboa:
Pre eto oh pampakalma (shabu shabuhay mo yi ehahahahah)

Nicolas:
(sumisinghot) I can’t anymore pre, I don’t even know why is this happening to me.

Dayco:
I-shot na natin yan mamaya HAHAHAHA!

(ryza saw them)

Ryza:
Nicolas?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE

Nicolas:
Bakit ka nandito?

Ryza:
Come on let’s go, this is not good for you

Nicolas:
(hinawakan kamay ni ryza ng mahigpit like violently) SINO KA BA, PAG GUSTO KO GUSTO
KO!

Ryza:
(slaps joaquin) I’m doing this for you and.. The audacity (leaves joaquin, while nicolas drops
his knees on the floor)

Narrator:
another day has passed, his mother noticed something strange because he was late for
school but he didn't get up yet for breakfast.

Mae:
Jheric saglit lang ha (nicolas at the back trying to overdose himself using drugs)

Mae:
Nicolas! Wake up, tayo na diyan. Anong oras na hoy nicolas!
(nicolas drops on the floor)

ANO YUN? Nicolas!!?

(sees her son nanginginig nginig na sa floor)

NICOLAS ANO ANG NANGYARI SAYO!?

(stop manginig then dadalhin ka na sa hospital sila dayco magbubuhat)

–timeskip simbahan scene–

Narrator:
Joaquin was taken to the hospital to recover but his mother was left without hope, not
knowing what to do, a mess.

Mae:
(altar scene, nakaluhod sa santo nino)
Panginoon ko… bakit nangyari ito, sa aking anak pa, panginoong diyos… tulungan mo po
ang aking anak…

(while crying)
Ang panginoong diyos ay sumasaiyo..bukod kang pinagpala sa babaeng lahat at pinagpala
rin naman ang anak mong si Hesus (breaksdown) santa maria..ina ng diyos (more
breakdown)

(ryza comes para icomfort si mae)

(bumalik sila kay joaquin na nakahiga lang)

Mae:
Anak..if you can hear me..I love you

(Nicolas raises his hand slowly to touch his mother)

Nicolas:
Ma…

Narrator:
Despite what he did to himself, Nicolas was able to recover. He was even more aware of the
genuine value of life. In order to help his mother and family escape poverty, he continued his
studies. As a result of his mistakes, he began advocating for the harm that using drugs and
gateway drugs does to our life and the lives of those we love. Together with his mother Mae,
Ryza, who is now his girlfriend, they were able to alter the lives of young people and spread
the word about drug misuse.

(Joaquin Ryza Mae in front, while all group 1 is sitting, they’re talking about drugs)

Joaquin:
Drugs are addictive, escaping is hard! Just say no, take care of yourself and learn to love
others.. And also!

Mae Ryza:
Focus on your studies!

—-Outro The End—--