Gap 1
The scene starts with a window view of a dark room. The only light inside is a set of parallel beams with different neon colors: blue, pink, green, yellow, purple, orange. The purple beam is flickering as if its light is going out.
Quiet soundtrack is playing. The sound is like underwater. Steady for a few seconds then...
Blast! [Playing HIP TO BE SQUARE by Huey Lewis and The News]
Enter André, intense dancing.
André [Voiceover]:
May mas isasaya pa ba ang mabuhay sa nakaraan? Every person's past is better than their present, well, sa perspective ko. Or maybe, sa buhay ko lang naaapply 'yon? I am André, and I want to go back to the past. Simply because ayoko sa buhay ko ngayon. Maybe it's a form of escapism, but my life is one big escape.
André jumps into bed, hopping vigorously to the beat of the music. The scene slowly zooms on his face. White luminous complexion. Dark eyebrows. Cupid bow's lips. Pointed nose. André smirks while looking at the ceiling.
André [Voiceover]:
I had been alone for most of my life, and it's my mom's fault. Hinomeschool niya ako since I was like preschool. I am now in my third year as a high schooler. I can't feel it, but at least I'm content with it. Tanging kwarto ko lang ang kilala kong mundo. All of these things she bought me, fed me, gifted me, so I wouldn't want to go outside, to ask questions.
Scene pans around the room. Vinyl records hang on the walls like tiles. Different artists like Cyndi Lauper and Michael Jackson and Spandau Ballet. All in glass panels. André's life is more than grand. It is luxurious. A study table is in the corner with an open Macbook displaying iTunes. Speakers are visible on the corners of the ceiling. Speakers are vibrating to the beat.
André [Voiceover]:
I researched about it. In my sixth year of homeschooling. Munchausen. I watched a documentary about it, and I found out that it could be what's happening to me. Siguro baliw na nga si mom for barring me from the outside world like she's Big Sister or someone. But, never once I've been afraid of her. I adore her, to be honest.
Enter André's mom, banging the door loudly on the wall. Mom is covering her ears. She is wearing her Hello Kitty pajamas, a merch from the company she owns.
André's mom:
André, ano ba? [Irritated] I'm working downstairs. Ang lakas lakas ng patugtog mo. Hinaan mo naman. Baka magalit ang mga kapitbahay natin n'yan!
André:
Mom, wala tayong kapitbahay, remember? You bought the next three lots from either side of our house.
André's mom:
Ay, oo nga 'no? Ah eh basta, favorite ko 'yang bandang 'yan, pero anak naman, 'wag ngayon please? May teleconference ako sa baba.
André sulks, but he went to his laptop and pressed pause on the touchbar.
André's mom:
Yie, anak ko 'yan. Napaka masunurin naman talaga. Pa-hug and kiss nga!
André's mom leaned onto him on the bed and hugged him tight, pecking on his forehead.
André's mom:
Don't worry, anak. I'll make it up to you. Mom has a surprise for you tomorrow! [Excited voice]
André:
Okay, mom. Good night.
André's mom:
Good night, darling!
André's mom closes the door quietly.
André [Voiceover]:
If one thing I know, she's just going to buy me another vinyl record. Maybe a new gadget? Maybe the old typewriter I've been asking her for what seems like forever. But, knowing mom, it's another toy for me so I won't bawl my eyes out. Ewan ko ba. I liked it. I liked the fact na iniispoil niya ako to the point na ayaw ko na. I wanted something different, but I can't put it to words. All I know is gusto kong bumalik sa past.
BINABASA MO ANG
Nostalgia
Teen FictionAndre leaves his ten-year homeschooling as he enrolls in the fictional Marcelo Del Pilar Memorial High School. There he navigates his way through introversion, discrimination, stereotypes, and a background of broken family. Meeting a classmate named...
