Gap 2
Enter André as the frame slowly zooms out of his face.
André [Voiceover]:
Now to be completely honest, hindi naman ako ganon ka-bano when it comes to the outside world. When it's dry season, mom usually takes me out of town around April. It just happens na in the past, nakakulong ako lagi sa bahay for ten months of homeschooling, but I still have my grip on things that are real, kung ano ang mga dapat and hindi ko dapat gawin in front of other people. Like that one for example...
Frame cuts to two uniformed freshmen on a stone bench under a mango tree, chatting. One is male. The other is female. The male freshman is picking on his nose.
André [Voiceover]:
I know that's unhygienic and socially unacceptable. But I'm not allowed to say 'Ew' kasi baka mapa-trouble ako. And then that one...
Scene jumps to a group of male students, possibly seniors, collars open and polos unbuttoned, whistling as a cute female student passes by.
André [Voiceover]:
That one is socially unacceptable, but it happens. It happens in real life. I've watched pelikulas with scenes like that, and they absolutely turn my stomach. But, it happens. That's what I always tell myself. One day, siguro, I have to make a stand for it. But, not now. Not on my first day...
Frame reveals the same surroundings from last gap. A cluster of students dancing to tunes from their phones, heavy bass and electronic pop. André turns away, sees a circle of female students eyeing him. One bashfully looks away, blushing. More students enter the gate; most of them looking at him.
Same group of senior guys took their way and passes André, one sneers at him and whistled.
Male Student 1:
Ano pare? Artistahin. Mala James Reid. Wala kang sinabi.
Male Student 2:
James Reid, amputa. Eh mukang bading!
Male Student 1:
Ang sabihin mo, wala kang binatbat!
Senior students laughed and left the scene. André remains standing still on the same spot. A slim female teacher with specs and scarf passes him by, looking at him from head to toe, expressing approval. She leaves the scene right away.
André [Voiceover]:
See? You're doing great, André. Just a few derogatory encounters, karamihan galing sa mga lalaki. Well, palagi naman ganon. Boys will be boys. All you need to do is to calm yourself, and find your room.
André takes small steps forward, looking around for directions to his classroom. He walks to the security guard on duty and asks.
André:
Ah, excuse me po kuya.
Security Guard:
Oh? [Looks annoyed at the heavy flow of students entering the gate]
André:
Ask ko lang po paano makapunta sa Building C, Room 54?
Security Guard:
[Stayed quiet and busy for a long while] Bago ka 'no?
André:
Ah, eh, opo.
Security Guard:
Anong grade mo na?
André:
Grade 9 po.
Security Guard:
Diretso ka lang, tapos liko sa kanan. May makita kang dalawang magkatabing building sa harap ng flag pole. 'Yung Building C ay kung saan nakaharap si Del Pilar. Tapos check mo na lang pangalan mo sa may list sa pinto. Nakadikit naman.
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...
