*flashback scene if possible*

Scene 1

The parlor of the Mendoza house in Tondo. Front door is at right. Curtained window is at left.
Left side of stage is occupied by a rattan set sofa and two chairs flanking a table. On the right
side of the stage, a cabinet radio stands against a back wall. Open door-way in center,
background, leads into the rest of the house.

MRS. M: (As she walks toward the door) Visitors, always visitors. Nothing but visitors all
day long. Naku, Im beginning to feel like Kris Aquino!

(She opens door. Tony steps in, carrying a bouquet. Tony is 26, dressed to kill, and is the suave
type. Right now, however, he is feeling a trifle nervous. He starts slightly on seeing Mrs.
Mendoza.)

MRS. M : Oh! Ikaw pala Tony! Akala ko ba nasa probinsya ka?

TONY : (Startling) Ikaw na ba iyan Aling Atang?!

MRS. M : ( Laughing) --- Oo naman Iho! Sino bang akala mo? Mukha na ba akong si Sharon
Cuneta?

TONY : Di kasi kita namukhaan aling atang eh!

MRS. M : (shyly touching her boyish bob) Nagpa salon lang ako, bakit? Pangit ba ang
pagkagupit?

TONY : Ay hindi po! (Laughs) Akala ko nga ikaw na si Kikay eh.

MRS. M : (Playfully slapping his cheek) --- Ay nako Tony, napakapalikero mo parin. Iho,
Pumasok ka, anu ka ba naman.

*(Enter Singers) WELCOME WELCOME

Singers: Welcome Welcome! Welcome Welcome!
TONY: Sino ba yan sila, aling atang?
MRS.M: Hay nako, ang mga kapitbahay na wannabe singers, hayaan mo lang sila. Kumusta na
ba ang Nanay mo?*

TONY : (As he sits down, still holding the bouquet) --- Hayun, Si nanay, namimiss na raw niya
ang Tondo. Gusto niyang bumalik rito

MRS. M : (Standing beside his chair, putting on an apron) Eh ilang taon ka bang nawala?

TONY : tatlong buwan ho.

MR. M : Tatlong buwan! Kawawa naman si kumare, sigurado akong inip na inip na yon! Di
talaga nagbabago ang mga binondo girls iho.

TONY : Alam niyo naman kaming mga Engineers, kapag may trabaho, kunin agad! May
proyekto ako sa isang tulay sa Bulacan, pero pag natapos na ako, babalik kami agad dito sa
Tondo

MRS. M : Dapat makabalik na siya dito agad agad! Matagal-tagal na rin kaming hindi naglalaro
ng Pangguingue

TONY : (Laughing) --- Namiss na din yan ni nanay

MRS. M : Naiintindihan ko siya Tony! Hinding hindi talaga magiging probinsyana si kumare.
Once a Tondo girl, always a Tondo girl (She pauses, struck by a thought). Ewan ko lang kung
totoo ba iyan. Look at my Kikay; Nasa america siya ng isang taon, and she says that she
never, never felt homesick at all!

TONY : (Beginning to look nervous again) --- Kailan nga ba siya umuwi Tita? Si Kikay?

MRS. M : Noong Lunes Lang.

TONY : Hindi ko nga agad nalaman na nakadating na pala si Kikay. Nabasa ko sa newspaper
eh.

MRS. M : (Plaintively) --- Noong lunes lang siya dumating, Tony and look at what has happened
to me! Nung nakita niya ako, napakagalit niya;Dinala niya ako sa isang beauty shop, and look,
look what she had done to me! My hair is cut, my eyebrows are shaved, my nails are
manicured, and kung pupunta ako sa palengke naka lipstick and make up! Pinagtatawanan ako
lahat ng mga kumare ko! Baka kung anu ano na ang maisip nila sa akin! Pero ano na ang
magawa ko? Alam mo naman tong si Kikay. At sabi niya kailangan ko raw magmukhang
amerikana dahil may anak raw akong americana. Dios mio! Do I look like american to you?

TONY : (Too worried to pay much attention) --- Maganda ka parin Aling Atang, Asan na siya
ngayon?

MRS. M : (whos rather engrossed in her own troubles too) --- Sino?

TONY : Si Kikay? Nandito ba siya?

MRS. M : (Snorting) --- Oo naman, Hayun, Natutulog pa!

TONY : (Glancing at his watch) ---Natutulog?!

MRS. M : Sabi niya. (fake american accent) New York people do not wake up before twelve
oclock noon.

TONY : (Glancing at his watch once more) --- Eh mag aalas diyes na ah.

MRS. M : Alam mo naman ang batang yun, pag kadating niya dito, Puro nalang Party, Bar,
Brewery, Metro.Hybrid! Hay nako.

TONY : (Rising disconsolately) --- paki sabihan mo nalang na dumaan ako, at paki bigay nalang
din nito

MRS. M : (Taking the flowers) --- Bakit? Aalis ka na ba agad? Eh kababata mo yun eh! Sandali
lang, gisingin ko lang siya.

TONY : Wag nalang ho Aling atang, babalik nalang po ako sa susunod

MRS. M : (Moving away) --- Hindi, hintayin mo siya diyan. Sigurado akong masiyahan siya na
makita ang kanyang kababata. And shell want to thank you in person for these flowers.
Napakaganda naman, Tony. Mahal siguro ito, ano?

TONY : (Sitting down again) --- Ay, walang anu man po

MRS. M : (Pausing, already at center doorway) --- Oh, Tony

TONY : ho, Aling Atang?

MRS. M : You mustnt call me Aling Atang.

TONY : Bakit naman ho?

MRS. M : Kikay doesnt like it. She says I must tell people to call me Mrs. Mendoza. She
says its a more civilized form of address. So and especially in front of Kikay. You must call
me Mrs. Mendoza.

TONY : Opo, Aling I, mean yes, Mrs. Mendoza.

MRS. M : (Turning to go) --- Tatawagin ko na si Kikay

TONY : (To himself as he sits down) --- Hah!

MRS. M : (Turning around again) ---- Oh, and Tony

TONY : (Jumping up again) --- Ano ho, Aling I mean yes, Mrs. Mendoza.
MRS. M : You must not call Kikay, Kikay.

TONY : (Blankly) --- Eh anung tatawagin ko sa kanya?

MRS. M : You must call her Francesca.

TONY : Francisca?

MRS. M : Not Francisca FranCESca.

TONY : Franc- Bakit Francesca?

MRS. M : She says that in New York, everybody calls her Fran-CES-ca. Do you know that many
people in New York thought she was an Italianan Italian from California? Wag mong
kalimutan Tony; do not call her Kikay, she hates that name call her Fran-CES-ca.

TONY : (Limply, sitting down again) --- Opo, Mrs. Mendoza.

MRS. M : (Turning to go again) Maghintay ka diyan at tatawagin ko na si Fran-CES-ca.

(Somebody knocks at the front door. She turns around again.) Aie, Dios mio!

TONY : (Jumping up once again) Ako na ho ang kukuha

(He goes to open the door.)

MRS. M : (As she exists) --- Sabihin mong mag antay sila iho (Tony opens door and Totoy steps
in. Totoy is the same age as Tony and is more clearly a Tondo sheik. The one word that could
possibly describe his attire is spooting. Both boys extend their arms out wide on beholding
each other.)

TOTOY : Tony!

TONY : Totoy! (They pound each others bellies.)

TOTOY : Tarantadong Talong!

TONY : Itlog Pula!

TOTOY : Mayroon ba tayo diyan?

TONY : Ikaw pa ang tatanong? Ilang bangko na ba ang na raid mo?

TOTOY : Hoy, hoy, dahan dahan ka Tony, baka ikaw ang nang r-raid ng bangko!

TONY : Impossible! Nagbago na ako, Goodboy na kaya ito.

TOTOY : (Arms around each others shoulders, they march across the room) ---
Make way for the Tondo boys Bang! Bang!

TONY : (Pushing Totoy away and producing a package of cigarettes) Nice! Oh, Yosi naman
diyan.

TOTOY : (Taking a cigarette) Akala ko ba nasa Bulacan ka?

TONY : Oo nga, Pumunta ako dito para kay Kikay

TOTOY : (As they light cigarette) --- Eh brad, bad news laging naririnig ko sa babaeng yun.

TONY : (Sinking into a chair) --- Ako nga din eh

TOTOY : (Sitting down too) --- sabi pa ng mga kapitbahay, Sisang Baliw na yun

TONY : Galing siya New York eh

TOTOY : Anung Ginawa niya dun?

TONY : Oh, nag aral ng Hair culture and beauty science. May diploma pa!

TOTOY : Naks naman! Haba ng hair naman ni kikay!

TONY : Ah tama, hindi na siya Kikay she is Fran-CES-ca.

TOTOY : Fran-CES-ca?

TONY : Miss Tondo has become Miss New York.

TOTOY : Kikay, an American? Wag mo nga akong lokohin! Eh kilala na natin yun nung
nagbebenta pa siya ng kakanin eh! (Stands up and imitates a girl puto vendor) --- Puto kayo
diyan bili na kayo ng puto.

TONY : (Laughing) Naalala mo ba yung tinulak natin siya sa kanal?

TOTOY : Hahaha! Oo! Naalala ko panga hinabol pa niya tayo hanggang kabilang kanto

TONY : At ang lakas pang sumuntok!

TOTOY : (Fondly) --- Dear old Kikay!

(Knocking at the door. Totoy goes to open it. Enter Nena. Nena is a very well possessed young
lady of 24. )

NENA : Why, its Totoy!

TOTOY : (Opening his arms) --- Nena, my loves!

NENA : (Brushing him aside as she walks into the room) and Tony too! Ano to? Empoy at
Bobet reunion?

TOTOY : (Following behind her) Nandito kami para kay new yorker

NENA : Ako nga rin, nandito na ba siya?

TONY : Gingising pa siya ni Aling Atang

NENA : Gisingin? Bakit? Nanaghinip pa ba siya?

MRS. M : (Appearing in the center doorway) Gising na siya, nagbibihis nalang. Good morning,
Nena. Good morning, Totoy.

(Totoy and Nena are staring speechless. Mrs. Mendoza is carrying a vase in which she has
arranged Tonys flowers. She self-consciously walks into the room and sets the vase on the
table amidst the silence broken only by Totoys helpless wolf whistle.)

MRS. M : (Having set the vase on the table) Well, Totoy? Well, Nena? I said good
morning. Bat ganyan kayo maka tingin?

*Chumba: (Singing) Bakit kayo ganyan makatingin, super sexy naman ng ating bituin. Si Aling
Atang, pwede bang patikim
MRS M: Umalis nga kayo dito!
(CHUMBA AND GROUP EXITS)*

NENA : Ikaw ba yan Aling Atang?

TOTOY : Anak ng Tortang Talong! Si Aling Atang! (He collapses into a chair)

TONY : To, di na siya si Aling Atang, siya na si Mrs. Mendoza

NENA : (Laughing) Kinukurot kurot niyo po ako, Aling Atang, nung bata pa ako

MRS. M : You were a very naughty girl, always fighting with Kikay. You were all very
naughty children. (She points at Totoy) Lalo na itong isang ito, laging nagnanakaw ng mangga
sa aming bakuran

TOTOY : Nariyan pa ba ang Manggahan?

MRS. M : Nandun pa sa likuran.

TOTOY : (Jumping up) Nena! Pumitas tayo ng Mangga!

MRS.M : Subukan niyo, pipitasin ko rin yang mga tenga niyo , sige!

TOTOY: Joke lang po!

MRS. M : Ah Totoy, samahan mo ako sa kusina

TOTOY : Bakit?! Anung gagawin mo sa akin aling atang?!

MRS. M : Gago, magpapatulong ako magdala ng mga gamit

(Exits Mrs. Mendoza and Totoy. Left alone, Nena and Tony are silent for a moment. Tony
seated; Nena stands behind the sofa.)

NENA : Well, Tony?

TONY : Bat ka pa pumunta Nena?

NENA : Oh, bakit naman hindi?

TONY : Hindi ko pa nakausap si Kikay.

NENA : Hindi pa? Akala ko ba sasabihin mo na kung ano ang nangyari kagabi?

TONY : Di ko nakayanan Nena.

NENA : Oh, Tony, Tony!

TONY : (Irritated, imitating her tone) Oh, Tony, Tony! Gamitin mo nga ang utak mo Nena!
Hindi madaling makipag break sa isang babae na tinanong mo para pakasalan!

NENA : (Belligerently) Ano ba? Si Kikay o Ako?

*Chumba: (Singing) Sinong pipiliin mo? Si Kikay o Ako...

NENA: PWEDE BA?!
(EXITS)*
TONY : Ikaw siyempre. Ikaw ang mahal ko Nena

NENA : (Bitterly) Ako nga ba? Tinanong mo din namang magpakasal si Kikay diba?

TONY : Matagal na yun Nena!

NENA : (Flaring up) Pakshit mo Tony!

TONY : (Jumping up and following her) Nena, Nena, you know I love you, only you!

NENA : (Whirling around to face him) Bakit Tony? Bakit mo nagawang tanungin ako para
pakasalan kita habang engaged ka pa kay Kikay?

TONY : Sana hindi ko nalang sinabi sayo! Etong mapapala ko sa pagiging honest!

NENA : Honest! You call yourself honest? Getting me to fall in love with you when you still
belonged to Kikay?

TONY : She loved me at my worst. You had me at my best. Pero Binali wala niya lang yun. She
chose to break my heart, Baka kaya tayo iniiwan ng mga mahal natin kasi baka may darating na
mas okay. Yung taong hindi tayo sasaktan at paasahin.

NENA : At sinabi mo pang secret ang ating engagement?!

TONY : Nalaman ko kasi pagkatapos na darating si Kikay

NENA : Pagod na ako sa mga sikreto Tony! Pagod na pagod na ako!

TONY : Hayaan mo munang kausapin ko si Kikay

NENA : Bilisan mo! Kase nauubos na ang pasensya ko.

TONY : Pero, paano ko siya makakausap ngayon?

NENA : Ano ba problema Tony?

TONY : Nandito kayo ni Totoy.

NENA : Gusto mo kaming umalis ni Totoy?

TONY : Hindi, hayaan mo lang akong makausap si Kikay ng mag-isa

NENA : Ako nang bahala kay Totoy.

(Totoy appears in the doorway with tray on his head; glasses and a pitcher are on a tray.)

TOTOY : (Sailing in) Puto kayo diyan, bili na kayo ng puto!

(Mrs. Mendoza appears in the doorway, carrying a plate of sandwiches.)

MRS. M : Listen everybodyNandito na si Kikaypero tawagin niyo siyang Fran-CES-ca.

(She moves away from the doorway and Kikay appears. Kikay is garbed in a trailing gown
trimmed with fur at the neck and hemline. From one hand she dangles a large silk handkerchief
which she keeps waving about as she walks and talks. In the other hand, she carries a very
long cigarette holder with an unlighted cigarette affixed. Kikays manner and appearance are
to use a Hollywood expression chi-chi mad.)

KIKAY : (Having paused a long moment in the doorway, hands uplifted in surprise and delight)
Oh, hello, hello you darling, darling people! (She glides into the room. Everybody else is too
astonished to move) Nena, my dearbut how cuteyouve become! (She kisses Nena)And Tony,
my little pal of the valleyhow are you? (She gives her hand to Tony) and Totoymy, how
ravishing you look. (She walks all around the apprehensive Totoy) goodness, you look like a
Tondo super production in Technicolor! But sit down everybodydo sit down and let me look
at you. (Her three visitors sit down. She sees the tray with the glasses and pitcher on the table
and throws her hands up in amused horror.) Oh, mumsy,mumsy!

MRS. M : Ano nanaman iha?

KIKAY : How many times must I tell you, mumsy dearest, never, never serve fruit
juice in water glasses!

MRS. M : Hindi ko mahanap yung mga basong gusto mo iha

KIKAY : (Approaching and kissing her mother) Oh, my poor lil mumsyshe is
so clumsy, no? But never mind, dearest; dont break your heart about it.
Here sit down.

MRS. M : hindi, mamamalengke pa ako.

KIKAY : Oh, mumsy, dont forget my celery. (to her visitors) I cant live without
celery. Im like a rabbitmunch, munch all day.

MRS. M : Oh aalis na ako. Tony, ipa regards mo nalang ako sa mama mo iho okay?

KIKAY : (Gesturing make up) and remember, mumsya little bloom on the lips,
a little bloom on the cheeks.

MRS. M : Oh, Kikay, kailangan pa ba?

KIKAY : Again, mumsy?

MRS. M : (Already in the center doorway) Kailangan ko pa bang pinturahan tong mukhang to
Fran-CES-ca?

KIKAY : (Breaking into laughter and turning towards the others) But how dreadfully she
puts it! Oh, mumsy, mumsywhat am I going to do with you?

MRS. M : (As she exits) Ayoko na! Di ko na to makaya!

KIKAY : (Still laughing) Poor mumsy, shes quite a problem. (She waves her cigarette)
Oh, does anybody have a light?

(Totoy jumps up and gives her a light.)

KIKAY : Merci.

TOTOY : Huh? Merci? Si Totoy ito Kikay hindi si Mercy.

KIKAY : I said merci. That means thank you in French.

TOTOY : (As he sits down) Merci!

(Kikay poses herself on the arm of the sofa where Nena is sitting and sipping orange juice. The
two boys, also sipping juice and munching sandwiches, occupying the two chairs)

NENA : Kuwento ka naman tungkol sa newyork

KIKAY : (Fervently) Ah, New York, New York! Are you ready for the most exciting, amazing
and romantic story ever?!

*Chumba: (ENTERS) Amazing, Exciting, Romantic! (Blows flower petals)*

TONY : Gaano ka ba katagal dun?

KIKAY : (In a trance) 10 months, 4 days, 7 hours and 21 minutes!

TOTOY : (Aside to the others) Andun pa siya. Actually hindi pa siya umaalis dun.
KIKAY : (With emotion choking her voice) Yes, I feel as if I were still there, as though I
had never left it, as though I had lived there all my life. But I look around me (She bitterly looks
around her at the three gaping visitors) and I realize that no, no Im
not there. Im not in New York Im here, here!

KIKAY : (She rises abruptly and goes to window where she stands looking out) Im home,
they tell me. Home! But which is home for me? This cannot be home because my heart aches
with home sickness. I feel myself to be an exileyes, a spiritual exile. My spirit aches for its true
home across the sea. Ah, New York! My own dear New York! (She is silent a moment, looking
across the horizon, her arms cross over her breast. Her visitors glanced uneasily at each other.)

NENA : (To others) Sa tingin ko dapat umalis na tayo

TONY : Oo nga baka nakakaisturbo tayo

NENA : (With a languishing gesture) hayaan natin siyang mag reminisce

TONY : (Glancing at the entranced Kikay) Yan na ba ang babaeng nakasasama nating mag
swimming sa putikan noon?

TOTOY : (Crossing his arms over his chest) Ah, New York! My own dear New York!

KIKAY : (Whirling around, enraptured) Listenoh listen! Now, in New York, its
springtimeits spring in New York! The daisies are just appearing in Central Park and out in
Staten Island the grass is green again. (With a little fond laugh) Oh, we have a funny custom in
New Yorkan old, old and very dear custom. When spring comes around each year, we New
Yorkers, we make a sort of pilgrimage to an old tree growing down by the Battery. Oh, its an old
tree. Its been growing there ever since New York was New York. And we New Yorkers,
we call it Our Tree. Every spring we go down to say hello to it and to watch its first green
leaves coming out. In a way, that tree is our symbol for New Yorkundying immortal, forever
growing and forever green! (She laughs and makes an apologetic gesture) But please, please
forgive me! Here I am going sentimental and just mooning away over things you have no idea
about. No, you cant understand this emotion I feel for our dear old tree over there in New York.

NENA : Naiintindihan kita Kikay! Ganun rin ang nafefeel ko sa ating tree

KIKAY : (Blankly) Ating tree?

NENA : Ang mango tree natin girl! Naalala ko pa inaakyat natin at pinipitas natin ang mga
manggang hilaw at sina tony ang kumukuha ng mga mangga at kinain natin hanggang sasakit
ang ating mga tiyan!
TOTOY : nahuli nga ako ni aling atang eh! Hinubaran niya pa ako ng shorts!

NENA : Oo nga eh! Tapos tumatakbo ka sa labas ng naka brief habang sinisigaw: Ibalik mo
shorts ko!

(They were all shaking with laughter except Kikay who is staring blankly at this.)

KIKAY : Wait laang! Ano bang tree ang pinag uusapan natin?

NENA : Our mango tree, Kikay. Yung mango tree sa inyong bakuran.

KIKAY : (Flatly) Oh that tree

TONY : bakit kikay? Hindi ba parehas ang nararamdaman mo para sa tree natin at sa tree mo
sa new york?

KIKAY : (Tartly) Of course not! Theytheyre completely different! I dont feel any
emotion for this silly old mango tree. It doesnt awaken any memories for me at
all!

NENA : (Rising) Pero para sa amin, napakahalaga ng tree nayun. Lahat ng ka aliwan natin.
Lahat ng memories ng ating childhood Kikay! Ang tree na yun ay ang Symbol ng ating
Friendship. TNTK? Remember?

KIKAY : (Interrupting) dont be silly, Nena. You people cant understand at all!

TONY : Of course not. Eh wala pa kami nakapunta sa New York eh.

KIKAY : (Earnestly) - Exactly! Wala pa kayo naka punta sa Newyork! Our special tree over
there is very different!

KIKAY : It stands for Freedom and for the Manhattan skyline and for the Copacabana and
for Coney Island in summer and for Grants Tomb on Riverside Drive and for Tuesday nights at
Eddie Condons with Wild Bill Davidson working on that trumpet of his and for Saturday nights at
Madison Square Garden with the crowds spilling all over the side walk and for the nickel ferry
ride to Staten Island and for the St. Patricks Day Parade down Fifth Avenue and for all (She
stops, overcome with her memories) Oh, its impossible to make you see!

TONY : Mas gusto ko parin ang tree natin sa Tondo

TOTOY : I second the motion

NENA : I move to close the nomination!

KIKAY : (Tolerantly, very much the woman of the world) Oh you funny, funny children!

NENA : Mangungumusta lang ako sa tree namin, gusto mo ba akong samahan Kikay?

KIKAY : (Laughing) Of course not, child. Do go.

NENA : Eh ikaw totoy?

TOTOY : (Fervently, as he rises) Of Course my loves! Kahit saan ka man pumunta!

NENA : (In the Kikay manner) No darlingjust out to our dear little backyard.

TOTOY : (Acting up too) Oh , the backyard of Tondo, the barong-barongs of Maypaho,

the streets of Sibakong

NENA : (In the center doorway) Hoy chong sasama ka ba o hindi

TOTOY : (Following her) Sabi ko nga! Wait!

(Exits Nena and Totoy)

KIKAY : (Sitting down on the sofa) Si Totoy talaga, hanggang ngayon head over heels parin
kay nena (Tony is silent) Hey, Tony you all right? Whats up with your mood?

(Tony rises from his chair and sits down beside Kikay on the sofa. He is nervous and cannot
speak. Kikay smilingly gazes at him.)

TONY : (Finally gathering courage) KikayDi ko alam san magsisimula

KIKAY : How about calling me Francesca... Okay?

TONY : Meron kasi akong gustong sabihin

KIKAY : Tony, just forget about it. It was a long time ago Please?

TONY : Kalimutan?

KIKAY : Thats the New York way, Tony. Kalimutan na natin yung past! Move on! Ano ka ba,
dapat full ng energy at go lang ng go! Enjoy life okay?

TONY : What do you mean Kikay?

KIKAY : Tony, we were still kids back then.

TONY : kailan?

KIKAY : (whispers) When we decided to get engaged.

TONY : Eh last year lang yun ah.

KIKAY : For me, its already hundred years ago! Oh Tony, I want to share more about New
York, how grand the Yankee Stadium! McLaren's Bar is! Statue of Liberty! Wow, if you were
there youd never want to leave.

TONY : Kikay, Kikay! Ayaw kong pag usapan ang New York okay? Gusto kong pag usapan ay
yung engagement naten.

KIKAY : Tony please ayaw ko na. I dont want to talk about that anymore. I have other things to
do.

TONY : Kikay, kailangan natin na mag-usap

KIKAY: Tony..... Yung babaeng nakilala mo, that was Kikay The girl standing in front of you is
Francesca. Dont you see, Tony, Im a stranger to youwe dont speak the same
languageand I feel so much, much older than you. Im a woman of the world, you are only a
boy. I hate to hurt you, Tonybut surely you see that were worlds apart. A new yorker marrying
a Tondo Boy! Haha! What a silly joke!

TONY : (Blazing) wait lang ha! Dahan dahan lang kikay..

KIKAY : (Very tolerantly) Sorry kung na hurt kita okay? Hindi ko lang talaga ma imagine na
tayong dalawa..

TONY : (Leaping up) Hindi ako uupo lang dito at insultohin nang ganun!

KIKAY : Tony! Relax chill! Breathe In.. Breathe out! People in New York dont lose their temper.

TONY : (Shouting) Ano ba ang gusto mo!? Ngumiti a magsabi ng thank you pagkatapos ng
nangyari.

KIKAY : Yes, Tony. Be a sport, okay? There are other fish in the sea. Be brave, Tonyforget:
thats the New York way. Find another girl. There are other goils in the esters, as they say in
Brooklyn. Youll find somebody elsesomeone more proper for you.
TONY : (Waving his fist) Kung hindi ka babae... sus!

KIKAY : God, Tony. You must not hit a woman!

NENA : Ano to? Tony?

KIKAY : Oh, Nena! Were just talking.

TOTOY : Ano ba naman yang pinag aawayan niyo?

KIKAY : We were not fighting! We just decided were good as friends.

NENA : Totoo ba ito?

TONY : (Shouting) Oo!

NENA : Oh good! Pwede na nating sabihin sa kanila

KIKAY : Say what?!

TOTOY : Anong ibig sabihin niya Tony?

NENA : (Taking Tonys hand) Tony and I are engaged.

KIKAY : (Rising) Engaged!?

TOTOY : (At the same time) Engaged!?

NENA : Oo! Isang buwan na kaming patagong engaged. In other words, Tony is my Fiancee

KIKAY : A month! (Fiercely, to Tony) Tony?!

TONY : (Backing off) Gustong sabihin sayo Kikay.. pero hindi mo ako pinagbigyan.

KIKAY : You Asshole! Ipriprito kita! SINUGBANG KABAYO!

NENA : Hoy Kikay! Dahan dahan ka sa pananalita mo ah! Fiance Ko yan! Akin siya! Akin siya!

KIKAY : Walang Sayo Nena, Akin lang ang Fiance ko!

NENA : Bakit kayo pa ba?!

KIKAY : Engaged pa siya sa akin bago siya naging engaged sayo! Ako Parin ang LEGAL
FIANCEE

NENA : Hindi na nga kayo diba? Ikaw pa mismo ang nagsabi.

KIKAY : Pero hindi ko ito alam! Hindi ko alam na meron na palang ahas na naglalandi landi sa
aking fiancee habang wala ako! At ikaw! You Bastard! (points at Tony)
TONY : (Backing off some more) Oh remember Kikay, Chill lang diba? Just like a New
Yorker?

KIKAY : Ive never felt so humiliated in all my life! You sick fuck! Pinahiya mo ako!

NENA : (Blocking her way) Sabi ko wag mo siyang saktan!

KIKAY : Wag ako, Nena! Sakin parin si Tony, hanggang hindi ko pa siya pinapakawalan!

NENA : Mahiya ka naman Youre just being a bitch in the manger!

KIKAY : At ako pa ang mahiya?! stealing my man behind my back!

NENA : (Exploding) ANO?! ANONG SABI MO?! Walang hiya ka!

TONY : (Keeping a safe distance) Totoy! Totoy!

KIKAY : (To Totoy, as he approaches) Ikaw Chong! Wag kang pasali sali dito o babatuhan
kita!

TOTOY : Naku, lumabas din and pagka Tondo!

NENA : You Bitch!

KIKAY : Man-eater!

*insert song*(They grapple and stagger. Tony and Totoy rush forward to separate them and
finally succeeded but not before Kikay has socked Nena. Nena, infuriated, breaks away from
Tonywhos dragging her away. and pounces on Kikaywhom Totoy is holding. Tony came
running but is too late to prevent Nena from socking Kikay. Kikay sags down in Totoys arms.
Tony pulls Nena away.)

TONY : (Furious) bat mo siya sinaktan!

NENA : Ha? Siya ang nauna eh!

TONY : Tingnan mo anong ginawa mo!

(Totoy has dropped the knocked-out Kikay on a chair.)

NENA : bat mo siya dinedefend? Bat ka galit sa akin?! TONY!?

TONY : MANAHIMIK KA NGA!

NENA : Walanghiya ka!

TONY : Manahimik ka! O baka gusto mong masupalpal yang bunganga mo!

TOTOY : (Deserting the reviving Kikay) Hoy Tony! Wag mong salitaan ng ganyan si Nena

TONY : Wag kang makealam dito chong ha, wala kang kinalaman dito

NENA : Buti pa si Totoy, maalahanin sa akin.

TOTOY : (To Tony) Wag mo nga siyang hawakan!

TONY : Sabi kong wag kang makialam!

(Totoy socks Tony. Tony drops to the floor.)

NENA : (Running to Totoy) Oh Totoy, youve saved my life.

(Meanwhile, Kikay has run to Tonys side.)

KIKAY : (Kneeling beside Tony) Tony, Tony open your eyes!

TONY : (Sitting up and brushing her hands away) Umalis ka nga

(Kikay rises and haughtily moves away. Tony continues to sit on the floor, in the attitude of
Rodins Thinker.)

NENA : Totoy, umalis na nga tayo dito

TOTOY : (Pointing to Tony) Engaged ka pa ba sa kanya?

NENA : Ayaw ko na sa kanya! I hate him! Ayaw ko na siyang makita ever!

TOTOY : Buti naman! Tara na Nena, umalis na tayo

(He takes her arm and propels her to the door.)

TONY : (As they pass him) Hey!

NENA : (Pausing) Wag mo nga akong kausapin

TONY : (Still sitting on the floor) Di ikaw ang kinakausap ko

TOTOY : Wag mo rin akong kausapin! Ininsulto mo ang mahal kong si Nena!

NENA : (Beaming up at him) Totoy? Mahal mo ako? Bat ngayon mo lang sinabi?

TOTOY : (Shyly) Well... Yes Nena. Im in love you. I know that love is just a shout out unto that
void and oblivion is inevitable, and I am in love with you..

NENA: Always?

TOTOY: Always.

TONY : (Still on the floor) Congratulations!

NENA : (Coldly) Halika na chong, umalis na tayo ditto, ang baho na ditto eh.

(Exit Nena and Totoy. Tony rises and dusts himself. Kikay is on the floor on the other side of the
room, her haughty back to him.)

TONY : Sinira mo na ang buhay ko. Sana masaya ka na.

KIKAY : (Whirling around) I... have ruined your life? Youhave ruined mine!

TONY : (Advancing) Kailangan mo pa ata ng isang sampal ah.

KIKAY : (Retreating) Wag mo akong lapitan, kanto boy! Bat mo yun ginawa? I deserve an
Explanation!

TONY : You demand? Isang taon kang nawala, nakalimutan mo na ang mga kaibigan mo, I
deserve an explanation. I deserve an ACCEPTABLE REASON!

KIKAY : Tigilan mo ako! Oo nga, one year. Naghintay rin ako Tony, You swore to me! And I
believed you! And you backstabbed me like a little bitch! I believed you... (Crying)

TONY : What are you crying about? Be braveforgetthats the New York way. Nothing
must ever be too serious, nothing must ever drag on too long

KIKAY : Oh Tony, Ive been such a fool! Im so sorry, Tony!

TONY : Ako hindi! Mabuti nalang nalaman kong anung klaseng tao ka!

KIKAY : (Alarmed, approaching him) Oh, Tony, youre wrong, youre wrong! Hindi ako ganung
klaseng tao, please maniwala ka Tony.
TONY: Nag sasabi ka na ba ng totoo ngayon kikay?

KIKAY : Oo Tony, ang babaeng nakausap mo kanina, Si Francesca yun! Ang Bitchy New
Yorker! Si Kikay na ito Tony, Nag balik na si Kikay...

TONY : Kikay? Naka suot ng ganyan?

KIKAY : Its true, Tony. Im Kikayremember me?

TONY : Kung tama ako, I was engaged to a girl named Kikay.

KIKAY : Oo! and youre still engaged to her, Tony.

TONY : Welcome home, Kikay! Kumusta ang trip?

KIKAY : Nakakaloka! Hindi ako makapa antay na umuwi!

TONY : Nagustuhan mo ba ang New York?

KIKAY : Walang binatbat sa Tondo!

TONY : Bat d ka mag rep sa mga PM ko sa Fb? Tweets ko sa Twitter? Posts ko sa IG?

KIKAY : (After just a wee pause) Hindi ako pina contact ni Francesca sa iyo eh.

TONY : Yung bruhang yun. Buti nalang wala na yung babaeng iyon

(Offstage Mrs. Mendoza is heard calling Francesca, Francesca. Tony and Kikay listen, then
burst into laughter.)

MRS. M : (Appearing in doorway) FrancesOh, Tony, andito ka pa? Francesca,

dont be angry but I couldnt live without it!

TONY : (Moving towards the radio) Si Francesca ho yun, at Patay na si Francesca. Si Kikay
na po yan Aling Atang

MRS. M : (Dazed) But Kikay is Francesca

KIKAY : Oh no, Inay. Hindi ako si FrancescaIm Kikay!

MRS. M : (After gazing from on to the other, throwing her hands up.) I GIVE UP!
(Exits)

(Tony and Kikay burst into laughter. They have turned on the radio. Its playing some silly song.)
KIKAY : (Subsiding) Sorry, darling. (She approaches him.) May I have this jaggingjagging
with you, partner?

TONY : (Bowing) Delighted, Madame. (They dance around the room as the CURTAIN
FALLS.)