When was she born?
THE MAID
I remembered the beginning.
I was only 18.
I had never been away from home before.
I was so frightened,
to be suddenly alone in a strange, new city,
far away from my friends and family.
When I was a small girl,
my mother used to say to me,
some day you will leave this place and see the world.
I did not believe her then,
but here I am, in Singapore,
a place I have always heard about.
The buildings,
the beautiful streets.
Everything is so clean and wonderful.
This was my new home and the start of my new life.
And I remember telling myself,
there is really nothing to frightened of.
Good afternoon sir. Good afternoon ma'am.
My name is Rosa Dimaano.
Did you win big time?
Nope.
How could you not have won?
No wonder,
three against one.
Your new maid? Very pretty.
You should be wary of pretty maids.
Don't talk nonsense.
I'm calling!
Old Zhang,
if you are ever dissatisfied with your maid,
You can always send her to me.
You daredevil.
If you take her home, your wife will kill you.
Rosa, don't let them frighten you.
They are all my friends.
Who's the one frightening her?
Your English is scary enough.
You mean your English is great?
We perform Chinese opera.
Our group is very old and very famous.
You know Chinese opera?
Come, let's sing something.
Some music please.
Before the month of May...
Do you like it?
Next time I'll teach you.
Game!
What luck! You are always winning.
Old Zhang,
Old Zhang, don't forget about rehearsals the day after tomorrow.
I am not senile yet.
Last chance.
Do you want to take her home?
Stop the idle banter.
Your wife is waiting for you.
Goodbye, Luan.
Goodbye. Take care.
Put the box down.
Today is the first day of the Chinese Seventh Month,
also called the Hungry Ghost Month.
At the beginning of the Seventh Month, the Hell Gate opens
and all the hungry ghosts come out.
Also during the Seventh Month, we Chinese don't do many things.
When we go swimming, we come home before the sky is dark.
And one thing you must remember.
If you walk alone,
and someone calls out to you, don't turn back.
What happens if I turn back?
Stop talking like that. Don't frighten her.
Eat.
Nice?
Eat more, eat more.
How old are you?
18 years old.
Your father and mother are in the Philippines?
They died a long time ago.
I live with my uncle and my brother in Bicol.
Your brother,
how old is he?
7 years old
I am sorry, ma'am!
I am so sorry!
Never mind, never mind.
It's dirty. Throw it away.
I will make another one for you.
Come, come in.
This is your room.
Tomorrow morning, sir and I will go out.
You stay at home, ok?
Yes, ma'am.
It's late. Go and sleep.
Calling all spirits,
help yourself to this money.
You go your way and I'll go mine.
Please leave us alone.
Luan, we need more paper money. Go get more.
Ah soon!
Don't be afraid.
This is my son. He's like a small boy.
I think he wants to give you a present.
Why do you give people a dirty thing like that?
Ok, stop fooling around. Let's go in.
Let's go.
Sir and I are unlucky.
We had a baby too late in our lives.
When Ah Soon was born,
the doctor said there was something wrong with his head.
Other people's children grow up,
go to school,
get married,
have their own babies.
But my Ah Soon,
He will always remain a small boy.
Go and change.
Yes, ma'am.
What is it, Ah Soon?
What's that?
Ok,
now what?
Pretty!
Ah Soon, stop playing. Time for bed.
Ah Soon, come to bed.
Don't want to sleep.
Pretty!
It's late already. Don't be a nuisance.
Don't want to sleep.
Ah Soon, be good.
Come to bed.
Rosa,
it's late, go and sleep.
Why did you sweep that?
Cannot!
That was meant for the ghosts!
You can't step on it and you must never touch it!
It will bring you bad luck!
I'm sorry, ma'am.
So sorry, sorry. She's not aware.
Please forgive her.
Please bless and protect my family.
She's not aware. Please forgive her
Please don't be mad.
Rosa,
are you ok?
Darling,
my darling,
you'll be successful some day.
All officials will flatter you.
Your family fortunes will grow,
and you will prosper.
When you take part in the imperial examinations,
everyone far and near will come to congratulate you.
The gong sounds once, then twice.
Guns will sound throughout the city,
Your family fortunes will grow,
and you will prosper.
When you take part in the imperial examinations,
everyone far and near will come to congratulate you.
Good morning, sir.
Excuse me.
Where is the nearest mailbox?
I don't have a stamp.
Thank you.
I don't have money now but I can pay you later.
Our Father, who are in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
You don't have a stamp.
Go get one from the drawer.
Thank you, sir.
Where did you go?
I'm sorry. I went to post a letter.
How do you know where the postbox is?
I asked the mailman.
You cannot talk to strangers.
Next time you want to post letters, I will post for you.
This is your first time in Singapore.
You don't know what kind of people are out there.
People may cheat you.
Do you understand?
Yes, ma'am.
Further more, it's the Hungry Ghost Month now.
You must be careful.
Later, sir and I are going out. You come and help us.
Yes, ma'am.
Watch it.
Is everything loaded?
Yes.
Rosa,
take this.
This road is no good.
Bad luck.
Come.
People try to frighten me
with all kinds of stories about the Chinese Seventh Month.
Scary stories about death, hell and hungry ghosts.
But I wasn't scared.
For me,
this was something new.
It's almost time. Hurry.
This costume is beautiful! You are really skilful.
Start the drums.
Come on, you flatter me.
It's time.
Start the drums.
The show is going to start.
You go and watch.
My lady, please take care. I'm leaving.
Why are you in my wife's seat?
Rosa, come here.
You cannot sit there.
The first row is reserved for the ghosts.
You shouldn't sit there.
You have nothing to do? You go home first.
Do you know the way back?
Yes, sir.
Can you please help me get my ball?
Please.
When the Chinese Seventh Month start,
the Hell Gate opens
and all the hungry ghosts will come out.
It's the Hungry Ghost Month now, you must be careful.
Take me home.
De Ming, why did you leave us?
De Ming...
What is there left for father and mother now?
Who's there?
Can you please help me get my ball?
Leave me alone!
Rosa?
Rosa!
What happened?
Get up.
Go and sit down.
Sit down. What happened?
Don't cry.
Rosa, what happened?
Ma'am.
Don't be afraid. Tell us what happened.
Ghosts!
I see ghosts!
I'm not lying. I really saw them.
They are all around in the streets.
Looks like she has offended something.
Rosa,
you listen to me carefully.
It is the Chinese Seventh Month now.
It's the Ghost Month.
I think you did something wrong.
Old people say,
when you do something wrong during the Seventh Month,
you will get bad luck
and see ghosts.
But don't worry. Seventh Month lasts only 30 days.
It will end soon.
But the old folks also say,
if you leave the ghosts alone, they will leave you alone.
If I leave them alone, they will leave me alone?
Yes, so don't worry.
You have a letter.
Thank you, ma'am.
What should we do?
Don't worry.
Burn some paper offerings tomorrow, things should be fine.
Wonder what she offended.
Bayani!
What happened, Rosa?
My brother...
he is very sick
and my uncle says they have no more money for medicine.
Ok. Don't cry.
Ma'am will lend you the money first.
I know you are here barely a month.
But never mind.
I will give you your salary for the first month.
You can send the money home.
Thank you, ma'am.
Don't cry.
Ah Soon!
No!
You can't eat that!
Ah Soon is hungry.
Come,
you want something to eat?
Ah Soon is hungry.
Come.
Thank you very much.
Come. Let's go.
Destiny has separated us.
May we reunite in the next life.
Destiny has separated us.
May we reunite in the next life.
Leave me alone.
Your noodles.
Can I have two bowls of noodles, please?
Are you blind?
Irritating! Ah Soon is upset!
Never mind.
Ah Soon is upset!
Never mind.
Do you want chicken rice?
Ah Soon!
Boy, come.
Come.
Come sit here.
Sit here.
Why do you look so sad?
It's late, why aren't you home?
It's the Seventh Month, aren't you afraid of ghosts?
Want to read a comic?
Granny, how old are you?
I'm 72.
72 already? Old Granny, old Granny!
I have a grandson. He's about your age.
I used to bring him out for walks.
But I can't do that anymore.
I really miss him.
Granny,
please don't cry.
Granny, please don't cry.
Granny, the evening paper please.
It's you again.
Ten o'clock already.
Little boy,
granny has to go.
Come.
Ah Soon, where did you go?
Granny, Granny. She's gone!
Let's go!
I am so frightened.
I want to tell someone.
But nobody would hear me.
I am alone.
And I must be brave.
I must be brave.
If it pours, nobody will come to the show.
Have you bought lottery yet?
No, tonight it's the Toto draw, not lottery.
I see.
Rosa.
Rosa, are you ok?
I'm fine, ma'am.
I did not sleep well last night.
Ma'am... ma'am...
Who are you looking for?
Yes, she will be arriving this Thursday,
Mr. Tan, I will call you back later.
Ok...ok...stop crying.
Better go in now.
Don't let your imagination run wild.
Most importantly, your ma'am treats you well.
You should just focus on working hard for her.
(Esther Santos)
You tramp, how dare you cheat me!
Come! Deal out the punishment!
You tramp, how dare you cheat me!
(Esther Santos)
It is so dark and quiet in here.
But I can't sleep.
I keep thinking of my family;
how far away I am from them.
What are they doing right now?
Are they all asleep,
or wide awake like me?
If only I can find a way to tell them I'm alright,
that I am still with them.
They must not forget me.
Bayani!
Bayani...
You naughty boy.
Hey, stop it!
Esther, Esther!
Ah Soon,
Ah Soon.
Ah Soon!
Who is Esther?
You are Esther.
Who are you?
Why are you following me?
Wait!
Why are you so frightened of me?
Why did you run away from me?
What is your name?
Wati.
I am Rosa.
Rosa.
Why are you wearing Esther's clothes?
Esther wore this the last time I saw her.
I remember.
I bought this for her.
From far,
you look very much like Esther.
Who is Esther?
You don't know?
No.
You ask your ma'am.
Wati!
Eat, eat, eat.
Are you ok?
I'm ok, ma'am.
Then eat.
Are you sick?
Come. Eat more.
Thank you, ma'am.
Esther.
It's late, still not in bed yet?
Ma'am,
who is Esther?
(Esther Santos)
Two years ago, Esther worked here.
Like you,
she was a very good girl,
very hardworking.
Sir and I liked her very much.
Ah Soon also liked her very much.
We were like one big happy family.
Then,
one day, she went missing.
Nobody knew where she went.
Sir called the police.
They, too, had no idea where she went.
The police told us
that many Filipino maids are like her.
They find a boyfriend here
and then they run away.
We never told you this
because we don't want you to be like Esther.
We want you to stay here,
work hard and be part of our family.
Do you understand, Rosa?
Please mail this for me, ma'am.
It's late. Go and sleep.
Good night, ma'am.
Good night.
So you asked your ma'am about Esther?
Yes.
What did she say?
She said Esther probably met a man and ran away.
I don't believe that.
Esther was a very good girl.
Her father in the Philippines was sick.
Esther needed money.
Every month she must send money home.
She never had any boyfriend.
I don't believe she ran away.
Don't be frightened.
Don't be frightened. Hush.
Don't be frightened.
Mummy is here, don't cry.
Since young, Ah Soon doesn't like mirrors.
When he sees his own face, he gets frightened.
Where did you find the mirror?
You told us that your brother is sick,
that you need money.
We helped you and gave you money.
Now I wonder why we helped you.
I'm sorry, ma'am.
Don't you want to work here?
You want to be like Esther and run away, right?
No, ma'am.
I'd better send you back to Philippines.
No, ma'am, please!
I'm sorry, ma'am...
Time is running out for me.
I don't know what to do anymore.
The gates will close soon.
Why were you driving so fast?
Young man,
I have to arrive at the cemetery before twelve noon.
Why?
After twelve noon, the sun begins tilting to one side of the sky.
When its light hits the coffin,
the coffin's shadow will fall on the ground.
It's bad luck to have the shadow fall on you.
Besides, it's the Chinese Seventh Month now,
better be careful.
Let's go. Quick!
Wati.
Can you remember when Esther disappeared?
Last year, about now.
Why?
Wati!
Sometimes
during the Seventh Month,
strange things happen.
We cannot understand these kind of things.
We can only accept.
So now you know what death is like.
But do you know how cold and dark it is here?
I have been taling to you for so long, Rosa.
And now,
you finally hear me.
I am free.
But I shall not rest until I take their souls with me.
Please mail this for me, ma'am.
Next time you want to post letters, I will post for you.
You are Esther.
From far, you look very much like Esther.
Like you, she is a very good girl.
(Esther Santos)
Esther.
Come, eat.
Slowly, eat slowly.
I know what happened to Esther.
Darling!
Oh, darling, my darling,
you'll be successful some day.
All officials will flatter you.
Your family fortunes will grow.
What do you want from me?
We had no choice, Rosa.
Ah Soon didn't know what he was doing.
He liked Esther very much.
They were like two children together.
But sometimes we forget that Ah Soon is a man.
Shameful rascal, put on your pants!
Put on your pants quickly!
Esther, come.
Stay away, Ah Soon.
Come, come, Esther.
Stay away!
Come, come, come.
Don't play with knives!
Chinese people believe many things.
One of our beliefs is that
dead people can also get married.
Since young, Ah Soon doesn't like mirrors.
When he sees his own face, he is frightened.
After Esther died,
Ah Soon followed.
We thought we had lost our only son.
But on the first day of this Seventh Month,
Ah Soon came back.
Looking for Esther.
Mummy!
Dead man
can marry dead woman.
But the woman, before she dies,
she must say yes.
No, ma'am.
All my life,
sir and I
have been waiting for Ah Soon to get married.
No, ma'am.
No.
No, ma'am!
Say yes, Rosa.
Say yes!
You have a registered letter for Miss Rosa Dimaano.
She's not in.
She's not in!
You can sign for her.
Thank you.
Rosa,
if you help us, we will help you.
I know that your brother is very sick in the Philippines.
You see,
if you say yes,
we will help bring your brother to Singapore.
The doctors here are very good.
They will save him.
He will be ok and grow up.
We will send him to school
and make sure he has a good life.
Rosa,
Do you think that by working as a maid,
you can make enough money to save him?
Help us, Rosa.
Help us, Rosa, help us to help you.
It's time!
Ah Soon come home!
We've arranged for you to get married.
Be at peace.
My bride, my bride.
Ah Soon,
be good.
Go upstairs.
Your bride will be ready soon.
Old man,
our dream is finally coming true.
After waiting for so long, the day has finally come.
Thanks to our ancestors.
Ah Soon has a bride...
Father,
No!
Quick!
Father!
Why do you have to kill Esther?
Ah Soon,
listen to your father!
No! No!
Ah Soon, listen to me!
You don't understand!
She must die before becoming your bride!
No! No!
Old man! Old man!
Help me!
Listen to me, Luan!
Hurry!
This is the last day of the Seventh Month!
The Gates of Hell will close soon!
Rosa must die! She must die today!
Quick!
No!
Quick!
Old man! No!
She must die! Quick!
It is done.
Bayani!
I am contented.
And, now, Rosa.
Take me home.
Quick!
Here's your passport.
Have a safe trip back. Bye!
A month ago, I came to Singapore.
I came here to see the world.
But I ended up looking into
the darkest and saddest part of a human heart.
Here, my journey ends.
I am finally going back.
So is another girl,
who has been away from home for a long, long time.
Every year for thirty days during the Lunar Seventh Month, the Chinese believe
that the gates of hell are thrown open. Vengeful spirits or hungry ghosts wander
among the living, seeking revenge and justice before the gates of hell are
closed again for another year.