A JOURNEY HOME
I've lost many things in this life.
My job is one of them.
At this age? The timing couldn't be worse.
I'm sorry but...
you're way past our employers' age limit.
But I have plenty of experience, see?
Experience. That's great!
Try applying to other agencies.
You might get lucky.
Next!
Has experience lost its value?
Come to think of it, I sometimes wish I could forget the past.
My boss in Taiwan said that it was the crisis that cost me my job.
That there were many others like me, and that it wasn't my fault.
I must look for a job.
Driver.
Construction worker.
Caregiver.
All around.
Obituary EVANGELINE SIMBULAN
"Evangeline Simbulan."
Vangie?
"She is survived by her loving children...
Raffy...
Gayle...
Kristine..."
I have lost many things in this life.
What happened between Vangie and myself, that was all my fault.
Excuse me.
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
Your mom was a very good friend of mine.
And a very strong lady.
Imagine, she raised you on her own?
What happened?
Please take a seat.
It's in the papers.
Kristine?
Take over for a while.
How are you feeling?
You haven't slept for almost three days. You should rest a while.
It's just a headache. I just need a Paracetamol.
You keep taking medicine.
Mama wouldn't like that.
Raff, just leave it alone.
We didn't talk about this.
Who knows who might show up.
Raff, he deserves to know.
Baby, what are you doing over here?
I broke Jake's guitar. I'm afraid he'll get mad.
Well, just say sorry.
- But-- - Just say sorry.
- Are you okay? - Daddy...
I'm sleepy.
Is that so? Let's go sleep in the back.
Come, baby.
- How much is this? - That's 1000.
One thousand?
- This? - Four hundred.
- Can you give it to me for 220? - Three-fifty.
- Two-twenty? - Three twenty.
Come on, will 220 do?
Mister, if you want flowers for free, just go pick some from your neighbor's garden.
Please, just give them to me for 220, I just lost someone.
Sir, all my customers are bereaved.
How about this? How much?
One-fifty. Last bid.
It's tough to bargain, to be pardoned.
How about my children?
Can they forgive me for what I have done?
Do they still remember me?
- Good morning. - Kristine?
No, I'm Gayle.
Dad? I'm glad you could make it.
I read it in the paper.
I hope my presence doesn't bother you.
This is my last chance to see your Mama
to say goodbye and ask forgiveness.
This is Gayle.
I'm Raffy's wife.
Raff is over there.
Thanks for coming.
Raff...
Son. Raffy...
- It's been so long-- - Kidney failure.
It was late detection. The doctors couldn't do anything.
Raffy.
Big-shot, huh?
My kids are here.
Jake and Tinka.
Jake.
So you play guitar.
Yeah, I do.
I'll go back to my friends now.
Okay.
My youngest is at the back, resting.
She got tired from playing.
I didn't know I already have grandchildren.
Dad...
If you are ready to see mom...
Hi, Vangie.
Is it too late for me to ask forgiveness from our children.
And from you.
Where have you been?
Three years, I worked in Japan.
Two years in Hongkong.
Nine years in Taiwan.
Here, I got you something to eat.
- Thanks a lot. - Have a snack first.
What are you doing nowadays?
Looking for a job again.
Really? You should live with us for a while.
There's an employment agency near our house,
and I know somebody who can help you.
Gayle, are you sure that's a good idea?
You don't have to, I don't want to trouble you.
I've already applied to many agencies, I'm sure someone will call.
Dad. Later, I'll introduce you to my husband.
He's into sales. That's why he's always on the phone.
I think he's nice.
I'm sure he's lucky to have you.
So are you coming to live with us?
Let us pray.
Lord God, we are gathered here today
to give thanks that you have blessed us with the life of Evangeline Simbulan.
Lord, we are grateful for her love
and her company, which touched us here on earth.
Lord, we know that her passing has brought sadness to her loved ones.
We are praying for Raffy, Kristine, Gayle and their other loved ones
that despite this loss, Lord God, you will be their source of comfort.
What should I do, Vangie?
When I was abroad, I kept thinking of coming home.
But what if my family won't accept me?
And may our good memories of Evangeline Simbulan will never be forgotten.
I was gone for 20 years.
I abandoned them for 20 years.
For all these, we give you thanks in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
My brothers and sisters, I want to thank all of you for expressing your sympathy
with the relatives of our dearly-departed Evangeline Simbulan.
Pastor, thank you so much for all your support.
Pastor, thanks for the support. Thank you very much.
Don't mention it. We're like family.
But I've noticed that you haven't been coming to church, Raffy.
Are you attending this Sunday?
- We'll see. - Okay, Raffy.
- Thanks again. - No problem.
Raffy...
Thanks again for allowing me to be at your Mama's funeral. I'll be going now.
Wait, Dad, aren't you coming home with us?
I need to go back. They're waiting for me at my house in Pampanga.
The roaches, the lizards, the plants and the other insects.
I'll visit you or we give each other a call.
Okay, we'll be going ahead. Jake, let's go.
Dad, I'm sorry about Raffy.
He still finds it hard to accept what has happened.
That's okay, I understand.
We'll go ahead. Take care.
Thank you so much, Gayle.
Where's Raffy?
I thought you're going with them.
Is he my daughter's husband?
You can stay with us.
I'll just visit you.
Wait.
Wow, you have an impressive phone!
Not really. This is just cheap in Taiwan.
- I'll get your number. - Sure.
My phone may be pretty, but I don't have anyone to text with.
There you go.
Give me a call so I can get your number.
We'll text each other, okay?
Dad, let's see each other again. I don't want to just text.
Of course.
Tinka, please sit properly.
Raff, don't you want to go back for Dad?
What for?
This is your chance.
- It's been 20 years. - Exactly.
He'd been gone for 20 years. That's why I'm perfectly happy--
Sure, Dad. We can all see that.
No work, no family.
What else do I have to live for?
Vangie, what if I just follow you to your grave?
Raff, I'm just worried about you.
You're always angry. You've also stopped going to church.
Maybe if you resolved your issues with your dad--
That's enough. That's enough.
I don't want him in my house and that's final.
Dad.
Dad...
Dad, what now?
Come on, Tinka.
Please come in. Feel at home.
If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.
This is embarrassing. I don't want to be any trouble.
Don't be like that, Dad.
Have a seat.
Dad, we're happy to do this.
We're the ones that should be ashamed. Luckily, these are just minor injuries.
Raffy, do you still play the piano?
Raffy? He doesn't know how to play.
Are you sure? He said that?
Yes. Nobody in this family knows how to play.
It's just part of the decor. I don't even know if it's still in tune.
Really? What a waste.
Dad, maybe you want to rest awhile? You can relax better in Tinka's room.
I'll take you there. Come on.
- Be careful. - Thanks a lot.
Hi, Dad.
Hello. Dad, you can stay here in Tinka's room.
Tinka will sleep in our room.
I can sleep in the sofa.
Dad, that won't do.
Tinka will keep you company for a while.
Tinka, show Grandpa your toys, huh? Okay.
- I'll go ahead. - Thanks a lot.
Raff, come here.
Lend Dad some of your clothes, okay?
Just get him a pair of pajamas. I'll drive him to Pampanga tomorrow.
His wounds will take some time to heal.
And in a couple of days, I'll be bringing him to the employment agency
so he can find a job.
That's okay with you, right?
Here.
Raff, just please give it--
How can you be sure that work is the only thing he's looking for?
What if he wants to stay with us for good?
You take care of that.
Hold on. Why are you blaming this on me?
Who caused the accident? You did.
Grandpa, will you die too?
Why do you ask?
Because I had another grandpa who died, and then my grandma died.
If I'm going to die, I hope it's not soon.
Because I've just met you.
And I want to be with you for a long time.
Okay, I'll pray to Jesus so that you won't die soon.
Make sure to speak loud enough for Jesus to hear.
It's not the volume of the voice that counts.
Mommy said Jesus has a plan for all of us.
If Jesus wills it, he'll give you what you want.
Tinka. Let's go, time to brush your teeth.
Say goodnight to Granpa.
Goodnight. Goodnight.
Goodnight. Oh, careful.
Just kidding. Goodnight.
Let's brush your teeth.
Clothes.
Thanks.
Raffy...
...wait, I just want to tell you something.
Brief.
Could you lend me a pair of briefs?
Thanks for coming to Grandma's wake.
I like...
It's Anna. It's Anna.
Hello? Hello, Anna?
You have a party?
Birthday? It's your birthday?
Happy birthday.
Okay. My band can play at your party.
Okay, I'll practice right now.
Goodnight.
Jake.
How will you get a girlfriend if you behave like this?
Jake...
"Could you lend me a pair of briefs?"
What kind of apology is that?
Oh my goodness.
I have a message.
"How are you, Dad?
Hope you are fine."
Okay, let's go.
Oh, wait, baby, come here. What did Mommy say?
Finish your snack and be a good girl in school, okay?
Kiss Mommy.
- Bye-bye, Grandpa. - Tinka let's go, we're going to be late.
Be careful. Drive safely.
- Bye, Mom. - See you.
Bye.
Dad, let's go.
We have a lot to do.
Which of these clothes can dad use.
I wonder if this'll do. Blue.
Dad, try these on. They're Raffy's shirts.
These look expensive. What are they for?
We're going somewhere.
Somewhere?
Okay, thanks a lot.
Come on. Even my son's clothes doesn't like me.
I feel like I'm just squeezing myself into this.
What are you looking at?
Dad, come on.
Game. I'm ready.
Let's go. That shirt is a bit tight, isn't it?
A bit.
Dad.
Excuse me, is Auntie Nenita here?
Ma'am, please take a seat while I call her.
- Thank you. - Okay.
Dad, have a seat.
You have nothing to worry about. Auntie Nenita is really nice.
She's the one in this placement agency who'II direct you to a job opening.
I hope so.
Dad, don't fret.
You can do this. This is you we're talking about.
You are all so brilliant. You make me so proud.
Okay. So...
You're the next one?
- Auntie. - Hi.
Hello, Gayle.
- Auntie. - Come in. Come in.
Hello. Thank you for your time.
- Thanks, thanks. - He's the one I was talking to you about.
He's Raffy's Dad, Daddy Dante.
- Dad, have a seat. - Hi, ma'am.
Just call me Nenita.
- Hi, Nenita. - Sit, sit.
I told you Auntie Nenita's real nice.
So you're Dante.
You know, I'm a widow.
My husband died. He's now with God in heaven.
What's your story? Tell me something about yourself.
Like, for example, what type of work do you prefer?
- I can do anything, ma'am. - Ma'am? We're the same age, you know.
I'm sorry, ma'am.
What I meant was sorry.
You even look younger than I am.
Oh, you're so witty.
I'm really a musician by heart. My father and I used to sell pianos.
When I was 7, someone borrowed money from my dad
and offered a piano as collateral.
The owner never got his piano back. So I learned to play the piano.
How nice.
Dad, you haven't told us that.
You know, Jake is musically inclined too.
He loves to play with his band.
But Raffy hates music.
- Emmy? - Yes, Sir Raffy?
Can you take notes at the meeting?
Okay, no problem.
- Let's begin. - Raffy, we're in trouble.
Mr. Lopez's lawyers are hounding us again.
Our loan is long overdue. If we can't pay--
Then we lose our company.
Everything. All these.
I can think of only one solution.
We need to be aggressive in our collection.
Give them an ultimatum. They have to meet our deadlines.
After this meeting, call all of our clients.
- Okay, Sir Raffy. - Okay.
What about loan restructuring?
Let us waive the interests so they can pay us their loans.
In turn, we can use these collections to pay Mr. Lopez.
No, they have to pay interest.
Obligations must be met.
This is what we will do, Dante.
I will search our files for a good opening
that best fits your background, okay?
Thank you.
Here it is.
Fill-up this form.
Okay.
Then, get an appointment for a medical exam.
Dad, that's perfect. There's a hospital near the house.
- I'll take you there. - Thanks a lot.
So I am not over-aged?
Dad, you're still strong. You can do it, Dad.
Of course, especially with that muscular body of yours.
Oh, stop joking.
Age? That's nothing.
It's just a number.
If ever we encounter a slight problem,
the Lord will take care of it.
He will find the right job for you.
Thank you very much, really.
Gayle, my son is so lucky to have you.
You are just pulling my leg, Dad.
Who says I'm joking?
You're not just pretty, you are also very caring.
This is so embarrassing, you're too kind.
It's nothing.
Maybe it's because I miss my dad. He died two years ago.
It seems like he was a good father.
You know, Dad, I believe that there was a time
when you were also a good father to Raffy and Kristine.
I don't think they can remember any of the good things I've done.
I owe my family so much.
I want to make up for my shortcomings but I don't know where to start.
Sometimes, I ask myself, "Why should I bother?"
I'll probably end up failing all over again.
Dad, don't give up.
I'll help you.
Our meeting with the employment agency was a success.
Auntie Nenita was impressed.
She said she's confident that she can give Dad a placement.
That's good.
That probably means that your visitor will leave this house soon.
Dad, we have a gig on Friday.
- It's Anna's birthday. - Gig?
You have a band? I also had a band in my day.
Jake...
We've talked about this. No gigs until you improve your grades.
By the way, how are your grades?
Jake! Where do you think you're going?
What? Do you want me to encourage this kind of behavior?
I want my children to grow up to be responsible adults.
I'm finished.
I was looking for you.
I needed some air.
- Did you drink medicine again? - It's only Paracetamol.
Raff, you can't stop me from worrying about you.
Your headache seems to be getting worse.
It's been toxic at the office.
Is that the real reason?
You're already living with your dad under the same roof.
Why can't you bring yourself to talk to him?
He wants to ask for forgiveness, but you're not giving him a chance.
Gayle, this is between me and my dad.
So, this is not your concern.
How is it not my concern, Raffy?
Until you can let go of your anger towards your dad,
your family will continue to suffer.
Why can't you just let it go?
You're the only one who keeps insisting that I have to change.
If you don't want us to fight, just leave me alone.
Please?
He doesn't understand. My dad hates music.
I'm so glad my parents are abroad. I can do whatever I want.
-Anything? -Anything and everything.
- So have you had a boyfriend before? - What do you think?
Wait a sec. There's somebody at the door.
Open the door. Text you later, bye.
- Grandpa? - Jake, mind if I borrow your guitar?
Sure. Come in, Grandpa.
Okay. Thanks.
Grandpa...
Looks like it's out of tune.
It is. It fell and hit the corner.
I don't know how to fix it.
So that's the way to fix it.
It's okay now. Isn't it, Grandpa?
There, it's fixed.
- Thanks. - No problem.
I'll give it a go.
Come here, Jake.
Listen to this.
I think it's broken.
Really?
Let's see.
Raffy and I were so close before.
If I didn't make those mistakes in the past, we'd still be like this today.
Grandpa, you're good at this.
Is it okay?
Some keys are off, it's a bit old.
It's good that you like music. Daddy doesn't.
That's why he doesn't want me to be in a band.
You know, your daddy has a secret.
It's late, Jake. You should go to bed.
I'll go ahead, Grandpa.
Raffy, do you still know how?
I made myself forget.
He turned his back on music because I turned my back on him.
If I leave, would he finally be happy?
Will he be at peace?
I'll miss you. Take care of my granddaughter.
"If today you hear the voice of God, harden not your hearts.
Good p.m."
Why is there a stain on your shirt?
That iPod again.
- Raffy, take care. - Bye, Mommy.
Bye-bye.
Dad, where are you off to?
I'm going back to the province.
It's embarrassing because I've overstayed my welcome.
If only I don't eat so much.
See how my belly has grown?
Dad, have you told your grandchildren? And Raffy?
I was hoping you'd be the one to tell them.
Dad, the kids will be sad if you don't say your goodbyes.
And didn't we have a deal about Raffy?
Dad, wait.
Okay, how about this...?
I'll take you to your medical exam
and when we come back, we can talk about your going home to Pampanga.
Is that okay?
Later, I'll be saying goodbye to my grandchildren.
I don't want to stay if Raffy doesn't want me there.
What is taking so long?
I have to pee.
- Urine sample please. - Perfect.
Where did I come from?
Right?
Or left?
Right? Left?
Left.
My daughter's husband...
With another woman.
There. Slow down in front of that man.
Go straight, driver.
I knew it.
I knew there's something weird going on with that boy.
I wanted to send him straight to the morgue.
Driver, take a right here.
Dad, are you okay?
Yeah.
How...?
How will I tell this to Kristine?
I don't want her family to be like ours.
Dad, we're too late. It looks like she already knows.
What on earth can I say to make her feel better?
I'm sorry. All men are alike.
We refuse to be content with one woman.
We're despicable.
God, what right do I have to talk now?
He called me a while ago.
He said it's better if I heard it from him.
This is not the first time.
He said he'd stop but...
What do you plan to do?
I don't know.
I feel like somebody kicked me in the gut.
I never thought Henry would do this, and with my friend, no less.
Kristine, I think, maybe you should talk it over
before making decisions you might regret in the end.
I don't think I can talk to him.
I'm really sorry.
I'm sorry.
It's been a while since I prayed.
If I ask for another chance, will God hear me in heaven?
Where do I get the nerve to ask him for anything?
After all I've done.
You're Gayle's father-in-law, am I right?
- Mr. Dante? - That's me.
- Do you know how to play? - It used to be my hobby.
You're just in time. A new choral piece just came in for next month.
Maybe you can play for us?
I'm too embarrassed. I haven't had practice in a long time.
And I'm getting old, my fingers are becoming stiff.
The piece is simple. Try it.
What do you want to hear first, Sir Raff?
- Good news or bad news? - Your choice.
Well, according to my computation,
we can pay 40 percent of our loan this month.
Good work, Emmy. Good work.
Sir Raff?
Sorry. I'm just so happy.
- But there's a problem. - What?
Our collection agents said that our clients are deep in debt.
They were also affected by the recession so their businesses are down.
That's not any of our concern, Emmy.
There's some ways to--
They are aware of their obligations to our company.
We can't save them from their commitments.
Emmy, I can't go soft now.
There's just too much at stake here. Okay?
This is your business. I'll do whatever you decide.
Loan restructuring is out of the question.
They have to pay us what they owe.
You can do it.
Good, good.
Will you be busy today, Mr. Dante?
Why do you ask, pastor?
Our pianist is sick. Would you like to play during rehearsals?
If this were any other place, I would say yes without a second thought,
but here, I don't think so.
I just can't do it.
- Why is that? - This song is for him, right?
Yes, it's for the Lord. But why do you hesitate?
The doors of this church are open to all.
You just say that, pastor,
because you don't know what I've been doing my entire life.
But the Lord knows.
He may even have sent you here to be able to feel his presence.
There are many things left unresolved inside me.
I don't know how I could face him.
If not now, when?
When will you be able to say that you've changed enough
to have the courage to face him?
Pastor, all I know is that I need more time.
My dad, he can still play very well.
Dante is really good.
- Excuse me. - Okay.
What about you, can you still sing?
Fly a kite, catch a dragonfly
Count the stars at nighttime
Draw an image
From a dream
Play with colors in the sunrise
Lolo is really good with the piano, Mom.
Especially when the keys are working.
But you play guitar better.
You're so good, that even the choir took you in.
Mom, you should see him play.
I wouldn't miss it.
Yeah. Mommy, lets go,
Daddy will come too.
Of course. I'll go there after work.
Are we expecting someone?