Take it,
take care of it,
put it in a cage,
and love it.
Love it with all your heart.
But if it wants to leave,
if it wants to fly far away,
don't stop it.
Let it go.
Let it fly.
Because if it truly loves you,
it will come back to you.
At the count of ten, you should all hide again.
One...
Two...
- It's hard, isn't it? - Three...
But I learned about it at a young age.
The liberating kind of love.
Come on, Tatang.
Why did you startle me?
We're playing a game.
I'm playing too.
- Dad's going to join us. - Yes, I am.
You didn't say anything.
- You didn't say anything. - Now he's it.
- Kids! - Hey, it's Mom.
Hey, Rona.
My U.S. visa has been approved.
I can now work in the U.S.A.!
Your mother will be living stateside.
Dear, I hope you will understand.
Once all my documents in the U.S. are in order,
once I get a job,
I will petition for you, your dad and Tiffany to join me.
What's a petition?
It means you will ask the country's government for permission
to allow you all to live there with me.
That's my dream, dear,
for all of us to live there together.
Why?
Because life is easier there.
Unlike here, no matter how hard your father and I work,
we're still not getting anywhere.
Unlike there. Life there is easier.
We will have a comfortable life there, dear.
Do you promise to come back right away, Nanang?
I promise, dear.
This pigeon of yours, if you take care of it,
it will learn to love you.
So even if you set it free,
it will still come back to you.
Just like my love for all of you.
No matter where I go, I will still come back.
Remember this dear,
if they love you, they will come back to you.
If they love you, they will come back to you.
Take care of yourself, okay?
If you think you can't do it anymore,
come home right away.
Dear.
It's time to say goodbye.
Take care of our pigeon, okay?
You mean, Pampu?
- Is that his name? - Yes.
If you don't come back right away,
Dad and I will make him into an appetizer.
You're so like your father.
All right.
You take care.
- Take care of the kids. - Yes, I will.
Nanang...
I will come back, okay?
Be a good girl, dear, okay?
All right, dear. It's time for me to go.
- Come here. - No, don't go.
Come here, dear.
I am Pampu.
Please return me to #46 Matapat St., Diliman, Quezon City.
There we go.
- Here's your home. - There we go.
There's dad.
Kids, your mother sent something.
What is it?
Here it is, a postcard.
Let me see.
Look at it.
Mom is missing us.
But, that's not all.
Wait a minute.
Hold on.
- No peeking. - All right.
- Hold on. - Come on.
- Can we open them? - Don't cheat.
Keep your eyes close. Just a minute.
Open it, hurry.
- Here it is. - There we go.
So many chocolates, look.
Look at this.
- It's a calendar. - Yes, it is.
It's the golden gate.
Nanay.
I miss you.
Tatang!
Pampu is missing.
Tatang, what happened?
- Leah... - What is it, Tatang?
It's about your mom.
Her co-worker from the U.S. sent a letter.
What did they say? Is mom coming home?
Your mother was in an accident.
She's gone.
You're mother's gone.
But mom promised us, right?
She promised she will come home. She promised us.
But what if the one you love,
what if that bird suddenly got lost
and couldn't find the way home?
And even if it wants to, it can't return anymore?
I'm sorry, dear.
The paperwork needed to bring your mother's body home
are too complicated.
Not to mention it's too expensive. I can't afford it.
So they said it's much simpler to just bury her body there.
Champion! Bullseye!
Jiggs, look what you did.
You broke its wings. It can't fly now.
Then it's ours now.
Wait, you might hurt it.
Why are you so kind to it? Are you a bird?
It belongs to someone. Look, it even has a name.
There's even an address.
Let's treat its wounds.
Poor bird. It's badly wounded.
And once it's healed, let's take it back to its house.
Let's just ask grandma to cook it.
- Lola, cook this bird! - Don't!
- Come on! - No!
- What are you doing? - Clark, Jiggs, are you fighting?
Tita Ofie, Clark is being selfish. I just want to see his dove.
That's enough. Your mother's on the phone.
Overseas calls are expensive. Hurry up and talk to her.
Someone once told me that love is like a bird.
- But I hope it's not just any bird. - Are you its owner?
Yes, where did you find him?
Come on, you will be late for your flight.
I think, if you're going to love...
I have to go.
Love the way a dove loves.
Who is he?
What's his name?
- Didn't his mother call him? - His name is Mekeni?
Maybe.
Thank you, Mekeni.
That's true love.
Ready to say goodbye,
ready to let go.
Because you know that no matter how many times it leaves,
it will keep coming back.
Maybe not as quick as you want,
but it will come back.
It may leave again, yes,
but what matters is,
it will come back.
Don't look tensed.
The consul might think you have other reasons for going to the U.S.
We've already submitter our invitation for our choir to compete
at the International Youth Chorale Competition in San Francisco.
Just my grandma and my cousin.
I will wait for you during your break.
Mom will have a small party at the house later.
We will celebrate the approval of my U.S. citizenship.
Be there, okay?
Okay, Denzel, I will try.
But I still have work later for Mrs. Azwell.
I think I will be done by 1 a.m.
When will you be a U.S. citizen, Clark?
I already applied.
But it might take two more years.
You have an American father like me. It will be easy for you.
Easy for you.
Because your father accepted you wholeheartedly.
But me?
Mom, look at our house,
the fruit of your labor in the States.
Although it's a bit old,
it's beautiful to me.
Oh, I brought you something. Come here.
- Have you eaten? - Yes.
- How was school, huh? - Let's all go inside.
It's a shame the bank foreclosed on our house.
Give it your best, okay?
- It's a good thing you came. - Leah's here, guys.
Is that the arc we're using for the Santacruzan procession?
- Yes, that's it. - It isn't finished, is it?
- Because these people are slow and lazy. - And they tire so easily.
You have to add more people, ma'am. We can't finish this by ourselves.
Oh, I know. Leave it to me.
Hey, neighbors.
Hey, neighbors, Ms. Bebeng!
Come up here and help us finish the arc!
Well, that's much better.
- Come over here. - We can finish this.
Constituents, let's move this forward!
Let's make this the best Santacruzan procession ever.
How can we make this the best Santacruzan
when we don't even have a Helena of Constantinople yet?
You mean you're her? Is there anyone else?
We have to choose someone really beautiful.
Who's available?
We need someone beautiful, pleasing to the eyes...
Well, captain...
Someone tall and beautiful? Well, Tiffany would be perfect.
Oh, she would be.
Why? What's this about?
You will be the perfect Helena of Constantinople.
Will you stop this nonsense? I'm already a mother.
I can't be doing that anymore.
But we need someone beautiful, a beauty-queen-type like you.
And her escort should be no other than...
- Who? - None other than my son, Tolayts.
Am I right, huh?
Well, me, I can't do this anymore.
What about Leah? She's beautiful and perfect, right, Tolayts?
Tiffany, Tolayts always agrees to whatever you say.
Well, Tiffany has a point, doesn't she? So do you all agree?
Leah, you will be Helena of Constantinople!
Tolayts, just put Gabby's stuff over there, okay?
Thanks for picking him up.
- What happened to Mr. Sol? - I don't know.
Mr. Sol?
Mr. Sol!
Oh, Mr. Sol... Weren't you guys even startled?
Oh, goodness, Tolayts,
my dad has been doing that since we were kids.
We're used to it.
Tolayts, you're the only one grandpa can fool with that.
It looks like it.
Well, I will go ahead now.
Bye, Tolayts.
Oh, my goodness, Tatang.
Why are you scrimping on your medicine? Your blood pressure might spike up again.
And, Tatang, you haven't been back to your doctor, have you?
Well, because he wants to do a lot of tests on me.
They're all expensive and useless.
I'm expecting a lot of money from the sale of my beauty products.
You can use it for the tests.
And me, Tatang, I have savings.
- Wait, let me get-- - Hey, wait a minute
You're both overreacting.
I'm doing fine, okay? And I don't need your money.
Oh, by the way,
how did your interview at the embassy go?
I was approved, Tatang.
- Really? - Yes.
- Congratulations, dear. - You can go to the States now.
That's great!
Leah, I know you and Jiggs have been planning this for a long time now.
Don't do any funny business over there, okay?
- You're still young. - Hey, Leah, I'm a single mom.
It's a difficult life. Don't follow my footsteps.
Oh, goodness, Manang, Tatang, stop worrying.
I will behave, promise.
Hey, Mr. Jiggs.
Hey, Lalabs.
Mr. Sol, Miss Tiffany, good afternoon to you.
Can we talk?
I waited for you outside the embassy earlier.
What happened to you?
I went home.
I was frustrated, because I was denied again.
I've been denied by those consults so many times.
Lalabs, there's still next time.
Like you said, just keep applying until you're approved.
So just try again. There's nothing wrong with that.
I just think it's a waste you won't be able to use your VISA.
Huh? Why?
I was denied, remember?
So you're going without me? Is that it?
Leah, our plan is to go together, remember?
We will both work there together even if we start as illegal immigrants.
We promised to stick together. So why are you leaving me now?
Lalabs, we can still do that.
- I'm just going ahead of you. - No.
Jiggs, don't be like this.
I can't miss that contest.
Besides, you know it's been my dream since we were kids, right?
And what about me? So it's okay to leave me, is that it?
But you said you will be going anyway, remember?
You said you're been petitioned by your mom.
But that will take time, Leah. We won't see each other for years.
I don't want a long distance relationship.
So you have to make a choice.
The States or me?
What did you say, Jiggs?
Are you deaf?
I'm serious, Leah.
The moment you step on that plane, we're done.
So answer me now. Are you going to the States?
What? You're not going to answer?
Fine, then we're done, okay?
- Hi, Lola. - Oh, hello, Clark.
So how are you doing over there?
I'm okay, Lola.
Oh, really?
Kuya!
How are my cute siblings?
Well, Kuya, we're been studying hard.
Aren't you on vacation now?
Well, yes, Kuya,
but Jordan and I studying our lessons in advance.
So once school starts, we already know them.
Really? Wow, you're both so diligent.
Because Jenny and I want to become valedictorians,
so your hard work over there won't go to waste, Kuya.
Hard work? Who's having hard time?
Wow, Kuay, really? You're not having a hard time?
- We don't believe you. - Wait a minute, it's my turn now.
Clark, I want to ask you something.
Are you taking good care of yourself? You seem to be losing weight?
It's because I've been working out.
But you, Lola, you look great.
Hey, wait a minute.
We're talking to your cousin. Come here.
Your cousin's here.
Hey, Jiggs, how are you?
I'm fine, Clark.
Jiggs is still not replying. He's also not answering my calls.
He's still mad.
So, what else is new?
You fight and make up.
You fight then you break up.
You say sorry,
then you get back together.
Aren't you tired of it yet?
Clark, please.
You're a Filipino. Can you just speak in Tagalog, please?
You're just trying to act cool.
- How is--? - You know Clark, I'm busy.
Let's talk some other time.
I don't know, Manang.
I thought he'd support me
because he knows I've always dreamed of going to the States.
To fulfill mom's dream for us.
That's the reason we got along well. I thought...
I thought it was his dream too.
Oh, Leah.
Guys like that?
They're meant to be forgotten.
So go ahead and cry it all out.
But after that, forget about Jiggs and move on.
The perfect guy for you is one who should help you reach your dream,
not one who doesn't care.
Leah, let's go get a snack at the coffee shop.
What?
You know I'm allergic to expensive coffee.
- I only go for coffee mix. - You're too much.
It's payday today. Let's go.
I'm saving my salary for something, I'm sorry.
Maybe next time. I will pass for now.
All right then.
Can you please confirm my meeting at 2 p.m.?
- Okay, sir. - By the way, I've approved your leave.
Good luck on your car ad competition.
Wait a minute. How long are going on leave?
You're just started working for us.
And you won't get a month's salary.
That's what I wanted to ask you, sir.
Do you think I will be regularized?
You know, Leah, you're good and hardworking.
If you ask me, I like you. But, of course, it's not my decision alone.
It will depend on your overall performance appraisal.
Then after that, we will wait several months
to complete the regularization process.
I didn't realize it was that complicated.
Yes, it's really hard to earn money.
Oh, well. My meeting at 2 p.m., okay?
Okay, sir.
Tita Jack.
Well, I know you, Clark.
I'm sure you haven't eaten yet, right?
Goodness. You're depriving yourself again.
You're going to get sick with what you're doing.
You don't have to worry about me, Tita.
I know. That's because you send everything to your sibling.
And I mean everything. You leave nothing for yourself.
You taught me that, Tita.
There you go again.
Here.
Hey, Leah. What's up?
Didn't we promise each other, no secrets?
Manang, did you know that Jiggs' mom
started as an illegal immigrant?
But look at her now. She's already a U.S. citizen.
She's petitioning Jiggs to go to the U.S.
So you're thinking of becoming an illegal immigrant?
Leah, that's a huge gamble.
Well... Yes.
That's because they say it's great to work in the States.
Think about it, Manang.
The dollars I will be earning there will be multiplied to 45 here.
That's a lot, right?
Besides,
I feel bad for dad.
He's exhausted from driving that jeepney every night.
And I just want to repay what mom worked hard to give us.
Our house,
dad's jeepney
and your education too.
You know what, Manang?
When I'm earning dollars already,
you can go to college again.
I'm doing fine.
Manang,
I just want to fulfill mom's dreams.
Once I'm settled in the States,
I will petition you all.
Then we will all live in the States.
Isn't that a nice dream?
I will do that for us.
Even if I become an illegal immigrant, it's okay.
Illegal immigrant?
Who is going to be an illegal immigrant?
Leah, I allowed you to go to the States because of your choir's competition.
But for you to work there? That's another thing.
Tatang, I just thought
that since I'm there already, I will look for a job.
It would be a shame to waste that opportunity.
Don't you want our lives to be better?
Am I not giving you enough?
We're not rich, but we always had food on the table.
What? Do you see me as useless already?
Tatang, it's not like that, no.
You do everything for us.
And for all of those, Tatang, we are grateful.
I just want to fulfill mom's dream.
You feel the same way, right?
You once said you wanted us all to go to the States.
I lost that dream when the States claimed your mother.
One more thing, Tatang.
Tiffany and I want to take care of you this time.
You've given your whole life, Tatang, to us.
Allow us this time to give back to you.
If it's just for me, forget it, Leah.
I'd rather we stay together than have all the wealth in the world.
Tatang, let Leah go.
Let her fulfill her dream.
Who knows? Her fortune might really lie in the States.
I don't like uncertainty.
I don't want a repeat of what happened to your mother.
You're all I have left. I don't want to lose any of you.
I understand you, Tatang.
But we can't close Leah's doors just because we're afraid.
Who knows? This might be her destiny.
Tatang,
you raised Leah well.
She depended on us for so long.
Don't you think this is the right time to...
To let her go?
To let her fly on her own?
Tatang.
You're leaving soon.
Are you excited?
About what you said
on working there.
Is the States really the answer, dear?
I don't understand it, Tatang.
I feel like America is calling out to me.
That my destiny lies there.
Tiffany said I should let you go.
I'm just scared, dear.
I'm afraid that something bad might happen to you there,
just like your mother.
I might not be able to handle it.
I might go crazy if you don't come back.
Oh, come on, Tatang.
You know me.
I can take care of myself.
It's not easy to find a job there.
Life there is not that easy.
I still want to give it a go,
instead of regretting having wasted this opportunity later on.
Just promise me
that you will stay in the States legally.
Life there is hard.
And it will be even harder if you stay there as an illegal immigrant.
Tatang, are you saying you're allowing me to go?
Just follow my conditions, okay?
Once your visa has expired and you still don't have legal papers,
come back home.
Thank you, Tatang.
Yes! My father finally allowed me to go!
Keep it down. Someone might already be asleep.
Thanks for lending me your scarf and jacket.
I will watch out for your outfit of the day in Facebook every day.
- Okay. - Wear that now.
It's warm. Maybe later.
Remember, Leah, when something happens to you there,
tell me, we will exterminate them.
- I know people in San Francisco. - Yes, sure.
- Really? - Really, ma'am.
Don't forget the medicines and vitamins I gave you, okay?
- Take them every day. - I will.
I will take care of Tiffany, Mr. Sol and Mekeni.
Always use your brain when it comes to men.
Right.
Don't make love life your priority.
Tatang, I'm not going there to have a love life.
I will go there to work.
So I can send money here right away.
Tiffany, you quit school so I could finish with my studies.
Thank you for your sacrifice.
That's nothing.
So now, I will send Gabby to school.
Tatang, it's time for you to retire now.
Why do you want me to retire? I'm still stronger than three carabaos.
Tatang, it's time for you to relax now.
Let me take care of everything.
Once you have a hard time there, come home right away, okay?
- Yes, Tatang. - Always take care there.
What are you doing?
- You're so naughty. - Such an opportunist.
Let's go.
We're going to be late.
Bye, tenement.
I will miss all of you.
Let's go, Tatang!
Come on. Quickly.
Don't forget the luggages.
Ma'am, thank you very much for sponsoring our choir.
It's not just me and Mr. Lorenzo.
A lot of Filipinos pitched in for your expenses here.
- Okay. - Come with us.
Okay then.
Leah, what's wrong?
Ms. Livia, did you know this used to be just a dream?
Back then, I only see this on postcards
But now I'm here, I can't believe it.
- Wait a second. - Where are you going?
I promised this to myself, when I get here,
I will hug the air and kiss the ground!
Leah, you do know that's dirty!
I can't believe my son's girlfriend is right here!
- Let's make up. - But we're through.
I don't want to be unfair to you.
And I have a feeling my destiny is here.