Script Final
SCENE 1
EXT. NARROW ALLEY - NIGHT
Close-up shot of Max's distressed face as he runs through a dimly-lit alleyway, glancing back
anxiously. His breath is heavy and erratic.
Wide shot showing Max entering the alley as he rounds a corner, the shadows of the two
gangsters gaining on him.
GANGSTER 1 (yelling)
Maaaaaxxxx!
Max trips on a piece of trash and falls hard to the ground with a grunt.
Close-up on Max's face as he looks up and sees the two gangsters cornering him.
GANGSTER 2 (menacingly) Akala mo makakatakas ka ng hindi nagbabayad sa utang mo, ha?
Max scrambles backwards until his back hits the brick alley wall. He's trapped.
MAX
(pleading) Sabi ko naman diba, kailangan ko lang ng kaunting panahon! Medyo gipit lang
talaga ako ngayon.
The gangsters laugh coldly.
GANGSTER 1 Matagal na ang utang mo Max, ilang palugit na ang nabigay namin sayo, kami
na ang nagigipit ni boss!
Gangster 1 grabs Max by the shirt and punches him hard in the gut. Max doubles over in pain.
Max POV shot looking up at the gangsters looming over him. Gangster 2 cracks his knuckles.
Quick cuts of the gangsters landing punches on Max's face and body. With each hit, Max cries
out in pain.
After one last hard punch to the eye, Max falls to the ground, blood dripping from his nose and
mouth.
The gangsters turn to walk away. Max sees an opening and scrambles to his feet, running as fast
as he can despite the injuries.
EXT. STREET - CONTINUOUS
Max emerges from the alleyway and glances back to see if he's still being chased. He looks
terrified but keeps running.
GANGSTER 1
(Yelling)
Aghhhhh!!!!
SCENE 2
INT. MAX'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Max enters the house slowly, battered and bruised with a black eye and split lip.
MARIA, Max's mother, looks up from washing dishes in the kitchen and sees Max's condition.
MARIA
(shocked) (concerned)
Max! Diyos ko, okay ka lang ba?! Ano nangyari?!
Max doesn't meet her eyes, ashamed.
MAX
"Wala lang to Ma. Okay lang ako.”
Maria rushes over to Max, tilting his chin to examine his injuries. Her eyes flash with anger.
MARIA
Ito na naman yung inutangan mo? Sinabi ko na sayo nak di mo na kailangang umutang doon.
Max pulls away angrily.
MAX
Eh anong gagawin natin ma! Kailangan natin ng pera!
Their yelling is interrupted as MAX'S SISTER and BROTHER burst through the front door,
home from school.
SISTER AND BROTHER (In Chorus)
(excitedly) (runs toward Max and Maria) Kuya! Mama!
The siblings stop short when they see Max's beat-up face.
BROTHER
Kuya anong nangyari sa mukha mo?
Max forces a smile, wiping the blood from his lip.
MAX
(Laughs awkwardly)
Wala to, aksidente lang trabaho, pramis okay lang sa kuya.
(eager to change subject)
Eh kayo? Kamusta ang school? Ha?
Maria gives Max a concerned but stern look as the siblings launch enthusiastically into
describing a school field trip, unaware of the tense situation.
Max listens with a pained smile, hiding his stress.
SISTER (excitedly) Kuya may field trip kami next month, kailangan namin magbayad ng 500
para sa registration!
BROTHER Oo nga kuya, excited na ako, sabi ni teacher pupunta daw kami sa zoo
MAX
Wowww! Sige2 pagiipunan ko, sisiguraduhin kong makakapunta kayo sa field trip, okay?
BROTHER and SISTER (In Chorus)
(jumping)
Yeheyyyy!!!
SISTER (noticing Max's bruises again) Kuya okay ka lang ba talaga? Ba’t parang
dumudugo yung lips mo?
MARIA
Ay nako sige na! Mamaya niyo na ituloy yan, magbihis muna kayo at kakain na tayo
SCENE 3
EXT. CITY STREET - MORNING
Max walks down the sidewalk on his way to work, shoulders slumped and lost in anxious
thought.
JAMES (O.S.) Max! Ikaw ba yan?
Max looks up to see his old friend JAMES walking towards him, smiling warmly.
MAX
(surprised) James! Wow, grabe tagal na nating di nagkita ah.
They shake hands and give each other a quick hug.
JAMES
Kaya nga eh! Almost 4 years. Kamusta ka na? Anong balita?
MAX
Alam mo naman na namatay na yung papa o diba, so ayun, tumigil muna ako sa pag-aaral.
Kailangan kong magtrabaho para pangtustos sa pamilya ko.
James puts a sympathetic hand on Max's shoulder.
JAMES
Ah ganun ba? Alam mo kung may kailangan ka, wag kang mahihiyang lumapit sa’kin,
tutulungan kita.
MAX
Eh ikaw? Anong ginagawa mo ngayon?
JAMES
Eto, youth pastor na!, Naghahandle ako ng grupo ng mga kabataan, parang kagaya lang
nung sa atin dati.
MAX
Wow, grabe, talagang natupad mo yung gusto mong mangyari sa buhay mo ah. Naalala ko nga
yung dati, ang saya lang, walang problema.
Sa tingin mo? May plano pa kayo si Lord sa buhay ko? Haha
JAMES
Oo naman! May plano siya para sa ating lahat. Alam mo, kung libre ka, may gathering kami
bukas, baka gusto mong sumama?
Max checks his watch anxiously.
MAX Uhmm salamat nalang muna sa invite James pero madami talaga akong pinagaabalahan
ngayon.
Siya nga pala kailangan ko nang umalis, mukhang malalate na ako sa trabaho
James nods understandingly as Max jogs off. His smile fades to concern as he watches Max go.
SCENE 4
INT. CAFE - DAY
Fast paced cafe environment. Max works as a barista, rushing to fill orders. His face is still
bruised. He seems distracted and anxious.
A customer hands Max a cup to fill up. As Max pumps coffee, his gaze drifts - he overfills the
cup, spilling hot coffee over his hand.
MAX Aghh!! Tsk!
Max quickly wipes up the mess. His COWORKER looks over with concern.
COWORKER Ey Max! Okay ka lang
MAX (avoiding eye contact) Oo pre, sensya na, medyo marami lang iniisip
Max's coworker frown sympathetically but doesn't push him.
Finally, Max accidentally spills hot coffee all over a waiting CUSTOMER.
CUSTOMER (Shouting)
Aghhhhh!!! Ano ba, Anong gagawin ko ngayon? May pupuntahan pa ako.
The angry customer gestures at his stained shirt as Max apologizes profusely.
The CAFE MANAGER notices the incident.
MANAGER (sternly) Max, in my office. Now.
INT. MANAGER'S OFFICE
Manager sits across from Max, arms crossed.
MANAGER
Look Max, I know you've been dealing with some personal issues lately. But I can't have you
making mistakes like this, it's our busiest time of day. I think you need to take some time off, get
your head straight.
MAX (remorseful) Sorry talaga Ma’am, pero kaialngan ko po talaga ng trabaho ngayon. May
pinagiipunan po ako. Pramis, di na po mauulit.
MANAGER
(softening)
No! Kailangan mong mag break Max. Ang hirap na ganito ang kalagayan mo. It will affect the
cafe. Come back when you're ready. And Max, I hope everything works out okay. Bukas lage ang
pintuan ko para sayo.
Max nods gratefully and exits.
SCENE 5
EXT. RIVERSIDE - LATE AFTERNOON
Serene wide shots of a riverside at sunset. The water gently laps at the shore. Birds chirp softly in
the background.
Max wanders into the frame and sits down heavily on a large rock at the water's edge. He stares
blankly out at the peaceful view.
Close up on Max's face. His eyes are bloodshot and weary. The orange sunset light reflects on
his bruised, defeated expression.
Wider shot of Max sitting silently. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, taking in the
tranquil riverside sounds.
Close up on ripples in the water. The shot fades serenely to black.
A jarring RING breaks the silence.
Pull back to see Max dig his vibrating cell phone out of his pocket. His eyes fill with dread at the
caller ID. He hesitantly answers.
MAX
(into phone)
Hello Ma? Bakit? Napatawag ka?
INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION:
MARIA
(crying hysterically) Max umuwi ka muna, may naghahanap sayo dito!!
Max stands urgently.
He rushes off screen, leaving the peaceful river behind.
SCENE 6
INT. MAX'S HOUSE - EVENING
The front door bursts open and Max runs in, panicked.
MAX
Ma? MAAA!!!
WIDE SHOT - The house is in chaos. Furniture overturned, possessions strewn everywhere.
Max's siblings huddle together crying.
Maria rushes to Max, distraught.
MARIA May naghahanap sayo Max, naniningil ng utang! Eh sabi ko wala ka pa kaya ayun
ginulo nila ang bahay, naghahanap ng pwedeng mabenta.
Max is shaking with anger. He clenches his fists.
He turns to storm out the door but suddenly James is there, blocking his path.
JAMES Max! Sandali! Kumalma ka lang, walang magagawa ang galit mo
James grasps Max's shoulders, looking into his eyes pleadingly.
JAMES (CONT'D)
Hindi karahasan ang sagot Max. Please!
MARIA (begging) Please Max! Makinig ka!
Max harshly shoves past James and marches out the door.
EXT. MAX'S HOUSE
James chases after Max down the street.
JAMES
Max! Max!
But Max keeps marching angrily, ignoring him. James hurries to catch up.
SCENE 7
EXT. BRIDGE - NIGHT
James catches up to Max at the bridge railing, staring down at the water.
JAMES
Max! Wag mong gawin to please. I know you feel lost pero hindi ito ang sagot.
Max turns to James, tears in his eyes.
MAX Di ko na kaya James! Ang hirap na. Simula nung…
(choked sob) Simula nung namatay si papa, ang gulo na ng buhay namin. Mahal ko yung
pamilya ko pero pagod na ako sobra!
James grasps Max's shoulder supportively.
JAMES
Makinig ka sa akin Max. Hindi ka nag-iisa, Okay. Alam ko mukhang walang pag-asa, pero may
mga taong nagmamalasakit sa iyo. Kasama na ako doon. Wag kang mag alala, magiging okay
ang lahat!
Max takes a shaky breath and steps back from the railing, nodding.
JAMES (CONT'D)
Halika, umuwi muna tayo!
James puts his arm around Max and they walk off the bridge together.
At the front of Max’s house
MAX
(quietly) Salamat James ha. Siguro kung wala ka, di ko alam kung ano na ang nagawa ko!
JAMES
Oo naman Max, sabi ko naman sayo, tutulungan kita
(pause for a short moment)
MAX
Uhmm alam mo wala naman akong gagawin bukas eh. Pwede pa ba akong sumama sa
gathering na sinabi mo?
JAMES
Oo naman, wala ng bawian yan ha!!
SCENE 8
EXT. CHURCH - NIGHT
Establishing shots of a charming neighborhood church.
INT. CHURCH - CONTINUOUS
Warm lighting and lively ambience. A group of YOUTH fills the hall, chatting and laughing
together.
James enters with Max in tow. He waves to a FRIEND.
JAMES Ey Max! Buti naman at nakarating ka. Halika ipapakilala kita sa kanila
James leads Max over to the group.
JAMES (CONT'D)
Hey guys! This is my good friend Max. Max, meet the youth group!
The kids greet Max enthusiastically and welcome him into their circle. Max gives an unsure but
touched smile.
After a beat, someone calls out nearby.
FRIEND Guys, magsisimula na ang bonfire!!
The group gravitates to the announcement excitedly. James guides Max along with them.
EXT. CHURCH GROUNDS - NIGHT
Youth are gathered chatting around a crackling bonfire. James finds a spot for him and Max.
After a few moments, James stands up to address the group.
JAMES If I could have everyone's attention!
The chatter dies down as all eyes turn to James.
JAMES (CONT'D)
Magandang gabi po sa ating lahat, Ngayong gabi, gusto lang sabihin na no matter how lost or
alone you may feel, God is there. If you open your heart and let Him in, He will lift you up and
set you on the path you're meant to take. Have faith!
Murmurs of affirmation spread through the crowd. Someone starts strumming a guitar.
WORSHIP TEAM ENTERS (Singing)
The group sings praise songs, swaying and smiling in the firelight.
On Max's face fighting back tears as the music swells around him. For the first time in a long
time, he feels hope.
-Oh come to the Altar Scene (In Bonfire)
