The Motivation of a Filipino Student in a Typical Filipino Family Situation

Character and Roles

1. Maria (Criel Mascariñas) - The dedicated student juggling school, caregiving, and family
responsibilities.

2. Pina (Elysha Lobo) - Maria's hardworking mother, a laundress who supports the family despite
financial struggles.

3. Crispin (Joannes Caño) - Maria's alcoholic and gambling father, whose behavior adds instability to the
home.

4. Ana (Dominique Lalunio) - Maria's sister, whom she is really struggling with because she's influenced
by peers to do inappropriate things.

5. Nena (Riannah Lumbera) - Maria's 6-year-old younger brother, another responsibility Dong manages
at home.

6. Lola Belinda (Kristelle Asi) - Maria's critical grandmother, who often blames Dong and his mother for
their problems.

7. Roldan (Jhun Magcawas) - Maria's unsupportive uncle, who avoids helping and adds to the family's
stress.

8. Jerico (Jeremy Sarsora) - Maria's boyfriend, who decided to break up with her because she has no
time for their relationship.

9. Maricris (Charis Roxas) - Maria's supportive but overwhelmed friend from school, who tries to offer
moral support despite their own struggles.
The Story Scenario

In a small, bustling town in the Philippines, a student named Maria (Criel Mascariñas) lives with her
family. Her father, Crispin (Joannes Caño), is an alcoholic and habitual gambler, creating chaos and
instability at home. Maria's mother, Pina (Elysha Lobo), works tirelessly as a laundress to support the
family despite their financial struggles.

Maria excels in school, driven by a deep desire to repay her mother's sacrifices and hard work. However,
she faces immense stress from her home life. With Pina working long hours, Maria is left in charge of her
younger siblings, Ana (Dominique Lalunio) and Nena (Riannah Lumbera). Ana, at 13 years old, is
influenced by peers to engage in inappropriate behaviors, adding significant strain to Maria's
responsibilities. Nena, at 6 years old, also requires Maria’s attention and care.

The burden of managing her siblings, combined with financial strain and Crispin’s erratic behavior,
complicates Maria's ability to maintain her academic performance. Additionally, Maria’s critical
grandmother, Lola Belinda (Kristelle Asi), frequently blames Maria and her mother for their difficulties,
while her unsupportive uncle, Roldan (Jhun Magcawas), avoids helping and further adds to the family’s
stress.

Maria’s personal life suffers as well; her boyfriend, Jerico (Jeremy Sarsora), breaks up with her due to
her lack of time for their relationship. Despite these challenges, Maria finds some solace in her
supportive but overwhelmed friend from school, Maricris (Charis Roxas), who tries to offer moral
support despite her own struggles. Maria's determination to honor her mother’s dedication and
improve her family’s situation drives her to persist through these trials, balancing her educational
ambitions with her heavy family responsibilities.
Scene 1 (Settings: House)

Crispin: Jusko! I am lost again at gambling, and here I am, trapped in this relentless cycle of this...
misfortune! What a wretched, cursed existence this life has become, where every turn only deepens the
despair.

Crispin: Maria!...Maria! I am starving, where are you! Maria...

Maria: (entering handling food for his father, she seems so stressed)

Crispin: Sardinas!? again!? ...I'm getting so rancid and fishy, all because we have been eating
these..."sardinas!" everyday!?

Maria: I’m a bit short on cash at the moment, Ama, but hang tight—next time, I’ll get us some meat to
spice things up!

Crispin: Sus! When exactly is this 'next time' you keep talking about?

Maria: (sighs)(preparing the food)

Maria: Nena! Ana! come here kakain na, Nena you're getting late for school... Nena!

Nena: I’m here now, just give me a moment ate (entering)

Maria: Take a seat and... please finish your food. (Maria will then prepare herself for school)

Pina: (entering, looks so tired)

Crispin: Aba nga naman, look who's just strolled back in, after living it up, wandering around, then you're
back? For what? huh, for what?

Pina: How dare you accuse me of just enjoying myself here! You don’t know that in the half-day that’s
passed, I’ve worked twice as hard for just a tiny bit of profit, while you, still sinking in your booze and
alcohol, the day hasn’t even reached noon yet.

Crispin: What are you trying to prove now ha? I am worthless? ha? I am worthless? (Storms out )

Nena: It's always the same with you two—endless arguments, day in and day out. I can't stand to see
this constant fighting any longer. (crying)

Pina: (Crying) Nena, continue eating your food. (Ana walks out) Ana! Come back here, Ana!

Maria: I'll take care of this, Ina, you can rest now...

Pina: No, no, I'm heading out too, I'll be cleaning Aling Pasing's house, 500 din yon

Maria: Sige Ina, just take care and take a break when you're not feeling well

Pina: (smiling to Maria)(Pina will now leave)

Maria: Nena come here, I'll be fixing your uniform, behave lang sa school ha. Don't mess with the
teacher.

Nena: Ate, why is it always like this, they just can't seem to find common ground or agree on anything.
It's like they're drifting further apart every day. I really hope that Ina and Tata can stop fighting. It’s so
hard to see them like that all the time. I wish for a little peace between them

Maria: (looking towards Nena, nodding, she hugs Nena, sighs) (taking a moment)

(background music)

End of scene 1

Scene 2 (Settings:Home)

Maricris:(knocks at the door)

Maria: Wait, just a minute

Maricris: Maria, is everything alright? You seem a bit distracted today.

Maria: (Faintly, without looking up) I’m fine. Just… got a lot on my mind.

Maricris: (Whispering to Maria) You sure you’re okay? You haven’t been yourself lately.

Maria: (Refuses to answer and proceed to ignoring Maricris)

Maricris: (Noticing Maria's struggle) Maria, if you need to talk, I’m here. It’s important to address what's
bothering you. You know something must be going on.

Maria: Don't bother, I’m good

Maricris: (Gently) Come on, Maria. Let’s talk. You don’t have to go through this alone.

Maria: (Sighing) It’s just... things at home are really tough right now. I can’t seem to focus on anything.

Maria: (Looking up, tearfully) I just wish things were different. I’m trying so hard to keep up, but
everything’s piling up.

Maricris: Hey, you don’t have to push yourself to the limit. It’s okay to rest hmm? There’s nothing wrong
with putting yourself first. (sings with a smile)

Maricris: (Comforting) We’ll figure it out together. You don’t have to carry all this weight by yourself.

Maria: I really appreciate you Maricris. I’m so thankful that I have you as my friend.
Maricris: And so am I, You know what? I know just the right thing to cheer you up. Why don’t we go
grab some ice cream?

Maria: I would love to but I still have so many things to do.

Maricris: No worries, let’s just do that some other time. (Hugs Maria) I’ll go ahead okay? call me if you
need me.

Maria: Okay. Thank you again Maricris.

Maricris: (walking outside of, then suddenly she saw Maria’s boyfriend outside)

Maricris: (Greets Jerico) Oh, Jerico! I’m glad that you’re. Are you here to comfort Maria? She’s been
feeling really down lately.

Jerico: Uhmm…(hesitates but nods) yeah.

Maricris: Great! I’ll leave her up to you. Cheer her up okay? (Leaves)

Jerico: (Slowly walks to the house) Maria?

Maria: Oh Jerico, why are you here?

Jerico: Maria. Look, I don't wanna be rude but, can I talk to you for a minute.

Maria: Sure

Jerico: I've been thinking about this lately, I'm just waiting for the perfect timing to tell you this but, I’ve
noticed, you’ve seemed really distant, and it’s been hard for us to connect lately.

Maria: I'm sorry Jerico, I know, and I’m really sorry. I wish I could be more present for us, but I just can’t
seem to find the balance right now.

Jerico: Maria, I appreciate your honesty, but I’ve been thinking too. I don’t think it’s fair to either of us to
keep going like this.

Maria: What do you mean?

Jerico: I think it’s best if we end things up. It’s clear you have a lot on your plate, and I don’t want to add
more stress to your life. You need to focus on your family, and I need to step back. I'm sorry Maria...

Maria: No wait! Jerico…(tries to hold Jerico’s hand but Jerico pulls away and leaves)

End of Scene 2

Scene 3 (Settings: House)

(Lola Belina and Uncle Roldan goes to visit her son but witnessed Ana smoking)

Lola Belinda: Is that what I think it is? Smoking at her age?

Roldan: Yes mother, you’re seeing it clearly

Ana: (notices her Lola and Uncle, quickly puts out the cigarette) Lola! Uncle Roldan! I didn't expect you
would visit today.

Lola Belinda: And so? You know this is what I’ve been telling you.Your situation in life won’t improve if
you keep acting this way. Your behavior is holding you back from making progress and changes in life.

Roldan: You know, Ana, tell your Ina and your ate Maria that it’s time to reflect and make some changes
if you want things to get better.

Roldan: Aba, you're always accusing your Ama for your hardships in your life, that doesn’t seem right,
does it?

Lola Belinda: Syang tunay, blaming him alone won’t solve anything. You need to look at your own
actions and choices if you want things to improve.

Ana: You don’t understand how my father manages to live while we are struggling here just to get by.

Nena: Enough, ate, we’ve gone around in circles long enough...

Ana: Your lack of understanding only adds to our difficulties. It’s crucial to recognize the reality of our
situation and offer genuine support.

Roldan: Aba, Ija! show some respect and get your answers right for my mother!

Ana: You know what, no matter how much I explain, you won't understand because you don’t want to
understand me. You don’t want to understand us.

Maria: (Just woke up and went out of her room) What's going on?

Lola Belinda: Go, Ana, tell your sister everything that we said. You are all the biggest mistake of my son!
Que Verguenza!(walks out) Roldan let’s go! (Roldan followed)

Nena: That's not true! take back everything you said lola!

Maria: Nena...(inaawat si nena)

Maria: Ana, what happened?

Ana: Why is it always like this, when will we finally be comfortable? When will we get to live
comfortably!? (walks out)
Pina: (Arriving home very tired and stressed, Ana looked at her) (the realization of Maria's hard work will
hit)

Maria: (she will sing REFLECTION - Mulan) (will be accompanied with Nena)

Maria: This is all for you,Ina.