Aired (August 4, 2005): This is the story of Angelo (Ramon Revilla), an OFW kidnapped by terrorists in Iraq. The entire world was worried about his well-being and what might come of his freedom.
Cast: Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr., Angel Aquino, Bryan Revilla, Pepoy Bardos, Tessie Villarima, Maegan Young, John Romano, Crispin Medina Jr., Ann Murphy, Edwin Serrano, Shiela Mae Junsay
Cast: Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr., Angel Aquino, Bryan Revilla, Pepoy Bardos, Tessie Villarima, Maegan Young, John Romano, Crispin Medina Jr., Ann Murphy, Edwin Serrano, Shiela Mae Junsay
Category
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FunTranscript
00:00 [Music]
00:22 [Music]
00:37 Riddick, what time is it?
00:40 It's almost two.
00:42 We have to be there by six.
00:45 Maybe you are driving too fast.
00:49 No, I'm driving just alright.
00:52 Don't worry, they're following us.
00:56 Is that them?
01:01 No, it's a car.
01:03 [Indistinct shouting]
01:07 Stop, stop the truck, pull over.
01:09 Stop the truck, pull over.
01:13 [Indistinct shouting]
01:41 [Music]
01:46 He became a symbol of poverty and hunger experienced by thousands of overseas Filipino workers.
01:52 Within 17 days, his life became a living hell.
01:57 He became a victim of a group of terrorists in Iraq.
02:02 He followed the whole country to experience his worst and prayed for everyone's life and safety.
02:11 My friends, on the first anniversary of his release, let's listen to the story of Angelo De La Cruz.
02:19 Zeny!
02:21 Angelo, why aren't you going to school?
02:28 I don't want to study anymore.
02:31 Why?
02:32 I want to work more.
02:34 And I don't want to be a burden to you anymore.
02:37 You say that you just want to be a friend.
02:40 You always see your friends in the pool.
02:44 It's just once in a while.
02:45 It's a waste, we can still finish it.
02:48 That's fine.
02:50 And I don't really fit for school.
02:52 I'm more suitable here in the countryside.
02:54 By the way, Zeny, I'll pass my father's jeepney tomorrow.
02:59 If you want, I can accompany you after your class.
03:01 Hey, that's what I like.
03:03 Let's go, we're getting late.
03:07 Yes, let's go. I'll go first.
03:09 Okay.
03:10 Angelo was just a kid when he became a hard worker.
03:14 He didn't finish high school because he was busy with work.
03:19 He's a kid.
03:20 Here's your payment.
03:30 Okay.
03:32 Zeny, get in.
03:36 I'll take you.
03:38 No.
03:40 Come on, I'll take you.
03:42 No.
03:44 Come on, get in.
03:46 [indistinct chatter]
03:49 Do you always go home at this time?
03:57 Yes.
03:58 That's right, my class is also at this time.
04:01 You haven't seen anyone yet, you should go to class first.
04:05 That's fine.
04:07 Zeny, is there a fight between you two?
04:11 No, why?
04:15 If I court you, will you answer me?
04:17 What's wrong with you? My grandmother said that you can't court me.
04:21 She'll be angry.
04:23 Let's not fight with him.
04:25 Come on, I'll court you.
04:27 More!
04:29 Angelo and Zeny are childhood and childhood friends.
04:33 Although they are often bullied by their friends,
04:36 the court is not a serious matter for the couple.
04:39 [indistinct chatter]
04:42 Hey, Angelo, come here.
04:54 Let's take a picture.
04:56 No, I'm fine here.
04:57 Come on.
04:59 Come on.
05:06 What are you standing there for? Come on, let's take a picture.
05:09 Okay, you go ahead.
05:10 And, it's embarrassing.
05:13 What's the matter?
05:14 You finished all of it.
05:16 I'm done, no.
05:18 Who wants to stop studying?
05:21 Not you?
05:22 Yes, I feel like I'm blushing when I see everything.
05:25 Don't be sad.
05:27 You can still study if you want.
05:30 No, I'm already old.
05:34 How about this?
05:35 I'll tell you something to make you happy.
05:37 What is it?
05:39 Grandma agreed, and I agreed too.
05:44 Really?
05:45 It means that we're together?
05:47 Are you sure?
05:49 Are you really sure?
05:51 I'm sure.
05:52 Good!
05:54 Two years ago, Angelo and Zeny became a couple
06:00 before they got married.
06:03 I hope so.
06:04 I hope so too.
06:07 Are you happy that I'm the one you married?
06:13 I don't know.
06:16 You really don't know?
06:18 You ask so many questions.
06:20 Of course, I'm happy.
06:22 If you have a problem with me, just tell me.
06:26 Don't be shy.
06:30 What can I do to help you?
06:33 I don't know.
06:35 Just don't be a woman.
06:40 I'm okay with that.
06:42 You have a lot of people around you.
06:44 It's nothing.
06:46 It's just you.
06:47 Is that true?
06:51 It's true.
06:55 You're the only one I love.
06:57 I'll do everything for you and our children.
07:02 Oh, Zeny.
07:16 You're tired?
07:19 How's the business?
07:21 It's okay.
07:24 We ran out of rice.
07:25 That's why we have leftover food.
07:27 We'll eat that later.
07:29 Why?
07:31 You look tired.
07:32 What?
07:34 Are you okay?
07:35 Yes, I'm fine.
07:36 I'm just tired.
07:38 I'm just tired.
07:40 Are you sure?
07:43 Yes.
07:44 I'll tie it.
07:46 I'll tie it.
07:47 Are you okay?
07:49 Yes, I'm fine.
07:50 I'll tie it.
07:51 Are you okay?
07:56 It's ringing.
07:57 Are you okay?
08:01 Zeny was caught in her first attempt.
08:19 But the next year,
08:21 Angelo and Zeny had a child.
08:23 Their family grew up.
08:26 The couple felt the lack of life.
08:31 Hello.
08:45 Vincent.
08:46 How are you?
08:48 Papa.
08:49 I'll help you get your stuff.
08:57 No, Angelo.
08:58 Let's go inside.
08:59 Come on.
09:00 Wait for me.
09:02 What do you think?
09:04 It's different now.
09:06 We're in Saudi Arabia.
09:07 Ascension.
09:08 You're the one who's happy.
09:09 You're not the one who's happy when we're applying.
09:12 I wish you were an ascensionist now.
09:14 It's hard to leave my family.
09:17 I'll look for my children.
09:18 You can do it.
09:21 They're the ones who can help you.
09:23 And one more thing,
09:25 they can get used to it.
09:27 In this hard life,
09:29 how can you have your family with you
09:32 if you're both starving to death?
09:34 Isn't it hard to work there?
09:37 It's hard wherever it is.
09:39 But at least there,
09:40 even if you're having a hard time with your job,
09:42 even if you're far from your family,
09:45 you'll be able to make a living.
09:47 Unlike here,
09:48 even if you work as much as you want,
09:49 you'll have no income.
09:51 You'll just have to work hard there.
09:53 You'll surely get a job.
09:54 Isn't it sad?
09:56 It's not.
09:58 It's easy to fight sadness.
09:59 And when you're sad,
10:01 there are many happy people there.
10:02 My colleagues at work,
10:04 there are many chicks there.
10:06 I have a wife there,
10:11 but she doesn't know.
10:13 It's just a secret.
10:14 It's just a secret.
10:15 Oh, by the way,
10:19 I'll put this here.
10:21 Here.
10:23 Put this here.
10:29 Let's go inside, my love.
10:31 It's cold.
10:32 Eat first.
10:33 We have something inside.
10:34 Okay, we'll go inside first.
10:35 Okay, Del.
10:36 Thank you.
10:38 It's okay.
10:41 Just tell me when you're ready.
10:43 My recruiter is looking for workers there.
10:46 I'll recommend you.
10:47 I'll take care of the room.
10:49 Okay, thank you.
10:51 Angel,
11:03 you're not going to sleep yet?
11:05 I'm sleepy.
11:10 It's okay.
11:11 What are you thinking?
11:15 I'm thinking of hiring an airman.
11:22 I'll be invited abroad.
11:24 Abroad?
11:28 What will you do there?
11:31 I heard that there are many jobs there.
11:34 And most of my friends are already there.
11:37 I'm the only one here.
11:38 You don't have to leave.
11:40 We're still able to survive.
11:43 We're still able to take advantage of the farmland.
11:46 You're still a mother.
11:47 That's enough, right?
11:49 That's enough.
11:51 Rosenne,
11:53 our children are growing up.
11:56 And as they grow up,
11:58 they also have more needs.
12:01 Don't you feel sad
12:03 when they ask for something from you?
12:07 When they ask for something that we can't give them?
12:10 Your children already know what we have
12:13 and what we can give them.
12:16 What we earn
12:19 is enough for us every day.
12:21 We don't save anything.
12:24 When the children are already in school,
12:29 I don't know where we'll save money.
12:31 And maybe it's not bad
12:35 if we take a little bit of responsibility in life.
12:37 It's up to you
12:44 what you think is the best thing for your children.
12:48 Go ahead.
12:50 Angelo continued working abroad.
12:55 He was sent to Saudi Arabia
12:58 where he worked as a trailer truck driver.
13:02 Angelo stayed in that country for four years
13:05 before he returned to the Philippines.
13:07 He once again faced the reality
13:09 that he might not be able to go back to his country.
13:12 He was looking forward to the future for his family.
13:15 I don't know what to do with Angelo.
13:17 Since he was fired from his job in Earning,
13:21 he's always drunk.
13:23 He doesn't want to work anymore.
13:26 He wants to go back to Saudi,
13:29 but he doesn't want to get his agency.
13:32 Then I found out that he has a different family there.
13:36 That's why he wants to go back.
13:38 What about your children?
13:43 I don't know.
13:46 I don't know how I'll have food later.
13:49 Didn't you save up for Earning?
13:53 No, we ran out of money.
13:56 We've saved up everything we could use to sell our products.
14:00 But he still owes a lot.
14:02 He's still in Saudi because of his addiction.
14:07 Oh my.
14:11 Marindelia,
14:19 I'm sorry about today.
14:22 You know that we're also having a hard time
14:25 because we're not able to go back to our country.
14:29 And also, Angelo is on vacation for a few months.
14:32 Thank you.
14:35 I'm sorry for the trouble.
14:36 I just don't have anyone else to rely on.
14:39 Don't understand that.
14:41 Who else will help us if not us?
14:45 Thank you.
14:47 I'll go now.
14:50 I'm sorry.
14:51 I'll go now, Angelo.
14:58 Okay.
14:59 Marindelia is so pitiful.
15:06 I told Earning that
15:10 she's really stubborn.
15:12 What do you think, Jenny?
15:14 Should I go back to Saudi?
15:18 Saudi?
15:20 Why would you go back there?
15:24 I don't know.
15:27 I get scared whenever I remember what happened to Earning.
15:31 I don't want to see you
15:35 one day
15:36 coming to our neighbors to borrow money
15:40 to feed our children.
15:42 Angelo went back to Saudi again.
15:48 But in the last few months of his job,
15:51 We're living here.
15:55 Where's Angelo?
15:56 Angelo.
15:58 Can you help us?
16:01 Why? What's the problem?
16:04 We've been in Saudi for three months.
16:07 They only promise us, but they don't fulfill it.
16:10 I don't have anyone to send to my family.
16:12 My wife will give birth in a month.
16:14 Maybe you can talk to our boss.
16:18 You're the only one who's strong in these things.
16:22 And you're in a better position than us.
16:25 We're just a small group,
16:27 while you're the operator.
16:29 We're just equal.
16:32 But,
16:33 I'll see what I can do.
16:37 Please, come in.
16:42 De La Cruz,
16:48 what is your problem?
16:52 Can I sit down, sir?
16:54 Please.
16:56 What is it? I'm very busy.
16:58 Actually, sir,
17:02 it's not my problem.
17:06 It's the problem of my co-workers.
17:09 What is it?
17:11 Many Filipinos working here,
17:15 they have not received their salaries yet.
17:21 It's already three months, sir,
17:23 and they're not yet paid.
17:25 I told them to wait.
17:28 Why can't they wait?
17:29 Sir, they waited so long,
17:32 and they have families to feed.
17:34 They can't wait no more, sir.
17:36 You Filipinos, you are always causing me a day.
17:40 And why are you the one telling me this?
17:44 You always get your salary in time.
17:47 Can't you be happy about that?
17:50 Why are you messing with other people's problems?
17:53 They are Filipinos like me, sir.
17:55 I'm just helping them.
17:57 Why do you want to help them?
17:59 Can't you be just happy with your own salary?
18:02 Oh, I see.
18:05 You are their leader.
18:07 You are leading them to form a union against the company.
18:12 That's it.
18:13 Sir, I am not their leader.
18:16 And we're not even forming a union.
18:18 I'm just helping them, sir.
18:21 Oh, don't fool me.
18:22 You Filipino, you think you can fool me?
18:25 I won't allow that to happen.
18:28 De La Cruz, get out of my office now.
18:32 You are fired.
18:33 Fired, sir?
18:35 Why, why, why, why, why fire me?
18:37 I did not do anything, sir.
18:39 I'm just helping them.
18:41 Get out, you are fired.
18:43 Please understand, sir.
18:44 Get out.
18:45 Get out now.
18:48 Oh, where are you going?
19:13 We'll be going to resign.
19:15 What?
19:17 Why are you doing that?
19:20 We are ashamed of you.
19:23 If it wasn't for us, you wouldn't be in Sante.
19:26 Don't be ashamed of me.
19:28 You are ashamed of your family.
19:31 Many are depending on you in the Philippines.
19:33 Why are we doing this?
19:34 We are doing our job.
19:36 We are just asking for what is right for us.
19:40 And they will fool us.
19:42 [music]
19:47 We can't do anything.
19:49 This is their territory.
19:51 What's important is that we can reach them with your problem.
19:57 And don't worry, I know someone who can solve your case.
20:01 How?
20:04 He can do it.
20:07 There are many other jobs out there.
20:11 What are you doing with your stuff?
20:13 Put it back inside.
20:14 I know you are just hanging out.
20:17 Forget about hanging out.
20:20 What's important is your family in the Philippines.
20:24 Angelo, please forgive us.
20:30 Thank you for your guidance.
20:33 Come on, Angelo.
20:36 Add to your trip to the Philippines.
20:39 Thank you very much.
20:40 We will never forget you.
20:44 Thank you very much.
20:46 Thank you.
20:52 After being terminated from his job, Angelo returned to the Philippines.
20:56 But just a few months ago, he was looking for a job in Saudi Arabia.
21:03 He stayed here for a few years until he decided to return to the Philippines in 1996.
21:09 He found a job in Pampanga as a trailer driver, so he is always here.
21:15 So, do you really have no plans to return to Saudi Arabia?
21:18 I don't think so.
21:21 I have a good job here.
21:23 I'll leave it to you.
21:25 If I were you, I wouldn't go home.
21:30 In Saudi, your enemies are always sad.
21:34 Here, you have a lot of enemies.
21:37 Hunger.
21:39 The government is in a mess.
21:41 Those politicians are the only ones who are getting rich here.
21:45 You know, if life is hard here in the Philippines, life is also hard abroad.
21:51 You just don't know the situation of our fellow countrymen there.
21:57 Angelo is the only one who wants to go abroad.
22:00 If I were him, I hope he would just stay here.
22:03 It's hard to raise children when you're alone.
22:07 Oh, now that Angelo is here, your son might get more.
22:11 Don't joke like that.
22:14 I hope he won't.
22:16 Dad!
22:17 Yes?
22:18 Can I have some money?
22:19 I'll just buy some candy.
22:22 Jeric, it's already late.
22:25 Okay, take care.
22:26 Okay.
22:28 Just like him, your son is begging.
22:34 What if you can't give him anything?
22:37 I'll buy some.
22:44 Just a moment.
22:46 Mom!
22:48 Mom, Jeric's dead.
22:51 Jeric!
22:53 What happened to Jeric?
22:55 What happened to you?
22:57 Why did you kill him?
22:58 Run!
22:59 Mom!
23:01 How's the child?
23:15 He's fine.
23:19 It's good that he's asleep.
23:21 He's been crying a lot.
23:23 Oh, I already talked to Ate.
23:34 Yes?
23:36 We can borrow some money to buy some candy for Jeric.
23:40 Thank you.
23:42 That's good.
23:44 But how are we going to pay for it?
23:49 You'll understand that later.
23:51 I'll take care of it.
23:53 What's important is that our son will be able to operate.
23:56 Doc, we already have a payment for the operation.
24:04 I have something to tell you.
24:06 What is it?
24:08 It would be better if we do the artificial eye implant operation for Jeric.
24:15 Artificial eye implant is what we're going to do for Jeric.
24:19 That means, your expenses will be higher because the operation is more expensive.
24:26 Wait, Doc. I thought the 40,000 pesos is enough.
24:32 Yes.
24:33 Isn't that what you told us?
24:34 That's it.
24:36 If we continue with the operation, we don't have a guarantee that Jeric's eyes will be able to see.
24:44 What he needs is the artificial eye implant because Jeric's iris is injured.
24:50 And it's not something that can be repaired easily.
24:54 The artificial eye implant is a simple operation.
24:58 What we need is a big amount.
25:01 A big amount?
25:02 What is the big amount?
25:04 It can reach 200,000 pesos.
25:08 200,000 pesos?
25:13 Oh my God, how are we going to get 200,000 pesos?
25:16 40,000 pesos?
25:17 It's hard for us to go there.
25:19 That's how it is, Mrs.
25:21 Just tell me if you can do it.
25:25 If not, we can discharge Jeric as soon as possible.
25:29 Wait, Doc.
25:31 If the operation is not done, will my son's eyes be able to see?
25:40 That's what will happen.
25:41 That's what will happen.
25:42 I'm sorry.
25:45 Excuse me, Mrs.
26:08 You just tried it once.
26:09 I don't want to do it anymore.
26:11 Come on, so that we can go home later.
26:13 Let's go home?
26:15 My other eye is not yet good.
26:19 Son,
26:28 we need to go home because we don't have money anymore.
26:37 We have a lot of debt.
26:39 Dad, what will happen to my eyes?
26:45 Will I be able to see again?
26:50 You will be able to see again, son.
26:56 When?
26:57 Dad will find a way for you to see again.
27:02 Yes.
27:06 We will go home, my God.
27:08 Stop it.
27:16 We will find a way. Stop it.
27:19 Stop it.
27:20 Zeni and Angelo just accepted the truth that their son, Jeric, can't see again
27:32 because they can't afford to do this operation.
27:35 But Angelo's hope that his son can see again did not disappear.
27:41 Meanwhile, another tragedy is about to change Angelo's fate.
28:04 Angelo, don't move too much.
28:06 Zeni, where am I?
28:13 You're in the hospital.
28:16 You had an accident.
28:18 You hit your motorcycle.
28:21 How did that happen?
28:23 Doc said that you might have fallen asleep while driving.
28:27 Don't move too much.
28:30 I don't remember anything.
28:34 You just had a slight amnesia,
28:38 maybe because of your head injury.
28:41 But I suggest that you take one week before you go back to work.
28:47 But I suggest that you take one week before you go back to work.
28:51 Is it still hurting?
29:04 Who is it?
29:11 Hey, my friend.
29:13 Come in.
29:15 Sit down.
29:16 I'll go inside.
29:21 How are you, brother?
29:25 How are you, brother?
29:26 Here, I brought you some food.
29:28 Is Mrs. Lanusa sending me to the hospital?
29:32 I told the office that I might be able to go in in a week.
29:37 The doctor said so.
29:39 Mrs. Lanusa is sending me here because...
29:44 What?
29:45 There were a lot of deliveries that were cut off when you had an accident.
29:48 A lot of buyers called the office, they were very angry.
29:51 You know how important you are to Mrs. Lanusa's business.
29:56 The on-time delivery.
29:57 But this was an accident.
30:00 Yes, I know. Mrs. Lanusa knows that and she understands you.
30:05 But you suffered a lot of losses when you were absent.
30:10 That's why Mrs. Lanusa was forced to look for a replacement.
30:14 What?
30:16 Here.
30:19 This is your salary.
30:24 I hope this can help you.
30:27 I'm really happy.
30:30 I'll go ahead.
30:33 I'll go ahead.
30:35 Okay.
30:39 Okay, take care.
30:41 Angelo?
30:46 What did you talk about?
30:50 I lost my job.
30:56 What about our child?
31:01 I couldn't hold myself to it.
31:07 I'm sorry.
31:08 It's okay.
31:11 It's not your fault.
31:12 It's okay.
31:15 Angelo?
31:19 Let's eat.
31:21 The kids are here. Let's eat.
31:24 I'll sell the farm.
31:27 Why?
31:34 I talked to this guy.
31:36 He said that he has an opening agency.
31:40 And if I apply, I can leave in a week.
31:44 I don't want to leave.
31:48 But we can't expect anything here in the farm.
31:53 My jeep is always broken.
31:56 It's a big expense to repair.
32:00 I don't mind if we're the only ones who eat.
32:03 Even if our food is salty, it's okay for me.
32:05 But we have eight kids that we have to feed.
32:08 I hope there's another way.
32:13 You're the only one I'm thinking about.
32:17 Don't understand me.
32:21 I can do it.
32:28 I'm also earning from you.
32:30 I promised you that I won't think about anything but what's good for you and our kids.
32:43 Even if I have to go far, I can support our life.
32:50 We can do this.
32:56 We can do this.
32:57 Because of the lack of opportunity,
33:22 Angelo went to Saudi Arabia again.
33:25 He worked as a truck driver in a company that delivers gasoline
33:29 to different parts of Saudi Arabia and its neighboring countries.
33:33 Angelo didn't think that his job would be the biggest test of his life.
33:41 I'm so happy.
33:47 You're good.
33:48 Hey, did you get an operation?
33:51 What?
33:52 The driver is looking for you to Bagdad.
33:54 He's delivering gas.
33:56 Wait, Bagdad?
33:57 Isn't that in Iraq?
33:58 It's dangerous.
34:00 There's a war there.
34:01 War? You're afraid of war?
34:03 Bro, think about it.
34:04 Do you know how much is the operation?
34:06 Bro, how much will you give?
34:08 Nine hundred.
34:09 Nine hundred, bro?
34:10 Or how much do we earn here?
34:13 Three hundred?
34:14 You're going to triple it?
34:15 How can I not triple it if there's a war there?
34:18 How can I die there?
34:20 I don't want to go back to the Philippines to eat.
34:23 Bro, just think about what we'll earn.
34:26 And we have a lot of countrymen going there.
34:29 They're going back and forth.
34:31 It's safe.
34:32 I don't want that, bro. It's dangerous.
34:34 Dangerous?
34:35 Do you know what's dangerous?
34:36 The dangerous thing is that you can't send money to your family in the Philippines
34:40 and they'll die of hunger.
34:41 That's the dangerous thing.
34:42 If it's safe, it's fine, right?
34:46 Why don't we try it just once?
34:49 Yes, try it.
34:50 You need it.
34:51 You're bringing your family and you're living it.
34:53 So, join us.
34:57 It's like an adventure.
35:00 I haven't reached Iraq yet.
35:02 We'll just see a real war.
35:04 So, Angelo, join us.
35:08 If you'll join us, then I'll join you.
35:13 You're the one who has the biggest experience here when driving long distance.
35:17 And you can even make the boss pay $1,000.
35:20 You can even do that.
35:22 That's good, Angelo.
35:24 You can be rich.
35:26 Yes.
35:27 Right?
35:28 Cheers.
35:29 Cheers.
35:30 Cheers.
35:31 You can invite Angelo to travel to Baghdad even if it's dangerous.
35:35 Bro, when will you return this?
35:42 It's my second time.
35:45 It's my first time. How are you?
35:48 I'm fine.
35:50 But when it comes to the border, I'm a bit nervous.
35:53 That's the most dangerous.
35:54 The terrorists said that's a trap.
35:57 But I'm still alive.
36:00 Yes.
36:01 If I don't need money, I won't do this.
36:04 My son has cancer in his bone.
36:07 I need a lot of money for the operation.
36:10 We're almost in the same situation.
36:14 I also need money for my son's operation.
36:17 His right eye is broken.
36:19 Bro, are we going to eat there?
36:22 I haven't eaten yet.
36:24 I have Adobo there, in the other truck.
36:26 Go get it. It's yours.
36:27 It's hard to fight a war when you don't have any food.
36:30 Let's go, bro.
36:31 Go ahead.
36:32 Okay.
36:33 It's my wife.
36:40 Okay.
36:43 Hello.
36:44 Hello.
36:45 Oh, where are you?
36:47 We're not in Iraq yet.
36:49 We'll be there tomorrow.
36:51 I'm not nervous.
36:53 I watch the war on TV in Iraq.
36:56 I remember you.
36:58 Oh, don't watch TV anymore.
37:01 You'll get more nervous.
37:03 Take care.
37:05 Okay.
37:08 I don't have a signal tomorrow.
37:12 And,
37:13 just wait for me when I get to Baghdad.
37:16 I'll call you there.
37:18 Okay.
37:20 Take care.
37:21 Call me right away.
37:23 I love you.
37:24 I love you too.
37:25 I'll be there.
37:54 Let's wait for them here.
37:55 Okay.
37:56 You already know the route.
37:58 Why?
38:00 Do you always drive to Iraq?
38:02 Not really.
38:04 Actually, it's my second time.
38:06 But I already memorized the route.
38:08 So, it's easy for me.
38:09 Oh, I see.
38:11 Are you married?
38:13 Yes.
38:15 Yeah, kids.
38:16 How many kids?
38:17 I have eight children.
38:20 Wow, that's a lot.
38:24 You?
38:25 Me and my wife, we have two children.
38:28 One boy and one girl.
38:31 This is the boy. His name is Khaled.
38:36 And this girl, her name is Rima.
38:39 Wow, beautiful.
38:43 What did you say?
38:45 Oh, I mean,
38:46 she's beautiful.
38:48 Beautiful means beautiful in Filipino.
38:52 You have beautiful children.
38:54 Thanks.
38:56 How long should we wait for them?
38:58 Maybe an hour.
39:01 Their trucks are old.
39:04 So, they're very slow.
39:06 My truck has a new engine.
39:08 That's why it's fast.
39:09 Oh, I see.
39:10 Almost all drivers here are Filipinos.
39:13 Yeah, we are many here.
39:16 You are, indeed.
39:17 I can see Filipinos everywhere here.
39:21 In my place, where I came from,
39:23 I have many Filipino friends.
39:25 You are very kind people.
39:27 And Iraqis and Filipinos are very similar.
39:30 We are very same.
39:32 We love peace.
39:35 We don't want war.
39:36 Me too.
39:39 I agree with you.
39:41 [Music]
40:04 What time is it?
40:06 It's almost 2.
40:10 We have to be there by 6.
40:11 Maybe you're driving too fast.
40:14 No.
40:16 I'm driving just alright.
40:18 Don't worry.
40:20 They're following us.
40:22 Is that them?
40:27 No, it's a car.
40:29 Don't! Don't!
40:31 Don't! Don't!
40:32 Don't! Don't!
40:33 Stop! Stop the truck! Pull over!
40:35 Stop the truck!
40:36 Pull over!
40:38 [Music]
40:41 [Speaking in foreign language]
40:42 [Music]
40:46 [Speaking in foreign language]
40:47 [Music]
40:50 [Speaking in foreign language]
40:51 [Music]
40:57 [Speaking in foreign language]
40:58 [Music]
40:59 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:00 [Music]
41:01 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:02 [Music]
41:03 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:04 [Music]
41:05 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:06 [Music]
41:07 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:08 [Music]
41:18 Mom!
41:19 Mom!
41:21 Why?
41:22 Ronnie?
41:23 Why?
41:24 It was in the news earlier.
41:26 What was in the news?
41:27 Dad, he's the Filipino who was assassinated in Iraq.
41:30 What?
41:31 No, no, no.
41:32 That's not your dad.
41:33 That's not him.
41:34 Impossible!
41:36 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:37 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:38 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:39 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:40 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:41 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:42 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:43 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:44 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:45 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:46 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:47 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:48 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:49 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:50 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:51 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:52 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:53 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:54 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:55 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:56 Oh, my God!
41:57 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:58 [Speaking in foreign language]
41:59 [Speaking in foreign language]
42:00 [Speaking in foreign language]
42:07 [Music]
42:18 [Music]
42:23 July 8, 2004.
42:26 [Speaking in foreign language]
42:44 [Music]
43:01 [Speaking in foreign language]
43:02 [Music]
43:07 [Speaking in foreign language]
43:08 [Music]
43:18 Sadik, where's my friend?
43:21 [Music]
43:24 Please tell me where's my friend.
43:26 [Music]
43:27 You want to know what happened to your friend?
43:30 Yes, please.
43:31 Please tell me what happened to my friend.
43:34 [Music]
43:35 Where is he?
43:36 [Music]
43:45 Your government, they are enemy.
43:49 They don't want to pull out Filipino soldier here in Iraq.
43:54 They don't listen to our warning.
43:56 If they don't, we will kill you.
43:59 [Music]
44:01 In my place, where I came from, I have many Filipino friends.
44:05 We are very kind people.
44:07 You have beautiful children.
44:09 Filipinos are very similar.
44:11 We love peace. We don't want war.
44:14 [Music]
44:16 Me too.
44:17 [Music]
44:18 [Speaking in foreign language]
44:34 [Speaking in foreign language]
44:39 [Music]
44:44 Seni, I hope you understand why your children brought you here.
44:50 Yes, ma'am.
44:51 This is good.
44:53 Because the media will surely make your situation worse.
44:57 The President doesn't want to put your life in danger.
45:01 We need to calculate what we will say and do.
45:06 General Simato's negotiations in Jordan are very dangerous.
45:12 My office is already arranging for us to go there.
45:16 Ma'am, please talk to the President.
45:21 He is also a husband and son.
45:24 I hope he won't let my children be lost.
45:29 Ma'am, we love my husband very much. He is a kind man.
45:33 Don't let him die.
45:35 Please talk to him. Don't let him die.
45:39 We love him very much.
45:41 We will do everything to help Angelo.
45:44 Don't worry.
45:46 [Crying]
45:53 [Speaking in foreign language]
46:01 [Speaking in foreign language]
46:15 [Speaking in foreign language]
46:36 [Music]
47:04 Three hours. That's all the time you have.
47:07 Your government won't listen to us.
47:10 Three hours. Then, we will kill you.
47:14 [Music]
47:27 The government's negotiations with Angelo's kidnappers continued.
47:32 And on July 15, Angelo's video was broadcasted on television.
47:37 Here, Angelo said that he will be home soon.
47:41 Despite the criticism from other countries and Washington's dismay,
47:45 51 Filipino soldiers were sent home one by one,
47:49 which is a part of the peacekeeping force in Iraq.
47:51 Yesterday, 11 peacekeepers returned home, including the group's leader.
47:56 Meanwhile, our countrymen continue to pray for the safe return of Angelo.
48:02 [Music]
48:07 You should be happy. Your government finally listened to us.
48:10 They are now pulling out their soldiers out here in Iraq.
48:13 So, when will you set me free?
48:16 You just wait. It won't be too long.
48:19 You know, even if we set you free, you're still not safe.
48:24 Why? What do you mean?
48:26 There are many groups here in Iraq like us.
48:29 We have different names and different cause.
48:33 Some fight for the freedom of Iraq from America, like us.
48:38 But others fight just for the money.
48:41 It's dangerous for you to walk out in the streets.
48:44 If the police see you, they will also capture you.
48:48 And they will ask your government to pay you ransom.
48:51 We can't do anything about that once you're out of our hands.
48:55 My friend, all I want is peace.
49:01 I don't like war.
49:04 We don't want war, too.
49:06 [Speaking Filipino]
49:10 We want your government to pull their soldiers out here in Iraq.
49:13 You're free.
49:14 [Speaking Filipino]
49:22 You're a free man now, Angelo.
49:25 Be careful. May Allah bless you.
49:29 Be careful. May Allah bless you.
49:33 [♪♪♪]
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49:50 [♪♪♪]
49:54 [♪♪♪]
49:57 [♪♪♪]
50:20 [♪♪♪]
50:23 [♪♪♪]
50:31 [♪♪♪]
50:34 [♪♪♪]
50:37 [♪♪♪]
50:40 [Speaking Filipino]
50:43 [Speaking Filipino]
50:46 and that the Iraqis have been arrested by the UAE embassy in Bagdad.
50:50 During the meeting, the officials of the Embassy of the Philippines
50:53 were there.
50:54 The happiness of our Arsenia earlier...
51:05 Arsenia's wife, Amanda Jordan, was also spoken to.
51:09 Also, through GMA News,
51:12 she also gave a message to her children in Pampanga.
51:15 The message was also conveyed to the children of the Embassy of the Philippines.
51:22 I am happy that I was able to return to the Philippines.
51:33 Within 17 days,
51:36 I witnessed the bitter effects of the war and terrorism in Iraq.
51:41 I was afraid for my life,
51:44 especially for my family.
51:46 But I did not lose hope and faith.
51:51 That is why I am happy to return to you,
51:54 alive and free.
51:56 But I still cannot avoid being sad
51:59 because I have been a witness
52:02 to the hardship of our fellow Filipinos abroad.
52:06 They are enduring sadness and fear every day.
52:11 It is not a joke to be away from your family.
52:14 That is why my prayer is that
52:17 I will not have another reason to return there to work.
52:22 And I hope
52:24 I will have a good reason
52:27 to return to our country,
52:29 like the thousands of OFWs
52:32 and to live here.
52:35 It has been a year, how are you, Angelo?
52:40 It has been a year.
52:41 Time flies.
52:42 Can you say that you have forgotten your hardship?
52:46 Anyone can experience that.
52:49 You will not be gone.
52:50 When Iraq was mentioned,
52:52 it was like the past is coming back.
52:54 Can you describe to us the difference in your life now
52:58 compared to before?
52:59 I am bound by the vehicle.
53:03 When the operator told me that I will be discharged,
53:06 I was not allowed to go out.
53:08 I did not know where I will get food for my family.
53:11 There is a difference.
53:12 That is all I can say.
53:14 Your relationship with your family,
53:16 did you have a difference since you were discharged?
53:20 It is a big difference, especially with my wife and children.
53:23 They are closer to me.
53:25 Maybe they think that
53:27 God gave me a second life.
53:29 Maybe they think that if my father is gone,
53:32 we will not be able to talk to him.
53:34 What is the thing that is bothering you while you are discharged?
53:37 If you think of going home,
53:39 what will happen to my family?
53:41 What will happen to my children?
53:43 I told God,
53:46 "God, please save me.
53:48 I need my family."
53:51 If God gave me a second life,
53:53 I will accept it.
53:55 What is your message to your family
53:59 of overseas Filipino workers?
54:05 God has given us a lesson.
54:07 Especially to their wives who are overseas.
54:10 Take care of the money that their wives earn.
54:12 What about the government?
54:14 I am thankful to many people.
54:17 If our president was not there,
54:19 what happened to my wife, Tarongoy,
54:21 if he was not the president,
54:23 I do not know where Angel is now.
54:25 Through the "Bagpakilanman",
54:27 we will give you a life insurance package.
54:30 And from STI,
54:33 we will give you scholarships for your children.
54:35 First, for Joanna Marie,
54:37 and Jerome de la Cruz.
54:39 These are scholarships for a 2-year or 4-year course.
54:43 You can get this from San Fernando,
54:46 near you.
54:48 We are thankful that you gave us
54:51 a chance to tell the story of your life,
54:54 to give you a lesson and inspiration to our countrymen.
54:58 Thank you.
55:00 Thank you very much.
55:02 To STI,
55:03 this is a great help for my family.
55:06 I am thankful to Kapuso Foundation
55:09 because my son was operated
55:12 through Kapuso Foundation.
55:14 Channel 7,
55:16 I am thankful.
55:18 I am also thankful to Senator Javi Madrigal,
55:21 who is my only son, Jackeline.
55:23 He is the one who teaches
55:25 and to Senator Lapid, our president.
55:27 I am thankful to all of them.
55:29 Thank you.
55:31 Until now, Angelo is considered a symbol of courage and bravery
55:35 of our countrymen.
55:37 Because he never changed
55:39 the hardships he went through
55:41 in the fate of many Filipinos
55:43 who are forced to go to other countries due to poverty.
55:47 Angelo's dream
55:49 is for our countrymen to have a good and adequate job
55:53 so that they will not experience
55:56 the sadness and fear
55:59 of being forced to work abroad.
56:01 I am Mel Tianko,
56:06 and this is the story of each one of us,
56:08 now, tomorrow, and forever.
56:13 That is my prayer
56:17 Forever,
56:21 this will not change
56:26 the cry of my heart
56:33 Forever,
56:38 this will not change
56:43 In whatever you need,
56:55 I am here
56:58 ready to go
57:01 to your dreams
57:07 Forever,
57:09 this will not change
57:14 the cry of my heart
57:22 I hope that you will hear
57:26 that we are not ready
57:33 Forever, this will not change
57:41 the cry of my heart
57:47 (music)