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WELGA (The One-Act)
A Filipino American Drama in One Act
By Conrad A. Panganiban
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Johnny Montalban: 18. He/him/his. Filipino American. High school student. The lead plastic bucket drummer for the street band, The Diggable Universe and son of Carmelita. He’s a big dreamer and a bigger talker with a passion for music and the life of what that world will bring.
Carmelita Montalban: 40s – Early 50s. She/her/hers. Filipina. Care Giver. Johnny’s mother. A hard worker who doesn’t like confrontation or to make waves despite being in impossible position at work.
Maxi Villones: Late 20s – Early 30s. She/her/hers. Filipina American. Educator. A determined High School History teacher wanting to teach her students lessons not taught in books through unconventional methods.
Fernando Barcenas: 18. He/him/his. Johnny’s best friend. High school student. The guitarist for The Diggable Universe and boyfriend of Janae. Fearful of his single dad father while possessing a voracious appetite.
Vanessa Yuchengco: 19. She/her/hers. College freshman. The older sister of Janae and valedictorian at Mercy High School who knows it’s her calling to make a difference in community for the oppressed and underserved. Her motto is “Serve The People.”
Janae Yuchengco: 18. She/her/hers. High school student. Vanessa’s younger sister and Fernando’s better half. Spunky and vivacious.
Patricia Chen / Rox Chen: Patricia is 17. She/her/hers. High school student. Introspective and shy. Roxanne, Rox for short, (she/her/hers) is Patricia’s 17 year old cousin. Not shy and boisterous.
Alex Lapid: 18. She/her/hers High school student. The School Jock who is a natural leader on and off the soccer field.
Carla Garcia: 30s. The short-sighted Principal of Johnny’s High School who’s goal is to ascend the educational administrative ladder sometimes takes a backseat to the children she’s there to serve and educate.
Dallas Basco: 30s. He/him/his. Smarmy record producer. His bravado personality matches his want of putting on the best music show in town and in the world no matter who he hurts to do so.
SCENES
Scene 1: How Will I Be Remembered: Powell Street Sidewalk – Sometime in the Near Past
Cast: Johnny, Fernando, Carla, and Dallas
Scene 2: Too Early: Montalban apartment
Cast: Johnny and Carmelita
Scene 3: Relevant History: Classroom
Cast: Maxi, Johnny, Fernando, Alex, Janae, Patricia, and Vanessa.
Scene 4: Trying to Make Ends Meet: Montalban apartment
Cast: Carmelita and Johnny
Scene 5: Who Were the Manongs: Classroom
Cast: Maxi, Janae, Fernando, Vanessa, Johnny, Alex, Patricia, and Carla
Scene 6: A Plan is Hatched: Montalban apartment
Cast: Johnny, Fernando, Janae, Vanessa, and Carmelita
Scene 7: WELGA:: Two locations: 1) Thee Parkside and 2) Outside Sunny Brook Care Home
Cast: Fernando, Johnny, Dallas, Maxi, Janae, Vanessa, Patricia, Alex, and Carmelita.
The Epilogue: Classroom: Entire cast.
TIME
The prologue and the epilogue takes place in the present, while all the other scenes take place three years prior.
PLAYWRIGHT’S NOTES
There are scenes where characters will play other characters within the play:
Patricia will play his younger cousin, Roxanne, and will be noted as ROXANNE / PATRICIA
Johnny will play Larry Itliong and will be noted JOHNNY/ LARRY ITLIONG
Alex will play Andy Imutan and will be noted ALEX / ANDY IMUTAN and so on.
The intention is that through the course of this scene, the lines, characters and setting blur
between the classroom and the fields of Delano, CA.
Notations:
A notation of “/” in the script indicates an overlap of lines. At the point of “/”, the next line
begins to be spoken.
The roles of the principal, Carla, and the concert promoter, Dallas, may be doubled.
SCENE 1: HOW WILL I BE REMEMBERED?
Sounds of the San Francisco Cityscape cut in through a darkened stage as lights fade up over our ENSEMBLE.
ENSEMBLE
We begin on the corner of 6th Street and Mission
Right in the heart of the South of Market Neighorhood
Also called the SoMA in
San-Fran-Cisco!
It can get pretty crazy out here for the tourist type
Who aren’t used to seeing seein’ an SRO resident
cruise past you on a scooter blasting
Earth, Wind and Fire,
Or the Church Groups handing out sandwiches to tweakers in Stevenson Alley,
Or a hipster grabbin’ a slice of pepperoni from Chico’s on their way to work at
Twitter on Market
Or Google on Spear
or at the Tower of Sales Force
Repuzel, Repunzel, let down you stock optioned IPOs!
And sometimes dreams can get either lost in the fog
That swim down those twin peaks
Or drowned out by the sirens bouncing off
the skyscraper forest that around us
But today
If you listen close enough
You’ll hear a couple of dreams in the shape of a guitar and a drum beat…
JOHNNY MONTALBAN, 18, a High School
Senior is playing a beat on a plastic bucket and
his best friend, FERNANDO BARCENAS, 18,
plays some rhythmic chords on his guitar.
When the song ends, FERNANDO picks up a
hat and goes around the audience.
JOHNNY
Thank you, everyone! We are The Diggable Universe and it was our pleasure to entertain
all of you today! Even though we appreciate the love, we also appreciate any monetary
donations you can make. Thank you!
Enter DALLAS BASCO clapping his hands and holding out a Twenty Dollar Bill.
DALLAS
Gentlemen, gentle-MEN! That was one of the most dopest jams I have ever heard!
FERNANDO
Thanks for the donation, Sir.
DALLAS
You don’t have to be formal with me. Just call me Dallas. Dallas Basco of Trident Productions.
JOHNNY moves in to quickly shake DALLAS’s hand.
JOHNNY
Trident Productions! Thank you for your donation, Mr. Basco. My name is Johnny Montalban and this is my best friend. (to Fernando) Dude, shake his hand! (Fernando does) Fernando Barcenas and together, we are The Diggable Universe. The show you put up at the Great American Music Hall with Immovable Minds was one of the most intense concerts I’ve ever been to.
DALLAS
I’m glad you liked it. I hope the audiences in Europe will love them too. As a matter of fact, I’ve been looking for a group to open up for them.
JOHNNY
Yo! That group is standing in front of you. Fernando, let’s play some of that Tenderloin Funk!
JOHNNY sets down his bucket and starts playing a beat.
DALLAS
Sorry fellas, I would love to stay but I gotta jet. Tell you what? We’re having tryouts on the 23rd and I think you would be the band to beat.
(DALLAS hands them a business card.)
Give that number a call and my assistant will give you all the details. See you on the 23rd?
JOHNNY
Absolutely, Mr. Basco! We’ll def see you on the 23rd! Thank you!
Exit DALLAS.
JOHNNY (CONT’D)
Did you hear that Bruh?! We’re going to Europe!
FERNANDO
He said the tryout is on the 23rd! Not Europe. And did you forget about Ms. V’s Final is on the same day?
JOHNNY
Who cares about a stupid History Exam?! This is the break we need to get one step closer to have Ellen dancing to one of our jams!
FERNANDO
That’s crazy talk, Johhny!
JOHNNY
Crazy enough to make it. But I can’t do this by myself. We’re called The Diggable Universe. And one planet can’t exist on its own.
I need this.
And I need you.
Pause.
FERNANDO
Are you gonna cry?
JOHNNY
Shut up.
FERNANDO
I’m playin’. What about this? Give me the card and I’ll ask if we can reschedule.
JOHNNY
Then he’s gonna think that we don’t want it bad enough.
FERNANDO
And you do?
JOHNNY
It’s everything. For me and my mom.
FERNANDO
Hopefully, it’s after the Final.
JOHNNY
Awe yeah! We better start rehearsing.
FERNANDO
Can’t. We still have class, remember?
JOHNNY
Just a couple more songs.
FERNANDO
Dude.
JOHNNY
We need the money. Don’t worry about it, Ms. V’s cool.
FERNANDO
How would you know? You’re never there.
JOHNNY
That’s why I’ve got you to cover for me.
FERNANDO
Not cool man.
Whatever.
I gotta go.
FERNANDO runs out as JOHNNY watches him.
JOHNNY plays a short solo on his bucket.
END OF SCENE.
SCENE 2: TOO EARLY
The drumbeats are morphed into the knocking sound on a door. JOHNNY realizes this when he stops long enough to hear them on his apartment door.
JOHNNY gets up and goes to the door and opens it.
Enter CARMELITA MONTALBAN, Johnny’s mother dressed in scrubs.
CARMELITA
What did I tell you about making that noise in the apartment?
JOHNNY
I need to practice and Mrs. Chin loves my beats.
CARMELITA
I’ll beat you in the head if you don’t stop!
JOHNNY
Ma! What are you doing home?
CARMELITA
I forgot where I put my keys.
JOHNNY finds her keys and gives them to her..
JOHNNY
Here. Have fun at work.
JOHNNY begins to drum again.
CARMELITA
Hoy!
JOHNNY
What? Did you forget where Mrs. Chin is? You gave her $20 to play on the Red, White, and Blue.
CARMELITA
Oh, that’s my favorite slot machine.
I really hope she wins this time.
JOHNNY gets up, takes some money out of his pocket and gives it to her.
JOHNNY
We could use this for now.
CARMELITA
…
JOHNNY
What? We had a good day today. A group from Belgium really dug our music.
CARMELITA
You’re supposed to be in school. Not playing with your friend.
JOHNNY
I’m playing music with Fernando. I’m not playing with him. ‘Playing with him’ sounds like… I play music with him to make money. You said we need the money and there you go–money.
CARMELITA
And that’s why I’m working.
JOHNNY
Then when will you get paid for all the extra hours you worked?
CARMELITA
I am getting paid.
JOHNNY
I’m talking about the overtime pay she still owes you.
CARMELITA
I already told you. When your Auntie gets everything in order, she’ll pay me in full.
JOHNNY
Then consider what I gave you a loan.
CARMELITA
You’re loaning money to the person who brought you into this world? You were 10 pounds 13 ounces. You owe me more than this!
(CARMELITA puts the money away.)
So, how come you’re not going to your history class?
JOHNNY
I am in class…
CARMELITA
Then why did I get a phone call today from your teacher?
JOHNNY
Uhh…
CARMELITA
She said that your classmate told her that you were at St. Luke’s and wanted to make sure that you were doing okay.
JOHNNY
I… uh…
CARMELITA
Wow. If I had known that my son was in the hospital I would have visited too, but I was too busy working to earn money for our rent, the food in the kitchen, for your education..
JOHNNY
Public school is free.
CARMELITA
I’m talking about your college education.
JOHNNY
College?
CARMELITA
She said that if you miss another class, then you’re not going to graduate.
JOHNNY
Mom. I don’t think school is really made for people like…
CARMELITA
That’s what Eric said.
“Mom, I don’t think school is my thing.
I’m already earning money at the garage.
I’m already doing this. I’m already doing that.”
And look where that got him!
JOHNNY
I’m not like him! I’m nothing like him!
CARMELITA
Then prove it. Your High School diploma will look good over the dining table.
(She looks at her watch.)
Shoot. I’m already late.
Prove you’re nothing like your brother, ha. You better be in class tomorrow!
CARMELITA exits.
Blackout.
END OF SCENE.
SCENE 3: RELEVANT HISTORY
The sound of the school bell rings and the students enter and take their seats.
MAXI
All right everyone. Settle down.
JOHNNY sneaks in and sits at a desk.
MAXI (CONT’D)
Welcome back to class, Johnny. I hope you’re feeling better.
JOHNNY
I am. Thanks!
MAXI
I hope you got the “Get Well” card that everyone got for you.
JOHNNY
Yeah, I did. Thanks. It was very kind of y’all.
Enter VANESSA YUCHENGCO. She’s dressed very preppy carrying a History Book.
VANESSA
Sorry for being tardy. I had to get a copy of the class’s History Book from the library.
JANAE
Hold up! What is she doing here?
MAXI
I’d like you all to meet my Teacher’s Assistant for the remainder of the year, Vanessa. She’s going to be help all of you with your Final Project.
JANAE
Oh, Hell no! Mom and dad sent her to spy on me!
MAXI
No, Janae, Vanessa’s here to help all of you graduate. Isn’t that what all of you want?
JOHNNY
Not all of us.
MAXI
Well, your mother begs to differ.
FERNANDO
Yo, Johnny. She made your mom beg.
MAXI
Vanessa, you can sit over there.
So, let’s go over yesterday’s reading assignment. Hopefully you learned that if you are a part of a Union, each of you has a voice. Like the AFL-CIO. Who remembers what that stood for?
No one raises a hand
MAXI (CONT’D)
Okay… the AFL-CIO stands for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. And you better write that down because it might be on the test.
Meaning that it will be on the test. There was also a group called the Teamsters, and they–
FERNANDO raises his hand.
MAXI (CONT’D)
Yes, Fernando.
FERNANDO
I thought Unions were bad. Like didn’t they start hella riots and stuff?
MAXI
No. If you read your text… did anyone read the assignment?
No one raises a hand, except for VANESSA.
JANAE
Really? How could you have read it? You just got the book.
VANESSA
I read it two years ago and I skimmed through it on my way here.
JANAE
How are we even related? We don’t even look alike.
VANESSA
So dad wasn’t kidding when he said that you were adopted!
MAXI
Chill ladies.
VANESSA
Sorry, Ms. V.
JOHNNY raises his hand.
MAXI
Yes, Johnny.
JOHNNY
Why do we even have to learn about Unions? Or History even? I mean, you adults always refer to us as the future generation, right?. So, if we are, then how can being locked in learning about the past move us forward?
MAXI
Because Johnny, if there was never a labor rights movement through the Unions, then there wouldn’t be eight-hour workdays or forty-hour work weeks. There wouldn’t be any lunch hours or overtime pay.
JOHNNY
Then I thank them for it.
Thank you Labor Union Gods!
But I don’t see how any of that is relevant to me or any of us?
MAXI
Who has heard of Cesar Chavez?
VANESSA raises her hand.
MAXI (CONT’D)
Vanessa.
JANAE
Hold up. She’s not even a student here.
MAXI
Then would you like to answer the question, Miss Yuchengco?
JANAE
Sure, he’s… that guy who built that street out in the Mission, right?
VANESSA
He was the president and a co-founder of the U.F.W. – The United Farm Workers.
MAXI
Of America.
VANESSA
Of what?
MAXI
The Official name is the United Farm Workers of America. A lot of people forget that part.
VANESSA
But I didn’t. Um uh… that’s what I was going to say, the United Farm Workers of America and they were labor union that fought for the rights of the farm laborers in the Central Valley of California.
MAXI
And Cesar Chavez…
VANESSA
And Cesar Chavez started the Grape Strike in 1965 which eventually lead to the largest labor movement that this country has ever seen.
MAXI
Almost 100% correct.
VANESSA
I’m sorry?
JANAE
Oh my God. Did I just hear that right? Almost 100% correct?
JANAE takes out her cellphone.
MAXI
Janae, you know phones aren’t allowed in class.
JANAE
Sorry. It’s just that nobody’s ever told her that she was wrong and I had to Instagram Vanessa’s face.
VANESSA
Are you sure, Ms. V? I won a scholarship for an essay about Cesar Chavez.
MAXI
Then you would have seen the name Larry Dulay Itliong.
VANESSA
A couple of times. He’s not even in our History book, so I figured that he was just a minor character.
JOHNNY raises his hand.
MAXI
Yes, Johnny.
JOHNNY
Again, how is this relevant to me?
MAXI
How would you feel if one of the people to change the direction of American Labor was a Filipino?
FERNANDO
Cesar Chavez was Filipino?
MAXI
No, he wasn’t. But Larry Itliong was. He was Filipino.
And that’s the homework for tomorrow: do some research about him.
JANAE
But my smarty ass sister just said that he’s not even in our History book.
MAXI
You do know that the Internet is more than Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, right?
JANAE
It is?
MAXI
Yes, Janae. It is. And we’re going to make history relevant. I want you all to Google these names:
MAXI goes to the blackboard to write “Larry Itliong. Philip Vera Cruz. Patricia Velasco. Ben Gines.”
JOHNNY
(To FERNANDO)
Yo. Let’s rehearse after this. My mom’s working so we got the place to ourselves.
JANAE
Fernando, you said that we were gonna hang out tonight.
JOHNNY
Janae, you can chill with your boy after we’re done.
MAXI
After you’re done with what, Mr. Montalban?
FERNANDO
After we finish researching those people, Ms. V.
JOHNNY
You don’t have to cover for me.
After we get done rehearsing for a major gig we got coming up.
MAXI
I’m proud that you’re taking initiative of your music careers, but I’m sure that can wait a few more weeks. I know I don’t have to remind you again that you need to pass this class in order to graduate.
JOHNNY
What’s up with this school and needing to graduate? What about following our dreams?
MAXI
Dreams are important, but we’re also trying to do is make sure you have all the tools you need when you get out into the real world.
JOHNNY
Then why are y’all trying to sweat me? This is America, isn’t it? This country is called the home of the brave and the land of the Hustle. The place where I can make my own destiny happen with or without a diploma!
MAXI
What did your brother do?
JOHNNY
Leave him out of this.
MAXI
Your mother started to tell me about him. She said that you looked up to him.
FERNANDO
You don’t wanna go there, Ms. V.
MAXI
I’m just trying to understand you, Johnny. That’s all I’m trying to do.
JOHNNY
Then you can do that without talking about him. You don’t even know him.
MAXI
What would he say to you today if he was still here?
JOHNNY picks up his History book and slams it on the ground. He picks up his bag and storms out of the classroom.
The school bell rings. All the students start to get up and leave.
Blackout.
END OF SCENE.
SCENE 4: TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET
Lights up on CARMELITA as she is sleeping in front of a flickering T.V. emitting light from static on the screen. She has a stack of envelopes and a journal on top of her.
Enter JOHNNY through the door. He sees his mom sleeping and picks up the remote control and switches off the T.V.
As CARMELITA turns in her sleep, some of the envelopes and the journal fall on the ground.
JOHNNY picks up the journal…
JOHNNY
(reading)
Mr. Hasshem’s memory is getting worse. He still remembers me though. But, maybe that’s because I have to clean his… I didn’t get my break again today because Mrs. Carter fell down.
JOHNNY picks up a couple of envelopes and shakes his head. He reaches into his pocket, pulls out some money, and places it into one of the envelopes.
CARMELITA gradually pulls out of her sleep and opens her eyes.
CARMELITA
Ahhhh!!!
JOHNNY
Mom! What? It’s me!
You were sleeping.
CARMELITA
What are you doing with that?
JOHNNY
I was just picking it up.
CARMELITA
Give them to me. Now!
(CARMELITA grabs the envelopes.)
What’s this?
CARMELITA opens one of the envelopes and takes out the cash.
JOHNNY
Why didn’t you tell me we were late?
CARMELITA
All you have to worry about is school.
JOHNNY
Abou school, you didn’t get a call or anything?
CARMELITA
Why? What did you do this time?
JOHNNY
Nothing.
CARMELITA
You better not. I already promised your teacher that you were going to do your best. I was so embarrassed when she called. Good thing that she told me or it would mean that you weren’t going to graduate.
JOHNNY
Do we have to go over this again, ma?
CARMELITA
We’re going to keep going over it until you realize how important it is for me to see you wear your cap and gown.
JOHNNY
Fine. Whatever.
Did you remember to ask for your overtime pay?
CARMELITA
I might not have a job tomorrow.
JOHNNY
What?
CARMELITA
Mam… your auntie said that she needed cut some of my hours because there’s not enough patients to take care of.
JOHNNY
Then that settles it. I’ll quit school and find a job at the garage until we leave for Europe.
Tony owes us that much. Eric taught me a couple of things.
CARMELITA
No! You are not going to work there!
JOHNNY
Eric was making good money there.
CARMELITA
And look where that got him?
Huh?!
I’m the one who’s going to settle things. You’re going to finish school and then with your diploma, and then you can do whatever you want to do. You want to go. Go. You’re not the first person to leave me.
JOHNNY
I’m not leaving you–
CARMELITA
At least it’s better than begging for money on the street.
JOHNNY
That’s not what I’m doing, ma?
CARMELITA
Bang bang bang bang bang. Can you give me money?!
Bang bang bang bang bang. Can you give me money?!
JOHNNY
What I’m doing is our ticket out of here!
CARMELITA
I don’t want a ticket. I want a diploma!
JOHNNY
Then you go to school.
CARMELITA
Why can’t you do this for me?
JOHNNY
I’m saying that I can make good money–money that we need–and all you’re worried about is some stupid piece of paper.
CARMELITA
Stupid piece of paper? That piece of paper tells people that you are not a quitter. That piece of paper says that you took your education seriously. It means that all of the hours I sacrificed cleaning up after old people who treat me like the crap in their diapers would mean something. It would mean that you were the only thing that…. How else could I justify my existence? Where’s your father, huh? Not here. And your brother was murdered for doing something NO ONE will tell me about! And you? Ang tigas ng ulo mo! [You’re so hard headed!] You can’t even see that people are trying to help you achieve something that so many other people take for granted. I graduated from college in the Philippines and people think my only purpose in this country is to serve them. You have a chance to be better than me. I don’t want you to know what it’s like to live as a failure. And I feel like that whenever I get one of those bills, or when I get one of those phone calls from your school telling me how bad you are, because believe me, I feel ten times worse. So, I’m sorry that you think a diploma is just a piece of paper. To me, it’ll mean that I finally did something right.
(Silence.)
I’m going to bed. Don’t worry about all of this. Go to sleep. You have school tomorrow.
CARMELITA puts the envelopes away and begins to exit.
Do something right for once, Anak [My child]. For me.
Blackout.
END OF SCENE.
SCENE 5: WHO WERE THE MANONGS?
After a class bell is heard, lights up on the History Class as her and Vanessa are handing out sheets of paper to each the class.
MAXI
All right class, we’re going to take another approach to learning History is a class project… a group project.
VANESSA
Did you say Group Project? Those don’t work very well for me.
JOHNNY enters the classroom.
JOHNNY
Me neither.
MAXI
It’s nice that you’re able to join us, Mr. Montalban.
JOHNNY
It’s not like I have a choice, do I?
MAXI
Johnny, I just wanted to apologize for yesterday. I’m sorry for bringing up your brother.
Can we start fresh?
JOHNNY
I’m here.
MAXI
Thank you.
(She gives him a sheet of paper.)
I saved this part for you. And everyone has a part. So depending on how you all do, that will determine whether you pass or fail this class.
JOHNNY
So then, all we have to do is read this to pass?
MAXI
It’s a little bit more than that but it doesn’t mean that you’re not going to have to think. Or feel. Janae? You may begin.
JANAE
Okay…
The Manongs, or Elder Men, in the Filipino language of Illocano, were inspired by their teachers or recruited by agricultural to work in the United States.
PATRICIA
On December 20th, 1906, they came to work in the sugar cane plantations in Hawaii.
ALEX
And in the 1920s and 30s, about a hundred-thousand Filipinos, mostly men, either came from Hawaii or directly from the Philippines to mostly work in the agricultural fields of California.
FERNANDO
Or in the canneries of Alaska.
VANESSA
A lot of them were under 20 years old.
ALEX
All of them promised to send money back to their families.
PATRICIA
Or send new American styled clothes.
JANAE
Some promised to get an education.
JOHNNY
A promise that a lot of them didn’t get to keep because of the constant need to find jobs despite the discrimination they met.
PATRICIA
“The Filipino race was the most worthless, unscrupulous, shiftless, diseased semibarbarian that has ever come to our shore.”
VANESSA
Was written in a California newspaper during the 1930s.
FERNANDO
Anti-miscegenation laws prevented Filipinos in America to marry white women so a lot of the Manongs were not allowed to have families.
ALEX
Since this was during the depression, these Manongs were often beat up and accused of stealing jobs from Americans.
VANESSA
So, a lot of these men started to work for sometimes less than a dollar a day.
PATRICIA
Less than a dollar a day to work in a hundred degree weather.
JOHNNY
Sometimes for ten hours at a time stooped over cutting asparagus.
JANAE
Breathing in the kind of dust that would line a Manong’s socks…
ALEX
A Manongs’s Lungs.
PATRICIA
A Manong’s Dignity.
VANESSA
Sometimes the field had no bathroom.
ALEX
So they just went.
JANAE
And when they were thirsty…
JOHNNY
There would be one tin cup–
FERNANDO
One tin cup wrapped in dusty clothes–
JANAE
Wrapped in clothes and hid underneath a shade. So, when it was time for a drink–
PATRICIA
When it was time for a drink of water. Each worker in a group of 40 or 50 men would use that cup–
ALEX
That single tin cup to get some water to refresh himself.
JANAE
And herself.
VANESSA
And then they kept working.
FERNANDO
And kept working.
JANAE
Kept working.
EVERYONE
Working…
JOHNNY
Together.
PATRICIA
I’LL FOLLOW THE FIELDS
BACK TO WHERE YOU ARE
WHERE YOU GREW ALL YOUR DREAMS
FROM AFAR
WITH THE STRENGTH AND THE COURAGE
IN A LAND NOT YOUR OWN
YOU STOOD UP FOR JUSTICE
TO MAKE THIS YOUR HOME
WHEN YOU FOLLOWED THE FIELDS
VERSE 1
DREAMS, WERE ALL THAT YOU EVER KNEW
WHEN YOU, LEFT HOME WITHOUT A CLUE
ABOUT, THIS LAND PAVED WITH STREETS OF GOLD
BELIEVING IN EVERYTHING YOU WERE TOLD
ABOUT BEING FREE
ABOUT HAVING EQUALITY
WITHOUT RUNNING AWAY
YOU STOOD YOUR GROUND, FOUGHT BACK AND STAYED
SO, I’LL FOLLOW THE FIELDS
BACK TO WHERE YOU ARE
WHERE YOU GREW ALL YOUR DREAMS
FROM AFAR
WITH THE STRENGTH AND THE COURAGE
IN A LAND NOT YOUR OWN
YOU STOOD UP FOR JUSTICE
TO MAKE THIS YOUR HOME
WHEN YOU FOLLOWED THE FIELDS
VERSE 2
BROWN, YOUR HANDS CRACK INTO THE SOIL
IN HEAT, THAT FELT LIKE YOUR BLOOD WOULD BOIL
INSIDE, YOUR HEART TREMBLED ON ITS OWN
BUT IN FIGHTING TOGETHER, YOU’VE ALWAYS KNOWN
ABOUT BEING FREE
ABOUT HAVING EQUALITY
WITHOUT RUNNING AWAY
YOU STOOD YOUR GROUND, FOUGHT BACK AND STAYED
BRIDGE
NOW, THE HOUR HAS COME
TO REMEMBER ALL THAT YOU’VE DONE
YOU HAVE GIVEN US ALL THAT YOU’VE HAD
AND IT’S OUR TURN TO PAY TRIBUTE BACK
SO, I’LL FOLLOW THE FIELDS
BACK TO WHERE YOU ARE
WHERE YOU GREW ALL OUR DREAMS
FROM AFAR
WITH THE STRENGTH AND THE COURAGE
IN A LAND NOT YOUR OWN
YOU STOOD UP FOR JUSTICE
TO MAKE THIS OUR HOME
WHEN YOU FOLLOWED THE FIELDS
I’LL FOLLOW THE FIELDS
WE’LL FOLLOW THE FIELDS
Enter CARLA, the principal.
CARLA
Excuse the interruption. May I please speak to Johnny?
JOHNNY
Why? I didn’t do anything!
CARLA
It’s your mother, Johnny. Something happened to her at work. She’s in the hospital.
Without a word, JOHNNY throws down his script, grabs his things and runs out of the class.
END OF SCENE
SCENE 6: A PLAN IS HATCHED
In blackout, the sound of a door knock is heard.
Lights up on the Montalban apartment where JOHNNY comes out of a bedroom.
JOHNNY
Mrs. Chin, we don’t need anymore of your Hot and Sour soup.
JOHNNY opens the door and Fernando, Janae, and Vanessa are at the door.
FERNANDO
Oh, dude. I’m so down for Hot and Sour soup… after I pee!
FERNANDO runs for the bathroom.
JANAE and VANESSA follow him into the room.
JOHNNY
Sure you can come right in….
So what brings you here?
VANESSA
Just wanted to see how you and your mom were doing.
JOHNNY
We’re doing okay… thanks.
VANESSA
So, has she ever fainted before?
JOHNNY
Not like that.
JANAE
Fernando said that yelling at her boss–
JOHNNY
Actually, my Aunt’s her boss.
JANAE
Ooo.
VANESSA
But your mom was trying to get her overtime pay, right?
Reenter FERNANDO.
JOHNNY
Yo! Why you tell them about why my mom passed out?
FERNANDO
Cuz she could help.
VANESSA
There’s a community organization that can help connect you with a couple of lawyers.
JOHNNY
We can’t afford any lawyers. Mom was trying to get money so that we could pay for rent.
And now with hospital bills coming in soon–
VANESSA
The lawyers work pro-bono. They want justice too.
JOHNNY
So is that it? The lawyers do their thing and we just wait? I’d rather go down there and break some skulls.
VANESSA
Okay. We definitely don’t break skulls. There are other methods of making things right.
FERNANDO
Vanessa’s one of them activist types. You know. Throw them fists up in the air and wave ‘em like you just don’t care.
VANESSA
No. We care. We care about your mom and others like her. Do you think it’s all right if I asked your mom if it was okay to stage a protest in front of there?
JOHNNY
What?!
JANAE
Vanessa gave Ms. V the idea of performing that play she wrote about the manongs at the protest. So, it’s gonna be like a… Babe. What did she call it?
FERNANDO
A Welga. That’s what the Manongs called their strike back in the day. Same with their Mexican brothers and sisters.
VANESSA
You asked how all the stuff we’re learning in class is relevant, right? So, here it is.
FERNANDO
And check it out, Ms. V said that if we get to do the play there and if we cause enough ruckus to get your mom paid, we pass the class. Meaning, we graduate!
VANESSA
Only if Johnny’s mom says we can.
JOHNNY
Shoot Nando! Friday’s the 23rd. We gotta be somewhere else.
VANESSA
Somewhere more important than helping your mom?
A door opens and CARMELITA enters wearing a robe.
CARMELITA
Oh, hello. I heard voices out here.
JOHNNY
Sorry, mom.
CARMELITA
Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?
JOHNNY
Oh yeah. This is Vanessa and her sister, Janae.
VANESSA
Hi Auntie. We just came to see if you needed any help.
CARMELITA
If you want to help, make sure that Johnny passes that history class. That is my dying wish.
JOHNNY
The doctor said that you’re not going to die.
CARMELITA
Believe me, if you don’t give me what I want, then I would rather be dead.
VANESSA
Auntie, can I ask you something? I understand that you’re having some problems at work.
JOHNNY
Vanessa–
VANESSA
If you want po, we can talk about it. Gusto lang naming tulungan. [We just want to help.]
(Takes out a pamphlet and gives it to Carmelita)
Whenever you feel ready to talk, please call me. My number is on that pamphlet.
CARMELITA
Salamat. [Thank you.]
CARMELITA puts the pamphlet in her robe pocket.
VANESSA
No. Thank you.
We promise keep it down.
JOHNNY
Get some more rest, Ma. Mrs. Chin said she’s making Hot and Sour soup for you and I’ll get you when it’s ready.
CARMELITA
Okay. It was nice meeting all of you.
FERNANDO
Good night, Auntie.
JANAE
I hope you feel better soon.
CARMELITA exits
VANESSA
Guys, lets go! We got some organizing to do!
JOHNNY
Why are you doing this for us?
VANESSA
Don’t you see that this is about more than you? It’s about our community–your mom, someone’s dad, another person’s grandmother–any worker who’s being taken advantaged of. We’re gonna help them. That’s the right thing to do.
(To Janae)
Ready?
JANAE gets up and goes over to hug Johnny.
JANAE
Look. I’m sorry that she gets a little cray about things like this. But her heart’s in the right place.
FERNANDO
All right, bruh. Let me know if you need anything.
JOHNNY
We still need to talk about Friday. We need to rehearse.
VANESSA
Perfect! We need music! The more noise the better!
FERNANDO and JANAE exit.
VANESSA (CONT’D)
And a speech will be a big factor at that rally. Oh, and there needs to be a speech. You want what’s right for your mom? You want to graduate? Your speech better be good!
See you Friday.
VANESSA exits.
Blackout.
END OF SCENE.
SCENE 7: WELGA
Muffled sounds of a rock band playing live music in the distant is heard as lights come up on one side of the stage (The Parkside) with FERNANDO holding a guitar case.
Enter JOHNNY carrying his drumsticks and plastic bucket.
FERNANDO
Man! I thought this was gonna start at 11.
JOHNNY
I did too.
FERNANDO
It’s almost noon and we gotta get to the rally.
JOHNNY
Just wait a couple more minutes.
Enter DALLAS.
DALLAS
Hey!!! The Diggable Universe is here!
JOHNNY
Actually, we were here at 10:30.
DALLAS
I wanted all the other bands to go first so by the time the sponsors saw the last one, they’ll know that you’re the right one for the tour.
JOHNNY
Wait. Wait! We’re the last ones?
DALLAS
Thank me later.
Exit DALLAS.
On the other side of the stage, the rest of the class, along with MAXI and CARMELITA, are starting to gather outside the Sunny Brook Care Home.
MAXI
Did Fernando and Johnny text back?
JANAE
Not yet.
VANESSA
But they’ll be here.
MAXI
Patricia. Just in case, Johnny doesn’t get here, you’ll have to play Larry Itliong. And Janae, you’ll have to play Pete.
PATRICIA
I hope they get here soon.
On the other side of the stage.
FERNANDO
Hey, Johnny, we need to go.
JOHNNY
It’s almost our turn.
FERNANDO
You said that an hour ago.
JOHNNY
This could be our only shot!
FERNANDO
Look man, maybe they’ll still be here when we get back. But if we don’t get to that Rally, we’re not graduating.
(starts to exit)
Sorry.
JOHNNY
We need to stay. What about being Masters of our own fate?
FERNANDO
And what about your mom and her fate? I need to go. You know where we’ll be. I better see you there.
Exit FERNANDO
On the other side of the stage.
ALEX / BEN GINES
Did you talk to him, Larry?
PATRICIA / LARRY ITLIONG
Cesar said he isn’t ready to join us. But we are still going to strike with or without them.
MAXI
One, two, three…
ALL THE STUDENTS
On September 7th 1965.
PATRICIA / LARRY ITLIONG
Larry Itliong and the members of AWOC – the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee – voted to strike against the Grape Owners in Delano, California by standing up with their right hand raised in the air.
ALL THE STUDENTS
The next afternoon, on September 8th.
PATRICIA / LARRY ITLIONG
The voting members of AWOC walked off the Grape Fields. This act of resistance started one of the most important labor strikes in American History.
On the other side of the stage, JOHNNY’s pacing around looking at his phone.
Enter DALLAS.
DALLAS
Where’s Fernando?
JOHNNY
He’s in the bathroom. So, are you ready to listen to us yet?
DALLAS
We’re almost ready for you.
On the other side of the stage.
ALEX
After 5 years.
VANESSA
From the time the hired police beat on old Manongs on Strike.
ALEX
To when Cesar Chavez joined them to fight as united agricultural workers.
FERNANDO
And led a 365 mile march from Delano to Sacramento with the eyes of the world watching them on television.
JANAE
While Manong Larry organized grape boycotts at stores around the country.
VANESSA
Which eventually caused the grape owners to sign a labor contract on July 20th, 1970.
Back to the other side of the stage.
DALLAS reaches into his pocket and gives Johnny a pen.
DALLAS
You’re going to need this.
JOHNNY
What’s this for?
Back to the other side of the stage.
VANESSA
And the first person to sign that contract?
ALL THE STUDENTS
Larry Dulay Itliong.
JOHNNY
Larry Dulay Itliong.
Back to the other side of the stage.
DALLAS
Say what?
JOHNNY picks up his bucket and sticks.
JOHNNY
Larry Dulay Itliong.
Did you ever have that feeling that something’s pulling you in another direction? I have to go.
DALLAS
What can possibly be more important that this?
Back to the other side of the stage.
VANESSA
And that’s why we’re here today to tell this Care Home to start caring about it’s employees like Carmelita Montalban!
ALL THE STUDENTS
WELGA! WELGA! WELGA! WELGA! WELGA!
Enter JOHNNY.
JOHNNY
Hey!
VANESSA
Hey. Glad you can finally make it.
JOHNNY
Can I say something?
Enter CARMELITA.
CARMELITA
Actually, can I say something?
VANESSA gives CARMELITA a hug.
VANESSA
Of course. Do you have it?
CARMELITA gives her journal to Vanessa.
VANESSA (CONT’D)
Thank you.
CARMELITA
No. Thank you.
Everybody. Thank you. Thank you for being here today.
Before today, I thought that I and my other co-workers at the place behind us, were the only ones going through what we were going through. I heard about other people.. about their stories… about how other workers were abused… and how other workers were exploited.. belittled… and forced to work in conditions that denied our human rights. But with all of you being here today, I’ve learned that it’s not only about me… or the other workers… and the workers who came before us with their struggles. Through them and through you, I no longer fear that I am alone. We are not alone. We have a voice.
That I have a voice.
Thank you.
VANESSA
Thank you, Auntie Carmelita.
You heard her. Each of us has a voice and together… together as a community, we are here to demand that she and her co-workers are paid the wages she has earned in overtime and for the other wages that was promised to her.
(VANESSA holds up Carmelita’s journal)
Inside this journal are all the records Carmelita has kept of the times when her employer made her work through her meal breaks. When she worked past 9 hours in a day or worked more than 6 days in a row. She has also written down every time her employer threatened to fire her if she were to tell anyone about her complaints.
That was against her rights. Those are against your rights if you work in a care home, or at the airport, in a parking lot, or at a hotel. And that’s why we’re all here today, to let all of us know that labor rights are not just a worker’s struggle. It is a community struggle. And the only way to make sure these rights aren’t stepped on, we have to be able to fight together.
MAXI starts the unity clap: a lone clap that starts slow and as more people joins her, the beat continuously gets faster and faster until
VANESSA lets out…
VANESSA (CONT’D)
ISANG BAGSAK! [One fall]
On that final clap, all the light blackout…. except
for one…
THE EPILOGUE
A single spotlight shines down on Johnny.
JOHNNY
It didn’t happen quite that fast.
And even with my mom’s journal, there were a lot of meetings and sometimes it felt like there were more step backs than steps moving forward, but eventually, my mom and her coworkers were awarded what they worked for.
But for me…. because I missed most of the rally, Ms. V didn’t pass me… and I didn’t graduate with everyone else. But after a summer in school, that diploma now hangs above the dining room table. And even though Europe didn’t happen me and Fernando…
We are still The Diggable Universe.
MAXI
And if you listen close enough
JANAE
Our dreams
VANESSA
Our hopes
CARMELITA
Our voice
FERNANDO
No matter if you’re out in the Richmond District,
ENSEMBLE
Or out in Bernal Heights…
Or in the Mission…
The Fillmore…
The Excelsior…
The Castro…
The Sunset…
The Tenderloin…
JOHNNY
Or here in the South of Market in the City in a Community we call
ENSEMBLE
Home.
JOHNNY
One, two, three, four…
JOHNNY and FERNANDO begin to jam out until the…
END OF PLAY