SUBMITTED BY:VENUS KE-GAY
Title: Mantak: The Legend of Gaang Bala[The scene opens with Mantak returning home from his rice fields, visibly exhausted. His loyal dog trails behind him.]
Mantak: *sighs heavily* Another long day in the fields. I hope the harvest will be bountiful this year.
[As Mantak approaches his home, he notices something amiss and rushes forward, his heart pounding.]
Mantak: What… What happened here? !
[He finds his wife lying motionless beside one of his traps, her body still and cold. Anguish washes over him as he falls to his knees beside her.]
Mantak: No… No! How could this happen?!
[His dog approaches, sensing his master’s distress, and nudges him gently with its nose.]
Mantak: *strokes the dog’s head* What do we do now, boy?
[The dog sniffs around the area and begins to lead Mantak away from the scene, barking excitedly.]
Mantak: Where are you taking me, boy?
[They journey through the rugged terrain, Mantak following his faithful companion without question.]
Mantak: *gazing into the distance* A wild deer… with horns like branches.
[He takes aim with his spear and strikes true, bringing down the majestic creature.]
Mantak: This will provide food for my family. Let’s bring it home, boy.
[As they travel, exhaustion and grief weigh heavily on Mantak, and he collapses from fatigue.]
Mantak: I can’t… go on… *struggles to lift himself*
[His dog returns and begins to lick his face, its tail brushing against his lips.]
Mantak: *realization dawns* Water… You found water!
[Revived by the discovery, Mantak follows his dog to a hidden spring, where he drinks deeply and finds renewed strength.]
Mantak: Thank you, my friend. Now, let’s take this deer home.
[Later, in Lub-ong, Mantak encounters a young woman and asks to meet her father.]
Mantak: Excuse me, miss. Could you take me to your father? I have something important to discuss with him.
[The woman leads Mantak to the village, where the elders gather to hear his story.]
Elder: So, you claim to be from Baugan and wish to marry my daughter. But how can we trust you?
Mantak: I understand your skepticism, but I am not just a farmer. I have skills that may surprise you.
[The elders challenge Mantak to transform a barren plot of land into a rice field.]
Mantak: Give me time, and I will show you what I can do.
[Weeks pass, and Mantak’s efforts bear fruit as water miraculously springs forth from the barren land.]
Elder: This is… incredible. You have truly shown us your worth, Mantak.
Mantak: Thank you, elder. Now, about marrying your daughter…
[The elders agree to the marriage but task Mantak with bringing 10 pigs from Baugan for the wedding.]
Mantak: Very well, I will return with the pigs.
[As Mantak’s caravan approaches Baugan, the villagers are shocked to see him alive and well.]
Villager: Mantak! But we thought you were dead!
Mantak: *explains the situation* I have returned, and I have come to fulfill my promise.
[After burying his wife and preparing the pigs, Mantak sets off once more for Lub-ong, accompanied by his relatives.]
Mantak: This time, I will not falter. I will marry the woman I love and start anew.
[As they reach Lub-ong, Mantak’s wedding is celebrated with joy and festivity, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his life.]
Mantak: *reflects on his journey* From grief and loss to love and hope… I am grateful for the journey that brought me here.
[The scene fades as Mantak embraces his new life with optimism and determination.]