LIRIO

PETER SOLIS NERY

SET A SCRIPT

SCENARIO 1
Added Dialogues By: Jan Peter Luiz L. Sembrano

Narrator: According to Lola Pansay the midwife, all the

butterflies went wild when Nanay Rosa gave birth to Lirio, the
Mute. The old woman could never forget that birth, a curious
event. That was the only time she had ever seen a large gathering
of butterflies. In her estimation, all the butterflies in Barrio
Jardin and other neighboring sitios flocked to witness Lirio’s
birth.

Lola Pansay: You’ve got quite a beautiful child Rosa.

Nanay Rosa: Oh that is so kind coming from you, Pansay.
Lola Pansay: She will make a mark in this world.
Nanay Rosa: *Smiles*

Narrator: When the midwife patted the baby’s buttocks, it did not
make a sound. The old woman then slapped its butt, but still the
baby did not cry. Then the butterflies hovered around the old
lady who had the baby in her arms.

Lola Pansay: That is unusual for a newborn not to make a sound

during birth.
Nanay Rosa: What does that mean? Is my child breathing? Is she
dead?
Lola Pansay? Quite the opposite, we have a heartbeat but your
child seems to be mute.
Nanay Rosa: *Stares with full of worry towards baby Lirio*
Narrator: For a while these unusual visitors stopped flying, as
if they were poised in prayer. The baby in Lola Pansay’s arms
smiled, and that was all. The old woman put down the baby beside
Nanay Rosa who was almost unconscious. It was a difficult
delivery; the mother lost a lot of blood. But Nanay Rosa smiled
when she felt her baby by her side.

Nanay Rosa: She is so beautiful. I can’t believe I just gave

birth. Oh my child, welcome into this world.
Lola Pansay: You’ve lost a lot of blood in you, let me put the
baby on your side so that you can rest, here let me have it.
Nanay Rosa: *Obeys and took a rest as Lola Pansay instructed*

(QUICK SCENE CHANGE)

Narrator: Thousands of butterflies were at the baby’s
christening. They frolicked and danced outside the chapel. Their
wings were like nuns’ hands in prayer: open, close, open, close.
The baby smiled.

Random Person #1: Oh I’ve never seen so many butterflies flying

around in one place.
Random Person #2: It’s so beautiful and terrifying at the same
time.

Narrator: When Padre Rafael asked how the baby was to be called,
Tatay Manuel gave the name: Lirio, after the lily.

Tatay Manuel: We shall name her Lirio, after the flower, Lily.
Padre Rafael: A beautiful name for such a beautiful child, you’ve
made a good decision Manuel.
Tatay Manuel: Thank you Padre Rafael.
Narrator: The father said the name Lirio suited her well, for the
baby was very fair-skinned. If Lola Pansay were to be believed,
in the long time that she had been midwife in Barrio Jardin,
Lirio was the fairest of all the babies whose umbilical cord she
had cut. This was a source of great pride for Tatay Manuel whose
ancestry bore dark sunburned skin.

Narrator: On the day of the christening itself, the barrio chapel

was flooded with white lilies because Padre Rafael was
officiating a wedding after the baptism. But it was only Nanay
Rosa who noticed the very white flowers; everyone else had their
attention on Lirio’s very fair skin, especially because the baby
looked even more enchanting in the white frock its mother put on
her.

Nanay Rosa: These white flowers seems so peaceful to look at,

don’t you think?
Tatay Manuel: They are, and the butterflies here seems to add
beauty into it.
Nanay Rosa: *Stares lovingly towards Tatay Manuel and to Lirio*

Narrator: Lirio glowed when Padre Rafael made a cross of holy oil
on her forehead. She smiled when water was poured over her head,
and she soundlessly chuckled as she gazed at the butterflies
peering through the chapel windows.

Padre Rafael: We ask you, Father, with your Son to send the Holy
Spirit upon the water of this font. May all who are buried with
Christ in the death of baptism rise also with him to newness of
life. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Everyone at the Church: Amen!
Narrator: Tatay Manuel proudly cradled his child as the
godparents lighted candles. Many had thought that one of the
couple was sterile because they had remained childless after
almost twenty years. But now in their advanced age, they were
blessed with a beautiful and unique child, Lirio the Silent One.

Narrator: Lirio was greatly loved by her parents, but she grew up
without friends. She had wanted to join in the many children’s
games like hide-and-seek and others, but the other children did
not give her any attention. She was often sad because, being
mute, she was always made fun of. Thus, she directed all her time
to her books and her crayons.

Nanay Rosa: Don’t you think she’s supposed to socialize there out
in the world? Instead of drowning in her books and crayons?
Tatay Manuel: Well I don’t see a problem, as long as she is
closer to us, I’ll be alright.
Nanay Rosa: *Smacks Tatay Manuel’s shoulder jokingly*

END OF SCENARIO 1

SCENARIO 2
Added Dialogue By: Sofia Heart Raven Villejo

Narrator: Both of them were subjected to their classmates’

teasing, but Yasmin was bold. She wrestled with those who taunted
and mocked them. She was a bit of a tomboy and many feared her.
Even the teachers feared Yasmin’s father, who was a captain in
the army. (That was actually the reason Yasmin was always a
transferee in school: she and her mother went wherever her father
was assigned.)
*A group of students walks down the hall towards their next class
and notices Lirio standing in the corner somehow waiting for
Yasmin, A student pushes Lirio into the ground, throwing books
and papers all over the ground. The aggressors laughs*

Bully 1: Oh look it’s little miss no voice *laughs teasingly*

*Lirio looks shocked as she looks at the bullies from the floor*
Bully 2: What’s the matter? Cat’s got your tongue?
Bully 3: Why don’t you cry for help Lirio? OH, THAT’S RIGHT YOU
CAN’T.

*All of them laughs*

Bully 1: Look at me, I’m poor helpless lirio who’s gonna save you
now? You’re tatay? hahaha! He’s too busy filling sacks of rice
nah nah nah.
Bully 2: Yes, Lirio why can’t you speak? Don’t you know how to
speak? Didn’t your mother ever taught you how to talk?
Bully 3: GOSH! Her mother must not love her…. Haaa! I know, your
voice must be horrible! That’s why you don’t speak.

*Lirio start’s sobbing*

*Yasmin barges in*

Yasmin: ENOUGH, Leave her alone!

*Helps Lirio up*

Bully 1: Excuse me? Why do you care?

Yasmin: Because, she is my friend. Leave her alone or else!
*pushes the bully*
Bully 3: *pushes back* Or else what? Both of you are strange and
are nothing like us, just right for each other! *Laughs Evily*
Yasmin: We are not strange! We are simply special, we may be
nothing like you and thank god for that! We’d rather stay as
beautiful as we are than like you guys whose beauty stays only at
the surface, If you mess with us again I will tell the teacher
and my dad!
Bullies: Uh! Let’s go, they’re not worth it anyways.

*BULLIY LEAVES AND YASMIN WIPES LIRIO’S TEARS*

Yasmin: Are you okay?

*Lirio with tears in her eyes nodded*
Yasmin: (wipes her tears) Don’t listen to them, they are just
envious of how beautiful we are Lirio, My dad always says those
who bring other people down will never rise up. Don’t let their
words get to you, you’re special just the way you are and you… we
deserve the world. As long as we have each other we won’t let
anyone drag us down.

Narrator: Hearing those words Lirio’s face brightened as she

hears comforting words from Yasmin both the fair girls went
inside their classroom as the classes begin.

*FAST FORWARD*
Narrator: At the end of their first grade, Captain Buenaflor was
assigned to Mindanao. Out of great sadness, Lirio refused to eat
for three days. Tatay Manuel and Nanay Rosa found it difficult to
console her. A seven-year-old could not comprehend why friends
had to part. It was sad to be alone, but it was more miserable
when friends had to separate whom Grade One had made very dear to
each other.
Nanay Rosa: Lirio sweetheart, why aren’t you eating? You must eat
darling or you will get malnourished. Oh Tatay! Whatever shall we
do?
*Nanay Rosa said kindly to her daughter but Lirio with sad eyes
only tilted her head no, as she heads to her room to weep*

END OF SCENARIO 2

SCENARIO 3
Added Dialogue By: Jan Peter Luiz L. Sembrano

Narrator: From then on, Lirio ceased attending school. She helped
her mother weave patadyong. And at age nine, for her own
amusement, she started tending a garden that bloomed with
beautiful fragrant flowers: roses, sampaguita, rosal, gumamela,
dahlia, calachuchi, bougainvilla, orchids, and lilies, and all
kinds of flowers.

Nanay Rosa: I am just so happy that she found something to

distract her to what happened in school. But don’t you think, she
should be in school with all those children? Learning and having
fun and just being a kid.
Tatay Manuel: I don’t want her to be near those kids again,
anything that harms her and makes her cry aches my heart. I can’t
seem to see her hurt again by those bullies.

Narrator: Butterflies and birds flocked to this garden. In the

daytime, it was delightful how butterflies chased each other to
the chirping of the birds. In the evening, the creaking crickets
sounded like a mother’s lullaby.

Narrator: Lirio was greatly pleased with her plants in bloom.

Like her, the flowers did not need to speak. She was happy to
relate with the flowers without using her lips and tongue.
Without the need for words, she understood the flowers more than
she did people. Sometimes she would think how people would better
understand other people (or other things) if only they stopped
talking.

Lirio: *Touches the flowers all around the garden, giggling and
smiling*

Narrator: For many a time the butterflies’ wings would flap like
they were applauding the bits of wisdom like this that flowed
from the spring of Lirio’s muteness. And the maiden would only
smile.

END OF SCENARIO 3

SCENARIO 4
Added Dialogue By: Sofia Heart Raven Villejo

Narrator: Time came when it was not only in the garden that the
butterflies hovered. Wingless butterflies started gathering in
the hut in pursuit of the maiden. One of these was Noli whom
Lirio also fancied. Noli was handy with electronics. When Lirio’s
radio failed to work so that she had to miss listening to her
favorite drama on air, a single tweak by Noli was all it took to
make the radio work again.

*Broken Radio Noises*

*Lirio acts as if she’s a damsel in distress*

Noli: Hello Miss! It has come to my attention that you here is a

damsel in distress? What seems to the problem?
Narrator: As Noli asked the young maiden, Lirio with heart eyes
and a blushing heart slowly pointed to the radio and wrote “I am
mute and cannot speak, I do need your help dear Noli for my radio
is broken and I cannot listen to my favorite drama”

Noli: Oh! Let me see here… *starts fixing the radio* A little
this and A little that, aha! That should do the trick.
*Radio starts to play smoothly*

Narrator: Hearing the radio play her favorite drama again Lirio’s
face brightened and the butterflies started gathering around the
two of them, the two smiled and sat to one another even though
Lirio could not speak Noli would always try his best to keep the
fair lady company, he would often amuse Lirio and would keep
talking while he patiently listens to the sign languages and what
Lirio wrote.

Narrator: Only Noli understood Lirio’s speechless heart. When he

came to visit, he did not boast as the others did. He just
remained silent and subdued. He usually offered the girl three
white lilies, a symbol of his pure love for her. And Lirio in
turn would bring him to her garden to show off the lilies that
she planted.

Noli: *Kisses Lirio’s hand* Hello My darling, please take these 3

white lilies as a symbol of my love for you.

*Lirio’s heart started to raise as she stood up and excitedly

hugged Noli as she received the beautiful lilies he gave to her.*

Noli: Oh darling, you are just like the lilies. You’re as fair as
the white lilies, Beautiful I must say! The pureness of these
flowers gently reminds my heart why I love you. Such a pure soul
that I must love.
*gently touches Lirio’s hair*

Narrator: Lirio then grabs Noli’s arm and took him to her
beautiful garden, there they would spend time as both of them
fell harder. Both ran around like carefree children in the
beautiful garden, the butterflies would prance and dance around
hovering above the two them as both romantically bond.

Noli: Oh Lirio, you’re as beautiful as these flowers, My pure

heart belongs to you. May you think of us everytime you see
lilies my darling. Will a beautiful maiden like you accept my
love?
Lirio’s gently gave Noli a smile and Nodded
Noli: Oh, my heart just skipped a beat… I love you my flower!

*QUICK SCENE CHAGE TO TRAGIC PIER SCENE BACKDROP*

Narrator: Lirio really fell for Noli. Even the butterflies in the
garden clapped with glee when the young woman decided to accept
the love that Noli offered her. But three months after Lirio
vowed to return Noli’s love, the young man was pushed by dire
need to seek his fortune abroad. He could not refuse a well-
paying job that a Japanese employer offered him.

*BOTH ARGUING*
Noli: I am sorry my flower but I cannot stay. I must do this for
me and for us. I will come back for you I promise but for now my
darling we must be apart *wipes Lirio’s tears* Do not cry no no…
Everytime you are lonely look at the lilies and always remember I
will always love you no matter how far I am. *BOAT HORN SIGNALS
TO GO* I must go now my flower! Wait for me.
Narrator: As Lirio holds on to Noli’s arm for one last time and
Noli breaking it, she blows a kiss one last time as she watches
the boat fade away onto the ocean with the love of her life.
Narrator: For three months, Lirio shed tears for Noli. Even the
butterflies seemed embarrassed to flutter before her. Tatay
Manuel and Nanay Rosa were hushed with great pity. They could
only shake their heads at the sight of Lirio absently staring at
the white lilies before her.

END OF SCENE 4

SCENARIO 5
Added Dialogues By: Miky Aguio

Narrator: Years passed and no one can explain the events that
brought Lirio to marriage with Sgt. Vicente “Itik” Lugay, a
sergeant of the PNP. Perhaps Lirio remembered Yasmin in the brave
and brusque sergeant; perhaps she got tired of waiting for Noli.
There was a great many “perhaps” but no one knew the real reason
Lirio consented to marry Itik Lugay. (Pause)

Itik: “Lirio, receive this ring as a sign of my love and

fidelity. In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy
spirit.”
Lirio: *Does not speak, puts her husband’s ring on fingers*
Father: “In the sight of God and these witnesses, I now pronounce
you husband and wife! You may now kiss!”
Lirio and Itik: *Kiss*

(QUICK SCENE CHANGE)

*Lirio and Itik is inside the hut with Tay Manuel and Nanay Rosa”
Narrator: In truth, even the butterflies weakened at her
decision. In their old age, Tatay Manuel and Nanay Rosa could no
longer see nor hear, and they could no longer speak even if they
had wanted to refuse. But if only Lirio had taken a glance before
she accepted Itik, she might have seen the big black butterfly as
it alighted on the front door of the hut. Before a year had
passed after Lirio’s marriage, both her parents died. (PAUSE)

*Lirio cries during the funeral*

*Side character 1: My brother said that Itik would sometimes beat
both of them!
*Side character 2: Yes! Oh, how cruel that man is!
*Side Character 3: I wonder how Lirio’s doing, I heard that he’s
really a violent man. He could be abusing Lirio right now.
Side character 1: Well, I heard that he calls Tatay Manuel a
“Zombie”, and Nanay Rosa “Zombelina” when he goes out drinking
with his friends, he’s a lunatic!
(Lirio notices her neighbors, she approaches and writes down to
her paper)

Lirio: What’s going on? What are you guys talking about?
Side character: Oh nothing, *touches Lirio’s hand* we’re sending
our deep condolences, Lirio.

Narrator: In the first month of their marriage, immediately Mrs.

Lirio Lugay obtained three bumps. That was the start of the old
couple’s decline. Lirio became more silent than ever. Never did
she allow her parents to hear the painful moans that slid from
her silent lips. (PAUSE)
Itik: You’re worthless! You can’t even make me a meal before
dinner! What were you even doing the whole day?! That damn garden
of yours?
*Lirio pleads and is trying to avoid her husband’s beatings*
Itik: I’ll destroy that garden if you mess things up again! You
worthless woman!
*Itik goes out*
*Lirio cries in silence*

Narrator: Even then perhaps, in their own silence, the old couple
could sense what their beloved child was going through. And so to
cause Lirio to cry unashamedly (or without any care or concern),
they held their breaths until they convulsed and the pupils of
their eyes popped out.

*QUICK SCENE CHANGE*

Side Character 1: Lirio! Lirio! Noli’s back from Japan! He’s come
to visit you!
*Lirio writes to her notebook* What do you mean?
Side Character 1: *Points at Noli* He’s here!
*Noli enters the scene*
Noli: Lirio…
*Lirio stares*
Noli: You’ve changed, I missed you a lot.
Lirio: *Hugs Noli*
Lirio: *Writes at paper* I thought you were never coming back
Noli: I know. I’m sorry. I also heard that you’re married now,
congratulations. I brought you your favorite flowers by the way.
Lirio: *accepts the flowers*
Narrator: Itik continued to get drunk and to beat his wife. And
then Noli came home from Japan. (PAUSE)

Itik: Lirio? Where are you? You better come out or I’ll beat the
life out of you!
*Itik finds her crying under a table*
Itik: You dirty sly of a woman! Did you ever think I wouldn’t
know that Noli’s back?!

Narrator; Itik raged with jealousy. So Lirio collected much from

the cruelty and violence of the jealous drunkard. (PAUSE)

Itik: I’ll kill you! I swear I’ll kill you and that bastard when
I see him roaming around here again!
*continues to beat Lirio*

Narrator: She silently suffered all the punishment because she

could not explain Noli’s constant visit and the three white
lilies that he always had for her. (PAUSE)
*QUICK SCENE CHANGE*
Narrator: In jealous stupor, Itik would force himself on Lirio
even in the noontime heat. Then the cruel worm would fall asleep
on top of the tattered girl. (PAUSE)

Lirio: *Cries silently while Itik is on top of her*

Itik: Get up! Get out of here!
Lirio: *runs to her garden*

Narrator: And then, even with all the body aches and pains, Lirio
would run to her garden. There she would pray that she be turned
into a flower. She envied her lilies. They bloomed so gloriously
as if the world had not one reason for tears to fall. At dawn,
the lilies would have wet faces but, unlike her, not from tears.
It is the dew’s sweet kiss that dampened these chaste and
precious flowers. She wanted to be like the lilies.

END OF SCENARIO 5

SCENARIO 6
Added Dialogues By: Eloisa Grace Verona

Narrator: When Lirio was sleeping one night, she was awakened by
her drunk husband attempting to force himself on her once more.
She noticed butterflies swarming outside the window, which
surprised her because butterflies rarely emerge at night.

Itik: 1 *pretends to be drunk*

2 *climbs on top of her*
Lirio: 1 *awakens from her slumber*
2 *sees the butterflies swarming outside*

Narrator: She escaped her husband's attempt and ran to the

garden, filled with wonder, surprise, fright, and disgust for
Itik. Itik chased after her, grabbing the pistol from the
dresser.

Lirio: *Frightened expression*

*Escapes Itik and runs to the garden*
Itik: "Get back here Lirio!"
*Snatches the pistol from the dresser*
*Follows Lirio to the garden*
Narrator: He found Lirio on her knees in front of her white
lilies, as if in prayer. Itik suddenly sprouted horns and a tail.
He aimed his gun at his wife.

Itik: *Catches up with lirio*

"You think you can get away from me, don't you?"
*Points his gun at her*

Narrator: Lirio continued to pray, tears streaming down her

cheeks. She began to babble, and then butterflies began to fly
out of her mouth as if she had just swallowed a bunch.

Lirio: *crying as she kneels and prays*

*opens her mouth and butterflies fly out*

Narrator: Itik, on the other hand, was taken aback by what he had
just witnessed. He appeared to have calmed down.

Itik: "What in the world just happened?"

*confused expression*

Narrator: Then, like thunder, these words from Lirio the Silent
One's lips:
Lirio: “Lord, I want to be a lily!”

Narrator: Then, thunder and lightning howled. *drums* With Itik

Lugay still holding the gun, the butterflies dashed around him,
slapping his head with their wings and blinding him with the
powder from beneath their wings.
Itik: "Ahhhhhhhh! Get off me you filthy creatures!!"
*Struggles to free himself from the butterfly situation*
*Acts distressed after the butterfly's wings slap his head*
*Panicked as he became blind*

Narrator: Itik was terrified with the gun still in his hands, and
he screamed:

Itik: "A fiend you are! You are the devil!”

Narrator: The quiet night was shattered by a loud gunshot. *gun

sound*
Narrator: Lirio had then finally turned into a lily.

Lirio: *positions like Lily*

~END~