KARLA T.

LONGJAS
Pleasantville, Sagkahan
Tacloban City, Philippines, 6500
+639166459968
karlalongjas127@gmail.com

SASTREs

by

KARLA T. LONGJAS

Ⓒ Karla T. Longjas 2016

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

SASTRE 1, 65, a strict old lady who owns a tailoring shop

SASTRE 2, 50, an open minded komadrona

SASTRE 3, 18, troubled young girl

SETTING:

The story happens during a hot afternoon in a small tailoring shop hidden somewhere in the
middle of a small province. The tailoring shop is owned by a 65-year old Sastre who is known
for sewing men’s clothing. Three sewing machines are on stage. An old one placed on the center
stage, two other machines are placed side by side, facing away from each other, one is on
downstage right and the other one on the opposite side.

‘
Scene 1

(SASTRE 2 and SASTRE 3 are preset on the

stage as stage lights slowly fade in)

SASTRE 3

Everything in this world has an equivalent monetary value.

SASTRE 2

Practically, oo, but I have to disagree with you on that.

SASTRE 3

Diay? Tell me something I don’t know.

SASTRE 2

Gugma. Love. You don’t need money to be able to love someone.

SASTRE 3

But you need money to sustain love.

(SASTRE 2 will not respond and will continue

sewing a Barong tagalog)

SASTRE 3

If love can get me along, then, I wouldn’t be here in this musty, old place forcing my body to
work. I even consider myself an addict, not with drugs but from the smell of all these telas.

SASTRE 2

You needed the money, ‘dili ba?

SASTRE 3

I do.

SASTRE 2

Then you have no choice. You had an option, a better one.

 SASTRE 3

At the Center?
SASTRE 2

Yes, near the barangay hall.

SASTRE 3

Have you even tried it yourself?

SASTRE 2

I didn’t get pregnant, did I?

SASTRE 3

It doesn’t not matter now. Naa na siya dire o. (strokes her tummy)

(SASTRE 1 enters looking exhausted. From the

way she walks, one can tell she is suffering
from back pains)

SCENE 2

SASTRE 2

You look so tired, okay ra ka?

(SASTRE 1 gets her notebook and instructs

SASTRE 3 to cut her 2 ½ meters of red tela.)

SASTRE 3

Right away, po.

SASTRE 1

My back has been hurting more often these past days.

SASTRE 2

That’s very unusual. Is something at home stressing you out?

 SASTRE 1

Daghan kaau ko’g ginahuna-huna. The older you get, the more worried you become.

SASTRE 2

So, I am right. There is something bothering you.

(SASTRE 1 starts marking the tela with her
orange wax chalk and realizes that she ran
out of red thread.)

SASTRE 1

(To SASTRE 3) Palihog agi sa balay and tell Linda I ran out of red thread.

(SASTRE 3 nods and leaves.)

SASTRE 1

Si Eboy ko…

SASTRE 2

Ah, si Eboy, imong paborito. Ngano man, is he sick?

SASTRE 1

(Shaking her head.) No! Of course, not.

SASTRE 2

You only usually worry that much when he gets sick. I have not seen him for a while now.
(Smiles) I always remember how proud you are of him.

SASTRE 1

I still am. Sa tanan nakong mga apo, he gives me more reasons to get up each day despite my
age. Each tailored suit was never put to waste.

SASTRE 2

Among you grandchildren, he is the most diligent and the most obedient, you mean.

SASTRE 1
Yes, but I can tell that he is hiding something from me. Babaye tingali… (Bothered by her own
thoughts) I am not sure.

SASTRE 2

Young Eboy is a very handsome looking man. Responsable kaayo ug bright pa jud! No woman
would say ‘No’ for an answer.

SASTRE 1

Mao gani.

SASTRE 2

Unsa diay, what is the problem, then?

SASTRE 1

Murag nakita nako ang babaye, he brought her to the house a week ago.

SASTRE 2

Ay, maybe you have been overthinking things.

SASTRE 1

Nabalaka rako; he has two more years in college. Besides, you know I’m the traditional type.

SASTRE 2

Dalia ra sa panahon. Who would have thought that Eboy is graduating in two years? I can still
recall when you would bring that boy here in the shop. Kulit kaayo siya and curious about our
tahi-anan.

SASTRE 1

(Smiles and recalls) Eboy is very special to me. When my daughter got pregnant with Eboy, she
wasn’t expecting him. Grabe iyang hilaka so much because she wasn’t sure if she wanted to keep
the baby. She said she had been counting off the beads. What could possibly go wrong? Unlike
his older siblings, Eboy grew up with me. Wala’y ikabuhi iyang inahan.

SASTRE 2

That usually doesn’t work.

 SASTRE 1

What do you mean?

SASTRE 2

You cannot predict a woman’s cycle just by counting off the beads.

SASTRE 1

What are you telling me then?

SASTRE 2

Ah, wala. It’s nothing.

SASTRE 1

Igna ko Tell me. What then?

SASTRE 2

Women like your daughter should have options. There are other ways to prevent pregnancy.

SASTRE 1

I know what you are talking about.

SASTRE 2

Options are not only for women but for men as well. What I am trying to say is, being a
komadrona myself, I have experienced giving birth to women of all ages who never wanted the
baby in the first place.

(SASTRE 1 did not respond)

SASTRE 2

Your way is not the only way.

SASTRE 1
But it is the only “right” way. Other than that is unacceptable. You can only prevent it by not
doing it. Wala’y laing better options.

SASTRE 2

Kabalo ka. You know better. (Pause) Preventing is far from aborting.

SASTRE 1

Try to get a hold of your tongue! Bantayi imong baba!

(SASTRE 2 finishes her barong and hung it at

her right side.)

SASTRE 1

Wala ka kabalo saimong gina sulti. Pregnancy is a gift. My Eboy is a gift.

(SASTRE 2 did not respond. She continues

checking her finished barong, trying to be a
little more patient both with details on her
barong and with the old lady. SASTRE 3 enters
and breaks the silence.)

SCENE 3

SASTRE 3

(Panting) Linda wasn’t there when I arrived so Eboy got this from your drawer instead.

(SASTRE3 hands to SASTRE 1 a box of thread

with different colors.)

SASTRE 1

(Opens the box and got frustrated) I told you to get just the red one.

SASTRE 3

Oh, I’m sorry; I can go back if you want.

(SASTRE 2 looks at SASTRE 3 and signals her

 to go straight to her table)

SASTRE 2

Go back to work, it’s okay.

(SASTRE 3 continues finishing a gray slacks.)

SASTRE 2

Make sure to finish that by today. Mr. Lacson is expecting that first thing tomorrow morning.

SASTRE 3

Of course! I wouldn’t disappoint him.

SASTRE 2

He is a loyal customer as well.

SASTRE 3

(Giggles) He is my favorite.

SASTRE 2

Kay gwapo? That man is very handsome.

SASTRE 3

(Nods) He smells good too!

SASTRE 2

Young, successful…

SASTRE 3

And don’t forget his broad shoulders and small chinito eyes!

SASTRE 2

And the best part is, he always gives you a tip.

 (SASTRE 2 and 3 started laughing.)

SASTRE 1

(Interrupts) Isa pa, that’s what makes us different, we meet our deadlines. If we cannot make it,
we don’t accept it.

(SASTRE 2 and 3 stopped laughing audibly)

SASTRE 1

(Signals to SASTRE 2) Where did you place the barong that I was working the other day?

SASTRE 2

Mr. Martinez’s barong? I placed it in the storage room, the one in a brown paper bag. I thought
you’re done with it. You want me to get it for you?

SASTRE 1

Kaya na nako. I’ll just get it myself.

SASTRE 2

Okay. Tawag ra, just call me if you need help.

(SASTRE 1 walks out the patahian)

SCENE 4

SASTRE 2

‘Nya ‘nya, how’s Eboy doing?

(SASTRE 3 bothered and shocked by the

sudden question)

SASTRE 2

Nagkita man mo. You’ve seen him earlier, right? How long are you going to keep that secret
from the old lady?
 SASTRE 3

(Biting her lips) Wala ko kabalo (I don’t know)

SASTRE 2

You’re caught in a very difficult situation, young lady. But, remember, keeping this a secret
won’t do you any good.

SASTRE 3

The old woman loves Eboy like he was her own son. Telling this kind of news to her will only
burden her. I’m also afraid she might disown Eboy.

SASTRE 2

Having a baby is not a curse. It’s a blessing and everybody knows that, especially the old
woman.

SASTRE 3

We really didn’t expect this to happen. It was all a risk and where it got us.

SASTRE 2

Well, it’s already too late.

(SASTRE 3 remains silent. Then, continues

with her work to keep her distracted.)

SATRE 2

Make it right this time, para nimo, ni Eboy, ug para sa bata.

(Unnoticeably, SASTRE 1 is standing outside

the door listening)

SASTRE 3

He told me that he has a plan.

(SASTRE 2 did not reply. She waited for

 SASTRE 3 to continue.)

SASTRE 3

He said I should wait, that he’s still looking for the right time to tell his Lola about us, our
situations. I’m scared. I don’t want to ruin his life.

SASTRE 2

You might be right for thinking about his future, but things are different now. It’s not anymore
about you or Eboy…

SASTRE 3

But what do we have? My job? He is only a student. We will not survive out there, especially
with this baby.

SASTRE 2

There is no other choice for the both of you. Sooner or later it will all end up in the same path.
You better face it now.

(SASTRE 1 enters the room whining about her

back)

SCENE 5

SASTRE 2

Did you find it?

SASTRE 1

Yes. Sa taas jud nimo gibutang. I nearly broke my back reaching for it.

SASTRE 2

I told you to call me if you need help.

SASTRE 1

Well, I thought I can handle it myself.

SASTRE 3
Do you want me to get you a pillow for your back?

SASTRE 1

Ayaw na. Your concern is not needed.

SASTRE 2

You don’t have to be rude.

SASTRE 1

Paghilom and just finish your job.

SASTRE 3

I’m sorry po, but is this still about the thread that you ordered me to get? Look, Linda was not
there so…

SASTRE 1

Shut your mouth!

(SASTRE 3 was surprised and confused.)

SASTRE 2

(Angered with the attitude of the old woman) What’s the matter with you? I know you’re not
feeling good and you’re stressed out but…
SASTRE 1

Don’t mind me. Wala ko sa mood karon.

SASTRE 2

(Trying to be calm) By the way, a customer passed by this morning to have his pants adjusted
and he said he needs it immediately tomorrow. I’m planning to do the adjustments myself since
she (referring to SASTRE 3) still has a deadline for Mr. Lacson.

SASTRE 1

Ihatag na niya, she accepted the job right? So I expect she would be the one to do it.
 SASTRE 3

Tama po siya. I should do it. Anyway, I’m almost done with this. I’ll do the cutting next.

SASTRE 2

Sure ra ka? You’re looking a little bit pale.

SASTRE 1

Pasagdi siya. You still have some deadlines yourself, right?

SASTRE 2

Okay pero hapit naman ko mahuman. I’m going to take a break and buy some bread. Do you
want me to buy you some?

SASTRE 1

The usual, pandesal. Thank you.

SASTRE 3

Nothing for me.

SASTRE 2

Are you sure about that? You didn’t eat lunch earlier.

SASTRE 3

(Faint smile) I’m okay.

(SASTRE 2 leaves)

SASTRE 1

I heard you are seeing someone right now?

SASTRE 3

(Startled) Ako po?

 SASTRE 1

Naa’y lain tao diri?

SASTRE 3

(Reluctantly speaking) Uh… No, I’m not seeing anyone.

SASTRE 1

Sigurado ka?

SASTRE 3

(Stutters) Yes, po…

SASTRE 1

You know my apo, Eboy?

SASTRE 3

Opo, I know him.

SASTRE 1

I assume you are aware that he is already in his second year in college?

SASTRE 3

You told us last time.

SASTRE 1

He is hiding something from me these days. He looks bothered.

SASTRE 3

Maybe he is just busy with his studies.

SASTRE 1

I don’t think that is the reason. I saw him last week. He brought a girl in our house. Wala siya
nag pahibalo.
 (SASTRE 3 is looking very uncomfortable and
nervous but still trying to keep her
composure.)

SASTRE 1

You’re friends with Eboy, diba?

SASTRE 3

Yes.. but we haven’t seen each other for a while now.

SASTRE 1

Namalikmata siguro ako. I thought I saw you near the house the other day.

(SASTRE 1 notices the nervousness in SASTRE

3’s stitching.)

SASTRE 3

Po?

SCENE 6

(Before SASTRE 3 can answer, SASTRE 2

came back and notices an awkward tension.)

SASTRE 2

Na unsa na mo? Is everything okay?

SASTRE 1

Of course!

SASTRE 3

(In a rush) I need to get some extra tela in the storage room, excuse me.

SASTRE 2

(To SASTRE 1) What are you up to this time?

 (Suddenly, they heard a loud bang from the
storage room. SASTRE 2 and SASTRE 1 went
there to check it and to their surprise, SASTRE
3 was on the floor, unconscious)

SASTRE 2

(Panicking) Susmaryosep, naunsa na (man) ka. Are you okay?

SASTRE 1

(Surprised but still keeping her composure) Kindly do me a favor.

SASTRE 2

We must hurry and ask help from our neighbors…

SASTRE 1

Please make sure that we close early today.

SASTRE 2

Unsa? What are you saying?

SASTRE 1

Lock all the doors and close all the windows.

SASTRE 2

(Amused by her words) Can’t you see what happened to her?! Taban! We need help!

SASTRE 1

Stop acting childish. Buhata akong giingon.

SASTRE 2

But we need to get her out of here. She needs medical help.

SASTRE 1

Medical help? I don’t think so. Everything she needs is already here.
 SASTRE 2

I’m only a komadrona! What do I know?

SASTRE 1

Exactly, you are a komadrona. And what do komadronas do? Give birth right?

SASTRE 2

You… kno–... But she did not ask for this.

SASTRE 1

You heard her complaints and cries. So, why keep the burden when you can take it away from
her? Inahan pud ka , if you get a chance to make your child’s life easier, won’t you also grab the
opportunity?

SASTRE 2

Yes I will, but not this way. And if I were to do this, it would be for her not for you. I’m going to
do this, I am not doing this for her and not for you. We need to know what she needs.

SASTRE 1

Sige, let’s wake her up.

(Lights fade out)

CURTAIN