01x01 - New Girl

[bunniefuu]

You can totally do it.

This is the payoff for all
the word games we used to do.

And remember what I always tell you,

don't be nervous, do your best.

Dad, I’ll really do my best so
we can finally get the cash prize.

If you do well here, you’ll get
more than just the cash prize.

What's that?

You'll see.

Answer it, it might be important.

Just let them be.

That’s yours for now.

Phones aren’t allowed on stage.

Okay.

- Thank you, Dad.
- Linette Estrella, excuse me.

You're up next.

Please get ready, the host
will call you in five minutes, okay?

Uh, Daddy, we should head to
the audience area now.

- Okay.
- Thank you.

Oh!

You can definitely do it.

Welcome back to the


Defending champion, Lawrence Uy
of Kai Chang Wa Academy,

is in the lead.

But the score is neck and neck
with the first-time Wordsmith finalist.

Linette Estrella, of G.
De Jesus High School.

Proving to be this year's dark horse.

Gainful.

That’s twenty-four points.

And with one move,
Estrella is now in the lead.

Go, Lin!

Hmm.

Maybe in the next tournament,

Possenti might also
make it to the championship

if your child plays.

That is, if you give her the opportunity

and make her a scholar at Possenti.

Well, that's asking for too much, Vin.

I know.

That's why I'm thankful for your presence

so you could witness Lin.

that she could be the student
to win all of your academic competitions

if you give her the chance.

You’re right.

I mean, she's highly intelligent.

She has a great personality and
the camera loves her. My god!

I just don’t want her go to waste

if she ends up graduating from
an unknown school.

Miss Perez,

you could change Lin’s life
if you take her into Possenti.

Uy needs 57 points,

to regain the lead.
Can he do it?

[in Mandarin]
You dropped it.

[in Mandarin]
You can do it.

Jacqueries.

Jacqueries.

Communal uprising.

Whatever.

That’s 84 points.

Did you win the championship last year
because of that technique?

What are you even saying?

With the clock ticking out,

Estrella needs 27 points to beat Uy.

Can she do it?

Cheaters.

I'm sure you know what that means.

She did it!

We have a new champion,

Linette Estrella from G.
De Jesus High School!

Amazing.

Congratulations.

Congratulations to both of you.

Really? So, we have a deal?

We do have a deal.

Thank you very much, Miss Perez.

You're going to change her life.

Thank you.

So you’ve already made up your mind.

Then why are we even talking?

I just wanted you and Lin
to understand why I need to leave.

Don’t talk to her anymore.

You’ll only end up hurting the kid
just like you’re hurting me now.

I’m not abandoning her. I’m just leaving…
but I’ll come back.

Oh, you're leaving?

I don’t want to be late, Dad.

There might be traffic going to Alabang.

But I cooked.

There’s longganisa and your favorite—eggs.

Oh, I already packed food. Wait.

Your uniform looks good on you.

Thank you.

You know this is the first time
you’re going to school without me?

Hmm.

You’re so dramatic.

Just eat breakfast already!

Hmm.

Dad,

thank you.

Thank you. Because if not for you,

I wouldn’t have become
a scholar at Possenti.

What are you saying?
You don’t need to thank me.

You deserve to study in a school like that.

And I want to make it up to you.

Make up for what?

I couldn’t afford to send you to a good
school in elementary.

But at least,

based on your STEM performance,

you’ll graduate from a school like that.

So your dream to become a...

foreign scholar will come true.

I don’t really need
to go to college abroad.

It’s okay here, with you.

What are you saying?

You've wanted that since you were a kid —
and I know you.

If you want something, you have to...

get it.

and

I’ll support that.

I won’t be as strict anymore
like I was with your mom.

Oh, Dad.

Let’s not include the people
who aren’t here.

You’re the one being dramatic.

You should be excited and happy.
It's the first day of school!

Maybe I’m just anxious.

I hope,

even if I’m just entering senior high,

I can still make some friends there.

Why wouldn’t you?

You’re kind. You’re smart.

But don’t be too smart.

Don’t just stick to the rules.

Use your heart too.

- Use your heart.
- Okay?

Yes, Dad. I’ll remember that and...

take it to heart.

Oh, that’s witty.

- Are you a Wordsmith champion?
- Yup.

Alright then. Go ahead,
it looks like it’s going to rain.

Bring this umbrella.

Oh.

It’s okay, Dad. That’s too big.

And the weather app says there’s
only an eight percent chance of rain.

- Ah.
- Look.

That eight is far from zero.
Just take it.

Fine.

You’re so persistent!

- Love you, Dad.
- Love you, Linlin.

- Love you.
- Take care, okay?

See you later, okay?

- See you, Dad.
- Be a good girl, Linlin.

Dad, you're embarassing me.

- Bye-bye!
- Take care.

Why only now, Nona?

In just two more years,
she’ll be graduating.

We’re talking about Lin’s future.

Don’t let your pride get in the way.

I’m still her mother.

I still have the right to decide
about our child’s future.

You gave up that right when you left us.

Please scan your ID.

Principal Perez?

Good morning, ma’am.

Good morning.

Thank you for accepting me to
your scholarship program.

Oh!

You must be Linette...

Estrella?

Welcome to Possenti.

Thank you.

I actually have some time now
before my meeting.

Do you want to...

tour around? I could bring you.

Really?

I feel shy.

It’s your lucky day. I have time.
Come on.

I'm sure you’ll love our
newly renovated library.

We pride ourselves of
having the latest academic

and even fiction titles straight

from publishers here and abroad.

Our interior designers really
took the time to consult

with experts to get the
best lighting,

airflow, to optimize
the space for studying.

That's how much we value our students.

And our computer labs...

we only use state-of-the art computers

with the latest OLED screens,

As well as the latest version
for educational softwares.

Our students are well-rounded.

The school has full
support for our students

in the different fields of
media and sports.

and of course, in the arts and music.

Can anyone find the value of X?

Anyone?

Yes, the new girl.

Impressive.

Anyone?

How about you guys?

This is just a tenth grade refresher.

The new student knows it better.

Hi.

Have the auditions started yet?

Are you using the room?

- Sorry.
- No, no, no, no, no. It's okay.

Uh, I’m Grace.

We're in the same section.

Grace Anne Dizon.

You're seated behind me.

Linette,

right?

Just Lin.

Nice meeting you, Lin.

I know we just met but

I was wondering if you could help me.

I heard you play and you’re really good!

so I was thinking if you could
help me rehearse

while the others are not here yet.

Is that okay?

Sure.

No problem.

♪ Lovingly. Oh, how long have
I longed for you... ♪

♪ And me. ♪

♪ Lovingly ♪

♪ Oh my heart I give to thee. ♪

Oh my god, that part again.

I'm sorry. I'm off-key.

Lord, you know,
I don't even know how I'm going

to be the Ibong Adarna if I'm
always off-key.

I can't even reach that high note.

That play really means a lot to you, huh?

Yeah.

It's always been my dream to be on stage.

Like Broadway levels, ever since
grade school in New Jersey.

You grew up there?

Yeah,

with my late mom.

Uh, but I’m with my dad now...

and he would k*ll me

if he ever finds out that I want
to study theater

instead of business management.

But

maybe if I get this lead part,

I can prove myself to him.

The problem is...

my voice sucks.

So maybe that's why.

No, it doesn’t.

If that’s your dream...

You should go for it.

No matter what anyone says.

And your voice is nice,
the song’s just really difficult.

Here.

Can you try singing along?

Ready?

Three. Two. One.

♪ Lovingly ♪

♪ Oh, how long have I longed for you. ♪

♪ And me. ♪

♪ Lovingly. O my heart I give ♪

♪ to thee. ♪

Oh my god. You are the best.

Seriously. Thank you so much.

I’m so glad I found you here.

Thank you.

Anytime.

Okay, just remind the company
that this version is pitched down, okay?

Okay.

- Good luck. Break a leg.
- Thank you.

And Lin.

just one last thing.

Do you think you could wait for me...

until I'm done?

if you're not doing anything.

I’m not.

Sure, I’ll wait for you.

Yay.

Thank you. I...

would feel less nervous knowing that
someone is there for me.

Thank you, sis.

Anytime.

- See you.
- Sis...

Hi.

- Hi.
- Hello.

- Hey, guys. I'm back.
- Hi, Grace! How was the audition?

Grace.

Hi.

- I'll get back to you.
- Okay, see you later.

- How are you? How’d it go?
- Hey.

I pulled it off...

kinda.

But,

it’s no use.

I'm not allowed to join the school play.

Huh? Why not?

Well,

there’s this new rule.

Everyone involved in the
school production must

at least have an 85% minimum average.

Like, hello?

You know, my grades have
not even reached 82.

Why does the required
grade have to be so high?

Right?

Like what does Algebra even have to do
with acting and singing?

Well,

we can’t really do anything
if those were the rules.

I know, it's just

It's so unfair.

Don’t be too focused on being smart.

Use your heart, too.

I’ll remember that and...

take it to heart.

Uh, Grace.

if you want, I can tutor you in Math.

If your grades go up, maybe you can
audition in the next production.

Wait. Really?

- Yeah.
- As in,

you’re gonna tutor me?

Oh, thank you! You're so nice, sis.

Sis?

Sorry. Is that okay?

Feeling close?

It’s okay!

Sis.

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

Okay, how about this? So,

this page here is actually
what Mr. Sevilla provided.

Oh, Dad!

Lin.

It’s only your first day of school.

Why did you go home so late?

Well, I went straight to night classes.

Didn’t want to waste the chance to earn.

You’re so hardworking.

Not really.

Have you had dinner?

It’s okay, I’ll eat later.

- You sure?
- Mhmm.

I’ll just heat up your food.

So how was your first day?

It was okay.

On a scale of 1 to 10,
I’d say probably

an 8.5?

What? Why not 10?

The school’s really big.

The facilities are great, but...

the student culture there feels different.

But I’m happy
because I made a new friend.

I'm actually tutoring her tomorrow.

Oh no, Pa...

Here we go again.

Okay, let's move your head first.

Go get some rest first.

Ready for class, Teacher Lin?

Teacher Lin, really?

But seriously,

thank you for doing this.

You know, I was actually thinking
of signing up for

Sir Sevilla’s class, but...

this is much better.

Sir Sevilla has a tutorial class
for the same subject?

Yeah.

Is that allowed?

Mhmmm.

Is it free?

Well, of course not.

But, you know...

a lot of teachers offer these kinds of
tutorial classes outside of school.

Oh, here. I’ll show you.

Look,

These are the exercises Sir Sevilla
gave his tutorial students.

I got that from one of our classmates.

But my gosh.

I don’t understand...

anything.

Interesting.

He hasn’t discussed this in class yet.

Okay, then there.

Then this...

equals...

How are you doing that?

Okay, here’s how.

- You can factor the—
- Hey, Grace!

why weren’t you at the reading earlier?

Oh...

You weren’t qualified
for the first auditions, right?

I am qualified, okay.

- My grades don't.
- That’s the same thing.

It's the same thing.

You’re still not part of it.

Of course, to be a good actor...

you can’t just rely on acting.

You need brains too.

- Really, Claire?
- I'm just kidding, Grace.

You’re so sensitive.

Let it go.

Just focus on Mr. Sevilla’s long test.

All right.

Okay, let’s get back to the equation.

There’s a shortcut here.

because if 3x squared minus—

Get one and pass.

Sis.

Why are you crying?

I'm done for, sis.

I was up all night trying to practice
all of the problems.

I can't remember anything.
I don't know.

And if I fail this test,
I won’t be able to audition.

Just relax.

When you see the problems,
you’ll remember.

You got this.

As soon as you finish your paper,
leave your paper on the desk.

Good luck.

Bustamante, the test is easy, right?

If you actually paid attention in class

and listened during the tutorial class...

this test is a piece of cake.

It's the same?

These are the exercises Sir Sevilla
gave his tutorial students.

He hasn’t discussed these in class yet.

Sis.

It’s the same as the
exercise sheet you gave me.

Huh?

- Which one?
- The one you showed me.

If I catch any of you cheating,
I’ll rip your test papers in half.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Oh my God! Perfect!

Did you know that

this is the first time I ever got
a perfect score in my entire life?

Drama queen. Congrats to us, sis.

Yes, congrats.

But sis,

that'd be the last, okay?

We might not get away with it next time.

Of course, it won't happen again.

Good thing Mr. Sevilla didn’t notice.

But seriously, one more thing.

Don’t tell anyone.

I won’t.

Thanks, sis.

Lin.

Congratulations.

Especially you, Grace.

You both got perfect scores on our test.

It’s like a miracle from
St. Gabriel Possenti.

We reviewed together, actually.

I tutored her myself.

Well,

good job.

Uh, just so you know,
I was a student too.

So if you’re cheating...

just don’t let me catch you.

Are we okay wearing uniforms here?

Yeah, it's fine.
Pat’s family owns this place.

Hello, Ma'am Grace.
Sir Pat is already here.

Okay. Thank you.

Hon.

What took you so long?

It's traffic.

Hi, Lin.

Hi.

Have a seat.

Raymart.

Here’s the menu.

Thank you.

Order what you want.

You can order for me, Grace.

You sure?

Okay. Ah, one truffle pasta and
two prime ribs, medium.

Thank you, sir.

Oh, no thank you.

I don’t drink.

Don’t worry. We’re legal here.

I don’t like drinking either.

Ah, she’s a good girl, hon.

Are you really a good girl?

or deep inside, you're bad?

Because if you’re really good,

you wouldn’t have shared
your magic eraser with Grace.

Hon!

Sorry, sis.

Me and Pat, we tell each other everything.

So...

I told him.

Chill.

Your secret’s safe with me.

It’s nothing to me.

If it’s nothing to you,

then why bring it up?

You’re a scholar.

That means you’re a smart girl.

But it also means you need other
people’s money to study.

Our money.

So let’s help each other get what we need.

What do you want, Pat?

I want in.

I want you to share your answers
with me just like with Grace.

Hon!

What the hell?

Let’s help each other out, Lin.

Sorry, it’s a hard no.

I did that to help a friend —
not for money.

And I may not have money,

but I have principles.

What principles?

You really think what you did
with Grace was right?

It’s the same thing.

If you help me out,

you’ll get paid for your hard work.

It’s a win-win situation.

My weekly allowance is probably twice
what your family makes in a month.

If you help me out...

you’ll get paid for your hard work.

I’m not running away.

I promise by next week,
I’ll have the money,

because my advance request at
work already got approved.

I’m really sorry. I’m sorry.

I just really need it for my daughter.

This is the last time.

I’m sorry, okay?
Thank you, thank you.

How long have you been there?

Did you borrow money again from uncle?

Or is that from a loaning app?

Don’t worry about it.

What was it for, Dad?

Why did you say it was for me?

I don’t need the money.

You know what, just get some rest
and we’ll talk about it later.

Dad!

Please.

I wasn’t even supposed
to tell all this but,

that was for your tuition.

But I’m a scholar.
We don't need tuition.

When I spoke with

Principal Perez about your
admission to Possenti...

she mentioned they’ve
already been supporting a student

since Grade 7.

She was supposed to
take back our agreement.

But luckily,

she changed her mind.

So,

for now,

you’ll have to split the scholarship.

But just—

just for one semester.

Next semester,

you’ll have the full scholarship.

Why didn’t you tell me this, Dad?

The tuition costs one
hundred thousand pesos!

- I’ll just go back to my old school—
- That’s not an option.

We can’t afford that, Dad.

If I had known those were the terms,

I wouldn’t have accepted the scholarship.

Lin,

Possenti was the only school
willing to offer you a scholarship

even as a senior high student.

I couldn’t let that go.

So if I have to borrow money

just to pay your tuition, I’ll do it.

You don’t have to do that, Dad.

I see how you barely get any sleep.

You never rest.
And even now, this late at night,

people are still coming
after you for debts.

I feel bad for you.

I’m sorry, Dad.

I’m sorry.

I feel guilty too because

I know all of this is because of me.

Why would you feel guilty?

This is my job.

I’m your father, aren’t I?

So whatever needs
to be done for you, I’ll do it.

I can handle it.

Lin,

do you know why

I’m not afraid to borrow money for you?

Because I believe so much
in your intelligence.

I believe in you.

It’s just the first semester,
my child. I can do this.

I just hope you also believe
that I can do this

for you the same way
I believe so much in you.

Okay?

Sorry, Dad.

Don't mention it.

Hey, Kid!

Let me help you. What’s your name?

Simon. But it’s okay.

I can do it myself.

So, what are you doing
in the high school wing?

And how did your toy
end up with the balloon?

My classmates.

They pranked me. I chased them here.

They do this to me all the time.

If they’re always like that,
that might be bullying already.

I don’t know.

I just really need that toy.
My dad gave it to me.

You might fall trying to reach that.

You know, you’ll only reach that

if you grow taller.

But if you’re only eight years old now,

it might take you five more years
to reach that height.

Okay, let me just help you.

Come here.

There.

Got it.

Oh no! Your shirt got dirty.

It’s okay.

It’s nothing. That’ll wash out easily.

Is she your girlfriend?

You little rascal.

Your balloon?

Don’t want it anymore.

Just give it to your girlfriend.

Say thank you.

Thank you!

By the way, I’m Tristan,

but everyone calls me Bank.

Grade 11, Section B.

I’m Lin, also Grade 11, Section A.

Lin...

- Lin Estrella?
- Yeah, why?

You don’t know me?

I’m Bank,

Tristan Bangkat.

I’m the one you took the scholarship from.

Wait. I didn’t take it from you.

We’re sharing the scholarsh—

I don’t want to share it.

And I'm sure you don’t want to share it
until Grade 12 either, right?

But we can still be friends, right?

I don't think so.

Maybe it’s better if we’re not friends.

Because if we’re not friends,

only one of us will end up sad—
whoever the school chooses

as their scholar.

I think that’s the best option.

But if we are friends,

whoever they choose between us,
we’ll both end up sad.

Oh, Dad.

Sorry, I didn’t see you there.

It’s beautiful.

Although,

Why does your piece sound so sad?

You know,

why don’t we make music content instead?

What do you think,
would I make a good vlogger?

Yuck, Dad!

Good thing you thought about
tuning Leslie again.

And look, she's dust-free.

Well, it’ll make her more
appealing to the buyer, right?

What?

No, it’s just that…

I don’t really have time
to play anymore, so…

It’s a waste.

Better to be practical these days, right?

Oh, this might be the buyer.

Hold on.

Hold on.

Hello?

All because of me.

- When you’re done, fix the bar, okay?
- Okay, Sir.

Pat.

You look cute without your uniform on.

Thirty thousand.

Smart girl.

Thirty thousand?

Sure. No problem.

One condition.

Your score and Grace’s should be lower
than mine, so it’s not obvious.

Done.

As long as my average is eighty-two.

I'm good.

Do we have a deal?

You may now start answering.

Kasmala
Performed by: Alamat

Eraser.

Hand it over.

Estrella, Estrella, Estrella!
Let's talk.

Do you want your classmates
to get mad at you?

Why would they be mad at me?

All of you will be in deep trouble.

It's not worth it.

Are we the ones in trouble,

or you?

Oops! Sorry, Banky.

Did not see you there.

This month,

Possenti has been chosen

to represent the Teen Genius Quiz.

Whoever gets the most points

will be granted full scholarship
next semester.

Do you really think you got here
fair and square?

If the school's making money off us...

let's also make money off them.