01x13 - Beat the System

[bunniefuu]

Please hurry with the work.

We’re chasing a deadline.

Yes, sir.

The cellphone
is missing.

Huh?

How did you lose it?

Bank.

Can we still do this?

It’s almost 2 AM, and Pat
still hasn’t sent anything.

We’re out of time.

If they can’t take
pictures of the exams,

I’ll do it myself and find a way.

I thought you guys were smart,
why didn’t you think of this?

Out of all things,
you forget the breaker?

Why’s there an electrician here?

Sorry.

But Boss Choi asked me to
say you’re not needed now.

Ah, I see.

Choi usually calls us for this stuff.

You’ll see me in the window.

Once I secure the test papers,

I’ll give the go signal.

Huh?

I won't sign that.

Not until I see your colleague.

We got blocked by the guard.

The phone was
on me the whole time,

it was in my pocket
but I thought...

I thought he saw it!

Yes already!

I paid the guard so
he would let me in

and I paid him big so
he would let us out too.

That was the plan B.

Guys!

There is something
wrong with the answers.

We are missing one, two, three,

six more items.

Bank has photographic memory.

If he can’t recite the answers,

maybe he didn’t really answer at all.

Just play along.

You won’t lose anything.

Just turn a
blind eye to this, Lin.

We should've
just listened to Lin.

We should've just stopped
and returned the money.

I've made all the arrangements.

You're going to the US.

You'll study there.

No. What about Grace?

It’s better if you break up.

Please wait.

Hold on a second.

- What did you do?
- Sorry, Mom.

Sorry, Mom.

Grace.

Didn’t I tell you

to stay away from her?

Sis.

I don't think you
need to leave Possenti.

Hi.

I hope that the auditorium

gets done in time for
your batch's graduation.

You know,

I genuinely thought

either you, or Tristan would
be valedictorian of your class.

As it turns out,

in the history of Possenti,

the top

students

were also the ones who did the
most shameful act they could possibly do.

Maybe in the next tournament,

Possenti might also
make it to the championship

if Lin plays.

That is if you'll give her a chance

to be a scholar of Possenti.

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

I know.

That’s why I’m thankful you
came so you could witness Lin.

that she could be
the student to win

all of your academic competitions,

if you give her a chance.

You're right.

I mean, she's highly intelligent.

I would like to ask
for your forgiveness.

I'm truly sorry for
everything that happened.

You could expel me, but...

you didn't.

Right.

You should also be punished
like what happened to Tristan.

But,

you have shown remorse.

You surrendered
to the authorities.

Which brings me to my point.

I think, you don’t
need to leave Possenti.

But I need your help.

What is that?

This year,

applications opened

for Alami-Khatib Scholarship.

This only happens
every two years

for applicants.

In my opinion, this is the
most difficult scholarship

compared to all.

You will be competing against
students from all over Southeast Asia.

And,

Lin, I think you’re the
only one who can win this

in the whole school.

Bank, a letter for you.

Dear Bank,

I was planning on telling
you this in person.

but I know you don't
want to see me right now.

I recently read one
of Nietzsche's book.

There goes a quote, saying...

He who fights with monsters

might take care lest
he become a monster.

That's us.

Together with Grace and Pat.

But sis...

That'd be the last, okay?

We might not get
away with it next time.

I need more time with Grace,

more travel dates with her,
more time for basketball.

And I can’t have that
if my grades are low.

So I just wanna make sure—

You’ll let me copy
again next semester, right?

Of course, you’re a scholar.

You don’t need tutorials
just to pass your exams.

But what about the rest?

They’re smart in other ways,
but they’ll fail.

Their lives could be ruined
just because of one subject like calculus.

Can you really blame them?

Just leave them alone.

The system is cheating us.

Because if Possenti accepts bribes,

our miscellaneous fees can
reach one hundred thousand pesos,

even though we’re scholars.

The school was the first to cheat us.

Because of our thirst for revenge
on a rotten system,

we became rotten ourselves.

They wanted to cheat, right?

They should accept the fact
that they'll be cheated too.

I’ll memorize all the answers
then I’ll send them to you.

Didn’t you already
take the exam?

Can you memorize all of that?

I can, if I have enough time.

I tested it with
the remaining time

I was able to memorize
half of the exam.

That means,

I can’t do this alone.

Someone has to help me.

So you need someone else.

Who else is as smart as you?

We need your help.

We have a new plan.

What's the plan?

The National College Entrance Test.

NCET?

NCET.

There will be more clients.

Because the whole Philippines
will be taking that test.

Our lives are falling apart.

I'd rather go broke
than go back to my dad.

We're going to steal documents.

One small mistake and
for sure, we'll end up in jail.

That's why I decided to come clean.

That's the only way for this to end.

I thought I made the right choice.

But was my choice right for everyone?

Even though all of us were wrong,
you're the one that suffered the most.

Thank you, Grace.

We'll post the results tomorrow.

Okay. Thank you.

Thank you.

Grace is kinda good.

Too bad, Sherry's parents are
expecting her to be the lead.

They might pull their
donations out for the theater.

Maybe we can ask Grace's family
for donations?

They own a chain of
printing press, right?

Yeah.

You can ask her dad for donations.

Claire!

We had a deal, right?

If I give you the test answer,

you told me you will
not audition for the lead role.

You offered first, Grace.

You didn’t even give me a choice.

You just thought we had a deal,

but did you ever hear me say yes?

You traitor!

Really?

That’s coming from you?

Don’t you feel bad for Lin?

Or Pat?

Your boyfriend?

You lied to them just
to get the lead part?

We can justify our actions,

there are lot's of reasons
why people cheat.

If you feel burdened,

you'll start to look
for the easier way.

Hey, man.

If you need help
with your report.

You can just pay a guy,
to write it for you.

I know someone.

You want his number?

Sometimes, I think...

there's no end to this cheating.

It's a cycle.

If you get cheated,

you'll cheat in return.

But is this how it’s going to be?

Ma’am, please buy some.

Sampaguita.

Okay, give me two.

Thank you.

But you know what?
I still have so many questions.

But earlier at school, when
I talked to Ma’am Perez,

I also found the answer
I was looking for.

So, if I get the scholarship,

Possenti will be recognized

under your term.

You’ll benefit from it too.

Is that right?

Okay, I know what
you’re thinking.

Lin, you know what?

That’s just how
the system works.

This is how the world works.

If that’s the case...

Thank you, Ma'am Perez.

Huh?

What are you talking about?

If you win this scholarship,
you get to study here

and next year.

Your dreams of studying
abroad will come true.

Lin, come on.

I’ve just made
my final decision.

I don’t want to study
abroad anymore.

And if, as you say, this
is how the system works,

with all due respect,
I don’t want to be part of it.

Bank, you might not
agree with me, as usual.

Thank you, Ma’am Perez.

But I think I made
the right decision.

I haven’t apologized
to you personally.

Sorry if you were the only
one who paid attention.

Well, that’s just
how the system is.

Of course, she has money.

It’s okay, Lin.

No one’s going
to pity me anyway.

I’ve accepted it.

There was really
nothing we could do.

I just want to know one thing.

If you could turn back time,

would you still tell the
Education Commission

the truth if you knew
this would happen to me?

I’d still do it.

Then why are you apologizing?

Because I regret nothing.

I’m not sorry for
doing what’s right.

Maybe I’m sorry because I
couldn’t do anything to help you here.

And with everything else
that’s happening to you,

Your pity won't be of any help, Lin.

Why are you here?

Maybe I just wanted to
see if you’re still around.

My friend Bank.

Maybe I’ll miss
the old Bank too.

The Bank who helped
that kid get his balloon back.

I miss him.

I miss the old Bank.

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.

Okay, let me just help you.

Come here.

There.

Got it.

Actually, I was going to print
my application form,

but our printer at home is broken.

Then,

the computer rooms are closed too.

I’ll just go somewhere else.

Where do you think there’s one?

Oh, no. The computer shops
around here are far.

You still need to take a tricycle.

You'll hail a ride then find a jeep.

Yeah, right.

Back in my old school,

there were printing shops everywhere.

This place is just too

exclusive.

You want me

to print it for you instead?

There’s a shop right across from us.

I’m already a regular there.

So you won’t have to stay out late.

I’ll give it to you on Monday.

Really?

That's what friends do.

Okay.

Me too.

I miss my old self.

I'm sure,

there's more to why
you're here.

Next week, your detention
period ends, right?

Yeah.

So, I have a proposal for you.

I want us to help
each other again.

Help? With what?

As Aristotle once said, “Poverty is
the parent of revolution and crime.”

We’re suffering under our
education system, right?

But this time, I don’t
want to choose crime.

So that means...

Revolution?

A quiet revolution.

And we'll start,

with us.

I talked to Grace.

I really regret the things I did.

If you think about it,
it started with me.

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.

Well.

There’s this new rule.

Everyone involved in
the school production must

at least have an 85 percent
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?

Uh, Grace.

If you want, I can
tutor you in Math.

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

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.

If I just studied hard,

maybe Lin wouldn't have given me
the answers to Mr. Sevilla's test.

I also wish, I didn't
tell Pat about Lin.

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.

I wish, I stopped Pat from paying
Lin to give the answers.

You have nothing to lose, Kyle.

Just tell me who gave you the answers.

Bank.

There you are.

Grace.

I wanted to talk to Kyle.

Alone.

Can’t you see that
we’re still talking?

Oh.

You're not going to your audition?

Did you forget?

Uhm, you're right.

Thanks for reminding me.

Wait... Wait, wait!

Tony. Tony, please, please.

I'll do anything that you want.

Please, I just, I need you to help me.

I'm begging you. Please.

There were many moments

where I could have done
something to make things right.

But I always made a bad choice.

No signal!

Sir, can I help you?

Ah, sir. I’m here to
pick up my girlfriend.

The one for the audition?

Sir, what audition?

There’s no audition here, sir.

Huh?

Where have you been?

The auditions are
at the other studio.

You're quite early, hon.

Grace!

Stop making a fool out of me.

What!

What?

You don’t want me?

You don’t want me?
Huh?

f*ck it!

Pat.

Pat, wait. Pat!

Pat!

Grace!

And so,

I ended up in this hot mess.

Not just by myself.

But with you guys.

Stop. Please.

To you Lin, and of course...

And Pat too.

He was about to
r*pe you, Grace!

People I cared about were lost.

I want you, Grace,

to go with Pat to study
at Boston University.

I’ll cover all the expenses.

Why did you accept Boston?

Are you really that selfish?

You’ll do everything
just to get what you want?

I know that you’re
angry with me.

I can feel it.

But deep down, I know
that you still love me.

Pat,

I just said yes to your dad’s
offer for me to study in Boston

because I know that that is the
only way that I can be with you.

I still love you, Pat.

But I don’t,

Yes, I loved you.

But you hurt me.

You lied to my face.

How can I love you after that?

Fine,

if you wanna end this right now

then admit to your
dad that we’re over.

It’ll only mean that you
don’t love me anymore.

I don’t wanna force myself onto
someone that doesn’t want me.

Okay.

- D.
- D.

- A.
- A.

B.

A.

B.

It's too late now to
undo my mistakes.

Too bad.

Even if I regret my
decisions, it's too late.

It's done.

But after all that's happened,

I can say that I have learned my lesson.

I'm sorry.

I don't want to leave you.

It's okay, hon.

You know, maybe your dad is right.

I am lucky.

Even if I did something bad,

I still have the support
of my dad and my friends.

Some people aren't as lucky.

But that doesn't
mean I'm off the hook.

Expectations are higher
because I have more to give.

I should use my talents
and blessings to help others.

Just like in acting,

They have a chain
of printing press, right?

The actor makes a choice
and commits to it.

Excuse me.

Sorry.

Sorry.

This time, I'm choosing to play fair.

If I only get the part

because of my dad's money
and not because of my talent,

then I don't want it.

But thank you.

And Pat too,

even if he’s abroad.

he’s still with us.

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?

I learned way more
when I met you guys,

than in my first three
years of high school.

Those are the lessons they
don’t teach in the classroom.

Grace and I are lucky
we met you and Bank, Lin.

If it weren’t for you, I’d
probably still be the arrogant Pat.

impatient and manipulative.

Sorry, Banky.

I did not see you there!

Maybe your vision’s going blurry.

Why don’t you
get your eyes checked?

You're the one in the way.

You go get your eyes checked.

What?

Pick up my stuff, please.

Why would I do that?

Your mess, your cleanup.

And if you still don’t get that,

then I don’t know,
you must just be plain dumb.

Who the f*ck are you

to order me around
and call me dumb, huh?

As a matter of fact,

why don’t you grab
my shirt and do the laundry,

you f*cking b*tch.

Why don’t you do it yourself?

You're embarrassed?

Aren’t you supposed to be cool?

You think you’re tough?
You wanna fight?

Chill!

- Come on.
- Calm down.

I don’t get it.

Why does it always
have to end in a fight?

Is that all that goes on in your head?

One more word,
you’re gonna f*cking get it, b*tch.

- Let’s go.
- Come on!

- Let’s go.
- Hit me!

- Hit me!
- Let’s go.

Hit me!

And you can even
say that I'm a genius

when it comes to convincing
people to do what I want.

Nice to meet you.

I’m Pat Tioseco.

We have contract signing here
and all meetings are recorded.

No one will snitch because
you’re already accomplices.

Cheating?

Nah.

I like the word,

investment.

Investment for your future.

One test result is all it
takes to change your life.

I’m risking.

Can you help us get a copy
of the NCET exam paper?

Wait sir, okay?

It seems...

It seems difficult, that
thing you're asking because

first, it's dangerous.

Second, if Boss catches me,

I'll be in trouble.

You know, Ma'am,

he's still pissed at me.

- Maybe—
- Even if we pay you a hundred thousand?

Chill.

You won't get caught.

I promise you.

I'm used to always getting what I want.

So, let's work smart.

And let's work together.

Eraser.

Give it to me.

What a waste of money.

Please send it.

Okay, got it.

- What's taking so long!
- My gosh!

Good luck, guys!

And I learned the hard way that
if you want to achieve something,

there are no shortcuts.

You will retake the STIC and get,

by studying, the high
marks that you got before.

Or else...

Or else you'll do what, Dad?

Whatever I do, I am never enough for you.

The phone was
on me the whole time

it was in my pocket but I
thought, I thought he saw it!

- You b*stard, Bank! Huh!
- Stop! Enough!

- Huh?
- Let go of me!

Please, I didn’t want it to be like this.

If you cheat, there
are no winners.

And sometimes,

You're so messed up...

you end up hurting
the people that you love.

You cheated because I cheated?

Out of all people, it’s Tony?

But I have to grow up
and be responsible,

disciplined and trustworthy.

And most of all,

and the person my dad can be proud of.

- I love you hon.
- No more cheating.

In relationships,

in school and in work.

what more when we become
managers and leaders someday?

what more when we
become managers and leaders.

I know someone.

You want his number?

I'll pass on that, dude.

I'll try to do it myself.

If I fail, it's all good.
At least I learned my lesson.

Okay.

I invited Pat and Grace
to help me,

and they agreed.

Really? They agreed?

So, what's the plan?

First of all, I’ll be
staying here for college.

I’ll become a teacher,

and when I graduate,

I’ll work for the
Commission on Education.

At least one of us
should get in there.

Pat and Grace, on the
other hand, will sponsor

a free tutorial program
for out-of-school youth

using their network.

As for you, Bank,

I want you to study law.

You can take Public Administration
as your pre-law.

You want me to go
into public service?

I cheated on the STIC
and NCET, remember?

That’s exactly why.
You’re the smartest cheater.

And maybe it takes
a good cheater

to redesign a system without
cheating and corruption.

All that corruption should
stop with our generation, right?

Okay, visiting hours are over.

Bank, let’s go back inside.

The decision is yours, Bank.

It wasn’t hard to
answer Lin’s question.

Because no matter
how smart you are…

Colegio de San Gabriel Possenti?



We're rivals for the scholarship
until we graduate.

So someone will win,
someone will lose.

Deal with it.

No matter how hard you consider
all the variables,

your heart will
always win in the end.

If we just learn to listen to
what our hearts are saying,

we can make the right choices.

Thank you, Doc.

It feels so good to the ears, right?

Doctor...

Bangkat.

But what ruled me
instead were anger,

envy,

and the desire to outsmart the
system that made our lives difficult.

I chose the wrong path.

And in the end,

I became no different from
the people I used to despise.

I’m sorry to disappoint you, Ma’am, but…

Starting today,

I won’t let my intelligence be used
for the wrong reasons anymore—

for deceiving others.

Hold on a second.

- What did you do?
- Sorry, Mom.

Sorry, Mom.

Don't worry, Tristan.

Tristan, I’ll get a good lawyer.

I won’t abandon you.

Remember that.
I’m right here.

Come on now, come with us.

- Please wait.
- Mom, don’t leave me.

Come now, come with us.

Come now, come on!

- Mom!
- Wait! Wait!

Mom!

Mom, no! Come with me!

Mom!

No, Mom.

I’ll make it up to you.

I’ll still give you a good life,

no matter what happens.

And if I achieve the dreams
Mom and I once shared,

I’ll proudly say I
earned it the right way.

I wouldn’t have learned
this if it weren’t for Grace,

Pat,

and most of all,

Lin.

We’re just both finding ways

to change our situation, right?

Life in the Philippines is
hard if you’re not born rich.

But are we just
going to give up?

Of course not—we’ll
just work harder, right?

That’s our fight now.

I never thought that

the reason for my
first trip abroad is

because I’m an accomplice in
an international cheating scheme.

Hey!

Like them,

I chose to use the same
intelligence that set me free

to help free others.

Good, or bad,

can be a genius.

The choice is yours.