01x09 - Once a Cheater...

[bunniefuu]

May I have your attention, please?

You have 45 minutes allotted for it.

And your time...

Now!

Good morning!

Today is a good day.

Come in!

As of now, I just got the update.

They just finished their first section.

So, anytime soon, we're
gonna get the answers, okay?

Lin already messaged.

A.

A.

B.

B.

A.

A.

C.

[Additional 500k if you want
me to send the answers.]

What am I? Stupid?!

I should've just had him beaten
up when he was at the shop!

That son of a b*tch!

He's a greedy b*stard!

f*ck him!

Pat, just stop!

What now?

We're gonna be late!

Sorry, excuse us.

Is there a problem?

I'm sorry to disrupt your break time.

However, it has come to my
attention that there was some

troublesome misconduct
that you should all be aware of.

So,

here we are.

Just you and me, Mr. Bangkat.

Perhaps now, you could explain how come

there are two cellphones on the table.

No?

Let me help you a little.

The cellphone on the right

is the one that you
gave us during entrance.

The cellphone on the left

is the one that we found
in the men's restroom.

Which

you confessed to all.

So, if you would now
kindly explain the situation,

it would save us all a lot of time.

Do you have any idea

of the risks involved
in what you're doing?

Mister, you're not answering
my questions once again.

Just tell me one thing.

What were you intending
to do with this cellphone?

Just that.

Perhaps,

I should call your
mother in the Philippines

and tell her that her son is
involved in a cheating scheme.

I'll tell your mother

that her son is a cheat.

How would you like that, Mr. Bangkat?

Don't test my patience,

boy!

I could call now the Philippine government

How about that?

And tell them all about this.

That would have nasty
consequences for you.

Or,

we could be a little more benevolent.

If you just gave me the
names of your accomplices

in this scheme,

how about that, Mr. Bangkat?

Ms. Linette Estrella, is it?

Did I get that right?

Never mind.

Yeah?

Now, it's you and me here, alone.

Perhaps,

you could speak freely now.

Will you cooperate?

Yes, I'll try.

You'll try?

Well, that's all we can ask, right?

You did not come here alone, did you?

There's that other
participant, Tristan Bangkat,

from the Philippines.

You know him, right?

I don't.

I don't know that.

I don't know what you're talking about.

I don't know him.

You don't know him.

Now, that's funny.

Because your papers indicate
you're both from the same school,

Colegio St. Gabriel,

Possenti?

What if I called the principal over there?

What would they say about
what's happening here?

Yes, we go to the same
school, but he's not my friend.

Hmm.

There you go.

There’s an STIC
center in the Philippines.

You could have taken the exam there.

You still chose to take it over here.

How come?

My mom lives here.

Your mom?

Ye—

Yes, I came to visit her.

Your mom lives here.

Right.

Prove it.

Call her.

Ms. Wynona Robinson.

From Bathurst, is it?

Well, we do have a center
to take exams near Bathurst.

Why do you think your daughter
chose this center to take it?

It's my daughter's first time in Sydney.

She wanted to stay in the city center.

I see.

Still, we have an issue here.

I do believe that your
daughter was cheating.

That's impossible.

Lin is the top student in her class.

She won't have any reason to cheat.

Well, smart kids
follow rules, don't they?

Smart kids

don't run and hide when they're caught.

Yet,

Lin ran and locked
herself up in the bathroom.

My apologies.

She's always been a nervous child.

But,

was that her only offense?

I'm afraid so.

Then why are you still detaining her?

Fair enough.

No need to escalate the matter nor

alert the authorities.

Still,

she did break the rules.

She left the exam room

before it was time and without permission.

Therefore,

we need to disqualify her.

We understand.

Very well, then.

I have no excuse, Mom.

I lied to you and Dad.

I'm so sorry, Mom.

And I'm ready to accept whatever
consequences that seem fit.

I'll accept it.

I don't wanna punish you, Lin.

I just wanna know why you did this.

And why didn’t you tell
me you were coming here?

Lin, what's happening to you?

You can talk to me.

Who am I kidding?

You don't even talk to
your dad, let alone me.

But I'm still your mom.

I can't help but be bothered
by what’s happening to you.

And no matter what you’ve done,

I'm always on your side, Lin.

Always on my side?

How are you on my side
when you're so far away, Mom?

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Don't be sorry.

I guess I deserve it.

I'm also to blame for why
things turned out this way.

I'm the only one at fault here, Mom.

You don't have to take my side.

You have no involvement in this.

It's all me.

And I'm sorry that I disappointed you.

It shouldn’t have gotten this far.

Lin,

please.

Don't treat me like a stranger.

I waited so long for us
to see each other again.

It’s so hard because,

all this time, you thought...

it was easy for me to
leave you all behind.

It’s not that easy to
leave the ones you love.

But sometimes,
I really have no choice...

you want to help them but...

they also need to help themselves.

You won't understand that
because you're still young.

I understand that feeling.

That...

helpless feeling when you can’t help
the people who are important to you.

But we always have a choice.

You're right.

And your dad had a choice.

He could've followed me here,

and then,

we could’ve lived here.

Lin, I was earning more.

I had a good job here.

But he refused.

He didn't even give it a chance.

All I know is,

Dad was waiting for you.

But you married someone else.

He was hurt, Mom.

That’s where I went wrong.

I let myself fall in love.

I cheated on your Dad.

You know,

Vin and I were together
when we were young.

Even if I loved him so much,

I didn’t really know myself back then.

We weren’t meant for each other.

But with Greg,

It was different.

He’s easy to love.

We understand each other.

But I never regretted being with Vin.

Because— We had you.

Lin, whatever happened
between me and your Dad,

it has nothing to do
with my love for you.

I know it's

a little too late for us to be close.

I just hope you can forgive me.

I forgave you, Mom.

A long time ago.

It’s over, I’ve moved on.

We’re okay now.

But maybe,

sometimes,

I miss you too.

Actually, no, Mom.

I miss you always.

I miss the feeling of having
a mom with me at home.

Someone I can just joke around with.

Someone I can talk to.

Someone I can hug.

I missed that, Mom.

I’m sorry for everything, Lin.

Sorry.

I love you so much.

I love you too, Mom.

I’m so sorry, Mom.

I’m so sorry, Mom.

Is this them?

Your new family?

See that?

That’s you.

You’re part of the family.

You know, Carson...

when we talk...

he always thinks you’re just a baby

because that’s what
you look like in the picture.

That’s why he calls you baby sister.

I'm glad he already knows me.

Even if it’s just through
your stories or your photo.

But Mom.

Thanks for saving me earlier.

Sorry.

Greg and I already talked
actually, last week

after we spoke on the phone.

You can live with us if you’ll study here.

And you won’t need that STIC anymore

because you’ll already be a resident,

if you’ll live here.

Or

you don’t even have to

wait for your suspension to be lifted.

Or,

you can wait ‘til you’re 18

so you’re no longer
under your father’s custody.

You won’t be a minor,

and you can decide on your own.

Thank you, Mom.

That means a lot.

But,

Lin, I’m not rushing you.

Think everything through first.

Okay?

But talk to your Dad.

Whatever it is you decide.

I’ll support you.

Just know you have
the option to study here,

even without a scholarship.

Alright?

Thank you for being here.

Sorry.

You see, it's all about
hard work and honesty.

If you put in the hours,
you will reap the rewards.

And that's why we're
giving back to the community

full scholarships for
underprivileged youth.

Now, that is a legacy I
would love to leave behind.

Oh, speaking of legacy, sir,

Your only son, Patrick,

is he ready to be a part
of the Tioseco Empire?

He's got big shoes to fill.

Well, Patrick will learn.

And he's learning everything fast.

In fact, he's already made
plans of his own, right, son?

Uh, yeah.

I'm going to study business in Boston.

My dad's a BU graduate, so

I guess I'm following his footsteps.

Your father tells me that you
almost got a perfect score at the STIC.

So do you have any advice
to inspire other students?

I guess you just gotta put in the work

and do whatever it
takes to make it to the top.

You must be very proud of Pat...

Oh, yeah.

I'm very, very proud of him.

Yo, what happened in Sydney?

I heard sh*t went down, bro.

I got caught but I didn’t get jailed.

Damn.

Well, tell me more.

We have nothing left to talk about.

Bet.

That's 500k.

We’re even now.

We’re even now.

The STIC results are in.

Yup, she's in the top percentile.

Ah, of course.

This is our Grace.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Hey, see you all December, alright?

Okay, bye-bye, auntie.

Thank you again.

Bye.

Ah, Grace.

We're very proud of you.

All of us.

Good job, dear.

Okay, keep it up.

Thanks, Dad.

It was nothing.

Really.

Um, Dad?

Yup?

Pat and I have been thinking.

Okay.

So,

he's studying in Boston University, and

I was wondering if

I could study there too?

I heard that they have a
really good drama program.

Wait a minute.

Whose idea is this?

Grace, that's a very major commitment.

You're still a baby.

Even Pat's a baby.

Alright?

You're both too young.

Are you really ready for this?

Dad,

Pat and I want to do this together.

And

it's in the U.S., and I grew up there.

So, this feels like a homecoming for me.

You know? And,

even though Mom's gone,

I won't be alone because Pat's there.

Grace,

you know,

your mom and I,

we were like just you guys.

We thought anything the world
can throw at us, we could handle.

But when we went there,

life wasn’t that easy.

We're two different persons.

And eventually,

we separated.

Okay?

Yeah.

I understand.

Thanks.

I'm just saying,

don't rush it.

Don't rush

until you’re both ready.

Lin.

Ah, Dad!

You're still awake?

I just brought up your laundry.

Thank you, Dad.

Ah, also a gift.

From Mom.

Hey, thanks.

I spoke with Nona, she said

you already have plans.

You're going to Australia,
and you'll study there.

That’s fine.

You need to think of your future.

It’s just that, for me, I wish...

I wish you had told me.

I just don't like the feeling that
something’s being kept from me.

I don’t want to make decisions
without talking to you, Dad.

But,

I've thought this through.

I might not get another scholarship.

This might be my only
chance to study abroad.

I know that.

I understand.

We can’t avoid this.

You’ll do it, and you need it, and,

I just need this for myself.

So don’t mind my drama.

This isn’t real.

I’m not leaving yet.

Even if it’s my dream to study abroad,

it’s so hard for me to leave you here.

Don’t make me cry.

Of course I’m hard to leave.

This handsome face?

You’ll miss this.

Okay.

Oh, you win!

Yeah, but let’s not talk about it anymore.

Go rest now, that’s enough.

Go on.

Go on.

Good night, Dad. I love you.

Love you, Lin-Lin.

Good night.

Hope you share the gift too!

I’m heading out.

The handsome guy’s leaving.

Bye-bye.

Bye, Dad. Good night.

[Come get your share, sis. We miss you!]

[I can’t take the money
anymore. Sorry, I’m out.]

Students, attention please.

As you know,

the National College Entrance Test

is upon us.

Every Filipino student

on their senior year is expected

to take the NCET.

The NCET test results will determine

which university you get into.

The higher the score,

the more likely the acceptance letter.

So, I highly suggest

that you study

like your life depends on it.

Good afternoon.

Oh, no need.

Please remain seated, Mrs. Bangkat.

- Oh, thank you.
- I hope I did not keep you waiting.

Tristan.

It’s no problem.

We were just looking over the NCET.

I came across this.

They returned it.

Oh my.

Tristan,

you need to prepare for this exam.

Mrs. Bangkat, didn’t Tristan tell you

why I asked you to come here?

Tristan,

did you not tell your mom?

Mrs. Bangkat, I don't
know how else to say this.

So, I'll go straight to the point.

I'm very disappointed, Tristan,

for your mother to find out

this way and that
you've been lying to her.

Bank, why?

What did you do?

What happened?

Our school was contacted by the STIC,

Testing Center in Sydney, Australia.

Tristan went there.

Basically, he was caught cheating.

He took the exam

but he snuck in a cellphone

into the restroom to use the calculator

to answer the said exam.

Your son admitted this.

Australia?

How could that happen?

We already spent all our
money on hospital bills.

I couldn’t afford to send my son abroad.

This came straight from the STIC office.

I'm sorry to disappoint you, ma'am, but

this is the proof.

Just a moment, ma'am.

I know my son.

Even with the hardest
math problems you give him,

he can calculate them in his head.

Why would he use a calculator?

I know, ma'am,

I'm also wondering why
he would need a calculator,

why he would sneak in a
cellphone into the bathroom.

Ah, we arrived with the STIC officials

with a mutual decision.

to take this matter privately.

But, Colegio de San Gabriel
Possenti does not condone cheating

in any form.

Ma'am, we aren’t even
sure yet that this is cheating.

I know my son.

He’s not a cheater.

- Mom.
- Please.

No, wait.

Don’t.

Let me handle this.

You know,

this has never happened
in the history of our school

of Possenti.

Tristan.

Never in the history

of our school has this ever happened.

Will I be suspended, ma'am?

Suspended?

No.

Ma'am, just a moment.

I’m begging you.

If my son has done something wrong,

I’ll talk to him.

But can we please discuss this first

before you make a decision?

Ma'am, my hands are
really tied up. Sorry.

If I donated a new computer

or sponsored a new building,

would you still talk to us this way?

If I had millions,

would you treat my son like this?

- I beg your pardon?
- Ma'am.

We’re not wealthy.

The only thing I can pass down to my son

is a good education.

Please give us

a fair chance.

Whatever it is that my son did, I’m sure

he had a good reason.

My son is a good student.

He’s not a cheater.

Mom, that’s enough.

Bank!

Son, fight for yourself.

Explain.

Speak up.

Nice glow up.

Thanks, Lin.

But there’s still a lot that needs fixing.

That’s still going to be added
with two more washing machines.

At least, we’re slowly recovering.

You,

how are you?

Well,

I have a new part-time job.

Music lessons.

Just home-based.

Just saving a bit.

Saving?

What happened to the—

I didn’t take the money.

I felt

guilty about it.

Especially after everything
you went through.

Mr. Clark said your
scores were disqualified.

And

we didn’t talk anymore after that.

I don’t want to talk about it anymore.

People have moved on.

And I’m fine now.

The million was worth it anyway.

And I could never be as good as you.

Conscience can't buy this renovation.

Bank, come on.

I didn’t come here to fight with you.

We’re in different situations.

Just kidding, Lin.

You’re too serious.

Alright, fine.

But serious mode for real.

Actually, I’m here to say goodbye.

Goodbye?

Why? Where are you going?

Australia.

I’m going to study there with Mom.

Wow.

That’s great, Lin.

Congrats.

I’m happy for you.

You’ve been manifesting
that for a while, right?

You deserve it.

You’re really lucky.

Thanks, Bank.

I’ll miss you.

But congratulations, okay?

Thanks.

Nice glow up.

Really beautiful.

Patrick,

it's rude to be on your
phone while we’re eating.

Just finish your food.

Sorry, Dad.

Breaking news.

Massive cheating in the Standardized Test

for Intellectual Capacity
is under investigation.

Wait.

Put that back on.

I wanna hear the rest of that.

Come on.

This bombshell came from a
mysterious dummy account.

They said the answers were hidden
in barcodes attached to the pencils.

What a bunch of idiots.

How hard is it to just study?

All money, no brains.

Yeah, Dad.

It’s a hassle.

Well, you have no choice.

You need to reapply for the
next round of examinations.

The deadline for Boston
University is still far away.

You can still make it.

Yes, Uncle.

The STIC officials were left cluless

that cheating happened in the exam room.

The universities declared

that all STIC results from this
round are automatically invalid.

The Education Commission
continues to investigate the

cheating scandal and those involved.

Hey, Pat.

Whoa, look at that.

So, have you sent in the application?

I'm about to, Dad.

What are you waiting for?

You're good to go.

Just do it.

Dad,

I need to talk to you about something.

It's about the STIC.

What's there to talk about?

You'll just have to submit it.

Something so simple.

Dad, I cheated.

What did you say?

Did you say, cheated?

I've always been cheating.

The STIC results,

my good grades,

none of that was me.

I've been paying someone
to give me the answers.

What you saw on the news,

I was part of that.

This is some kind of joke, right?

What nonsense is this, Patrick?

Dad, I'm sorry.

But haven’t you ever wondered?

You've never even seen me study
and suddenly my grades shot up.

I can't believe this.

You're an embarrassment.

You were so arrogant in that interview.

My god,

I gave you everything you needed,

I gave in to all your luxuries
and this is what I get in return?

Dad, I'm trying my best.

But honestly, I don't want to go to BU.

I'm struggling with your expectations.

I could—

I could never be like you.

No,

but you are a Tioseco.

And you will graduate
from Boston University.

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.

Do you think

my world revolves around you?

I am my own person.

You silly,

stupid boy.

You are nothing without me.

Everything you have came from me,

don't you ever forget that.

Well, I'm done living off with you.

I can do this on my own.

Cut me off, throw me off.

I don't care anymore.

Well, neither do I.

See if you can survive without me.

Go ahead.

Go ahead and fail!

Hon.

What?

Oh my god, look at this mess.

Pat, you just moved in here

and this place already looks trashed.

Hon, seriously,

are you going to yell at me too?

You need to be more responsible.

You don't have a nanny,
you have no credit cards,

nothing.

I know, but

I still have savings and
earnings from our STIC.

We're good, hon, relax.

And all evidence connecting
us to STIC is already deleted.

We're clean.

Okay, maybe.

Maybe this isn't a good idea.

You know,
maybe I should just go home.

We should just apologize
to your dad so this is over.

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

My dad found out about the STIC tests too.

You know, good thing the
news didn't even mention our

printing press company.

You know, I'm pretty much
a prisoner back at home.

I sneaked out.

Hon,

we're together anyway.

We can do this.

By the way, did Bank message you earlier?

Message me?

About what?

Check your phone.

The g*ng is back.

Bank, what’s this?

What’s going on?

Are we still here to talk about
what's happening in STIC?

I also saw the news.

You have no information about that.

Anyway,

we're good, Lin.

No one’s coming after us anymore.

No reruns, no retakes.

That’s the clients’ problem now.

And

our dads found out about the STIC
tests but they're not calling the cops.

That's how it should be.

Because if they’re good
parents, they’ll protect you.

But Lin,

we’re not here to talk about STIC.

We need your help.

We have a new plan.

Let me just remind you.

This isn’t like before
where I’d just give answers.

What we're doing is a crime.

Here are the five main processes.

One, sampling.

Actual printing.

Quality assurance.

Packaging.

And dispatch.

But security is really tight.

They're super strict, right?

But we just need an
inside man to work for us.

Seems like

what you're asking me to do is hard because

first of all, it's dangerous.

Second, if my boss catches me,

I’ll be done for.

Even if we pay you 100,000.

It's about time.

We already put the phone in the food pack.

We’re sending in the utility now.

Where’s the food I set aside?

I don’t know, maybe it all
got thrown away with the trash.

Yes, the power is off.