KAPIT O KAKAYANAN?

______________________________________
A Short Play
Written
by
Bernard Andrie Doroquez
Played
by
V.E.R.I.T.A.S ALLIANCE

July 13, 2025

 CAST OF CHARACTERS

MRS. ROMINA R. SANTOS: Played by REGINE PONSICA. A tough,

widowed mother of two in her late
40s. Sells vegetables at the
market.

CRISANTO R. SANTOS: Played by MARK LESTER BATINGA.

Romina’s eldest son, is a
Traffic police enforcer in his
early 30’s.

CARMELA R. SANTOS: Played by PRENCES MICA ARCEBUCHE.

Romina’s youngest, a CPA and
determined job seeker.

KIAN L. ROMERO: Played by BERNARD ANDRIE

DOROQUEZ. 24 years old son of
the Mayor.

ANTONIO ROMERO: Played by JAMES ENERO. In his

early 40s, Mayor of San Antonio.

HOMER SILVANIO: Played by JOHN REY CORONG. Mid-

50s, a Chief police officer.

MS. RACHEL LOPEZ: Played by ROCHELE GALIT. CEO of

MontClaire Global.

YANAH REYES: Played by PONSICA. The HR MANAGER

of MontClaire Global.

LARA RODRIGO: Played by FRANCEN JOY SAJOYAN.

The Finance Director of
MontClaire Global.

IZZA DE LEON: Played by JEAN REYES.

The Operations Supervisor.

INSPECTOR OSLA: Played by JAMES ENERO.

Fellow Police patrol of Crisanto.

SCENE
San Antonio, a well-known city in the Philippines.

TIME
2025, mid of the year. Summer.
 SCENE 1
SETTING: A Small yet well-constructed house. In the
early hours of the morning, the household
begins to awaken. Soft sunlight enters
through the windows as each member prepares
for the days responsibilities and work ahead.

NARRATOR: Sa isang munting tahanan ay nakatira ang

magkapatid na sina Crisanto at Carmela.
kasama ang kanilang ina na si Romina.
Maagang pumanaw ang kanilang ama, ngunit
hindi naging hadlang kay Romina para
mapatapos ang kanyang dalawang anak sa
kolehiyo sa pamamagitan ng pagtatyaga
sa pagbebenta ng gulay sa palengke.

(Inihahanda ng nanay ang baon ng dalawang

anak, may pagka-panic, lalabas si Carmela na
tila ba inaayos ang suot, palapit sa ina para
ilagay ang baon sa bag.)

NANAY

Oh, ito na yung baon mo, baka malate ka pa sa job

interview. Kasya lang ba sa iyo yung coat? Aba’y
pagpasensiyahan mo na’t inarkela ko lamang yan kay Aling
Bebeng.

(Tinulungan ang anak sa pag aayos.)

CARMELA

Ayy naku nay, huwag niyo na pong intindihin iyon. Sa

ganda kong ito ay hindi mahahalata na medyo may kalakihan
ang coat na ito. And look ang ganda ng sandalyas ko! This
is the best ever gift na natanggap ko.

(Pagtugon ni Carmela na may kilig at tuwa.)

NANAY

ANG OA AH, REGALO YAN NG TATAY MO BAGO SIYA NAWALA.

(Naupo sa upuan, at nagpatuloy sa pagkukwento na

may halong lungkot.)

NANAY (cont.)

Natatandaan ko noon, mag aapply sana ako bilang isang

sales lady ng binili niya sa akin ang sandalyas na yan,
ngunit hindi ko na rin itinuloy dahil bigla naman siyang
nawala.

(Suddenly interrupted sa paglabas ni Crisanto.)

CRISANTO

(May halong pang-aasar na boses.)

At ano nanaman yang kadramahang naririnig ko nay, ang aga

agat baka bumaha nanaman ng luha rito.

CARMELA

(Pinalo ang kuya sa balikat.)

Panira ka naman ng mood ehh, nakita mong nagrerelapse ang

nanay.

NANAY

Halika nga rito, pati kwelyo mo ay hindi mo maayos.

(Tumayo sa pagkakaupo’t lumapit kay Crisanto.)

NANAY (cont.)

Sige na, mag si alisan na kayo’t baka malate ito sa

kanyang interview. Mag ingat ka sa daan ha, at laging
tandaan ang aking habilin ha “mas piliin mong tumayo, sa
gitna ng katotohanan…

(Sasabayan ng anak sa pagsasalita.)

Kahit mag isa ka, kaysa sumama sa mali para lang hindi ka
mahirapan”.

CARMELA

Alis na po kami nay, at pagbalik ko may anak na kayong

accountant na officialy hired.

NANAY

O siya mag ingat kayo, galingan mo sa interview ha.

(Yumakap sa dalawang anak. Hinalikan sa noo si

Carmela.)

_________________________________________________________

SCENE 2
SETTING: MontClaire Global Building. MCG is a
prestigious and well-known company in the
city of San Antonio.

NARRATOR: Si Carmela ay nakapagtapos ng Bachelor of

Science in Accountancy at nakapasa na ng
kanyang
licensure exam. Siya ngayon ay mag aapply ng
trabaho sa MontClaire Global, a trusted firm
offering elite investment and business
solutions worldwide. Kasalukuyang nakaupo si
Carmela, kabadong hawak ang folder na
naglalaman ng kanyang requirements. Nang may
biglang dumating na isang lalaki na tila
mainit ang ulo.

KIAN

(Naglalakad ng medyo, papalapit sa upuan ni

Carmela.)

Usog!

(Pasigaw na sambit. Kinuha ang upuan sa tabi ni

Carmela.)

KIAN (cont.)

(Pabulong na nagsalita, sabay nahulog ang folder

na dala.)

Nakakabad-trip talaga! May araw ka ding traffic police ka.

CARMELA

(Pinulot ang mga papel at pasimpleng tiningnan ang

laman, at pabulong na nagwika.)

Ang aroganteng tao nito, hindi naman kagalingan.

LARA

(Lalabas sa pasilyo, titingnan ang folder at may

tatawagin.)

Ms. Carmela santos?

CARMELA
Yes po, ako po yun!

(Carmela walks into the interview room. Scene cuts

to inside the panel room. Three interviewers sit

in front of him.)

YANAH

Good morning, Ms. Santos. Please have a seat.

CARMELA

Good morning, Ma’am. Thank you, po.

LARA

We’ve gone through your resume. You graduated magna cum

laude, and you have over three years of accounting
experience in a local government unit?

CARMELA

Yes, Ma’am. I worked as an accounting assistant at our

municipal treasurer’s office. I handled payroll
processing, liquidation reports, and monthly financial
statements. I also assisted during budget season and
annual audits with COA.

IZZA

We also noticed you implemented a digital tracking system?

Am I right?

CARMELA

That’s right. I developed a basic excel-based monitoring

tool to help track fund utilization across departments.
It helped reduce delays in reporting and increased
transparency, especially with project based allocations.

YANAH

Well said, Ms. Santos. You’re one of the strongest

candidates we’ve seen. But no experience in a corporate
structure. Paano natin aasahan na makakapag adjust siya
agad?

CARMELA

To be honest, I see this is more than just a job. As an

accountant, I believe it’s not just about numbers and
working experience. I’m applying for this position
because I want to contribute to a system that’s efficient,
honest, and accountable.

(The panel nods, visibly impressed. Carmela

remains composed but hopeful.)

LARA

Right, and let’s be honest. Kung may backer to tapos na

ang usapan. But the kid’s standing here with pure grit.
So let’s assess by standards, not surnames.

IZZA

Thank you, Ms. Santos, we will email you as soon as the

result is out.

(Interview ends, shakehands)

**KIAN NOW ENTERS THE INTERVIEW ROOM

YANAH

Kian! Long time no see. Kamusta si mayor?

KIAN

All good, Ma’am. Alam niyo naman si dad busy palagi,

kaya…

(Cut off by IZZA)

IZZA

Okay mr. Romero, tell me, why should we choose you over
other candidates?

KIAN

I bring name, people answer my calls. My network is my

asset. And you want fast growth? That comes with
visibility. I offer that.

LARA

He was with the senate office for a year. Public

relations, government linkages…very few applicants have
that level of exposure.
 IZZA

Exposure...or exposure sa aircon habang nagpapakuha ng

kape?

YANAH

We need people who open doors. Influence isnt always bad.

Business is still about who you know.

LARA

Business should be about what you can do. Not who you’re
related to.

(After few minutes of interview, scene fades as

He shakes hands with panel).

_________________________________________________________

SCENE 3

SETTING: Outside the building of MontClaire Global.

CARMELA

(Dialing on the phone, phone rings)

Ang tagal sumagot.

(Crisanto on the other line)

CRISANTO

Napatawag ka?

CARMELA

Pwede mo ba akong sunduin mamaya, kakatapos lang ng

interview ko. Maglilibot libot muna ako, para kung hindi
ako matanggap ay may nahanap na akong bagong aaplyan.

CRISANTO

Oo naman, walang problema. I’ll call you back later.

Babalik na ako sa trabaho.

CARMELA

(End call, may biglang bumangga mula sa

 likuran)

Aray! Ano ba kuya? Bulag ka ba?

KIAN

Heyy! Watch your mouth. Ikaw yung nakaharang sa daan, at

tsaka hindi mo ba ako kilala.

CARMELA

Ahh, ikaw yung mayabang na lalaki sa pila kanina, na

akala mo naman eh pagkataas taas ng credentials.

KIAN

Don’t you bad mouth me! Credentials are useless for me.
I’m the son of mayor of this city, kaya tiyak ako na ang
posisyon na yun ay para sa akin. And remember this, no
one cares about Carmela Santos, that’s why for sure, you
will be rejected.

(Binangga si Carmela bago umalis)

CARMELA

(Sumisigaw sa paalis na si kian)

Oa! Sorry kung naapakan ko yung pagiging anak ng mayor mo!

_________________________________________________________

SCENE 4
SETTING: Inside the office of MontClaire Global.

NARRATOR: Matapos ang masusing pag-iinterview, ay

nahahantong sa pagtatalo ngayon ang tatlong
interviewer na kasalukuyang nasa isang mesa.

IZZA

Ms. Santos is the perfect example of T.D.H., trustworthy,

check! Disciplined, so check! Highly competent, ughh
check na check! Nasa kanya na ang lahat.

(Speak with enthusiasm)

YANAH

(May pagtataray na pagtugon)

Kian brings value too. He’s recognizable. That alone

gives us leverage in future partnership. He doesn’t need
to prove himself the way others do. He’s already proven
by who supports him.

LARA

But at what costs ma’am? Are we admitting na kung walang

koneksyon, wala kang future dito?

IZZA

That’s exactly the problem. If system doesn’t recognize

real merit, they collapses. This is more than just hiring.
This is the foundation of the kind of workplace we’re
building.

YANAH

Don’t be naïve, you two. You go against Kian, you go

againts the board.

LARA

Pinaghirapan ni Carmela lahat ng nasa resume niya. Tapos

ang pipiliin natin yang Kian na anak lang ni mayor at
halatang walang maibubuga.

YANAH

This world isn’t fair, Lara. Don’t expect the system to

be.

LARA

(With tension in voice)

Then let us be the exception. Let us prove merit still

matters.

YANAH

(May mataas na boses)

Hindi niyo kasi naiintindihan…

(Cut off. Door slams, the CEO has arrived)

RACHEL

Enough, narinig ko na ang lahat. Para saan pa ang

salitang hiring kung may napili na pala kayo para sa
posisyon right ms. Reyes?

(Looking to Yanah Reyes)

 RACHEL (cont.)

Hiring should be based on qualifications, not connections.

We need to choose the right person for the job,
objectively. By looking at skills, experience, and work
ethics. Do not let the person be chosen because of their
position in society.

_________________________________________________________

SCENE 5
SETTING: In the middle of highway, in city of San
Antonio.

NARRATOR: Sa kabilang dako naman ng kuwento ay si

Crisanto na kasalukuyang araw na iyon ay
maagang dumating para magpatupad ng
batas trapiko sa siyudad ng San Antonio.

INSP. OSLA

Aga natin ngayon sir ahh.

CRISANTO

Inihatid ko yung kapatid ko sa interview eh, kaya napa

aga masyado.So pano ba yan duty na tayo.

(A car suddenly driving to fast and beating the

red light.)

CRISANTO

(Crisanto whistles, waves baton)

Hoy! Red light yan! Para ka!

(The car screeches and stops. Window rolls down-

its Kian)

KIAN

(Smirking)

Sir, ano pong satin?

CRISANTO
Sir, violation ka po. Beating the red light at ang bilis
niyo pong magpatakbo.

KIAN

Anong beating the red liht? Nagmamadali ako noh, may

interview akong dapat maabutan. Kaya kilalanin mo muna
kung sinong hinuhuli mo.

CRISANTO

How do you do sir?

KIAN

Yan kikilalanin mo.

CRISANTO

Pwede ko po bang mahingi ang lisensiya niyo?

KIAN

Seriously? Like damn dude, hindi mo ba kilala kung sino

ako? Anak ako ng mayor.

CRISANTO

Ehh anong pake ko kung anak ka ni mayor, ako anak ako ng

nanay ko. Akin na lisensiya niyo.

KIAN

(Inilabas ang lisensiya at iniabot.)

Here!

(Crisanto making the ticket against the violator)

KIAN

Ano na? Babad na babad na ako dito oh? Baka naman pwedeng
pakidalian, bacause I’m gonna be late.

(Crisanto gives back the license together with the

ticket)

KIAN

(May halong pagbabanta)

Hindi pa ako tapos sayo, magkikita pa tayo at pagsisihan

mong ginawa mo ito.
 CRISANTO

(May pagkapilosopong sagot)

Then see you sa part 2, basta’t wag ka lang pipikit.

_________________________________________________________

SCENE 6
SETTING: Police Station (Later that afternoon)

NARRATOR: Hindi inakala ng magkabilang panig na ang

part 2 ng kanilang pagkikita ay magaganap din
nang hapong iyon.Nang matapos ang interview
ni Kian ay tumungo ito sa police station
kasama ang amang mayor.

CHIEF POLICE

(Shakehands with mayor.)

Mayor anong sadya natin, at naparito kayo? Maupo po kayo.

MAYOR

(Umupo at nagmasid sa paligid.)

Sinamahan ko lamang ito si Kian para imbitahin ka sa

nalalapit niyang kaarawan.

CHIEF POLICE

Ito na ba ang inaanak ko? Ang laki-laki mo na ah.

(Crisanto pass by.)

KIAN

Dad, yan yung police na humarang sakin at tinicketan ako

ohh.

(Pointing to Crisanto.)

CHIEF POLICE

Mr. Santos, halika lumapit ka.

(Lumapit si Crisanto.)

CHIEF POLICE
Totoo bang hinuli mo ang batang ito?

CRISANTO

Siyang tunay, nagpakilala pa nga siyang anak ni mayor?

MAYOR

Kahit nalaman mong anak ko siya tinuluyan mo pa rin?

Hindi ka ba natakot sa maaaring mangyari kapag nalaman ko
ang ginawa mo?

CRISANTO

Opo, at hindi ako matatakot na hulihin siyang muli kapag

lumabag siyang uli.

CHIEF POLICE

Aray ko! Naku ka naman, crisanto, sana nama’y pinalampas

mo muna at nakakahiya kay mayor.

CRISANTO

Iyan ang bagay na hinding hindi ko magagawa sir, because

the law applies to everyone sir. I was trained to serve
objectively. Walang pinipili ang batas. Kung may nilabag,
may karampatang aksyon.

(The room goes silent for a beat. The mayor

slowly nods)

MAYOR

(Smiles lighty)

Good. That’s what i want to hear. You have a good man

here. Sana mas marami pa siyang katulad.

KIAN

(Face shocked.)

But dad, pinahiya niya ako.

MAYOR

No, you did that to yourself. And you, (looking to

crisanto) thank you for doing your job…even when it’s not
easy. You did what was right. That’s how public service
should be.
 (Tumayo si mayor at nakipagkamayan kay Crisanto)

_________________________________________________________

SCENE 7
SETTING: In the house of santos family. In late
evening at dining table.

NARRATOR: Matapos ang buong araw ay umuwi na nga ang

magkapatid na santos dala ang kanilang
kuwento tungkol sa nangyari sa kanilang
araw.

NANAY

O, mga anak, kain na. Kumusta naman ang araw n’yo?

CRISANTO

(Grinning, proud)

Nay, grabe. May nahuli ako kanina — lumabag sa traffic

light. E 'di ayun, tiniketan ko.

NANAY

Ayos lang ‘yan, anak. Ganyan talaga trabaho mo.

CRISANTO

Pero nay… anak pala ng mayor ‘yon.

CARMELA

(Nagulat)

Ha?! Tiniketan mo talaga?

CRISANTO

Oo naman! May violation eh. Hindi porke’t anak siya ng

mayor, exempted na. Ganyan ang bilin niyo, nay, ‘di ba?
Maging patas kahit sino pa kaharap.

NANAY

(Smiling, proud)

Yan ang anak ko. Hindi natakot, hindi nagpalambot. Tama

‘yan, Crisanto. Ganyan ang pagiging obhetibo — ang tama,
kahit sino pa ang tamaan.

CARMELA
 (Sighs)

Buti ka pa, kuya. Ako ngayon, kinakabahan pa rin kanina.

Yung katabi ko sa interview na mayabang, yun din pala ang
anak ng mayor. Parang... pre-selected na siya.

NANAY

(Lumapit kay Carmela, hinaplos ang likod)

Tahan na, Carmela. Alam mo, sa galing mo, kahit wala kang
kilala, papasa ka. Ikaw ang tipo ng empleyado na
hinahanap dapat — matalino, maayos, may puso sa trabaho.
Kung patas ang kompanya, ikaw dapat ang pipiliin.

CARMELA

Sana nga, nay… pero ang hirap makakumpetensiya ng may

backer.

(*Just then, a notification sound plays from

Carmela’s phone. She checks it. Her eyes widen.)

CARMELA

(Pretending to be sad)

CRISANTO

(Teasing Carmela)

What happen mela? Why are you crying again? I know

interview result’s right?

CARMELA

Nay ohh si kuya...!

CRISANTO

Biro lang, pero seryoso, bakit? Anong nangyari?

CARMELA

(Faking sad face)

I just received the email.

Crisanto

Anong sabi? Hindi ka natanggap? Okay lang yan, marami

pang kilala na kompanya ang deserve mo.
 CARMELA

(With excitement and kilig.)

Ang aking kasagutan ay hindi po kuyaaa.

(Teasing her kuya.)

CARMELA (con.t)

Officially hired na ako sa montclaire global. Nay, may

trabaho na ako.

(FAMILY laughing with joy AND CONGRATULATING

CARMELA. HUGGING EACH OTHER.)

NARRATOR

Sa mundong madalas inuuna ang koneksyon kaysa kakayahan,

may mga taong pinipiling tumindig sa tama. Sa
pagpapatupad ng batas, sa pagkuha ng trabaho at sa bawat
desisyong ginagawa, ang objectivity ang nagsisigurong ang
hustisya ay hindi nakakapit sa apelyido, kundi sa
prinsipyo. Dahil sa huli, ang tagumpay na
pinaghirapan…’yun ang tunay na karapatdapat.

_________________________________________________________

***the end***
 Republic of the Philippines
UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES
University Town, Northern Samar
Web: uep.edu.ph Email: [email protected]

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

GOVERNANCE, BUSINESS ETHICS, RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL CONTROL
1780800

ROLE PLAY SCRIPT

OBJECTIVITY: KAPIT O KAKAYANAN?

SUBMITTED BY:
THE V.E.R.I.T.A.S ALLIANCE

BATINGA, MARK LESTER D.

CORONG, JOHN REY
DOROQUEZ, BERNARD ANDRIE
ENERO, JAMES S.
ARCEBUCHE, PRENCES MICA C.
GALIT, ROCHELLE G.
PONSICA, REGINE P.
REYES, JEAN R.
SAJOYAN, FRANCEN JOY C.

SUBMITTED TO:
ATTY. EMILY SISON ACOMPAÑADO, CPA, DPA, JSD