Archive of Our Own

Opening Instrumentals to Top of My School plays

The scene pans towards the neatly and tidy room of one Aiah Arceta (21) as she finishes writing from her notebook assignments that she had decided to do last minute. She taps her head with her pen and simply sighs.

AIAH
SOME PEOPLE LIVE THE LIFE THAT WAS GIVEN
SOME PEOPLE JUST GET BY
SOME PEOPLE NEVER LEARNED HOW TO BE DRIVEN
SOME PEOPLE DON'T EVEN TRY
BUT SOME PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEIR HEART DESIRES
SOME PEOPLE LEAD WITH A PASSIONATE FIRE
AND SOME PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY'RE DESTINED TO FLY

AIAH'S MOM
Aiah! Come downstairs, you're going to be late for school!

AIAH
Coming mom!

 

INT. AIAH'S KITCHEN - EARLY MORNING

Aiah heads downstairs in her school clothes and fully prepped and ready only to see her mom talking on the phone in the kitchen.

AIAH'S MOM
Look I know that the merger isn't going well but promise me, I got this... Well who else do you think can handle it?!

AIAH
Mom?

AIAH'S MOM
Hold on, one second.

AIAH'S MOM (contd.)
What is it Aiah? I'm in the middle of a very important call here.

AIAH
Uhm...

Aiah thinks of what she should say, she hasn't had one decent conversation with her mom ever since her dad went out of the picture. Her mom had immersed herself in her work and the firm and all her mom focuses about her is sending her off to an ivy league college.

AIAH (contd.)
I-I finished my draft for my college essay.

AIAH'S MOM
Place it on the desk, sweetie. Grab your breakfast and money here. Make sure you head back home before 7 PM okay, we still have to deal with revisions for your essays. I've arranged Manong Arnold to drive you to school.

AIAH
Y-yes mom.

Aiah's mom unmutes herself from the call and proceeds to discuss with the other person on the phone complicated legal jargon that Aiah can't fully understand.

AIAH (contd.)
O-oh by the way mom, can the rest of my friends join me to school?

It is pointless, her mom is too focused on the call that all Aiah can do is sigh and head out of the house to be met by Manong Arnold and the six-seater Mazda.

 

EXT. ARCETA RESIDENCE - EARLY MORNING

Manong Arnold
Good morning po Ma'am Aiah! Ready to go?

AIAH
Ready na po, Manong. If possible rin po pala, can we stop by the 7/11 near here just so we can pick up sila Sheena, Stacey, and Ate Aiah.

Manong Arnold
No problem po ma'am! Hop on na po.

AIAH
Thank you Manong Arnold!

 

INT. ARCETA FAMILY CAR - EARLY MORNING

Aiah stares at the window of the car seemingly deep and lost in thought. She thinks of how she has to get to the top no matter what, how her life seems to revolve around academics and getting into a good school because maybe in doing this her mom can finally be proud of her and she can escape a life of this so-called mediocrity.

AIAH
I'LL GO ALL OUT
ACE EVERY TEST
NO DOUBT
OUTDO ALL THE REST
DON'T POUT
OR SETTLE FOR SECOND BEST
SO I WON'T STOP
AND WON'T LOSE MY COOL
DON'T FLOP
'CAUSE HARVARD'S NO FOOL
AND WHO'LL LOVE ME
IF I'M NOT THE TOP OF MY SCHOOL?

 

EXT. 7/11 - EARLY MORNING

Outside the 7/11, Aiah's friends, Maloi (20) and Stacey (20) wait not only for Aiah to pick them up but also for Sheena (19) to arrive.

MALOI
Bat antagal nanaman ni Sheena?

STACEY
Baka nahulog na sa imburnal yun ah.

SHEENA (V.O)
I'm hereeeee

Sheena runs to where Maloi and Stacey are waiting for Aiah

MALOI
Oh, bat natagalan ka?

STACEY
Oo nga beh, akala na namin kung ano na nangyari sayo

SHEENA
Sorna, tagal ni kuya sa CR eh, kaya yun tuloy muntik na ma-late. Malapit na ba si Ate Aiah?

STACEY
Malapit na daw sabi sa GC

As they say that, the Mazda stops in front of the 7/11, Aiah rolls down her window.

AIAH
Hi girls! Get in!

The girls squeal in excitement as they rush towards the door of the car

SHEENA
Oi Staku, bilisan mo naman, baka ma late pa tayo dahil ang bagal mo pumasok!

STACEY
Teka lang ah. Ate Aiah oh, Sheena is making away with me

MALOI
Ang o-oa niyo, pumasok na nga kayo sa kotse

They all laugh as they find their place within the car. Aiah in the passenger seat while the rest of the girls are at the back.

 

INT. ARCETA FAMILY CAR - EARLY MORNING

If the car was filled with silence when it was only Aiah, now it was loud from the chika and kulit-ness of the group. It is a miracle that any conversation is made yet this was their whole dynamic and nothing they can do will ever change that and frankly, no one wanted to change that.

MALOI
Tara gala, after school!

STACEY
G!

SHEENA
G na rin!

MALOI
How about you Ate Aiah?

AIAH
I'll have to pass on that girls, you known naman how mom is super strict sa curfew

SHEENA
Tara na Ate Aiahhhh, it's very rare na kasama ka na sa mga galaaaa

STACEY
Kaya nga Ate Aiahh, join usssss

MALOI
Tama na mga behh, gets naman Ate Aiah it would be nice if you can join us pero gets naman if di ka makakasama, after all you are the top of our school

SHEENA AND (STACEY)
SHE'S THE TOP (SHE'S THE TOP)
SHE'S THE TOP (SHE'S THE TOP)
SHE'S THE TOP (SHE'S THE TOP)

MALOI
TOP OF OUR

MALOI AND AIAH
TOP OF OUR SCHOOL

The scene then shifts to focus on Aiah as she dwells with the phrase "Top of our school." It's a word that she had been so accustomed to hear for herself that it became a part of who she is but there's also a part of her that wishes to break free from that ideal and to just live normally. The other characters must also continue doing what they are doing like Manong Arnold driving the car and Stacey, Sheema, and Maloi gossiping or looking at their phones.

AIAH
MAYBE MY FRIENDS WILL SAY I'M OVERZEALOUS

AIAH AND (STACEY, SHEENA, AND MALOI)
MAYBE I TRY TOO HARD (MAYBE SHE TRIES TOO HARD)

AIAH (contd.)
MAYBE THEY'LL JUST HAVE TO BE JEALOUS
WATCHING ME SHINE LIKE A STAR
'CAUSE MAYBE I KNOW WHAT MY HEART DESIRES
MAYBE I'LL LEAD WITH A PASSIONATE FIRE
'CAUSE BABY I KNOW THAT I'M DESTINED TO FLY

The scene then shifts with everyone except Aiah stopping from what they are doing. Aiah's mom enters the stage still talking on the phone and stops at one side, at the same time Aiah exits the car and is at the other end of the stage, looking at her mom, the spotlight is only focused on both of them as Aiah sings she inches closer to her mom

AIAH (contd.)
BUT IF I HADN'T EARNED A DOLLOR
WHAT WOULD YOU THINK OF YOUR DEAR DAUGHTER?
WOULD IT BE PITY OR DISHONOR TO ENSUE?
AND IF I FAILED TO EARN BLUE RIBBONS
HOW COULD I EVER BE FORGIVEN?
TELL ME WHAT LOVE WOULD STILL BE GIVEN FROM YOU

Aiah's mom exits the stage and the spotlights are removed as the scene changes to now be at the front of the school with Stacey, Sheena, and Maloi already ahead while Aiah is stuck in place. The girls turn to Aiah.

SHEENA
Ate Aiah?

Aiah snaps out of her thought and looks at the girls.

AIAH
H-huh? Yeah? What is it Sheena?

SHEENA
Tara na or we'll be late for first period.

Aiah looks at her watch, 7:55 AM, 5 more minutes before first period.

AIAH
Y-yeah, coming!

AIAH (contd.)
I'LL GO ALL OUT
ACE EVERY TEST
NO DOUBT
OUTDO ALL THE REST
DON'T POUT
OR SETTLE FOR SECOND BEST
SO I WON'T STOP
AND WON'T LOSE MY COOL
DON'T FLOP
'CAUSE HARVARD'S NO FOOL
AND WHO'LL LOVE ME
IF I'M NOT THE TOP OF MY SCHOOL?

Aiah deeply sighs and gives a fake smile as she catches up to the girls.

The background is playing a piano instrumental of "Top of your School" as the scene changes from outside the school to the classroom, chairs are placed to which Aiah and her friends as well as the company sit on and all of them are doing their own thing be it gossiping or playing on their phone, or whatever.

 

INT. CLASSROOM - 11:30 AM

Second period has ended and Aiah, Stacey, and Maloi are seated next to each other discussing their projects for a particular subject when all of a sudden Sheena butts in.

SHEENA
Have you guys heard?!

STACEY
Ano yun Sheena?

MALOI
Amoy chika yung bibig mo ah

SHEENA
Grabe ka naman Maloi! Pero eto na nga! I heard that Captain Regulus and the Pirates is making port here, today!

Stacey and Maloi stand in shock.

STACEY AND MALOI
HAH?!

Aiah looks at them completely befuddled

AIAH
Who?

The girls look at Aiah with a shocked expression on their face.

MALOI
Di niyo kilala si Captain Regulus and the Pirates?!

AIAH
Should I?

STACEY
DUHHHH! If you don't want to love under a rock!

SHEENA
Captain Regulus and the Pirates are like the prime rock and roll group in the country! Not to mention being actual pirates!

MALOI
They literally have a pirate ship of their own AND actually know how to steer it. They've been on tour for a majority since their debut.

Aiah can only look at them with confusion, bewilderment, and can't help but think "what the hell are they talking about?"

AIAH
aaaaaaand I should care about this becauseeee?

STACEY
Beeecauseeee, we should go!

Aiah raises both of her hands into an "X" position.

AIAH
Nope, not gonna happen

SHEENA
Come onnnnn, Ate Aiahhhhhh! Minsan-minsan lang tooooo!

AIAH
There's still classes, we can't just skip school!

And in a funny twist of fate, as if fate is slapping Aiah in the face. The speakers in their room suddenly play an announcement jingle.

P.A (V.O)
Attention all students, classes are dismissed early for today due to an urgent faculy meeting. All faculty are reported to head towards the auditorium. Thank you and enjoy the rest of your day students!

The class cheers and exclaims in glee of an early dismissal.

MALOI
You were saying, Ate Aiah?

Aiah can only playfully roll her eyes in defeat.

AIAH
Fineeeeeeeee, where do you guys want to go and why are you all so adamant in going out?

Start the cue of music, "Girls just wanna have fun."

STACEY
Because... We just want to have fun! Come on! I know a great place in the Port to hang out and do some shopping!

They drag Aiah out of the chair.

SHEENA
I COME HOME IN THE MORNING LIGHT,
MY MOTHER SAYS, "WHEN YOU GONNA LIVE YOUR LIFE RIGHT?"

STACEY
OH, MOTHER DEAR, WE'RE NOT THE FORTUNATE ONES,

MALOI AND COMPANY
AND GIRLS, THEY WANNA HAVE FUN
OH, GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

MALOI
THE PHONE RINGS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,
MY FATHER YELLS, "WHAT YOU GONNA DO WITH YOUR LIFE?"

SHEENA
OH, DADDY DEAR, YOU KNOW YOU'RE STILL NUMBER ONE,

STACEY AND COMPANY
BUT GIRLS, THEY WANNA HAVE FUN
OH, GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE—

SHEENA
THAT'S ALL THEY REALLY WANT,
SOME FUN

STACEY AND MALOI
WHEN THE WORKING DAY IS DONE,
OH, GIRLS—THEY WANNA HAVE FUN

The scene now then changes from a classroom to a busy yet lively port and in the road there, Aiah and the girls are walking happy and gossiping as they walk along the busy road. Aiah looks a little nervous but still enjoys the time that she has with her girls. As they walk, they encounter a couple walking hand in hand and acting all lovey dovey. The girls fake vomit as they pass by the couple.

 

EXT. PORT - 12:30 PM

SHEENA
SOME BOYS TAKE A BEAUTIFUL GIRL,
AND HIDE HER AWAY FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD

STACEY
I WANNA BE THE ONE TO WALK IN THE SUN

MALOI AND COMPANY
OH, GIRLS, THEY WANNA HAVE FUN
OH, GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE—

ALL
THAT'S ALL THEY REALLY WANT,
SOME FUN
WHEN THE WORKING DAY IS DONE
OH, GIRLS—THEY WANNA HAVE FUN
OH, GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

As the song ends, they all laugh and simply enjoy the day walking around the port with multitude of bags from teh shopping that they did.

 

EXT. PORT - 3:30 PM

Aiah enters from one end of the stage and looks and says.

AIAH
I'll be right back girls! I just have to get something for my mom real quick!

MALOI (v.o)
Sure go lang Ate Aiah! We'll just be in the cafe para makapahinga, ang dami dami kasi binili ni Stacku eh.

Aiah laughs and looks at her phone chatting somene or tweeting, cue in Mikha who is walking in the opposite direction and as they reach the middle of the stage, they bump into each other.

AIAH
Aray! Watch where you're going!

MIKHA
Excuse me?

AIAH
Bingi ka ba? I said watch. where. you're. going!

MIKHA
I'm not deaf miss, I heard you loud and clear and besides you were too busy looking at your phone!

Mikha takes a good look at Aiah.

MIKHA
My my, well aren't you a sight for sore eyes.

AIAH
E-excuse me?

MIKHA
By the way we bumped into each other, I am led to believe that you did it on purpose~

AIAH
Hah?! Bongak ka ba?!

MIKHA
No need to worry miss, your wish is my command~

AIAH
What wish?! I WISH for you to leave me alone

MIKHA
Haha! Playing hard to get miss? Don't worry, a little adventure will change all that~!

Cue the start of "ReReRegulus"

MIKHA (contd.)
NA-NA-NA-NA, NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA
NA-NA-NA-NA, NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA
WHEN I GOT YOUR LETTER, JUST IN TIME  
FOR A ROCKIN' REVOLUTION  
SIR APPLE HELP ME ALTER YOUR MIND

As she sings the third line she then gestures her crew which is comprised of Gwen, Colet, and Jhoanna to accompany her in assisting Aiah towards the ship.

MIKHA (contd.)
TAKE THE RECORD DOWN, A FAMILIAR SOUND  
I BELIEVE I GOT A NEW SOLUTION  
MY RADIO WAVES TREAT YOU KIND

As she does this, a crowd is now beginning to form as they see Captain Regulus and the Pirates drag Aiah towards the ship. They are screaming Mikha's name or Captain Regulus as a matter of fact and are cheering. Sheena, Stacey, and Maloi sees the commotion and are shocked when they see who Mikha and her group are dragging towards the ship.

STACEY
Oh

SHEENA
My

MALOI
God

SHEENA
Hindi ako nanaginip diba? Pero si-

STACEY
Ate Aiah kasama sila Captain Regulus and the Pirates at papunta sila sa ship nila

MIKHA
GET IN THE LINE

As she says this line Aiah, Colet, Gwen, Jhoanna, and the rest of the crew/company fall in line in the main deck adjacent towards the stairs heading to the poop deck. Mikha then climbs up the stairs as she continues singing.

MIKHA (contd.)
THIS IS MY WORLD, I MAKE THE RULES  
I ROCK MY WAY, NO SHIP OF FOOLS

She stops and turns towards her crew and Aiah.

MIKHA (contd.)
I AM YOUR CAPTAIN, UNDERSTAND?
YOU'LL ALWAYS BE MY NUMBER ONE

She points to Aiah as she says the last line. As it reaches the chorus, she slides in the railing and grabs Aiah's hand and playfully drags and dances with her to the side of the ship facing the bay.

MIKHA (contd.)
RE-RE-RE-RE-RE-RE, REGULUS  
ALCHEMICAL GENIUS  
CALL ME WHAT YOU LIKE  
RE-RE-RE-RE, REGULUS  
YOUR RECORD PLAYER'S ALL YOU NEED  
THE OCEAN AND YOUR ROCK 'N' ROLL DREAMS

As she says the last line, she gestures her hand to point toward the whole bay, Aiah sees this and is just filled with amazement as she looks at the pristine bay and the many ships and boats that pass through it. Aiah turns around and sees Mikha playing with her guitar along to the tune being played.

MIKHA (contd.)
MY MIND IS SERENE WHEN THE GUITAR SCREAMS  
I'M AS STEADY AS A SOLO DRUMMER  
I SPIN AND MAKE YOU LOSE CONTROL, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA  

She spins Aiah around playfully yet gently. As Aiah stops spinning, she gets her bearing straight and starts dancing along to the beat being played. Mikha sees this and laughs.

MIKHA (contd.)
Yeah there you go!
IF YA CAN'T CONTAIN IT WHEN THE RECORD PLAYS  
YOU'RE JUST MY KIND OF MISFIT  
YOU'RE LIVING JUST TO LET IT GO

She guides Aiah towards the helm of the ship and shows the crew not only working hard but also having fun, a feeling that Aiah wants to chase and feel, she wants to escape being the perfect scholar and wants whatever these people have. Mikha in a way senses this and continues.

MIKHA (contd.)
ENJOY THE SHOW  
THIS IS MY WORLD, I MAKE THE RULES  
I ROCK MY WAY, NO SHIP OF FOOLS  
I AM YOUR CAPTAIN, UNDERSTAND?  
YOU'LL ALWAYS BE MY NUMBER ONE MAN

She leads Aiah towards the steering wheel of the ship and guides her hand towards the oak wood of the wheel, there is a sensual moment between these two as they blush and kind of awkwardly turn away at each other. 

MIKHA (contd.)
WHEN YOU'RE THE CAPTAIN OF THE SEA  
YOU LIVE YOUR OWN REALITY
THIS IS NO SCHIZOPHRENIC DREAM  
NO 21ST-CENTURY FANTASY

AIAH
RE-RE-RE-RE-RE-RE, REGULUS  
ALCHEMICAL GENIUS  
CALL HER WHAT YOU LIKE  
RE-RE-RE-RE, REGULUS  
MY RECORD PLAYER'S ALL YOU NEED

COLET, GWEN, AND JHOANNA
RE-RE-RE-RE-RE-RE, REGULUS  
ALCHEMICAL GENIUS  
CALL HER WHAT YOU LIKE  
RE-RE-RE-RE, REGULUS  
YOUR RECORD PLAYER'S ALL YOU  
RECORD PLAYER'S ALL YOU  
RECORD PLAYER'S ALL YOU NEED

As the interlude goes in full force all of them are dancing in beat and wildly as Aiah dances with the rest of the crew.

COMPANY AND (MIKHA)
RECORD PLAYER'S ALL YOU NEED (COME ON, SHOW ME HOW YOU SPIN IT)
RECORD PLAYER'S ALL YOU NEED, OH  
RECORD PLAYER'S ALL YOU NEED, AH  
RECORD PLAYER'S ALL YOU NEED

END OF DEMO