Nanding is a fisherman/farmer who also happens to possess a fine singing voice. The barrio is astir with the return of Marina, the daughter of the despotic Cabesang Berong the town's richest resident, who was a childhood friend of Nanding. Marina and Nanding renew their old friendship and the friendship inevitably turns into love.
Graduating medical student Ramon falls in love with his best friend's sister Pacing, a strong devotee of the Virgin Mary of Antipolo. Though Ramon is not that religious and seldom goes to church, he courts Pacing, even going to church with her.
