Paul Gabriel was born in the USA but raised in the Philippines. Paul plans to return to America after his college graduation. But before he could graduate, he must pass one subject where his professor demands that he answer the question, "What's wrong with the Filipino?" Paul's effort to answer the question forces him to reflect on the question of Filipino identity.
A street hustler falls in love with a bar girl. They get married, but separate when the guy gets meted a death sentence after gunning down a rich customer of the bar in a fit of jealousy. The bar girl bears the hustler's child who becomes eventually blind.