乡下青年胡立欧来到马尼拉，一面在建筑工地忍受低薪，一面寻找青梅竹马。然而，这座残酷城市似乎布下天罗地网，为了生存、为了心爱的女子，胡利欧必须赌上一切，付出代价。

Arturo and his wife, Luz Manalastas, both work in a printing press. After Luz becomes pregnant, Arturo ("Turing") is forced to ask for a raise. When he does so, his boss asks him to sign a waiver stating that he is not part of any Labor Union. Soon after, his friends inform him that they are starting a labor union and that they are inviting him to join them. Because of the waiver, he cannot. He is branded by his mates as a traitor, and is treated badly by them. Soon after, the printing press is closed down, and the hospital where Luz is confined will not let Luz go until Turing comes up with the money to pay them. This leads Turing to pursue a life of crime.