Single-mom Esme gives her daughter for adoption to her elder brother who immediately goes to America. Twenty-seven years later, daughter Abby goes back to the Philippines to meet her real mom. But Abby's excitement is foiled upon knowing that Esme is loud mouthed and worst nightmare. Days spelled hell for Abby, as she discovers that she and her horrific mother are complete polar opposites.

Mario and his brother Alonso become committed to fishing in a coral-reef in the southern Philippines. With many other children of different origin they work for starvation wages on the ship of unscrupulous captain Murène. Together they drive shoals of fish into a big fish trap having to use the dangerous muro-ami technique in the coral-reefs. Fastened to a stone, the little divers jump into the water to reach the depth faster. Without any equipment they dive down 30 meters. The brutal captain treats the exhausted children like slaves

A story of a sad and insecure woman, who feels a need to win in a beauty pageant to prove herself worth and to fulfil her mother dying wish.