In the early 1980s, news are propagating that members of the communist party are roaming the mountains of Dumalneg—a landlocked town where its inhabitants are known to be adept about the various practices of making for living, primarily hunting. According to the Filipino armies deployed to secure the mountainous area of Dumalneg at that time, the majority of these skilled townsmen are believed to be auxiliaries who cover up and provide food for the communists. Dismayed, the misconceived ethnic group whose only purpose is to hunt for food, descends from the mountains.

Down the hills lie the town proper—the habitation of Ilocano and Isneg natives. The incorporation of these two groups in a single town does not appear to be trouble-free in the beginning. Ilocanos, who firstly inhabit the land in the late 1960s, doubt the brotherhood the Isnegs are capable of imparting, chiefly due to their account of impalation—an act or instance of wounding or killing someone with a knife or a sharp stake. Traditionally, dispatching gives pride among the Isneg natives. This particular custom has viewed by Ilocanos as a threat to their lives, resulting to prohibition of personal agricultural lands from the Isnegs.

Later, these two groups of townsmen learn about the principle of "panagwawagi", a fundamental concept of brotherhood that could withstood disparate and ageless circumstances and trying times.