In 1941, the Japanese sharpen their war swords in China. The Golden Age of prosperity fills the Philippines. In Manila, love blossoms between Filipina aristocrat Maria-Cristina Posadas and U.S. Navy Lieutenant Miles Daniels, the admiral’s son. With wedding plans on the horizon, a setting sun appears like the Japanese battle flag to dampen Maris-Cristina’s spirits… Japanese planes bomb the Pearl of the Orient! War and Occupation! The Golden Age becomes a struggle for survival when the conquerors, General Kato, his second Colonel Tanaka, and the Japanese Army enter Manila. Two young lovers, torn apart by war, now fight for their future to once again be together and have a family. With her father at war, Maria-Cristina becomes the de facto materfamilias, struggling to maintain sanity in an insane world. The admiral directs war efforts in Australia. The Japanese arrest Miles’ mother and thousands of other belligerent nation citizens, confining them in Santo Tomas University, now an internment camp under civilian control. In northern Luzon, the Japanese sink Miles’ PT Boat, with no word of survivors. After recovering from wounds, he and his men join guerrillas and volunteers to disrupt Japanese supply convoys and gather intelligence. Conditions in Manila worsen. Kato rules by the Bushido Code, preying on the weak, executing those who help the guerrillas or defy his decrees. Kato’s weakness and obsession is Maria-Cristina; her rebuffs madden him. He vows to break her in the dungeons of Fort Santiago. Her defiance continues; his violence escalates, culminating in rape. The population of Santo Tomas internment camp booms; disease and hunger run rampant. In 1944, conditions worsen when the Japanese Army takes control. Weakening by the day, Miles’ mother struggles to survive and help others. Throughout occupation, Colonel Tanaka befriends the Posadas family, sparked by his affection for the young artist, Pique. Over this time, we watch a transformation that sees him shun the Bushido Code for Christianity. To stave off starvation, he brings food to supplement the family's survival efforts. His friendship endures until he warns them to leave Manila to avoid the upcoming battle: “We are all going to die!” Late 1944, the Americans land on Leyte. Kato implements plans for the defense of Manila: “Kill all Filipinos, burn Manila. I die for the emperor!” The Battle of Manila begins in February 1945. Santo Tomas is liberated, and Miles’ mother is freed. For twenty-eight days, the city is hell on earth in the worst street fighting in the Pacific theater. Japanese soldiers follow Kato’s orders, committing unthinkable atrocities. Miles’ group fights across the city. Caught in the maelstrom of urban warfare, the Posadas family has nowhere to run or hide: “God is dead!” Having failed, Kato commits seppuku. Dying, Tanaka prays to his Christian God. Miles holds a comrade while she dies. American soldiers rescue Maria-Cristina and the surviving family members and take them to Santo Tomas, now a converted field hospital. A reunion of father and daughter, now the stronger. Miles is alive! In the battle for Intramuros, reunion between the Admiral/father and Lieutenant/son. Maria-Cristina is alive! After three years, a tearful reunion when our lovers embrace at the end of the pontoon bridge amidst the thousands of refugees fleeing the burning city… In the sky, the setting sun, which does not resemble the Japanese battle flag. JOIN THEIR JOURNEY