Act I
Sometime in the 16th century. A tribe of lowland dwellers go on with their daily lives, their naked bodies seeming to be influences of foreign cultures as they take on new manners & new clothes. Finally, the shadow of Spanish subjugation covers them all. Amidst all this, the figures of Apolinario Mabini, Emilio Aguinaldo & Andrew Bonifacio stands out.
1890’s. Bonifacio, Mabini & Aguinaldo become witness to cruelties inflicted on their fellowmen by the Spaniards and by other indios of their time. With the inspiration of the muses of Liberty, Equality & Fraternity, Bonifacio forms a secret society called the Kagalang-galangan, Kataas-taasang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan or Katipunan. Aguinaldo later joins the secret society. Mabini chooses to side with the reformists.
With the discovery of the Katipunan, the revolution begins.
The schism among Filipinos heightens. Aguinaldo is elected President of the nascent Filipino nation. Bonifacio is tried for treason & killed. Mabini blames Aguinaldo for Bonifacio’s death.
The citizens become confused. Act II
The United States of America is drawn into war with Spain. Mabini expresses caution in dealing with the Americans.
Aguinaldo in exile, instructs 3 women to sew a flag for the Filipino nation. Aided by the Americans, he returns to declare Philippine independence. Mabini is asked to become Aguinaldo’s adviser.
Mabini guides Aguinaldo in running the government of the fledging nations. In Malolos, Aguinaldo convenes a Congress that ratifies the Declaration of Independence. The Congress proceeds to form a new Constitution, much against the wishes of Mabini. Aguinaldo is caught between his influencial adviser & Illustrado-dominated Congress.
Spain cedes the Philippines to the United States of America. The Americans who encouraged Aguinaldo show treachery and refuse to recognize the Revolutionary Government. One by one, Aguinaldo allies desert him & join the Americans. The Illustrado blame the non-recognition of Philippine independence on the delay in the establishment of the Republic. Aguinaldo contemplates a peaceful settlement with the Americans. Mabini resigns from the cabinet.
Armed hostilities betwen the Filipinos & Americans begin. Mabini witnesses the treachery of his fellowmen & the cruelty they inflict on their fellow Filipinos.
The Americans close in on Aguinaldo as his aides are killed or desert him. In Palanan, Aguinaldo wrongly trusted those whom he thought were dressed as Filipinos to be faithful to the Filipino cause. Aguinaldo is captured & forced to pledge allegiance to the American flag.
Aguinaldo becomes witness to the continuing division among Filipinos. He is unable to take any action, paralyzed by his belief that no longer holds any lofty position. Mabini rises from his chair & accuses the present of turning its back on its past.
The tribesman must shed his second skind to rediscover his own. Only then can people see what truly makes a nation one.