Philippines has surrendered to the Japanese and General Douglas MacArthur has retreated with the promise to return The Filipino peoples defense of their homeland has failed and while they have surrendered to the Japanese occupation they refuse to see themselves as defeated Along with his fellow soldiers Torio is malnutrioned and sick with malaria but at least he manages to elude the 25mile Bataan Death March Rissings friend Juan Delacruz is not as fortunate He watches firsthand the atrocities perpetrated by Japanese soldiers as well as unexpected acts of kindness from them By now the Japanese have infiltrated all of the Philippine islands and the Filipino people are using guerrilla tactics to rebel against their presence In Manila Lucing faces her conflicting emotions for the Camp Commander In Panay Torio signs up to work in a Japanese mining camp with his family Responsible for the Camp Commanders laundry Rissing earns his respect and trust and the Commander proves instrumental in her familys survival in camp Rumors of Americas plans to liberate the Philippines prompts Torio to move his family out of the mining camp Then news of MacArthurs imminent return electrifies the Filipino people