Paglipay

The film focuses on Atan, an Aeta from Baytan village in Zambales, the Philippines, who makes a living from traditional farming system kaingin and hunting on the foothills of Mt. Pinatubo. The narrative opens as we follow Atan's fulfillment of his arranged marriage with a fellow Aeta, Ani. He has to accomplish a number of responsibilities which includes the offering of bandi or bride price to Ani's parents. Atan needs to cross the mountain river going to Banwa, the town where he could earn the necessary amount for the bride price. In order to find a job, he needs to adapt himself with the modern way of life in town, including change in appearance, manner of clothing, religious practice, and even the use of different language in order to associate himself with the Unat or 'straight-haired ones,' such as Rain, a young lass from Manila who would turn his life around. Meanwhile, Rain has to immerse with the Aetas of Banwa for her thesis, and Atan is commissioned to accompany her in research and interviews with the locals. Atan develops special feelings with Rain in his daily encounters with her. Slowly, the young Aeta forgets the very reason of his journey-the bandi, and the arrangement with Ani. In his effort to accommodate himself in a modern society, Atan faces cross-cultural modifications amid changes in the mountain brought about by immense modernity. Note: Paglipay is a Sambal Ayta term being used by Aetas when crossing the mountain river going to town.