Bona

Bona, a high school student from a middle-class family, becomes an admirer of Gardo, a stuntman who works in Philippine cinema. She tags along on film productions, watches him shoot scenes, and cheers for him at basketball games, dreaming of earning a bit part.

Over time, Bona starts neglecting household chores and returning home late, much to her parents' chagrin. Her growing focus on Gardo and film life creates tension at home as her duties fall by the wayside.

One night, Bona accompanies Gardo to his home in a slum where there is no running water, and he is beaten by unknown men. She brings him back to Bona's home to tend to his injuries, staying with him through the night.

That night, Bona stays with him, helping with chores like drawing water and giving him warm baths. Gardo says the injuries may take days to heal, and he seems pleased to have Bona tending to him.

When Bona returns home, her father beats her for causing worry and for not informing the family of her whereabouts. Overwhelmed, she runs away and asks to live with Gardo.

Bona's father finds her in Gardo's home and angrily demands that he marry Bona. Gardo refuses, saying he does not know Bona and only agreed for her to stay there at her request. The confrontation ends with the father collapsing from a heart attack.

Bona's mother pleads for her to stay with the family, but Bona refuses and returns to Gardo's home to continue living with him. The bond between them deepens despite the family pressures.

One evening, Bona quarrels with the woman spending time with Gardo and drives her out of the house. Gardo wakes, and Bona asks him not to bring other women into her home, but he argues that the home is not hers and threatens to throw her out if she stays, leaving Bona to plead to stay.

Later that evening, Gardo and Bona sleep together, marking a shift in their relationship. The intimacy signals Bona's deeper commitment and entanglement with Gardo's world.

Gardo spends time away for a film shoot and returns with Annie, a younger woman who is distressed and likely pregnant. Bona pays for taking Annie to a local herbologist to terminate the pregnancy, showing the lengths she goes to for his circle.

Gardo brings home Katrina, a rich older widow, who arrives with expensive gifts for Bona on her birthday. The gifts symbolize a growing complicating influence of wealth and control in Gardo's life.

Bona is informed of her father's death and tries to attend his funeral, but her brother drives her away. She returns home only to find Katrina there, who informs her that Gardo will now live with her and that Bona must return to her family.

Gardo returns and tells Bona that he will migrate to the United States with Katrina, and that he intends to sell his house. Bona says she cannot return to her family, but Gardo says he is not responsible for her.

Gardo asks Bona to prepare hot water for his bath, signaling the practical routine of his life with her. Bona complies, bringing a pot of hot water to the scene.

Bona pours the boiling water onto Gardo, leading to severe burns as he screams. The film ends with the catastrophe of their relationship and Gardo's suffering, leaving the audience in shock.