Katips

Katips

Year: 2021

Runtime: 142 mins

Language: Tagalog

Echo Score: 68
DramaMusicPolitics and human rightsPolitical drama patriotism and warShow All…

Set against the backdrop of Martial Law in the 1970s, this musical-drama explores the struggles of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. Inspired by the 2016 stage production, the film follows a group of young people as they fight for their ideals and confront a powerful, oppressive force. It's a story of passion, freedom, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Katips (2021)

Trace every key event in Katips (2021) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Picket rally marks the start of the uprising

In the 1970s, Greg, Panyong, Art, Alet, Estong, and Susie lead and join a large picket rally with Catholic Church members denouncing the government of Apo. They push for demands including a non-partisan constitutional convention. Ka Manding arrives after a meeting with officials and hints at his daughter returning to the Philippines, signaling the depth of the movement.

1970s, First Quarter Storm City streets / University of the Philippines campus
2

Arrest and death of Ka Manding

METROPOL soldiers arrest Ka Manding for sedition and rebellion. As they drive away, they strangle him and, after making sure there are no witnesses, throw his body down a cliff. The killing becomes a brutal symbol of the crackdown on dissent.

During the rally in the 1970s Picket rally vicinity
3

Night crackdown on protesters

That night, METROPOL returns to the rally site and bathes the crowd in violence, beating protesters with batons and spraying high-pressure water from a fire truck. The crackdown showcases the regime’s willingness to brutalize demonstrators. Fear and determination mix as the movement endures the assault.

Night after the arrest Rally site
4

Martial Law arrives; Greg meets Lara at UP

Some time after Martial Law is declared, Greg meets Lara at the University of the Philippines. They collect Ka Manding personal belongings from his apartment and then head to the Katips house, a safe haven for students outside past curfew. The meeting grounds the personal toll of political violence in the broader struggle.

After Martial Law declared University of the Philippines; Katips house
5

Katips becomes a hub for activists

Art introduces Lally to Bebang, Susie, and Panyong, who work on the student press. The Katips house becomes a hub where activists stay out past curfew and plan actions. Panyong narrowly escapes capture as METROPOL closes in, underscoring the peril of their work.

Curfew period Katips house
6

Tensions and personal stories unfold at Katips

Late-night conversations reveal differing views on martial law as Lara debates with Panyong while defending Apo. Alet recounts her love for Ben, a desaparecido who disappeared after a mass action. The group solidifies their resolve as Ka Manding’s death is discussed and remembered.

During curfew Katips house
7

Protest at La Disilleria and romance drama

Protesters gather in front of the La Disilleria distillery to demand fair labor practices. During a shared meal, Alet chides Panyong for being numb to life, and Panyong confesses his love for her. The personal and political threads intertwine amid ongoing tension.

Following previous day's events La Disilleria distillery
8

Arrests escalate; Art and Estong go missing

METROPOL officers raid the picket again, arresting Art and Estong. The two disappear and cannot be found in nearby precincts, leaving the protesters distraught and raising fear for their fate.

Next day after La Disilleria protest Picket line
9

Panyong and Greg join the mountains

Weeks later, Panyong and Greg begin packing to return to the mountains as guerilla soldiers for the New People's Army. They commit to continuing the fight even as the regime tightens its grip on the city. The movement shifts toward underground resistance.

After arrests Philippines countryside
10

Alet kidnapped and tortured

Alet is kidnapped by a METROPOL officer and taken to a torture house. Art and Estong are tortured; Ben is revealed to be alive but had betrayed her as part of his job. Alet is beaten and raped by Sales, and the three captives are shot dead.

During the crackdown Torture house
11

Greg and Panyong seek revenge

Greg discovers Alet's mutilated body by a river and, along with Panyong, vows revenge. They head to the mountains to join the resistance and continue the struggle against their oppressors.

After Alet's death Riverbank; mountains
12

People Power Revolution reshapes life

Years later, during the People Power Revolution, Lara takes Alet's place as caretaker of the Katips house. Greg, previously presumed dead, returns home to Lara and their son Greggy, rejoining his family after years of separation.

People Power Revolution era Manila / Katips house
13

Present-day inauguration and remembrance

In the present day, Greggy visits the Bantayog ng mga Bayani as a lawyer for martial law victims and Panyong serves as the museum curator. The elderly student activists from the 1970s arrive to inaugurate Bantayog ng mga Bayani, linking past sacrifices to current memory and justice.

Present day Bantayog ng mga Bayani museum

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:24

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Katips Summary

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Katips Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Katips

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Katips

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Katips Spoiler-Free Summary

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