Moral

Moral

Year: 1982

Runtime: 138 mins

Language: Tagalog

Director: Marilou Diaz-Abaya

Drama

Set against the backdrop of the early years of martial law, the film follows four college friends whose lives intersect in a series of episodic vignettes. As the political climate tightens, each struggles to understand and pursue his or her sexual identity and professional ambitions, navigating love, desire and the pressures of a changing society.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Moral (1982)

Trace every key event in Moral (1982) 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

Maritess marries Dodo

The film opens with Maritess marrying Dodo, marking the start of their intertwined lives. The moment hints at happiness while foreshadowing tensions among the friends. This wedding sets the stage for the challenges to come for all four women.

Opening scene Wedding ceremony
2

Maritess gives birth during graduation

During the friends' graduation, Maritess goes into labor and delivers a baby boy. The birth binds her fate to motherhood and introduces new responsibilities she must juggle. This event becomes a catalyst for later struggles in her marriage and personal life.

Graduation day UP Diliman, during graduation
3

Postpartum struggles and marital strain

Maritess experiences postpartum depression and the pressures of caring for a newborn. She quarrels with her mother-in-law and finds she has little time for herself, deepening dissatisfaction with her marriage. The combination of motherhood and control issues begins to weigh on her.

Months after birth Maritess and Dodo's home
4

Maritess considers leaving the marriage

Growing discontent with her lack of freedom prompts Maritess to confide in Maggie about wanting to leave Dodo. She envisions a life with more independence and equality. The confession signals a turning point for her future choices.

Postpartum period With Maggie
5

Dodo rapes Maritess; she leaves him

Dodo commits a violent act by raping Maritess, shattering the fragile marriage. In the aftermath, she decides to leave him to escape the abuse. This event marks a decisive break from their previous dynamic.

Following the incident Home; aftermath at separate residence
6

Maritess stays with Sylvia

Maritess temporarily moves in with Sylvia, seeking safety and support after fleeing Dodo. The change of scene introduces new relational dynamics among the friends. She begins rebuilding her sense of self outside the marriage.

Shortly after leaving Dodo Sylvia's home
7

Maritess and Dodo consider reconciliation on equal terms

Maritess and Dodo explore a possible reconciliation, but only if she is treated as an equal partner. They navigate power dynamics and the possibility of a fresh start. The relationship remains fragile as they reassess their future together.

Reconciliation phase Home
8

Joey's pregnancy and miscarriage

Joey discovers she is pregnant and asks for money for an abortion. She later miscarries, and a doctor tells her she may be unable to have children. The experience intensifies Joey's personal turmoil and shapes her subsequent choices.

Mid-story Various
9

Jerry joins the rebellion and Nita arrives

Jerry joins the rebellion in the mountains and asks Joey to let his wife Nita live with her. Nita moves in and helps with housework as the political conflict encroaches on their lives. The arrangement deepens the ties between the friends amid external upheaval.

Mid-story Joey's place
10

Jerry's death and Nita's departure to join the rebellion

Nita learns that Jerry has been killed and informs Joey before leaving to join the rebellion herself. The loss reinforces the sense of danger and the cost of the ongoing struggle. Joey's world broadens beyond personal relationships to the peril of their time.

Later Joey's place; mountains
11

Sylvia's separation from Robert and custody arrangements

Sylvia separates from her husband Robert but continues to share custody of their son. She also becomes friends with Robert's partner Celso, expanding her social circle. The breakup highlights the complexities of modern relationships in their lives.

Intervening period Sylvia's life and family
12

Sylvia ends a relationship with Ernie after a marriage reveal

Sylvia begins a serious relationship with Ernie, a fellow teacher. A woman arrives claiming to be Ernie's wife, revealing he has another wife in the province. Sylvia breaks up with Ernie as a result.

During the relationship Sylvia's environment
13

Kathy's career and image manipulation

Kathy pursues stardom but learns that image matters more than talent through her talent agent JM. She adopts a spiritual hippie persona in interviews and provides sexual favors to JM to stay in the client roster. After a candid critique from Sylvia, she stops recording and sings only for fun to improve herself.

Throughout the pursuit of fame Kathy's career scenes
14

Ending: friends together in the car

The four friends laugh together in a car as they drive Joey to the airport for a vacation with Maggie. The moment underscores their enduring bond despite their struggles. The film closes on a note of shared warmth among the group.

Ending Car en route to airport

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:49

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Moral Summary

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Moral Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Moral

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Moral

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