This film about religion, courage and guilt unfolds in 1971 when Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos’ power was at its peak. New recruit Sister Lourdes and Sister Ruth forge a close friendship cloistered in their mountain monastery far from the chaos of the world. When the two women try to venture to the city to find Ruth’s missing brother, the Mother Superior stops them, claiming prayer is the only way to help him. They head out a second time and on the way back are sexually assaulted, with Lourdes becoming pregnant as a result of the violation. She keeps the baby, but guilt sweeps through the monastery, with many of the nuns feeling responsible?particularly in light of a chilling secret Mother Superior is keeping. The Sisters of the monastery are extremely pious, and director Vincent Sandoval asks provocative questions about faith: Is piousness is a tool to safeguard one’s courage and consciousness when faced with an ordeal from God? And what the value of piousness when it means avoiding any engagement with the world?