It tells the story of a middle-class family in Manila living through martial law under Ferdinand Marcos.

[1] The novel was adapted as a 2002 film of the same name under Star Cinema, directed by Chito S. Roño, and with a screenplay by Lualhati Bautista.

The film starred Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon with Piolo Pascual, Carlos Agassi, Marvin Agustin, Danilo Barrios, John Wayne Sace, and Kris Aquino.

[2] It showed at the Metro Manila Film Festival, where it was awarded second Best Picture after Mano Po, with Pascual winning Best Supporting Actor.

At the 26th Gawad Urian Awards, it tied with Mga Munting Tinig for Best Film.