Huwag kang mangamba

The story is set in the resort town of Hermoso, in the province of Laguna in the southern region of Luzon, Philippines. A tourist favorite because of its pristine beaches, healing hot springs, spas and resorts, Hermoso was once also a center of religious devotion, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the country drawn to its spas' healing powers and religious conversions. In those times, the townspeople were devoted to their faith. But on one night, a fire burns down the only church in the town, its parish priest killed over a golden crown encrusted with jewels and the church is never rebuilt. Eventually, the townspeople preoccupy themselves with the material prosperity of their tourist town and lose their devotion to God. One priest, Father Sebastian, serves a remnant of the church's devotees. Fatima Cruz is a member of Dakilang Sinag, a rebel group in the jungles outside Hermoso, who is targeted by the military led by Samuel Cordero. The two are thrown together and fall in love. Fatima leaves her life with the rebels to marry Samuel and they have a daughter named Joy. Abel, the rebel leader and Fatima's childhood friend, tries to convince her to return, but their meeting is misunderstood by Samuel, who believes Fatima used him solely for the group's purpose. Samuel and Fatima's marriage breaks down when Samuel is involved in a drunken affair with Agatha, a flight stewardess and his ex-girlfriend. The affair produces another daughter for Samuel, whom they name Sofia. Delighted, Agatha breaks her pregnancy news to Fatima. Devastated by her husband's betrayal, Fatima tells Samuel she is leaving him. Convinced that Fatima is returning to her rebel life, he retrieves Joy as Fatima and her friend Esther are kidnapped by Abel. At the camp, Fatima discovers she is pregnant. After rape and torture by Abel, Fatima escapes and delivers Mira, in the mountains of Laguna. Meanwhile, Samuel moves into a common law relationship with Agatha, convinced that Fatima left him. Joy grows up with her step-mother and half-sister Sofia. Since Samuel is often away on military missions, the family moves in with Agatha's sister Deborah who claims to have healing powers. Agatha abuses Joy, who also suffers the cruelty of her troubled half-sister, Sofia. In the mountains outside Hermoso, Fatima, who now goes by her maiden name, Faith Cruz, raises her second child Mira who is born blind. When she hears of Samuel's whereabouts, she leaves 7-year old Mira at an orphanage to fi