Summary of the book:  the novel, within the framework of a love story, is a social commentary on llocano politics set against the backdrop of crime-ridden llocos in the middle 1950s.
The story talks about the life of Salvador, his love for Emerita, the forming of a worker’s union, and more importantly on the ruthlessness of usurers who exploit the poor.
The novel is an attack on ruthless usurers, greedy politicians, and the undisciplined military authorities.  While the author recognizes the fact that industrialization is one key to progress, he also points out the evils of progress, which may reduce persons to mere tools of capitalists in attaining more power. (R. Duque)

Reasons for this choice:  It falls within the parameters of the UNESCO; less known works by a Filipino writer, high artistic merit, worthy of translation to introduce to an international readership.

Serialized in Bannawag in 1956 and 1957

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