1. The story follows the struggles of a low-income family in the Philippines as the father struggles to find work and the mother earns money by putting beads on gowns when customers bring them work. Their son Voltaire initially finds unacceptable work to help support the family. 2. A turning point occurs when Voltaire is hit by a car in an accident. This inspires him to start helping his mother by putting beads on gowns, despite it being unusual for a man. 3. Voltaire has an angry confrontation with his brother Aljun, whom he blames for the accident, but their mother reconciles them with a speech about persevering through hard times by helping each other