Pag-asa (1951)

Celing (played by Priscilla Cellona in her first starring role) and her kid brother Piding (Ike Jarlego Jr) are recently orphaned and they come to Manila to find work in the home of their late parents' hacienda landlord (Paco Zamora). But they are treated miserably by the landlord's ill-tempered wife, Doña Esperanza (Naty Bernardo). One night Celing and Piding run away and end up in an amusement park where they meet Victor (Armando Goyena). He takes pity on them and brings them home to his mother (Rosa Aguirre). The old woman is quickly won over by the innate decency of Celing as well as the endearing self-confidence of the young boy, Piding. Celing turns out to have a good singing voice and Victor's uncle (Gregorio Ticman) convinces the young woman to join an amateur radio singing contest. Celing becomes a success. Meanwhile, after reading about Celing's success in the papers one day, the scheming Doña Esperanza decides she must get her back. She threatens to sue and so Celing consents to return especially because she thinks she means nothing to Victor at all. Victor's mother is furious at Victor: "Kung dangan kasi, nandito na, di mo pa niligawan!" But the young boy, Piding, upon learning that he is to return to Doña Esperanza, becomes hysterical and tries to run away - only to meet an accident that will forever change their lives.