The show begins with a young man swimming underwater, reflecting on how everyone fights different battles in life. The man is affectionately referred to as Gabriel by his neighbors and townsfolk who are eager to have him work for them.
Meanwhile, another young man takes part in a triathlon (a long-distance race consisting of three phases; swimming, bicycling, and running). He’s identified as Carlos de la Vega and comes in first place. Somewhere else, Bianca, a female triathlete, also wins a contest and is awarded a gold medal.
She takes pleasure in celebrating with her beloved family and looks forward to to join the Philippine team and make her country proud.Victoria, who happens to be the mother of Carlos, spots Bianca’s mother Maila in the adjacent bus at a red light.
A flashback dated back to 1993 shows how Maila and Victoria had both trained together to compete for the spot to represent their country in Singapore. Apparently, they had promised to remain good friends no matter who came out the winner.
As fate will have it, Maila had been selected to run for the Philippine team. On this account, Victoria, evidently burning with jealousy, began to avoid Maila. Rigor, her persistent suitor, dropped her home, only to find her things thrown out because she had failed to pay the house rent for a while now.
Rigor then loaned Victoria some money to get by and begins to taunt her with her jealousy of Maila. Apparently, Victoria had her eyes set on a young man named Joey who has been pursuing Maila for a long time now.
In no time, Maila introduces Joey to her father as her boyfriend and Joey promises to take good care of her and never hurt her in any way. As Victoria spies from the outside, Maila excitedly thanks her father when he gives his approval for their relationship.
A moment later, Victoria walks around town all misëräble and drunk, ranting about Maila and Joey. She picks on a couple of guys she comes across and as they begin to harass her in return, Rigor shows up to save the day by beating them and chasing them off.
Victoria lashes out at Rigor in spite of his persistent efforts to get in her good graces. Still, that doesn’t stop Rigor from professing his løvë for her for the zillionth time. A moment later, Maila is going for a jog when she’s ättaçked by a masked goon.
The scoundrel robs her and deliberately and repeatedly strikes her legs with a stick. At the hospital, Maila is devastated to learn that she might not be able to walk properly or run again. On account of this unfortunate incident, Victoria is then selected to replace her and she’s quite delighted.
In no time, Rigor approaches her again and urges her to give him a chance. When Victoria rejects him again, he reveals that he had made it possible for her to be on the national team. Yep. He had ättaçked Maila.Victoria goes on to play for the Philippine team and she emerges victorious in the competition.
At home, Maila, who’s confined to a wheelchair, watches the show with her father and boyfriend, glad with the “good luck” of her so-called friend. In Singapore, Victoria is interviewed. Rigor excitedly tries to get her attention but she snubs him and sets her sights on the dashing tycoon Roman de la Vega.
Having had enough of her games, Rigor later confronts Victoria and threatens to expose her if she doesn’t give into his wishes. Left with no choice, Victoria grudgingly allows Rigor to have his way with her. She soon begins stalking Roman and makes deliberate efforts to make him notice her.
Rigor is delighted to learn that he’s going to be a dad. On the other hand, Victoria is pretty upset with it since the pregnancy could ruin her chances with Roman who’s already her boyfriend by now. Later, Roman has dinner with Victoria and informs her that he would be away in Europe for six months to take care of business.
Maila begins physical therapy and she’s soon able to walk, with the consistent support of her father and boyfriend. It doesn’t take long for her to get married to Joey. In order to cover up her tracks, Victoria frames Rigor and has him arrested and imprisoned on drug charges.
A much younger Bianca arrives in Zambales with her family in a sullen mood, and they all begin to make their way to their new house. Nearby, a younger Gabriel pesters his grandma Lydia/Lola with his intention of earning more money to go in search of his father in Batangas.
Now at their new residence, Maila and Joey make deliberate efforts to cheer up Bianca. Officer Ogot comes to see Lydia to update her on the search for her son. Apparently, his men had found a body in Batangas that resembles him.
Lydia is soon taken to the morgue to confirm the identity of the body and she’s quite emotional and relieved to see that it’s not her son Rigor.Gabriel catches some fish in the river with his buddy Olsen and after they’re paid off for their hard work, he notices Bianca walking around and he approaches her.
Gabriel introduces himself and strives to strike up a conversation with her. When Bianca gives him the silent treatment and refuses to tell him her name, he begins making guesses. Bianca gets up to leave and she accidentally trips and falls into the river below. Gabriel then dives in to rescue her.
He carries her to the shore and as he tries to perform CPR to revive her, Bianca regains consciousness and coughs up water. She calls Gabriel a pervert for trying to ki$$ her and blames him for losing the shoes her dad had bought for her in the river.
Bianca returns home all distressed and she tells her family of what had happened to her. From the outside, Gabriel witnesses her getting scolded by her mother so he heads back to the river with his buddy Olsen to search for Bianca’s shoes. Unfortunately, they’re not able to find them after several efforts.
Roman receives a king’s welcome at his airline company and he actually lashes out at his staff all because they’re ranked 2nd as the safest and most reliable service aircraft in the country. He demands that they have to be number 1 and nothing less. Later, he attends a party hosted by a business partner of his alongside his family.
Victoria overhears some women gossiping about how Roman has been cheating on her because she’s infertile.Victoria decides to confront them and she tries to make herself as a saint, saying that even though Carlos is her husband’s illegitimate son, she still treats him like her own. Carlos grudgingly plays basketball with the son of his father’s business partner.
At school, Maila pleads with the coach to give her a week to get rubber shoes for her daughter since she needs to run to get the high school scholarship. The coach is reluctant to waste anymore time since she doesn’t know how fast her daughter is. Bianca then steps out of her slippers and begins to run barefoot and the coach commends her speed and decides to use her next year.
Bianca returns to the classroom with her foot wrapped in bandage and when Gabriel tries to get her to talk to him or even give her name, she continues to give him the silent treatment. Their teacher Mrs. Javier soon shows up and has Bianca introduce herself to the class. Gabriel excitedly smiles and acknowledges her but Bianca ignores him all the same.
