The film opens with the capture of Aguinaldo by Philippine and American troops led by Frederick Funston in 1901. It then rewinds to 1886, where an elderly woman delivers mysterious prophecies to Aguinaldo and his childhood companion, Candido Tirona. A decade later, Aguinaldo joins the Katipunan and eventually leads its Cavite chapter while serving as the mayor of Cavite El Viejo. As tensions rise in Manila in late August 1896, Aguinaldo attempts to reassure the Spanish provincial authorities of his non-interference, all the while secretly organizing his forces despite a shortage of weapons. Upon discovering that the Spanish have concentrated their troops in Manila, Aguinaldo finally rallies his men and takes command of the Katipunan forces in Cavite.