On New Year's Eve, while everyone else excitedly waits for the clock to strike midnight, a brief struggle ensues between Chito and Asiong (Ping Medina) as the latter attempts to steal the carnival's earnings. After getting hold of Asiong's gun, Chito fires a warning shot. At the same moment Joaquin gets hit in the head by a stray bullet. With the bullet still in his head, Joaquin starts a new life bounded by the excessive protection of Juliana. Chichay, on the other hand, moves to the province with her parents to fulfill their wish for her to finish schooling.