The story of the illegitimate son of Antonio Samson, the major protagonist in the preceding novel of the Rosales Saga, *The Pretenders*. Now grown-up, Pepe Samson escapes from his village of Cabugawan to live in Manila's sprawling slum - Tondo. *Mass* is the story of his journey from one swampland to another; it is also the story of thousands of young Filipinos who have finally found meaning in their lives. But more than a story of discovery, it is an affirmation of faith in the future as envisioned by the dedicated Filipino youth today.