"Lakbayan" tells three tales of Filipino journeys. An unemployed cameraman joins a protest march of farmers asking the government to help them reclaim their ancestral land stolen by the powerful in "Desfocado". It is also the powerful that controls an island where a young miner contests the problems and the status quo in "Hugaw". A mosaic artist is empowered as he arrives at his destination while traveling from island to island in "Kabunyan's Journey".

"The remaining, or surviving, inhabitants of the remote island of Hugaw are the lumpen-proletariats, the powerless and the helpless. They have become fodders for exploitation by ruthless despots, autocrats and even petty criminals." - Diaz

Paulo (Guingona) and Baldo (Josef), albeit aware of their dire conditions, have long resigned to their fate. But Andres starts to ask questions and he initiates edgy engagements to the island’s problems and the status quo.

"Hugaw (Dirt)" is directed by Lav Diaz and is one of the shortfilms in "Lakbayan", a 2018 omnibus film which tells three tales of Filipino journeys. Cast members include Nanding Josef, Bart Guingona, Don Melvin Boongaling, Hazel Orencio, Merly Bucong, Elvira Dayandante, John Eric Manoba, Dondon Campo, and Sylvester Derla among others.