Set against the backdrop of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in 1941, When the Rainbow Goddess Wept tells the story of nine-year-old Yvonne, forced to flee her home and childhood when her family joins the resistance effort. Witnessing death and destruction on an unimaginable scale, Yvonne finds comfort in the stories her people have passed down over generations: the legends of Bongkatolan, the Woman Warrior, and the merciful rainbow goddess. Her tale combines Filipino myth and legend with an important chapter in Filipino history to create a compelling story of courage and determination.