Plot

Poldo, a poor man, takes up a job as a security guard at a high-class apartment complex. However, he soon finds himself protecting his employer's son from the violent attacks of a nightclub owner.

Released in 1987, National Artist for Film Lino Brocka's "Jaguar" made history as the first Filipino film to be nominated for the prestigious Palme d'Or at the 1980 Cannes Film Festival. It tells the story of Poldo, a security guard who becomes entangled in crime while protecting a wealthy playboy, confronting moral dilemmas and tragic consequences amid class disparity and the destructive pursuit of fame. Inspired by a news story from the book "Reportage on Crime" by National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin, "Jaguar" is written by Jose F. Lacaba and National Artist for Film Ricky Lee.

Because he works as a security guard, Poldo Miranda (Phillip Salvador) is often called "jaguar" ("guwardya" or "guard" in reverse slang). Poldo, a well-built man in his mid-twenties, lives in the slums from which he desperately longs to escape. He has ambitions of rising up in the world, of becoming somebody. He ingratiates himself in the good graces of his boss, Sonny Gaston (Menggir Cobarrubias), a rich playboy who treats his subordinates with the irresponsibility and lack of concern of a feudal landlord.

One night, Poldo saves Sonny from the assaults of Direk (Johnny Delgado), Donny's on-and-off friend. Impressed by his Muhammed Ali blows, Sonny takes Poldo as his personal bodyguard and makes him a member of his gang. Poldo ends up as the errand boy but he is thrilled at the thought of being accepted by the upper crust.

Sonny and Direk are reconciled. In Direk's office, Sonny meets Cristy Montes (Amy Austria), Direk's new girl. The master and bodyguard both betray a fondness for this girl from the slums --- Sonny aggressively courting Cristy with promises of movie roles while Poldo maintaining a servile distance to her. Direk is infuriated when Cristy leaves him and sets a dragnet for Sonny. A drunken Sonny hears of the threats and foolishly confronts Direk in his nightclub. Sonny is trapped and the only way for to escape is to leave Poldo behind holding a gun. Poldo unintentionally shoots Direk. He runs as fast as he could from the place.

Poldo's first impulse is to seek protection from his boss but Sonny is ready to junk him. He gives money to him to leave Manila, Poldo has no place to hide, Cristy refers him to her former boarding place in the slums---run by a family whose breadwinner is involved in a prolonged strike.

Sonny Gaston visits his former bodyguard in jail. He asks him to sign documents which would clear him from any involvement in Direk's death. Poldo is maddened by his request and lunges at him. It is only the timely intervention of the police stops him from killing Sonny.