The actress returns to the big screen in a historical thriller that turns madness into a survival tactic, set during the Philippine-American War.
Sisa, written and directed by Jun Robles Lana, stars Hilda Koronel in her first film in over a decade. The setting is the Philippines in 1902, just after the Philippine-American War. The war may be “over,” but the violence hasn’t gone anywhere.
In the film, villages are hollowed out and women are left behind. What’s taken over is grief. The film premiered in competition at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, marking Lana’s return to Tallinn after About Us But Not About Us.
What is the Plot of Sisa?
Courtesy of The IdeaFirst Company.
The film follows Sisa, a woman who survives a massacre during the war and is later seen by her village as mentally unstable. Because she is dismissed and ignored, she can freely move through her surroundings. The story focuses on how Sisa navigates life after the war, as well as the choices she makes while living under occupation. It will also explore themes of violence, loss, and survival.
The Cast
Koronel leads the film as Sisa, supported by Eugene Domingo, Jennica Garcia, Tanya Gomez, Barbara Miguel, along with Angellie Sanoy, Jorrybell Agoto, Janina Mendoza, and Isabel Lamers. This marks Koronel’s return to film following her 2012 appearance in The Mistress, which earned her a Luna Award for Best Supporting Actress.
When and Where Can You Watch It?
Sisa opens in Philippine cinemas on March 4, 2026. The official trailer is now available, offering a first look at Koronel’s performance and the film’s period setting.
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