ABS-CBN:
Jun Robles Lana praises Hilda Koronel’s dedication in ‘Sisa’ as actress returns
to US
ABS-CBN
News
Published
Mar 13, 2026 11:43 AM PHT
MANILA
— Director Jun Robles Lana paid tribute to veteran actress Hilda Koronel in a
social media post Thursday, recalling moments from the production and promotion
of their historical film “Sisa” as the actress prepares to return to the United
States.
In a
Facebook post, Lana described Koronel as both a “legend” of Philippine cinema
and a private person who prefers a quiet life away from the spotlight.
“In a
few days, Hilda Koronel flies back to the US. Most know her as a pillar of
Philippine cinema,” Lana wrote. “But to those who know her best, she is simply
Susan,” referring to the actress by her real name.
Koronel
returned to the Philippines to film “Sisa,” marking her first movie appearance
in more than a decade.
Directed
by Lana, “Sisa” is a historical thriller set during the final years of the
Philippine-American War and follows a woman who survives a massacre and later
seeks revenge while pretending to be insane.
The
film had its world premiere at the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in
Estonia in November 2025 and opened in Philippine cinemas last March 4.
In his
post, Lana shared anecdotes from filming in Tarlac, where principal photography
took place during the height of summer. Despite the extreme heat, the director
said Koronel remained unfazed.
He
recalled one instance when the production needed to capture a shot atop a
distant hill before sunset.
“I
asked if she was game,” Lana wrote. “Without hesitation, she started running.
We all panicked and ran after her, afraid she might trip. She reached the top.
We got the shot.”
Lana
also praised Koronel’s acting, describing her screen presence as the emotional
center of the film.
“To
say her eyes are cinema is no exaggeration,” he said, adding that some actors
perform a role while others leave performances that endure.
The
director also remembered lighter moments during the film’s international
festival run in Tallinn, where he said the two shared drinks in a bar before
strolling through the city’s Christmas market.
“Sisa”
has continued to gain recognition overseas, recently winning the Best
Screenplay award at the Fantasporto International Film Festival in Portugal.
Koronel,
known for classic performances in films such as “Insiang” and “Maynila sa Mga
Kuko ng Liwanag,” has long been regarded as one of the defining actresses of
Philippine cinema.
For
Lana, working with her was both a professional and personal milestone.
“Working
with her hasn’t just inspired my filmmaking,” he wrote. “It has changed the way
I think about what it means to endure.”
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