NEW YORK — Hilda Koronel’s return to the big screen carried special emotion on July 31 as Sisa made its North American premiere at Asia Society in New York as part of the 49th Asian American International Film Festival.
Before the screening, producer Rey Cuerdo, who is based in Los Angeles and traveled to New York with Koronel, introduced the actress to the audience with a tribute to her legacy in Philippine cinema.
The historical thriller reimagines José Rizal’s tragic literary figure as a woman who pretends to be mad so she can secretly work as a spy during the Philippine-American War. Set in 1902, the film presents Sisa not simply as a victim but as a survivor, using the appearance of madness as a weapon against occupying forces.
For Koronel, the film marks a long-awaited comeback after a 13-year break from movies, with her last feature being The Mistress in 2012. In a previous interview on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, she said she had spent those years living a quieter life in the United States, focusing on her home, husband, children, pets and garden, and described herself as a housewife during her time away from the spotlight.
She also said it was the script and the emotional pull of the story that brought her back to acting. The role gave her the chance to portray a woman shaped by rage, resistance and the scars of war.
Koronel remains one of Philippine cinema’s most respected actresses, with landmark performances in Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag and Insiang still central to her screen legacy. Her return in Sisa adds another major role to a career long woven into Philippine film history.
Sisa first premiered in Manila in March and later gained international attention before arriving in New York.
Among those moved by the screening was Fil-Am community leader Jocelyn Bernal, who said that watching Sisa had been a last-minute decision she was glad she made. She praised the film’s unexpected storyline, historical references, thought-provoking ending, cinematography and portrayal of women’s strength in times of adversity, and called Koronel’s performance remarkable.
Atty. Elizabeth Cueva, president of Ladies for Rizal New York, said she was struck by both the performances and the film’s emotional build in Sisa.
“I was impressed not only by Hilda Koronel in the titular role but also by the ensemble cast, including Jennica Garcia, Eugene Domingo, Angeli Nicole Sanoy and Tanya Gomez,” she told TOFA News.
“The unfolding of the story starts languidly before building to a gripping denouement. Hilda’s acting is quietly scintillating — her lines are sparse, but when she speaks, it is very effective. I’m glad she accepted this role as her comeback film. She was deglamorized to fully inhabit the character, allowing the audience to focus on the story rather than her classic beauty.
“In person, Hilda is very kind and unassuming, with an effervescent presence. Her beauty is timeless. I was tongue-tied when I was first introduced to this legend of Philippine cinema, and she even invited me to take a photo with her — very humble despite her stature.
“The audience was deeply engaged throughout the screening, with spontaneous reactions to what was happening on screen, and gave a rousing standing ovation at the end. It’s a gripping mystery drama set in a lesser-discussed period in Philippine history. Ang galing!”
AAIFF or the Asian American International Film Festival is the nation’s first and longest-running festival dedicated to independent Asian, Asian diaspora and Pacific Islander cinema. Founded in 1978 and organized by Asian CineVision, the 49th edition runs from July 31 to Aug. 10, 2026, in New York City and online. Tickets and full program details are available at asiancinevision.org/aaiff/.
