Arzen Rose Dulzura

Direk Jun Robles Lana shares why the film ‘Sisa’ matters and what viewers can take away

Article (news)

Gary Ann Lastrilla

Push Team

<p>Award-winning director Jun Robles Lana underscored the need to highlight women’s roles in history as he graced an exclusive block screening of his latest film Sisa.</p><p>The event, organized by Travertine Longevity Clinic, was held on Thursday, March 19, at Shangri-La Plaza.</p><p>In an interview, Direk Jun shared why it is necessary to tell the story of Sisa.</p><p> “It’s not just important. It’s essential because history is very patriarchal. We all are aware, we’ve been taught in schools about how history was shaped by men and then the women— they just remain in footnotes. Importanteng makilala rin natin ‘yung papel na ginampanan ng mga babae para makamit natin ‘yung kalayaan natin,” he said.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVmzDZ2j6YA/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A682584.1000000238%2C%22ls%22%3A50047.799999952316%2C%22le%22%3A50292.89999997616%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%">He added that much of Philippine history, particularly before the 1970s, was written by men who chose which voices and figures to highlight.</span></div><p>“They chose to amplify which voices they wanted to present, which history figures they wanted us to study, and the women mostly were in the background. I think it’s really important that we take a look at the right side of history,” he said.</p><p>Sisa revisits the iconic character from Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel <em>Noli Me Tangere</em>, traditionally portrayed as a tragic mother who lost her children and descended into madness.</p><p>Direk Lana shared that he wanted to challenge this long-held image.</p><p>“Sisa is such a tragic character and also an overpowering character that for a while, it became the image of the suffering Filipina. In a sense, it became the image of the suffering nation,” he said.</p><p>“Hindi niya nakuhang lumaban… Parang api lang… When I got the chance to make a film about women coming together, I wanted to flip that image. I wanted to show Sisa as somebody who has agency, who, even though, history was against her, had the agency to say no. Even when nobody was listening to her, lalaban siya,” he added.</p><p>The director tapped veteran actress Hilda Koronel in the lead, describing her as the perfect fit for the role.</p><p>“I think ‘pag napanood niyo ‘yung pelikula, walang question ‘yun. Wala na kayong ibang maiisip na artista para sa role na ‘yun. She’s perfect for the role,” Direk Jun said.</p><p>He revealed that the concept for Sisa dates back over a decade, around the time he was working on <em>Barber’s Tales</em>, which he produced in 2013. However, production challenges delayed the project.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVxzPMkETgy/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A664935.2000000477%2C%22ls%22%3A50047.799999952316%2C%22le%22%3A50292.89999997616%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="719" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>He then said that it was Hilda’s interest in the film that played a crucial role in finally bringing it to life.</p><p>“When we learned that Hilda Koronel was looking for a comeback material and then prinesent namin ito sa kanya and then she was interested, it opened doors… And it became easier to produce the film. Ang daming agad nagpakita ng interest na gusto kaming tulungan, and this all happened because Hilda Koronel said yes to the project,” he said.</p><p>Direk Jun also hopes the film will encourage audiences to reflect on the country’s history and its impact on present-day decisions.</p><p>“I think I just want everybody to remember. We are a nation that easily forgets and we easily forgive. There’s nothing wrong about forgiving, it’s just that we need to remember the damages, the cost… para mas maging matalino tayo sa pagpili natin ng mga magiging leaders natin, para mas maging matalino tayo sa mga desisyon na gagawin natin sa araw-araw,” he said.</p><p>He added that the film seeks to revisit a part of history often romanticized, particularly the American colonial period.</p><p>“Ultimately, this is really about remembering a side of history that has been romanticized. Sobrang ni-romanticize yung part ng history na ‘to eh. That the Americans came and they gave us education and we should be grateful. Yes, that’s true. But at what cost? ‘Yan ‘yung dapat nating tanungin,” he said.</p>

<p>Direk Jun Robles Lana discusses his film <i>Sisa</i>, why he chose the story, his casting of Hilda Koronel, and the lessons he hopes audiences will learn from it.</p>

Direk Jun Robles Lana discusses his film Sisa , why he chose the story, his casting of Hilda Koronel, and the lessons he hopes audiences will learn from it.