Hilda Koronel to make acting return with new film

Award-winning actress Hilda Koronel is set to make her comeback to the big screen in the upcoming historical thriller Sisa, directed by 11-time Palanca Award for Literature winner Jun Robles-Lana.

Koronel’s return to show business was revealed to the public on 17 December through the film’s production studio The IdeaFirst Company.

“We officially welcome back the actress that we honor as the Gold Standard of Philippine Cinema, Ms. Hilda Koronel!” it said on a social media post.

Past roles of the veteran actress were also mentioned in the post, citing her parts in films by legendary Filipino directors which skyrocketed her acting career, like Lino Brocka’s Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag and Insiang; and Mike de Leon’s Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising.

In a separate post, IdeaFirst invited those anticipating Koronel’s return in Sisa, whose role they said was specifically crafted by Jun Robles Lana himself.

“A legendary actress and the epitome of grace and talent, Ms. Hilda Koronel’s impact on Philippine cinema is undeniable as she has set the gold standard for generations of actors to come,” the post read.

Simultaneous with IdeaFirst’s announcement, Lana posted a sneak peak of the movie’s promotional materials with a silhouette of the main character along with the film’s title on his social media platforms.

Koronel’s last movie was back in 2012 with The Mistress, for which she won Best Supporting Actress at the 31st Luna Awards and nominated for the same award at the 61st FAMAS Awards.

Fellow actresses Eugene Domingo and Jennica Garcia will appear alongside her as cast members, whose character details are yet to be revealed as of writing.

Sisa is a historical thriller that tells of a woman defying expectations during a time when women were expected to be subservient, taking place during World War 2. The film is also eyeing a premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025.

The film is an international co-production by Filipino production companies and studios IdeaFirst, Octobertrain Films, Quantum Films, Cineko Productions, CMB Films and Forever Group, a media company based in Myanmar.

One of the leading names in the entertainment industry since the 1970s, Koronel has starred in over 45 movies, many of which are lauded as triumphs in Philippine cinema.

Other than the films mentioned earlier, the actress is also best known for her lead roles in Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan? and Tanging Yaman.