Imagine a present-day Philippines that was never colonized by any foreign power, but instead maintained close connections with countries that shaped our culture, traditions, economy, government, and society. This is the vision explored in the new film The Kingdom, starring Piolo Pascual and Vic Sotto, which is an official entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.
The Kingdom reimagines the Philippines never colonized by foreign powers, where a strong monarchy still rules. Directed by Mike Tuviera, the film tells the story of a royal family dealing with power struggles, secrets, and traditions in the Kingdom of Kalayaan.
“We wanted to make a non-political film about politics,” explained director Tuviera during the film’s media conference. “That’s why the core or the soul of the film is still about family. It’s like the story came to life there. We developed the characters, but in the end, it’s still all about family.”
Tuviera also shared his insights on the challenges they faced while shooting some scenes.
“And in terms of the challenge, I think one of the biggest inspirations for us in terms of the sequences is sequence one. Sequence one, I can’t really speak much about it, but it took about four to five months to set up. We asked for help from the Philippine Navy. It was very, very difficult to make,” he said.
“That’s the very first scene of the entire film. Technically, that was the hardest. Other than that, any scene involving the whole family — because the dynamics, I think, are the most complicated to direct. Because everything else is technical,” the director went on.
The plot centers on Lakan Makisig, played by Sotto, an aging ruler torn between his legacy and his hopes for the future. As tensions rise within the royal family, Sotto’s character must navigate a kingdom in turmoil. Pascual stars as Sulo, a farmer outcast who unexpectedly becomes a hero in the kingdom’s fight for change.
Pascual shared his thoughts on his role in The Kingdom, saying, “Sulo’s pain runs deep, which is why he didn’t make it to the kingdom. That’s where his bitterness and anger stem from. In his life, it’s as if… there’s nothing here, no identity. You’ll see that he’s really not part of society.”
He added: “If he were to have a voice, he would want equality, where everyone is heard, no matter their status in life.”
Sotto described his character, Lakan Makisig, the king of the kingdom. “Lakan is caught between two worlds—the world of tradition, heritage, and culture, and the world of family.
“The real feelings come from his heart, so he’s stuck in the middle. He doesn’t know which to prioritize—tradition or his own feelings in life?”
The cast also includes Cristine Reyes and Sue Ramirez as the determined princesses Dayang Matimyas and Dayang Lualhati, and Sid Lucero as their brother Magat Bagwis, whose internal struggles add to the family’s conflict. Ruby Ruiz plays the Babaylan, the spiritual leader of the kingdom, while Cedrick Juan portrays a young Lakan in flashbacks that explore the royal family’s past. Zion Cruz plays Lakan Makisig’s grandson, adding more layers to the family drama.
Other cast members include Iza Calzado, Art Acuña, Giovanni Baldisseri, and Nico Antonio.
