The lights dim. A single guitar strum pierces the silence. The band starts to play. Familiar, heartfelt lyrics fill the air. Onscreen, a group of passionate individuals takes shape—not just as musicians, but as friends, as family, as one united force bound by music and memory. And with that, Sinagtala begins—not merely as a film, but as a moving reminder that music is more than sound. It carries memory, pain, love, and hope.
Directed by Mike E. Sandejas, Sinagtala follows in the musical footsteps of his past works from Cinemalaya: Philippine Independent Film Festival: Tulad ng Dati (2006), an alternate-reality drama built around the legendary rock band The Dawn; and Dinig Sana Kita (2009), a story about the connection between a deaf boy and a rocker girl. Like his previous films, Sinagtala uses music as a soul language, one that bridges gaps words often can’t.
Alan Peter Cayetano, the film’s creative producer, shared his thoughts on the power of storytelling in a social media post promoting the trailer:
For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7.
SINAGTALA!Storytelling is powerful! A good movie can touch lives. A great movie can make an impact on a generation. What movies touched your lives?
What movie had an impact on your whole generation?
May I recommend SINAGTALA!
Issues ng ating mga kabataan! (The issues of our youth.)
Hope and despair!
GOD’S guiding hand is there whether we acknowledge it or not!”
When dreams drift and destiny calls
At its core, Sinagtala tells the story of a band that once thrived with youthful energy and promise. Music wasn’t just their career—it was their identity, their safe space, and the bond that kept them together. But as life happened, dreams fractured, and the band members drifted apart.
Years later, they’re brought back together, not by choice, but by the silent, persistent tug of the past—and by Paola, their former leader, who refuses to let their shared dream die even as her own life nears its end.
Glaiza de Castro leads the ensemble with a quiet but commanding presence. Through her character, one of the film’s most powerful life lessons is delivered:
“Ano yung mga nakakapagpasaya sa ’yo? Yung mga bagay na magaling ka? Yung mga nai-enjoy mo at nakakapagbigay sa ’yo ng sense of fulfillment? Yan yung purpose mo. Pwede siyang maiba pero hindi siya pwedeng magbago. You can’t tell a seed that it cannot be a tree. Ang tawag do’n: destiny.”
(“What are the things that make you happy? The things you’re good at? The things you enjoy and that give you a sense of fulfillment? That’s your purpose. It can change in form, but it can never change in essence. You can’t tell a seed that it cannot be a tree. That’s what you call destiny.”)
It’s the kind of message that lingers—especially for those who may have abandoned their creative passions or silenced their younger selves in pursuit of practicality. It’s a quiet call to remember who they once were and what once brought them joy.
Tears, truths, and courage to be seen
After a block screening held in a Taguig mall, actor Matt Lozano—who plays a closeted character hiding his sexuality from a strict father—spoke candidly about the emotional weight of the story.
When asked about his message to those still struggling with coming out, Lozano said:
“Sa ’kin naman, nirerespeto ko sila kasi wala namang ibang may karapatan na maglantad ng gender nila kung hindi yung sarili lang nila. So, if hindi pa kayo ready, okay lang ’yan. Kung ready na kayo, mas makakaluwag siguro sa inyo kung i-out n’yo.”
(For me, I respect them because no one else has the right to reveal their gender identity except themselves. So if you’re not ready yet, that’s okay. If you’re ready, then maybe it will be a relief to finally come out.)
He followed up with a light-hearted remark: “Kung ano ako, mag-a-out talaga ako. Pero straight naman po ako, so wala po akong ia-out!”
(If I were something else, I’d come out for sure. But I’m straight, so I have nothing to come out about!)
Despite the humor, Lozano didn’t hold back in sharing just how deeply the film touched him.
“It’s my third time [to watch the film]. Unang beses [kong napanood ito], wala, umiyak ako! Kaming dalawa ni Glaiza yung unang nakanood e! So, kaming dalawa ni Glaiza, magkatabi kami, tapos nakaganito lang kami [he stiffened his body], tumutulo yung luha ko, ayokong gumano’n [he gestured wiping his tears], kasi nahihiya ako, baka makita ni Glaiza [na] umiiyak ako.”
(It’s my third time watching the film. The first time I saw it, I cried! Glaiza and I were the first to watch it. We sat next to each other, and I stiffened up while my tears were falling—I didn’t want to wipe them because I was embarrassed that Glaiza might see me cry.)
“Pagkatapos ng pelikula, pagharap naming gano’n, pareho kami, umiiyak. Hindi siya nagpahid ng luha; ayaw niyang ipakita sa akin. Sobrang touched kaming dalawa… Ang ganda ng message ng pelikula, kaya kahit kami, kahit alam na namin yung mangyayari, mas na-touch kami no’ng napanood namin.”
(After the film, when we turned to each other, we were both crying. She didn’t wipe her tears either; she didn’t want me to see. We were both so touched… The message of the film is beautiful—even though we already knew what would happen, we were even more moved when we watched it.)
Sinagtala resonates in our lives
The music never really stops. Be inspired by their story as we listen to their original songs, created for the film’s soundtrack (with the talented cast members also playing instruments in the movie). Sinagtala reminds us that music, like purpose, never truly dies—it simply waits for the right moment to be heard again.
Also starring Ricky Davao, Benjie Paras, Robert Seña, and more, Sinagtala is now showing in theaters nationwide.
CinemaBravo 
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