Reimagined Volume II: Mahal
About Volume II: Mahal
Inspired by Philippine mythology, the story focuses on Apolaki, Mayari, Tala, and Hanan, the four immortal children of the recently passed creator god, Bathala. As each of these deities wrestles with the grief of losing Bathala, their all-powerful actions create ripples throughout the universe.
As a noun, mahal is the Tagalog word for love but as an adjective, it transforms into the Tagalog word for costly or expensive. Dedicated to the director's late father, MAHAL is a story of how love comes at a cost.
Project Recognition
Reimagined Volume II: Mahal made its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival 2023 under the New Voices Category in the Tribeca Immersive Section.
Director’s Statement
As a noun, mahal is the Tagalog word for love but as an adjective, it transforms into the Tagalog word for costly or expensive.
MAHAL is a love letter to my father, who died in a car accident when I was very young. Yet, as a non-fiction storyteller, I have always been more at ease working alongside collaborators to bring their stories to life. Through this creative process, I have been forced to confront my own lifelong journey with grief. No matter how much healing and fulfillment I experience, the anger and sadness inside of me will still find a way to bubble up within my emotions.
Ultimately MAHAL asks the question of what would happen in our world if we allowed ourselves and others to express depression, numbness, guilt, anger, and loneliness outside of the construct of time and space. Would our actions outweigh those consequences? Can healing even begin until our raw pain is truly seen and heard by our chosen family?
Role: Director, Co-Writer, Producer, & Series Co-Creator
