Award-winning filmmaker Jun Robles Lana paid tribute to veteran actress Hilda Koronel in a heartfelt social media post on Thursday, recalling their time together during the production and promotion of the historical thriller Sisa as the actress prepares to return to the United States.
In a Facebook post, Lana described Koronel as both a “legend” of Philippine cinema and a private individual who prefers a quiet life away from the spotlight.
“In a few days, Hilda Koronel flies back to the US. Most know her as a pillar of Philippine cinema. But to those who know her best, she is simply Susan,” he wrote, referring to her real name.
Koronel returned to the Philippines for Sisa, her first film appearance in more than a decade.
Directed by Lana, the film is set during the closing years of the Philippine-American War and follows a woman who survives a massacre, feigns insanity, and seeks revenge.
The film premiered at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia in November 2025 and opened in Philippine cinemas on March 4. It later earned international recognition, including Best Screenplay at the Fantasporto International Film Festival in Portugal.
Lana shared anecdotes from filming in Tarlac, recalling how Koronel endured the intense summer heat and even sprinted up a hill to capture a crucial sunset shot.
“I asked if she was game. Without hesitation, she started running. We all panicked and ran after her, afraid she might trip. She reached the top. We got the shot,” he wrote.
He praised her artistry and screen presence, saying: “To say her eyes are cinema is no exaggeration,” noting that Koronel’s performance became the emotional center of the film.
The director also remembered lighter moments during the film’s international run, including sharing drinks in Tallinn before strolling through the city’s Christmas market.
Koronel, known for her acclaimed roles in Insiang and Maynila sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, remains one of the defining figures of Philippine cinema.
For Lana, collaborating with her marked both a professional and personal milestone.
“Working with her hasn’t just inspired my filmmaking,” he wrote. “It has changed the way I think about what it means to endure.”