Hilda Koronel returns to Philippine cinema with comeback film 'Sisa'

Hilda Koronel is returning to Philippine cinema with, “Sisa" an upcoming spy thriller set in the Philippine-American war of 1902.

On Thursday’s “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” the veteran actress opened up about leaving the Philippines after decades in the industry and how it feels to be back.

According to Hilda, moving to the United States was both difficult and easy. 

“In a sense, I was a bit tired already because, you know, like 56 years na rin ako sa industry by this year. So, noong umalis ako, matagal na rin [akong nasa industriya]. Ilang decades na rin ako. So, my husband was saying like, ‘Pahinga ka na,’” Hilda said.

But at the same time, she said leaving the Philippines was difficult because she was "born and raised here."

“And some of my kids are here. My grandchildren are here. So, I miss the people. And Manila will always be home for me. So, it's kind of hard to leave my friends, my family. Mahirap din, but you do what you have to do,” she said.

And while life in America was more quiet than her life in the Philippines, Hilda said it was also more challenging in some ways.

“Mahirap nang konti. Ikaw lahat, wala kang katulong,” Hilda said. “Sanay naman ako. I cook, you know, I clean, I do everything.”

Now, Hilda is making her return to local cinema through “Sisa,” which is directed by Jun Robles Lana.

Contrary to popular belief, her titular character in the film is not the same Sisa from “Noli Me Tangere” by Jose Rizal.

“She's a spy. So hindi ‘to—they have a misconception na si Sisa ‘to ni Rizal. It's not. Because it's in 1902. This is the Philippine-American War already," Hilda clarified, adding her character is "really focused na gusto niyang gumanti. Gusto niyang kahit papaano makaganti siya."

She added that her character only pretends to be unwell. “Nagloloko-lokohan lang siya,” she said.

“Sisa” is coming to cinemas on March 4. — LA, GMA Integrated News