Ruru Madrid takes on war, hope in official trailer for Cinemalaya entry 'Hand of God'

The official trailer for "Hand of God," the Cinemalaya 2026 entry starring Ruru Madrid, has finally been unveiled.

On social media, Sparkle shared the trailer which offered a glimpse at the gripping war drama that follows Military Lieutenant Edgardo Reyes (Ruru), an idealistic soldier whose mission goes beyond the battlefield.

Set in a remote village in Basilan that's been devastated by years of armed conflict, "Hand of God" follows Reyes as he teaches football to the local community. Along the way, he forms an unlikely friendship with Khaleel (KD Omalin), a 10-year-old child soldier searching for hope amid violence.

Aside from Ruru and KD, the trailer also features Ronnie Lazaro, Sue Ramirez, Iza Calzado, and Jhong Hilario as Omar, the leader of the rebels.

Written and directed by Mark Duane Angos, "Hand of God" will premiere in the Cinemalaya Film Festival which will run from August 6 to 18.

This is Ruru's Cinemalaya debut and in a June 2026 “24 Oras” interview, the Kapuso star said that he manifested his first-ever Cinemalaya film.

“I really manifested this, that I be able to do a Cinemalaya movie,” he said in Filipino.

“I’m very excited. It’s a year of expansion and exploration, of what else I can push beyond my limits,” he added.

Ruru also said he is grateful for the people he met and the stories and experiences he gained during the trip, which he said he would carry with him for the rest of his life.

— LA, GMA News