Rodina Singh’s ‘Multwoh’ brings non-tragic queer ghost story to cinemas nationwide

Director Rodina Singh hopes to show that queer stories can be funny, romantic and entertaining as her film “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)” begins its nationwide theatrical release following its successful run at the 2026 CinePanalo Film Festival.

“Queer stories don’t have to be tragic to be taken seriously. And they don’t have to be serious to matter,” Singh said in a statement sent to Inquirer Entertainment. 

The film follows Marcel (Sassa Gurl), a college student who returns as a ghost after dying before she could confess her feelings to her best friend, Miguel (Joao Constancia).

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Combining queer romance, comedy and supernatural elements, “Multwoh” explores love and grief while challenging portrayals of queer people that often center on tragedy and death.

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“I’ve always been interested in how queer lives are remembered, especially when so many of our stories have historically been defined by tragedy, violence, or the circumstances of our deaths,” Singh said.

READ: CinePanalo 2026 lineup amplifies movement to uplift movie industry

The filmmaker said she also wanted to tell a story that celebrates the humor and everyday experiences of queer people.

“Because queer people are funny. We’re ridiculous. We fall in love, we make terrible decisions, we laugh at the most inappropriate moments, and we find ways to celebrate life even when the world gives us very little reason to,” she said. “And those experiences deserve to be on screen, too.”

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The film’s nationwide release follows its sold-out screenings at the CinePanalo Film Festival, where it won four awards: Panalo sa mga Manonood (Audience Award), Panalo sa Production Design, Panalo sa Brand Intrusion, and Puregold Always Panalo.

Singh said the audience response has been particularly meaningful. She recalled meeting an older gay man who recognized her on an escalator during the festival and told her he had traveled from the province to watch the film.

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“During our CinePanalo screenings, some of the most meaningful responses I received weren’t written reviews. They were conversations with people after the screenings,” she said.

Singh, whose previous feature was “Dreamboi,” described the expanded theatrical release of her third feature as a significant milestone for an independent queer filmmaker.

“For an independent queer filmmaker like myself, that means so much more than just having a film shown in more cinemas,” she said.

She hopes the film’s reception will encourage the industry to make more room for queer stories and give independent filmmakers greater access to opportunities and resources.

“Don’t just ask for permission. Demand entry,” Singh said, offering advice to aspiring queer storytellers.

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“Because my dream has never been limited to making my own films. I don’t just want to tell queer stories. I want to help build an industry where more queer people get to tell theirs.” /ra