The Kingdom (2024 Philippine film)

For other uses, see The Kingdom.

The Kingdom
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Michael Tuviera
Screenplay by	Michelle Ngu-Nario
Story by	Michelle Ngu-Nario Michael Tuviera
Produced by	Camille G. Montaño Ruth P. Racela
Starring	Vic Sotto Piolo Pascual
Cinematography	Shayne Sarte
Edited by	Tara Illenberger
Music by	Jessie Q. Lasaten
Production companies	MQuest Ventures APT Entertainment MZet Television Productions
Distributed by	MQuest Distribution
Release date	December 25, 2024 (2024-12-25)
Running time	133 minutes
Country	Philippines
Language	Filipino

The Kingdom is a 2024 Philippine action adventure film directed by Michael Tuviera from a story he co-wrote with Michelle Ngu-Nario, who solely adapted it into a screenplay. The film includes an ensemble cast featuring Vic Sotto, Piolo Pascual, Cristine Reyes, Sue Ramirez, and Sid Lucero. The film is set in an alternate timeline where the Philippines was never colonized by Western powers and is a monarchy called Kalayaan.

Produced by APT Entertainment, MQuest Ventures, and MZet Television Productions, it is intended to be part of the first batch of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival. ^[1]

Plot

Makisig is the widowed king of Kalayaan, an uncolonized version of the Philippines in 2024 ^[a] . As he prepares to retire from the throne, Makisig is unsure which among his children should succeed him; Magat Bagwis, his short-tempered but politically inept son, or his eldest daughter Dayang Matimyas, whom he had previously groomed to be his successor before she eloped with the son of a political rival.

A third child, Lualhati, is married off to a Thai prince in a diplomatic maneuver. On her way to the wedding, she is abducted by gunmen who injure Matimyas. As the abductors make a stopover, an outcast named Sulo notices Lualhati inside her kidnappers' truck. Sulo gives chase, overpowers Lualhati's captors and rescues her. The two seek shelter in the hut of Sulo's former partner Rosa and her son Kiko. The next day, the kidnappers try to abduct Lualhati but are fended off by Rosa and Sulo. As Sulo and Lualhati flee, Rosa and Kiko are killed by a surviving gunman who reports back to Matimyas, revealing her to be the mastermind of Lualhati's kidnapping.

Wigan, the leader of the secessionist group Tiwalag, claims to be holding Lualhati captive and demands that Makisig grant independence to the north of the kingdom in exchange for her freedom. At the same time, Silay, Makisig's spiritual advisor, warns Makisig of impending bloodshed in his household and a betrayal by one of his children. Makisig suspects Bagwis, but allows him to negotiate with Wigan in the latter's hideout. During the talks, Magat makes a concession to Wigan in exchange for Wigan presenting a proof of life from Lualhati, prompting the surprise arrival of Makisig. However, both Makisig and Bagwis see the evidence as fake, leading to a battle between Kalayaan and Tiwalag forces that culminates with Wigan fatally stabbing Bagwis. Enraged, Makisig kills Wigan and orders his army to massacre Wigan's warriors.

At a checkpoint, Lualhati sees a royal servant, Tarek, who sneaks her and Sulo to the royal palace. The two are presented at court, where Lualhati reunites with her father and is informed of Bagwis's death, but Matimyas falsely accuses Sulo of shooting her during Lualhati's kidnapping. Makisig orders Sulo arrested, but as the latter is led away, Sulo reveals himself to be the son of Sigwa, a Royal Guard executed by Makisig himself when he was a prince, and demands a trial by combat, which Makisig cannot refuse under the law. Makisig later visits Sulo in jail and reveals that Sigwa was his protector, whom he was forced to execute after he injured Makisig's older brother while defending Makisig from him. Makisig reveals that Sigwa absolved him of his death and expresses remorse. Before leaving, Makisig conveys his gratitude for saving Lualhati and asks Sulo to protect her should he die. That night, Matimyas' son, Felipe, hands Makisig a drawing of the person who shot her. Realizing Matimyas' scheme, Makisig confronts her, while the latter vents her resentment at how he looks down on her.

The next day, Makisig and Sulo undergo trial by combat, ending with Sulo fatally stabbing Makisig. As a funeral is held for Makisig, Sulo is released, while Matimyas becomes Queen. Shortly after, Lualhati stumbles upon Matimyas and Silay talking about how they conspired with Wigan to kidnap Lualhati and find a way to get rid of Bagwig. Lualhati confronts the two, but Matimyas says she resents her for being their father's favorite and wants to seize power for herself, adding that she would have wanted Makisig to crown her had it not been for Lualhati’s reappearance and Sulo’s challenge. After a scuffle, Lualhati is overpowered by Matimyas and Silay, but as Matimyas prepares to kill her sister, Felipe suddenly arrives and shields Lualhati. Matimyas breaks down as the Royal Guards arrest her and Silay.

With Matimyas in prison, Lualhati becomes the new queen. Sulo reappears and asks for her hand, saying that her love had made him overcome his desire to avenge himself on Makisig. The film ends with Lualhati ascending the throne with Sulo as her consort.

In a mid-credits scene, Tarek visits Matimyas, who sits down and smiles menacingly in her prison cell.

Cast

Vic Sotto

Piolo Pascual

• Vic Sotto as Lakan Makisig Nandula, the ruler of the Kingdom of Kalayaan, ^[4] an alternative timeline monarchy in the Philippines. A descendant of Lakndula, he is the second son of Lakan Diwa and the father to Magat Bagwis, Dayang Matimyas, and Dayang Lualhati. He used to be a benevolent king who changed after his spouse Lakambini Hiraya died in childbirth. ^[5] For the role, temporary whole-body tattoos had to be applied to Sotto for three hours. The bodypaint serves as a status symbol for his character. Sotto also had to undergo Filipino martial arts training in preparation for the role. ^[6] Sotto remarked he had to leave his comfort zone for his portrayal of the Lakan. He also had to change his voice for the role, departing from the usual tone he uses while hosting Eat Bulaga! . ^[7]
  • Cedrick Juan as a young Makisig. Juan is billed to have "special participation" in the film. ^[8]
• Piolo Pascual as Sulayman "Sulo" Tagum, a Tinatwa (outcast) and a farmer, ^{[7] [8]} who is also a son of a disgraced Kalasag Royal Guard. Unlike the free people or the Malayas, he has no tattoos. Due to his social stature, he was denied decent education and livelihood. He condemns this injustice and questions the Kingdom of Kalayaan. Despite everything, he remains a good man who can't turn a blind eye to wrongdoing. Through his journey with Dayang Lualhati, he learns to let go of his hatred. ^[9]
• Cristine Reyes as Dayang Matimyas Nandula, the middle child and responsible daughter of Makisig. ^{[7] [10]}
• Sue Ramirez as Dayang Lualhati Nandula, the younger daughter of Makisig who was to marry a Thai prince but is abducted by men who Matimyas alleged to be from the secessionist group Tiwalag. ^[10] Ramirez accepted the role without reading the script first. ^[7]
• Sid Lucero as Magat Bagwis Nandula, the eldest child and sole son of Makisig, known for his temper. ^[10]
• Nico Antonio as Tarek, the comedic aide of the royal family. ^[7]
• Zion Cruz as Prinsipe Felipe, Makisig's grandson and Matimyas' son. ^[7]
• Ruby Ruiz as Silayan Hil-um, a head babaylan . ^[11]
• Art Acuña ^[8] as Carpio, the head of the Kalasag Royal Guards.
• Iza Calzado as Rosa, an acquaintance of Sulo and a former member of the Tiwalag. Calzado is billed to have "special participation" in the film. ^[8]
• Manny Pangilinan as himself (cameo) ^[12]

Production

Flag of the Kingdom of Kalayaan, the main setting of the film.

The Kingdom is a co-production between APT Entertainment, MQuest Ventures, and MZet Television Productions. Michael "Mike" Tuviera of APT serves as the film's director. ^[13] Michael Ngu-nario is the writer. ^[1] Tuviera first pitched the story to Jane Basas of MQuest during a story conference for Padyak Princess . ^[13]

The Kingdom is noted for not heavily featuring comedy, despite the casting of Vic Sotto, an actor that has starred in mostly comedic projects. ^[14] Tuviera wanted to create a "non-political film about politics" which centers around family. ^[8]

It was among the first five entries of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival announced on July 16, 2024; all of which were submitted as scripts. ^[15]

The first sequence was mentioned to be the most difficult to execute taking four to five months to set up. The production team reached out to the Philippine Navy to help them for the said sequence which served as "inspiration" for succeeding sequences. ^[8]

Release

As one of the ten official entries of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival, The Kingdom was released in Philippine cinemas on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024. ^[15]

The film is also scheduled to premier at the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Los Angeles on January 30, 2025. ^[16]

Reception

Accolades

Accolades received by Green Bones

Year	Award	Category	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref.
2024	50th Metro Manila Film Festival	Best Picture (2nd)	The Kingdom	Won	[17]
		Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence		Nominated
		Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award		Won
		Best Director	Michael Tuviera	Won
		Best Actor	Vic Sotto	Nominated
			Piolo Pascual	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	Sid Lucero	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actress	Cristine Reyes	Nominated
		Best Screenplay	Michelle Ngu-Nario	Nominated
		Best Cinematography	Shayne Sarte	Nominated
		Best Production Design	Nestor Abrogena	Won
		Best Editing	Tara Illenberger	Nominated
		Best Original Theme Song	"Magkabilaan"	Nominated
		Best Musical Score	Jessie Lasaten	Nominated
		Best Visual Effects	Riot Inc.	Won
		Best Child Performer	Zion Cruz	Nominated

Notes

1. Set in the "present day" as per director Tuviera. ^[2] The islands were never colonized by the Spanish Empire, never a territory of the United States, or occupied by Japan in World War II. ^[3]

References

1. "Vic Sotto and Vice Ganda movies make it to MMFF 2024". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. July 16, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
2. Ching, Mark Angelo (December 8, 2024). "Mike Tuviera explores uncolonized Philippines in The Kingdom". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved January 8, 2025. It's present day, it's 2024, but we were never colonized
3. Mallorca, Hannah (December 26, 2024). "Why Vic Sotto rarely bonded with the cast of MMFF 2024 entry 'The Kingdom'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
4. Garcia, Rose (December 2, 2024). "Piolo Pascual raves about Vic Sotto's dramatic prowess". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
5. Frontline Pilipinas 2024, 2:18 (Text).
6. Gabinete, Jojo (October 24, 2024). "Vic Sotto, pumayag "magpa-tattoo" para sa The Kingdom" [Vic Sotto, agreed to be "tattooed" for The Kingdom]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
7. Salterio, Leah (December 2, 2024). "Doing a film with Piolo shocks Vic". Journal Online. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
8. PEP Troika (December 1, 2024). "Vic Sotto first serious film ang The Kingdom; paano napapayag?". PEP.ph. Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
9. Frontline Pilipinas 2024, 2:22 (Text).
10. Pagulong, Charmie Joy (December 1, 2024). "Vic Sotto, Piolo Pascual on working dynamics in 2024 MMFF entry 'The Kingdom'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
11. Evangelista, Jessica Ann (November 26, 2024). "Ruby Ruiz excited for her Hollywood film 'First Light,' MMFF entry 'The Kingdom'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
12. https://insiderph.com/insider-info-most-valuable-producer-mvp-makes-cameo-appearance-in-mmff-entry
13. Marfori, M. J. (July 20, 2024). "Bossing Vic Sotto slated for 'eye-opening' MMFF comeback". The Philippine Star (in English and Filipino). Retrieved August 14, 2024.
14. "MMFF 2024: Vic Sotto in first movie drama, Vice Ganda in first dramedy. Seriously?". Rappler. October 23, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
15. Mayo, Stephanie (July 18, 2024). "MMFF 50th Edition: Excitement builds as first half of finalists revealed". Daily Tribune. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
16. Martinez, Gavin (December 31, 2024). "'Hello, Love, Again' returns to LA as part of MIFF 2025". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved January 2, 2024.
17. Reyes, Juno (December 28, 2024). "FULL LIST: Winners, 2024 MMFF Gabi ng Parangal". Rappler . Retrieved December 28, 2024.

Sources

• Vic Sotto, Piolo Pascual, nagkita na para sa kanilang pelikulang 'The Kingdom' [Vic Sotto, Piolo Pascual, already met for their film 'The Kingdom']. Frontline Pilipinas (in Filipino). News5Everywhere. August 1, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024– via YouTube.

External links

• Media related to The Kingdom (2024 Philippine film) at Wikimedia Commons
• The Kingdom at IMDb