Conceptualization
Warla was the directorial debut of Kevin Alambra, head of research for Maalaala Mo Kaya , a drama anthology television series which ended in December 2022. [6]
Alambra became aware of Warla, a group of transgender women. The group had some of its members arrested in a October 2022 incident allegedly for kidnapping foreigners to demand ransom to fund their gender-affirming surgery. The incident reminded Alambra of a "Filipino version" of favorite screenplay Dog Day Afternoon and wondered how these women came to that point. [6]
His trans woman friend and advocate Mela Habijan encouraged Alambra to adopt the Warla group's story as subject of his first Cinemalaya film. Alambra referred to Hil Malatino's book Trans Care served and interviews with trans women in making the film. He conclude that it was worthy to explore the empathy of trans women he interviewed for the Warla. [6]
He worked with screenwriter Arah Jell Badayos for the story. Alambra and Badayos further refined the script through Cinemalaya's film lab in April 2024. They consulted Brenda Alegre, a doctor and one of the earlier members of The Society of Trans Women of the Philippines human rights group for feedback. Alambra also visited a gender clinic in Bangkok learning how its a preferred destination for Filipino trans women for the affordability of gender affirming surgery convincing the director the need to advance trans health care in the Philippines. [6]
The duo also collaborated with the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) to help them build the storyline since Warla is based on the group of the same name that got involved in the 2022 criminal incident. [7]
Alambra insists that the film does not glorify the crimes of the Warla group but rather portrays a group of women who turn to crime refusing to become victims. [6] He also meant to put transgender people at the forefront since they are usually relegated as side characters in media if they appear at all. [7]
