MANILA, Philippines (Jul 2026) — Pinay artist Serena Magiliw is redefining trans visibility across the local entertainment scene through raw and powerful storytelling. Her recent selection for the highly competitive 2026 acting workshop by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) highlights her growing influence as a multidisciplinary force in the industry.
Magiliw built her artistic foundation by studying Filipinology at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. She regularly combines creative work with institutional critique, leading to projects like “Rampa” for the Asian Performing Arts Camp in 2021 and a directorial role at the Tokyo Festival Farm in 2022. Her work gained international attention in 2022 when New York’s New Perspectives Theater Company staged her play “KASARIAN 101.”
Advocacy outside the theater
What sets Magiliw apart is her dedication to human rights and creative freedom. Off the stage, she works closely with the Society of Trans Women of the Philippines to protect the rights of trans Pinays. She also fights for freedom of expression as part of the Membership and Alliance Committee of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines.
Balancing mainstream television and indie films
The versatile actress easily transitions between television roles and independent cinema. She starred as Betchay in the 2026 series “A Secret in Prague” alongside Andrea Brillantes and Enrique Gil. She also shared the screen with Angeline Quinto and Eugene Domingo in the 2025 production “The Happy Homes of Diane Hilario.”
As a familiar face at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, Magiliw co-starred in the 2025 film “Warla” and appeared in the 2023 feature “Huling Palabas.” Her latest project includes the 2026 Cinemalaya short film finalist “Muli Na Ka, Merlie.”
Creating spaces for trans storytellers
Currently, Magiliw focuses her efforts on her queer-trans embodiment practice called SARI/SARI and her independent creative hub, Trans Midya. Funded by a grant from the Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Rights, Trans Midya works to tear down the harmful stereotypes that have historically limited trans representation in mainstream media.
For future projects, artistic collaborations, or creative inquiries, you can reach Serena Magiliw via email at [email protected] or follow her journey on Instagram at @ma.giliw.
