LAV DIAZ'S 'MAGELLAN' MAKES PHILIPPINE HOMECOMING AMID MAJOR FESTIVAL RUN

Filipino audiences will finally get to see Lav Diaz's "Magellan," the Philippines' official submission to the 2026 Oscars, when the historical epic sails into local theaters on Sept. 10.

- By Nathalie Tomada

Its homecoming comes as the film continues a major international festival tour.

"Finally, 'Magellan' is coming to the shores of the Philippines again. Magellan comes again," said producer Paul Soriano. "We're going to be strategic, obviously, with our showings. We should be announcing our cinemas very soon, but on Sept. 10, we will be showing in Philippine cinemas nationwide."

"Magellan" world-premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last May. It's currently screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. Later this month, it will have its US premiere before moving on to other stops.

"The great news is, it has a massive festival run coming up, starting with Toronto. We're in the main slate of the New York Film Festival. We'll also be in Busan, Tokyo — it's gonna be well-traveled. We're very excited as 'Magellan' travels the world again," said Soriano, whose Black Cap Pictures bankrolled "Magellan" with Rosa Filmes (Portugal) and Andergraun Films (Spain).

The STAR and other press outlets spoke to Soriano, along with the man of the hour, Diaz, on the sidelines of the Film Academy of the Philippines' (FAP) announcement that "Magellan" was the country's official bet for the Academy Awards' Best International Feature Film category.

Asked if Gael Garcia Bernal, who portrays the titular role of the Portuguese explorer, will attend the Philippine premiere, Diaz teased, "Subukan, tingnan natin. Maraming kamukha si Gael sa Pilipinas."

"For all you know, he's here na," Soriano added. "We hope to bring Gael back, obviously. I know he's very supportive of the picture, he's very excited that it's coming out in the Philippines. He will definitely support us in one way or another."

The film follows the final months of Ferdinand Magellan's life leading up to the Battle of Mactan in 1521, where he was killed by warriors led by Lapulapu, widely regarded as the first Filipino hero.