Kevin Alambra brings true crime story of trans kidnap gang to Cinemalaya

Kevin Alambra marks his directional debut with “Warla,” one of the 10 full-length features in the ongoing Cinemalaya 2025, taking on a true crime story to “humanize the trans experience.”

- By RONA AMPARO

The film, written by Arah Jell Badayos, dramatizes the report on a trans kidnap gang called “Warla,” composed of eight trans women who had resorted to kidnapping foreign men to fund their gender-affirming surgeries. It follows the character of Kitkat, played by Star Magic artist Lance Reblando, who seeks refuge in a group of trans women using violent methods to achieve their dream.

“Yung vision namin sa kwento, it’s really to humanize the trans experience. So, ‘yung point of view talaga, ‘yung lived experiences, ‘yung pinakamahalaga. And there's no other way to do that but to cast all trans women and make them the ensemble or the main character. Kasi laging side characters lang ‘yung trans,” he shared with The STAR on the sidelines of the film’s gala night at EDSA Shangri-La last Oct. 7.

The all-trans women ensemble includes KaladKaren, Lance Reblando, Serena Magiliw, Valeria Kurihara, Bernie Barrantes, Khiendra Suzuki, Vitex Paguirigan and Kirk Popiolek.

Kevin revealed that he deliberately chose to cast newcomers from different industries for the film. “I also wanted to give a chance to other trans actors to show the industry na mayroon at mayroon tayong mahahanap. We just (need) to give them these opportunities.”