What If Maria Clara Was Written By A Woman, LA-Based Filipina Director Asks
Among hundreds of applicants, the American Film Institute’s Directing Workshop for Women+ selected only eight filmmakers—one of them LA-based Filipina director Bianca Catbagan, the third Filipino accepted into the program in 50 years.
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After graduating from UP Film, the director and photographer pursued graduate studies at Columbia University, eager to further her cinematic career. “It feels like the work paid off because I was selected into this program. It’s an honor,” Catbagan reflected.
The first Filipino in the program, Marie Jamora, is not only a close friend but also a mentor in her craft. “It feels like following her legacy. She’s on to bigger things now, and I’m excited to do bigger things after this, too.”
Royal Blood
For the workshop, Catbagan turned to her roots and asked herself: “What if Maria Clara was written by a woman?” Inspired by Cruel Intentions and Dangerous Liaisons, her short film Royal Blood reimagines Maria Clara through a sapphic lens. “These rich kids make bets with each other, they’re bored, but it’s like a fun love triangle. That’s what Royal Blood is about,” the director shared.
The short film follows on-and-off lovers Pepay and Victorina rehearsing for a cotilion. When Maria, a mysterious newcomer, arrives on the final day, she disrupts their dynamic within a rigid Catholic setting, sparking a new desire in Pepay. “Because of that, I’m drawn to the tension of that space. I’m drawn to the rules, the games, the desires that they have to keep hidden,” Catbagan added. “They’re queer in this very Catholic space filled with power dynamics. And it’s all wrapped up in these young women figuring out themselves in a very strict society.”
Maria Clara, Reimagined
Maria Clara is one of Filipino literature’s most enduring figures, originating from José Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. She was the perfect symbol of the modest Filipina—demure, conservative, pure. But Catbagan spins this around with a female gaze and queer lens.
“It’s so fun to think of a character that we all know and change her up into a different person,” the director chuckled. “She’s kind, she’s religious, she’s obedient. But at some level, all of those things were imposed on us women in the Philippines. But… we should also be pushing back when we feel wronged.”
Queer individuals often experience pressure to conform, particularly at a young age while navigating their identity and early experiences. “There’s this question of perfection and adjusting to what is expected of you,” Catbagan shared. “When you’re a queer person living in a straight world, for example, you feel that pressure to conform. It’s like the expectation of perfection and conformity.”
This tension also echoes historical narratives. Prior to Spanish colonization, power in Filipino societies was not strictly defined by gender, but often shaped by age and community roles. This pushed the Filipina director to be critical of our histories, to investigate and not just accept what we’re told. “Ultimately, Royal Blood explores reclaiming identity, oppression, freedom, desire, and small acts of rebellion—and how that can feel revolutionary. And imagining the untold stories of the past,” the director added.
Why Not?
“I don’t know if you’ve seen the comments on Instagram,” she laughed. “They’re like, ‘why does everything have to be gay?’ Well, why not?”
In the great year of 2026, Filipino society is becoming more accepting of the queer community—but acceptance still often exists within limits. There’s still a lot more work to be done, especially when the only acceptable forms of queerness is when you’re an entertainer, a stylist, a makeup artist, or a fashion designer. “Maria Clara is familiar, and I hope that it encourages people to talk about queerness more.”
In exploring queerness, Catbagan also confronts femininity—and the expectations long projected onto women. “There’s so much expected of us women to be exactly like Maria Clara,” Catbagan pondered.
Whether or not she realizes it, Catbagan is already challenging long-held ideals of Filipina femininity through a new kind of storytelling. Royal Blood may be a short film, but it delivers a powerful message through quiet rebellion, desire, and freedom. In asking “Why not?”, the director opens the door to a Maria Clara who is not just remembered—but redefined.
Visit its website for more information about Royal Blood.
Featured Image and Photos: BIANCA CATBAGAN
The post What If Maria Clara Was Written By A Woman, LA-Based Filipina Director Asks first appeared on MEGA.
What If Maria Clara Was Written By A Woman, LA-Based Filipina Director Asks
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