MANILA -- Nearly a year after a successful run at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, the sapphic film "Open Endings" will be released nationwide on Wednesday -- to the delight of its cast members who have repeatedly underscored the importance of queer representation and visibility in the mainstream.
Directed by Nigel Santos and written by Keavy Vicente, "Open Endings" tells the story of four queer women who are exes turned best friends. One of them makes a life-changing decision that tests their bond and resurfaces old, unresolved feelings.
READ: Cinemalaya box office hit 'Open Endings' set for nationwide release on June 10
"Open Endings" had been the top box office performer at last year's Cinemalaya, and its cast -- Kapamilya actress Janella Salvador, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Klea Pineda and Leanne Mamonong -- is thrilled that it will now be available to more audiences in time for Pride Month.
"We're able to reach a bigger audience," said Salvador during the film's premiere on Monday night in Quezon City. "Medyo nakakakaba siya, pero hopefully mga, ma-send namin 'yung message na there is an audience for this. And I'm just so happy to be a part of it."
"Very important siya siyempre for representation. Importante na makita ng mga katulad natin 'yung mga kwento na 'to in a bigger scale," said Mamonong, for her part. "Very thankful kami na we're having this nationwide screening for this one."
For Pineda, it was a proud moment to see their film at a bigger platform. "Open Endings" had screened at QCinema and made its international debut in Boston earlier this year, before being selected as part of the Queer East Festival in London in late May.
But bringing their story to different corners of the Philippines was an emotional moment for the cast.
"Masarap sa pakiramdam na ganoon yung nangyayari, 'yung success ng film namin," said Pineda.
READ: Janella Salvador thrilled as 'Open Endings' to reach wider audience
The "Open Endings" cast has been vocal about the importance of queer visibility and representation in the mainstream -- particularly for women who love women. That their film features queer women both in front and behind the camera is a big deal to the actresses, who have spoken fondly not only of each other but also the people they work with behind the scenes.
The cast of "Open Endings" during their nationwide premiere night, June 8, 2026 in Quezon City. Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News
"Alam naman natin na in society, lalo na dito sa kultura natin sa Pilipinas, marami pa ring mga taong hindi sanay, o kaya kapag nakakakita ng mga same-sex relationships, naninibago sila," noted Curtis-Smith, who previously played a sapphic role in 2016's "Baka Bukas."
"In this way, we introduce the stories of sapphic women, of same-sex relationships in a big platform, in big media that normalizes it for everyone. Not just for the couples, not just for the people in the community but for everyone," she stressed.
"Even the straights, they can be part of the community if they want to support the community, 'di ba? It's just a matter of talagang giving that time, space and representation."
Among those who attended the premiere night were veteran actress Jackie Lou Blanco -- who makes a special appearance in the film -- recording artist mrld, Kapamilya actress Aya Fernandez and her "Rookie" co-star Pat Tingjuy, who won Best Actress honors in Cinemalaya in 2023.
Also present was Gabriela Party List Rep. Sarah Elago, who said that the film will resonate with anyone who has fallen in love, been hurt, and loved again.
"Para sa iyo na matapang at matatag na maging ikaw sa kabila ng iba’t ibang porma ng diskriminasyon na laganap pa rin hanggang ngayon, hindi ka nag-iisa sa laban," Elago said in an Instagram post, where she also shared photos with the cast and crew.
"Para sa pantay na karapatan at sa pangarap nating bayan at lipunan na tunay na malaya at mapagpalaya, tuloy ang sama-sama nating paglaban," she added, noting that "Pride is a protest" and calling for the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill.