The Red Banca

In a small town in Bohol, where traditions and practices are unquestioned, 14-year-old Maria prepares for an arranged union during Holy Week. The arrival of a mysterious white-clad groom aboard a vibrant red banca sets off a series of rituals, from extracting coconut oil to donning a wedding dress that doesn’t quite fit. As her family and community prepare for the ceremony, Maria wrestles with growing feelings of alienation, caught between the demands of her heritage and her own silent yearning for freedom. The tension builds as Maria begins to question the role she is expected to play in a life dictated by tradition.