Mangatyanan

A 27-year-old travel photographer who projects a cold, aloof persona to family and coworkers. Her sleep has been disrupted since age 12, and she carries the weight of a past abuse by her father. The narrative follows her emotional journey as she confronts family trauma and engages with the Mangatyanan ritual, seeking dignity and personal freedom.

Laya's mother, estranged from her daughter and unsure how to bridge the gap. She struggles with guilt and fear while wrestling with the truth about her husband’s abuse and her daughter’s mistrust. Her relationship with Laya lies at the emotional core of the film.

A famous photographer and Laya’s father, whose past authority is shadowed by acts of abuse. He collapses from a heart attack, catalyzing a cascade of family revelations and the fight to heal old wounds.

The leader of the dwindling Labwanan tribe who embodies tradition and the authority to perform the Mangatyanan ritual. His presence anchors the tribe’s struggle to maintain cultural identity in the face of external pressures.

Laya’s co-worker assigned to document the Labwanan ritual. Their collaboration sparks a dynamic tension as personal histories surface, and the ritual’s stakes become clear.

The boss who assigns the field project and pushes Laya and Eric to the Labwanan before the ritual's decline. She represents professional drive and the demands of storytelling.

A younger version of Laya, whose innocence contrasts with the present trauma and hints at the origin of her sleep disturbances and guarded demeanor.

A vision that appears to Laya, asking for forgiveness and prompting a turn toward reconciliation with her mother. The encounter becomes a catalyst for personal transformation.