Pisay

Pisay

Year: 2007

Runtime: 118 mins

Language: Tagalog

Director: Auraeus Solito

DramaComedy

Set against the final years of Martial Law under Marcos, the film follows six scholars of the Philippine Science High School as they pursue their dreams. It tracks a freshman from 1982 through 1986, showing how the oppressive political climate cannot extinguish their ambition.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Pisay yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Pisay (2007)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Pisay (2007). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1982-1986

From 1982 through 1986, the film follows four school years during the waning years of martial law. The period covers the assassination of Ninoy Aquino, debates over exams and school resources, and the 1986 People Power Revolution. The narrative culminates with graduation as the nation undergoes political upheaval.

Location

Philippine Science High School (PSHS), Philippines

Set inside the Philippine Science High School, a premier science-focused institution in the Philippines, the film traces the lives of its students and teachers. The school becomes a backdrop for personal romances, academic pressure, and political debates during the late Marcos era. As the country moves toward the People Power Revolution, the campus experiences fear, resilience, and a sense of possibility.

🎓 School setting 🇵🇭 Philippines 🏫 PSHS campus

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:17

Main Characters – Pisay (2007)

Meet the key characters of Pisay (2007), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Rom Meneses (Gammy Lopez)

A working-class freshman who earns a place at PSHS and falls for Wena. Rom’s romance is constrained by school policy and social divides, highlighting how class shapes opportunities and desire. His act of forcing a kiss complicates his growth and forces him to face consequences as the years progress.

💼 Working-class 🎯 Ambition ❤️ First love

Wena Ledesma (Annicka Dolonius)

A socially privileged student whose romance with Rom ends when she asserts that her destiny is pre-ordained. She decides to end the relationship and later returns their memorabilia, signaling a commitment to her own path even amid campus tensions. Her departure to the U.S. underscores the reach of personal choices under political strain.

💎 Privilege 💔 Heartbreak 🌠 Destiny

Mateo Markado (Carl John Barrameda)

A geometry-focused student who endures bullying in the dorm and loses his passion for study. He is expelled after failing finals but finds peace when his teacher reminds him that effort matters, illustrating resilience through adversity. Mateo ultimately channels his determination into personal growth despite setbacks.

🧠 Intellect 💢 Bullying 🎯 Determination

Liway Claver (Shayne Fajutagana)

An outspoken student with a sharp political mind who denounces policy-driven class divisions. Her activism leads to political persecution and her temporary exile to the Netherlands. Her arc situates personal conviction within a broader struggle for democracy and education.

🗳 Activism 🌍 Exile 🎓 Student leadership

Andy Gallardo (Jonathan Neri)

A supportive classmate who helps Liway with a chemistry project and shares a developing romance with her. Andy embodies collaboration and empathy amid campus politics, linking personal relationships to broader social movements.

🤝 Friendship 🧪 Science project 💞 Romance

Minggoy Lamazan (Elijah Castillo)

A steady presence in the year, Minggoy pursues astronomy and awaits Halley’s Comet. His sudden illness interrupts the graduation plan, giving the group a poignant reminder of mortality. His telescope and curiosity bind the characters together in the final moments.

🔭 Astronomy 🧬 Illness 🌙 Hope

Ms. Casas (Eugene Domingo)

A teacher who upholds school policy with authority while also expressing fear of past disappearances during Martial Law. She seeks to support her students’ education while navigating political pressures and her own scholarly pursuits.

🎭 Teacher 🧭 Authority 🛡 Protection

Mr. G (Arnold Reyes)

A theatre-versed faculty member who mentors students through creative expression. He candidly reflects on why he did not pursue acting during martial law, revealing personal restraint and the impact of political constraints on artistic ambition.

🎭 Theatre 🗺 Mentorship 🎓 Education

Euri Calo (Ej Jallorina)

A theatrically talented student who defies PSHS’s science-only expectations by applying for Theatre Arts. Euri demonstrates bold ambition and a willingness to chart an unconventional path in a rigid system.

🎭 Talent 🌟 Ambition 🎒 Student life

Lola (Ama Quiambao)

Minggoy’s grandmother, a comforting presence who offers familial perspective. She contributes to the generational dialogue about age, hope, and the passing of time as the group nears graduation.

👵 Family 🧭 Generational perspective

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:17

Major Themes – Pisay (2007)

Explore the central themes of Pisay (2007), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Forbidden Romance

Rom and Wena's relationship unfolds across freshman year, revealing class tensions and strict school policy. Ms. Casas argues that romantic entanglements could jeopardize grades and discipline. The relationship ends after Rom forcibly kisses Wena, and she returns memorabilia. The arc shows how personal desire clashes with institutional control.

🏫 Education in Turmoil

The PSHS students navigate an intense academic environment as the country endures political upheaval. Mateo struggles with geometry while dorm life involves bullying, and Ninoy Aquino's assassination casts a shadow over exams. Some students are exempt from finals, reflecting the disruption of normal schooling. The Bell curve discussion and teacher support reveal how education becomes a refuge in crisis.

✊ Political Awakening

Liway challenges class division and plans to split classes, sparking student engagement in national politics. Liway flees to the Netherlands due to political persecution, signaling the risks faced by dissenters. The People Power Revolution looms in the backdrop as Daki mobilizes classmates and Ms. Casas fears disappearances. The film portrays how youth respond with courage, art, and solidarity amid oppression.

🔭 Cosmic Life

Minggoy's love of astronomy threads through the years, with Halley's Comet serving as a guiding motif for graduation. His illness prevents him from attending the ceremony, infusing the finale with poignancy. The telescope scene at the end ties science, memory, and hope for a better future. The cosmos becomes a lens to measure time, mortality, and resilience.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:17

Unlock the Full Story of Pisay

Don't stop at just watching — explore Pisay in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Pisay is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Pisay Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Pisay, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Pisay Summary

Pisay Timeline

Track the full timeline of Pisay with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Pisay Timeline

Pisay Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Pisay that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Pisay Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Pisay

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Pisay: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Pisay