The stage is set for a new Filipino film to catch in the cinemas. Sinagtala is a musical-drama that follows a disbanded group of musicians who go through life’s challenges and struggles as they face adulthood.

The film’s ensemble cast includes Glaiza De Castro (Encantadia) as guitarist and leader Paola, Rhian Ramos (Saving Sally) as drummer June, Rayver Cruz (On the Job 2: The Missing 8) as vocalist Reggie, Matt Lozano (Voltes V: Legacy) as lead guitarist Isko, and Arci Muñoz (Pasión de Amor) as bassist Carla of the band Sinagtala.

The band once had a bond like family and was motivated by a promise and a dream. As years passed, the now-disbanded college band must face the realities of adulthood and the mistakes of their past, with Paola holding it all together to not let their music die.

According to Sandejas, the film is not a musical but is about “a band making music.” He also described the film having one of the best soundtracks in Philippine cinema, serving as the film’s main highlight “In terms of music, I dare say, we have one of the best musical soundtracks in Philippine cinema history. I’ve never seen that. The music is excellent,” he adds.

Watch the film’s official trailer below:

The film marked Sandejas’ directorial debut in a mainstream or commercial film. He also directed the indie films Dinig Sana Kita, Wat Floor Ma’am, and Tulad ng Dati, the latter being a part-fiction, part-documentary film about the Filipino rock band The Dawn. It won Best Film at the 2nd Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in 2006.