For Serena Magiliw, acting has always been more than a performance—it is a platform for storytelling, representation, and social change. The Manila-based independent actor, director, and cultural worker recently completed The Master Series: Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Acting Workshop for Filipino Talents 2026, adding another milestone to her growing body of work in Philippine cinema.
A graduate of Filipinology from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Magiliw has built a career that seamlessly blends performance, filmmaking, and cultural work. Her creative practice draws from transmedia storytelling and critical perspectives, allowing her to tell stories that amplify queer and trans experiences while challenging conventional narratives.
Her work spans theater, film, and performance art. She presented the performance piece Rampa during the Asian Performing Arts Camp 2021 and served as director for the Tokyo Festival Farm 2022 Farm-Lab Exhibition. In the same year, her play KASARIAN 101 was staged by New York’s New Perspectives Theater Company, introducing her work to an international audience. She has also earned recognition in the local independent film scene through acclaimed performances in various festivals.
Beyond filmmaking, Magiliw is a passionate advocate for human rights and inclusive representation. She is an active member of the Society of Trans Women of the Philippines (STRAP), where she supports initiatives advancing the rights of trans Filipinas, and serves on the Membership and Alliance Committee of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines, promoting artistic freedom and freedom of expression.
Her recent acting projects reflect her versatility across both mainstream and independent productions. She portrayed Betchay in the 2026 series A Secret in Prague, alongside Andrea Brillantes and Enrique Gil, and appeared as Jessi in the 2025 film The Happy Homes of Diane Hilario, starring Angeline Quinto and Eugene Domingo.
A familiar face at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, Magiliw played Barbie Ann in Warla (2025) with KaladKaren and Lance Reblando. She also appeared in Huling Palabas (2023) and in this year’s Cinemalaya short film finalist Muli Na Ka, Merlie (Merlie, Go Home).
Magiliw continues to expand her work through SARÍ/SÁRI, her Queer-Trans Embodiment practice, and Trans Midya, a creative initiative she founded to empower Filipino trans and nonbinary storytellers. Supported by the Shift the Narrative Fellowship of the Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Rights, the initiative seeks to promote authentic representation and create more opportunities for marginalized voices in media.
Fresh from completing the FDCP Acting Workshop for Filipino Talents 2026, Serena Magiliw remains committed to creating stories that inspire dialogue, celebrate diversity, and broaden representation in Philippine cinema while continuing to collaborate with artists and organizations that champion inclusive storytelling.
