When Balaraw was first publicly revealed last February, the series captured many people’s attention, thanks in no small part to how the two lead actresses, Janine Gutierrez and Charlie Dizon, play lovers in the project. But as exciting as it is to have another potential GL series and queer representation in local media, especially in a thriller, Balaraw has much more to offer.
From being the newest series from writer-director Rae Red to exploring different takes on local mythology, the show has promise. And with it finally coming out on Netflix, its cast is more than ready for viewers to experience all the secrets and surprises they’ve been hard at work cooking up.
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Janine Gutierrez and Charlie Dizon Take On the World of Balaraw
Filipino stories, and particularly Filipino folklore, have been having a moment on the global stage lately, and Balaraw looks to continue that trend as a series rooted in local folklore dropping on a massive streaming platform. Local mythology has always been fertile ground to tell compelling stories, so the series serves as another reminder of how our own narratives can resonate when done right.
“I think it’s just so creative, our folklore, our creatures, and even the legends in the Philippines,” Janine Gutierrez shares with MEGA Asia. Filipino folklore is a rich tapestry of stories and tales rooted in centuries of tradition. As such, not only is it culturally vast, but it also lends itself to reinterpretation through nuance and new perspectives. “[Balaraw] is adapted into what if this is present today in 2026. And how would that fit into a person living today and that sort of mystery and unique Filipino story.”
There’s also the familiarity that comes with local fairytales, which makes Balaraw equally relatable and surprising in how it finds its own path with the tales many Filipinos grew up on. “It carries a lot about the history and culture of the Philippines, so I feel like in any generation or any point in time, it’s really relevant and interesting,” adds Charlie Dizon.
While Balaraw is rooted in Filipino mythology, it also uses it to tell the mystery at the heart of the series. Sabina (Gutierrez) has spent years searching for her missing mother, Rebecca (Agot Isidro), who may be hiding family secrets from her daughter. One day, her search gets a breakthrough when she receives a clue that Rebecca might be on the island of Balaraw.
The problem, though, is that most fishermen consider it a legend and not a real place. But desperate and out of options, Sabina, along with her girlfriend Bulak (Dizon), take the risk and travel to the island, where what awaits them is anything beyond what they could have prepared for.
While no stranger to playing complex female characters, Gutierrez and Dizon find themselves in interesting territory in their first project together, and characters who are both queer at that. “I don’t think I’ve played anyone like Sabina,” says Gutierrez. The role demanded a lot from the award-winning actress, especially physically in both how she looks and acts on the show.
“I’ve never cut my hair that short. I’ve never worn her clothes. It was all new to me, the way Sabina is physically and how she acts.” But ever the adventurous actress, Gutierrez saw Sabina as an opportunity to try something new. “It was really fun to play her because she was very masculine and angry. And I think it’s always fun to play that sort of character as a woman because you kind of get to express that side of yourself that you wouldn’t normally express in your real life.”
As for Dizon, playing a lesbian character was a challenge initially, mainly due to how it was her first time portraying one, but she found her way, and also found a connection between herself and Bulak. “Feeling ko kasi parang part na rin ng character ko as a person talaga is si Bulak yung pagkamakulit niya and yung pagiging stubborn and medyo childish [I feel that part of me relates to Bulak is in her playfulness, stubbornness, and being somewhat childish].”
Adding to the duo’s dynamic is Rebecca, who plays a key role for both of them as she turns out to be a woman shrouded in mystery. These three women are the driving force of Balaraw, and for both actresses, working with Agot Isidro, whom they fondly refer to as Ms. A, was a moment they cherished on set. “It was super cool working with her because I mean, she’s really cool,” gushes Gutierrez.
Given the relationship of their characters and how they shot their first scenes together in chronological order, the two were able to develop their chemistry from the start while giving Gutierrez an up-close look at the veteran actress in one of their first projects together. “Talagang ramdam na ramdam mo yung nararamdaman niya without her having to say any dialogue [You really feel what she’s feeling without her having to say any dialogue]. And I think she’s one of the best actresses that we have in the Philippines. And we’re so happy because we got to hang out with her a lot and work with her. And it makes it easy because she’s so good.”
Dizon seconds the sentiment, noting how it doesn’t take much to see Isidro as the fictional family matriarch. “I love working with Ms. A. She’s very humble. She’s very motherly in real life. It’s easy to believe because when you see her in character, it’s just automatic. Ms. A is that natural.”
Offering Something New and Exciting in Balaraw
From conception to release, Balaraw has been years in the making, and it is finally heading towards the finish line. With the ambitious series on the horizon, it isn’t just a new show to catch on Netflix, but a Filipino show that aims to entertain and do more for local entertainment. It’s an impact the actresses hope to see resonate not just locally, but internationally as well.
“I’m really looking forward to hearing from the audience, the people who will watch it on Netflix, and to hear what their favorite part about the show is. There’s such a spotlight on Filipino stories now. And we’re happy to be part of that. So I hope it excites people from all over the world. And maybe the Filipinos in other countries can also tell their friends about it. They can get a glimpse of what Filipino projects are like,” shares Gutierrez.
“I’m very excited to hear their comments,” adds Dizon. “Sana bago rin ito sa kanila, as much as for me, bago siya sa akin na content [I hope this is new for them as much as it was for me]. Sana ganun din sila ka-excited na mapanood ito at abangan yung mga plot twists nito at gaano kalaki yung production nito at yung bagong combination ng cast [I hope they are as excited to watch it and look forward to the plot twists and how big the production is and the new combination of the cast].”
There’s a lot to look forward to with Balaraw, not least of which are the twists, reveals, and surprises to keep audiences on their toes. Gutierrez is particularly excited for viewers to watch the scene where they travel from the port to the island while Dizon teases the unsettling atmosphere that surrounds the island’s inhabitants. It all makes for a show full of mystery that is waiting to be explored.
Viewers can do so when the series drops on Netflix on October 29.
Featured Image and Photos courtesy of Netflix
Frequently Asked Questions
Balaraw is a Netflix mystery thriller series rooted in Filipino folklore. Sabina, played by Janine Gutierrez, searches for her missing mother, Rebecca, and travels with her girlfriend Bulak, played by Charlie Dizon, to an island most fishermen consider a legend rather than a real place.
Balaraw premieres on Netflix on October 29. The series is the newest project from writer-director Rae Red and was first publicly revealed in February. Its cast discusses the folklore, mystery, and plot twists viewers can expect when the full series becomes available to stream.
Janine Gutierrez plays Sabina, who searches for her missing mother, and Charlie Dizon plays Bulak, Sabina’s girlfriend. Agot Isidro plays Rebecca, the missing mother who may be hiding family secrets. Gutierrez and Dizon portray queer characters in their first project together, in a mystery thriller.
Balaraw adapts Filipino folklore into a present-day setting. Gutierrez describes the approach as asking what a legend would look like in 2026 and how it would fit a person living today, blending local myth with a contemporary mystery about a missing mother and a legendary island.
Gutierrez cut her hair short and wore clothes unlike her own for Sabina, whom she describes as masculine and angry. Dizon, playing a lesbian character for the first time, found a connection to Bulak through her playfulness and stubbornness, according to their interviews with MEGA Asia.
