Ilokano Film 'Piyesa' Highlights Trans Choir Member's Struggle, Wins Sine Kabataan Finalist

Ilokano filmmaker Ryand Angelo Ugalde has turned his own high‑school choir experiences into a short musical drama, “Piyesa,” which follows Kris, a young soprano played by trans‑male friend Nichole Ballesteros. The story centers on Kris’s dilemma over continuing hormone therapy while preserving the voice that funds his studies. The film was selected as an official finalist in the 9th Sine Kabataan Film Lab and Film Festival, earning a P200,000 grant from the Film Development Council of the Philippines. Ugalde, who struggled with his own identity in choir, worked closely with Ballesteros to portray the restrictive gender roles that queer singers face. “Piyesa” offers a rare, authentic look at trans experiences within a rigid musical setting.