When we hear the word “manananggal,” we often picture a terrifying mythological creature that separates its upper body from its lower torso at night. However, the newest iWant microdrama, “Half Sisters,” puts a campy spin on the familiar folklore.
The vertical series follows Emily (Bianca De Vera), who is excited to celebrate her 18th birthday and finally meet Pancho (Brent Manalo), the guy she has been dating online. But her excitement quickly turns into chaos when her brother, Ramon (Esnyr Ranollo), reveals her secret identity as a manananggal.
But beyond its supernatural premise, “Half Sisters” has also caught viewers’ attention with Esnyr’s portrayal of Ramon, whose dual life mirrors the nature of a manananggal. By day, he is Emily’s strict older brother, Ramon, but at the Moonlight Bar, he transforms into the glamorous drag queen Madeleine, bringing wit, glamour, and an eerie allure to the series.
In one episode of “Half Sisters,” Esnyr delivers a show-stopping performance of Baby Doll’s novelty hit “Oooh Lala Baby” as Ramon’s drag persona, Madeleine, infusing the upbeat number with a spooky twist.
Behind that dazzling number, Esnyr put in the work during rehearsals with the backup dancers, as revealed in a behind-the-scenes reel. Dressed in a chic black-and-white ensemble complete with manananggal wings, he embraced the thrill of stepping into the shoes of a drag artist for the series.
The choreography seamlessly incorporated Esnyr’s transformation into a manananggal, with his movements unleashing Ramon’s other side with flair. Even onstage, he fully embodied Madeleine, immersing himself in the character as he portrayed a drag queen for the first time. The result? Another entry in the growing list of Esnyr’s memorable acting moments.
Follow the haunting journey of Emily and Ramon in the latest iWant Original “Half Sisters,” directed by Julius R. Alfonso.
All episodes of “Half Sisters” are now streaming exclusively on iWant. Catch the first five episodes for free on iWant and on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube pages.
Episodes 6 to 30 are available to stream through iWant’s subscription plans, starting at P35 per month in the Philippines, and USD 4.99 per month in the United States* (*promo price until October 31, 2026) and for the rest of the world.
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Bianca and Esnyr go twinning as manananggal in iWant's new vertical series “Half Sisters”