A typical microdrama often hooks viewers with genre staples like action, revenge, and romance. But what happens when the story takes a thrilling yet comedic turn? The newest iWant vertical series, “Half Sisters,” serves up just that, blending camp, comedy, and suspense in the one-of-a-kind tale of Emily and Ramon.
Headlining the series are Esnyr Ranollo as Ramon and Bianca De Vera as Emily, siblings who share a secret: they are manananggal, mythical figures known for separating their upper bodies from the rest of their bodies at night. Joining them is Brent Manalo as Pancho, whose complicated ties to the siblings spark a tangled romance.
Will Emily and Ramon’s secret keep their bond intact, or will Pancho become the reason their sibling dynamic falls apart?
Emily discovers the truth about her cursed bloodline
The first episode already had us swooning over Emily and Pancho’s heartwarming moment. But there’s a catch: Emily hides behind the name Jessa, refusing to show her face as she struggles with a dark scar. She hopes to have it lasered away before finally meeting Pancho at the park on her birthday.
Emily’s secret draws her back to Ramon, her half-brother, who returns after being away for a year. With her 18th birthday fast approaching, Ramon warns her to prepare for a shocking transformation. Confusion overwhelms Emily until he suddenly reveals his true nature as a manananggal.
Ramon explains their hidden identity as manananggal—a transformation that awaits Emily when the clock strikes midnight on her birthday. The revelation leaves her in tears, knowing that her plan to meet Pancho for the first time has crumbled under the weight of her cursed fate.
Love triangle, secrets, and supernatural trouble
In search of answers, Emily rushes to Moonlight Bar, where Ramon works as a live performer. The tension rises when she spots Pancho working there as a security guard. Terrified that he might discover she is Jessa—the woman he has been dating online—Emily is caught off guard when she notices Ramon subtly flirting with Pancho, leading her to realize that the two have a connection.
But just when the tension peaks, Emily breaks down in front of Ramon over her fears. “Ayoko maging halimaw,” she cries, but Ramon insists that she must accept her fate.
After overhearing that Moonlight Bar is looking for a receptionist, Emily applies for the position and is immediately hired by Madam Verushka (Petite Brockovich), the bar’s manager. Emily thanks Pancho for helping her get the job, while continuing to hide the truth that she and Jessa are the same person.
Later on, Emily beams with pride as Ramon dazzles on stage as his drag persona, Madeleine. But danger lurks in the form of Madam Verushka, who appears to harbor a dark secret connected to Emily and Ramon’s identity as manananggals.
More spooky revelations are set to unfold in the coming episodes, available exclusively on iWant.
Why the charm behind “Half Sisters” lies in its authenticity
The quirky storyline of “Half Sisters” doesn’t just rely on its campy vibe. Through its bite-sized format, the series bridges Philippine folklore and modern storytelling, while adding a pop-culture twist through Ramon’s drag persona, Madeleine. The result is an entertaining take on Filipino mythology that reintroduces familiar folklore from a fresh perspective.
The effortless performances of lead stars Esnyr, Bianca and Brent make it easy for viewers to connect with their characters. Adding to the fun is Xyriel Manabat as Mema, Emily’s roommate and confidant, who helps her navigate the challenges she faces.
Esnyr’s sharp comedic timing makes him a standout, while Bianca’s over-the-top performance adds depth to Emily’s journey as she searches for solutions to her problems. Meanwhile, Brent’s charismatic presence as Pancho balances the story’s thrills and humor, bringing out the kilig whenever he shares the screen with Esnyr and Bianca.
Follow the haunting journey of Emily and Ramon in the latest iWant Original microdrama, “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.
Enjoy all the feels you want, only on iWant, the Home of Filipino Feels. Download the app and subscribe via Google Play or the Apple App Store.
Bianca and Esnyr go twinning as manananggal in iWant's new vertical series “Half Sisters”
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Esnyr, Bianca, and Brent give fans a first look at their “Half Sisters” characters