Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors (2026): Cast, Story and Release

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Set in 1617 during the Spanish colonial period, Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors centers on Padre Enciso, an authoritarian friar whose rule brings power, coercion and conflict to one island in Las Islas Filipinas. Lav Diaz writes and directs this Tagalog-language historical drama from the Philippines.

Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors is a historical drama set in 1617, when Las Islas Filipinas was under Spanish colonial rule. The story focuses on Padre Enciso, a Spanish friar and encomendero whose harsh authority shapes life on one of the islands.

Written and directed by Lav Diaz, the film uses a period setting to examine the exercise of colonial power through its central figure and the people living under his rule. It is a Philippine production in Tagalog with a runtime of 2 hours and 27 minutes.

Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors movie details

Story without spoilers

The film takes place in 1617 in Las Islas Filipinas. Padre Enciso, a Spanish friar who serves as the encomendero of one of the islands, governs with severe discipline and an unchecked appetite for power and sexual control. His efforts to subdue the island’s Indigenous population form the foundation of the story.

The ensemble includes figures such as Himamat, Babayeng Indimatandog, Baribari, Dungwen, Mang Tugis, Higante, Diego and Tay Oni. Their presence places Padre Enciso’s authority within a broader community rather than treating the period solely through the perspective of the colonial official.

What to expect

Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors is framed as a historical drama rooted in the 17th-century Philippines. Its premise points to a serious account of Spanish colonial authority, the abuse of institutional power and the attempt to impose control over Indigenous people.

The 147-minute runtime suggests a deliberately expansive presentation, while the period setting and Tagalog language reinforce its historical and cultural focus. The supplied synopsis presents Padre Enciso as an especially severe central figure, so the material includes adult themes involving coercion and sexual misconduct.

Cast and creative team

Bart Guingona plays Padre Enciso, with Ronnie Lazaro as Himamat and Isabel Sandoval as Babayeng Indimatandog. Yul Servo portrays Baribari, Christian Bables plays Dungwen, Bong Cabrera appears as Mang Tugis, and Rafa Siguion-Reyna plays Higante. Amado Arjay Babon is Diego, while Necias Chaves Pataunia portrays Tay Oni.

Lav Diaz is both the director and writer. The principal production companies are Sine Olivia Pilipinas, Epicmedia and C'est Lovi Productions.

• Bart Guingona as Padre Enciso
• Ronnie Lazaro as Himamat
• Isabel Sandoval as Babayeng Indimatandog
• Yul Servo as Baribari
• Christian Bables as Dungwen
• Bong Cabrera as Mang Tugis
• Rafa Siguion-Reyna as Higante
• Amado Arjay Babon as Diego
• Necias Chaves Pataunia as Tay Oni

Release and production context

Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors was released on September 11, 2026. It has a runtime of 2 hours and 27 minutes and comes from the Philippines. The film is in Tagalog and is classified as a historical drama. Its setting is 1617, placing the narrative in the 17th century during the Spanish colonial period in Las Islas Filipinas.

Production companies: Sine Olivia Pilipinas, Epicmedia, C'est Lovi Productions

Movies Dock view

With its 1617 setting, extended runtime and focus on a coercive colonial authority, Let Us Through, Dear Ancestors is a period drama centered on the political and personal consequences of domination. Lav Diaz’s authorship and the Filipino production context give the film a clear historical frame without reducing its story to a contemporary setting.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb