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HONORABLÉ, Award-Winning Documentary from Drexel Faculty, Follows Trans Women Running for Office in the Philippines

Winner of Best Documentary of 2026 at the Manila South East Academy International Film Festival, the film reveals  the personal costs, public scrutiny, and resilience required to challenge systems that have historically excluded transgender voices from elected leadership.

Francis Tanglao-Aguas interviews Dr. Danton Remoto, the founder of the Ladlad Party, the first and only LGBTQIA+ political party in the Philippines.

Francis Tanglao-Aguas interviews Dr. Danton Remoto, the founder of the Ladlad Party, the first and only LGBTQIA+ political party in the Philippines.

September 21, 2026

Francis Tanglao-Aguas, professor of Cinema & Television and Associate Dean for Community & Global Initiative, co-directed, wrote and produced the documentary feature film HONORABLÉ. With co-director, internationally acclaimed filmmaker and human rights advocate Rhadem Musawah, Aguas follows the journey of two transgender women seeking political office in the Philippines.

HONORABLÉ highlights the political campaigns of Miel Agustin in Malolos, Bulacan and Benjie Diones in Zamboanga City as they pursue historic campaigns for public office. Their journeys reveal the personal costs, public scrutiny, and resilience required to challenge systems that have historically excluded transgender voices from elected leadership.

The film emerged from a desire to document the realities faced by transgender leaders in the Philippines as they seek political representation in a society where visibility does not necessarily translate into equality. More than a political documentary, HONORABLÉ is a portrait of resilience and a testament to communities fighting not simply to be seen, but to lead.

HONORABLÉ screened in international film festivals in the US, Europe, Asia, and Latin America and won numerous awards, including:

Documentary of the Year:

  • Southeast Academy International Film Festival, Manila, Philippines
  • Best Director. Best Producer. Best Cinematography. Best LGBT Film.

Best Documentary:

  • Berlin Independent Film Festival
  • Beyond Borders International Film Festival, India
  • Eastern Europe Film Festival, Romania
  • Global Cineverse Film Festival, India
  • SamhainBaucogna International Film Festival, Portugal

Special Jury Prize:

  • Indian Independent Film Festival

Watch the trailer here.

In honor of LGBTQIA+ and Filipino History Month, Westphal and DAPME will host a free screening of HONORABLÉ on campus on October 27. Learn more here.