Draft:Essential Truths of the Lake

Essentials Truths of the Lake is a 2023 Philippine drama film written, edited, and directed by Lav Diaz. It serves as a prequel to When the Waves Are Gone (2022) and the second entry in a planned trilogy. A part of the film was shot in the aftermath of the 2020 Taal Eruption. The film competed at the main competition of the 76th Locarno Film Festival where it had its world premiere on August 6, 2023.

Synopsis
Confronted by the extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration, Lieutenant Hermes Papauran (John Lloyd Cruz) re-opens a fifteen-year-old cold case concerning the disappearance of Esmeralda Stuart (Shaina Magdayao).

Cast

 * John Lloyd Cruz
 * Hazel Orencio
 * Shaina Magdayao
 * Bart Guingona
 * Agot Isidro