The Mask of Haliya

A journey of courage, destiny, and self-discovery rooted in the rich tapestry of Philippine mythology.

In Philippine mythology, Haliya is the fierce and enigmatic lunar goddess, celebrated for her beauty and strength. She is often depicted as a warrior who protects the moon from Bakunawa, a fearsome sea serpent believed to cause eclipses by attempting to swallow the moon.

According to legend, Bakunawa’s jealousy and desire for the moon led to a cosmic battle. Haliya donned a magical golden mask to shield herself from the serpent’s hypnotic gaze and fought valiantly to save the celestial balance. Though she emerged victorious, the battle left her weary, and her powers diminished over time.

When 17-year-old Marisol Reyes, a Filipino-American teen, reluctantly returns to the Philippines for her great-grand lola’s wake, she feels like a stranger in her ancestral homeland. But what begins as a journey of familial obligation turns into a life-altering adventure when Marisol discovers her family’s secret: they are descendants of the babaylan, ancient shamans once revered as spiritual leaders.

Marisol soon learns she is the chosen inheritor of the magical powers of Haliya, the legendary lunar goddess who once battled the monstrous sea serpent Bakunawa. Gifted with incredible strength and visions of Haliya’s past, Marisol must navigate her newfound powers and the dangers that come with them.

As dark forces awaken to claim the goddess’s legacy, Marisol must embrace her destiny while grappling with her dual identity, familial expectations, and the weight of a forgotten lineage. Destiny beckons in the form of a giant sea serpent, an ancient battle, and a grim vision of the future.