After making her feature film debut in “Shadow Transit,” Hong Kong-born and UK-based singer-songwriter and actress Qymira is reuniting with Filipino filmmaker Pedring Lopez for “Lotus,” an international action thriller co-starring Academy Award-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr.
The co-production between Hong Kong-based ACT3 and Philippine company BlackOps Studios Asia also stars Australian actor Luke Ford and Irish singer Keith Duffy. Qymira is its lead actress and an executive producer.
Lopez, known for Viva Films’ “Maria” starring Cristine Reyes (2019) and “Shadow Transit” (2025), hopes to premiere “Lotus” at major festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival and Busan International Film Festival.
For Qymira, whose real name is Leslie Loh, returning to the Philippines was an easy decision after collaborating with Lopez on “Labyrinth of Life” and “Shadow Transit.”
“This is my third time working with director Pedring and the team. A lot of people ask why I keep coming back to the Philippines and why I’m working with him again,” she said in an interview. “It’s actually more than a joy. Every day, you feel like you get to work with your family. We tried looking at other countries, but I always feel something special whenever I’m back here.”
While “Lotus” marks another milestone in her acting career, Qymira said music remains at the heart of the project.
Known for blending cinematic orchestration with pop and dance music, she has topped charts in the UK and Germany. Music she recently recorded in Brazil will also appear in the film.
“While you work in a movie, normally you’re on set for long hours, but because I’m collaborating with Direk Pedring and I’m also involved on the music side, the music for ‘Lotus’ started way before the shooting,” she said.
“I just got back from Brazil and released a single there in Portuguese. Those two songs that I just did in Brazil will also be featured in this movie. So everything is coming together rather than music taking a back seat.”
In “Lotus,” Qymira portrays a woman whose love for her family drives its emotional and action-filled journey.
“It’s a really strong character who is not afraid to show her vulnerability because she’s not perfect,” she said.
“It’s actually a perfect character for me to combine grace and strength. It’s not so much a female revenge movie. It’s simply, ‘You took away the dearest things in my life, and I’m going to get them back.’ It’s about how someone finds the strength to keep fighting no matter what happens.”
Preparing for the role has required months of intensive work.
“The training started in April. I’m doing almost seven hours a day of martial arts, aerial training, strength training, stamina training and performance training, while also practicing the violin,” she said.
“For me, it’s a blessing because you don’t get many roles that actually offer this sort of platform. It’s more than a dream come true because, in a movie like this, you get to do all of it.”
Lopez said “Lotus” is anchored in a mother’s determination to protect her children.
“I would say it’s an action thriller, but the story is emotional. It’s really about a mother’s love to get the kids back,” he said. “As a mother, you would do whatever it takes to love and protect your children. When you know your kids are in danger, it tests the love of a mother and how strong it makes you. That’s where the action comes in.”
Lopez also hopes the film will showcase the Philippines as a filming destination.
“I think the Philippines is very underrated. People know Thailand, but the Philippines has so much to offer in terms of locations,” Lopez said. “The production value here is so much higher than people expect. Even if I do another English-language film, I still want to create stories based in the Philippines because I think more of the country should be seen around the world.”
Landing Gooding was a major breakthrough, Lopez added.
“He loved the story. They asked for the script, and after a few weeks, we got him signed,” he recalled. “We’re really, really blessed to have the winner himself. You can have all the wish lists you want and follow your dreams, but it’s not a given that they come true. When it does, you grab hold of it.”
Meanwhile, Qymira also runs the One Gaia Foundation, which supports children through music, arts and sports programs in several countries, including the Philippines.
“People say they are blessed because you help them. I know it’s the other way around because they touch me in ways that make me feel grateful every day,” she said.
“I’ve got this connection with the Philippines through my Filipino friends, but it’s the children and the families I’ve met here that make me feel like I’m coming home every time I return.”
