Milk & Honey

Set in the early 1990s, Milk & Honey follows Cherry, a young Filipina nurse who leaves her family behind to pursue a better life in El Paso, Texas. The reality proves far harsher than expected—grueling work, language barriers, racism, and isolation. She clings to phone calls with her mother and messages to her baby daughter Nadine, though the distance grows. Magical realism blurs memory and longing as Cherry dreams of reuniting with Nadine, reaching but unable to hold her. In the end, fantasy becomes reality: Nadine arrives in Texas, and mother and daughter finally embrace—a dream fulfilled.

Rachel Leyco is an award-winning queer Filipino American filmmaker. She is the founder of Empowerhouse, a mission-driven company that empowers storytellers through creativity and community. Her work has screened at Outfest, BFI Flare, and more. Her feature script “Violet, Violet” was Runner-Up in the 2020 Script Pipeline Competition. She co-wrote “Re-Live” (GLAAD LIST x BLACK LIST) and is a 2025 CAPE Julia S. Gouw Short Film Challenge grantee for MILK & HONEY.

Main Cast: Jessica Aquino, Princess Punzalan, Sarah Carlos, Ayi Mondragon, Andrea Ilene Shapiro, Luna Hamilton

Producer: Lailanie Gadia, Kiersten Villanueva

Writer: Rachel Leyco

Executive Producers: Julia S. Gouw, Janet Yang, Michelle K. Sugihara, Annie Huang, Rain Valdez

Cinematographer: Andrea A. Walter

Editor: Jole Sanchez

Production Designer: Katrina Songco

Costume Designer: Thea Calaguio

Music Composer: Tangelene Bolton

Casting Director: Christian Bustamante

Key Make-Up & Hairstyling: Jude Andam

Line Producer: Brielle Yuke Li

Content Warning: Microaggression

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