In honor of Sister’s Day, a writer reflects on Voicemails for Isabelle and why sisterhood—whether by blood or by choice—is one of life’s most steadfast and meaningful relationships.
Being a full-time magazine writer while juggling law school means I rarely get to come home. My family lives about two hours away from Metro Manila, and these days, visits have become few and far between. During one of those rare trips home, my sister asked me to watch Voicemails for Isabelle. She told me it reminded her of our sisterhood (yes, she calls me her sister). I assumed it would just be another light rom-com, but 15 minutes in, I found myself in tears, sitting beside her and realizing that through every phase of my life, she has been the one person who has always been by my side. A few days have passed since we watched the film, yet every time I come across clips of it on TikTok—or videos of sisters (or siblings) recreating the now-iconic dance scene to Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own“—the emotions still hit just as hard.
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What Voicemails For Isabelle Taught Me About Sisterhood
Careers change. Romantic partners come and go. Life pulls you in different directions. Sisterhood, though, is that place where you know you’ll always be safe. When I watched Voicemails for Isabelle, I wasn’t watching it as a rom-com. I was watching it as a little sister who has spent her whole life watching her older sister stumble, get back up, and somehow always keep going. Every scene felt painfully familiar. I wasn’t just seeing Isabelle and her sister on screen—I was seeing pieces of Ach (how I affectionately call my older sister) and me.
It reminded me of all the times Ach has stood in my corner. Every milestone, every heartbreak, every impossible decision, she’s been there. She’s the first person I want to tell when something good happens and the first person I want to run to when life feels too heavy. There has never been a version of my life where she wasn’t one of my biggest sources of comfort.
Somewhere along the way, though, I started wondering if I’ve been that person for her. Between deadlines, late nights in law school, and chasing the career I’ve always dreamed of, I’ve spent more time away from home than with my family. Every visit feels shorter than the last. I keep telling myself it’s temporary, that I’m doing all of this for a reason. But sitting beside Ach that night made me realize that while she’s always made me feel like I had someone in my corner, I haven’t been able to do the same for her as often as I’d like.
I don’t know where life will take either of us. Maybe one day she’ll finally leave the Philippines to pursue the life she’s always dreamed of. But I hope she knows this: no matter how many kilometers separate us, she’ll always have a little sister back home cheering her on, waiting to hear about her day, and loving her from wherever I am. That’s what the movie left me with. It wasn’t just a story about sisters, but a reminder to never let the people who’ve loved you the longest wonder if you still love them just as much.
Why Sisterhood Hits Different
I know it’s a bold statement, but I genuinely believe sisterhood is one of the greatest relationships you’ll ever have. Whether it’s with the sister you grew up with or the one you found later in life, it’s a love that feels impossible to replicate. Unlike friendships that sometimes fade or romantic relationships that may not last forever, sisterhood grows with you. It’s there through awkward teenage years, career milestones, family celebrations, heartbreaks, and every version of yourself in between. It’s the rare relationship where someone remembers who you were and who you are, before the world asked you to become someone else.
Maybe that’s why it feels like such a safe space. It’s where you can be loud, dramatic, emotional, or completely unsure of yourself without worrying about performing. A sister will celebrate your biggest wins as if they were her own, call you out when you’re wrong, and somehow still be the first to defend you when it matters. It’s love with honesty built in. A sister is the automatic, lifelong friend the universe equips you with, even before you realize just how important she’d be to you.
Sisterhood isn’t limited to the family you’re born into. For many people, it’s found in the girl friends who show up consistently, keep your secrets, and choose to stay through every season of life. They become the people you text first with good news, the ones who sit beside you through the bad days, and the voices reminding you of your worth when you’ve forgotten it yourself.
As we grow older, our lives naturally pull us in different directions. Careers, relationships, and geographies can create distance. Yet the strength of a sisterly bond isn’t measured by proximity, but rather, the certainty that no matter how much time has passed, you’ll always have someone in your corner. In a world where almost everything changes, that’s rare constant that we need to hold onto, cherish, and cultivate, even beyond the global (albeit unofficial) celebration that’s Sister’s Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sisterhood is unique because it grows alongside every stage of your life. Whether it’s with a biological sister or a chosen sister, it’s a relationship built on shared experiences, honesty, and unconditional support that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
As reflected in this essay, Voicemails for Isabelle is a romantic comedy that also explores the bond between sisters. Its portrayal of sisterhood serves as a reminder of the people who remain by your side through life’s highs and lows.
Yes. Sisterhood isn’t limited to family by blood. Chosen sisters can offer the same sense of safety, trust, and unwavering support through years of shared experiences and mutual care.
As careers, relationships, and distance reshape our lives, sisterhood often becomes an emotional constant. Even when siblings or chosen sisters live apart, the relationship continues to provide reassurance, comfort, and a sense of home.
The film reminds us to appreciate the people who have loved and supported us the longest. It shows that while life changes and paths diverge, sisterhood remains a lasting source of strength, understanding, and unconditional love.
