FDCP horror film fest seen as a tribute to local folklore

“This is the first of what will be an annual festival; we hope to be bigger next year,” said Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chair Briccio Santos of the 2014 Sineng Pambansa Horror plus Film Festival, ongoing till Nov. 4 at SM Cinemas nationwide.

Screening are Romy Suzara’s “Sigaw sa Hatinggabi,” Gil Portes’ “Hukluban,” Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes’ “T’yanak,” and Edgardo “Boy” Vinarao’s “Bacao.”

“Audiences can expect to be thoroughly entertained,” Santos told the Inquirer on Monday. “Next year, [we will have] maybe six films.”

A national festival with a horror theme is a logical fit for Philippine audiences, the FDCP chief explained. “Local horror films feature our folklore. The tiyanak, the hukluban—we grew up on these stories.”

As in previous Sineng Pambansa festivals, Santos said, the FDCP worked with SM Cinema “so that audiences could enjoy films by master directors.”

The four participating filmmakers received grants from the FDCP Film Investment Program.

REGINE Angeles in “Sigaw sa Hatinggabi”

‘Sigaw sa Hatinggabi’

Suzara said he found inspiration from the widespread belief that spirits of the dead “visit” the living. He himself dreamt a lot about actors Fernando Poe Jr. and Rudy Fernandez after their death, he said.

Action King FPJ was set to star in Suzara’s “Tahimik Ngunit Mapanganib” before the actor’s death in 2004. As for Fernandez, Suzara said, he was a dear friend. They worked together in the 1981 action drama “Pepeng Shotgun.”

He said “Sigaw sa Hatinggabi” was inspired by a news item about a battered woman’s mysterious death. The husband sought the help of a medium.

The film stars Regine Angeles, Richard Quan, Lance Raymundo, Vangie Labalan, David Karell, Marga Yabes, Hero Bautista, Alvin Anson and China Roces.

‘T’yanak’

JUDY Ann Santos in “T’yanak”

Gallaga and Reyes’ “T’yanak” is a remake of the 1988 horror classic that featured Janice de Belen as a woman unwilling to give away her monster child. The new version stars Judy Ann Santos as the mother.

“We went deeper into what a tiyanak does,” Gallaga said, “because it’s the original Filipino monster.” Reyes added: “It’s about motherhood and love, too.”

The cast also includes Solenn Heussaff, Tom Rodriquez and Sid Lucero.

‘Hukluban’

KRISTA Miller and Kiko Matos in “Hukluban”

Portes described his “Hukluban” as a “nontraditional Gothic horror film.” It’s a new take on his 1983 drama-thriller. “Gabi Kung Sumikat Ang Araw.”

“Hukluban” combines elements of horror, romance and supernatural realism, Portes explained. “A hukluban is a cursed woman who will never die. She is a beautiful lady at night, who becomes a scary crone when the sun rises.”

Young actor Kiko Matos plays three characters—Pepito, Kandro and Homer—all lovers of the immortal enchantress Mira, portrayed by Krista Miller.

‘Bacao’

Vinarao said inspiration for “Bacao” came from his home province, Isabela. “Bacao is ‘corn’ in the Isabela dialect,” he explained. “The bacao is easy to grow; it flourishes with very little

MICHELLE Madrigal and Arnold Reyes in “Bacao”

care.”

With that as the backdrop, “Bacao” is about Mayet (Michelle Madrigal), who is  struggling to have a child with her husband, Abel (Arnold Reyes). Her anxiety and paranoia grow as she fails to get pregnant. It does not help that her best friend (Marife Necesito) bears a child every year.

Mayet seeks the help of a faith healer (Leo Martinez), who conspires with other men to take advantage of her vulnerability and desperation.

The film also stars Alvin Anson, Leo Martinez, Marife Necesito, Menggie Cobarrubias, and Irma Adlawan.

(Visit www.fdcp.ph and FDCP’s  Facebook page for details.)