REDWOOD CITY, California—A quick glimpse at the current movies reigning at the US box office this spring shows the domination of the combined action-fantasy-adventure genres. “The Hunger Games”, “Wrath of the Titans” and “Mirror, Mirror” have taken the top spots in the hearts and minds of moviegoers.
It is in this kind of movie environment that ABS-CBN International’s Starry Starry Store presents its theatrical screening of Star Cinema’s latest film offering, the horror-drama, Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang. It opens on April 6 in seven cities in California: Milpitas, San Bruno, Union City and Sacramento in Northern California, and in Cerritos, Orange and San Diego in Southern California.
Do not expect any direct English translation of the Tagalog word “aswang”: there is none in the Filipino language. Part of the interest in Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang is that it proffers its own version of the origin of this Philippine mythical creature which is the most feared and widespread in Philippine folklore.
While it is difficult to come up with just one universal description of the characteristics and appearance of an “aswang”, there is one common theme that separates this creature from others: they eat unborn fetuses and dead children.
It is no surprise then that the force that drives Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang revolves around the obsessive desire of the main character, Corazon (Erich Gonzales), to conceive a child. Ostracized by townsfolk for being the daughter of a woman of ill repute, the virtuous Corazon wanted nothing more in life than to have a child of her own with her loving and protective husband, Daniel (Derek Ramsay).
But try hard as they did for five years, their efforts remain futile. Desperate, the couple seeks the help of a “hilot”, a term for a healer practicing a unique art of massage therapy. This female “hilot” lends Corazon an image of San Gerardo (a.k.a. Saint Gerard Majella, whose intercession is requested for children and motherhood). Corazon is asked to bring the image to a quiet place and pray for two weeks. During this time, Corazon and Daniel try anew to produce a child.
They do. But when Corazon gives birth, the child is stillborn… and Corazon’s descent into horrific madness begins as does the terror in the town. The curse is on for the children in the midst.
“People may be wondering why we’re offering Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang during Holy Week,” chuckled Kerwin Du, ABS-CBN International’s head for theatricals. “But if you strip the layers of eeriness and horror that surround the movie, it actually tells a story of faith that faces the challenges of a seeming betrayal by God in the mind of the main character and the actual judgmental cruelty of the people where she lives. This is a situational challenge that most of us experience! The message may have been presented through a uniquely Filipino horror-fantasy myth but it’s a message that rings true, nevertheless, especially during this time of reflection.”
Directed by Richard Somes, a production designer-turned-director who has helmed episodes of the successful “Shake, Rattle & Roll” movie series and the TFC teleseryes, “Maria la del Barrio” and “Imortal”, expect Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang to score very highly in creative visuals. Critics have raved over the fantastic cinematography as well as the imaginative storyline. Joining Erich and Derek in the cast are screen veterans Techie Agbayani, Maria Isabel Lopez, Mark Gil, Jeffrey Quizon, Bodjie Pascua, among others.
Catch Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang in the following California cities from April 6-12, 2012: