Judy Ann Santos and Lorna Tolentino in the trailer for “Espantaho.” Images: Screengrab from YouTube/Quantum Films
Judy Ann Santos and Lorna Tolentino are haunted by mysterious spirits in the home of the family patriarch in the trailer for the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 entry “Espantaho,” which is directed by veteran filmmaker Chito Roño.
Santos and Tolentino portray a daughter and mother tandem determined to keep the family patriarch’s land property, as seen in the film’s official trailer which was uploaded on Quantum Films’ official YouTube channel on Monday, November 25.
After mourning the death of the patriarch Pabling (Emil Sandoval), Monet (Santos) and her mother Rosa (Tolentino) find themselves in a battle with Pabling’s legal wife Adele (Chanda Romero) who wants to sell the property. Also joining Adele are her children Roy (Mon Confiado) and Andie (Janice de Belen).
However, it is the Spanish-style house, property, and the harvest from Pabling’s land that kept Monet and Rosa alive throughout the years, as Monet’s antique business struggles to keep afloat.
With Adele asserting her right as Pabling’s legal wife and Rosa adamant to keep the land, supernatural forces haunt both families, appearing to portray that there are more secrets that lie within.
Monet then finds herself face-to-face with the spirits, who are on the hunt for the chosen one who brought the alleged peste (or pest) into the world. This led to Monet and Rosa carrying makeshift weapons with a seeming intention to kill.
Also part of the film’s cast are JC Santos, Nico Antonio, Donna Cariaga, Archi Adamos, Kian Co, Eugene Domingo, and Tommy Abuel.
Prior to directing “Espantaho,” Roño is known for using special effects in his filmmaking where he brought horror movies to life such as “Sukob,” “Feng Shui,” “Feng Shui 2,” and “Shake, Rattle and Roll 14: The Invasion.” He is also known for being the director of other genres as well.
The filmmaker is also widely known for winning Best Director in the MMFF for his work “Yamashita: The Tiger’s Treasure” and “Nasaan Ang Puso.”