House of spirits

REGINE Angeles (left) and Vangie Labalan in “Sigaw sa Hatinggabi”

Seasoned filmmaker Romy Suzara returns to the horror genre with “Sigaw sa Hatinggabi”—one of four films in the lineup of the Sineng Pambansa Horror plus Film Festival.

Suzara dabbled in horror in past movies, “Anak ng Asuang” (1973) and “Sa Init ng Apoy” (1980).

This time, he tackles the horrors of domestic violence.

“Sigaw” unfolds like a reality show, as a group of paranormal experts, led by a popular psychic, investigates a haunted house where a battered wife may have been killed by a malevolent spirit.

As the investigation unfolds, the lives of the main characters are put at risk.

Among the cast members are Regine Angeles, Richard Quan, Afi Africa, Vangie Labalan, Chanel Latorre and Alvin Anson.

Suzara won best director for “Mga Uod at Rosas” at the first Film Academy of the Philippines awards derby in 1982. His other well-received films were “Pag-Ibig na Walang Dangal” (1980), “Pepeng Shotgun” (1981), among others.

He joined last year’s All-Masters edition of Sineng Pambansa, with “Tinik.”

Other filmmakers in the Horror plus fest’s lineup are Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes (“T’yanak”), Gil Portes (“Hukluban”) and Edgardo “Boy” Vinarao (“Bacao”).

Presented by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, in partnership with SM Cinema, the fest will run from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4 in all SM cinemas nationwide at regular admission prices.

All four films are inspired by different stories from Filipino folklore and regional beliefs.