Dan Villegas who made a name directing romcoms (romantic comedy films) dips his fingers into the gothic genre. He is directing (Quantum Films) the horror flick Ilawod, which assembles a cast that he thinks can spark fear and terror among the audience.
Pretty-faced Iza Calzado and handsome Ian Veneracion play the lead roles in this story about the breakdown of a family in the face of supernatural trauma. Joining them are Xyriel Manabat, Therese Malvar, Epi Quizon, and Harvey Bautista.
Dennis (Veneracion), a news website reporter, accidentally brings a spirit home with him from an assignment.
The spirit, Ilawod, manifests in different ways to different family members. It makes Dennis short-tempered and taste bitterness in hot drinks. It makes his wife Kathy (Calzado) feeling warm, and also changes the intensity of her sexual desire.
Ilawod also manifest to daughter Bea (Xyriel Manabat), and the youngest child, Ben (Harvey Bautista) and wreaks havoc on Dennis’ family who fights against it to save, not just their lives, but also their souls.
Lead cast, Ian and Iza, displayed their natural talent while Xyriel as their daughter showed talent skills anew as teen actress. Harvey, son of Mayor Herbert Bautista, is very promising in his first film outing.
Its full trailer’s initial post on social media immediately earned over a million likes, views and shares.
So brace yourselves as Villegas offers a different kind of scream film for his initial foray into the horror genre on Jan. 18.
Ilawod also features best child actress winner in Moscow Therese Malvar, in her first mainstream flick.
★★★★★
Several celebrities and media personalities were honored with stars at Eastwood’s Walk of Fame recently.
One of the inductees was GMA Artist Center star Barbie Forteza who related her recent achievement to a child who excels and does well in class.
“Kapag very good ang isang bata sa school, lagi niyang pinapakita sa magulang niya at sinasabing, ‘May star po ako.’ Pero ako, ang sasabihin ko na sa pamilya ko ngayon ay ‘May Walk of Fame Star na ako!”
She also thanked the people who have been very supportive of her career. She promises to strive to be better and continue to be a good example to her audience.
“Napakasarap sa pakiramdam bilang isang aktres na magli-leave ako ng mark sa mga tao na hinding-hindi nila malilimutan. Gusto ko ring magpasalamat sa mga taong naniwala at patuloy na naniniwala sa aking kakayahan bilang aktres. Asahan po nilang lalo ko pang pagbubutihin ang aking ginagawa.”
Meanwhile, Barbie top bills GMA Network’s 2017 primetime offering Meant To Be with leading men Ken Chan, Ivan Dorschner, Addy Raj, and Jak Roberto.
