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A Casual Retrospect on Philippine Horror Films

Last Saturday I viewed Star Cinema’s Villa Estrella, helmed by the promising Rico Ilarde. For me, the film had its startling moments yet had ample room for improvement. All in all, it was a regular Pinoy horror film and that was bothersome~ it was just too regular.

Although the story was good, its delivery somewhat satisfactory, there was nothing new to view. Villa Estrella’s horror elements was all too familiar, nothing fresh to deliver, a so-so experience but easily forgettable.

This prompts me to ask the question, when are we going to see a truly original Philippine horror film, the kind that makes its influential mark on world cinema. I’m talking about a unique approach to cinematic horror that stands out from the rest.

Recently we’ve seen Japanese horror films such “The Ring” and “The Grudge” become popular worldwide. Their elements, such as of a vengeful ghost who haunts/hunts down its victims, cursing them to death or disappearances, have been imitated frequently or re-made.

Speaking of remakes, America’s recent revivals of Halloween and Chainsaw Massacre can only remind us where America horror made its gory mark on global cinema through its horror-of-the-psyche sub-genre.

Where the Japanese employ mad spirits, the Americans employ mad men and serial killers whose gristly actions stain the human mind and the soul.

So where does it leave us? How can Philippine movie-makers create a thrilling reel experience for not only its audiences at home but for the world?

Well for one thing I suggest is that we stop looking behind us, cease on using horror cliches like the J-Horror’s vengeful ghost or the American horror’s mad killer through ways all too familiar for the audience. We should turn forward in using familiar elements of our own cultural superstitions and legends in novel directions.

For example, let’s tackle on the Tikbalang. It’s a familiar supernatural creature of Filipino folklore and legend with a disproportionate human-like anatomy under  a horse’s head and a habit to lead travelers astray.

In local media, Tikbalangs are generally presented to be somewhat neutral with certain leanings to benevolence when situations require it. However, they’re usually depicted as territorial and harsh to those who don’t offer Tikbalangs due respect.

In other world myths like Greece, horse-human hybrids the Centaurs are considered to be monsters. In China and Japan, souls are escorted through Hell by a being called Horse-face. In Scotland and Ireland, lakes and rivers are haunted by shape-shifting kelpies, horse-like creatures which lure people, particularly children, to a watery death.

I would very much like to see a horror movie about Tikbalangs terrorizing hapless mortals who, foolish in their ignorance, tramp through the Tikbalang’s domain.

However I would very much like to see familiar Filipino horror elements taken through a new directions, designed to provide a truly frightful experience that’s not necessarily scarring but tolerably memorable.

The horror’s ahead, no more looking behind you.