Pinoys are indeed horror buffs, and the majority of us seem to love chasing fright, even if the monsters lurking behind the screen turn alive in our dreams at night. This fascination with horrors could be credited to our inherent interest in superstitions and mysticism. Hence, these terrifying creatures that once were only stuff of legend became instant big-screen superstars.
And when it comes to spooky films, there have been a number of Filipino movies that could be leveled with foreign blockbusters.
With that, let’s take a look back at some of the most iconic Filipino horror movies that continue to leave nightmares to Filipinos across all generations.
1. Shake, Rattle & Roll franchise (1984-2014)
The Shake Rattle & Roll franchise has got to claim royalty in the horror arena. Since its inception in 1984, the three-part horror movie that showcases legends, monsters, ghosts, and folklore stories have made such a huge impact on Philippine pop culture that kids of every generation, including today’s Gen Zs, still know them and how they spread terror.
Among the most iconic monsters in the Shake, Rattle & Roll franchise include Pridyider (possessed refrigerator), the Undin (saliva-spewing creature slimy green creature), Yaya (ghost nanny), Manananggal (half-bodied flying vampire), Tanda (leader of the vampire tribe), Aquarium (possessed aquarium), Snake (legendary mall snake), Christmas Tree (possessed Christmas tree), and many others.
2. Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara (1995)
The ‘90s horror scene would not be complete without an homage to the spine-tingling story of the huntings on Barbara in the movie Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara.
Headlined by Grand Slam Best Actress Lorna Tolentino, the movie, directed by Chito Roño was a remake of the 1974 classic by Celso Ad Castillo. She was the woman who earned the bitter end of her sister Ruth’s wrath upon learning in the afterlife that her Ate was the woman beloved by her husband.
Over two decades since the movie came out, it is still a movie that even horror lovers would not dare watch alone. Dawn Zulueta, who played the insecure and vindictive Ruth, gave such a powerhouse performance that her look and acting as the restless ghost of a scorned woman still cast terror on anyone who watches the movie.
3. Feng Shui (2004)
Kris Aquino’s Feng Shui in 2004 was that movie that twisted everyone’s vision of the Bagua mirror from being a powerful protective amulet to a cursed item that brings death under the guise of luck. Her friends and eventually her entire family would become collateral to her luck.
The movie was so iconic that memes were made out of Kris’ screams and scenes.
4. Clarita (2019)
Move aside The Exorcist, The Conjuring, and The Possession; the Philippines has Clarita. The 2019 masterpiece of filmmaker Roderick Cabrido has won him the Best Director award at the 10th Mirabile Dictu International Catholic Film Festival held in Vatican City, beating entries from Peru and Italy.
The movie has been positively received by film enthusiasts who felt proud that the Philippines can now come to par with international gresats in so far as quality, story, and overall acting performance are concerned.
Clarita is based on the life of Clarita Villanueva, who was considered to be the first recorded demonic possession in Asia. Her story immediately caught global fanfare, and she became an instant global supernatural sensation rocking post-war Manila.
Sometime in the early 1950’s, the young Clarita stowed away from the province only to find herself in vagrancy and eventually a sex worker in Manila.
Stories had it that she frequented bars and taverns, drumming up men for harlotry. Unfortunately, she came across a plainly clothed police officer who brought her to prison. She was immediately jailed at the Old Bilibid Prison (now Manila City Jail), and that’s when the horrors of her possession started.
Only days after she was detained, inmates and police officers heard Clarita screaming in pain, claiming she had been attacked by two men who were biting her on the neck, back, arms, and legs. This was dismissed by authorities at first since she was detained in a facility for women. Help soon after reached Clarita through the American Protestant minister and televangelist Lester Sumrall, who exercised the young girl.
