Vhong, Angelica team up in Star Cinema's 'scary rib-tickler'

MANILA, Philippines - Close on the heels of Dalaw, which was co-produced by Kris Aquino who also stars in it, Star Cinema is offering Bulong, a film of a similar genre, only this time it tickles the ribs while it tries to scare. It is predicted to equal the box-office receipts of Dalaw which placed No. 3 in the 2010 Metro Manila Filmfest (with a gross of more than P100M during the official two-week Metrofest and is earning more on its extended run nationwide).

Bulong marks the first big-screen team-up of Vhong Navarro and Angelica Panganiban, with Chito Roño directing. It was also Roño who helmed the Star Cinema hit thrillers Feng Shui and Sukob, both starring Kris Aquino.

 The “scary ribtickler” revolves around the Filipino superstitious belief that if you whisper into the ears of a dead person will help your wish come true.

“Just what I need,” said Vhong who offers comic relief as co-host of Showtime, ABS-CBN’s noontime show. “It’s welcome relief to scare the viewers for a change, kasi baka pagod na sila sa katatawa.”

In Bulong, Vhong plays Conan who is so desperate for the love of a girl named Ellen that he whispers into the ears of a dead person to make his wish come true —that is, for Ellen to love him back. Wish granted. But Ellen becomes so obsessed with Conan that he gets scared and uneasy, this time wishing that his previous wish didn’t come true.

So he seeks out his old friend Oprah, played by Angelica, and together they travel to the province to seek the help of Oprah’s old aunt Madam Kara who is an expert in Black Magic. In the process, their old feelings for each other are rekindled, making the spirit continue to haunt Conan all the more, and Oprah, too.

“I welcome this kind of project,” said Angelica who does mostly drama in television, except on weekends when she loosens up and does comic impersonation of Kris on the ABS-CBN gag show Banana Split.

More than a comic thriller, Bulong conveys a serious message.

“It’s about true love,” said direk Chito, “and also selfish wishes, as well as the horror these all bring.”

And this: Is it wise to take superstitions to heart?

Bulong will provide the answers.