MANILA, Philippines - Since ancient times people have believed that mountains are places of great supernatural power as depicted in mythologies. In the Philippines, many still go up the mountains to find enlightenment, healing and to commune with spirits.
On TV5’s Midnight DJ, the twin-bill offerings take us to Norzagaray, Bulacan for Babae Sa Gubat helmed by Alan Chanliongco and Sampaguita by Aya Topacio.
Babae Sa Gubat opens with novice Sister Catalina (Paw Diaz) going up the mountain driven by Dexter (Gerry Acao) to fulfill her grandfather’s death wish that his ashes be strewn around the tree in the forest where he used to play.
As Sister Catalina steps foot in the area, Salazar (Raul Morit) who claims to be the dead man’s best friend appears. Before she performs her promised task, the ghost of a woman suddenly surfaces and Salazar relates that she is Lupe (Aze Sasaki) who was jilted by his friend to marry another woman. What can the novice do to put Lupe’s spirit to rest?
In Sampaguita, Mikaela (Helga Kraff) and Gemma (Hiyasmin Neri) are graduating students whose summer vacation is put on hold until they comply with the school requirement, a documentary on mountain folks. Thus, they travel to a remote village in search of Aling Ditas (Chinggay Riego) renowned for her sampaguita flower business.
In the process of interviewing the village woman, the ghost of a little girl (Kimberly Fulgar) who drowned in a drum filled with water haunts Mikaela pleading that the latter looks for her body.
Midnight DJ airs Saturdays after Talentadong Pinoy and is line produced by Angie Samson-Valvieja for Big Top Entertainment.