Most haunting Pinoy horror movies

The White Lady of Balete Drive, Lotus Feet, Ruth, the Pridyider, the Tiyanak, the Impaktita and the Halimaw sa Banga — these are some of the staple characters in Pinoy horror movies. They frightened us, we screamed and laughed so hard, we were entertained.

We like watching horror films even if they make us lose sleep and have nightmares. In a sense, we love to scare ourselves. We also love to make fun of ourselves with scary pranks. What is funny is that while watching horror movies, we cover our eyes or hide in blankets while peeping once in a while to see what is happening on screen. Some are scared to drive along areas where a “multo” comes out every now and then. Balete Drive, some say, is overpopulated with spirits of all kinds. A White Lady appears once in a while during the wee hours of the day. And have you heard of stories of how a car turned upside down because the driver saw a shimmering light resembling a White Lady and it was so powerful he was blinded by it? Lore has it that Balete Drive is the boulevard of spirits. Personally, I love Balete Drive. Its brand image rocks.

As children, we were made to believe that Balete, (which in Waray is dalakit) is nesting place for “kapre” and “agta.” I am not sure if a kapre or agta inhabits Balete Drive. Or the White Lady refuses to cohabit the drive with them.

It’s Halloween so it is inevitable that horror stories become favorite topics of discussion. Here are some Pinoy horror movies that remain vivid in our minds because they have scared us out of our wits and we love them.

1. Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara — Starring Lorna Tolentino, Dawn Zulueta and Tonton Gutierrez. This is a story about a restless soul’s revenge. In the movie, sisters Barbara (Lorna) and Ruth (Dawn) fall in love with Nick (Tonton) but he ends up marrying Ruth to prove his love for Barbara who convinces him to marry her younger sister. After several years, Barbara comes back to the Philippines because she heard the news that her sister Ruth has committed suicide. This is when terror begins and Ruth made her presence felt to the people who she thought have done her wrong. The original version of this movie starred the Queen herself, Susan Roces.

2. Feng Shui — Starring Kris Aquino, Jay Manalo and Lotlot de Leon. Kris’ character found a bagua that a passenger left behind. The old bagua mirror gives luck and prosperity to Kris but brings death to those near her. Who wasn’t scared of Lotus Feet? There is a scene when Lotlot is running for her life because she is being chased by a drunkard. She saw Lotus Feet at the end of the stairs holding her body and saw how she was to die.

3. Shake, Rattle and Roll — The film series have been scaring us since 1984. Some of the memorable episodes are Pridyider (Janice de Belen, Charito Solis, William Martinez) a story about a mysterious refrigerator that victimizes women who come near it; Manananggal (Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista won Best Actor at the 1984 Metro Manila Film Festival) is about a teenager who is given the task by his grandmother to kill a manananggal; Aswang (Manilyn Reynes and Aljon Jimenez) is about a group of friends who goes to a province which, unknown to them, is inhabited by vampires.

4. Tiyanak — Starring Janice de Belen, Lotlot de Leon and Mary Walter. Who can forget Mary Walter saying “Maligno ang batang yan”? In the story, Julie (Janice) keeps the newborn found by her sister (Lotlot). But Julie suspects that the baby is a demon in disguise because mysterious things start to happen and her mother suddenly dies.  

5. Itim — Starring ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio, Tommy Abuel and Mario Montenegro. Charo won in the 1977 Asian Film Festival for her brilliant performance in this suspense-drama film. The film is about a restless spirit who possesses the body of her sister. Each scene brings suspense and mystery to the viewers like when Teresa (Charo) is possessed by her sister Rosa and when the light bulb suddenly flickers inside the old pharmacy of Jun’s (Tommy) house and the old cabinet opens which contains important documents that solve the mystery.

6. Ouija — Cousins Jolina Magdangal, Rhian Ramos and Judy Ann Santos are haunted by a spirit they accidentally trapped while playing a ouija board. It is directed by Topel Lee.

7. Haplos — Set during the Japanese time, Haplos features Rio Locsin as a beautiful ghost who haunts Christopher de Leon and lover Vilma Santos. It is directed by Butch Perez.

8. Barang — Features Juliana Palermo who suffers a painstaking death. It also tells of some unexplainable things happening in the town where she lives. Also in the cast are Liza Lorena, Jay Manalo and Vangie Labalan.

9. Sukob – Starring Kris Aquino and Claudine Barretto and directed by Chito Roño is considered the highest-grossing horror film to date. It is about a superstition that one should not get married on the same year a close relative marries or dies.

10. Dalaw — With Kris Aquino in the lead role as Stella. Stella, who is set to marry her childhood sweetheart, experiences ghost hauntings from her dead husband thus endangering her life and that of the people around her. She tries to confront the ghost of her former husband then becomes unsure who really is haunting her.

Sometimes, it’s fun to be scared. But don’t overdo it as someone maybe watching you and you can’t see him.

Pray.