The Aswang Chronicles is now a franchise

MANILA, Philippines - Kubot picks up where it ended the first time in Tiktik. This is now a franchise that is The Aswang Chronicles.

Aside from being part of a franchise, Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles also marks the comeback of GMA Films, being one of the film’s co-producers with Reality Entertainment and Agosto Dos. It is not just a movie but also an attraction at Enchanted Kingdom as it recently launched Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2 Haunted Attraction.

It may be recalled that Tiktik ended in a place called Pulupandan, where the whole massacre happened. The protagonists leave the place thinking that all is well until they are ambushed on the way to Manila. The sequel, which is Kubot, happens two years after that whole tragedy and is set in Manila. Macoy, the main character played by Dingdong Dantes (who is also one of the film producers), just wants peace and quiet, not realizing that the aswang clans have a brewing problem. This time, Macoy will be fighting Doms, the character interestingly played by KC Montero.

The film introduces a new character of the aswang which is the kubot, giving viewers another fresh take on local folklore. Kubot is a clan of long-haired female aswangs married to the tiktik of Pulupandan whose abilities are more limited to morphing their hair into a tentacle-like mass, which they use to squeeze their victim’s innards out like gel.

Aside from KC, new additions include Isabelle Daza, Lotlot de Leon, Bogart the Explorer, Julie Anne San Jose and Abra. From the original cast, we will still see Joey Marquez and Ramon Bautista, who resurfaces as a different character. To be introduced in the film in a special role is Hanna Ledesma.

In an interview with film director and co-writer Erik Matti, it was very evident that the men and women behind the film take pride in the strong storyline of Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles. This and the special effects and action sequences were challenging to shoot. Whereas Tiktik was shot on green screen, Kubot had a lot of scenes that were shot on location — mountaintops, quarry and Binondo. Chinese stuntmen and riggers were brought in for scenes that entailed hanging, jumping and flying to appear more exciting. Dave Yu, who is in-charge of special effects, adds that in Kubot, there is also such a thing as digital prosthetics as the  aswangs are real actors. The look of the main Kubot is very challenging as its hair has to look real and dynamic.

Evidently, production was challenged to make a better movie, taking everything to a higher level. Matti promises viewers a really exciting ride from start to end.

Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles is the official entry of Reality Entertainment in the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival showing on Dec. 25.