Film review: Feng Shui 2 Roño stuns in horror sequel

MANILA, Philippines - The resolute cinematic touch of director Chito Roño is all over Feng Shui 2 and it builds to a climax unpredictable as it is astounding as the film unravels a unique story woven from our own share of Chinese influences.

Direk Chito’s latest output isn’t just a first-rate horror film; it is also a mirror of the country’s poor and what Filipinos living in the lower depths are capable of.

The family of Lester Anonuevo (Coco Martin) and his mother (Carmi Martin) lives in a slice of urban blight accessible only by boat and surrounded by characters living by the skin of their teeth.

The director moves on to portray the middle working class represented by real estate agent Joy Ramirez (Kris Aquino) and her fiancée played by Ian Veneracion.

Joy’s friend, Lily Mendoza (Cherry Pie Picache), is another believer in good luck and she is obsessed by its symbol (the bagua) to the point of keeping it for herself and leaving her best friend in the dark.

The sight of Cherry Pie literally digging for treasures in her home lot is a symbolic one and it might as well depict millions of Filipinos buying lotto tickets to take a crack at the good life.

The father of Coco’s character (Rez Cortez) is the face of the OFW in the film and his wife (Carmi) might as well symbolize the extent to which Filipinos hope for the good life.

But a long wait is too much for her, late and soon; and she takes to drinking to neutralize her misery. It has become the favorite pastime of the OFW who reflects on his life after he has built a house for his family.

Rez’s quiet but powerful portrayal is the Filipino OFW with all his unflagging virtues.

After a bit of familiar episodes in Philippine anthropology, direk Chito tightly zeroes in on his story and horrifies his audience in a manner that truly suspends disbelief.

The film makes something more explicit and believable about the practice of feng shui as the film shows the patent Chinese influence in Philippine society.

There is a lecture on the uses of stones and what they are supposed to symbolize. There are constant references on what year the characters were born and where they are headed to meeting characters born in another feng shui symbol.

The film episodes showing Chinese temples and Chinese New Year celebrations add authenticity to the story.

The truth is, every frame of the horror film is virtual feast to the cinematic eye. Many elements of this horror film point to a masterful handling of the director.

The story is woven in present-day Philippines and depicts a sizable part of the population clinging to last hope for a better life.

Add to that an engrossing cinematography, an excellent sound design and a film scoring that perfectly blends with the story.

As for the actors, they make the story more believable as they portray a slice of humanity drawn to fatalism.

Cherry Pie’s brilliant gold-digging scene is as much a spoof of what desperate Filipinos are capable of. Kris’ in-the-brink-of-panic aura complements the story and on the whole, it doesn’t disappoint.

Coco (the poor jack-of-all-trades in the story) turns in a well-defined portrayal worthy of recognition. You can see a young man trying hard and aiming high for the good life but he turns despondent over the unexpected turn of events. That portrayal of vulnerability remains etched on his face and it is the scar of the Filipino also aiming for the good life.

The other supporting cast members deliver equally brilliant portrayal, from Rez, Carmi to Jonee Gamboa (as Hsui Liao).

The story of Chito (with screenplay by Roy Iglesias) remains engrossing and with a ring of truth to it.

Feng Shui 2 is another ample proof that Chito Roño is one of the undisputed masters of horror in Philippine cinema. By and large, the film deserves its Grade A rating from the Cinema Evaluation Board.