Cindy Miranda: Give direk Xian Lim’s film ‘Kuman Thong’ a chance

Cindy Miranda, the lead star in Xian Lim’s horror flick “Kuman Thong,” has appealed to moviegoers to separate the actor-turned-director’s work from his personal life.

The Viva Films and Studio Viva’s latest offering “Kuman Thong” will be screened in cinemas nationwide starting tomorrow, July 3. It also stars Althea Ruedas, Emman Esquivel, as well as Thai actors Max Nattapol Diloknawarit (“Manner of Death” and “Bangkok Love Stories: Innocence”) and Jariya Therakaosal.

Xian directed and co-wrote the script with Iris Lee, also the producer of the film. The former also recently confirmed that they’re dating.

The director was absent during the pocket presscon of “Kuman Thong” which was held at Botejyu restaurant in Vertis North last Wednesday. Cindy was, nevertheless, asked how direk Xian was doing during filming amid issues in his personal life.

“I don’t really know about the issues because I’m not fond of social media but I’ve heard some things,” began Cindy. “I have friends telling me about it but for me, it’s my first time to work with direk Xian and napaka-cool po ng vibe, napaka-bagets.”

Xian, 34, is only a year older to Cindy. “He told us bagets tayo lahat dito. So don’t be shy with whatever it is that you like (or want to do). I think he wasn’t not affected (by issues) kasi napakagaan.”

Cindy furthered that she didn’t experience Xian having a temper or shouting at them during the filming.

“I’m not defending Xian. I don’t know whatever issues are against him, I just wanna be honest, I don’t want people to say that I’m defending him, todo tanggol, no, no, no.

“Even my co-actors (the kids) would say that they never saw him getting angry or shouting (at us). He really respected us. He calls me Miss Cindy when he could just call me Cindy. He would also offer me a chair if he saw me standing or hindi pa nag-start (taping).”

Cindy attested how caring and collaborative Xian is as a director. He let Cindy do her own thing in terms of acting. And because of that, the actress is thankful because of the trust that Xian had given her.

She hailed Xian for being a good director and appealed to the public to give chance to the movie as well as to Xian as a director.

“I hope that the people will separate the issues from him being a director because we made the movie wala sa isip naming tong lahat ng issues na ‘to. Those issues are not part of this movie and sana po ‘wag po nilang idamay.

“For me, Xian is a good director. (He’s all about) work, work. So ihawalay po nila. I hope they will give this movie a chance and Xian as a director aside from whatever na mga issues,” reiterated Cindy.

She also witnessed how inspired Xian was on set. “As I’ve said napakagaan ng set even though it’s horror, very dramatic. It’s like we’re not doing a horror film because we didn’t feel that anything mabigat (heavy) from our director, ibang-iba. Bagets na bagets.

“You’ve seen his photos, his OOTD (outfit of the day) at naka-getup pa talaga siya kahit sobrang init. Ganun siya ka-inspired.”

“And I think nakabuti po sa kanya na hindi ko alam kung in love ba siya or what in doing this film. He said to us earlier, before we shot the film, dugo’t pawis daw yung binigay nila dito in writing the story. Kaya talagang naniniwala din po ako sa storya ng ‘Kuman Thong.’”

“Kuman Thong” is Xian’s first full-length horror film as a director. His directorial debut was the Cinemalaya Film Festival 2019 entry “Tabon.” He helmed the comedy film “Hello, Universe!” last year with Janno Gibbs and Benjie Paras as actors.

The 11-year-old Althea (“Doll House” and “Instant Daddy”) mentioned that Xian is a “very hands-on” filmmaker and was also open for suggestions while child actor, Emman, described Xian as thoughtful and kind.

“Kuman Thong” is based on a Thai occult tradition in which a figurine housing a child’s spirit brings luck if properly revered and harm if not cared for.

As per press release, the story follows Clara (Cindy), who travels to Thailand with daughter, Katie (Althea), to seek the blessing of Namfon (Jariya), the mother of her fiancé Sai Chon (Max). However, Namfon isn’t that happy about the idea of her only son migrating to the Philippines, believing that the couple is not yet ready, especially with Clara still grieving over the loss of her son, Isaac (Emman). Clara even carries around the urn bearing Isaac’s ashes.

Clara’s visit to Thailand leads her to a shaman who performs a ritual with Isaac’s ashes. The shaman hands Clara a Kuman Thong, promising that it can help bring back Isaac if she takes proper care of it.

Despite Namfon’s disapproval, Clara keeps the Kuman Thong with the hope she can reunite with Isaac.

Shortly after Clara began making offerings to the Kuman Thong, eerie occurrences plague their once peaceful household. Clara’s behavior also begins to change as she starts to sense Isaac’s “presence.” Even though her son’s supposed spirit is putting the family in danger, Clara and Katie are thrilled by his “return.”

Things take a darker turn when Isaac is seemingly not the only spirit posing a threat to their family, leading to sinister secrets being discovered that will change their lives for good.

Meanwhile, restaurant chains Botejyu and Wing Zone are launching special promos that will reward customers with free cinema tickets to watch the horror film. The promo mechanics include: Customers will get two free movie tickets for a minimum spend of P2,000 at any Botejyu branch. Customers will get one free movie ticket for a minimum spend of P900 at any Wing Zone branch. Promo runs until July 9. Movie vouchers may be redeemed and exchanged for cinema tickets from July 3 to 9. Customers may exchange the vouchers for “Kuman Thong” at any SM Cinema branch. Both offers are valid for dine-in and take-out transactions only.