GMA Pictures and Mentorque Productions bring a chilling yet accessible
horror film to cinemas with Huwag Kang Titingin, opening starting today
April 15 nationwide. Blending viral internet culture with Filipino
folklore, the film follows a dangerous online challenge that unknowingly
awakens a sinister entity known as the “Umaaaligid,” turning curiosity
into a terrifying consequence.
Set in an eerie town filled with
dark traditions and unsettling spaces, the film mixes jump scares,
mystery, and emotional moments, creating a horror experience that feels
modern yet familiar.
When an otherworldly woman named Chicks (Rhian Ramos) arrives at a quiet wellness resort, the life of a guarded and still legally married Anne (Glaiza De Castro) begins to shift in ways she cannot fully explain. What starts as an unexpected encounter धीरे slowly turns into something deeper, as Anne learns that healing is not always about staying strong—it is about finding the courage to feel again.
Desperada, one of the official entries of the Sinag Maynila 2026, presents a moving and socially relevant story centered on a traumatized young woman who finds refuge in a shelter for the mentally ill. Within this safe space filled with broken yet resilient individuals, she begins a journey of healing, connection, and unexpected love. The film carefully unpacks the lives of its characters, proving that even the most wounded souls are still capable of hope and transformation.
Set in the Philippines in 1902, Sisa unfolds in a nation left raw and wounded after the Philippine-American War. The land remains occupied, violence lingers in silence, and grief hangs heavily in the air. Widows fill the villages, and mothers disappear into quiet suffering. Among them walks Sisa, portrayed by the legendary Hilda Koronel — barefoot, broken, and dismissed as mad by a society that fears what it cannot understand. Yet beneath that perceived madness lies something far deeper: a woman carrying a secret and a quiet resolve for revenge.
A Werewolf Boy is a Filipino
adaptation of the beloved Korean supernatural romance, and it delivers a
heartfelt and visually appealing experience. The story follows a city
girl who moves back to the countryside and forms a unique bond with a
mysterious orphan boy. Starring breakout talents Angela Muji and Rabin Angeles,
the film explores a feral romance as the seemingly savage boy with
wolf-like powers gradually connects with her, creating a story that is
both touching and captivating.
UnMarry is a touching drama that explores the painful journey of
annulment, family dynamics, and the meaning of “happily ever after.”
Inspired by real-life cases and their impact on children, the film
follows Celine (Angelica Panganiban) as she seeks an annulment while
fighting for custody of her daughters, and Ivan (Zanjoe Marudo), who is
desperate to save his marriage and connect with his son. Their paths
cross at a family lawyer’s office, hearts tangle, emotions run deep, and
somewhere between heartbreak and coffee, healing begins.
Shake Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins is brutal, exciting, and bloody. Spanning three eras—1775, 2025, and 2050—the film delivers a complete package of action, horror, and suspense, making it a must-watch on the big screen. It’s exciting to see the long-loved Shake, Rattle & Roll franchise return to the Metro Manila Film Festival, this time with three interconnected episodes that explore the cyclical nature of evil.
Manila’s Finest is a
gripping MMFF 2025 crime thriller that transports audiences back to the
turbulent 1970s during the First Quarter Storm. Set against a
politically charged pre–Martial Law era, the film follows principled
Manila Police Captain Homer Magtibay (Piolo Pascual) and his young
partner Billy Ojeda (Enrique Gil) as they investigate the murders of
troubled teenagers in the slums—an investigation that gradually exposes
deeper corruption involving powerful figures, systemic decay, and the
widening divide between the rich and the poor.
If you’ve been longing for a classic pang-masa Filipino comedy—raw,
real, and delightfully funny, Jackstone 5 is exactly the film that
brings back that nostalgic charm. It has the warmth of old-school humor
mixed with heartfelt storytelling, capturing the spirit of friendship
that has stood the test of time. The story follows five childhood
friends who once called themselves the “Jackstone 5.” After decades of
living their separate lives, they reunite for a long-overdue trip that
takes them back to their old hometowns. What begins as a lighthearted
adventure filled with teasing, laughter, and shared memories gradually
becomes a deeper journey of reflection. As they revisit the spaces where
they grew up, old secrets resurface, long-buried tensions emerge, and
the truths they once hid to survive a conservative society slowly unveil
themselves.
KMJS’ Gabi ng Lagim is a film bound by intriguing, real-life stories, packed with goosebump-inducing moments that make the big screen experience unforgettable. The movie brings three hair-raising episodes to life, each distinct in tone, style, and emotional impact, leaving viewers talking long after the credits roll.
The final installment in the trilogy that began with Heneral Luna (2015) and Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral (2018), Quezon delivers a compelling and introspective portrait of President Manuel L. Quezon’s relentless pursuit of power and independence. As he navigates the brutal game of politics—where charm, loyalty, and manipulation serve as both weapons and currency—Quezon emerges not only as a visionary leader but also as a flawed architect of the political culture that continues to shape the nation today.
The Last BeerGin is that rare film that sneaks up on you with its charm — a refreshing mix of heart, humor, and life’s bittersweet truths. Directed by Nuel Naval and written by Mel Mendoza Del Rosario, the film brings together an ensemble of seasoned and rising actors whose performances feel both grounded and vibrant.
In The Ride, Piolo Pascual plays Barry, a father estranged from his son Leo (Kyle Echarri). The story follows their tense and complicated relationship, which takes a darker turn when Leo discovers that his father is entangled in criminal activities.
As the film unfolds, it explores how the streets are not only divided by left and right—but also by the thin line between life and death.
Posthouse is a chilling, atmospheric entry in contemporary Filipino horror—one that leans heavily on mood, memory, and metaphor rather than cheap scares. Directed with a clear reverence for cinema’s past, the film blends folklore, generational trauma, and the lost history of Filipino silent films into a haunting, introspective experience.
The story follows Cyril (Sid Lucero), a troubled film editor estranged from his daughter Rea (Bea Binene). While restoring an incomplete and allegedly cursed silent horror film from the 1920s, the two unknowingly unleash a malevolent manananggal. What begins as an act of preservation slowly becomes an excavation of buried pain, as the film-within-a-film mirrors Cyril’s unresolved trauma from childhood.
What makes Posthouse compelling is how its horror operates on both literal and symbolic levels. The silent film Cyril watches and restores gradually reveals itself as a reflection of his past—a home invasion that claimed his father’s life and fractured his family. The manananggal, in this sense, is not merely a folkloric monster but a manifestation of Cyril’s lifelong fear, grief, and guilt. The original silent film’s narrative about a family terrorized by a manananggal echoes this trauma, reinforcing the idea that the true curse being passed down is emotional and generational.
Visually, the film is striking. Its atmospheric cinematography and deliberate pacing evoke nostalgia with a chill, serving as a clear homage to lost silent horror cinema. The vintage, brick-walled locations are particularly effective—creepy yet stylish, lending the film an unsettling, almost timeless quality. Sid Lucero delivers a strong, restrained performance, grounding the film’s heavy themes with emotional weight and credibility.
While the film does drag slightly in the middle, its stylistic confidence and thoughtful approach will likely resonate with viewers who appreciate art-house horror. Posthouse may not cater to everyone, but for those drawn to slow-burn, symbolic storytelling, it is a rewarding experience.
Fresh, distinct, and quietly haunting, Posthouse
stands as a promising new take on Filipino horror—one that honors the
past while confronting the monsters we inherit and carry within us.
My Verdict: 3.5/5
In a time when a lot of films tend to over-explain everything, P77 does
the complete opposite — it holds back, keeps you guessing, and lets the
mystery unfold slowly. It’s the kind of film that makes you lean in, pay
close attention, and wonder what’s really going on. And right at the
center of it all is a standout performance from Barbie Forteza.
