Christmas not the same sans Shake, Rattle & Roll

MANILA, Philippines - Christmas in the Philippines is definitely not complete without the movie Shake, Rattle and Roll in the Yuletide Metro Manila Film Festival. This horror franchise popularized by the esteemed Regal Films of Mother Lily Monteverde has its 11th installment this 2009. Shake, Rattle and Roll is the only local horror movie also known by its initials SRR.

SRR 11’s cast line-up is stellar. The directors are the most exciting discoveries in the film industry. The stories are as scary as ever. And the production values are topnotch.

The episode Lamang Lupa stars today’s most popular young actors and actresses: Jennica Garcia, Rayver Cruz, Iya Villania, Mart Escudero, Bangs Garcia and twin brothers Dominic and Felix Roco.

The story focuses on the lamang lupa of the Philippine underworld mythology. A group of friends go camping only to find themselves relentlessly pursued by ferocious creatures who are not dwarves but lamang lupa. Unknown to the barkada, they “disturbed” the creatures’ sacred area and they will pay the price for their mistake. Director for this episode is Jessel Monteverde.

Diablo stars Maja Salvador and Mark Anthony Fernandez, two of the finest performers of their generation. Directed by Rico Gutierrez, the episode revolves around Claire, a young doctor-intern at a provincial hospital who is haunted by demonic visions after she encounters a female patient suspected of carrying a deadly flu virus. Claire’s aunt brings her to Fr. Ronnie who turns out be Claire’s ex-boyfriend. Old flames are rekindled with both Fr. Ronnie and Claire battling the demons.

Completing this wonderful “horror-fest” is the Ukay-Ukay story with Ruffa Gutierrez and Zoren Legaspi as a would-be couple Kayla and Harold whose wedding plans are deterred with a possessed vintage gown. When it falls into their hands, heavy breathing, nightmares, dragging footsteps and an apparition of a headless bride start happening.  Instead of planning a wedding, Kayla must now embark on fighting the evil spirits. Also in the episode is Megan Young. Writer-turned-director Don Michael Perez is at the helm.

“SRR 11 is still the same scare and excitement that people have grown to love all these years, even more,” says producer Roselle Monteverde-Teo. “This year, we’re tackling horror concepts that are very unique to our culture in more thought-provoking and exciting ways.”

The haunting happens again when Shake, Rattle and Roll 11 opens in theaters nationwide on December 25.