Gretchen ‘daring’ in Diplomat

MANILA, Philippines - Gretchen Barretto dared to shoot in the abandoned building of the Diplomat Hotel in Baguio City, which played a major part in the directorial debut of Christopher Ad Castillo, son of the late director Celso Ad Castillo, in the Cinemalaya movie, The Diplomat Hotel (TDH).

Horror tales of troubled spirits roaming the building have proliferated the city for some time. But even that didn’t scare Gretchen from accepting her first indie movie.

Gretchen plays a news reporter in TDH. She fails to deliver the goods in a hostage crisis assignment which leads her to suffer a nervous breakdown.

She, thus, takes a leave of absence from work for one year.

When she returns, she promises to make up for the error but the only assignment at hand is a documentary about the Diplomat Hotel’s last night of operation.

In the middle of the work at the abandoned hotel building, she learns about the terrifying tales the structure holds.

The actress’ co-stars as well as the production team only have praises for Gretchen’s professionalism.

This despite the fact that the staff and crew have themselves experienced goose bumps while working on the film.

The cameramen relate capturing images that aren’t supposed to be in the scene.

But Gretchen refused to take in any of these stories. She went on to shoot in Baguio always prepared for the day’s work.

Neither did she mind or complain about the filthy surroundings. That’s how sold she was about the project.

No wonder, co-workers were hats off to Gretchen’s dedication during the filming.

“It’s my first indie movie so I have to give everything,” Gretchen reasons out.

Discover the mystery that shrouds The Diplomat Hotel when it opens in local theaters tomorrow, Sept. 4.

Also in the film are award-winning actors Joel Torre, Mon Confiado and Art Acuña, with Nico Antonio and Channel de Latorre.

The Diplomat Hotel is produced by Quantum Films which likewise brought other 2013 Cinemalaya entries such as Ekstra of Gov. Vilma Santos, Instant Mommy with Eugene Domingo, Debosyon and Babagwa.