AWARD-WINNING actress Lorna Tolentino is elated to be part of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 entry “Espantaho.”
Lorna expressed her gratefulness to be part of the horror movie by master director Chito Rono at last Monday’s grand press con at Novotel in Cubao. The horror film is part of Quantum Films’ celebration of its 20th anniversary and a salute to Filipino artistry. Aside from Lorna, it is powered by strong female leads including Judy Ann Santos, Janice de Belen, Eugene Domingo and Chanda Romero.
“Nagpapasalamat ako kay Ate Vi, syempre, unang una,” the award-winning actress said, referring to “Star for All Seasons” Vilma Santos at last Monday’s grand press con of the horror film.
“Pangalawa kay Atty. Joji [Alonso, producer] at Direk Chito na ako ang naisip nila para sumunod na choice nila for Ate Vi’s role.”
Quantum Film’s Atty. Joji said Lorna was the only name after Ate Vi. There was no adjustments needed for the character, as Lorna made it her own, embracing it fully.
“Dinagdagan lang ng about three sequences ‘yung role ni Lorna but the rest is the same,” Atty. Joji said.
Atty. Joji also revealed that she was not supposed to field another horror entry in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival after Quantum’s horror entry in last year’s MMFF, “Kampon.”
“Actually hindi ako dapat horror this year,” she explained, indicating that the change was not her first choice. But during an acupuncture session, she bumped into director Chito Roño, where they discussed potential projects, and the idea for the horror film emerged.
“Uy Direk mukhang maganda. Sabi nya, ‘Sige pasulat ho kay [screenwriter] Chris Martinez ‘yung synopsis,” she recalled.
When it came to actress Vilma Santos, who was approached for the lead role, Atty. Joji handled the situation with understanding and respect. Atty. Joji stated, “Naintindihan ko sya kasi we had a long talk,” said Atty. Joji, adding that she is still open to working with Ate Vi in the future.
As for the challenges Atty. Joji faced in producing “Espantaho,” she admitted that the effects alone was the big chunk of the budget. Atty. Joji indicated that a significant portion of the budget went towards production design and the number of shooting days required. She explained, “Ang mahal na talaga mag produce ngayon, as in ang mahal, ang mahal kasi – ‘di ba? – you have to have more working days, shoot days, because the number of hours was short na ngayon.”
“Siguro may isang linggo ako na iniisip ko talaga kung gagawin ko pa ba o hindi kasi ang laki ng risk kasi alam ko malaki ‘yung pelikula at magastos so pag hindi siya maipalabas sa MMFF paano na?”
The film “Espantaho” was shot in various locations across the Philippines.
“Grabe ‘yung shooting Mexico, Pampanga, Calamba, Laguna, Lipa, Batangas, San Mateo, Rizal, and Antipolo,” she enumerated.
This diverse range of locations contributed to the film’s visual richness but also added to the production complexity.
The original budget was around P50 million, but due to the extensive requirements, it ended up being insufficient.
“We need P200 million to break even,” she said.
As for future projects, Atty. Joji expressed interest in creating a legal drama. “Actually ‘yun nga ‘yung gagawin ko. It’s more lighthearted but it’s a drama.”
However, after her 2019 movie “Belle Douleur,” she acknowledged the challenges of directing again, particularly the extensive effort required from pre-production to post-production.
“Parang iniisip ko pa lang yung pagod from start till end pre prod hanggang post. Hindi ko na kaya.”
Atty. Joji noted that if she were to direct again, she would prefer a project with shorter shooting days and less pressure regarding box office performance. She said, “Gagawa man ako ulit, maiksi lang. ‘Yung shooting days na wala akong iniisip na box-office. ‘Yun. Kaya ko ‘yun. Paninindigan ko ‘yun.”
Regarding her comments about the Maris Racal and Anthony Jennings cheating issue where she stated that no crime was committed as both are unmarried, Atty. Joji clarified, “I don’t condone cheating. I have been a victim of cheating so I know what it’s like to be cheated upon. Masakit. But the law is the law.”
She emphasized that while infidelity can be morally wrong, it does not always equate to legal wrongdoing, especially in the context of relationships that do not involve marriage.
“Espantaho” also stars Mon Confiado, JC Santos, Donna Cariaga, Kian Co, Nico Antonio, Archie Adamos and Tommy Abuel. It unreels in cinemas nationwide on December 25.
