ALAPAAP (Tata Esteban)
I discovered this film back in 1984 during the MMFF along with SHAKE RATTLE & ROLL but only had the chance to see its full uncut glory this year. The poster piqued my curiosity, that face of Tanya Gomez looks so creepy and eerie that you don't want to see it during night times.
It really helps if you have the background in production design to achieve the atmosphere and look of your film. Tata Esteban (RIP) who designed the cult classics PEDRO TUNASAN & SNAKE SISTERS under Celso Ad Castillo managed to create a visual treat with creepy and genuine horror. ALAPAAP is a journey into the rarefied and convoluted world of Jake Vergara (William Martinez) with the help of his two friends, Dave (Mark Gil) and Donald (Michael de Mesa) who are filmbuffs while they encountered the ghost of a woman named Baeg (Tanya Gomez) in an old house in Baguio. The group's stay at the old house is punctuated by mysterious incidents and weird experiences, suggesting that Baeg's soul is playing havoc on them. She turns the old house into a bedlam. The series of events and incidents are more of a grotesque nature that reminds me of Brian de Palma's CARRIE. A hair blower that rips apart thru the face of Christine (Eva Rose Palma) was effectively done, a dog kills and eats the body of a woman, the mummified body of Baeg occasionally appears and threatens the group inside the house.
Most impressive among the cast is Ed Villapol as the father of Baeg. Outstanding character actor Villapol can turn any role excellently whether comic, villain or supporting. Tata Esteban can now rest in peace but he managed to create a cult classic that has a mixed up of horror, sex and suspense.
A clean and pristine print can be seen in Cinema One with subs but with several cuts, of course.