GABI NG LAGIM NGAYON (
Cirio Santiago/Cesar Gallardo, 1980)
The recent visit of renowned filmmaker Quentin Tarantino at Cinemanila dig my interests on the films of Cirio Santiago. I only know him as one of the brains behind Premiere Productions and I'm not really sure also if he helmed one of the best horror flick that came out in the 70's, the Perla Bautista starrer
PAGSAPIT NG DILIM wherein she wreaks havoc in a barrio as the
manananggal.
GABI NG LAGIM NGAYON based on a radio serial brought me goosebumps during the 80's opens to a scene where breathtaking winds blast the windows and furnitures inside the room of the late Charito Solis. Solis is one great actress whether screaming and emoting which comes to my mind also her outing in the PRIDYEDER episode of the ist SHAKE RATTLE & ROLL. The mansion where she lives adds a horrifying atmosphere guided by the excellent production design by Fiel Zabat. We are introduced to her son played by Mark Gil and his wife Chanda Romero. A series of strange things occur in the house and Solis is being haunted by her traumatic past. The movie succeeds as a creepy ghost story, Santiago carved some shock value with the help of Gallardo in infusing some of the supernatural elements in the movie without going to omnibus, twin biller or a trilogy. There's the
kulam and
barang in a barrio, the unforgettable
espiritista who doesn't get old played by Rosemarie Gil and daughter Cherie Gil and bombshell Rio Locsin wreaks havoc as a ghost before the finale of the movie. The ending is a blast in supernatural elements. Watch it at night with lights off and prepared for a scream.
GABI NG LAGIM NGAYON can be seen on the archive of Cinema One.