Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B, Will You Love or Eat

Mananangggal has been a long time folklore in our country, the Philippines. There are some who believed and there are some who don’t. For those who allegedly experience the threat of the manananggal is something that they would definitely forget.

A week ago I was able to watch the movie “Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B” at the UP Film Center where a flock of film enthusiasts where there to watch, criticize and learn from the movie or I’m not sure what other things they have in mind. By the way this movie is directed by Prime Cruz and Written by Jenilee Chuaunsu.

Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B is part of this year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino under The Film Development Council of the Philippines. There are 12 films that will participate in the celebration starting on August 16 up to 22.

The Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino got a line-up of interesting movies with different genres. This only shows that there are still good movies to watch and learn at the same time.

Okay back to the “Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B”, this movie is not your usual horror movie with some gory and grotesque images shown around the scene but a more thought crafted movie. One good example is the color dynamics of the movie, just like it paintings colors are much more important and its meaning. On this movie there two prevalent colors, the red and the green. According to the crew who conceptualize - red represents blood and the killing acts of Jewel (the manananggal) and green signifies the humanity present in the same character.

Another fact from the writer and director about this movie is that the manananggal portrayed by Ryza Cenon is not the folklore that we believed in, they somehow injected the millennial per se. The manananggal here devours her victim after the release. And another thing is that the oil or potion being applied is opposite from the folklore. It is applied to delay transformation and to control the craving for flesh.

For those who have watched it already great but for those who hasn't I won't destroy much of your expectation of the movie. Watch it and see for yourself.

Stars of this movie are Ryza Cenon who played the character of Jewel the Manananggal, Martin Del Rosario who skillfully played the role of Nico the heavenly in love man to the Manananggal. and of course the other casts.

For Ryza Cenon's acting aside from her angelic face and devilish sexy body, it is a two thumbs up for me. She nailed it and I'm sure she'll have more projects to come.

During the Q & A and perhaps the last question raised was given by a foreigner and the question is witty but in reality you will eventually think. Didn't get the exact question but it is something like this...
                 "Would you still make love to someone who you practically witnessed being a manananggal and who eats the heart of her victim after the intercourse?"

Answers varies and opinions are different but who knows if love really digs deep inside.

So, if you have money and time support the movies in the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilippino.

ANG MANANANGGAL SA UNIT 23B
Genre : Horror
Type of Film : Indie Film