Vhong Navarro-Solenn Heussaff starrer, Da Possessed, earns P17 million on opening day

After undergoing a traumatic experience in his life, Vhong Navarro makes a movie comeback through the horror comedy film Da Possessed.

Star Cinema's advertising and promotion manager Mico del Rosario announced that Da Possessed made P17 million on its opening day last Black Saturday, April 19.

Da Possessed revolves around a simpleton named Ramon (played by Vhong) who attempts to venture into landscape art. Ramon falls for his sexy boss Anna (played by Solenn Heussaff).

However, conflicts begin when spirits from another dimension start to possess Ramon, leading to a series of wacky and riotous situations.

The ghosts are portrayed by Aaliyah Belmoro, Empoy, and John "Sweet" Lapus.

In the film, Vhong is cast as a landscape artist named Ramon who falls for his sexy boss Anna (played by Solenn Heussaff).

However, conflicts begin when spirits from another dimension start to possess Ramon, leading to a series of wacky and riotous situations.

The ghosts are portrayed by Aaliyah Belmoro, Empoy, and John "Sweet" Lapus. The film also stars Smokey Manaloto, Beverly Salviejo, Lito Pimentel, Joy Viado, Matet De Leon, and Joey Marquez.

During the bloggers' conference for Da Possessed, director Joyce Bernal was asked to describe how Vhong Navarro changed after his ordeal.

She recalled that she made it a point to keep up the group's morale after learning what happened to Vhong in January 2014.

(Read: Vhong Navarro tied, blindfolded, and beaten by six unknown men)


Direk Joyce said she asked help from the other stars to assist Vhong when he returned to work after his ordeal.

"Personal, e, so hindi ko siya pwedeng kausapin on that. So kinausap ko ang mga artista, sila Beverly Salviejo, sila lahat 'O, dadalhin natin si Vhong sa unang araw. Diesel 'yan, iinit din 'yan, ganun lang 'yan.

The director also recalled what she told Vhong at that crucial time.

"Sabi ko, 'Gusto kitang respetuhin Vhong pero kapag ni-respeto kita pangit na lalabas ang pelikula natin.' So 'yun, kailangan ko siyang barubalin kung ano man 'yung pinagdadaanan niya, e, deadma na, parang ganoon. Kasi kung hindi, wala. Malulungkot kami at mawawala ang happiness. So yun lang, bale ganoon ang pinagdaanan namin.

"Actually mabuti na lang siguro na sila Solenn, sila Smokey [Manoloto], sila Joey Marquez ang mga nakatrabaho niya. Kasi sila parang wala. The moment na nag-take na kami wala nang usap tungkol sa pangyayari. Bitaw na lahat, puro tawanan, masaya, ibang topic na."

When asked to describe how Vhong changed as a comedian after his ordeal, Direk Joyce observed: "Iba ang timing niya ngayon, mas mabilis ...siguro dahil na din sa It's Showtime. Ang bilis ng timing niya ngayon. Dati medyo mabagal pa."

"Ako nga yung naluma kasi hindi ako nagti-Twitter," admitted the director who previously worked with Vhong for the comedy flicks Agent X44 and Mr. Suave.

In a separate interview, Vhong himself admitted that goping through this traumatic experience taught him a lot as a comedian.

"Dun po ako bumibilib sa mga komedyante. Alam ko naman, hindi lang sa akin ang ganitong mabibigat na problema.

"Ang alam ko sa atin dito sa Pilipinas, marami pang komedyante na may mabibigat na problema na pinagdaanan, pero nakaya nilang lahat ma-survive.

"Ang sa akin lang, mahirap magpatawa. Totoo po iyon, especially sa ating mga Pilipino kasi iniisip natin, 'Ay, corny, waley.'

"Dito nakita na ang pagpapatawa, sobrang hirap, especially kung may mahirap kang pinagdadaanan. Kaya mas masarap mag-drama."


(To listen to Vhong's podcast, CLICK HERE)