The classic horror film Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara first
scared Filipinos when it was shown on the big screen in 1974, with Susan Roces
in the title role. In 1995, noted film director Chito Roño did a remake of
the film and included Lorna Tolentino and Dawn Zulueta in his stellar cast.
Today's generation will know Kris Aquino as Barbara, the woman who is tormented by an evil doll named Chelsea. This innocent-looking doll is always carried around by her niece Karen (played by Celine Lim). What they don't know is that the doll is possessed by the soul of Barbara's dead, jealous sister Ruth (played by Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson).
During the special preview of Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara last January 4, two of the 15 episodes were shown to the entertainment press at Studio 1 of ABS-CBN.
Prior to the screening, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) was able to chat with the stars of the new horror series. "I feel na sobrang gaganda ng mga eksena. It's a beautiful way to start the year," says Kris Aquino about her role as Barbara. "Para kaming Cinderella in Tita Susan. We have a cut-off of 12 midnight but to make up for that, I'm up at 6 am."
Ms. Susan Roces tells the press, "I am honored to play a role that was not in the original movie. The writers of Sindak made an indepth search into the characters of the original Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara. It's my honor to be part of this project and experienced working with very professional actors. I feel very honored to be entrusted with this project for them to be inspired to do it again for the television viewers."
PEP also talked with one of the show's directors, Gilbert Perez, regarding the primetime show. Why is it running for only three weeks?
"They're still experimenting with the horror genre," explains Direk Gilbert. "Siyempre, titingnan nila kung yung horror genre magiging effective sa primetime block."
What is the difference between this TV version with the movie version?
"We added new characeters. Si Barbara, may nanay na ngayon—si Amanda, played by Susan Roces. Then si Fritz, yung asawa ni Barbara, may kapatid, played by Maja Salvador. May Spirit Questors rin, they're trying to communicate with the dead Ruth.
"Nagdagdag kami ng new characters and nagdagdag ng bagets story. Nilagyan rin namin ng love triangle para updated naman. And also, people will be interested to watch to find out ano ang bago sa Sindak," he said.
In fact, there are two love triangles in Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara. In this Sineserye, Agnes (Maja Salvador) is being pursued by two young men—Dale (played by Jay-R Siaboc) and John (Joem Bascon). Meanwhile, Fritz (Albert Martinez) is married to Ruth (Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson) but he is secretly in love with Barbara (Kris Aquino).
Director Gilbert, who helms this project with Jerry Sineneng, points out: "Other than pananakot, we also tried to inject comedy para hindi masyadong seryoso, kasi ang idea ng suicide masyadong mabigat, e." He is referring to the suicide committed by Ruth (Jodi), which will happen in the early part of the story.
He also revealed that Sindak was originally planned to air weekly but the management of ABS-CBN decided to air it every night instead.
The first installment of ABS-CBN Sineserye Presents: The Susan Roces Cinema Collection—Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara airs on the Kapamilya Network starting January 7. Watch this horror series weeknights after Lastikman on ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida.