Janice de Belen never imagined that "Pridyider" would continue to haunt Filipino viewers more than four decades after its release.
After all, who would have thought that an ordinary refrigerator could become a source of terror?
That is the premise of "Pridyider," one of the three original episodes of the horror film Shake, Rattle & Roll, an entry to the 1984 Metro Manila Film Festival.
Starring Janice and Charito Solis, the episode was directed by National Artist for Film Ishmael Bernal and produced by Regal Films.
It tells the story of Lorna (Charito) and her daughter, Virgie (Janice), who move into a new home, only to discover that an evil force lurks inside their kitchen refrigerator.
During an event on October 22, 2026, where Regal Entertainment and gaming platform BingoPlus launched five games inspired by the popular horror franchise, Janice revisited her experience making "Pridyider."
Also present at the event were her co-actors John Lapus and JC de Vera, who appeared in other episodes of the Shake, Rattle & Roll franchise.
In a conversation with members of the entertainment media, Janice said she initially thought audiences would eventually forget the film as time passed.
However, her encounters with viewers who recalled how frightened they were by the film made her realize its lasting impact.
“I never thought it would be that way because I thought, you know, the movie is done, time has passed, parang okay na, nakalimutan na nila.
“But when people come up to me and tell me that they watched 'Pridyider,' they were scared, parang, ‘Oh, may impact pala siya,’” she said.
“Because I thought what would stick would be 'Anak ni Janice.' But 'Pridyider' stayed on as well,” she added.
The phrase “Anak ni Janice” is a popular reference to the 1988 horror film Tiyanak, which also featured the actress in the lead role and was directed by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes.
Read: Anatomy of Shake, Rattle & Roll franchise
Janice said many viewers have told her that the "Pridyider" episode left them traumatized, particularly because its central source of horror was an ordinary household appliance.
“Kasi nga naman, who would ever think something as harmless as a refrigerator would be something you would really be scared of," she said.
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Meanwhile, John Lapus agreed that "Pridyider" is one of the most iconic episodes of Shake, Rattle & Roll.
He shared: "Sa dami ng episode, yung 'Pridyider' ang isa sa mga favorite ko.
"Favorite ko siya because of the fact na natakot niya talaga ako. Kasi naman parang 'Si Ate Janice, ref lang naman yan, bakit ako natatakot?'
"Pero napasok talaga niya yung utak ko."
JANICE RECALLS MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES DOING "PRIDYIDER"
Despite the frightening subject matter, Janice recalled enjoying her experience making horror films, noting that the genre allowed her to create memorable reactions among audiences.
Her first collaboration with Direk Ishmael also made "Pridyider" particularly memorable.
Read: Joel Lamangan recalls fond memories with Ishmael Bernal
She expressed: "You know, weirdly, I enjoyed doing these films. Kasi nga different, e.
"They are different. You know that they will stay, you know na may matatakot, ayun yung effect mo sa kanila. So it was really fun.
"For 'Pridyider,' when we did it, it was my first time working with Ishmael Bernal. So that alone was a great experience.
“Then again, yung 'Pridyider,' habang ginagawa niyo yung movie, iniisip mo, ‘Matatakot ba talaga sila sa Pridyider? Ano ba yung nakakatakot?’
"But when you watch it, mapi-feel mo, 'Ah, kaya pala sila natatakot.’”
Read: Janice de Belen reflects on motherhood as her children move out
The original Shake, Rattle & Roll was released in 1984 and featured three episodes: "Baso," "Manananggal," and "Pridyider."
The popularity of Pridyider eventually led to a full-length film adaptation in 2012, starring Andi Eigenmann, JM de Guzman.
Janice also appeared in the remake as the mother of Andi's character.
Read: PEP REVIEW: Andi Eigenmann offers a complex-yet-subdued performance in Pridyider