A dilapidated building in Boys Town, Marikina City, served
as the hospital of Patient X, the upcoming horror film starring
Richard Gutierrez and Cristine Reyes. Directed by Yam Laranas, this "creature
feature" tells the story of a doctor who struggles to survive attacks by aswangs by cooperating
with another aswang incarcerated in the basement of a hospital.
The horror film, which will open in cinemas starting October 28, is a
joint project of GMA Films & Viva Films. It was also co-produced by Rgutz
Productions (owned by Richard and his siblings).
What were the reactions of Cristine and Richard when they first read the script
of Patient X?
Cristine Reyes reveals that she was scared already by the script of Yam
Laranas' film. "Nung binabasa ko yung script, hindi ko kayang basahin mag-isa.
Binabasa ko siya pag marami akong kasama kasi matatakutin talaga ako. Nung
binabasa ko yung Patient X sa car nang mag-isa, hindi ko kinaya."
For his part, Richard pointed out that it was the perfect project for him.
"Nung first time na binasa ko yung script ni Direk Yam, talagang perfect siya
for me kasi nakakatakot and it's fast-paced. And it's so different from my last
horror movie. Of course, we made certain adjustments in the course of
developing the script. We made the story even better and to make the scares
even bigger. So talagang sinulat namin yung script na nakakatakot at
fast-paced."
A member of the production revealed that when Direk Yam was conceptualizing the
script, he specifically had Richard in mind to play the lead role.
Miriam Quiambao plays Betty, the nurse in charge of patient X, the aswang portrayed by Cristine. Miriam recalls the time when she watched the celebrity premiere night of The Echo. "Nung nanood kami ng The Echo, sobra kaming sigaw kami nang sigaw, tapos paranoid kami at the end of the movie. Tapos pag-uwi ko, paranoid pa rin ako sa bahay.
"Pero ngayon sa Patient X, ang pinanood ko sa dubbing lang. Wala pa yung mga sounds dun, wala pa yung special effects. Sa set pa lang sobra nang pananakot, plus motivated po kaming mga actor...ramdam na ramdam po namin yung takot na nandun sa set, plus meron pang mga multo, plus the makeup, so super motivated kami kasi yung interaction super galing talaga. Kung iko-compare ko po yung yung The Echo I would expect Patient X to be just as thrilling...and it will push you to the edge of your seats. Nagka-nightmares pa nga ako."The former beauty queen also complimented Direk Yam for his organized helming of this production. "Super professional si Direk Yam. Naka-schedule lahat nang maayos. Within one to two hours upon arrival, nagsu-shoot na kami at within 16 hours, tapos na ang shoot."
Richard pointed out that Direk Yam was able to bring out the best in all of them for being so organized. "Si Direk Yam gumagamit ng ibang ilaw at ibang gamit na ngayon ko lang nakita in all my years that I've worked in this industry. May mga ilaw siya na galing pa sa ibang bansa na pinadala niya dito para magamit namin. Pati yung pag-i-ilaw niya at yung camera movements niya, it tells a story."
Did the cast members experience supernatural things while on the set of Patient X?
"May mga nagkukwento rin sa amin na mga staff and crew na may nagpapatay raw ng ilaw sa likod," shares Richard. "Yung isa nakakarinig daw sila ng mga sounds pero, siyempre, para sa amin, parang normal lang naman yun kasi nasa abandoned building kami. Pero kami wala pa kaming na e-experience during that time, but then all of a sudden nung bumisita si Joey Abacan sa set namin nag-picture taking sila at nagkaroon kami ng evidence na meron talagang elements [doon]. May shadow niya, then meron isa pang shadow sa tabi niya. Meron namang nakasilip na mukha. Kinailanagan siguro lang namin tibayan yung loob namin as actors."
SYNOPSIS. After 20 years, local police capture the murderer of the older brother of a young boy. Now a doctor, he must go back to his old town and face the murderers himself. He then discovers that the murderers are aswangs.
Patient X will have its premiere night this Sunday, October 25, at SM Manila. The film will open in cinemas nationwide starting Wednesday, October 28.