After helming the horror film Ouija (2007)
for GMA Films, Topel Lee once again directs mainstream stars for a movie that
promises to be just as hair-raising as his first full-length film. Just like
his first film, Direk Topel uses beliefs from Philippine folklore to explore
supernatural events in the life of a ex-military man (played by Robin Padilla).
Direk Topel explains why they chose Sundo for the title of the movie by
saying, "Ito yung sinasabi na yung mga taong malapit nang mamatay, usually may
nakikita silang tao o relative bago mamatay. Yun yung kasabihan ng mga
matatanda."
When asked to describe the most difficult scene that they did for Sundo,
the young director narrated, "Yung car accident scene namin, kasi muntik na
mamatay yung stunt man namin. Nag-cave in yung ceiling ng kotse kasi hindi
nalagyan ng steel bar!"
Sundo will open in cinemas nationwide on March 18, 2009. It will
have its premiere at SM Megamall on March 17, 2009.
SYNOPSIS. Gary (Robin Padilla) and his men are ambushed in a military
operation. Gary almost gets killed but wakes up after staying in coma for
several days. His life will never be the same again. He resigns from the
military and goes into seclusion in their Baguio ancestral house after
realizing that he now has a supernatural gift.
The ex-military man is shaken by his visions but
he can only see ghosts around people who will soon encounter sudden, tragic
deaths. And there is one constant apparition that caps his vision whenever he
sees ghosts—that of a really tall and thin woman, horrid and menacing.
Gary's blind sister, Isabel (Rhian Ramos), seeks
help from one of her and Gary's childhood friends named Louella (Sunshine
Dizon) who happens to be a medical doctor. She uses Isabel's blindness as an
excuse to bring Gary out of his seclusion. They travel from Baguio to Manila so
Isabel can see a doctor.
An aspiring actress named Kristina (Katrina
Halili), a widow, Lumen, and her son, Eric, travel with them to Manila along
with Louella's driver, Baste (Mark Bautista). The group avoids a tragic
accident on the road but soon the passengers begin dying, one by one, each
through a violent death.
Gary eventually figures out that the ghosts he
sees are ghost of the dead relatives of people who are about to die tragically.
He uses this knowledge to save people from their imminent deaths yet the tall,
thin female ghost still becomes a relentless sight in his encounters.
Soon, Gary learns that the woman is the spirit
of tragedy, a malevolent force that is responsible for many tragic deaths. When
one is supposed to die from one tragedy and survives, the spirit will haunt the
survivor until she eventually succeeds.
Gary, Louella, and Isabel now face the biggest fight of
their lives. How will they defeat the wrath of the evil spirit and survive the
constant threat of death in their lives?
Cast members:
Gary (Robin Padilla) - a military operative who resigns from his job after a near-death encounter, which triggered the opening of his mystic eye allowing him to see ghosts.
Louella (Sunshine Dizon) - Gary's childhood
friend, a doctor who tries to help Gary out and harbors affection for
him.
Isabel (Rhian Ramos) - Gary's younger sister,
blind and frail, is suddenly haunted by the death of the people around her.
Kristina (Katrina Halili) - an aspiring actress
who hitches a ride with Gary not knowing of the tragic fate that awaits her.
Baste (Mark Bautista) - Louella's loyal driver
whom Gary tries to save.
Lumen -
Louella's neighbor whose husband just died.
Eric (Hero Angeles) - Lumen's son, who is
haunted by the sudden death of both his parents.
Elma (Angie Floro) -a survivor of a massacre
whom Gary discovers has the same gift as him.
Kamatayan (Vanessa) - the tall, lanky and thin
spirit who orchestrates the death of everyone.
Menggay (Mely Tagasa) - Gary's trusted help in
the Baguio household.
Mercedes (Jaclyn Jose)
Kristina's Mom - Rina Reyes
Trailer courtesy of GMA Films