As a native of Samar, Chito Roño has heard a lot of stories
about supernatural creatures, especially those pertaining to engkantos.
But one incident that stood out for him helped him visualize these enchanted
creatures in his upcoming horror-drama film titled T2.
"Grade school kami nun," recalls Direk Chito during the
press conference of T2. "Nagpa-picture yung mga teacher nung matatapos
na yung taon. Tapos yung picture na yun, may lumabas na nakalutang na babae.
Mahaba ang buhok, nakaputi, yun ang naging inspiration namin dito sa movie.
Naretain sa utak ko yung itsura...Pilipinang-Pilipina ang itsura. Mahaba ang
buhok na nakaputi at nakalutang talaga siya."
There are plenty of anecdotes of people being abducted and taken to the engkanto
world. Direk Chito points out why humans are very fascinated by the
existence of such a supernatural world.
"Kaya tayo na-a-attract sa mundo nila, it looks like a better place...a far, far
better place than our world. Kasi walang nagkakasakit, walang naghihirap, lahat
masaya pero siyempre may kapalit yun. Alam natin kung may dilim, may liwanag."
He also explained that they based this movie on research conducted among people
who claim to have reached the world of the engkantos.
"Base sa mga statements ng mga tao, dun ko binase ang mga engkanto dito.
Binase namin sa mga claims ng mga tao, may ginayuma...Ito ang mga engkanto na
base sa kuwento ng mga tao sa probinsiya."
This Star Cinema movie marks the movie debut of Mica dela Cruz. PEP (Philippine
Entertainment Portal) asked the 10-year-old child star to share her thoughts on
being part of this film, which also stars Diamond Star Maricel Soriano.
"Actually, nahirapan po ako sa mga crying scenes, ang hirap po kasi
mag-motivate [sa sarili]. Pero pag nasanay na kayo na halos every week,
nagmo-motivate, nasanay na rin po ako."
What does she think about to motivate herself to cry? "Iniisip ko po na ang
family ko namatay lahat para yung emotion ko, mabigay ko lahat."
What is the most difficult scene that she had to for T2?
"Dalawa po, e. Una, yung eksena na
umiiyak ako sa engkanto world. Ayaw kasi ni Direk na [overacting na] iyak, kasi
pumapangit. Dapat ganito lang, tumutulo lang ang luha, dun po ako nahirapan.
Meron pa pong isa, madaling araw na namin nakunan. Dapat daw natutulog ako
tapos bigla akong magigising at dapat tumutulo na yung luha," narrates the
young actress who won as runner-up in ABS-CBN's Star Circle Summer Kid Quest.
T2 also marks the return of another lovely face on the big screen:
Camille Prats. She considers this film as a milestone for her career since it is her first time to work with the Diamond Star.
During the presscon, she expressed her gratitude for
being handpicked by Direk Chito to take part in this film. "Siyempre, I was very
happy nung sinabi nga sa ‘kin that I'll be a part of the movie. Kasi unang-una,
fan naman ako ng lahat ng movies na ginawa ni Direk mula nung sa Feng Shui hanggang
Sukob—lahat 'yan napanood ko.
"Pangalawa naman, this is the first time na nakatrabaho ko si Inay [Maricel]
and I really had fun. Sobrang saya namin kasi, so parang ang sarap-sarap lang
nung feeling na kasama ka sa ganitong klase ng proyekto, na ganito kalaki...For
me, malaking pasasalamat na napili ako to be a part of this movie," says the actress.
Maricel had previously worked with Direk Chito for the crime thriller Dahas (1995)
but this time, they worked on the horror-drama T2. What differences did
she observe while working with the acclaimed director? "Sabi ko, wala kaming
kupas dalawa. Parang may love team kami," quips Ms. Maricel.
The actress animatedly describes what she did for this film: "Wala kaming ginawa kundi tumakbo, bumalik ng
hagdanan, hingalin, umiyak at matakot."
Does she feel pressured that her film should do well in the box-office? "Alam
mo, sinusurrender ko na ‘yan kay Lord. Kahit yung last movie namin ni Aga
[Muhlach in A Love Story], lahat namin in-offer namin sa Diyos, na Siya
nang bahala."
SYNOPSIS. T2 is the story of Claire (Maricel Soriano), a woman who
is still reeling from her break-up with her husband Jeremy (Derek Ramsay). As a
volunteer for the Save an Orphan Foundation, Claire is tasked to reunite
orphans with their relatives. She meets the young Angeli (Mica dela Cruz) and
agrees to bring her to her aunt. Accompanied by a fellow volunteer named Elias
(Eric Fructuoso), Claire brings the young girl to a run-down building called Tenement 2 (hence the name of
the movie). They start experiencing strange occurences as they unravel the true
identity of Angeli.
How will Claire and her companions escape the engkanto world that they
inadvertently entered? Will Angeli be reunited with her true parents?
Find out the answers when Star Cinema's T2 opens in cinemas nationwide
starting April 11.
Trailer courtesy of Star Cinema