It’s Halloween season again and unlike West side countries, Filipinos spend this holiday with their families and relatives. It is the time when family members from provinces would go home and gather together just like a reunion. Cemeteries began to be filled with flowers and colorful candles on the top of every graves. Even mall are decorated with webs and spiders on their ceilings to blend with the Halloween. TV Networks would have their special scary episodes and sometimes they would feature horror movies locally and abroad.
Filipino horror films sometimes get a bad audience’s and viewers’ reception due to cliche storyline and predictable acting but with the help of these good directors, this movie genre began to take the limelight with claps and cheers.
Here is my list for the top Pinoy horror films directors:
Top 5: Jose Javier Reyes
Direk Jose Javier Reyes did several horror movies that caught the attention of the brave hearts of the Filipinos. One of the most notable films he did was, “The Spirit of The Glass” movie in 2004 starring Rica Peralejo, Marvin Agustin and Dingdong Dantes. The movie will be having its sequel this year topbilled by Cristine Reyes, Daniel Matsunaga, Benjamin Alves, Maxine Medina, Ashley Ortega and Enrico Cuenca.
The 63-year old award-winning director also helmed the movies, “Kutob,” “Shake, Rattle and Roll V”, and ” Dilim.”
Top 4: Yam Lanaras
Yam Lanaras is not just a local Pinoy horror movie director but he also made spot in the Hollywood. One of the most acclaimed horror movie of Direk Yam is the GMA Films’ “The Road” which featured the brightest stars of GMA Network. The movie had its commercial screening the United States, this made them as the first movie to be commercially released in America.
On the other hand, his horror movie “Sigaw” with Angel Locsin and Richard Gutierrez had a English remake (The Echo), starring Jesse Bradford. Aside from those movies, he also did “Patient X” with Richard Gutierrez and Cristine Reyes.
Top 3: Topel Lee
“T2”, “Ouija,” “Amorosa,” “Basement,” “Tumbok” and “Sundo” were some of the works of Direk Topel Lee. He did more horror-themed series and movie than any other genre. In television, he helmed the GMA Network’s “Dormitoryo” starring Lauren Young. He also did the suspense-thriller series, “La Vendetta” of Jean Garcia and Sunshine Dizon.
Direk Topel proved himself as one of the pillars of Pinoy horror movies in this generation. His last movie is the Star Cinema’s “Bloody Crayons” starred by the young stars of Kapamilya network.
Top 2: Erik Matti
Erik Matti has its own style and design in directing a horror films. One of the most memorable films is the “Aswang Chronicles”, both Tiktik and Kubot series was starred by Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes. The movie series showcase different way of bringing goosebumps and loud screams. With the help of technology, Erick Matti perfectly caught the millennial viewers with hi-tech approach.
Erik Matti also directed the MMFF 2016 entry, “Seklusyon” which received positive reviews and a box-office hit.
Top 1: Chito S. Roño
Direk Chito S. Roño is the one who gave the Horror Queen title to Queen Of All Media Kris Aquino. The movies such as “Feng Shui 1 & 2, and “Sukob” whick both starred by Kris Aquino is box-office hit and critically-acclaimed. He also directed Star For All Season Vilma Santos in the movie, “The Healing” alongside Kim Chiu.
Roño became the pillar of horror films with his movie “Patayin Sa Sindak Si Barbara,” and followed by movies such as “Spirit Warriors,” “Imortal,” “Shake Rattle and Roll 14,” and “Bulong.”
Currently, his new movie “The Ghost Bride” with Kim Chiu will be out on Cinemas this November.
It is indeed Filipino horror directors can be world-class with their own style and design.
Who is your favorite Pinoy horror director? Comment below!
