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Pagpag, Siyam na Buhay MMFF Entry for 2013

Daniel Padilla Thursday, December 19, 2013

Pagpag Siyam na Buhay is a 2013 Filipino teen horror-suspense film starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. It is the only horror film in the upcoming 39th Metro Manila Film Festival. Back in 1993, Star Cinema teamed up with Mother Lily’s legendary Regal Films in the blockbuster action flick “Adan Ronquillo,” which starred Bong Revilla.

The country’s biggest film outfits, Star Cinema and Regal Films, reunite for this movie after 17 years!

The concept of the movie is based on a Filipino superstitious belief that one should never go home directly after visiting a wake since it risks bringing evil spirits to one's home. One should first shake off (in Filipino, pagpag) whatever curse there may be to avoid being trailed by the soul of the dead.

The beliefs associated with wakes that were explored and violated in the movie are as follow: it is forbidden to go directly home from a funeral; it is forbidden to sweep floors in a wake; it is forbidden for a teardrop to fall on the dead’s coffin; it is forbidden to use the mirror in a wake; it is forbidden to bring home food from the wake; it is forbidden to go to a funeral with a wound; it is forbidden to wipe tears from the dead’s casket; it’s forbidden to spend money intended for the dead; and it is forbidden to accompany visitors to the door as they leave.

“In my family, we believe and practice ‘pagpag.’ Since I was small, we see to it that after going to a wake, we don’t go home directly. We pass by any place, even a gas station bago kami umuwi.” Kathryn said during the Presscon of the movie at Dolphy theater. Kathryn played the role of Leni.

“The movie tackles the age-old conflict of ‘good versus evil’ and it’s so exciting to witness the journey of our characters and see whether or not we will overcome the evil that our characters will face.” Kathryn added.

via abscbn.com

Pairing up with Kathryn is Daniel Padilla who plays the role of Cedric. He said, “‘Pagpag’ is definitely a super scary movie but behind its gripping story is the universal message that love and sacrifice for family truly conquers all.”

Despite Pagpag being a horror movie, Director Frasco said the film will still have it's trademark Kathniel “kilig” moments which their fans can always expect from real life lovebirds. “Ganun pa rin naman, ang Pagpag naman may mga moments na medyo funny, may moments na siyempre na pag si Daniel at Kath may kilig ng konti."

KathNiel also recounted a scary experience after they shoot the movie. They usually don't go home straight, they eat out first or go to a gas station but on that particular day, maybe because they're all tired, they went straight home. Both Kathryn and Daniel experienced something weird at the same time while they were at home. Kathryn said that after taking a shower that night before going to sleep, she blow dried her hair and remembered to turn off the blow drier but automatically, the blow drier turn on by itself. Daniel also had a creepy experienced because most of the people in their house is asleep and someone is whistling at him.

Both of them shared that they believe in the ancient Filipino tradition "Pagpag".

"Ako po talagang naniniwala po ako dahil na-experience namin 'yon. Ang pagpag naman ay di lang kailangan sa burol, pati sa ibang lugar na haunted," Daniel said.

"Naniniwala din po ako sa pagpag kasi ever since bata ako, ganoon ang ginagawa namin kapag pumupunta kami sa isang wake," Kathryn said. "Wala namang masama na sumunod ka eh. Since duwag ako ay talagang pumupunta ako somewhere bago ako umuwi."

via abscbn.com

via abscbn.com

Also starring in “Pagpag” are Paulo Avelino, Shaina Magdayao and Clarence Delgado, with Matet de Leon, Dominic Roque, Miles Ocampo, CJ Navato, Michelle Vito, Janus del Prado and Marvin Yap.

“Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay” will be shown in cinemas nationwide starting Dec. 25.