Pwera Usog Opens March 8 in Cinemas Nationwide under Regal Films
Entertainment Friday, March 03, 2017
ACE writer-director Jason Paul Laxamana trains his pen and directorial skills for Regal Entertainment's upcoming horror offering, "Pwera Usog."
The film, which opens in theaters nationwide on March 8, is a big challenge for Direk Jason compared to previous projects like "Magkakabaung, "Babagwa," "Mercury Is Mine" as well as romantic-comedy assignments "Love is Blind" and "The Third Party."
Luckily, he gets ample support from the mother-daughter team of Lily and Roselle Monteverde in his initial venture into writing and directing a horror movie.
Over the years, Regal has mastered the ropes to the genre.
His most recent release, "Haunted Mansion," was a blockbuster fright film that boasted non-stop scare scenes from start to finish. This year, "Pwera Usog" is touted to be the biggest horror movie as it centers on the Pinoy superstition called "usog."
"Iba siya. Never pa akong gumawa ng horror. Ang challenge 'pag horror, mas precise dapat ang direction mo, ang shots, timing. Kasi dapat proper ang buildup bago mo ma-execute ang moment of horror. Paano mo yugulatin o tatakutin ang mga taong marami nang nakitang horror movies at videos sa internet?" said Direk Jason.
"Pwera Usog" is a barkada movie fit for today's millennial audience.
During the Blogcon of Pwera Usog, the cast together with Direk Jason shared how excited they are for the movie and that they're anticipating how the audience will react
to the movie as well. Direk Jason praised his actors for doing well in this movie.
Lead stars Sofia Andres and Devon Seron are perfect for their roles in the movie.
"Napanood ko na ang ilang auditions na ginawa ni Sofia. No wonder, nandoon ang confidence sa kanyang pag-arte at capable na capable umangat ang kalidad bilang artista. "Wala akong background sa acting ni Devon. Taong grasa ang role niya at nakita kong wala siyang arte na dumihan siya at lagyan ng prosthetics. Natural na natural ang acting niya. "Lahat sila, umakma sa kani-kanilang roles, pati na ang baguhang si Cherise Castro bilang kaibigan ni Sofia.
"Si Eula Valdes namun is a terrific actress. I've been dying to work with her at kahit deglamorized ang role niya, wala siyang pakiaiam. Natupad ang dream ko to work with her," related Direk Jason.
SOFIA Andres, Devon Seron and Cherise Castro, the three female leads of "Pwera Usog," display their acting prowess in the Jason Paul Laxamana movie, which serves as their biggest break on the big screen.
Sofia caught the public eye in the film "Relaks, It's Just Pag-ibig," followed by the romantic teleserye "Forevermore." In "Pwera Usog," Sofia plays Jane, a millennial with a prank channel on the internet. Hatred for her father and insecurity with a sibling lead her to whip up a prank on the net which eventually ends up in total disaster.
According to Direk Jason, Sofia is a confident actress whose admirable talent can take her places.
Devon, meanwhile, was a Pinoy Big Brother housemate who finished Teen Big 4th Placer on finals night. She was part of Haunted Mansion which was a blockbuster fright film. Devon was last seen in the TV series "Be My Lady" and is now part of the "It's Showtime" Girltrends.
In "Pwera Usog," Devon is Luna, a taong grasa possessed by Catalina (Eula Valdes). She roams the streets day in and day out and only gets help from good friend Quintin (Kiko Estrada). Jane pulls a video prank on her one day which exposes her real identity.
"Wala siyang arte sa katawan. Nandoon ang dedication niya upang pagbutihin ang kanyang craft. Napabilib niya ako sa role niya," Direk Jason said of Devon.
Regal baby Cherise, on the other hand, is not just a singer. Producer Roselle Monteverde particularly lauded her performance in "Pwera Usog." Cherise has appeared in other Regal movies and has done an episode for the TV drama "Ipaglaban Mo."
In "Pwera Usog," Cherise is Val, Jane's supposed camerawoman. She and Jane are responsible for the prank videos which resulted in their nasty encounter with the occult.
As for the more senior actress Eula, Direk Jason said it has been his dream to work with her in a project.
Albie Casino
Kiko Estrada
Joseph Marco
Also in the cast of this year's biggest horror movie are Joseph Marco, Albie Casino and Kiko Estrada. Other senior cast includes Aiko Melendez and Rommel Padilla.
"Pwera Usog" will certainly sit well with today's millennial crowd whose love affair with modern technology makes them forget all about Pinoy superstitious beliefs.
Check out the Blogcon of Pwera Usog:
"Pwera Usog" teaser and trailer already earned 5M views, shares and likes on initial days of posting. "Definitely, "Pwera Usog" is a fun horror movie for today's generation whose lives are, at times, recklessly centered more on technology.
Pwera Usog Opens March 8 in cinemas nationwide! Follow Regal Entertainment Inc. official Facebook - Regal Entertainment Inc., Twitter - @regalfilms, Instagram - @regalfilms50, Youtube - Regal Entertainment Inc. for updates on Pwera Usog.
