14/05/2026
Recollections of a film buff & SOFIA member, Ronald Rios, on “Alapaap (1984):”
“Discovering this film as a kid growing up in the ‘80s was a surreal and a total blast. Imagine, a double bill feature with Peque Gallaga’s VIRGIN FOREST in a theatre just a stone’s throw away in our home town. Literally, sinehan sa may kanto.
Tata Esteban, who designed the cult classics PEDRO TUNASAN & SNAKE SISTERS under Celso Ad Castillo, managed to create a visual treat with genuine horror. ALAPAAP is a journey into the rarefied and convoluted world of Jake Vergara (William Martinez) with the help of his two friends, Dave (Mark Gil) and Donald (Michael de Mesa) who are filmbuffs while they encounter the ghost of a woman named Baeg (Tanya Gomez) in an old house in Baguio. The group’s stay at the old house is punctuated by mysterious incidents and weird experiences, suggesting that Baeg’s soul is wreaking havoc on them. The series of events and incidents are more of a grotesque nature that reminds me of Brian de Palma’s CARRIE. A hair blower that rips apart thru the face of Christine (Eva Rose Palma); a dog kills and eats the body of a woman; the mummified body of Baeg occasionally appears and threatens the group inside the house.
Most impressive among the cast is Ed Villapol as the father of Baeg. Villapol can turn any role excellently whether comic, villain, or supporting. Tata Esteban managed to create a cult classic that has three genres—sex, horror, and suspense.”
Screening this Saturday at 3:00PM.
