“Philippine cinema is not dead”

This is according to the producers of Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles, Dondon Monteverde, Erik Matti (who also its director) and Dingdong Dantes (the movie’s lead actor) who invested some P80-million

for the project. They acknowledge that the expensive endeavor is very challenging as it also took a whole year to complete, but “worthwhile.”

“Challenge talaga kasi it’s a step forward in movie-making in our country. Makikita na Filipinos can do movies like this pala. Lahat ng mga sceneries, and the creatures na makikita ninyo CGI, and the actors sa green screen kinunan. They are interacting with something they are not seeing,” explained Dondon Monteverde.

Director Erik Matti added, “Some people say that the industry is dead. We feel that it’s not. The audience is just there. They’re just waiting for something fresh and exciting that will give them value for their money.”

He believes the movie, which opened on October 17, will be a “game changer” in the local film industry. As to why they chose “aswangs” to be the subject of their first collective project, Monteverde replied that the supernatural being is very prominent in the Filipino culture.

“We made sure na all-Pinoy ito. Tiktik is one of our cultural advocacies. We want to advocate the folklore of the Filipinos; kung anong pinapaniwalaan ng mga ancestors natin, so expect more “creature” movies based on our folklores,” he ended.

Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles” is a collaboration of Reality Entertainment, Agosto Dos Pictures, GMA Films, Post Manila, and Mothership. It is now showing in theaters nationwide.