PEP: Sundo terrifies viewers on premiere night

As early as 6 p.m. yesterday, March 17, fans were lined up at Barrio Fiesta in SM Megamall to catch a glimpse of the cast members of "Sundo". The stars first ate dinner and met with the members of the press before gracing the red-carpet premiere of this horror film produced by GMA Films. According to publicity and promo head Noel Ferrer, "Sundo" is rated PG 13 by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board and graded B by the Cinema Evaluation Board. This film, which features Death chasing its victims, is directed by Topel Lee who previously directed another horror movie Ouija. The stars of "Sundo" - Robin Padilla, Sunshine Dizon, Rhian Ramos, and Hero Angeles - went to the restaurant to talk about their film. PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) took this opportunity to ask Robin about his experience while shooting this horror film. This is not his first horror film since he started his career by starring in this genre, Robin clarified. "Ako po'y nagsimula sa horror. 'Pinoy Thriller', 'Regal Shocker'...nagkataon lang na ako ang demonyo noon! Ngayon, ako yung kalaban ng demonyo. Pangalawa ko na ito kasi ang una ko yung horror film, yung 'Kulimlim' (2004), kung saan ako yung demonyo." How did he change his style from being an action star to someone being haunted by ghosts? "Actor's director ako, e. Lagi kong sinusunod yung sinasabi ng director. Pag may nakita siyang mali, susundin ko 'yun. Inaarte muna ni Topel. Kasi kung hindi niya iaarte, hindi ko magagawa. Lahat itinuturo niya, body movement, 'yung tingin. Artista 'yun [referring to Topel] kaya magaling na director yun!" Robin also revealed why he accepted this project in the first place. "Nagkataon na tinanggap ko ang project kasi may mga experience na nakakakita talaga ako. Sa Bilibid [where he was imprisoned], may nakikita akong bata na naglalaro. Bakit magkakaroon ng bata sa kulungan? Kahit noong ginagawa itong 'Sundo', may nakikita sila, 'yung mga staff. Buti na lang hindi ako. Si Sunshine [Dizon], meron siyang picture na meron siyang puti dito [points to the back of the head], ang laki-laki! Saan manggagaling 'yung puti na yun? CGI?" Sunshine later told PEP that she and her companion did not notice anything unusual when that particular photo was taken on location in Baguio City. STAR-STUDDED. The arrival of Robin's daughter, Queenie and Kylie, caused a stir among photographers who wanted to take pictures of the lovely girls with their celebrity father. Even Iza Calzado [who had a brief but memorable cameo role in 'Sundo'] also went to Barrio Fiesta to chat briefly with the media regarding her upcoming project with GMA Films. Among those spotted by PEP during the premiere night were Mark Herras, Ryza Cenon, Chariz Solomon, LJ Reyes, Raymond Gutierrez, and Ara Mina [who was cast as Robin Padilla's wife in the GMA-7 teleserye Totoy Bato]. Also present during the event were Katrina Halili, who played one of the passengers being chased by Death in the movie; Hero Angeles; and Rhian Ramos. Prior to the screening, Robin addressed the crowd inside Cinema 10 of SM Megamall. He said, "Maraming salamat sa inyong pagdalo lalo na sa aking mga mahal na anak, ang aking nanay [Eva Cariño]. Ngayon po namin nalaman na pag nakakatakot na pelikula, ang daming gustong manood." Sunshine also spoke briefly and told the audience: "Sabay-sabay tayong manood at matakot. Yakapin n'yo and pinakamamahal n'yo habang natatakot tayo ng Sundo." True enough, audience members kept screaming during the screening of the film, which features excellent audio since it uses Dolby 5.1 technology. "Sundo" is now showing in cinemas nationwide. - Philippine Entertainment Portal