''Tiyanak'' is a 1988 Filipino

horror film Horror is a film genre that seeks to elicit fear or disgust in its audience for entertainment purposes. Horror films often explore dark subject matter and may deal with transgressive topics or themes. Broad elements include monsters, apoca ...

directed by

Peque Gallaga Maurice Ruiz de Luzuriaga Gallaga (August 25, 1943 – May 7, 2020), better known as Peque Gallaga, was a multi-awarded Filipino people, Filipino film-maker. His most significant achievement in film was ''Oro, Plata, Mata'', which he directed aft ...

and Lorenzo A. Reyes and co-written by Gallaga, Reyes, and

Don Escudero Placido Escudero, known as Don Escudero, was a Filipino movie writer, actor, and director. Life and career Escudero was born on January 27, 1955, in Tiaong, Quezon. He graduated from De La Salle University, San Juan. He started in entertainment ...

, based on the mythical creature of the same name. It stars Janice de Belen,

Lotlot de Leon Charlotte Jennifer Villamayor de Leon El Soury (born February 16, 1971), known professionally as Lotlot de Leon, is a Filipino actress. Career She was a member of '' That's Entertainment'', along with Ramon "Monching" Christopher as her love-t ...

, Ramon Christopher,

Mary Walter Mary Walter (September 10, 1912 – February 25, 1993) was a Filipina actress whose eight decade-long film acting career saw her transformation from a romantic lead in the silent film era into a wizened fixture in horror movies in the late 1 ...

Chuckie Dreyfus Chuckie Dreyfus (; born Charles de Joya Dreyfus on August 7, 1974) is a Filipino film actor. He received his first award as Best Child Performer 1984 at the Metro Manila Film Festival, won the FAMAS Award 1985 for Best Child Actor in the film ' ...

, Carmina Villaroel, Rudolph Yaptinchay, and Smokey Manaloto. ''Tiyanak'' was released by

Regal Films Regal Entertainment, Inc. (formerly and more commonly known as Regal Films) is a Philippine film production company based in Pasig. It was founded by Lily Monteverde on August 19, 1962. It has produced movies of all genres; and is the oldest s ...

on September 15, 1988. Though other critics were disappointed with the film, ''Tiyanak'' received praise from

Lav Diaz Lavrente Indico Anciro Diaz (born December 30, 1958) is a Filipino independent filmmaker and former film critic. Frequently known as one of the key members of the slow cinema movement, having made several of the longest narrative films on recor ...

for being remarkably frightening. Eduardo Jacinto won the Film Academy of the Philippines Award for Best Cinematography.

Cast

* Janice de Belen as Julie *

as Christie * Ramon Christopher as Jojo *

as Aries * Carmina Villaroel as Monica *

Rudolph Yaptinchay Rudolph or Rudolf may refer to: People * Rudolph (name), the given name including a list of people with the name Religious figures * Rudolf of Fulda (died 865), 9th century monk, writer and theologian * Rudolf von Habsburg-Lothringen (1788� ...

as Mars * Smokey Manaloto *

Bella Flores Remedios Papa Dancel (February 27, 1929 – May 19, 2013), commonly known as Bella Flores, was a Filipina actress. She was best known for her "iconic" portrayals of film villains. She is popularly referred as the original “Queen of Kontrabida ...

*Betty Mae Piccio *Eva Ramos *Suzanne Gonzales *Mae Ann Adonis *Bonafe *

Zorayda Sanchez Zorayda Sanchez (June 28, 1951 – August 27, 2008) was a Filipino comedian, actress, television and film scriptwriter. Personal life She was a single mom with one daughter, Alexis Joyce whom she had with actor Dax Rivera. Education She graduat ...

as Telyang Bayawak

Critical response

The film received negative reviews from critics. Mario Hernando, film critic for the television program ''Movie Magazine'', gave the film two stars out of five. Meg Mendoza of the ''

Manila Standard The ''Manila Standard'' is a broadsheet newspaper in the Philippines. , it is owned by the Romualdez family. The Romualdezes, through incumbent speaker of the House Martin Romualdez, also own Journal Publications, Inc., the owner of tabloid p ...

'' was more negative, writing that the film had predictable and manipulative horror scenes, as well as tedious pacing, though she commended the special effects and the performances of Villaroel and Manaloto. Overall, Mendoza expressed disappointment, stating that "we could hardly believe it was directed by award-winning director Peque Gallaga, who gave us the magnum opus ''

Oro, Plata, Mata ''Oro, Plata, Mata'' ( es, Gold, Silver, Death) is a 1982 Philippine historical war drama film directed by Peque Gallaga, from a story by Peque Gallaga, Mario Taguiwalo, and Conchita Castillo and screenplay by José Javier Reyes. The film is cons ...

''. However,

, who also wrote for the ''Manila Standard'', gave high praises to the film, stating that "films like ''Tiyanak'', even when it is horror, are the ones that will save or contribute quality to the development of Filipino cinema.... One thing that elevates this film is its success in achieving its ambition – to scare.

t is T, or t, is the twentieth letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''tee'' (pronounced ), plural ''tees''. It is der ...

really scary." In 2000, historian

Ambeth Ocampo Ambeth R. Ocampo (born 1961 in Manila) is a Filipino public historian, academic, cultural administrator, journalist, author, and independent curator. He is best known for his definitive writings about Philippines' national hero José Rizal and o ...

stated that " 'Tiyanak''is a horror film so camp and funny it is downright memorable."

Accolades

References

External links

* * 1988 films 1988 horror films Filipino-language films Films directed by Peque Gallaga Films shot in Laguna (province) Philippine horror films Regal Entertainment films Films directed by Lore Reyes {{1980s-horror-film-stub