''Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B'' () is a 2016

Philippine The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...

romantic

gore Gore may refer to: Places Australia * Gore, Queensland * Gore Creek (New South Wales) * Gore Island (Queensland) Canada * Gore, Nova Scotia, a rural community * Gore, Quebec, a township municipality * Gore Bay, Ontario, a township on Manitouli ...

independent film An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies (or, i ...

directed by Prime Cruz under The IdeaFirst Company and starred Ryza Cenon, Martin del Rosario, Cholo Barretto, and Vangie Labalan.

Synopsis

Jewel (Ryza Cenon) is a lonely woman secretly a

manananggal The ''manananggal'' is a mythical creature in the Philippines that separates from their lower part of its body and their fangs and wings give it a vampire-like appearance. Mythology The ''manananggal'' is described as scary, often hideous, u ...

who falls in love with Nico (

Martin del Rosario Martin Miguel Mangay del Rosario (born November 25, 1992) is a Filipino actor and model who is known for his portrayal of Norberto Matias in the 2011 drama series ''Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin'', as Severino Monzon in the TV adaptation of '' Pintad ...

), a heartbroken man who also has a low self-esteem like her. She is puzzled between allowing herself to love Nico or saving him from herself.

Cast

* Ryza Cenon as Jewel *

as Nico *Cholo Barretto *

Vangie Labalan Maria Cristina Labalan (born January 20, 1945, in Bacolod, Negros Occidental), known professionally as Vangie Labalan is a Filipina actress, comedian, acting coach, and voice actress. Life Maria Cristina Labalan was born on January 20 in Bacol ...

Production

''Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B'' which had a genre described as "Romantic Gore" was directed by Prime Cruz and written by Jen Chuaunsu and was produced under The IdeaFirst Company. Prime wanted to make a film revolving around the local folklore creature, the

. Jen Chuaunsu said that the production team wanted to create a film where the mananaggal is the protagonist instead of the antagonist as usually portrayed in film. Chuausnu who made a research on the folklore creature said that the particular character in ''Manananggal'' was added with human characteristic in an effort to make the supernatural more relatable. Sex scenes were shot for the ''Manananggal'': the character of Cenon masturbating and sex between the characters of Cenon and Cholo Barretto. Cenon's portrayal in the film is considered as her first "mature" role and was initially hesitant to do the scenes. She considered the masturbation scene as easier to make since she was alone compared with her scene with Barretto. The two scenes were shot a day each and the production staff - the camera and lighting crew involved in the scenes were all women. The makers of ''Manananggal'' weighed in the reception of those who watch the film at the QC Cinema International Film Festival and made edits and shot additional scenes before it was screened at the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

Release

''Manananggal'' had its first release at the 2016 QCinema International Film Festival which ran from October 13–22, 2016 as one of the official entries of the film festival. The film had its first commercial release on August 16, 2017, as one of the twelve official entries at the 2017 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

Reception

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Manananggal sa Unit 23B Philippine romantic horror films Philippine erotic horror films 2016 films