Director Darryl Yap reveals what controversial 'Tililing' really means

From the director of “Jowable” and “Paglaki Ko, Gusto Kong Maging Pornstar,” Darryl Yap, comes another intriguing movie titled “Tililing.”

During the virtual digital media conference held earlier today, Direk Darryl shared what the controversial title really means. “Ang title po talaga, ako ang nag-isip. Ang title po maraming ibig sabihin pero matapang ko pong sasabihin na yung tililing na yan may tatlong ibig sabihin. Una ‘yung tililing na tunog ng maliit na kampana. Pangalawa, tililing na tumutukoy sa panlalait ng ibang tao sa mga may nararamdaman o karamdaman sa pag-iisip. At pangatlo naman po ay tililing na tungkol sa trigger. ‘Yung kapag narinig ay may maaalala. So it’s like ringing a bell. It’s for the people who are being humiliated for their mental state. So, tatlo po ang ibig sabihin.” Mediacon host Giselle Sanchez chimed in, “Maybe that’s also explains the Mamang Sorbetero [soundtrack] in the trailer.”

The controversial director also said he considers it his mission to place the viewers in a place of discomfort and attempt to normalize the discussion of sensitive topics. “Ako po ay sumusubok gumawa ng mga pelikulang malapit sa katotohan para sa aking mga kaedad, Kung tatanungin po ako kung ano ang misyon ko, ‘yun po ay ang ilagay ang lahat ng manonood sa mga posisyong alanganin ang kanilang pakiramdam. I mean, for me, my film goal will always be to put people in their inconvenience through great artists,” he told Manila Times entertainment editor Tessa Mauricio-Arriola.

“Simula noong magtrabaho ako sa Viva, ang aking hinihingi ay makatrabaho ang mga artistang pinaniniwalaan kong kayang maging instrumento sa anumang script o kuwento na meron ako,” Direk Darryl elaborated on the kind of filmmaking he pursues. He also added, “I always want to say na my films are new because people in the industry always promise something new. But then, not to be very mayabang, but their new is not new enough.”

“I keep on saying that these films, kaya sila maingay, kaya sila kontrobersyal, kasi siguro bago, siguro dahil hindi pa natatalakay. Siguro dahil masyadong magaspang at malakas ang dating,” Direk Darryl directly addressed the issue on his films being constantly subjected to criticism. “‘Yun po ‘yung vision ko, ang maging normal sa ating kultura na talakayin ang katotohanan, maging sa pinilakang-tabing.”

Yumi Lacsamana, Baron Geisler, Donnalyn Bartolome, Candy Pangilinan, Gina Pareño, and Chad Kinis

“Sino ba ang normal? Sino ba ang totoong baliw?” These are the lingering questions the film will try to address. The story revovles around three interns Maricel (Candy Pangilinan), Espie (Donnalyn Bartolome) and Jessa (Yumi Lacsamana) assigned in an asylum. The three will meet patients Socorro (Gina Pareño), a comfort woman; Peter (Baron Geisler), an orphan; and Bernie (Chad Kinis), an arsonist. When their lives get intertwined, confusion will ensue and the three interns will begin to question if the ones with “tililing” are the patients or themselves.

Tililing promises a genre-bending story that combines new and veteran artists. .The mix includes Gina Pareño, Baron Geisler and Candy Pangilinan who worked with young and promising ones like Donnalyn Bartolome, Yumi Lacsamana and Chad Kinis. Each cast member gamely took on a challenging role.

Given its intriguing and viral promotional materials, the movie teaser alone earned more than 1 million views on Facebook. Upon the release of its official movie trailer, the material also raked in 1 million views in less than 24 hours. As of this writing, the trailer has more than 2.4 million views and 42,000 shares on the social media platform. The film, with all the hype it has formed, also made it to Twitter’s trending topics.