Gillian Vicencio bags first lead role in a movie; Is she ready for daring roles?
The Philippine movie industry has long been recognized for its romantic comedies and dramas, but there’s an observable growing appetite for action-packed and suspenseful narratives. Audiences are beginning to embrace more diverse genres, with a clear demand for thrillers, horror, and adventure films. This shift is paving the way for new talents and stories that cater to an audience eager for something beyond the usual.
Young actress Gillian Vicencio is stepping into the spotlight with her first lead role in the upcoming slasher film Talahib. While she’s understandably nervous about the film’s reception, Gillian is hopeful that viewers will connect with the deeper themes within the chilling narrative.
Direk Alvin Yapan with other members of the cast
“Excited! Kinakabahan, kasi first ever lead role ko to, slasher film, sana magustuhan ng mga tao yung pelikula namin kasi hindi lang siya slasher film,” Gillian said. She emphasized that the movie has a deeper message and every project presents a unique challenge. “Hindi siya ganoon kadali gawin talaga kasi kinikilala mo pa rin talaga yung character. Nakakatuwa lang talaga na iba-ibang genre,” she explained.
Kristof Garcia and Gillian
‘Talahib’: More Than Just a Slasher
Directed and written by Alvin Yapan, Talahib promises more than just the typical thrills of a slasher film. The title itself, referring to a type of grassland often associated with dark events in Filipino folklore, hints at the film’s exploration of cultural fears and superstitions.
Direk Alvin revealed that the veteran actress Irma Adlawan recommended Vicencio for the lead role. “Recommended siya [Gillian] ni Irma Adlawan. Si Irma kasi lagi ko kinukuha because we have a rapport as director and actor. Tapos sabi ko sa kanya yung role na hinahanap ko mas bata, so nirecommend niya si Gillian. Revelation,” the director shared. He added that he is bent on tapping Gillian again for future projects.
Direk Alvin’s inspiration for Talahib stemmed from his desire to explore how Filipinos experience fear. As Gillian said, the movie was made in order to address a question in the director’s mind — Bakit ba nakakatakot sa talahiban? “Ang gusto ko kasi gawin dito ay pag-aralan talaga yung takot ng mga Pinoy bilang isang kultura. Kapag nasabing talahiban, isa ito sa mga lugar kung saan madaming natatagpuang pinapatay, natatapon, andaming krimen na nangyayari,” Direk Alvin explained.
“Unang-una sa sementeryo rin ‘yun eh, ‘yung mga talahib. Tapos, medyo masakit ‘yung mga talahib sa skin,” Gillian said, sharing one of the most challenging scenes – a nighttime chase through cold, blood-soaked grasslands in Antipolo. “Most challenging siguro ‘yung pagtakbo sa gabi, malamig, at duguan sa talahib,” she detailed. Asked if she’s now ready to take on daring and risqué roles, Gillian jokingly responded by asking, “Kaya ba?!” She then confirmed, “Kaya!”
‘Talahib’ at Sinag Maynila 2024
Talahib is part of the Sinag Maynila 2024 Film Festival, which began on September 4 and will run until September 10, 2024. You can catch the film in the following venues: Gateway Cineplex 18, Robinsons Galleria Ortigas, Robinsons Manila, SM Fairview, SM Mall of Asia, SM Manila, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM Southmall, SM Sta. Mesa, and Market! Market!
Tickets are available at the cinema ticket booths or go to https://www.smcinema.com , https://www.sureseats.com , https://www.gatewaycineplex18.com/.
What ‘Talahib’ is about:
In the vein of classic slasher films like A Nightmare on Elm Street and other local horror movies, Talahib tells the story of a ghost killer who targets unsuspecting victims passing through the talahib in an abandoned subdivision. Their bodies are always found asphyxiated before being discarded in the same talahib.
The narrative unfolds from the perspective of PO2 Bong, the police investigator. Initially skeptical of the supernatural, Bong’s beliefs are challenged when he has a close encounter with the killer, even shooting him at close range.
Bong’s doubts deepen when he encounters a group of friends in their 20s and early 30s conducting a supposed spirit quest in the talahib. The group, led by Mario, includes Vernie, Paul, Patrick, Ria, and Joyce. It turns out that these friends are the children of the people who killed the ghost killer (formerly a hired assassin) and buried his body in the subdivision’s talahib. Now, they’re attempting to exhume the body to stop the violence.
However, the ghost killer, relishing his murderous ways even in the afterlife, won’t let them. He picks off the friends one by one, leaving only Joyce alive. The film becomes a series of heart-pounding chase scenes through the seemingly sentient, blood-soaked grasslands of the talahib.
To protect Joyce, Bong and his partner, PInsp. Roman, encounter a mysterious character named Stephen, who’s found loitering in the talahib. Bong initially suspects Stephen is feigning mental instability, but it’s revealed that Stephen is the son of the real estate mogul who once employed the killer for assassinations. Stephen holds the key to unraveling the ghost killer’s origin story.
Talahib explores themes of forgiveness and the cyclical nature of violence, passed down from one generation to the next.
