MANILA, Philippines -- Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos revealed why she hand-picked young actress Kim Chiu to co-star with her in the horror-suspense film "The Healing."
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| Vilma Santos and Kim Chiu. File photo |
Directed by Chito Roño, "The Healing" marks Santos' 50th anniversary in show business. For the special big-screen outing, the woman dubbed "Star for All Seasons" said she especially chose Chiu among the the "new breed" of local superstars.
"This one, 'yung kay Kim, special request ko 'to. When I read the script, ang sinabi nila, 'May kasama ka dito, naito 'yung role niya. Sino sa mga new breed of superstars natin ang gusto mo makasama?' And then nagbigay sila ng pangalan and I chose Kim," Santos said.
Santos enthused that the horror starrer is a departure from Chiu's usual portrayals.
"Si Kim, ano eh, fresh, plus the fact 'yung role magugulat ho kayo kasi hindi ito love team-love team, 'yung Kim na madalas natin makita, 'yung pa-sweet na may love team. Iba ho si Kim dito, kaya perfect 'yung challenge na ito for her," Santos said.
Chiu shares the same sentiment. According to the "Binondo Girl" star, her role in the "The Healing" is by far her most challenging.
"Sa buong six years ko sa industriyang 'to, ngayon ko lang 'to gagawin. Ngayon ko lang ginawa ang ganitong klaseng character, and sana magustuhan nila at ma-appreciate nila 'tong effort ko and sana matanggap 'to ng mga tao," Chiu said.
'Twin spirit'
While the young actress is saving details of her role for the film's premiere, Chiu shared that she will be playing Minette Angeles, the step-daughter of Santos' character Rosette.
"'Yung role ko dito, stepmom ko si Ate Vi. Mommy ko dito si Ms. Carmi Martin, and marami silang kailangang abangang eksena talaga na 'di ko pa po pwedeng sabihin, dahil kahit ako nagulat ako nung una kong nalaman ang gagawin ko," Chiu said.
Santos revealed, however, that Chiu will play a doppelganger, a "twin spirit" that becomes cursed due to a faith healing session gone wrong.
"Ita-tackle nito about spirit, doppelganger. Tayo kasi meron tayong tinatawag na twin spirit eh, lalo na sa kulturang Pinoy. Parang, 'Ba't ka andito? Nakita kita doon ah.' That's the twin spirit.
"Unfortunately, itong twin spirit, napasukan ng curse, because it has something to do with maling faith healing," Santos shared.
Santos added that aside from her and Chiu, the film's ensemble cast will contribute as much to the film's uniqueness.
"If you will watch the movie, ang tingin niyo sa movie as a whole kasi kasama lahat nung cast na ito. Maraming makikitang iba sa pelikulang ito," she said.
Joining Santos, Chiu and Martin in the cast of "The Healing" are Martin del Rosario, Mark Gil, Pokwang, Janice de Belen, Joel Torre, Cris Villanueva, Daria Ramirez, Maria Isabel Lopez and Ces Quesada.
Released under Star Cinema, "The Healing" will premiere in cinemas nationwide on July 25.