The cast of the Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital shared their unique experience shooting the film in a press conference ahead of its red carpet premiere on December 19.
Content creator Zarckaroo, whose real name is Ryan Azurin, revealed that the movie was originally intended as a YouTube video featuring lead actor Enrique Gil.
“Ginawa namin ni Quen (Enrique) na to the next level yung content. Dapat talaga ang content na ito for YouTube but this is too good to be there (only) so sabi ni Quen ipasok namin sa big screen and thank God nakapasok naman (sa MMFF),” Zarckaroo said.
Known for filming actual footage in haunted and offbeat locations, Zarckaroo, whose real name is Ryan Azurin, is making his film debut with Strange Frequencies.
Actress Alexa Miro also recalled the challenges of filming in remote locations, managing multiple cameras, and capturing scenes under pressure.
“Na-appreciate namin noong naexperience na namin ourselves na mayroon dalawang camera na nakadikit sa amin, may handheld cameras and may mga flashlights kami para ilawan yung isa't isa so grabe yung pressure and responsibility to make sure na nakukuhanan namin yung mga lugar, mga scene, mga tao sa harap namin,” Alexa said.
Former Miss Universe Philippines MJ Lastimosa admitted she felt scared during the shoot.
“Ito talaga yung takot ko hindi ko aakalain na totoo. Hindi ko inexpect na papasok ako sa isang floor na magisa lang. Totoo yung iyak ko,” she said.
Meanwhile, Kapamilya actress Jane De Leon shared that she learned to be more respectful in visiting foreign places to avoid any trouble with entities residing in the area.
“To respect the place and the environment. Kasi mga foreign kami, hindi kami taga doon at hindi namin kabisado yung mga spiritual beings na nandoon,” she shared.
Jane also joked about being placed in one of the scariest areas of the filming location, saying, “Biglaan lang talaga ako ininvite dito (to be part of the movie) nila Quen. Ako pa yung ininvite sa grupo, ako pa yung nilagay sa pinakacrucial (na lugar).”
The film was shot in the infamous Xinglin Hospital in Taiwan, known for its eerie reputation. The hospital, abandoned for over 20 years, is a condemned building where people speculate that the ghost of an old woman haunts the seventh floor atrium.
Strange Frequencies is also a Philippine adaptation of the 2018 Korean box office hit Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum and is the first installment of its horror series.
The film is produced by Erik Matti and veteran filmmaker Ronald “Dondon” Monteverde of Reality MM Studios, in partnership with actor Enrique Gil.
Along with Zarckaroo, Alexa, Jane, and MJ, the cast includes Rob Gomez, influencer Raf Pineda, and Enrique Gil, who explore the hospital’s paranormal activities and dark history.
Looking back on their experience, Enrique expressed gratitude to his castmates who trusted him and the production team in trying a different type of horror genre.
“I'm just really thankful and happy na everyone was so game. It's no joke to be able to shoot this film. Siyempre in an abandoned place, medyo remote (area), maraming hazards, yung weather kalaban natin, may mga paniki diyan, mag mga niknik but everybody was so game,” Enrique said.
He added, “I was really shocked especially with the ladies dito, mga costars namin. Sobrang game sila, super cowboy nila, walang kaarte arte at all.”
“I really want to commend all this actors na mga kasama ko rito. Thank you so much.”
Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital will hit cinemas on December 25, alongside other entries for the 50th edition of Metro Manila Film Festival.