By Eric Borromeo
Veteran actress Pilar Pilapil is back on the big screen, and this time she’s stepping into the world of psychological thrills with Dragon Entertainment’s upcoming film Mantsa. Directed by Louie Ignacio, the movie promises to mix suspense, mystery, and a touch of social relevance, all wrapped up in a story that’s as gripping as it is thought-provoking.
The idea for Mantsa came during the pandemic, when producer Bambbi Fuentes found herself glued to Netflix. “Nung pandemic, wala naman tayong magawa, nasa bahay lang. Panay panonood ko ng Netflix. Nahilig ako sa mga horror, thriller… nagkaroon ako ng idea na gumawa naman ng psychological thriller,” she said. What started as a small idea eventually grew into a full-blown project, with Ignacio bringing it to life on the screen.
Producer Tine Areola emphasized that this isn’t your usual jump-scare thriller. “Hindi ito yung tipong nanggugulat. It also deals with mental health, so, tulad ng una naming film, Sugat Sa Dugo, which was about AIDS awareness, Mantsa deals with mental health. Nandun pa din yun advocacy namin.” By embedding social relevance into a gripping story, Dragon Entertainment continues its commitment to creating films that entertain while also sparking conversation.
For Pilapil, accepting the role meant diving into the script in its entirety. “I don’t just read my part when I accept roles,” she explained. “I have few dialogues here, but there are so many nuances. That made me accept the role.” She even flew from Cebu to attend the media conference on January 21 at Pepeton’s, Quezon City, meeting the cast and production team for the first time.
The film also boasts a strong supporting cast, including Gelli de Belen, Dino Imperial, Shira Tweg, Khai Flores, Bo Bautista, RJ Ariar, Mill Marzo, Ghia Garcia, Than Perez, Rain Barretto, and Mhiles Poblete. With such a mix of seasoned stars and fresh faces, the chemistry on screen is something to look forward to.
While plot details are being kept under wraps, Fuentes hints that Mantsa will keep viewers on edge while exploring the complexities of the human mind. With suspense, psychological tension, and a message about mental health woven together, it’s shaping up to be a film that entertains while also giving audiences something to think about.
If you’re into thrillers with a little more depth than your usual horror flick, Mantsa is definitely one to watch.
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