By Mariela Angella Oladive
Tigkaralag, a Hiligaynon term referring to the season when spirits return to the world of the living, coincides with All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day in early November. During this time, families gather to honor the dead, sharing supernatural stories to ward off malevolent entities and keep cultural folklore alive.
This Halloween season, those spooky tales will take center stage as CineEnkanto: Tigkaralag Pista Pelikula brings Ilonggo horror and fantasy stories to life on October 25-26 at the UPV Cinematheque in Iloilo City.
The festival will feature eight Ilonggo short films, exploring the weird, fantastical, and horrific:
- Animo – A young man discovers his grandfather’s amulet powers to protect his family from criminals.
- Amiel: Modern Albularyo – Two friends investigate a series of strange murders.
- Ang Tinuga sa Espejo – A man confronts an entity haunting him after visiting a psychic.
- Baylo – A mother turns to dark magic to save her sick child.
- Liwat – A family man is drawn into a nightmare revealing eternal damnation.
- Hila(u)was – A mother and son face the horror of their actions in a surreal narrative.
- TagLugar – A woman discovers a dangerous deception while seeking help from a folk healer.
- Bilog ang Bulan – A woman transforms into a monster on a full moon night, preparing to abandon her child.
“One of the main goals of CineEnkanto is to build a mainstream following for Ilonggo cinema,” festival director Raymund Salao told Daily Guardian. Salao emphasized the need to broaden the audience for local films, which often draw a limited academic crowd.
“CineEnkanto aims to bridge this gap and attract a more diverse audience,” Salao said. “This festival is meant to support Ilonggo filmmakers, and we want people to discover new ideas and films they haven’t seen before.”
Salao also highlighted the significance of horror films in addressing real issues and important themes, noting that the festival coincides with National Indigenous Peoples Month in October.
“Our folklore is part of who we are,” Salao explained. “These tales teach us about our culture and values, offering insights into the beliefs that have shaped our identities.”
The public is invited to experience these unique films on October 25 at 5:30 PM and on October 26 at 1 PM, 3 PM, and 5:30 PM. Each screening will be followed by a talk-back session.
Tickets are priced at PHP120 and are available at Thrive Art Gallery in Atria, Iloilo City.
Apasa Projects is organizing CineEnkanto in cooperation with the UPV Office of Initiatives in Culture and the Arts, and the UPV Center for West Visayan Studies.
Daily Guardian is the official print media partner.
