Far from his usual works, director Dan Villegas (English Only, Please, How To Be Yours) helms a horror film for the first time, ‘Ilawod’ from Quantum Films.
Villegas directed his first full-length film at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2010 titled ‘Mayohan’ starring Lovi Poe. While he did confess that it was all a challenge for him, especially budget-wise, “gawa lang nang gawa” is the motto to follow, if you really want to pursue a career in filmmaking. And he did, and through Quantum films, he directed his first mainstream film “English Only, Please” at the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival which won Best Actress for Jennylyn Mercado, Best Actor for Derek Ramsay, Best Director for Dan Villegas and 2nd Best Picture. The film opened his doors to his home TV network ABS-CBN through their film production company Star Cinema, taking the challenge from being a cinematographer to director. He then directed The Breakup Playlist starring Piolo Pascual and Sarah Geronimo released July 2015, back with Quantum Films with #WalangForever starring Jennylyn Mercado and Jericho Rosales and this year, Always Be My Maybe starring Gerald Anderson and Arci Munoz and just recently How To Be Yours starring Gerald Anderson and Bea Alonzo both from Star Cinema.
His career is on a roll as both of his films this 2016 are box-office success and critically acclaimed, and we are just more than excited how Villegas does his first horror film.
“Ilawod” stars Iza Calzado, Ian Veneracion, Xyriel Manabat, Therese Malvar and Harvey Bautista, produced by Quantum Films, in Philippine cinemas January 18, 2017.