A different kind of manananggal will land in cinemas this October at the 2016 QCinema International Film Festival. Director Prime Cruz, whose first feature-length film Sleepless won NETPAC Jury Prize at QCinema last year and was selected for competition at this year’s Osaka Asian Film Festival, presents an unconventional love story in Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B. Collaborating once again with Sleepless writer-producer Jen Chuaunsu, under the creative supervision of internationally-acclaimed filmmaker Jun Robles Lana, Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B stars award-winning actor Martin del Rosario and Ryza Cenon in her first lead role. The film will have its gala premiere on October 15, 6:30PM at Gateway Cineplex 2 and will be screening from October 15 – 22 at four mall venues namely: TriNoma Mall, Gateway Cineplex, Robinsons Galleria and U.P. Town Center.
Ryza’s daring scenes are sure to be talked about as she portrays a manananggal who lives in an urban setting. Fresh from winning a Gawad Urian for Best Supporting Actor, Martin shows another side of himself as he plays the romantic lead. Putting an unorthodox twist to the hugot films that are popular now in Philippine cinema, Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B tells the story of Jewel (Ryza Cenon), a girl who leads a lonely life until she meets Nico (Martin del Rosario), a broken-hearted, down-and-out guy who also feels unlovable like she does. She is torn between loving him and wanting to save him from herself. Rounding out the cast are Ms. Vangie Labalan and Cholo Barretto.
Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B is produced by The IdeaFirst Company led by Executive Producers Jun Robles Lana and Perci Intalan. Apart from Writer-Producer Jen Chuaunsu, Director Prime Cruz also worked with the creative team from Sleepless – Cinematographer Tey Clamor, Production Designer Nestor Abrogena, Editor Galileo Te, and Producer Adi Lopez.