The horror genre has been a staple in the movie industry since time immemorial. The audience is looking for thrills, and some just want an excuse to have their loved ones hold on to them a bit tighter when the scares are on. GMA Pictures is also known for their horror movies. From Ouija (2007), Sundo (2009), The Road (2011), to the action-horror genre TikTik: The Aswang Chronicles (2012).
This 2025, they’re back with P77, directed by Derick Cabrido (Mallari, Untold) and starring Barbie Forteza (The Road).
It has been nine years since director Derick Cabrido and Barbie Forteza worked together in the Cinemalaya movie ‘Tuos’ with the Superstar Ms. Nora Aunor.
“Malaking improvement, ibang iba na siya nung nakatrabaho ko siya. Parang minor pa yata siya dun,” director Derick Cabrido jokingly answers.
“It’s the same pa din kung paano ko siya nakatrabaho before – sobrang collaborative, there were times na kahit mabigat ‘yung shoot, gumagaan, and nagtatawanan lang kami between takes eh. Ang fun kasi katrabaho ni Barbie. Aral niya ‘yung materyal bago siya pumunta sa set. So, mas madali ‘yung trabaho for the staff, for all of us, sa paggawa ng pelikula,” Cabrido continues.
Was Barbie handpicked for her role in ‘P77’?
“Handpicked siya, oo. Nung sinusulat pa lang ‘yung material from the conceptualization pa lang, siya na talaga ‘yung nasa utak namin na gagawa,” Cabrido shares.
And what’s Barbie’s reaction to being handpicked for ‘P77’?
“Gratefully, well-aware ako na handpicked ako. Kasi honestly, nakailang tawag kaming dalawa. ‘Sige na, make this work.’ Kasi, ‘yung schedule, kasabay siya ng Pulang Araw last year. Last year pa namin ‘to ginawa. Eh medyo tight din ang schedule namin ng taping ng Pulang Araw. Tapos talagang tinatawagan kami ni direk, sabi, ‘sige na, Barbie. Make this work.’ Sabi ko, ‘yes, yes, direk. I will make sure na maga-araw araw ako Pulang Araw tapos P77. Bahala na si Lord kung paano ko gagawin.’ I’m super, super grateful and thankful to direk Derick, to GMA Pictures, GMA Public Affairs, Clever Minds also, kasi it’s a blessing na mabigyan ka ng ganung klaseng pressure. Kasi ibig sabihin, great things are expected of you that’s why handpicked ka. Parang ang sarap sa tenga na iniisip pa lang nila ‘yung storya, binubuo pa lang ‘yung storya, ako na ‘yung nasa isip nila. So, it’s a good pressure because it means great things are expected of me and so I always brought my A game to the set. Hindi ko ginawang excuse na galing ako sa isang napakalaking proyekto. Lubos akong nagpapasalamat dahil from start to finish, ginabayan talaga ako ni direk,” Barbie shares.
Speaking of material, it has been a long time since Barbie made a horror project. If my memory serves me right, it was in 2011, in Yam Laranas’ ‘The Road,’ with Alden Richards and Rhian Ramos, was her last horror movie project. How did she prepare for this project?
“Siguro ito ‘yung project na kada bago shoot, binabasa ko nang buo ‘yung script palagi kasi intentionally, binibitawan ko ‘yung character kasi kailangan kong lumipat kay Adelina (Pulang Araw), hindi ko pwedeng panghawakan si Adelina kay Luna kasi magkaibang magkaiba sila. Panganay si Luna, bunso si Adelina, ang layo ng acting tapos magkaiba, war project si Adelina tapos eto (Luna in P77), sobrang complicated. Kailangan ko bumalik nang bumalik dun sa character, hindi naman namin chronological kinunan ‘yung mga eksena, so ‘yun ‘yung naging malaking tulong sa akin to get back into character, talagang basahin ‘yung full script every shoot. Also, I’m the type na I like getting references from films, actresses. One of my good friends recommended this film, ‘Dancer in the Dark,’ si Bjork. I really, really love how she portrayed such a fragile, pero hindi siya weak na babae. Just fragile, resilient, ganun kasi si Luna eh,” Barbie shares.
“Tsaka maraming, maraming tubig, tsaka ‘yung ini-inhale galing Thailand? Pampakalma, mga ganyan,” Barbie continues.
“P77” delves into the terrifying realm where the worst nightmares happen wide awake.
The story revolves around Luna (Barbie), a cruise ship chambermaid who has to quit her job to attend to her sick brother (Euwenn). While doing so, she discovers that her mother (Rosanna) has gone missing and her brother’s condition is getting progressively worse. The siblings desperately sneak into an empty condo unit but soon discover that Penthouse 77 is not what it seems.
Offering unique insights, the film’s lead star explained how “P77” distinguishes itself within the horror genre.
The film also stars Euwenn Mikaell, veteran actors Jackielou Blanco, Carlos Siguion-Reyna, Gina Pareño, Rosanna Roces, as well as Chrome Cosio and JC Alcantara.
‘P77’ opens in Philippine cinemas on July 30, 2025 from GMA Pictures, GMA Public Affairs and Clever Minds, Inc., distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures Philippines. Rated R-13 by the MTRCB.
Watch our coverage from the P77 media conference below: