For veteran makeup artist and film producer Bambbi Fuentes, making movies is no longer just about filling seats in cinema houses—it is about starting conversations that matter.
“Kasi feeling ko since we started producing films, parang feeling ko kung gagawa kami ng pelikula, we should make it a point na markado, not necessarily na kailangan super commercial pero sana may impact sa tao tapos it’s about mental health issues, especially now na very timely sa mga bata. Parang dapat meron kaming maiiwan sa mga manonood na may matututunan din sila after nila lumabas ng sinehan,” Fuentes shared during the official media conference for her company’s newest cinematic endeavor, Mantsa.
While promotional materials for Mantsa give off the chilling vibe of a traditional psychological thriller or horror movie, the film delves into real-world terrors that linger far longer than ghosts. Set against a backdrop of quiet isolation, the trailer opens with a haunting statement: “Mas maraming nakakatakot kesa sa multo.”
The narrative follows Lola Pacita, an elderly matriarch living in seclusion on a remote island alongside her daughter. When her grandchildren come to visit, what should be a peaceful family reunion quickly unravels. Instead, the household becomes a pressure cooker where long-buried secrets, lingering emotional scars, and heavy atmosphere converge. Under the direction of acclaimed filmmaker Louie Ignacio and produced by Dragon Entertainment Productions, Mantsa tackles the delicate, layered complexities of mental health, hidden abuse, and intergenerational trauma—demonstrating how past wounds can stain generations if left unhealed.
To bring such a emotionally heavy narrative to life, the production assembled a powerful ensemble cast spanning multiple generations of Filipino talent. Veteran actress Ms. Pilar Pilapil leads the cast alongside Ms. Gelli De Belen, Khai Flores, and Shira Tweg. Joining them are Lloyd Samartino, Dino Guevarra, Ms. Miles Poblete, Than Perez, RJ Ariar, Jass Dela Torre, Milli Marzo, Ghia Garcia, Bo Bautista, LA Santos, and Raine Barretto. Adding further weight to the dramatic project are special guest appearances by cinema icons Ms. Snooky Serna and Ms. Janice De Belen.
Written by Bambbi Fuentes together with Krista Taclan-Fuchs, Mantsa promises to offer audiences a thought-provoking theatrical experience that blends tension with genuine human vulnerability.
Mantsa opens in cinemas nationwide on October 7, 2026.
Watch our video coverage of the Mantsa media conference: