Espantaho

2024 supernatural horror film by Chito S. Roño From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Espantaho (lit.'Scarecrow') is a 2024 Philippine supernatural horror film directed by Chito S. Roño from a screenplay by Chris Martinez.[1] It stars Judy Ann Santos, Lorna Tolentino and Chanda Romero.[2] The film is part of ten official entries to the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival.

Directed byChito S. Roño
Screenplay byChris Martinez
Produced byPatricia Sumagui
Starring
Quick facts Directed by, Screenplay by ...
Espantaho
Theatrical release poster
Directed byChito S. Roño
Screenplay byChris Martinez
Produced byPatricia Sumagui
Starring
CinematographyNeil Daza
Edited byBenjo Ferrer
Music byVon de Guzman
Production
companies
  • Quantum Films
  • Cineko Productions
  • Purple Bunny Productions
Release date
  • December 25, 2024 (2024-12-25)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino
Close

Plot

The film opens on the death of the family patriarch, Pabling. Pabling's daughter, Monet, who is mourning over his death had a seizure and lost consciousness. While unconscious, Monet had a vision of her father warning her not to let "him" into the house.
This film focuses on the traditional funeral rituals and customs at the Lazatin-Henson-Katigbak Mansion (Mexico, Pampanga).[3]

Cast

Main Cast

Production

On September 12, 2024, Quantum Films in their 20th year anniversary revealed in their social media page their upcoming horror film titled Espantaho with its logo and official cast leading by Judy Ann Santos and Lorna Tolentino. Aside from Santos and Tolentino, Chanda Romero, Mon Confiado, JC Santos, Donna Cariaga, Nico Antonio, Kian Co and Janice de Belen are confirmed to be part cast with Tommy Abuel and Eugene Domingo revealed that have special roles in the film.[7]
The role of Lorna Tolentino was supposed to be played by Vilma Santos. Vilma stated that there was some "problem" on the character and later withdrew from the project to act in Uninvited, which Vilma said is a "dream story".[5][8] This marks Tolentino's return to acting in horror films since 1995's Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara.[9] While Chanda Romero's role was supposed to be played by Charo Santos.[5]

Release

The film was released theatrically on December 25, 2024, as part of the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival.[10] The film also scheduled to premier at Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in Los Angeles on January 30, 2025.[11]

Accolades

More information Award, Date of ceremony ...
Accolades received by Espantaho
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
45th Fantasporto International Film Festival March 8, 2025 Best Actress Judy Ann Santos Won [12]
2024 Metro Manila Film Festival December 27, 2024 Best Actress Judy Ann Santos Won [13]
Best Supporting Actress Lorna Tolentino Nominated
Chanda Romero Nominated
Best Screenplay Chris Martinez Nominated
Best Cinematography Neil Daza Nominated
Best Production Design Angel Diesta Nominated
Best Editing Benjo Ferrer Nominated
Best Sound Engineering Alex Tomboc & Lamberto Casas Jr. Nominated
Best Musical Score Von De Guzman Nominated
Best Visual Effects Gaspar Mangarin and Walter Monte Nominated
Best Child Performer Kean Co Nominated
Best Float Espantaho Nominated
8th EDDYS Awards July 20, 2025 Best Actress Judy Ann Santos Nominated [14][15]
Best Supporting Actress Chanda Romero Nominated
Lorna Tolentino Won
Best Cinematography Neil Daza Nominated
Best Visual Effects Gaspar Mangarin and Walter Monte Won
Best Sound Alex Tomboc & Lamberto Casas Jr. Nominated
2025 FAMAS Awards August 22, 2025 Best Director Chito S. Roño Nominated [16]
Best Actress Judy Ann Santos Nominated
Best Visual Effects Gaspar Mangarin and Walter Monte Won
Best Production Design Angel Diesta Nominated
FAMAS Child Icon of Philippine Cinema Judy Ann Santos Won
Susan Roces Celebrity Award Lorna Tolentino Won
Nora Aunor Superstar Award Judy Ann Santos Won
27th Gawad Pasado October 25, 2025 Pinakapasadong Pelikula Espantaho Nominated [17]
Pinakapasadong Direktor Chito Roño
Pinakapasadong Aktress Judy Ann Santos
Pinakapasadong Katuwang Na Aktress Chandra Romero
Lorna Tolentino
Pinakapasadong Batang Aktor/Aktres Kain Co
Pinakapasadong Disenyong Produksyon Angel B. Diesta
Pinakapasadong Sinematograpiya Neil Daza
Pinakapasadong Editing Benjo Ferrer
Pinakapasadong Tunog Alex Tomboc & Lamberto Casas Jr.
41st Star Awards for Movies November 30, 2025 Movie of the Year Espantaho Pending [18][19]
Movie Director of the Year Chito S. Roño
Movie Actress of the Year Judy Ann Santos
Movie Supporting Actress of the Year Chanda Romero
Lorna Tolentino
Child Performer of the Year Kian Co
Movie Ensemble Acting of the Year Espantaho
Movie Screenwriter of the Year Chris Martinez
Movie Cinematographer of the Year Neil Daza
Movie Editor of the Year Benjo Ferrer
Movie Musical Scorer of the Year Von De Guzman
Movie Production Designer of the Year Angel Diesta
Movie Sound Engineer of the Year Lamberto Casas & Alex Tomboc
Close

References

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI