Sep 5, 2014

Director Wenn Deramas Thanks Stars Jodi Sta. Maria, Iza Calzado & Zanjoe For Their Cooperation In His First Horror Film, 'Maria Leonora Teresa'


DIRECTOR WENN DERAMAS is turning a year older on September 13 and the movie “Maria Leonara Teresa” is his special birthday presentation. “Bagay na bagay nga kasi horror movie ito,” he jokes.
Wenn himself conceptualized the story with screenwriter Keiko Aquino. It’s part of Star Cinema’s 20th anniversary presentation and is about three parents, played by Iza Calzado, Zanjoe Marudo and Jodi Sta. Maria, whose daughters died in a vehicular accident during a fatal field trip. To help cope with their grief and depression over the loss of a loved one, a well meaning psychiatrist, played by Cris Villanueva, gives each of them a doll that is a replica of their dead daughter. Soon, the dolls are being possessed and this is where the terrifying events in the movie transpire.
This will be reminiscent of the evil doll Chucky in the “Chucky” series and the coming movie, “Annabelle”, about the evil doll first seen in the hit horror flick, “The Conjuring”. “Ibang level ng katatakutan ang ipapakita namin dito sa ‘Maria Leonora Teresa’,” says Direk Wenn, a box office director better known in comedy. “I assure all viewers na matatakot sila. This is my very first horror movie, na talagang kakaiba sa blockbuster comedies na ginawa ko. Nakagawa na ko ng horror teleserye, ‘Maligno’, and several horror episodes in ‘Maalaala Mo Kaya’, pero iba talaga kapag sa movie. Mas mahirap gawin ito and thanks to Star Cinema all out ang suporta nila rito, pati sa gastos sa special effects for the possessed dolls. Ginawa ko ang lahat to make sure matatakot ang viewers and I want to thank Jodi, Iza and Zanjoe for their full cooperation.”
Iza plays Faith, wife of Dante Ponce who’s Stanley Pardo, owner of the school where the three kids study. Their daughter is Maria. Zanjoe is Julio, a closeted gay and single parent who teaches in the school. His daughter is Leonora. Jodi is Stella, married to a good for nothing husband, Joem Bascon. Their daughter is Teresa.
Also in the cast are Maria Isabel Lopez as Jodi’s mom, Eagle Riggs and Dang Cruz’ as Zanjoe’s co-teacher, Tess Antonio as the yaya of Iza’s child and comedian Atak as the school janitor.