DARRYL YAP, 33, is one of our youngest writer-directors. He started as a full length filmmaker with “Jowable”, a big hit, so it’s not surprising Viva Films gave him more assignments.
His second film was the comedy “Gusto Kong Maging Porn Star” and he now comes up with “Tililing”, which became controversial since some folks said its poster made fun of people with mental illness.
How did he conceive of the film?
“This is actually my second film at third yung ‘Porn Star’ kaya lang, naunang i-released yon,” he says.
“In 2009, I had an aunt who was put in a mental institution in Olongapo. She’s the sister of my dad and when we visited her, I was so traumatized by what I saw, so I wrote the script based on true events.
"Very timely ito sa panahon ngayon na people get so stressed at maraming problema because of the Taal Volcano eruption, the typhoons that hit our country and, of course, the pandemic.”
He wants to correct the impression that “Tililing” is just making fun of people who have problems with their mental health.
“Those who say na puro katatawanan itong movie namin at hindi namin sineseryoso ang mental illness, all I can say is panoorin muna nila bago nila i-judge kung tama ang mga akala nila about this genre-bending movie.
"Kasi with my aunt, I learned a lot about mental illness. It’s difficult to have a member of the family afflicted with that. You just have to be more kind and understanding.
"But I view the criticisms against the movie as still a blessing as it helps create more awareness na may movie palang ganito. Publicity pa rin yun.”
“Tililing” has six major characters: three inmates and three nurse interns in charge of attending to them.
The inmates are played by Gina Pareno as Lola Socorro, Baron Geisler as Peter, and Chad Kinis as Bernie.
Their corresponding nurses are Candy Pangilinan as Maricel who has no sympathy at all for the inmates, Yumi Laxamana (who is also a songwriter who wrote the film’s theme song) as Jessa and Donnalyn Bartolome as Espie.
“The title came from me,” says Direk Darrly. “Maraming ibig sabihin ang ‘Tililing’.
"It can me the ringing of a bell or tunog ng kampana, puede ring something that serves as a trigger like it rings a bell, and lastly, as a word used by people sa panlalait ng mga taong may karamdaman sa pag-iisip.
"As a writer, I want films that make people feel uncomfortable. Maingay ang ‘Tililing’ kasi bago ang tinatalakay niyang paksa at hindi pa nagagawa sa industry. Masyadong magaspang ang material kaya malakas ang dating.”
How did he cast ‘Tililing’?
“Personal choice ko ang cast and I’m thankful to Viva kasi lahat ng ni-request ko, ibinigay.
"Si Tita Gina Pareno, dream ko talagang makatrabaho siya kahit noong hindi pa ko nagdidirek. So ngayong nakatrabaho ko siya rito, dream come true ito for me.
"Si Baron naman, wala pa siya sa Viva, sinabi ko ng I want to work with him and bagay siya sa role niya rito as I haven’t seen him in this kind of role before.
"Si Chad naman, identified siya as a comedian but he’s really an artist. He also writes and you’ll see him do drama sa ‘Tililing’.
"Si Candy, underrated siya but I think she’s a very important actress and you’ll see that in our movie.
"Yumi and Donnalyn will also surprise viewers with their performances in this film, so I am very happy with my whole cast. So don’t miss ‘Tililing’ when it opens in theaters and on VivaMax this Friday, March 5.”
