RHEN ESCANO is doing one provocative film after another where she is always asked to disrobe, like “Adan”, “Untrue”, “Paraluman”, “The Other Wife” and the sapphic series, “Lulu”.
She is now happy to be given a chance to do a horror film , “Rooftop”, about a group of students who commit a prank that ends in tragedy that is now streaming on Vivamax.
“At least, iba naman ito sa sexy films na nagawa ko,” she says.
“Pang-Gen Z viewers ito kasi it’s about a barkada and it delves on relatable issues like the effects of bullying.
"I was not asked to take off my clothes here. I also like my role as Jessica. Ako yung loud sa group namin.
"Mahilig siya sa inuman, party-party. Kunwari, siya ang pinakamatapang sa lahat, pero isa pala siya sa pinakamahina sa kanila dahil gusto niyang tumakas nang minumulto na sila.”
She’s really fond of watching horror films but this is the first time that she gets involved in shooting one.
“Yes, mahilig talaga ako manood ng horror films, but I didn’t know na mahirap pala siyang gawin.
"I told our director, Yam Laranas, na nahihirapan akong mag-adjust kasi first time ko nga to do a horror film at may sarili pala siyang requirements at timing. Nangapa talaga ako sa umpisa.”
It’s good she has worked with Direk Yam before.
“Siya kasi ang writer and producer ng ‘Adan’ and we became friends, kaya comfortable ako agad sa kanya. May communication kami, so I told him about my doubts kung kaya ko bang manakot.
"Very considerate siya. He guided me, but he also gives you the freedom kung paano ang gusto mong atake sa eksena.”
All in all, it was a good learning experience for her.
“Yes, at least, marami akong natutuhan, like how to convince ang sarili ko na natatakot ako in front of the camera.
"Kasi in real life, never kong na-experienced makaramdam ng supernatural at never akong natakot, so hindi ko alam ko how to do it. Lalo na nga rito, may scenes kaming nagre-react kaming so frightened kasi nandiyan yung multo, pero actually, wala naman.
"Dapat, idaan mo lang lahat sa acting. When I watched the movie sa premiere night niya sa SM, okay naman pala, pero hindi ko rin alam kung paano ko naitawid yun.”
Is it true the abandoned hospital where they shot “Rooftop” is really haunted?
“Yes, nakakatakot talaga yung lugar, lalo na yung CR assigned to us na mapi-feel mo talagang may .something creepy.
"E, inaabot kami ng past midnight sa shoot, kaya pinipigil ko ang pagpunta ko sa CR, kasi kahit may kasama kami going there, mapi-feel mo pa rin na may presence doon.”
So is she ready to go back doing more sexy films?
“Okay lang naman, but my wish is sana mabigyan pa ako ng iba pang klase ng films where I will be playing different kinds of characters.
"I believe kasi na that’s where I will grow as an actress. Doon ka talaga mahahasa in your craft.”