‘Mallari’ writer Enrico Santos talks about creating Piolo Pascual’s multiple roles
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‘Mallari’ writer Enrico Santos talks about creating Piolo Pascual’s multiple roles
Rhea Manila Santos
Published Jan 02, 2024 10:22 AM PHT

Even before it won 3rd Best Picture at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival, Mallari screenwriter Enrico Santos said he and the entire film’s production team are very proud of the project which spent four years in development. He revealed just how much research went into finding out all they could about the country’s first ever documented serial killer, parish priest Severino Mallari.
Although not a historical film, the storyline’s horror elements serve to make Father Mallari’s story even more entertaining and fascinating with Pinoy viewers.
“Yung totoong kuwento ng Mallari na nasa Google and sa na-research namin sa Pampanga, siyempre serial killer yung basis. Pero sobrnag konti ang laman. Nakarating pa sa Madrid. Nagpatawag pa kami para hanapin pero walang makuhang data. Walang records nung time na yun so we had to create some supernatural manner para makita ng mga audience.
“Yung totoong kuwento ng Mallari na nasa Google and sa na-research namin sa Pampanga, siyempre serial killer yung basis. Pero sobrnag konti ang laman. Nakarating pa sa Madrid. Nagpatawag pa kami para hanapin pero walang makuhang data. Walang records nung time na yun so we had to create some supernatural manner para makita ng mga audience.
"So sabi namin ni direk, puwede naman itong gawin nating (American serial killer Jeffrey) Dahmer pero Pinoy. Kung saan ang cause ng lahat ng lahat ng patayan at takot sa Mallari ay pinanggalingang hindi lamang sa tao nanggaling. Kaya dun nagsimula ang pagiging supernatural niya. And besides, Filipinos love supernatural movies more than killer movies na napapanuod lang natin sa Netflix. Kaya dun kami ni direk Derick (Cabrido) nagkasundo," he explained.
"So sabi namin ni direk, puwede naman itong gawin nating (American serial killer Jeffrey) Dahmer pero Pinoy. Kung saan ang cause ng lahat ng lahat ng patayan at takot sa Mallari ay pinanggalingang hindi lamang sa tao nanggaling. Kaya dun nagsimula ang pagiging supernatural niya. And besides, Filipinos love supernatural movies more than killer movies na napapanuod lang natin sa Netflix. Kaya dun kami ni direk Derick (Cabrido) nagkasundo," he explained.
In the film, lead star Piolo Pascual plays multiple roles starting with the infamous priest who reportedly killed more than 57 people in the 1800s. Enrico explained that the concept of making Piolo act out several different characters all throughout the movie started out as a challenge between him and Mallari director Derick.
In the film, lead star Piolo Pascual plays multiple roles starting with the infamous priest who reportedly killed more than 57 people in the 1800s. Enrico explained that the concept of making Piolo act out several different characters all throughout the movie started out as a challenge between him and Mallari director Derick.
“Totoong sagot, mayabang kami ni direk. Nagyayabangan kami ng brainstorming. So pagka may isa akong sinabi, dadagdagan niya. Pag may isa siyang sinabi, dadagdagan ko. So nung ginawa namin yung Mallari, sabi ko direk ayoko ng isa kailangan dalawa para may present day. Sabi niya, ‘Hindi, gawin mong tatlo!’ Nagsimula po sa pusta. Totoo yun.
“Totoong sagot, mayabang kami ni direk. Nagyayabangan kami ng brainstorming. So pagka may isa akong sinabi, dadagdagan niya. Pag may isa siyang sinabi, dadagdagan ko. So nung ginawa namin yung Mallari, sabi ko direk ayoko ng isa kailangan dalawa para may present day. Sabi niya, ‘Hindi, gawin mong tatlo!’ Nagsimula po sa pusta. Totoo yun.
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"Siyempre kami ni direk, tina-try rin naming gawing social commentary yung Mallari on what is fear ngayon sa mga tao. So nung araw ang fear ng tao is demonyo, maligno, kasalanan, hacienderong masungit o hacienderong pumapatay. Ano ba ang fear nung 1946 to 1948 nung time na yun? Nung time na yun yung CIA nasa Pilipinas, nag-imbento sila ng aswang sa probinsya tapos sinasabit nila sa puno, akala ng Pilipino, aswang. So nagbabaan ang lahat. Yun ang research namin,” he explained.
"Siyempre kami ni direk, tina-try rin naming gawing social commentary yung Mallari on what is fear ngayon sa mga tao. So nung araw ang fear ng tao is demonyo, maligno, kasalanan, hacienderong masungit o hacienderong pumapatay. Ano ba ang fear nung 1946 to 1948 nung time na yun? Nung time na yun yung CIA nasa Pilipinas, nag-imbento sila ng aswang sa probinsya tapos sinasabit nila sa puno, akala ng Pilipino, aswang. So nagbabaan ang lahat. Yun ang research namin,” he explained.
Aiming to be more than just a holiday horror thriller, Enrico explained why Mallari means so much more than just your run-of-the-mill scary movie.
Aiming to be more than just a holiday horror thriller, Enrico explained why Mallari means so much more than just your run-of-the-mill scary movie.
“Sa 2023, ano ba ang nakakatakot sa atin? Ang nakakatakot ngayon yung kapwa tao na di ba? Hindi na tayo masyado takot sa multo. Takot tayo sa mga mananakit sa atin sa kanto or wherever. So it’s really a good exploration of fear sa PIlilpino through the centuries. And I hope makita niyo yun when you watch the movie. Hindi lang siya takutan pero good siya na latag ng naging kultura natin. Kung bakit laging tinatakot ang Pinoy ng Kastila, ng Amerikano, at bakit tayo nannakot sa sarili natin,” he added.
“Sa 2023, ano ba ang nakakatakot sa atin? Ang nakakatakot ngayon yung kapwa tao na di ba? Hindi na tayo masyado takot sa multo. Takot tayo sa mga mananakit sa atin sa kanto or wherever. So it’s really a good exploration of fear sa PIlilpino through the centuries. And I hope makita niyo yun when you watch the movie. Hindi lang siya takutan pero good siya na latag ng naging kultura natin. Kung bakit laging tinatakot ang Pinoy ng Kastila, ng Amerikano, at bakit tayo nannakot sa sarili natin,” he added.
Mallari is one of the ten entries in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival which runs until January 7, 2024 in cinemas nationwide. The film stars Piolo Pascual, JC Santos, Janella Salvador, Sue Ramirez, Elisse Joson, and Gloria Diaz. Directed by Derick Cabrido and produced by Mentorque Productions.
Mallari is one of the ten entries in the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival which runs until January 7, 2024 in cinemas nationwide. The film stars Piolo Pascual, JC Santos, Janella Salvador, Sue Ramirez, Elisse Joson, and Gloria Diaz. Directed by Derick Cabrido and produced by Mentorque Productions.
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