The comic reliefs of 'Kubot'

January 05 2015

By CHERRY SUN

Though the film is the sequel to Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles and discusses aswangs and other terrifying creatures, Kubot is not purely a horror movie.

Direk Erik Matti claimed, “Gusto namin na parang kickass pa rin siya na movie pero nakakatuwa, masaya. Klaro na hindi namin sineseryoso ‘tong tema na ‘to. Masaya lang kahit na may horror ng konti, meron din kaming comedy.”

Because of this, the movie is peppered with comical characters such as veteran actor Joey Marquez and internet sensations Ramon Bautista, Bogart the Explorer and Jun Sabayton.

Joey as Nestor


Joey’s character as Nestor and Sonya’s father is a continuing character in The Aswang Chronicle franchise.

While this is not a new portrayal, the pressure is on him headlining the comedic aspect of the sequel.

Joey said, “Isang natutunan ko kay Direk Erik, sabi niya sa akin, ‘Wag ka umarte, gawin mong natural. So kapag magpapa-comedy ka, wag mong i-exaggerate. Kasi whatever it is, pag ginawa mong natural, tatawa ang tao.”

This is not also his first time to work with Direk Erik, having won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in the director’s celebrated movie On The Job. He however admitted he is not eyeing another recognition.

“Actually ang motivation ko dito hindi ‘yung award eh. Ang motivation natin dito is to make people happy. “Mas gusto ko siguro matuwa ‘yung mga tao rather than the award,” he admitted.

Ramon Bautista as Justiniani and Bogart the Explorer as Macapagal

“Ramon Bautista and I are cops in this movie and we’re partners. We’re sort of like the comic relief of the film,” Bogart introduced.

“Lagi kaming magkasama tapos ang hangad namin, maging panibagong bansang bayani sa pagsugpo ng mga aswang. So hindi mo mawari kung medyo scallywag kami doon or kung ganon lang talaga paraan namin,” Ramon continued.

Both of them also identify with Direk Erik in achieving the goal of the movie: to be both terrifying and entertaining at the same time.

“Naniniwala siya sa galing namin ni Bogart the Explorer. Sinabi niya sa amin, ‘Ramon, Bogart, bahala na kayo dyan’,” Ramon said about doing ad libs for their dialogues in the film.

“[It’s] balancing the serious side with comedy and horror. May mga lines talaga na magmumukha kaming bad cops talaga na we’ll do everything just to make it to the top. But also at the same time, we are the comic relief. It’s like balancing a funny bad cop and a horror movie,” Bogart added.

Jun Sabayton as Tope


Another celebrity cast for his cyber stardom is Jun Sabayton.

“Character ko dito parang inspector ako sa food bureau. Nag-i-inspect ako ng mga pagkain,” he said about his portrayal of Tope.

While he cannot yet reveal much about his role, he lightheartedly added, “Kakaiba ‘yung character ko dito. Ito ‘yung isa sa mga role ko na pang-Gawad Urian.”