The comic and the underdog

Perfectly complementing “Ouija’s” star-studded horror are Ruby Rodriguez and Desiree Del Valle. Find out about their interesting stories while taping this terrifying tale. Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Photos by Jason John S. Lim and Mitch S. Mauricio. The comic gem You’re scared out of your wits, and there’s no way out for the story’s lead characters. You just witnessed a spine-tingling death of one of the main characters, and you’re in desperate need for a three-second breather. That’s what Ruby Rodriguez will do for Ouija. Because really, what’s any film without comic relief? Ruby’s last flick was Enteng Kabisote (2006) during last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, and this switch from fantasy to horror got her really excited. “This is the first horror movie that I’m going to do!” she explains. “Usually I do comedy, kung hindi, love story. (I provide the) comic relief.” In Ouija, Ruby plays the yaya of Ruth (Rhian Ramos). “Ruth is the youngest kasi, and (she has an) over-protective mother that’s why she has her own yaya…Basically they’re all relatives. They’re all first cousins except for Jolina (Magdangal) and Judy Ann, who are half-sisters.” Also joining Ruby in the film are Jolina Magdangal, Judy Ann Santos, and Iza Calzado. When asked how it’s like to be working with the cast, Ruby blurted out with a laugh, “I feel so old! But it’s fun to be working with them.” This Eat Bulaga mainstay shares that the toughest challenge in Ouija was “how to act scared.” Because although she has starred in TV horror flicks, doing it for a movie is “iba talaga,” she says. Ruby notes that some directors elicit genuine fear from the actors by putting an unexpected element while shooting. For instance, “minsan bigla na lang maghahagis ng kung anu-ano; gusto kang magulat para talagang genuine.” This wasn’t the case with direk Topel Lee (Shake, Rattle, and Roll, 2006), however. “But you will get scared. The director is really good with horror movies. It’s the lighting. Madadala ka sa light, sa nakikita mong gamit sa set design, lalo na kung konti lang ‘yung tao, madadala ka talaga.” Ruby wants to make one thing clear: “It’s not gore. It’s not gross. It’s not the typical. I think this is more of the usual naririnig mong kwento sa probinsiya na nakita; ‘yung ganoon.” Kontrabida no more! She has been so used to playing the kontrabida, to the point that it has ceased to pose a challenge for her. But with this horror flick, Desiree’s acting prowess was put to the test. “Sobrang iba ‘yung role ko dito, because ako usually ‘yung mataray, ‘yung kontrabida… (Ngayon) parang ako ‘yung alalay,” Desiree notes of her character, Lucy who is Sandra’s (Iza) best friend. She continues, “It just happens na artista siya, model siya so ako naman ‘yung super best friend na laging nandyan sa tabi niya. But it’s different (for Iza) kasi masyado niyang tini-take for granted ‘yung friendship. E ako naman wala lang, okay lang, basta magkaibigan kami! Tapos gustuhin ko mang gayahin siyang pumorma, I couldn’t kasi lumalabas na baduy ako.” Des has worked with almost everyone in the cast except for Rhian. She was in Krystala (2004) with Judy Ann, in Atlantika (2006) with Iza, and in Gimik (1996) (TV series) with Jolina. “It’s gonna be big. And with Jolina and Juday in it, I mean, hindi lagi nangyayari ‘yun e, di ba? Sabi ko okay, ang galing ng cast, magagaling silang lahat.” Don’t miss this big screen milestone on July 25! To share your views, visit the iGMA Forums! More features on Ouija! Star-studded horror Direk Topel on Ouija Why you should watch Ouija A scary moment