7 deadly reasons to watch 'Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho: Gabi ng Lagim VII'

Halloween is just around the corner. It would be a sin to celebrate this annual scarefest without watching original Pinoy horror stories based on reality.

That's where Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho: Gabi ng Lagim VII comes in.

Now on its 7th season, Gabi ng Lagim (GNL) has been considered as the “Halloween Special of the new generation!” It has raised the bar for the original and artful narration of horror films on primetime TV.

Here are 7 deadly reasons why you shouldn't miss this newest installment:

1. GNL prides itself with real-life accounts

From strange occurrences caught in photos to actual footage of hair-raising experiences, GNL VII shines a spotlight on those who have witnessed the paranormal- and lived to tell the tale.

“Gabi ng Lagim allows our staff to showcase their creativity, but it’s also an opportunity for us to delve into the realm of the unknown by way of stories that are compelling and are based on real-life experiences,” KMJS host and GMA News and Public Affairs pillar Jessica Soho said.

Last year, we saw stories about spirits who lived in an abandoned hospital; a person with a 'third eye', the spirits who roam the corridors of the old Manila City Hall, and “Amaranhig,” the undead who spread fear in one province.

2. GNL satisfies our lust for more Filipino folklore

Since GNL’s first season, Soho’s team has been making sure they always put a new twist in telling these stories, satisfying public interest in Filipino folklore.

“Napakayaman ng ating kultura sa mga kuwento ng kababalaghan na naisasalin-salin ng bawat henerasyon. Kaya hanggang ngayon buhay pa rin ang mga kuwento tungkol sa mga aswang, manananggal, kapre, multo at mga bagay at pangyayari na hindi maipaliwanag,” she said, explaining the richness and depth of Filipino folklore.

According to Soho, GNL is not just a special episode; it is a long-awaited tradition that airs during Halloween when there is much talk about death and the afterlife.

3. GNL allows us to experience the wrath of the undead, alongside familiar faces

A GNL story would never be complete without controversial paranormal investigator Ed Caluag, who performed a seance last season; and Jay Costura, the famous seer, who claims to be able to accurately predict the future.

This year, they are making a comeback as they help us make sense of everything as the wrath of the undead continues to haunt us.

4. You’ll envy your family and friends if you don’t join the fun online!

In the previous years, GNL has been taking social media by storm by being a constant trending topic not just in the Philippines but also worldwide.

In fact, last year, #KMJSGabiNgLagimVI generated over 80,000 tweets in less than 3 hours!

Phenomenal star Maine Mendoza even joined the fun!

Several viral GNL memes also showed up on Facebook, proving that the scary stories were a hit among younger audiences.

5. GNL is anything but lazy and slothful

GNL sets itself apart from other staple local halloween programs by joining forces with some of the best and most award-winning movie and TV directors in the Philippines.

These directors and crew put in a lot of work, effort, research and planning into each and every segment.

This year's KMJS Halloween Special will be spearheaded by GMA directors such as: Rember Gelera who was part of the GMA Network team that won the New York Festival award for Alaala, Joseph Israel Laban who won the Special Jury Prize and Best Director Prize at the Cinemalaya 2017, award-winning director Adolfo Alix Jr. whose recent film ‘Circa’ received an award from Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum, and Kenneth Lim Dagatan who recently competed in the NY Asian Film Festival.

6. GNL fulfills our gluttonous appetite for scary stories

Our appetite for the paranormal, mysterious, and haunted can never be satiated.

Which is why some local full-length movies drew inspiration from the beloved Halloween series.

In fact, the full-length horror film of ‘Clarita,’ which tells the story of the possession of Clarita Villanueva during the 1950s, was first seen on Gabi ng Lagim V’s 'Sanib.’

Derick Cabrido who directed ‘Sanib’ during the fifth installment of GNL, was also the one who directed ‘Clarita’ recently.

To further satisfy your hunger for more GNL stories, you can binge-watch them here:

7. Don’t be greedy; GNL is meant to be shared

‘KMJS Gabi ng Lagim’ is a once in a year viewing experience in the comfort of your own home!

This experience is for free and is best shared with your family and friends. Who wants to scream and get scared alone, right?

So what are you waiting for? Round up the fambam or squad, turn up the volume, and switch off the lights!

Gabi ng Lagim VII Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Halloween Special will air on October 27, 2019, 8:40 PM on GMA 7. Don't miss it!

—JCB, GMA News